Mission of Burma go to Sumeria

 

MISSION OF BURMA: The Obliterati (Matador)

What's with all these old post-punk legends coming out of retirement and laying down the most intense and cathartic music of their careers? First Wire, then Killing Joke and Gang of Four, and now Mission of Burma have risen from the grave and unleashed some truly gut-punching Noise Rock on an unsuspecting world. 

Like their British cousins, Burma draws upon Progressive and Art Rock influences, tossing in elements from King Crimson, Can and Hendrix into the usual Stooges and MC5 blend. On The Obliterati, Burma offers their trademark mix of elegiac melodies,  pounding syncopations and breakneck time changes.  

As always, Burma don't resort to studio trickery to kick your ass. They do it the old-fashioned way, by yelling and screaming and smashing their instruments with clenched fists. And they do so with the rage that only men who have experienced the misery of adult life can muster.  

The title of stand-out cut "Careening with Conviction" tells you all you need to know.  Rip this one to the iPod and drag your tired old ass to the gym. Then go rough up some snot-nosed Pete Doherty lookalike, just because. (8 of 10)

This was another spec-review reject, originally written for Classic Rock in 2006. Rejected for being insufficiently classic, apparently.

In the meantime, give this a look: https://thesecretsun.substack.com/p/a-secret-history-of-burning-man