Tag: Ministry

Album Review: Ministry – The Squirrely Years Revisited (Cleopatra Records)

By: Jesse Striewski

I can remember it vividly; my hip, older cousin and her girlfriend coming up to me shortly after we both watched Ministry play at the House of Blues in Orlando circa 2008 (on their “C-U-Lay Tour”) and proclaiming, “I hardly even knew any of those songs!” While I may have been privy to a few more tracks than my innocent cos may have been that night, I too was fairly lost via the angry, anti-Bush set list at the time, and longing for the more carefree, agenda-less days of the band.

Thankfully after all these years, Al Jourgensen has finally realized there is still an audience – and a usefulness – for the music he created early on in his career, and has re-recorded many of those early ’80s songs of his (albeit with a heavier/more modern sound) here with The Squirrely Years Revisited.

I knew as soon as I heard fan favorite “Everyday is Halloween” I could finally get into Ministry again. So many brilliant songs are finally unearthed and shown the light of day here once again. Tracks like “All Day,” “Same Old Madness,” and one of my personal favorites, “Revenge,” are all suddenly worthwhile again.

I honestly have not been able to listen to much of the near-communist rhetoric that passes for new music from the band these days, and I don’t foresee having much interest in a so-called “final” upcoming studio album from them, either. You can keep that version of the band for yourself, while I keep mine (to each their own I suppose).

Rating: 3/5 Stars

Album Review: Marilyn Manson – We Are Chaos (Loma Vista/Concord)

By: Jesse Striewski

Although I’m far from the Marilyn Manson fan I might have once been when I was fourteen, there’s still that part of me that will always be intrigued by what Manson does these days. I’m glad I took the time to listen to the band’s eleventh studio release, We Are Chaos, which sees them taking some surprisingly interesting new avenues with their sound.

One thing that has been disappointing about Manson in more recent times is the fact there’s no real “band” to speak of anymore, rather just random, faceless musicians that come and go through the fold. But despite this, Manson finds songwriting help via collaboration with Shooter Jennings, who definitely helps add new dimensions here. The two manage to unleash some dark, Bowie-inspired numbers in the form of “Broken Needle,” “Keep My Head Together,” and the title track.

But the standout here hands-down goes to “Don’t Chase the Dead,” which not only echos early ’80s Ministry, it also features a sleek music video featuring The Walking Dead‘s Norman Reedus and photographer Lindsay Usich. I always say to go in to things with an open mind, and the same applies with everything here. Give it a chance and you might find something you like.

Rating: 3.5/5 Stars