167. The Kinks | Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire) (1969)

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Wikipedia Entry

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Tracks

1. Victoria
2. Yes Sir, No Sir
3. Some Mother's Son
4. Drivin'
5. Brainwashed
6. Australia
7. Shangri-La
8. Mr. Churchill Says
9. She's Bought a Hat Like Princess Marina
10. Young and Innocent Days
11. Nothing to Say
12. Arthur

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Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire) is a wonderful album. It's a straightforward rock album filled with great melodies.

Ray Davies writes really clever and interesting lyrics. It's always fun trying to figure out their meanings. Also, Kinks' songs always seem to be upbeat even when the lyrics aren't. Ray Davies' humor is peculiar.

The album starts off strong and continues on an even keel all the way to the end. Since it was a concept album to accompany a television play (which never came to be), the album is consistent and the songs work well together. The themes deal with late Victorian England, the Great War, World War II, and post-World War II life and life in Australia. Seems like ancient history.

This is definitely an album worth listening to. The only drawback may be the lyrical themes which may not interest some. However, it's refreshing album to listen to after all of the psychedelic rock albums from the past few years.

All the songs are really strong, but the real stand outs are: Victoria, Yes Sir, No Sir,  Some Mother's Son, Brainwashed, Shangri-La, Mr. Churchill Says, Nothing to Say and Arthur.

★★★★★★★★★★

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.

★★★★★★★★★★

97. The Kinks | Something Else by the Kinks (1967)

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Wikipedia Entry

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1. David Watts
2. Death of a Clown
3. Two Sisters
4. No Return
5. Harry Rag
6. Tin Soldier Man
7. Situation Vacant
8. Love Me Till the Sun Shines
9. Lazy Old Sun
10. Afternoon Tea
11. Funny Face
12. End of the Season
13. Waterloo Sunset

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Something Else by the Kinks is a focused album. The songs are heavy pop songs. Moreover, there is an "English" sound to this kind of rock and roll, but I'll be damned if I can define what "English" means here. Certainly, the song titles suggest this "English" sound may exist. Most British bands pay homage to their American blues roots in their songs titles and choice of songs. That's a lot less so with this album.

Most of the songs are efficiently stay on point rather than wander or meander. There are no frills with either the music or the lyrics. What is played is what is necessary. That's all.

This album filled with lots of excellent songs. The stand out songs are David Watts, Death of a Clown, Harry Rag, Tin Soldier Man, Love Me Till the Sun Shines, Afternoon Tea and Waterloo Sunset.

★★★★★★★★★☆

66. The Kinks | Face To Face (1966)

Wikipedia Entry

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Tracks

1. Party Line
2. Rosie Won't You Please Come Home
3. Dandy
4. Too Much on My Mind
5. Session Man
6. Rainy Day in June
7. A House in the Country
8. Holiday in Waikiki
9. Most Exclusive Residence for Sale
10. Fancy
11. Little Miss Queen of Darkness
12. You're Lookin' Fine
13. Sunny Afternoon
14. I'll Remember

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Face To Face is a polite album. The lyrics appear rather mundane with all the singing about everyday life. The music is mix of heavy songs and pop songs.

The album would have been much tighter if there were fewer pop songs.  As individual songs, they are really catchy and fun, but combined together, they start sounding the same which really makes the album drag. The album is already long; the pop songs make it feel like an eternity.

It's a pretty good album. It's worth listening to just because it really shows how great a songwriter Ray Davies is. He writes catchy pop songs, heavy rock songs and clever lyrics. The stand out songs are Party Line, Dandy, Rainy Day in June and Holiday in Waikiki.

★★★★★★★☆☆☆