Customer Reviews

Odessey and Oracle

5 star:		(80)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Another astounding late 60's album like Love's "Forever Changes" that always seems to get lost in the maelstrom of the Beatles/Stones/Who/Doors/Byrds oligopoly of musical greatness. You can also lump The Lovin' Spoonful's HUMS and The Mamas & the Papas' IF YOU CAN BELIEVE YOUR EYES AND EARS in this group of lost classics as well. ODESSEY & ORACLE (sic) was The Zombies final album, released in 1969 in the States, a full year after its release in the UK. The ubiquitous classic "Time of the Season" aside, this album easily ranks up there with SGT. PEPPER and the NOTORIOUS BYRD BROTHERS as a landmark psychedelic pop-rock album. Rod Argent's songwriting genius and Colin Blunstone's husky vocals place the Zombies miles from the more bubblegum lightweights like The Turtles or Herman's Hermits. If you haven't heard this album, I guarantee you songs like "Care of Cell 44", "Brief Candles", "Hung up on a Dream", "I Want Her She Wants Me" and "This Will Be Our Year" will be sheer ear candy. This album is incredibly, almost disturbingly, addictive. Sometimes I can't seem to pry it from my CD changer!

I know I will face opposition from "Sgt. Pepper" fans on this point, but I have argued for a long time that the 2 most important pop lps of the 60's are the Beach Boys' "Pet Sounds," and its most obvious cousin, the Zombies' "Odessey and Oracle."

There are many reasons for my stance on this, but the most important reason is the album itself. Unlike "Pepper," which even Lennon put down in his later years as being uneven, "Odessey and Oracle" is a beautifully constructed lp of majestic beauty that is years ahead of its time. It's somewhat unfair to call it a "psychedelic" lp for the same reasons that Love's "Forever Changes" isn't quite psychedelic. Both lps transcend categorization. For every "Hung Up On a Dream" (arguably Rod Argent's finest 3 minutes- I call it Rod's "Good Vibrations"- listen to the 2 tracks back to back..both 3 minutes...amazing similarities) there is a glorious "Beechwood Park" or "I Want Her She Wants Me."

Chris White (his songs the true beneficiary of the late 60's technological progession and more overtly influenced by psychedelia than Argent) and Rod Argent proved time and again on this lp that they were master songwriters and musicians of great majesty, with White's progression as a songwriter startling. As was true for the band throughout their brief tenure, they were willing to take great chances on their tracks. Their obvious understanding and tasteful, proper use of the mellotron, is the pre-cursor of the 70's Progressive sounds; the use of backwards tape loops makes White's harrowing "Butcher's Tale" all the spookier. And those harmonies! Colin, Rod, and Chris created among the finest 3 part harmonies ever made. Accentuated, as always, by the pure competency of Colin Blunstone's empassioned vocals, Paul Atkinson's (very underused, alas) guitar, and Hugh Grundy's always rock-steady drumming, White and Argent could flourish, and did.

Alas, the Zombies sank like a stone amidst all of the psychedelia around them, leaving "Odessey and Oracle" a brilliant swansong. One can only venture to guess the brilliance that could have emerged from the 5 members had they stayed together, but it was not to be. The Zombies lived all too short of a life, while vastly inferior bands lived on by adapting their styles to the flavors of the day. The Zombies stayed true to their music, and "Odessey and Oracle" clearly shows this. This is a main reason why I rate "Odessey and Oracle" as high as I do.

This release offers both stereo and mono versions of the album. Listen to both versions. The mono versions offer brilliant insight to the band's strengths as musicians and vocalists, while the stereo offers the brilliant production as well as the effects that make this lp as special as it is. An absolute must have gem of the highest order.

