Ministry: Twelve Inch Singles, 1981-1984 (1987/2021)

Oddly, this didn't get a vinyl pressing until 2014! The original was released on CD in 1987 (but it had far fewer tracks) and a year later it was released on cassette. They even did a another cassette release in 1994! WTF? Why not press vinyl in 1987? 1987 was really for CDs. The 2014 release was on clear vinyl. My copy is the 2021 limited edition repress on silver vinyl, which I admit I got from Amazon on a Limited Time Deal for an excellent price. Here are all of your early Ministry favourites. 

A1 Everyday Is Halloween
A2 Nature Of Love
A3 All Day
A4 Cold Life
B1 Halloween (Remix)
B2 Nature Of Love (Cruelty Mix)
B3 All Day (Remix)
C1 Cold Life (Dub)
C2 Same Old Madness
C3 Primental
C4 I'm Falling
D1 Nature Of Outtakes
D2 I'm Falling (Alternative Mix)
D3 Overkill
D4 He's Angry
D5 Move (Original Mix)

Ministry: The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Taste (1989)

As with most of Ministry's work, the album's lyrics deal mainly with political corruption ("Thieves"), cultural violence ("So What"), environmental degradation, nuclear war ("Breathe"), drug addiction ("Burning Inside") and insanity ("Cannibal Song"). [source]

I really really love this record. To me, this is the best thing Ministry did, and it might be the best industrial album ever recorded.

Ministry: The Land of Rape and Honey (1988)

From 1958 to October 2015, Tisdale, Saskatchewan's slogan was "The Land of Rape and Honey," a reference to the area's canola crops. Canola oil is derived from rapeseed. I guess years and years of complaints finally convinced the town to dump that slogan. Anyway, Ministry adopted that slogan for this album's name. And what an album this is. They moved headfirst into what I guess could be described as Industrial Metal.

The Wikipedia entry suggests that Al Jourgensen viewed this record as the "first true" Ministry album, though the author provides no citation. The same entry adds this, about the disturbing cover image:

The album cover is an electronically processed image of a burned corpse in the Leipzig-Thekla subcamp of Buchenwald. Jourgensen took a picture of the holocaust from a documentary on television and distorted the image himself. According to Jourgensen, it was originally rejected by the record label but they later changed their mind after Jourgensen presented a head of a roadkilled deer he had found on the road; he cut off the head, put it in his truck, drove from Austin to Los Angeles, went into the Sire Records building, threw the deer on the desk of the head of the art department and said, "here's your new fucking [album] cover. [source]

I absolutely love this record. I can see that it would not be for everyone. I recall putting a track from this record on a mixed tape that I gave to a friend. I think the other tracks were also heavy. He asked me why I had become an angry young man. I just liked the sound and fell of it all. I am, by no means, interested in metal.

Ministry: Twitch (1986)

Twitch was the first full-length Ministry record I ever owned. The record has a much darker and heavier sound than the earlier synth efforts. I really liked the direction the band took with this release and it remains one of my favourite Ministry records.

Bill Rieflin joined the band for this outing. If you are a King Crimson fan, like me, you will also know him from a later incarnation of that band, as well as his work with a number of industrial bands and also R.E.M.

The CD version of this record -- which I also own -- includes the 12" version of Over the Shoulder along with Isle of Man (Version II). Turn it up.

Ministry: Halloween (Remix) / Nature of Outtakes (1985)

This is the USA 45RPM version with a die cut sleeve. There is a version with a solid sleeve. The remix of Halloween is damn good.

Ministry: The Nature Of Love (1985)

Here is more synthpop from Ministry, before they adopted a raging industrial metal sound. It's not a bad new wave synth tune. I still really like this. At around this time, I had buried my head in Skinny Puppy, Cabaret Voltaire, Killing Joke, etc.

Ministry: All Day / Everyday (Is Halloween) (1985)

Oddly, the a-side is All Day, and the b-side contains the smash club hit, Everyday (Is Halloween). I suppose both were popular tunes, but I prefer the track on the flipside better. I think that Everyday (Is Halloween) was played without fail at the club I used to attend every time I went.

This 12" was released in blue, green, yellow, or red sleeves. I have a blue sleeve.

