Released 31 years ago this October
Smells Like Children
Marilyn Manson · 1995
54 min · 16 tracks · industrial metal
A provocative blend of industrial metal and eerie soundscapes that challenges societal norms through a distorted lens.
Top tracks — play these first
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Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) — This cover transformed Eurythmics’ classic into a haunting anthem, exemplifying Manson’s unique style and ability to infuse new meaning into familiar music.
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Diary of a Dope Fiend Start here — The track's raw exploration of addiction and despair highlights Manson's confrontational lyrical style, making it a striking centerpiece of the album.
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I Put a Spell on You — Manson’s rendition of this classic showcases his theatrical vocal delivery and dark reinterpretation, bridging rock history with his shock rock aesthetic.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The EP combines aggressive industrial metal with eerie soundscapes, showcasing Manson's provocative style.
What we noticed
- The opening track features a haunting spoken word over unsettling soundscapes, setting a dark tone for the EP.
- Several tracks incorporate remixes of previous songs, blending industrial metal with electronic elements and altering their original structures.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dark, provocative listening sessions
- short, impactful track experiences
- layered, complex sonic themes
- unsettling yet engaging narratives
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Further solidified Manson's reputation post-'Portrait of an American Family'.
- Themes
- childhood trauma· addiction despair· suburban nightmares
- Career context
- Released on October 24, 1995, 'Smells Like Children' marked Marilyn Manson's first major project after the breakthrough success of 'Portrait of an American Family'. This album further solidified Manson's controversial persona and artistic vision, transitioning from underground notoriety to mainstream acknowledgment.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Nine Inch Nails· Rob Zombie· Ministry
Tracklist
- 1 The Hands of Small Children 1:36
- 2 Diary of a Dope Fiend Start here 5:56
- 3 Shitty Chicken Gang Bang 1:19
- 4 Kiddie Grinder (remix) 4:24
- 5 Sympathy for the Parents 1:01
- 6 Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) 4:52
- 7 Everlasting Cocksucker (remix) 5:15
- 8 Fuck Frankie 1:48
- 9 I Put a Spell on You 3:37
- 10 May Cause Discoloration of the Urine or Feces 3:59
- 11 Scabs, Guns and Peanut Butter 1:01
- 12 Dance of the Dope Hats (remix) 4:40
- 13 White Trash (remixed by Tony F. Wiggins) 2:48
- 14 Dancing With the One-Legged… 0:46
- 15 Rock ’n’ Roll Nigger 3:32
- 16 [unknown] 8:20
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
The Downward Spiral
Nine Inch Nails
Shares a similar industrial sound and dark themes of self-destruction and societal critique.
Psalm 69: The Way to Succeed and the Way to Suck Eggs
Ministry
Combines industrial metal with provocative lyrics, pushing boundaries in both sound and message.
Hellbilly Deluxe
Rob Zombie
Features a blend of metal and horror aesthetics, challenging norms with a theatrical and rebellious spirit.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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