| The Horrible Truth About Burma | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Live album by | ||||
| Released | 1985 | |||
| Recorded | Boston, Chicago, New York, Detroit during 1983 final tour | |||
| Genre | Post-punk | |||
| Length | 39:15 (original/remaster), 54:16 (with bonus tracks), 52:30 (Ryko CD) | |||
| Label | Original release, Ace of Hearts; 2008 reissue, Matador Records OLE-732 | |||
| Producer | Mission of Burma | |||
| Mission of Burma chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [1] |
| The Austin Chronicle | [2] |
| Robert Christgau | B[6] |
| Entertainment Weekly | A−[3] |
| Tom Hull | B−[7] |
| Pitchfork | 8.0/10[4] |
| PopMatters |   [5] |
The Horrible Truth About Burma is a collection of live recordings by Boston-based post-punk band Mission of Burma,[8] recorded during their 1983 farewell tour. The band had decided to retire because leader Roger Miller's chronic tinnitus had reached a dangerous level.[9]
Originally released in 1985 by Boston indie label Ace of Hearts, the album was first reissued in 1997 by Ryko, then in "Standard" and "Definitive" editions by Matador in 2008. The Definitive version of the CD and the vinyl release also include a DVD of the full evening set at the Bradford, as well as the VHS version of the show for posterity.
This live album is notable for capturing Mission of Burma's signature noisy live sound, in contrast to their more polished studio recordings; the album title is an inside joke about their chaotic concerts.[10]
- ^ Deming, Mark. "The Horrible Truth About Burma - Mission of Burma". Allmusic. Retrieved August 8, 2011.
- ^ Schroeder, Audra (May 2, 2008). "Mission of Burma". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
- ^ "Mission of Burma reissues". Entertainment Weekly.
- ^ Masters, Marc (March 24, 2008). "Pitchfork: Album Reviews: Mission of Burma: Signals, Calls, and Marches / Vs. / The Horrible Truth About Burma". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 8, 2011.
- ^ Gundel, Erik (May 22, 2008). "This Is Not a Faded Photograph". PopMatters. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
- ^ Christgau, Robert. "Mission of Burma". Retrieved February 7, 2020.
- ^ "Tom Hull: Grade List: Mission of Burma". Tomhull.com.
- ^ "Official web site notes on album". Missionofburma.com.
- ^ Azerrad, Michael (2002). Our Band Could Be Your Life: Scenes from the American Indie Underground, 1981–1991. Back Bay Books. p. 114. ISBN 978-0-316-78753-6.
- ^ Azerrad, Michael (2002). Our Band Could Be Your Life: Scenes from the American Indie Underground, 1981–1991. Back Bay Books. p. 117. ISBN 978-0-316-78753-6.