 "The Zombies: "What's your name, who's your daddy?"" | 2008-07-19 |
| - Reviewed By cleanwater2 |
The British rock invasion of the 1960's was overwhelming and The Beatles, Stones, Who, Kinks etc. dominated the airwaves, and from 1966 on, following The Beatles lead, albums became more ambitious and musically creative. "Odessey and Oracle", by The Zombies, was one of those more adventurous albums.
The Zombies were a little different in that their music was driven by the keyboard playing of Rod Argent, not unlike The Animals, whose sound was propelled by the organ and piano playing of Alan Price. The Animals were much more blues and R and B oriented than The Zombies, and had the raw power of Eric Burdon's vocals. In contrast The Zombies had a much more delicate, classical-pop sound, owing much to the unique vocals of lead-singer Colin Blunstone.
The album "Odessey and Oracle" released in 1968 was the creative highpoint in their career and it echoed the music of The Beatles, The Left Banke, and The Bee Gees 1st album. The music has a very cohesive sound with all of the songs written by Rod Argent and bassist Chris White. There is much vocal and orchestral embellishment, highlighted by Argent's extensive and early use of the mellotron.
WARNING: If you are looking for some searing guitar and soulful-rockin' songs, or find Colin Blunstones vocal style annoying, then this album is NOT FOR YOU.
Since most of the rock groups of the '60s were guitar-driven, the list of great solos and riffs are too numerous to mention. On the other hand, keyboard solos are much rarer, a few examples would be Ray Manzareks work with The Doors (LIght My Fire), Alan Price with The Animals (House of the Rising Sun), Matthew Fisher in Procol Harum (Whiter Shade of Pale), Rod Argent's wurlitzer piano solos on "She's Not There" and "I Love You" and his organ solos on the final song of "O and O", "The Time of the Season". Unfortunately by the time the album was released in the U.S. and "Time.." had become a hit, The Zombies had been broken up for some time.
The album had not been a hit in England and it would not have even been released in the U.S. except for the advocacy of songwriter, musician, A & R man, Al Kooper. (Kooper, himself, had gained much of his fame from his keyboard work with Bob Dylan and particularly his organ playing on "Like a Rolling Stone").
The music and vocals are all excellent on "Odessey..", however some of the flowery lyrics don't hold up as well today. My favorite lyric is a line in "Time of the Season" that begins: "what's your name, who's your daddy .." and it always brings a smile to my face, and Colin Blunstones one-of-a-kind delivery makes it classic.
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| "I can dig it!" | 2008-02-09 |
| - Reviewed By User: A33Y92OLTI1EIA |
| Man, this is probably my favorite album of all time. Wonderfully psychadelic (trust me!) and the music is so harmonious with lasting melodies. This album influenced many bands (all the way to Superdrag!) and i believe it will inspire you as well. IT'S THE BOMB! |
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| "Best album ever !" | 2007-08-29 |
| - Reviewed By User: A9EVMU8P2AJKL |
Alright, it'd take about seven lives to go through a tenth of the psychedelic output from the mid sixties and I may still have a hell of a lot to discover end enjoy, but in my book, this is by far the best record I've ever heard. Better than anything the Beatles or Brian Wilson ever did in terms of LP, with the exception of 'Smile' probably.
All twelve tracks are killers, replete with spine-tingling vocal harmonies, light-hearted melodies and clever arrangements. Not a thing I do not adore about this record. Even the artwork does it for me.
After more than a zillion listenings I still unearth new tricks burried in the mix.
Standout tracks : 'Care of Cell 44'(gushing vocal harmonies, more intense than anything the Beach Boys ever did), 'A Rose For Emily' (rates higher than Macca's For No One'), 'Beechwood Park' (will make you want to purchase a tremolo FX pedal)...
You gotta own this album !
