The Village Green Preservation Society

Some really good rock songs on this album that I hadn't heard before. Not the kind of rock I usually listen to since it often feels kind of dated. This album has a part of that but it still holds up good enough for me to enjoy it.

The first three songs are hitters, but the carnival aesthetic got kind of old around Sitting By The Riverside. 60s bands were really not afraid to be whimsical from time to time. There is a noticeable lack of whimsy in the music of today. The carousel-core gap in pop and rock has not been filled effectively since January 1, 1970 (excepting Mr. Blue Sky).

Cheerful with depressing lyrics. Very "take me back to the old days" ironically. Pretty cool for its era though

Some catchy songs, particularly in the first half. Two listens was ideal but not sure I want to have it on repeat.

Went in with high expectations but still enjoyed

he can sing. Not the most recognisable voice but still a nice tone. He could do emotive delivery within his relatively narrower vocal range. The album itself is just ok. The 2/4 lilts in The Village Green Preservation Society remind me of some march-like patriotic rhythms. The phenomenal cat’s intro sounds like Tom and Jerry. I can’t tell if I like it or not, it’s just an observation. I have a very neutral feeling about this album, I define this as a perfect three.

listened to this on Friday, by Monday morning I am already kinda forgetting this album. it wasn't bad to listen to, but it wasn't memorable in my opinion. i remember a lot of things about photographs... but thats really it

Fun in some spots but didn’t stick with me too much.

There’s distinctions between The Kinks and The Beatles, but there were moments on this album that felt like it was a straight up copy of The Beatles sound. I can’t tell if that’s just the way British rock sounded in the 60s, or if they were looking to capitalize on Beatlemania. Decent album, couple songs I’ll go back to. Pretty sure we’ll eventually listen to each album that has a song Apple has featured in their commercials.

The Kinks are nice. These songs are nice. This album was nice.

Decent, pleasant album with a distinct late 60s sound. It sounded a lot like The Beatles at times, though.

A sound that didn’t change through the decades.

Album carino, anche se non mi ha lanciato più di tanto.

This is classic 60s bubble gum pop. I imagine for its time, it might have been the beginning of this type of music. It was an enjoyable listen but very dated. Better Kinks albums were to come.

Were the Kinks that significant that they needed multiple albums on this list? Most of this sounds like your typical late 60s record, good, but nothing groundbreaking. I picked my favorites that did not sound like just another Beatles copy. Last of the Steam Powered Trains, even though it has that CCR feel, Animal Farm, and Wicked Annabella.

Hear the influence

It was good and fun but mostly felt like a Beatles album that was more flat. 6/10

It's a pop album from the 60's. It didn't make me feel like I needed to hear it, but I guess it's a good time capsule.

Starts somewhat strong, but loses steam after the first half. Pity. 3/5

Favourite song is village green. Really enjoyed

Not what I was expecting from the Kinks. Very 60s feel for this album. Fun, unserious vibe.

Very good. I hadn't listened to this album before. You can really hear that 60s era of rock, where it at times reminds me of other artists around then (some songs are giving Bob Dylan rock era).

Like a folkier Sgt peppers. Thumbs up.

Overall ok. Kinda just sounded like a worse version of the Beatles. I see how they could have scared a mother in 1968 with “Sitting by the riverside”. 6/10

village green good, rest fine

Surprisingly pleasant listening to this one, fun!

kinda like if the beatles were less serious

classic good

Average

Overall a very simple yet iconic album that is staple in the rock community that has inspired countless famous artists till this day.

I like the Kinks a lot, but this one doesn’t grab me like its reputation suggests it should.

A good album overall even though none of my favorites songs by them were on it.

They have better

Very naive very cool

101/1089 - Went in one ear and out the other.

decent but i don't love the singer. like the music quite a bit

3.3 2x

No private session used for Spotify, either time I listened to this album. Dated by fun, good to go into a Kinks deep dive. Not sure I will listen again.

sehr schlne warme 60er sound ufem erste song. sehr flowerpower irgendwie. aso für 68 nöd verwunderlich. so picture book zum bispil no nice find d drums recht cool und d stimme harmoniered guet. ich gseh irgendwie wie so nerds chönd finde "emfall d kinks sind besser als d beatles und d stones i ihrne beste moment". mich berauschts jetz null grad. okay bin bi all of my friends were there und finds eigentli chli nervig? vilicht wennis scho wür kenne fändis geil aber hert nöd gad?

