Reviews (page 8 of 14)
Good album!
All I know is ELO stole the opening riff of Mr. Blue Sky from Do You Remember Walter? and that's my initial reaction. This one did remind me of Sgt. Pepper quite a bit. Not sure why but this felt like an especially Beatle-esque album. I really enjoyed this album and I only knew two of the songs, which were Picture Book and Starstruck, but there were a lot of other really catchy and well-written songs on here. When I reviewed the last Kinks album I said I was looking forward to hearing more the Kinks albums. That still applies, as I would like to see if there is an album that I find to be not as great. The songs on here that are good are too numerous to list, so I would suggest all of the tracks are worthy of a listen.
i loved this one, great vibes very funky
I had heard a few songs here and there by The Kinks, but this album is going into my Saturday morning cleaning rotation.
Ok. It's the kinks. Always good. Rarely outstanding on this album.
A lot of songs I had not heard. All in all I liked it.
A breezy lil charmer.
It was solid.
I liked it. You can see how they were influential because some of the songs didn't sound like they were 55+ years old.
Just another 60s - 70s British rock/pop band. They have a few classic hits and non of them are on this album!
This was ok, but I guess just a product of its time and sounds pretty samey to lots of music from the same period to me - production values are pretty poor. I think a Kinks album should be on the list, but maybe not this one?
it's a classic isn't it but there are one or two kind of annoying songs on it
Ok
Pretty 60’s I believe. Nice feel. Product of the time. It’s nice.
Never heard this Kinks album before now. Man I was missing out. It gets a little out there, but in a good way. Still very approachable, so not sure how it didn't turn out to be full of hits like the albums that preceded it. Vastly different from the other British Invasion's happening at the time.
What a proper British album. Really enjoyed the album for the most part. Picture Book was the only song that I recognized but many good songs throughout.
divertido. e dura o que tem que durar. algo que eu sinto que pelo menos 700 dessa lista nao vao fazer
Right. So after four Kinks albums some patterns are emerging. It seems that not only are their many classic singles spread wide and thin across their discography, but their best albums are actually the ones that don’t contain any of the really big hitters. Maybe there’s a causal link? Maybe leaving off a majestic standalone track like Days benefitted the more focused, ‘smaller’ feel of the rest of the album? Well, regardless, there are a lot of great tunes on here - the Kinks at their most decidedly idiosyncratic, English and, well, Kinksian (with a couple of curveballs thrown in too). Maybe it’s hindsight but it seems like the concept of this album was tailor-made for them.
actually some decent catchy songs. 3.5/5
Für Ende 60er Rockmusik ganz gut. 3/5
I enjoyed this. Kinda poppy, British rock that reminds me a little of the Beatles. I’d listen again. 4/5
The Kinks Are Some of the Greatest Songwriters of the Sixties. You can see it in some of their songs from the past five albums, but Village Green marks a point where they felt completely unshackled from conventional pop rock songs. This is the Kinks at their catchiest, liveliest, most interesting. Standout album.
Ein Kinks-Album ohne die allseits bekannten großen Hits. Gerade deshalb großartig zu hören. Die Spätsechziger hier noch ohne psychedelischen Firlefranz lassen grüßen.
It was ok, quirky lyrics, just not really my thing.
I didn't mind this, but I can't help thinking that there are way too many Kinks albums on this list, and that I would have liked this way more during my classic rock phase. Would rate 3.5.
Rätt bra!
I'm familiar with Kinks songs, but this is the first album of theirs I've actually listened too. I thought it started off strong then faded to average. It does make me want to explore more into Kinks but I'm sure 1001 has another album of theirs.
I don't know. It's ok 2.5
Roligt album, fina melodier. Det känns som att jag kan höra flera artister/band som jag tror har inspirerats av The Kinks; ELO, Mac Demarco m.fl. Många favoriter på denna platta!
Will forever adore The Kinks. Can't wait for more.
This was a super fun listen, I really enjoyed it and can't wait to listen to more of the Kinks. Will definitely be relistening
Very good album. Standout songs: Do you remember Walter? Village Green Starstruck
One thing this experiment in listening to 1,001 (+) albums has taught me is, that as much as I like a couple songs by The Kinks, I am not a fan of The Kinks. So I listened with an open mind, but … still not a fan.
Brilliant listen...very of its time.
唉 British
pretty weak early brit rock
Not that memorable for a concept album, but I do respect character studies.
Not bad. I just find it a bit monotone and dull.
Banging
Better than the Beatles.
What a wonderful, eccentric and very English album. Found it very whimsical and charming. Turns out that there is more to The Kinks that just Lola and You’ve really got me! Loved it.
Picture Book
An always enjoyable collection of unabashedly English songs full of vibrant character studies and nostalgia mining. If you’ve never stepped foot in England, this would be the way to transport there. Too many great songs to list, but Picture Book, Johnny Thunder, Big Sky and Monica are clear favorites.
Ok
Nothing special, just kinda typical 60s English rock
3.5
very fun, love it
Concept albums don't always work. This one falls into this category
What a fun album. Reminds me of my favorite era of the Beetles.
