Battra

I finished the album and my initial response was fairly correct...the album has a big sameness to it all the way through.

Other points:

Marilyn has not grown or changed as a vocalist since 1994. Not one iota...but that's ok.

His lyrics have really matured. Instead of just stating I hate Jesus and those who follow him are expletive deleted..etc...etc....There's a much greater subtlety that exists now that has always been much needed and adds to the believability of the songs.

Twiggy Ramirez plays guitar on this album. That was something I was concerned about and that concern was also correct. The guitar work was largely uninspired and lacking. Lots of strumming on power chords. Though there were some moments...but all in all he needs to go back to playing the bass and let someone else handle the guitar work. Instead of it feeling monolithic, like I'd presume it was supposed to have, it was easily tuned out and largely a non-factor in most songs.

The use of ambient sound on this record was phenomenal and gave it a wonderfully creepy and sometimes uncomfortable vibe that really connected the songs to the listener. This is a great departure from the old samples he/they used to use.

As I thought on my first listen of a couple tracks, the songs are pretty good, and in some cases instant Manson classics (Slo-mo-tion comes to mind), but this is not an album that will get much play in my car. (Where I still listen to my physical CDs.)

I'd give it a 7 out of 10...just above average. Certainly not their best record, but not their worst either. I think with better guitar work, this album could've been great.

grungeandgaze

I might have to give this a try, I find his albums have been monotonous since Eat Me, Drink Me...the song writing is correct but the overall feel is just bland and the releases get boring too easily despite him having progressed as a songwriter as you've stated.

I feel Manson peaked with Mechanical Animals and he's struggled to find his way since between the mass produced era of Holywood and Golden Age of Grotesque and his later inspired but dull releases, he doesn't have much left to offer.

It's odd because he is still one of my most played artists but only through his first three albums and the Smells Like Children release, the rest I can live without.

Duraddict

Anything after Golden Age was complete sludge. But Born Villain got a decent review. With his contract running out, he also lost his studio tricks. I wonder if maybe he's gone back to what made him great to begin with.

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James Ihash

You really think that? He used to write great lyrics, very satirical, but very realistic too. Nowadays he just lost it. For me Holy Wood was his last great album, though I appreciate the mood of Eat me, Drink Me (it's a weak album, but enjoyable)...

I don't get the samples, wasn't there a keybordist in the band?
Anyways, I personally prefer the ambient sound of Mechanical Animals, that was top notch for me, great ballads (if those slow songs can be called ballads)

Duraddict

Listening now.

It... sucks. This album is entirely lacking in melody. The stuff on Golden Age and Mechanical Animals was at least musically interesting. He's just been phoning it in for so long.

This is what happens when you're a one-dimensional act. His entire schtick was based on being a shock-rock artist. He had nothing else beneath the surface. So once he stopped shocking people, he had nothing left to write about. Born Villain is proof of that.

Brian Warner is a smart guy. But I don't think Marilyn Manson will ever be the band it once was.

On the plus side... Pistol Whipped is effing catchy.

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duotone

Listened to it a few weeks back after seeing a few billboards with the album cover on which reminded me to check it out and wasn't that impressed with it to be honest. Is 6/10 a fair mark?

IamgIgantIc

The fact that this man is still going strong after all the hate makes me want to buy it just to support him for the first time since Anti Christ Superstar. Not to mention that his Canadian distributer is an indie label that has artists like City and Colour, Moneen and many other softer rock acts.

FX4Rick

Born Villian was dull, to say the least. 2.5 out of 5 - very average.