Customer Reviews

Educated Horses

5 star:		(54)
4 star:		(32)
3 star:		(22)
2 star:		(13)
1 star:		(16)

 

 

Following the release of 2001's "Sinister Urge," Rob Zombie took a little hiatus away from music. During this five year absence, Rob made two feature films, so it was questionable if he would ever return to music, or just focus on his movie career full time. But now his fans can rejoice because Rob has finally returned with a new studio album.

"Educated Horses" keeps the b-side/horror movie samples to a minimum, so it may very well be the most focused and professional album of Rob's long and storied career. Plus, as songs like the churning "American Witch," and the rhythmic "17 Year Locust" show, Rob still knows his way around a good hook. And there are a handful of standout tracks on here. "The Scorpion Sleeps" features a catchy stop-start beat with stutter-stepping guitars; songs like "Let It All Bleed Out" and "Ride" are backed by a powerful chug and churn guitar lead; and "Death Of It All" has a beautiful acoustic guitar intro/outro and an unexpected, hooky hand-clap pattern.

But, unfortunately, "Educated Horses" has just as many drawbacks as good aspects. Firstly, there are no classics anywhere on here, and no songs that are anywhere near as good or memorable as, say, "Dragula," "Living Dead Girl," or "Never Gonna Stop." It's doubtful that any of "Educated Horses" will stick with you or bounce around your head for very long.

Next, this is doubtlessly Rob's most experimental and least heavy album. The single, "Foxy Foxy," has a syncopated beat and digitized/electronic vocals, whereas songs like the aforementioned "17 Year Locust" and "The Devil's Rejects" feature (what could be) a sitar. Experimentation isn't inherently a bad thing, but most would agree that heavy songs are catchier, more infectious, more exciting/exhilarating, and hold the listener's attention better.

Finally, the biggest flaw this C.D. has is that, like most RZ discs, "Educated Horses" is WAY too short. At a mere 11 tracks (with only nine of those being actual songs) and 39 minutes, it doesn't have time to be to wow the listener or be a satisfying step forward from "Sinister Urge." It's curious that it took Rob this long to make a C.D. that's this brief.

So, there are a few good tunes here, but, as a whole, "Educated Horses" just kind of falls flat and isn't memorable. In fact, it's probably Rob Zombie's weakest album (that he's made by himself or with White Zombie). If you're not a diehard fan who needs a complete collection, you can definitely afford to skip this one or buy it used.

I like most of Rob & White Zombie's stuff. Maybe I'm getting older and heading in a different direction than Rob, but this is just NOT impressive. Where is the punch, drive, or energy? I can't see the old or recent Zombie fans giving this impressive reviews. 3 decent songs on the disc is not worth the $$.

A slight departure for Rob Zombie, "Educated Horses" veers away from the electronic effects and the sampling, that were so prevelant on classics like the "Hellbilly Deluxe" album, on most of its songs, focusing on a driving, hammering, metal assault led by great distorted guitar-work and Zombie's distinctive (and increasingly versatile) vocal performance. The electronic/sampling elements are still present, popping up to fine effect on tracks like "Let It All Bleed Out", while techniques not usually associated with Zombie - like soft/acoustic guitars - turn up fairly frequently. The atmospheric instrumental "Sawdust In The Blood" - both haunting and menacing - opens up the album and segues right into the instantly memorable future classic "American Witch".

Most of the lyrics on "Educated Horses" are on the vague side, sounding kind of like songs based on horror movies yet to be made. Creepy, well-crafted, and sometimes with a lot of between-the-lines subtext, they're the kind of songs you can something different out of on subsequent listens. The song on here based on a horror movie that Has been made, is of course "The Devil's Rejects", based on the second of Zombie's 'Firefly family' films. It ties in to the movie in a disturbing way, seemingly a reflection on how the Rejects see themselves and the world around them. "Foxy Foxy" and "The Scorpion Sleeps" are also standout tracks that deserve a special mention, although there's not a weak song on the disc. It's still got pretty much everything that made the previous albums work, but expands with new angles. I think there's a definate influence from '70s classic rock on here, although that influence has been fed through a steam-powered grinder to come out distinctly Rob Zombie. "Educated Horses" is a 4.5 star album containing much of Zombie's best music to date.

