Marilyn Manson - The Golden Age of Grotesque

[Semjaza]

[color=red][b]Four things:[list]
[*]If you don't like Marilyn Manson for idiotic reasons, **** off. I'm tired of you people. I'm sick of defending the fact that I like this band to people that cannot come up with anything better than that Manson's "gay" or that you [i]think[/i] he is Paul from the Wonder Years. Grow up please, and stay out of my thread.

[*]If you dislike the band for actual [i]real[/i] reasons that you can back up, feel free to post. I have no problem with people like that. I'm used to people not liking bands I do as it is.

[*]I'm obviously very into music and know quite a bit about it, and I severely doubt I would think this highly of a band if they were as bad as many people make themselves think. I think that's something to keep in mind when you make misinformed opinions on the band overall. Listening to a couple singles or seeing some pictures or even simply hearing a lame rumor and saying they suck does NOT cut it with me.

[*]If this becomes anything like those recent Slipknot threads, I'll hurt you.

[/list][/b][/color]

[u][b]Basic Info[/u][/b]

Anyway, Marilyn Manson has been one of my favorite few bands since 1995. Actually my [i]favorite[/i] band since about 1997, only to be replaced rather recently by the Pixies... so they now sit at number two, followed quickly by NIN and David Bowie.

This Tuesday marks the release of their 6th LP (if you count the live album), The Golden Age of the Grotesque. I've had the pre-release for about two months now. When I first got it, I was very mixed on it. However, this happens whenever they put a new CD out. It eventually grows on me, although some more than others.

However, it's obvious that this is a major improvment on the very good, but also very flawed Holy Wood (which had songs that were just far longer than they should have been, poor bridges and so on). This CD has none of these problems, and everything is solid. In fact, I'd go so far as to say the CD is rather catchy overall... which I can't really say about any of their other releases (maybe Mechanical Animals, if you like Bowie-esque glam rock).

[b][u]CD Impressions[/b][/u]

By now I'm sure some of you are familiar with the song mOBSCENE which currently is the #5 single in America from what I've read. It's been on the radio and the video is currently on MTV and all that, although I'm not sure to what extent it's played.

mOBSCENE is somewhat reflective of the album, but it feels more like Holy Wood did than anything else on the CD... and as such, it makes the band seem like it hasn't changed at all when it has changed a lot more than I expected... Something I didn't like at all at first.

The main change is that they basically sound like Marilyn Manson + KMFDM at this point. I suppose it is expected because Twiggy (the bassist) left the band and was replaced by Tim Skold (who is ex-KMFDM). Twiggy is now part of A Perfect Circle, but also tried out for Metallica at one point lol.

Anyway, so the CD has this electronic industrial influenced sound. Somewhat like the result of Trent Reznor's (NIN) involvment in Antichrist Superstar, but on another plane of music genres. Anyway, this has resulted in a lot of beats and sounds I never really equated with Marilyn Manson in general. If anyone knows the song Deformography, that's probably the most simliar to this record overall.

There is some slight hip hop style influences because of it. There is a flow in some of the songs. However, Manson has had songs like that since like 1992, so it's not really anything new. There are also parts of songs that remind me of Mindless Self Indulgence. Specifically, This Is the New **** (which is on the Matrix: Reloaded soundtrack for some odd reason).

That's not to say there isn't a lot of guitar parts in here. John 5 really gets to show off some of his talents here (he played the solo in Para-noir blind folded on a badly tuned guitar while listening to something else on headphones... he wasn't fed the beat to the song he was playing. The solo still worked out and sounds great). It's definately his best stuff since his involvment in Mechanical Animals.

There are a lot of really solid songs on here. Some are better than others, but I found myself liking nearly all of them by the time I listened to it through a couple times. The whole theme of the CD is basically telling off everyone that went against him in the past... It's obvious when listening to the songs, mostly because they are extremely straight forward. It's strange, because Manson had been mostly known for complex metaphors and other things that could be taken about 10 different ways. This CD still has that, but not to the same extent. I'm glad there is still a lot of great wordplay in the tracks though.

