Rob Zombie - 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection

Rob Zombie
20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection
Universal Records
5/10




Here’s a catalog cruncher for you. Not only is the back lot of one Mr. Rob Zombie given the infamous “20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection” treatment, half this particular record is composed of White Zombie tracks, which we all know was a much different superbeast, indeed. Realistically, it’s like seeing the straight-up original Black Sabbath studio recordings wind up on an Ozzy Osbourne “Greatest Hits” package, which is probably is right around the corner as well.

Most often, these affairs are merely legal haranguing or contract fulfillment records. Now if anyone could prove that such moves are designed to cut J., Sean and John out of the picture ala Blizzard Of Ozz, then any true White Zombie fan should avoid this one like the Black Plague. At this point, there hasn’t been a great deal of gossip surrounding the reasoning behind the issue of this package, but if the object of putting forth one of these cheapo productions for mass, Wal Mart consumption is to pull “La Sexorcisto” and “Astrocreep 2000” from the bins and replace them with a product that offers no mechanical royalties to the original songwriters, that’s about the pinnacle of complete bullshit.

Motives aside, this compilation serves one primary purpose, and that’s effectually proving that White Zombie was a hell of a lot cooler than Rob Zombie. Of the tracks herein, the White Zombie cuts are far more exciting and the dismal selection of tracks near the end of this package indicates that Mr. Zombie as definitely at a creative low point in his career. House Of 1000 Corpses was a great, career-defining track? Hardly.

Where there’s smoke, there’s most definitely fire and no matter the logic or excuses for such a collection, it stands to be reasoned that the non-performing “Educated Horses” is part and parcel to this unexciting, bargain bin treatment. Of course, truck stops need CDs to sell for $5.99 as well, but the final analogy is that you’re much better off heading out and buying any combination of “La Sexorcisto”, “Astrocreep 2000”, possibly “Hellbilly Deluxe” and maybe even “Make Them Die Slowly” than falling into this marketing trap.

Liner notes - So flipping what? Give us the real Zombie. White Zombie.


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