Odessey And Oracle

Random thought, I genuinely don't think I've ever heard anyone in real life ever talk about The Zombies. This is clearly one of the best collections of songs from this era, and it's so sad how underappreciated it is. I'm sure every music nerd knows it and loves it, and the fact they only ever had one real standout album doesn't help, but this album deserves to be talked about in the same breath as the best albums by The Beatles, The Stones, Beach Boys, etc. Sounds like a dream, huge drum sound, gorgeous mellotron, great songwriting, great lyrics. "Changes" and "I Want Her She Wants Me" aren't quite at the same level as the rest, but that's only like, a five minute valley. Legendary Stuff

Now this is pop music I can get behind! I really like how cohesive the album felt. The songs flowed perfectly together, albeit with distinct A and B side vibes. On many older records like this you can tell that there was much more attention to the order of tracks when this is how most people experienced music. This was another album that I enjoyed more on subsequent listens. The harmonies are amazing and the baroque pop elements are damn near perfect. Just psychedelic enough to make it interesting. Overall, a really hep album with an interesting history, from the band’s immediate break up, to the misspelled album name, to the fake Zombie band tours in the US. Different times, man.

A fine album from educated artistic young men wot you would trust your daughters with. They were definitely influence by the orchestration of The Beach Boys and the artistic lyricism of The Beatles as they entered their more halucinogenic phase. The songs are well produced and arranged, but are just short of being catchy. Hence a 3.

Unfortunately I listened to this while working, so I didn't get a strong sense of it. I'll probably relisten, but I suspect the slightly twee chamber pop thing won't do much for me.

Good

Not a bad album, but most of it is kind of mediocre. The harmonizing is good, but so much of that was happening around that time. Made sort of the same time as Pet Sounds, which is incredible, but not nearly as good as that. Seems like "Time of the Season" is doing most of the lifting to make this a "must listen" album

Really more of a three-star album, but the final track, Time of the Season, is an all-time classic that I could listen to on repeat by itself, so that boosts the whole project. I’m not as big of a fan of these harmonies compared to the Beach Boys or the Beatles, but it’s still a nice sound and there appears to be some experimental work going on in a few of the tracks. Beatles-esque, really, but for me that’s a good thing. I listened to the album twice, so that’s a good sign it will grow on me more. Added to liked list: Brief Candles, I Want Her She Wants Me, Time of the Season.

Was close to a 2 because the sound does get a bit same-y but then Time of the Season right at the end is a fuckin banger, 3 it is.

Не знал что тайм оф сизон - это они, альбом довольно ровный

Only 34 minutes I threw in the towel half way thru

Actually quite fun and i enjoyed it

Very psychedelic - bits reminiscent of the Beach Boys and the Beatles, and some stuff that's uniquely Zombies. I'm familiar with "Time of the Season", but never expected to hear an album full of music with that unique blend of musical variety and incredible harmonies. It's a little too disjointed to make my regular playlist, but I recognize the talent needed to make it.

Brain dead

Strong album. Great blend of harmonies, psychedelic instrumentation and pop sensibilities.

damn i really liked this. felt very current. time of the season is an all timer of course

estilo the beatles, suenan muy parecido

Flower power rules. Recorded in England not California. Lyrically not quite up to the best but musically very good.

This makes a pleasant companion to the Kinks’ 𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘌𝘭𝘴𝘦, the Small Faces’ 𝘖𝘨𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘴’ 𝘕𝘶𝘵 𝘎𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘍𝘭𝘢𝘬𝘦, or the Beatles’ 𝘚𝘨𝘵. 𝘗𝘦𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘳. The lovely harmonies, colourful arrangements, and slightly psychedelic touches put it in familiar territory. The Zombies certainly know how to write an appealing melody, and the wistfulness running through the songs gives the album some charm of its own. I just don’t come away with the same enthusiasm. The songs are easy to enjoy, but I don’t get particularly attached to them, and the album doesn’t make the same impression on me as the records it brings to mind. I’m happy to hear more of this kind of British pop; I’m simply not convinced I’ve found another favourite. 𝗗𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗜𝘁 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟭𝟬𝟬𝟭? No. There are better psychedelic pop albums out there.

I really liked this one!

Time of the Season is one of my least favorite songs of all time, but I surprisingly enjoyed most of the rest of the album.

not really my thing, maybe not in the mood idk

A masterpiece. Of music, not spelling.

