Zombies, The - The Zombies and Beyond (Album) (From Crewe Guardian)

Zombies, The - The Zombies and Beyond (Album)

10:14pm Monday 14th July 2008 in Reviews By Jeremy Craddock

WHY have The Zombies never had the recognition they deserve?

We should cherish them in the same way we do The Beatles, The Stones, The Who, The Kinks and The Small Faces.

I really only knew them for She’s Not There, an exquisitely-crafted spine-tingling slice of 60s pop with a beautiful shift from minor to major chords in the chorus.

This fantastic compilation pulls together the best of their early hits - Time of the Season, A Rose for Emily, and I Love You - plus the later solo work of singer Colin Blunstone, The Alan Parsons Project, and songwriter Rod Argent’s efforts with his own band, Argent, including the anthemic God Gave Rock And Roll To You.

Blunstone has the voice of a cherubim - think two parts Art Garfunkel to one-part Brian Wilson. It reaches its most beautiful on his solo hit, Say You Don’t Mind.

I can detect in these songs the DNA that pulses through British music of the past 35 years: ELO, 10cc, Travis, even The Zutons.

This album really is the missing link of great pop.