What I want to know is…
What’s in the hookah?
1002
LOLOL
neo? Not in chicago presently…
sent ya an email…
it’s no wonder al’s giving up soon. he really DOESN’T know how to think about anything else.
Or he’s simply just become one of the “high and mighty” people after you come off substance abuse. “I’m an artist and can do so much better than before!”. And one thing to really keep in mind, or a few actually. 1) No more paul to help him along with the songwriting department. 2) ministry was never much of a conceptual band, if ever. Why start now? I think he probably did want to make something worth meaning and to be remembered, but while doing that, he probably had nothing. When RGB was coming around, yet again he just sticks to the same formula and SAME for TLS. This stuff from 2004-current is NOT ministry. The real ministry never gave a shit about one complete topic, they were all over the place. Hell, even Psalm 69 had different stuff going on there; granted, it bashed Dubya’s pappy, but there were other things like Scarecrow, grace and corrosion (only to name a few), that had absolutely no political preaching of any kind!
I honestly think that’s what made ministry what it was. It was one or two guys, who just didn’t give a shit, did what felt natural and it worked very well. This newer stuff, post-barker just seems absolutely tired and forced; thus not being ministry in my eyes, and nothing more than just another thrash metal band/ministry side project. I see the newer albums a little better these days, but as I said: it’s not ministry. Go in and listen to them as if it’s side-project, it might be easier.
But in the end. Ministry has supposedly ONE MORE release, so I think it’s almost time to just call it a day and move on. Let al release his generic metal albums of unoriginal material (I hate cover albums), and just put ministry to bed for a year or two until he wants to go all corgan and bring it back from the “dead”. But political-relevance-wise, he’s preaching to and like a bunch of 14 year olds…or people who just don’t give a shit, pretend that they do, and eat up whatever shit al brews up.
I will say, when you actually listen to the last three albums, they have quite a few non-political tracks on them. “World” and “Die in a Crash” are both great, non-W bashing tracks that rank in my top tier of Ministry music, period. I think the album art and the constant interviews gives people the impression that it’s all Bush all the time but really it’s more like 50% Bush.
Wanna bet a room full of pissants are currently soaking up this mindless year end peroration with near-unanimous consent?
Most predictable response ever. I saw this thread and I just knew it was PA bashing time again, it’s equally predictable as the PA itself!!
Yes Afra is completely in that there are far more things going on in the world that need discussing other than Bush. But this is Al’s choice, he can spread himself and go into many subjects or he can put all his energy into something into one cause that’s important to him. No one used to complain before when yet again he wrote another song about drugs, but then drugs are far more cool than Bush bashing [crazy]
It’s funny how that poem was pasted into this forum just so that you all could get pissed about it. Numpties.
he can put all his energy into something into one cause that’s important to him
he’s doing exacly what? barking about corrupt government and evil bush for for years in a row? that doesn’t really have any value.
he can put all his energy into something into one cause that’s important to him
he’s doing exacly what? barking about corrupt government and evil bush for for years in a row? that doesn’t really have any value.
I disagree,
When I grew up listening to Crass, Conflict, Subhumans, Dead Kennedys etc. My Dad would despair over the lyrics I was listening to, saying that they were misinformed and often incorrect, or at least, very biased. He would say surely I knew things were different. So we would get into often heated debate (that I was very much out of my depth) about politics and social issues. Whether I was wrong or right, at least I was taking an interest. And I did decide to go and find things our for myself.
We live in a very apathetic society (or at least I do in the UK) where people don’t care much about wars 1000’s miles away. When Benazir Butto was killed it was only briefly on national news, having been eclipsed by how early people had started going to the sales and Will Smith’s new movie. So if Al or any musician can get but a handful of people talking about politics etc, even if those people think he’s completely wrong, then it’s still a whole lot better than whining about self inflicted problems or relationships as is the norm in mainstream music.
Many Ministry fans don’t agree with the Bush bashing, but Al’s still got you talking about it. As it goes, so much of this forum and a little of PA too is about bashing Al, which means you’re all still listening to him, even if you don’t like him.
I disagree,
When I grew up listening to Crass, Conflict, Subhumans, Dead Kennedys etc. My Dad would despair over the lyrics I was listening to, saying that they were misinformed and often incorrect, or at least, very biased. He would say surely I knew things were different. So we would get into often heated debate (that I was very much out of my depth) about politics and social issues. Whether I was wrong or right, at least I was taking an interest. And I did decide to go and find things our for myself.
