Marilyn Manson Working on “Southern-Style Acoustic” Country Project
Remember the curious news of how Korn frontman Jonathan Davis was working on some sort of country project, and was in the studio with Big & Rich trying to hone in on the “Bakersfield” sound? Well now the story has turned even more strange. Though we still don’t have any solid details on exactly what Jonathan Davis is working on—if it’s a full blown country album, just a novelty song, or something in between—apparently Marilyn Manson is also on board and could be a significant part of whatever the eventual post-grunge rock gone country output reveals itself to be. There’s even the possibility he’s working on a “Southern-sounding” project himself.
Marilyn Manson and Jonathan Davis were already rumored to be working together on a hush hush project previously. In early June Marilyn Manson revealed, “We hadn’t seen each other in quite some time. Now he and I are talking about doing something completely unexpected together.” Apparently that “completely unexpected” thing could be this upcoming country project. This postulate appeared to be confirmed when during a recent Reddit “Ask Me Anything” session with Manson, he said he is currently working on music that is “acoustic” and “Southern-sounding.”
When asked if Manson would ever do an acoustic project, his response was:
Um…as a matter of fact, that’s some of the plans, of the style of music that I’m working on right now.
I don’t know what it’ll turn into. Some of it will be with Jonathan Davis, I think. Because he has plans of doing something similar as well. Something that might even cross over the boundaries of being more Southern-sounding.
Manson also said as part of the Reddit session that he plans to work with Shooter Jennings in the future, and with Johnny Depp who has dipped his toes into country as a Willie Nelson surprise guitar player. Manson also said he might soon go on a tour that would resemble “…a little bit more along the lines of church tent revivals. So everybody, be prepared for that. Some Deep South old time religion-style.”
We still have to see exactly what shape this upcoming “country” project or projects take, but once again it appears that 2015 is the year for the aging rocker to try their hand at honky tonk.
July 23, 2015 @ 11:25 am
I’m starting to pine for the days when the worst “rock stars gone country” scraps we had to deal with were Bon Jovi attempting to release crossover material. I’m willing to give most artists, even interlopers, the benefit of the doubt until I’m given reason to judge. Aaron Lewis has actually proved himself somewhat, and Steven Tyler looks to be doing a decent job as well. But I’m calling it now: there’s no way in hell Marilyn Mason of all people is going to make anything good out of this, let alone “country.”
July 23, 2015 @ 11:36 am
You’re going to eat your words five months from now when the end result of this speculated project winds up crowned Saving Country Music’s Album of the Year and also garners the highest of praises from NPR, The A.V. Club, Pitchfork, Sputnikmusic and Slate! 😉
Incidentally, it will receive a lonesome panning by Taste of Country and Roughstock! 😉
July 23, 2015 @ 11:54 am
Ah, yes: as much as I crave the approval of the hipster/elitist-centric internet corners with no regard for roots music (you forgot Rate Your Music, by the way 😉 ), I might have to just do the cowardly thing and stand by my word.
A year or two ago, I was still an avid viewer of AMC’s The Walking Dead comic book adaptation. They have another show that follows it called Talking Dead, where the host and certain guest stars talk about that night’s episode and the series at large. Barring the fact that this show is pretty much a transparent attempt to eek even more money out of a lucrative brand, sometimes their choice of guest stars is interesting. On one episode, Marilyn Manson appeared alongside show producer Gale Anne Hurd. Nothing really stood out at first: the show tends to involve production personnel alongside celebrity fans that aren’t otherwise involved. However, every time Manson opened his mouth (literally EVERY time) he would somehow liken the topic to sex. He was so persistent that it even became comedic, as if he was somehow trying to cause discomfort or derail the conversation, but his facial expression betrayed that he was taking it completely seriously. He even came up with an excuse to involve genital warts in the discussion. It was even more amusing because everyone else more or less just started ignoring him completely.
Call me crazy, but if this guy can’t pull his head out of his ass long enough to debate a TV show that requires quite literally no investment from him whatsoever, why would I think his music would be any better if he has to involve elements like country that otherwise don’t have anything to do with his persona? This isn’t a judgement of someone as promiscuous or anything of that sort, it’s a judgement of work ethic. Maybe he has ADD or something; perhaps he was high when he went to tape the show. Perhaps he even has a genuine fondness for country or southern music; I’m sure plenty of these interlopers do even if they’re just using the format to make the same music they always have. I just don’t think Manson is going to do anything impressive with a genre of such rich history when he can’t even hold a conversation about a show he’s supposedly a fan of without resorting to off-color comments about one of our basic functions. It also doesn’t help that he’s openly comment that his career has taken a downturn in recent years and that his music is somewhat reviled to begin with.
July 23, 2015 @ 12:11 pm
Ah yes…………….Rate Your Music! Of course! =P
*
Admittedly, I have heard very little of Marilyn Manson’s material to date, so I’m not qualified for the most part in speaking of my opinion of his music as a whole.
I HAVE looked at quite a few of his interviews, however, and he strikes me as decidedly style over substance. I often find that, when artists have to explain over and over again that their work is “subversive”……………it smacks as a cop-out and/or excuse-making when one is immersed waist-deep in the excesses of celebrity and bacchanalia. I get why he has had staying power for the same reason low-budget B-grade horror movies is a trend that has stood the tests of time. I get its appeal but, much like horror movies, I’ve just never been interested in exploring Manson’s discography as a whole.
July 23, 2015 @ 1:41 pm
I didn’t mean to imply that I had an opinion of Manson’s music. To be honest, outside of the rather odd cover of “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” that I actually like, I haven’t heard a whole lot of his material. I was simply saying that his demeanor on Talking Dead keeps my expectations at the bottom of the barrel because he was acting like the stereotypical obnoxious rock star that had to have all the attention by “shocking” people with what he was saying, whilst getting all flustered because he couldn’t wait to get back to his bus with all the groupies. Now, if that ain’t country…
The reason I threw out the “reviled” comment is because I see very little praise for Manson in any capacity. He’s of the same vein of bands like Insane Clown Posse, Slipknot or, appropriately, KoЯn: rock made by douchebags that perpetrates a douchebag image and appeals to douchbags (generally speaking, of course). And then people call Nickelback and Staind “butt rock.” At least those dudes seem like decent people most of the time.
