Customer Reviews

Out of the Shadows

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Since I got this a couple of weeks ago, it's one in a rotation of 3 CDs I listen to regularly (the other two being Blunstone's "Greatest Hits" and Argent's "Hold Your Head Up- The Best of Argent"). These days my other CDs are simply palette-cleansers, and it's not long before this one goes back in the player. If you truly appreciate the music of the Zombies, you'll thank your lucky stars Blunstone and Argent have gotten back together and found an excellent troupe of musicians to play with them. Colin's voice is smooth as ever, and more versatile than I'd realized. I suppose such versatility is necessary with the wide range of moods Argent has created in this diverse group of compositions. (He wrote everything himself except "A Girl Like That," which was co-written with Russ Ballard and "Only the Rain," which was a poem written by Rod's son Mark and put to music.) Don't expect The Zombies of the 60s though. This is current, and the influences of music they've heard over the past 30 years is apparent in these songs. At first listen you might be tempted to say "Living in the Real World" sounds like Sting or "Danger Zone" sounds like Hall & Oates, but if you listen more than once you'll find it's truly original work. Though one might hear influences of other musicians, I wouldn't call it derivative. I believe it was Lenny Kaye who once said The Zombies wore their hearts as well as their intelligence on their sleeves. The same is true of Blunstone & Argent in their present-day form, and it shows in the honesty and emotion you'll find in these songs. If you're seeking more Zombie-esque work, you'll find it in tracks like "Sanctuary," "A Girl Like That" and "Home," but what makes this CD such a joy to listen to is the fact that the songs are not all the same. Some of the tracks are bluesy, some poppy and some unidentifiable as anything other than present-day Zombie-esque.

If, like me, you find it incomprehensible that "She's Coming Home" was not a huge hit in 1965, this album is for you.

At long last, Colin Blunstone is coupled with his old partner Rod Argent for an album that is at least as satisfying as "Ennismore" and possibly even "One Year."

The voice? It's totally there, unbelievably so. The songs are fine Argent pennings. "Home" kicks the album off as convincingly as "Care of Cell 44." "Helpless" is reminiscent of synth-romance bands like Tears for Fears, but is so much better. "Sanctuary" is entertainingly suggestive of "Andorra." As another listener on here observed, "Living in the Real World" is suggestive of Yes, but then weren't Yes heavily influenced by the Zombies in the first place? I am also reminded of Thomas Dolby, another person I'll wager listened to the Zombies in his youth. The clunker for me is "Mystified," a dull bluesy number once again exposing Argent's lack of pedigree for that particular form. But who can complain about only one clunker? "Only the Rain" also suggests Thomas Dolby. "Baby Don't You Cry No More" serves up a vaguely loungish dose of rhythm and blues. The backing is largely by Argent alumni. Rod occasionally delights with his period electric piano, sounding as if he's taking off directly where "Time of the Season" left off. Elsewhere his piano provides a more modern but still busy sparkle. The production is sensitive and sophisticated, not surprising in light of Rod Argent's productions for Tanita Tikaram and Nancy Griffith.

To be the Zombies circa 2001, all this record really needs is Chris White filling in the harmonies and contributing his trademark minor key tunes. Well, you can't have absolutely EVERYTHING can you? But buy this record, marvel at the continued relevance of St. Albans' finest and be grateful. I sure am.

On this new release these two former Zombies members did just about everything right. To start with they played to their strengths; Colin's voice and Rod's compositional and arragement skills. Their versatility was always one of the things I loved, and one of the things record companies hate. "Where do we pidgeon hole them for marketing purposes?" You don't! Just like where they left of with "Odessy and Oracle" they break new ground as well as borrowing from their own early influences. There are as many styles as there are songs.

The album contains new tunes penned by Rod plus one written with ex-Argent member Russ Ballard. Oddly enough this appears to be the only song they ever wrote together. They also cover two Rod Argent originals from his 1988 solo album, "Red House."

Fans of the Zombies, Rod Argent, or Colin Blunstone should all be thrilled. In fact, if they had called this the Zombies you would believed it. It seems like the natural progression of their music into the twenty-first century. I only hope they continue to do this about once a year from now on.

I understand about being a devout fan, but seriously, folks, this isn't anything more than an album only the uberfanatical can love. I love the Zombies, and I think that their music has gone largely underappreciated both for its quality and its influence on the development of 60's pop music. Alas, that was then and this is now.

Both Argent and Blunstone are in their 50's by now, and while I think that's hardly an excuse for making such absymally uninspired music, it's the only thing I can think of to logically explain why a collabration of two such extremely talented musicians would result in this album. As a musician myself, this is frightening -- is this what I have to look forward to when I hit fifty? And I don't even have the talent of either of these men! I really don't want to slam either Argent or Blunstone because their Zombies-era music means that much to me (I have to give this album two stars, because I'm too sentimental to give it just one), but I can't deny that listening to this sends a tremor of fear through my heart.

