Marilyn Manson - Holy Wood (In The Shadow Of The Valley Of Death)
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Free Music Notes for Holy Wood (In The Shadow Of The Valley Of Death)
Free Music Review: "Yeah! Yeah! Yeah, yeah, yeah!"
Hit: 5 Stars
Marilyn Manson's sixth release from the studio, 2000's "Holy Wood," is his first of the new millennium. It is also his first album since the 1999 shootings at Columbine High School. So, here, Manson acknowledges that the public blamed him for the shootings, with the songs "The Love Song" (which asserts the blame on the parents for controlling their kids), "Lamb of God" (which deals with death in the media), and "The Nobodies" (which seemingly is directly about the Columbine killers).
Even though tracks seven and twelve are power ballads with soft strumming, "Holy Wood" is usually heavier than (and has more riffs than) its 1998 predecessor, "Mechanical Animals." Some fans liked the direction "Mechanical Animals" was headed, but I, for one, am in favor of the heavier sound.
This C.D. is worth buying just for the singles ("Fight Song" and "Disposable Teens"). My personal favorite tune on here, "Fight Song," which is one of Manson's most infamous songs, is a mosh pit anthem if I've ever heard one. And it's also one of the only songs I've ever listened to that actually made me want to get into a fight. The song is centered around its chorus, which is about as catchy and memorable as choruses come. This big, headbanging chorus ("I'm not a slave/to a god/that doesn't exist!") will also, probably, get stuck in your head whether you want it to or not.
"Disposable Teens" is also very catchy. It's fueled by a nice vocal hook, and a shout along of "Yeah! Yeah! Yeah, yeah, yeah!"
But, even though those two songs are the biggest stand outs on here, the album, as a whole, is also very good. Now, there are some tracks (i.e. "Cruci-Fiction In Space" and "A Place In The Dirt") that aren't memorable, but, fortunately, because it's 19 tracks long, there are plenty of good songs to take up the slack. "The Love Song" has a catchy drum beat in the verses and a loud, shout-along chorus, and "Burning Flag" finds Manson making sexy breathing/panting noises between the stop-start drumming and riffs. Tracks ten and eleven, "The Nobodies" and "The Death Song," have sinister, electronic sound effects and a thumping drum beat, with a melodic, extended chorus, and "Valentine's Day" has reverberating, electronic vocals which make an echoing/vibrating sound effect over chunky, lurching guitars.
Granted, like most Marilyn Manson albums, "Holy Wood" isn't for everybody. Those of the Christian faith are especially advised to stay away. But if you like hard rock/industrial metal, have an anti-establishment or rebellious attitude, or if you just want a C.D. to go ape with, "Holy Wood" will more than suffice.
Free Music Review: And they all liv- NOPE! Not in the world of Marilyn Manson!
Hit: 5 Stars
A follow up of the 1998 neo-glam album known as "Mechanical Animals", Marilyn picks his mic stand back up delivering a darker style apparent in his "Antichrist Superstar" yesteryears. This time the album's focal points deal with evolution and revolution. Rife with references to the Beatles and the Kennedys, and full of pop-culture barbs, Holy Wood is a musically diverse and powerful statement.
Holy Wood is the final element of Marilyn Manson's three album triptych to be released. This album both tells the beginning of and foreshadows the end of the epic story.
1. Godeatgod (7/10)
A very good song to open this excellent album.
2. The Love Song (10/10)
I remember the other day I was singing this to myself all day. Once you listen to it, its stuck in your head. A lot like porn.
3. The Fight Song (50/10)
A TRUE Manson classic. Just listen, if you haven't already.
4. Disposable Teens (40/10)
See comment for song above.
5. Target Audience (1,000,000/10)
My favorite Manson song out of his entire catalogue! Through my eyes, this puts 'Get Your Gunn' to shame.
6. President Dead (5/10)
Nothing special, really. But that doesn't mean its a crappy song.
7. In the Shadow of the Valley of Death (3/10)
The one song I always skip, because its TOO slow and melodic. I think this is where the album starts to drop.
8. Cruci-Fiction in Space (4/10)
Now the album starts to pick up after track 7.
9. A Place in the Dirt (6/10)
What did I tell you?
10. The Nobodies (7/10)
Eh...Not that crazy about it, but its still a classic.
11. The Death Song (5/10)
Not too sure about it.
12. Lamb of God (8/10)
Pretty catchy.
13. Born Again (6/10)
See the comment above.
14. Burning Flag (9/10)
Heavy song, no doubt.
15. Coma Black (8/10)
No Comment.
16. Valentines Day (9.5/10)
Not to slow, but not too fast either. Yep, its cool with me.
17. The Fall of Adam (??/10)
I dunno.
18. King Kill 33 (12/10)
Another heavy track, another good rating.
19. Count to Six and Die (??/10)
Again, I don't know.
I own all of Manson's CD's, and I have to say this is the one I listen to the most, besides Mechanical Animals. Anyway, for the heavy tracks and the songs with good ratings, I give this CD a 9/10. Yeah, thats it.
See U in the Future...
Free Music Review: But I have to show you that you played a role and I will destroy you with one simple hole
Hit: 5 Stars
In my opinion Marilyn Manson fell off with Mechanical Animals. I think there were 4 songs that I really liked and the rest was barely passable. However, Holy Wood is a welcome return that every Manson fan surely loves.
One reason I didn't like Mechanical Animals much was because it didn't feel like a Manson record. Manson is at his best when he's stirring up controversy, and aside from the album cover, there wasn't much else. Holy Wood is a strong return to form however, in which the band is very focused and Manson is mad about a lot of different stuff. If I've said it once, I've said it a hundred times, I love when Manson takes on the topic of God because I'll be damned if that doesn't make for some good listening. So fortunately for me, this entire CD is pretty much just one big stab at religion and God.
