Has anybody NOT noticed that the “Speech” from End of Days is Eisenhower’s speech, from the early 60’s, when he was leaving office, about the Military induistrial complex? Eisenhower, A military man, WARNING us to not succumb to military mentaility. I tihink it’s a fitting ending and I had forgotten how eloquently our leaders used to speak! oh how the mighty have fallen " I’m the decider he he he he"
Also, the verse for “Die In A Crash” sounds like “High Price On Our Heads” by the Circle Jerks. When it starts out I want to start singing “Won’t fit. can’t conform. I’ll always be the same, hateful eyes dare to say I reufuse to be tame! no way to get ahead in a losers race where no one wins. they draft no master plan. just punishing fate from the damned. High price on our heads…”
Late,
grmpysmrf
I tihink it’s a fitting ending and I had forgotten how eloquently our leaders used to speak! oh how the mighty have fallen " I’m the decider he he he he"
I havnt heard the album, and probably won’t for a while, I still buy old obscure singles or whatever before I buy new stuff, with most bands, not just Ministry.
I just wanted to comment on the above, because I just watched “Who Killed The Electric Car” last night, (how depressing [:(]) and it had some shots of Clinton talking, then of Dubya talking later in the piece… how different can two leaders be. I don’t claim to know heaps about politics and know it takes more than just charisma to lead a nation, but clinton just seems infinately more intelligent than al’s favorite polly, and far more charismatic… such an odd change.
Then again our nations leader is John Howard, I don’t know if anyone could have less charisma or lack of eloquence. WOuld have to rival dubya I think. Suppose he is up g dubs ass half the time. I hope we oust ol’ eyebrows this year.
[reply] I tihink it’s a fitting ending and I had forgotten how eloquently our leaders used to speak! oh how the mighty have fallen " I’m the decider he he he he"
[quote]…had some shots of Clinton talking, then of Dubya talking later in the piece… how different can two leaders be. I don’t claim to know heaps about politics and know it takes more than just charisma to lead a nation, but clinton just seems infinately more intelligent than al’s favorite polly, and far more charismatic… such an odd change.[/reply]
That’s because Clinton is an infinately more intelligent fellow! He was a Rhodes Scholar and a self made man. old money HATES new money which is why he was hated by the wealthy, well there’s that then cutting some of us poor people a slice of the pie as well…I think most hated bill clinton for two reasons #1 the man is Brilliant (going to Oxford on a Rhodes Scholarship clears up any doubt of that) and People are always scared of intelligence!#2 people had forgotten how bad they had it under reagen and King George I! I was a bandwagoneer with clinton and hated the guy (NAFTA & GATT) but now that he is out of office OH HELL!!! I’ll take Bubba back in a second! and at least he can Lie with a straight face and get away with it for a few days rather than Kng George II who you know is lying as soon as he speaks!!!
Late,
grmpysmrf
Lol, he wasn’t lying he was just being technical [angelic]
Good point about the old money bit… I HATE that scene in Farenheit 9-11 where dubya is talking at some function and says something like
“who do we have gathered here, the haves, and the have-more’s”
and looking so incredibly pleased with himself for being part of that niche [mad]
So there you go, I guess it the album wasn’t AS bad as I initially thought and I tried to point out some of the positive aspects. I think the horror of my initial review was partially knowing that it is the last Ministry album, and I was especially hoping to hear some brutal apocalyptic sounding carnage that was a little more creative than the thrash sound Al’s been cranking out. I’m disappointed I’ve had to use so many adjectives like boring, cliché, immature etc to describe what once was one of the most innovative bands out there.
but oh well… I wish Al well and hope to god he does indeed put Ministry to bed before it further digresses…
Over and out…
=pw=
Ha ha. I liked yr first review better.
I just can’t wait to read what Krowe’s thinks of the album - the sparks will fly between us I can see it now.
I will agree that this is by far the most metal album Al’s done (it’s fitting that Ministry started with a pure synthpop album and ended with a pure metal one) but I like it, it’s more even than RGB, but like all “more even than” albums it’s lacking that one classic track (RGB’s title track at the very least was a classic Ministry track). Ironic that this album has much more (audible) programming, keys, and samples and yet is the most metal thing Al’s ever done, but then that’s a result of structure. I bet that’s Raven’s and Tommy Victor’s influence, Al by himself is industrial. Anyway, yeah it suffers like the last one with great opening and closing tracks with a hit or miss middle, but really while it isn’t perfect or an all-time classic it’s still insanely loud, insanely brutal, and pretty good. I didn’t buy RGB, but I’ma buy this.
BTW that’s Al at the end backwards saying “That’s all I’ve got…that’s it.”
Some of it reminds me a lot of “hosannas” by killing joke; particularly End of Days pt. 2. Not sure what al’s was really going for with that. Maybe figured he’d go out pulling a “pink floyd” with a two part song? Who knows? The album is actually much better than RGB though, so i’ll give it some credit. Cool to see a little more emphasis on the synth, although not much. The mixing is a whole lot better too. Not a terrible album, but there’s some I could live without. Maybe later i’ll take the songs from the “trilogy” and make a single album out of it. Would all seem fitting, I think: one decent album, one mediocre album, and one so-so album.