3.5

I know this is a highly revered album and I liked it but I felt for its lovely 60s harmonies only some songs captured my attention. Time of the Season is phenomenal and others have intricate instrumentation but it was not solidly good.

First listen

Harmonies in this era just hit a bit different didn’t they? Why don’t 3 vocal harmonies sound like this anymore? The big songs are fun recognisable and big, I quite like the zombies, they also sound like a parody at times. 3.0/5.0 Best Song: Time Of The Season

Too 60's if anything

pretty good

Songs all sounded the same

Music from the Age of Innocence when everything was still possible and peace and love on everybody's lips. That alone makes this quite pleasant to listen to.

Ill Communicationを4にします。間違えました。 本題のレビューは、思ってた倍良くて、60年代の曲で今まで聴いた中では一番好きかも。ギターのサウンドはサイケなんだけど、メインのメロディというか、歌い方とかが影があるポップみたいな感じでその合わさり方がとても良い。まじでめっちゃいい。想像との乖離がすごくてギャップ萌えみたいな感じ

And album and band that's been lost to time it seems. In another universe I'm sure The Zombies took the place of The Beetles in pop culture. A nice catchy 60s pop album full of tracks I'd never heard, except that final track has been used in so many movies across the years it should be more well known. A nice 3* listen

A very enjoyable album! A ton of different sounds to each song, followable stories and tangible perspectives, interesting vibes throughout.

I struggle to enjoy psychedelic pop from the 1960s, but this album by the Zombies is solid. I like it when they pick up the pace like in sections of Brief Candles and also when the bass is active and that round sound is forward in the mix (e.g. I Want Her, She Wants Me). Does some of it just sound a bit like the Beatles? I guess that's just an exposure thing in the way that band seemed to suck all the oxygen out of the room. There's enough difference here. Definitely blending psychedelia, chamber pop with more ornate orchestrations into something special. I don't know how influenced they were by music made across the pond but there are moments that feel imported from the Beach Boys, certainly on Care of Cell 44. There are ways that this record portends The Divine Comedy, or Jeremy Enigk's Return of the Frog Queen or Fleet Foxes, etc. more than the Beatles or the Beach Boys — in that way it's a miraculous oracle.

Phenomenal. I've known Time of the Season for years, but it was only recently that I discovered this album for myself. The album is sweeping and grand, with moments of simplicity and groundedness. It's in my rotation for good! 8/10

Real tight album. Kinda interesting sign of the times how each song is no longer than 3 and a half minutes (and most are sub 3). Pretty much all of the songs are neat little bops but of course they end on one of their biggest songs that pretty much eclipses all the previous songs.

This did nothing for me

Love Sixties psychedelic but none of this album lives up to The Time of the Season, and I do find the merry go round music annoying.

Their second album, this sunk the band and probably led to Blunstone's solo career and the band Argent. Like a few albums in this list it has gathered a cult like following to the stage that the 80s/90s rock press have subsequently put it in greatest albums of all time lists. It certainly deserves the tag 'Baroque Chamber Pop', though comparisons with Pet Sounds are a little off the mark to my ears, and I definitely hear some Bee Gees characteristics and certainly feel it influenced the debut Genesis album before they went prog. Blunstone's voice is a unique instrument and Rod Argent's use of mellotron, along with the Moody Blues, was significant. Better than SF Sorrow!

Boring brit rock

Decent enough album with one binder of a track

One amazing song at the end and a bunch of forgettable stuff leading up to it.

