Portrait Of An American Family Review

Released: Jul 12, 1994
Genre: Rock
Tones: Angst-Ridden, Eerie, Confrontational, Aggressive, Malevolent, Nihilistic, Gleeful, Theatrical, Menacing
Styles: Heavy Metal, Alternative Metal, Industrial Metal
Number Of Tracks: 13

Sound:	8.7
Lyrics:	9
Impression:	8.3
Overall rating:	8.7
Reviewer rating:	8.7
Users rating:	8.8
Votes:	18

overall: 10

Reviewed by: UG Team, on july 31, 2003

Impression: "Portrait Of An American Family" was, of course, Manson's first album. Unlike his other ones, past Portrait, this collection doesn't rely on synthesizers and warped guitar distortians to sound weird and different.

Starting with the first track. What genius! The monologue from "Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory" (when they're in the boat going thru the tunnel) with a chorus of people screaming "Faster, Faster!" louder and louder. It begins on such a low level of volume that you almost have to lean in to the speakers to actually hear it. It almost makes me want to put this album on in synch with the "Willy Wonka" movie, just to see the similarities.

And then he hits you with the song "Cake and Sodomy," "Wrapped In Plastic," and "My Monkey."

My favorite points on the album are in the beginning and the end. The middle still has merit but not as much moxy as does the extreme sides. That little girl in the very beginning of "Lunchbox" is great! "Next motherfucker is going to get my metal!" That fits rather well when the song talks about how Manson wants to grow up to be a rock star so that nobody fucks with him.

Something tells me that this album has a little bit of truth and insite to the younger Brian that used to be and what he went through.

Shifting a whole album later, track 13 "Misery Machine" is an almost fare-well to the listener. Odd how that's the only way I can explain that last track. However, I think it's great, a bit of sarcastic humor on Manson's part, how he added an answering machine message from a rather irrate women at the very end. You have to wait almost 6 and 1/2 minutes before it shows up but it's worth it. I can't tell whether the message is fake and was just recorded for the grins of the album or if it's a genuine message from a parent that doesn't approve of their antics (somehow I would not be surprised if that were the case).

Not to hit exclusively on the lyrics or the arrangements, the music itself is great. "Dope Hat" has an infectous bass and drum beat that has me going every time I hear it. The same goes for "Get Your Gunn."

If you're a fan of Manson and you enjoy his other works (by the way, I'm writing this review years after this album was released), then you'll hear some Manson-isms written in the song.

I'll explain. The song "Antichrist Superstar" (from 1996 album "Antichrist Superstar") reflects the style and beat of "Sweet Tooth," not identically but just enough to be recognizable.

"Portrait Of An American Family" is a great album to listen to all the way through, and I don't say that about many albums. This one is definately an exception. Go buy It!!! // 10

overall: 7.7

Reviewed by: ironmanben, on august 21, 2009

Sound: Marilyn Manson trades his darker, more gothic style for a more cartoonish and kooky one in this album, notably his first. Songs like Dope Hat may seem innocent at first glance, with audio clips from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and an interestingly "bouncy" tempo, but after a good hard listen, a darker, more drug-related meaning reveals it's self. (But what can you expect from a song called "Dope Hat"? ) As Marilyn Manson's first album, his style is not quite set yet. Gidget Gein and Sara Lee Lucas also appear on this album, making POAFF unique in terms of band members. One person I have to give credit to is Madonna Wayne Gacy/Pogo, because his keyboard playing stands out on POAFF more than any other album, even performing sythesized brass riffs during My Monkey. This sounds like something the band recorded in their basement for fun, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Many of the non-singles are every bit as good as the singles, I might add. // 8

Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics aren't as serious as in future releases, but some seem like previews of what is to come, for example, Cake and Sodomy or Get Your Gunn, both of which deliver strong messages of the injustice and poor shape of American society. In some songs, the lyrics, are darker and more sinister, for example, Wrapped in Plastic. In songs like Dope Hat and Get Your Gunn, the instrumental part adds to the sinister and creepy feeling of the song. You can hear the influence of bands like Black Sabbath here, especailly on tracks like Misery Machine. Marilyn Manson is no opera singer, but his voice is unique, as well as his singing style. Basically, he screams his head off into a microphone. But it works. // 8

