The Zombies "As Far as I Can See..." (2004)

As Far as I Can See...
release date: Apr. 26, 2004
format: digital
[album rate: 2 / 5]

Well, again an attempt to revive the greatness of a band long gone. They never were a favorite band, and frankly, I don't see why they should persist to release music under a name that once was. The original band members are here reduced to half of that former successful band. They could've called themselves by any other name or just... Old Zombies or: Half a Zombie.

Not recommended.

The Zombies "Odessey and Oracle" (1968)

Odessey and Oracle
release date: Apr. 19, 1968
format: digital
[album rate: 2,5 / 5]

Best tracks: 1. "Care of Cell 44" - 12. "Time of the Season"

3rd studio album by British band The Zombies. This is a highly praised and classic pop album. I don't really understand the hype and the tremendous appraisal it received. I put it on, listen to it, and try to understand as to why, but it only eludes me. I don't get it, and I find it boring and senselessly dull. All I can think of, is that it seems like a pop-version of some of the harder music at the time, maybe, a softer pop-version of The Doors or Jefferson Airplane - a link between the British pop-invasion of The Kinks and The Who, and the aforementioned American bands together with harmonies by The Beach Boys. I just don't like that clone. The album is enlisted in "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die".

The Zombies

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The Zombies: formed 1961, Saint Albans, Hertfordshire, UK. The band was originally formed by keyboardist Rod Argent, bassist Paul Arnold, guitarist Paul Atkinson and drummer Hugh Grundy. Arnold was soon replaced by Chris White, and this was the formation that became famous for their psychedelic pop and baroque pop style in the mid and late 1960s. They were rather popular on both sides of the Atlantic, and their 1968 major album was the original band's last recording. Actually, the band was dissolved before its release. The album was a huge success, and perhaps on that account the band members, exclusive the vocalist Colin Blunstone, brought the band back together for a short time in 1969. They disbanded again in '69, revived in 1990 - this time without both Argent and Arnold who had been the band's dominant songwriters. This time they managed to release two albums before disbanding again, but the band reunited in 2004, and they have stayed together since, although the original line-up has been altered.
Band members: Rod Argent (keyboards, 1961-69, 2004-present), Paul Atkinson (guitar, 1961-68), Hugh Grundy (drums, 1961-69, 1990), Paul Arnold (bass, 1961), Colin Blunstone (vocals, 1961-68, 1990, 2004-present), Chris White (bass, 1961-68, 1990), Jim Rodford (bass, 1969, 2004-present), Rick Birkett (guitar, 1969), Sebastián Santa María (keyboards, 1990), Keith Airey (guitar, 2004-10), Steve Rodford (drums, 2004-present), Tom Toomey (guitar, 2010-present).

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