Reviews (page 7 of 12)
Would not buy
It's a back-to-back real British twofer — and I get the feeling that The Kinks' the Village Green Preservation Society is set against Morrissey's You Are the Quarry as the proper way to do dedication to one's cultural practices (or is it just the an earlier example? read on...). Listening to the lyrics of this record and holding Moz to the side as a point of comparison, The Kinks lyrics seem to be written from a place of love and not resentment or bitterness. Their affection for English culture is made plain from the jump and they're obviously rooted in working-class, small-state social values. I think there's a gentle rebellion against corporate modernism, and I can hear in many lyrics a nostalgia that can certainly be read as conservative by anyone inclined towards that end of the spectrum, and yet on the other hand I hear something both more generous and even suspicious of stagnation. In the end, this text is harder to pin down than something like You Are The Quarry and maybe that's why I can give it a pass in a few places but I'd take the opinion of a young British person over mine (dumb American) when it comes down to it. How to be proud but not a proud boy? How to take an interest in home but not the homeland? How to love a country but not nationalism? These are easy questions to answer when you look at the extreme end of things, but that's the trick isn't it? How to not slide from small declarations and little acts, partial indignities, and unintended micro aggressions into increasingly more hateful acts? But if these records aren't put back-to-back purposefully then this may be some Rorschach test that I am failing. What if, even, that someone were to prefer the music of You Are the Quarry to this too close to a hippie-era folksy, near circus music? I would understand — that Moz record lyrics aside is pretty good and sounds relatively modern even today. Whereas, this Kinks record sounds like a throwback (oh my god it also has harmonica on it...). It is shackled in its era by being so much of its time. I have not rated this band kindly over the course of my 1001 listening: - Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire): 1 star - Face to Face: 2 stars - Something Else By The Kinks: 2 stars One thing that is apparent to me on this record, more than the previous ones, is the Kinks have been lumped in with that "hippie sound" more as a slip in the timeline than anything else — a simple historical association because of shared musical roots, overlap in recording technology/production, and a pre-occupation with pastoralism or a "back to the land" movement. For anyone born after 1980 (maybe before?) it can all kind of blur together some times. And, I guess, this is the success (?) of the bludgeon you with The Kinks approach that this list has taken. I have finally heard them in a way that's broken through some calcified taste prejudices that I had. Ultimately, The Kinks' the Village Green Preservation Society has initiated a broader reappraisal of the band and that's powerful on its own. I still don't love it. But it's not bad. Though I'm never going to enjoy a song along the lines of "All My Friends Were There" with its circusy, vaudeville vibe. I find that mode so grating. And, is this the longest I've taken to say I like an album just fine? Probably not, but it's close. Overall, this record is a very solid 3 stars. Congratulations to the Davies brothers!
songs kinda sound the same, and the album sounds like eccentric beatles. nostalgia album about rural nostalgia. didn't mind it, probably won't listen again. was interesting enough.
3.3/5
Vähän vaihdellen perus 60-luvun rokkia ja psykedeeliä ja fever dreamia. Ihan hauska brittirokki/poppi hölmöilylevy. En ny ihan päässy sisään, valonpilkahduksia ja mitä ihmettä -hetkiä löyty, mut keskimäärin aika pliisua perus sikstarirokkia.
Jag känner att kinks är ok.
Quite good.
This album feels like pulling back the curtain of this band before they figured out their own sound and were still happy pantomiming the Beatles a la the White Album.
Welp, so.. this was an experience, for sure. It's a fun and easy on the ears kind of a folk-pop/rock album. It wasn't until the Side Two that I started to get into it truly as the songs got more interesting and dynamic imo. Over all, nothing really struck me as particularly extraordinary. Highlights: Johnny Thunder, Last of the Steam-Powered Trains, Village Green, Starstruck, Phenomenal Cat, Wicked Annabella, Monica
Interesting themes, but less cool than Bob Dylan and less creatively polished than The Beatles
A really nice simple album to play in the background. In comparison to the other kink albums I’ve listened too this one does not have any songs of real substance to make me want to return. But for what it is it was a fun listen.
Har lite svårt att bestämma vad jag egentligen tycker om det här albumet. Ibland kan jag tycka det kan vara lite jobbigt men delar av det gillar jag. Bäst är The village green preservation society, Picture book, Last of the Steam-Powered Trains, Animal farm
Aight.
About halfway through my brain just like shut off
Обычное, но неплохое
I expected more.
In general I find this a little too twee. Big Sky sounds a bit ahead of its time, though. A fairly middling three.
Have I listened to this album before? No How familiar am I with this album? I don’t know any of these songs, even though I know a lot of Kinks songs How do I feel about this artist? I really like The Kinks Pre-Listen Thoughts: A concept album about a small Welsh town? Sounds interesting Favorite track(s): Phenomenal Cat, Big Sky Post-Listen Thoughts: This was OK, not what I’m used to hearing from the kinks. Not bad but not as exciting as some of their other work.
Big Sky and All My Friends Were There are my favorites😊🏙️🏙️ Feel-good album. I felt happy and relaxed 💖Thank you
poppy, was fine.
This album is rather precious with all this British country nostalgia, isn't it. I recognize that it's a little tongue in cheek, but still. I guess "Big Sky" is a bit more interesting with its spoken word bit, and I've always liked "Animal Farm." And of course these songs all have the advantage of being very short. But on the whole I like the garage-y sound of the earlier Kinks record that I had yesterday better. I'll admit that I began counting how many songs were left after "Animal Farm." 3 stars
Light and airy, but with interesting themes. I enjoyed this, but probably wouldn't return to it as none of the individual songs really grabbed me.
A more British Beatles but not as charming
On an initial listen, I wasn't all that impressed with the album as a whole. I found it to be one of those albums which just didn't match my musical tastes. However, after realising a few of the songs had gotten stuck in my head, I had another listen. That, plus the context I learned about the Kinks and this album specifically allowed me to appreciate it as an interesting commentary on the fragility of nostalgia and a parody of those who have a strong desire to protect the "old ways". Being British, these themes really did resonate with me and were highlighted best by my two favourite songs off the album "The village Green Preservation Society" and "Where's Walter". Overall though, it's only 3 stars as I won't be listening to the whole album through and my favourite songs aren't enough to bring it up to that 4 star rating
even though i'm not a 60's lover, this album was very fun to listen to. it is cute and energetic, in a 60's way of course. i enjoyed most of the songs and would definitely add them to my playlists.
