The Village Green Preservation Society

This slaps

An album I had meant to listen to for a long time and very good listen it was too. I expect I'll come back to it. Some of the songs sound a bit silly jokey (Phenomenal Cat) but there are hidden depths, and it never sounds pretentious. Fave tracks: Picture Book, Wicked Annabella, Johnny Thunder.

Fun album

I don't know what I thought the kinks were, but it wasn't this.

Byrds, Beatles, Dylan - it's all in there. Songs get a bit redundant towards the end.

A lot of Beatles influence

Album 343 of 1001 The Kinks are The Village Green Preservation Society Rating : 4.5 / 5 Favorite Tracks : Picture Book / Animal Farm Fun album. Not a bad song in the bunch. This is one I'll put on again.

Kind of disappointed in this one. I normally love The Kinks! But this early album doesn’t feature much of what would make them great. Too cutesy and generic pop for me. 2.5/5

Not my kind of sound.

Not really into the britpop albums on this list. This was less of a mess than Super Furry Animals at least.

So many other better albums from them makes it hard to give this a high rating.

Folk Pop sounds through the lens of Psychedelia. Picture Book is probably the best known track. Solid songwriting and playing.

Full disclosure - haven't listened to the whole thing yet, but what I've heard is fun, fun, fun!

Cult nigga music.

I liked it

This was just okay.

Ironic view of the good ol’ days and criticism of cultural stagnation. Also use of Village Green in Hot Fuzz is on the nose.

I only know the one song from Hot Fuzz. The rest is a chill album, just not my thing.

Bien.

Pretty solid. Was vibing to this while working. - 7/10

I really enjoyed this, I thought the vibes were great. Some of the songs were kind of goofy but overall I liked it a lot. I liked the first song, the first few seconds sounded close to something I'd heard in Portlandia. Edit -- In hindsight this wasn't as good as I thought it was. Bumping down to 4.

this was fine but not too exciting to me, 6.5/10

Old but nice. Surprisingly crisp production for the 60s. Reminded me of the Beatles. 7/10

7/10 - Quite enjoyable. Most of the songs were fun to listen to. Nothing absolutely stood out but it was a fun listen.

I enjoyed the front of the album, the back wasn’t that great though 7.5/10

Pretty surprised by how much I enjoyed this. Lots of catchy and well made songs 8.5/10

Quirked up Beatles

Idk another 60s rock album to me

loved it, major Beatles vibes

Not really my thing but pleasant.

This and the previous kinks take are only leading me to believe im not a big kinks fan. I can definitely see the innovation and influence they had given this album is from ‘68, but there’s a certain daintiness I don’t really enjoy from them. Enjoyable enough listen, but the lack of edge over the course of a full album rubbed me the wrong way. A couple of decent head-bobbers on there, but nothing that Wowed me.

actually so up my alley and dope album name, listened to this all wknd fav: the village green preservation society do u remember walter village green

Not music

Decent

Never owned skunks album but like their radio hits. Didn’t know a single song on this album but it was fun.

As far as the Kinks go, I’m only familiar with the hits, but I loved this album and it motivates me to become more familiar with their catalog.

I was so disappointed with this! I thought I'd love it, but it feels like they've really leaned into a pastiche of English pastoralism that (a) means nothing to me and (b) gets in the way of the often quite interesting musicality. They threatened this already with songs like Lazy Sunday Afternoon, but this felt like it was designed to give American audiences a comforting insight into English life that bears little resemblence to reality for most people.

Not great

and a 1/2 Fav Songs - Do You Remember Walter?, Picture Book, Intro

The production quality of this album is not good-very tinny sound. It sounds like an early Beatles knockoff with the beginnings of some punk added. Too poppy for me

Very Kinks sounding. Happy, unoffensive, nice melodies and grooves. This may have been ground-breaking in 1968 but it seems verging on boring now. It's good background music for cruising through a happy day, and the chord progressions and melodic elements are nice enough, just nothing mind-blowing.

I prefer other works by the Kinks

3rd Kinks album I've gotten. They have a classic 60s British rock sound, but sometimes it drifts too far into goofy Britishness. Favorite song was the one about the Last Train

Cheery bit of 60s pop rock. Nothing revolutionary to wright home about, yet I enjoyed it very much. Very listenable.

Está bien, pero no encuentro la energía que asocio con los Kinks. Creo que simplemente lo que tratan de hacer no es lo mío. 3/5.

Not on Spotify

favourite song: last of the steam powered trains struggled with this one. i do think all of the songs are good but whilst theyre not quite boring, they are all very samey which gets a bit grating as it goes on. torn between 3 and 4 stars.

Niet bijster kinky

Het moet niet langer duren of ik kap met deze app hoor

Wat moet ik hier nou weer van vinden

Bold album, and the highs were pretty good. Still, not the sort of thing that I actively want to listen to.

Fínt 60's rokk. Smá experimental hjá þeim og svona djók plata hálfgerð. Sum lögin nokkuð slöpp og ekkert sérstakt heildarverk. Hljómsveitin er þó geggjuð og mjög mikilvæg.

