Volcano Suns

These reissues represent enormously valuable documents of mid-'80s alt-rock. After Boston's Mission of Burma flamed out in the early '80s, drummer Peter Prescott formed the Volcano Suns and remained their only original member through a number of line-up changes. Despite the passage of almost 25 years since The Bright Orange Years and All-Night Lotus Party first saw the light of day, these records sound fresh and full of vigour. Each album is re-mastered by producer extraordinaire Bob Weston, who also played with Volcano Suns in the group's later period. On these albums, the band's propulsive sound mines similar influences as contemporaries in Husker Du but the Volcano Suns also added a definitive stamp to their work. Both discs include a wealth of extras, including songs from seven-inch singles, live tracks and other rarities. Fans who have been enjoying the fruits of Mission of Burma's reunion would be wise to revisit Prescott's work in Volcano Suns.