The Horrible Truth About Burma
| 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 | ||||
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| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | |
| The Austin Chronicle | |
| Robert Christgau | B |
| Entertainment Weekly | A− |
| Tom Hull | B− |
| Pitchfork | 8.0/10 |
| PopMatters | |
The Horrible Truth About Burma is a collection of live recordings by Boston-based post-punk band Mission of Burma, recorded during their 1983 farewell tour. The band had decided to retire because leader Roger Miller's chronic tinnitus had reached a dangerous level.
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.