Retreat from Memphis
| Retreat from Memphis | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1994 | |||
| Label | Quarterstick[1] | |||
| Producer | Ducky | |||
| The Mekons chronology | ||||
| ||||
Retreat from Memphis is an album by English band the Mekons, released in 1994.[2][3] It followed a few years of label troubles that saw the band considering a breakup.[4][5] The band supported the album by touring with Man or Astroman?[5]
Production[edit]
The album was recorded in Chicago.[6] Some of its songs engaged with military motifs; many were recorded after the band had played them on a 1993 tour.[7][8] The Mekons brought in a new drummer for the recording sessions.[9] Susie Honeyman, the band's violinist, was on maternity leave during much of the production of Retreat from Memphis.[10]
"Our Bad Dream", about the Mekons' time with Warner Bros. Records, incorporated elements of rap music.[11][12] "Ice Rink in Berlin" was sung by Sally Timms.[13]
Critical reception[edit]
The Washington Post wrote that "the exuberant eclecticism of the late-'80s Mekons has settled into an almost classic-rock sound, and the band's attempts to vary the sound on its new Retreat From Memphis are not inspiring."[7] Entertainment Weekly thought that the album "finds them, as usual, gleefully musing in their wry, existential style on matters ranging from amorous entanglements to global upheaval."[18] The San Diego Union-Tribune noted that "the Mekons fall back to rocking out with a neurotic, decidedly '80s post-punk edge."[11]
Spin deemed Retreat from Memphis a "stronger, more classic-sounding [comeback]."[19] The Austin American-Statesman labeled it "another album of borderline brilliance from these overeducated sociopolitical gadflies, one in which the zest of the music belies the deadpan dread of the lyrics."[20] The Chicago Tribune considered the album "one of the band's most spirited offerings of communal, life-affirming-here we go again-rock 'n' roll."[10]
AllMusic called the album "direct, straightforward, and angry in a way the Mekons had not been for quite a while."[14] The Rough Guide to Rock considered it "probably the weakest in the Mekons' catalogue."[21]
Track listing[edit]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Eve Future" | |
| 2. | "Lucky Devil" | |
| 3. | "Do I Know You?" | |
| 4. | "Insignificance" | |
| 5. | "His Bad Dream" | |
| 6. | "Our Bad Dream" | |
| 7. | "The Flame That Killed John Wayne" | |
| 8. | "Ice Rink in Berlin" | |
| 9. | "Spinning Round in Flames" | |
| 10. | "Machine" | |
| 11. | "Hostile Mascot" | |
| 12. | "Chemical Wedding" | |
| 13. | "Spirals of Paranoia" | |
| 14. | "Missing You All" | |
| 15. | "Submerged" | |
| 16. | "Soldier" | |
| 17. | "Never Work" |
References[edit]
- ^ Marcus, Greil (May 1994). "Top ten — Retreat from Memphis by the Mekons". Artforum. Vol. 32, no. 9. p. 15.
- ^ "The Mekons Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
- ^ "Mekons". Paste. February 12, 2004.
- ^ Thompson, Stephen (April 29, 1994). "New CD Releases Ready to Hit the Stores". Rhythm. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 18.
- ^ a b Wood, Sam (1 July 1994). "Mekons Acknowledge Their Place on the Fringe". Features Weekend. The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 19.
- ^ Terrell, Steve (4 Nov 1994). "The Mekons deserve the Richard Thompson Lifetime Achievement Award...". Pasatiempo. The Santa Fe New Mexican. p. 1.
- ^ a b "Mekons Plumbing Different Delta". The Washington Post. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
- ^ Wright, Rickey (November 12, 1993). "New Direction? Mekons Are 'Always Punk'". Preview. The Virginian-Pilot. p. 11.
- ^ "Mekons". Trouser Press. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
- ^ a b c Caro, Mark (9 June 1994). "Recordings". Tempo. Chicago Tribune. p. 7.
- ^ a b Toombs, Mikel (August 11, 1994). "Retreat from Memphis". Entertainment. The San Diego Union-Tribune. p. 13.
- ^ a b (The New) Rolling Stone Album Guide. Simon & Schuster. 2004. pp. 535–536.
- ^ a b O'Neill, Mike (June 24, 1994). "Mekons, Retreat from Memphis". Friday Extra!. The Tampa Tribune. p. 21.
- ^ a b "Retreat from Memphis". AllMusic.
- ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 5. MUZE. p. 690.
- ^ MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1999. p. 744.
- ^ Spin Alternative Record Guide. Vintage Books. 1995. pp. 248–249.
- ^ "Retreat from Memphis". Entertainment Weekly.
- ^ Gladstone, Eric (Jun 1994). "Music". Spin. Vol. 10, no. 3. p. 58.
- ^ McLeese, Don (16 Aug 1994). "Mekons Retreat from Memphis". Austin American-Statesman. p. E5.
- ^ Buckley, Peter (March 5, 2003). "The Rough Guide to Rock". Rough Guides.
