MARILYN MANSON - TAINTED LOVE

This interesting import single is actually the product of a film soundtrack rather than a Marilyn Manson album which explains the addition of tracks by other bands.  Both Mest and Stabbing Westward get a chance to deliver some goods with a track each.

Marilyn Manson starts off the single with a cover of 'Tainted Love' the song made a household name by 80's New Wave band, Soft Cell.  Although Manson's version is a lot heavier in the beat and slower in tempo, it's a fairly straightforward rendition.  It stays faithful to the arrangement created by Soft Cell and Manson's spooky vocal delivery takes a song that already borders on soft core s&m and turns it into sinister snuff porn.  You'll be hiding under the bed after this one.  And that's exactly what I think he wanted to accomplish!  Well done!

Mest appears next and I know absolutely nothing about this group other than their appearance on this disc.  They cover Modern English's 'I Melt With You'.  There seems to be a trend in recent films to have newer bands cover 80's hits.  That's cool most of the time.  Sometimes it isn't.  I'm not a huge fan of Mest and what they do here.  Whereas the goal would be to make a better version of the older track, they just bang it out in a rather aggressive manner that doesn't recall the original track in a way that will make you remember it fondly.  Obviously the original is better.  

Marilyn appears again on track number three performing 'Suicide Is Painless'.  This is a song that was actually the theme song for M*A*S*H*.  Unlike the other tracks on this disc, this song dates all the way back to the early 70's.  And Manson delivers what could possibly be the creepiest version of this track ever recorded.  Again, they score with an amazing sound.  If you like Manson at all, this is one track you need to get your hands on.

The final track is by Stabbing Westward.  I saw them open for Depeche Mode once.  They did a good job.  On track number four they offer up a hit by New Order, 'Bizarre Love Triangle'.  New Order is a complicated band with so many musical directions it's often hard to interpret their music.  But Stabbing Westward are up to the challenge.  They don't stay faithful to the original, but they offer up a grunge tinged version more appropriate for the time and it's actually enjoyable to listen to.

The fact is, even the Mest track isn't bad.  It's still fun to listen to.  That being what it is, this is a great single to own and if you like any of these bands, I don't know why you wouldn't own it.  Of course there's always the chance the songs all show up on other releases but I don't own any.  

My final words:  MANSON DELIVERS SOME CREEPY COVERS FOR ALL THE GOOD LITTLE BOYS AND GIRLS TO ENJOY!!!!

MARILYN MANSON - TAINTED LOVE
01. Marilyn Manson - Tainted Love
02. Mest - I Melt With You
03. Marilyn Manson - Suicide Is Painless
04. Stabbing Westward - Bizarre Love Triangle