Munki
Encyclopedia
Munki is the final studio album released by The Jesus and Mary Chain
. After leaving Blanco y Negro
, the Reid brothers signed to Sub Pop
in the U.S. and Creation, who had released their debut single "Upside Down
" in 1984, in the UK. After hearing the rough mixes to half of the songs on what would become Munki, Warner Bros. fired the Mary Chain and it was at this point that they signed to Creation (UK) and Sub Pop (USA). The origin of the album title, according to Ben Lurie
in an interview with Spin magazine, was that they "wanted an un-Mary Chain-like title...It doesn't mean anything. It's just a word. Misspelled on purpose." In an interview with The Herald, Jim
said that their sister Linda suggested it.
The album features an appearance from Hope Sandoval
of Mazzy Star
, who had previously duetted with the band on the single "Sometimes Always
", and includes the singles "I Hate Rock 'n' Roll
" (released in 1995), "Cracking Up
" and "I Love Rock 'n' Roll
."
The album is often thought of as sounding "divided" due to the Reids' crumbling relationship, Jim Reid recalls: "Me and William
weren't really getting along at all. That last year we barely even spoke. Munki is one of my favorite albums, but it was really divided. William would go into the studio with the rest of the band and record while I wasn't there, and then I'd go in with them when William wasn't there."
According to an interview in Alternative Press magazine, Jim said that "I Hate Rock 'n' Roll" was written by his brother "out of sheer frustration with the kind of crap we have to deal with in the music business." To counter-balance these sentiments, Jim wrote "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" because "I thought it left [Munki] kind of negative - I felt it was only half the story." In the same issue of Alt Press, Munki was rated a perfect 5 out 5. Most other reviews, like those from Allmusic and Rolling Stone linked on this page, were less enthusiastic. Like many JAMC albums not appreciated in its day (mainly for once again not sounding like Psychocandy
), reception has improved with time but has remained arguably the least liked in the band's catalogue by fans.
Munki peaked at No. 47 in the UK album charts, the band's first studio album not to make the Top 40.
Disc 1 - Side A
Disc 1 - Side B
Disc 2 - Side A
Disc 2 - Side B
CD (CRECD 232 / SPCD 426)
The Jesus and Mary Chain
The Jesus and Mary Chain are a Scottish alternative rock band formed in East Kilbride, Glasgow in 1983. The band revolves around the songwriting partnership of brothers Jim and William Reid...
. After leaving Blanco y Negro
Blanco y Negro Records
Blanco y Negro Records, a subsidiary of WEA Records Ltd., was established in 1983 by Geoff Travis of Rough Trade Records.Blanco y Negro was home to such artists as Bananarama, Everything But the Girl, The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Dream Academy, Dinosaur Jr., Bernthøler, A House, Catatonia, The...
, the Reid brothers signed to Sub Pop
Sub Pop
Sub Pop is a record label founded in 1986 by Bruce Pavitt and Jonathan Poneman in Seattle, Washington. Sub Pop achieved fame in the late 1980s for first signing Nirvana, Soundgarden, Mudhoney and many other bands from the Seattle music scene...
in the U.S. and Creation, who had released their debut single "Upside Down
Upside Down (The Jesus and Mary Chain song)
"Upside Down" is the first single from the Scottish alternative rock band The Jesus and Mary Chain. The song was written by William Reid and Jim Reid, and was produced by The Jesus and Mary Chain...
" in 1984, in the UK. After hearing the rough mixes to half of the songs on what would become Munki, Warner Bros. fired the Mary Chain and it was at this point that they signed to Creation (UK) and Sub Pop (USA). The origin of the album title, according to Ben Lurie
Ben Lurie
Ben Lurie is an Australian musician, best known as a member of the Scottish alternative rock band The Jesus and Mary Chain from 1989 to 1998.-Biography:...
in an interview with Spin magazine, was that they "wanted an un-Mary Chain-like title...It doesn't mean anything. It's just a word. Misspelled on purpose." In an interview with The Herald, Jim
Jim Reid
Jim Reid is the lead singer for the alternative rock band The Jesus and Mary Chain, which he formed with his elder brother and guitarist William Reid -The Jesus and Mary Chain:...
said that their sister Linda suggested it.
The album features an appearance from Hope Sandoval
Hope Sandoval
Hope Sandoval is an American singer-songwriter who is the lead singer for Mazzy Star and Hope Sandoval & the Warm Inventions....
of Mazzy Star
Mazzy Star
Mazzy Star is an American alternative rock band formed in Santa Monica, California, in 1989 from the group Opal, a collaboration of guitarist David Roback and bassist Kendra Smith...