Fine, but not great

FUCK YES SIR

Все одно мені більше подобається музика 60 - 70 ніж 70 - 80, цей альбом знову підтримує мою позицію Care Of Cell 44 - весела дуже яскрава, як хочеться прогулятись то тоді A Rose For Emily - немає думок Maybe After He's Gone - початок дуже ліричний але приспів не те Beechwood Park - вечірна пісня, поки що на першому місці Brief Candles - початок похожий на квінів, ой але гарна пісня для дн, схоже на те що я слухала в машині, більше вайби кінця 50х Hung Up On A Dream - така uplifting Changes - експериментальна пісня під середньовіччя і ось ці інструменти острова I Want Her She Wants Me - ось схоже на британців бітлів, так то і є британці ахвпххва, ну класнааа така англійська рок пісня, базована This Will Be Our Year - звісно ж піано, оооо я б цю пісню в якийсь фільм на титри/опенінг, я навіть бачу як на велосипеді їде головний герой кудись, і звісно чомусь це має бути в наших реаліях фільм, слухаючи в навушниках, і кінець він доїжджає ваааау так так так Buthcher's Tale - шо за кріпіпаста ойойой а ось так ось не їжте мʼясо бо то ця пісня буде вас переслідувати, цікаво що це за інструмент, йоооо шо це за посилання на наступну пісню Ive have seen a friend of mine, реал така хеловінська пісня і мої руки тремтять Friends Of Mine - ох ці британчики, я б сплутала з бітлами але не ну не те оооо ось це папапа на фоні, ну як без цих бʼющихся дисків, ну ніяк, чому інструментальність оркестрова у британців в кінці 60 розкрита чому? всіх назвати треба і потім аааа Time Of The Season - ну і звісно кінцем має бути наразі мейнстрімна час сезону, потужний бенгер, написала перед тим як послухати ну реально номер 1, не зря мейнстрім смак у людей не поганий, цікаво якщо я б не знала цю пісню до того, ну не знаю чомусь в мене з фанком асоціюється, вона дуже фанк дуже афрофанкі, оооо погуглила дуже еренбішна а може чого я слухаю вікіпедію, крч найс, на ваш розсуд любі друзі

4.5/5 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/the-zombies/odessey-and-oracle/ Yeah this is great. Each song is wholly original and the short runtime makes for a very fun and diverse album. Very joyful early psych rock.

This is one of the few examples of a record where one great tune is followed by the next.

Enjoyed it. Happy harmonies with a somewhat not so happy lyric.

My heart sinks whenever I see the word psychedelic in the genre tags, but this was unexpectedly wonderful.

3 out of 5. Really happy to hear the album Time of the Season came from. This was a good pick.

One of the best albums of the 60’s and I’m glad it’s finally getting it’s due.

When growing up we think life is a straight path, until we discover our first crossroads. Soon enough it starts to feel more like a maze. Odessey and Oracle is an album about the unexpected things life throws at us - and the unexpected places where we can find strength. It’s sunshine pop rock with bittersweet, contemplative lyrics. Some of the songs lean hopeful. The opener “Care of Cell 44” excitedly awaits the return of a true love from prison. “I Want Her, She Wants Me” describes a harmonious relationship, even though one of them enters it with a broken heart. “This Will Be Our Year” holds out hope for the future; or at least for the next twelve months. Others sit on the bitter side. “Brief Candles” is about people coming to terms with the fact that they’re better off alone, which is equally sad and freeing. “A Rose for Emily” follows a woman who never finds love but still manages to keep her pride. Then there are the more somber tracks. My personal favourite, “Beechwood Park,” is a longing for days past and the quiet realisation that those particular joys will never return. Not because the world changed, but because we did. The most dramatic song, “Butcher’s Tale,” tells of a butcher whose life turns to shit when the king makes him a soldier. Musically there’s good variety. While some tracks feel like they could have been written by the Beatles, the jazzy ideas appearing throughout make the album feel unique enough that it doesn't come across as derivative. I would have wished for a bit more passion in the vocal performances. As they stand they come off as as distant at times, not completely conveying the complete emotional impact that the tracks could have had. Still, it's easily a decent to strong 4.

I was only a fan of the last song, Time of the Season

Not something I am familiar with. -------------------------------------------- This is some majestic choral 60's rock/pop which is somehow before it's time and nostalgic? There are obvious comparisons here - The Beatles, The Kinks and The Beach Boys - but also there are undertones of what was to come in proggier spheres like Pink Floyd or Gong. It's emphasis on the storytelling is one of the greatest strengths. It's honest, heartfelt fun, spelling errors and all. Vocally smooth, instrumentally varied - an absolute cracker. 4*

Another album that’s fine, but didn’t light any fire in me. Pleasant enough! Favourite track: Time of the Season

Another band I’ve never heard of, but was immediately taken by the album artwork. I liked a lot of the guitar on this album, and there were some great little stories told throughout - glad I’m not called Emily though! There were some stand out moments which I loved, like the verses in Changes, but was disappointed that this didn’t come to much and always reverted back to harmonising, 60s generic style. I definitely think listening to Tony Blackburn every Saturday morning has helped me not hate this album 😂 I wouldn’t say I was a fan of most 60s music but he’s certainly educated me slightly to appreciate the good parts of this album. Highlights: Although a grim song and not one I’d class as a favourite, I thought Butchers Song really stood out from the rest of the album. Heart-wrenching and gruesome lyrics, but a captivating story and really different musically from the rest of the album. More of this depth would have been great. Lowlights: Overall I did find the album a bit samey - lots of 60s harmonising and at times a bit boring. Top tunes: Changes, This will be our year Rating: 2

