Of all second-generation US punk bands, perhaps none has been as consistently relevant as Mission Of Burma. During their brief career (1980-83) the Boston band recorded just one studio album, but their taut, skronky songwriting, sabre-toothed intensity and art-rock dynamics? which reveals them to be a combined Gang Of Four, Sex Pistols and Sonic Youth?is still pretty hard to beat. For newcomers, this 16-track compilation is a better place to start than Onoffon?their (entirely creditable) brand new album released earlier this year?since it provides both a valuable history lesson and an exhilarating blast of punk hoodoo.
SHARON O’CONNELL
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