Reviews (page 4 of 8)
Okay so this album is great. It's really good. I think it could also grow on me even more over repeat listens. The track 2, the most famous track, is amazing. The rest is great too I'll go with a low 4, but time could prove it to be better 4/5
Vraiment mieux aimé que l'autre que j'ai eu d'eux, je devrais peut-être aller lui redonner une chance. Mais les inspirations post-punk/rock et new wave étaient vraiment bonnes et l'album avait un bon flux. Très belle finale aussi. 8/10
I really liked this, sort of like a happier The Cure sound. This is the Day is a particularly catchy and joyful track.
Really interesting, I enjoyed it.
cool shit
Wow, right off the bat, "I've Been Waitin' for Tomorrow (All of My Life)" is one of the best songs I've heard in a while. Energetic, catchy and fun. But it also captures an anxious feeling I get sometimes of being trapped in a world that won't stop spinning while my life rushes past me. The lyrics are great and the music matches the anxious energy. "This is the Day" has similarly existential lyrics but it's wrapped up in a pop song. I love that. That jazzy piano on “Uncertain Smile” is awesome. Excellent album and one of the more exciting discoveries for me on this list. I’ll definitely listen to this more! Hilarious band name too. Kudos to that.
I really liked this one. I previously heard "This is the day" on a tv show and liked it, but didn't realize it was on this album. Its a really fantastic track. Overall a solid synth/80s album, with some surprising textures and sounds, but overall pretty catchy.
Yeah kinda 80s I think? Probably should have listened more closely.
I really like this. If I had discovered this in college I might even consider it a classic today. It’s like a more abrasive Squeeze. A more chipper the Cure; well the Cure meets the jangle pop of Teenage Fanclub. Somewhere in there. And with all the post-punk spirit of the Wire, hell even the dance-punk of Gang of Four or Talking Heads plus the synth pop of Human League/Heaven 17. One song reminded me of Tom Tom Club percussionists. This album kind of does everything you could hope for from an 80s album.
Agree with Charlie! I was surprised I had never heard of this. I haven't gone this deep down 80s New Wave world, but this album has an immediacy and undeniable hooks. It seems simple, minimal, sticky, and experimental. I love it! What's going on with the Wikipedia of The The? There is one current member (Matt Johnson, who seems to have singlehandedly made this album) and... *19* past members of this band. Does this man just burn through band members???? I must know more! 4/5. Good fun
Surprised: I saw the band name The The and immediately thought I would be listening to a comedy album which is just meh but yk what I dug it. Some familiar progressions and lyrics led this album to feel recognisable and enjoyable. Added a couple tracks to my liked and will definitely be revisiting it sometime soon. Strange but enjoyable.
P good shit. I never heard this before. I feel like this is good on the face of it, but also I'd like it more on repeated listens, so it gets a 3.5/5 from me, with room to grow.
A neat mix between soul and new wave! I get why people rave over this band now. C+ for now
perhaps not one i would come back to but managing to do 80s synth in a way that doesn’t sound like a caricature 40 years later is a feat in itself surely?
Very cool album, had never heard of this band before
I've always liked "This is the Day" but wasn't familiar with anything else on this album. It was really good, but I'll stop short of saying it blew me away. It's great new wave, but even within a genre that is quintessentially '80s, it sounded very '80s. If you can look past that, though, there are a lot of very smart pop songs here. I would like to spend more time with the lyrics on future listens. Also cool to learn that it's Jools Holland playing the piano solo on "Uncertain Smile".
I got into this
uh uncertain smilen pianosoolo <3 muutenkin yllättävä ja virkistävästi erilainen levy. 4/5
groovey as fuck yoooooo. got those grooves and moves. very nice. likey.
Great upbeat angsty pop record. The record features some great guest musicians. My favourite moment is probably uncertain smile, just a fantastic outro! 7 out of 10
It’s classic but dated. 3.5
the the the the the the the the the the
Oh man, that fuckin' piano on Uncertain Smile is so damn good
The Sinking Feeling sounds like it was made in the early 2000s, I'm sure I have heard the same melody at the start in Drum and Bass tracks. Just has a very modern (or timeless?) feeling to it. Good stuff.
It's giving underground disco meets punk and I dig it
8/10 as much as I enjoyed this and WANT to give it a 10/10, it’s just missing something that’s bothering me, idk still a fantastic album tho
really enjoyed this!!
Original, varied and compelling
V good
Really liked #2 This Is The Day, #4 Uncertain Smile, & #8 Perfect. But was pleasantly surprised by the whole album!
Whoa. This album was incredible. I ended up saving 5 of the 8 songs. I knew This Is the Day (from the incredible Sex Education soundtrack) and it wasn't wholly representative of the rest of the tracks (though not entirely unrepresentative either), but this one really breezed by. Standouts: This Is the Day, The Sinking Feeling, Uncertain Smile, Giant, Perfect
3.5/5
It’s not as good as infected but this is still my favorite synth pop band I’ve discovered on this list. The song writing is interesting and the production is still super groovy and unique. Also the cover art for this one is among the weirdest I’ve seen so far. This is the day was my fav; mid to low 4.
Love that sound
These are some incredible New Wave compositions. The use of synths (and other crazy instruments) is lush and diverse, and the vocalist puts similar-sounding New Wave vocalists to shame. It's catchy and dancey and overall a fun experience that knows when to back up and let the synths fill the space and emotions. There's something I love about every track that makes them stand out. Even a deep cut like "The Twilight Hour" has cool metallic synths, punchy drums, and eery vocals and lyrics. "Soul Mining" stands out to me for its basic yet entrancing guitar work and synths that for some reason illustrate images of the ocean. It's a coherent experience, with a puzzling yet mysterious opener that dives directly into the pop tracks to the more intimate ones, closing with a melancholic finish. It all feels essential to provide a complete experience, never repeating itself much, and encompassing a natural flow such that each song felt essential in its composition and placement.
Exquisite. I'm a sucker for any of this 1980s post-punk stuff in any case, but this is right in the sweet spot. Smart lyrics, cool synth noises (especially the pillowy synth-bass sound) and a cracking Jools Holland piano solo on 'Uncertain Smile'. Could've been five stars on another day.
Three songs in and I'm really enjoying it. My favorite song so far is The Sinking Feeling. Super fun walking bass and nice rhythm all around.
The instrumentation and sound 🤌 so good. Loved it. That piano solo(uncertain smile) hit me in the right spot and I loved the back half of the album. I guess I like new wave?! But lead vocals killed me. B grade David Bowie was taking me out of it.
like dusk litt bedre, men bra album uansett
Egentlig ganske bra, men treffe meg ikkje heilt likavel
Very 80’s, very cool.
When I listened to the first song on the album, I was afraid the sound of the whole album would be too synth pop, but I was wrong. It's a genuiely fresh sounding album considering it's from the early 1980s, an era its sound is so dated nowadays. Overall, it's a good post-punk, synth pop album.
Insane debut album by Matt Johnson and company. 'This Is The Day' is one of the best songs ever written, plain and simple. 'Uncertain Smile', 'The Twilight Hour' and the title track are solid as well.
Really enjoyed this, nice mix of poppy new wave and a synthy punk vibe, will definitely check this out again sometime.