Really enjoyed this album! Maybe it’s the Tony Blackburn effect… I’m sure he’s played The Zombies on his Saturday morning BBC radio 2 show before. I thought it was a really good listen and I enjoyed going back to relisten. 4/5 - had me wanting to get up and jig

I didn’t like it

Couldn't listen past the 3rd song. Truly awful

This sounds like a late 60s jumble of loads of other music- Beatles, Beach Boys, Kinks, Pink Floyd, Small Faces… and not their good bits- just feels nondescript. 0.9/5

This sure was a British album from the 60s!

Giving less-good Beatles vibes. No standout songs. Didn’t really enjoy and wouldn’t listen again.

Is it just me or is there musically a fine line between psychedelic rock and Christian camp music? The bells and percussion don’t do it for me. Having said that, I enjoyed the more musically complex songs. Stronger at the beginning and end of the album. Time of the Season is the only song I knew and I do like it but it’s very different to the rest of the album - a lot smoother. If the rest of their album were like this it would be better overall. A 3.0

So dreamy, loved every minute of it. The harmonies are just perfect. And Time of the Season, I mean come on, also Butcher's Tale nearly made me stop in traffic.

Clásico 60s, relax, muy hippyoso

A beautiful little oddity. Once it has charmed you it will stay with you. Just gorgeous.

Pre Listen: I've heard of The Zombies, and I'm almost certain I've listened to one of their albums before, but it was so long ago I'm really not sure. I couldn't name any of their songs off the top of my head. I don't have any of their stuff on my playlist, which means I probably didn't like them too much when I first listened to them. Lowish expectations, but only by a little bit. Notable Tracks: A Rose for Emily - Feels like it belongs right next to the likes of Eleanor Rigby. I like this one. Beechwood Park - Favorite track, man that psychedelic guitar and keyboard is fantastic. This is textbook psychedelia, this is what the genre is supposed to sound like. Just takes you away man. Brief Candles - Another great highlight, I love the progression into the bridge. The bridge especially is quite nice. Time of the Season - I recognize this one, didn't know it was the Zombies. Classic track, very nice, adding to my playlist. Post Listen: That was much better than expected, I guess I either mistook this group for something else, or listened to a different album. This album to me feels like a super early prototype of something between College Rock and Emo Rock. It's the lyrical content and the overall compositions, not all of the songs but the majority of them. As for the sound itself, it's good. They have good harmonies, good synergy, and the pianist especially is full of talent. I'll likely add a few to my playlist, and will come back to the album as well. There are a few songs on here that feel more out of place, they could've done some polish work here and there, especially on some of the vocals, but overall it's a wonderful collection of music. Another band that feels right at home amongst the late 60's British Takeover legends. 4/5

Still more psych rock...

This was fine...I wasn't super enamored with any of the songs except for Time of the Season, but it was chill and had a nice calming effect.

Fun album, good listen! I've liked Time of the Season ever since I was a teenager, but I don't think I had ever heard any of the others.

Jolly little fucks aren't they. Weird feeling of nostalgia, what a blissful sound but also accompanied with that unexplainable sense of impending doom, I love it.

The Zombies – Odessey and Oracle (1968) On Day 278, this record proved to be a thoroughly engaging listen. While there are noticeable similarities to the melodic instincts of The Beatles' earlier work, what truly sets this album apart is the palpable passion running through every performance. The vocals carry a distinct intensity it genuinely sounds like a group of artists who needed this to work with everything they had. The bittersweet backstory behind their financial struggles and eventual breakup before the album found its audience added real emotional weight to the experience. Highlights like the intricate harmonies on "Maybe After He's Gone," the timeless sincerity of "This Will Be Our Year," and the iconic groove of "Time of the Season" anchored a remarkably cohesive baroque-pop statement. A moving and beautifully crafted project. A solid 4/5.

never listened to this in full before but i loved it!