July 23, 2015 @ 4:13 pm
Honestly, I do consider Chad Kroeger douchey from some interviews I have looked at, as well as if the whole Miranda Lambert tossing a drink in his face story is true where he allegedly told her: “You don’t have to be a b**** about it!” And I do think Aaron Lewis can strike as arrogant and uptight often as reflected in how he articulates some of his political opinions as well as a few unfortunate songs like “Wannabe”.
Other than that, I do agree with you. I hardly view the latter acts as the douchiest (you can add Limp Bizkit and even Evanescence to the list too, even though Amy Lee is a capable vocalist). The former three bands you mentioned have always been insufferable to my ears (just my opinion, lurkers, live with it) in how aggressively they pander to the most base, misogynistic aspects of culture at the time they emerged onto the scene onward. What most offends me about those acts is how they DEMANDED you take them seriously. And even when I was younger, I can remember laughing in response to all of that and say “Look, dudes, you’re no less fake, you’re no less manufactured, than those much-derided boy bands! You will just never admit it in a thousand years!” They would have, at the very least, garnered a shred of saving grace if their dull music had a touch of parody or levity underpinning it, but no. It was disposable anger that was all power with absolutely no point or purpose. More often than not, they had absolutely nothing to say but, when they did, it lacked distinctive insight and personal description. And the end result of their persistent popularity was being the recipients of the “metal” tagline while bands of true talent and sophistication were completely shunned out! Uggghhh! >=(
That’s why almost all of Active Rock is dead to me, and has been for nearly two decades now. That’s right: the last time Active Rock wasn’t all-but-entirely-worthless was when the Black Crowes were still collecting consecutive Top Ten hits as were Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers.
July 23, 2015 @ 4:33 pm
On a side note, I actually hope the Zac Brown Band succeed in continuing to sinew their presence on Active Rock radio……………..in that I can actually see them being instrumental to helping make the format relatively listenable again.
I’ve just learned “Junkyard” will be edited for release as the follow-up to “Heavy Is The Head” on Active Rock radio. I obviously lament radio edits to powerful songs, but it was necessary for “Junkyard” if it was ever going to get airplay and it’s still solid in its edited form. I’m unsure how it will perform, but I’d love to see more songs with the grit of “Junkyard” get recognition on rock radio. To my ears, “Junkyard” serves as a good example of an angry song done right.
July 23, 2015 @ 7:01 pm
Touche. I’m in no way an expert nor apologist for Nickelback or Staind, I just think the so-called “post-grunge” bands get a bad wrap that they don’t necessarily deserve, at least not in regards to how it’s spread over all of them as an inescapable net. I’d forgotten about the whole Miranda vs. Chad thing, so I guess I should have chosen my words differently. I did say “most of the time,” though 😛
I think that “take me seriously” thing is a side effect of the grunge explosion at large. It’s no secret that I dislike Nirvana, and most of the reason is because of Cobain’s attitude and the mostly unsavory negativity of the whole scene. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE dark music, but it has to be adequately illustrated just what you’re pissed about for me to be sympathetic. In my opinion, Nirvana and Pearl Jam fail at this, and their “we’re too good to be mainstream” attitudes really turned me off. I’m about to dive into Pearl Jam’s discography to make sure my feelings aren’t simply based on not hearing the right songs, but I’ve already done that with Nirvana and I can safely say that’s my final word on that particular band. I’m in no position to judge anyone else’s personal life, but if you’re going to rant at least clearly articulate your lyrics in a way that makes your situation comprehensible, please. There’s something to be said for clarity that puts it above abstractness in my mind.
July 24, 2015 @ 12:21 am
I completely agree with you on Nirvana.
I’ve long felt differently about Pearl Jam, however. I get why their earliest classics and Vedder’s self-righteous protests against TicketMaster rub so many off the wrong way and give this impression of the band being just as overtly negative and having that “we’re too good to be mainstream attitude”…………….but as someone who has listened to all of their albums, the plot runs a lot thicker with Pearl Jam in my opinion.
You definitely won’t like their self-titled album (also known as “Avocado”), and you’re also not going to like “Riot Act” and quite likely “Ten” as well as portions of “Vs.” because those represent, as a whole, efforts where Vedder’s anger is most visceral and you will likely dismiss solely because Vedder’s voice would be unintelligible too often…………….is my prediction. However, I could see you potentially appreciating “Yield”, “Backspacer”, “Lightning Bolt” and parts of “Vitalogy” and “No Code”, as well as the “Lost Dogs” B-side compilation. They reveal a broader range of musical range with Vedder broaching more positive themes as well as singing in a more relaxed, intimate tone.
I have to add, even on their angriest albums, Vedder hasn’t been afraid to slip in songs about his love of surfing, for instance. “Oceans” is an early example of this and they used pepper shakers as percussion on that. “Porch”, “Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town”, “Nothingman”, “Around The Bend”, “Pilate” and “Low Light” are examples of tracks that demonstrate why it is unfair to lump Pearl Jam in the same class as Nirvana because they are more concerned with a more constructive outlook and curiosity behind relationships and life at large. Their two most recent albums are also notably positive for the most part with songs about his family, his wife, his love of music and assessing the world’s problems with an aspiration to find a solution.
July 23, 2015 @ 9:19 pm
just so you know. you’re still talking about Manson on the talking dead two years later. he got exactly what he wanted from it. promotion before the release of another album. If you don’t know Manson go watch some of his interviews. he is extremely intelligent when it comes to music and marketing.
