Returning to an earlier topic, I recently got my grubby hands on Past, Present & Future, a sort of best of Rob Zombie. Pay attention, because here's a lesson in giving fans their money's worth.
We don't just get the best of Rob Zombie here (and not just 'cause there are some choice cuts missing). Most of the singles are represented, along with two new tracks, as well as almost every non-album track Zombie has recorded, mostly done for soundtrack albums; his collaborations with Alice Cooper and Howard Stern; the Ramones tribute album track Blitzkrieg Bop; and two previously unreleased tracks, Two Lane Blacktop and Girl On Fire.
The only non-album tracks missing - as far as I'm aware - are the Beavis & Butthead Experience track I Am Hell, and the great collaboration with surf band The Ghastly Ones, Halloween (She So Mean).
Not only that, but there's a second disc - a dvd with ten Zombie videos on it, mostly directed by the Zombie himself. Which is what you REALLY want. Thrill to the dead-on Cabinet of Dr Caligari parody that is Living Dead Girl! Headbang along with red demons on Dragula! Marvel at the Clockwork Orange-influenced Never Gonna Stop (Red Red Kroovy) being nearly identical to Shihad's earlier Pacifier video!
As far as I'm concerned, Zombie was the only good thing to happen to metal in the '90s. That whole genre is only of nostalgic interest to me nowadays; even Iron Maiden's first-class recent efforts have mostly made me go "Wow, they sound just like when I was 14, only a bit better!" Kinda like discovering a lost episode of Dangermouse or something.
Zombie is different. He combines heavy riffing, gravelly double-tracked vocals and semi-industrial dance beats, with the result being an infectious brew with the grunt of metal & the hook of pop. Add to that a trash/horror/sleaze sensibility similar to Alice Cooper's and genuine intelligence and you've got Mr Zombie's spookshow.
So guess what I'm mostly listening to today.
Posted by pearce at January 9, 2004 3:56 PM