The
third full-length release from Reznor's Kids, Marilyn Manson, sees the
group severing most ties from the guru that is Nine Inch Nails and the
producer of the groups previous albums, and striking a much more melodic
and lyrical chord.
Along
with Manson's new glam look, they have borrowed their new musical style
heavily from David Bowie and T-Rex. The album could easily pass for
a Bowie album were it not for that distinctive Manson shriek and the occassional
crunch of guitar. Manson has stepped up his song-writing ability
dramatically, from the typical teen dissallusionment of his previous outings
to a rather introspective album, covering everything from life at the top,
(the current single, "The Dope Show"), to the perils of relationships("User
Friendly" and many others). The lyrics have gotten better, and the
album's screaming quotient is considerably less than "Antichrist Superstar",
and especially "Portrait of an American Family".
They
have put together a pretty damn good album here, but I listen to Bowie
to hear Bowie, I listen to Manson to hear anger, and force. Still
a very good album, but that's what dropped it a couple of points.
