Search - The The :: Mind Bomb

One of the very few classics.

Neil S. Bowman | Malden, MA United States | 08/26/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Passionate, insanely evocative and provocative, Matt Johnson's The The create their masterpiece, 'Mind Bomb', with the help of ex-The Smith's genius guitarist/songwriter, Johnny Marr. It manages to achieve the accomplishment of not only being The The's best album (which is saying a lot), but one of the best complete works of music of both the 80's and 90's. As others have suggested, it is incumbent upon you to put on a fine pair of headphones (I recommend the studio-standard Sony MDR 7506's, which run around $99, but really, you have not heard music until you've listened through these specific headphones), turn the lights off, get comfortable, smoke one if you got one, (but not too much!!), and listen to this CD, or at the very least the first song, Good Morning Beautiful, and both Kingdom of Rain and Beyond Love. By the time you hear the swirling, gravel-shifting harmonica groans of the first song, Good Morning Beautiful, and the lightning shell crack of David Palmer's snare drum (have you heard a snare drum sound this good in your life?), you should be sufficiently seduced by this song's lyrical brilliance, Johnson's world-weary, sneering whispers, it's originality and it's aural genius. Gonzography's Amazon review of 2004 hits the nail on the head in describing the timelessness of the lyrics, particularly those of 'Armegeddon Days' (the 'Islam is rising' line is indeed chilling and prophetic). The joyous upbeat shuffle of the 'Armegeddon', and tongue-in-cheek spoken intro rave-up, as well as the faux-Arabic melody motif, belie the truth and seriousness of what the Western world and the Muslim world faces nowadays. In lyrics written in 1988. Listen to Kingdom of Rain, and if you've ever disliked Sinead O'Connor, or considered her an ineffectual singer, prepare for her to snap your head off with her soul-baring, gut-wrenching performance, and have her hand your head back to you, tears streaming down your cheeks. The first time I heard this song, I shuttered at some of the graphic sexual imagery and candor, but then the realization hit me that the shock of their naked truth was simply that no songwriter has been able to communicate these human feelings into such stark lyrical form that I'd ever heard before. Who writes such mature, dead-on descriptions of the emotional, physical and mental toll of two lovers who were deeply in love and lust once, who now must painfully part and seperate? And the lyrics to 'Beyond Love' again show that Matt Johnson can encapsulate relationship in graphic, refreshing truths, like nobody else. In words, with perfect melodies and the perfect tone. I must also point out the wonderful understated horn and trumpet work, particularly in Beyond Love. Goosebumps are certain.



As for Marr? He gets to do it all, strumming gorgeous acoustic (Kingdom & Beaten Generation), tear it up on electric, slide and effects. Marr can do it all. His rhythm guitar has always been sorely underrated. Listen to Beyond Love, for his hauntingly transcendent arpeggiating, which appear in later verses of the song. He could not have come up with a better rhythmic guitar choice, and the arpeggiations are nearly a song in themselves.



And Johnson? His vocals move from God-fearing evangelist from hell, preacher, prophet, to bitter, wounded, vulnerable and resigned lover. He tackles the BIG subjects, and somehow presents them back to you in a way that all makes sense. This is rock-n-roll for grown-ups. Remember when Lennon, or Gaye, or Dylan, or Mitchell, or Simon, or Gabriel, or Marley, or even Bono, would write lyrics that seemed like they were informed by a higher being and opened your eyes to the world? Isn't it great to have someone smarter than us help us make sense of this messed-up world sometimes? To articulate the complexities of life, to let us know we're not alone when we face these painful truths of life? Not many of them out there. It's great to hear Matt Johnson tell us like it is."

One of Music's Finest Hours.