I initially wasn't sure what I'd think of this album - it initially seemed like any other 80s New Wave album, of which I've heard a few of in close succession on this list. However it sort of changed throughout the course of the album, and throughout individual songs also, into this interesting post-punk sort of thing. A bit strange, a bit unsettling at times, but really interesting and quite unique. I'm unsure about why I've never heard of The The before! Favourite: Giant
Really enjoyed this, never heard their stuff before. They’re like an 80s The National
I liked this one a lot! I already knew and loved the song "Uncertain Smile" going into this, but hadn't heard any of the other songs, so this was a real treat. I think that "Uncertain Smile" remains my favorite, but "The Sinking Feeling" is a close second. There were a couple of songs I didn't enjoy as much (mainly the opening track, "I've Been Waiting For Tomorrow (All Of My Life)" - not a bad song, just nothing special in my opinion), but nothing that ruined the experience for me. I could definitely see myself listening to the entire thing again. Very glad to have heard this album.
My life got easier when I admitted that I straight up like new wave. This was fun. This is the Day was my fave.
Actually really enjoyed! 80s sound and meaningful
This isn't something I normally like, but I really did. A short and very enjoyable album! 4 stars instead of 5 because of that tedious ending to Giant
4.1 - Having hated "Infected", I was surprised at how much I liked this record, especially the minimal electronic beats paired with clever lyrics delivered with a dry British affect (see "The Sinking Feeling"). At turns there are also instrumental surprises, like the jazzy piano solo on "Uncertain Smile", as well as the extended coda on "Giant."
This album is awesome. Xylophone solo, bongo solo and piano solo on the same album. Plus very emotional, sensual singing. This is the best the 80s has to offer, and I think it’s time y’all admit it
Enjoyed this, will definitely give it another listen. The two songs I knew already (This Is The Day and Uncertain Smile) are pretty perfect, so kind of overshadowed the rest. But I didn't hear anything I disliked. The only negative I'd have is that the overall sound is very "of the time". But it was the early 80s so I think that can be forgiven.
First time listening to this album. Great album in a pop genre that isn't really my style. The piano playing on Uncertain Smile is super.
I didn't think I was going to like it because of the first track, but the other tracks were way better. Love the instrumentals in most tracks, especially the piano in Uncertain Smile. Not a fan of the album cover, though. Fave track(s): Uncertain Smile, This Is The Day
Chill 80's pop vibe
Fantastic 80’s classic. 5/5
Strong opener and overall sounded quite modern I thought.
Good album. Liked it Sot I’ve been waiting for tomorrow… The sinking feeling This is the day Uncertain smile Giantt
A mix of Soft Cell and Talking Heads, some interesting lyrics. Great piano solo at the end of 'Uncertain Smile'.
Interesante
I've been waiting for tomorrow - 1 star this is the day - 4 stars the sinking feeling - 3.5 stars uncertain smile - 5 stars the twilight hour - 5 stars soul mining - 4 stars giant - 3 stars
This album has a bigger impact and sound than it has warrant to. Soul Mining contains The The's biggest hit, but also encapsulates the feeling and era they were in with it's unique blend of synths and modern new wave music with traditional musical stylings. To reduce it to one song takes away from the overall movement of the album.
This is full-blown 80s pop—good for what it is
I found this album pretty good. The 80s essence was quite palatable.
Good solid 80s pop that wasn't overplayed, at least in my neck of the woods. If I were creating the soundtrack for a movie that was set in the 80s and I didn't want to go with the obvious choices (Don't You Want Me, Come On Eileen, (I Ran) So Far Away), I might choose this. I loved the first half and was less enchanted with the second. The piano solo on Uncertain Smile was especially nice. Really good!
The prelude to pop albums for a millennium.
Very pleasantly surprised by this one. 1983 - postpunk is not normally anything I can enjoy but this has a lot going on. Poetic pop with electro synth sounds. A couple of tracks sound like they could have been 10 years later. Just need to know how to say the The name now.
Älskar denna. Som nämnt ovan har pappa denna i samlingen, vilket har varit gynnsamt i uppfostran av en ängslig indie-kille som mig. Deras bästa låt - this is the day, finns dessvärre inte med på denna skivan.
Denna är ju riktigt bra! Har den i skivsamlingen, men det är ju inget som snurrar dagligdags.
notes - debut album from synth pop band the the - actually a solo album by the band’s singer matt johnson but has been credited to the the - partially a re-recording of songs from an earlier project for a different band - this album is super interesting, especially matt johnson’s vocal style which i really enjoy depending on the song - really great drum machine and bass throughout fav - ive been waiting for tomorrow all of my life - really like the looping bass and chorus least fav - the twilight hour - the only time where matt’s vocals seemed like a bit too much 4/5 - cool album but i think a couple songs hold it back from being really great
Pretty cool...interesting sound that I would gladly come back to. 3.5/5
I'm just a symptom of the moral decay that's gnawing at the heart of the country. I felt that Infected had dated musically I seem to remember. You could argue the same here but it's just too good for it to matter. Full of songs with a poppy feel but unusual chorus-less structures. Jools Holland at the ending of Uncertain Smile is fantastic. The slow build groove of Giant to close out. Terrific album.
really liked this one. added it to my library as well. i hope it becomes a staple in my listening activities
Grew on me.
Pretty awesome debut album. Post-punk / synth pop and a good listen from beginning to end.
I first heard of this group in a list of the worst band names. Luckily the music leaves a much better impression. Reminds me of the previously reviewed “Rise and Fall” by Madness, in terms of eclectic, 80’s English pop rock. “The Twilight Hour” sounds like a precursor to the lava levels in Super Mario 64. If I change my mind about the rating later, it’s because I’m sick while listening to this tonight. HL: “This is the Day”, “Giant”, “I’ve Been Waiting…”
marred only by some filler and 80s production
This is brilliant post punk synth pop, really captivating music, sonically interesting, with great energy and rhythm.
I didn't know what I was expecting from this album bit I was pleasantly surprised, each song was very good. I didn't get bored and I'm definitely listening to this again
A real unique and interesting listen. Quite the surprise!
Pretty good new age album, enjoyed the listens!
Love the British post punk/new wave sound. Good stuff
Interesting
There really isn’t a songwriter quite like Matt Johnson. True to the title of this record, he combs the depths of misanthropic despair and constructs some of the most sardonic (yet still fleetingly hopeful) pop gems. This is a totally unique record, the kind which covers a mass of musical territory without ever sounding incoherent or superficial. The full gambit of Arabian scales and pounding dance rhythms is on offer here, and it’s all held together by Matt Johnson’s keen ear for a tune. The two soaring singles, “This is the Day” and “Uncertain Smile”, are far and away the highlights of this record and embody everything which makes The The one of the most special groups in the British indie canon. I would even go so far as to say they are two of the greatest songs of the 1980s. But that’s not to diminish tracks like the infectious ear worm “Giant” or the nihilistic cynicism espoused on “That Sinking Feeling”. It’s such a great record, but it does have a couple of flaws. The album is definitely a bit front-loaded in terms of its memorable tracks, and never really picks up the momentum in the latter half. As an album it’s a frustrating listen in this regard, at least to my ear. Their follow-up, Infected, rectifies this and serves as a much more rewarding listen in the one sitting. I adore the single “Perfect” but even then I’m not sure it’s inclusion in the original running order would have been fitting. Nevertheless, I can’t detract too much from this record. It’s a standout album and one which I treasure in my collection.
ja men det här var bra. andra låten var nog bäst
This was a good album. It was very intriguing to me I heard a lot of things I like and I look forward to listening to it again to try to pick out even more interesting sections.