July 23, 2015 @ 9:51 pm
Also there’s douchebag fans in every category of music. please don’t speak on artists when you don’t even know their catalogs, what they write about or the men themselves. You do realize that the content of stainds first few albums and slipknots are very much alike right? Not to mention Corey Taylor and Aaron Paul are great friends. The amount of money and time Corey Taylor has given to raising money for many different things such as suicide prevention, releasing a radio track called x-mas where all of the funds went to childrens cancer, to supporting drop in the bucket(a charity for clean water wells in africa.) and many more that i don’t even feel like listing, is unrivaled by even your “nicest” country musicians.
July 23, 2015 @ 9:56 pm
Pardon me, but I DID say I was speaking in general terms, so I’m sorry if you were offended by that. On the other hand, why are you lecturing me about Marilyn Manson? I was speaking of his work ethic in reference to his stint on Talking Dead, and it wasn’t one that made me want to run out and buy anything with his name on it. By contrast, it actually caused me slight embarrassment because of the ONE song I like by the guy, which is a cover. How does that benefit him in any way? Does he make money if I mention his name, quite literally the first time I’ve ever done so on the internet?
Also, why are you preaching about me not knowing these people’s work whilst you end you comment with the completely unfounded assertion that no one in country music has a philanthropic track record as impressive as Corey Taylor’s? How would you know? Secondly, does that really matter? Last I checked it isn’t a competition. If you like their music that’s your prerogative, as it is mine to dislike it. Once again, sorry if my choice of words rubbed you the wrong way. It’s just how I perceive that particular corner of the music world.
August 12, 2015 @ 1:28 pm
I just finished my foray into Pearl Jam’s material, so I figured I’d come back here and share my thoughts.
Ironically, my favorite albums were Ten, No Code, Binaural, Riot Act, Backspacer with Lightning Bolt coming out on top. My least favorites were basically the rest: their self-titled and Vs. were okay, but I didn’t much care for Vitalogy, Lost Dogs, nor Yield at all, save for a few key cuts. I still think Vedder’s tangible self-righteousness can be a little much, but I suppose his more impassioned vocals on certain songs of the more political albums won me over. That or I just couldn’t understand him, which was also common. Often he was much TOO over-the-top to take any sort of seriously. I read a funny comparison between Vedder and Scott Stapp’s singing abilities and who was “better,” and one commenter more or less summed up my feelings for me: “I don’t know how anyone could call Eddie Vedder a singer. Everything he says sounds like gibberish.” And so it goes.
I can appreciate that he has strong feelings on many social issues, but I’m not tuning in to hear a rant. Play me something interesting. Oftentimes I felt the band failed to even do that. I’m fully aware that they consciously moved away from radio-friendly material but that doesn’t mean one has to completely abandon melody for a sermon with backing instruments. Say all you want about Creed or any other such “Pearl Jam clone” as they are known, but at least the actual MUSIC had presence. They weren’t just backup for propaganda and angst; they formed just as much of the identity of the band as the singing and words. I don’t feel that’s how Pearl Jam operates. I also have even less of an understanding of all of the “this band copied Pearl Jam” of all artists after hearing their whole discography.
Honestly, I’m not big on angst in music even at my age of early 20s, so perhaps that’s why I’m unsympathetic to PJ, Nirvana and other like-minded music. With Pearl Jam especially it seems to me that you’re supposed to feast on the passion in Vedder’s delivery more than anything else. Even on the albums I objectively liked I couldn’t escape the feeling of dullness that permeates this band for me. I’ll take lunk-headed riffs from a so-called “post-grunge” over this “vote liberal while I scream at you about my problems that you caused” garbage. I’m not mad at the world, only myself sometimes. I guess that’s why I like Creed better than any of their forbears; Stapp’s lyrics were introspective 99% of the time. Oh and HE’S the one that’s self-righteous and pretentious according to critics. I often wonder how much better off they might have been if so many people didn’t think he sounded like Vedder and then apply it to the whole band.
I suppose this is part of why I liked PJ’s latter two albums the best as you predicted: they dropped the political stuff for the most part (probably because Bush wasn’t in office anymore, despite the fact that we’re in far worse shape now than we EVER were with him, but that’s another story). They went from “why am I like this?!?!?!?!” to “this is who I am,” and it goes down much easier. To that end, I’ve always found the grunge scene to be unintentionally ironic: for all the talk about being “no bullshit just music”, there sure was a lot of bullshit. Hair metal might have been stupid but at least most of it wasn’t as overwrought or self-important as grunge. Most of those bands also knew how to actually PLAY their instruments, which is always a plus. Hair metal musicians were cartoons that were content to be cartoons. Grunge musicians were cartoons that wanted to be taken seriously.
July 23, 2015 @ 11:41 am
Bon Jovi’s crossover single was pretty great, in my opinion:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CeX5VEo10c
A very tasteful mix of rock and country.
July 23, 2015 @ 11:59 am
I like it too, it just wasn’t really country even back then. I also prefer the album version without Jennifer Nettles as I can’t stand her voice with that ridiculous put-on drawl. Don’t get me wrong, I like Bon Jovi just fine. But I’m not going to sit here and tell anyone that they got into country to make anything traditional. Their Lost Highway album involved all of the same elements that every other rock act gone country has: similar rhythms, tempos and sounds to their classic material, only toned down because country isn’t “loud,” a banjo or fiddle part buried in the mix for authenticity, laundry list pandering, and a featured slot for a popular country pop crooner. By contrast, Aaron Lewis’ country music on The Road is much more authentic.
July 23, 2015 @ 12:05 pm
I agree it sounds much more like Mellencamp-style Heartland rock than country. However, this type of song serves as a good gateway drug for introducing pop fans to actual country.
