Mission of Burma: The Obliterati

Mission of Burma are back. And I mean that in the symbolic, hyperbolic, metaphoric sense of the word. On this, The Obliterati, the second record of their crucial and laudable reunion, the band has nudged and nuzzled their way into their former selves, rocking an estimable force of hungry, inspired, pedal-to-the-metal indie rock.

I suppose at this point you are not surprised. Truly, the reunion of 2004 was a success. OnOFFon not only didn’t suck, but actually ran the gamut of post-punk indie rock, covering all the bases to not only be considered a first-rate record but concurrently relevant amidst a much larger independent rock world than MOB happened to be used to.

Nonetheless, it was not the same band of the all-mighty VS. - not the same band we’ve revered and exalted over the last two decades, and not the same band REM and Yo La Tengo looked to for inspiration. But as I said, here in 2006, Mission of Burma are back. Back with the dynamism, back with the rapid and expressive chord changes. Back with that rebellious character.

Mission of Burma have returned, managing once again to walk the line between punk and post-punk/no wave, all the while standing tall with a legitimacy and an authenticity that, even today, sounds fresh, bends genre, and holds truth.

- Bill Wallace
Mission of Burma (Matador Records)