The only thing I can say that I hate about PISS ARMY is that someone needs to put a “cap” on the size of an avatar. its fucking ridiculous how big some of those fucking images are over there. did i mention it annoying too?
I just can’t wait to read what Krowe’s thinks of the album - the sparks will fly between us I can see it now.
God I love that kid.
I’m still listening to it and formulating an opinion, but I promise that I’ll come back for you before long, Pel. I do like it, but it’s not a very good album at all. It’s absolutely horrendous as far as a swansong for a once great, pioneering, experimental, absolutely brilliant (once upon a time) band like Ministry, but it’s not a complete piece of crap or bollocks. After I’ve listened to it enough I;ll let you all know what I think.
After one listen, here’s my first impression:
Better than Mole, but not as immediately stiking as RGB. I think this one’s gonna be a grower.
There’s some fantastic production work on there - lots of weird sounds and effects and programming mixed in with the metal. Definitely Al’s most sonically realized work in the post-Paul era. I’d have to say the first and last tracks are the standouts.
Unfortunately the whole the whole thing is marred by “The Dick Song” which has got to be the worst Ministry track ever recorded, including “What He Say.” It sounds like a remix of “Lieslieslies,” but with suckier lyrics. And I thought the lyrics to “Lieslieslies” were pretty sucky to begin with.
The production on this one is the best i’ve heard from Al in years, I think. I’m comparing the value to the likes of Psalm 69. The material though, is still very hit or miss. I do like the first couple tracks; those were instants. I agree about The Dick Song; I didn’t really notice it at first but it does sound too similar to LiesLiesLies, that it’s ridiculous. I haven’t even began to dissect the lyrics yet, just musically. Right now i’d probably give the album 5/10, which is average compared to the 3/10 I give RGB. HOTM is still my favorite of the three though.
Keeps growing on me with each listen, not a bad way to go out at all even if it is missing that last great hit track. I can understand some peoples contention with it, but not on lyrics. Cmon, Al’s never been the greatest lyricist in the world, and I find most of “Twitch’s” lyrics far more embarassing than anything on here.
So after many more listens this album is growing on me with each one. It’s indefinately better than RGB, the 2 or 3 songs on here that are boring are listenable and way better than the boring songs on RGB, and they aren’t streaked together like that long borefest after Lies on Rio and there’s definately nothing as horrible as Gangreen.
If you’re not sure about the album yet keep listening. Some updated thoughts:
Love Al’s singing on Lets Go.
Still love Watch Yourself, very strong track.
The Dick Song, while being the weakest on the album, I feel it gets better as it goes on and musically I like the ending.
Death and Destruction reminds me of LORAH stuff with the drumming. Definately a little more throwback compared to the rest.
Roadhouse Blues cover has really grown on me and now I think it kicks ass.
Die In A Crash is definately an out-of-place punkier song in a very good way. Unexpected turn, great track. Kind of reminds me of Brick Windows in a way.
End of Days part 1 has some nice chunky slower riffs.
Part 2 has definately grown on me with more listens and I love it. It works best after listening to the whole album and feels like a big bang to go out on. The last 10 seconds of the song sounds really good and I kind of wish he’d riffed on that for a couple minutes.
Definately getting better and more memorable with repeated listens.
This album is definately a creeper! it’s not as in your face as RGB or as stale as HOTM (I’m sure i’m stepping on toes, Sorry about that) But the more I listen then more I like it. I’m certainly Diggin End of days Prt 2 SOmeone said they can’t get through Esienhower’s speech But I tihink it’s the best part, reminds me of the long samples on So What!! and certainly the best part of the album is the Low end Not as low as Dark or Filth but certainly a nice mix for the last album! out of the last 3 HOTM is certainly sitting last right now with TLS sitting second BUT I still haven’t absorbed all of it yet so it could move. Upon the very first listen I was really disapointed but as I’ve said the mroe I listen the more I like the music seems intricate lots of subtle shit to listen to…The Dick songs STILL SUCKS! adn I’m still really disapointed in the doors song especially the harmoinca I was hoping for some long deep Filth Pig Song Solos but it’s just some twangy hick shit. two biggest disapointements of the record so far that aren’t creeping their way up with the rest of the album
Late,
grmpysmrf
If there is one song that has grown on me the most since I last posted, it’s “Life Is Good”. Took me a while to realize this since I was fooled by the metal production but is it just me or is this Burning Inside???
OK, after a second listen I have to say that the clear winner tracks are “Die In A Crash” and “End of Days pt. 2”. Those two are top notch. I’m not sure how well the Ike speech is going to hold up to repeated listenings, but it’s certainly food for thought and a testament to how much the Republican party has changed in 50 years.