DFA gets into the reissue game with this expanded edition of Gyrate, the 1980 album from Pylon, obscure players from the Athens, GA, scene of the 80s whose music would influence artists like B-52s, Gang of Four and, of course, DFA. Remember the name-dropping narrator of LCD's "Losing My Edge?" Pylon is probably one of his favorite bands. (James Murphy has been known to drop "Danger(1)" in DJ sets, and R.E.M. even covered one of their tracks back in the day.) Musically however, Pylon doesn't directly resemble any of those groups - though they're closest to Gang of Four - with their minimal-yet-tough rhythms and shouty lead vocalist Vanessa Briscoe Hay. They were angsty, punky and more than a little weird, but still undeniably catchy and so danceable. In addition to the original Gyrate album - which holds gems like "Feast On My Heart(2)," "Gravity(3)," "Working Is No Problem(4)" and "Precaution(5)" - this new version includes two tracks from a rare 45 ("Cool(6)" and "Dub") plus an obscure 10" mix of "Danger" and a previously unreleased demo from 1979. 16 tracks; 57 minutes. Highly recommended.

reviewed by Larri Byrd