Though they followed the B-52's into the spotlight and would help set the stage for R.E.M.'s long reign as Athens, Georgia's (and later America's) best-loved ambassadors of underground rock, Pylon were a band not strictly defined by their hometown or early-'80s heyday. Their story did, however, typify many of the great bands of the days when "new wave" was giving way to something else; they were smart kids with arty leanings who created music as an extension of their other creative pursuits, not a diversion or distraction. Pylon were intent on creating something that didn't follow the accepted templates of the day, and they did so without sounding stiff or pretentious. The sharp slash of Randy Bewley's guitar and the howl of Vanessa Briscoe Hay's vocals were not exactly soothing, but they were full of joy and expressive release, and the cool yet implacable (and often funky) rhythms of Michael Lachowski's bass and Curtis Crowe's drums made Pylon's music challenging but also welcoming, and fun to dance to. While name-checking reggae was certainly a hip thing during their lifetime, Pylon learned more from the space and aural punctuations of dub rather than Jamaican roots music. (When they sang "We eat dub for breakfast," they obviously meant it.) As an independent band existing at a time when the distribution and touring networks for underground music were still tenuous at best, Pylon's influence was initially limited to folks who already had their ear to the ground, but those who did hear them embraced them with love and spread the word, and they became wildly influential post-punk icons after the fact. Pylon Box is a glorious celebration of the group's original 1978 to 1983 run, featuring newly remastered versions of their first two albums, 1980's Gyrate and 1983's Chomp, as well as a bonus disc of singles sides, remixes, and rarities. While the lean, propulsive groove of Gyrate and the more ambitious but still tightly focused sound of Chomp are worthwhile in themselves, this set also includes a previously unreleased 1979 demo tape, recorded and mixed live to cassette in their practiced space. While the band are clearly still refining their attack on the tape, and they sound more punk than they would a year later, the elements that made them special are all there, and it's a welcome addition to Pylon's history. The set also comes with a beautiful 200-page book of photos, artwork, biographical essays, and endorsements from artists ranging from Gang of Four to Sleater-Kinney, all of whom learned a great deal from Pylon's music. (R.E.M. are especially gracious, citing them as longtime favorites and the best band from Athens.) Though it's a shame that their 1990 reunion album Chain isn't acknowledged, Pylon Box is an otherwise near-flawless summation of a great and unique band, and it's absolutely worth every penny of its purchase price.
© Mark Deming /TiVo