Cool songwriting, none of the songs are super memorable except the first one but maybe that's because my dad used to sing it a lot more than anything.
coole hippie vibes, simple melodien. glaube ein mal hören reicht. 6/10
Pretty solid.
I had no idea The Kinks had such a long, eclectic, prolific career. Or that they were banned from the US in the 60's. I see similarities between the songwriting on this and some Beatles records, and early Pink Floyd, purposely reflecting Ray Davies' intent to preserve British the songwriting style. This proto-concept album is a slice of music history and artistic growth unknown or forgotten by so many.
why is this basically a beatles album
Strong 6-light 7. Intrigued to listen to The Kinks more now. Bass run on Wicked Annabella is MENTAL
- I like most of the songs on here, though it loses steam as it goes on and gets a little hokey. - The mix could be better, but I like the instrumentation throughout - it's just hard to hear everything. I like the bass and guitar riffs and grooves, in general. - I like the themes that they're singing about, but I am having trouble following all the lyrics because they're a little buried in the mix.
I mean the Kinks are cool and I feel like they were putting out some great music for their time. I'm not sure they really hit for me. I think they just sound a bit too Beatlesque for me. I love the Beatles so it's good music but just isn't as catchy as their music and just feels like a Temu version.
i liked this one quite a bit more than the last Kinks record. trippy and very fun
Good old 60s beat rock music.
Well this album has aged. I don't really know whether I think it is really good or not. It definitely is not bad, but very much a product of its time. Pleasant to listen to, but I think it will fall just short of 4 stars here. 3/5
We have a pattern going on with Sticky Fingers and now this lol, a lot of classic British stuff. Familiar due to my love of The Beatles, The Who, The Animals, Yardbirds, stuff like that. I'm a fan! I think I just love all music. Not as raw as I would like, but it has a time and place to be enjoyed. I think some of the songs are a bit similar and therefore can be hard to remember or distinguish, but I enjoy the meaningful lyrics on certain tracks and early idea of a concept album. This album didn't chart or have much success but it's probably because it came out around the same time as The White Album. My favorite track was Wicked Annabella followed by Last of the Steam Powered Trains.
bättre än annat från kinks
I'll precursor by saying that i do genuinely enjoy the Kinks' work, but this has never worked as well for me as other albums of theirs. There's a lot to like here, but a lot just leaves me cold. It's no Arthur or Muswell Hillbilllies.
Kinky
Yas
Meh I am sure this is someones favourite
I love The Kinks, though this is my least liked of all their albums, I think. They certainly have a lot of commitment to the bit here, and it all gets a bit twee after a while. It's still a fun listen though, all cheerful and full of sunshine.
Couple good songs and a couple mid ones
Such excellent simple songs
Stop that. Silly. It's very silly.
Pretty good Kinks album. I may not be as enamored by it as many people seem to be, I still prefer the band's tow lower stakes albums that preceded it, but it's doubtless very good. I know there's a concept here, but it seems to ingrained in the British class system for me fully grasp. I guess that's why I like the other two better. Key tracks: Picture Book People Take Pictures of Each Other
Evokes classic English country towns to me, in a good way.
Good stuff. Classic, But sounds rather Old
Liked it a lot but not like yea want to listen to it more
A very fresh pop record. I knew very few of the Kinks and I quite enjoyed this release. Favorite Songs: The Village Green Preservation Society
Enjoying Do You Remember Walter Appreciate that this isn't about love or beauty but exploring people's histories Sixty tracks?! She's Got Everything is a bop
I have tried to give this album its due so many times. I just don’t get it.
Cool music but no catchy hits
"Released in 1968" yeah no shit Real talk, I have no problem with this album. Pretty enjoyable, decent songwriting, unique. But holy moly the age on this puppy shows. Crazy to think of what some other groups were doing around this time. Fave tracks: - Picture Book - Last of the Steam-Powered Trains - Sitting by the Riverside - Animal Farm - Wicked Annabella
Es una banda que conozco y me gusta. En la voz, letras y melodía se percibe nostalgia. Se deja escuchar muy fácil.
Not really for me, but not bad either. Feels very of its time, but not in a dated way, just the feel of it.
6.5/10. I know how influential The Kinks are in rock history, and I really wanted to connect with this one… but it just didn’t happen. It’s well crafted and has its charm, you can hear the impact it had. It just never fully pulled me in.
Pretty good band
This version of the kinks is a little jaggely for me.
Lowkirky Beatles
beatles auf wish
Some interesting songs! 3.5 stars
This is #day623 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and… here's my third record from The Kinks already. I've rated the previous two a 2 out of 5, and I feel like I should revisit them. What makes Village Green work is that late-'60s pop/folk-rock sound with psychedelic elements, which I don't mind on this Thursday night. After all, they say this is the record that influenced Blur and Oasis, so that has to count for something. Still, I prefer The Beatles. Actually, The Stones. Let it be a strong 3 out of 5 this time around. Looking forward to #day624.
It's as if The Beatles and The Beach Boys had a child
Interesting album that flip flops between hyper silly and more complex seemingly every other song. Would have preferred less silly (especially on the B side), but there are things to like here. Top tracks: Picture Book, Last of the Steam-Powered Trains, Big Sky
Never heard of the band, never heard any of the songs. Hated Sitting by the Riverside, but the rest were fine. People Take Pictures of Each Other, Phenomenal Cat, and All of My Friends Were There were all funny.
This was an interesting trip into 60s rock. I only new The Kinks from You Really Got me, so this album was completely new. Not as appealing as the more psychedelic stuff of this era, but still a chill listen.