It’s a shame sonically it’s not quite as ambitious as the songwriting. But it does prove the Kinks stand a bit above other British Invasion bands in their own right
I AM THE LIZARD QUEEEN preservation society
I once had the chance to meet Ray Davies and it wasn’t the warm encounter I’d imagined. Impeccably dressed, yes, but an odd chap and not especially pleasant. That slightly detached, eccentric air you sense in some of his writing. That said, The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society remains a remarkable piece of work. It stands apart not only within The Kinks’ catalogue, but from much of what was happening in 1968. While others were leaning into psychedelia or heavier blues rock, this album turned inward celebrating small-town England, fading traditions, and everyday characters with warmth, irony, and nostalgia. There’s a Beatles-esque melodic sweetness in places, but the storytelling is unmistakably Davies: observant, gently satirical, and steeped in longing for a disappearing world. Beneath the whimsical surface sits a quiet melancholy that gives the record real emotional weight. Favourite tracks: Animal Farm and Picture Book — both brim with sharp lyrics and wonderfully nostalgic melodies. Least favourite track Honestly, there isn’t one. It feels cohesive and purposeful throughout, more like a carefully constructed world than a loose collection of songs. Album artwork: I absolutely love the cover. It perfectly captures the album’s timeless and whimsical feel.
It's ok, not the best Kinks album in my opinion by a country mile.
Some very fun upbeat songs, especially the title track.
An absolutely incredible album. Somehow quintessentially British, each song is a treat. The overall album is cohesive, flowing smoothly together with no one song overstaying its welcome. Standouts include Village Green and Monica, but to be honest it's very hard to choose favourites.
-hmm not bad… I think I greatly prefer Arthur or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire just for the stylistic decisions and concept but there was quite a bit I enjoyed on here -a lot of it reminded me very strongly of the Beatles which was interesting… makes sense considering the time period tho -Favorites are Picture Book and Sitting by the Riverside
I don't think I've ever listened to a Kinks album. It's so British. I don't think I know enough about the Kinks, but I'm confused about the vibes here. garden concert? carnival? psychedelic? It's fine - but I'm not sure I would choose to listen to it again?
It feels like there have been a disproportionate amount of this folky style rock on this list.. maybe it just feels disproportionate because it is starting to bore the nipples off me. Some of this album was okay but the lilting, gentle style singing starts to just melt into monotonous noise and a lot of the songs just feel like one long continuation of the same thing, backed by a neverending masturbating tambourine. Wicked Annabella by contrast was more enjoyable, it felt less flaccid as a track and had some meatier drums and felt a little more imposing. If the album had have had a bit more of this, I'd have enjoyed it a lot more.. instead it was like listening to the Beatles, but Colonel Mustard's yellow submarine was stuck in the port for maintenance work. 2/5 an ironically tame, missionary style album from The Kinks.
Not for me. Sounded beatle-ish
Its fair to say their best work was behind them by this point. I still enjoyed the album but thought it had a few throwaway songs on it. I also would have liked Ray to lean into the concept a lot more, it was a bit confusing to come in and out of the theme. Village Green was my favourite. Not enough classic Ray songs on here.
Experimental, but not always in a good way
Medium+
reminds me of syd barrett pink floyd
даже по тем меркам немного старенькое дерьмецо
Day392 - seems unlikely to get back to back kinks albums but alas. they seem like a better band from the 1966 album to this 1968 album.
Pretty cool. Obviously foundational for a lot of the jangle pop kinda stuff that I like. But god was it sort of relentlessly jaunty. I dunno. I liked it more when it was on but since it ended I've felt no desire to go back to it. There's probably a better Kinks album.
7/10. In my opinion, it's a typical rock album from a 1960's all-male band. It's pleasant, but I didn't feel anything special about it. Sorry!!! :)
Beatles but poopoo and terrible
Hmmm idk, not a huge fan tbh. Felt like a beatle rip off with a little bit of authenticity sprinkled throughout...
Obviously. One of my all-time favorites. Don't need to be told twice to listen to this one.
Nothing to hate here. Very solid representation of a time and place. There's some ... we'll call it "experimental" engineering choices on this album that didn't exactly work out all that great but, overall, it's a chill, fun, 60s britrock album.
Nothing to disagree with here, a solid 3.5 from me. Some falling off on the second side to a three really.
there were some very good songs on here, very fun listen
It's good
As with some of the other Kinks songs I have heard before - admittedly, they are "mainstream", unlike most of this entire album -, they give off a lot of innovation, and appear as something which I can entirely see as world changing relative to their contemporary artists. Something like Wicked Annabella, for example - a chugging riff, with dissonance and harmonics? That's an entire genre of music nowadays, and they made this in '68, unreal! That being said, we are not in '68 any more, and overarching their fun aspects is a very obvious aging to everything they do, especially the vocals, both in lyrics and mixing. For me personally, this is not appealing, but I absolutely don't mind listening to this passively, or as an exploration of music history.
Meh. I think this is another "thank you for your service" album. I'm sure it was much better at the time, but it doesn't do much for me today. 2.3
I didn't care much for this.
Number 100!!!!!!! The kinks , while fun in bits and catchy at times , suffer from a lack of substance and instrumental creativity over the span of an album . Enjoyed a couple of tracks but overall uninspired
After a shambolic tour of the USA in 1965, Ray Davies had a nervous breakdown and decided to focus on his songwriting. This album is the result, being a concept album with vignettes of nostalgia and longing for a lost rural England. There’s a lot of humour here and poignant character pieces about the inhabitants of Ray’s imaginary village. The music is uniquely English too, touching on music hall, folk and psychedelia. Utterly charming!
I read several reviews comparing them to the Beatles, so here I go: they are like the Beatles, but cleaner, with less experimentation, crazyness and electricity (I mean, even on their early records the Beatles are wilder than the Kinks). It's not bad (it's even pretty good) but it doesn't work so well for me.
