The Mekons Rock 'n Roll was well received by critics on its initial release.

It was voted the eighth best album of 1989 in The Village Voice's Pazz & Jop critics' poll.

[15] In 2007, the record was ranked at number 97 on Blender's list of "The 100 Greatest Indie-Rock Albums Ever".

The BMI database lists all songs as composed by Tom Greenhalgh and Jon Langford.

The American issue of this album omits "Ring O' Roses" and "Heaven and Back".