The other half of the theme is the whole burlesque aspect. It's more apparent in some songs than others, but the imagery and such convey it near instantly. The mOBSCENE video goes along with it too. That's one of the things I really like about Manson... They brought the show back to rock, where before we basically just go to see guys sit on stools and play guitars.

The thing that might get people about this CD is that a lot of is seems like satire. This Is the New **** in particular really pulls at me, because if you take it one way... it's like he's kissing his own butt, but if you listen to it more deeply it's obvious that it's an attack at people that actually think this stuff about themselves and their music. A lot of tracks have this.

My main problems with the CD are with one track... The Better of Two Evils. It's an example of something I don't want to see on future CDs, and wasn't expecting. It seems really self-serving. Perhaps this is also a satire, but I really am not sure. It just bothers me and I do not like to listen to it.

Anyway, the CD overall is definately worth the money. It has lived up to what I expected and wanted in the end, and I think that I'd be a lot harder on this CD than a good deal of people (despite them being my 2nd favorite band, if something sucks... it sucks) I plan on picking it up this Tuesday (it comes with a DVD for a limited time), along with the limited edition single of Mobscene (the 4 track one, not the 2 track).

[img]http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000092ZVV.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg[/img]

The cover is a painting by a famous German artist... I'm not big on it personally. Some of the other stuff I've seen recorded based on these images is amazing though. Especially the downloadable e-card at Manson's site. The guy could make a great horror movie if he wanted, I bet heh.

Anyway, I hope that people give it a chance if they normally won't. It really doesn't have a lot of the objectionable content that many people [i]assume[/i] Manson CDs have (really, some of the antichrist and drug stuff has been brought far beyond what the CDs convey... I could argue that into the ground with anyone here that wanted to get into it).

So check it out... or at the very least try Mechanical Animals, which I think could appeal to anyone. If you want to hear it first, I assume Amazon has samples. Otherwise, there is Kazaa... but most of the songs are fake. In that case, I recommend (s)AINT, Ka-boom Ka-boom, Use Your Fist and Not Your Mouth, Vodevil and Spade. Get the title track if you want something weird.

Lastly, here's the track list:
1. Intro
2. This Is The New Sh*t
3. mOBSCENE
4. Doll-Dagga Buzz-Buzz Ziggety-Zag
5. Use Your Fist And Not Your Mouth
6. The Golden Age Of Grotesque
7. (s)AINT
8. Ka-Boom Ka-Boom
9. Slutgarden
10. Spade
11. Para-noir
12. The Bright Young Things
13. Better Of Two Evils
14. Vodevil
15. Obsequy (The Death Of Art)

[TheShinje]

[size=1][color=darkblue] The Marily Manson band is talented, moreso than I expected. You'd have to be to last since the 1980's heh.

As i've said on your Manson walpaper thread, I just don't like the anti christian content. mOBSCENE has a wicked video clip, and it's catchy.

This is the new ****, I listened to the track on The Matrix reloaded CD. It's pretty good. It's a nice mixture of rap and rock. something in between. I think that Golden age of Grotesque has the ability to be one of their better albums, althoug I've never realy given Manson such a chance before. albeit I won't be getting any albums any time soon though, the closest I'll get is this is the new **** on Matrix reloaded. The mOBSCENE video and the cover reminds me of the Smells like Children CD cover, where it has that sor tof retro feel to it.[/size][/color]

[spoiler] He is Paul from the wonder Years! just kidding, like I even know who that is[/spoiler]

[Semjaza]

As a song, I think This Is the New **** is rather weak... It's not that bad, but it's a bit too repetitive for me to want to listen to it much. I personally don't think the CD really picks up until the 4th track or so, where it just keeps going great until "The Better of Two Evils" (which like I said, I don't like).

