"The Column of Musical Knowledge" #1

Tomorrow night (25Aug) I will be attending the Marilyn Manson/Slayer concert in San Diego Ca. as a guest of Mr. Manson's entourage. I have NEVER been a big fan of Mr. Manson's music until I heard the new album "Eat Me, Drink Me". So before I leave to experience sonic assault I better get this little thing done.

"What little thing is that Scott?"

A little thing I like to call...

"The Column of Musical Knowledge"

This column is a place where we will discuss the merits of music and the artists who compose said music. The words may not always be nice, and the tone may strike some as down right hostile...That is NOT my intent. I believe in honesty in art, and writing IS art (at least to me). So hear we go...

Eat Me, Drink Me (2007)- Marilyn Manson

My first impression upon hearing that Mr. Manson had a new album coming out was one of disdain. I'm open to all kinds of music and am willing to give anything a try. But like the story of the little boy who cried wolf I wasn't going to be fooled again. Then a friend let me listen to the pre-release copy of the album and I was, to say the least, shocked.

From the opening ethereal chords of "If I Was Your Vampire" to the 80's post punk feel of "Heart-Shaped Glasses (When the Heart Guides the Hand)" the introspective feel of this album just keeps driving and sticking in your brain. I spent considerable time listening to "Are You the Rabbit?" over and over. The crunching guitars and barely contained chaos in this song is like a gift from the gods of black metal. Knowing that this album was a collaboration between Tim Sköld and Mr. Manson I shouldn't have been surprised. Mr. Sköld's background as a musician has enabled Mr. Manson to give up his contrived attempt at being the one we love to hate so the words and music can speak for themselves. Even the album cover speaks volumes about where Mr. Manson has been and where he is going in his music. We find a subdued and clearly thoughtful Mr. Manson in repose. Is he thinking of this album or of all the personal wars he has been through?

Clearly Eat Me, Drink Me is a retreat musically from the sounds that have made up Mr. Manson's legacy. But thats ok. Sometimes going back to basics and what paved our road enables us to make leaps forward. And with Eat Me, Drink Me, Mr. Manson and Mr. Sköld have shown us a new stretch of road in their musical partnership.

Well done gentleman, well done.