In 1985 a shambling, lovable British postpunk act called the Mekons returned from a lengthy hiatus (most thought they were long gone) to release Fear and Whiskey. Originally issued on the band's own label, Fear and Whiskey... more » brazenly married drunken, anthemic punk rock ("Beaten and Broken"), a DIY ethos ("Garage D'Or"), existentialist humor (practically every song), and country & western music ("Lost Highway," "$1,000 Wedding"). It's one of those rock clichés to say that a record sounds as startling and fresh today as it did when it was released, but this record really sounds as astonishing and novel as ever. The Mekons have always been aces at reenergizing clichéd musical forms (except for their few stabs at reggae in the '80s), and this is likely the only "cowpunk" record you'll need. The retitled CD reissue adds selections from EPs released shortly after Fear and Whiskey; it is the first record to own by this ridiculously brilliant band. --Mike McGonigal« less
In 1985 a shambling, lovable British postpunk act called the Mekons returned from a lengthy hiatus (most thought they were long gone) to release Fear and Whiskey. Originally issued on the band's own label, Fear and Whiskey brazenly married drunken, anthemic punk rock ("Beaten and Broken"), a DIY ethos ("Garage D'Or"), existentialist humor (practically every song), and country & western music ("Lost Highway," "$1,000 Wedding"). It's one of those rock clichés to say that a record sounds as startling and fresh today as it did when it was released, but this record really sounds as astonishing and novel as ever. The Mekons have always been aces at reenergizing clichéd musical forms (except for their few stabs at reggae in the '80s), and this is likely the only "cowpunk" record you'll need. The retitled CD reissue adds selections from EPs released shortly after Fear and Whiskey; it is the first record to own by this ridiculously brilliant band. --Mike McGonigal
Paul Howe | Maple Shade, NJ United States | 09/15/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"An instant classic in 1985 ansd sounding better with each passing year, Fear and Whiskey is improved in this CD reissue by the dynamite EPs which followed it. However, one imperfection: a ludicrous cut called "Mr. Confess" by a different edition of the band than that which appears on all the other cuts. And they dropped a killer of cover of Merle Haggard's "I Can't Hold Myself in Line" for that? Oh, well, call it an imperfect reissue of a perfect album. But buy it!!"
For anyone interested how good music can be
Robert Moore | 12/30/1998
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The album Fear and Whiskey goes down easy. It rolls along etching melodies in your brain that seem like they were a part of you your whole life. The music is filled with melancholy, but is also invigorating like an old southern hymn. This album alone is plenty, but you also get two EP's of added material, which also contains great songs from the high point of the Mekons career. This CD is a treasure."
Punk meets country in the most underrated album ever
Robert Moore | 10/30/1998
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album is so great that it should be in everyone's collection. From the opening line, "I was out late the other night, Fear and Whickey kept me going" to the Hank WIlliams and Gram Parsons covers, this album hits all the right notes. Jon Langford should be in the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Mekons should have a string of Platinum records!"
Beethoven and the mekons
Robert Moore | 06/27/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"fear and whiskey may be the best "rock" album ever made. i only say may be because they released the edge of the world, rock 'n roll and the curse of the mekons... they all challenge this. but fear and whiskey has an aura, a feeling... it gives a violently real vision of an emotion that is completely unexpressible with words alone. go get this. now. if you like bowie, U2, REM get this. or maybe you like the clash, germs and sleater-kinney. if you do, get this. If you like Hank Williams, Johnny Cash and Merle Haggard, get this. If you like Brahms, Mendelssohn, and Mahler, get this (have an open mind, or don't-- but you're missing out) beethoven is better than the mekons. i admit it. but they're in the same business. One of the best things about "classical" music is it's purity... the emotion isn't confused with words. mozart once played a piece for someone (i don't remember his title) and the man asked "but what does it mean?" mozart played it again. the mekons should answer that question the same way. This goes straight to the heart. words don't mean anything, merely stand for memories and reflections and common experiences. Fear and Whiskey means something."