Miracle Legion

A six track EP/LP on the Making Waves label from 1985. I remember Andy Kershaw playing The Backyard on his BBC radio show back then and loving it and a short time after found a copy in Brick Lane market on a stall that sold deletions. This is what Trouser Press said of them-

"Criticized for their uncanny resemblance to R.E.M., Connecticut's Miracle Legion cannot be so easily dismissed as rote imitators. There's no denying the obvious similarities (vocals and guitar); thanks to musical creativity, however, Miracle Legion manages to stake out their own territory.

Savvy production techniques and aggressive playing make The Backyard a landmark. Mark Mulcahy's vocals can grate, but not enough to sully the sheer brilliance of the title track, "Stephen Are You There," "Closer to the Wall" and "Butterflies." Surprise Surprise Surprise lacks the honest abandon of The Backyard, an essential ingredient to Miracle Legion's appeal. In spite of improved musicianship and vocals, it's a disappointment."

If only REM sounded as good as this.

Miracle Legion - The Backyard

Miracle Legion - Butterflies

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