Rock’s most misanthropic messiah showcases Best Of
“Lest We Forget” commemorates 10 years of Manson’s gruesome, hate-filled and above all provocative music and some of the most extreme music videos ever created. The album draws primarily from his singles collection, with tracks such as “mOBSCENE”, “Rock Is Dead” and “The Nobodies” forming the stable core of the album. Covers “Tainted Love”, “Sweet Dreams” and new single “Personal Jesus” are also interspersed with Manson’s own creations.
As an introduction to Manson, it’s pretty comprehensive with a generous selection of 17 tracks, containing equal portions of material from all his 5 albums in one neatly debauched disk. This album is a reminder of the “untouchable” status Manson has assumed in popular culture, nobody dares live up to his heady heights and sickening lows, and quite rightly so.
The album kicks off in style with “The Love Song” from Manson’s 2000 release “Holy Wood (In The Shadow Of The Valley of Death)” a grungy, edgy anthem with chorus chant of “do you love your guns, God, your government?” There is a stark difference to be noted between the agitated rap style of “This is the New Shit”, featured on Manson’s 2003 album, “The Golden Age of Grotesque”, and Manson’s older releases such as the more punk based guitar chords of his first single “Lunchbox”. However the tracks flow freely between all five albums with little obvious discrepancy between old and new.
Anthemic “mOBSCENE” and all inclusive address to his fans “The Nobodies” make up for the somewhat lacklustre cover of “Personal Jesus”, while the “Sweet Dreams (are made of this)” cover is one of the shining stars of the album, providing both a clubbing tune and head banging refrain. Some of the tamer tracks such as “Tourniquet” are easily forgettable, but punctuated by fierce rock tunes such as, “Rock Is Dead”, there’s little chance of the songs blurring into one.
Thankfully, although the best of collection contains only “Personal Jesus” as a new offering, the special edition set includes the saving grace of Manson’s entire 21 strong video collection on DVD, a must for fans and curious bystanders alike. The DVD disc sports an 18+ sticker, which should also be accompanied with a warning not to watch before dinner unless you have a very strong stomach!