Mission Of Burma / Unsound

Mission Of Burma
Unsound
(Fire Records)
*****

Post punk vets Mission Of Burma are continuing on the warpath, having reformed in 2002 after a nineteen year hiatus. For their fifth album the Boston group planned to record “something that sounded heroic”, but with age finally catching up with them, will they still have that kick ass fire in their bellies?

Wonky post-punk types Mission Of Burma have been around for ages, releasing infinitely influential records and acquiring cult status while still being able to reform away from the indignity that is the cynicism of the music press.

While the names of this Massachusetts four piece may not be instantly recognisable to you, they darn well should be. They’ve influenced your favourite bands (Sonic Youth, Nirvana, and Superchunk are just a few), and their sixth full length since 1979 is an impressive release into the pantheon of their back catalogue.

‘Unsound’ is standard in its uninformed approach to uniformity, and what follows is a MOB record unlike any other. It opens with veritable punk thrasher ‘Dust Devil’ and from thereon it’s a whistle-stop tour of their trade-mark, unfashioned sound.

Twisting vehement noise into complex structures, tracks start off fairly straightforward but result in mind-melding cacophonies towards the end. ‘ADD In Unison’ starts off straightforwardly enough – with staggering, post-punk crunchiness and rolling drums – before the track falls into its trumpet laden, time signature jumping, semi-improvised middle section.

Having formed in 1979, you wouldn’t expect this classic band of artrockers to still pull a fierce punch, but ‘Unsound’ is as dramatic, urgent and chaotic a collection of music as the Boston band have ever recorded. This albumn keeps you on your toes – and that’s just how we like it.
Alex Nelson