Although I'm not such a fan of The Kinks, this album was very nice and filled with good vibes. :)
😏
Some of their best songs but not without duller moments.
high 4, kept getting better the more i listened, i thought this was gonna be another lame rock album, but i really had fun here
Pre-listening thoughts: I also feel like I'm supposed to know about the Kinks but I literally know nothing about them. Let's see! Post/during listening thoughts: this is really good actually. It's 60s rock with solid harmonies and a really good flavor. It's sort of like the Beatles meets ELO? If that makes any sense. There's some really interesting songs and some quite silly lyrics in here and I am so glad I have escaped the rut of 3 star albums. 8/10 DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nah Fav tracks: The Village Green Preservation Society, Do You Remember Walter?, Picture Book, Phenomenal Cat Least fav tracks: Wicked Anabella
This is my 3rd Kinks album this week. I wasn't sure if I would like this album as that is a lot of Kinks at in a short period of time but this is my favorite by far. Loved it.
There are still moments where the British whimsy is just a bit too much for me, but overall, The Kinks usually get away with it better than any other band or artist. I think I will always prefer at least Arthur to Village Green, if not a few others as well, but fuck…the opening track, “Picture Book”, “Last of the Steam-Powered Trains”, “Big Sky”, “Wicked Annabella”…there’s just so much damn good stuff here. 4/5
Nice enough, never heard of any of these songs from them Will I listen to again: 30%
Excellent 60s rixk. Really likes this albim
Never heard this, an excellent album for the time period and and enjoyable listen
Old rock, kinda reminiscent of early Beatles. One or two good songs, everything else not really my thing.
The LSD laced sound of prelapsarian Reform Party wet dreams. Very Bri’ish, contemporary of the Beatles but no weird peaks or experimental fun
Knockoff Beatles. Pretty decent for what it is though. Mono can be annoying with earbuds.
Very heavy Beatles vibes here. I’m guessing a product of the time. I’ve always been interested in The Kinks, but never really dove into their stuff. I like this album, although I’m not blown away. I would like to listen to more of their material that spans their career to see how they evolve.
Like The Beatles but not as good.
Pretty cool 60s music, similar to the beatles.
Bargain bin Beatles
100% Kinks. Love it.
1968 and still soo fresh
it's kinda cute
Ah, the British Invasion band that wasn't, thanks to a performance ban. The Kinks stopped trying to appeal to American audiences a couple of years before this album was released. This album is beautifully, unapologetically English, right down to the title. It's not homogeneous, either - there's plenty of variation between tracks, enough to capture my interest and leave me feeling disappointed after the last track (of 15) ended.
Обычная панкуха
❤️❤️❤️. Part of why I moved to the town where I live is that they have a centuries-old Village Improvement Society and so I assumed they continuously broadcasted this album on loudspeakers everywhere. Turns out I was wrong. Missed opportunity! The Kinks are sort of The Beatles for life's losers. People like me and perhaps you. Their natural posture lyrically is to sing from the perspective of little people with very little agency over their lives and with a focus on how helplessly desperate they are. I think this is a big part of why they have for 6 decades now held a lot of appeal to punk rockers and cultural subversives generally, despite their super Britishness that you might think would limit their appeal to the UK. I assume NY Doll and punk rock pioneer Johnny Thunders got his name from the song on this album. Also, in the only song written by underground guitar god Peter Laughner that escaped into anything close to the mainstream, Pere Ubu's "Life Stinks," they sing: Life stinks I'm seeing pink I can't wink I can't blink I like the Kinks I need a drink I can't think I like the Kinks Life stinks. Van Halen made hits out of two Kinks songs (You really got me and Where have all the good times gone). Now, admittedly VH was the opposite of underground - in fact they kinda defined above ground rock n roll for a good while there - but they do have the other thing that links all of these artists: deep alcoholism. The Kinks are great drinking music, and they were legendary drinkers themselves. Perhaps still are... Anyway, this album is peak Kinks and if you don't love it then you should be pleased with what a well-adjusted person you are. Bravo! I am happy for you. But get the fuck outta here - your smile is bringing me down. And be a good chap and buy a round before you go, pls. Cheers!
Although I'm in no way a Kinks connoisseur, I'm pretty sure this is one of their best albums (although apparently not all that successful commercially at the time), and certainly jam-packed with their acerbic humor and irony, mixed with a fair bit of nostalgic sincerity (I think). It's a bummer that they always sound to me like they were inspired by the Beatles, because I'm pretty sure that's only a product of me not knowing much of their music beyond their radio (and non-Beatles-sounding) singles. Although I'm not a huge fan of their garage-band sound (or maybe it's just the perhaps-intentionally low-quality production), I think my favorite tracks are the title track, "Animal farm", and "Wicked Anabella". I like it that they took the late 60s in a different direction from psychedelic rock, and also that Ray Davies clearly understood how traditional life was falling apart and the allure and poison of romantic memories of the past and childhood; this album reminds me both of the movie "Hope and Glory" and the recently-heard Arcade Fire album "The Suburbs". Also kudos to the Wikipedia entry authors for one of the longest articles I've seen yet....
Always loved the title track but the rest of the album illustrates why the Beatles' Penny Lane is genius. Not their best effort but it's okay, they're working stuff out for greater stuff to come.
another Sgt Peppers influenced album, with still a more traditional pop element to it. A collection of great pop songs in an album that was really pleasant to listen to with a few notable songs. Would listen again and might like to own it
A 3.5, not sure which side of the fence I’ll fall.
You can always count on the Kinks for quality lighthearted satire of British life in the ‘60s. Seriously, though, the music holds up well.
More complex than their previous album in its simplicity: This is an album about memories and the good old days, so the song styles harken back, while tinged with 60’s rock. Not as catchy as others, but impressive.
Not catchy radio play songs for the most part. I have listened to this albums dozens of times but it was still like a first listen this time around, hearing things I hadn't noticed before. Interesting, creative and purposeful and I do enjoy a nice village green.