I wasn't expecting anything but this was great. Now I need to check out their other albums.
Great stuff. Not incredible, but I had a good time.
I was impress, great surprise !
New wave
This is the Day and Uncertain Smile still sound fresh after almost 40 years. Classic early 80s post punk.
Great post punk album, insane piano solo on "uncertain smile", lyrics angsty as shit but great.
I think some of the song went on a one minute too long, but overall this album brought a great vibe.
I've been waitin' for tomorrow - starts off with a heavy beat, gradually builds. Solid start This is the day - jarring between upbeat tempo and quite depressing lyrics👍 The sinking feeling- I love angst👍 Uncertain smile - just okay for me, lengthy piano solo The twilight hour - really like lyrical themes here👍 Soul mining- bit more low key with fun instrumental👍 Giant - v long repetitive Outro Perfect- going to rate this one even though it's contentious. Instrumental 👍 I'm interested in revisiting this album, seems like it could get better with afew relistens. For now, 4/5
Really, really cool album. First track plays hopscotch with the "weird vibe that's genuinely interesting"-"weird for the sake of being weird" line, but all the others nail the genuinely interesting side of it for me. Very much enjoyed this album. Favorite tracks: Uncertain Smile, Giant
Synth-Pop that sticks out from the rest of the New Wave albums due to the unique addition of elements such as an organ, a gospel choir, a piano solo. A for effort and creativity
I have never heard of this band before and the album wasn't bad, though at this moment I am struggling to recall it. However because the band's name is The The I cannot go lower than 4 stars!
This album came out of nowhere and had no reason being as great as it was, definitely going to need to delve deeper in the discography after this gem. 4.5/5
Good punk album, tells a story through the tracks.
Love The The. This isn’t my favourite album, not least cos of the 80sness of it, but it’s full of gems.
Innovative and interesting
Liked this a lot, something interesting going on with the drums, particularly on the last track. Nice past discovery.
80s albums suffer badly in my rating. I love the era for pop singles. But, largely, the albums from the Human League to A-ha are unbearable. This however has guile, and certainly doesn't sound dated. I need to explore this guys body of work. well crafted songs with curiously intense lyrics. 4.
"Life is like a sewer And I'm trying to wade thru her" Lead-off track (I've Been Waitin' for Tomorrow) is an uncomplicated banger. Second track (This Is the Day) is soulful and melancholic and still fun (accordion! claps!). I had never heard of Matt Johnson until today but I already feel like he's a *good* songwriter. Look no further than the plinking poppy guitar accentuating The Sinking Feeling around lines like: "The path of least resistance Leads to the garbage heap of despair" The super interesting and jazzy melodic solos in Uncertain Smile are, I think, representative of the whole mood of this album: dancing the night away with cool people while the world falls to pieces outside. It's energetic, it's erotic, it's disorienting, it's a great time, it's menacing and almost sinister (Soul Mining). Like Johnson sings over the irresistible escalating percussion in Giant: "I'm a stranger to myself And nobody knows I'm here When I looked into my face It wasn't myself I'd seen But who I've tried to be" The chants go on for so long you really do lose yourself. This is maybe what the 80s felt like. Twilight Hour is self-indulgent and weirdly overwrought and keeps this short of 5 stars for me. Other than this misstep, a very enjoyable album.
Never heard this before but thought it was great. Constantly interesting sound without getting distracting from the songs
I came to this album late - let's say 30 years... Classic of the UK '80s.
The The! Didn't expect you guys to show up. Always creative, always fun. Something a lot of these artsy post punk bands forget when they are pushing the envelope is that they should still be enjoyable to listen to.
Never heard of the the before but I was pleasantly surprised. There music is very different and I very much enjoyed the album. Killer music in the background
I went on a proper journey with this album - hated the start of it but that was turned around with the absolute classic "This is the day" - and by the end of "Giant" I was singing along to it - I think I'll be revisiting this one for another go.
the the!
De souvenir, ces gars-là ont livré une performance plus que correcte même si les bégaiements à outrance m'ont beaucoup agacé. J'ai d'ailleurs horreur de parler avec des gens qui bégaient. En revanche, j'adore discuter avec les personnes qui articulent de manière fluide. Les goûts et les couleurs...
Grato descubrimiento. Post-punksynth-pop
Like Infected, the other The The album we've had, this one is also very good, although it lacks a top standout track such as "Heartland". In terms of songwriting, it's absolutely top notch post-punk / dark synth pop. Might even be five stars if the mixing were better.
Definitely not what I expected, but not at all disappointed either.
Znam za ovaj album, ali me opet iznenadio koliko je drugačiji nego što ga se sjećam. Veliki osjećaj new wave-a i synth popa upakiran sa ritmičnim pjesmama.
I honestly enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Definitely better than the other The The album I had on the list
Matt Johnson was/is an interesting artist. I bought Uncertain Smile as a 12 inch single on St. Marks Place in NYC – the go-to place for imports back in the day. I thought it was great then and it still holds up well for me. The Jools Holland solo is awesome. The rest of the disc is not at good, but still a solid listen. An arty Thompson Twins, Matt Johnson’s influence was immediate. This disc could be a John Hughes soundtrack.
Matt Johnsin hit a home run with This is the Day, a perfect slice of 80s alternative pop. It has all the elements; Great dance floor beat, catchy sing along chorus, beautiful melodic synthesizer riff and a huge drum sound. Just a great song that to me still sounds fresh today. Can the rest of the album possibly measure up? Well the short answer is no! But.... There are some fine tunes on here; Uncertain Smile, the title Track as well as the closer Giant. Most of the tunes go on too long and I find myself looking to skip ahead to the next one 3/4 of the way through. But I can say that each song has something to offer. Johnson's themes of life and death, heaven and hell and biblical references can get a little heavy handed but the arrangements tend to lighten the mood and help make the whole thing more accessible. 4 🌟
Very much a part of my youth and the only The The that I play regularly these days. Uncertain Smile is impossibly nostalgic for me.
I can see why this is an 80s classic but I'd have to listen to it more for it to get to that point with me.
An aggressive take on new wave, attempting to take back the sound while dropping anything that would make it too commercial. This record is successful in standing out from the other new wave sounds of the time. Excellently weird.
This is a strikingly good debut album. While the ideas are not as well developed as on later releases, this album showcases the imagery that would hit its zenith on ‘Infected.’ The synth pop is infectious and avoids much of the trappings that leave much of 80s pop sounding dated.
I could never keep track of all the faceless 80's new wave bands. I would hear a song on the radio and couldn't tell you if it was the The, Psychedelic Furs, New Order, A-Ha, or any number of other bands. I usually liked the music, just couldn't distinguish who was who. Listening to this album though, it seems to me the The was probably one of the better bands to come out of that era. Really solid songs, enjoyed it very much. 3.5 stars, rounding up to 4.
Ooh - this was good. Really sounds like a one-man job, lots of well constructed tunes with nice bass and synth lines. Piano on Uncertain Smile is just fantastic.
Great album!
Good 80s vibe, long songs put me off a little! Exactly the sort of album I was hoping to find with this project.
Never heard of the band before. The type of music is right down my alley, I really like 80's synthpop and this album is a nice example of the genre. Outspoken basslines and off course the synth. Easy to listen to and very enjoyable.
Groovy, lovely pop, slipping in to the listening lugs so comfortably.
knocking 80's percussion, bold synth leads and driving, funky bass lines. All under a drole english delivery. it's interesting new wave.
