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Band Name: Marilyn Manson
Album Name: Eat Me, Drink Me
Rating: 4.5 / 5 User Rating: 4.4 / 5
Label: Interscope Records
Buy Album: Amazon.com
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Tracklist
1. If I Was Your Vampire
2. Putting Holes in Happiness
3. Red Carpet Grave
4. They Said the Hell's Not Hot
5. Just a Car Crash Away
6. Heart-Shaped Glasses (When the Heart Guides the Hand)
7. Evidence
8. Are You the Rabbit?
9. Mutilation Is the Most Sincere Form of Flattery
10. You and Me and the Devil Makes 3
11. Eat Me, Drink Me
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When one peers into obscurity for a long enough period of time, things look even gloomier on the inside. Such a perspective haunted Marilyn Manson on each of his last two albums, “Holy Wood (In The Shadow Of The Valley Of Death)” and “The Golden Age Of Grotesque.” Following three chart-topping studio records in a row, the anti-icon had embroiled himself in the depravity of success. Both critics and fans alike felt Manson had lost his creative vision since the turn of the century, quite possibly as a result of staring too deeply into that vast abyss of artistic shadows in order to fuel the wanton decadence that made “Antichrist Superstar” such an amazing success. Even darkness can, at times, be blinding.
Manson has returned once again, this time with former KMFDM alum Tim Sköld being the now-vampish character's sole collaborator. “Eat Me, Drink Me” touches on a variety of musical and lyrical themes that Manson has explored in the past, but the subtle romanticism inherrent in the album's music underlines Manson's tremendous evolution as an artist. Tracks like “Are You The Rabbit” and “The Red Carpet Grave” score cues from contemporary rock, but are insidiously stamped with the subversive evil that has defined Manson's character throughout his career.
During “Mutilation Is The Most Sincere Form Of Flattery,” Marilyn Manson sums up his disposition toward those who don't appreciate his art. In doing so, the iconoclastic vocalist raises his middle finger much higher than ever before, as the chorus proudly blasts through the speakers with a resounding chant of “Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you too,” it's plain to see Manson can still effectively tap into the pure rebelliousness that is the vanguard of all that is heavy metal. Self-confidence can be an overwhelming weapon in combating criticism and this track in particular finds Manson delivering music that is primed with exactly that.
Leadoff single “Heart-Shaped Glasses (When The Heart Guides The Hand)" is a bare bones affair that's akin to the devil singing for Duran Duran. With Manson growling in a surly fashion atop a percussive, staccato rhythm, the artist strives for a different feel than he has exhibited on past records and he's primarily successful. Images of blood-soaked kisses and an overall impression of love and malevolence dancing hand and hand prevail. By this time, the images of sex and violence that make up the track's video have already made a large impression on the vast numbers of Manson followers. In this way, Manson continues to have not only a seductive sonic appeal, but has mastered the art of coupling delicate visual undertones with his music. In the past, the man's mission was focused solely on shock. Today, his visual appeal is more refined. As a result, his entire persona his become that much more sinister and enticing.
Essentially, this is the album that Marilyn Manson's long-time followers have been yearning for. “Eat Me, Drink Me” offers memorable songwriting, passionate performances and a convincingly powerful representation of an artist's fascination with the mysterious duality inherrent in the nature of man. Easily Marilyn Manson's greatest album in almost a decade, this record is one that's not to be missed.
Review by: EF
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