Good CD overall. Certainly better than Holy Wood, but I don't think it compares to the other LPs before these two. Kerrang tried saying it was their best yet, but I think that's a load of crap. It might appeal to people generally not into Manson though.

The Antichrist stuff is a bit blown out of proportion, even on the CD Antichrist Superstar. Manson doesn't hate Jesus... or God. The main problem he seems to have is with the actual organized religions. I find him to be pretty respectful about most of it in general though, at least outside of a few songs heh.

Anyway, thanks for the repsonse.

[Juu]

[color=ff00cc] [size=1]When I first saw it on Yahoo! Launch, I immediately clicked on it, since I've enjoyed so far, all of the songs you've recommended. ^_^;

mOBSCENE is the only one I've heard from this album, but I really like it. I'm glad he's back. I remember listening to a few of his songs at my friends' house a while ago...

[spoiler]Er... He's Paul from the Wonder Years? oO; *didn't know*[/spoiler][/color] [/size]

[Semjaza]

No, he's not really Paul from the Wonder Years... lol.

[Mitch]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Semjaza Azazel [/i]
[B]No, he's not really Paul from the Wonder Years... lol. [/B][/QUOTE]


[size=1][font=rockwell] That's the funniest thing I've laughed about in [i]days[/i], lol.

No, he isn't Paul from the Wonder Years, as Tony said.

Tony, you should become a clown. I can see it now...

[center][b]"Semjaza The Clown" coming to a theatre near you[/center][/b][/size][/font]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Semjaza Azazel [/i]
[B][color=red]Four things:[list]
[*]If you don't like Marilyn Manson for idiotic reasons, **** off. I'm tired of you people. I'm sick of defending the fact that I like this band to people that cannot come up with anything better than that Manson's "gay" or that [i][u]he is Paul from the Wonder Years[/u][/i]. Grow up please, and stay out of my thread.


[/list][/b][/color]

[/QUOTE]

[Semjaza]

He is not Paul from the Wonder Years. That was a stupid rumor that started, which is why I stuck it next to the "gay" part... because they are both idiotic arguments from people I hear when I ask why they hate the band.

His name is Brian Warner, I have no idea what the guy from the Wonder Years real name is... but it's not the same.

And while we're here... let me clear out some other rumors.

Girls are not raped on stage, although sometimes girls run up there and take their shirts off for some reason - just like any concert of this type.

He did not have a rib removed so he could suck himself off (this stemmed from a scar he has on his stomach).

He does not kill animals onstage.

And so on. I've had to disprove these to so many idiots, which is why I stuck it in the warning at the top.

I didn't realize what I said was that complicated.

[Lady Asphyxia]

[size=1]I saw mOBSCENE on the television the other day, and I was really impressed with what I saw. I'd never heard any of Marilyn Manson's work before. I really like the music video clip, as well as the sound.

The clip in itself is well done and put together. It's creative, different, and it fits. I was absoulutely brilliant. The sound isn't what I'm used to, but once you get used to it, it's quite addictive. I've had it in my head for days.

I like the music. I'm just now considering whether or not I want to bother buying the album. [/size]

[Break]

[size=1][color=crimson]I haven't much to say on the new album, since I haven't heard any songs from it yet, I'll download a few. Anyway, on Manson in general, I think they're a very cool band (based on hearing about 5 songs lol). The ones I've heard (most of the recentish singles) all have really catchy tunes, and I guess I just like 'em because it fills in a heavier gap that I have in my music liking. What album does TGAOG sound like most, then I could find out whether I'd like it or not. ^^[/size][/color]

[Sui Generis]

Pesonally, I've always thought Brian Warner was brilliant. If you listen to his interviews and such you can realize that he is such a deep man, and he isn't just spewing anti-christ, suicidal, drug abusive bull ****.

I saw him on Uranium on MuchMusic (now Fuse). They were interviewing him. I thought that he did an excellent job explaining why he named some of his songs and such.

