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Jeremy Aaron
02/09/10, 10:33 AM
Rob Zombie - Hellbilly Deluxe 2
Record Label: Roadrunner
Release Date: February 2, 2009

Who?

The former White Zombie frontman turned solo artist turned horror movie director-screenwriter-producer returns with his fourth solo album.

How Is It?

When he's not recreating slasher flick gold as suspense-free gorefests for the consumption of the bloodthirsty masses, he apparently still has time to make music. Unfortunately for him, there's been an overwhelming desensitization of society over the last decade or so, such that what might have qualified as shock rock in the '90s is now just schlock rock, making this new release, and supposed follow-up to his 1998 solo debut, no more forceful than a B-movie sequel. Much like a cheap, trashy creepshow, this will surely get eaten up by Zombie devotees, but there's less here than ever beneath the pasty white facade.

The usual monsters and boogeymen (and even Jack the Ripper) make their inevitable appearances, but you know the well of viable material has run dry when you start conjuring images like "Jesus Frankenstein". Really? To be fair, anyone going into Hellbilly Deluxe 2 expecting something deep and life-altering is obviously infinitely misguided, but it all ends up feeling something like the movie Zombie Strippers. Taking an already silly idea to the nth degree ruins any attempt on the part of the consumer to suspend disbelief.

Musically, it's pretty much vintage Zombie-- relatively catchy metal with the occasional industrial vibe. Those chugging riffs on "Sick Bubblegum" even sound like they were pulled right out of "Dragula". We've also got the obligatory spooky film clips opening a song here and there. And not for nothing, but it's all kind of entertaining, but in the same kind of way that watching fat-ass has-been stars try to get in shape or watching tweaked-out "celebrities" try to get clean is entertaining. Enjoying it certainly doesn't make us better people; it probably makes us worse. I guess the fact that Rob Zombie's career has lasted this long (and the fact that those shows are attracting viewers) is a testament to the enduring appeal of the outrageous.

For Fans Of: Rob Zombie

1. Jesus Frankenstein (5:23)
2. Sick Bubblegum (3:44)
3. What? (2:47)
4. Mars Needs Women (4:58)
5. Werewolf, Baby! (3:59)
6. Virgin Witch (3:38)
7. Death and Destiny Inside the Dream Factory (2:18)
8. Burn (3:04)
9. Cease to Exist (3:39)
10. Werewolf Women of the SS (3:01)
11. The Man Who Laughs (9:44)

Check out Rob Zombie at Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/robzombie) and last.fm (http://www.last.fm/music/Rob+Zombie).
Preview/Buy the album at Amazon MP3 (http://www.amazon.com/Hellbilly-Deluxe-2-Special-Edition/dp/B00359PAVW/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=dmusic&qid=1265739918&sr=8-6)
satellitesong
02/09/10, 03:48 PM
i think its about time mr. zombie stopped trying to make music. just stick to the movies
brothaman
02/10/10, 04:44 AM
not a very good album, simply because of his vocals;he lost the deep roar-like tone of old. he just sounds whiny now.
NateFoundGlory
02/10/10, 04:53 AM
Haha never really been a Zombie fan (although I do spin Educated Horses now and again), but props to him for still going I guess. Good review.
PaperRival-Jake
02/10/10, 05:27 AM
The artwork for his records is always top notch. Maybe redundant but... seeing his wife naked hardly gets old. I have respect for this man. The music is obviously corny but I would score this in the 70's somewhere just out of respect for the genre that he pretty much pioneered, however cheesy it may be.
TragedyofMariam
02/10/10, 05:42 AM
The artwork for his records is always top notch. Maybe redundant but... seeing his wife naked hardly gets old. I have respect for this man. The music is obviously corny but I would score this in the 70's somewhere just out of respect for the genre that he pretty much pioneered, however cheesy it may be.
i agree. i'm actually a pretty big fan of zombie. although his music hasn't really progressed, i for one WOULDN'T WANT his music to progress. given his age and his accomplishments, i highly doubt he's at a stage where he'd like to change his sound (especially given that he said this is going to be his last record).

zombie's music is good. it's metal/rock/industrial and sometimes borderline house/dance.

i appreciate the review, it did it's job well. i'm definitely going to be getting this record though.
smelltheglove
02/10/10, 06:06 AM
obviously this is a "fans-only" type of release. I mean, are "the kids" really even trying to get into Zombie these days? Most probably know him more now as "the guy that did the Halloween remake" and not "the frontman from White Zombie"...those of us old enough to remember the radio landscape from 1995-2000 know that Zombie dominated the airwaves with his brand of horror-commercial-metal that I still really enjoy, even if it is my inner nostalgic teenager enjoying it most.

nothing Zombie has done post-White Zombie is as good as the White Zombie classic "Astro Creep 2000"...you know...the album with 'more human than human'. even teenagers these days have surely heard that song, alternative radio refuses to stop spinning it, even 15 yeras after its peak on the charts.

