Mission of Burma Album: “Signals, Calls and Marches”

I'm a big fan of postpunk, and this album is one of the shining gems of the genre. Bands were taking to heart the freedom that punk rock offered and taking the music to a new place. Burma were the voice of America in a postpunk world dominated by Wire, Gang of Four, Joy Division, Bauhaus, Killing Joke, et al. If you like any of these bands, or are interested in this incredibly vital period in rock music, Mission of Burma is necessary to your life. 'That's When I Reach for My Revolver', 'Academy Fight Song', and 'This is not a Photograph' are probably the best three songs to start your Burma fascination, and they're all on this album.

One of the first CDs I bought was Rykodisc's 1987 MoB complete compilation; it was at the time the longest CD yet issued! The sound on that, I thought, could not be bettered, but after waiting a while to buy the remastered EP, this is not a cash-in job simply getting you to pay for the album again in (for me) its third form (counting my vinyl). I tend not to 'upgrade' a CD unless absolutely convinced it's one needing improvement. On this, I admit I gambled. I thought MoB sounded fine on that pioneering CD, but this re-issue nearly a decade later shows the sound's tighter and ratcheted up a bit more in intensity.

Which is saying a lot for MoB. The first four songs stand here as one of the most powerful post-punk statements ever recorded. The next eight (two--which were a single--are added to the original six). Why four stars? Well, I never liked "Academy Fight Song," but even its clunkiness sounds passable here--it's in a better place following the EP as it was meant to be heard; the 1987 chronologically ordered compilation began with "AFS," but I think it's moved better as a footnote than title header, so to speak.

For a young band's first recorded songs, these show maturity in lyrical ambition (if a bit too strained into prep school self-consciously alienated smarts on the two single songs), precise musical arrangements, and three singer-songwriters in training. It sounds spacious yet coiled, and prepares you for their triumph, "VS." as more than a warm-up. (I might add that while their reunion "Off/On" nearly matched "VS.", that their third album, this year's "The Obliterati" (great multi-level pun) may even surpass "VS." in its formidable stature. This EP shows that the band had what it takes for the long haul, then and now. It comes out roaring, and combines brains with brawn in a way few "college radio/alternative" bands of the era have managed to come close to. I don't think any American post-punk band on an early 80s debut surpassed this EP.

A truly historic band, Mission of Burma challenged not merely the status quo of the mid 80's punk/hardcore, but the very constraints of BLAH BLAH BLAH - if you want a an overwrought, spin-filled history of MoB, go read Pitchfork or SPIN. This is a great CD with most of the band's "hits" (ha!) and is probably the best introduction to the band for new listeners. Plus, it has the amazing Academy Fight Song b-side from the Max Ernst 7". I can't pigeonhole their sound to any specific genre, but it has as much in common with Gang Green as it does Gang of Four. The songs have intelligent lyrics, complex structures, catchy riffs, hummable choruses, and whether you're a punk looking for something a cut above the average 80's Boston hardcore, a hipster riding their reunion buzz or just looking for some great, timeless music, you really can't go wrong with Mission of Burma.

signals, calls, and marches is one of the most powerful debuts in music history and the perfect place to start if you're interested in burma. it shows a band that's not quite worn off their influences(wire,gang of four,pere ubu,the stooges), but has most certainly made the best of them. the songwriting(sometimes a weakpoint in this genre)is good as well, which helps to make this listenable for the uninitiated. the only highly abrasive moments are in "outlaw"(a jerky gang of four-ish stomp)and "this is not a photograph"(a hyper slide guitar rocker). the cd tacks on "academy fight song"(possibly their most recognized song with the exception of "...revolver")and "max ernst"(a dedication to the painter and dadaism). this certainly isn't relaxing music(with the possible exception of "all world cowboy romance") and it will probably annoy most of your friends(at least your square ones), but it will introduce you to one of the last great american bands.

Original music and lyrics-Mission of Burma were unlike any other band of their time. This CD (I have the original 6-song vinyl EP) contains more accessible songs than their opus "Vs.", but is nonetheless a masterpiece.