Matador Records
Four and a half stars

As punk rawk’s edge fizzled to a dull point, in came something called “college rock.” Brainy, edgy and arty, Mission of Burma’s debut LP, Vs., was an archetypal record for bands with names like Fugazi, Silkworm, Chavez, as well as a bunch of groups that fall under the indie-rock umbrella. Given the deluxe reissue treatment by Matador, this pre-indie, post-punk classic — complete with amazing extras — is every bit as essential as R.E.M.’s debut, and exponentially more so if your blood boils rock.

Sounds like:
Gang of Four, Fugazi, The Mekons