Difference between revisions of "Smells Like Children (album)"
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| − | + | {{Disambiguation|the EP|the song|Smells Like Children (song)|the tour|Smells Like Children (tour)}} | |
{{Album | {{Album | ||
| Name = Smells Like Children | | Name = Smells Like Children | ||
| − | | Type = | + | | Type = EP |
| Artist = [[Marilyn Manson (band)|Marilyn Manson]] | | Artist = [[Marilyn Manson (band)|Marilyn Manson]] | ||
| Cover = Smells-Like-Children.jpg | | Cover = Smells-Like-Children.jpg | ||
| − | | Released = October | + | | Released = October 25, 1995 |
| Recorded = 1994–1995 at [[Nothing Records|Nothing Studios]] in New Orleans, Louisiana | | Recorded = 1994–1995 at [[Nothing Records|Nothing Studios]] in New Orleans, Louisiana | ||
| − | | Genre = Industrial metal, heavy metal | + | | Genre = Industrial metal, heavy metal, Experimental music |
| Length = 54:43 | | Length = 54:43 | ||
| − | | Label = [[ | + | | Label = [[Nothing]], [[Interscope Records|Interscope]], Atlantic |
| Producer = [[Marilyn Manson]], [[Charlie Clouser]], [[Trent Reznor]], Dave Ogilvie | | Producer = [[Marilyn Manson]], [[Charlie Clouser]], [[Trent Reznor]], Dave Ogilvie | ||
| + | | Discogs = http://www.discogs.com/master/17968 | ||
| Last album = ''[[Portrait of an American Family]]''<br />(1994) | | Last album = ''[[Portrait of an American Family]]''<br />(1994) | ||
| This album = '''''Smells Like Children'''''<br />(1995) | | This album = '''''Smells Like Children'''''<br />(1995) | ||
| Next album = ''[[Antichrist Superstar]]''<br />(1996) | | Next album = ''[[Antichrist Superstar]]''<br />(1996) | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | '''''Smells Like Children''''' is | + | '''''Smells Like Children''''' is a remix EP by American rock band [[Marilyn Manson (band)|Marilyn Manson]]. It was released on October 24, 1995 in the US through [[Nothing]] and [[Interscope Records]]. It was produced by the band's [[Marilyn Manson|frontman]] and [[Trent Reznor]] of [[Nine Inch Nails]]. The release represents an era of the band full of drugs, abuse, tours, sound experiments, and is also a reference to the 1968 musical film ''Chitty Chitty Bang Bang'' and the book Perfume by Patrick Suskind. |
The release was initially proposed to strictly be a remix single for "[[Dope Hat]]", but various contributions by engineer and Skinny Puppy producer [[Dave Ogilvie]], Nine Inch Nails live keyboardist [[Charlie Clouser]] and new material by the band resulted in an eclectic and unusual combination of material. All the ideas and tracks for this EP were created and composed throughout the touring cycle in support of ''[[Portrait of an American Family]]'', and is the first Marilyn Manson work that features longtime member [[Ginger Fish]] on drums. | The release was initially proposed to strictly be a remix single for "[[Dope Hat]]", but various contributions by engineer and Skinny Puppy producer [[Dave Ogilvie]], Nine Inch Nails live keyboardist [[Charlie Clouser]] and new material by the band resulted in an eclectic and unusual combination of material. All the ideas and tracks for this EP were created and composed throughout the touring cycle in support of ''[[Portrait of an American Family]]'', and is the first Marilyn Manson work that features longtime member [[Ginger Fish]] on drums. | ||
| − | The EP was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments of over 1.3 million copies in the United States.<ref name="RIAA">{{cite web|url=http://riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=Smells%20Like%20Children&artist=Marilyn%20Manson&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2010&sort=Artist&perPage=25 |title=RIAA Database Search for Marilyn Manson |publisher=''Recording Industry Association of America'' |date= |accessdate=2008-08-14}}</ref> Spearheaded by its sole single, a cover of "[[Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)]]", originally written and performed by Eurythmics in 1983, the song became a staple on MTV and helped to establish the band in the mainstream. | + | The EP was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments of over 1.3 million copies in the United States.<ref name="RIAA">{{cite web|url=http://riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=Smells%20Like%20Children&artist=Marilyn%20Manson&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2010&sort=Artist&perPage=25 |title=RIAA Database Search for Marilyn Manson |publisher=''Recording Industry Association of America'' |date= |accessdate=2008-08-14}}</ref> Spearheaded by its sole single, a cover of "[[Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)]]", originally written and performed by Eurythmics in 1983, the song became a staple on MTV and helped to establish the band in the mainstream. |
| − | ==Background and development== | + | == Background and development == |
| − | + | ||
After the conclusion of the ''Portrait of an American Family'' Tour, the band undertook the opening slot position for [[Support for Danzig's Danzig 4p Tour|Danzig's 4p Tour]] from March 24, 1995 until May 14, 1995. During their tenure, Danzig/Pantera tour bus driver [[Tony F. Wiggins]] befriended Marilyn Manson, bassist [[Twiggy Ramirez]] and keyboardist [[Madonna Wayne Gacy]] and went on backstage drug binges, perverse acts and other unusual escapades with them.<ref>{{harvnb|Manson|Strauss|1998|p=177-198}}</ref> | After the conclusion of the ''Portrait of an American Family'' Tour, the band undertook the opening slot position for [[Support for Danzig's Danzig 4p Tour|Danzig's 4p Tour]] from March 24, 1995 until May 14, 1995. During their tenure, Danzig/Pantera tour bus driver [[Tony F. Wiggins]] befriended Marilyn Manson, bassist [[Twiggy Ramirez]] and keyboardist [[Madonna Wayne Gacy]] and went on backstage drug binges, perverse acts and other unusual escapades with them.<ref>{{harvnb|Manson|Strauss|1998|p=177-198}}</ref> | ||
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After the tour ended, mention of Wiggins or any affiliation of with him was unknown. Manson later described him as "a vacuum cleaner for sin,"<ref>{{harvnb|Manson|Strauss|1998|p=177}}</ref> and claims him to be indirectly responsible for his own disappearing innocence and human emotions on the road,<ref>{{harvnb|Manson|Strauss|1998|p=179}}</ref>. The current condition of their relationship is at best, a crucial part of Marilyn Manson history. | After the tour ended, mention of Wiggins or any affiliation of with him was unknown. Manson later described him as "a vacuum cleaner for sin,"<ref>{{harvnb|Manson|Strauss|1998|p=177}}</ref> and claims him to be indirectly responsible for his own disappearing innocence and human emotions on the road,<ref>{{harvnb|Manson|Strauss|1998|p=179}}</ref>. The current condition of their relationship is at best, a crucial part of Marilyn Manson history. | ||
| − | |||
| − | ==Themes== | + | == Themes == |
| − | [[File:School Crossing Guard.jpg|right| | + | [[File:School Crossing Guard.jpg|right|thumbnail|240px]] |
