Ministry, Jeremy Zucker, Fabrizio Grossi: New album reviews

Donald Trump and Greta Thunberg feature in the ferocious latest album from Ministry PLUS Jeremy Zucker and Fabrizio Grossi.

Ministry pull no punches on their latest anti-Trump tirade.

This week’s album reviews from The Courier-Mail (ratings out of five stars):

METAL

Ministry, Moral Hygiene

(Nuclear Blast) ***

“It’s Donald J. Trump. American virus!” says the ex-POTUS in an altered sound bite on the latest Ministry album, earning a sharp “f— you” rebuke. “I’m a very stable virus.” Trump may be history but the metal merchants are still stewing over our perfect storm of a global pandemic, climate change and wilful ignorance that threatens our very existence as a species. Greta Thunberg, too, makes an appearance, chastising the older generation on album opener and last year’s single Alert Level: “We will not let you get away with this!” The rapid-fire Disinformation bemoans the fake news and post-truth era, concluding: “It really is up to you.” Other highlights include the melodic riff of Search and Destroy, and the most pointed anti-Trump lyrics of Believe Me: “A f—— death cult who never listens/That’s why the death is on you.” Dead Kennedy Jello Biafra fronts Sabotage is Sex, sounding like Bruce Dickinson above an AC/DC-style refrain, while We Shall Resist is a chant above industrial synth rhythms and a menacing bassline underpins an ever-rising Death Toll.

POP

Jeremy Zucker, CRUSHER

(Republic/Universal) ***

“It’s hard to define the way I feel when everything’s fine/Cos most of the time shit sucks.” On Jeremy Zucker’s much-anticipated sophomore outing, he starts out on an upbeat note with i-70. His bittersweet ballads and pop sensibility suggest a slightly sunnier Elliott Smith, while the heartfelt vocals are reminiscent of Mutemath’s. On slow-swayer Cry With You he notes: “Life’s a bitch, pretty soon we’ll be dead,” while Sex and Cigarettes deals with addictions life-threatening or otherwise. Meanwhile, Don’t Come Over, I’m an A--hole ups the fun factor. Zucker is maturing with a fine balance of indie and pop.

BLUES

Fabrizio Grossi & Soul Garage Experience, Counterfeited Soulstice Vol.1

(Independent) ***1/2

From a modern-day Elliott Smith to Italy’s answer to Santana: The now-California-based bassist and producer has assembled a talented troupe for his debut album, a set of funky, soulful, bluesy numbers that could be straight out of the ’70s. Slave to My Rhythm is a perfect scene-setter, while wailing harp figures prominently throughout, from Give It Up Now (with psychedelic keyboards) and the smokingly soulful I Never Thought That You Loved Me, to the straight-up guitar rocker Radio. There’s the dub reggae beat of Right Down Below or Ain’t No Givin’ Up, and the pounding rhythm and fuzzy guitars of Soul Intervention. American Idol alum Diimond Meeks is a recurring vocalist, while Bette Smith channels Macy Gray on With or Without You. Them and Me ends the set on a boppy harmonic note.

Originally published as Ministry, Jeremy Zucker, Fabrizio Grossi: New album reviews