Having monumental hits in 'She's Not There' and 'Tell Her No' in 1965, the Zombies called it quits after four years due to dwindling bank accounts and nonexistent public interest. BUT not before they recorded the remarkable "Odessey And Oracle". First off, I think this album actually wavers between 4-stars and 5-stars. It's not a revolutionary album because the innovations prevalent here were already used on the Beatles' "Sgt Pepper" album and various Beatles singles throughout 1967. And yet, the songwriting and musicianship are first class.That leaves "Odessey And Oracle" to being reactionary--but reactionary in the best sense of the word. One could hardly blame the Zombies for that. After escaping artistic imprisonment in Manila, Rod, Chris, Colin, Paul and Hugh must have been in awe of the magical sounds coming over the airwaves and pressed in the grooves of vinyl when they got back to the Western world. "Odessey And Oracle" reflects this awe in that you hear influences of different artists. For instance, one could hear a bit of the Beatles (especially since the album was recorded directly after "Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band")in 'Care Of Cell 44' and 'A Rose For Emily', a bit of Procol Harum in 'Beechwood Park', and a little bit of the Doors in 'Time Of the Season'. That said, NEVER does the Zombies' own identity get lost in being copycats. The songs all retain those ethereal and otherworldly qualities that make the Zombies' trademark sound. It was a new and improved Zombies. And yet, "Odessey And Oracle" was recorded under what many would consider dire circumstances. Their contract with Decca expired, they signed up with CBS on a trial basis, CBS allowed only enough money to mix the album in mono (the stereo mix came out of Rod's and Chris' royalty money)and Colin, Hugh and Paul were running out of money. Being one of the first non-EMI artists to record at the famed Abbey Road studios, the Zombies had to record around everybody else's schedule and had to high tail it out of the studio when an EMI artist was ready to record (in fact, it is rumoured that workers made off with a piano in the midst of the Zombies laying down a vocal track!) Plus, at a time of psychedelic extravagance, the Zombies had access to a limited array of instruments (no sitars, tablas or 41 piece orchestras here folks). Lesser artists would have either fallen flat on their faces or given up. I think that these circumstances and limitations actually benefited the music. The limited studio time forced them to make quick but intelligent decisions about songwriting and arrangements (their greatest strengths). The Zombies had to write their songs, learn them quickly, and decide on an arrangement BEFORE going into the studio. Also, the revolving use of piano, organ, harpsichord, harmonium and mellotron (and their various combinations) actually helped to create aural continuity (as opposed to conceptual continuity in "Sgt Pepper") throughout the album. In that respect,"Odessey" DOES compare to the Beach Boys' "Pet Sounds" album. The highlights of "Odessey And Oracle" are the shimmering 'Beechwood Park', the gorgeously melancholic 'A Rose For Emily', the psychedelic 'Hung Up On a Dream', the choir like sounds of 'Changes' and the spooky anti-war ballad 'Butcher's Tale (Western Front 1914)." I'm sure many will find their own favourites here. "Odessey And Oracle" is like a tribute album to the sounds of 1967 and is enjoyable listening. The Zombies grabbed on to these sounds and vibes and recorded this wonderful echo of the psychedelic era. And now, with Big Beat providing us with both mono (which has never been available here in the States) and stereo mixes of this album, we get a whole new perspective on this fabulous echo.

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.

The extended anniversary edition has quite a few perks -- the liner notes have a detailed look at the band during the making of "Odessey and Oracle" and afterwards. There is also each song in both mono and stereo, although on computer I can't tell the difference.

Additionally, there are some previously unreleased tracks: an alternate version of "A Rose For Emily," which isn't too different from the original. Also a slightly different mix of "Time of the Season," which is a bit more uptempo, and an instrumental version of "Prison Song aka Care of Cell 44."

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.

Odessey and Oracle is sometimes called the British Pet Sounds. While I can't fully justify that title (What album is honestly another Pet Sounds?), the first and last proper album of The Zombies does present astonishingly complex musical and lyrical schemes that, like those of The Beach Boys' grand opus, push the boundaries of the pop song beyond the limitations it faced before the mid-sixties. Not that this is anything new to The Zombies, who, from 1964 to 1967, released a string of unorthodoxly constructed pop songs full of tricky time changes and twisting melodies to, unfortunately, little notice. Odessey and Oracle does, however, represent a new prime for the band.

Although the playful "Time of the Season" was its only hit, this 1968 album includes a wealth of excellent material. The remarkable "Care of Cell 44" is a light, airy song featuring gorgeous harmonies and stomping piano that just happens to be written to a woman in prison. The rousing "This Will Be Our Year" features an assertive performance from lead singer, Colin Blunstone that overflows with joy and excitement. Similarly stirring is "Friends of Mine," a tribute to friendship and love, deemed one of popular music's greatest love songs by the file-sharing service/online music magazine, Audiogalaxy. The album's best track, however, is the spell-binding "Changes," in which choir-ish harmonies that softly remember a summer queen overlap almost tribal-sounding drums for a truly dreamlike effect. I could continue the daunting task of trying to unravel these spectacular songs, but I trust I have made my point: This is one of the truly great albums of its era.

