Mission Of Burma

The Obliterati

[4/5] Mission Of Burma continue as the world’s most impossible band. After using their punk foundation to engineer the sound of indie rock, breaking up, and then reforming 20 years later, the band are back with their second post-reunion recording. And that’s where the “impossible” part comes in: 2004’s OnOffOn was one of those ultra-rare reunion records that was fit to file alongside a great band’s best work. In Mission of Burma’s case, that was one full-length (Vs.) from 1982, a 1981 EP (Signals, Calls, And Marches), and a few singles from the same period. With The Obliterati, Mission Of Burma have recorded yet another rock-solid album in their second go-’round, proving they’re not just another reunion act cashing in on a reputation that thrived after they died. The sound that inspired bands like Sonic Youth-and thus the indie-rock blueprint-is still intact on standout songs such as “2wice,” “1001 Pleasant Dreams” and “Nancy Reagan’s Head.” (MATADOR) Rex Reason