The band's frontman has discussed his thoughts in retrospect on ''Smells Like Children'' within his autobiography ''[[The Long Hard Road Out of Hell]]'', circa 1998: | The band's frontman has discussed his thoughts in retrospect on ''Smells Like Children'' within his autobiography ''[[The Long Hard Road Out of Hell]]'', circa 1998: | ||
| Line 39: | Line 38: | ||
Manson has considered the release to be "An album that looks like an album for children that is not for children"; in fact, on the outer rim of the CD label the printed words "Keep this and all drugs away from small children" are visible. | Manson has considered the release to be "An album that looks like an album for children that is not for children"; in fact, on the outer rim of the CD label the printed words "Keep this and all drugs away from small children" are visible. | ||
| − | ==Music== | + | == Music == |
| − | ===Songs=== | + | === Songs === |
A number of cover songs are included in the track listing, most famous of which is the band's cover of Eurythmics' "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)", which helped to skyrocket the band into the mainstream. The other covers on the EP are the Patti Smith song "[[Rock 'n' Roll Nigger]]" and Screamin' Jay Hawkins' "[[I Put a Spell on You]]", with the latter later featured on the soundtrack for David Lynch's 1997 psychological thriller film ''Lost Highway''. | A number of cover songs are included in the track listing, most famous of which is the band's cover of Eurythmics' "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)", which helped to skyrocket the band into the mainstream. The other covers on the EP are the Patti Smith song "[[Rock 'n' Roll Nigger]]" and Screamin' Jay Hawkins' "[[I Put a Spell on You]]", with the latter later featured on the soundtrack for David Lynch's 1997 psychological thriller film ''Lost Highway''. | ||
| − | [[File:Band62dx3.jpg|left| | + | [[File:Band62dx3.jpg|left|thumbnail|180px]] |
| − | A recorded telephone conversation between Manson's mother and grandmother, titled "[[May Cause Discoloration of the Urine or Feces]]", is sometimes included on early bootlegs under the title "[[Procardia]]", in a heavily modified version which is actually a fan-made track, and not an actual track from either | + | A recorded telephone conversation between Manson's mother and grandmother, titled "[[May Cause Discoloration of the Urine or Feces]]", is sometimes included on early bootlegs under the title "[[Procardia]]", in a heavily modified version which is actually a fan-made track, and not an actual track from either pressing—this version contains the original track in the left channel, and an extract from Raggedy Ann in the right. The ''Smells Like Children'' version was previously featured as part of the sound scape "[[Revelation 9|Revelation #9]]", released on the single for "[[Get Your Gunn]]". Some of these bootlegs may also contain bonus tracks, including a demo for the song "[[My Monkey]]" from ''Portrait of an American Family'', and another track called "[[Choklit Factory]]" taken from the band's [[Marilyn Manson and the Spooky Kids|Spooky Kids-era]]. |
The EP alludes to famous occult author Aleister Crowley, particularly in the "Dope Hat" re-recording "[[Diary of a Dope Fiend]]" after the Crowley novel ''Diary of a Drug Fiend''. The "Frankie" referred to in "[[Fuck Frankie]]" is [[Frankie Proia]], Manson's tour manager at the time who embezzled $20,000 from the band during their tour for their previous release, ''Portrait of an American Family''.<ref name="TLHROHp191-192"/> Wiggins recorded an acoustic rendition of the song "[[Cake and Sodomy]]" under the title "[[White Trash]]". Manson stated the irony of having Wiggins "strum and twang a redneck version" of the song was "perfect for its message, since [it] critiques southern Christian white trash".<ref name="TLHROHp191-192"/> | The EP alludes to famous occult author Aleister Crowley, particularly in the "Dope Hat" re-recording "[[Diary of a Dope Fiend]]" after the Crowley novel ''Diary of a Drug Fiend''. The "Frankie" referred to in "[[Fuck Frankie]]" is [[Frankie Proia]], Manson's tour manager at the time who embezzled $20,000 from the band during their tour for their previous release, ''Portrait of an American Family''.<ref name="TLHROHp191-192"/> Wiggins recorded an acoustic rendition of the song "[[Cake and Sodomy]]" under the title "[[White Trash]]". Manson stated the irony of having Wiggins "strum and twang a redneck version" of the song was "perfect for its message, since [it] critiques southern Christian white trash".<ref name="TLHROHp191-192"/> | ||
| − | The "One-Legged..." referred to in "[[Dancing with the One-Legged...]]" was "a battered doll of Huggy Bear, the pimp from the 1970s cop thriller television series, ''Starsky and Hutch'', which was missing a leg". | + | The "One-Legged..." referred to in "[[Dancing with the One-Legged...]]" was "a battered doll of Huggy Bear, the pimp from the 1970s cop thriller television series, ''Starsky and Hutch'', which was missing a leg". Manson explains, "Inside that empty plastic socket was where we hid our drugs throughout the Tony Wiggins tour. Whenever we ingested the contents of that extra orifice, we referred to it in code as 'dancing with the one-legged pimp'".<ref name="TLHROHp191-192"/> The untitled sixteenth track contains a slower, more ominous remix of "[[Shitty Chicken Gang Bang]]" and, approximately 6 minutes in, an unusual audio experiment sometimes referred to as "[[Poop Games]]." |
| − | ===Samples=== | + | === Samples === |
| − | {{ | + | {{cquote|"The only solace was that through some unfortunate error someone at the record pressing plant made several thousand copies of our original version of the album, thinking it was the new one. Without even listening to them, the record company sent them out as promotional copies to radio stations and journalists before realizing their mistake. Now, they are available to anyone who wants to hear them on the Internet. Though someone at the label actually accused me of plotting it, I wish I was that resourceful. God, however irrelevant he may be to me, works in mysterious ways."<ref name="TLHROHp191-192"/> |source=—Marilyn Manson discussing the state of the removed tracks}} |
