(VI Music)

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What a year to be a Marilyn Manson fan! Manson, has a greatest hits CD/DVD package with a cover of the Depeche Mode classic, "Personal Jesus," in the works coming out later in the year. Before we get to reminisce on how much fun these past ten years has been, we can get a glimpse of what Marilyn Manson was like prior to 1994 with the independent release of The Spooky Kids Lunch Boxes and Choklit Cows. Lunch Boxes is a collection of early Manson demos from 1990-93. As most fans know back in the early nineties the group was then known as Marilyn Manson and the Spooky Kids.

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Sadly you can't talk about Marilyn Manson without hearing about all the controversy that surrounds this ubiquitous artist. I know how Brian and Ashley felt doing their reviews of Deicide and Slipknot respectively -- when all people harp on is the image instead of the music. One of the biggest myths about Manson is he's trying to be scary -- not true! Most people think gothic is about devil worshiping and witchcraft or trying to be vampires. If that is why you get into the gothic lifestyle, then you're as empty-headed as the ones who think that is what it's all about. Truth is most Goths are very artistically talented whether it be music, painting, poetry, or filmmaking. How many people get scared when they watch any Tim Burton film -- Planet of the Apes excluded? It is a proven fact that a majority of people who are scared of him are religious fanatics, trailer park residents/rednecks, and conservative politicians who serve the above. Go to any small town in America and you'll see the difference.

However most of that seems irrelevant with this release cause this is but at the same time is not a Marilyn Manson release. Former guitarist Daisy Berkowitz is behind this release, which does not have Manson's approval. The credits list him as Mr. Manson and last I heard there was a litigation filed against Berkowitz and Empire, the label behind the release, for using Manson's image.

That is such a bummer cause there is some great fucking music on this CD! Such standout songs as "Red (In My) Head," "Dune Buggy," "Meat For a Queen," "White Knuckles" and "Scaredy Cat" not only would be great starters at a rave but are a good supporting cast for the ones that could be classic Manson. "Negative Three" has that dark moody vibe you’ve come to expect from Manson. "Thingmaker" is Mr. Manson's ode to small town America. This is the classic Manson that you're used to ("Fuck you, I don't wanna know you get outta my life motherfucker"). "Insect Pins," "Learning to Swim" and "Thrift" are some good tunes as well that finish off the CD.

The DVD is nothing to write home about. It's just a handheld shot of a show, the most spectacular visual is of a Lite-Brite that says KILL during the performance of “Meat for a Queen.” There is also a Spooky Gallery that shows the same artwork that you see in the CD sleeve.

This is a must have for diehards or any fan of the Manson Portrait of an American Family era. It's quite a collector’s item and no telling whether it's going to around for the next few years with a possible court case pending.

"Shock was never my goal, it’s too juvenile. Anyone can be shocking. But to be provocative, yes. To be controversial, yes. There’s a point behind it." --Marilyn Manson

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