July 23, 2015 @ 1:14 pm
“…….without Jennifer Nettles as I can”™t stand her voice with that ridiculous put-on drawl. ”
This woman’s popularity is a bit of a mystery to me after all this time . That deliberate DRAWL is most definitely a distraction to anyone and everyone I discuss this with . She had a good write with ‘ STAY ‘…maybe a couple of others …but she is so over-the-top vocally I can barely get through one of her songs .
BTW …here’s a woman who COULD sing a good country write ( so many can’t ) but doesn’t seem to want to ….that’s just WRONG when you want country radio to support you .
July 23, 2015 @ 1:42 pm
Well, “popularity” might be overselling it at bit at this point. As far as I can tell, her solo album from last year pretty much tanked.
July 23, 2015 @ 12:20 pm
I liked “Who Says You Can’t Go Home?” for what it was: an innocuous, infectious heartland pop-rock song with thematic nods to contemporary country.
The driving energy of the track and the vocal interplay are the two things I liked most about it. Yeah, some of the lyrics were rather clumsy like the dog without a bone/Twilight Zone/pot of gold triolet, but I can mostly forgive that when both vocalists sounded truly engrossed in their performances and it’s a true earworm that doesn’t attempt to be more than it is.
If Bon Jovi ever tries to milk the format again, I hope we get more songs in the vein of “Til We’re Not Strangers Anymore” and this…………………..as opposed to more terrible songs in the vein of “We Got It Goin’ On” and “Summertime” (the latter is more cringe-worthy from how ridiculously loud and clunky the guitars and wall-of-sound are than the cliched lyrics)
July 23, 2015 @ 1:59 pm
I can agree with that take on “Who Says You Can’t Go Home?.” Don’t get me wrong: I like that song, as I also do Bon Jovi as a whole. I don’t like that it was calling itself a country song is all. They don’t get much credit from “serious” music fans, but it’s hard not to appreciate Bon Jovi’s knack for populist anthems and party songs that aren’t douchey and don’t make them seem like a bunch of sexist pigs (particularly in the age of bro-country and their era of hair metal at large).
I had refrained from mentioning “We Got it Going On” because I think harping on one or two artists makes it hard to take my opinions seriously, but I find that song to be something of an anomaly, particularly given the quality I outlined above. Bon Jovi added in Big & Rich, who do a bit more of the douchey persona but with a hint of irony and cartoonishness to make it fun, and end up with a dud? The song isn’t awful, but it sounds oh so forced. I mean, B&R’s arena country is a much more natural fit for Bon Jovi’s arena rock than Sugarland/Jennifer Nettle’s colorless pop, but the song featuring the latter is much better.
I will say, though, that they eventually managed to make it work the second time. Nadia, have you heard “Born Again” from B&R’s fourth studio album Hillbilly Jedi from 2012? That song is what “We Got it Going On” SHOULD have been. It was actually one of my favorite songs of 2012, bar none, for the purely fun listening experience it is. Ironically, the rest of the album wasn’t really up to snuff give or take a few tracks; I’ve always held the opinion that it sort of represented a consistent downhill trajectory as the songs trucked along. I’m not so sure the case is that they played their hand too quickly as that they didn’t maintain the momentum of the album opener.
“Born Again” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyxfhcWYsBs
“Born Again” became one of my favorite songs in the entire Big & Rich canon, whilst the album also featured what may be some of the worst songs they’ve ever recorded: “Last Words” and “Get Your Game On.” The former is dead on arrival from the clichés while the latter is so utterly brain dead and anemic that even the good timey atmosphere these guys bring to their music can’t save it.
July 23, 2015 @ 3:54 pm
I can’t remember “Born Again”. I’ll have to give that a listen again. I will say that the first time I listened to “Hillybilly Jedi”, “Cheatin’ On You” was the only track that initially stood out.
While “Hillbilly Jedi” has by far many of the worst songs of their career to date, I have to say I’m actually more disappointed in “Gravity” than that album. Because even when they swung for the fences and flamed in embarrassing failure in result, at least their energy and personalities remained intact. It’s pretty much scrubbed entirely from “Gravity”. =/
The songs as a whole on “Gravity” are definitely better-written than those on “Hillbilly Jedi” (aside from “Brand New Buzz” and “I Came To Git Down”, though the latter doesn’t offend my ears admittedly) but everything that made the duo distinctive is almost entirely absent on the former. They never truly rock out and constrain themselves to a MOR mid-tempo parameter. Even what are supposed to be the party songs sound sandpapered to where they’re only as rowdy as what you expect to hear from your run-of-the-mill B-artist male entertainer.
“That Kind of Town” is the closest they get to something more meaningful in the songwriting, but even that doesn’t rank up there with “8th of November” or “Holy Water”.
July 23, 2015 @ 6:46 pm
I had similar feelings on Gravity, thought I ultimately found it too pleasant and charming in the right spots to rank it lower than Hillbilly Jedi. Here’s my review on Amazon, which quickly got shuffled to the side after a bunch of listeners proclaiming it to be “their best album EVER with huge radio potential” downvoted me: http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R1VSOW0LSKIM00/ref=cm_cr_pr_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B00M8BQTNQ
That was a bit of a blow to my writer’s ego, as I have the highest rated Amazon review for Hillbilly Jedi (along with being the first user to post reviews of either on the site, with my review of Gravity going up at 12:05 central time): http://www.amazon.com/review/RKA6T6FHL50V6/ref=cm_cr_dp_title?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B008RDA3BS&channel=detail-glance&nodeID=5174&store=music
I also kept pressuring Trigger to review it, but when we talked about it he said it didn’t strike him really as bad or good, it was just kind of “there” and he moved on after three tracks. My favorite term for the album is “anemic.” I like it okay, but I’m fairly certain that if these guys had debuted with an album like this it wouldn’t have caught my ear, nor anyone else’s for the most part. I think this quality is reflected in how the singles are fairing at radio: sure, they had their second-highest charting single with “Look at You” a few months ago, but it had an extremely slow climb up the charts. “Run Away With You” has been stuck in more or less the same spot for weeks. I think that’s a good song, along with many of the others, the production is just too slick. Hopefully they’ll get back to basics on the next one, though I doubt it. At the time of their debut, they were both failed solo artists that had albums shelved AND failed band members, so they quite literally had nothing to lose by throwing in the kitchen sink and making the record they wanted. These days, despite not ever really reaching the top of the heap, they have something to lose.