| − | Early promotional copies of ''Smells Like Children'' featured unauthorized samples from the films ''Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory'' and ''Chitty Chitty Bang Bang'', as well as other sound bites considered "too extreme", therefore resulting in the tracklisting to be re-edited accordingly for public release, much to Manson's chagrin.<ref name="TLHROHp191-192"/> Interscope was not interested in buying licenses to use the film samples and demanded written affidavits from the participants in the sound bites, certifying their consent to be recorded.<ref name="TLHROHp191-192"/> The removed clips were the original opening track, "[[Abuse, Part 1 (There Is Pain Involved)]]", featuring | + | Early promotional copies of ''Smells Like Children'' featured unauthorized samples from the films ''Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory'' and ''Chitty Chitty Bang Bang'', as well as other sound bites considered "too extreme", therefore resulting in the tracklisting to be re-edited accordingly for public release, much to Manson's chagrin.<ref name="TLHROHp191-192"/> Interscope was not interested in buying licenses to use the film samples and demanded written affidavits from the participants in the sound bites, certifying their consent to be recorded.<ref name="TLHROHp191-192"/> The removed clips were the original opening track, "[[Abuse, Part 1 (There Is Pain Involved)]]", featuring Tony Wiggins abusing a masochistic girl,<ref>{{harvnb|Manson|Strauss|1998|p=190}}</ref> and "[[Abuse, Part 2 (Confessions)]]", featuring an interview with a girl who confesses to molesting her 6 or 7 year-old male cousin.<ref name="TLHROHp191-192"/> These were replaced by "[[The Hands of Small Children]]" and "May Cause Discoloration of the Urine or Feces", respectively. |
The tracks "[[Sympathy for the Parents]]" and "Dancing with the One-Legged..." are distorted sound clips taken from an appearance by Manson, Ramirez and Gacy on ''The Phil Donahue Show''.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47TWt3vi9hc Interview]</ref> The episode discussed the dangers of moshing at concerts. The excerpt used in "Sympathy for the Parents" features Ramirez responding to a question about the appearance of the band's members by playing a cassette tape recording of "[[Scabs, Guns and Peanut Butter]]," before Manson's answer to the same question. | The tracks "[[Sympathy for the Parents]]" and "Dancing with the One-Legged..." are distorted sound clips taken from an appearance by Manson, Ramirez and Gacy on ''The Phil Donahue Show''.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47TWt3vi9hc Interview]</ref> The episode discussed the dangers of moshing at concerts. The excerpt used in "Sympathy for the Parents" features Ramirez responding to a question about the appearance of the band's members by playing a cassette tape recording of "[[Scabs, Guns and Peanut Butter]]," before Manson's answer to the same question. | ||
| − | ==Release== | + | == Release == |
| − | ===Singles=== | + | === Singles === |
| − | [[File:Mmspooky xmas.jpg| | + | [[File:Mmspooky xmas.jpg|thumbnail|left|210px|[[Marilyn Manson]] in the music video for "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)"]] |
''Smells Like Children'' was anchored by only one single, a cover version of Eurythmics 1983 hit "[[Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)]]". | ''Smells Like Children'' was anchored by only one single, a cover version of Eurythmics 1983 hit "[[Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)]]". | ||
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The music video for Manson's cover was a gateway to popularity for the band, eventually being nominated at the 1996 MTV Video Music Awards for Best Rock Video, and contains several clips of Manson and band members in what appears to be an old, decrepit asylum whilst wearing a variety of strange costumes. The overall video was shot with unusual filters: this was one of the first videos shot with director [[Dean Karr]]'s initial vision intact, not based solely on whatever ideas the band had come up with prior. In between these clips are a number of surreal shots of Manson wearing a wedding gown, Manson wandering around an abandoned street in a tutu, birds fluttering around him and leaving dropping on his body, and footage of him riding a pig wearing a cowboy hat whilst covered with mud which Manson rides during the song's climax. | The music video for Manson's cover was a gateway to popularity for the band, eventually being nominated at the 1996 MTV Video Music Awards for Best Rock Video, and contains several clips of Manson and band members in what appears to be an old, decrepit asylum whilst wearing a variety of strange costumes. The overall video was shot with unusual filters: this was one of the first videos shot with director [[Dean Karr]]'s initial vision intact, not based solely on whatever ideas the band had come up with prior. In between these clips are a number of surreal shots of Manson wearing a wedding gown, Manson wandering around an abandoned street in a tutu, birds fluttering around him and leaving dropping on his body, and footage of him riding a pig wearing a cowboy hat whilst covered with mud which Manson rides during the song's climax. | ||
| − | ==Reception== | + | == Reception == |
| − | ===Critical reception=== | + | === Critical reception === |
{{Album ratings | {{Album ratings | ||
| rev1 = allmusic | | rev1 = allmusic | ||
| Line 77: | Line 76: | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | Upon its release, the EP met with mixed reviews from music critics. allmusic gave it a favorable review and said: "Where the full-length debut showed sparks of character and invention beneath industrial metal sludge, ''Smells Like Children'' is a smartly crafted horror show, filled with vulgarity, ugliness, goth freaks, and sideshow scares. Manson wisely chose to heighten his cartoonish personality with the EP. Most of the record is devoted to spoken words and samples, all designed to push the outrage buttons of middle America. Musically, it may not amount to | + | Upon its release, the EP met with mixed reviews from music critics. allmusic gave it a favorable review and said: "Where the full-length debut showed sparks of character and invention beneath industrial metal sludge, ''Smells Like Children'' is a smartly crafted horror show, filled with vulgarity, ugliness, goth freaks, and sideshow scares. Manson wisely chose to heighten his cartoonish personality with the EP. Most of the record is devoted to spoken words and samples, all designed to push the outrage buttons of middle America. Musically, it may not amount to much—it's goth-metal-industrial, as good as the "Dope Hat," "[[Lunchbox]]," and "Cake and Sodomy" trilogy that distinguished the debut—but as a sonic sculpture, as an ''objet d'art'', it's effective and wickedly fascinating. It's exactly what Brian Warner needed to do to establish Marilyn Manson as America's bogeyman for the late '90s."<ref name="Allmusic SLC">{{cite web|last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |url={{Allmusic|class=album|id=r228664|pure_url=yes}} |title=Smells Like Children Allmusic Review |work=''allmusic'' |publisher=All Media Guide (Rovi) |accessdate=2011-07-12}}</ref> |
