I know that music is one big influence-- One that can change your mood from song to song. This album's influence on me is that of co-dependence. In just about every song it seems like he is talking about a certain girl or drug. Something he needs to continue on and function, something he needs to remain alive. Which of course is not the case, but in the mind of a co-dependent it is. We all have this in a way I think, maybe even just a tiny bit. With titles like “Putting Holes In Happiness,” I get the impression that he's saying he'd never be happy without that object. In a way Eat Me Drink Me sounds like the predictable Manson, full of anguish and his home-hitting bitter looks on life that make you say to yourself, "I couldn't agree more." Messages that he sends are clearer in this album, as if he is more of a story-teller; a story teller trying to warn his listeners about the dangers and fears of the world. Eat Me Drink Me sounds different to me here because compared to his other albums, he isn't drowned out by the rest of the band-- his lyrics are clearer. This changes the whole outlook of what the listener interprets of the song’s meaning.

Going back to the co-dependent vibe-- Eat Me Drink Me sounds like it’s about his personal experiences in life, painful ones full of mistakes. The popular hit "Heart Shaped Glasses" seems to be a good example of this when you listen to the lyrics: "Don't break, don't break my heart/ and I won't break your heart-shaped glasses/ little girl, little girl you should close your eyes." It sounds as if he is talking to a girl, telling her not go hurt him because he's easily hurt. But she has these metaphoric "heart-shaped glasses," which say that she isn't hurt that easily, because the sunglasses are used as protection-- and since they're the heart-shaped, this means that she doesn't take things as deeply. But if she hurts him, he'll make her vulnerable. That's what this song says to me.

Eat Me Drink Me also speaks to me, mostly of despair and of co-dependence in different situations. For every song the story seems to change, but the punch-line is still right in your face. It is a lonely-sounding CD which sounds sort of painful with its low, depressing tones and synths. On the other hand it can speak to you deeply, like it does to me at some points. Music tells stories and Manson happens to be a genius at it. He is great for being able to write these stories that I think everybody can relate to. And if no relations are made, that's also fine-- because his lewd, crude, and surprising stories entertain. That’s why I recommend this album.

~Patrick Chamberland

Patrick Chamberland is a 14 year-old, freshman in high school. He lives in the most northern point of Maine.

Watch Marilyn Manson's Video for "Heart-Shaped Glasses"