Mind Bomb

The The | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 19, 1989)
• Original Release Date: June 27, 1989
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000026U0
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #144,711 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Out of print in the U.S.! Digitally remastered edition of Matt Johnson and The The's 1989 album featuring former Smiths member Johnny Marr on guitar. Eight tracks including 'Beat(en) Generation', 'Gravitate To Me' and 'Violence Of Truth'. Sony/BMG. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of music's finest hours., September 13, 2003

By 

Kenneth S. Dupuis (Toms River, New Jersey) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mind Bomb (Audio CD)

Not often, but once in a great while, a truly fabulous work of art is created. It is not a feat that is only achieved by artists who are known to be great; as evidenced by The The's "Mind Bomb", it is sometimes done by artists who are little known at all.

Ranking very near, if not at the top, of the greatest albums of the Modern Rock era, 1989's "Mind Bomb" is not merely a collection of eight songs, but a seamless, flowing journey through the darkness and light of the human condition. Matt Johnson, an emotive vocalist and lyricist at his worst, shows here that he can reach deep into his own soul to retrieve and give voice to sentiments and suspicions that are rarely touched upon in polite company, but are commonly held by many. The objective of the album, achieved completely, is the taboo act of tearing away the shrouds that guard religeon, race, sex, society, and love. The whole world is laid bare at your feet in "Mind Bomb", a testimony to the desperation and cynicism that people enforce upon themselves in order to rise above nature. It is at first not an easy listen, but one which will eventually become a part of the listener's being; that is, if he or she is sympathetic to the cause of finding some shred of meaning in life.

While the star of this show might not be a household name among those who were fortunate enough to grow up in the amazing alternative rock culture of the late eighties and early nineties, one of the supporting actors certainly is. Johnny Marr, former guitarist of The Smiths, is far more in the background here than in the places we know him best, even appropriately adding background vocals to his repertoire of enormous musical talent. Only in the one song co-written by Johnson and himself, "Gravitate to Me", is any sign of Marr's signature guitar style obvious and near the forefront. That is not to take anything away from his contributions to the work as a whole - quite to the contrary; they are ever present, only very different from what we have come to expect. Moreover, the music of "Mind Bomb" is symphonic in nature, and not centered on the guitar-as-primary-instrument. Far more prominent are sounds which do not typify the everyday music of that time, or in truth, anytime.

Point in fact, Mark Feltham's harmonica and Wix's piano and organ contributions create the ambience that defines this album's feel. There are also horns and strings, shadowy vocals both evil and ethereal, odd percussions... all special and necessary, lent by almost innumerable guest artists. David Palmer's drums are as polished and perfect as could be, not generally dictating the meter of the music - but instead adding punctuation to the poetry of the arrangements. James Eller's bass brings elements of warmth and simplicity which balance well against the occasional harshness of both the music and the message. Together, they all speak as one.

Of course, it cannot go without mention that Sinead O'Connor performs a haunting duet with Mr. Johnson in "Kingdom of Rain", which is the last scene in the first act of a two act play; meaning it is the song that would in another time have been called "the last song on side one". A gentle comedown from the fear and anger of the first three tracks, it is our resigned introduction to sadness through the broken dream of dying love. The song though, excellent as it is, is not the standout. All tracks are standouts here; all are equal to the album, and form together the essence of a story.

After over a decade of consideration, I am still grappling to understand exactly what that story is; that is, in my opinion, the true genius of "Mind Bomb", beyond the music itself. After listening to it in it's entirety what I would estimate to be about 3500 times, I am still fascinated by it. It is aptly named. Perhaps there is nothing more than essence, maybe no story to tell at all. But few albums make the listener perceive one in the way this one does. I won't make any suggestions regarding what I believe that story to be - every person should be entitled to their own. But do listen, and find it. It is life changing and profound, while still sounding new after fourteen years.

In summary, The The's "Mind Bomb" to me represents one of music's finest hours. Standing shoulder to shoulder with the towering Modern Rock works of that period, like U2's "The Joshua Tree", The Cure's "Disintegration", The Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Blood Sugar Sex Magick" or Nine Inch Nails' "Pretty Hate Machine", it is one of those albums you simply MUST own. When ultimately I die, it will be one of the CD's(?) that play in perpetuity in my mausoleum; I could never find peace without this music.

Thanks for reading - Love to All.

K

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Remarkable album...a must in anyone's music collection., June 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Mind Bomb (Audio CD)

Geez, how do i begin to express how much i LOVE this CD...10 years later it is still one of my VERY favorite CD's. EACH and EVERY track on this CD is pure gold.

Matt Johnson has one of the sexiest voices around. The music is soooo perfect. The lyrics are so literate.

Kingdom of Rain is a duet with Sinead O'Connor....fab. I just love the way they juxtapose the biting lyrics of "Armaggedon Days are Here Again" with this lite, upbeat music. Geez, if the Ayatollah Khomeni were alive he would issue a fatwah on each of their heads.

I tell you this CD gets me turned on faster than any other music.

Who else could combine soooo ELOQUENTLY a muzzin's call for prayer and rock...with bitting, witty, sexy, irreverent lyrics.

I have heard a lot of music but never one so well put together as the CD. If I were on a deserted island I would have to have this CD and a player with me...to preserve what is left of my feeble sanity.

YOU MUST OWN THIS CD IF YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF TO BE A SERIOUS MUSICPHILE.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This one's for the beaten generation, April 19, 2001

By 

"halo1000" (A Warm Place) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mind Bomb (Audio CD)

On Mind Bomb, Matt Johnson achieves a sort-of Bob Dylan meets Atilla the Hun level of songwriting. Perfectly dark lyrics complimented with perfectly upbeat music. Take for instance, the song Armageddon Days Are Here Again, where Johnson proclaims that "If the real Jesus Christ were to stand up today, he'd be gunned down by the CIA..." Pure genius. Or the song The Beat(en) Generation, where Johnson says that we're "reared on a diet of prejudice and misinformation". My favorite song on this disc has to be The Beat(en) Generation. I also really liked the Matt Johnson / Sinead O'Connor duet Kingdom of Rain. She's got such an amazing voice, I might add. In my review of Nakedself, I compared The The to NIN. Now, after hearing Mind Bomb, I think that Matt Johnson and Trent Reznor are in completely different leagues. After one listen to Mind Bomb, you will begin to question Johnson's lyrics, but I think he meant it to be that way. This album does go back a bit - to 1989, but it's still better than about 90% of the garbage that frequents our radios and MTV. If you need proof that there was good music that came out of the 80's, look no further than The The.