The The – Infected (1986)

Back in the olden days, when CDs were expensive, and video rental was a thing, a couple of video shops also rented out CDs (£1 for 3 days as I recall). It's from one of these that I first encountered this album in the early 1990s, and when I saw it cheap, eventually snapped it up.

Dark isn't the word for this album. Dealing with the seamier side of his psyche, and not pulling his punches, Matt Johnson provides heartfelt music with uncompromising lyrics on the dysfunctional side of life. Title track Infected might be seem as a song of intense desire, but being written at the height of the AIDS panic, the lyrics take on a whole new meaning, at a furious musical pace. Out Of The Blue plunges lower and slower, a sordid tale of self justification through emotionless sex. By contrast, the smooth Heartland feels almost light, despite detailing the crumbling state of Thatcherite Britain, Angels Of Deception continuing this theme, mixing with the personal, and musically harder hitting.

Sweet Bird Of Truth is solid, and quite commercial, but the real feast is the duet with Neneh Cherry on Slow Train To Dawn, a catchy tune, and a fine performance by both not quite hiding a man unable to articulate his feelings. The 1960s spy thriller feel of Twilight Of A Champion make for an interesting listen, before the final track, The Mercy Beat, a song which musically, and lyrically seems to draw on the songs which have preceded it, for a blistering finish.

This CD reissue contains 12" single remixes of Infected, Sweet Bird Of Truth and Slow Train To Dawn, all welcome, but not really adding anything.

It's not an easy listen, but it is a great listen. The darkness of Johnson's world make you relieved that you aren't living in it - until you realise that you might be.

Link to album tracks

4* - an uncompromising album, but a fine collection of songs