Burning Airlines
Mission: Control!

THE REVIEW

Synthetic introduction for those who are (or were) unaware of this group:

The Burning Airlines emerged from the ashes of the majestic Jawbox in 1997, taking their name from the song "Burning Airlines Give You So Much More" by Brian Eno.
They released two excellent albums and a few splits (including one with At The Drive-In) before declining, partly due to the September 11, 2001, World Trade Center attacks: the band was in the middle of a promotional tour, and many clubs refused to host them, for instance. Shortly thereafter, in 2002, the group disbanded.

The debut is "Mission: Control!", from 1999, and I can already say it's a diamond in the Alternative field, the first Alternative in particular.

The offering is definitely Post-Hardcore, but whimsical and with constant atmospheric changes. Incredibly catchy and at times even with a hint of Pop spice (though always Punk), with some echoes of the sound of Jawbox itself.

Vocally melodic and instrumentally extraordinary. Panic-inducing riffs: sometimes more dissonant than ever, sometimes melancholic, sometimes all-out destructive; impeccable rhythm: a bass with a very full "Shellac sound" and a drum that luxuriates in doing whatever it pleases, with bone-breaking fills. Try it to believe it.

The untamable furies of "Carnival", "Meccano", and "Sweet Deals On Surgery", the rhythmic and robotic "Wheaton Calling", "Pacific 231", and "The Escape Engine", the melancholic "3 Sisters", the dissonant to monstrous levels "I Sold Myself In" make it a daring album, while still staying faithful and coherent.

I've mentioned almost all the tracks, just to make clear how much it deserves your attention. If you've already tried the Jawbox candy, go ahead and enjoy this one too.