I like some of the Kinks output quite a bit. This one's fine, but none of the songs really grabbed me. 3.5*
There is one thing about the Kinks which is both one of the things I find most endearing about them but simultaneously puts me at arm's length and that is they are probably the most British sounding band of the major rock bands of the '60s. Where as the Beatles pretty well blended the cultures and the Stone went out to prove they were the best American band from Britain, the Kinks always seem to double down on their Brittishness. Pretty much always to a very charming results. But as an American, I do feel the cultural differences. Still this was a very fun and engaging listen. I actually listened to it three times today what I love really loved, but there was just way to much that just wasn't up to that level. Especially on the second half which probably affected the overall final feel.
A bit too British for my taste, and missing an outright banger of a song, but still very good. "Last of the Steam Powered Trains" is my favourite song on here. 4.5 stars
4.5/5
It's fine, but think it's a bit overrated in the Kinks discography. They add in a bit too much British whimsy here, and I really think the albums that came before and after it are a lot better. Nothing here reaches the highs of Something Else or Arthur. 3.5 stars.
4.5
Pretty groovy tight-knit 60s concept album about a village or something. It’s kind of in that weird zone of being mostly nearly classic but having nothing that touches upon the very best of Kinks’ real hits. Title song has the best quality perhaps even glorious melody even if it goes round and round too much and I get tired of it by the end. That and other best moments like Picture Book, Last Of The Steam Trains and Big Sky lay the tracks for Blur Parklife. It does lose steam in the second half though. Phenomenal Cat has a bit of laughing gnome in the package for example and Wicked Crapabella is crap. Low 4.
The kinks are always great. Not my favourite album of theirs but an enjoyable one.
Fine, but not exactly riveting.
Not their best
Lite beatles-aktig vibe, trallvänligt som absolut kan vara på i bakgrunden
This album has a sounds similar to the beetles.
Her life story overwhelms her music for me and although her talent was so clear, I find listening to her difficult
Fav song: Big Sky Classic UK sound for the time. You can definitely tell how influenced everything was by The Beatles around this time but none the less, still a good listen through with fun lyrics and cheerful overall vibe.
Simultaneously ahead of its time and old fashioned. Great album
This was entertaining enough, but didn’t terribly hold my interest. Seemed to be an album made up of tracks from the cutting room floor, ones that were decent but didn’t quite make a previous record. 3/5
I didn't get to spend as much time with this album as I would have liked, and I'm sure that's to my detriment. There's quite a lot of interesting things happening throughout. I'm sure this is an album that I will revisit in the future.
3 out of 5. Pleasantly middle of the road for me.
Almost up there with the Beatles. Not as experimental, but the songs are good. Favorite song: Big Sky.
it's kind of amazing how well this late-sixties satire of English nostalgia maps so strongly onto the wave of conservative nostalgia we're experiencing here in the States at the moment. the cultural references are obviously not the same (I'll confess I don't recognize a good majority of them), but for as much as this album evokes a peaceful, sunshine-y English countryside, it's clear that the nostalgia being evoked here is for an England which never existed. in an effort to write "English" rock music, at a time where U.S. and European musical influences were beginning to shape the sound of contemporary British music, Ray Davies made a concerted effort to isolate himself from the sounds of burgeoning movements like psychedelic and progressive rock, which were highly in vogue at the time. instead, he and the rest of the Kinks doubled down on ornately constructed pop tunes with bright melodies and neoclassical quirks. compositionally, it's sometimes almost a little too on-the-nose in its portrayal of this imagined English pastoral countryside! the unfortunately uncredited orchestral musicians add a lot of flair and humor to the B-side of the LP. what's with this recurring trend of not crediting orchestral musicians on rock records? strong 8/10.
I don't like it very much
Wasn’t too bad, sounded pretty good. I like the Kinks but I felt there was nothing special about this album.
Lovely, whimsical. Think it needs repeat listens to fully appreciate but I like it a lot.
This was such a joy. Really fun and deceptively simple. Good variety of styles. Very influential. Hard not to like. 4/5
Good not great. (For me)
The album opener is massive, the lyrics are genuinely funny yet still effortless, this is a timeless album. 4/5
Pretty good.
1, немоа ги слушам колко са посредствени
I love the nostalgic lyrics and theme. The music itself is alright, very mid/late-60s English pop rock. The lyrics and theme are what make it stand out for me, though. It pushes it from a decent album to something I think is actually quite good. Even in its time, though, it wasn't highly regarded, and I think that's for a reason. I enjoyed it, and it has its spot in history, but I don't think it would make a list of top 200 albums. Favorite Song(s): Do You Remember Walter?
i was feeling a little iffy about this album at first, but the more i listened, the more i liked it
Giving me those 70’s rock, beetles vibes. I’d expect to hear this at some small venue or bar, not bad but not memorable either. 2.5
Musicalmente, es un buen álbum, típico rock psicodélico de los 60, tirando más a pop barroco, aunque tampoco me ha llamado especialmente la atención. Prefiero otros álbumes de los Kinks. En cuanto a las letras, son súper extrañas; el toque "edgy" me chirría un poco (por ejemplo, en "People Take Pictures of Each Other"). En fin, no está mal, pero creo que podría haber vivido perfectamente sin haberlo escuchado. Hay mejores ejemplos de la época. 2.5 bajo
Classic kinks. I like their weirder stuff, but this is a great listen.
Semmottia vanhantyylistä musiikkia, ei jätä oikein mitään mielikuvia itsestään.
Was surprised to read that this album was a poor seller at its release, but I guess it makes sense given what audiences were probably expecting from The Kinks at the time. There's a lot of variety here in instruments, styles, and subject matter, but all holding to the loose concept of preserving Ray Davies's vision of "Englishness" at the time. It's funny to hear this almost 60 years on and try to determine whether it's a satirical swipe at conservative hand-wringing or a genuine concern over the march of "progress" and loss of local culture (Davies's own rationale for the concept album). It's a great listen and I loved being prodded into hearing it a few more times.
