Still Got That Hunger
Still Got That Hunger is the sixth studio album by the English rock band the Zombies, released on 9 October 2015.[1] It marks the band's first collection of original material since their 2011 album Breathe Out, Breathe In, and was funded through a successful PledgeMusic crowdfunding campaign launched in September 2014, which provided fans with exclusive access to the recording process.[1] Featuring core members Colin Blunstone on vocals and Rod Argent on keyboards, alongside guitarist Tom Toomey, bassist Jim Rodford, and drummer Steve Rodford, the album blends elements of psychedelic rock, pop rock, and progressive rock, while re-recording the band's 1965 single "I Want You Back Again" with a modern edge.[2][3] The album was recorded live in the studio without overdubs, capturing the band's performances in a manner reminiscent of their 1968 classic Odessey and Oracle, with the best takes selected for the final mix.[2] Produced by Chris Potter and mixed to emphasize their evolved sound—rooted in 1960s British psychedelia but updated for the 21st century—it spans 10 tracks totaling approximately 37 minutes.[4] The artwork was designed by Terry Quirk, the same artist responsible for the iconic Odessey and Oracle sleeve, reinforcing the album's connection to the band's legacy.[2][4] Key tracks include the opening "Moving On," which sets a reflective tone with Blunstone's distinctive vocals, and "Chasing the Past," encapsulating the album's theme of forward momentum without nostalgia.[2] Other standouts are "New York," evoking the band's historical ties to the city where they gained fame, and "Edge of the Rainbow," showcasing Argent's sophisticated keyboard work infused with jazz and blues influences.[2] Upon release, Still Got That Hunger received generally favorable reviews, earning a Metascore of 61 out of 100 on Metacritic based on eight critics, with praise for the band's enduring passion and technical precision despite their age.[5] Publications like Uncut lauded its muscular sound that transcends mere nostalgia, while some noted its bluesy, sophisticated style akin to Steely Dan.[5] The album underscored the Zombies' continued relevance, demonstrating their ability to produce vital, creative work over five decades into their career.[2]Background and development
The band's history and reunion
The Zombies were formed in 1961 in St Albans, England, by schoolmates Rod Argent on keyboards and Colin Blunstone as lead vocalist, along with guitarist Paul Atkinson, drummer Hugh Grundy, and bassist Chris White.[6] The band achieved early success in the mid-1960s British Invasion with international hits including "She's Not There" in 1964 and "Tell Her No" in 1965, culminating in the release of their critically acclaimed album Odessey and Oracle in 1968.[6] Despite the album's initial commercial failure, the group disbanded in 1967 due to internal tensions and frustrations with the music industry.[7][6] In the years following, Blunstone embarked on a solo career with several albums in the 1970s and beyond, while Argent formed the progressive rock band Argent, which scored hits like "Hold Your Head Up" in 1972.[6] Blunstone and Argent reunited in 1999 for what was intended as a limited run of six concerts, but the collaboration proved so enjoyable that they reformed The Zombies as a touring act.[8][9] To round out the lineup, they enlisted bassist Jim Rodford (formerly of Argent and the Kinks), his son Steve Rodford on drums, and guitarist Tom Toomey.[10] This incarnation of the band released their first new studio album in over three decades, Breathe Out, Breathe In, in 2011 through the independent label Red House Records, demonstrating their commitment to creating original material without major label backing.[11]Inspiration and songwriting process
The album Still Got That Hunger was conceived as a celebration of The Zombies' 50-year endurance in music, marking their first project to explicitly reflect on their longevity since the band's formation in the 1960s.[12] This thematic focus emerged from reflections on the band's early career milestones, infusing the work with nostalgic elements that bridged their past achievements and present vitality.[12] To enable independent production without major label involvement, The Zombies launched a PledgeMusic crowdfunding campaign in September 2014, which successfully raised 143% of its funding goal through 958 backers, providing fans with exclusive access to the recording process.[1] Songwriting for the album was led primarily by keyboardist Rod Argent, who composed nine tracks, drawing from personal and historical inspirations to craft material that evoked the band's classic sound while incorporating contemporary reflections.[13] Vocalist Colin Blunstone contributed one original, "Now I Know I'll Never Get Over You," which originated on his 2009 solo album The Ghost of You and Me before being adapted for the group.[14] Additionally, Argent co-wrote "And We Were Young Again" with his daughter Catherine Argent, adapting elements from his 1982 collaboration with Barbara Thompson on the album Ghosts.[15] The track "I Want You Back Again" was included as a remake of the band's 1965 single, selected to symbolically connect their formative years with the current lineup and underscore themes of reunion and persistence.[16] Nostalgic motifs throughout the album were further shaped by memories of the band's 1964 U.S. tour, particularly inspiring Argent's "New York," a tribute to their inaugural American experiences in the city.[12]Recording
