Sounding like a cross between 'The Passion of Christ' and 'The exorcist', the the's Mind Bomb is a powerful statement of an album. Rather than discussing his latest relationship and perhaps clubbing on a saturday night, on this album, Matt Johnson(who really is the the) takes on the subject of man's relationship with God and how the various religions corrupt the true meaning of love/evil/God.

Its an album that's dark and deep. It deals with evil, corruption, sin and lust. Yet its incredibly moving and sensuous. Its touches and it teaches. That's enough wordplay!!

Its also packed full of lyrical nuggets. One of my favourites is, 'If the real Jesus Christ were to stand up today, he'd be gunned down cold by the CIA'.Another, 'If our love was too strong to die, or we were just too weak to kill it'.

Both Johnson's voice and the assembled choirs sound like the damned on day release from hell. There's not much joy in the lyrical content of this record. Yet musically, things don't always sound that bad. In amongst the paranoia and despair there are some wonderful musicla flourishes incorporating pop, countryand even, at the end, a warped ballad. Johnny Marr, ex of the Smiths lends his guitar virtuosity to the proceedings, while Sinead O'Connor duets on the excellent 'Kingdom of Rain'. Harmonica also makes an appearance as does a hammond organ, flugel horn, congas and bongos, trombone, water percussion etc. etc. Its a wonderfully intricate album. Its a joy to listen to again and again and to discover more with each listen.

One of the singles off the album, 'Beaten Generation', introduced me to the band all the way back in 1989 and if you, as usual, ignore the lyrics, you could almost dance in tune. You could certainly stomp your foot. Its more of a elegy for the then generation X, disenfranchised, short on love and respect, and seemingly with not much hope for the future.

The album itself starts off with the call of a Muezzin, setting a scene which we have become increasingly familiar with. Indeed prophetically, second song 'Armageddon days are here again' speaks of the impending war between Islam and Christianity.

You get an idea of the sound quality of this record, some seconds into it when the bass kicks in, wondefully low and full. Its an excellent recording, impressive, atmospheric, clear, detailed. unlike earlier the the records, there is not an irritating insistent drum machine or programming. Just natural instruments and vocals all very well recorded. Vinyl pressing is thin but excellent. A slight tendency to collect dust, but really over the years this record has held up pretty well.

Standard outer and inner picture sleeves. Lyrics are printed on the inner.

Just to keep the theme going, when you turn the record sleeve to look at the back cover, you find a dve impaled upon a rifle.

Definitely an album to own. You shoud acquire this, and if possible their follow up, Dusk.