Kenneth S. Dupuis | Toms River, New Jersey | 04/26/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Not often, but once in a great while, a truly fabulous work of art is created. It is not a feat that is only achieved by artists who are known to be great; as evidenced by The The's "Mind Bomb", it is sometimes done by artists who are little known at all.Ranking very near, if not at the top, of the greatest albums of the Modern Rock era, 1989's "Mind Bomb" is not merely a collection of eight songs, but a seamless, flowing journey through the darkness and light of the human condition. Matt Johnson, an emotive vocalist and lyricist at his worst, shows here that he can reach deep into his own soul to retrieve and give voice to sentiments and suspicions that are rarely touched upon in polite company, but are commonly held by many. The objective of the album, achieved completely, is the taboo act of tearing away the shrouds that guard religeon, race, sex, society, and love. The whole world is laid bare at your feet in "Mind Bomb", a testimony to the desperation and cynicism that people enforce upon themselves in order to rise above nature. It is at first not an easy listen, but one which will eventually become a part of the listener's being; that is, if he or she is sympathetic to the cause of finding some shred of meaning in life.While the star of this show might not be a household name among those who were fortunate enough to grow up in the amazing alternative rock culture of the late eighties and early nineties, one of the supporting actors certainly is. Johnny Marr, former guitarist of The Smiths, is far more in the background here than in the places we know him best, even appropriately adding background vocals to his repertoire of enormous musical talent. Only in the one song co-written by Johnson and himself, "Gravitate to Me", is any sign of Marr's signature guitar style obvious and near the forefront. That is not to take anything away from his contributions to the work as a whole - quite to the contrary; they are ever present, only very different from what we have come to expect. Moreover, the music of "Mind Bomb" is symphonic in nature, and not centered on the guitar-as-primary-instrument. Far more prominent are sounds which do not typify the everyday music of that time, or in truth, anytime.Point in fact, Mark Feltham's harmonica and Wix's piano and organ contributions create the ambience that defines this album's feel. There are also horns and strings, shadowy vocals both evil and ethereal, odd percussions... all special and necessary, lent by almost innumerable guest artists. David Palmer's drums are as polished and perfect as could be, not generally dictating the meter of the music - but instead adding punctuation to the poetry of the arrangements. James Eller's bass brings elements of warmth and simplicity which balance well against the occasional harshness of both the music and the message. Together, they all speak as one.Of course, it cannot go without mention that Sinead O'Connor performs a haunting duet with Mr. Johnson in "Kingdom of Rain", which is the last scene in the first act of a two act play; meaning it is the song that would in another time have been called "the last song on side one". A gentle comedown from the fear and anger of the first three tracks, it is our resigned introduction to sadness through the broken dream of dying love. The song though, excellent as it is, is not the standout. All tracks are standouts here; all are equal to the album, and form together the essence of a story.After over a decade of consideration, I am still grappling to understand exactly what that story is; that is, in my opinion, the true genius of "Mind Bomb", beyond the music itself. After listening to it in it's entirety what I would estimate to be about 3500 times, I am still fascinated by it. It is aptly named. Perhaps there is nothing more than essence, maybe no story to tell at all. But few albums make the listener perceive one in the way this one does. I won't make any suggestions regarding what I believe that story to be - every person should be entitled to their own. But do listen, and find it. It is life changing and profound, while still sounding new after fourteen years.In summary, The The's "Mind Bomb" to me represents one of music's finest hours. Standing shoulder to shoulder with the towering Modern Rock works of that period, like U2's "The Joshua Tree", The Cure's "Disintegration", The Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Blood Sugar Sex Magick" or Nine Inch Nails' "Pretty Hate Machine", it is one of those albums you simply MUST own. When ultimately I die, it will be one of the CD's(?) that play in perpetuity in my mausoleum; I could never find peace without this music.Thanks for reading - Love to All.K"

Mind Bomb

JFSebastian | Cairns Australia. | 08/18/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Still, in my opinion, Matt Johnson's finest album without doubt. The opening track "good morning beautiful" is one of the best rock tracks ever made by any band.
The hard driving bass and drums, and soaring guitar of Johnny Marr are a perfect foil for Matt's "only too true" lyrics, that are now more relevant than when it was written back in 1989. The album goes on to discuss the social condition of humanity, religion and love with a clarity and eye for our weaknesses and hypocracy that is truely "mind blowing".
The mood of "shining a light" on the human condition is consistant throughout and delivers some of the most amazingly prophetic - "Armageddon Days", and genuinely beautiful - "Kingdom of Rain" (a duet with Sinead O'Connor) tracks you will ever hear. After the events of 9/11 it seems a more relevant record now than when it was released, and the finest of production values used in the recoding ensure its quality hasn't dated at all.One of the most lyrically insightfull albums ever, and a "must have" for any lover good solid rock music."