The Zombies "Zombies Heaven" (box set) (Ace/Big Beat, 1997)
Sometimes I sit around just wishing that someone would put out an all-new 4-CD set of hits, rarities and previously unreleased stuff by the Zombies. I mean, yeah, I know that that's what this collection already represents, but this is so damn good I wish they could do it again. A British Invasion band that will forever hold a special spot in the hearts of its fans, the Zombies had style unlike any of their contemporaries, equal parts pure genius and pure geek, defined by the wispy vocals of Colin Blunstone and the precise, stately keyboards of Rod Argent. Now, I've also always been partial to the work of drummer Chris White, who wrote very few songs, but all of which were doozies. And of course, along with all the original Mono mixes, BBC performances, studio outtakes and the like, are a couple of "new" Chris White tunes, which alone makes it worth the price of admission. Plus, Disc Two includes the entire classic Odyssey and Oracle album, as well as outtakes from the surrounding sessions. The most amazing thing about this collection is that, even weighing in at four full discs, it's still completely listenable from end to end -- there's no filler to be found here at all. If you're a Zombs fan (or just curious), you have no excuse not to get this collection.
The Zombies "Odyssey and Oracle" (CBS/Date, 1968)
