If you skip over "The" when filing an artists by their name, then where do you put "The The"?
I was digging around the bin of new arrivals at my local used CD shop when I came across the albums, Soul Mining (1983), and Infected (1986) from The The. I'd never heard of them, but the covers took me back to a moment in time where sometimes the artwork was the only thing you had to go on when deciding to pick up a record, cassette, or CD. The prices weren't Earth shattering, so I opted to snag them.
Rumaging a little further, I came across Mind Bomb (1989). While this particular cover didn't impress as much, it did lead me to Google, where I looked up the discography. It was then that I realized that I was holding in my hands their entire 80's run of albums. That solidified it for me, so I picked them all up.
It then took me a couple years to get to this point, where I'm actually going to listen to them. I'm still going into it blind. I have no clue what's on any of these albums. Nor have I heard anything about The The up to this day.
Matt Johnson came onto the music scene in 1978, recording his first demo, which he sold cassettes of around underground gigs. By 1979, he got the opportunity to record his first album for Soho. However, this was shelved, and to date remains unreleased.
During this time, he also formed the band, though I use that word lightly. Technically, it was just Johnson, and Keith Laws. When performing, they'd use backing tracks to fill in the instruments that they weren't playing. It would also be Laws who would suggest The The as the name. Peter Ashworth, and Tom Johnston both joined in 1980. However, they would quickly decide this wasn't for them, and quit, leaving Matt and Keith as a duo again.
In 1981, Johnson was signed to a solo recording deal for 4AD Records. He'd release his self-titled debut, Burning Blue Soul that same year. While he would perform most of the instruments himself, as well as vocals, several producers would contribute to the project. Ironically, Laws was not involved with the project. However, years later, Johnson would request it to be reissued as a The The album.
Towards the end of the year, Colin Lloyd-Tucker and Simon Fisher Turner joined The The, and performed a series of live shows, which also included Laws The band would then finally get their chance to record a debut album in 1982. However, upon its completion, it was shelved, though a few cassettes were apparently copied by Johnson, and given to his friends.
It appears that at some point in 1982, The The became a solo act, with just Johnson. Though he would continue to collaborate with multiple musicians from that point on. It's a bit of a messy period to decipher.
Finally, major labels took notice, and a major bidding war would take place for The The's 1983 debut, which CBS Records would win. However, after just two songs were recorded, the album was aborted. Johnson would return to London, where he'd finish writing and recording what would become Soul Mining by himself.
Upon its release, it was met with modest fanfare, and would feature the minor hit, This Is The Day, which peaked at number seventy-one in the UK. However, it wouldn't be until 2019 that it would finally be certified gold.
Listening to it, Soul Mining feels like one of those albums that must be played back-to-back to really appreciate. Well, let me take a step backwards. Depending on what version of the album you buy, it's one of those albums that must be played back-to-back.
The album was initially intended to include only seven tracks. However, Australia and New Zealand releases got two additional tracks, one at the end of each side of the record. Meanwhile, the USA and Canada releases include ten tracks, two of which are special remixes of songs also included on the album in their original format. Then there is the CD release from 1987, which includes the bonus track, Perfect.
Playing through the CD version, which includes the aforementioned bonus track, I dug the whole thing from start to finish. However, there were some standout songs tucked in there, which included, Uncertain Smile, Giant, and even the bonus tune, Perfect.
This was definitely an unexpected listening session that turned into something great. I'm totally pumped to dive into the next album and even went ahead and picked up Johnson's 1981 debut. The The is good stuff. A really well-hidden gem from the 80's that totally caught me off guard.
Though it will come tomorrow, I'm diving right into 1986's Infected as I type this. So, I'll catch up with all of you then.
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| THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS December 19, 1981 |
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| THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS December 19, 1987 |
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