The Mekons'
Where Were You?: Hens Teeth and Other Lost Fragments of Popular Culture, Vol. 2 is the second volume of rare and unreleased tracks from the group's archives. Covers, outtakes, radio sessions, and B-sides make up the body of this collection and document the Mekons' fearless sonic experimentation. Reworkings of
Ray Davies' "Fancy,"
Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues," and
the Ex's "Crap Rap" hint at the album's diversity, reflecting the group's British rock roots, their fascination with country music, and their ties with the experimental underground. Famed rock writer Lester Bangs sings and plays guitar on the trippy "One Horse Dub," thanks to a cassette recording made nine years before the song was completed in 1990. The group's bracing mix of proletarian punk and sparkling, eclectic pop enlivens every track, from "Mekons Rock 'N' Roll" (an alternate version of "Memphis Egypt") to the countrified new wave instrumental "Darkness." Subversively gentle protest songs, like the live version of "My Song at Night" (from the Kathy Acker collaboration Pussy King of the Pirates) and the demo "Nice Julie (Waltz)" and noisy, abstract pieces like "Hashish in Marseilles" and "Polaroid (I Don't Own, I Only Dote)" further the Mekons' reputation as politically and musically progressive. Though
Where Were You is a must for fans, newcomers to the band will also find plenty to enjoy. ~ Heather Phares