Locations and timeline
The recording of Still Got That Hunger began following the successful launch of the band's PledgeMusic crowdfunding campaign in September 2014, which exceeded its funding goal and enabled the project to proceed without compromises.[17] The sessions took place in early 2015, with principal tracking wrapping up in time to align with the album's planned October 2015 release date.[18] This compressed timeline reflected the band's intent to recapture the organic energy of their 1960s recordings, prioritizing efficiency over extended production.[19] Principal recording took place at State of the Ark Studios in London, where the band focused on capturing a unified group dynamic. Additional sessions occurred at The Potting Shed, contributing to the album's foundational elements.[3] Under the guidance of producer Christopher Marc Potter, the process emphasized live band performances in the studio to foster chemistry and immediacy, diverging from contemporary overdub-intensive techniques.[20] Basic tracks were laid down over five intensive days, with the full ensemble playing together in one room—no click tracks were used, and initial guide vocals from Colin Blunstone often became the final takes, preserving a raw, collective feel.[19] Subsequent overdubs, including solos and backing vocals, followed over another five days, maintaining the live ethos with minimal layering.[19] The final mixing phase, also overseen by Potter, was completed in a single day at Sugar Cane Studios, allowing the producer full creative control to refine the sound.[21] Mastering occurred at Sterling Sound in spring 2015, finalizing the album ahead of its release and ensuring a polished yet authentic presentation of the band's renewed vitality.[21]Technical aspects
The album Still Got That Hunger was produced by The Zombies in collaboration with Christopher Marc Potter, who also engineered the sessions.[22][3] The production approach employed modern digital recording technology to capture live band performances, emphasizing an organic feel reminiscent of the band's 1960s work while limiting overdubs to retain natural energy and immediacy.[23][24] Colin Blunstone's initial guide vocals were kept as the final lead takes across the album, chosen for their authentic and intimate quality that aligned with the project's goal of unpolished vitality.[20][19] Assisted by engineer Even Fromreide, the team focused on integrating Rod Argent's Hammond organ and piano layers seamlessly with guitar tones and the rhythm section, crafting a cohesive blues rock texture that balanced vintage warmth with contemporary clarity.[3][12] The cover artwork was designed by Terry Quirk, whose style directly referenced the psychedelic imagery of The Zombies' 1968 album Odessey and Oracle, reinforcing visual continuity with the band's classic era.[25][26]Music
Style and genre
Still Got That Hunger is primarily a blues rock album infused with pop rock and subtle psychedelic elements, marking an evolution from the band's 1960s roots in baroque pop.[14][27] The record draws on classic rock influences, such as intricate guitar work reminiscent of Steely Dan's jazz-rock fusion, while blending nostalgic remakes—like a reimagined version of the 1965 track "I Want You Back Again"—with original material that honors the Zombies' historical sound.[28][27] Key sonic features include prominent keyboards from Rod Argent, which drive the melodies across much of the album, paired with Colin Blunstone's emotive, now smokier vocals that convey a seasoned intensity. The arrangements emphasize a live-band energy, with the rhythm section providing groovy, straightforward progressions and occasional scorching guitar solos that shift away from the band's earlier esoteric psychedelia toward a more bar-band blues aesthetic.[28][27][29] Spanning 37:21 over 10 tracks, the album functions as a cohesive whole, prioritizing melodic harmonies and polished production over isolated singles, which underscores its unified exploration of the band's enduring vitality.[30] Compared to their prior release Breathe Out, Breathe In (2011), which was more of a duo project, Still Got That Hunger presents a fuller band dynamic with a more confident, hunger-driven sound that reflects the group's 50-year milestone.[27][31]Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Moving On" | Rod Argent | 4:00 | |
| 2. | "Chasing the Past" | Rod Argent | 4:05 | |
| 3. | "Edge of the Rainbow" | Rod Argent | 4:10 | |
| 4. | "New York" | Rod Argent | 4:08 | |
| 5. | "I Want You Back Again (2015)" | Rod Argent | 3:34 | Remake of the band's 1965 single. |
| 6. | "And We Were Young Again" | Rod Argent, Catherine Argent | 4:07 | |
| 7. | "Maybe Tomorrow" | Rod Argent | 3:34 | |
| 8. | "Now I Know I'll Never Get Over You" | Colin Blunstone | 3:34 | Originally from Blunstone's 2009 solo album The Ghost of You and Me. |
| 9. | "Little One" | Rod Argent | 2:54 | Features an intimate live feel, recorded straightforward in the studio. |
| 10. | "Beyond the Borderline" | Rod Argent | 3:15 |