I like albums that tell a story. This one was a little campy at points but I’m excited to listen to more of them. Wish I could give 3.5
Highlights: The Village Green Preservation Society, The Last of the Steam Powered Trains. In a nutshell: God save the Davies lads... An ode to nostalgia, mocking the establishment, strawberry jam and their different varieties. There's a theme, but it's not quite a concept album. It's definitely a "series of vignettes" than a concept album. The reach The Kinks have, especially this album, is far and wide. From ELO to Oasis to Green Day. If you go in knowing that the band are serious about their music while taking the piss out of their home nation, you'll be right. Overall: 6/10
Big influence on Brit Pop which might explain why it's totally decent but just not something I'm itching to spin back or ever hear again.
Enjoyable should revisit
A good pop rock album representative of its time while also pushing the envelope a little.
Encore un de ces groupes que je connais avant tout de nom. J'ai déjà essayé de m'y intéresser à plusieurs reprises, mais je n'ai toujours pas eu le déclic. Je sais que ce groupe et cet album sont particulièrement appréciés et ont un statut culte, mais ça ne m'a pas parlé plus que ça. Mais, il faut admettre que c'est très bien fait, c'est bien de son époque, c'était plutôt travaillé, mais... j'ai pas assez retenu pour en dire grand-chose.
Hier hoef je niet veel bij te typen. Het is m'n vierde Kinks album en het is in mijn beleving altijd ongeveer wel een beetje hetzelfde. Deze keer is het gezapig en gezellig genoeg voor 3 sterren.
The Village Green Preservation Society // Last of the Steam-Powered Trains //
While interesting and full of classic folk rock and interesting lyrics and themes, the album meanders on in its second half and becomes a bit. The album is good, and I may even listen to it again, but the attempt at a concept album doesn't fully work (although again it really does for the first half). If the album were shorter, it would have been higher.
I stand by my comment on the last album I had by The Kinks. They’re a less interesting version of the Beatles.
The indie/alt Beatles/Stones. A fun listen. Very English.
I liked this, felt like I was already familiar with the sound from Beatles albums around this same time - which I’m sure is greatly offensive to Kinks fans and maybe the wider music community. Consistently enjoyable, but great opening track and lyrics in The Village Green Preservation Society.
Lovely background music to our car ride home. Definitely not The Kinks I know and love!
I think this was quite pleasant background in car music but not necessarily much more than that. Very jangly!
Pleasant, but nothing grabbed me.
Old timey Honestly don't care for their sound.
Some bops but after the first 2 songs became a bit samey
Not their catchiest - okaaaay
Best Track - "The Village Green Preservation Society"
I mean, the Kinks were the Kinks, hugely influential on so many rock groups that would follow. But now nearly 60 years after it came out, most of the tracks on this particular album seem dated and not particularly memorable.
It was OK, had hoped for more
This is another album that’s not bad, but is also not particularly memorable. The Kinks were certainly creative and experimental for the time period, and I appreciate the goofiness, but this isn’t one I’ll revisit.
Solid album.
this sounds like the beatl- oh hi british invasion period <3
Definitely fun, but this is really some Sgt peppers Lonely Hearts Club rip-off hahaha
Lots of simple, happy songs. Good listen.
Me gusta, pero no está en mi top de favoritos
More enjoyable album than contemporaries
Nice album cover. The kinks are massively influential. I’ve never heard one of their albums. This album was heavily criticised when it was realised, many labelled it one of the earliest concept albums. The village green preservation society: 5/10 Wow. It’s like the kinks are doing their best beach boys impressions. Do you remember Walter?: 5.5/10 That first chord reminds me of a day in the life. Picture book: 6/10 “ this is a public service announcement this is only a test “ Johnny thunder: 5.5/10 Last of the steam powered trains: 6/10 Big sky: 6/10 Sitting by the riverside: 6/10 Animal farm: 6/10 Village green: 5.5/10 Starstruck: 6/10 Phenomenal cat: 7/10 All of my friends were there: 4/10 Wicked Annabella: 5/10 Monica: 6/10 People take pictures of each other: 6/10 All together a bit too jolly for most people. I think when people want to hear the kinks they want to hear gritty rock, not an experimental album.
Why am I drinking Pepsi when Coke exists? If I wanted to listen to the Beatles, I'd listen to the Beatles. The first two songs on this album are Beatles knockoffs. And the third one is right there, too. Song structures, quirky lyrics, some of the harmonizing...it's fine, but like I said...I'd rather just listen to the real thing. Giving this a 3. It's not BAD music. It's fine...it's just not worth coming back to. And like I said, if I'm gonna listen to someone ape the Beatles, I'd rather just listen to the Beatles.
Interessant
This isn't me hating on this album, because it's pretty good, but why do a band like the Kinks have 4 albums on this list??
Kinda forgettable but okay overall
Usually I'm not a fan of whatever type of genre this is, but this was pretty decent. Not extraordinary, but I actually like a few songs from this album.
i love the kinks but this is not their best imo
The beatles: mid edition Fav song: picture book
pretty cool, funky, sometimes country and a bit rock, some nice jams, mostly prefer some of their bigger songs than anything on this album tho
Ok
Helt ok tidstypisk pop-rock.
I liked it! Very happy sound!
Charmingly English
p133. 1968. 3 stars. Proof that The Kinks were always more of a singles band. This isn't dreadful by any means, with sharp lyrics and sly asides - but there's a lot of filler. It's all a bit tired and twee to be honest.
- Just some fun, whimsical, feel good listening
Very hippie, British, early mid 60s. Reminds me of Spinal Tap the early years, but that is my only frame of reference.
On the surface, this album sounds just like other British bands from that era, such as The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. But The Kinks manage to insert a few darker undertones in their otherwise happy music and thus make for a more varied and interesting listening experience. Best songs are The Village Green Preservation Society and Wicked Annabella. 7/10, just like British cuisine, their music is better with more spices.
Good album!