Sure Blunstone's still a wonderful and moving vocalist, and sure, Argent still displays his trademark ability of intergrating diverse musical sources into his songwriting. However, contrary to the collective talent I believe Blunstone and Argent still possess in some form, this collection of songs just doesn't hold up -- WAY too many references to bland pop/soft rock of the 70's and 80's which would probably be best left unreferenced for our progeny's sake. Sadly, it seems all to be terribly misguided and lacking any notable passion. After listening through it completely, I can't even imagine their justification for this outing, other than they're two aging musicians who have lost their bearings and are seeking some kind of refuge in a music industry that's very, very different from the one they were first initiated into in the 60's. This album only makes me feel sorry for them that this world isn't a kinder place for people older than 25, but my pity doesn't change what is lacking about their current musical direction.

Older, less-demanding fans of the Zombies, devout loyalists that carried the Zombies flag proudly throughout the Argent years, and those hopelessly in love with Blunstone's voice may find something worthwhile to mine from this heap. All others would do better to save their precious pennies and listen to their copies of Zombies Heaven with bittersweet gratitude that at least these two musicians did, at one time in their career, create brilliant and timeless music, even if it was too, too long ago.

This is the single from the New CD 'Out of the Shadows' Upon first listen, if you're familiar with Colin's solo work, it reminds me of 'Andorra' though 'Sanctuary' is more 'up front' and sports some nice 'claptonesque' guitar licks! Because , perhaps, they're back together again after many years there's a tendancy to lean on the familiar (here the signature organ sound from Argent) which i'm not sure is neccessary or appropriate but, the vocal treatment is very nice and overall it is a good song! It probably won't make much of a dent in the States... but it already is getting fair airplay in the UK. Besides - great songsmiths never fade away!

Out of the Shadows of the illustrious twosome Blunstone & Argent is a real exceptional album. And not only exceptional, but an essential one as well. Everyone could buy it blindly, whether you like the Zombies or not. Colin Blunstone and Rod Argent brought the best of their abilities together in an outstanding piece of craftmanship, all that after thirty years not playing together.
The album starts with the haunting Home, a beautiful song with a nice piano-intro and than Colins voice, pure as ever. It could be a Zombie-song, with this special kind of melancholy. The second song, A Girl Like That, could be even better. Oh Boy, what a passion, what an arrangement. And this recognizable Argent-esque Zombies-organ does not sound oldfashioned at all, on the contrary. One might think two highlights may do for one album, but then comes Helpless, a wonderful ballade, and the song from the single, Sanctuary. It is just another Zombies song, if I might say so, poppy with a pliant swing on it. And oh Lord, Colin Blunstone is still singing the stars from heaven. And the party is not over: whether it is Living in the Real World, a rocksong with Argents refined keyboardplaying, or the outstanding Only The Rain with a sparkling piano.
Well, I mentioned almost all songs, but I will stop now. This is the best Zombies-album the Zombies never made. Just buy it!

There are only a few negative things I can say about this album: sometimes the drumming sounds a bit mechanic, and I hated Baby Don't You Cry No More at first, I still feel I shouldn't like it, but then why do I keep on humming the song to myself? Living In The Real World is not my cup of tea. Oh yes, and there's one keyboard solo where I'm not absolutely sure the piano and the chords are in perfect harmony, though I also realise Argent is a musical genius who'd never allow anything flat get past him. Enough of the negatives, Sanctuary is simply a brilliant song, very catchy, should be a hit. Blunstone's voice is in great shape, the man really deserves credit for being one of the most distinctive voices in pop music. Most of the songs (all written by Argent, by the way) are great tunes, take With A Girl Like That, or Home. They, like Sanctuary, will grab you quite soon. With a few others it will take a bit longer, but just wait and give them time. Mystified, the second single culled from the album, is a case in point. Just an ordinary straight blues tune, you think, but wait till you've played it a few times, you'll never get rid of it!

This NEW release from original Zombie members; Argent/Blunstone is a nicely crafted collection of songs. Leaning to a pop/R&B/Motown style, which was their flavour back in the sixties, it even has shades of 70's progressive styled Rock, ala 'YES' on the song 'Living In the Real World' I really think Colin Blunstone feels completely at ease with Writer/Keyboardist Rod Argent; as his confidence is clearly apparant on this album. Unlike 'The Light Inside' I really think he isn't searching for songs here but, singing in a zone he knows well. Vocally, this album is a '10' It's very well produced and supported with a cast of tasteful musicians who let the lead members be 'up front'! I really hope they continue to write and record together as they are 'Legendary' in the music business and... Colin Blunstone is probably one of the most versatile, unmistakeable, and best voices in pop music!!

My favourite tracks: Home, A girl like that, Sanctuary, Only the Rain, Love can heal the pain.

Limited budgets are reflected in this duo reunion, as nearly all the keyboards sound like stock leftovers from the late 80s. Rod Argent tries gamely to bring the arrangements into the 00s, and Blunstone demonstrates a set of high pipes that clearly defy his age, but Out of the Shadows doesn't quite move out of the shadows of the duo's creative progenitors, the Zombies or Argent. It's tough to surpass one's own legend.

This is a must have! Especially the songs "A Girl Like That" and "Danger Zone," among others. It's a shame this wasn't released in the US, and I am very glad I bought a copy before coming back to the US.