The bespectacled band members of The Zombies suffered a lot from their good image in the sixties. Forty years after the first single hit She's Not There, the most important two, singer Colin Blunstone and keyboardist Rod Argent, still look like decent gentlemen. In any case, the lack of visual display ensures that they, unlike many of their rougher colleagues, have no trouble growing old in rock
… and roll in a dignified way. The first CD with new material released under the name The Zombies since Odyssey & Oracle (1969) contains all the elements that make the group so popular among fans of the better sixties pop. The other band members have been replaced - only bassist Chris White sings in a chorus - but the hoarse vocals of Blunstone, Argent's melodic piano playing, the beautiful choirs and the subtle influences from jazz, rhythm & blues and classical music make the CD immediately sound familiar. In addition to nine new compositions by Rod Argent, there is an adaptation of Blunstones' solo hit I Don't Believe In Miracles and Wings Against The Sun, which is based on a poem by Rod's son Mark Argent. (MS)more
