In this column I showcase new audio titles featuring English Rock and Roll Hall of Fame outfit The Zombies and Los Angeles-based artist Gary Calamar.
You might like if you enjoy: The Zombies, The Beatles, The Hollies
Tell me more: Recorded between the Zombies' 1965 breakout LP Begin Here and 1968 masterwork Odyssey and Oracle, the 19 tracks on Continue Here (Mono Remastered) capture the magic of the beloved British Invasion pioneers with joyful aplomb. The parade of stellar tracks — a mix of non-album singles and stellar B-sides — gathered together on the new collection (available on Oct. 30) will absolutely thrill fans of the Zombies and their British contemporaries. From the Beatlesque opener "You Make Me Feel Good" and jazzy "I Want You Back Again" to the infectious "I Love You" (the latter bolstered by lead singer's Colin Blunstone's amazing tenor vocals and Rod Argent's virtuoso keyboard playing) and rollicking garage rocker "Just Out of Reach," the material shines as powerfully as any rock music of the era. Other highlights on Continue Here include the euphoric "Is This the Dream," Baroque pop gem "Don't Go Away," flamenco-tinged "Nothing's Changed," jazz mining "Gotta Get a Hold of Myself" and spiraling rocker "She Does Everything For Me." In addition to the aforementioned Blunstone and Argent, the Zombies featured the top-tier talents of bassist Chris White, drummer Hugh Grundy and guitarist Paul Atkinson. Information: thezombiesmusic.com.
Title: Odd Numb3rs and Slanted Rhymes (Big Stir Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Tom Petty, Matthew Sweet, Fountains of Wayne
Tell me more: Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter-guitarist Gary Calamar's full-length debut Odd Numb3rs and Slanted Rhymes is a masterwork 12 years in the making. Calamar — well-known as a Grammy-nominated music supervisor for television ("Six Feet Under, True Blood," "3 Body Problem") and as a popular radio DJ at the helm of his show "The Open Road" — demonstrates his prowess as the architect of top-tier melodic rock bolstered by literate and decidedly clever lyrics across the 17-track disc. My favorites include the confessional opener "The Prince Of Pico Blvd," the melodious rocker "Little Tokyo" (the latter featuring contributing vocals from Azure Ray's Maria Taylor), literate "Giddy," rapturous "She's So Mid-Century," tender "A Place To Hang," playful "I Got An Idea" (featuring guest vocals from Devo's Mark Mothersbaugh) and the countrified "Severe Tire Damage." Information: garycalamar.com.
Robert Kinsler
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