Mechanical Animals - Marilyn Manson > Reviews > modern glam

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Groundbreaking
Lyrics	Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks	Flawless
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Outstanding
Value for Money

Advantages:	better than golden age of grotesque
Disadvantages:	he won't be returning to this style

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

I feel that this album has been wrongly attacked in the media and music magazines that should know better. Manson got a mauling for trying to do something different and not being a one trick pony - it was seen as plastic glam and an example of him wearinghis Bowie influence on his sleeve.

I see nothing wrong with this and I think this is his strongest and most accessible album and not the sell-out/plastic record that was "The Golden Age of Grotesque".

Manson works best when he has a strong concept or idea behind him and his last album was just an image rather than a fully formed idealogy.

I read from the man himself that this is the middle section of his Antichrist Superstar trilogy but the album of the same name is actually the end of the trilogy and Holywood(in the shadow of the valley of death) is the first. When you listen to this album with this in mind it adds new depths to what I think is his most imaginative and layered work.

iggy Pop attacked this album by stating that he hated Ziggy Stardust first time round - but I don't see Ziggy here - I think the sound is closer to Bowies Diamond Dogs or Alladin Sane.

The general concept of the album is the lonely rock idol/demigod - hated as an unknown and now drowning in adulation and the rock star life - songs such as "I don't like the drugs (but the drugs like me)", "User Friendly" and "New Model, No 15" attest to this.

The slower moments are what should be savoured though - I think Mansons slower, ballad style songs are very underrated and his sub-Bowie growl is very effective on these tracks.

Songs like "Disassociative", "Speed of pain", "Last Day on Earth" give me goosebumps every time I hear them and I wonder if I have different hearing to all those who said this album was substandard and lazy. I don't know how anyone can listen to "Coma White" and not be affected, whether in a positive or negative way.

If only he could have kept this up and not become the established entertainer he is now then maybe he would still be churning out music that means something - I'm not a new convert to him - I have been amazed by his music since seeing the video to "Sweet Dreams" years ago and I have greeted the news of a new album with much anticipation since then.

"Holywood" dissappointed me at first but it was a grower and contained some of his best songs but "Golden Age" felt empty in comparison to what he is capable of and seemed like the beginning of his becoming a caricature of himself.

Maybe he should throw away the reviews of Mechanical Animals and return to this sound as it is obvious to even the most casual listener that this is where his heart lies.