Halt beatles in nöd so guet
Gonna be an unpopular opinion because I know this is a lot of people's favorite album, but I bounced back and forth from really enjoying some songs ( Last of the Steam-Powered Trains, Wicked Annabella, Picture Book) to absolutely hating some of them (All of My Friends Were There, Phenomenal Cat, The Village Green Preservation Society). I honestly think the kind of almost whispery, sing-songy , whimsicality of the vocals on some of the songs got on my nerves after a bit. I enjoyed the instrumentals way more than the singing. It's a British Invasion album, what can I say. It's got enough high points and interesting songs/ guitar riffs that it kept me engaged *almost* the whole album, but the lows were low.
Visai nieko, bet nieko nepamenu. Bet taip pat aš ne visai sąmoninga, tai nežinau.
Pretty interesting experiment in a variety of genres. But I can see why the kinks have largely been left behind while contemporary such as the Beatles and the Rolling Stones continue to be relevant.
Three solid standouts but very samey for me....still good tho
RE LARGO MAAAN
it was ao comforting and homely, almost nostalgic too
I’ve listened to the kinks before I don’t mind the band and the album is alright but they have better music available so not their best but by no means bad
What a curious mixture of songs. The album is lighthearted and easy to listen to, I loved all the funky elements throughout the album. This is a strong 3.5 for me.
I'd never even heard of this album but as a fan of a lot of Kinks deep cuts this sounded pretty good: "lauded by contemporary critics for its songwriting. It was embraced by America's new underground rock press, completing the Kinks' transformation from mid-1960s pop hitmakers to critically favoured cult band." but it didn't really hit like i was expecting. Decent but no songs really grabbed me.
I love the Kinks but the album prior is better for mine. This might be too culturally specific to really resonate and not of interest enough to hold my attention and learn. Love Mick Avory’s drum sound and drumming.
A great song or two, but most of the album is bland.
På frågan ”Beatles eller Stones” är svaret The Kinks. Ray Davies skrev och sjöng några av 60-talets snyggaste popmelodier. På den här skivan bäst manifesterat på Big sky, Animal farm och titelspåret. Mer tröttsamt är Kinks fäbless för varietépop, vilket i olika grad hörs i exempelvis Sitting by the riverside och All of my friends were there. Och att en av deras bästa låtar någonsin, Days, spelades in i samma session men aldrig kom med på albumet är obegripligt.
This is a simple and fun album, but it just doesn't grab me.
I almost always read the Wikipedia entry for each record we review. This one has got to be the longest I've ever seen. Just the footnotes take forever to get through. Three hundred thirty listed references? You betcha, pal! Anyway... this album is fine. Maybe a little too "British" for my taste.
The Kinks seem like they are for kind of depressed people, there I said it.
Nothing special
Hört sich immer noch an wie die Beatles
7.2
Hasta ahora escucho algo de ellos en esta época. Pero puedo decir que tienen muy buenas canciones y que en medida comparten algo del estilo de The Beatles, sin embargo los de The Kinks son un poco más "recatados" que los otros Favorita sería The Village Green Preservation Society Menos favorita sería Allá My Friends Were There 3.5
Some fun little lines in here. Not enough people are talking about "God save strawberry jam and all the different varieties". Lotta sky talk. I feel very similarly about this as I did with the previous two Kinks albums. I do like it, but do we really need all 3? Just like the previous albums, this falls somewhere between a 3 and 4 -- pleasant and poppy, but old. Wait, hold on -- 'Picture Book' is where Green Day's 'Warning' comes from!?? OK, I take it back, having this album was valuable. It's like Funkadelic x 'Rill Rill' all over again! History is a thick tapestry! Kinda funny that according to Davies, 'People Take Pictures of Each Other' is about how photos "encourage nostalgia" when this entire album is a celebration of nostalgia, right? Highlights: 'Animal Farm', 'Phenomenal Cat' (naturally) Lowlight: 'Last of the Steam-Powered Trains' (supposedly a parody of other bands, but a bad joke is still bad) Also a Dominion Card: 'Village Green'
big meh
Enjoyable. Good band. What an era of music. Better than Green Onions....
Was ok. A lot of songs I've never heard before. Didn't really give it proper attention though.
Not super memorable to me.
Not what I expected from The Kinks. Very different to their radio stuff.
#869. Not a one hit wonder, but we're keeping with the plot of this book in choosing an album at random from an artist's library instead of an album that anyone has heard of. 3/5: acceptable
I enjoyed this. It's was almost good enough for me to overlook the fact that it's partially to blame for the abomination that was Blur's comedy Cockney phase.
Copia dei Beatles, noisetto
Clever stuff for 1968 from a very prolific band but I find it depressing for reasons I can't and don't necessarily want to really articulate.
Fornøyelig nok
Listened to work. A perfectly pleasant but forgettable album. Surely there's more to these guys than this one?
No se si es un álbum que volvería a escuchar de principio a fin. Algunas canciones me gustaron muchísimo y me hicieron acordar a canciones del álbum at home de shockin blue, que se lanzó un año después que este. Las primeras canciones me hicieron pensar que no era un álbum para mí, algunas ni siquiera las quería terminar de escuchar. Escuché el álbum por 2da vez y recién ahí empecé a encontrar su encanto y algunas canciones que me guardé para seguir escuchando. Tiene letras muy buenas y algunas progresiones de acordes que me quedaron dando vueltas. Canciones favoritas: 1. Last of the steamed-powered trains 2. Picture book 3. Big sky 4. Wicked anabella 5. People take pictures of each other 6. Phenomenal cat
Basic rock. Earlier (lighter) han I expected. Not bad. Nothing to write home about.
1968, the peak of the American-Vietnam conflict for the US. A time of extreme liberalization and progressive cultural transition and the extreme corruption of the UK government. Rock music was thriving, people were partying, life was a blast. The Kinks were regionally popular and their music was similar to the kingpin group The Beatles but was more experimental, more boundary pushing, more alternative. This album is considered one of the first "concept albums" and has prevailing themes connecting each song to each other. The opening track and namesake of the album is very good. A couple stand outs like "Last of the Steam Powered Trains", "Big Sky" and "Picture Book" are above average songs on this album. Unfortunately, the good songs are contrasted to flavorless bland tracks that act as filler and back-end weight. Overall the album is above average and deserving of a 6/10.
