Back in February of 2015, Matt Johnson said he was about to start working on a new actual The The album, saying it was a new start to his career. Of course things change and it could just be added to the three or four already recorded and unreleased albums in his vault. Here is the link to the story from where I read it at Slicing Up Eyeballs Matt Johnson recording first proper The The album in 15 years: ‘A new start for my career’
I know that there was also going to be an official biography written by Neil Fraser. Amazon uk has it listed as publication date 12th June this year IIRC. It probably should all have tied in worth the documentary and new LP.I know that Matt talked about a boxed set DVD/CD of that. It's probably all gone wrong because of his brother's death., but at least there are signs of movement.
I love The The. Infected is my favourite, most played, practically memorized, but I like all the others, even the later less popular albums. He's a brilliant songwriter, and I love sarcasm.
To be fair, I don't believe Matt actually said he's recording a new album but that he had started writing one. It'll arrive when it arrives.
The The is a truly great band and Matt Johnson is one of the smartest, most iconic singer/songwriters out there. I love artists who just do their own thing, ignoring any and all commercial trends, and just follow their muse or stop when they can't find it. I haven't read this entire thread to see if this is mentioned (my apologies if it is), but for those who are longing to hear new/old rare, unreleased, demo and other odd tracks (and/or Matt Johnson's take on the world). Matt Johnson's official website (THE THE - Home ) sells all of his radio show podcasts called "Radio Cinéola" and the website's shop breaks down what is on each recording (which are all about 15 minutes or so). Many of them have "from the vaults" tracks and many of those are great and worth hearing. Either way, the podcasts are like a dark, intimate late night tuning into a distant, pirate radio station with Matt Johnson's low, warm growl of a voice DJing the end of the world from his bunker. Cool stuff. Looking forward to anything he may release in the future.
"HUGE announcements..." Let's hope, in this age of excessive superlatives, that there really will be some huge news. For me, an album of fresh material is the only thing that would count as "HUGE".
T There is also supposed to be an official The the biography that has been in the works for years. I'm personally hoping for Pornography of Despair - I know there's about 2 versions of that LP. What I am expecting is a new studio album with lyrics, which I will settle for, and the DVD of the internet show.
After nearly two decades of no new music (with lyrics), I'd be more than happy if it's a new studio album.
And I forgot to say - it's obviously going to include the new movie Inertia Variations which has been previewed in Sweden and Scotland.
I'm thinking, maybe this means they will be selling tickets for a gig only for subscribers? What's your thought?
I find the remaster of Infected to be horribly compressed, distorted, and fatiguing. It's possibly one of the worst CDs I've ever heard. The DR database shows that the remaster's dynamics have been cut in half compared to the original CD (6 vs 12), and this is also the case for the other albums. Since the original CDs are cheap and plentiful, those are the ones to seek out.
I really hope this announcement is that he's opening up and shaking loose a lot of his stuff from the vaults, personally. Though an all-new LP would very much welcome as well.
Matt is really interested in the present - I reckon it's the long-rumoured new LP and/or the Inertia Variations and biography. I met him once and asked him if he was going to release POD, and he said he would, but even as he said it I didn't believe him.
I would suggest that DR aside the original CDs of Infected and Soul Mining sound rotten, thin and flat. Neither original or remaster are good options.
I see that you're in the UK. I think the US CDs sound great, so perhaps the UK masterings are different?
I've got US & UK original pressing on CD of Soul Mining & Infected, prefer the US ones for the most part.
I don't know how much 'cross-over' there is between The The fans and "Game Of Thrones", but, last night's season finale had an opening scene that sounded like they were about to play "Armageddon Days"! The wife and I were like, "Are you ready, Jesus?"
