Has it really been twenty years since The The first came on the scene? With only their ninth official record release in two decades, The The continue to defy all expectations and create distinctive music that is both deeply personal and exceedingly appealing. Although The The mainman Matt Johnson does his best to fill this record with crashing guitars and emphatic vocal discourse, the man never really ventures too far from the hallowed ground of Top Forty radio. While there's nothing on this album that's as deliciously commercial as their 1983 hit single, "This Is The Day," "NakedSelf" is a cohesive artistic statement of guitar-based British pop. On the folk-infused composition "WeatherBelle," Johnson adds both plunking banjo and distorted guitars over his particularly emotive vocal performance. For the most part this disc rocks aggressively, embracing hard-rock rhythms as well as some tortured warnings regarding modern Armageddon. Employing highbrow production values and providing clever musical hooks for almost every tune, Johnson is a contemporary songwriter with a distinctive guitar style that occasionally overshadows his sophisticated lyrical content. Artistic diversity is the byword here and Johnson's hard-edged performances remain the bedrock of this collection. Still, with sweet ballads like "PhantomWalls," troubadour Matt Johnson also displays the soft white underbelly of his ever-aching soul. While the initial fuss may have died down regarding Mr. Johnson's most unusual alter ego, The The are still making great music that sounds like nobody else.
by Mitch Myers
copyright 1999 New City Communications, Inc.