Ganz nice aber kein kauf
aight
This is ok
Ok listening
Funny lyrics, great songs, good album
Fun energy and delightfully silly.
Meh. I like the kinks but this didnt do too much for me
Ouvi-se bem mas não achei nenhuma música memorável
Não tive tempo de ouvir com muita atenção. Pelo meu gosto pessoal dou 3, mas pode ser daqueles que com mais contexto subisse
Gostei de algumas músicas, mas também houve outras que não gostei principalmente na parte final do álbum.
Honestly as first I thought it's gonna be worse. Still not my kind of music, but it was fairly listenable.
A bit too Beatles ISH for me
The Kinks are a great folk psych compliment to the typical “classic rock radio” type acts many of us know. That said, they don’t hold a candle to the Beatles, as some have claimed their superiority over the fab five. This is a delightful record, though.
I didn't mind this album, but I doubt I would seek it out in the future
A better time was had with this one compared to "Arthur", and the songs on here are actually quite catchy, both in terms of the melodies and the zany, quintessentially British lyricism accompanying them. This did start wearing a touch thin after its first third, but there wasn't anything too objectionable going on to speak of, and the final few tracks were a notable uptick away from a drawling style which had begun to set in. Even if it's not my usual bag, I did find enough to appreciate here for the chance I might revisit down the line.
Best leuk album. Grappige tekst
First listen
Pretty typical music of it's time. Added 1 song to "favourites" (sic). Strange obsession over taking photos.
Álbum mediano, primeira metade melhor que a segunda. Algumas músicas fizeram-me lembrar de Jack White. Pela maneira de cantar, letras e algums acordes na guitarra. É um esticão, talvez, comparar The Kinks ao Jack mas foi o que me fez lembrar mal ouvi algumas músicas.
Last of the steam powered trains
Pretty fun, classic '60s rock!
This is a light, effervescent album with some good beats (and some weirdness). This feels very much in the avant garde 1960s in a carefree, cool, concept way, although it’s not something I’d relisten to a lot. Top tracks: "The Village Green Preservation Society," "Johnny Thunder," "Village Green"
--The Village Green Preservation Society...my second the Kinks album this week. I already prefer the production of this one --Do You Remember Walter...a fun jaunt --Picture Book...the tinny production from Face to Face is back. lyrics are a bit kinky (heh) --Johnny Thunder...plodding --Last of the Steam-Powered Trains...this grooves. still don't like the production on the high end --Big Sky...this one is fun and weird --Sitting by the Riverside...getting Tiny Tim vibes --Animal Farm...I like the jangly guitars. British musicians were thinking a lot about Orwell in 1968 --Village Green...that damned harpsichord is back --Starstruck...fun power pop --Phenomenal Cat...I doubt the phenomenalness of this cat --All of My Friends Were There...quirky. don't love it but I could see it growing on me --Wicked Annabella...getting a T. Rex/glam feel from this --Monica...a sultry Latin number --People Take Pictures of Each Other... fun closer for a good not great record
Very middling 1960s British music. Maybe it’s iconic in its time, but today it just sounds generic as hell.
Except for a few really great songs like "You Really Got Me", "Lola", "Waterloo sunset" and a couple of other songs I'm not really fond of The Kinks. So while this album is ok, it simply lacks highlights - at least for me. But as a whole it is ok and worth having been heard.
Habe mich schon die ganze Zeit gefragt, wann dieses Album an die Reihe kommt. Das hat mit "You Really Got Me" wirklich gar nichts mehr zu tun. Ich respektiere den stilistischen Left-Turn und das für die Zeit ungewöhnliche Konzept. Die Platte fängt auch wirklich stark an, aber in der zweiten Hälfte juckt mich wirklich gar nichts mehr und das Konzept beginnt da auch schon zu bröckeln. Da hätte man wirklich noch einiges wegkürzen oder zu vollwertigen Songs ausarbeiten können. Ganz schwache 3 Sterne.
War schon fair für die Zeit denke ich. Phasenweise kam es mir sehr kreativ vom instrumentalen Songwriting vor. Unterm Strich mir aber doch zu tragend.
War schon irgendwie gut, aber ich habe bei den Kinks und den Songs die ich von denen schon kannte was anderes erwartet. Aber das ist ja mein Problem, nicht das des Albums
Kinky
A different sound for the kinks, it's not as rock and roll like other songs, but it's still enjoyable. A calm sound and a concept that makes you listen further.
Fin, melodisk 60-tallsrock med surrete tekster. Litt for surrete tekster.
Мне нравится концепция альбома, но я считаю, такой веселый стиль, без выделяющихся мрачных треков не позволит прочувствовать её по полной. Также некоторые треки концептуально не совсем подходят, из-за чего хоть это вроде и первый концептуальный альбом группы-всё ещё смахивает на микстейп
Good but starting to blend in with some of the other albums like this now.
There are 4 or 5 kinks songs I like (all on different albums) and there are 4 kinks albums on this list and somehow none of them have any of those songs. I'll never understand why people like the kinks. They are not bad, in fact I think this is the best one they have on this list, but it just sounds like watered down Sgt. Pepper. Mid 3.
noice
it's giving store brand beatles
everybody was chasing behind the beatles
This is the third Kinks album I've gotten as an OAD, and I'm still not a fan of this admittedly great music, though this record hit me better than the other two. It's pretty weird in a way that I usually like. Again, it's all just so damn British. It celebrates a culture that was already in decline when the songs were written. It's very focused on that objective, and I'm sure it resonates in a big way with folks who share a similar sense of clear-eyed nostalgia and appreciation for the songs. This album was not made for me, and that's ok. Still, there are some very interesting tunes on this record. "Last of the Steam-Powered Trains" is an appropriate rip-off of Howlin' Wolf's "Smokestack Lightning." I also liked "Animal Farm" and "Village Green." But most of the songs on this record hit me like "People Take Pictures of Each Other," awesome tunes that I don't care to listen to again. The best thing about listening to The Kinks as part of this project is to figure out why I'm not into it. I'm still working on that. Three stars.