I got into this album in college after it ranked high on Rolling Stone’s initial greatest albums of all time list. I had grown up on the Beatles and loved Time Of The Season, and soon became obsessed with this record. I think it can be argued that in terms of quality it absolutely belongs in the conversation with Sgt Peppers and others as the greatest album of the psychedelic era. Care of Cell 44 is my favorite… just pure psych-pop perfection. Its an album that takes you on a journey, as the best albums do in my opinion. I used to skip Butcher’s Tale, but when you connect that it’s a song about the horrors of war it becomes much more potent and almost cinematic. Hung Up On A Dream should be common on any “best psychedelic song” list… what a trip that track is. It’s an album that will thankfully live forever thanks to it’s recognition, but it’s far enough out of the mass public interest that if you get into it you’re still one of the lucky few.

Oh wow, a lot of bands I like definitely got their inspiration from this. Gorgeous.

Very nice. I can hear their influence on Elliott Smith, who has been one of my best discoveries so far with this list. Great music. "A Rose For Emily" and "Time Of The Season" were definitely a highlights. "Butcher's Tale" too. I was going to rate Odyssey and Oracle a 4/5 (a pretty strong 4, though), but they went and ended the album with "Time Of The Season"... so I can't resist giving this a 5/5.

I don't know why, but I know the song "A Rose for Emily". I also knew Time of the Season.

These Zombies are scared of their shadows. Boring. A 2.

It's not good. 1968 - so in a weird spot. Slow, odd, 2.0

Should kiss the generator on its mouth for getting to remind me about how amazing this album is

I like it, a little like The Beatles, confused by their name!

- (all comments about the mono version) the whole group really sounds ahead of their time in terms of quality. I think the songwriting maybe isn't up to snuff with the likes of the Beatles (who were doing several covers by other people and groups in their early career anyway), but I'm enjoying the first three tracks so far - the lead singer's voice is really pleasant overall, and the instrumentation in "Hung Up On a Dream" is really nice. there's some churchiness in "Changes" and that I guess fits with the band members' early church choir experiences - and speaking of, why did 60s prog have so much of a baroque music sound? a single voice with just a harpsichord or organ accompaniment, songs about vaguely medieval romances, repeated motifs like a classical piece - "Time of the Season" being the end track and not the second or third is surprising. it sounds so different than the other tracks on this album, and I can see why it gained popularity. I wouldn't say it's the best track on the album, but it feels the most memorable - weakest track for me was "Butcher's Tale," but I enjoyed that you could hear the clicking of the keys of someone actually playing the organ. the opening track was surprising and completely changed how I perceived this group before today

Listens: 2 Standout Tracks: Time of the Season Not really a fan of harmonies (see the Beach Boys) and this is a tad too baroque in some spots for me. However, Time of the Season is a groovy classic and it sort of makes up for the rest of the album. I care a lot more for the instrumentation itself, rather than the singing and lyrics. I am a fan of psychedelic rock.

add a point for time of the season

Baroque pop never got better.

molto carino

Album decisamente anni 60, vibe un po’ alla beatles e poi time of the season famosissima

Very solid, fun album. It felt like a cross between the Beach boys and the Beetles. I've never been so high on Pet Sounds, and I think this is a groovier, more exciting version of that. Still, probably not the rock album I would usually choose to put on, for no particular reason.

I can't believe it's taken me so long to hear this album. Maybe THE psych pop album of the 60s (of which there were many, and many as amazing as this one to boot). Such a richness and a sweetness here; a bittersweetness, maybe. "Time of the Season" is still an 11/10 song, cold take I know. Who cares?

Not my style but I can appreciate it. Give me Beetles vibes.

Good, quality song writing over psyche pop fad.

Last song pushed it to a 4

the melodies and chords were interesting, kind of dissonant I think favorite tracks: Butchers Tale, changes, brief candles, a rose for Emily good album but didn't really do much for me, at least on first listen

This is considered a classic for so many reasons. Kind of a psychedelia pop album with just a lot of catch tunes. A really enjoyable listen, especially because I think I really only knew Time of the Season prior to this listen.

I’m not impressed - one song (the hit single) is ok but the rest was just blah. I’ll pass on this one.

Bubbly pop songs, very fun.

A gorgeous, melancholic, quietly ambitious masterpiece—and one of the best examples of how an album can sound simultaneously optimistic and profoundly sad.

Overall happy and hopeful album with a killer opening and closing track. In between 3 and 4 for me, but the singing, harmonies and unique elements make me lenient.

Very fun - Time of the Season is a classic. Some forgettable songs though other than that.

a bunch of b-side psychedelic-ish rock bops with 1 legendary song at the end. like a highlight reel of that era