omg freumi hert, kenn nur 2 lieder vo ihne SEITER GOD SAVE THE DONALD DUCK ah lol ja actually hahahahaha WALTUH MR. WHITE GET IN WE NEED TO COOK ich lieb de pinkman ANYWAY okay han d kinks um einiges schneller und dreckiger im chopf ich hans na gern aber s macht wenig mit mier laat of the steam powered trains isch na cool! hahaha sitting by the riverside chlii nervig animal farm findi seeehr cool village green megaaa schön und beruhigend iwie? phenomenal cat wird nöd mis lieblingslied people taking pictures of each other findi sehr cool vom text aber s ischmer z fest chinderlied:(

Hyväntuulista tarinointia ilman hittejä

i can hear that it’s good… but i don’t really feel it’s interesting enough to want to keep listening. there were a few songs that peaked my interest but in general, not feeling it for now. i just wanted to go listen to Magical Mystery Tour or Sgt Peppers by The Beatles instead 😅 it will prob work better when i don’t feel completely burnt out on this genre and the 60s/70s from this list.

Very Beatlesque. Seems like they went away from the pop hits on this one.

It was ok.

Interesting listen knowing that the creator wanted to basically capture his childhood into music.

Jangly rock-pop that is clearly a product of its time. Not my bag, but fine for a listen. Standout track: "People Take Pictures of Each Other"

Not my fav from The Kinks, but still ok

Deze hoefde niet. Picture book is een banger, maar de rest is niet echt benoemenswaardig. The kinks hebben betere. 2..6

Sounds like Beatles again

Insufferably peppy

Face to face (66), Somethign else (también del 68) junto con The Village Green Preservation Societ, y Arthur (69) conforman una tetralogía fundamental del pop. Este fue un fracaso de ventas, el fracaso más exitoso de todos los tiempos según el propio Ray davies, pero ensalzado por crítica y el paso del tiempo no ha hecho otra cosa que aumentar su reputación (P. Townshend lo cataloga como su obra maestra, su Sgt. Pepper) con Days como absoluta joya, no incluida en su edición original. Aquí se apoyaron en el impagable Nicky Hopkins a los teclados y mellotrón. El Brit pop (sobre todo Blur) le deben más de media discografía, siendo generosos (y tomando en consideración lo mejor del lote, no absurdeces). La inicial The Village Green Preservation Society resume el sentir de todo el disco. Do you remeber Walter, Picture book y sobre todo Johnny Thunder son buenos temas, que en los 90 sonarían plenamente actuales. Last of the steam-powered trains es un buen tema de R&B, aunque Big Sky incorpora psicodelia y cierra la primera mitad del disco la McCartneyana Sitting by the Riverside. La cara B comienza con Animal Farm y gana brillo con Village green, una canción exquisita. El resto siguen los parámetros de la cara A, salvo Wicked Annabella con Dave Davies en la voz solista y una guitarra distorsionada, hasta el maravilloso final que es People Take Pictures of Each Other con un fraseo en algunas partes similar al Let´s spend the night together que los Stones habían llevado a la censura en los USA apenas unos meses antes. No es mi disco preferido (Arthur me gusta mucho más) de los Kinks, ni del 68, pero es un buen disco. Están joyas absolutas como las de THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE - Electric ladyland y Odessey and Oracle de The Zombies, También THE BEATLES- White Album, THE VELVET UNDERGROUND - White light, white heat, VAN MORRISON - Astral weeks, THE ROLLING STONES - Beggars banquet, CREAM - Wheels of fire, THE BYRDS - Sweetheart of the rodeo, THE SMALL FACES - Ogden's nut gone flake, THE PRETTY THINGS - S.F. Sorrow, OTIS REDDING - The dock of the bay, BLOOMFIELD , KOOPER & STILLS - Super Session, JAMES CARR - A Man needs a Woman, Dance To The Music de Sly & The Family Stone, Safe As Milk del Capt. Beefhart, Surrealistic Pillow de Jefferson Airplane, Lady Soul y Now de Aretha Franklin, The Notorious Byrd Brothers y Sweetheart of the rodeo de The Byrds, We're Only in It for the Money de Zappa, Idea y Horizontal de los Bee Gees, For Once in My Life de Stevie Wonder , A Saucerful Of Secrets de Pink Floyd, Spirit de Spirit, Bookends de Simon and Garfunkel, In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida de Iron Butterfly, el Soundtrack to 1968 TV special de Elvis, Nuff Said! de Nina Simone, Child is father to the man y Blood, Sweat & Tears de Blood, Sweat & Tears... Debuts de JEFF BECK GROUP, NEIL YOUNG, THE BAND, CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL, OS MUTANTES, SILVER APPLES...

