Review Summary: Rob goes back to his horror metal roots with "Educated Horses", but does it sound as good as his spectacular debut?
Rob Zombie is a great talent overall. With me not being a fan of White Zombie (though More Human Than Human is alright), going solo seems to be the best decision that he could have made in his career. After releasing the incredible "Hellbilly Deluxe", he made what I consider to be his most overrated album "The Sinister Urge." which kind of combined the heavy elements of Hellbilly Deluxe and the groove elements of his times in White Zombie. The grooviness of the album was a turn off to me, though it's heavier moments are the highlight and are pretty good overall. After that, he went back to something closer to his old style with "Educated Horses." This is the thing that Rob needed to bring him back to his extremely heavy, horror-esque style, but is it truly as good as it sounds?
"Educated Horses" opens with "Sawdust in the Blood" and you notice something. Acoustics? In a Rob Zombie album? Yes. There is certainly more acoustic guitar in this album than in his past two albums combined. I think it sounds pretty good and mixes well with the heavier songs.
Following that short opening is "American Witch." This shows the direction that some of the lyrics in this album are going. This, along with other songs focus on the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. This is one of my favorite things to learn about in American history so this focus is a great addition to the album, American Witch also happens to be one of the best songs on the album. Having great guitar work, and lyrics that impressively makes you mentally picture the Salem Witch Trials. The animated music video is also something to check out, for it follows a witch who wears little more than boots, gloves, and a hat. That and it's pretty badass (no pun intended)
The album takes a short trip downhill with the next song "Foxy Foxy." This song is total garbage and doesn't deserve to be a single on this album. It has the sound of a mediocre classic rock song and completely meaningless and forgettable lyrics. Don't even bother listening to this one.
"17 Year Locust" has a very interesting sound. Rob's vocals on this one are very unique with great instrumental backup by the rest of the band. Not as heavy as some others on this album but still a good song overall.
Let's skip ahead a little bit to something completely different. "The Death of it All" is a very slow, completely acoustic song and the most light hearted sounding song Rob has done. I was surprised how much I liked this song. I don't normally end up downloading slower songs from a heavy album, but this is such a great and catchy song with some very meaningful vocals to it.
The album ends on a very high note. "The Lords of Salem" takes it back to the Salem Witch Trials lyrics and hits you with some of the heaviest instrumentals on the album. The whole song screams Salem and entrances you into thoughts of 1892 many times better than "American Witch" and is probably the scariest sounding song on the album. Put this song on while you're reading Arthur Miller's "The Crucible" and have fun.
Rob's third outing is a very positive one. With heavy songs combined with slower, acoustic songs and some incredible lyrics to go along with it, this return to roots is certainly worth picking up for any Zombie fan.
Score: 3.5/5
