21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Highly recommended!, November 20, 2004
This review is from: Lest We Forget: The Best of (Bonus Dvd) (Coll) (Audio CD)
I have been familiar with Marilyn Manson for many, many years, having heard his songs both on the radio and from various friends who owned his CD's. However, I had never bothered to pick up any of his albums myself. When he finally came out with this "best of" compilation, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to finally get my hands on some of his music, and this CD has experienced heavy rotation in my CD player since. Furthermore, I have proceeded to buy many of his previous albums as well. I'm kicking myself in the bum for not buying more of his material sooner.
This particular compilation shows just how far Manson has come, and how much his music has evolved, with included songs spanning the breadth of his career. Songs such as "Disposable Teens," "Beautiful People," and "Dope Show" have enjoyed a tremendous amount of radio play over the years, and should be recognizable to most people immersed in the hard rock genre. The covers, "Personal Jesus," "Tainted Love," and "Sweet Dreams," are great, as Manson has an incredible way of slightly twisting and, some may say, tainting the well-known material, making it uniquely his own. Thus making this one of Manson's more accessible albums, serving to "rope in" those who haven't yet jumped on the bandwagon. With the sales of this album still soaring, it's easy to see that Lest We Forget has done just that.
As for Manson and his music itself, there is much more to his songs than loud, thumping, head-banging beats and good guitar riffs. The intricate layering of harsh, though never grating, sounds is near brilliance. His witty and, at times, bitterly caustic, in-your-face social commentary noticeable in his lyrics is incredible and brutally honest. Though many have come to see him as a mere poster boy for disenchanted youth, nonconformity and vehemence towards "the establishment" and many of it's practices, there is much more to Manson than that. If nothing else, you've got to admire his individualism and willingness to show his true colors despite constant criticism by the more prudish members of society. This courageous and cavalier attitude shines through in everything Manson produces.
The bonus DVD is a great addition. It's too bad that the "Personal Jesus" video, as well as the banned (s)aint video (available only through his website) didn't make this cut, but the videos that are included are great. Mason's videos reek of lush creativity and vividly artistic individualism that, for the most part, really serve to accentuate the messages put forth through his lyrics. This near-complete video collection is definitely a must-have.
Overall, this album serves as a great addition to anyone's hard rock/industrial repertoire, as well as a great introduction to Marilyn Manson himself. However, know that these selections are mere highlights and just gently graze the surface of Manson's capabilities. This album will probably leave you craving more of what he has to offer.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Easter Eggs, September 28, 2004
This review is from: Lest We Forget: The Best of (Bonus Dvd) (Coll) (Audio CD)
I gave this disc four stars because of the unclear void of the (s)AINT video, that and the Personal Jesus song is nothing spectacular. The DVD is also lacking 2 other videos to make this the complete Manson collection: Tainted Love and Astonshing Panarama of the Endtimes, both were soundtrack songs and should be in the section of soundtracks and eps. (APotE was added onto The Last Tour on Earth after sales for the Celebrity Deathmatch CD tanked).
Here is everything on the DVD, and how to find it.
1. End Credits - from the main menu, press the left button while play all is highlighted.
2. Alternate Version of Disposable Teens - from the video selection screen, go to Holywood, highlight video index and press left.
3. Making of mOBSCENE - from the video selection screen, go to GAotG, highlight next album and press right.
4. Autopsy - from the special features screen, highlight photo gallery and press left.
That's all, besides the alternate cut of Disposable Teens, the hidden features are boring. I was very dissapointed in the lack of those 2 videos plus the (s)AINT video scam. So buy this disc if you are a true Manson fan (and haven't burned all of these songs onto a CDR yet) but don't buy it if you are expecting to see the "banned" (s)AINT video.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great overall package for fans, and casual fans alike., October 3, 2004
This review is from: Lest We Forget: The Best of (Bonus Dvd) (Coll) (Audio CD)
"Lest We Forget" is an adequate compilation for fans, and should also please those who are "casual fans" that simply want a greatest hits compilation (as opposed to picking out these songs from Manson's entire catalog). Yes, some songs are missing that I would like. However, we all have our own tastes, and I have yet to find a greatest hits/best of... that includes all of MY PERSONAL FAVORITE TRACKS from an artist I love.As you've most likely read in previous posts/reviews, the US Deluxe Edition does NOT contain the (s)AINT video on the DVD. One can either a.) buy it off of Manson's website, b.) eBay it, c.) order it from Amazon's UK site, or get the most expanded, wallet-gouging version available off of Amazon's Japan site (it cost me $42 USD, which included shipping). The Japanese edition contains 3 bonus tracks on the CD ((s)AINT, Irresponsible Hate Anthem, & Coma White ("Coma" is exclusive to the Japanese release)), a BONUS CD with 8 b-side tracks (this is also exclusive to the Japanese release), and the DVD contains 2 extra videos not on the US release (Personal Jesus & (s)AINT).
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