Released shortly after adopting the singer's name as that of the band, the group formerly known as the "Spooky Kids" released this first album in 1995. They had grown a fan base from toruing with Nine Inch Nails and werre becoming particualrily well known for Marilyn's bizzare and frightening stage antics. This first release however is lacking in a distinct sound. The music sounds only slightly industrial with some aggresive guitar and drums, almost grunge-like at some points. Basically like many other bands did at the time. Nevertheless, it is still a decent album despite some songs that are flat and without anything interesting to them.
Marilyn Manson- Vocals
Daisy Berkowitz- Guitar
M.W. Gacy- Keyboards
Gidget Gein- Bass
Sara-Lee Lucas- Drums
Track-by-track:
Prelude (Family Trip)- Taken straight from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (which inspired much of this album), it starts with the sound of dripping water and builds in volume, with Marilyn giving the Willy Wonka boat speech in the background. Sets up the album nicely.
Cake and Sodomy- The most profane and dirty song hits you right off the bat. Solid heavy playing on the toms at the begining. The song was apparently inspired by watching a porno movie and a religious gospel show on two TVs at the same time. It shows in lines such as "White trash get down on your knees, time for cake and sodomy" Catchy. I like it.
8/10
Lunchbox- The most well-known single from the album, starts off faded and then comes in hard, with a cathcy into guitar and cathcy vocals in the chorus. A grade school anthem. Reminds me of third grade. In my opinion, the bast song on the album
10/10
Organ Grinder- An interesting "grinding" drumbeat through the entire song and vocals that are unnecesarily obscene, "I am the face of piss and *** and sugar". The screaming on the chorus doesnt even seem to fit right. I find it kind of irritating, and usually skip it.
4/10
Cyclops- A very bland song, there are a few on the album. Simple guitar riff, nothing catchy. Also skipworthy
5/10
Dope Hat- A smaller single, in my opinion it should have recieved far more play than it did. It has a creepy carnival sound throughout and strange lyrics relating to drug use, "Stars and pins and needles fill my eyes" Has an awesome video with Oompa-Loompas in it. One of the hig points of the album
8/10
Get Your Gunn- Released eariler as an EP, for some reason this is considered one of the better songs on the album. I find it repetative and not very cathcy. The music on it is simplistic and the vocals do not variate much. Nothing special in my opinion.
6/10
Wrapped In Plastic- Like cyclops, another blanmd song. This one, however, takes too long to start and lasts too long. Interesting bass in the verses, but doesn't quite redeem it.
6/10
Dogma- Here we go! A fast paced song about witch burning. The guitar plays fast and furiously during interludes. There is a high screaming voice that gets a little irritating, but doenst throw off the song. Manson's screaming near the end is awesome. Puts the album back on its feet.
8/10
Sweet Tooth- Similar to Sweet Dreams musically (the drumbeat is in fact identical. The song takes almost a minute to start, but its worth the wait. A slow but powerful drive carried it throughout, with a cool vocal distortion at one point.
9/10
Snake Eyes and Sissies- Somewhat bland, but aggresive enough to carry its load. Interesting lyrics, not too sure what its about, maybe Marilyn hates people on welfare? Decent song
7/10
My Monkey- Written by Charles Manson. Nuff said. Seriously though, its a wierd song. Manson himself sings very little, most of the vocals are sung by some high pitch monkey voice and the music takes on a carnival feel again. Not to be taken seriously, but fairly amusing.
7/10
Misery Machine- The album closes nicely with this last number. A cathcy, hard guitar riff that reminds me of an engine starting pummels this one through your headphones. Then at the bridge, we stop for a second, but then we slowly build up again and the fury continues. Makes me think of tearing down a highway at night on a motorcycle. Great song. the track is over 13 minutes in length, once the song ends if ou wait patiently a voice comes on of a mother calling the Spooky Kids hotline, complaining about the band. Funny Stuff.
10/10
All in all, a few nice tracks but a few boring ones make for my least favourite Manson album. Still worth listeneing to though.
