My knowledge of The Kinks is primarily limited to a handful of singles. I know most people point to The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society as their defining moment, but I was curious about the rest of their sprawling discography. What are some other high points? I recently picked up a copy of 1970's Lola Vs. The Powerman & The Money-Go-Round, Pt. 1 and am really, really enjoying it.

Oh man, the Kinks are probably my favorite band of all time. Let me just say that their run of GREAT albums from 1966-1971 is one of the most magnificent in the history of rock. My personal favorite is Something Else By the Kinks (1967), which is also my favorite album of all-time. But seriously, if you like what you've heard so far you can't go wrong with any of these:

Face to Face (1966)
The Village Green Preservation Society (1968)
Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire) (1969)
Lola vs. The Powerman and the Money-Go-Round, Pt. 1 (1970)
Muswell Hillbillies (1971)

They also did a soundtrack in 1971 which has it's moments, called Percy.

I would strongly second all of the albums MJ recommended. I think my favorite is Village Green, but every one of the albums MJ mentioned are worth owning. Lola is a fantastic album, but don't stop there.

I have a soft spot for Kinda Kinks.

I think Low Budget is a better album than its rep.

I'd probably go with Lola v Power and Money...
All the well known songs along with gems like Get Back in Line, Denmark Street, etc. Gotta love the crazy lyrics and background music to Money-go-round as well.

quote:

Originally posted by mark f:
I have a soft spot for Kinda Kinks.

Me too, actually. The Kinks, Kinda Kinks and Kink Kontroversy are all required listening for anyone interested in the first wave of the British Invasion.

quote:

Originally posted by Maximum Jack:

quote:

Originally posted by mark f:
I have a soft spot for Kinda Kinks.

Me too, actually. The Kinks, Kinda Kinks and Kink Kontroversy are all required listening for anyone interested in the first wave of the British Invasion.

I have a tape copy of the Kink Kontroversy that's been completely worn out and weather-blasted in my car. That album is great. I also heartily recommend Village Green Preservation Society, Something Else by the Kinks and Lola vs. Powerman, along with everybody else.

I really can't stand "Something Else" and "Village Green" has a few great songs, but damn if "Lola vs. Powerman and the Money Go Round" isn't one of my new favorite albums.

"Can't stand"? Consider yourself ignored

quote:

Posted by Chamberk
I really can't stand "Something Else" and "Village Green" has a few great songs, but damn if "Lola vs. Powerman and the Money Go Round" isn't one of my new favorite albums.

Well, I adore the Kinks and I completely disagree sir.
Lola is among the weakest efforts, and Something Else is a masterpiece, as is Village Green, though a few shades less magisterial.
En Garde!

What's great about "Something Else"? Waterloo Sunset is a fine song and there are a few charmers like "David Watts" and "Hairy Rag" but Lola stood so far above it in terms of lyrical content and strength of music. "Something Else" is just kind of boring overall.

What's great about Something Else? Let's start with "David Watts" shall we? It starts out with the shimmering "Fa-fa-fa-fa-fa" accompanied by some glorious piano. It bounces. It swings. Doesn't really sound like anything before or since. Lyrically, it's one Ray Davies' great character sketches.

"Death of a Clown." The first bonafide stunner (co)penned by Dave Davies. If you don't sing along to the la-la-la background vocals, then you're no fan of pop.

"Two Sisters." The lush sounds on this track are quite simply sublime. From the harpsichord to the strings to the drum sound, everything is perfect. Lyrically, it's an allegory about Dave and Ray.

"No Return." One of the most beautiful songs Ray Davies ever wrote. What other rock bands were flirting with Bossanova in '67? I'm still baffled that Astrud Gilberto never covered it!

"Harry Rag." Again, if you don't find yourself singing along to this one the first time through, then there's no helping you. Sure, it may be a bit too British for American audiences, but it's still damn catchy.

"Tin Soldier Man." What might have been a throwaway, becomes another gem with the addition of some nice horns-- especially the outro.

"Situation Vacant." Another character sketch. This time it's "Johnny" and how he deals with his nagging mother-in-law. The piano work on this is just glorious and Dave's guitar is scalding.

"Love Me Till the Sun Shines." Not as great as "Death of a Clown," but this is another very good Dave Davies song, and it is probably the one song on Something Else which is most closely aligned with the earlier Kinks' sound. In other words, it rawks.

"Lazy Old Sun." It was 1967, and this was the Kinks' token foray into psychedelia. It still sounds positively erie.

"Afternoon Tea." Another fucking stunner from Ray. Jesus Christ he was on a roll!

"Funny Face." The third (and final) Dave Davies track on SE. Peter Quaife's bass is prominent and sounds Entwhistle-esque.

"End of the Season." A Noel Coward homage that only the Kinks could pull off. Brilliant.

"Waterloo Sunset." What can I say about the Greeatest Song Ever Recorded?

So, MoJo, have you seen the Kinks perform "Waterloo Sunset" live? I can recall seeing them about 30 years ago live at the Universal Amphitheatre in Hollywood, and "Waterloo Sunset" will never leave me; it was one the more memorable songs I've experienced. The background, behind the band, had the Sunset prominently setting, very gradually.

For those who care, David Gates opened the show.

quote:

Originally posted by mark f humbug:
So, MoJo, have you seen the Kinks perform "Waterloo Sunset" live? I can recall seeing them about 30 years ago live at the Universal Amphitheatre in Hollywood, and "Waterloo Sunset" will never leave me; it was one the more memorable songs I've experienced. The background, behind the band, had the Sunset prominently setting, very gradually.

Uh, no. Damn I'm jealous.

Max Jack, I could easily do a recap of all of Lola's tracks with just the same passion as you did for "Something Else" (but I'm at work right now ). It just seems to me that "Something Else" is a cute little album but "Lola" is a much better album from a band that's grown better over the intervening years.

Something Else is quite simply my favorite album of all-time, but I do LOVE Lola-- you needn't convince me.

quote:

Posted by Chamberk
Max Jack, I could easily do a recap of all of Lola's tracks with just the same passion as you did for "Something Else"

Yeahhhh, but Jack's kinking right and you're kinking wrong.
See how I sorted that dilemma out for ya!

quote:

Oh man, the Kinks are probably my favorite band of all time. Let me just say that their run of GREAT albums from 1966-1971 is one of the most magnificent in the history of rock. My personal favorite is Something Else By the Kinks (1967), which is also my favorite album of all-time. But seriously, if you like what you've heard so far you can't go wrong with any of these:

Face to Face (1966)
The Village Green Preservation Society (1968)
Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire) (1969)
Lola vs. The Powerman and the Money-Go-Round, Pt. 1 (1970)
Muswell Hillbillies (1971)

I think this just about sums it up, but I would add in "The Kink Kontoversy" as well. I actually prefer it to "Face to Face" which is my least favorite Kinks album from this era. Fans of "The Kink Kontroversy" should check out the cover of Sleater Kinney's album "Dig Me Out" and you can feel cool when you get the reference.

quote:

Originally posted by Ishmaels Coffin:

quote:

Posted by Chamberk
Max Jack, I could easily do a recap of all of Lola's tracks with just the same passion as you did for "Something Else"

Yeahhhh, but Jack's kinking right and you're kinking wrong.
See how I sorted that dilemma out for ya!

I'm not sure you've worked out the kinks yet.