Pretty fun
Great 80s pick. Holds up well considering the era it came from. Favorites: "I've Been Waiting For Tomorrow", "This Is the Day", "Uncertain Smile"
did not expect to enjoy this as much as I did!
4.5/5. Very solid nu-wave/synthpop. Will def check more out
This album surprised me with how many songs I remembered after hearing it. I had only recognized "This is the day" but "Uncertain Smile" and "Giant" also rang a bell after hearing them again. It sounds very much of its time, but it's a standout example of what made this music fun and interesting.
Cool, arty, yet accessible
Loving the vibes!
Bleak lyrics. Sounds similar to The Cure. I would buy this album.
Comfortably awkward and sufficiently weird, kinda like a Dr. Seuss book. Most of these tracks take time to appreciate, a high bar for most 1001 reviewers (myself included), but if you've got the stamina for a second listen, you might find some treasure at the end of the rainbow. This is the Day, however is an instant classic. I could easily Green Eggs and Ham that one. I could enjoy it in a boat, with a goat, on a train or in the rain. I would listen to it here or there, I'd listen to it anywhere.
fantastisk afdæmpet poprock
Postpunk/synth pop, Matt Johnson, gribende, flydende
Matt Johnsin hit a home run with This is the Day, a perfect slice of 80s alternative pop. It has all the elements; Great dance floor beat, catchy sing along chorus, beautiful melodic synthesizer riff and a huge drum sound. Just a great song that to me still sounds fresh today. Can the rest of the album possibly measure? Well the short answer is no! But.... There are some fine tunes on here; Uncertain Smile, the title Track as well as the closer Giant. Most of the tunes go on too long and I find myself looking to skip ahead to the next one 3/4 of the way through. But I can say that each song has something to offer. Johnson's themes of life and death, heaven and hell and biblical references can get a little heavy handed but the arrangements tend to lighten the mood and help make the whole thing more accessible. 4 🌟
Grato descubrimiento. Post-punksynth-pop
Amazing new wave album. Incredible voice. 8/10 1. Perfect 2. This is the Day 3. I've Been Waiting for Tomorrow (All of My Life)
Fine.
I have a soft spot for artists who rebel against the music industry. These guys did it with the band name. They also made some good songs to dance to that weren't dance music. The album kicks off and finishes strong w "I've been waiting . . ." and "Giant" both edgy uptempo songs. "This is the Day '' and "Uncertain Smile", the two most well known songs on this album, are beasts. On "This is the Day" the lyrics don't start until the one minute mark but it works. Doing this with the single again shows their rebellious side. Of the two big songs, I probably like the songwriting better on This is the Day but the 3+ minute piano solo on Uncertain Smile is killer. The singing skills are nothing to write home about but I find they work well with the storytelling nature of the lyrics. I recall having some The The on vinyl but don't remember what I had and didn't feel like basement dwelling to dig it up. It had "Perfect Day" a great song w the words "Oh what a perfect day to think about myself . . . " I can't find that song on Spotify. Too bad. It was another beast.
In the early 80s when punk was fading and new wave synth pop was ascending, we got this brilliant post-punk debut album by the The. It perfectly captures the zeitgeist of the era: angsty despair, fear and paranoia, but held together by deep danceable percussion and bass beats. Pretty much every song on this album is killer, the singles are well known but my favourite has to be Giant, especially how it ends with its astonishing tribal percussion and chanting. This is one of my absolute favourite albums from this era, right up there with the best material produced by The Cure and that's saying a lot.
I knew very little about The The prior to listening, but this was a very pleasant surprise. Shades of Nu-romantics, very much in keeping with my impression of the early 80s, and some interesting lyrical themes.
groovy 80s mad compressed reverb drums !
No conocía al grupo, buena música como para poner de fondo mientras se avanza el trabajo (así lo escuche).
Great album - This is The Day is a standout track, but it's all excellent.
well, that was...i dunno, fine? i remember back in the late 80s, i had a boss who really liked them, in particular that johnny marr was on whatever album he was listening to. but that wasn't to happen for years yet. anyway, i liked this. it ended up just being kinda a background soundtrack while i worked, but for that it was just fine.
Pop-punk raruno. No está mal.
не заикайся короче, немного запутешествовался, было не до альбомов. Но в дороге погонял этот, и, пожалуй, тоже по потреково его разберу. I've Been Waitin' for Tomorrow (All of My Life) - немного затянуто начинается, но под конец достаточно круто разгоняется + харизматичный вокалер + вроде неплохой текст, в целом атмосфера немного такого немного пластмассового нью вейва (к этому ещё вернёмся). This Is the Day - Возвращаемся к этому, звучание прям пластмасса. Ну и сразу, видимо, нужно выложить эту карту на стол - больше всего альбом смутил именно звучанием. Мелодии-то сами по себе ничего, душевные, композиционно мне нравится, но некоторые синты + драммы звучат пиздец как искуственно и плоско. Временами с этим мириться можно, а временами просто вайб теряется от общей бюджетности происходящего. Впрочем, не подумайте, что вторая песня плохая, мне в целом зашло. Вообще звучит как такой чуть менее серьезный дипишмот только со свистульками, скрипками и каким-то кантри мелодиями иногда The Sinking Feeling - бля, вступление жуткое, в какой-то современной попсе такое помню, ну и звучание прям совсем неприятное, первая четверть песни к худшим моментам относится. Но когда разгоняется - становится в принципе ок. Uncertain Smile - приятная, хорошая, соляк клавишый кайф, наверное одна из лучших песен, хитяра такой, вопросов ни к чему нет, в конце прям аж яички холодеют. Fruit of the Hear - какой-то бонус-трек для новозеландцев, ну пусть будет, неплохой инструментальчик со свистульками. The Twilight Hour - интересно, но немного патетично, вообще по альбому немного больше как будто именно мелодекламации, вместо пения. Но хули взять, британцы эз из. Soul Mining - норм, опять, конечно, электронные эти проигрыши немного дёшево звучат. Но с оглядкой на время збс, наверное, негатива не вызвало. Giant - концепция хорошая, но сама песня какая-то чересчур бесформенная чтоль вышла + внимание в какой-то момент уплывать начинает из-за продолжительности. Концовка не сильно зашла, в Улыбке было круче. Perfect - ахах, короче есть ощущение такое ебаненькое от этой песни, как будто она из Короля Льва или типа того))) В целом годная песня тоже, просто чето странное от нее ощущение иногда какой-то акуны мататы, не мой фаворит однозначно. Причем по тексту наоборот, тут жуть какая-то, но зучание бля)) В итоге, я думаю, мои претензии (так же как и мои симпатии) тут ясны, так что желаем этим новичкам развивать свою музыкальную карьеру и провести +2,5 минуты за настройкой синтезаторов, чтобы они звучали хоть немного живо. 7/10
This is the Day is one of my favorite alternative songs of all time. The album is pretty strong with a unique cool casual vibe. Definitely the peak of The The offerings.
