More fully-formed than their debut, Pylon’s 1983 sophomore effort Chomp (reissued and re-titled as Chomp More by DFAl) is a culmination of their sound: the band channels the angular instrumentals and eccentric vocals of groups like Television and Gang of Four, but with more dance-informed rhythms. The whole thing is complemented by lead vocalist Vanessa Briscoe’s energy and exuberance. This is surely some of Pylon's best work.

As an essential part of the scene that defined Athens, GA as the nerve center for offbeat alternative rock in the late 1970s, Pylon released a handful of great singles and albums before calling it quits in 1983, the year the group's sophomore effort Chomp was first released. And although the band was eclipsed both in popularity and sales by fellow Georgian compatriots R.E.M. (who refer to Pylon as a major influence) and the B-52s, their dynamic and frenetic post-punk sounds struck a chord with contemporaries as it still does today, and their position as forbearers in the rise of the alternative music underground in America is fixed.

Now getting the attention they deserve from James Murphy's DFA label -- which reissued Pylon's first album, Gyrate in 2007 -- the 12 cuts on Chomp, now re-titled as Chomp More have been remastered and made available on CD for the first time ever. More fully-formed than the debut, Chomp cultivates their sound, a pairing of the same elaborate, angular instrumentals and eccentric vocals of bands like Television and Gang of Four with more dance-informed rhythms. Showcasing their stash of jagged guitar hooks (R.E.M.'s cover of the single "Crazy" never did it justice) complemented by the unmatched energy and exuberance behind the distinctive yelp of lead vocalist Vanessa Briscoe, Chomp contains some of Pylon's best work: the throbbing snare-infused opener "K," the jangly "Crazy" (this song is so good!), and the buzzing "Gyrate," among others. And as a cherry on top, this expanded version adds four bonus tracks: the 7-inch version of "Crazy," an alternate version of "Yo-Yo," Pylon's own remix of "Gyrate" and the rarely heard "Four Minutes."

-Pamela Garavano-Coolbaugh (October 22, 2009)