Onoffon
Lots can happen in 22 years. Babies grow up, graduate college, start families. The onset of maturity is typically harder on rock bands. In 1972, theStonesreleasedExile on Main Street; by 1994, they were slumming inVoodoo Lounge. So it comes as a terrific surprise that Boston punk experimentalists Mission of Burma, who split shortly after 1982'sVs., sound as cutting edge as ever on this reunion disc. Opener "The Setup" features a midsection that sounds more like a jar of buzzing bees than any conventional solo, thanks to tape manipulator Bob Weston (borrowed fromShellac) putting guitarist Roger Miller through a barrage of effects. On a quieter note, the seductive "Falling" features backing vocals by Tonya Donnelly, while somber strings underscore "Prepared." Through it all, Burma still boast unerring melodic sensibilities; "The Enthusiast" and "Wounded World" are rife with sharp hooks.ONoffONwas a long time coming, but well worth the wait.--Kurt B. Reighley