Review Summary: Although directionless, Heaven Upside Down shows promise.
Marilyn Manson has been running rather high since
The Pale Emperor. His public resurgence as a creative force under his new persona has allowed for a matured sound and grounded outlook on society. Leaving aside the shock and glam presence of the past, Manson has been focusing more on turning his music into a controlled disaster rather than an unhinged mayhem.
Heaven Upside Down is an otherwise decent follow up to the magic that was
Pale Emperor. Instead of focusing on acceptance and age,
Heaven Upside Down emulates the current state of affairs. Looking at our broken society for inspiration, Manson delivers a driving rocker that, if nothing else, stimulates the listener rather than inspiring them.
Heaven Upside Down is a very restrained album lyrically. Nothing too important is said or showcased. For an album released during a wounded period of American history, it’s odd to see the prime instigator not capitalize as much as he used to. The lyrics are a bit hollow and aimless in a lot of songs. ‘SAY10,’ the albums lead single, is a good example of this practice. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly who the song targets in saying, “something is shedding its scale -- crying from the heat of light or the empty shell on the stage.” ‘Revelation #12’ chimes another hollow ring through its ambiguous nature. Some songs leave a lot to the imagination, and that’s fine. Most Manson songs aren’t straightforward, however, they do *have* a point. ‘Revelation #12’ doesn’t insinuate to anything through its lyrics or delivery. “And you will burn in a town with no firemen just playing with matches and praying to ashes.” Other songs, like ‘Blood Honey’ and JE$U$ CRI$I$’ are just hilarious to listen to. The lyrics are written so cheesy and generic that they belong on
The Golden Age of Grotesque.
The album does have an upside. ‘KILL4ME’ is among the albums best. It’s infectious groove, dirty bass line, and slick riff is reminiscent of his work from
Pale Emperor. The song deals with a cult-like atmosphere where the leader tests his followers to see the extent of their devotion. It’s a very intriguing listen hardcore Manson fans will surely love. The title track ‘Heaven Upside Down’ is a weird number, but generally okay. The opening acoustic riff is an odd choice, but the song gets better as it progresses. “I don’t attract what I want, I attract what I am,” powers the song as Manson shows his interpretation of his influence on pop-culture. Manson describe the song as among the albums most important. ‘Threats of Romance’ shows how Manson feeds off of emotional turmoil. It carries a Bowie vibe to it with the piano riff that plays under a blues infused riff. The off-key vibe and Manson’s tortured vocals tell a twisted tale of romance.
Otherwise, the album comes off as skippable during some portions. The album tries hard not to offend or entice anyone that it misses its own point. Manson’s blasphemous lyrics are mere pebbles than the boulders they used to be. The synth bass in the album comes off a little loud at times. It doesn’t quite mix with the other instruments, but it gives a nice texture.
Heaven Upside Down shows potential in its wake. It’s not a lost cause, but the album doesn’t quite carry the impact it needs to be important. Although well produced,
Heaven Upside Down is a held-back Manson in an album where he should be unleashed. Instead of raising perspectives and asking questions, Manson settles for a whisper rather than screaming at the top of his lungs. I hope he saved his voice for something else.
Standout Tracks
KILL4ME