We live in a very apathetic society (or at least I do in the UK) where people don’t care much about wars 1000’s miles away. When Benazir Butto was killed it was only briefly on national news, having been eclipsed by how early people had started going to the sales and Will Smith’s new movie. So if Al or any musician can get but a handful of people talking about politics etc, even if those people think he’s completely wrong, then it’s still a whole lot better than whining about self inflicted problems or relationships as is the norm in mainstream music.
Many Ministry fans don’t agree with the Bush bashing, but Al’s still got you talking about it. As it goes, so much of this forum and a little of PA too is about bashing Al, which means you’re all still listening to him, even if you don’t like him.
I sort of agree with your disagree. although I have to jump on the the side of those that say he’s predictable and rather metalish and musically doesn’t represent the Ministry of Old and Lyrically he he just throws a tempertantrum.
I agree with you in the fact that I know what he’s trying to do, in trying to make prophetic records that stand the test of time (or at least 25 years), like DK. For instance, Riot, Moral majority(change the players names though, especially since Fallwell is dead and Phyliss Schlafley are no longer key players. But Ann Coultier and Pat Robertson fill those shoes nicely), Hyper Active Child, and soup is good food Etc. Etc. Damn near the whole catalogue is still just as relevant today as it was in the Early 80’s Hell, Soup is good food and Hyperactive child are probably MORE relevant now than when originally written. Now that CAFTA walks hand in hand with NAFTA and EVERYONE wants to medicate their discipline child now
But I have to disagree with you in Al’s relevance. It’s barely relevent now. Al’s themes are W sucks (great for me cause I hate bush) but he never really says why. So those that don’t know any better are literally being programmed because chances are they don’t keep up with current events and have no idea why W sucks except that Ministry says they do.
Next, W is out of office in 2 years unless he tries to somehow stay. (which i would not put passed him) Gulianni stayed in office 3 mos. after he was voted out based on 9/11 and he just appointed himself to stay. So how great are Al’s lyrics in 2 years? I’m still for impeachment because W can still do a whole lotta damage in 2 years. but Al’s lyrics don’t even really carry that kind of message either. It’s like he watches the news and writes songs based on the stories rather than having an ideology and using the stories to nurture the ideology. I can watch the news on my own so I don’t really NEED a slick poem about that news story.
The conversations that are taking place about lyrics have absolutely no value because people just argue how stupid it is or how great is. People that love it are “Al kiss asses” and people that hate it are “High intellectuals” which neither is true but the THIS or THAT fallacy is amusing.
I don’t mind it because I like metal and Hate Bush so to me it’s Win/Win but as I’ve said before it’s not Minsitry As I’m used to. It’s just a new group or as someone has mentioned A SIDE PROJECT.
Al does not have enough ideology or education behind him to be a Jello Biafra or Zach De La Rocha. That doesn’t mean it’s not entertaining it’s just that he’s not as credible as he thinks he is/wants to be/ whatever else.
So l like the new stuff I just like it on an immature level. great fast music and Fuck you bush with funny samples. It’s great. Just not very thought provoking.
Late,
grmpysmrf
The soldiers were nestled all snug in their beds
While visions of extended tours messed with their heads
I have something to say to that.
If Al is such a liberal dude then hasn’t he seen Fahrenheit 9/11?
The poor people living in a borderline poverty who in order to get to secure a future for themselves and the people they love they go to this war.
I’m losing faith in the guy.
I wonder if Al saw the Michael Franti (disposable heroes of hiphopryisy, beatnigs, spearhead) documentary “I Know I’m Not Alone” where he went to various war zones (not the safest zones either, there were times when bombs were going off in the middle of the shot) with just an acoustic guitar and spoke to people on BOTH SIDES of the situation, and embraced the common everyday person over there. It’s very informative. An approach like that is something Al can do to…I dunno…make his stuff more interesting?
I really don’t care anymore. I probably won’t post anymore about Al or releated stuff. I’ve completly lost interest for years now.
My point is, was, and always will be. He’s been making the same exact points for the last few years and albums. Bush is evil, blah blah blah. Yes, it’s cool if people begin an interest in politics. I’m all for that. But al’s perception of it is half-assed. If he sparks your curiousity, awesome: progress from that. Watch the news and read articles - not the incoherant and unjustified ramblings of a guy whose simply run out of things to say. Not saying al has never made any valid points whatsoever, but my question is - how many has he built from? Bush and Cheney are evil, the bush administration belongs in jail…it’s all been the same arguement. All of which are ridiculously common even to first grades - yes, that’s right…first graders!