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 "Mono vs Stereo" | 2007-08-21 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2BOCQGB82PBYZ |
I bought this album on vinyl after hearing "Time of the Season" on "Rock Machine Turns You On" - probably the best "sampler album" ever released. When I was a lad, I used to buy Mono albums in preference to that new fangled Stereo stuff - how I regret that now :-)
Anyway, just before buying this album, I had purchased a stereo amp - but could not afford speakers - so I only had headphones. Thus, imagine my surprise - I played the first side of this album - Mono. Then, turned over - and - glorious Stereo! This is an affect that no-one today will probably experience. However, if you program the re-release CD, you can experience this effect as well. I wish I could hear that vinyl again - but alas - I lost it long ago.
As to the music, I do not need to repeat the superlatives - some tracks like "Brief Candles" are excellent - and others are best forgotten. Nevertheless, like "Butterfly" from The Hollies, this album is one that should never be forgotten.
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| "Underrated Treasure!" | 2007-07-27 |
| - Reviewed By mkozera |
Mint copies of the original record have sold for hundreds of dollars in specialty vinyl shops around the world for years. When this album was finally re-issued on CD I purchased it the first time I saw it on the store shelf.
As the story goes, The Zombies called it quits just after releasing "Odessey and Oracle" citing lack of funding to promote the record. Released in March (UK) and June (USA) of 1968, the album never gained any steam and was destined to fall hopelessly into obscurity. Only when "Time of The Season" became a surprise hit single in 1969, did the record label apply any interest to the record, "releasing" it once again with an alternate cover. CBS Records head of A&R, Al Cooper even persuaded Zombie's Rod Argent and Chris White to pony up their own advanced royalties from the album to go back into the studio to mix a stereo version specifically for the US market. It's quite a bittersweet story for a great band and a remarkable record that is a truly great example in mastery of the genre, to share in the spotlight with the likes of Sgt. Pepper, and Pet Sounds.
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| "Pure magic" | 2007-07-26 |
| - Reviewed By mr105601 |
| Odessey and Oracle is one of the many unfairly overlooked classics of the 60s. Released at the tail of the tail end of the decade to dissapointing sales, the Zombies' last album is a lush, evocative masterpiece. It's a record of dreamy psychedelic pop classics, a set of songs that combine multilayered instrumentation, delicate vocal harmonies, and soaring hooks to create some of the most atmospheric sounscapes you've ever heard. "Care Of Cell 44" is a rousing, piano driven ode to an incarcarated girlfriend that positively drips with yearning and hope, while "Maybe After He's Gone" is a beautifully melancholy anthem of loneliness. "Beechwood Park" is an almost groovy, undeniably catchy bit of nostalgia, and "Changes" features some crystal-coated vocals and rumbling percussion. "Butcher's Tale" is a truly unsettling anti-war song with some nightmarish lyrical imagery and a tense, desperate vocal performance. "This Will Be Our Year" and "I Want Her She Wants Me" are enticing, irresistable pop songs. Perhaps the album's most well-known song, "Time Of The Season" is a relentlessly groovy, unquestionably cool tune with some fantastically obtuse lyrics. My personal favorite track is "Hung Up On A Drum," an absolutely gorgeous swirl of dreamy (as the title implies) music and wistful, yearning lyrics. But really, the whole album is gorgeous. Anyone who gives a damn about rock, pop, or psychedlia should have it. |
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| "Do you distrust critics like me?" | 2007-07-09 |
| - Reviewed By User: A3GHLRELA1GM1V |
| Generally I find that the critics "lost classics" were lost for a good reason. This album is one case where they got it right. This album should have been a huge hit - it's a crime that it got such little play back in the day. I can't guarantee that you'll like it as much as I do, but I can guarantee that it's top quality vocal pop/rock from the time when the music scene was exploding. Stir up the Beatles, Beach Boys, and Kinks and get a totally original treat. |
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| "An indispensible Sixties masterpiece" | 2007-07-05 |
| - Reviewed By lp45cdwoman |
The Zombies really never got their due in their time, however, that has changed. They were a great singles band, and in this, their magnum opus, a great album band. Very Sixties, very pop, very good songwriters and performers, and ODESSEY AND ORACLE (purposely misspelled) stands alongside PET SOUNDS and SGT. PEPPER as one of the best albums of the era. The track everyone knows is "Time Of The Season", but every song on ODESSEY AND ORACLE is as outstanding. Ten perfect pop classics, flowing together like melted butter, with "Season" as the dessert. If you have not heard this album, you are in for a treat! Dense, beautifully harmonized vocals with the breathy Colin Blunstone in the lead, gorgeous keyboard work from Rod Argent, intricate and inventive bass guitar from Chris White, equally inventive drumming and percussion from Hugh Grundy, swirling, shimmering guitar from Paul Atkinson, and tremendous songwriting from Argent and White make ODESSEY AND ORACLE a must for any library.