Upon re-examination of Hillbilly Jedi earlier this year upon a binge of their discography, I’d have to agree that I like it better. My initial thoughts are still on display at Amazon, but after the vanilla taste of Gravity I found myself enjoying the former much more than I ever had before, warts and all. These guys have always been so eclectic that it’s a sure thing that no matter whether you love or hate them, you’ll have some sort of reaction. Gravity was boring in the grand scheme of their careers, and that’s something they’ve NEVER been no matter how one feels about their music. It’s sad, because it’s received mostly positive reviews from the outlets that sniffed it, so I think they’re going to take that as encouragement to continue in this direction. Oh, well, at least they still harmonize in that unique B&R way.
July 24, 2015 @ 7:43 pm
Am I the only one who sings the tittle line of that song as “Cupid, draw back your bow”?
July 23, 2015 @ 1:47 pm
I don’t mind this song either, but it’s not really country at all in my opinion. I’ve always been a Bon Jovi fan (particularly their earlier stuff). While not country in terms of sound, Jon Bon Jovi’s solo album “Blaze of Glory” was excellent and contained many “western” themes (since it was the soundtrack to “Young Guns II”). I also can’t comprehend the appeal of either Jennifer Nettles or Sugerland. I would get really annoyed whenever a Sugerland song would come on the radio (back when I used to listen to the radio).
July 23, 2015 @ 2:00 pm
I’ve always thought that Jennifer Nettles sounded like Abby Wambach doing karaoke….
July 23, 2015 @ 2:19 pm
Part of the problem with her, aside from the overwrought drawl, is that she tends to over-sing her songs. For instance, in “Who Says You Can’t Go Home,” she sings in a section in which the lyrics read “Like a blind dog without a bone/I was a gypsy lost in the twilight zone/I hijacked a rainbow and crashed into a pot of gold.” At the end of the “gold” line, she holds the “-old” part FAR longer than anyone should, as if she’s struggling to hit the notes or even get the word out. By my recollection, she does that quite often when she sings. I don’t know if it’s self-indulgence or what, but darn it’s annoying. Granted, I do this (as does my mother, guess who I inherited it from?), but we aren’t being paid to sing nor is it for anyone else but ourselves. It’s also because we’re amateurs; Nettles, for all intents and purposes, is not.
July 23, 2015 @ 11:26 am
Anyone remember that Buck Satan and the 666 Shooters project from Ministry’s Al Jourgensen? I bet this sounds like that.
July 23, 2015 @ 12:00 pm
Ugh. That was awful (like everything since Psalm 69).
July 23, 2015 @ 11:36 am
It won’t be long before Metallica announces they’re changing their name to Countryica. They’ll have songs like “Enter Farmerman” or “Ride The Lightning-Blue Chevy.” On the other hand, “Nothing Else Matters” would be the same.
July 23, 2015 @ 12:04 pm
And Blackened will be changed to Texas Barbecued
July 23, 2015 @ 12:23 pm
“Load” and “Reload” will both stay the same too: and will ensure they become immortalized in the NRA Country canon.
They’ll collaborate with the Zac Brown Band (who regularly cover “Enter Sandman” in concert) for their breakout debut release to country radio! 😉
July 23, 2015 @ 1:15 pm
Yes, but they will be rereleased with more appropriate new album covers.
July 23, 2015 @ 1:31 pm
Let’s be honest, they stuck a toe in those waters 20 years ago.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FKYsUEuvIo
July 23, 2015 @ 1:43 pm
I know every Metallica song well, including that Lou Reed mess and that st. anger mess they put out, and they to date have not put out a country song. I would have had to argue with you if you wouldn’t have posted that link, James in a cowboy hat .funny. dipped a toe, indeed.
July 23, 2015 @ 7:27 pm
James did cover, “Don’t you think this outlaw bit’s done got out of hand,” for the “I’ve Always Been Crazy” tribute album.
July 23, 2015 @ 7:31 pm
i’ll give you that one, but you can hardly consider their version country.
July 24, 2015 @ 6:03 am
Pedal steel and twang, doesn’t get a lot more “country” than that at this point.
I’d also argue their version of “turn the page” was more of a cover of Waylon Jennings’ version of the song than Bob Seger’s.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mzahe1KqEOg
July 24, 2015 @ 7:53 am
It’ll be “Moonshine in the jar-o.”
July 23, 2015 @ 11:37 am
This will be the equivalent of Buck Owens releasing a reggaeton album.
July 23, 2015 @ 11:49 am
First single will be titled “Beer with the Antichrist”
July 23, 2015 @ 12:08 pm
Ha! Very clever…
July 23, 2015 @ 12:25 pm
And the album will be titled “Amazin’ Hell & Raisin’ Grace” 😉
July 23, 2015 @ 12:44 pm
It will be titled “The woman in me”
July 23, 2015 @ 11:58 am
Is this another backing by Big Machine? They seem to enjoy bringing this crud to the forefront
July 23, 2015 @ 11:58 am
I can almost guarantee that it will be better than the groovy-country on the radio now. I’m not a fan of either Manson or Jonathan Davis, but they are at least artists with some sense of artistic integrity.
July 23, 2015 @ 12:14 pm
I could maybe see a southern gothic type thing. Something along the lines of Far From Any Road by The Handsome Family. In fact, I stake bets that Manson saw the first season of True Detective, latched onto the theme song and decided he could make music like that. However, I seriously doubt it’ll be good, I just don’t think he’s that good of a musician. He’s all showman.
