Infected

1986 brought us Topgun, Maradona's hand of God and Infected by The The. What clusterfuck of a year it was. I can't think of anything good associated with it. I was in a new romantic phase, getting into Eastenders and trying to avoid getting AIDS (unsuccessfully). Bad memories.

It's kinda not good, right? Like... almost good... but then not. The The has managed to fill up an entire album with the kind of pseudo-intellectual, half-aware, social semi-conscious lyrics that make so much of 80s music super cringey. It's not good, fellas. It's just not good.

I’ve loved The The since forever. Not one dud song! I cannot actually sit still when this plays, because the music inhabits my whole body. I just want to sing and move to every tune. Matt Johnson manages to mix high octane danceable songs with searing political comment and the frailty of the human condition. Sadly, and maddeningly, the themes of despair still resonate nearly 40 years later. The brass arrangements add excitement and drama. Neneh Cherry’s voice on Slow Train to Dawn is just beautiful. Magnificent! I saw them on tour back when Johnny Marr was the guitarist. Great days! I just want go back and put it all on repeat now!

Really good. Great mix of funk, new wave/post punk with great Thatcher era lyrics. The use of horns within this post punk format gives the music a more optimistic sounding feel as opposed to other British post punk artists despite the lyrics that reflect economic and global strife.

This was weird in the best of ways. I liked this a lot.

This is pretty tedious. I imagine it must have found its way onto the list through the compiler's personal nostalgia. Someone forgot to tell this band they were just a below average 80s band. Utterly disposable.

1.9 - Ugly as an anal wart. That album cover perfectly represents the bile within. Ever wonder what it would sound like to take INXS but have it fronted by George Thorogood, and inflect it all with a heavy dose of Broadway jazz? Fuck I hated this.

Reading previous reviews, I see a lot of people not getting this record at all. I presume they did not live in early 1980s UK. Upbeat jazzy pop accompany bleak lyrics of alienation, political, social, and personal. Which, apparently, I can still remember.

Great pop album with diverse musical styles. Not the happiest lyrics. Excellent contribution of Neneh Cherry on Slow Train to Dawn

fucking spooky dude. I loved this, everything I wanted, just hit all the right spots. really incredible production and powerful techno beats. pretty awesome x

Excellent. Diversity of instruments used also helps to keep tracks fresh and distinct.

Aww shit! Memory motherfucking lane again. Caught them at CBGB’s with Johnny Marr, back around ‘94. We snuck backstage so a friend could give Matt a letter. He was the nicest, kindest, sweetest man to her. Was truly human and decent. Absolutely had a positive effect on her. Matt Johnson is more fabulous than he has any right to be. Love this band, love this record as much as their others. 5/5

Opening track is a banger, this was a great listen, exactly what I wanted from this

Never heard of the The! This guy seems to have had a really interesting life though. I did a bit of research because the lyrics really interested me and I think the messages in the songs in this album are very meaningful. I love the poetry and activism of this album. Aside from the words these tunes are lovely! This is a type of new wave and post-punk I can really get behind. The sounds are gorg and the tracks make me feel good. They're interesting, layered and inventive. I really like the fact that he just works with loads of different musicians, all the vocals are great but I just realised Neneh Cherry is on here and now I know why I love it haha. A great discovery for me!

This was an unexpected banger. Heard of The the, but had no idea what they sounded like. Really enjoyed it.

Excellent album.

Remarkably good. Loved it.

My staple diet for 1986. Played to death. Still love it

I’m listening to this album a day late. The big debate was last night and it was a disaster. This album feels so prescient.

This is post-punk? I guess I always view that as a little edgier or darker. This album is some blend of that, new wave, and new pop. I can totally hear where later UK artists like Teenage Fanclub, the Mock Turtles, Primal Scream, Northside, The Alarm, or Dramarama (from the US actually) came from. If you don't know what I mean, go look at the transition from 80's varied rock to 90's alternative rock - particularly what was going on in the UK before the summer/fall of 1991 and Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, etc. changed everything. I don't mind their sound, but do I love it? Like most of this genre, it feels like it's trying too hard (to steal a line from track two). Some good lyrics but the musical backing feels a bit over the top (piano too loud, backing instruments or synth too prominent) or the vocals straining when it's not needed (as if to say listen to me!). Both their biggest singles (Infected, Heartland) are good examples of that. Like all the other bands from this genre, one song or two feels a bit refreshing but a whole slew of them (like an album's worth) gets to be a bit much.

