The Zombies And Beyond - The Zombies Album Review

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Album Review

Few songs define an era or generation quite like Time Of The Season.

Formed in St.Albans England in 1961, they were lead by pianist Rod Argent and singer Colin Blunstone they scored hits in the USA with She's Not There (1964), Tell Her No ( ) and Time Of The Season (USA #2 Canada #1). They began recording with Decca Records after winning a beat-group competition sponsored by the London Evening News. The result was hit She's Not There, a jazz-tinged classic which peaked at number 2 in the UK, making it their only Top 40 hit. In the states, it was aired on rock station WINS in August 1964. It was soon followed by Argent's self -penned pop folk gem Tell Her No in early 1965 becoming another big seller but failed to make the Top 40 in the UK. There are six other Zombies tracks here showing their wide ranging repertoire such a psychedelic pop rush Indication and the Californian folk inspired I Love You. Blunstone gives one of his most challenging and masterful performances ever. A Rose For Emily, a stunning pop song, has the feel of the Summer Of Love and could have fitted neatly onto Sgt.Peppers. The harmonies and melodies have elements of Brian Wilson mid-60s template. The collection then moves through their individual songbooks. After the failure of 1971's Mary Won't You Warm My Bed (not included) and lightweight folk-pop gem Caroline Goodbye, Blunstone struck gold the following year with hits I Don't Believe In Miracles and Say You Don't Mind, though it would be another 8 years before he charted on a duet with Dave Stewart (Eurythmics) on a synth -heavy, but tasteful, cover of Jimmy Ruffin's classic What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted, peaking at 13 in the UK. Meanwhile Rod Argent's career developed along the rock route, releasing anthemic and mini-opus (nigh on 7 minutes of )God Gave Rock & Roll To You and perennial soft-rocker Hold Your Head Up in the early 70s.

File under : Essential, even the lesser known songs.

*Zombies **Colin Blunstone *** Colin Blunstone & Rod Argent **** Alan Parsons Project ***** Rod Argent ******Colin Blunstone (and Dave Stewart)

Elly Roberts