The Zombies

Rating:
Summary: Uncovering the Zombies
Review: I was happy to see this book about the great, under-rated Zombies, and it did not disappoint. High marks for lots of input from all the members and getting into detail about on many of the Zombies songs and the writing behind them. It's good to see focus and appreciation given where it's due with the songwriting aspect, since the beauty, modesty and originality of the songs are what surely is the attraction for Zombies fans.
Other pluses are for covering the background of the band and its members, the early days and through its touring and commerically successful days.

Minuses for me were that the details seemed to drop off just a bit as the band wore on, though maybe there just wasn't that much to report or there is a lack of information on the pre-Odessey and Oracle period. I also would have liked to see a few more photos but again, maybe there are not all that much to choose from, in which case it would truly be a shame.

Overall, a good book, an easy read and done with the proper spirit.

Rating:
Summary: A gift for Zombies fans
Review: There is so little material available on this unheralded but influential group that any new book is a cause for celebration. Derived mostly from new interviews with each of the band members, the book is almost exclusively about the four or five years the group were intact and gives detailed descriptions of the writing and recording of their music and touring life. It's not a great book, but it is quite good, and I appreciate the almost scholarly approach to their music rather than the gushing idol-worship of so many other rock biographies. The hefty contributions of the band members to the book make this almost autobiographical. There are a few illustrations in the center of the book. Altogether a very fine gift for Zombies fans and British beat historians.