12/05/03

MARILYN MANSON / THE GOLDEN AGE OF GROTESQUE

Marilyn Manson's career seems to be immitating David Bowie’s, both are very theatrically biased and constantly trying to reinvent themselves. All of Manson’s previous CD’s have a distinct style and flavour and Grotesque are no different, but it’s not that different, more of a crossbreed between Portrait and Hollywood.

Some of the song titles are a bit pantomimeish, "Doll Degga Buzz Buzz Ziggity Zag" for instance, sounds as if it could have come from The Rocky Horror Show and the fact that the whole concept is inspired by 30’s Burlesque just reinforces the Metal Pantomime effect. That aside the music is more Trent Reznor inspired that it has been for quite a while as "Mobscene" and "Speak With Your Fist" demonstrate. Overall this is not an earth shattering album and the moral majority won’t be worried but maybe this is a cunning ploy.

TOTAL PLAYING TIME = 64 + 17 tracks