I had not heard any of these songs before, but I did genuinely enjoy it. It is classic Beatlesque British sixties rock. It is probably a 3.5 for me, and I may listen to it again.
Wonderful! A classic look at British life and change. A very creative, lovely album.
I remember nothing after listening
Whoa. This is amazing. I’ve never listened to a whole kinks album. This is super great. This caught my attention. Such cool tunes. Cool guitar ideas and sounds. I was so obsessed with the Beatles I neglected so many other bands of the era. Big Sky is such a cool song. Phenomenal Cat is so fucking weird but I think I am now obsessed with it.
I didn't expect this album to be that good. It's an improvement to the last Kinks album I reviewed. The title track, in particular, is great. All of the songs are well-written. I'm getting some really cool albums this time. 4 stars for "The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society".
I may be showing my age but this sounds strangely like a children’s television soundtrack…
Meh
If there were half stars, this would be a 3.5 for me. Loved the title track. Like the kinks but this album didn’t resonate as much for me. If I’m going to listen to a 60s concept album, it has to be Sgt. Pepper’s. This doesn’t have the re-playability for me.
Sarcastic & musically dynamic. I wasn’t expecting this record to be as annoying as it becomes though, but at least it’s whimsical about it. Standout track is: “Last of the Steam-Powered Trains”.
Definitely has a mid 60’s British Invasion vibe to this. Glad this was on the 1001 list otherwise I probably would never have listened to it.
Fun 60s British invasion rock n' roll. 3.5
I love this album. It's top three Kinks for me.
Stellar album which doesn't over embellish the whimsical british humor or way of life. But, it encapsulates all of what makes british music great. Psychedelia, folk ballads, outside European influence, and of course blues mastery. I really enjoy the kinks in totality, but I was a novice. This album is really really good.
I liked it!
This is an album that is as British as they come but also so much fun to listen to.
Diet Beatles. For when you want to listen to British pop without all of the catchy hooks. Completely neutral to this. Nothing amazing; nothing offensive. Next.
This was a good listen. Well put together. The were a few tracks I saved to my library. I’d be interested to hear more by The Kinks, but probably not going out of my way to do so.
Did I buy a vinyl of this album purely because of the songs I recognized from the buddy cop comedy "Hot Fuzz"? Yes. Was that one of my best album purchases? Also yes.
Good songs trash microphones
Love the kinks music.
Nostalgic and English, gentle, good.
Kinky
**An ok album, nothing exciting
This album sounds like it was written by a group of whimsical gnomes
The Village Green Preservation Society is awfully twee, a nice and gentle sound, it just suffers from being the billionth 60s soft psychedelia album we've had and I can't do anything more with it than say it's better than most of those, a high 2 or low 3 effort. Look lads, metal and hard rock came along in the 70s and was miles better, let's have a bit more balance please.
This is one of the better examples of 60s psychedelic-folk-rock albums that we've had. And we've had so, so many. Doesn't around trying to sound like something it isn't (no sitar music, faux-American accents, or Irish fiddle here), it's English folk enhanced by electric instruments. First half is definitely better than the second half, an easy 3/5.
manages to sound very of its time while also having an obvious link to british indie music made today - this influenced britpop (modern life is rubbish, whats the story morning glory, pulp) which influenced everything today. in a period when everyone was either trying to sound american or take on more exotic influences from places like india, its quite a brave move to make a distinctly english album. unfortunately some of the songs just dont quite cut the mustard. there are some standouts like all of my friends were there, wicked anabella, and the title track, but stuff like johnny thunder are fairly forgettable on first listen. ultimately this will probably be one i return to at some point, and encapsulates what a lot of people love about the kinks.
Absolutely phenomenal songs.
Classic Kinks album. My second favorite behind Something Else.
Like a poor man’s The Beatles. Album started strong then lost focus. Green Day definitely took a lot of sound from these guys. Would probably listen to again. Quirky.
I don't know who Walter is and I don't think I care much for him
Slightly aged but entertaining beatles like rock album. Weak three stars for this album. (Listened to the UK and US edition.) favourite: "The Village Green Preservation Society", "Do You Remember Walter", "Last of the Steam Powered Trains" 2,5
Good classic rock and roll
Mejor
has some bangers
i at least support saving donald duck
What a treat. I had really only listened to Kinks’ compilations, so it was fun to listen to a whole album. The theme and concept are well executed, there’s a nice range of materials, and the writing is catchy and funny. I could see this being a 5 star album; as is, I give it 4.5 stars.
a lot of classics 3.5 going towards 4
That was quite good.
7/10 Tacy trochę Beatlesi z wodą. Bardzo przyjemnie buja, ale większość utworów zlewa się w jedno. Wolę ich album z Lolą w tytule, tam się wydają być trochę odważniejsi
3/5
The Village Green Preservation Society is the biggest five that ever fived a five.
Rhythm and blues good. Fairground novelty bad. Beatles did it better. Vocals are monotone.
Second Kinks album from the list and I hope it's the last. Simple, fun pop tunes wit a definite "Englishness" (that's good) but much too cabaret-esque at times, I think thins music would work well in school plays when the clown comes on stage. Some songs are very Beatles-like, but unfortunately like those Beatles songs I don't like. Songwriting as such, if this style is your thing, isn't bad. This album get on my system but not quite as badly as Christina Aguilera, which I have a 2, so I'll give a generous 3 here. Not fond of Davies' voice and it's right in front of the mix.
Their best in my opinion - top 100 album for me.
I feel like I should like this more but something didn't quite click. Rounding down.
