Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Classic + a Great Lost Album!, April 3, 2004
The British 1960's band the Zombies seemed to have all what it took to be a success. Two unsually gifted songwiters in Rod Argent and Chris White and two outstanding singers, Colin Blunstone and Rod Argent (again). What they may have lacked was a little more "edge" to balance their melodic music and "nice school-boys" image.
They actually did have early success with their 1964 single "She's Not There". But in spite of several strong singles were recorded and released during 1965-66, they somehow were not able to follow-up their early success.
So in early 1967 the band had not had a hit-record for more than two years, and it seemed that their time was over. They decided to record a final "real" album before they'd split up. The result was the highly acclaimed "Odessey and Oracle" which they recorded during the second half of 1967.
Of course they had hoped that one of the two first singles taken from these recordings "Friends of Mine" and "Care of Cell 44" would bring them back into the charts. And since this did not happen they assumed their time was over, so they disbanded before the album was actually released in April 1968.
Another single was chosen to promote the album, and the succeeding big success of "Time of the Season" in America came as a complete surprise. The album itself also reached the lower parts of the charts in the States.
Their music has proving its viability over the years, and this album contains some of their finest moments, with great tunes from both Argent and White.
After their unexpected 1968 "comeback" effort were made to secure a Zombies re-union. But Rod Argent and Chris White were already deeply involved in gathering a new band, which eventually would become "Argent".
In this transition period Argent and White were persuaded to do a final "Zombies" album which was given the title "R.I.P."
The album was supposed to consist of earlier out-takes and demos, ( with new overdubbings ) combined with new recordings.
This 12-songs "new" album was for release some time in 1969 but the album which had been given the title "R.I.P." was never released.
This was a big shame, as it would have been a great album.
In recent years this album has actually been released in Japan and all songs have been released released on various compilations. Here among the bonus-tracks you'll 11 of these songs of which most equals on the actual album. The box-set "Zombie Heaven" contains all 12 songs.
6 of these "R.I.P." songs are original Zombies recordings from 1964-66, featuring Colin Blustone on vocals. He was called in to record new vocals to "Walking in the Sun" which is the earliest track, from late 1964, but he is not involved in any of the "new" 1968 recordings. Rod Argent, who is also an incredibly fine singer, takes over the vocals on these tracks. All these 1968 songs / recordings are great. "Imagine the Swan", "Smokey Day", "Girl Help Me", "I Could Spend the Day" are outstanding songs. "Imagine the Swan" was released as a single and was a minor hit in America.
The earlier recordings featuring Colin Blunstone are equally strong. "If It Don't Work Out" was written for Dusty Springfield in 1965. The song was also released as the Zombies' final single in July 1969.
So apart from the one missing song ( "I'll Keep Trying" ) this highly recommed CD contains two great Zombies albums.
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Crystal clear quality., August 7, 2002
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.
The melody hooks are memorable - check out 'Maybe After He's Gone,' 'Friends of Mine' and the irresistable 'Care of Cell 44.' (Careful - it'll get stuck on your brain!) 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!
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Oracle" tells all, February 5, 2005
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.
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~ The Clash
~ Dusty Springfield
~ Velvet Underground
~ The Pretty Things
~ John Lennon
by The Zombies 
