Review:

on 2007-08-04 SolitaryMan Said:

This album has taken some time to fully digest, and over that period most of it's songs have grown on me. What initially threw me off was the not-so-minor change in direction Manson took; namely his focus on more personal and emotive lyrics, while using a more standard rock-outfit sound than he's used to. Heavy Bowie vibes, especially from Bowie's early work, abound and for that reason the album harkens back to "Mechanical Animals" for me. Again, the change in lyrical style is something alot of fans will have some trouble with; no longer is MM sitting atop his throne of ego and justification. At least, not so obviously. "If I Was Your Vampire" is a lament to a cold lover and, as most of the album goes, this would be the closest thing to a "theme" that runs through it. The connection between this and Manson's rough and drawn-out separating from wife Dita Von Teese is not only apparent; it's downright the heart and soul of "Eat Me, Drink Me". But, in a way that really shows the man's maturity and genius as a musician, he offers little glimpses of hope; all of which feel like little references to his new fling, actress Evan Rachel Wood. Single "Heart-Shaped Glasses" is the prime example of this, and is also one of the album's better numbers. The new direction of sound benefits the lyrical differences in that guitarist Tim Skold has penned a wide array of catchy hooks and riffs to sort of meet the part of Manson's distant, distraught lover in mourning half-way. It all comes together nicely, but I fear for the future of MM; this really could be the last relevant thing he does with this band. Members have come and gone, the band's ex-keyboardist is suing Manson and he's got his nose in almost every major artform to some degree...but, if this is the last we hear from him, I think it's safe to say he'll ride out on a good note.
Rating: 8/10