| − | Music critic Robert Christgau defined ''Smells Like Children'' as an "Unmitigated consumer | + | Music critic Robert Christgau defined ''Smells Like Children'' as an "Unmitigated consumer fraud—a mess of instrumentals, covers, and remixes designed to exploit its well-publicized tour, genderfuck cover art, titillating titles, and parental warning label. The lyrics to "Shitty Chicken Gang Bang" are nonexistent, those to "Everlasting Cocksucker" incomprehensible. Only "Fuck Frankie," a spoken-word number in which a female feigning sexual ecstasy reveals that it isn't "Fool Frankie" or "Fire Frankie" or "Fast Frankie" or for that matter "Fist Frankie," delivers what it promises. It's easily the best thing on the record."<ref name="Christgau">{{cite web| last= Christgau |first = Robert |url = http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_album.php?id=5920 | title = Smells Like Children |work=The Village Voice |publisher=Village Voice Media | accessdate = 2011-06-24}}</ref> Tony Scherman of ''Entertainment Weekly'' also gave the release a negative review and called it "an artlessly assembled excuse for an album, these minor-league White Zombie wannabes throw together pointless remixes, irritating skits, and lame covers of songs by Eurythmics, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, and Patti Smith. Co-producer [[Trent Reznor]] should hang his head in shame."<ref name="SchermanEW">{{cite web|last=Scherman |first=Tony |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,299960,00.html |title=Smells Like Children Music Review |work=Entertainment Weekly |publisher=Time Inc. (Time Warner) |date=1995-12-15 |accessdate=2011-06-24}}</ref> |
| − | ==Smells Like Children Tour== | + | == Smells Like Children Tour == |
{{Main|Smells Like Children (tour)}} | {{Main|Smells Like Children (tour)}} | ||
| − | [[File:Mmfr5cc2.jpg|right| | + | [[File:Mmfr5cc2.jpg|right|thumbnail|140px]] |
The Smells Like Children Tour was the fourth tour Marilyn Manson embarked on. The band was on the tour from June 1, 1995 until February 4, 1996. During these performances, the background scrim was a parody of a ouija board which read "Marilyn Manson" on the center. Another feature to the show was the addition of giant trees on each side of the stage from which hung ventriloquist dummies from the branches. The stage was usually set up to accommodate small audiences, as most of the shows took place in clubs, rather than arenas. | The Smells Like Children Tour was the fourth tour Marilyn Manson embarked on. The band was on the tour from June 1, 1995 until February 4, 1996. During these performances, the background scrim was a parody of a ouija board which read "Marilyn Manson" on the center. Another feature to the show was the addition of giant trees on each side of the stage from which hung ventriloquist dummies from the branches. The stage was usually set up to accommodate small audiences, as most of the shows took place in clubs, rather than arenas. | ||
This was the first tour in which Manson began using stilts. The band also began their signature bizarre looks during these concerts as well, by shaving their eyebrows, and donning makeup and sexually suggestive clothes (with Manson wearing jock straps to pulling his pants down and tucking his penis between his legs, and with Ramirez beginning his traditional kinderwhore cross-dressing gimmick). | This was the first tour in which Manson began using stilts. The band also began their signature bizarre looks during these concerts as well, by shaving their eyebrows, and donning makeup and sexually suggestive clothes (with Manson wearing jock straps to pulling his pants down and tucking his penis between his legs, and with Ramirez beginning his traditional kinderwhore cross-dressing gimmick). | ||
| − | Once an occasional sight on the band's previous tours, Manson was now regularly seen cutting himself on stage most | + | Once an occasional sight on the band's previous tours, Manson was now regularly seen cutting himself on stage most nights—particularly during performances of "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)". He got his main chest scarring from this tour as he got into a heated argument with a crowd member and broke a glass bottle and ran it across his chest. |
| − | ==Track listing== | + | == Track listing == |
# "[[The Hands of Small Children]]" – 1:34 | # "[[The Hands of Small Children]]" – 1:34 | ||
# "[[Diary of a Dope Fiend]]" – 5:55 | # "[[Diary of a Dope Fiend]]" – 5:55 | ||
| Line 109: | Line 108: | ||
# ([[Track 16|Untitled]]) – 8:19 | # ([[Track 16|Untitled]]) – 8:19 | ||
| − | ===B-sides=== | + | === B-sides === |
* "[[Abuse, Part 1 (There Is Pain Involved)]]" – 1:35 | * "[[Abuse, Part 1 (There Is Pain Involved)]]" – 1:35 | ||
* "[[Abuse, Part 2 (Confessions)]]" – 2:42 | * "[[Abuse, Part 2 (Confessions)]]" – 2:42 | ||
| − | ==Album credits== | + | == Album credits == |
<small><center>Produced by [[Trent Reznor]] and [[Marilyn Manson|M. Manson]]. Engineered and mixed by [[Sean Beavan]]. Assisted by Jim Janick and Eugene. Special Oz Tour by [[Chris Vrenna]].<br> | <small><center>Produced by [[Trent Reznor]] and [[Marilyn Manson|M. Manson]]. Engineered and mixed by [[Sean Beavan]]. Assisted by Jim Janick and Eugene. Special Oz Tour by [[Chris Vrenna]].<br> | ||
[[The Hands of Small Children|1]] birthed by M. Manson & [[Stephen Bier|M.W. Gacy]]. [[Shitty Chicken Gang Bang|3]] created by M.W. Gacy. [[Kiddie Grinder|4]] & [[Dance of the Dope Hats|12]] remixed by Dave Ogilvie with Joe Bishara and Anthony Valcic.<br> | [[The Hands of Small Children|1]] birthed by M. Manson & [[Stephen Bier|M.W. Gacy]]. [[Shitty Chicken Gang Bang|3]] created by M.W. Gacy. [[Kiddie Grinder|4]] & [[Dance of the Dope Hats|12]] remixed by Dave Ogilvie with Joe Bishara and Anthony Valcic.<br> | ||
| − | [[Everlasting Cocksucker|7]] remixed by Charlie (Slugworth) Clouser. [[May Cause Discoloration of the Urine or Feces|10]] [[Blanche Wyer]]. [[Scabs, Guns and Peanut Butter|11]] composed and performed by [[ | + | [[Everlasting Cocksucker|7]] remixed by [[Charlie Clouser|Charlie (Slugworth) Clouser]]. [[May Cause Discoloration of the Urine or Feces|10]] [[Blanche Wyer]]. [[Scabs, Guns and Peanut Butter|11]] composed and performed by [[Twiggy Ramirez]]. [[White Trash|13]] performed by [[Tony Wiggins|Tony f. wiggins]]. |
All titles published by Dinger & Ollie Music/Beat Up Your Mom Music, BMI/Onward Music. PRS. All rights on behalf of Beat Up your Mom Music administered by Dinger & Ollie Music except [[Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)|6]] (Stewart) BMG Songs, Inc., ASCAP, [[I Put a Spell on You|9]] (Hawkins) EMI/Unart Catalog , Inc., BMI, and [[Rock 'n' Roll Nigger|15]] (Smith/Kaye) Ninja Music, ASCAP.<br> | All titles published by Dinger & Ollie Music/Beat Up Your Mom Music, BMI/Onward Music. PRS. All rights on behalf of Beat Up your Mom Music administered by Dinger & Ollie Music except [[Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)|6]] (Stewart) BMG Songs, Inc., ASCAP, [[I Put a Spell on You|9]] (Hawkins) EMI/Unart Catalog , Inc., BMI, and [[Rock 'n' Roll Nigger|15]] (Smith/Kaye) Ninja Music, ASCAP.<br> | ||
| − | Photography by Joseph Cultice. Pornography Coordinator: Frankie Proia. Sleeve concept by Mr. Manson. Package and logo by Gary Talpas.<br> | + | Photography by Joseph Cultice. Pornography Coordinator: [[Frankie Proia]]. Sleeve concept by Mr. Manson. Package and logo by Gary Talpas.<br> |
| − | ©1995 [[ | + | ©1995 [[Nothing]]/[[Interscope Records|Interscope]]. All rights reserved.</center></small> |
| − | Reverend Marilyn Manson: Spitting, Self-Mutilation, Chickens<br> | + | Reverend [[Marilyn Manson]]: Spitting, Self-Mutilation, Chickens<br> |
| − | Twiggy Ramirez: Mini-Cassette, Fag Bass, Wigs<br> | + | [[Twiggy Ramirez]]: Mini-Cassette, Fag Bass, Wigs<br> |
