Pylon

Following DFA's 2007 reissue of Pylon's landmark Gyrate, the Athens, Ga. rockers' 1983 album Chomp finally sees a digital release. While the band is often tagged a pioneer of '80s jangle, their guitars are slashing and spiky as the brittlest post-punk, while tight, clipped drum patterns and lugubrious bass work hint at frustrated funk. Given their influence, Pylon should have been monsters of '80s alt rock; this reissue goes some way towards giving them their due. Anyone who cares about independent rock really must hear this.