Skítsæmileg plata, en alls ekki það besta frá Kinks. Ekkert sem greip mann sérstaklega, en alltaf metnaðarfullt að gera concept plötu.

Ok

This is just good, silly, fun. Very enjoyable.

Very 1968! And very British. The Kinks have so many hits, but I do not remember any of these songs. The album was a nice listen, but not sure I will revisit it anytime soon. There are many more Kinks albums to check out!

Twee bollocks

Not bad! I think this band should learn how to finish songs, though.

I was ready to label this album as another "old and forgotten" record, that is on lists like this just to show "knowledge" and quirkiness of the author. Usually I'm right, but this time "Preservation Society" turned out to be a pretty good and a fun album. Songs had a modern sound, they were very diverse, and most importantly, enjoyable. So looks like The Kinks was a pretty nice band!

Excellent

The Kinks have a very identifiable sound due to Ray Davies' voice. I like it, and it also has a similar level to all the songs. Nice listening but doesn't blow me away. Picture Book, Big Sky and People Take Pictures of Each Other are standouts for me.

A lot of songs felt kinda samey but otherwise good album.

• Omslaget får mig att tänka på det Stevie Wonder albumet • Låter som 60-talet, rätt bra • Man får lite Beatles-vibbar, vilket kanske inte är konstigt för ett brittiskt band på 60-talet • Har inte så mycket mer att skriva än att det är bra • All of My Friends Were There va intressant • Tycker om 60-tals trummor, Ringo etc. • Har varit fokuserad på annat men har inga klagomål direkt Betyg: Den hade kanske fått en 3,5 om det gick, nu när det ej går är det la en 3a eller 4a, så väljer arbiträrt en 3a idag => 3/5

The consensus view seems to be that this is the best Kinks album. I might like some albums like Arthur a bit more, but obviously VGPs is a 5-star classic.

This was a great album, jam-packed with great songs, executed brilliantly by great musicians.

Another very enjoyable Kinks album.

Meh

Everyone loved it. Heard the origin of a lot of influences.

meh

Did not like it. It was putting me to sleep.

This was like listening to the Beatles for the first time. Whimsical and energetic and emblematic of (what I believe) the '60s were like.

Love The Kinks, though I prefer the first few albums to this one. Bit more riffy

Loved it!

Some nice psych-tinged sounds on this. I can hear some of the roots of 90s britpop here.

na ja, den Namen "Kinks" kennt man zwar, aber die Songs sind nicht meins. Olle Kamellen

nah

This was so fun!! I haven't thoroughly looked at the lyrics but this is refreshing from what I normally mean into. I think my favorite out of this is Johnny Thunder.

The boyos

All sounds the same

There are some great riffs and harmonies on here, and a good number of excellent songs. But there are also some that are just bad, and they not only leave a foul stain on the album but they are mostly near the end. Truly an album only a Brit could love

I think this was a concept album of some sort…workmanlike, competent effort, but I don’t get the concept

alright listen, enjoyed it overall.

Lighter Beatles. Ok to listen to, but wouldn't add it to my library.

Simple song structures and happy pop hooks are heard on this album, similar in a way to the Beatles. The voice is calming and melodic and the guitars are both rambunctious and relaxing. Both Folk and Rock are obvious influences for The Kinks, as this album has both warm folksy guitars and the slight wildness of Rock. This album is a fun one to listen to.

A classic folk sounding album. Nice, easy listening.

Kann ich mir gut mal anhören, aber nach dem vierten/fünften Stück reicht es dann auch...

This is like someone said "Ray, do us a favour mate, make the quintessential, slightly camp, UK 60s / 70s pop album", and they've nailed it!

Great gentle british pop rock concept album.

Concept album without major hits, but a fun listen.

One of the very few albums I’ve heard that sounds close to the mid-period Beatles. The lyrics are all a bit too nostalgia-ridden.

Reminded me of the Beatles

Hmm, last track was kinda interesting

Not as good as Arthur for me, but it's still thematically strong

Very quaint and whimsical. Honestly, it verges on too quaint and whimsical. Still, Ray Davies is clearly a talented songwriter and there are plenty of lovable moments here. Best song: Picture Book

Felt like background music

What a delightful album. Variability in every song. I love the subtle hints of blues and what I now understand to be Merseybeat.

This one is very unique from the other rock music coming at this time. I’m very glad that this wasn’t just another boring rehashing of 60s rock cliches. The vibes are immaculate with the 60s retro charm. These songs are catchy, fun, and have great creativity throughout. Theres also a lot of fun and weird experimentation for its time. A lot of highlights here, and a song I would consider bad. Great album! I applaud!

Sounds a lot like the cross of CCR and The Beatles.