July 23, 2015 @ 12:16 pm
Second single will be “Heroin Lullaby” followed by “Overdose by Morning”
July 23, 2015 @ 12:30 pm
Why not? They’ve already released a cover of “Whiskey in the Jar” as a single. 😉
The fourth single from this to-be multi-platinum smash success will be “Some Kind of Tractor” and will feature BOTH Rammstein and Cole Swindell! 😉
July 23, 2015 @ 2:42 pm
Bloody Mary Sunday
July 23, 2015 @ 12:19 pm
“There”™s even the possibility he”™s working on a “Southern-sounding” project himself.”
Of course he is.
What I am most happy and relieved about by these” country music forays ” by rocks ex-pats is the obvious honesty , integrity , passion and heart these wonderful lads will surely bring to their new ” southern – sounding ” adventures . It’s unfortunate that they were all coerced and strong-armed at such early ages into the rock/sub-rock/grunge/pop/ punk and other genres they were forced to work in by labels , management and lawyers against their wishes . Thank goodness they can now be who they really are …sincere country musicians and artists who only ever wanted to play claw hammer banjo but instead were forced to wear Ringling Brothers make-up and work for those big bad label guys all those years . Most of us are so quick to jump on the Country Music industry . I think we should all give KUDOS to the industry when they do something righteous like saving country’s wayward and musically lost boys and allowing them into the fold .
I also have a goat that sings and has indicated an interest in a ” southern -sounding ” career….Bluegrass , of course .
July 23, 2015 @ 12:36 pm
I like this news, the more people go country I say we have hope. Who knows? Maybe Luke Bryan and Sam Hunt will be the next people to go country.
July 23, 2015 @ 12:56 pm
‘ Maybe Luke Bryan and Sam Hunt will be the next people to go country.’
Apparently Sam is talking to Ms Swift about a ” southern-sounding ” project . Course it may just be an oil well in the Gulf ..but we can dream ….and we’ll still have the Manson project to look forward to .
July 23, 2015 @ 1:43 pm
“southern sounding…” eh? He’ll probably just record some penguin sounds… can;t go much further south than that.
July 23, 2015 @ 12:47 pm
This is beyond ridiculous! God save country music!
July 23, 2015 @ 1:00 pm
The only rock artist from the past 25 years I’d be interested in doing a country album would be Eddie Vedder. He could probably put out something really cool.
July 23, 2015 @ 4:24 pm
“Better Man” is a country song masquerading as an Alternative Rock smash.
July 23, 2015 @ 4:34 pm
Jerry Cantrell, Pepper Keenan, Zakk Wylde and James Hetfield should do a country/southern rock project. Pearl Jams “Lost Dogs” version of Drifting is a great example of Veddar’s aptitude for the genre.
July 23, 2015 @ 8:42 pm
Been reading this blog for a while and never posted before, but I appreciate the introduction to new music that it provides. Really intrigued by this topic. I’ve never cared for MM but his music was popular when I was coming of age. Pepper Keenan was/is in “Down” with Phil Anselmo, its like, uh swamp metal I guess. I’m no big Pearl Jam fan (face it, soundtrack of the early 90s) but I found Vedder’s Into the Wild soundtrack agreeably folky. I think he could make the crossover credibly.
If we’re talking “southern gothic” music, I feel the need to plug Dax Riggs. He’s hopped around between sludge metal, hard rock and really dark folk. Here he is covering TVZ:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uF4fiz1P_jM
July 24, 2015 @ 12:25 am
you should comment more FJ. completely agree about Eddie Vedder and his ukulele too .
July 24, 2015 @ 5:06 pm
Agree entirely about Dax Riggs. Can’t hear enough of him.
July 23, 2015 @ 1:02 pm
I have loved Marilyn Manson’s music for twenty years, and I’ve loved country music for longer than that.
But I also love breakfast cereal and orange juice. Doesn’t mean I want them mixed together!
July 23, 2015 @ 1:19 pm
You never know, he might make something similar to Those Poor Bastards or Ghoultown.
July 23, 2015 @ 1:35 pm
Someone toss him a bunch of old “16 horsepower” records and tell him to cut an album like that, and we’d probably be just fine.
July 23, 2015 @ 1:42 pm
The only country project M. M. could produce is a corn cob up his ass.
July 24, 2015 @ 6:01 am
Funny 🙂
July 23, 2015 @ 2:11 pm
Hey, lets not forget Zakk Wylde did just find doing Southern Rock.
July 23, 2015 @ 4:36 pm
Spoke In The Wheel is outstanding and more countrified than most anything on the radio.
July 23, 2015 @ 2:18 pm
Not a Manson fan, even in my rebellious youth did he do anything for me, but the sad fact is he will probably have more “Country sounding” songs on this album/EP than 95% of the crap at Country radio right now. Hell, the subject matter might even be more mature and realistic which says a lot considering Manson has made a career on mining angst ridden teen anger into millions of dollars.
July 24, 2015 @ 8:27 am
Angst ridden teen anger is the most unrealistic thing in the world. First world problems exaggerated.
July 24, 2015 @ 8:37 am
Bored, lazy, over-privileged, overindulged, deviant, etc. The same bullshit that Nirvana supposedly tapped into, the summation of which was “I hate myself and want to die…”
Does Marilyn Manson still have that fake rack? That is all I remember of her…
July 23, 2015 @ 2:54 pm
manson and big john cash covered depeche modes personal jesus, so there is that. however, bon jovi dueted with chris ledoux on bang a drum, a very fine song before turning country and look what a mess that turned out to be. Even the David Allan Coe/Pantera collaboration or hank 3s unlistenable metal dirge was far less than stellar. As a fan of both styles (metal and country), I usually cringe when something like happens. Its kinda like, I like ice cream and I love pork chops, but a pork chop sundae just sounds sick and wrong, know what I mean?