Impression: POAFF is one of the most unique metal albums I have ever listened to. I prefer his newer releases, but this is no doubt an interesting listen for a Manson fan. My favorite songs off the album are Dope Hat, Lunchbox, Cake and Sodomy, and Misery Machine. I heard somewhere that Snake Eyes and Sissies was originally intended to be a single. It didn't stand out much for me, really, and a better choice would've been Cake and Sodomy, which I think is better than even Get Your Gunn. My least favorite tracks were Sweet Tooth and Cyclops, which I just didn't think sounded quite like Mr. Manson in terms of lyrics, and definetly didn't stand up to other songs on the disc. If it were lost/stolen, I would buy it again as soon as possible. // 7

overall: 8.3

Reviewed by: guitaluva17, on january 23, 2009

Sound: Marilyn Manson was straight up metal on this album (with some industrial mixed in). This was the first Marilyn Manson CD and one of the best. Not to mention, Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails produced it. This album is very unique. It starts with a scene from Willy Wonka and ends with an angry parent leaving a message on an answering machine. It sounds similiar to his Antichrist Superstar album, but is still different. // 8

Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics on this album can be both playful but dark and violent at the same time. The song My Monkey have a playful kind of attitude but was written by Charles Manson. Dope Hat also has a playful sound to it, but the lyrics aren't exactly about fun stuff. Then there's songs like Cake and Sodomy and Get Your Gunn which are loud, violent, and right in your face! When the music quiet, Manson's voice is quiet, but when the instruments are ragin', so is his voice. Manson might not be the greatest singer in the world, but he gets out all gis emotions and feelings though it. // 9

Impression: This album sounds a little similar to NIN, but olny because Trent Reznor produced it. The best songs on the album are Wrapped In Plastic, Get Your Gunn, and Lunchbox. If you've never heard Manson's music before, you might not like this album. So for the Manson virgins out there, try listening to Mechanical Animals. There's not much I hate about it, except listening to the last few song which I sometimes get bored of. If it was lost or stolen, I would buy it again within a week or two. // 8

Comments

[Strokesofgenius]

hehe WOOOOST COMMMENT

this guy is a chapions, he is different from aything else every created, is he human?, i hope not...

[DOPPELHERZ]

THIS IS MANSONS FIRST ALBUM.REAL,AND TRUE MUSIC HAS ARRIVED!HIS VOICE IS SO DIMENSIONAL.HIS LUNGS ARE SO POWERFUL.HIS MUSIC,AND LYRICS ARE GREAT!YOU CAN TELL HE PUTS HIS HEART,AND SOUL ON ALL HIS SONGS ON THIS ALBUM-AND ALL HIS OTHER ALBUMS.HIS VOICE,HIS LYRICS,AND HIS MUSIC GO PERFECTLY TOGETHER!HE TOUCHES MY HEART,AND SOUL.HE'S MY IDOL!I ONLY LISTEN TO HIS MUSIC.HE MAKES ME FEEL.MANSON TRULY IS A MAN WHO'S ABOVE,AND BEYOND!HE'S EXTREMELY TALENTED,AND GIFTED!OF COURSE I RECOMMEND THIS ALBUM,AND ALL HIS OTHER ALBUMS FOR EVERYBODY TO LISTEN TO.YOU HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE-BUT SO MUCH TO GAIN!THIS ALBUM'S EXCELLENT!THANK YOU MANSON-YOU SAVED MY LIFE!

[Phe4rTheGod]

My fav. Manson album...very well built cd...or so I remember, it'll prob. sound different to me know, I haven't heard it in about 6-8 years...

[ZombieDuck]

I really like this one..but I don't get what the second-to-last review said about "Cyclops" and "Sweet Tooth", I loved both of those songs. Oh, and DOPPELHERZ....wow..you're crazy.

[jsspang]

this cd blows nuts....acss was is and always will be the best manson did.