If my review title sounds full of contradictions, welcome to the odd world of The Mekons, who started in the late 1970s as art student punks who knew almost nothing about music, only to slowly integrate folk music, American country and western and other influences in with their slowly but steadily growing musicianship, and their passionate politics.They've never gotten rich or famous, but they have put out a treasure trove of recordings full of their love of music and crazily mixed up musical ideas. These are people who are in it for the joy of playing, touring, and communicating with their passionate if limited audience, not money or adoration. And if they're well into middle age and still traveling around in a shabby van, that doesn't seem to stop them from enjoying the adventure and still loving the music. In fact, the film makes the argument that the lack of 'success' and its trappings may be what has kept them together and kept them going: Friends making music for friends.They're also an intelligent, articulate, funny and likable lot, full of self-deprecating humor about themselves and their accomplishments in a way we rarely think of rock musicians. I didn't really know the Mekons before seeing this film. Now I like them and want to really get to know their music. That's a pretty good endorsement of a rock-documentary.

This insightful documentary, directed by Joe Angio, focuses on the Mekons, a unique and eclectic band formed nearly 40 years ago by several Leeds University students, in England. Despite having virtually no commercial success the group has managed to put out some 26 albums, received high praise from music critics, and developed a devoted fan base as well.Originally formed as a punk rock band in 1977 amidst the radicalism of the times in Leeds, the group eventually underwent a metamorphosis combining their original sound with American country and hillbilly music, which has produced a uniquely blended sound.During the film, several music critics declare that the Mekons may be the only band to have maintained many of its key members for such a long period of time without any real commercial success. Instead, their interest is in being creative, having fun, and getting their music out into the world, appealing to those that enjoy it.The documentary doesn't go into much detail of the personal histories of the band members, but it does present much of their wit and humor as the film progresses. The charisma of the two "leaders" Jon Langford and Sally Timms is undeniable though, and some of the other current band members reveal some interesting inside stories of occurrences over the years with the group.Overall, I this movie was well-paced, informative, and interesting and I was engaged throughout.

It's not exactly easy to define the Mekons. That they are a group of musicians is beyond dispute. But they are also painters, entrepreneurs, leftists, cosmopolites, and occasionally cultural ambassadors. Perhaps it's safest to say they are a group of talented people who come together every so often to make interesting music and they have done so as a unit for over 30 years. (But they are not dancers, at least not lead singer Jon Langford. His prancing about the stage during one number would make the lumbering Orson Welles look like Rudolf Nureyev.) Oh, yes. They are all married. To each other. All of them. You'll have to see the film to find out how and why.Their music is not easy to pigeonhole, either. It started out as punk, real punk, with nobody able to play anything, but has evolved into a sort of alt/country/folk with a pinch of rock and an aftertaste of punk. The musicianship is of a higher order with folks the caliber of Lu Edmonds and Susie Honeyman. And they are getting better with every new recording.The documentary is well crafted with a sneaky narrative woven in. This film is an inspiration to creative people of all ages. It's heartening to learn that the artistic experience past age fifty is not all what Jonathan Winters would have called "the final glide pattern."Highly recommended.