And this CD, from Big Beat UK, presents the Thirtieth Anniversary Edition, with an enlightening booklet, beautiful remastering, and, both the MONO and STEREO versions of the album, with three bonus tracks appended!
A must-have for any Sixties Pop aficionado. |
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| "Fresh even now!" | 2007-05-12 |
| - Reviewed By windflame |
I had never heard this album before. I bought it on recommendation from a friend who read a review which praised it. I was pleasantly surprised to discover the musical depth of this remarkable band! The musicianship has all the hooks but those vocals will really grab you especially on the tracks: "BRIEF CANDLES" (my personal fave), "HUNG UP ON A DREAM, "CHANGES" and "FRIENDS OF MINE". There are some very mature themes explored here such as "CARE OF CELL 44" a letter to a girlfriend in jail and "A ROSE FOR EMILY" a heartbreaking account of loneliness. I've always liked the British rock sound much better than the American counterparts of the time even though it was American rock and roll that inspired most of these British artists in the first place. This album version has both the stereo and mono versions as well as extra tracks. The purists will like the mono tracks and they do sound good. When I collected 45's and had a stereo record player, I always thought the newer stereo recording sounded better. No exception here. If you've heard only the mono version and liked it, you should hear this one. If you are a fan of the 60's sound and never heard this album, your collection is missing a real gem! Buy this album!
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| ""It gave me peace and blew my mind..."" | 2007-04-30 |
| - Reviewed By thisisntreallymyname |
| One of the many great albums of the sixties that don't get nearly enough recognition, Odessey and Oracle is a truly beautiful record, a scintillating rainbow of psychedlic pop and subtly unique rock n roll. The songs are all masterful, each one posessed of its own distinctive sound and style: "Care of Cell 44" is an exuberant, soul-tinged classic, based around a melodic rush of pianos and a sturdy, propulsive backbeat. The lyrics are an excellent example of what sets the Zombies apart from their contemporaries: Who else would think to write a love song about seeing your girlfriend for the first time in years- because she's been in prison? "Beachwood Park," a dense, moody, indirectly uplifting minor-key rocker, is built around a warbling, watery guitar line and some eerie keyboards. "Maybe After He's Gone" is a heartbreakingly beautiful gem, with a rousing, poignant chorus. Meanwhile, "Friends of Mine" is a catchy burst of sunshine pop with another wonderfully unexpected lyrical reversal- it's a song about how wonderful it is to know people who are in love. "Butcher's Tale" is a haunting anti-war song that positively drips with tension and emotion. "Brief Candles" and "A Rose For Emily" are oddly poetic explorations of lonliness and self-sufficiency, and "Time of the Season" is an expertly crafted soul-psych churner that grooves along on a fantastic stop-start guitar line. The electric piano solo is awesome. My personal favorite moment on the album is "Hung Up On A Dream," a haunting, hypnotic, and stnningly gorgeous bit of psychedlia- the lyrics wistful, beatiful, and as dreamy as the title suggests, while the melodies are uncanny in their emotional intensity. The whole record really is great, a fantastic additon to any decent music library. |
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