Everyone knows that ‘best of’ compilations are the perfect gift for any and all nationally recognized special occasions, so as Christmas approaches might I suggest you consider adding ‘Learn How: The Essential Mission Of Burma’ to your Christmas wish list?
‘Learn How’ is the ideal record for anyone relatively new (or completely oblivious) to Mission Of Burma, the near-legendary post-punk band who laid the foundations for the next decade or so of alternative rock. It brings together a strong collection of highlights of their work, selecting from both their initial activity period of 1979-1983 (when guitarist Roger Miller quit due to tinnitus caused by the sheer volume of their live shows) and also the recordings made since their 2002 reformation.
The tracklist starts with the brilliantly punchy ‘Academy Fight Song’, which does a great job of showcasing their distinct musical texture. The guitar, bass and drums weave and interlock, while a mist of tape-looped feedback softly surrounds, but rather than coalescing into a big mess (as sometimes happened at their live shows) each element comes through loud and clear.
From there on, it flips back and forth between catchy danceable anthems and bouncy-ball-in-an-Escher-drawing outbursts: for every instantly memorable ‘That’s When I Reach For My Revolver’ or ‘Fame And Fortune’ there is an irregularly-structured ‘New Nails’ or ‘The Ballad Of Johnny Burma’ to keep you on your toes.
As is common with such compilations, time passes as the tracklist goes on, but there is no noticeable drop in quality between their earlier and later work. ‘Donna Sumeria’ and ‘1, 2, 3, Partyy!’ (from 2006 and 2009 respectively) are particular favourites of mine, and prime examples of their consistency over the years. The sustained quality of the songs on this record makes listening to the entire thing from start to finish an engaging and satisfying endeavor.
Of course, there are a few songs that I feel are conspicuous by their absence, but then that is the nature of the ‘best of’ record. Besides, it’s good that there will be some surprises in store should you listen to this and be inspired to investigate the rest of their work, a decision you will not regret.
In short, this record is exactly what its title suggests. Twice. It is both a densely-packed compilation of some of Mission Of Burma’s finest songs, and a demonstration that no music library should be without them. Play it loud.
Released on December 3rd through Fire Records.
Posted by @JimTheSG.
