The Golden Age of Grotesque

Infobox Album
Name = The Golden Age of Grotesque
Type = studio
Artist = Marilyn Manson


Released =
Recorded = Unknown Sources
Genre = Industrial metal, Alternative metal
Length = 57:40
Label = Nothing, Interscope
Producer = Marilyn Manson, Tim Sköld
Reviews =
*"Allmusic" Rating|4|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:7r0qoauawijn~T1 link]
*"Rolling Stone" Rating|3|5 [http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/marilynmanson/albums/album/289234/review/6210638/the_golden_age_of_grotesque link]
Last album = "Holy Wood" (2000)
This album = The Golden Age of Grotesque (2003)
Next album = "" (2004)

"The Golden Age of Grotesque" is the fifth full length album by Marilyn Manson released in 2003. It incorporates themes from the glamorous Swing era of the thirties, as well as from the Weimar Republic of pre-Nazi Germany. It was the last Marilyn Manson album with guitarist John 5.

These themes were primarily drawn from Mel Gordon's 2000 book [http://feralhouse.com/titles/sex/voluptuous_panic.php "Voluptuous Panic: The Erotic World of Weimar Berlin"] . Concerned that Gordon might take issue with use of the book's material, Manson called Gordon, who said he couldn't imagine a greater compliment than a popular CD based on an academic book. [ [http://www.rusiriusradio.com/2006/06/20/show-49-the-hipster-whores-of-weimar-germany-mel-gordon-pt-2/ The RU Sirius Show » Show #49: The Hipster Whores of Weimar Germany: Mel Gordon pt. 2 ] ] The Album artwork is also influenced by the illustrations found in "Voluptuous Panic".

This album drew a mixed critical response. Although ending up in many critics' 'best of' lists for 2003, other critics consider this Manson's weakest album, arguing that it lacks originality and thoughtful lyrics compared to its predecessors.

Instrumentally, this album is more beat-driven and electronic than previous albums. This is perhaps due to Tim Skold's presence — some believe this album's sound is at times reminiscent of KMFDM, with whom Skold had collaborated prior to recording with Manson.

Lyrically, this album is full of historical and pop references, much like "Holy Wood". References include Mickey Mouse, Adolf Hitler, and Oscar Wilde. As in many of his other works, he makes use of word play and double-meanings, coining words like "gloominati", "scabaret sacrilegends", "vivi-sex symbol", "cocaingels", "Mobscene", "vodevil" and "para-noir".

The Austrian-Irish artist Gottfried Helnwein collaborated with Manson on this album. The cover and the artwork inside the album sleeve was created by Helnwein, and this artwork was also shown in his exhibitions.

Also included with some copies was a DVD titled "Doppelherz" (Double-heart), a short film directed by Manson.

The album follows the evolution of Manson himself ("Thaeter") through to "Obsequey (The Death of Art)", or "art into a product". This album takes on dual layer storylines, first as a punk rock ballad spouting the notion to live life to its fullest in presumption that there is no future. The second storyline takes a parody to the idea that living life to the fullest has led us into a nihilistic stupidity, hence the "rebel to sell" references within 'The Bright Young Things' and the transformation into a commercially acceptable "happy" icon, Mickey Mouse (Manson posed as Mickey Mouse throughout the album's publicity.)In the song Obsequey there is a dialogue in the background. This dialogue can also be heard on the Japan Bonus Track Baboon Rape Party.It was revealed in a 2007 edition of the British rock magazine Kerrang! that this was intended to be Marilyn Manson's departure from music.

Track listing

tracklist
title1 = Thaeter
length1 = 1:14
title2 = This Is the New Shit
length2 = 4:19
title3 = mOBSCENE
length3 = 3:25
title4 = Doll-Dagga Buzz-Buzz Ziggety-Zag
length4 = 4:11
title5 = Use Your Fist and Not Your Mouth
length5 = 3:34
title6 = The Golden Age of Grotesque
length6 = 4:05
title7 = (s)AINT
length7 = 3:42
title8 = Ka-boom Ka-boom
length8 = 4:02
title9 = Slutgarden
length9 = 4:06
title10 = Spade
length10 = 4:34
title11 = Para-noir
length11 = 6:01
title12 = The Bright Young Things
length12 = 4:19
title13 = Better of Two Evils
length13 = 3:48
title14 = Vodevil
length14 = 4:39
title15 = Obsequey (The Death of Art)
length15 = 1:48

Bonus Tracks

tracklist
title16 = Tainted Love
note16 = Gloria Jones cover, International bonus track
length16 = 3:24
title17 = Baboon Rape Party
note17 = UK bonus track
length17 = 2:41
title18 = Paranoiac
note18 = Japan bonus track
length18 = 3:57

Credits

*Chuck Bailey - Assistant Engineer
*Tom Baker - Mastering
*Jon Blaine - Hair Stylist
*Blumpy - Digital Editing
*Jeff Burns - Assistant
*Ginger Fish - drums, Rhythm Direction

*Ross Garfield - Drum Technician
*Lily & Pat - Vocals (Mobscene & Para-noir)
*Ben Grosse - Producer, Engineer, Digital Editing, Mixing
*Marilyn Manson - Vocals, Synthesizer, Keyboards, Loops, Editing, Electronics, Melody Arrangement, Producer [Citation |last= |first= |title=Everyone Will Suffer Now |url=http://www.mansonusa.com/everyone_will_suffer_now/?page=8]
*John 5 - Guitar, Piano, Orchestration
*Tim Sköld - Bass, Guitar, Accordion, Keyboards, Producer, Loops, Artwork, Digital Editing, Drum Programming, Synthesizer Bass, Electronics, Beats
*Madonna Wayne Gacy - Live keyboards
*Mark Williams - A&R
*Gottfried Helnwein - Art Direction

Chart performance

Album - Charting positions

References