The Kinks' "The Village Green Preservation Society" serves as a quasi-concept album that explores characters and narratives evoking a sense of nostalgia for a more idyllic time in England. Interestingly, nostalgia often leads us to idealize the best aspects of the past while overlooking the struggles. It remains unclear to me whether Ray Davies intends to convey irony through this concept or if he genuinely yearns for a simpler, idealized era that may never have truly existed. Musically, the album is characterized by its gentle rhythms rather than harsh or jarring sounds, featuring strong harmonies and intricate layers of instrumentation and lyrics. Aside from "All Of My Friends Were There," which stands out as the weakest track on the album, each song is a well crafted pop song lasting about two or three minutes. After listening this album, I find it difficult to understand why The Kinks do not receive the same level of acclaim as their peers from the 1960s British Invasion, especially considering their impressive body of work. Once again, as in my review of "Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire)", my sole criticism would be that they occasionally indulge in their whimsy bit too much. However, this is also part of their unique charm

Interesting and varied.

I like The Kinks a lot but this album didn't do a whole lot for me.

The Kinks are a funny group for me - so much of their music slaps but then some goofy shit comes along and it loses me.

Fun. Quirky.

7/10 Highlights: The Village Green Preservation Society People Take Picture of Each Others Animal Farm Picture Book Do You Remember Walter

Most Brit pop/rock sounds pretty similar to me, but a few songs in this album branched out a bit from the genre. The choruses got a little repetitive sometimes, but it wasn’t bad.

the other Beatles. Good stuff.

Ray Davies is an interesting character, and I really want to like The Kinks... but something about this just doesn't impress that much. I think I overall find that their songs are too sprawling and uneven, incoherent even. One song can have a really nice tone and sit well, and then the next sounds like some kind of circus theme or otherwise whacky thing, like 'Phenomenal Cat', for example. I guess that is partly what makes them interesting, but it also works against them sometimes. Had trouble finding songs I liked on this record, but there also weren't any real major low points (except aforementioned 'Phenomenal Cat' perhaps)

Some pleasant tunes, couple annoying

A nice listen. Some good tracks i hadn't heard

Pleasant, pretty, too cute for me.

Sympa mais je le trouve clairement en dessous des deux précédents après ça reste cool et l'ambiance est clairement agréable mais c'est pas ce que j'écouterai par moi-même

Very British and at times a bit twee but never the less an interesting snapshot into the mind of the genius that is Ray Davies. Not their best effort but enjoyable none the less.

It’s a cool album, very much of its time. There no denying its influence on modern pop and indie - the title track stands out above the rest. It’s not an album I’ve heard before but would certainly go back and revisit it.

Not what I was expecting. Had some catchy riffs and lyrics- overall I liked it but not something that would ever go in rotation

Quaint. Small town sober hippy dippy.

inoffensive boring fun rock

I really like some Kinks material but they were very prolific and there's a lot that I really don't know. This album was mostly new to me, although I did recognize the song Picture Book. Overall this is a very interesting album, with definite themes throughout. Musically, it's good; it leans a bit more into the British whimsy than I would normally care for, but it works here. I would listen again.

OK...

fine

village green preservation society- 7 or 8 do you remember walter?- 6 picture book- 7 johnny thunder- 6 last of the steamed powered trains- 6 or 7 big sky- 5 sitting by the river side- 6 animal farm- 5 or 6 village green- 6 starstruck- 5 phenomenal cat- 5 all my friends were there- 5 wicked annabella- 6 monica- 5 people take pictures of each other- 6 the beatles if they were good. easy listening album.

Meh it’s was yea

I enjoyed it but not enough to really wanna come back to it. Big respect for the kinks tho. This is the most 60s sounding album I've ever heard, and sounds like it could be a recent indie release

I loike when you ge kinky, baby!

I was listening to this thinking that instead of random, we should listen in order of release so we could hear how music has evolved. This isn’t great for today, but may have been when it was released.

