Zombie Heaven

The Zombies' first album, with "She's Not There" and "Tell Her No" was excellent. "Odessey and Oracle" was even better, but it's only in retrospect that I realize how superior it was to almost anything else that was released during that period. And listening to it now, it's clear that it has held up well over the decades, not sounding dated at all. And the closer you listen the more you realize that these guys were really GOOD!The Zombie Heaven box set delivers another BIG surprise. When they broke up, they still had enough unreleased material recorded to make up another album nearly as good as Odessey and Oracle. (These songs comprise "The Lost Album" in this collection). The Zombies left stuff behind that was better than nearly anything that other bands were selling. "She Loves the Way They Love Her", "Imagine the Swan", "Girl Help Me", "I Could Spend the Day" and "Smokey Day" rank with the best work the group ever produced, and if not for the release of this set, would have been all but forgotten. Likewise, "If It Don't Work Out", "Don't Cry For Me", "Walking in the Sun" and "I'll Call You Mine". These are first-rate tunes! The harmony is so good at times that it will make you weep! (She Loves the Way They Love Her). Colin Blunstone is, in fact, one of the great vocalists in pop music history, with an instantly recognizable voice.Any fans of the band, "Argent" will love this collection, too. This collection is the "missing link" between A(rgent) and Z(ombies), since this was the transition period when keyboard wizard Rod Argent was forming "Argent", and he and bassist Chris White were solidifying their song-writing partnership. A few of the "Lost Tunes" like "Imagine the Swan" are more "Argent" tunes than Zombies, especially with Rod singing lead.Although their early lyrics were nowhere nearly as sophisticated as their music, by the time "Odessey and Oracle" was released, they had bridged this gap. Tunes like "A Rose For Emily", "Brief Candles" and "Care of Cell 44" tell wonderful stories without resorting to cliches.Disc one, "Begin Here and Singles" includes songs from their first album and all of the "A-side" and "B-side" of their singles released on 45's. I use the quotes because their "B-sides" were as good as the "A-sides", not just throw-away seconds. Good tune after good tune. A few, like "Road Runner" are dated, but the rest hold up amazingly well after 35 years or so, especially "Whenever You're Ready", "Leave Me Be", and "Indication". This was/is still really good music!Don't let yourself miss out on the pleasure of this collection. It's worth every cent, because you'll discover many wonderful tunes that you may have never heard before, that you will find yourself humming at odd times, and you'll realize..."Hey, I really LIKE that song!"

Bought this box set after seeing this incredible band live last year(which is a can't miss show) and had very high expectations for the set that were all unexpectedly surpassed. Bottom line is, this is some of the most inventive, infectious, brilliant music I have had the pleasure of listening to. The box set is so precise and well put together that it takes you on a ride like no other. In my humble opinion their 64-65 material rivals not only the beatles and the beach boys in its progressively experimental musical landscapes but surpasses some of their peers tracks from that time period. Seamless interweaving of gorgeous pop melodies with jazz chord structures and strange but utterly fascinating tempo/time changes. This is the kind of music when you first hear it it blows your mind and is so magical gets you high naturally which the best art often can do. I never listen to music over and over but with this set its absolutely addicting music that you hear something new each time you listen to it. Lyrically incredible as well with clever, poignant often brutally honest lyrics about love and relationships that mask the romantic fears and despair of the songwriters with inspirational upbeat music that pack quite a punch in their polar opposites to stunning effect. Just try and count the bands who attempted this music and just could not hold a candle to the zombies. If you are here because of their 3 massive US hits and were curious to hear more, feel confident that you will forget about those undoubted masterpieces as soon as you hear the quality of the rest of their work. I could go on and on about possibly one of the most underrated bands in musical history but do yourself a favor and buy this box set. You won't regret it I can guarantee that and you will open yourself up to a world of incredible music that you didn't know existed and probably kicking yourself like me you didn't discover it years ago!

Like so many people my age, I only knew the Zombies' three signature hits. Odessey & Oracle was merely a recommendation to me based on my musical preferences, but when I sampled it, I knew there was something very special about this short-lived British 60s group. I will tell you one thing right now: I love 60s Brit bands, but where the Dave Clark Five seemed like so much excessive Beatles wannabe confetti, and the Hollies could go from awesome to repellent in 0.5 seconds, the Zombies were indeed underrated, overly talented, and nothing short of brilliant.This compilation features 4 discs, all worth listening to in their own right. In order to avoid a long review, I will say that this is the best 75 bucks I've ever spent on a box set, and I have several! From their earliest tracks to their last, the group consistently showed excellent taste in material, be it written by others or Chris White and Rod Argent, stellar vocal harmonies, and a penchant for constantly reinventing themselves. Amazing that, based on how silly they could often look in press photos, their music is often downright sexy, "Time of the Season" not withstanding.Fave tracks are far too many to mention, but I will recommend just about everything because it is all tasteful and superbly done. In fact, I mess with this anthology so much, I've begun looking into purchasing individual discs to save wear and tear on this one. Exceptional in every way, not just another 60s British beat band, the group offered a more genuine version of blue-eyed soul infused with jazz and classical influences, lovely Brit dialect harmonies, and superior musicianship. Quality, not quantity, would definitely be the way to sum up their short 60s career and, yes, Colin Blunstone's voice and looks are all too appealing! Purchase Zombie Heaven; I guarantee you won't be sorry.

ALL GOOD

4 cd's full of beautiful mid to late 60's music, most of which sung by Colin Blunstone, the man with a unique and beautiful silk soft voice. This set is an absolute steal for the price, as elsewhere they are offered for much higher prices, not including shipping. So grab your chance, and enjoy a trip back in time! Satisfaction is guarranteed, for lovers of real music!!!

All good

What more needs to be said? The definitive collection. Wonderful music and packaging. Too bad more 60s groups weren't honored as well as The Zombies are in this set. Highly recommended!

Una caja imprescindible de uno de los grupos mas infravalorados de los años sesenta.