tommydski wrote:

Christopher J. McGarvey wrote:

tommydski wrote:1 superb live album.

Is it good?

Seriously, is it actually good?

I remember trying to listen to it because I was going to buy it and the recording was so awful that I couldn't tell whether it was good or not.

I liked it a lot when I thought Burma were the best band ever. This was most likely when I was maybe 16 or 17 and sound quality or 'production' meant absolutely nothing to me. It is abrasive but I gather that was the point. Hence the album title I guess.

I like it a lot. But if I want to listen to live Burma, I usually put on that 1982 MIT bootleg.

Nancy Reagan's Head is a wonderful song.

Obviously not crap.

By the way I was wondering what you think about this comparison I found in an italian website about rock ( http://www.ondarock.it/rockedintorni/missionofburma.htm ).

I'll try to translate:

"The difference between Mission of Burma and Flipper (the other no-wave/noise band of that time) is the same that there is between Pearl Jam and Nirvana. MoB and PJ are not bound up with the tragic moment of the existence (unlike Flipper and Nirvana) but they tend to become reconciled with the instinct of survival. No barrier, only continuum. Because of this Nirvana and Flipper appear or will appear dated: they dated themselves existentially by selfdestructing. MoB and PJ will always be classic because they are integrated in the continuum, in the breath of life (flatus vitae) that is accepted, followed and understood by the majority of people".

I think that the first part of the analysis is not totally wrong but the conclusions (such as: "flipper is dated") would only be valid in a "mainstream circle". Maybe in a "catholic circle", because they seem anti-suicide and pro-life.

Sorry for any mistake but English is not my native language.

connor wrote:

tommydski wrote:To be fair you could change Bob Weston for anyone else in the world and they would still suck now.

Still, they mastered the formats!
1 superb single.
1 superb EP.
1 superb LP.
1 superb live album.

Not many bands can claim that.

They suck?

I'm listening to an MIT bootleg from 1982. Right before that, I listened to a show from 2004. I detect no loss of heart, energy, creativity, intensity or musicianship.

I think they likely are a better band now (though Vs. is still my favorite album of theirs). Actually, nevermind. That statement is completely retarded: they are the same fucking band. They were great then and they are great now. Tommy, have you seen them live?

I think their two newest records are overlong but the best tracks are right up there with "classic Burma."

Face it. They are twice as old as us and kicking far more ass.

And I think Bob's tape loops are magnificent. Especially live (though I can't always hear them).

And about that t-shirt, it's kind of like saying Joy Division would have sucked without Martin Hannet.

Agreed.

Absolute Not Crap. The best active band in America today. I got to see them live last July in NYC and it was just a fucking blast. They played two sets and a couple of encores. In timely fashion, they dedicated "Fame And Fortune" to Syd Barrett and later covered "Astronomy Domine".

Their reunion is one of the greatest reunions in rock and roll history. These guys are still fucking at it. I feel terribly sorry for anybody not interested in the second coming of Mission of Burma. Just incredible. I've also heard good things about the new songs they've been playing this year.

Overall:

Vs. and Signals, Calls, and Marches are Not Crap without question.

Peking Spring and The Horrible Truth are Not Crap, but both are sketchy at times.

Forget is definite Not Crap.

OnOFFOn is Not Crap.

The Obliterati is definite Not Crap.

Seriously, The Obliterati. "Let Yourself Go", "Spider's Web", "Man In Decline", "Nancy Reagan's Head", "Careening With Conviction". Shit.

I can't wait to see them again, and I can't believe I blew off the opportunity to see them in NYC again in January. Fuck.

Seriously. This is even a question?

Not crap, obviously.

So I have the '88 "Mission of Burma" compilation disc ... to my ears, it mostly sounds like arse. Can anyone say if the later CD reissues of Vs. and Signals etc. are remastered enough to be worth rebuying all those songs?

I've been listening a great deal to the Snapshot live EP recently, and I think that it is wonderful. Miller's guitar playing is crazy-awesome on it, especially on their cover of "Youth of America". Unfortunately, it is iTunes only, but I recommend it wholeheartedly.

I liked them much better when they were a mysterious band that broke up in 1983, but I am not going to fault them for doing what they have done with their reunion.

The live show I saw in 2003? at the 9:30 club in DC was so good I was in tears.

They've written some great songs, like Dirt, Academy Fight Song, Peking Spring, etc...

(note: I prefer the four-track recording of Dirt on the EP from 1979 to the re-recording on OnOFFon).

Clint Conley is a massively good bass player with tasty basslines.

NOT CRAP.

Everything about Mission of Burma is majestic, and fuck anybody who would put them in the same paragraph with Pearl Jam.