Back in the 1960s, I only knew The Kinks from their big AM radio hits. It wasn't until the early 1970s, after Lola, that I really dove into their albums and became a true fan. Ray Davies' distinctive vocals and songwriting instantly hooked me. That said, The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society is a solid album, but not one of their greatest. It's often called a concept album, though the overarching theme doesn't fully click for me. A few tracks feel instantly familiar and stand out, while others are just decent fillers. Still, there's no doubt this is unmistakably a Kinks record through and through.
A very sunny day music
Musically interesting, would make solid background music for most activities
I like animal farm
Very British: I like the Kinks. They are cool. This is up there with the best 60s folk-pop/rock that I’ve heard. I can definitely see the influence this would have had on bands like ELO and the Who. While there are no standout “hits” on the record it’s still a pleasant listen with enough going on to keep it interesting throughout. I’d buy the record. Strong 3.5
I cant decide if the kinks now who they are in this album. It’s not bad, but I kind of feel like they were still trying to figure out who they are as a band
I get it. A whimsical & nostalgic look back at an England that never really was. Ray Davies songwriting is on point. But I just can't get into this album. It'sso whimsical it becomes a turn-off.
My rating 3.0 Nothing offensive nothing that really stands out. Yellow paintish
I like the album overall, and it is an interesting departure for the Kinks. I still think I prefer them when they a rocking a bit more than on this record
Liked the sound of it although it started to drag on a bit near the end.
I must admit I knew nothing of this legendary Kinks album, fond as I am of their rollicking hits. While I understand the brilliant nature of the sprawling thematic review of humanity on this album, the whimsical pastoral journey through that landscape doesn't pique my interest much musically.
Good album by a great group. Wistful, nostalgic and endearing. The title track, and Picture Book are excellent. Only wished they’d included Days on it too.
This was pleasant, jolly with heavy English themes. I love much of the Kinks music, but for me this is not their strongest work, still enjoyable.
Yeah, I don't know, i guess there were a lot of "ahead of it's time" moments, but I think it was longer than it should've been, and maan that's the problem with rock bands from the british invasion. Nothing really compares to the run of albums the Beatles had by this point. I probably should give it another chance, but at this point I didn't feel it being better than a strong 3 for me
I appreciate and enjoy quite a few of the Kinks’ songs, but I don’t think they deserve a place alongside The Beatles, Stones, and The Who as giants of the British Invasion. They sound a lot more dated when they recorded this, in 1968, than those bands were sounding by that time. I admit I’m less familiar with The Kinks than most major acts of the era, but every album of theirs I’ve heard has been a mixed bag. This is no exception; there are a few songs that are pretty good and some that might grow on me after a few listens, and it’s never boring, but it also doesn’t seem particularly inspired and is at times a bit hokey. However, I love the bass playing on several of the songs, and a few have great instrumentation, such as Wicked Annabella.
This was fine, but I had a hard time caring. 3/5 Highlights: Last of the Steam-Powered Trains Big Sky All of My Friends Were There
at least for a good cause
This was okay. A few songs I enjoyed.
yup, a little more my style!
A decent album some weird songs and a couple nice ones
I’m very familiar with Kate Rusby’s version of the title track from this, so obviously expect her northern pronunciation of duck and the like. Other than that, I’ve not heard this as an album before. It’s OK I guess. A bit dated perhaps and not really my thing in those terms. But I’ve heard a lot worse
It was fine. Very 60s.
It’s just okay music. Nothing really stood out to me.
Love the kinks but did not really know this album. Cool vibe but not my favorite
Really enjoyed this album! Very chill vibe. Added several songs to my library. Reminded me of The Beatles.
This is a fun album. Very upbeat and inventive!
Pleasantly surprised by this one. I didn't have much of an expectation going in and I think that helped the experience. It was like a weird (in a good way) folk rock journey through a British town. Some songs were more rock-heavy, and they were probably my favorites. But I also enjoyed some of the softer, acoustic tracks. A few songs used distinctly different genres and sounds to change things up, which kept it from being boring. It kind of reminded me of a Beatles album, but one where Ringo wrote most of the songs. I'm also inclined to compare it to Blur's Parklife, which I got on here a few weeks ago. I'm sure it's mostly from the idea that the location and its people are the concept, but in some ways the style and choices felt similar to me too. Almost like they could be companion works. Interestingly, I didn't care much for Parklife while mostly enjoying Village Green. That said, I didn't love it all. Some tracks just weren't all that good to me. Also, I did get a bit tired of it by the end. 15 songs was a lot for the idea they committed to here. Some of it felt a little whiny, but that may just be from hearing it 60ish years later. I do think that the album works well as a whole, for what that's worth. To sum it up, I think it was a fun listen without being something great. They took what could have been a dumb or boring concept and kept it interesting throughout, which is impressive in its own right. I'll put this one as solidly good, but unspectacular. Overall: 3.25/5
Bubbly
I really enjoy The Kinks! Very much like an alternative early Beatles, although never reached the same creative levels. This album had a lot of fun songs I enjoyed but I wasn’t crazy about it! Top Songs: Big Sky, Village Green, Starstruck
I do love the Kinks. This isn't the best of them but not a bad album either.
More British the Beatles
Not that bad!
5.0/10
just fine. nice but nothing huge for me
Great song writing by the late great Ray Davies
Pleasant, although none of the tracks really stood out as great. Three stars for being short and relatively sweet.
No doubt that Ray Davies is a great songwriter but some of this was a bit music hall for my personal taste.
I tell you what is Kinky, Len Houmous! 2.5 1/15 The Village Green Preservation Society
zni to cele mega familiar, tak jako nostalgicky, jak kdybych to poslouchala ve sve classic rock fazi, asi tam poznavam ten influence ?? lyricky je to funnn, je to takove silly nejvic se mi probably libila ta prvni pisnicka, tu si hazim do liked:> nic silene wau, ale kazdopadne je to prijemny, takovy hezky album do podkresu minimalne
I liked some tracks on this one, very dated, though I do enjoy The Kinks stuff, psychedelic and very 60s
the title track is something i always think of because it’s in Hot Fuzz. not a bad album, but not the best either.