7.5/10 First Nick Drake I’ve ever knowingly heard, aware of his reputation Really nice this - spare production, good guitar, excellent voice This is how you do an album that does not hugely vary in style - make it good, short, and don’t outstay your welcome Really sets a mood, liked it quite a bit Best: Parasite

3,5 *

The Kinks are always a good listen. This isn’t a favorite but there are some good tracks on this. It’s hard to be great when it’s a concept album.

Bien.

But my first email address was a pun on a song off Village Green

✨concept album✨ the baroque tune really won me over

Kinda mid. Nothing really stands out. Very generic 60's album. 2.5/5.

Really cool to listen through this album and understand why The Kinks became popular. Plus the music was interesting. Loved this one!

I always forget how much fun The Kinks are to listen to. It's a great vibe to start your day to.

Same energy is the White Album by the Beatles. Fun album, whimsical.

Cool album, liked it.

Enjoyed this album. Some familiar songs with catchy tunes...brought back some old memories.

Great hits from other albums, but in the context of 1968, they pale in comparison to the Beatles and other contemporary legends of the time

sounds of the late 60s...energetic, melodies with piano backing, short songs clocking in at less than 3 mins... Reminiscent of the Beatles or the Monkees. Pleasant, morning music.

Killer album. Starts off very strong

Wow, an album by a group who can play their instruments without being in conflict with each other and actually sing, with intelligible lyrics to boot! How did they slip into this list? And this isn’t even one of the better Kinks albums

3/5 Not my favorite early pop-rock experience, it feels like a muted beatles experience, and the beatles pre-drugs are not particularly inspiring nowadays, let alone the costco brand version

I like The Kinks, but this album was a little boring if I’m being honest.

If there ever was a band that epitomises 60's London, it's The Kinks. So upbeat and still cool.

It is now that I am deciding that I will only listen to these albums once, and only once before I write anything. And I will not be editing these blurbs. This album is like the Beatles if I liked them at all. They have that old studio sound of a group of artists just hanging out in their prime. Peak chilling on a lot of these songs. 7/10 also Hot Fuzz reference

Good, classic Kinks!

Alright album, didnt seem to drag but not my favourite.

Some interesting instruments take care of providing an air of decorum. That said, not an album I will be coming back to an awful lot.

the dumbest nonsensical English storytelling twee wanky tanky willy wonky shit I’ve ever heard

Classic whimsical rock. Not too fetching, but okay to listen to.

Have heard one of these on the Raising Sand album. Was ok.

One of the most British things you will ever hear. fun and catchy.

BL: The first Kinks album I got on this generator I was not a massive fan of, I found it a bit reductive. However I'm willing to come into this with an open mind as I am still a big lover of this band. AL: This was awesome, the weird and mildly creepy vocals of The Kinks invoke a rallying cry, it is powerful and the lyrics are incredibly political for the time. Exploring concepts of small town hegemony, culture and the criticisms of it, this album serves as a brilliant deconstruction of many issues. Sonically very sound and some excellent production. Great listen and potentially one of the best rock albums I've had on the generator so far. Was listening to a vinyl rip of this and that made me think about intentional production decisions being made at the time as they may translate better to the format. FT: "The Village Green Preservation Society, "Do You Remember Walter?", "Big Sky", "Animal Farm", "Village Green" 5/5

Sound a la Beatles

Not impressed this time around either

This album strikes me as distinctly average. Critics apparently praised the songwriting, but it comes across to me as rather contrived. I didn't find this a very exciting album, though it must have been good at the time to have an album focussed on 'English-ness'.

some nonsense about playing cricket in the rain

standouts - do you remember walter just super simple ok music, nothing memorable

A great concept album. Some great songs, some relics of an era.

Picture early Beatles. It's okay, if not a bit too sweet and simple.

I really enjoyed the other Kinks album I received. This one is completely different. Some of the songs were very hard to listen to and I can see why it was an overall commercial flop. I do not like this album.

The Kinks just dont do it for me. I don't get the hype. Decent music though. This one was kinda long.

These English lads are better than I remembered. Fun, upbeat, and dare I say cheeky

Rock

This is a fantastic album, and really deserves to be remembered better along with the other great 60s rock albums. Very solid songwriting, interesting storytelling and lyrics and some great riffs too (especially "Wicked Anabella"). The only song on here I don't really like is "All of My Friends Were There". "People Take Pictures of Each Other" was basically decades ahead of its time, more or less predicting modern social media. The only thing that surprised me was reading that the lyrics of the title track weren't meant to all be satirical, I always assumed they were! Listening it again with fresh ears I guess there are some things worth saving in that list. Maybe the point is finding common ground between the old and new and taking the best of both forward?

This was better than I had expected, musically and lyrically

Solid music

- Heard this before - Title track is a classic - Really consistently good album - Fav songs: The Village Green Preservation Society, Starstruck, Last of the Steam-Powered Trains

Good enough for the time. This album could be the background music for any vignette of the time without taking away from the scene. It is almost a characature of 60's pop. Three stars because there's no 3.5 option

Perfect introduction.

if red dead had a goofy soundtrack

Couldn't get into it. Sounded like Spinal Tap's Flower People

I don't know which came first, but I hear CCR in this Kink's album.

