Subject Matter

The The - Controversial Subject

Originally released as a 7" vinyl single on 4AD Records (AD 10) in 1980. Recreated here from digital sources in high quality lossless flac audio. Before he burnt his soul in 1981, Matt Johnson gave us his minimal post-punk noise on Controversial Subject. 

A1 Controversial Subject
AA Black And White

GIANT!

The The - Soul Mining

Ripped from a vinyl album released on Some Bizarre/Epic Records (EPC 25525) in 1983 to high resolution 24-bit flac audio. I know this was reissued only a few years ago, and I am unable to compare this with the new mastering. That gives me just enough excuses to post the original unfettered vinyl ....as it was intended to sound. Matt Johnson was still effectively (just) a solo artist at the time of Soul Mining and my vague recollection of the history of its inception involves abandoned drug fueled recordings in 1982. However, with the help of other he managed to pull together one of the finest records of the generation. The list of collaborators was impressive - Jools Holland, Jim Thirwell, Thomas Leer, Zeke Manyika... and David Johansen! 

Despite their help, this remains a highly personal solo album, depicting the state of mind of what was clearly a troubled man, but it's a story told by Johnson using lush melodies and such simple beats, making it accessible as well as haunting and powerful. This was a sound never to be conceived again, the follow-up took eons in its inception and despite an even bigger supporting cast, would never come close. Unique.

A1 I've Been Waitin' For Tomorrow (All Of My Life)
A2 This Is The Day
A3 The Sinking Feeling
A4 Uncertain Smile
B1 The Twilight Hour
B2 Soul Mining
B3 Giant

Matt Johnson is Alive

The The - Uncertain Smile

Re-ripped from a 12" vinyl single released on Some Bizzare/Epic Records (A13 2787) in 1983 to high resolution 24-bit flac audio. A huge upgrade on my rip of a few years back so grab this and delete the old one. Somebody suggested in another comment that Matt had passed on... reports of his demise are totally untrue, but he has struggled to release songs as good as Uncertain Smile since 1983.

A1 Uncertain Smile
B1 Three Orange Kisses From Kazan
B2 Waitin' For The Upturn

Just Perfect

The The - Perfect

Ripped from a 12" vinyl single released on Epic Records (A13 3119) in 1983 to high resolution 24-bit flac audio. Another chap who isn't normally known for doing things by the book is Matt Johnson. I originally ripped this a few years ago but always thought it could be improved ....so here we are. If there is demand I have also ripped my original vinyl copy of Soul Mining to the same quality.

A1 Perfect
B1 The Nature Of Virtue (Version 2)

The The - 2x12"

Soul Mining by The The was, in my opinion, one of the finest pop albums of the early-mid 80's. Matt Johnson was very much a solo artist and occasionally played live in pubs and small clubs with just backing tapes. His debut LP, Burning Blue Soul on 4AD was very experimental and had a very limited audience. He then sat down to write proper pop songs and roped in other musicians to add their elements to the The The sound. These two singles are ten and nine minutes long respectively and whilst their lengths are not true to pop, the melodies, arrangements and lyrical wit very much are.

This is the original version of Uncertain Smile which differs greatly from the album version with Jools Holland on piano. Perfect was only included as a 12" bonus single with early pressings of the album.

Johnson was to disappear for another 4 years before returning with a more rock orientated The The sound. These singles represent his finest work.

Uncertain Smile : ripped from a 12" vinyl single released on Some Bizzarre/Epic Records (EPC A13 2787) in 1982, to lossless FLAC.

A1. Uncertain Smile
B1. Three Orange Kisses From Kazan
B2. Waitin' For The Upturn


Hear

Perfect : ripped from a 12" vinyl single released on Some Bizzarre/Epic Records (EPC A13 3119) in 1983, to lossless FLAC

A. Perfect

B. The Nature Of Virtue (Version II)

Hear