Released in 1985, Fear and Whiskey is credited as the album that is credited
with beginning the alt-country marketing category. Whether that's true
or not, it shouldn't be held against one of the greatest records ever.
The Mekons were one of the most loved and hated bands on the late-'70s/early-'80s
punk scenes in England. In 1984 they began touring with drummer Steve
Goulding (Graham Parker & the Rumour) and bassist Lu Edmonds (PIL,
Damned), who joined John Langford, Tom Greenhalgh, and Kevin Lycett. To
record Fear and Whiskey they added fiddler Suzie Honeyman and guitarist
Dick Taylor. The original disc was issued on the band's own Sin Records
to much ballyhoo by critics like Greil Marcus and Lester Bangs. A few
years later, Rough Trade reissued it with a few EPs added and called it
Original Sin. This version is the original, completely remastered by the
band. Musically Fear and Whiskey is awash in the delirium of the Reagan
and Thatcher '80s. Country melodies collide into reggae rhythms and drones
to create a forlorn tale in "Trouble Down South"; the title
track is pure Hank hillbilly with lyrics that may not be as simple and
poetic but do the job, as the tune creates a base from which to pick up
the bottle or dance. But it's not all country and roots, unless those
roots still include the dynamic of shambolic punk rock, which is the core
of "Hard to Be Human Again." Despite its country melody line,
which falls apart constantly, the guitars blare and falter, the drums
pound on needlessly, and the band cavorts the tune like it's the end of
the gig and it only track three. Seriously, there isn't a song on this
disc that Langford and Greenhalgh don't turn into some epic repudiation
of capitalism, depersonalization, greed, and social engineering. The fact
is, these serious topics are dealt with in a piss-take way to music that
carries everything from honky tonk, hillbilly, rockabilly, reggae, punk
rock, and folk melodies all entwined with each other in a myriad of ways
so complex, so drunkenly passionate, you just have to laugh -- as you
dance, that is. A bona fide classic. (by Thom Jurek, AMG)
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