Just lovely. Fave: Picture Book

This sounds more like a Beatles cover band than the Kinks.

Meh. Definitely older and not really my style. The link is to the deluxe version of the album, which is 2hrs 40mins instead of the standard album which is 40 mins. Overall a cool vibe, but not my style at all.

picture book tantanananantnanantna this along with something else and face to face is the gold of kinks. village green being the more solid one out of all 3.

mellow, good vibrations, sophisticated and progressive sound effects. i like it!

Sounds very much like The Beatles

I didn't enjoy this Kinks album as much as Arthur. This one sounded a lot like the Beatles but without the charm.

This is a great album right here. I was pretty excited to listen to this one since The Kinks are a band that I've actually heard of. And you know what? For my first time listening to their music, they did not disappoint at all. "The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society" is not only an extremely influential album, but a really good one as well. While this certainly isn't the first concept album ever made, this was one of the early great examples of what a concept album can be. Most songs on this album focus on the theme of nostalgia and preserving memories. This is very evident with the songs, but fortunately, they don't all feel the same because of it. These songs are quite distinct in terms of both sound and lyrics. Both of those aspects, by the way, are great. I like the varied instrument usage throughout this album, even if quite a few of those instruments were actually just a mellotron. The writing is also quite varied. There are a few songs in the second half that don't really fit the theming and are a bit weaker than the other songs, but that doesn't really detract from the experience much. The sheer influence of this album is hard to understate. This band and album influenced so many other iconic bands and songs that in turn would be super influential on their own. It was kind of funny to find out that the opening of Mr. Blue Sky was practically copied and pasted from a song off of this album. Overall, this is a great album that absolutely deserves its place as one of the top 1001 albums to listen to before you die. 5/5.

3/5

- I am familiar with the Kinks and have previously listened to a few of their songs including the titular song on the album 'We Are the Village Green Preservation Society'. This was the first time that I had listened to the album all the way through. I enjoyed the fairly upbeat nature of the album which got surprisingly sinister?toward the end. It is a much longer album than I would normally listen to in full but I enjoyed and would listen again.

It was alright

Comenzaron cuando yo nací. Veo cosas que después encontraría en otros grupos

Great

admittedly, this is one of my favorite albums of all time going into this so i am really biased. this album is perfect from front to back! one of the pinnacles of ray davies' genius :)

Okay.

Very 60s! I know some Kinks songs but not these ones. I like them though. Standout songs - Starstruck and Wicked Annabella.

Maybe this album has some historical importance that I am too young to grasp, but looking back from 2024 it seems generic. It isn't bad, precisely, just ordinary.

Eh. It's fine, I guess.

delightful

A classic that still sounds so cool. I really like it.

First song of the album all I think of is "Hot Fuzz" lol. Not really my jam but some of the songs weren't bad. Wouldn't actively listen to it but wouldn't mind if it was on. 2.5/5

What a fun discovery. Loved almost every song.

It’s weird only ever hearing the popular tracks, there are some real oddball tracks in here but overall I dig it. 3/5

Although unique in some of its arrangements and definitely containing some eclectic pop sounds, the album as a whole doesn’t stand out for me. The album as a whole is pretty safe and stays well within the late 60’s musical pop sounds, ensuring that it will be accepted by reviewers. There are only one or two songs that I will likely visit again, including All of My Friends and Picture Book, but really little more can be found that cannot be found elsewhere in the late 60’s pop music. When put beside albums by otrher artists within a couple of years before or after, there are albums that stand out far more.

Have I heard of The Kinks? I think I have, but I'm not sure. This album cover is giving me Beatles vibes so that's the kind of sound I'm expecting. Okay yeah. This is what I was expecting. Track 2 is odd. Not a huge fan of that. Track 3 is really catchy. I don't understand the appeal of these kinds of vocals though. They are also all singing unison. This is the same issue I have with the Beatles lol. I don't know if I'm just dumb or what, but most of these songs don't make sense to me. Mmmkay track 6 is not my favorite. I have been enjoying the melodies so far though. The piano on track 7 is giving ragtime vibes. Not mad at that. Oh wait, now it's started to go off the rails. Hang on...did "Bittersweet Symphony" sample track 8?? I love the flutes in the beginning of track 11. Reminds me of an old Disney movie. Turns out, that's all I like about that track. 3/5 I don't listen to this genre much, basically because I'm not a huge fan of the vocal style. While I found many of these songs to be a bit weird, I did have fun listening.

Not sure if it's copying or influencing but it sounds very familiar despite only having heard maybe one song on it.

Excellent album and sound but nothing really stood out to me as exceptional

A decent album, but very of its time. The primitive production and tinny sounding instruments date this album a lot, and sonically has not aged as well as some other 60s albums. That being said, there is very little to actively dislike on this album, it still has some fun grooves that were rather enjoyable to hear.

naja

No, not for me at all!