It's apparant from the get-go that this CD is going to be an intense listen. Godeatgod was the perfect choice for an opener simply because it has that 'dark' feeling that carries throughout the entire record. Through the rest of the CD there's no real discernable low points, which means that this CD will no doubt remind you why you loved this band in the first place.
Vocally, Marilyn Manson is just as intense as he was back on Portrait Of An American Family, and just as vulnerable as he was on Antichrist Superstar. Lyrically, next to Antichrist, this is easily his finest outing. Take In The Shadow Of The Valley Of Death for instance, that's just an honest look at a misunderstood guy. Musically, it seems as though they took the best parts of all the previous releases and tweeked it just a little to keep things fresh.
With a span of 18 songs it'd be pretty easy to slip up on a few tracks, but Manson didn't let that happen. If you're in the mood for some heavy songs you have a plethora of choices, The Love Song, The Fight Song, Disposable Teens, The Death Song, and Burning Flag among others. However, if you're in more of a dreary mood there are songs to suit you on here as well, Godeatgod, In The Valley Of The Shadow Of Death, Lamb Of God, and Coma Black among others.
My Favorite songs are The Love Song, Target Audience (Narcissus Narcosis), The Death Song, Burning Flag, and The Fall Of Adam. You'll always have those people who will hate Manson no matter how good his music is, but I think with this release he's sure to silence a few of his critics. It's easy to not like Marilyn Manson's image, but if you can get past that and focus on the music, you'll no doubt come out a fan after hearing this.
Free Music Review: A Provocative Step in Manson's Musical Evolution
Hit: 5 Stars
I bought this album the day that it came out, and it has gotten its share of stereo play since then. I can't vocalize how pleased I am with Manson's conclusion to the triptych he began with Antichrist Superstar. Despite many fans' disillusionment with the release of Mechanical Animals, I'm sure that many of them will view this as a "comeback" album for Marilyn. That is only partially true though. In all honesty, this album integrates the best elements from the previous two releases: Antichrist Superstar's angry, scathing, gothic sounds; and Mechanical Animal's more melodic elements. As with EVERY Manson album, there are plenty of thought provoking lyrics throughout. In addition to the normal band, Bon Harris (of Nitzer Ebb and Maven) has helped tremendously on the album, working to incorporate various techo/industrial elements into the recording. I would hate to be the producer for this album, because in all honesty, I wouldn't know where to begin to pick the singles. SO MANY of the songs are catchy and memorable (without being watered down in the least) that that task must be quite daunting. One complaint that I have seen voiced is that some of the songs seem too short, which with a nineteen track album, I suppose you run that risk. Personally though, I thought the album "felt" complete and the songs were perfectly sufficient for my tastes.Manson is known for his brilliance and his willingness to say things that other people are afraid to say, and this album is a testament to that. Despite what many misinformed Christians will think, this album is really not an attack against God so much as an attack against the death-worshiping culture in which we live. The album explores the standard themes of rebellion, mindless conformity, and revolution but goes deeper into the psychology of man and roots out mankind's evolution and propensity towards violence. It is largely a response to the Columbine incident, and several songs undoubtedly delve into the mentality and circumstances that lead to such tragedies...The American attitude of teenagers being "disposable," and not fully valid members of the society in which they live. With literary and philosophical allusions in abundance, the album probes into the notion of the "celebrity death icon," or the fact that by dying you can become immortal in our violence-loving society. It further develops the theme through figures such as Christ, Kennedy, and Lennon and shows how the media exploits death and markets it like any other pre-packaged product.
Free Music Review: Holy Manson!
Hit: 5 Stars
No matter what your what your personal beliefs are, no matter if you hate him, love him, or don't really care about him, the fact of the matter is you'd be hard pressed to find someone who hasn't at least heard of Marilyn Manson. This wide spread notoriety is no doubt due to the "shocking" quality of his music, persona and lyrical content. In 2000, Manson introduced "Holy Wood (In the Shadow of the Valley of Death)," the fifth album of his collection. The past year proved to be a trying one for Manson despite the success of 1998's "Mechanical Animals." The 1999 Columbine shootings thrust Manson to the forefront of the media, who had instantly found their scapegoat for such a tragedy.
Of course through the chaos rose an album worthy of being branded as good as 1996's "Antichrist Superstar." In this 19 track album came three singles which received regular radio play, and had a motive. One of those singles, "The Nobodies" seems to be Manson's rebuttal to the Columbine allegations, which pretty much turns the blame around on the media itself. "The Fight Song" and "Disposable Teens" are classic Manson tunes, expressing the teenage angst and rebellion in the present society. Although these are good representations of this album, the unsung heroes come from the remaining 16 tracks. This album has the feel of a classic from the very beginning, with songs such as "The Love Song" which has such a catchy chorus you just can't help sing along to. With it's grooving baseline, "President Dead" is yet another song worthy of singing along to. The next song, "In the Shadow of the Valley of Death," shows the softer side of Manson... yes, there is a softer side of Manson. The first half of this song shows off Manson's somber vocals alongside an acoustic guitar, then climaxes into slow grooving guitars which makes this song beautiful, in it's own twisted way. "Cruci-Fiction In Space" has a steady mechanical feel in the guitar work and vocals, making this song simple yet satisfying. To round out this album, "The Death Song" has an almost danceable beat to it, so don't be ashamed if you should happen to find your toe tapping by the end of this song.
Overall, this album can be described as a throw back to "Antichrist Superstar," with a up to date script. Even through the adversity that is the media, Manson had managed to create an album worthy to take on any critic. If they had thought they could smother Manson's career, the success of "Holy Wood" proved them dead wrong.