Marilyn Manson the band has to be one of my faovrite bands. They are so original in my opinion, and the videos are normally really awesome. mOBSCENE although I could swear I've heard before it released for some reason. Oh well. I personally can't wait to get the CD.

Although the problem is my mom is a basic Christian and she thinks Marilyn Manson is the devil, almost literally. Well I'm not going to get into that.

But yes I love Marilyn Manson, and Semjaza you've gained my respect. Lol. If that matters heh.

[Semjaza]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Lalaith Ril [/i]
[B]But yes I love Marilyn Manson, and Semjaza you've gained my respect. Lol. If that matters heh. [/B][/QUOTE]

That took a long time, lol. I wonder what you thought of me before :p

The problem with mOBSCENE is that is sounds like something off Holy Wood. If I didn't know any better, I'd think it came out before too. The song doesn't reflect the entire album though, thankfully.

Anyway, I'm mostly posting because Golden Age of Grotesque is currently the #1 CD on the Billboard charts for the week... Beating out new Cold and Staind releases (both of which I've heard good things about, even from people who aren't into the bands such as myself).

Anyway, it might drop bigtime next week... but I'll enjoy it while it lasts.

It was also nice to see Alkaline Trio in the top 20... I don't even think they've been in the Top 200 before. I guess Dashboard Confessional's (YUCK) success has helped bring other bands on Verdana into the spotlight a bit.

[treton_noir]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Semjaza Azazel [/i]
[B]It was also nice to see Alkaline Trio in the top 20... I don't even think they've been in the Top 200 before. I guess Dashboard Confessional's (YUCK) success has helped bring other bands on Verdana into the spotlight a bit. [/B][/QUOTE]

Dashboard and Alkaline Trio are both on Vagrant(as well as Saves the Day. *throws up the horns for Saves the Day*).

Your musical knowledge prowess must be slipping a bit. ^_-

[Semjaza]

There we go. I knew it was a v. I put a font name instead. I suck lol.

[Sui Generis]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Semjaza Azazel [/i]
[B]That took a long time, lol. I wonder what you thought of me before :p

The problem with mOBSCENE is that is sounds like something off Holy Wood. If I didn't know any better, I'd think it came out before too.
[/B][/QUOTE]

Well I didn't say I didn't like you, people've got to earn my respect its not given out! :p.

Yeah I said the same thing when I first heard it and they said it was new. I could've sworn I've heard it before, it may have been a re-make or something I don't know, but I know what you mean about that, and I agree!

[treton_noir]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Semjaza Azazel [/i]
[B]There we go. I knew it was a v. I put a font name instead. I suck lol. [/B][/QUOTE]

nah. you dont suck. i love you anyway, Tony. lol


to make my post relevant- i cant stop watching the mOBSCENE video. its so... art-ish-y-ness-...and stuff.

[Semjaza]

Heh.

Well after all this... has anyone gotten to listen to anything outside of the current single?

I remember when I mentioned that there wasn't much in the way of a Manson community here and some people jumped on my *** about it... so there has to be someone here that actually bought the album lol.

[Avatarofkaine]

Haven't bought the album, have heard a bit more than mobscene though, and I like the album, in my personal opinion I think that he has proven he will stick around and as such is allowing himself to try different things.

When he originally came to fame i dismissed him out of mind due to the large amount of shock he seemed to be basing his music career on rather than the music, if you think im wrong, good for you, i wasnt all that interested in him at the stage and didnt do to much justfying of that statement but i realy do believe that now he is established he has, and almost certainly will make music to keep me much more interested in his album releases.

For me he is geting better and better, im considering heading backwards through the catlouge and seeing if i was wrong to originally dismiss him.

[Lady Asphyxia]

[size=1]I bought the CD, finally.

