Ministry of Archers

Joy Electric | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 30, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Tooth & Nail Records
• ASIN: B000AHJ80Q
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #324,439 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Joy Electric's Next Great Triumph!!!, August 30, 2005

By 

Louie Bourland (Garden Grove CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ministry of Archers (Audio CD)

Ronnie Martin is back with the much anticipated new Joy Electric release, "The Ministry of Archers", the fourth volume in the band's ongoing "Legacy" series and its first in a new subcategory entitled "The Moog Dynasty".
For "Archers", we find Martin experimenting with a variety of new sounds and musical elements. The most notable difference between this and previous Joy-E releases is in the rhythms themselves. Instead of the simplistic beats that were a hallmark of Martin's classic sound, the rhythms here are more driving, heavier and border on the edge of industrialism. The musical arrangements are also tighter and eloquently orchestrated. Besides this, there are two genuine experimental moments heard on the album with the instrumentals "Hornets Horns" and "In Intricacies" which display a sound that is reminiscent of early Tangerine Dream.
As for the lyrics, they are as clever and direct as anything else released from Joy-E.
In the end, while there are many new and exciting sounds heard in "The Ministry of Archers", the album still sounds like a genuine Joy Electric release and is Ronnie Martin's greatest achievement yet. A minor quibble is the fact that "Archers" only clocks in at 32-minutes total. However, there are many albums that run for twice that length with maybe only two or three great tracks on them and the rest being mediocre. "The Ministry of Archers" is thankfully no such album as all ten tracks are excellent. This makes the short running time seem a lot longer and is undoubtedly an enjoyable listening experience from beginning to end. Another instant classic!!!
Standout tracks include: Become as Murders, Most Terrible Archer, Can You Refrain, the title track and the two aforementioned instrumentals.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Uncompromising, August 30, 2005

By 

Wor-El (Chicago USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ministry of Archers (Audio CD)

This album comes as a bit of a surprise following the batch of songs on JE's "Workmanship" EP. It's darker, for one thing. It seems to me like an experimental album Ronnie Martin wanted to make for his own purposes, with little regard for commercial considerations. Advances in his trademark sound are evident everywhere, and while it's fascinating to listen to, I could do with a little more ear candy here and there (as if JE hasn't provided enough already on past albums, I know). Many albums that took time to grow on me became my favorites in the past, and I suspect this might just be one of those.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Love... conquer me again, February 22, 2006

By 

Freeze (OH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ministry of Archers (Audio CD)

Just when I thought I had had enough of Joy Electric and the blips and bloops, Ronnie Martin throws me a curve. "The Ministry of Archers" is definately his best work in years. I'd say since "White Songbook". I found "Hello Manequin" to be a bit dissapointing and his side project Shepherd was less than stellar. I almost gave up hope. Not that this album sounds a heck of alot different, but it is darker as mentioned previously. I think it is a much needed darker. Too much sunshine makes synth music unbearable for me. The songs are short and to the point and leave you wanting more... until you hit track 10. This is the only misstep of the album. I am glad it is the last song as you won't mind turning off at this point. So 9 out 10 is quite good in my book.