Sounds like early Beatles in a good way
I can imagine this is the music played at a village green. Not for me though
Not for me. 1/5
Nice britpop album 3/5
I enjoyed this album particularly when I realized the lyrics, as someone who is not a British citizen, weren't relevant to me and could just sit back and enjoy the fine song arrangements and performances. Tight, short songs, but honestly the album does drag a bit from sameness around song 11-12 of 15. Honestly that is better than many of the albums chosen for this list.
This was great after hearing Suzanne Vega. Live the sound of the Kinks. Sure sounds more recent than being from the late 60s! 3.6
Early pop stylized like the later version of The Beatles. A couple of the songs had sickeningly sweet vocals but most were really great. Didn’t know I liked The Kinks!
Fun!
Thought this was a Picture Book but instead was Starstruck.
I’ve never been a fan of the Kinks, and listening to this album has only served to reinforce those feelings for me. If I wanted to listen to the Beatles then I would. This feels like a very insincere attempt to capitalize on the insane popularity of the Beatles during this time period. It’s almost identical musically, just without the magical songwriting duo of Lennon-McCartney. I’m not surprised that this album was initially considered a flop, but I have absolutely no idea how it ended up being popular. 1*. No bueno.
I am really tired of being force-fed cutesy, tepid, unremarkable 60s British trollop. Musically, it’s like a bad imitation of Beatles records released 5 years prior, and lyrically it comes off as a hokey caricature of some pastoral English fantasy. It’s kind of like the bro-country of its time and place: lyrics that harken some made-up version of rural life over boring, uninspired tracks. Ranges from deeply unmoving to actively irritating. 3/10
A light, fun and happy album
It was ok. Some good songs some ok songs. Nothing great though. 2.5
Like The Beatles but silly.
7/10
As a Kinks fan, and freely admitting I'd never heard this one before, it was easy to listen to and earned 3 stars from me. A bit different than the Kinks albums I like best, but not annoying.
I should probably listen to more of the Kinks, as I do like their music. But all I could think of listening to this was "We have Sgt Pepper at home. Sgt Pepper at home:"
Picture book, what a song. Great album and one of my favorite concept albums
Album couldn’t sound more like 1968. Fun songwriting
Funny rubber soul by the funny Beatles
The album overall is fine. This era isn't my favorite, and so if I want to listen to late 60s pop rock, I'd much rather listen to the Beatles. I felt like they were trying to make their own Sgt. Pepper's and at least for me, it fell flat.
I like their earlier stuff more, but enjoyed this.
I think Monica is a great song. Animal Farm is good too, tempo and instrumentation, but the lyrics are kinda dumb. The rest I don’t enjoy too much. A lot of the songs are subdued and a bit boring. I also don’t think the theme, the modernization of England, was expertly developed. It all just seems a bit hammy and silly. Do we really need two songs to explore the deeper meaning of photographs?
Good enough. Not that interesting to me though
Solid background music for a chill day.
Great tunes
Pretty great ! Very 60s in every sense it could mean. This album sounds good, the songs are catchy and they remind me very much of what I love about every other band of that time (Beatles, Stones, Beach Boys, Animals).
Very beetlesesque. Not bad.
I'm familiar with the usual Kinks songs but had only heard one of the tracks on this album (Picture Book). I am always down for a concept album, even when some of it doesn’t work. I keep listening to the title track over and over again. It's got a Lewis Carroll feel to it. There are a few silly songs on the album towards the end (what’s with the Wizard of Oz munchkin voice effects?), but they don't really distract from the whole and even those have some parts that are worthwhile. 3⭐️
What a fantastic record. It is filled with quirky and fun pop hooks, even if side 2 isn’t as strong. Definitely my favorite Kinks record thus far.
Madonnaaaaaaa che voglia di spararsi che schifo gli anni 60 cancellateli tutti sta cantilena filastroccheggiante mi ha dato un fastidio inimmaginabile. È molto vicina all’1 ma non così tanto
Conoscevo già “Picture Book” grazie a una serie tv e mi era piaciuta molto Purtroppo le altre non tengono il passo
I enjoyed this. The title track and Big Sky are the standout tracks, but most of it is pretty good fun. The weakest songs are the last two, which means the album ends on a bit of a sour note, but it still deserves a four.
So great. They were so influential and the songwriting has aged brilliantly
Big win. Must relisten but this is a classic
The front half of this album is really good, wish I could say the same for the latter half
This was ok overall, but I don't think I'd listen to again.
Pretty nice
A quintessential ‘60s album. Has everything to love about the era that birthed it
legalzinho
rock britânico dos anos 60 bem padrão, mas, depois que ouvi tudo do beatles, eu comecei a gostar. uma estrela a mais apenas por Do You Remember Walter
Quirky and clearly influential in the developing of Brit Pop
I don't think I've ever heard this before. I'm not normally a fan of 60s British bands with lots of "affected" songs. But this album was a lot better than I expected it to be. Ray Davies definitely approaches songwriting from a very different direction, and the results can be very odd at times. But he somehow knows how to put together the odd pieces to make interesting and memorable songs. The production of this album is sneaky good...it is a real pleasure to listen to it on headphones. The subtleties really come out when you are really paying attention. I also found it interesting that the entire direction of The Kinks during this period, to focus on traditional English musical styles and topics, were a result of the band being blackballed from touring in America for 5+ years. While not something I'll probably re-listen to a lot, credit is due to Davies for making an early example of a concept album with thoughtful lyrics. Just memorable enough for me to give it 4 stars.
I didn't like this as much as I was expecting to: a few amusing songs, but nothing very memorable for me.
I like the Kinks but had never really listened to one of their albums in full before. This was unexpectedly eccentric and fun. Some of the songs were duds, but most were catchy. Now I want to travel Merry England and say touristy things like "Gawd darn it, isn't it a pretty scene?"