[b]The Packaging:[/b] You can buy two copies of this album. One is a single CD, with the album on it. The second is a 2CD pack, with 'a Limited Edition DVD Video Inside"; [u]Doppelherz[/u], A Film By Marily Manson. Literally translated, it means "Double Heart". The difference in price isn't much -- a couple of dollars.

The CD art is fine, if not as good as some I've seen [for instance, the Jack Off Jill cover art.], and the black, white, red scheme is effective.

[b]Inside:[/b] My first impression was a good one. Thaeter is just music, as is Obsequey (The Death of Art).

While Semjaza's taste in music is almost uncannily like mine [almost scarily so], personally, I like This Is The New ****, and mOBSCENE. While This Is The New **** [i]is[/i] repeditive, to me, that's part of the attraction. Most of the lyrics are repeated over and over again -- leanding an irony to the words "This Is the new ****", and truth to the words "Everything has been said before". Of course, my impression shows this is what they were aiming for. It seems that this song was also in the Matrix Reloaded, which I hadn't realised.

[i]mOBSCENE[/i] is the current single, the one most people know. Like I said before, I love the film clip to it, and the relation the the late 1930's German brothel [at least, that's what I think it is, unless I should be corrected.]. I like the girls in the background -- as the lyrics say "In the spirit of Oscar Wilde". The sound is great, with a nice ending, and, in my opinion, while it may sound like something from Holy Wood, it seems like a good single to release first -- a transition piece, if you wish.

[Seeing as I have to go to bed soon, I'll skip the other songs for now, and move onto those that made the greatest impression on me.]

I honestly [i]loved[/i] Golden Age of the Grotesque. To me, it's just brilliant. The sound is wonderful. There are high notes which should clash, but which actually just accent the song. The beat is simple, like a Waltz. It's really hard to say more about it, because mainly because it made such a big impression it. I just cannot [i]wait[/i] until the clip is released -- I think it is going to be. I hope it will.

The last song that made the greatest impression on me was Slutgarden. I'm not sure why, bu it reminds of something done by Jack Off Jill, although, it also seems completely different, at the same time. I suppose this is why it appeals to me so much. The lyrics are quite good too. [i]I memorise the words to the Porno movies, this is a new religion to me[/i] just made me laugh. And the line [i]I never believe the devil was real, But god couldn't make someone filthy as you[/i] were effective too.

I have to agree with Semjaza about Better of Two Evils, though. I disliked that song a lot. I don't like the rhythym, or the sound. It's harsh on the ears, and I just...dislike it in general.

All in all, the album is worth buying. There aren't many bad songs, and it's a solid album in general. I'm very glad that a bought it, and I reccomend it. [color=white]Although, it has nothing on Jack Off Jill. [Remaining loyal][/color][/size]

[Semjaza]

I am mixed on the art at this point. The cover for the disc is a painting, and if you look at it that way... it's quite good. However, it doesn't change the fact that it looks like a face blurred in Photoshop. The mOBSCENE cover is far, far better.

The manual has some great pictures though. Specifically any of the photos where Manson has those huge, sharp metal teeth in his mouth. I saw a video on his site where he had those things in, and combined with his makeup, it was very effective. I also love the photo of the entire band on the back. They always take good shots together. I'd like to get that on a poster, as the one I have still has Twiggy on it... It's from Mechanical Animals.

Anyway, This Is the New **** is on the Matrix Reloaded soundtrack CD. I don't remember hearing it at the movie at all, or even during the credits though. Apparently they just finished filming a video for it. I don't know if that means it's the next real single, or if they're doing it just because of the film. Rock Is Dead was in the original Matrix, and also became a single, so I don't know.

I also like the title track. It seems really offputting at first, but it's quite good when you get used to it. I recently downloaded a live version of it that's awesome. All it is is Manson singing and someone playing piano along with him (I'd assume Pogo).

Another thing worth mentioning is that Golden Age of Grotesque (the song itself heh) was conceived, written and recorded in a 12 hour period. I think Manson said he wanted to write a song that reflects how it feels when you're on Absinthe, which he was most likely drinking at the time.