Not my favorite Kinks record, but a fun listen nonetheless. How did these guys not get as big as The Beatles?
Didn’t like :(
alright album but nothing real stuck out to me
Koji je iskorak unaprijed bio Arthur nakon što se čuju ovi raniji albumi, a ovaj čak i nije toliko ranije. Opet su oni najbolji od ovih baš ranih proto-bendova, meni milion puta jači od Beatlesa i svega tada.
I didn’t really connect with any of these songs, but the Kinks’ sound is always welcome, for sure.
Really strong opening half of the album. But was a little let down by the final few songs.
3.5 stars
Quirky and likeable, but a product of its timei probably won't spend much time on in the future
Is that it? Isn't this a classic album from a hugely influential group that's on countless recommended lists? Maybe I missed it. No, I don't think so... Is there sthg special here? Sounds like a whole bunch of ordinary. Perhaps this is not the album I am looking for... +2.5 stars for a roundly average album. +.5 stars because I know they have other good stuff. -2 stars because Zzzzz...
Solid brit rock album, that i feel is just woefully out of its era. can definitely see how influential its sound is on current rock music, but I just think that other bands since then have improved upon the sounds and styles from this album.
Strawberry fields vibes. It was alright
Probably on this listen because the members of Oasis and Blur like it, rather than for any actual artistic merit. I quite like Ray Davies as a songwriter, it's not often that a big musician has his finger on the pulse of his countrymen for such a long time. There is a very heavy tinge of irony and sarcasm throughout this album, while on the surface it praises the England of old, it is about the absurdity of nostalgia and clinging onto the past. This seems apt particularly for England. As the future continues to look uncertain or rather, that there is a rebalance in the world order and the person at the helm is not Britannia or Uncle Sam, it becomes very easy to cling to a simple version of the past for comfort. The writing here is the highlight, it pays to listen closely to the stories in the songs. Much like the Beatles, the Kinks' songs evolved from simple boy:girl songs to complex character stories. Musically, a lot of the songs are good but not great, with a couple of misses. There are some standouts but not of their really big hits are on here, at least that I'm familiar with. It's a strong 3 and if the music here was more my speed this would be an easy 4. Highlights: The Village Green Preservation Society, Sitting by the Riverside, Village Green
This was nice! A solid album Songs added to playlist: - The Village Green Preservation Society - Picture Book - Animal Farm - People Take Pictures of Each Other
I actually really like the Kinks and appreciate their influence on garage/indie rock, but think I prefer their later era stuff more. The first two songs here are really great, and Ray Davies is an undeniably excellent songwriter, but a lot of the later tracks are a bit forgettable.
bouncy
Interesting for the time it was made, can see how it influenced other artists. Wouldn’t be keen on listening again though Best song: Animal Farm?
Very nice
Enjoyable but not repetable
Quintessential english 60s pop. I like it.
Pretty good and catchy music. Typical 60s type stuff.
It's whatever. Nothing amazes me, but I can't hate on it. I just know that it sounds like the Kinks, who sounded like half of the other British rock bands of the 60's.
tidy album, they sound a lot like the beatles
This feels like an entire album of deep-dive 60s. Playful and fun.
Eh
It’s pretty crazy that I’ve gotten three Kinks albums and only one Beatles. This is definitely the best of the three, but I still didn’t like it very much. The British Invasion stuff does absolutely nothing for me; I get its importance in the grand scheme of music history, I just don’t find it to be good or enjoyable. The first half of the album was pretty standard fare 60s rock, which was good enough, but the second half was a weird concept, borderline experimental album. Overall, I’ll give it a low-end 3/5. Can’t wait for like 25 more albums like this!
With how oversaturated the presence of British rock bands are on this generator, this was actually one of the better ones. I know that the title track is the hit off of this album, but I actually preferred a majority of the tracks quite a bit more. This was enjoyable and moderately entertaining.
The Beatles in a different font
Meh
Pretty good 60s pop / rock. I like the variety in the track list with some folk, psychadelic, blues and baroque inspired songs among others. The production is a bit rough for my liking though. I really enjoyed the title track and the similarly named Village Green, but the rest ended up feeling a bit forgettable.
Buen disco, me guardo 2 o 3 canciones que ya conocía previamente.
Atmospheric and fun. I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it this much
Faixa favorita: Big Sky Letra favorita: “Yes, people often change. But memories of people can remain.” - Do You Remember Walter? Como me senti: sombria, alerta Resumo geral: Um folk-pop britânico que tem charme. Melodias simples, letras também. Reação pessoal: Como aquele CD que tocaria no caminho de desvendar um novo mistério com a trupe, ou aquelas músicas de desenhos animados. Tem uma ingenuidade infantil com toques de melancolia bem adultas.
Pretty fun. Not listened to this type of music much before
This was an ok album, found out where Billie Joe got the riff for warning from haha 🤣
Classic and sweet riffs, warm and groovy instrumentation that's tight and folky without being a meme (unlike saving england by the pound). Has a sweetness to it and you can just see the mods on little scoots zooming around. Has that trying hard 60s cool about it from this kind of folk rock
Really light hearted, a little goofy, but very summer of love sounding
I was gonna give this 4 stars but the entire album passed out of my head unfortunately.
This…wasnt at all what I expected. I know little about the Kinks but what I did know was edgier, gritty stuff. This was more like a Beatles/Monkees/Turtles album. I dug it. It just threw me
My personal history with the Kinks is kind of hilarious (considering their import and influence) but probably somewhat common of people close to my age: I was introduced to them by "Come Dancing" on MTV and that will always be the first song I think of when I hear their name. And of course that song is in no way a representation of who the Kinks were, at least not a complete one. I still love it though. Anyway, I read quite a bit about this album before ever hearing it. It is always listed on "Greatest _____ albums ever" or "[Rock legend]'s favorite albums of all time" lists. When I finally got around to listening to it I liked it but it didn't blow me away. I guess you had to be there. I like the Kinks - they sort of remind me of a British proto-Replacements, with their garage-y, shambolic sound. And the cheekiness. Can't forget the cheekiness. This album also reminds me a bit of the poppier side of early Pink Floyd. I really liked "Wicked Annabella" and "Monica."