Light, fun, and pleasant. Except for Wicked Annabella, she's not pleasant!
Wasn't expecting to like this very much...was expecting it to sound like early Pink Floyd. Was pleasantly surprised...thoroughly enjoyed it.
Unmistakably British
Sounds like a Beatles album with some odd remixes among them. It's a fairly decent album, but nothing to sneeze at. Favorite Track : "Village Green".
Pretty good but a bit inconsistent. Very 60s. The Beatles influence is obvious, maybe a bit too obvious. Favorites: Sitting by the Riverside, Village Green Least Favorite: People Take Pictures of Each Other
Lighthearted, loose, quietly lovely, and very British. In other words, classic Kinks. Highlights: The Village Green Preservation Society, Picture Book, Village Green, Starstruck, All of My Friends Were There
Fun and bouncy, the Kinks in good form. But now I've had Days stuck in my head for days.
Wherein Ray Davies decides to show the world he's the master of writing incredibly catchy yet intricate pop vignettes 15 times in a row. Seriously, this thing just does not miss; it's one of the most consistently fun 40 minutes you can possibly have.
No because when I tell you, WHEN I TELL YOU that this album is criminally underrated I mean it. I’m not part of the music world so idk how the majority of people feel about this BUT I have been loving this album since the dawn of time. It makes my brain super happy and I with I could rate my other albums lower so that this 5/5 would mean more
Listened to this last week and I have a hard time remembering it. I'm sure it's more of a 3, but seeing as I can't remember it gets bumped down. Standard latest 60s vibes.
I'm not usually a massive fan of this sort of music but this was a fun listen Animal Farm and Village Green are standout tracks.
It's was fine. I enjoyed it. Won't be rushing back though. A bit twee for me.
Gran disco
I'm realizing I really enjoy the kinks
A bit of a classic 60s happy sappy that I can’t really get behind 4/10
Cute and fun. Now I have a new song to sing to my cat Walter.
Only known non-chemical cure for insomnia.
I thought it was weird, creative, and very interesting.
Good for what it is, solid songwriting and good arrangement but leaves me cold
Another favorite Kinks album from their pastorial period. Not a bad song on here.
OK. classic kinks. only 1 song I'm familiar with.
Honestly I've never really listened to the Kinks. From the name, I always thought they were like a UK 70s punk band. But no then they start this album off with the gentlest "We are the village green preservation society..." lmao Always kindof weird to find these albums on this list by known artists but with no popular singles at all? Anyway a nice gentle retro listen. No big standouts but would listen again. 3.4/5
I quite like the sound
Pure love, thanks lads. 4 stars
- The Kinks = Geil! - Kannte bisher nur das Selftitled und sonst die unzähligen Hits, das Album hatte ich bis auf „Picture Book“ aber noch nie gehört. - Ich weiß, dass die Band mega einflussreich war und auch super erfolgreich zu der Zeit, habe aber das Gefühl, dass die neben so Größen der British Invasion wie den Beatles, Stones, The Who im Verlauf der Zeit bis heute ein wenig untergegangen sind… Dabei müssen die sich vor ihren Mitstreitern wirklich gar nicht verstecken. - Geiles Album, hat mich komplett begeistert, auch wenn beim ersten Durchhören (neben dem mir bekannten Song) nicht viel super krass hervorstach - Insgesamt aber auf eine hohen Level gleichbleibend gut - Fand „Big Sky“ mit diesem Lou Reed-artigen Sprechgesang übrigens richtig geil - Platte könnte ein Grower werden Rating: 4,25/5
- Es stach für mich kein Lied heraus - Es war für mich eine Mischung aus entspannt, aber mit einem Hang zur Langeweile, so dass ich mich mehrmals dabei ertappt habe, wie ich fast etwas anderes angemacht hätte
Another example of a concept album in its early form, the first one that I got on the generator was The Who’s ‘Tommy’, but this album is less of a “storyline” concept, and more of a “thematic” concept. The theme here being the fear of globalisation, and the loss of a societal culture that, even in 1968, may have already faded away beyond repair. But it isn’t a viewpoint that is dangerously violent and stupid as today’s bogus, misguided, “movements”. It’s far more insightful, deep, nuanced, and accepting in nature; it’s the idea of the overall population saying goodbye to an identity that, in this case, made them fundamentally British. ‘The Village Green Preservation Society’ sees The Kinks purposely at their most “uncool”. Compositions that you could almost write off given the more progressive stuff their peers were coming out with at the time, yet they are completely saved by the sheer character injected into each song. Bouncy, whimsical, and full of fun melodies. You can almost taste the flavour of British air that seems to fill the minutes and seconds of each and every track. And no song is too long to the point where it gets tiring, and no song that is too short to be unmemorable. Ray Davies’ lyrics are also nothing short of spectacular here. He’s able to hit on every theme with such a sense of ironic enjoyment and simple delivery so effortlessly it just suits the music perfectly. He’s able to keep the concept of this album going strong by framing it through different perspectives and situations that you can’t help but stay engaged throughout the entire runtime. From a person flipping through a photo album, to finding solace in a place you found happiness in the past; where you can be accepting of your own shortcomings - yet still find strength in the familiar. There are just layers upon layers of meaning. I can absolutely see how this album was considered a flop at the time it was released. But I’m also very happy it was reevaluated in the years that followed so that it enjoyed a new lease on life and has become a highly regarded, highly influential LP. It’s a fantastic album. Music that compliments its masterful lyrics. And lyrics that compliment its colourful and vibrant compositions. It absolutely stands out among the band’s best work - and The Kinks do have a monster discography to pick and choose your favourites from. Topical to the point where it can stand the test of the time, and filled with so much character that you can’t help but get lost in it as you listen. 4/5
Starstruck the highlight for me
They really worked out those kinks
Truly enjoyed the album. Would give it a solid 4/5.