I still rarely ever listen to The Better of Two Evils, although I don't mind it as much now. My favorite song is still Ka-Boom Ka-Boom by far, but Spade is up there.

[center]I'm a diamond that is tired
Of all the faces I've acquired
We must secure the shadow
Ere the substance fades[/center]

I didn't really like Spade at first, but I think some of the verses have simply excellent lyrics, up there with Golden Age of Grotseque and Ka-Boom Ka-Boom.

I always thought that was the best aspect of Marilyn Manson, although I think there are many good aspects. People argue about their musical talent, but I think what they do is solid and well layered. Then you have the whole art and show side... But no matter what, what remains is the excellent writing (with very few exceptions, The Better of Two Evils comes to mind instantly). It's like poetry and it all flows well... And it's all so metaphorical and layered, but not in a horrible overused, postmodern sense. There is always a lot of word play too, for those who want to look for it.

Anyway, I recently picked up the mOBSCENE single import. The US version only has mOBSCENE and Paranoiac (a remix of Para-noir) on it. The version I got has mOBSCENE, Tainted Love (Re-Tainted... almost an acoustic remix) and a cover of mOBSCENE by Flint and Youth. I know there's another version out there with a remix by Rammstein that I'll have to hunt out.

Anyway, glad someone bought it.

[Lady Asphyxia]

[size=1]Do you have a picture of the mOBSCENE cover? I haven't seen it as yet, and I'm eager to.

To me, the metal teeth seem like a grate to stop him from talking. I'm sort of indifferent to those pictures, but the pictures with the face paint [which is most of them, granted], mainly on the "Doll-dagga buzz-buzz ziggety-zag" page are particularly effective in their contrast.

I like the back cover photo, too. One of my friends is currently looking for the name of the person 2nd from the right [I have no idea.] because she's decided he's hot.

I'm glad I bought it too.[/size]

[Semjaza]

They are in order from left to right...

Ginger Fish (drummer), Tim Skold (bassist, programmer), Marilyn Manson, John 5 (lead guitarist) and Madonna Wayne Gacy (keyboardist, programmer -- also known as Pogo).

John 5 used to be a guitarist for K.D. Lang. Skold used to be part of KMFDM.

As for the metal teeth... go to Manson's site and hunt out the TGAOG e-card. You'll see a really nice video of it in action, and I think it might change your thoughts on the makeup and photos.

[Tix]

I am not a hater of Marilyn Manson, I even listen to his music but thats not why I posted, it's because I heard somewhere that he is going to make a movie...have you heard something on that?...:demon:

[Semjaza]

Well, he's been in a few movies. One is Party Monster. I'm not sure if it was released yet or not. He's also doing the soundtrack to the revision of Texas Chainsaw Massacre (already did the Resident Evil soundtrack).

He had written a script around the time Holy Wood came out, and shopped it around. From what I've read, places were interested, but not sure what to do with it because of it's strange subject matter. So nothing has come of it yet.

[Tix]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Semjaza Azazel [/i]
[B]Well, he's been in a few movies. One is Party Monster. I'm not sure if it was released yet or not. He's also doing the soundtrack to the revision of Texas Chainsaw Massacre (already did the Resident Evil soundtrack).

He had written a script around the time Holy Wood came out, and shopped it around. From what I've read, places were interested, but not sure what to do with it because of it's strange subject matter. So nothing has come of it yet. [/B][/QUOTE]


Did you listen to the Resident Evil soundtrack, I found it very good...:freak:

[Semjaza]

Yeah. I have. I've not seen the movie, though.

I was pretty annoyed when the soundtrack was released to stores, because it only had like two tracks from the actual movie that Manson did. The rest was a bunch of metal and nu-metal stuff I had no interest in.

Luckily the actual tracks from the movie are available online if you look around. I found them quite good and they seemed fitting of a movie of that type... but I'd need to actually see it to say for sure.