Rough Edge: Ministry CD Reviews

MINISTRY

"Cover Up" (13th Planet / Megaforce; 2008)

After ferociously raging about the Bush administration on his last three albums, Al Jourgenson took his next record to another place: the world of cover albums. "Cover Up" is, as its title implies, a collection of cover songs performed by Ministry.

What's perhaps most surprising about "Cover Up" is the song collection. Of the eleven songs on the CD (not counting bonus tracks), most of these tracks have been covered before ... and often. The Rolling Stones' "Under My Thumb," Deep Purple's "Highway Star," "Mississippi Queen" by Mountain being the most obvious choices. There's nothing wrong with covering songs that have been covered before, it's just sort of curious that someone as edgy as Al Jourgenson would choose such familiar tracks.

Regardless of whether they've been covered before or not, you've never heard cover versions like these. Jourgenson and guests stamp each track with their own unique style, giving each familiar song a thrill of newness by instilling it with that industrial Ministry sound. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the most successful tunes are those most unlike Ministry to begin with: "Under My Thumb," "Black Betty" and "Lay Lady Lay" being the best examples. A cover of The Doors' "Roadhouse Blues" (which was originally featured on "The Last Sucker") is also a standout.

Fans of cover song collections and fans of Ministry will definitely find "Cover Up" to their taste. Those looking to discover what Ministry is really all about might do better to start elsewhere.

For more information, check out http://www.ministrymusic.org.

"The Last Sucker" (13th Planet / Megaforce; 2007)

Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton

"The Last Sucker," the third chapter in Al Jourgensen's Anti-Bush Administration trilogy, comes out of the gates burning, delivering another fury-infused dose of industrial metal that blazes everything in its path.

I'm not one for too much politics in my music, but Jourgensen's genuine disgust and rage is a catalyst on this CD, as it was on the previous two parts of the trilogy ("Houses of the Mole," "Rio Grande Blood"). Whether you agree with his views or not, it's almost impossible not to get caught up in the driving intensity of "The Last Sucker." (Almost, but -- as staunch Bush supporters will tell you -- not completely impossible).

Unlike the previous two CDs, however, "The Last Sucker" also has an edge of despair to it. One almost gets the feeling that Jourgensen's spirit has been broken by what he considers the evils and failures of the Bush Administration. The burning anger is still there but there's also the sense that the damage has been done and it's too late to do anything about it. The announcement that this will be Ministry's last album only adds to that sense of sad resignation.

Still, fans of the band's previous efforts will not be disappointed. Ministry may be going away, but they're not going away with a whimper; they're going out with a full-on rebel yell.

For more information, check out http://www.ministrymusic.org.

"Rio Grande Blood" (Megaforce; 2006)

Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton

The biggest problem with Ministry's "Rio Grande Blood" is that main Ministry man Al Jourgensen hems and haws through the CD, never really letting you know where he stands on the issues, especially when it comes to President George W. Bush and his administration.

Okay, anybody who knows anything about Al Jourgensen knows that the above paragraph is pure and unadulterated bullshit. "Rio Grande Blood," as you may have intimated from the title, is an angry, passionate, vicious and decidedly pointed attack on the President and his policies. Jourgensen and crew don't just hint about what they think about George W., they jackhammer it out at you with rapid fire guitars and raging vocals all set to a breakneck pace.

Unlike previous Ministry albums, at least to my memory, "Rio Grande Blood" is more of a thrash album than an industrial album, although the industrial elements are certainly here. It's biggest obstacle, however, is it's subject matter. Unlike other politically charged albums, you can't ignore the sentiment here. If you disagree with Jourgensen, you're probably not going to like this CD. Unlike the Dixie Chicks, Jourgensen doesn't just cry foul when called on his political beliefs. Instead, he responds with a resounding "Fuck you!"

Jello Biafra makes an appearance on track 9, "Ass Clown."

For more information, check out http://www.ministrymusic.org.

Rating Guide:

A classic. This record will kick your ass.

Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.

So-so. You've heard better.

Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.

Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.

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