Great album - only knew a couple of the tracks - will definitely listen to again. Good for a hot Saturday morning listen
Dobrze raz od czasu trafic cos co potrafi calkowicie zaskoczyc, bo Soul Mining na pierwszy rzut oka zapowiadal sie jak X wyspiarskich synthowych popowych materialow, ktore juz sie przewinely przez liste, a tymaczasem mialem okazje uslyszec cos zupelnie swiezego od pana Matta Johnsona, bo banda The The, to jedynie przykrywka dla jego wlasnej tworczosci, w sensie, ze zespol nie mial stalych czlonkow tylko byli oni zmieniani w zaleznosci od potrzeb artystycznych, taka wolnosc tworcza i wyjatkowo talent do kamuflowania przemyslanej liryki na synthowych brzmienaich i przemycaniu kawalkow ktore zostawiaja cie z przemysleniami w piosenakch przy ktorych ludzie powinni tanczyc, to wlasnie majstersztyk tego materialu, plyta jest pierwszym studyjnym wydaniem w dyskografii The The, orginalna wersja ma 41 minuty na 7 trakach, gdzie najdluzszym zamykajacym kawalkiem jest giant, ktory jest ostatnim krzykiem juz prawie doomerskim plyty, how can anyone know me when I dont even know myself? takim pytaniem i odpowiedzia yeah, yeah, yeah konczy sie caly album, nie wiem jak ludzie w komentarzach pod this is the day czy i've been waitin for tomorrow uwazaja, ze jest to pocieszna muzyka z pozytywnym przeslaniem lirycznym, jak caly soul mining jest doslownie kopaniem rozpaczy, byc moze takie kopanie potrafi podniesc na duchu, ale z pewnoscia zmusza do przemyslen wywolujacych poczucie smutku i bezradnosci, w skali bloomerowo doomerowej, album to solidny kawalek rozsadnego gloomera starajacego sie przejsc na strone bloomerska, jak na traczki the sinking feeling, gdzie podmiot liryczny oswiadcza, ze jego stan jest wynikiem moralnego zepsucia jakie toczy sie przez jego kraj, czy czasy, ale jednak nie rzuca sie w otchlan doomerstwa i opiera sie latwemu rozwiazaniu, a zostaje dla jutra, bo jak mozna inaczej, ciekawe sa takze przewijajace sie watki tego co jest po zyciu, a wiec pojawia sie strach zarowno przed bogiem jak i pieklem, niezdecydowanie w tej kwestii pojawia sie kilkukrotnie, tak samo motyw bycia zaleznym od drugiej osoby, to znaczy wiazanie swojego szczescia z druga osoba chyba nigdy nie jest zdrowe, bo nawet jesli chwilowo taka wiez, to jednak nic nie moze wiecznie trwac, to motyw przewodni tytulowego kawalka oraz the twilight hour, a co do brzmienia tego post punkowo synthowego albumiku, to nie spodziewalem sie, ze tak dobrze mozna zgrac synthowe brzmienie z zywymi instrumentami, zwlaszcza jak na solowy material, pan Matt byl rowniez producentem albumiku, na liscie muzykow bioracych udzial w nagraniach widnieje 18 nazwisk, wiec ciezko stwierdzic kto na czym gral, ale z pewnoscia sluchac dosc ciekawe wykorzystanie niecodziennych instrumentow, jak akordeonu i skrzypiec na this is the day lub klawesow na giantcie, czy wiolonczeli w the twilight hour, ale calosc materialu jest spojna kompozycja, co najbardziej w budowie trakow mnie urzeklo, to to jak kazdy kawalek z osobna ma wlasny opening i rozwija sie w przeciagu trwania utworu, wykorzystanie synthezatorowych wokali na chorusach daje wrazenie, ze jeszcze ktos tu spiewa poza czlowiekiem orkiestra, a to jednak one man show, dziwne jest ze nie czuc zeby album byl z 83, gdybym mial obstawiac to strzelalbym w pozne lata 90, a tu jednak poczatek 80, co moze najbardziej zdradza pewna maniera wokalna, ale samo brzmienie instrumentali jest tak jakosciowo zmiksowane, ze nie brzmi to jak debiutancki material wlasnej produkcji, ale jak cos z mainstreamu madchestera, co do plejkowych traczkow, to dodam najpopularniejszy kawalek z albumu czyli tak niezrozumiany this is the day i the sinking feeling, a caly album laduje na poleczce spotifajowej piczkow o wyjatkowej jakosci
Great new wave all throughout, and you can definitely hear the experimental aspects. Being a huge synth pop/ new wave fan, I can't believe I have never heard of The The...maybe I am not as big of a fan as I thought I was
Tämä oli ihan tunnelmallista kasarisynailua. Pikkuisen Leijonakuningas-meininkiä mukana siellä täällä, varsinkin vikassa biisissä. The Sinking Feeling oli paras biisi parin kuuntelukierroksen perusteella.
Deferring liking this for another 10 years but will keep it closer maybe
Sí me gustó. Una vibra pop muy de su época. Gran inicio con Stolen Car, y la otra que me gustó fue Stars all seem to weep. Mood: los 90 ya olian a 2000
Great album. 4.5/5 Fav tracks: This is the day, uncertain smile, soul mining
Nice, listened two it twice in a row.
Not in my usual genre wheelhouse, but I enjoyed it. Big fan of the vocals and the way the songs build up. Only song I don’t like is The Twilight Hour. Would give it a 4.5 if cowardly half stars were allowed.
A tight pop album. Didnt blow me away though.
This is the Day
Excellent album. Closest to 5 stars than to 4, but I can't give it a 10/10. It's more like 9.1/10, really great.
loved it. some really interesting composition stuff and the dark introspective lyrics were delightful. well, maybe delightful isn't the word...
Excellent ! Sonne vraiment unique ! très belle découverte. Fav : Soul mining
I'd say this is a 3.5. Some really great songs, a lot of howling pain!
He cool
This is a really good album. It's actually really good for getting work done to because it's not too in-your-face but it's not just background music. And damn, the piano solo on Uncertain Smile is great. My only criticism is that it isn't always the most interesting but I would never say that it's bad Favorite Songs: I've Been Waitin' For Tomorrow (All Of My Life), This Is the Day, Uncertain Smile, The Twilight Hour, Giant Decent 8/10
this was really fun! the vocals leave a little to be desired but it's cool, catchy synth pop music with interesting lyrics. also i like the accordion. 8/10
I actually really liked this, would definitely relisten. High 8
Didn't have super high hopes for this one but I thought it was super good! I rarely pay so much attention to the drums but they really led the way here, and the bass lines were pronounced and funky, so i was a big fan!
Strange that I enjoyed it more than I expected. Particularly the slightly cheesy 80s stuff :)
Not Bad
love the album cover. Never listened to this before, but knew some of the singles, "this is the day" is an amazing song, bittersweet and nostalgic (although I have no history with it) also love "giant"
I don't know why I thought The The was in the '60's era of The Who. I'm a big fan of This Is the Day from Empire Records, and the rest of the album is pretty great. I'll give this lots of more listens.
1. Really cool drums and synth, really like the boom of the drums. Funky, reminds me of GUM's Television Sick. Solid album intro. 2. Like the arpeggiated synth, as well as the 'accordion' synth. Good vocals, the song is just plain good. 3. Weird and interesting synth at the start, sounds cool. The flanged out guitar in the chorus sounds nice too, as well as the leading synth. The guitar work is nice and additive. The distorted guitar is cool. 4. The guitar is cool, as well as the bass. Has a nice rhythm and momentum. The piano pops off and goes ham. 5. Pretty cool, percussion is interesting. 6. Phaser guitar is awesome, the eerie synth is nice too. The quiet guitar is really nice. Probably my favorite song on the album. The synth at 3:00 is really cool. I like how the song builds up as it goes on. 7. Mallets are pretty cool, as well as the unusual percussion. The synth is really interesting throughout the song, and I think its a strong finish to the entire album.