[[Daisy Berkowitz]]: Analog Distorted Filth Box, Electric Twangdoodles, Cigarettes<br> | [[Daisy Berkowitz]]: Analog Distorted Filth Box, Electric Twangdoodles, Cigarettes<br> | ||
| − | Madonna Wayne Gacy: Sound Deformation, Poop Games<br> | + | [[Madonna Wayne Gacy]]: Sound Deformation, Poop Games<br> |
[[Ginger Fish]]: Kiddie Pops, Live Drums | [[Ginger Fish]]: Kiddie Pops, Live Drums | ||
| − | ==Cover gallery== | + | == Cover gallery == |
| − | + | {{Gallery | |
| − | + | | Smells-Like-Children.jpg = Front cover | |
| − | + | | SmellsLikeChildren(back).png = Back cover | |
| − | + | | SmellsLikeChildren(disc).png = Disc | |
| − | + | | SmellsLikeChildren(insert).png = Insert | |
| − | + | | SmellsLikeChildrenVinyl.png = Vinyl front cover | |
| − | + | | SmellsLikeChildrenVinyl(Back).png = Vinyl back cover | |
| − | + | | SmellsLikeChildrenVinyl(Disc).png = Vinyl disc | |
| − | + | | SmellsLikeChildrenPictureDisc(A).png = Picture disc, side A | |
| − | + | | SmellsLikeChildrenPictureDisc(B).png = Picture disc, side B}} | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | ==Charts and certifications== | + | == Charts and certifications == |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | ===Album charts=== | + | === Album charts === |
| − | {|class=" | + | {| class="maintable" |
| + | |- | ||
| + | ! class="stretch"|Charts (1995) || Peak position | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | + | | United States ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite web|url={{Allmusic|class=album|id=smells-like-children-r228664/charts-awards|pure_url=yes}} |title=Smells Like Children Charts & Awards |publisher=allmusic |accessdate=2011-05-23}}</ref> || 31 | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | | | + | |
|} | |} | ||
| − | + | === Certifications === | |
| − | + | {| class="maintable" | |
| − | ===Certifications=== | + | |- |
| − | {| class=" | + | ! Region !! Provider !! Certification !! Shipment !! Actual Sales |
| − | |- | + | |
| − | !Region | + | |
| − | !Provider | + | |
| − | !Certification | + | |
| − | !Shipment | + | |
| − | !Actual Sales | + | |
|- | |- | ||
| − | + | | Canada || CRIA || Platinum<ref name="CRIA">[http://www.cria.ca/cert_db_search.php "CRIA Database Search for Marilyn Manson"] ''Canadian Recording Industry Association''. Retrieved on March 06, 2011.</ref> || 100,000+ || — | |
| − | | | + | |
| − | | | + | |
| − | | | + | |
| − | | | + | |
|- | |- | ||
| − | + | | United States || RIAA || Platinum<ref>[http://riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=Smells%20Like%20Children&artist=Marilyn%20Manson&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2010&sort=Artist&perPage=25 "RIAA Database Search for Smells Like Children"] ''Recording Industry Association of America''. Access date: March 06, 2011.</ref> || 1,000,000+ || — | |
| − | | | + | |
| − | | | + | |
| − | | | + | |
| − | | | + | |
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
| − | + | === Singles === | |
| − | + | {| class="maintable" | |
| − | ===Singles=== | + | |
| − | {| class=" | + | |
|- | |- | ||
| − | ! | + | ! Single !! class="stretch" | Chart (1996) !! Peak position |
| − | ! | + | |
| − | ! | + | |
|- | |- | ||
| − | |rowspan="3"|"[[Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)]]" | + | |rowspan="3"|"[[Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)]]" || Hungary (Mahasz)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mahasz.hu/?menu=slagerlistak&menu2=archivum |title=Search for Marilyn Manson in the Artist field |publisher=Mahasz |accessdate=2011-09-01}}</ref> ||7 |
| − | |Hungary (Mahasz)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mahasz.hu/?menu=slagerlistak&menu2=archivum |title=Search for Marilyn Manson in the Artist field |publisher=Mahasz |accessdate=2011-09-01}}</ref> | + | |
| − | | | + | |
|- | |- | ||
| − | |''Billboard'' Modern Rock Tracks<ref name="allbillsing">{{cite web|url={{Allmusic|class=album|id=smells-like-children-r228664/charts-awards/billboard-single|pure_url=yes}} |title=Smells Like Children Charts & Awards ''Billboard'' Singles |publisher=allmusic |accessdate=2011-05-23}}</ref> | + | |''Billboard'' Modern Rock Tracks<ref name="allbillsing">{{cite web|url={{Allmusic|class=album|id=smells-like-children-r228664/charts-awards/billboard-single|pure_url=yes}} |title=Smells Like Children Charts & Awards ''Billboard'' Singles |publisher=allmusic |accessdate=2011-05-23}}</ref> || 26 |
| − | | | + | |
|- | |- | ||
| − | |U.S. ''Billboard'' Mainstream Rock Tracks<ref name="allbillsing"/> | + | | U.S. ''Billboard'' Mainstream Rock Tracks<ref name="allbillsing"/> ||31 |
| − | | | + | |
|} | |} | ||
| − | ==Trivia== | + | == Trivia == |
* The cover art and title were inspired by the Child Catcher, the antagonist of the 1968 film ''Chitty Chitty Bang Bang''. The Child Catcher wears an all-black suit, with a top hat, and has moderately long black hair. His most recognizable feature is his elongated nose, with which he is able to smell children and find where they are hiding. | * The cover art and title were inspired by the Child Catcher, the antagonist of the 1968 film ''Chitty Chitty Bang Bang''. The Child Catcher wears an all-black suit, with a top hat, and has moderately long black hair. His most recognizable feature is his elongated nose, with which he is able to smell children and find where they are hiding. | ||
| − | *Many of the sampled soundbites and quotes were taken and altered from Marilyn Manson's appearance on the talk show, [[Interview:Phil Donahue Show|Phil Donahue]]. The show was about violence at concerts and "dangers" of moshing. | + | * Many of the sampled soundbites and quotes were taken and altered from Marilyn Manson's appearance on the talk show, [[Video Interview:Phil Donahue Show|Phil Donahue]]. The show was about violence at concerts and "dangers" of moshing. |
* The little hats that appear on the "M" for "Marilyn" are a parody of the Willy Wonka logo. | * The little hats that appear on the "M" for "Marilyn" are a parody of the Willy Wonka logo. | ||
* This is Ginger Fish's first album with Marilyn Manson. | * This is Ginger Fish's first album with Marilyn Manson. | ||
| − | ==Credits and personnel== | + | == Credits and personnel == |
| − | {{ | + | {{FixedColumns |
| − | ;Marilyn Manson<ref name="allcredits">{{cite web|url={{Allmusic|class=album|id=smells-like-children-r228664/credits|pure_url=yes}} |title=Smells Like Children credits |publisher=allmusic |accessdate=2011-05-23}}</ref> | + | | ;Marilyn Manson<ref name="allcredits">{{cite web|url={{Allmusic|class=album|id=smells-like-children-r228664/credits|pure_url=yes}} |title=Smells Like Children credits |publisher=allmusic |accessdate=2011-05-23}}</ref> |
| − | *[[Marilyn Manson | + | *[[Marilyn Manson|Reverend Marilyn Manson]] – concept, vocals, producer, art direction (credited as "spitting, self-mutilation, chickens") |
*[[Jeordie White|Twiggy Ramirez]] – bass, tape manipulation, vocals on "Scabs, Guns and Peanut Butter" (credited as "mini-cassette, fag bass, wigs") | *[[Jeordie White|Twiggy Ramirez]] – bass, tape manipulation, vocals on "Scabs, Guns and Peanut Butter" (credited as "mini-cassette, fag bass, wigs") | ||
