The Golden Age of Grotesque
“Everything has been said before / Nothing left to say anymore” says Marilyn Manson on “This Is the New Sh\*t,” and from there he goes on to deploy his usual themes of sex, drugs, decadence, and deliberately offensive heavy industrial hard rock ‘n’ roll. Oddly, Manson’s become one of the only rock stars looking to offend in the new century. And apparently he does so with the full knowledge that his same sense of shock, awe and confrontation isn’t about to reinvent anything at this point in time. The wheel has been done. “Use Your Fist and Not Your Mouth” seems diametrically opposite Manson’s actual approach. Manson’s music may reach for the gut but he intends to win his arguments with his disturbing and intriguing imagery, not with calls to gratuitous violence. “mOBSCENE” and “(s)AINT” are subversively catchy tunes that sneak their messages and anti-societal goals past you with sleek grooves that motor like a well-oiled sportscar. Manson may not always have much new to say, but he does so with panache and style.
Check out our album review of Artist's The Golden Age Of Grotesque on Rolling Stone.com.
Discover The Golden Age of Grotesque by Marilyn Manson released in 2003. Find album reviews, track lists, credits, awards and more at AllMusic.
Marilyn Manson - The Golden Age of Grotesque review: You'll find Manson at his best and his worst with album number 5.