Mission of Burma: Accomplished: The best of

By GRAHAM REID

(Herald rating: * * * *)

Despite being championed (and covered) by REM and Sugar, among others, Boston's MOB never caught on here, largely because at the time our ears were on England. Their brief career (1979-83, curtailed when guitarist Roger Miller suffered severe tinnitus) saw them loudly marrying guitar pop with loops and samples, and the taut, stabbing punk of Gang of Four, the Clash and early Wire.

This 15-track compilation collects some early jab'n'jangle, five from their fine album Vs and five more from their blazing, posthumously released live album The Horrible Truth About Mission of Burma. The few faithful might quibble about the track selection but this is an otherwise fair overview of a band that, curiously enough, doesn't sound a bit dated — although very English.

Label: Ryko/Elite