Customer Reviews

Absolutely the Best

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In a recent article that I wrote for a local zine, I argued for the inclusion of the Zombies as one of the most important acts of the 1960's, no less the "British Invasion" (ranking, in my view, only behind the Beatles, with the Kinks a close 3rd)- this despite the fact that they only made 2 proper lps, the severely underrated "The Zombies Begin Here," and the legendary "Odessey and Oracle," as well as the fact that most of their singles either did not chart or reached paltry rankings in Billboard or Cashbox. Despite the obvious lack of insight by buyers, reviewers, or both, the Zombies were a brilliant band well ahead of their time. Their fusion of jazz, blues, and pop sensibilities set them apart from all of their contemporaries. Who else sang even close to a "She's Not There," or a jazzed up "I Want You Back Again"?! Rod Argent and Chris White's superior writing skills (and equally muscular chops on organ and bass, respectively) are perfectly accentuated by Colin Blunstone's immaculate, wispy lyrical style, guitarist Paul Atkinson's underappreciated, sometimes angular, style, and drummer Hugh Grundy's inate sense of timing. Here was a band with superior musicianship that even the Beatles couldn't match.

While personally not a fan of "greatest hits" packages, this cd offers the newcomer or nostalgia buff many of the great Zombies hits, ranging from the well known "She's Not There," "Tell Her No," and the astounding "Time of the Season," (and the brilliant "I Love You," a minor gem that I hear on oldies radio from time to time, though, alas, the cover version by the People). The rest of the package is the real deal, as well, showcasing the full range of talent that this band had to offer, from the jazz of "Whenever You're Ready," to their r&b roots on Argent's "Is This the Dream," to White/Argent's post Zombies, pre-Argent nugget "Imagine the Swan."

While I highly recommend both of their lps, or the glorious "Zombie Heaven" box set, this cd is an excellent way to be introduced to one of the most important bands of the 1960's, who's music still sounds fresh today- the Zombies.

With their Byrds-ish jangle, Beach Boys-ish harmonies and Moody Blues-ish keyboard parts, it is difficult to argue that The Zombies were a band ahead of their time. Yet, one of the major reasons this St. Albans, England quintet only had three hits, despite being one of the best singles-orientated bands of their day, is that popular music was not quite ready for their tricky time changes and winding melodies. Certainly, the quality of the material was not a problem. A survey of Absolutely the Best, which collects sixteen of The Zombies' greatest tracks, reveals a plethora of almost perfect pop-rock singles, such as the gently rolling "Remember You;" the hauntingly bleak "Imagine the Swan;" the masterful alternations between jazz-ish virtuosity and R&B-ish oomph, "Is This the Dream" and "Just Out of Reach;" and the remarkably clever "Whenever You're Ready," which is probably the best snide, offhand rejection song this side of Bob Dylan's "Don't Think Twice It's Alright." Then there are the hits: The frantic "She's Not There," the serene "Tell Her No" and the playful "Time of the Season," all of which are bonafied classics.

The consistent excellence of their work makes listening any Zombies collection a delight, but it also makes one hungry for more after this particular compilation, lasting a mere forty minutes, has ended. Surely, project supervisors could have found more material to treat listeners to, especially considering "Time of the Season" is the only track from the group's only proper album, 1968's Odessey and Oracle, which is considered a masterpiece in many circles. Hopefully, The Zombies will someday be granted a best-of compilation with a more satisfying running time. Until then, Absolutely the Best, although somewhat scanty, remains the best introduction to this astounding and underrated band.

As someone who's heard it all Zombies-wise, I can say that THIS is the best one-CD Zombies compilation, and the best introduction to the band for those who've only heard their three big hits.My suggestion? Get this first; then, seek out BEGIN HERE and ODESSEY AND ORACLE (in either order, but get 'em both!). Chances are, once you've heard them all, you'll want to save up for the box set ZOMBIE HEAVEN.

It's hard to choose between the two-disc "The Singles Collection" and the one disc "Absolutely the Best." TSC may be more than than a casual listener wants of this group. If you need all those minor B-sides, you're a candidate for the "Zombies Heaven" box that has everything they ever did. And on ATB you get three of the very best Zombies songs that are NOT on TSC: Nothing Is Changed, I Want You Back Again, and If It Don't Work Out. (That is, the best songs before their masterpiece swansong: "Odessey & Oracle" - get the 30th Anniversary Edition!)

Granted, I don't know if some or most of these songs were only recorded in mono (I doubt it), and that format is true to the 'transitor radio' ethos of that era, but still, the label should have acknowledged on the outside CD packaging that all but one or two songs are in mono. Okay, enough whining. The Zombies were among the greats, IMO, in Britpop. Someone said Partridge family-esque. Say what?! Listen to these gems. Great melodies, great harmonies. In addition to the obvious Rod Argent-penned hits - "She's Not There," "Tell Her No" and "Time of the Season" - there's Chris White's "I Love Her," an incredible song that was taken to the charts by "The People" (who?!) in '68. All in all, an exceptional slice of the 60s, except...

The Zombies are definitly one of my favorite bands. These songs were back made back in the 1960's and they were VERY ahead of their time. The melodies are so intricate and touching. They are one of the greatest bands in history, but sadly never got the rewards for it. Their 1968 album Oddesey and Oracle is in the Rolling Stone top 100 albums listing. This music is timeless. Its a relief to hear this real music compared to the complete garbage being pumped out by the money- obsessed music industry of today. If you dont like this music you apparently have no taste.

What can be said about the Zombies except that they were a quintessential part of the "psychedelic 60s" music scene. The first three tracks may have been their claim to fame but the rest of the tracks are extremely impressive and in another time would have hit #1 themselves.

The Zombies disbanded before they hit the charts in the U.S. and that was a real loss for all of us. After seeing them perform, they still have it. The lilting and almost haunting voice of Colin Blunstone is still a kick. The collection is a really nice way to revisit the best of the "Invasion".

The Zombies collection ABSOLUTELY THE BEST features sixteen songs that show the Zombies to be on par with the Beatles, Kinks, and Rolling Stones as the most important British Invasion band ever. Although their name would indicate them to be a rough-and-tumble bunch of guys, in reality, they were actually well-mannered grammar-school honor students from St. Albans who avoided boisterous behavior and concentrated on their studies. As a result, they ended up writing pop songs that were more complex than anything else that was out at the time; even "She's Not There", their highest-charting single, was a precursor to jazz-rock fusion, progressive rock, and even disco. That the band had little chart success or recognition from reviewers is a sad reflection on the public, not the band. The songs here all resonate with an inventiveness that is timeless. This CD is a must-own for anyone interested in well-crafted pop.

If you want to go back in time when life was simplier with the memories that this band provides through their music then buy this CD. It's got all the hits by the Zombies and I listen to it frequently for entertainment and nostalgia. The songs never get old. Sometimes I wish I could turn back the clock when there was no Rap or Hip Hop. This CD helps.