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5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brutal Truths and Sweet Lies, January 11, 2004
The first time I ever heard of The The was when a USA Network show called NIGHTFLIGHT showed 8 videos by The THe promoting INFECTED. The music was full of angst, grit, politics, and sex. I rushed out to buy INFECTED the next day.The album depicts points of views mainly an English point of view of an American Soldier/Businessman/Lover.
These are my favorite songs: "Infected" is straight up sex with a rough but steady drum and the idea that love is a deadly disease. "Heartland" is my favorite. Strumming guitar, blues piano and a string orchestra with harmonica. The song is sung by a Brit who is seeing bits of Englad being slowly replaced by Americanism. The subject is imperialism...foisting your culture onto another. Our weopons? Pizza Hut, Pepsi-cola, Levi Jeans....
The words say it all: "all the bankers getting sweaty beneeth their white collars as the pound in our pockets turn into a dollar, this is the 51st state of the USA". Oddly enough this song can be compared to the third verse of "China Girl" by David Bowie. "I'll give you television, I'll give you eyes of blue". "Sweet Bird of Truth" is the tale of an American fighter pilot who is about to crash land in the Middle East. Matt sings at his lowest voice and the images in the song are pretty rough. In the video Matt Johnson is a post Armegeddon survivor draped in an American flag. "Slow Train to Dawn" is a duet with Nenah Cherry. Matt again paints the image of a savage American male with lines like "I'm just another western guy with desires I cannot...satisfy". The song starts off sexy but gets a little creepy. "The Mercy Beat" is a great song. No analysis here! Just get in your car, get out of town and blare this song as you drive...it is amazing! A great way to end an album! As an American male, I was a little put off by Matt's depiction of American images. But he makes good points too.... But you have the choice to enjoy this for great rock music or to enjoy it for some interesting lyrics. All in all this was a great album as I was 20 when it came out and was just the right attitude to rock to some angst music! Enjoy!
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