45 Rpm: The Singles [Limited Edition Bonus Disc] [Original recording remastered]

The The | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 21, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B000066C15
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #71,376 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Like Steely Dan, The The wasn't so much a band as a personal musical conceit/alter ego, this one for English writer-performer Matt Johnson. While Johnson's "band" came of age during the English synth pop boom of the early ‘80s, electricity was about the only common denominator between Johnson and his fashion slave contemporaries. Indeed, the sense of conscientious outrage that informs many of the two decades worth of singles collected here fostered a perception of Johnson as something of a prickly malcontent. But fashion was never an end in itself for Johnson, even on early pop fare like "Uncertain Smile" and "Perfect." Johnson's restless creative bent has led him to remix many of these tracks anew, ensuring that this set would never be seen as mere artistic obituary. Johnson's reputation as a socio-political crank reached its zenith on tracks like "Heartland" (which decries the reverse cultural colonization of Britain by America) and "Armageddon Days" (a shotgun blast at pan-religious hypocrisy, here introduced by a hilarious parody of the Sweet's "Ballroom Blitz": "Are you ready Jesus? Yeah! / Budda? Uh-huh."), but subsequent history has only proven him sagacious. Pity that Johnson's "Armageddon" lineup was short-lived: The The was a real band in ‘89, with Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr adding his signature sound to "The Beat(en) Generation" as well. And if anyone thought they had Johnson pegged, his acclaimed 1995 Hank Williams tribute, Hanky Panky (represented here by a riveting reinvention of the country legend's "I Saw the Light"), surely set them scratching their heads again. The set is rounded out by three strong new tracks ("Decembersunlight (Cried Out)," a duet with Liz Horsman; "Pillar Box Red"; and "Deep Down Truth," a duet with Wild Colonial Angela McCluskey). The limited-edition two-disc set also includes a bonus disc of eight 12" club mixes previously unreleased in the U.S. on CD. --Jerry McCulley

Product Description

This 2 CD set is the original 2002 Epic release. Catalog E2K-86611. There is a hole punch through the UPC. Disc Two:The 12" Remixes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Essential CD, November 1, 2003

By 

Bruce Kendall "BEK" (Southern Pines, NC) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 45 Rpm: The Singles [Limited Edition Bonus Disc] (Audio CD)

Whether the local powers acknowledge it or not, this is an essential component of any pop CD collection. Matt Johnson has been awfully good for a very long time. His track record is as consistent as all but a very few artists over the same time period.

This CD is the place to start if you don't have The The in your collection already. Even if you do, Johnson has remixed many tracks to great effect. Excellent engineering went into creating this CD.

One thing that has always been a hallmark of Johnson's productions. Every song has a strong hook and a hypnotic beat. I'm not into the rave scene, but I would guess that these tracks get played to death at Ibiza discos. And why not? every tune is danceable and the lyrics are sodden with consciousness cleansing layering. In my case, it's just music that creates a great background for whatever I'm doing. And when I choose to actually focus in on the lyrics, I'm not disappointed. The guy actually has something to say! A bit along the lines of Roger Waters as far as world perspective is concerned. Another artist I will never grow tired of! Compare "What God Wants," on Waters' "Amused to Death" CD to The The's "Armaggedon" and you'll see what I mean.

Now I've gotta go listen to some Roger Waters tracks.

BEK

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth it for the "Uncertain Smile" mix alone!, December 5, 2002

By 

John Sandstrum - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: 45 Rpm: The Singles [Limited Edition Bonus Disc] (Audio CD)

I first heard The The back in '83/'84 when a friend of mine gave me a copy of his tape, which was a copy of a friend of his recording of the mix version of "Uncertain Smile". Since then, I have transfered that song over about 3 or 4 tapes as each tape slowly began to deteriate. I went out and bought the "Soul Mining" album back in the late 80's just for "Uncertain Smile". I can tell you I was much disappointed that it was not the same version that was on my tape (still a good album though). I am VERY, VERY glad to finally have this mix version on CD! It's a great CD all around, but I can't imagine a person anywhere that wouldn't appreciate the mix version of "Uncertain Smile". Simply a great song. BTW, The price is great for a double CD. Kudoos to whoever is responsible for setting the price (record company, artist, etc.).

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A definitive collection, July 3, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: 45 Rpm: The Singles [Limited Edition Bonus Disc] (Audio CD)

From the moment I popped this cd into the player and gave it a listen it has not come off my rotation. Though this collection reprises 25 years of "The The" and most of the songs are now familiar favorites to devoted fans, there are some new factors which make "45RPM: The Singles" a must-have item for serious collectors and newbies alike.
First, the cover proudly proclaims that all songs are digitally remasterd and in some cases remixed. This claim is usually not borne out in the listening when made by other musicians, but Matt Johnson (et. al.) has hit the nail on the head with 45RPM. The first thing the long-time listener notices is the tonal variations brought to the surface on "Uncertain Smile". Percussion themes previously masked in the orginal recording are subtly magnified. The vocal track is much cleaner and emotive and Jules Holland's classic keyboard solo shines. The list goes on...and on...
Add to these great treatments the remixes and new classic "December Sunlight" and you've got a winner. If this CD collection is not enough Matt has promised a second set some time in 2003.