110. The Kinks | The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society (1968)

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Wikipedia Entry

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Tracks

1. The Village Green Preservation Society
2. Do You Remember Walter?
3. Picture Book
4. Johnny Thunder
5. Last of the Steam-powered Trains
6. Big Sky
7. Sitting by the Riverside
8. Animal Farm
9. Village Green
10. Starstruck
11. Phenomenal Cat
12. All of My Friends Were There
13. Wicked Annabella
14. Monica
15. People Take Pictures of Each Other

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The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society is a nostalgic album.  The songs are a mix of heavy rock and roll and pop. The music is conservative, never dull and does what it is meant to do: support the lyrics. The lyrics generally reflect on a past that does not manifest itself in the present, except either in mental or physical memories (photographs): the village green, steam trains, relationships and experiences.

This is one of the finest albums I've ever heard. Ray Davies has a comforting voice. The music and lyrics are catchy, clever and fun. However, some of the lyrics and music prevent this album from transcending the 1960s. That doesn't mean it's not worth listening to or owning, though.

There isn't a weak song on the album, but the stand outs are: The Village Green Preservation Society, Do You Remember Walter?, Picture Book, Last of the Steam-powered Trains, Big Sky, Animal Farm, Village Green, Starstruck, Phenomenal Cat, Wicked Annabella, People Take Pictures of Each Other.

★★★★★★★★★★