Zombies - Still Got That Hunger

I’m a huge Zombies fan. Like many of the Brit Invasion bands, they were unique. The minute you heard Rod Argent’s manic keyboards and Colin Blunstone’s vulnerable, otherworldly vocals, you knew immediately who it was. They crafted unforgettable singles from 1965-8. All primarily dealing with unrequited love. She’s Not There never ceases to stop me in my tracks. And there has never been a song quite like Time of the Season. Nor has there ever been an album like, Odessey & Oracle. There was something eerie and unique about their sound. It was introverted and mournful, yet still managed to rock with a vengeance. Breaking up may be hard to do, but the Zombies made it sound irresistable. 

Truth be told, whenever a group like the Zombies reunite, I flinch. And usually, there’s good reason to. You can’t recreate an era or time or place. In terms of their recorded output, the Stooges reunion was a risible disappointment. But there are exceptions to every rule. The Pop Group have reunited and are mindblowingly great. Looking at the legacies of The Beatles, Zeppelin and Smiths, there's much to be said for not reforming. I’m not implying its a doomed prospect, simply that it’s a tricky proposition.

In tems of their solo careers, Argent did well for himself in the 70’s, while Blunstone cut some stunning, yet obscure solo albums.  Still, neither were, nor intended to be the Zombies of the late 60's. Nor is this. The first cut is a commendable start. Edge of the Rainbow is a memorably bluesy romp with some passionate belting.  Never Get Over You and I Want You Back Again go to show somethings never change. In terms of Maybe Tomorrow, it’s up there with their classic work. The performances are all exemplary, the songs middling to great. What kills it is the production. Dated, slick cheesy guitar solos and a lack of warmth keep the listener at arm's length and the group under glass. Only the sparse vocal and lonely piano of Little One rises above. A beautiful and moving track. I’m glad the Zombies still have the hunger, if only they had a producer with a vision and an eye for the edge of their classic work. The talent is there, trapped under the surface of stale production.