Infected

  • Artist: THE THE
  • Year: 1986
  • Format: CD
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Infected is the second album by THE THE, released on Some Bizzare/Epic Records on 17 November 1986. The album produced four UK singles, including their best-selling single ‘Heartland’, which reached 29 and spent 10 weeks on the chart, ‘Infected’ (UK #48), ‘Slow Train to Dawn’ (UK #64) and ‘Sweet Bird of Truth’ (UK #55). Although it only peaked at 14 in the UK Albums Chart, it stayed on the chart for 30 weeks, making it by far THE THE’s most commercially successful album.

  1. Infected
  2. Out Of The Blue (into the fire)
  3. Heartland
  4. Angels Of Deception
  5. Sweet Bird Of Truth
  6. Slow Train To Dawn
  7. Twilight Of A Champion
  8. The Mercy Beat

“Aggressive to the point of brutality, Infected makes Soul Mining sound quaint.”
– THE GUARDIAN

“Into the stagnant waters of contemporary British pop Infected surfaces like a neon nuclear submarine.”
– TIME OUT

“The Thatcher/Reagan years prompted social and political diatribes from countless pop pundits, but few confronted the age with such lacerating rage as Matt Johnson.”
– THE TIMES

“Johnson says he wants to become Britain’s leading songwriter. He’s getting mighty close.”
– MUSIC WEEK

“One of the most brilliant song writing talents of the 1980’s. Sheer genius shines through”
– THE DAILY MIRROR

“It’s uncanny. In just eight songs Johnson has freeze-framed a whole nation at a moment in time. Infected – to an eerie, ultimately disturbing, extent – is Britain 1986 trapped on vinyl.”
– NME

“Matt Johnson has come out with a one-man vision of terrifying proportions. Part fairground huckster, part psychopathic oracle, he invites you into a little tent away from the rest, seducing you in an air thick with sickness. Get purged. Get Infected.”
– MELODY MAKER

“Two years in the making Infected burst open with a voice that could blister paint at 30 paces. The year’s most naturally erotic rock record, it was, and is, a beautifully piercing pleasure.”
– SOUNDS (album of the year)

“Matt Johnson paints a savage picture of contemporary Britain. Recommended”
– Q ****

“The liaison of rhythm and rage is full of manic power. Suitable Christmas listening only if you are spending it with Satan.”
– THE INDEPENDENT

“An extraordinary record. Full of ideas and energy. Johnson’s personal dedication and musical intelligence dominates throughout. Recommended”
– THE OBSERVER

“One of the year’s most inventive albums.”
– EVENING STANDARD

“Matt Johnson produces another very bold and unique record.”
– THE DAILY TELEGRAPH

“Johnson has enjoyed the reputation of being one of this country’s better young songwriters for some years now. Sure he’s not exactly prolific but when he does deliver the goods, they’re always worth waiting for.”
– RECORD MIRROR

“An absolutely furious young man with a talent for writing brilliantly menacing songs.”
– SMASH HITS

“Savage wit and a violently political view of the world.”
– TATLER

“A candidate for the album of the year. “
– OVER 21

“Johnson’s best work thrives on the dark and the morbid and this is sick, sick, sick. Just brilliant.“
– NUMBER 1

“When times are tough we need a few people capable of avoiding the easy path to success and Johnson has never known to be bland when it’s better to be mad.”
– TODAY

“A perceptive and personal testament to a nation and it’s culture in decline and the knock on effects it has on individuals.”
– CITY LIMITS

“This album has a brilliance and a sense of purpose which is sadly lacking in 99.9% of contemporary rock/pop music. Heartily recommended.”
– WHAT HI-FI

Infected was a massive hit for Matt Johnson on release thirty years ago but its lyrical message rings louder than ever.”
– 
JEREMY ALLEN, THE QUIETUS