Review Summary: Not a misunderstood classic but better than it’s often given credit for
Educated Horses has always felt like the album where Rob Zombie’s music career became more of an afterthought in the public eye. A five-year gap since 2001’s The Sinister Urge likely didn’t help and the success of his first two feature films in the time between likely overshadowed its prospects. The actual musical style also proved to be controversial, shedding away his established heavy industrial sound in favor of more stripped down melodicism. Even the cover art is rather bare bones compared to the previous colorful phantasmagorias.
“Foxy, Foxy” also wasn’t the best choice for a lead single. I distinctly remember wondering if it was some kind of joke at the time as even with the samples strewn about, the echoing lushness and purred vocal delivery make it feel like the antithesis of a traditional Rob Zombie song. It’s not bad since the pulsating beat and hook stacking structure ensures its memorability, but something about it still rubs me the wrong way.
Fortunately, there are tracks that much better express the album’s softer side. “The Scorpion Sleeps” arguably would’ve been a more fitting single choice, boasting an infectious singalong bolstered by slinky guitars and upbeat handclaps for a seventies glam rock vibe. “Death of it All” and “Ride” also dabble in subdued textures without coming off limp-wristed and even the interludes feel more musically inclined than the past horror soundbite collages.
There are also enough heavier tracks to trigger associations with the signature Zombie style, even if the executions are cleaner than before. “American Witch” follows up the haunting “Sawdust in the Blood” with a stomping riff set and catchy vocal lines while “Let It All Bleed Out” comes the closest to those classic vibes with its supercharged chugs and bombastic chorus hits. There’s even some hints of doom at play with the sitar-driven plod on “Seventeen Year Locust” and the slow pseudo-live grind on the closing “Lords of Salem.”
These experiments would likely be alienating to some extent regardless, but the upgraded musicianship makes it all easier to swallow. Getting guitarist John 5 on board was especially beneficial as his dynamic sensibilities play well with the extra effects and atmosphere on display while his rhythms feel more precise. It’s also nice to see Zombie himself put some extra effort into a cleaner delivery; nothing acrobatic by any means but it goes well with his carnie showman theatrics.
While I’m not about to hail Educated Horses as some misunderstood classic, I do think it’s better than it’s really given credit for overall. The move from industrial metal to this eclectic rock is a nice change of pace and the musicianship balances accessible structures and loftier ideas quite nicely. There are some moments that don’t fully translate but there are plenty of pleasant surprises throughout. With subsequent albums either settling for autopilot or losing any sense of direction, Educated Horses feels like an album Rob Zombie genuinely wanted to make.
