Signals, Calls and Marches

by Mission of Burma

Overview

One could argue that Mission of Burma's first 12" release, Signals, Calls and Marches, was the point where "indie rock" as a separate and distinct musical subgenre well and truly began. Mission of Burma's music had the brawn and the volume of hardcore punk, but with a lyrical intelligence and obvious musical sophistication that set them apart from the Southern California faster-and-louder brigade. Between Martin Swope's tape loops and Roger Miller's often tricky guitar lines, Mission of Burma may have seemed "arty" on the surface, but the bruising impact of "Outlaw" and "This Is Not a Photograph" made clear this band was not part of the skinny-tie "new wave" scene. And Mission of Burma were one of the first bands that gained a large enough following to attract the attention of major labels, but opted to remain on a small label of their own volition -- a move that would raise the "integrity" stakes for many acts in the years to come. Signals, Calls and Marches features Mission of Burma's best known song, the still-powerful "That's When I Reach for My Revolver," but it hasn't stood the test of time quite as well as the full-length album that would follow, Vs.; there are brief moments where the band still seems to be working out their obvious British influences, and "Outlaw" sounds stiffer than it needs to be. But Clint Conley and Roger Miller were already songwriters to be reckoned with, the band sounds passionate and powerful, and if Mission of Burma were not yet at the peak of their form, most bands blazing as many trails as this one did lost their footing a lot more often that Burma did on these six songs; Signals, Calls and Marches was as accomplished and impressive a debut as any American band would release in the 1980s. [Some reissues add the band's fine first single, "Academy Fight Song" b/w "Max Ernst," as a bonus.] ~ Mark Deming

Product Details

Release Date:	06/29/2010
Label:	Matador
UPC:	0744861086710
Rank:	30047

Tracks

1. Academy Fight Song
2. Max Ernst
3. Devotion
4. Execution
5. That's When I Reach for My Revolver
6. Outlaw
7. Fame and Fortune
8. This Is Not a Photograph
9. Red
10. All World Cowboy Romance

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Mission of Burma   Primary Artist
Roger Miller   Guitar,Vocals
Clint Conley   Bass,Guitar,Vocals
Lou Giordano   Guitar
Peter Prescott   Drums,Vocals
Martin Swope   Tape

Technical Credits

Ted Jensen   Remastering
Clint Conley   Composer,Interviewee,Photography
John Kiehl   Engineer,Audio Engineer
Roger Miller   Composer
Peter Prescott   Interviewee
Richard Harte   Audio Production
Martin Swope   Tapes
Gerard Cosloy   Interviewer
Holly Anderson   Design,Cover Design
Alex Williams   Photography
Steven Raffin   Original Sleeve Design
Dawn Miller   Photography
Diane Bergamasco   Photography
Margie Politzer   Original Sleeve Design
Mark Ohe   Reissue Design
Mark Kates   Interviewee
Neal Trousdale   Photography
Patrick Amory   Reissue Coordination
Jesper Eklow   Reissue Coordination