he followed that album with his first solo release "hellbilly deluxe" in 1998, which of course spawned the massive hit "dragula".

since then, he put out a couple ho-hum solo releases, toured a bit and focused most of his attention in the 2000s by making horror movies, excellent horror movies I might add. he's put out 5 over the last decade.

now, after more or less stepping away from music for the past 5 years to focus on the Halloween remakes, he's back, with his best effort since the original "hellbilly deluxe", althouhg it still isn't as good as his White Zombie work or the original Hellbilly.

but for fans, it's a welcome return to form.

sure, the lyrics might not be your thing, random horror movie imagary and nonsense. his vocal sneer might not be yoru thing. the soundbites and bombastic production might not be yoru thing. like I said, new fans should probably start with his back cataloge, new fans will dig this for what it is. it's not a great album, but it's a nice fix.

Zombie has stated this will likely be his last album, will see if there's truth to that, but considering it's been 4 years since hsi last effort, I doubt he'll put out anything else anytime soon.

for those that enjoy his sound, give this a listen, he's made some modifications to his style over the past decade, but old fans will enjoy this , even for just the nostalgic tip.

don't go looking for some deep meaning or high art statement. it's a rob zombie record. this shit is just fun, like his horror movies. some may think distrubing, some may think stupid, people like me just take it as entertainment. just a good time.
smelltheglove
02/10/10, 06:08 AM
not a very good album, simply because of his vocals;he lost the deep roar-like tone of old. he just sounds whiny now.

i agree his vocals are not nearly as strong as they were a decade ago. he relies too much on effects now. but its still fun. shit he is old. i'm just glad he took the time to make a 4th solo album. this really is a fans-only type release. i doubt he "needs money" at this point. I think the Halloween remakes were pretty good to him.
brothaman
02/10/10, 06:22 AM
i agree his vocals are not nearly as strong as they were a decade ago. he relies too much on effects now. but its still fun. shit he is old. i'm just glad he took the time to make a 4th solo album. this really is a fans-only type release. i doubt he "needs money" at this point. I think the Halloween remakes were pretty good to him.
it is ok, some songs are really good, others are very mundane. im a lfielong zombie fan, so im sure it will grow on me.
smelltheglove
02/10/10, 06:26 AM
it is ok, some songs are really good, others are very mundane. im a lfielong zombie fan, so im sure it will grow on me.

yea, I thought Educated Horses and Sinister Urge were very hit and miss...a couple real good songs but just as many duds. By comparison, I think this one is a little more consistent, a little better "hit to dud ratio" than his last couple releases.

its good, its fun, nothing spectacular. his best work, musically at least, was made in the 90s. but at least it's something new from him. its at least a few more songs to add to the "rob zombie mix" best of playist on iTunes.
brothaman
02/10/10, 06:29 AM
yea, I thought Educated Horses and Sinister Urge were very hit and miss...a couple real good songs but just as many duds. By comparison, I think this one is a little more consistent, a little better "hit to dud ratio" than his last couple releases.

its good, its fun, nothing spectacular. his best work, musically at least, was made in the 90s. but at least it's something new from him. its at least a few more songs to add to the "rob zombie mix" best of playist on iTunes.
i do like the southern rock influences on this album. thats a big plus.
smelltheglove
02/10/10, 06:31 AM
i do like the southern rock influences on this album. thats a big plus.

yea, those that pay attention will notice that this one is far less industrial than his old stuff and there's a definite southern rock/garage rock vibe to it.
golferpunk1
02/10/10, 08:26 AM
i think its about time mr. zombie stopped trying to make music. just stick to the movies
Please no. He's already ruined Halloween.
Alex DiVincenzo
02/10/10, 08:55 AM
Nice review. Spot on. Not a big fan of Zombie on record (although it's fun from time to time), but he puts on a great live show.
HometownHero
02/10/10, 10:21 AM
All that can be said about this is: :puke:
handlikesecret
02/10/10, 12:59 PM
i think its about time mr. zombie stopped trying.
fixed.
zombie!pirate!
02/10/10, 01:24 PM
love this guy. wish he'd take film a bit more serious though and do something original other then his halloween remakes (I know i know, HO1000C, and Devils rejects, but those were years ago)
CalRahhh
02/10/10, 05:45 PM
I really like his first 3 efforts, not sure how I feel about this one. As a film maker, The Devil's Rejects is fantastic, everything else has been a bit above average at best.
rickbarrera
02/10/10, 07:11 PM
i listened to it and the first thing that came to my mind was "where the fuck is my twisted metal 4 for PSone?" not life changing but still a great album to listen while you're destroying cars
porttheman
02/13/10, 02:37 PM
Werewolf Women of the SS? hahah.Tight!