Ministry: Over The Shoulder (1985)

For quite some time, Over the Shoulder was my favourite song. I played it for everyone. It was one of those tracks which really connected with me, probably because it is so weird. I think my dad heard it once and he must have wondered if there was something wrong with my stereo system.

This 12", which was pressed in Canada. has:

Over The Shoulder (12" Version)
Isle Of Man (Version II)
Twitch (Version II)

I believe that the US and European pressing had the same tracks. This might still be my favorite Minitsry song.

MInistry: Cold Life (1981)

I've read that Al Jourgensen doesn't like to think about or even admit that this happened. I've also read once that the record label wanted him to play this sort of genre, against his will. I've also read that that the last statement is garbage. I've also read that Al simply doesn't like the first LP. Still, I do like early ministry, and I love later Ministry, It's all good. Much later, he explored heavier industrial territory, which almost approached metal, in some ways. The other tracks from this 12" are I'm Falling, Primental, and Cold Life Dub.

The Steve MIller Band: Circle of Love (1981)

Although I was never a huge Steve Miller fan, I do like some of his music. This, though, is a bizarre record. Perhaps I should get rid of this one. The lead off track is probably the best on the record.

Steve Miller Band: Greatest Hits 1974-78 (1978)

I have the Canadian Columbia House Club edition of this record. I'm not sure if that means it's inferior. Sometimes, The club releases lacked printed inner sleeves, so I will have to check and see if it is there. This record is probably the only one you need from the band. I mean, unless you want to go way back in the Steve Miller catalogue, to that unknown psychedelic period, this is the one. It has all the hots from Fly Like an The Joker onward.

Steve Miller Band: Abracadabra (1982)

Clearly, the band was past its prime by this point. Ages ago, I jettisoned Circle of Love from my collection, and this one should follow. It's like Miller decided he wanted to be a new wave star.

The Steve Miller Band: Book Of Dreams (1977)

This record also makes me think of my sister. Jet Airliner, Swingtown, and Jungle Love are the big hits from this record. Evidently, this was the band's biggest success. I haven't listened to this in ages, but it always takes me back.

Steve Miller Band: Fly Like An Eagle (1976)

The Steve Miller band is a group I strongly associate with my sister. I listened to a number of records from this group in her bedroom, sitting on her black bean bag chair. So, there are strong memories attached to this music. Had it not been for that association, I would probably not own any records from Miller. Still, I think I can say confidently that I genuinely like some of these tracks.

M1ke + The Mechan1c5 [Mike + the Mechanics]: M1ke + The Mechan1c5 [Mike + the Mechanics] (1985)

There was a time when I was a big fan of Genesis, and so that led to me acquiring some Phil Collins records (some of which were way better than others) and this record, by M1ke + the Mechan1c5 (or Mike + the Mechanics or Mike and the Mechanics). The band features Mike Rutherford, of Genesis, along with other famous and semi-famous peeps, meaning that this is sort of a supergroup.

But, I have to say that I only got this record after a woman who lived in residence with me told me how much she liked Silent Running. That's not a bad track at all. I had no idea that they recorded nine more records! The other notable track from this LP is All I Need is a Miracle, sung by Paul Young (but not that Paul Young), but it's just not as good as the lead-off track, sung by Paul Carrack.

The only other song I know after this record is The Living Years from the album of almost the same name.

By the way -- since we are in the M section -- I used to own some Pat Metheny records, but I got rid of them.

MG [Martin Gore}: MG EP

This is a double 12" release, all mastered at 45 RPM, except for side B, which is 33 1/3 RPM. Other motes from Discogs say:

"This vinyl release comes supplied with a digital download code that gets you the digital version of the EP, consisting of all 5 tracks from the vinyl version plus extra track "Featherlight (Mantra Of Machines Remix)", as MP3 and FLAC bundle"

Again, I think this is great.