July 23, 2015 @ 4:38 pm
I think A.D.D. is excellent
July 23, 2015 @ 5:00 pm
attention deficit disorder? I don’t know what you are referring to. Sorry.
July 24, 2015 @ 5:10 pm
Attention Deficit Domination
July 24, 2015 @ 6:13 pm
ill have to check it out. I bought that pos hillbilly joker and it was godawful. but I realize now that it was one of the ones that curb put out without his permission.
July 23, 2015 @ 3:08 pm
It just gets deeper and deeper. Everyone is piling on the so-called country music genre. All the old has beens trying to make a few more bucks, when they should be retiring if they can’t make it as metal, rock, pop, etc. Nashville is sort of like Austin, everyone is trying to get there. JMO
July 23, 2015 @ 3:54 pm
Worst music news I’ve heard in a long time.
July 23, 2015 @ 5:00 pm
I’m gonna take this as a sign of the coming apocalypse.The end is near.WHATTA WORLD WHATTA WORLD!!
July 23, 2015 @ 5:40 pm
Interesting, seems like every band from my 90s childhood is coming back with banjos…..yikes! I do remember seeing somewhere manson and shooter working together on some giorgio moroder tribute due out this summer through jennings label, bcr. I believe it was gonna be similar to the experimental george jones tribute he did which was suprisingly very well done. This next is honoring a techno legend in moroder, im not so sure bout it?
July 23, 2015 @ 5:47 pm
*Weeps Openly*
July 23, 2015 @ 5:52 pm
Everybody get ready for a new genre
Countrycore!
For those who dont listen to metal that means screamo
July 24, 2015 @ 7:44 pm
Already here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJPaSsryhOE
July 23, 2015 @ 6:00 pm
What about Steve Wariner playing with Megadeth? That one was a bigger shocker to me.
July 23, 2015 @ 6:22 pm
Does anyone really even care about Marilynn Manson anymore? Seriously, who gives a shit?
July 24, 2015 @ 11:04 am
Actually, his most recent album was pretty good. I was not a fan at all back in the day, but this album has really grown on me.
July 23, 2015 @ 7:21 pm
Marilyn Manson AND Shooter? I can’t wait for that review. Maybe Shooter can get Bucky Covington to join in.
July 25, 2015 @ 12:21 am
did you hear that cover of You Are My Sunshine that Shooter, Jamey Johnson and Twiggy Ramirez did?
July 25, 2015 @ 1:04 am
Can’t say that I have. I don’t care for the music of all three of those gentlemen.
July 25, 2015 @ 1:05 am
Trigger, if Shooter is really doing this, I think he is trying to goad you into writing crap about him. If you don’t, he will probably up the ante and end up doing a set of Highwaymen covers as a collaboration with Los Del Rio and Wes (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfqfWo0dAYg).
July 23, 2015 @ 7:34 pm
I think I just threw up in my mouth a little bit.
What country music really needs is a an effete, androgynous urbanite in make-up and a manicure telling us how ‘country’ he is.
Modern “country” must be the most idiotic demographic in music today. I guess we’ll help maintain anyone’s lifestyle if they serve up another tired, cliche reel or some whining acoustic bullshit telling us how “country” they are.
Send “Marilyn” out to my farm for a week. I’ll send you back a man who is changed. Or broken.
I’m ready to give up. Somebody please send me a lifeline of someone out there making new COUNTRY music who isn’t a douche bag or a poser.
July 24, 2015 @ 8:10 am
‘What country music really needs is a an effete, androgynous urbanite in make-up and a manicure telling us how ”˜country”™ he is.’
I thought that was Keith Urban ….
July 24, 2015 @ 1:15 pm
So, so true. I had the same thought before I read yours. ‘Ol Mr. Urban is in my top 5 least favorite country dopes.
July 24, 2015 @ 1:17 pm
“I”™m ready to give up. Somebody please send me a lifeline of someone out there making new COUNTRY music who isn”™t a douche bag or a poser.”
I could not agree more. There is nothing left to save. There is plenty of great stuff out there, but most of it is not coming out of the mainstream. Things have decayed so much that I do not think there is sufficient nucleus remaining to rebuild on.
July 23, 2015 @ 7:43 pm
Ugh. That is disgusting. Marilyn Manson makes Luke Bryan sound appealing..
Off topic, but Trigger, do you think you could do another top 10 badass moments list sometime soon?
July 23, 2015 @ 7:45 pm
I’ve got one or two of them in the works. There’s been so many deaths and breaking news stories here lately, I barely have any time to write about anything else.
July 23, 2015 @ 9:37 pm
I understand. Those are always so dang much fun to read..
July 23, 2015 @ 10:07 pm
my vote would be Randy Howard. Tragic as it was, getting shot by a bounty hunter might trump anything on big john cash, d.a.c. or hank 3 badass lists.
July 23, 2015 @ 9:55 pm
This could be horrible, or it could possibly be great. I don’t listen to metal, most of it really turns me off. But the cuts i’ve heard from both rob zombie and manson appeal to me. They both use interesting rhythms and you can hear some blues influence here and there. On top of that, manson seems to be a visionary artist, he knows what he wants sonically and visually and he is able to achieve it.
I can imagine him coming up with a dark rhythmic southern gothic kinda deal. Maybe something akin to Dr. Johns album gris gris. Could be good. Then again, it could be a pile of shit.
July 24, 2015 @ 5:21 am
I could see a Marilyn Manson/Those Poor Bastards collaboration.
July 25, 2015 @ 12:17 am
jfc no. shush you…
July 24, 2015 @ 5:24 am
I will withhold judgment until hearing this. I can say I have never been a Korn or Marilyn Manson fan. I’ve never liked metal whatsoever. But, I’m sure with the career arc they have had, they have lived a country song once or twice though. Best case scenario is probably a Patterson Hood-esque storytelling album. Worst case scenario: a Marilyn Manson album.
