Customer Reviews

Houses of the Mole'

5 star:		(59)
4 star:		(24)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have been a loyal Ministry fan since 1988's "The Land Of Rape And Honey". To be honest, after 1999's "The Dark Side Of The Spoon" I was beginning to doubt whether Al and crew would ever again produce an album of fire-spitting, venomous, politically charged metal again. Yes ,that's right politically charged("Breathe" and "Filth Pig" to name just a few). Many seem to forget what this band has always stood for:freedom of speech and freedom from ignorance!However, I digress. "Houses of The Mole" is in my opinion the best Ministry album since it incorporates the best elements from "The Mind.." "Land" and "Psalm 69". From the opening notes of "No W" through the crunching reality that is "W TV" the album kicks you in the gut from start to finish! Kudos to Al and Co. for having the guts to speak their political voice loud and clear! No bleeding heart liberalism here: just the reality of America 2004. Highly recommended for Ministry fans(new and old) and anybody who likes their metal with a message.

Al has finally come around. Gone is the slow, heavy mud that was "Filth Pig". Al is back with speed, chest pounding beats, and most importantly, samples. Sure, it's not quite as clean as "Mind..", but this is the stuff that made people like Ministry in the first place. I mean, let's face it, "Filth Pig" and "Spoon" did not attract new followers; all those albums did was irritate the old ones. The sound of this album is closest to "Psalm 69". As for the whole political statement, I think it's kind of silly, but I could really care less. Al could sing about unicorns and rainbows, and I probably wouldn't know the difference, as long as the music is there. Al's political views are only clear when you read the lyrics. Yeah, W is a moron, okay, we get it. If you like W, and you like Ministry, buy the album anyway.

Emerging in 1983, Ministry stayed as an underground throughout the `80's (and developed a rabid underground fan base in 1988), but they broke into the mainstream with the hit single "Jesus Built My Hotrod", in 1991.
Some Ministry fans were disappointed with the band's last few offerings ("Dark Side of the Spoon"), but on this album, they make sure they got it right. Full to the brim with distorted, rigid and lumbering industrial riffs, electronics/synthesizers, samples, fast drum patterns and catchy beats."Houses of the Mole" is a return to form for Ministry...the band's best since "Psalm 69". Some parts of this album are solemn (i.e. "Worthless"), some parts are thought provoking (i.e. "WTV"), but some parts (i.e. "World") seem to be made for the listener to listen to while stoned.
In many ways, it's like a continuation or sequel of their most popular album, "Psalm 69". First, like "Psalm 69", there are 69 tracks on this C.D. (but only 9 of them are actual music songs, 60 of them are blank). But more importantly, "Houses of the Mole" and "Psalm 69" are both political.
Ministry seem to make their best music when they are inspired by politics (frontman Al Jourgensen has even said that he can only write well when there's a republican in the White House.) "Psalm 69" bashed the president at the time, George Bush, whereas "Houses" takes on George Bush's son, George W. Bush.
The new "politically charged" Ministry are poignant, paranoid, and pissed...all at the same time, thanks to Dubya. You can tell the theme of this album just by looking at the song titles: 8 out of 9 songs begin with the letter "W". Plus, this album is full of samples that are taken from a presidential speech (Bush saying things like: "If you or your friends see a man in uniform, say thank you.")

"No W" is the first single, so it's a highlight. It perfectly combines a fast chugging beat with a tempo change at the beginning, a guitar solo near the end, and a propulsive riff running throughout. The beat chugs so fast it almost grinds a little bit. This song is also full of Bush quotes, such as "We're fighting evil..."
"Waiting" has another beat change, with fast double bass work, and another beat which chugs fast (although not as fast as "No W"). The guitar riffs are industrial, but they also make a "booming" sound. Near the end of the song, the guitars fall into a stop-start lurch.
"Worthless" would be catchy enough to fit as the next single, but the lyrics (which wouldn't be out of place on a Marilyn Manson album) are obscene ("Hate yourself, f*ck yourself....you're worthless").
"Warp City" has a fast, organic drum sound then has more riffs that almost grind, as well as a "wah wah" guitar solo.
"WTV" has sounds and voice effects that are almost techno-ish. This song is a standout, though, because clips of TV shows, TV commercials, and a Bush speech are played in between this song's guitar riffs. If you string all of the clips together, you will find an anti-Bush message.

If you ever doubted Ministry, this album will make you wonder why you did. As previously mentioned, it is a return to form for the band and their best offering since 1992's "Psalm 69". Essential listening for fans of underground music of the `80's and early `90's, metalheads that have a broad taste in metal, and, of course, industrial metal fans.
Ministry may not have been the first band to do what they do (and many industrial rock bands have cropped up since Ministry in the 1980's). But, as this album proves, no one does what they do better.