Really liked it. Had never heard of them before. Loved The Sinking Feeling and a lot more - liked the vibe quite a bit. Might check out more of the artist sometime later maybe.
Neat!
pretty typical 80s sounds but expertly done. Uncertain Smile is unreal
Deep groove Synth-pop with melodies to spare. Lyrically powerful & self absorbed... in a good way.
Pretty cool, pretty vibey. Surprised I hadn’t heard of it before.
Way ahead of its time. Poetry in paranoia!
This was a decent adventure into some early 80s new-wave. I got pretty excited by the energy of the first track, and while the other songs were okay, nothing topped that lead-off.
3/5 - As 80s brit pop goes, this is above average, which is to say that 3 is above 2.
Ahead of its time?
74
Cool stuff but the single sticks out so much. Like they knew they had to do something commercial to justify the rest of the album.
3.5
Some interesting songs. Not quite a four but I enjoyed it. I knew This Is The Day
If Punk can be held up as showing that you didn't need to know how to play your instruments to become successful, then Post-punk can be held up as showing you didn't know how to sing to be a success. I have tried with many post punk bands, but they all drool on with the same low bass no emotion vocals, and this is the same. As for the music... it's very 80s, which is either good or bad depending on your preferences. The album has a few solid hooks, but when the singing is so bereft of feeling it's difficult to care. Take This Is The Day, a plainly average song by any reckoning, but decent enough to be a single in the painfully bland landscape of early 80s British chart music. The Manic Street Preachers cover is objectively superior in every respect - primarily because it is performed by an actual singer - but even then it's not very good. So, some ok songs which inspired some better things.
this gave me opening act in the New Wave scene vibes. Not reaching the heights of their peers
New wave / synth pop. The vocals aren't great and the songs all feel a bit too long for the number of ideas they have. There are some parts where it clicks but it felt a bit too slow and contemplative for me.
(6.8)
Didn’t expect to find the original “love will tear us apart” melody here but that was a pleasant surprise
Pretty good post punk music.
Not too bad of an album. If you remove the vocals, a lot of the background music kinda sounds like the music on some of the Halo 2 and 3 campaign levels.
Kind of a weird album, at least for a British punk album this was interesting. Still wasn't exactly my favorite but it was okay
I expected to hate this when I saw the ugly album art and ridiculous band name, but this album had a few tracks that impressed me. Uncertain Smile was a standout track that featured a lot of varied instrumentation and rhythms, keeping the track engaging and enjoyable. It didn't succumb to the failings of other tracks on this album that grew repetitive, but remained progressive in its sound.
6.5/10
like the themes and sound kinda, gets a but repetitive
Uninteresting
Nothing special. Nothing objectionable.
I kind of was enjoying the first half of this then I stepped away and when I came back, I did not really enjoy the second half. So much of this is the mood you are in when you listen.
Better than I expected, recognized one song, alright overall.
Enjoyed it - last track strong
Har har har. Very funny band name. Admittedly, I do find the title of this band to be amusing, so I guess I just made fun of myself for being a simpleton. I don't need to speculate too hard about what this album could be. With a band name that boldly satirises musical conventions I think it stands to reason that this is a punk album. 'Ere goes. Post-punk. I guess I'm correct, right? This was good! Been a while since I last had wunnadoes. The vocalist gets the job done with his performances, lending a breathy, sultry sound to this music that complements the electronic/club theming of the album while also introducing a jumpy, lively element which meshes with the instrumentals. I've heard this kind of vocal approach a hundred times over and have found it to be deathly boring 99 out of those 100 times, so I like to think it's extra impressive that I favour the vocal performances of this album. The instrumentals are quite adept, too. A wide spread of instruments spattered with some early dance mastering that is also surprisingly quite competent. It's difficult to surmise the instrumentals of this album because of how wildly varied they are, though if I am to speak as broadly as possible, I generally enjoyed the funk and bass guitars as well as the charmingly early 80s synths that give the album its ambience. All in all, I thought this album was remarkably crisp and competent despite the year it released in. I might just return to this some time. Book time. "If any rock artist ever had the tag "miserable bastard" tattooed on his forehead, it is Matt Johnson, the one man band who has operated as The The since 1980." Matt Johnson got his start in music by playing instruments with his brother during closed hours at a pub his father owned. Johnson's intent with the The was "...to create a concept group, inspired by The Plastic Ono Band: a concept group that changed constantly." Quite politcally charged with its lyrics. Wikipedia says this album was inspired by the club scene of New York in the 80s. Widely considered by critics to be the The's best work, with it receiving glowing and enduring acclaim in the years following release. It was modestly successful in the five countries where it charted, notably peaking at No. 27 in the UK, No. 22 in Canada, No. 16 in New Zealand and No. 14 in the Netherlands. Sure. The The don't appear to be a particularly influential band, though I think the faux-band concept is interesting and their music is competent as well. I'll most likely axe their second inclusion if this is truly their best release, though for the time being I'm content with letting this album through. I cosign this inclusion.
Liked this.
좋아 근데 3점 4점급3점임얜
Very repetitive but some good bits. 3/5
This is far better than most other new wave stuff. I didn’t love all the songs but I did really appreciate the variety.
I own a couple of albums by The The, but their music has never quite hooked me. Soul Mining strikes me in a similar way: nothing here quite reaches five-star territory, though a few tracks hit four. Overall, it is a solid and enjoyable listen, even if it falls short of being essential for me. Three stars. 1 "I've Been Waitin' for Tomorrow (All of My Life)" (3/5) 2 "This Is the Day" (4/5) 3 "The Sinking Feeling" (3/5) 4 "Uncertain Smile" (4/5) 5 "The Twilight Hour" (3/5) 6 "Soul Mining" (3/5) 7 "Giant" (3/5) Total - 23 Average -3.3 404/1001 210/404 albums reviewed were new to me.
I’m not usually a fan of British synth-pop but I liked this. It was interesting and I liked the variety of instrumentation used.
Aggressiivisen kasari levy. Hauskaa synapoppia, ei kuitenkaan suuresti kolahtanu.
OK but preferred Mind Bomb.
I was actually quite underwhelmed by this - unlike his later stuff this album sounds flat and unmistakably 80s
This is a cool.surprise. I really enjoy the early 80s basslines and the piano. A few songs toward the end drag a little but this is a good post punk album.
this is awesome. david bowie with less sparkles and makeup.
This was interesting, each song felt so different. I recognized This is the Day, kind of a banger. But yea this was a fun one with serious variety. Particularly liked The Sinking Feeling. Might even come back to this album but probably not because I can’t really tell what mood I’d have to be in to listen to most of the songs
Good, but ultimately forgettable
It’s ok not bad. Uncertain smile is marginally acceptable. They know what they can or cannot do. Vocal range is reasonable for the lead singer but also a bit narrow and boring.
I listened to this and then all of a sudden it was over. The instrumental sections were pretty good, otherwise not a whole lot caught my attention. But it was pretty good background music for drinking coffee on the porch.
For a post-punk album, this wasn't horrible. Some tracks definitely went a little too into meandering territory, but there were some unique pop and even country twinges that made it not that bad. 2.7/5 -> 3/5
Actually pretty damn good. A mishmash of styles, ranging from simple minds to prefab sprout
I remember enjoying it but I don't remember a single bit of the music so I'm not sure how to feel
I think this was a little better than some of the other New Wave slop we've heard so far. The slap 6/4 and slap bass on the first track were cool. "Uncertain smile" had a musical flavor that I like. Most of the other songs had grooves that were pretty cool, so I'm willing to give it a light 3.