, who had previously duetted with the band on the single "Sometimes Always
Sometimes Always
"Sometimes Always" is a song by the Scottish alternative rock group The Jesus and Mary Chain and the first single from the group's album Stoned & Dethroned. It is a duet between Jim Reid and Hope Sandoval...
", and includes the singles "I Hate Rock 'n' Roll
I Hate Rock 'n' Roll
"I Hate Rock 'n' Roll" is a song by the Scottish alternative rock group The Jesus and Mary Chain. It was released together with 3 other tracks by Blanco y Negro Records in June 1995 and reached #61 in the UK single charts. This release was the last release for the band on this label. The 10" format...
" (released in 1995), "Cracking Up
Cracking Up (song)
"Cracking Up" is a song by the Scottish alternative rock group The Jesus and Mary Chain and the first single from the group's last album Munki...
" and "I Love Rock 'n' Roll
I Love Rock 'n' Roll (The Jesus and Mary Chain song)
"I Love Rock 'n' Roll" is a song by the Scottish alternative rock group The Jesus and Mary Chain and the second single from the group's last album Munki. It was the band's last single before they split up...
."
The album is often thought of as sounding "divided" due to the Reids' crumbling relationship, Jim Reid recalls: "Me and William
William Reid (musician)
William Adam Reid is a guitarist, composer and, at times, singer for the Scottish alternative rock band, The Jesus and Mary Chain.-The Jesus and Mary Chain:...
weren't really getting along at all. That last year we barely even spoke. Munki is one of my favorite albums, but it was really divided. William would go into the studio with the rest of the band and record while I wasn't there, and then I'd go in with them when William wasn't there."
According to an interview in Alternative Press magazine, Jim said that "I Hate Rock 'n' Roll" was written by his brother "out of sheer frustration with the kind of crap we have to deal with in the music business." To counter-balance these sentiments, Jim wrote "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" because "I thought it left [Munki] kind of negative - I felt it was only half the story." In the same issue of Alt Press, Munki was rated a perfect 5 out 5. Most other reviews, like those from Allmusic and Rolling Stone linked on this page, were less enthusiastic. Like many JAMC albums not appreciated in its day (mainly for once again not sounding like Psychocandy
Psychocandy
Psychocandy is the debut album by the Scottish alternative rock band The Jesus and Mary Chain, released in November 1985. Psychocandy combined the concepts of pop songs and searing guitar chords....
), reception has improved with time but has remained arguably the least liked in the band's catalogue by fans.
Munki peaked at No. 47 in the UK album charts, the band's first studio album not to make the Top 40.
Track listing
Double-LP (CRELP 232 / SP 426)Disc 1 - Side A
- "I Love Rock 'n' RollI Love Rock 'n' Roll (The Jesus and Mary Chain song)"I Love Rock 'n' Roll" is a song by the Scottish alternative rock group The Jesus and Mary Chain and the second single from the group's last album Munki. It was the band's last single before they split up...
" (Jim ReidJim ReidJim Reid is the lead singer for the alternative rock band The Jesus and Mary Chain, which he formed with his elder brother and guitarist William Reid -The Jesus and Mary Chain:...
) - 2:37 - "Birthday" (William ReidWilliam Reid (musician)William Adam Reid is a guitarist, composer and, at times, singer for the Scottish alternative rock band, The Jesus and Mary Chain.-The Jesus and Mary Chain:...
) - 3:57 - "Stardust Remedy" (J. Reid) - 2:26
- "Fizzy" (W. Reid) - 3:39
Disc 1 - Side B
- "Moe Tucker" (J. Reid) - 3:19
- "Perfume" (W. Reid) - 4:39
- "Virtually Unreal" (J. Reid) - 3:38
- "Degenerate" (W. Reid) - 5:29
Disc 2 - Side A
- "Cracking UpCracking Up (song)"Cracking Up" is a song by the Scottish alternative rock group The Jesus and Mary Chain and the first single from the group's last album Munki...
" (W. Reid) - 4:40 - "Commercial" (W. Reid) - 7:02
- "Supertramp" (J. Reid) - 3:37
- "Never Understood" (W. Reid) - 4:14
Disc 2 - Side B
- "I Can't Find the Time for Times" (W. Reid) - 4:17
- "Man on the Moon" (J. Reid) - 3:41
- "Black" (W. Reid) - 5:18
- "Dream Lover" (J. Reid) - 3:05
- "I Hate Rock 'n' RollI Hate Rock 'n' Roll"I Hate Rock 'n' Roll" is a song by the Scottish alternative rock group The Jesus and Mary Chain. It was released together with 3 other tracks by Blanco y Negro Records in June 1995 and reached #61 in the UK single charts. This release was the last release for the band on this label. The 10" format...