But as the topic evolved into, there’s much more going on and has been going since the establishment that the current administration is evil. I hate the bush administration, but if i’m going to complain, get my hands dirty and complain, i’m going to say a little more than “those guys are evil and I won’t rest until they’re in jail”. Come on! Need a little more than that, wouldn’t you say? Especially when you’ve released three whole albums, preaching the same exact thing.
I’m as anti-Bushco as they come, but the simple fact remains…
There aren’t enough votes in the Senate to impeach. It’ll never happen. So why waste one’s breath?
Yeah, but even if so. It’s still beating a dead horse when we all know it’s almost over. Should just say fuck bush and let’s just call it a day already. Less than a year remaining.
I’m as anti-Bushco as they come, but the simple fact remains…
There aren’t enough votes in the Senate to impeach. It’ll never happen. So why waste one’s breath?
Because the country wants him gone. if the dems tried to impeach (following the country’s wishes) And some senators hold out and vote nay (lieberman and most repubs) in states that clearly want him gone they will lose their seats in the next election. There are enough votes (theoretically) when these losers consider their job is on the line. All of these senators have handlers that i’m sure inform them of this aspect of their potental “Nay” vote
Late,
grmpysmrf
[reply]I’m as anti-Bushco as they come, but the simple fact remains…
There aren’t enough votes in the Senate to impeach. It’ll never happen. So why waste one’s breath?
Because the country wants him gone.
[/reply]
While it’s true that most sane Americans want Bushco gone, it’s not true that most Americans want Bush impeached. They’re willing to wait until November. So I have to respectfully disagree with your premise.
As far as Senators holding each others’ hands in the fire, well…it’s just not something typically done in the Senate. Not by Democratic controlled Senates anyway. There’s no way that, for example, John Cornyn’s or Jeff Sessions’ constituents are gonna hold it against them if they don’t vote to impeach W. That goes for most of the Repubican Senate, and for a few (Ben Nelson, for example) Dems as well.
By the time there’s enough votes, W will be gone, as well as a few Republican Senators. Then maybe some things will change. But for the most part, it’s business as usual in DC, at least until next year.
I think it was a nice gesture to dedicate a poem to his fans, myself. Even though the poem fucking sucked! [laugh]
Ministry christmas album after the covers album anyone?
Taking a little drunken Xmas shout-out a little too seriously methinks…
We live in a very apathetic society (or at least I do in the UK) where people don’t care much about wars 1000’s miles away. When Benazir Butto was killed it was only briefly on national news, having been eclipsed by how early people had started going to the sales and Will Smith’s new movie.
Eclipsed by the shit storm in Kenya is closer to the truth - still headline news - and the assassination is still getting plenty of coverage, even though it’s been mentioned that the Nintendo Wii is still hard to get hold of.
bush won’t be impeached.
if everyone here registers and votes instead of complaining , that will make a difference.i’ve voted every election since 1976.
does anyone know if al is even a registered voter. he goes on about everyone else. fess up.you can’t preach to the choir if you ain’t been baptized.
praise the lard, man.
or is al still going on about being a pre-castro cuban
bush won’t be impeached.
if everyone here registers and votes instead of complaining , that will make a difference.i’ve voted every election since 1976.
does anyone know if al is even a registered voter. he goes on about everyone else. fess up.you can’t preach to the choir if you ain’t been baptized.
praise the lard, man.
or is al still going on about being a pre-castro cuban
#1 Registered independent
#2 I’ve also voted in every election since turning 18 ('94)
#3 Al votes. he likes the look of the old people when he comes in to cast his ballot. Plus had that huge tirade he went when urban outfitters(?) sold those shirts “voting is for old people.”
Late,
grmpysmrf
The news about Kenya had not been broadcast in the mainstream when I wrote that last post, so it didn’t eclipse the death of Butto whereas Will Smith did. But when they did broadcast the news about Kenya, the Headline was “Holidays in Kenya cancelled”. Funny that the main problem seen was the fact that british people could no longer go on vacation there. Never mind the dead people eh? So yeah, these last few days the fact that it’s not possible to travel to Kenya is more important than most items in the news.
Bush bashing in all styles and forms should continue until Bush is no longer president. Whether or not it makes a difference to him, people should never stop talking about it because that’s when you may as well drink yourself to death.