The The. - review of new recording - Review - sound recording review

Interview, April, 2000 by Vivien Goldman

NakedSelf (Nothing/Interscope)

PRIMAL SCREAM

Xtrmntr (Astralwerks)

Both products of punk and dub, Matt Johnson's The The and Primal Scream return after years with wake-up calls: The The's introduced by marching drums and police sirens, the Primals by a ringing telephone. Still throwing acid at the enemy, the ever-changing Primal Scream provoke with "Swastika Eyes," their controversial anti-fascist disco track, and lock up free jazz on "MBV Arkestra." Even while grinding out his guts in feedback, Johnson is clever, as you'd expect from the man behind the best band name ever. Emotions on songs like "Boiling Point," "Voidy Numbness," and "Soul Catcher" veer from feather-light to industrial strength. Two from the dark side.