Notes: The Mekons borrowed instruments from Leeds mates the Gang of Four to record
these tracks, which is ironic as Virgin messed up and used a picture of the
GoF on the back cover! The 6 bonus tracks on the 1990 reissue were
Virgin-issued singles from 1979-1980.
By the by, the album title refers to dialogue by Portia from
The Merchant of Venice:
The quality of mercy is not strain'd;
It droppeth [falleth], as the gentle rain from heaven,
Upon the place beneath; it is twice bless'd.
It blesseth him that gives, and him that takes:
'Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes
The throned monarch better than his crown.
Lineup: OK, that's Tom and Jon on the inner sleeve photos, and while I recognize some of
the other folk, I'll have to do some research to match faces with names. Check back later.
