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Rating: ****
"...Slow Train To Dawn..."
Technically, Matt Johnson's ex-Gadgets solo offering "Burning Blue Soul" from August 1981 on England's 4AD Records is often cited at the real THE THE debut album (in all but name). October 1983's "Soul Mining" followed and was the first LP to bear that famous THE THE moniker and my starting point with MJ and his difficult releases.
I say difficult – but like so many – I have no difficulty with the epic "Infected" – the kind of mid-80ts album that invented the word cult/masterpiece/must own to readjust sanity and street cred etc.
And what we have here is the 2002 barebones CD Reissue/Remaster from Epic/Lazarus Records (album only) with its altered Matt Johnson's Face outer slipcase artwork. His own original painting artwork is on Page 3 and folded back on itself - the booklet will allow fans to display that on the inner jewel-case if they prefer. This CD Remaster has also stripped away the Three Bonus Twelve-Inch Single Mixes that came with original 1986 CDs for "Infected", "Sweet Bird Of Truth" and "Slow Train To Dawn". So some might say, you are getting less. But the audio is a huge improvement - big and ballsy. Let's get to the Angels of Deception...
UK released July 2002 - "Infected" by THE THE on Epic/Lazarus 504466 2 - 5044652000 (Barcode 5099750446621) is a straightforward CD Reissue and Remaster of the original 1986 8-track album that plays out as follows (41:08 minutes):
1. Infected [Side 1]
2. Out Of The Blue (Into The Fire)
3. Heartland
4. Angels Of Deception
5. Sweet Bird Of Truth [Side 2]
6. Slow Train To Dawn
7. Twilight Of A Champion
8. The Mercy Seat
Tracks 1 to 8 are their second studio album "Infected" by THE THE - released November 1986 in the UK on Epic/Some Bizarre Records EPC 26670 and February 1987 in the USA on Epic BFE 40471. Produced by WAYNE LIVESEY and MATT JOHNSON – it peaked at No.14 in the UK album charts and No.89 in the USA on the Billboard Rock album charts.
I like the outer card slipcase and its tinted new facia, while the 16-page booklet does its functional best (lyrics, that original artwork, album/reissue credits, small Discography alongside the 51st State photo and the This Is The The Day website - Re-Infected Times Article produced). But you can't help thinking that the absence of any kind of historical appraisal or liner notes or the Twelves or Videos is a bit cheeky – but I suspect Johnson wants posterity and fans to concentrate only on the core album and not extended-play distractions.
What do we have...some fans have complained that the 2002 HOWARD WEINBERG Remaster is almost too clean - I get that but I also disagree. The Audio is incredibly detailed now - take the opening infect-me-with-your-love echoed lyrics and those drum whacks – Dan Brown on Bass - all of it HUGE. The subtle duet backing vocals by Zeke Manyika and Tessa Miles are just that bit more lifted (nurse me back to health) to the point where I can actually hear their contributions. Then that Trumpet solo from Guy Barker just rips across your speakers too...infect me with your love indeed...
A super-clean "Out Of The Blue (Into The Fire)" slinks across the panned speakers – a man without a Soul in a den of thieves talking dirty and thinking even worse (a tad too macho for me actually). Speaking of which, Matt Johnson's all-encompassing moody misery will admittedly not be for everyone wanting to get up and party baby. But the intelligence of the lyrics, his knack with a hook that gets under your skin and just won't let go have all earned him legions of devoted followers. That is shown come slot number three – "Heartland" – a song he has said himself is one of his best. And it has fantastic arrangements (Astarti String Orchestra) and again Tessa Niles giving that backing vocals chorus – another winter of long shadows and high hopes in the 51st State (love that Judd Lander Harmonica solo just when the big piece needed some commoner balls).
The Gulf War loomed large at the time and obsessed Johnson – so expect acidity and rage aplenty in "Sweet Bird Of Truth" – a US fighter pilot giving it some Napalm payload and G.I. Joe banter as he blasts someone's home below courtesy of his surgically oblique cockpit equipment. And who among fans will be able to resist the real brilliance in "Slow Train To Dawn" – for me the best track on the album and the one I return to most – Neneh Cherry being the perfect vocal foil (that sweaty train video – now that would have been a genuine bonus).
For sure 1986's "Infected" is an acquired taste in 2023 and the lack of Bonus Material on a supposedly upgraded reissue/remaster kind of lets an important side down. But this is probably everyone's favourite THE THE album – and is so for a reason – the toil and bubble within that produced such powerhouse results...
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