Mission Of Burma - Obliterati

I suspect Mission Of Burma's reunion years back was quite a surprise for the people who'd been around for their band's original cult success. As well as completely baffling to the new generation of kids who knew them as little more than a note in the 80s post-punk stage (yours truly included). But none the less, there they were. Playing shows at all Tomorrows Parties and reminding the aging cult nerds why they all had such a huge boner for them decades ago. However for the many music obsessed teenagers who knew little to nothing about the band, the revival was little more than a case of being told that Mission Of Burma were and are incredibly important and it would be in their best interest to become familiar with their back catalogue. That's what we were left with. A hand full of records to listen to and for some, complete confusion as to why everyone cared so much. The whole process of trying to become familiar with a band that you had no particular interest in before a widely publicized reunion can go so many ways. For me, I felt they were somewhat inconsistent but held the ability to throw out some really decent little slabs of emotive semi-political post-punk. But I did have the feeling that if the band wanted to solidify their relationship with the younger enthusiasts, they'd have to make new records and those new records would have to be really good.

I've spent the better part of today with Mission Of Burma's new album "Obliterati". I was listening to it in the bath, I put it in my walkman when I was going to see a friend and had it in the background when trying to clean my bedroom. Mainly I was in a state of enjoyment whilst also pondering whether or not this is the record that will inspire the new generation to take notice. Eventually I've managed to conclude that "Obliterati", whilst a very enjoyable and solid album won't win them many new fans. Mainly due to the fact they have stuck too close to their expected to sound to win over those people who felt slightly alienated by the band's past work when it was thrown at them a few years back. Of course I'm not attempting to imply that they should change their respected and enjoyable fundamentals to attract newcomers, I'll leave that to faceless A&R people. But lets face it. The original fans are getting older. Some loosing interest in what they were obsessed with in their younger years and bar the occasional aging elitist prick, I can't imagine any of the bands fans not wanting to see Mission Of Burma appealing to a new generation, passing the torch down if you will.

For people who do hold a soft spot for Burma, this record will do it for you in the way that only this band can. I'd easily consider calling it one of their finest records to date. For those still on the fence, I'd recommend you at least give "Obliterati" a try and attempt not to let the hyperbole behind the band put you off.

Mission Of Burma - Spider's Web
Mission Of Burma - Careening With Conviction

Buy Obliterati from Amazon

In other awesome bands reforming news:
Scratch Acid are reforming, with all original members for the Touch & Go Records 25th Anniversary show. They'll be playing with the likes of Shellac, Ted Leo, The Black Heart Procession and Pinback to toast one of the world's best labels. It's unannounced as to whether the reunion will continue after the show or if it's just a single mark of respect. Either way, I'm hoping they come to England and David Yow can freak us all out by stuffing the catering down his trousers and then smacking everyone in the face with his balls.

Scratch Acid - She Said
Scratch Acid - Mary Had A Little Drug Problem