*[[Daisy Berkowitz]] – guitars, concept (credited as "analog distorted filth box, electric twangdoodles, cigarettes") | *[[Daisy Berkowitz]] – guitars, concept (credited as "analog distorted filth box, electric twangdoodles, cigarettes") | ||
*[[Madonna Wayne Gacy]] – keyboards, synthesizers, loops, programming (credited as "sound deformation, poop games") | *[[Madonna Wayne Gacy]] – keyboards, synthesizers, loops, programming (credited as "sound deformation, poop games") | ||
*[[Ginger Fish]] – drums, percussion (credited as "kiddie pops, live drums") | *[[Ginger Fish]] – drums, percussion (credited as "kiddie pops, live drums") | ||
| − | + | | ;Production<ref name="allcredits"/> | |
| − | + | ||
| − | ;Production<ref name="allcredits"/> | + | |
*[[Trent Reznor]] – executive producer | *[[Trent Reznor]] – executive producer | ||
*[[Chris Vrenna]] – programming, digital editing | *[[Chris Vrenna]] – programming, digital editing | ||
*[[Sean Beavan]] – engineer, mixing | *[[Sean Beavan]] – engineer, mixing | ||
*[[Charlie Clouser]] – remixing | *[[Charlie Clouser]] – remixing | ||
| − | *[[Dave "Rave" Ogilvie]] – remixing | + | *[[Dave Ogilvie|Dave "Rave" Ogilvie]] – remixing |
*Joseph Bishara – remixing | *Joseph Bishara – remixing | ||
*Anthony Valcic – remixing | *Anthony Valcic – remixing | ||
| Line 233: | Line 201: | ||
* Eugene – assistant | * Eugene – assistant | ||
* [[Blanche Wyer]] – speaking | * [[Blanche Wyer]] – speaking | ||
| − | * [[Barb Warner]] – speaking <small>(uncredited)</small> | + | * [[Barbara Warner|Barb Warner]] – speaking <small>(uncredited)</small> |
| − | + | }} | |
| − | ==References== | + | == References == |
;Footnotes | ;Footnotes | ||
| − | + | <references/> | |
;Bibliography | ;Bibliography | ||
*{{cite book |last1= Manson |first1= Marilyn |last2=Strauss |first2= Neil |title= [[The Long Hard Road Out of Hell]] |date=February 14, 1998 |publisher=HarperCollins division ReganBooks |location=New York |isbn=0-06-039258-4 |ref=harv}} | *{{cite book |last1= Manson |first1= Marilyn |last2=Strauss |first2= Neil |title= [[The Long Hard Road Out of Hell]] |date=February 14, 1998 |publisher=HarperCollins division ReganBooks |location=New York |isbn=0-06-039258-4 |ref=harv}} | ||
| + | |||
| + | ;External Links | ||
| + | *<small>[http://archive.is/fEHGJ ''mansonusa.com'' "''Smells Like Children''"]. | ||
{{Discography}} | {{Discography}} | ||
| − | [[Category:Marilyn Manson | + | |
| − | [[Category:1989-1995 | + | [[Category:Marilyn Manson discography]] |
| − | + | [[Category:1989-1995 era]] | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
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Latest revision as of 13:13, 8 February 2024
This article is about the EP
- for the song see Smells Like Children (song)
- for the tour see Smells Like Children (tour)
| Smells Like Children | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|||||
| EP by Marilyn Manson | |||||
| Released | October 25, 1995 | ||||
| Recorded | 1994–1995 at Nothing Studios in New Orleans, Louisiana | ||||
| Genre | Industrial metal, heavy metal, Experimental music | ||||
| Length | 54:43 | ||||
| Label | Nothing, Interscope, Atlantic | ||||
| Producer | Marilyn Manson, Charlie Clouser, Trent Reznor, Dave Ogilvie | ||||
| Discogs |  View at Discogs |
||||
| Marilyn Manson chronology | |||||
|
|||||
Smells Like Children is a remix EP by American rock band Marilyn Manson. It was released on October 24, 1995 in the US through Nothing and Interscope Records. It was produced by the band's frontman and Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails. The release represents an era of the band full of drugs, abuse, tours, sound experiments, and is also a reference to the 1968 musical film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and the book Perfume by Patrick Suskind.
The release was initially proposed to strictly be a remix single for "Dope Hat", but various contributions by engineer and Skinny Puppy producer Dave Ogilvie, Nine Inch Nails live keyboardist Charlie Clouser and new material by the band resulted in an eclectic and unusual combination of material. All the ideas and tracks for this EP were created and composed throughout the touring cycle in support of Portrait of an American Family, and is the first Marilyn Manson work that features longtime member Ginger Fish on drums.
The EP was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments of over 1.3 million copies in the United States.[1] Spearheaded by its sole single, a cover of "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)", originally written and performed by Eurythmics in 1983, the song became a staple on MTV and helped to establish the band in the mainstream.
Contents
Background and development[edit]
After the conclusion of the Portrait of an American Family Tour, the band undertook the opening slot position for Danzig's 4p Tour from March 24, 1995 until May 14, 1995. During their tenure, Danzig/Pantera tour bus driver Tony F. Wiggins befriended Marilyn Manson, bassist Twiggy Ramirez and keyboardist Madonna Wayne Gacy and went on backstage drug binges, perverse acts and other unusual escapades with them.[2]
The most well-known and notorious of Wiggins-related events was a series of backstage makeshift torture, interviews and confessions administered by himself, Manson, Ramirez and Gacy to disturbed, emotionally unstable and otherwise strange individuals who were both strangers and Marilyn Manson fans alike.[3]
After the tour ended, mention of Wiggins or any affiliation of with him was unknown. Manson later described him as "a vacuum cleaner for sin,"[4] and claims him to be indirectly responsible for his own disappearing innocence and human emotions on the road,[5]. The current condition of their relationship is at best, a crucial part of Marilyn Manson history.
Themes[edit]
The band's frontman has discussed his thoughts in retrospect on Smells Like Children within his autobiography The Long Hard Road Out of Hell, circa 1998:
| “ | It was a perfect preface to an album about abuse: sexual abuse, domestic abuse, drug abuse, psychological abuse. Midway through the record, we [initially] included one of the taped confessions we had gathered, from a girl who molested her seven-year-old male cousin. It underscored the subplot of the album, about the most common target of abuse: innocence. I've always liked the Peter Pan idea of being a kid in mind if not in body, and Smells Like Children was supposed to be a record for someone who's no longer a child, someone who, like myself, wants their innocence back now that they're corrupted enough to appreciate it. [...] What began as a very disturbing record had become a record that disturbed only me.[6] | ” |
Manson has considered the release to be "An album that looks like an album for children that is not for children"; in fact, on the outer rim of the CD label the printed words "Keep this and all drugs away from small children" are visible.