First song ('I've Been Waitin') sounds dated, and annoying (very 80s, but not in a good way). Second song ('This Is the Day') is very good, I've always thought so -- one of those where you know, first time you hear it on the radio, yeah, that's good; it also sounds very 80s, but in a good way. Actually, it's sort of a quintessential 80s song. Might even make the top 10, if that were a category. Well, probably not *my* top 10 (top 100, maybe?), but for some people. Ok, now song 3 ('Sinking Feeling'): yeah, this is such an 80s album. More accurately, such an 80s British New Wave album. I mean that mostly in a good way, as I was very much a fan of a lot of (but not all, by any means) British new wave (a broad category) in the 1980s. Now I'm on song 4 ('Uncertain Smile'), having the same thoughts, plus, once again, the singer obstacle problem: just don't love his voice. It works ok (not great, but ok) on song 2, since it's such a good song, but on the other tracks, it's a problem. Do like the Jools Holland piano on this track, though. Song 5 ('Twilight Hour'): not a great song, and singing definitely doesn't help. Song 6 ('Soul Mining') is mediocre, and of interest (if at all) only a little bit for its display of 80s sounds - which I suppose would have sounded more cool back then (hard to remember - but I *think* so). Yeah, that comment actually probably applies to this whole album, which probably (I'm pretty sure) had a sheen back in the 80s (which time has long since disappeared - assuming it ever existed) of being cutting edge and fresh and cool. I note that this album was released in the fall of 1983, shortly after I moved to NYC, and started listening (even more) to a lot of new wave on a radio station there, and buying albums at Tower Records and the record stores in Greenwich Village (St. Mark's Place), so this record was perfectly timed for me to like it; the fact that I didn't buy it (though I think I did consider it) I think I'd have to chalk up to the singer's voice, primarily, and perhaps secondarily an overall harshness (?) to the music -- the percussion in particular -- which might have put me off a little (though not entirely, since I liked plenty of new wave that had similar, though perhaps not quite so harsh, percussion). A lot of what I just wrote applies to the overly-long song 7 ('Giant'). Maybe they imagined people dancing to that in a club -- but New Order (for example) did songs like that SO much better; Track 7 is like a (very) pale imitation of New Order. Track 8 ('Perfect') -- see above: clunky, slightly annoying percussion; singing that isn't very musical. After all that, you probably figure I'm giving this 1 or 2 stars, but actually I think I'll give it a low 3 stars, because of the excellent 'This Is the Day,' and also as a solid (if uneven, and now dated-sounded) monument to 80s New Wave.
Besides the Big Hit, this album's just alright. 3.5 bumped down to 3.
Synths are not my favourite instrument and 80s is not my favourite decade for music, so the first track I wasn't sure if I'd like this. By the end, I liked it a lot. The lyrics contrast with the lightness of the instrumentation and creates a sardonic feeling. It's a unique and complete album and I can appreciate it. It really reminds me of primary school with the steady clapping and percussion across multiple songs. Associations: Public Image, Talking Heads, Smiths Favourite song: Giant
It's fine, just a middle level album
The the the
3.5
Entretenido album de post punk, algo de sintes... Nada muy especial lo sentí. Menos para 1983. 5/10
Inoffensive and unmemorable
I have mixed feelings about this. I enjoyed the energy and positivity in the music and production. A generous amount of clever and quirky musical ideas fill the album. It sounded like he played and recorded everything in a home studio or something. All very upbeat and inoffensive. However, I found the vocal-centric nature of the mix a bit overbearing. Were the vocals simply mixed too high? His distinct voice isn’t necessarily bad, but sitting so prominently atop the lush instrumentation, it eventually wore my ears out over the course of the album.
This has the classic early 80s feel to it and I guess was a precursor to the New Romantic scene. A couple of excellent tracks (This Is The Day) but a lot of the album is quite bland.
3⭐️
This is a cool album. It's obviously influenced some of my favourite artists. Great music to wander aimlessly to.
Some great tunes on this (3.5)
I don't know who I thought The The were but it wasn't this. Still good
7/10
A young 7 out of 10
I liked this, Japan and The Cure vibes
I had heard of The The, but never listened to their music before. For some reason, I had it in my head that they were a punk band, but that's definitely not the case. I heard suggestions of The Cure, They Might Be Giants, Squeeze, Simple Minds, Godley & Creme, Level 42, and a lot of other acts, but the mix here is kind of a unique thing. It's well-produced, well-performed (including some killer drum and bass work), and generally interesting. They seem to be able to poke fun at themselves while still taking the music seriously, which is a rare gift. On the list to listen to again.
A little poppy for me, but these are all straight bangers.
The album didn’t leave much of an impression on me as a whole, but The Sinking Feeling was my favorite track.
An interesting listen but nothing that got me too excited.
I owned "Infected" BITD, and my recollection of The The was that there were a few great songs but the bulk of it was derivative and outdated pretty much on release. So hearing this MOSTLY confirms that perception. Especially with the rigid and mechanical 80s drum machines, 80s synths, 80s pop/funk bass in the first few tracks, it sounds like an 80s movie soundtrack (and not John Hughes level). But it gets better, looser, more interesting sounding. I thought "Uncertain Smile" was a great tune, the album's peak, "Twilight Hour" was more interesting, and "Soul Mining," "Giant," and "Perfect" closed out the album well. Overall, better than I expected, and a welcome surprise. Still, 3.5/5. Deserving of its place on the must-listen list? Eh, its a huge list, so, maybe? Probably not
Good in a INXS Kick kind of way, but not that good.
Fun little experimental, electronic record. It's pretty gentle overall, but he comes up with some interesting sounds and compositions. I like the sound of this one overall.
Album #130, The The, Soul Mining ⭐⭐⭐ First time listening to this band outside of the song Giant. I’ve never actually heard any of their other songs. I liked it for the most part. It’s quite a sophisticated kind of 80s synth rock album. The positives are that it sounds great. Musically, it’s a real belter of an album. From the opening track, I’ve Been Waiting for Tomorrow (All of My Life), the drums are loud, punchy and right in your face. They’re not afraid to go heavy-handed with the drums, and I think that really suits the music. It’s very energetic, and all the arpeggiated synths add an awful lot of colour to it. The songs take unexpected turns, and there are lovely textures and timbres throughout. I also love this kind of music when unexpected acoustic instruments come into the mix. On This Is the Day, when that fiddle comes in, I just think it’s brilliant. That’s probably my favourite song on the album. When I say the songs take unexpected turns, you’ve also got Uncertain Smile, which suddenly breaks into this huge piano solo that just keeps going and going. Piano solos are seriously underused in rock music. A good piano solo is hard to come by these days, so I really appreciated that. So as you can tell, the album was going very well for me. But it does take a big dip after Uncertain Smile. I think The Twilight Hour is really long, overblown and just boring. It’s a boring song. The title track is pretty good though. It’s got that real late-night atmosphere. Then it picks up again with Giant. Giant in particular sounds really ahead of its time. I’m always a sucker for music that feels like it was made years before it should have been, and this really does. It actually reminded me a lot of LCD Soundsystem. The reason it’s lost a star for me is Matt Johnson. I do think his voice suits the music, but over the course of the album it started to grate on me. More than his voice though, it was his lyrics. They all felt very self-obsessed. Lots of introspection and talking about himself in these grand, dramatic ways. They just didn’t really do much for me. A thought crossed my mind while I was listening: is this what Morrissey sounds like to people who don’t like Morrissey? The distinctive voice combined with very self-focused lyrics all wrapped up together. I love Morrissey, so I’ve never really understood the criticism, but listening to this made me wonder if that’s how it comes across to other people. Still, it’s a strong three-star album that’s probably leaning towards a four. Side note: my toddler absolutely loved it. He bounced around the room dancing to it, especially during This Is the Day, which he thought was fantastic. So for him, it’s a five-star review.
