The two albums for today could be a psychological researcher’s dream, or a clinical therapist’s nightmare. First, “Portrait of an American Family” by Marilyn Manson is loaded with heavy riffs backed by childhood angst, abuse, neglect, and hate all disguised under a typical american household. Musically the album leans towards metal but veers off into a twisted circus sound all its own with “Dope Hat” and “My Monkey”. All the build up and unaddressed anger is met with full out assault on “Lunchbox” and “Get Your Gun”. Manson warns us by saying “You cannot sedate all the things you hate”, but we didn’t listen and now we are PRETTY ADDICTED.
The child from “Portrait of an American Family” has found her own voice on Pretty Addicted’s “It All Stems from Childhood”. Distorted guitars have evolved into a dark electronic world fueled by heavy reverb. “Mania” portrays the sleepless nights and obsessive thoughts of a manic episode lyrically, musically, and through overall energy. Teen angst grew into the rage of an adult longing for place and purpose. Real and imaginary lovers, internal struggles, helpless and hopeless lyrics slide through tough beats creating this rave scene where all your different selves move to their own rythmns. Both albums could probably teach psychologists a thing or two.
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