Music[edit]
Songs[edit]
A number of cover songs are included in the track listing, most famous of which is the band's cover of Eurythmics' "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)", which helped to skyrocket the band into the mainstream. The other covers on the EP are the Patti Smith song "Rock 'n' Roll Nigger" and Screamin' Jay Hawkins' "I Put a Spell on You", with the latter later featured on the soundtrack for David Lynch's 1997 psychological thriller film Lost Highway.
A recorded telephone conversation between Manson's mother and grandmother, titled "May Cause Discoloration of the Urine or Feces", is sometimes included on early bootlegs under the title "Procardia", in a heavily modified version which is actually a fan-made track, and not an actual track from either pressing—this version contains the original track in the left channel, and an extract from Raggedy Ann in the right. The Smells Like Children version was previously featured as part of the sound scape "Revelation #9", released on the single for "Get Your Gunn". Some of these bootlegs may also contain bonus tracks, including a demo for the song "My Monkey" from Portrait of an American Family, and another track called "Choklit Factory" taken from the band's Spooky Kids-era.
The EP alludes to famous occult author Aleister Crowley, particularly in the "Dope Hat" re-recording "Diary of a Dope Fiend" after the Crowley novel Diary of a Drug Fiend. The "Frankie" referred to in "Fuck Frankie" is Frankie Proia, Manson's tour manager at the time who embezzled $20,000 from the band during their tour for their previous release, Portrait of an American Family.[6] Wiggins recorded an acoustic rendition of the song "Cake and Sodomy" under the title "White Trash". Manson stated the irony of having Wiggins "strum and twang a redneck version" of the song was "perfect for its message, since [it] critiques southern Christian white trash".[6]
The "One-Legged..." referred to in "Dancing with the One-Legged..." was "a battered doll of Huggy Bear, the pimp from the 1970s cop thriller television series, Starsky and Hutch, which was missing a leg". Manson explains, "Inside that empty plastic socket was where we hid our drugs throughout the Tony Wiggins tour. Whenever we ingested the contents of that extra orifice, we referred to it in code as 'dancing with the one-legged pimp'".[6] The untitled sixteenth track contains a slower, more ominous remix of "Shitty Chicken Gang Bang" and, approximately 6 minutes in, an unusual audio experiment sometimes referred to as "Poop Games."
Samples[edit]
| “ | "The only solace was that through some unfortunate error someone at the record pressing plant made several thousand copies of our original version of the album, thinking it was the new one. Without even listening to them, the record company sent them out as promotional copies to radio stations and journalists before realizing their mistake. Now, they are available to anyone who wants to hear them on the Internet. Though someone at the label actually accused me of plotting it, I wish I was that resourceful. God, however irrelevant he may be to me, works in mysterious ways."[6] | ” |
| —Marilyn Manson discussing the state of the removed tracks | ||
Early promotional copies of Smells Like Children featured unauthorized samples from the films Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, as well as other sound bites considered "too extreme", therefore resulting in the tracklisting to be re-edited accordingly for public release, much to Manson's chagrin.[6] Interscope was not interested in buying licenses to use the film samples and demanded written affidavits from the participants in the sound bites, certifying their consent to be recorded.[6] The removed clips were the original opening track, "Abuse, Part 1 (There Is Pain Involved)", featuring Tony Wiggins abusing a masochistic girl,[7] and "Abuse, Part 2 (Confessions)", featuring an interview with a girl who confesses to molesting her 6 or 7 year-old male cousin.[6] These were replaced by "The Hands of Small Children" and "May Cause Discoloration of the Urine or Feces", respectively.
The tracks "Sympathy for the Parents" and "Dancing with the One-Legged..." are distorted sound clips taken from an appearance by Manson, Ramirez and Gacy on The Phil Donahue Show.[8] The episode discussed the dangers of moshing at concerts. The excerpt used in "Sympathy for the Parents" features Ramirez responding to a question about the appearance of the band's members by playing a cassette tape recording of "Scabs, Guns and Peanut Butter," before Manson's answer to the same question.
Release[edit]
Singles[edit]
Smells Like Children was anchored by only one single, a cover version of Eurythmics 1983 hit "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)".
Manson often drew musical inspiration from his dreams, but the idea to cover this song came from his first experimentation with LSD at a house party, according to his autobiography. He says that he hallucinated a "slower, meaner" version of the dance hit playing, sung in his voice.[9] He also stated that Nothing did not want to release this as a single. They wanted to release their cover of Screamin' Jay Hawkins' "I Put a Spell on You", which, according to Manson, "was far too dark, sprawling and esoteric, even for some of our fans."[6]
The music video for Manson's cover was a gateway to popularity for the band, eventually being nominated at the 1996 MTV Video Music Awards for Best Rock Video, and contains several clips of Manson and band members in what appears to be an old, decrepit asylum whilst wearing a variety of strange costumes. The overall video was shot with unusual filters: this was one of the first videos shot with director Dean Karr's initial vision intact, not based solely on whatever ideas the band had come up with prior. In between these clips are a number of surreal shots of Manson wearing a wedding gown, Manson wandering around an abandoned street in a tutu, birds fluttering around him and leaving dropping on his body, and footage of him riding a pig wearing a cowboy hat whilst covered with mud which Manson rides during the song's climax.
Reception[edit]
Critical reception[edit]
| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| allmusic |   [10]
|
| Robert Christgau | (D+)[11] |
| Entertainment Weekly | (D)[12] |
Upon its release, the EP met with mixed reviews from music critics. allmusic gave it a favorable review and said: "Where the full-length debut showed sparks of character and invention beneath industrial metal sludge, Smells Like Children is a smartly crafted horror show, filled with vulgarity, ugliness, goth freaks, and sideshow scares. Manson wisely chose to heighten his cartoonish personality with the EP. Most of the record is devoted to spoken words and samples, all designed to push the outrage buttons of middle America. Musically, it may not amount to much—it's goth-metal-industrial, as good as the "Dope Hat," "Lunchbox," and "Cake and Sodomy" trilogy that distinguished the debut—but as a sonic sculpture, as an objet d'art, it's effective and wickedly fascinating. It's exactly what Brian Warner needed to do to establish Marilyn Manson as America's bogeyman for the late '90s."[10]
Music critic Robert Christgau defined Smells Like Children as an "Unmitigated consumer fraud—a mess of instrumentals, covers, and remixes designed to exploit its well-publicized tour, genderfuck cover art, titillating titles, and parental warning label. The lyrics to "Shitty Chicken Gang Bang" are nonexistent, those to "Everlasting Cocksucker" incomprehensible. Only "Fuck Frankie," a spoken-word number in which a female feigning sexual ecstasy reveals that it isn't "Fool Frankie" or "Fire Frankie" or "Fast Frankie" or for that matter "Fist Frankie," delivers what it promises. It's easily the best thing on the record."[11] Tony Scherman of Entertainment Weekly also gave the release a negative review and called it "an artlessly assembled excuse for an album, these minor-league White Zombie wannabes throw together pointless remixes, irritating skits, and lame covers of songs by Eurythmics, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, and Patti Smith. Co-producer Trent Reznor should hang his head in shame."[12]
Smells Like Children Tour[edit]
- Main article: Smells Like Children (tour)
The Smells Like Children Tour was the fourth tour Marilyn Manson embarked on. The band was on the tour from June 1, 1995 until February 4, 1996. During these performances, the background scrim was a parody of a ouija board which read "Marilyn Manson" on the center. Another feature to the show was the addition of giant trees on each side of the stage from which hung ventriloquist dummies from the branches. The stage was usually set up to accommodate small audiences, as most of the shows took place in clubs, rather than arenas.
