Name: The Quality Of Mercy Is Not Strnen
Brand: The Mekons

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

SV 171

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Colour

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music US

Limited edition

Release date

2019-07-05

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier US

Revol­ver

Tax rate US

Sales:8.875

UPC / Barcode

857661008711

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Total Cap

Artist

The Mekons

Genre US

Label US

Superior Viaduct

The Mekons are a British rock band that formed in 1977 in Leeds, West Yorkshire. Originally inspired by the villainous Venusian from the British comic strip Dan Dare, they adopted their name as a tribute. In the mid-1980s, The Mekons transitioned their style to folk and folk rock.

With a career spanning several decades, The Mekons have become an influential force in the music industry. Their unique blend of rock and folk elements has garnered them a dedicated following worldwide. 

Similar artists to The Mekons include The Soft Boys, The Fall, Tom Verlaine, Wire, Young Marble Giants, Swell Maps, Pylon, The Feelies, Mission Of Burma, Josef K, Television,Wyre,Plyon ,The Raincoats,Au Pairs,Pil,Magazine ,The Dream Syndicate,Gang Of Four,and The Modern Lovers.

New Wave / Post Punk

After two singles for Fast Product, Leeds art-punk collective The Mekons signed with Virgin Records in 1979. The band would have to borrow gear from their mates Gang Of Four to record their major label debut. In classic Mekons style, the album’s back cover featured a photo of Gang Of Four instead of themselves. 

As Simon Reynolds writes, “The Quality Of Mercy Is Not Strnen got a mixed reception at the time. Listening to it now, though, the first LP sounds more of a piece with the band’s early punk singles. What’s striking is the commonality of sound across the three key Leeds groups of that moment (Gang Of Four, Delta 5 and The Mekons). There are textural affinities in terms of scrawny abrasiveness and a general departure from rock ’n’ roll norms of singing and emoting.” 

With boundless energy, The Mekons net a dozen barbed takes on pop culture, art and politics. “What Are We Going To Do Tonight” stands out as a razor-sharp critique of leisure, while “Beetroot” drowns apathy in angular riffs and catchy, unmelodic chants. 

Clad in one of the most striking record covers of its era, The Quality Of Mercy Is Not Strnen is now available in the US for the first time. Liner notes by Simon Reynolds.

The Quality Of Mercy Is Not Strnen

Music US