In their first go-round in the early 1980s, Mission of Burma were equal parts innovation and perspiration. Their muscular post-punk was groundbreaking, but it also had a workman-like quality. Maybe that's what made them unique-- Roger Miller, Clint Conley, and Peter Prescott always had their noses to the grindstone even when they were being visionary. Since reforming in 2002, Burma haven't been nearly as pioneering. But their hard-toiling side has not only persisted, it has expanded to fill in the gap.
Of their three post-reunion albums so far, The Sound the Speed the Light sounds the most industrious, the most like another day at the office. There's nothing surprising here, and some songs are so signature-styled you might wonder if you've heard them before. But when it comes to office work, Burma's day beats most bands' years. So the lack of surprise also means a lack of flaws, and a lot of energy and power. When these guys punch the clock, they take the phrase literally.
So yet another Burma album hits the ground running, this time with "1,2,3 Partyy!", a seriously fun song about how funny it is that someone would take partying seriously. That energy spills into "Possession", which swings between weight-lifting pound and a wistful chorus, with lots of Miller guitar grit in between. Later, Conley's bass melodies and half-spoken lyrics turn "Forget Yourself" into a thoughtful semi-ballad. By time the anthemic "SSL 83" carries the record to its halfway point, it's been six straight unimpeachable tunes, forming an album side that rivals any Burma album side.
It would've been easy to let The Sound cruise from there, filling it with solid also-rans. But the energy level and commitment continue unabated. Two songs in particular stand out. "So Fuck It", with its raucous beat and Miller guitar pyrotechnics, captures the band's mix of introspection and machismo perfectly: "I often wonder what I'm worth/ But I won't take shit from you or anyone else/ So fuck it!" Closer "Slow Faucet" combines Burma's trademark crescendos with stretches of slow-burning guitar, evoking Sonic Youth's more meditative moments.
The fact that Burma seems physically unable to take so much as a note off is inspiring, but also a little depressing-- imagine all the great music we must have missed during their two-decade hiatus, because they surely would've worked hard at making it. But maybe they would've gotten jaded, stale, or just plain tired if they had played the indie rock game for 20 years. Either way, seven years into their second life, Mission of Burma keep attacking their music like they're lucky to be playing it for everyone again. Given all the hard work that went into The Sound the Speed the Light, the converse is even more true.
