Marilyn Manson Is A Musical Genius
Saturday, June 20, 2003
By: The Raging Critic

Disclaimer
I must preface this review with a disclaimer of sorts. My interpretations of this album are my own interpretations. They are by no means reflect the artistic intentions of Marilyn Manson. I totally respect an artist's true expressions, whether or not I really get the point. After all, Manson is a musical genius

Synopsis
Gothic Rock would not be where it is today without Marilyn Manson. This man came out from nowhere with his "Spooky Kids" back in the mid-1990's. Our first mainstream glimpse of Manson was as if our worst nightmares had come to life. As the Antichrist Superstar, he would have been a fitting Prom date for Sissy Spacek in the movie "Carrie." As time passed, Manson's alter ego, Omega, landed on planet Earth sporting a brand new pair of titties while the "Mechanical Animals" taught the world about the glamorous drug scene. Manson quickly ditched the glam look and, in apparent retaliation to all of those who blamed him for the Columbine massacre, told the entire world to fuck off in his album "Holy Wood." Although "Holy Wood" seemed to be Manson's vehicle for re-entry into Earth, the album fell short of expectations and was pale in comparison to his earlier works. Alas, Manson has released the latest with "The Golden Age of Grotesque." This album is the epitome of gothic rock. Although it is not as superb as "Mechanical Animals," this is arguably the most revealing album ever to be released by the self-proclaimed Antichrist Superstar, and he did it without his long time sidekick and best friend, Twiggy Ramirez.

As I unwrap the album and slip on the headphones, I begin my journey through "The Golden Age of Grotesque"..........

Track 1: Theatre
The song starts out with the sound of a film projector running in the background. I feel as if I am sitting in some back alley movie theatre getting ready to watch some bootlegged snuff film with a gaggle of serial killers. Eerie sounds start to surround me. I feel as if I am being prepped for my own murder. The creepy element is present. If this intro is the primer for the rest of the album, the journey will no doubt be a good one.

Track 2: This Is The New Shit
Marilyn teaches us a lesson in the first lyric track. Essentially, there is nothing new to say in the world today. It has all been done before. We, the ignorant society that we are, do not care and we yearn the new shit regardless of its recycled nature. So guess what, here it is! "Babble babble bitch bitch rebel rebel party party sex sex sex and don't forget the violence blah blah blah got your lovey-dovey sad-and-lonely stick your stupid slogan in everybody sing along." I guess he is right. There is not much else to sing about is there? Somehow I suspect Manson is trying to fool us into believing this, while at the same time, he is out to prove himself wrong.