The Zombies -- "Return of the Zombies"

In my opinion, The Zombies were one of the most talented of the British Invasion bands. They had great pop tunes and excellent recordings but were almost completely ignored while they were together. “She’s Not There” was a big hit, and “Tell Her No” did OK. But after that, there was little to no interest until the band broke up and “Time of the Season” was issued posthumously.

In between the band’s first album, Begin Here, and its second (and last), Odessey and Oracle, the group issued a lot of singles. There was a compilation album issued in 1966 called I Love You (with a silly cover) that included many of the singles, but also included songs that had been on Begin Here. It was issued in The Netherlands and Japan only.

I’ve taken the track list for the I Love You album, removed the songs that had already been included on Begin Here, and then added the missing tracks to complete what could have been The Zombies’ second album, which I’m titling Return of the Zombies. All but two of the songs had been issued on singles in the U.K., U.S. or both.

SIDE A

1. Tell Her No

2. How We Were Before

3. Is This the Dream

4. Whenever You're Ready

5. She’s Coming Home

6. I Want You Back Again

7. I Must Move

8. You Make Me Feel Good

SIDE B

1. Gotta Get A Hold of Myself

2. Indication

3. Don't Go Away

4. I Love You

5. Leave Me Be

6. Goin’ Out of My Head

7. She Does Everything for Me

Songs removed: "The Way I Feel Inside," "Woman" and "She's Not There."

The following songs were added: "Tell Her No," "She's Coming Home," "I Want You Back Again," "I Must Move," "Goin' Out of My Head," and "She Does Everything for Me."

The result is what could have been a great followup to Begin Here, and shows the band's progress before Odessey and Oracle. All tracks are available on the box set Zombie Heaven. The cover is another simple whip-up by me, taking the band's existing art and adding a title and record company logo.

Here's a YouTube Playlist of the album.