July 24, 2015 @ 6:15 am
I heard Ozzy Osbourne likewise is working on a country album….Bazinga!!!!!
July 24, 2015 @ 6:25 am
There’s a song on his latest album called “Third Day of a Seven Day Binge” that I quite enjoy. It’s not acoustic, but it’s stripped way down from his usual sound. If he plans to do more songs like that one, I am interested.
July 24, 2015 @ 11:05 am
I agree……….I’ve really grown to love Warship My Wreck, too.
July 24, 2015 @ 6:45 am
Well, this is a not a project that I’ve been waiting for, but I find the fact that he has used the term “southern sounding” and not “country” to have some significance. At a minimum, he’s not piggybacking on the hot “country” label (hot for all the wrong reasons, but hot nonetheless).
July 24, 2015 @ 5:15 pm
Yeah I think his wording makes it more intriguing. I doubt seriously he would put out a pop country album. Something in the vein of The Handsome Family’s “Far From Any Road” is what I envision.
July 25, 2015 @ 9:22 am
I found that language curious too, and suggestive. Whatever one thinks of his genre of music, Manson is undoubtedly more culturally savvy and intelligent than other artists whose forays into foreign genres end up cringe-worthy. His artistic production too, unlike other artists, has retained some levels of relevance over the years.
We’ll see how interesting or lame it turns out. But cross-pollination isn’t always a bad thing: one of Johnny Cash’s best performances was a cover of that other blasphemous group of the 90s, NIN.
July 25, 2015 @ 9:45 am
Cash also has success with his version of Rusty Cage by Soundgarden. I don’t know that much about Manson’s southern influences but I generally feel that the folks on the fringe of the mainstream or are outright underground have displayed excellent taste in regards to the “opposing” genres. Wino, Scott Kelly, John Baizley were all part of an excellent tribute to Townes Van Zandt. I think there is a general respect from metal toward country and sometimes from country to metal.
July 25, 2015 @ 6:52 pm
Never did hear that tribute. Listening to selections from it now. Damn good. Thanks for pointing me toward it.
I feel the same about the fringes. And I just remembered Cash’s rendition of The Mercy Seat by Nick Cave, who I think is one of the best – and most reverent – interpreters of the Southern (Protestant) gothic.
July 26, 2015 @ 6:14 am
Love Nick Cave as well but hadn’t heard Cash’s version til just now. Very cool, thanks!
July 24, 2015 @ 8:28 am
I’ve actually seen M.M. live before and he wasn’t half bad. As weird and crazy as he might come off during his live performances and stuff I’ve seen enough interviews and heard story’s of how much of a genuine and good hearted guy he is. Though I might not agree with some of his clothing attire at times, I have nothin but respect for the guy and look forward to a southern sound from him. I just hope he’s doing it for the right reasons and not because his album sales are declining.
July 25, 2015 @ 11:39 am
I saw him with Rob Zombie a few years ago.. the guy was completely wasted. If I had to guess, some kind of benzo/alcohol mixture. Twiggy wasn’t all there, either. He missed lyrics, mumbled, a few times even leaned on a prop to stay standing. At one point Twiggy must have said something.. the response was “Fuck you, Jeordie.. you want to fight?” He did not sound in character and the use of Twig’s real first name made me think it was a real moment and not a part of the show. I was sorely disappointed, being a Manson fan for about 20 years. Apparently they had a lot of problems with the Zombie camp on that tour. I guess that’s what happens with one group who parties hard and another full of guys that don’t even do as much as drink.
But that was one experience, I have not seen them any other times.
July 24, 2015 @ 8:42 am
has anyone else seen the new Rod Stewart album? that Rod Stewart is so hot right now!
July 24, 2015 @ 9:55 am
I heard his live show will now include having sex with a mechanical bull. He’s also considering having sex with a pickup truck.
July 24, 2015 @ 11:11 am
Dunno if anyone remembers when Al Jourgensen (Ministry, PigFace, etc.) had a “country” side project (Buck Satan and the 666 Shooters) back in 2011. It didn’t go over very well, and to me it sounded like a mockery of what he thought country represented thematically. Just my opinion. However, I think MM will do more than scratch the surface. There are a few acoustic tracks on his last album (only on the extended version) that are actually pretty good………I think he has a decent shot at it, anyway.
July 24, 2015 @ 2:45 pm
Marilyn Manson – still more country than Sam Hunt
July 24, 2015 @ 5:26 pm
Actually don’t loathe Marilyn Manson but might could be more giddy if they were announcing he’s doing this project w/, say, Hiss Golden Messenger (rather than encouraging Johnny Depp’s musical stylings further – his Kentucky roots don’t class him w/ Jim Ford or Jackie DeShannon…). Wonder if the end result will be more accented Eco-metal than country(politan)?
July 25, 2015 @ 9:53 am
Him or Taylor Swift? lol?! At least he can sing lol! His covers are pretty good of Tainted Love and Personal Jesus. Even though he made them a rock version.
July 28, 2015 @ 4:31 pm
Hi my name is Varg Vikernes, lead singer of the group Burzum. I will be releasing a country music album. Listen for my debut single “I Stabbed A Man In Oslo (Just To Watch Him Die).”
July 28, 2015 @ 4:35 pm
And yes, Cannibal Corpse will be throwing its hat into the country music ring soon. Our debut country CD will feature singles such as “Tailgate Smashed Face,” “Buried in The Barn”, “I Cum Fireball,” and “Sentenced To Burn One Down.”
August 19, 2015 @ 6:14 pm
Fun fact: John5 who currently plays guitar for Rob Zombie, and formerly w/ Marilyn Manson, can chicken pick with the best of them. His solo album “Vertigo” had great versions of Sugar foot Rag, Salt Creek, Liberty, and more.