4/5 ça se laisse écouter

Fairly diverse range, light listen for a nice day out in the summer.

Got the Stereo version of the album. Loved the natural sound of the instruments that give a feeling of an honest (and 60s) record. Sounds to me like a mix between the Beatles and the Beach Boys. Nice album!

Fun and silly! I liked it.

Not sure if I liked this better than Arthur! Still quite nice.

Not bad but will probably not listen again

It’s not really my style

Ihan kiva, aika lailla parasta Kinksiä kokonaisuutena, ainakin mitä olen kuullut ja jos multa kysytään. On nimittäin kokonaisuus, vaikka ajan hengen mukaisesti käydään vähän ”orientaalisissa” ja keskiaikaisissa tunnelmissa (ilahduttavasti molemmissa niin, ettei tule sekava olo) mutta sopivan pienesti (ei silkkaa sitaria ja psykedeliaa).

Taas retroaktiivista protoparodiaa, joka sisältää hyviä hetkiä, mutta on silti sitä, mitä parodioi. Biisit, joiden nimessä ovat sanat "Village Green", ovat musiikillisesti mieleenpainuvimpia, mutta lyyrisesti koettelevat huumorintajua.

Musically, not my favorite, but will need a few more listens where I really pay attention to the lyrics.

Classic

It is good.

Love The Kinks, and really love this fascinating, beautiful album. Is it perfect? No, not from first to last (I'm not here for Phenomenal Cat, for one thing, and the album does drop off in the final third). Is it a 5 star album? Crikey, yes.

Several of the songs are very Beatle-esque, which I didn’t expect. I love the Beatles so that endears me to their sound. But, it begs the question- how much of this album is simply mimicking popular sounds of the times? Hmm. Enjoyed it regardless. 3.2

I don't know much about The Kinks -- if I did, I might appreciate this more. Some songs were decent, but the majority is standard psychedelic pop. Doesn't do a whole lot for me. 3.3

Yellow submarine extended.

Good old Ray Davies

I really enjoyed this album some songs I have heard before but didn't know which album they had come from. It has an overall sound similar to the song Days which I have always liked. Good choice good variety of music on this album I will listen to it again

It was ok, not a big fan of the Kinks

Possible muse for Jack Johnson?

Hard to believe this album failed to chart on release.

kinks are cool

Always loved this album. None of their hits but just a very cool album. Not like anything else that was coming out in 1968.

Amazing

Early Beatles Like

I went back and forth, but I know some of it was really good.

☆民俗、鄉村音樂 love:Last of the Steamed-Powered Trains

Hated it

Typical Kinks. fine ...

Solid retro rock album with a distinct sound.

It’s nice no cap it’s like when I be kinda jolly no cap like kinda foresty camp tree ahh vibe

Too much Beatles-style.

Not bad, but feels a little like Kirkland Signature Sgt. Pepper's.

One of my favorite albums. Nothing but great pop songs with memorable melodies, and each song has its own personality and character. I also love that the songs are tied together by the theme of nostalgia. On some songs, lead singer/songwriter Ray Davies satirizes the way we look back on the past with rose-colored glasses. Other times I think he's being pretty genuine and earnest. It's an idea I connect with. On one hand, nostalgia is a powerful, personal thing. It's one of the things that makes us human. But we can also get a little carried away with it as a society. The title track is excellent and functions as a great opening thesis for the idea of the album. And "Picture Book" is a classic. One of the band's catchiest songs. Can you believe that "People Take Pictures of Each Other" was written over 50 years ago, well before the days of smartphones, selfies and Instagram? The song resonates now more than ever. Funny to think that Ray Davies saw this annoying quality in people even back in the 60's. I've been thinking about this sort of idea lately -- how people always complain about the present day and imagine the past to be better. 'Kids these days' are always worse than kids in the past. Technology is always ruining society. But I don't buy that. I think people would have said the same thing 20, 50, or 100 years ago. So is the world really getting worse or is complaining about the present just a thing people always do? Honestly, the whole album gets at that idea but it does so with bright, playful songs. Always a pleasure to put this album on and today it also got me thinking.

The Kinks are a band I never really listened to for some reason. I think maybe it's because when I've wanted to hear this sort of sound I would have more easily just put on The Beatles. I can tell that there's depth here and more to just a single listen so I can't rate it too hard off of that, but at the same time I'm not grabbed by too much from this first full listen. I know there's more! There has to be. Unfortunately the record just sort of flew by. I'm giving it a 3 but predicting a 4 in the future.

On the verge of annoying, and I can’t say I really enjoyed this album. I was considering giving it a 2, but there’s enough charm and earnestness to bump it up at least half a star.

It is questionable whether this album belongs on the list, given that it is supposed to cover the history of music in general, not the history of The Kinks. But I like the elaborate instrumentation of the '60s (today, a rock band just needs a guitar, bass, and drums, and everything else is electronic), and I enjoy their sense of humor, even if it is a bit naive from a modern standpoint. Plus, the lyrics to some of the songs actually have an interesting premise.