I recall hearing the band name The The, but I really didn’t know what to expect. As the first track started, I thought that it sounded like some solid 80s rock and that it would be a fun album. But then, I lost my enthusiasm and it started to all sound just kind of “meh” to me.

Funk funkless, grooves grooveless, vocals occasionally amusing.

KINDA WAS LIKE LISTENING TO THE MONSTER MASH IN THE BEST WAY, I LOVED IT LOL

An old favourite. Wild-eyed apocalyptic visions of an England falling to pieces and the corrupting souls that live there. Overwrought and as subtle as a brick to the back of the skull. But the rage gives the album urgency and verve. At the end, as Johnson goes full Hank Williams and challenges the devil to a knife fight, your heart is pumping as hard as his.

Half the songs are good, half the songs are not good. Matt Johnson is far better at writing more emotional songs such as the anxieties that young people have about the world and romance insecurities like he did in their debut record than the more political tracks on here. I think Dusk would have been a better fit if you wanted to include a second The The album. Why is it a four if it's half good half bad? The good songs on here (Heartland, Sweet Bird of Truth, Slow Train to Dawn) are incredible.

I knew this band as one of the greatest band names of all time before I heard any of there music, until today. This is quite an eclectic record, especially for the mid 80s. Reminds me of Foetus but more approachable for weirdos that haven't gotten fully out there. Take 80s pop with strong post punk sensibilities and make it even weirder.

Don't even need to listen to this, reviewing it instantly as it's maybe my favourite album. "Out of the Blue" is only okay, I adore the other 7 songs. People are sleeping on The The, such a unique and strong sound with everything coming together perfectly.

This is the first album I listened to multiple times in one day from this lost. Whoa. Matt Johnson is brilliant. i Love the tones and synths. I dig the theatrics. OG industrial with Oingo Boingo vibes. Dope shit

I think this is slightly better than Soul Mining. Super 80s sounding but still kinda it's own thing underneath it. I was surprised at how many bangers are on here

My favorite of theirs. Great music and lyrics.

This was a fantastic album and loved the varied musical sound scape, almost felt like an extra musical. Never heard of them before and became a big fan of this album.

This is a weird one for me. This wasn't the type of music I listened to back then. The release date of this album is the same week I got my drivers license, so that brought the nostalgia trip. But my bunny died yesterday, so I listened to this album while blubbering in my kitchen this morning. I listened through twice but I had Look On Down From The Bridge by Mazzy Star running through my head the whole time.

From the off this is not what I expected. way more glam than I thought there would be, and it's definitely for the best! honestly a riveting listen

Five stars straight through, and check out the 12" mix of Sweet Bird of Truth which is way superior to the album cut. Looking forward to Scraping Foetus off the Wheel appearing shortly on this list...

Sleeper hit, I never heard of these guys before. Giving it 5 because of the pleasant surprise considering the boring name

I've heard of this band before, mainly as a punchline due to the name, but never actually listened to anything by them. The album artwork didn't inspire much confidence either. I put it on in the background while I did other things but by track 3 I had stopped what I was doing as the music had my full attention.

a distinct and very synthy rock album that while very much sounding like from the time, has a fresh and creative energy i've never ever heard, plus really romantic, almost poetic and... kinda astonishing religious references. this one's a diamond in the vast rough of lesser known 80s alt bands. it's very... dare i say, infectious.

I love this - it's just the right balance of innovation and cheese. A vision fully realised

Ammost anything Matt Johnson touched turned into to gold. My favorites are Soul Mining and Dusk, this also 5 stars.

Cool album

I owned this on cassette when it first came our and enjoyed but thought it was a little over the top, which it was when compared to Soul Mining. Upon listening again I find it to be very good start to finish. Each song is uniquely strong and it holds up well musically and thematically. I like hearing how Matt Johnson wraps different musical styles around his serious themes. The music is fun and varied, definitely of its era but transcends the period.