Pretty alright album. A very unique sound. The Sinking Feeling was my favorite; the guitar is so catchy. 5.3/10
Pretty fun and unique but overall not to my tastes. Some strong highlights tho with Giant being my fav song and first listen. This Is the Day and Uncertain Smile were good too
Nix besonderes! 80er halt.
Some tracks I hated, some I quite liked. Opening track unfortunately was a hate, but I liked the second track. Strangely inconsistent not only in quality but also sound, with the nu wave and electro sound not fully committed to all the way through.
Better than I expected.
Lyrics are a bit basic for me but the instrumentals are cool.
Decent enough, but nothing I'm going to rush back to. It's obviously a bit dated now, but there's still enough good stuff going on.
Fun 80's vibes. It was a good time, nothing amazing but good.
Tough one, I really like the album when it's moving and grooving, but it's slower parts drag on. There are some cool beats and parts on the album, but the whole thing blurred a bit together for me. I liked the dramatic growling vocals for the most part. Synths were cool and old school funky. The drums were solid throughout. "This is the Day" is surely the standout on the album. In the end its a 3 for me.
Wasn’t bad, fairly solid album with a couple of standouts.
Didn’t know what to expect with this one and I liked it a lot more than I thought I would. Interesting choices all around. Loved the accordion, I think on track 2. A lot more creative than I thought it would be. 3/5
The first song was extremely off-putting, but the rest of the album toned down the the quirkiness to an acceptable level.
Wasn’t underwhelming or overwhelming, just whelming, good background music to put on. Last track may have been the best
a really good new wave album
This Is the Day is the best song on there by far, its kinda meh otherwise.
fun indie vibes
I listened in the car, on a long drive down the motorway. It was perfectly pleasant, but didn't captivate. The album peaks at the top with the wonderful 'This Is The Day', but I found it never really manages to scale such heights after that.
5: I will happily play this album anytime 4: I may occasionally play this album of my own free will 3: I will happily listen to this if someone plays it in the background 2: I will tolerate this if it is playing in the background 1: I will leave the room if someone plays this in the background
2 standout songs make this a 3
뭐라 쓰지
A few good songs on here.
Its a very different sound, alienish almost, not for me but i know someone loves this.
Overall: 6/10 One thing I really like about this album is the atmosphere. The slower songs were very pleasing to listen to. I will say it took a few songs for me to get into the rhythm, and I don't think this is something I'm likely to come back to, but I'm glad I heard it and I'd recommend it to most people. Fav Song: Soul Mining
I enjoy a good synth-album, especially from the early 80s. So this should be right up my lane. And yet i struggled with this album. The songs are quite meandering, which isn‘t necessarily a bad thing but on Soul Mining it doesn‘t add much to the substance of the songs, i think. This is one of the very rare cases where i‘d appreciate a shorter edit of the album, or at least some of the songs. The contrast between Johnson‘s vocal performance, often brooding and in parts goth-adjacent, and the music itself is quite interesting and a lot of fun. Singing songs about how shitty you feel and how shitty life is over a happy synth-beat always gets me.
The The is one of those bands I’m supposed to like, but it never clicked. I can’t really explain it other than there are other bands from the genre and time period that do the same thing, but better. Dude’s vocals get on my nerves a bit. This Is The Day is great song though.
Bit all over the place for me
Я послухала двічі, але так жодного треку так і не запам'ятала. Проте уцілому музика залишила не погане враження і на фоні здавалася доволі приємною
I really enjoyed the other The The The The The The The album on this list, this one was a bit dissapointed. It wasn't bad by any means, but it didn't really pull me in and seemed to have less hit power than the other one. It's still good 80's pop, well made without being one of those cheesy sophisti-pop acts. Probably just needs another listen, into the back of the backlog it goes.
english punk pop👨🎤
It was ok. Once I got over the cheesy synth pop single opening track, it kind of calmed down a bit. Still, completely forgettable
Liked this one better than their other album on this list but still don’t think they deserved two entries
its 80's British Rock so naturally I steeled myself to have a terrible time, This Is The Day had me in a rough mood but luckily it passed, and overall my listening experience wasn't all that bad! My biggest issue was the sound production, and I'm willing to bet it was my headphones on this one. I had such a hard time hearing the vocals on some of these songs. I doubt I'll go back to check this out again, but I had a fairly decent time listening through. Also Twilight Hour seems like a pop song from another album, until the lyrics bring you back talking about chunks of your heart missing and so on. Overall, it was fine, and thats okay!
Meh, very 80's sounding. The singers voice is annoying.
Too '80s for me, but thats ok Best Song: This is the Day Rating: 6.5/10 Stars: 3
This Is the Day was worth the listen, and its a short album anyways
Better than I expected. But wouldn't make my personal list.
The The are yet another UK based pop group from the '80s that started as an underground experimental project, which then drifted closer and closer to more mainstream sounds until securing a few hits. I bring this up because it honestly seems like there was a minute where a lot of bands were doing this; Scritti Politti for example, just off the top of my head. But, regardless of where they started, by the time The The made it to their debut LP, they were basically a punk flavored synth pop project, which happened to have some artistic decisions that might make one think thatvthey may have started as a very different band. And while this isn't something that really ends up in my wheelhouse, it is definitely solid. Good pop songs are stretched in sort of a dancey way, and maintain momentum well enough to pull it off. Giant is the longest song here, and conveniently the best. It manages to scratch a similar itch to the one that This Must Be The Place by Talking Heads reaches, which is a rare compliment. But other highlights are The Sinking Feeling, This Is The Day, and The Twilight Hour, which are all great songs in their own right. But this has enough of thd aforementioned momentum, and great synthesis lines that the whole project ends up (more or less) working. As I said, The The are generally an interesting band, and the material here is solid, but a touch flawed, and a little out of my wheelhouse.
Definitely interesting. Distinct sound and good album. I enjoyed "This is the day", "Uncertain Smile"(nice piano), or "Soul Mining" (probably my favourite). It is somewhere between 3 and 4 stars. I typically like long songs, but I found "Giant" (at more than 9 min) is one of the less interesting tracks. So this is preventing this from reaching 4 stars.
намного больше гармоний и мелодий чем ожидала от пост-панка! пение очень 80е, но не бесит)
it's fine, kinda seems like a one man show, and innovative in its way, just not that much fun.
An interesting 80s albums that kept me engaged. Rating: 6.5/10 Favorite Track: This is the Day
Maybe I was in a bad mood for the other one, or this one is better than their other album. I like album cover a lot too Will I listen to again: 25%
If you love 80s new wave this is definitely for you. I thought the album was very fun experimentally but it’s definitely an acquired taste. This is the kind of album you grow to love the more you listen to it.
Could be a grower. Good moments but also very jarring 80s production at points.
This was interesting for sure. I enjoyed it and it's almost 4 stars, but I think I'll keep it out of the replay list. 3.5
Fine I guess