Slayed.

allll of his friends

Not sure about this one! Some of it was great and I had a great time and thought of the Beatles and occasionally even my beloved Jonathan Richman (like Big Sky and the album title track). Other songs really made me scratch my head going what the hell is this (like Phenomenal Cat and Wicked Annabella). It’s quite an unusual mix in some ways. I’m sure I’ll revisit and rethink so for now I’ll go 3 but that seems unfair.

Skiffle at its best?

This is fine... I guess? It's not a bad album, it's just not that interesting and pretty outdated. It's not boring, but I didn't feel anything when listening to it. This sort of chill, easy-listening rock is not my thing, and this album doesn't do enough to differentiate itself from all the other similar ones.

Interesting, but not their best

I know I just got done listening to the new Panda Bear album, but wow does he sound like a new version of the title track on here. So thats saying I enjoyed the start of this album. It’s all got a pleasant, trying to be utopia feel about it. “Do You Remember Walter” sounds a lot like the blueprint for Mr Bluesky too! Unfortunately, around “Johnny Thunder”, this album succumbs to a bit of the tired sounds of it’s time, I feel myself resisting the urge to think comparatively about the Beatles, etc. “Starstruck” is a standout for me for the “babababa” chorus. “All My Friends Were There” is so goofy and circus-ish that I replayed it a couple times. This is overall a respectable effort, I’m guessing this was a diversion from some of the earlier mid-60’s stuff The Kinks and others were doing. Easy on the ears / 5.

Good band from the 60’s. Good songs.

306/1001 🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑

Distinctly kinks and very 60s - enjoyable

it's not unpleasant to listen to but from my point of view it feels like... a worse beatles? i didn't really get it i guess. i liked it okay, the lyrics were fun and all my friends were there was a nice upbeat track i guess.

Man they really did a lot of these. Title track is fun and silly, there's some that feel like their gonna rock, but never quite do. I think this may have been the first of their british pastoral/parklife style albums, but I think its the third I've gotten on the list and the oompah adjacent pacing, and slice of english life stuff does get a little threadbare after two (honestly good though) albums.

This was nice. Not amazing by any means but I’d never heard a Kinks album before.

Super good. Kind of reminds me of that psychedelic type of sound of the late 60s. But the way the kinks would do it instead

Estuvo ok

The Kinks were absolutely prolific, and they have some good songs. But this particular album is far from their best work.

First the Byrds and now the Kinks, another majorly influential band that I often find a little bit "shrug". This is one of the first concept albums but I didn't really follow the story. I don't know, maybe the musical aspects of the songs don't seem as well connected as other great concept or theme albums - or why so much dead air between songs? Further makes it not feel seamless. I liked individual songs but the sum of the parts was no more than the parts. Highlights were Do You Remember Walter?, Last of the Steam-Powered Trains (reminded me of CCR and classic blues), Animal Farm, maybe Picture Book and People Take Pictures of Each Other. Next.

Pretty good.

Good

To old timey

60s British band being goofy about jam, a dime a dozen at this point. Almost strange in a way, why does it come up so much? The album is fine.

It was solid.

Ok

divertido. e dura o que tem que durar. algo que eu sinto que pelo menos 700 dessa lista nao vao fazer

actually some decent catchy songs. 3.5/5

Für Ende 60er Rockmusik ganz gut. 3/5

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.

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.

唉 British

Not that memorable for a concept album, but I do respect character studies.

Not bad. I just find it a bit monotone and dull.

Picture Book

3.5

Concept albums don't always work. This one falls into this category

It's ok, not the best Kinks album in my opinion by a country mile.

Some very fun upbeat songs, especially the title track.

-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

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!!! :)

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

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.

Some of their best songs but not without duller moments.

Nice enough, never heard of any of these songs from them Will I listen to again: 30%

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.

Обычная панкуха

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.

A 3.5, not sure which side of the fence I’ll fall.

I like some of the Kinks output quite a bit. This one's fine, but none of the songs really grabbed me. 3.5*

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.

Fine, but not exactly riveting.

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.

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

3 out of 5. Pleasantly middle of the road for me.

Wasn’t too bad, sounded pretty good. I like the Kinks but I felt there was nothing special about this album.

Good not great. (For me)

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?

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

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.

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.

Fun 60s British invasion rock n' roll. 3.5

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.

Love the kinks music.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

I feel like I should like this more but something didn't quite click. Rounding down.

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.

Thought this was a Picture Book but instead was Starstruck.

