Enjoying this album is dependent as to when you first heard the The.

Those fortunate to be in range of independent radio stations in the 80's heard 'Flesh and Bones' or 'Uncertain Smile'. This era of the The listeners will find NAKEDSELF mostly unpalatable.

In the 90's when all the independent stations were bought out by commercial conglomerates and boosted their range to 50+ watts. Suburbanite listeners were baptized and drilled with 'Dogs of Lust'. These fans will gravitate toward NAKEDSELF.

Ironically Matt's first song 'What Stanley Saw-1979' would fit nicely into NAKEDSELF. The lyrics are very strong especially 'December Sunlight' and 'Swine Fever'. The disapproving old fan should set this album aside and let it age like fine wine to enjoy later (hey we're all in our 30's now).

With such a diverse and brilliant career we should appreciate Matt's ability to grow and not stagnate like his post-punk peers. Most of them couldn't make it past 1989.


for the lonely and lustful in 2000   March 5, 2000
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

Truly long awaited emergence of the band and the music. For the most fans, rating this album is not important (but for review here, of course it will only be 5 stars). Listening to this album makes me think and realize Matt Johnson is undoubtedly one of the greatest songwriters, he writes like nobody else does. With new musical style, Nakedself becomes fresh reincarnation from Dusk and Mind Bomb.


Worth the maddeningly long wait   March 5, 2000
Justin Mclaughlin (Los Angeles, CA)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

I love Matt Johnson, even when he takes 7 years to release another album. What's amazing about Nakedself is that it doesn't sound like the work of an artist just coming off a 7 year hiatus (well it wasn't really a break - there's always Gunsluts. release it, please! ). Much like Dusk, which stil sounds as fresh as the day I bought it, Nakedself will probably only grow over time and become even more addictive. I just hope I don't have to wait another seven year for my next fix.


Matt Johnson continues his lonely crusade   April 14, 2000
andrew lim (Toronto, Cda)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

As a long standing fan, i awaited this release with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation, all too aware of the black hole of mediocrity that many artists past their prime tumble into.

Happily, its not the case with Naked Self...to a point. While Matt Johnson retains his penchant for sharing personal life lessons learned(see the record title for a huge hint), I felt the record did lose something from the subtle genius of Dusk. Credit him for moving in new directions, but i have to admit i miss the unmistakeable contributions of a certain johnny marr, who in many ways seemed the perfect foil for johnson's angst ridden offerings.

welcome back.


Like everyone else says...it's been too long.   March 27, 2000
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

NakedSelf is a great record. My personal favorites have always been Mind Bomb (lush, orchestral, poetic and political) and Dusk (soooo sad and soulful). NakedSelf is both immediately impressive and yet leaves room to grow on you. The music lacks the richness of MindBomb, but is beautiful in its acoustic, bare-bones style. Matt's lyrics are unpretentious, and seem to have retained a fondness for Hank Williams Sr's simplicity. In a word...mature.