Ok
Very surprising album for me. Never listened to the Kinks before but found myself really enjoying every song. Last of the Steam Powered Trains bass line when the song vamps is super cool!
Me gustó, no me voló la cabeza, pero sí se escucha a que tuvieron que ser una revolución en su época. Bien.
Likeable enough, but it has nothing that bursts through the wholeness of the album and grabs you by the throat. I simply find myself longing for something more. Best song: Village Green Worst song: Starstruck
A solid concept album about nostalgia, the timeless human desire to preserve what is familiar and comforting. There's something special about listening to people in the 60s worrying and reflecting on the drastic changes and their yearn for stability. It's a warm time capsule. Best song: The Village Green Preservation Society Worst song: Phenomenal Cat
Really good. But still very British and annoying
Already an album my Collection. Definitely belongs on the list. A definite classic.
A few good songs, nothing crazy
Solid fun 60s pop. I like this one more than some of their others. It has a bit of that psychedelic edge to it that adds a lot.
I’ve really enjoyed the music of The Kinks that I’ve heard so far. I didn’t recognise anything on this album, but I’ve definitely come to expect more than the fairly simple rock music of You Really Got Me (which is still a banger, by the way). This album delivers in the way it kept me interested from front to back. It’s fairly trippy in parts, but never so much that it becomes a difficult listen. I’d easily recommend this album to anybody that wants an easy introduction into the more psychedelic side of pop rock.
Pretty good, sounds like the beatles to me.
4.35
Average 6/10
This is an interesting album but doesn't exist in the realm of Lola or other earlier Kinks albums. Who the hell makes this list? Fuck off douches!
I guess the Kinks are like the weird little brother of the Stones and the Beatles, and I dig it. 3/5
3-
My biggest complaint about the list of 1,001 albums you have to listen to before you are allowed to die is that 80% of it consists of every single British pop rock album from 1965-1995, but I have to admit they really nailed it in this one case. Five stars.
Very Kinks - definitely not up there with some of the Beatles psychedelic fuelled tunes but there’s defo a few highlights here too. I definitely don’t absolutely adore it but also I wouldn’t skip the tracks either. Would recommend as a classic British 60s album.
I love the kinks, but this album is not it
01) The Village Green Preservation Society - 7,0 02) Do You Remember Walter - 7,0 03) Picture Book - 7,5 04) Johnny Thunder - 7,0 05) Last of the Steam-Powered Trains - 6,5 06) Big Sky - 6,0 07) Sitting by the Riverside - 7,0 08) Animal Farm - 7,0 09) Village Green - 7,5 10) Starstruck - 7,5 11) Phenomenal Cat - 6,0 12) All of My Friends Were There - 6,0 13) Wicked Annabella - 7,5 14) Monica - 6,5 15) People Take Pictures of Each Other - 6,5 TOTAL: 6,83 (68/100)
The Kinks were pioneers. In 1964 they gave us early rock/punk classics “You Really Got Me” and “All Day and All of the Night.” Banned from touring the US, they didn’t get to enjoy all the advantages of their fellow British Invaders but have a solid discography. This is a good album that would be more impressive if it had been released 2 years earlier. By 1968, the Beatles were offering the white album and the Stones, Beggar’s Banquet. This may be intentionally a throwback but it’s a throwback nevertheless. The Kinks and this album deserve more attention. Wish I could give it 5/5 but I think this is a strong 3 or a 4.
Nope
This is actually a relatively easy review for me. I like The Kinks and even have a couple of their songs in my top list. But I have remained steadfast over the years as "liking" The Kinks. They are neither among my favorite bands nor my throwaway list. That is why they are perfect as an example of a solid band, entertaining and professional, interesting enough to be appealing and equally kind of "yeah, they are OK." I think to rate this album four or five stars one would have to be a kind of superfan. Realistically it is exactly average (in a positive way). Ironically, that makes this album kind of interesting in a way. It represents a normal solid pop rock entry from that era of music history.
Very 60s, in a good way. 3.5/5
Pictures of your mama, taken by you papa, a long time ago. Geht ins Ohr.
Perfectly 60s. Very clean sounding album with some great tunes. Nothing extremely memorable and I most likely won’t seek it out again but it was a nice listen. 7/10
Wow, the A-side of this album is astonishing. Love the crisp, catchy sound, and the songwriting. I love the theme of the album, as a love letter to a yesteryear of English country life. It is done in a lighthearted and fun way, but still touching in parts. The B-side is a bit uneven. The whimsy starts to get over-egged on some tracks. The songs aren't generally as punchy. Still a few golden moments on the B-side though. This is certainly the strongest materials I've heard from the Kinks and I'm glad I took the time. 4*
Probably my fav 60s rock n roll album now. Maybe the british knew what they were doing
Not bad. Some decent tunes.
Oh it’s John and Paul from the The Beatles…. Wait what?? Ok it’s insane how similar they sound to the Beatles but to be fair that’s not a disservice but a compliment the problem is the Beatles did it better hence they sound like the Beatles and not vice versa. It was pleasant but also average. You can see how this influenced Pete Townsend from The Who who was a pioneer of concept albums.
Not bad, very classic Kinks sound and some nice little tunes hidden in there. Didn’t think it was anything special, but it was very pleasant to listen to on a Monday morning.
Nostalgic gatekeeping has never been so charming. It’s very ‘I remember the corned beef of my childhood’ but somehow actually very lovely. A five star album anyway but the cherry on top is the fantastic non-album single Days which closes out some extended editions
Good, but not as good as the other Kinks album.
Whimsical nonsense