Superstar rocks, utilizing shock

By R.S. Hakes, On-Line Forty-Niner

Wednesday, October 21, 1998

Marilyn Manson is the Antichrist Superstar to many people.

Politicians, religious organizations, and parents across the country are constantly pointing their crooked judgmental fingers at Marilyn Manson and the members of his band.

These righteous groups and individuals blame Manson for the country's decreasing moral values.

They declare his messages evil, provocative, tasteless, corrupting and unacceptable to society.

Marilyn Manson is simply a resurrection of the big hair- wearing, shredded tight jeans- wearing, tattooed acts that frightened these same concerned citizens in the 1980s. Except Marilyn Manson is better, more creative and actually wants to make his listeners think.

Manson is awakening glam rock from its brief slumber and receiving all the attention he needs to be a successful musical act.

Make-up and provocative lyrics, anti-Christian sentiments, four hour makeovers, women's clothing and references to drugs will stir any concerned action group.

Attention is promotion and promotion is money.

Manson knows this as well as anybody and he embraces it.

Marilyn Manson's latest musical adventure "Mechanical Animals" is as entertaining as its physical freak show presence, but that is exactly what it is - entertainment.

It is a pleasurable musical experience if taken at face value. It is by no means revolutionary. After stripping away the makeup and flashy outfits, one will not be prompted to purshase a gallon of hair spray and join in teh parade.

"Mechanical Animals" provides a definate introspection into the band's experiences and observations from living among the Hollywood elite and not so elite.

Sveral lyrical references at the shallowness of a society obscessed with who is on top for the moment.

"They love you when you're on all the covers, when you're not then they love another," is the bitter chorus from the recently released radio hit "Dope Show."

The music is a revist to glam rock with a 1990's twist. Heavy guitars, industrial electronic beats, occasional guitar leads and all member vocal choruses dominate "Mechanical Animals."

Plenty of references to the hollowing effects of drugs are dispensed throughout the entire album.

In "Fundementally Loathsome," the knowledge of some one hiding behind the numbing effects of drugs proves to be powerful.

Manson sings, "When you hate it you know you can feel, but when you love it you know it's not real."

"Mechanical Animals" is a solid rock album laced with reflective lyrics concerning dug use and life among the shallow.

So all one needs to do is strip away all the preconcieved notions, put on "Mechanical Animals." It just may be the mental release one deserves.