“Yellow Cake” marks the return of the classic Ministry sound. The maddening twirl of this song accompanies more cut-up Bush speeches. “Palestina” brings back the heavy guitars as heard throughout the entire album, and the track “Khyber Pass” is sung with Dizzy X vocalist Liz Constantine. She adds her wonderful talents to this seven-minute epic.
A stand out track, like the others on the record, is “Ass Clown”. Sung by Jello Biafra, the White House is a circus where Bush would be the “Ass Clown”. Once again, the powerful guitars come through to blow your ears out, and I like it.
I have to admit, it was a little difficult to write this review without repeating myself because the songs are thematically repetitious. Jourgensen focuses all his anger on the President because he sees him as the only major problem. Someone once said that to get your point across, repetition is the key. Martin Luther King’s speech -– “I have a dream” — will always be remembered because of it’s importance and mark in history. It was all down to the repetition in his speech, getting his viewpoint across. Ministry gets their point across loud… very loud, and clear with Rio Grand Blood using repetition. It’s not a bad thing, but it can certainly get tiring.
Rio Grande Blood is an angry record, guaranteed to deafen you at some point or another. It’s unapologetic, brutal, and unforgiving. The rawness of this album presents listeners with a truth that fans will not forget. To put it plainly, this album kicks ass and it's worth every dollar.
Article comments
1 - shannon.
I agree, I love this album! It's awesome. It's sad that Ministry will be ending after the next album though.
2 - Aaron Fleming
Damn, it seems like only last week that Houses of the Mole was released. I wasn't even aware of this new album, but after reading your fantastic review I think I will check it out.
What interests me is the whole anti-Bush sanctimony, which don't get me wrong I have nothing against and would certainly agree with. But there's been activity on Blogcritics recently debating about assorted musicians criticing the government and being castigated for it. People like the Dixie Chicks, Neil Young etc. But old Jourgensen and his mechanical riffs garner little to no attention. I suppose it's not surprising, there's no connotations of wholesomeness connected to Ministry.
3 - Yep
So what about the song called "Palestina"? Did you leave it out on purpose? just wondering..
4 - Jessa
Good point. The review is kind of long and I didn't write it in one sitting. I think I just forgot to talk about it. Either way, it's just like any other song on this record - awesome.
5 - wsympathyfan
They need to make a record like With Sympathy again instead of just making thrash metal records over and over.
6 - Mick
Well it's now 2007 and there are many others who arn't OVER the bush administation and their Masonic puppet masters... People continue to die, but should we just say "OK, that's old news now, lets talk about something new". I don't think Ministry are merely "Bush-bashers". Yeah, he is the face or patsy on the artwork, but the symbolism says it all. But, hey, if it's all too heavy, just dimiss it as "conspiracy theory" like the rest of the programmed population...