I didn't care for this album. If I had taken the time to read more of the reviews here, I probably would have never purchased this one. I never realized this was or was not supposed to be a "metal" album, but aside from a couple (literally) of choruses, there's no classic Rob Zombie scream/growls; for the most part, anything resembling a scream or growl sounded neutered and sedated. Not one song on here got me "pumped" the slightest bit.

Reading the lyrics, you would think this album would be full of energy, but it just sounds like a complacent contractual "filler" album.


I 'm a fan of many different types of music, not just some metalhead, and I find myself unable to put this CD back into any of my players for any reason. I can't think of any mood I would be in that would make me [i] want [/i] to listen to this album again.

Shari Moon, is starting to remind me of a much, much, sexier Yoko Ono. If this album is the "new and improved" Rob Zombie, and not some "experimental sound" type of album, or even a "get off my back, here's a new one" I'm afraid this will be the last one I purchase from Mr. Zombie.

I'm happy for him that he was able to find someone that makes him so happy, but please, please put some anger back into the music.

I know Rob's fans are a rabid lot (I know cos I count myself among them); so it pains me to say this new album is a disappointment. Don't get me wrong, it's quite enjoyable.. but nothing special. I had reservations before the release having read an old interview where Rob apparently says he doesn't give a s**t about music anymore, he's into making films now. Fair enough, he's been making music a long time now. Maybe it's understandable that he's tired of it and more interested in doing something new... Okay..so stick to the movies Rob. This album sounds tired and uninspired to me. Was it a contractual requirement ? I don't know. Even the artwork for the cd is lacking.. Remember how you could pour over a White Zombie / Rob Zombie cover/booklet for ages ? Maybe I have it all wrong.. I just don't feel any heart in this latest album. If Rob does continue to make music, I hope it rocks better than this..

I am very reluctant to listen to the radio because there is really nothing good on it. So needless to say I had not heard the single "Foxy Foxy". I figured it's Rob Zombie, it's gonna rock. All I can say is that Rob fell flat off his educated horse on this one. The songs for the most part are not heavy. His vocals, while sounding more old school Zombie, still come across as weak to me. Not to mention he has John Lowery from Marilyn Manson fame on guitar, but even John's solo album "Vertigo" is overflowing with hard driving guitar / solo shredding on some of the tracks. So I will let the blame fall on Rob since the band is more than capable of rocking out. It is just and uneventful weak release that he should've just made another movie instead of recording. The lack of a Parental Advisory Sticker should've sent up a red flag to me but oh well. If you must have some Rob Zombie music, buy any other release and avoid this one.

What a waste of money! These songs seem like leftovers from his last 2 albums. The only highlight is the last 30 seconds of the disc. It seemed like Rob left the recording studio and the rest of the band said "Screw this. Let's play something that actually sounds good."
I hearby state that I will no longer refer to this band as Rob Zombie. It shall now be called 'Sherrie Moon's Husband's Band'.

I hate to say it but Scum of The Earth's (Zombie leftovers) put out a better CD than this.

Review no.66.I wasn't exactly sure,but this looks to be Rob's fourth solo effort.Maybe not his best work,but still very decent.Produced by Scott Humphrey(Metallica,The Cult,Triumph,Crue)so I thought at least the production and the pace of 'Educated Horses' were pretty happening.Tracks that I was most impressed with were the ass-kicking "American Witch","17 Year Locust","Scorpion Sleeps","Death Of It All" and "The Devil's Rejects"(name of his latest movie-a must see).I've recently seen Rob Zombie on this very tour and it appears that he had scaled his live shows down a bit,but they're JUST as effective.Plain and simple,not a bad metal release.A should-have.

I loved the previous releases, especially Hellbilly Deluxe but this....wow, what a shame. Sounds like Rob is trying to appeal to mall kids who are into Korn.

this isn't what i was expecting out of an album that too so long to come out. it's "different" than anything he's come out with before. alot softer if you will. something that could be heard on teh radio at anytime of the day i'd say. when i first got it i skimmed through it to find the tracks that where keepers and which one's i'd have to give more time to. problem is i couldn't find one that was an instant classic...just alot of filler. out of all the ones on it i like Death of it All the most. the album was a little on the short side also. which isn't a bad thing if your not lyric extensive. all in all if your new to rob zombie then its not so bad. but if you've been a fan since white zomebie your expectations may be unfulfilled like mine was. sorry rob but this album sucked ;_;