The Zombies Album: “Odessey & Oracle”

This CD is in effect two LPs on one CD - 'Odessey and Oracle' and the 'RIP' project.

The former was the Zombies classic (and final) album. It is seemlessly produced. It was actually recorded at the famous Abbey Road studios - and it sounds it. Despite the rushed recording schedule, Odessey is smooth, slick, pop-psychodelia.

There are a few moments of experimentation (as per norm circa 1967), however they fit into the entire picture of the LP comfortably.

Odessey & Oracle is an album that grows nicely on you with repeated plays - it's a work of quality. (and it won't 'burn quickly').

The bonus tracks (Get this - 16 of them!) are a combination of Zombies 'leftovers,' late 45s and songs that the band Argent recorded under the name 'Zombies.'

It was originally intended to release this selection of songs as an LP called 'RIP.' However no dregs here. The songs are good!

'If it Don't Work Out' was originally recorded by the Zombies as a demo for Dusty Springfield. Their version is fresh and the later overdubs improve instead of hinder. 'Walking in the Sun' predates ELO's harmonies by several years. 'Smoky Day' is beautfully eerie.

I am a fan of audio - but I must say I was stunned at the crisp sound quality on this release (recordings over 32 years old!)

And to cap it all off - included is the rare 1965 single 'I Want You Back Again.'

Great, enjoyable stuff!

Many bands (the Beatles, the Beach Boys) at least dabbled in psychedelica, but the Zombies are often overlooked. For the 30th anniversary of "Odessey and Oracles," the Zombies' best album was rereleased in a new form, proving that their enchanting psychedelic pop has aged exceeedingly well.

The Zombies were unusually good at taking perky, sweet, lush music and wrapping it around a more serious song, such as the upbeat "Care of Cell 44" (guy writing to his jailed girlfriend), or the lovely "A Rose For Emily," a poignant little song that tells of a lonely woman doomed to stay lonely. "And as the years go by/she will grow old and die/The roses in her garden fade away/Not one left for her grave..."

But the Zombies aren't all sadness wrapped in happy music. There are perky songs about being happy in love, losing a love and hoping she'll return, and reminiscing about "golden days and golden summer nights." The album ends on a reassuring note with the laid-back "Time of the Season," which sounds like the ultimate hippie anthem.

I have no memories of the 60s, since I was only born in the eighties. But "Odessey and Oracle" gives a rosy glow to that era,. Psychedelic flair minus the hazy, and every song is a gem. Though "Time of the Season" was the sleeper hit from the album, it's not the best or catchiest song on here -- it's just one of many excellent ones.

Rod Argent was definitely an outstanding songwriter. He was able to create atmospheric and beautiful songs with very simple writing ("Brief candles in her mind/bright and tiny gems of memory"). Perhaps his finest moment here is "I knew he when summer was her crown/and autumn sad/how brown her eyes," as a kick-off to a colorful look at a woman compared to all the seasons.

Colin Blunstone's vocals were well-suited to the music: a bit husky, quite pleasant and mellow. The music itself was generally based on guitar, gentle drums, pretty piano, and wavering Mellotron, with a bit of accordian coming in in one song. There's a rich interweaving of many instruments, in all sorts of pop music. Some is almost classical in tone, some is uptempo stuff that is perfect for the radio.

The Zombies were in peak form in "Odessey and Oracle," churning out some of the purest pop music ever. As sweet and exquisite as it was in the 1960s.

Simply, one of the best albums ever to be released. The Zombies were always a good band but during this period they were at their very best. Just listen to the bonus tracks here included which are outtakes and tracks for a future album that wasn't released. The quality of songwriting and performance is just as good as the original album. "Care Of Cell 44", "A Rose For Emily", "Brief Candles", are some of the best tracks. Some of the bonus tracks highlights are "Going Out Of My Head" (never heard a better version than this one), "I'll Call You Mine", "How We Were Before".

Anyways, I'm just mentioning some songs. You will enjoy the WHOLE ALBUM and Bonus Tracks included.

To finish my review I will just say that this is the kind of albums that while you are listening to, it will make you think that there's no better album than this.

Another important thing to know is: You'll never get bored of it.

Buy It, Enjoy It, Love It ;-)

Sure I'll say nothing but obvious things, but I'll say it one more time. This is one of the five top albums of all time. Everything here is so beautiful that it almost hurt my ears and soul. From Colin's haunting vocals (he's one of sixtie's best singers) to the group's perfect instrumentation (a great use of mellotron) Oddesey and oracle creates an atmosphere that few other records can emulate. It's a must for avery fan of sixties music and (if you don't have the Zombie heaven box set) there's a lot of bonus tracks. Buy it, enjoy it and be changed forever.

If your album is ranked by Rolling Stone Magazine at number 80 among the 500 Greatest Albums of all time, you are probably not too far off from having a veritable classic on your hands and fortunately this is the case here when it comes to "Odessey & Oracle". Released in 1968 as their answer to the Beach Boys' "Pet Sounds" and especially to the Beatles' brilliant "Sgt. Peppers' Lonely Hearts' Club Band" (coincidentally 2nd and 1st on the list respectively), this album seems to have missed the bus a little when it comes to timing as the whole psychedelic, flower power scene which seemed to hit its peak in '67 was already winding down by the time this album was released and indeed Rod Argent, the creative mind behind this whole endeavour almost decided not to release this probably for this very reason although he thankfully changed his mind eventually.

This album features very strong songwriting in the psychedelic genre with the last track "Time of the Season" truly standing out as one heck of a great song. Other tracks like "Butcher's Tale" also stand out as a strong anti-war statement which is still relevant today.

This Japanese mini-lp sleeve version is a real treat for all Zombies fans though as the remastered sound quality is quite good although not great but still a lot better than the original sound quality. We also get 14 bonus tracks in the form of the entire album in both stereo and mono formats and the addtional tracks: "I'll Call You Mine - single version" and another version of "Time of the Season" with a DJ preamble off a live radio spot way back when. The cardboard packaging and design isn't the best but isn't the worst I've seen either and we get all the lyrics in English in a 16-page booklet as well. Reading the lyrics lets you appreciate just how good a lyric-writer Argent was too.

This is a classic album that takes you back to the psychedelic 60s vibe and if you liked "Sgt. Pepper's..." or any other albums of that era, you'll just love this. Heck, my favourite track, "Time of the Season" alone is good enough for at least 3 stars and is worth getting the album for. An album that grows on you and like any classic, sounds good in any era.

Recommended.