It was pretty decent!

I am so glad I got this. I absolutely adore soul mining, but I haven't listened to much else of The The, so I was looking forward to this and was not disappointed. This album is a perfect portrayal of angst in all its forms, from songs about the hopelessness of the modern world to the difficulties of opening up to another person. Everything from the lyrics to the stilted, powerful vocals, and the bizarre assortment of instruments fit together perfectly to paint such a wonderfully detailed emotional picture. Not quite as good as Soul Mining, but this is still absolutely a five star album! 5/5

Surprisingly 80's sounding album. Lots of horns. Could hear the post punk coming in on some songs like "The Mercy Beat."

Relevant

I couldn't grasp why this music is so appealing to me, but then I saw how some critic described it as "collision between Soft Cell and Tom Waits" and I suppose I just couldn't not be mesmerised

Yeah, after absolutely not too much hours with "Soul Mining" I might be fanboy of The The. At first listen this album seemd to be a little bit worse than their debut but after second listening I think that they are just a bit different. Magnetic main vocalist, great rythm, bass and percussion are still present. I would say that whole atmosphere is quite similair to previous album. Neneh Cherry and backing vocals are making great job too.

One of my favourites!!!!!!

Sounds incredible. Awesome lyrics. Gonna have to look into some more of this band's stuff. Reminds me a lot of Oingo Boingo, one of my favorite bands, but with a bit harsher sound to it

Oh my god I love The The. (I'm biased one of my favorite songs of all time is by them.) I LOVE THE VOCALS. I'm an 80's girly for real. Every song was making me sway in my chair WHILE doing homework so speaks for itself.

A great album with so many great songs. My favourite song from the album is "Heartland" and I remember watching the video for this on MTV in the 1980s, but I also really like the title track "Infected".

Love this album. Amazing (or not) how a lot of the political commentary is still relevant today.

Another shining example of 80's sounds and production done right from The The, this time with less cheese and more brooding.

"Sweet Bird of Truth" is one of the best songs ever written. Several tunes on this record are absolute bangers. Criminally underrated, The The is one of the most important bands of their era. Check out the "Mind Bomb" album if you haven't already. You're welcome. (Glad to see "Soul Mining" already in the 1001.)

High energy and pretty cool, thought that would be it as first few songs are more pop than post punk but songs are consistently engaging different and cool. Great discovery 5

This is actually an awesome album

My second The The album so far and really enjoyed it. The blend of genres and interesting sounds are great Saved tracks: Infected, Heartland, Angels Of Deception, Twilight Of A Champion, The Mercy Beat, Sweet Bird Of Truth

Now you're onto my taste! Still with the synths hanging over from previous Soul Mining album, but with addition of real full band instrumentation and excellent backing vocals from guests like Neneh Cherry and Tessa Niles. Matt Johnson’s musings are still overly bleak and introspective, but now include wider world view subject matter. Magnificent.

Sometimes The The reminds me of They Might Be Giants. Sometimes The The reminds of me Oingo Boingo. Either way, I win! This was such a great little album.

I had this album as a kid and know every sound on it, which must mean it's a five star. A complete album in every sense - story telling, beautiful production and some excellent songs. If you get a chance, see the film that accompanied it.

Hell yeah

OMGGGG totalmente mi vibra

What a delightful surprise! 80s is generally not my genre but The The is distinct.

I love this band.

One of my very favorite songs in college was "This is the Day" by the The (from their previous album), but I had not followed up to hear more of them, and that song went off my radar along with its mixtape. I totally would have loved this album. The more I have listened to it, the more I have liked it. Good sound, interesting lyrics. As this album came out with a video compilation for each song, I was intrigued and watched them all. Some crazy stuff! Love it.

I don’t recall ever hearing this group but I really enjoyed this! Sort of an edgier Simple Minds-ish 80s vibe going on that I really like. Homeland is a fantastic song. Others that stood out immediately were Infection, Angels of Deception, Sweet Bird of Truth, and The Mercy Beat. Great stuff!

