Mekons: New York, On The Road 86-87

For decades, the venerable U.K. band Mekons was branded a cult act almost against its will. Despite a spectacular string of acclaimed albums throughout the '80s—Fear And Whiskey, The Edge Of The World, Honky Tonkin', Rock 'N' Roll, Curse Of The Mekons—near-constant label troubles kept the band out of stores even as its records topped year-end lists. Though much of Mekons' classic output remains out of print, the band remains active against almost all odds. But an air of arty obscurity still hangs around the group, implying (incorrectly) that it's one of those impenetrable post-punk art-school projects whose reputation exceeds its accessibility. This unfortunate misconception discourages neophytes from seeking out any of its numerous masterpieces. Even though New York, On The Road 86-87—a wonderful live collection originally released on cassette only—isn't one of them, it nevertheless indicates just what an intelligent, raucous, and fun band Mekons is. Recorded across America around the time Honky Tonkin' was released, and featuring the band's classic lineup (Jon Langford, Tom Greenhalgh, Sally Timms, Suzie Honeyman, Steve Goulding, and Rico Bell), New York captures Mekons in all its sloppy glory. From ragged Clash-esque rock anthems ("Hard To Be Human") to roots-rock gems ("Big Zombie," "Slightly South Of The Border") through folk-rock songs such as "Flitcraft," a punky version of The Band's "The Shape I'm In," and the traditional "Not Long Ago," New York strongly reiterates Mekons' role in the alt-country revival. But what makes New York such an enjoyable document is its spur-of-the-moment vibe. The disc accurately captures the joy and frustration of touring, from exhausted tour-van confessionals ("My body is crap!," Langford bellows at one point) to spontaneous drunken singalongs. The sound quality leaves a bit to be desired, but the songs' charm and strengths overcome any sonic deficiencies, making New York a messy but effective gateway into Mekons' wild, wonderful, and sometimes weird world.