" (W. Reid) - 3:42
CD (CRECD 232 / SPCD 426)
- "I Love Rock 'n' RollI Love Rock 'n' Roll (The Jesus and Mary Chain song)"I Love Rock 'n' Roll" is a song by the Scottish alternative rock group The Jesus and Mary Chain and the second single from the group's last album Munki. It was the band's last single before they split up...
" (J. Reid) - 2:37 - "Birthday" (W. Reid) - 3:57
- "Stardust Remedy" (J. Reid) - 2:26
- "Fizzy" (W. Reid) - 3:39
- "Moe Tucker" (J. Reid) - 3:19
- "Perfume" (W. Reid) - 4:39
- "Virtually Unreal" (J. Reid) - 3:38
- "Degenerate" (W. Reid) - 5:29
- "Cracking UpCracking Up (song)"Cracking Up" is a song by the Scottish alternative rock group The Jesus and Mary Chain and the first single from the group's last album Munki...
" (W. Reid) - 4:40 - "Commercial" (W. Reid) - 7:02
- "Supertramp" (J. Reid) - 3:37
- "Never Understood" (W. Reid) - 4:14
- "I Can't Find the Time for Times" (W. Reid) - 4:17
- "Man on the Moon" (J. Reid) - 3:41
- "Black" (W. Reid) - 5:18
- "Dream Lover" (J. Reid) - 3:05
- "I Hate Rock 'n' RollI Hate Rock 'n' Roll"I Hate Rock 'n' Roll" is a song by the Scottish alternative rock group The Jesus and Mary Chain. It was released together with 3 other tracks by Blanco y Negro Records in June 1995 and reached #61 in the UK single charts. This release was the last release for the band on this label. The 10" format...
" (W. Reid) - 3:42
The Jesus and Mary Chain
- Jim ReidJim ReidJim Reid is the lead singer for the alternative rock band The Jesus and Mary Chain, which he formed with his elder brother and guitarist William Reid -The Jesus and Mary Chain:...
- vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
(tracks 1 to 4, 6, 8, 10, 13 to 15), guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, productionRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music... - William ReidWilliam Reid (musician)William Adam Reid is a guitarist, composer and, at times, singer for the Scottish alternative rock band, The Jesus and Mary Chain.-The Jesus and Mary Chain:...
- vocals (tracks 1 to 3, 5, 7, 9 to 14, 16 to 17), guitar, production - Ben LurieBen LurieBen Lurie is an Australian musician, best known as a member of the Scottish alternative rock band The Jesus and Mary Chain from 1989 to 1998.-Biography:...
- guitar, bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... - Nick SandersonNick Sanderson (musician)Nick Sanderson was an English musician, most famous for being the front man in Earl Brutus, and a short-term member of the critically acclaimed Scottish alternative rock band, The Jesus and Mary Chain.-Musical career:...
- drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
Additional personnel
- Sister Vanilla - vocals (track 5)
- Sean Lebon - vocals (track 5)
- Hope SandovalHope SandovalHope Sandoval is an American singer-songwriter who is the lead singer for Mazzy Star and Hope Sandoval & the Warm Inventions....
- vocals (track 6) - Terry EdwardsTerry EdwardsTerry Edwards is an English musician.Edwards gained a degree in music from the University of East Anglia in 1982, where he was also a founding member of The Higsons. He produced and played on the debut album by Yeah Jazz "Six Lane Ends"...
- hornsHorn (instrument)The horn is a brass instrument consisting of about of tubing wrapped into a coil with a flared bell. A musician who plays the horn is called a horn player .... - Dick Meaney - mixingAudio mixing (recorded music)In audio recording, audio mixing is the process by which multiple recorded sounds are combined into one or more channels, most commonly two-channel stereo. In the process, the source signals' level, frequency content, dynamics, and panoramic position are manipulated and effects such as reverb may...
(tracks 1 to 7, 9 to 12, 14, 16, 17) - Alan MoulderAlan MoulderAlan Moulder is one of Britain's premier alternative rock record producers. He has worked with such artists as Depeche Mode, Erasure, Elastica, Gary Numan, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Curve, Ride, Lush and My Bloody Valentine, Lostprophets, Shihad, Ivyrise and Placebo, as well as with many American...
- mixing (tracks 8, 13, 15) - Nick Addison - additional mixing (track 6)