80s but somehow sounds modern as well. Songs and lyrics both well crafted. Great bass playing, really interesting musically.

-Way better than Public Image Ltd., The other album I've listened to that I know is post-punk -Promtped immediate re-listen -Lots of good jamming

Coolest album

Not bad. Sounded like a more rockinrollin INXS. I should have given it a closer listen but honestly who has the time these days.

Infected is the second studio album from British post-punk band The The. The band is the at-times-solo project of Matt Johnson; Johnson added members at for different tours. Infected is the band's most commercially successful release, and drove the band's success. Johnson promoted the album with a set of videos he produced - one for each track - that he compiled into a movie. The The's music is an interesting mix of the sounds of the eighties. They had the raw energy of post-punk, with the polish of synth pop. Johnson's songwriting has an impressive range and an engaging sound, in part, from his use of strings, horns, and supporting vocalists. This album could be grouped with Adam Ant in one part of British, new wave, 80's alt rock with a distinct swagger.

Fun new wave stuff that was nice and upbeat, although the songs all could've been shorter

I've never heard of this band, but I liked what I heard. I'll put it on my radar the next time I run into them again but with a different album.

Inspired 80s rock. I did like Mind Bomb better. But a lot of powerful drama here. 4/5

Solid listen, not as memorable as their debut (also on this list), but overall enjoyable and probably worth revisiting.

Well that was an experience. This is not an album you can have on in the background, you kinda need to sit down and pay attention to it. Which I don’t often do. The making of the album film sounds batshit and I need to find it.

Wait its actually really good?

I like this a lot. Wish i had found it many years ago. i will investigate TheThe further.

It was fine, I didn't feel like my time was wasted 3/5

this was pretty cool!! most of the songs were fine but a couple stood out, especially when it leaned into that darker, specifically halloweeny sound. hints of primus, nick cave, and tom waits somehow pervaded this album too which is cool

So I found The The’s “Infected” album, to be standard fare for the mid-80’s British pop… Think I’ve seen that they considered themselves “post-punk” – okay, still sounds pretty poppish to me… Nothing really exceptional here – though nothing really sucked either, so just kinda there for me… Certainly didn’t so a deep dive on the lyrics, but those that caught my attention weren’t anything consequential to be honest… Best songs IMO were “Heartland” & “Slow Train To Dawn” – as both were catchy and fairly well-done… Seemed like an average British pop album for 1985, so not sure what it’s doing on the 1,001, but okay… Solid 2 for me…

Wow, I really disliked this. The The’s well performed, but overly polished digital synthetics really grated on me and barely held my attention today. Also, I’ve got about 46 records left on the list, so I figured I might as well hand out what might be my last 1 star rating to a band whose name might be the worst in the history of rock music. We can all agree it’s a fucking stupid band name, right? The The? Really? What a fucking lazy band name.

Not great

If I was a teenager in the 80s and I found this cassette tape in a friend’s Walkman, I’d stage an intervention. 1 star out of five. Now pack it in with your shite.

Wow umm.... Call that a dark horse album for me. And don't judge an album by its cover. That was mega. It just works. Edgy, poppy, so 80's, heavy dose of turmoil. That's a read the lyrics album with a fire and get piss drunk screaming to the void why are we still at war.

These guys are just dreamy...

Amazing

I'm so happy to have discovered this. if it weren't for this website I don't think I'd have come across it! I LOVE NEW WAVE!! it'd been a while since i had so much fun listening to an album and for that it's a 10/10 for me. straight into my favorites.

Infected is a scathing indictment of modern England. It's one of the most intelligent albums to come out of the 80s and it shares very little in common with the pop stylings of the time period. Matt Johnson's conversational style may not be for everyone, but I think it adds weight and character that sets it all apart.

Love it. This has aged really well. Funky and bitter and cool. All the usual matt Johnson metaphors plus loads about middle east oil and money. Great Surrey with neneh cherry. It's not the best the the album (that's soulmining) but I can see why this one got chosen and Ioved listening

The the: BAD band name Infected: GOOD album

Love this band, love this record as much as their others.