What a band.

Reading about The Kinks trajectory of being blackmailed from touring in the US in the early part of the British Invasion and subsequently leaning into being more specifically English because they had lost their international audience was kind of an interesting story. But this album is the outcome of that and I did not like it.

Better than the last one but still some real questionable stuff in here

I generally really enjoy this era and style of British Invasion rock. The kinks have always been a favorite of mine, managing to be somewhere between The Who and The Beatles in a way that really works for me.

I liked the variety of music, but some of the songs were a little too jaunty for my taste. I didn’t love the singer’s voice either.

gun to my head i would have told you picture book was a beatles song. i think i was mixing it up with paperback writer

I like the kinks! 3.5 because I'm taking -.5 for too much 70s-ish british music

2.5 stars, rounded up for Phenomenal Cat

Brilliant!

Solidan

Far too 60’s for me. Not a sound/vibe a like. Three tracks is enough.

Delightful though decidedly dated.

Another classic!

Having only heard they're big hits. This was a feel good dive into other songs. Enjoyed it.

Ordinary pop rock. 2 stars.

This was very nice, much better than the few Kinks hits I knew already, and when it ended I wanted more. Stand-out: The Village Green Preservation Society

Fun. I know the Kinks sound, but none of these songs. Picture Book is a good one.

"The Kinks are the Village Green Preservation Society" is the sixth studio album by English rock band the Kinks. Pop, rock, baroque pop and folk-pop are the main genres with influences of musichall, folk, blues, calypso and pychedelic. It was thought of as an early concept album with a collection of character studies and based on Dylan Thomas' "Under Milk Wood" with themes of nostalgia, memory and preservation. It took the Kinks from pop hitmakers to a favored cult band. The album failed to initially chart but with reissues became their best selling album in the UK. It was also widely lauded by critics. The album begins with a simple pop song "The Village Green Preservation Society." Guitar, harmonization and piano. Lead singer Ray Davies singing about preserving things from England's past. Ray is flipping through a picture book in "Picture Book." A catchy hook with bass, guitar and vocals. So, catchy I thought I had turned on Green Day's "Warning." I believe there was a law suit there. "Big Sky" starts out with guitars, backing vocals and great rolling drums. Someone is looking down on people. Is it God? The second side begins with the wonderful "Animal Farm." Where has this been all my life? The songs starts out a lot like the Beatles' "Lovely Rita" then goes baroque. Guitar, piano and string arrangements. Great musical chorus with the guitar and piano. Anti-urban commentary. The songs take a weirder turn towards the secind half of the second side. Not unwanted. "Phenomal Cat" tells the story of a flying cat who visited exotic places. It starts out with a flute. Dave Davies' as the cat's voice. They go pschedelic in "Wicked Annabella." Drums lead to a charging guitar. Dave Davies on lead vocals as he tells the story of a witch warning the children to stay in their beds and out of the woods. He whispers. The band goes full out pyschdelic at the end....appropriately. This is a fantastic album. The flow of different songs really works. The story telling is interesting. The music is varied with tons of hooks and catchy choruses. All the instruments stand out at different times. It's very influential and you can hear it in a number of 1980 and 1990 songs. An album everyone need to listen to.

„You really got me” is iconic for a reason! Nothing in this album beats it, but it’s still pretty solid.

Ray Davies is a genius

Fine

I really feel like I should like this more but having tried it a few years ago and again a few times since, it just doesn't move me hugely. I like The Kinks in general, right through 70s and 80s. I feel like the conceptual nature of this album elevates it's standing.

Hippy Rock. Not my thing anymore. But not bad I guess?

I thought they went a bit harder than this album lets on. Like a cooler Beatles.

This isn't the Kinks best work. It is perfectly serviceable, but not a single sing stuck out. It all sounded so generically Kinks. 3/5.

Un autre album de The Kinks qui est venu et qui est parti comme si rien ne s'était passé. Beaucoup de misère à différencier de la majorité des autres albums j'ai eu d'eux. 5/10

That was cute

The music and words to me are just okay. The idea and vision is there but I'm not feeling a deep connection to the idea or the artist so far. I also don't really favor the fade out endings and nearly all the songs on the album had them as their "ending."

Classic

This is a great album, it's probably one of the Kinks album I listen to the most in full. I love the production and vibe of the album. It's almost more difficult to review albums I know well and just really enjoy, not a lot to say. This one is a 5/5 for me. Standout Tracks: The Village Green Preservation Society, Do You Remember Walter, Picture Book, Johnny Thunder, Last of the Steam-Powered Trains, Sitting by the Riverside, Animal Farm, Starstruck, All of My Friends Were There, People Take Pictures of Each Other

Not my sound at all - like The a Beatles but with sarcastic lyrics?

great, better than the beatles

Twee with a side of cheese.

