Ministry - With Sympathy - CD (1983), U.S.A.

The end of October is upon us and to get into the spirit of Halloween (sort of), here is Ministry's first album, With Sympathy. Before Ministry turned into an Industrial/Heavy Metal band, they once performed synth pop music, similar to Fresh Color, The Human League and Another Day. Hard to imagine, but it's true!
Conceived in 1981, in Chicago, Illinois, the early incarnation of the band consisted of Alain "Al" Jourgensen (vocals/guitar) and Stephen George (drums). Upon reading a bit of history about this album, it brought me great fascination to find out that front man Al Jourgensen really hated this album and went so far as disowning it! It seems that doesn't seem to be the case anymore, since the official Ministry website actually lists the album in the discography page, whereas before it was mysteriously absent. Perhaps Al had a change of heart? Another interesting aspect about this album, was the involvement of former Psychedelic Furs drummer Vince Ely, along with Ian Taylor (Romeo Void, The Cars,...) in the production department.
I find it intriguing and sometimes find myself wondering what it'd been like if Al had kept churning out this sound for years. As a matter of fact, I'll unabashedly state, With Sympathy is my favorite Ministry album! I never tire of listening to Effigy (I'm Not An), Revenge and Say You're Sorry. The pulsating fat synth bass lines, drum beats and Al's smooth whiney vocals really draw me in. I'd say the only song in the album that really fails to catch my attention is the idiosyncratic sounding What He Say. Although, your mileage may vary. Enjoy!

Details:

Ministry - With Sympathy - CD (1983), U.S.A.

1. Effigy (I'm Not An)
2. Revenge
3. I Wanted To Tell Her
4. Work For Love
5. Here We Go
6. What He Say
7. Say You're Sorry
8. Should Have Known Better
9. She's Got A Cause

Review

More Information:
Official Website
Official Myspace
Discography

Simple Minds - Empires And Dance - LP (1980), U.K.

To end the depressing year of 2009, I will celebrate by posting my first Simple Minds LP Empires And Dance. Remember Simple Minds? No? Remember the song playing at the end of the popular 80's movie teen drama The Breakfast Club? Still don't remember? Here are a few lines of the lyrics to refresh your mind ... "Don't You Forget About Me!" Oh that song! Yes that song! Don't You (Forget About Me) was played to death on radio waves back during the mid 80's and unexpectedly catapulted this Scottish band from obscurity (in the U.S.) to worldwide super stardom overnight.
The group at the time this album was recorded was led by Jim Kerr (vocals), Charlie Burchill (guitar and saxophone), Michael Macniel (keyboards), Brian McGee (drums and percussion) and Derek Forbes (bass fret). The band has gone through numerous line up changes and musical styles throughout the years and it's amazing to see the band still carries on to this day! Now before I go, I'd like to point out that this album is unlike the Simple Minds most people are familiar with. Along with the typical synth pop sound prevalent at the time, there are also hints of minimal synth, dark sounding reggae and other post-punk sounds in here that would make even a music snob take a second listen and forget all the bad insults they said about Simple Minds!

Details:

Simple Minds - Empires And Dance - LP (1980), U.K.

Side 1:

1. I Travel

2. Today I Died Again

3. Celebrate

4. This Fear Of Gods

Side 2:

5. Capital City

6. Constantinople Line

7. Twist/Run/Repulsion

8. Thirty Frames A Second

9. Kant-Kino

10. Room

Review

More Information:

Official Myspace
Official Website

Band History