This was the first tour in which Manson began using stilts. The band also began their signature bizarre looks during these concerts as well, by shaving their eyebrows, and donning makeup and sexually suggestive clothes (with Manson wearing jock straps to pulling his pants down and tucking his penis between his legs, and with Ramirez beginning his traditional kinderwhore cross-dressing gimmick).
Once an occasional sight on the band's previous tours, Manson was now regularly seen cutting himself on stage most nights—particularly during performances of "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)". He got his main chest scarring from this tour as he got into a heated argument with a crowd member and broke a glass bottle and ran it across his chest.
Track listing[edit]
- "The Hands of Small Children" – 1:34
- "Diary of a Dope Fiend" – 5:55
- "Shitty Chicken Gang Bang" – 1:19
- "Kiddie Grinder" (Remix) – 4:23
- "Sympathy for the Parents" – 1:00
- "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" – 4:53
- "Everlasting Cocksucker" (Remix) – 5:13
- "Fuck Frankie" – 1:48
- "I Put a Spell on You" – 3:36
- "May Cause Discoloration of the Urine or Feces" – 3:59
- "Scabs, Guns and Peanut Butter" – 1:01
- "Dance of the Dope Hats" (Remix) – 4:39
- "White Trash" (Remix) – 2:47
- "Dancing with the One-Legged..." – 0:46
- "Rock 'n' Roll Nigger" – 3:31
- (Untitled) – 8:19
B-sides[edit]
- "Abuse, Part 1 (There Is Pain Involved)" – 1:35
- "Abuse, Part 2 (Confessions)" – 2:42
Album credits[edit]
1 birthed by M. Manson & M.W. Gacy. 3 created by M.W. Gacy. 4 & 12 remixed by Dave Ogilvie with Joe Bishara and Anthony Valcic.
7 remixed by Charlie (Slugworth) Clouser. 10 Blanche Wyer. 11 composed and performed by Twiggy Ramirez. 13 performed by Tony f. wiggins.
All titles published by Dinger & Ollie Music/Beat Up Your Mom Music, BMI/Onward Music. PRS. All rights on behalf of Beat Up your Mom Music administered by Dinger & Ollie Music except 6 (Stewart) BMG Songs, Inc., ASCAP, 9 (Hawkins) EMI/Unart Catalog , Inc., BMI, and 15 (Smith/Kaye) Ninja Music, ASCAP.
Photography by Joseph Cultice. Pornography Coordinator: Frankie Proia. Sleeve concept by Mr. Manson. Package and logo by Gary Talpas.
Reverend Marilyn Manson: Spitting, Self-Mutilation, Chickens
Twiggy Ramirez: Mini-Cassette, Fag Bass, Wigs
Daisy Berkowitz: Analog Distorted Filth Box, Electric Twangdoodles, Cigarettes
Madonna Wayne Gacy: Sound Deformation, Poop Games
Ginger Fish: Kiddie Pops, Live Drums
Cover gallery[edit]
Front cover 
Back cover 
Disc 
Insert 
Vinyl front cover 
Vinyl back cover 
Vinyl disc 
Picture disc, side A 
Picture disc, side B
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Charts and certifications[edit]
Album charts[edit]
| Charts (1995) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| United States Billboard 200[13] | 31 |
Certifications[edit]
| Region | Provider | Certification | Shipment | Actual Sales |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | CRIA | Platinum[14] | 100,000+ | — |
| United States | RIAA | Platinum[15] | 1,000,000+ | — |
Singles[edit]
| Single | Chart (1996) | Peak position |
|---|---|---|
| "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" | Hungary (Mahasz)[16] | 7 |
| Billboard Modern Rock Tracks[17] | 26 | |
| U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks[17] | 31 |
Trivia[edit]
- The cover art and title were inspired by the Child Catcher, the antagonist of the 1968 film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The Child Catcher wears an all-black suit, with a top hat, and has moderately long black hair. His most recognizable feature is his elongated nose, with which he is able to smell children and find where they are hiding.
- Many of the sampled soundbites and quotes were taken and altered from Marilyn Manson's appearance on the talk show, Phil Donahue. The show was about violence at concerts and "dangers" of moshing.
- The little hats that appear on the "M" for "Marilyn" are a parody of the Willy Wonka logo.
- This is Ginger Fish's first album with Marilyn Manson.
Credits and personnel[edit]
|
|
References[edit]
- Footnotes
- ↑ "RIAA Database Search for Marilyn Manson". Recording Industry Association of America. http://riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=Smells%20Like%20Children&artist=Marilyn%20Manson&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2010&sort=Artist&perPage=25. Retrieved 2008-08-14.
- ↑ Manson & Strauss 1998, p. 177-198
- ↑ Manson & Strauss 1998, p. 180
- ↑ Manson & Strauss 1998, p. 177
- ↑ Manson & Strauss 1998, p. 179
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 6.8 Manson & Strauss 1998, p. 191-192
- ↑ Manson & Strauss 1998, p. 190
- ↑ Interview
- ↑ Manson & Strauss 1998, p. 104-105
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Smells Like Children Allmusic Review". allmusic. All Media Guide (Rovi). https://www.allmusic.com/album/r228664. Retrieved 2011-07-12.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Christgau, Robert. "Smells Like Children". The Village Voice. Village Voice Media. http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_album.php?id=5920. Retrieved 2011-06-24.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Scherman, Tony (1995-12-15). "Smells Like Children Music Review". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. (Time Warner). http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,299960,00.html. Retrieved 2011-06-24.
- ↑ "Smells Like Children Charts & Awards". allmusic. https://www.allmusic.com/album/smells-like-children-r228664/charts-awards. Retrieved 2011-05-23.
- ↑ "CRIA Database Search for Marilyn Manson" Canadian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved on March 06, 2011.
- ↑ "RIAA Database Search for Smells Like Children" Recording Industry Association of America. Access date: March 06, 2011.
- ↑ "Search for Marilyn Manson in the Artist field". Mahasz. http://www.mahasz.hu/?menu=slagerlistak&menu2=archivum. Retrieved 2011-09-01.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 "Smells Like Children Charts & Awards Billboard Singles". allmusic. https://www.allmusic.com/album/smells-like-children-r228664/charts-awards/billboard-single. Retrieved 2011-05-23.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 "Smells Like Children credits". allmusic. https://www.allmusic.com/album/smells-like-children-r228664/credits. Retrieved 2011-05-23.
- Bibliography
- Manson, Marilyn; Strauss, Neil (February 14, 1998). The Long Hard Road Out of Hell. New York: HarperCollins division ReganBooks. ISBN 0-06-039258-4.
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