Music review: The Zombies – 鈥楧ifferent Game鈥�
The Zombies are alive and well among us.
From the band that crafted classic psychedelic pop arrangements such as 鈥淪he鈥檚 Not There鈥� and 鈥淭ime of the Season鈥� before temporarily disbanding after the recording of 1968鈥檚 鈥淥dessey and Oracle,鈥� the British quintet鈥檚 latest effort is a vibrant illustration of the more things change, the more they stay the same.
Founding members Rod Argent and Colin Blunstone are still at the top of their creative game on a collection of 10 new tracks that possess hints of yesterday and today.
On the title track and set opener, Argent鈥檚 haunting keyboards deliver a retro sound that is reminiscent of Procol Harum鈥檚 鈥淎 Whiter Shade of Pale鈥� with Blunstone declaring, 鈥淚 know that you鈥檝e been lonely/Can see that you鈥檙e in pain/Looking through the years/To when you were younger/God knows life seemed/Such a different game.鈥�
鈥淒ropped Reeling and Stupid鈥� follows with a Steely Dan vibe that straddles elements of soft rock and jazz on a number that demonstrates love can certainly be a cruel animal.
鈥淩ediscover,鈥� 鈥淟ove You While I Can鈥� and 鈥淚 Want to Fly鈥� are beautifully arranged pieces that speak to the power of love, the excitement of new beginnings and the satisfying journey of self-discovery.
These exceptional performances take me back to 1972 when I was constantly playing Argent鈥檚 鈥淎ll Together Now鈥� with Russ Ballard serving up the lead vocals on the infectious hit 鈥淗old Your Head Up.鈥�
鈥淭he Sun Will Rise Again鈥� tenderly draws the album to a close with its message of maintaining hope in the face of heartache as Blunstone reflectively proclaims, 鈥淒ay has gone and there鈥檚 no turning back/Nothing ever ends/Don鈥檛 let this emptiness get hold of you/The sun will rise again.鈥�
鈥淒ifferent Game鈥� is a spirited reminder that indeed the sun with return again tomorrow.