This was Al Jourgensen's first full-length venture into the darker possibilities of electronic music. Harsh synthesizers, brutal drums and cynical lyrics defied the easy classification of "techno-dance" when this album was released in the mid'80s. The programming is proficient and creative, taking the limited sound technology of the time into new areas. "Just Like You" and "All Day" make early use of processed vocals and cryptic spoken-word fragments. In "We Believe" and "Over The Shoulder" Jourgensen renders ominously driving bass lines and metallic percussion to project pessimistic visions of a cold, technocratic society. The album's second half is dominated by a long drum & noise piece: an interesting experiment that would lead to intriguing sound collages on subsequent albums. --Mark McCleerey Amazon.com
 |  | My fav Jourgensen release |  |
I have really liked alot of Jourgensen's cd's (Psalm 69, Linger Fickin Good, Rabies, The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Taste) but for some reason I'm always drawn to Twitch when I'm in the mood for some old school goodies. I think its because the album is pure and doesn't try to be something its not, yet is a pioneer and a sign of things to come for the entire genre for over the next decade. If you like Twitch you'll probably also like Poesie Noire (Complicated - Compilated), Numb (Christmeister / Wasted Sky), Nine Inch Nails (Pretty Hate Machine), Frontline Assembly (State of Mind / Gashed Senses & Crossfire / The Initial Command), Skinny Puppy (Rabies, Bites, Remission)
November 25, 2006This album has a special place in my heart. Forget what you know about present day Ministry and listen musically. Its very much an 80's sound, but even so it still was ahead of it's time.
This is one of my essential albums of all time. For the price of this album you would be a fool not to own a copy. I have this, and the 'Twitched' album version myself, and plan to buy both cd copies also. Some say that there's only a few good tracks on here, but i disagree fully. "Good" is a relative term based on different criteria, but i feel each and every track has something to offer, and has it's place on this album. I hesitate NOT one second to give it a 5 for that reason. I love this album!
February 4, 2006 | | Solid release, doesn't really fit in a genre | |
I regrettedly have to give this album 3 stars due to inconsistency- the first 5 tracks are fantastic, classic Ministry pieces... but the remaining 4 generally lack anything interesting about them, and one of them is even a remix.
Contrary to other reviewers, I would say Twitch is not 'noisy', nor does it remind me too much of industrial in general. It's basically Al's take on synth pop, in other words it's angrier and has nothing to do with romance. The songs are VERY catchy, but are quite political and rebellious at the same time. No screaming here, just Al's raspy whisper, sometimes used in melodic fashion. There are some similarities in the melodies to Front 242 or the like, but the production style is very different from those bands, more along the lines of later Ministry (LORAH) as far as drum/synth sounds.
"We Believe" is a darker song, shows early on Al's penchant for ominous atmosphere. I'd say "All Day" is the highpoint of the album, complex, great lyrics, catchy as hell, fun to sing along to. "The Angel" has that 80's radio single feel to it, and even has female guest vocals. Very well constructed, again interesting lyrics. "Over the Shoulder" and "Just Like You" are great dance floor material. "My Posession" has some more good lyrics but very little going on musically. "Where you at now?/Crash and Burn/Twitch" is 12 minutes. Seems like Al messing around with a few beats and synths, not much point to it, not many vocals. Lacks again something interesting to latch onto. The "Over the Shoulder" remix is too much like the original, a common problem with remixes. "Isle of Man" is a simple melody repeated, about a future Earth destroyed by pollution, but really sounds cheesy ("Can't clean it, I mean it!")... Ministry would get successfully ominous later. I agree with someone else that it sounds like pirates would sing it.
In conclusion, Twitch has 5 great Ministry songs, so if you can get it for cheap, buy it. If not, download those songs, they're fantastic.
December 23, 2005i would have given this album 4 stars except that this album is extremely influential.i can't believe how much this sounds like early Nine Inch Nails.i love NIN just as much as anybody but Trent should really be paying Al some royalties.this is a great album for those who like their music experimental and noisy.i wouldn't suggest this to any country music fans that's for sure, eventhough i do like some of the classic troubadors like willie,johnny and waylon.as a big fan of ministry i love this album and like that it's his first full-length.for those ministry fans who are used to the harder guitar-oriented stuff this might come as a little suprise as it is much more 80's-tinged and electronic,far from N.W.O.,and Al's voice is less harsh during this time period as well.trust me,i am not taking anything away from that because i like the second half just as much.good stuff.
November 17, 2005This is an album that I use to play a lot on Friday nights when my friends and I were on our way to a show, or the city, or just for a good time out. It gets you pumped up. I think it's a really solid piece of work, near perfect. It's industrial, yet it's not. Whatever it is classified under, the album works. It is my favorite Ministry release. As far as the other Ministry releases, I much prefer the earlier to the recent.
September 2, 2005More reviews at Amazon.com ...
(41 reviews)