fav.: All Of My Friends Were There

i enjoy the kinks immensely

Can hear the influence on bands like Spacehog for sure! 2.73

"The Village Green Preservation Society" by The Kinks is a seminal album that has garnered both critical acclaim and public indifference. Released in 1968, the album, often considered a concept record, explores themes of nostalgia, societal change, and preservation. 1. Lyrics Ray Davies, the lead songwriter, delivers poignant and reflective lyrics throughout the album. The songs paint a vivid picture of a bygone era, celebrating the simplicity of small-town life while also addressing the challenges of modernity. Tracks like "Village Green" and "Do You Remember Walter?" showcase Davies' storytelling prowess and ability to evoke a sense of longing and introspection [1]. 2. Music Dominantly acoustic-driven, the musical landscape of the album is charming and melodic. The instrumentation, featuring acoustic guitars, pianos, and orchestral arrangements, contributes to the album's warm and inviting atmosphere. Ray and Dave Davies' harmonies add a layer of authenticity, creating a sound that resonates with simplicity and sincerity [5]. 3. Production The production of "The Village Green Preservation Society" has been a subject of debate. Some critics praise its lo-fi charm, considering it a deliberate choice to enhance the nostalgic feel. However, others criticize the mix, citing it as inconsistent and occasionally detracting from the overall listening experience [2]. 4. Themes The album explores diverse themes, ranging from the preservation of cultural heritage to the impact of progress on small communities. Each track contributes to a broader narrative, creating a cohesive thematic structure that reflects Ray Davies' keen observations on societal shifts during the late 1960s [3]. 5. Influence "The Village Green Preservation Society" has left a lasting impact on subsequent generations of musicians. Its influence can be heard in the works of artists who appreciate the fusion of folk, rock, and storytelling. The album's ability to capture a specific moment in time while addressing universal themes has solidified its place in the pantheon of influential records [6]. Pros and Cons Pros: Lyrical Depth: Ray Davies' lyrical prowess shines, offering thought-provoking narratives. Melodic Charm: The acoustic-driven melodies create an inviting and timeless musical landscape. Influence: The album's impact on subsequent generations attests to its enduring significance. Cons: Production Inconsistencies: The mix has faced criticism for its occasional lack of cohesion [2]. In conclusion, "The Village Green Preservation Society" stands as a remarkable exploration of the past in the face of an evolving present. Its lyrical richness and melodic charm continue to resonate, despite some production criticisms.

Quirky. Couple of classics in there Days, VGPS but the rest started to feel after a while that they were trying too hard to be weird. Got to being hard work to listen to.

The Kinks are fun!

The 60’s and 70’s were a time to be weird. Doing an ass-load of drugs and making strange music was totally acceptable. But people still continued to stick with what was popular, like always. And this record from The Kinks really is the best of both worlds. I was really shocked at how good this actually was. This is what I want all pop rock to sound like. The style of songwriting is a balancing act of whimsical fun and legitimate social commentary. It’s just all hidden under this layer of humor and boundless joy. If they didn’t have a blast making this, I don’t know what to think. Although it was mostly a failure critically when it came out, there is an undeniable charm that latches onto the listener. Just don’t have high expectations. Not because it isn’t good. But because you can’t listen to an album that opens with The Village Green Preservation Society and expect anything that takes itself that seriously. Rating: 7/10

This was ok. It wasn't what I was expecting from the Kinks.

A pleasant surprise! It’s the Beatles meets The Stones meets Lou Reef. I like some other Kinks stuff but I didn’t know this album.

“Picture book of people with each other, to prove they loved each other, a long time ago” This album is idiotic bullshit. Sorry. Listens: 1 1/2 Fave Track: I thought they were all stupid. Rating: 2

Pretty good. I'm not very familiar with The Kinks but I liked this a lot.

One of my favorite bands. They didn’t release a bad album in the ‘60s, and this is one of their best.

The Kinks are great, but a little intimidating. This was the first time I listened to this album but it was really good.

Not my favorite Kinks record but solid

Folksy Beatles esq sounding

pleasantly surprised

I didnt think i would like this but i did. Kinda early beatles vibe. Will definitely listen more in the future

Not my favorite Kinks album. Not even sure why it’s considered great without reading about it.

Solid 60s type rock. Enjoyed.

Like most people, I've heard all the 'hits' from The Kinks. But most of this album was new to me. It was fairly standard brit pop from the 60s. I don't think I would revisit this one at all but it wasn't like I was waiting for it to be over. Would be a solid 2.5/5.

Beautiful

Very reminiscent of its time period. Fun music but a little disjointed and forgetful

Apparently there are two versions of The Kinks. This is the version that I was unfamiliar with, and feel more like a kid's band.

Love: Like: Like the sound of Last of the Steam-Powered Trains Sitting by the Riverside Starstruck Village Green Preservation Society Do you remember Walter All of my Friends were there Meh: Big Sky Animal Farm Village Green Wicked Annabella People take pictures of each other Monica Nope: Phenomenal Cat

A very cohesive album full of beautiful little poppy gems.