Opening track very catchy. Overall loved the musical arrangements. Lyrics definately tell of a fairly bleak time for many. Oh wait, has anything changed for the better?

There’s a particular trick this record pulls that still feels rare: it speaks fluent mid-80s pop, then refuses to deliver any of the expected outcomes. Everything about the surface says “big record.” Brass, propulsion, clarity of phrasing, a sense of scale. The grammar is shared with the era’s more aspirational end of pop, drawing on blue-eyed soul for movement and emotional directness. But the function is inverted. Where that language usually resolves tension, here it sustains it. The listener keeps expecting lift, payoff, reassurance. Instead, the songs hold their nerve and leave things open, sometimes uncomfortably so. The opening establishes this immediately. A long, deliberate intro that builds environment before voice. It doesn’t rush to declare itself as “song.” It places you inside a system already in motion, then introduces a narrator who sounds less like a guide and more like someone already affected by the conditions. That sense of prior contamination runs through the whole album. From there, the record alternates between propulsion and immersion. Tracks move, but rarely cleanly. Rhythms feel driven rather than grooving, as if under pressure. The low end behaves more like terrain than foundation, creating resistance rather than flow. It’s not murk for its own sake. It’s a deliberate density that denies easy listening positions. You’re in it, not above it. Lyrically, the record avoids the two common traps of “political” music: slogan and satire. Instead, it operates through inhabitation. Voices feel lived-in rather than declared. There is an actorly instinct at work, but it’s not performative in the usual sense. Characters are not presented for inspection. They are occupied. That matters because it removes distance. You are not asked to agree or disagree. You are asked to experience a mindset from within. At the same time, the album never fully disappears into naturalism. There is a constant counterforce, a subtle distancing effect. The arrangements are often too large, the brass too present, the phrasing occasionally too pointed for pure immersion. You are made aware, intermittently, that you are inside a constructed system. That oscillation between immersion and awareness is central. It allows the record to feel human and analytical at once. Anne Dudley’s contribution is critical here. The brass arrangements do not decorate or uplift. They accumulate. Lines overlap, chords lean, phrases arrive before previous ones have cleared. The result is pressure. Not chaos, but a controlled closing-in. It’s a long way from the elegance of her work elsewhere in the decade. Here, the same tools are used to remove oxygen rather than provide lift. The middle section of the album expands outward without offering relief. National and international themes are introduced, but not as abstract commentary. They feel like extensions of the same internal unease. The record suggests continuity between personal experience and larger systems, without flattening one into the other. It avoids the easy move of locating blame entirely elsewhere. There is always an implication that the narrator, and by extension the listener, is inside the same arrangement. One of the album’s strengths is its handling of time. It does not read like hindsight. It feels like real-time recognition. The language is general enough to travel, but specific enough to bite. That’s why certain tracks continue to feel contemporary. They describe patterns of behaviour and consequence rather than fixed events. The locations can shift, the mechanics can evolve, but the underlying situation remains recognisable. The final stretch avoids resolution altogether. There is no grand statement, no collapse, no redemption. Instead, the record moves into smaller, more intimate spaces, then ends with a sense of preparation for something unspecified but serious. That ambiguity is deliberate. By refusing to name the act, the song leaves the listener inside the state of readiness. It is a deeply uneasy way to close, but entirely consistent with what has come before. Across the album, the sequencing functions as an argument. World-building leads to immersion, then to diagnosis, internalisation, consequence, and aftermath. At no point does the record step outside itself to explain. It trusts the listener to make the connections, or at least to feel them. What holds it all together is discipline. There is a lot here that could have tipped into excess: the scale of production, the conceptual ambition, the density of arrangement. It never quite does. The songs remain legible. Hooks remain intact. The pop engine continues to run, even as it carries increasingly difficult material. That balance is the achievement. Not simply that the album has something to say, but that it says it using a language designed to smooth things over, and refuses to smooth anything over.

Really liked this! I think this is their 2nd album I’ve listened to and will definitely be checking out their discography. 4.5/5

old video games vibes love it

!!!

An all-time favorite that I don’t listen to much these days, but I still enjoy it when I do.

Great album .Total classic .

Absolutely love it. Still.