Search - Rob Zombie :: Hellbilly Deluxe 2

Failed regression

Robin Solsjö Höglund | Skellefteå, Sweden | 02/12/2010

(2 out of 5 stars)

"It seems some people didn't appreciate Rob's last one, Educated Horses. I for one think it's a great album - a bit of a departure, but still a very solid hard rock album and clearly a Rob Zombie one. It has a more relaxed, classic rock touch that makes it instantly listenable and accessible, showing a more mellow and mature side of Rob.



Hellbilly Deluxe II is a strange one. As the title suggests, it's an attempt to take a step back to the glory days of Rob's solo career, and he spouts out more classic movie monster stuff here, but it doesn't really work - he's found a new voice (literally) with Horses, and the new band doesn't give the same drive as back in the days. It mostly comes off as impulsive and whiny to me. Repeating the words "Mars needs women, angry red women" as a chorus, or a miserable song attempt (again) at his own faux trailer movie title, Werewolf Women Of The SS, just seems weak. I still can't argue that some of it is catchy (there's not a single Rob Zombie album that fails with catchy), especially "Jesus Frankenstein", "Sick Bubble-Gum" or "Burn", but it's not as inspired as Educated Horses or as viciously rocking as Hellbilly Deluxe. It also sports one of the ugliest album covers I might've ever seen, and that from the man who claims he put all into the artwork this time as it's said to be his last album on a physical CD format. If that's true, for shame."

Zombie's Back!

DV6740 | New Jersey, USA | 03/06/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I was going to write a lengthy review of this CD and compare it to his other work but, you know what? I changed my mind. I just deleted a whole paragraph of nonsense just to leave you with some simple thoughts:



It's Rob Zombie, he does his thing, and any real fan is glad that he does it.



With 11 tracks your bound to have a few lemons, but Hellbilly Deluxe 2 sounds great, kicks, and RZ rocks in all his quirky, eclectic and gritty glory. I love it."

There's Just No Pleasing Some People

A. Ludens | Rapid City, SD | 06/24/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First off, this cd rocks. I'll get to the music in a second. I wonder what Rob thinks of his fickle fans. With so many complaining about Educated Horses and screaming for a return to the good old days, Rob does just that by releasing a project very similar in theme and content to Hellbilly Deluxe. Now people are crawling out of the woodwork to complain about how Rob's just rehashing old material. Well, that's what his fans were asking for. Are we dealing with two warring factions within Zombie's fan base or do some people just like to complain no matter what? Someone said he was cooler fifteen years ago. Well no kidding. We've all GROWN UP. Of course the same stuff you liked fifteen years ago isn't quite as cool today. It's because we've all changed. And so has Rob but he did his fans what he thought would be a favor by revisiting some of his old haunts (forgive the pun.)



The songs: hell, they're great. Favorites include: What? (catchiest song), Werewolf Baby (the weak lyrics are blown out of the water by John 5's badass slide guitar), Virgin Witch (great groove and backing vocals), Burn (second best song), Cease to Exist (great dark chorus) and Werewolf Women of the SS (surf or rockabilly? I can't decide.)



Weak spots: Sick Bubble Gum (can't believe this was chosen as a single) and The Dream Factory (kind of jarring but at least it's short.)



On the original Hellbilly Deluxe I routinely skip Call of the Zombie, How to Make A Monster, What Lurks on Channel X and The Beginning of the End. On this CD I sometimes skip Sick Bubble Gum. Overall, that makes the sequel a better overall album in my opinion. Stop whining, stop overanalyzing and just have FUN with this cd. Thanks Rob!"