I forced myself to read all 40 reviews and was left shaking my head. Why compare Sgt. Pepper, Pet Sounds and Odessey and Oracle? Each are monster albums with their own flavor, character and mood. They all have fantastic, memorable songs. If they overlap a bit in technique, why should that disappoint anyone? The musicians were contemporaries. In particular, the Beatles and the Zombies (and Pink Floyd) all recorded at the same studios. All share a psychedelic "sensibility", they were products of their time. Music doesn't exist in a vacuum!

Odessey and Oracle is pure ear candy, an exquisite listen. Colin Blunstone's expressive vocals are captivating, and the musicianship of the band is outstanding. The songs are wonderful! One of the best things about it is the obvious, well, Britishness of it. Many of these songs could be played on college radio today and sound completely new.

In my opinion, the Zombies were an underated band at the time because of their elegant and sophisticated sound, qualities that are difficult to market. To my 30 year old ears, Rod Argent's jazzy keyboards and aggressive arrangements seem quite progressive compared to most groups in the British Invasion category and otherwise.

If all this doesn't convince you, I recently had the pleasure to attend an actual Blunstone and Argent show. They are currently doing a short U.S. tour to promote an album of new material. Although my expections were about medium, mostly wondering if Colin could still sing well after all these years, both he and Argent blew me away. They both sound as good as they did in their 60's heyday, if not a little better with age. Blunstone may well be the most distinctive singer in the "rock" genre today and Argent is a keyboards genius. Because it hasn't been overplayed, the Zombies music sounds fresh and contemporary. They may finally be getting their due.

If you truly love music you will love Odessey and Oracle! And don't miss a chance to see Blunstone and Argent if they come to a town near you. They will thrill.

It's been called the British Pet Sounds, but truth be told, listen to Odessey & Oracle and don't compare it to Pet Sounds. Instead compare it to The Beach Boys Pet Sounds, The Kinks Arthur, Procol Harum Shine On Brightly, Donovan Sunshine Superman, Jefferson Airpalne Surrealistic Pillow, Moby Grape, Love Forever Changes, Rolling Stones Between The Buttons, Bee Gees Cucumber Castle, Sgt Pepper and almost any other so-called masterpiece of classic rock that came out during the late sixties "golden age". Certainly, O&O makes my short list of most under-rated albums of all time.

It's really unfair to compare every pop record that came out in the late 60's to either Sgt. Pepper or Pet Sounds, especially considering "Odessey and Oracle" is a masterpiece just as those two albums are. The most that can be said is similar between the albums is that they are pop records...and that's a very broad statement. All previous comparisons aside, "Odessey and Oracle" is a psychedelic masterpiece that can stand on it's own as one of the greatest pop records ever released...no joking.

Care of Cell 44, A Rose for Emily (which is remarkably beautiful), I Want Her She Wants Me, This Will Be Our Year, and Time of the Season are all pop gems that deserve to be heard by any ear that will listen. What's really remarkable about this record is how effortlessly the Zombies churned out upbeat pop, brooding psychedelia and some of the most beautiful numbers (reaching a beauty the Beatles only rarely reached in their songs) all on the same piece of vinyl. As I said, A Rose for Emily is the most beautiful song I've ever heard. They had a real knack for that beauty, but at the same time songs like "This Will Be Our Year" in all of it's horn heavy triumphant glory holds it's own on the same record.

It would take more than I can type to express my love of this record. As a fan of music (that's right, just music in general) you owe it to yourself to buy this record, just as much as Sgt. Pepper or Pet Sounds.

I'm over 40, been listening to rock/pop since '65, and didn't hear this whole album until last week. I've been cheated for the last 30 years! Odessey is probably the most beautifully crafted psychedelia this side of Love's Forever Changes, a disc which plays in my head for many hours after just one listening. It even has a story line that constantly re-plots itself according to your mood. Absolutely in my Top Five after only 10 days of listening, and I'd bet it will still hold rank after 20 years! A wonderful, thoughtful work of organic genius!

I had always liked the Zombies' hits, and decided to pick up this album. What a lost classic this is. "Time Of The Season" is definitely NOT the only terrific song on here. There is not one clinker in the bunch. This album should stand shoulder-to-shoulder with other pop masterpieces of its era. Instead, it got largely lost in the shuffle. Pick it up and find out what you've missed. (By the way, I can't comment on the extra versions and takes. My CD just has the original versions on it, no extras. This must be a newer release, with twice as much to listen to. All the better!!)