Review Summary: This album is a cheesy, underrated '90s gem
This album was the album that got me into the band, so I'll try to be as unbiased as possible, and take off the rose-tinted glasses. This isn't perfect, seeing as how this is their debut album and they were still finding their footing, but it's damn near perfect. It just misses the mark for me. It's so close to being a perfect industrial album, but it misses. I'll start with the pros.
This album has some of the best production on any Marilyn Manson album (rivaled only by that of Antichrist Superstar), as it was one of three records produced by Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor (the other two being the 1995 EP Smells Like Children and, as previously stated, Antichrist Superstar). It comes off as almost a cheesy '80s horror movie, ala Evil Dead or Friday the 13th, because this thing is a horror album. Above all else, a horror album.
It's full of cheap tricks to try and spook the listeners out, but it doesn't feel cheap (yeah I know, I just called it cheap). This thing has the charm I wish his later records like Born Villain or WE ARE CHAOS had. It's early '90s fun. The zany production on songs like My Monkey and Dope Hat are some of the best in Manson's entire discography, especially with My Monkey. The exaggerated, almost like a children's orchestra, guitars on this thing really make it stand out. The distorted vocals from Manson really bring the cheese level up to a damn 11.
But again, that's not a bad thing. This album knows what it is, and runs with it. For God's sake, one of the song titles is a Scooby Doo reference (Misery Machine); it's not taking itself too seriously. That's what I think a lot of Manson fans need to realize when going into this. It's not a serious album, it's meant to be a fun, spooky, and cheesy album; it's not Antichrist Superstar or Holy Wood (hell, even High End of Low). If you go into it with your mind off, and if you're only expecting some quality industrial classics, then you're in luck. This album has plenty.
Dope Hat is obviously a 90s song, with some killer guitar work and sampling on it. The songwriting ain't too bad, either. Cake and Sodomy is so good. It's a great album opener (if you don't count the intro Family Trip), and the first lyrics really sum everything up about this album; "I am the God of ***." Misery Machine is a heavy metal goldmine, but it's sad that all the digital versions of the album version include the hidden track (which is a horrible hidden track, mind you; it ain't no Track 99), so the only way to get the correct Misery Machine experience is to check out the single version from the Get Your Gunn single.
Dogma and Wrapped in Plastic are wonderful in their own right, and Cyclops is so underappreciated it's depressing. Get Your Gunn and Lunchbox (the singles from the album) are just iconic. With the opening of Lunchbox "next mother***er gonna get my medal" instantly being recognizable to any '90s kid (but what do I know, I wasn't born until the latter half of the 2000s), and Get Your Gunn having the best music video from this era, along with the best samples from this album, as well as killer guitar work. Sweet Tooth is a banger. Snake Eyes & Sissies is the only song here I really dislike.
Speaking of dislikes, let's go onto the cons. Now, I know I said you should just turn your mind off for this album and enjoy it for what it is... it still lacks a whole lot of deeper meanings. Sure, Cake and Sodomy is excellent commentary on redneck communities, and Get Your Gunn is some amazing commentary on conservative/right-wing parents... there's nothing besides that. The songwriting is so ***ing lack-luster on this album. And it's the only thing keeping it at a 4.5 instead of a 5. Overall, this thing is an underrated '90s masterpiece, with every track being at LEAST an 8/10 (besides Snake Eyes & Sissies/the hidden track), production being at almost maximum greatness, and some killer vocal work and intstrumental work, with the only thing dragging it down being the lack-luster songwriting.
4.5/5
Best songs: Cake and Sodomy My Monkey Dope Hat Get Your Gunn Cyclops
Worst songs: Snake Eyes & Sissies The Hidden Track Prelude - The Family Trip
