Munki

John Sekerka / Cosmik Debris E-Zine
05.1998

Anyone privy to the bogus alterno rock fiasco grunge lite lollapalooza scam of '92 has a lingering bad taste in their mouths. That was indeed a stinker. Imagine having The Jesus & Mary Chain, purveyors of dark, drippy forlorn wrist slashing feedback ballads, play in the blazing afternoon sun. More than a paradox, it was awful. After that little incident, I pretty well stopped listening to what started out as the most important band of the eighties. Another has-been, right? Seems the Reid brothers think not, as they attempt to resurrect their formidable legend. If anything, "Munki" proves that the boys are proplific as ever, cramming 17 numbers down our throats. Opening with "I Love Rock'n'Roll" and ending with "I Hate Rock'n'Roll," the Reids throw everything they have to offer in between. It's a kitchen sink of a record, brimming with some of that classic pop fuzz and injecting some new flavours without losing their focus. Hope Sandoval lends her waify, haunting voice to the superb "Perfume," complete with a devilish giggle and trippy backbeat. That's about as far as the brothers stray from their well worn path, and they quickly get back with their loopy Velvet Undergroung sound. Full of hooky, hummable tunes, "Munki" will no doubt put the JAMC back on the map, where they deservedly belong.