60s kinks sounds so different from 70s-80s kinks. fun album, gave me the impression of 'harmless' music - calm before the 'storm' like
I’ve never listened to this. Odd, playful, and interesting. Although I like their later stuff much better this is cool to see their beginnings.
Decent. I don't think this album holds up as well as some other albums from the 60s. 3/5
One interesting song followed by many mundane songs. There are far better Kinks albums.
Peak 60s listening. This album would’ve been blaring post war coming home.
Liked the album. Need to listen again. Not a huge standout in my mind.
Gute Unterhaltungsmusik aus den 60ern.
I was worried with the first song. But after that it is a fun, well produced record. Nothing historic but definitely worth the listen.
Not crazy about it on the first listen but will definitely need to give it another go. Sounds like mid-60s The Beatles but not very interesting?
The Kinks are a very peculiar band to me. They’re one of those bands who I know are immensely popular, and I even have a good bit of their music saved to my Spotify already, however, I can’t for the life of me name any of their popular songs, let alone even remember what the ones I have saved are. It’s a band that I know I like sometimes, but know nothing about. If someone tells me one of their songs, I’m sure it would ring a bell, but I sure as hell haven’t even heard of a single song off of this album in particular. If I had to describe this, it would be a Beatles knockoff with just a touch of The Who mixed in. It wasn’t terrible, but I’ve already forgotten it entirely as I’m writing this review. My favorite song was “Last of the Steam-Powered Trains”, and even that was just ok. A few skippable songs that I found more annoying than good, but none that were offensively bad. As I listen to more albums, these are going to become dreadfully common, but this is yet another middle of the road 3 star affair that will quickly fade away out of my head in due time. The best thing I can say about it is that the singer sounds pretty good, and I would absolutely be willing to give these guys another shot at a 4 or 5, hopefully with an album where I’ve actually heard of some of the songs on previously. Being the first of 4 Kinks albums I’ve heard on here, I have a pretty good shot of getting my wish later. Will they all be this average, or will one of them surprise me?? As always, time will tell.
The Kinks were staples of the ‘60s and ‘70s. This album already had a commercially successful song (Picture Book), but I wasn’t familiar with the rest of it, I was familiar with The Kinks however, especially for their hits. Most of the songs aren't particularly memorable but there aren't any songs that I would say are bad either. This wasn’t my favourite on the first listen, but it grew on me the second time around, it’s one of those albums that grows on you slowly. To me this album and The Kinks in general sounds like 'Underground' The Beatles sometimes, especially in the way they do their harmonies, but a bit happier, quirkier, more whimsical, and sometimes a bit melancholic. The arrangements are layered nicely, the blend of folk, pop, and some touches of baroque psychedelia. Also I love the album cover on this one, the swirly neon colours and the warm orange and reddish shades are cool. Favourite tracks are The Village Green Preservation Society, Do You Remember Walter? and Picture Book.
2.5/5
3 stars. Boring to me, as most british music seems to be, but isn't so terrible I wouldn't hate hearing it again.
Love a concept album and a cool concept, like the lyrics. Music is ok but pretty chaotic at times, sounds like it was recorded with one mic. Harder to engage with because of this. 6.5 / 10 Best track/s: Last of the Steam-Powered Trains, Village Green
A lot of variety on this album, I didn't mind it but at the same time nothing really stood out either.
Ya, it's pretty good... But not my favourite Kinks album
Sounds great. Sounds a bit like Beatles.
Fine, Wicked Annabella best track
Great
Not what I expected from the Kinks. I understand how this was their first commercial miss, songs are all over the place in sound and theme. With context it's clever, without it's a mess. Thankfully the wiki page includes a short write up on each song that helped better understand the album and made the listen quite interesting. That said, an album shouldn't need each song explained...l usually listen to music to avoid reading! ....but I'll give a pass on this one since I did end up enjoying it. In short the album is the kinks poking fun at various things while pining for a quiet life on the countyside.
Great chroniclers of the transition of postwar England. Some great songs, some that are time pieces.
I really like the Kinks. One of my all time favourites. I’ve spent a lifetime being fascinated by Ray Davies songwriting. I like Village Green, but if I’m being honest, it only gets me halfway there. It’s particularly because of the lack of fidelity, and partially because of the conceit of the project. As a North American, I’m curious about English culture and lifestyle, but a whole album’s worth overestimates its value to me. That being said, Picture Book always lodges itself in my ear for a while every time I hear it.
Not my favourite Kinks album but pleasant enough
I kind of enjoyed the title song just for the novelty of it, but most of the other songs blended together for me, even after a few listens.
I loved the title track and I enjoyed the one about the steam train. I really wanted to like the rest but I just never really got into it.
man - so not how I remember the Kinks. Would never have guessed. Ok for Kinks fans...
Thought I would like it better. Sounded like the early Beatles and nothing stood out to me.
It was good. It was pleasant and a bit twee. I enjoyed all the different styles presented. Very British and Beatles-esque. I probably wouldn't listen to this album again but glad I got to check it out. Standout songs: Sitting By the Riverside, Last of the Steam-Powered Trains
Beatles-like, calm and moody.
Was nostalgic when released in 1968, but sounds very dated in 2025. A snapshot of a lost time but no longer relevant, seems very dated. I didn’t really enjoy it as an album, individual songs are good but it’s best consumed in small doses.
Fucking ass Spotify got three different versions of this album and all of them are deluxe. If it only wasn't convinient to listen to stuff with. The year seems to be off on Spotify too. Also, this album is much shorter than I thought because of all the additional tracks the Kinks made at this time. Anyways, this is a very good 1960s album, a concept album of sorts and I really enjoyed it. The generator has a lot of mid 60s stuff so I am glad I am getting something that's great that also isn't the Beatles, Stones, or Who.
There are some real gems on here surrounded by some absolute garbage.
:)