I have heard the new Manson album.
It's easily his best work in 20 years.
I keep trying to get back into MM but his new stuff never really grabs me. I'll try the new album, maybe it's different.
The quality of his output is heavily dependent on his collaborators, and a lot of his later records just don't have very inspired pairings. Seems like he chooses co-writers based on how easy they are to work with (instead of people like Trent Reznor, who would challenge him to try new ideas and overcome his pitfalls as an artist.)
The last Manson album I really liked before this one was Eat Me Drink Me, mainly cause I'm a guitar nerd who liked Tim Skold's playing on the songs. Where Manson lost me was The High End of Low, which was so disappointing. I had pretty much gave up on him after Born Villain and Pale Emperor that didn't do much for me.
I don't disagree when it comes to his collaborators. His old stuff worked cause he had a good band behind him. There was always a good guitar player who supplied crunching riffs (Daisy, Twiggy, Zim Zum, John 5, Skold), but I think Pogo was the most important member of his band. Ever since he departed, there's an absence felt in the production and overall soundscape.
I enjoyed the new album, but it don't sound like his prime era. Easily better than everything since 2004, but it's more of a Bowie inspired Rock album than anything industrial. Tyler Bates is the main collaborator on it, and his style isn't for everyone. I just wish Manson would've let Reba Meyers work on this album. She was his lead guitarist on the recent tour, and she's the best guitarist he's had since John 5. If she had some room to supply leads or some solos, she'd stick out.
Manson sounds far better live today than he has in a long time. He's got his voice back and his live band sounds great, hence why I've been so excited for him.