I was pleasantly surprised to see a new Ministry cd in the shop; honestly thought they had broken up and even though I didn't hesitate in buying this my expectations weren't too high as they haven't inspired me since Psalm 69. Filthpig was a good album but lacked focus.
It is clear in Houses that the current White House has fired Al up, 3 of the 9 tracks - NoW, Wrong and WTV - have explicit anti-Bush lyrics and sampling but the album isn't completely awash with this rhetoric. Witness tracks like Waiting and Worm which are despairing, introspective musings about life in America today, yet the shear beauty of the musical element of these songs offers its own kind of salvation - the low guitars, screeching and sampling are familiar yet more finely tuned than ever on this album, reminiscent of their earlier efforts yet more evolved, the edginess still there; fans will be impressed and new ones may even be gained.
This is one of the best surprise packets so far this year.

Despite what many may think, Ministry has always been a politicaly charged band, but on "Houses of the Mole", Al Jourgenson and co.'s views are brought to the forefront like never before in recent memory. Opening track "No W" is a rip roaring middle finger to the face of the Commander in Chief, while each track following it, all of which begin with the letter W (gee, I wonder why...) keep the industrial blast going full throttle. "Worthless", "Wrong", and "Warp City" are all solid dirges that continue the Bush assault, and the band hasn't sounded this angry or scornful since anything before "Filth Pig". While the songwriting and arrangements suffer without Paul Barker on board, this is still a return to form for Ministry that longtime fans remember from their "Psalm 69" and "Mind is a Terrible Thing to Taste" heyday. While "Houses of the Mole" may not be as great a disc as the previously released "Animositisomina", it is still a solid album that offers the pioneers of industrial metal a chance to spill their political views, and what a celebration of the first amendment it is.

As a Ministry fan for years, this is a breath of fresh air. I have missed the style of the LORAH, Mind, and Psalm69 days. This revisits it in true ministry form. Animosity let me down, even though it was still good. This is good. While there's no NWO or Just one Fix on this record, it flows from start to finish, and the sampling is fun. Good job Alan.

After "The Dark Side of the Spoon," I had written Ministry off as a once-great band that sadly didn't know when to call it quits. "Animositisomina" suggested that this conclusion was premature, and now "Houses of the Molé" proves me to have been dead wrong. This is, without a doubt, Ministry's best album since "The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Taste." Mr. Jourgensen's new sobriety has helped him focus his rage into a series of rapid-fire salvos that declare open war on the Bush administration and on everything for which it stands. "Houses" is clearly the work of a band on a mission. Experimental tendencies are jettisoned in favor of the tried and true techniques that make Ministry that beast that it is: jackhammer rhythms, distorted vocals, ominous samples (mostly from CNN). The result is an album that is leaner, faster, darker, and angrier than anything that has gone before. "No W" sets the agenda: "Ask me why you're feeling screwed/And I'll give you the answer/ There's a Colon, Dick and Bush/Just a' hammerin' away." "Wrong" continues the tirade: "What makes you think you've got a God-given right/ For killing people in a needless fight?/ Whoever told you that you were bright/ The `Skull and Bones'? The conservative right?/ You're like a plague turning day into night." If I were Bush, I would definitely give Al's ranch a wide berth on my trips back home.

Following Ministrys last album Animositisominia, Houses of the Mole has to be ministrys best release to date. If you thought Animositisominia was a perfect album you are going to be completely blown away. I've never heard an album so perfect and complete. There is not a single filler song on the entire album. For those who feel that 1992s album Psalm 69 was ministrys best material will feel very satisfied by this album. This album has some very very heavy guitar work on it but still has plenty of electronics and samples. John Monte, who is replacing Paul Barker on Bass, does a fantastic job filling Barkers shoes. Mark Baker (former member of Fear) adds very quick and punk-rock-like drum beats and gives ministry's drumming quite a different spin.I would highly recommend this album to any fan of heavy metal or industrial. For those who gave up on ministry after the Psalm 69 days give this album a try ... you will absolutely love it!

Ministry is back to their prime again with this new album. All the tracks are wondefully written and there is never a dull moment. While the last few albums have had a few good tracks here and there, this newest addition to the Ministry catalogue is chalked full of great songs. While they may all be slurs and rants against the White House and George "Dubya" Bush, this is still where Ministry blast past the competition. If you liked Psalm 69, or the Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Taste then you will definately want to pick this up.. It's their best CD since those days!

I agree with some other reviewers. The last couple of cds were boring and I didn't even buy them..which is saying a lot since I LOVED Land of Rape and Honey, Mind is a Terrible..., and Psalm 69. To sum it up, Houses of the Mole is the CD that Ministry SHOULD have released after Psalm 69.