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Ministry - With Sympathy

Posted:
Sat Aug 09, 2003 12:33 pm
by SwampThing
I just pulled out the first CD I ever bought (1985 or 1986) and gave it a listen. Ministry - "With Sympathy" came out in 1983 and I practically wore my tape copy out. It was definitely in my top 5 for 1983. Does anyone else really like this albumn? or hate it? I also like the WaxTrax material but lost interest after "Twitch".
I can't think of another band that went through such drastic changes without a name change. Can you? During their Arista days they were a synth wave pop band, then their next phase was a goth-synth-dance sound then they hit the scene big as a industrial metal band. Not many artists could get away with this. I wonder what Mr. Jourgensen thinks of his early work?

Posted:
Sat Aug 09, 2003 2:08 pm
by Jason²
Actually it's pretty well documented what he thinks of his early work. A quick summary would be: he loathes it.

Posted:
Sat Aug 09, 2003 2:26 pm
by Frau_Blucher
Heck yes I love this album. I never mention Ministry to anyone because of my sheepish fondness for their earlier synth stuff like Work For Love over something like Burning Inside or Jesus Built My Hotrod! The housey Twitch is definately the last hurrah f

Posted:
Sat Aug 09, 2003 3:02 pm
by Surly
I adore "With Sympathy" (ah, the memories!) but Jason's right...Alain hates it. I don't think they ever wanted to make an album like that. Arista was obviously pulling the strings and made them record a pop album.
I'd love to hear Ministry re-record t

Posted:
Sun Aug 10, 2003 4:56 am
by SwampThing
Well I don't doubt that Mr. Jourgensen loathes it, but he should remember that he wrote all the songs and then there is that cute little picture inside the CD jacket! I suppose the label could have made them get those haircuts and were those clothes.

Posted:
Sun Aug 10, 2003 5:19 am
by gilson80boy
Yes, what an amazing album, definitely would be in my Top 10. I remember buying the vinyl copy at SpringField Mall in VA back in the 80s. The CD is now OOP, what a pity. Ever Song on this album rocks!! Good Choice.

Posted:
Sun Aug 10, 2003 5:57 am
by Frau_Blucher
>>
I have a cd called "Strung Out On OK Computer" a String Tribute to Radionhead. It makes for great background music. Pick it up if your in to that sort of thing. The Coldplay one is ok also.
<<
Wow, Radiohead tributes all over the place. If Thom

Posted:
Sun Aug 10, 2003 6:47 am
by thefxc
Al Jorgensen's disowned the album; he's claimed for the past decade or so that "the record label made him do it." I've never believed that, because his Wax Trax 12" singles aren't particularly far from the With Sympathy sound.
It is a great record, an

Posted:
Sun Aug 10, 2003 12:27 pm
by Frayo
I loved Ministrys earlier stuff. I didnt know how much they changed until Barnes and Noble was giving out music on CD. It had a track my ministry, so I took it home. I played it and.. "what the hell is that? that isnt how I remember them! (well, I actaull

Posted:
Mon Aug 11, 2003 10:54 am
by MikeP
Poor "Weird Al" Jourgensen (if I may borrow from Julian Cope!) ... historical revisionism sure would come in handy if only he could banish all copies of his pre-1985 recordings from existence! <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> No surprise

Posted:
Mon Aug 11, 2003 1:00 pm
by Frayo
Glad someone brought up Talk Talk in the "bands who changed category"
I have two compilation albums, both cover many years of material arranged in no order (that I can tell). I love all their stuff. I am a Talk Talk fan all the way, and if they were st

Posted:
Mon Aug 11, 2003 1:07 pm
by Frau_Blucher
Yo Frayo,
You're one of the coolest dudes on the list. But I don't know that I'd hear the phrase (or paraphrase) "Kajagoogoo can do no wrong" anywhere else

LOL

Posted:
Tue Aug 12, 2003 1:57 am
by SwampThing
Kajagoogoo can do no wrong? Hmmm. They sure managed to end up on a bunch of 80's/New Wave comps (the same song too, no variety).
Talk Talk. I bought their first few releases, then I stopped for no particular reason. In the mid 90's a guy working at

Posted:
Tue Aug 12, 2003 3:57 am
by Frayo
Heh. Thanx all.
Kajagoogoo was a one hit wonder. Because that one hit was cool, they ended up on alot of new wave comps out there.
Other songs charted: (gets out sloppily written chart)
Too Shy #1 UK 1-22-83: #5 US 4-23-83
Ooh To Be Ah #7 UK 4-2-

Posted:
Tue Aug 12, 2003 6:32 am
by Jay242
I enjoy With Sympathy quite a bit. I have the album on vinyl.
As for some bands that underwent some serious changes musically over the years:
Pop Will Eat Itself
Wire
Blur
in addition to the bands already mentioned.