MG [Martin Gore]: MG (2015)

MG is Martin Gore, of Depeche Mode. This record (spread over 2 discs) comes with the full album on CD.  Discogs notes this: "Released in a textured gatefold sleeve with debossed lettering, and includes a digital copy on CD in card sleeve." The description from Allmusic is very good:

...this eponymous album finds Gore further exploring instrumental electronic music, but instead of the straightforward techno of VCMG, it comes closer to early-'90s Artificial Intelligence-era IDM, with only a few excursions into buzzing industrial techno. Tracks like "Islet" come close to sounding like Autechre circa Incunabula, as well as the more experimental moments of Kraftwerk albums such as Radio-Aktivität. The songs' brief running times (only a handful of them are over four minutes) and ominous melodies give the album a cinematic feel, recalling '80s soundtracks by Vangelis or John Carpenter. "Crowly" and "Brink" have upfront 4/4 techno beats and growling sawtooth bass, but they still seem primed for an action sequence rather than the dancefloor. Highlight "Europa Hymn" combines unconventional patterns of crunchy beats with simple yet expressive melodies, creating something original and affecting. "Stealth" is a bit more sneaky and mischievous, starting out with an earworm melody that snakes its way throughout the track, then gradually recalling the combination of darkness and soul-searching that made Depeche Mode's best work so moving. MG is an intriguing diversion that might appeal to Depeche Mode fans who were put off by the pure, minimalist techno of VCMG, and it could also come as a surprise to listeners who aren't DM fans, or haven't kept up with their later work. [source]

What I can say is that I love this record. In fact, I might like it more than anything Depeche Mode ever released.

Messenjah: Rock You High (1983)

Messenjah are (were?) apparently the most successful Canadian reggae band of all time. This, the debut LP, was originally released independently on Phonyx records, and the re-released on WEA, which is the version I have. There was also a cassette version. It was only ever released domestically, and never on CD, as far as I can tell.

I think I paid $1 for this, but I think it could be found for $10-$15.

Scott Merritt: Gravity is Mutual (1986)

Somehow, Scott managed to get Adrian Belew to play on three tracks on this record. I assume that he had to pay Belew, but what do I know? I had never seen this video before.Again, this is a very good record that most people know nothing about.

Scott Merritt: Serious Interference (1983)

Scott Merritt is under-appreciated and probably unknown to many people. That's a huge shame because he recorded some really interesting music. By the way, how many young people today even know what a transistor is? There was a time when I carried my transistor radio everywhere.

This record was re-released in 1985. I have the original pressing, which is probably worth $4 or $5, which is less than I paid for it.

Here's the scoop from Wikipedia:

Scott Merritt is a Canadian singer-songwriter and record producer. Most prominent in the 1980s, he was a shortlisted nominee for Most Promising Male Vocalist at the Juno Awards of 1986.
Originally from Brantford, Ontario, in the late 1970s Merritt launched a career as a folk music singer-songwriter, performing both locally and on the folk festival circuit. His debut album Desperate Cosmetics, released in 1979, was engineered by Daniel Lanois.

He followed up with Serious Interference in 1983, supported in part by a cultural exchange tour of the United States with artists including Brent Titcomb and Tamarack. However, the album was not particularly successful, and Merritt began to pursue a more rock-oriented sound.

He signed to Duke Street Records in 1985. The label rereleased Serious Interference in early 1986, released his song "Transistor" as a single, and sent him out on tour as an opening act for Jane Siberry. He followed up later the same year with his third album Gravity Is Mutual, which was produced by Roma Baran and included guest contributions by Adrian Belew. That album's lead single, "Overworked and Underprivileged", became Merritt's most successful song on radio.

I like this record.

Mental as Anything: Cats & Dogs (1982)

"Formed on a whim by a group of bored art students in search of free drinks, Australia's prankish Mental as Anything went on to forge a career spanning several decades, their tongues remaining planted firmly in cheek throughout the duration of their existence." [source]

This isn't bad. I keep think about Doug and the Slugs when I hear Too Many Times. 

Mendelson Joe: Born to Cuddle (1988)

The band on the record is none other than The Shuffle Demons, plus Colin Linden. This is anther pleasant record from Joe Mendelson or Mendelson Joe. 

Mendelson Joe [Joe Mendelson]: Not Homogenized (1979)

Mendelson Joe? Joe Mendelson? If you lived in Toronto during a certain period of time, this man's name -- in whatever the arrangement -- was often seen in the letters-to-editors sections of various newspapers. These letters partly expressed his outspoken political activism. In addition, he is a painter, singer, songwriter, and guitarist, His birth name was Birrel Josef Mendelson, later shortened to Joe Mendelson, and then rearranged as it stands now. I put it under M, just because. This is the same Mendelson who co-founded the band McKenna Mendelson Mainline, which many Canadians will know.

The engineer on this record is none other than Daniel Lanois. Amazing.