release date: Jan. 26, 1993
format: cd
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,92]
producer: Bruce Lampcov, Matt Johnson
label: Epic Records - nationality: England, UK
Track highlights: 1. "True Happiness This Way Lies" - 2. "Love Is Stronger Than Death" (4,5 / 5) - 3. "Dogs of Lust" - 5. "Slow Emotion Replay" (4 / 5) (org. video) - 6. "Helpline Operator" (4 / 5) (live) - 10. "Lonely Planet" (4 / 5)
4th studio album by The The follows almost four years after Mind Bomb (Jun. 1989). Like the predecessor the album features the band in the same line-up, although things took a windy road n the studio. Dave Palmer only plays drums on four of the ten tracks, and yes two songs are completely without drums, but that alone doesn't add up anyway. All band members are depicted on the inner sleeve, and Palmer is credited as drummer; however, he was practically sacked halfway through the recording of the album - apparently, for not being able to show up for clocked sessions, and / or for not always being in a sober state. Vinnie Colaiuta (from Sting's touring band) and Bruce Smith (from the Pop Group) handles drums on two tracks each - Colaiuta on tracks #3 and #9, Bruce Smith on tracks #4 and #6
A tour following the '89 album had been interrupted and nearly completely cancelled as a consequence of the sudden death of Matt Johnson's younger brother Eugene. Johnson had taken a three months hiatus, returned to finish the remaining tour, and then relocated to New York but continuosly fought with the loss for years to come - which to some extent explains the long interval between the two albums. When Dusk was finished and a new promotion tour was in the planning, it didn't start off in the easiest manner. Firstly, it was expected that Marr would probably be unavailable for 'The Lonely Planet Tour', as he was in the midst of making music with New Order's Bernard Summer in the duo-project Electronic, and he was then replaced by guitarist Keith Joyner. Bassist James Eller had been offered a contract for a solo album, which meant he was replaced by Jared Nickerson, and official drummer Dave Palmer was invited to join the band again for the tour, which he accepted. Halfway through the tour Palmer threw the bomb that he would now leave and instead join Rod Stewart's live tour, and in his place Andy Kubiszewski took over as drummer.
Dusk follows closely in the style laid out on the '89 album, though it appears as a more experimental art pop release, and in a way, a more genuine Matt Johnson release. In some ways, it feels more in family with his great Infected album from '86, a step in the right direction, or at least so I think of it. Instead of presenting a new set of lyrics about society and politics, the songs here deal with a personal dimension, human emotions, and the true meaning of life. The album is Johnson's best faring album to date peaking at number #2 on the UK albums chart. It delivered three singles, tracks #3, #5, and #2 with the latter being written with his brother in mind. Andy Dog is back with an illustration for the front cover.
Imho, Dusk shows Johnson at the peak of his career. The band play like one organic whole and the songs function on more than one level, and production-wise you don't find that many albums better balanced.
Highly recommended.
[ allmusic.com 4 / 5 stars ]
