Marilyn Manson

Antichrist Superstar

Sounded better when I was 14

Review Score:

(6/10)
Marilyn Manson is an artist who's frequently misunderstood by many people, but I don't think this album is that offensive, especially compared to Portrait of an American Family. At first listen, I really didn't understand what all the controversy is about...he looks like a freak, yes, and has undeniable influence on a lot of teenagers who saw the videos for "The Beautiful People" and "Tournique" on MTV and ended up dressing like him, and he has said a lot of things that make John Lennon's controversial jesus comment sound quite harmless, but he also has some insightful thoughts about society nonetheless. Backed up with the harsh industrial music, the lyrics can sound threatening and scary, but when I actually read the lyrics by themselves, I was suprised at how intelligent and collected some of them are, especially compared the crude and hilairous "Cake and Sodomy". Not ALL the lyrics struck me this way, though, because some of them are actually really stupid. As for the music itself, it's VERY noisy, but noisy in a very organized, melodic fashion. Only problem is that it hasn't aged well since 1996. I mean this came out the same year as Tool's Aenima, which still sounds way ahead of it's time. Whatever, I know a lot of Manson fans won't agree with me, but hey I loved this album when I was 14, but now i'm 18 it sounds...okay, I guess. It has REALLY good production, and a unique sound to it, and the concept is admittedly very well-thought-out and well orchestrated. And at least it's unique! I still can't imagine what would drive him to blatantly rip off David Bowie and Faith No More (listen to FNM's "Be Aggressive" and then listen to Manson's far inferior rehash "mObscene" to see what I mean) years later.

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