“Distinguishing Johnson from the rest of the horde is his sense of structure and unerring ear for sonic definition.”
– ROLLING STONE
“Nothing seems beyond Johnson’s reach, from hard Jazz and African chants to wistful British romance.”
– THE TIMES
“Johnson flexes a rare literary flair. Ignore this LP if you must but you’ll be ignoring one of the year’s rare heart-stopping moments.”
– NME
“Matt Johnson writes great and classic songs. He is the most important pop artist to emerge this decade.”
– TIME OUT
“Among all the superficial prettiness that fills the charts, Matt Johnson stands out as one person who has something worthwhile to say and says it well. A rare bird indeed.”
– RECORD MIRROR
“Like shaving lotion applied to cleanse a wound, Johnson’s songs are attractively scented and sting like hell”
– MELODY MAKER
“Soul Mining is certainly something to be treasured. One of those integrity laden packages which manages to be both experimental and accessible.”
– PENTHOUSE
“Never mind record of the week, this is the week of the THE THE record. I rate this album very, very highly.”
– SMASH HITS
“While much modern music slumbers under the general anaesthetic, Soul Mining uses pain as a proof of life with an intensity that’s often hard to take. It’s almost perfect.”
– NUMBER 1
“Songs that are just so intense, so close to the bone, they can make you blush.”
– THE FACE
“Johnson harnesses the ordinary, the passionate, the familiar and the unknown to come up with a tough, anxious but romantic swag bag of songs.”
– CITY LIMITS
“From pounding beats and punchy melodies through to passionate lyrics and personal propaganda. Just slip it on and watch as any room of your choice becomes awash with colour and excitement.”
– SOUNDS
“Balanced precariously between tender naiveté and undeniable genius.”
– ZIGZAG
“Released between post-punk and synth pop, and reflecting both, Soul Mining thrums with ideas, tension, and dread. Johnson’s enduring lyrical concerns – social alienation, political disillusionment and troubles of the heart – are all present and correct, but unlike the industrial/psychedelic adventuring of Burning Blue Soul, they are here given a glossier sheen.”
– Michael Bonner – uncut.co.uk
“A hidden masterpiece. One of the Greatest Albums Since Punk and Disco.”
– Garry Mulholland / Fear of Music
“THE THE’s first album dropped out of sight after its release in 1983 but was later acclaimed as a masterpiece. This reissue is richly deserved. Soul Mining is a brilliant and very idiosyncratic album.”
– THE GUARDIAN *****