Lots of kinks on this list. Preferred this to the previous one (which I think was the album released after this), this one was them starting to become experimental and without going too far. less harpsichord in this album too. Generally I prefer the kinks to the Beatles but they don't have the big marquee songs. Can't tell if the whole village green thing is just a theme to hang the album on or genuinely how they feel, if it's the latter and they thought things had changed too much in the sixties they must have been massive Tories, which I should mark them down for really. The album in general was a middle of the road 3.

Quite a while since the last Kinks album - this one is my favourite of the three so far. Village Green, and Picture Book were good, and the album was wonderfully bizarre and cohesive. I do normally enjoy a concept album, no exception here.

I'm constantly reminded of The Beatles everytime these guys come up. Which is to say I really enjoyed this. Highlights: Picture Book Johnny Thunder Last of the Steam-Powered Trains Animal Farm Wicked Annabella

Much better than the previous kinks album we had, more what I expect from the kinks. Still none of the big hits though but I really enjoyed it. Very British. Highlights: Do you remember Walter Last of the steam powered trains Village green Picture book Perhaps was getting a little tired of it by the end but I'll be back

Har prøvd å hørra litt på da tidligare uten så alt for stort hell

I thought it was decent 60s pop, didn't feel particularly inspired though.

Very pleasant listen

This was a very tame record for The Kinks. Much more psychadelic than their regular fare. Very similar to Sgt. Pepper era Beatles. Favourite songs: Last of the Steam-Powered Trains, Big Sky, Picture Book, Village Green, The Village Green Preservation Society Least favourite songs: Do You Remember Walter? 4/5

A lot of fun this one. Kinks always are. Nothing incredibly revolutionary about this, but it’s original, unique, has good production, lyrics, vocals, and I enjoyed it. 4/5

Rating: 8.5/10 Great album, impressed with the consistency and variety here. This album is a mix of rock, pop, baroque with orchestral elements implemented and everything sounds very good, most songs on this album are really great. This album is also incredibly catchy, the melodies on here are fantastic. Some songs were not done as well as others but overall this is a consistently high quality album with plenty of variety and catchy melodies. Favorite songs: Village Green, Picture Book, Last of the Steam-Powered Trains, Big Sky, Village Green, Starstruck. Worst song: Do You Remember Walter?

After being briefly banned from touring the US, The Kinks started looking inward to their own homeland for inspiration. The result is a concept combining the traditionalist British culture with the loose, unrefined and experimental youth culture. An early concept album, a cult classic and some of their best music.

Good

I think is my favorite band

underrated band, definitivno. meni su ful dragi, odličnih albuma imaju, a ovo im je top.

Iets te oud voor mijn smaak

Easy listening, would probably have to listen again to give accurate rating.

The Beatles all over again

This album was pretty similar to the last one (Odessey and Oracle) but a little bit more enjoyable. I would say genre is exactly the same and works as a remembrance to The Beatles' era. To me this kind of music, though enjoyable, sometimes falls silly. I am more used to more stimulating melodies.

No entenc per què phenomenal cat té coros fets per un minion. A part d'això, molt bé. M'ha agradat especialment com comença lalvum, m'ha recordat molt a Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.

Fun album. Nice mix between psychedelic and folly rock. Enjoyed it. Probably won't come back to it though

Sitting by the riverside almost gave me a headache with its accordion Aggressively 60’s pop

good not great, only one memorable song to me

3,5/5

The Village Green Preservation Society - 8/10 Do You Remember Walter? - 8/10 Picture Book - 8/10 Johnny Thunder - 8/10 Last of the Steam-Powered Trains - 8/10 Big Sky - 7.5/10 Sitting By the Riverside - 7.5/10 Animal Farm - 8/10 Village Green - 7.5/10 Starstruck - 7.5/10 Phenomenal Cat - 8/10 All of My Friends Were There - 7/10 Wicked Anabella - 7.5/10 Monica - 7.5/10 People Take Pictures of Each Other - 7/10 TOTAL - 115/150

One thing this project is teaching me that I was pretty unaware of is England’s obsession with not losing them selfs to America. This is a reoccurring theme that spans decades. As a Canadian I get it. The opening 3rd of this album is fantastic. Overall it’s definitely a little folkier Beatles. As usually the 2nd half blends together. I don’t know the kinks, so I don’t know the context but this feels like the “true fans” fav album. It’s good 7.4/10

This was ok, I always think the kinks are heavier

Nice

I keep running into this issue with albums of this era - everything kinda sounds like the Beatles, but not *quite* as good. Still, I really like the humor on this album, and the songs are written well. There's a decent amount of stylistic experimentation as well, which I love.

I certainly understand the influence this album had on bands, like The Who, and the Beatles, and the Beach boys, and all of the other solid bands of this era. But for me, this isnt an album that I wouldn’t listen to again in almost any circumstance. Very few stand out songs in my opinion. All that said, I do respect the artistry of the Kinks especially compared to their Brit Rock counterparts… Highlights: Last of the steam powered trains, Wicked Annabella