Rob Zombie's Hellbilly Deluxe 2: Album Review

Rob Zombie returns with his fourth original studio album. Billed as a follow-up to his successful first solo album, Hellbilly Deluxe 2: Noble Jackals, Penny Dreadfuls, and the Systematic Dehumanization of Cool represents all that's changed, and all that hasn't, about Rob Zombie. From the opening "Jesus Frankenstein," Zombie seems as much the growling adrenaline-heavy schlock artist he always was. But one will notice the slightest shift, that this Rob Zombie is a self-aware one. He's grabbed his brand in a strangle-hold, tightened it a little, and thundered it out to his large niche audience.

The result is enjoyable, jumping between rock grooves, fist-pumping anthems, and strip club ready metal fare. Only an artist like Rob Zombie could get away with a track with a title like "Sick Bubblegum," or the hook in "Burn" ("Poppa-ooh-mow-mow! Poppa-ooh-MOW!"). But while some may view this venture as safer for being less abrasive, astute listeners will notice a hint of experimentality on this album.

Only rarely do the results yield disappointing results, such as the cinematic "Werewolf Women of the SS." While not horrible, the track is out of place, an Alice Cooper-wannabe that should've been discarded in its demo stage. Thankfully, most of the tracks are more akin to "What?" a blend of driving rock, heavy distortion, and a melodic structure akin to an Elvis Presley song to create a head-banger that might just make your grandma do the twist. Bizarre, yes. But certainly creative, even more so because it works so well. "Mars Needs Women" returns to the porn-motif of earlier albums, but ratchets up the camp factor, sporting a wailing guitar effect that would challenge any R&B diva's police siren-sporting burlesque routines.

As if to prove his artistic chops to those who may dismiss all of this as gimmickry, "Virgin Witch" stays on-point while dialing the campyness way back. The result is relentless and aggressive, a stand-out track. "Werewolf Baby" takes a lighter approach, channeling a sort of undead ZZ Top. Both tracks show a confidence level that may not have previously existed, as past albums buried the insecurities beneath layers of hyper-conceptualization and assaulting melodies (but admittedly did so very well).

Hellbilly Deluxe 2 is both fresh and classic Rob Zombie, an album that becomes even better with repeated listens. For those who enjoy the brand, nothing about this album will disappoint.

GPA: 3.63

(Album GPA is an average grade assigned by the aggregate of every track.)

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