Munki
| Company type | Album |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1998 |
| Founder | The Jesus and Mary Chain |
| Products | Alternative rock music album |
Munki represents the sixth full-length album by the Scottish alternative rock group The Jesus and Mary Chain. Following their departure from Blanco y Negro, the Reid brothers secured contracts with Sub Pop in the United States and Creation in the United Kingdom—the latter having originally released their debut single "Upside Down" back in 1984. Upon release, Munki reached No. 47 on the UK album charts,[1] marking the first time one of their studio albums failed to enter the Top 40.[2] This album also stood as their final studio record for nearly two decades until the arrival of Damage and Joy in 2017.[3]
Among its features is a collaboration with Hope Sandoval of Mazzy Star, who had previously performed alongside the band on "Sometimes Always". The album includes singles such as "I Hate Rock 'n' Roll" (1995), "Cracking Up", and "I Love Rock 'n' Roll".
Background
According to Ben Lurie, the album's title was deliberately chosen to be "un-Mary Chain-like" and intentionally misspelled; Jim Reid mentioned that their sister Linda came up with the suggestion. This release marked the band's last studio album before they entered an eight-year break spanning from 1999 to 2007.
After splitting from Warner Records, the band returned to Creation, noting that the label had undergone considerable changes. Jim Reid recalled their early experience assembling sleeves for 'Upside Down' in Alan McGee's bedroom, contrasting that with Creation’s more established and professional environment during the release of Munki. [4]
The record reflects the worsening dynamic between the Reid brothers; Jim revealed that communication between them was minimal throughout the recording process. The sessions were conducted separately, with William working independently from Jim.Template:Fix/category[citation needed]
In an interview with Alternative Press, Jim explained that "I Hate Rock 'n' Roll" conveyed William’s disillusionment with the music business, whereas Jim composed "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" as a counterpoint to offset that negativity. That same issue awarded Munki a flawless 5 out of 5 rating.[5]
Release
The second single from Munki, titled "Cracking Up," was issued by Creation Records in April 1998 and climbed to #35 on the UK singles chart.
Following that, the third single "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" was released in May 1998, peaking at #38 in the UK. This track is a reimagined version of "I Hate Rock 'n' Roll," originally featured on their 1995 compilation album, Hate Rock 'n' Roll. It became their final single before disbanding.
Reception
Jason Ankeny from AllMusic gave the album three stars, describing Munki as a compilation that encapsulates both the legacy and forthcoming direction of the band. The collection's seventeen tracks showcase different stages of their musical journey, ranging from early noise influences to refined pop sounds, including guest vocals by Mazzy Star’s Hope Sandoval. He acknowledged a blend of brilliance and mediocrity across the album but emphasized The Jesus and Mary Chain’s persistent ability to both engage and polarize listeners.
Dom Gourlay of Drowned in Sound characterized Munki as an artifact documenting a band in decline yet praised its enduring significance despite its release amid Britpop’s dominance in 1998. Tracks such as "Commercial" and "Never Understood" were highlighted for their tragicomic qualities.
Entertainment Weekly assigned a B+ grade, applauding Jim and William Reid for preserving their distinctive style following a four-year gap. The review noted how the album combines classic melodies, guitar-driven noise, and stripped-down rock with occasional experimentation—such as trip-hop influences on "Perfume," featuring Hope Sandoval.
Double-LP (CRELP 232 / SP 426)
Disc one – Side A
- "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" (Jim Reid) – 2:37
- "Birthday" (William Reid) – 3:57
- "Stardust Remedy" (J. Reid) – 2:26
- "Fizzy" (W. Reid) – 3:39
Disc one – 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 two – Side A
- "Cracking Up" (W. Reid) – 4:40
- "Commercial" (W. Reid) – 7:02
- "Supertramp" (J. Reid) – 3:37
- "Never Understood" (W. Reid) – 4:14
Disc two – 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' Roll" (W. Reid) – 3:42
CD (CRECD 232 / SPCD 426)
- Tracks 1 through 17 correspond to the double-LP, consolidating all songs onto a single CD.
The Jesus and Mary Chain
- Jim Reid – guitar, vocals (on specific tracks), production
- William Reid – guitar, vocals (on specific tracks), production
- Ben Lurie – bass, guitar
- Nick Sanderson – drums
Additional personnel
- Sister Vanilla – vocals (track 5)
- Sean Lebon – vocals (track 5)
- Hope Sandoval – vocals (track 6)
- Terry Edwards – horn instruments
- Dick Meaney – mixing (most tracks)
- Alan Moulder – mixing (selected tracks)
- Nick Addison – supplementary mixing (track 6)