Like The Beatles but silly.

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:"

Album couldn’t sound more like 1968. Fun songwriting

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

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⭐️

Conoscevo già “Picture Book” grazie a una serie tv e mi era piaciuta molto Purtroppo le altre non tengono il passo

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.

legalzinho

Sounds like a Beatles album with some odd remixes among them. It's a fairly decent album, but nothing to sneeze at. Favorite Song: "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

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.

I'm realizing I really enjoy the kinks

Cute and fun. Now I have a new song to sing to my cat Walter.

I thought it was weird, creative, and very interesting.

Good for what it is, solid songwriting and good arrangement but leaves me cold

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

Me gustó, no me voló la cabeza, pero sí se escucha a que tuvieron que ser una revolución en su época. Bien.

Really good. But still very British and annoying

A few good songs, nothing crazy

Pretty good, sounds like the beatles to me.

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-

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)

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.

Pictures of your mama, taken by you papa, a long time ago. Geht ins Ohr.

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.

Good, but not as good as the other Kinks album.

A bit whimsical but an alright listen

Ok, this was a bit strange. I do see a glimpse of a concept album. The music is the usual Kinks stuff, nothing eally surprising. The lyrics, though, are something completely different. And there's the fun in this album.

What a weird and quirky album! Never heard it before. I kind of like it but will probably never listen to it again. I'm going to go read the review to find out what was going on when they recorded this because it is a very strange album.

I'm sure this was a great album. I only listened to a few songs.

How could I hate any album that starts with God Save Donald Duck. I felt the album started a little slow, by Johnny Thunder I thought I might tap out, but I really started to get pulled in by mid album. Songs dedicated to cats? A bit random, but overall an enjoyable listening experience. I can see myself exploring more of the Kinks music.

People Take Pictures of Each Other - auch 1968 war schon alles kaputt, ganz ohne TikTok.

I enjoyed this album. It was enjoyable from start to finish, even though I didn’t know any of the songs before going in. I think I would go back and listen to this album again to try and pick some songs I’d put on a playlist in the future. Good time overall.

Softer early classic rock/pop music. A good time, but I won't seek it out again.

Mi fanno un pò pensare ai beatles.. non sono così male.. il sound è agè ma... carini dai

What a very strange album. I really enjoyed it, despite the bloody title track, maddening earworm that it is. Quite different musical styles throughout.

OK.

Pretty good listen but it felt a bit long

an album that i really want to like more than i actually do and will probably end up coming round to

3.5

My dad’s favourite band I’d ask him what he saw in them but he’s been dead 23 years So I’ll just have to settle for saying this was alright

I love the Kinks, and had heard plenty about this album, sad to be disappointed

ok, sounded like the Beatles a lot of the time

easy listening and can see why they were so influential but nothing too interesting for me

ños ritmos son agradables, la musica no daña los oídos

More kooky than Kinky. Undeniable influential sound and classic production and sound but the pantomime feel of 60s Brit rock is a bit dated now. Some

It’s certainly got all of the fun Brit pop from the 60s that we enjoy, and I like a number of the songs. Just not a constant rotation for me.

6/10

I thought I was going to like this one a lot, but I couldn't really get into it. I've had the title track in my rotation quite heavily for the last year or so, but not many other tracks stood out to me. The album didn't feel as thematically cohesive as Arthur either, though maybe I needed to pay more attention lyrically. Fave Tracks: The Village Green Preservation Society, Big Sky 3.1/5

Love The Kinks, but this one isn't essential to me.

Kinks gonna kink.

Not sure. Hints of good things to come.

It's fine, typical 60's 70's pop. Added 5 tracks to our 1001 Experience playlist, could've been less and I never would've missed them

Still not totally into The Kinks but I am understanding why people really like them. There is pop craftsmanship and wry humour to please the most hardened of souls. People Take Pictures of Each Other has aged very well in the age of Instagram which would be 30 years in the future.

OK

I think I saw them in person. I love their music. PICTURE BOOK LISTENED TO 25 times. Lololol

Not bad but didn’t connect with me

Classic rock (beatles similar)

Really twee, but catchy!

Interesting. It feels like this would have been much more popular when it first came out.

I'm a sucker for theme albums. The riff on "Picture Book" is like a solid 9/10 riff, it just works. But the way they convert it to minor on "Village Green" is a stroke of brilliance, straight 10/10 - that one's a beautiful touch. That said, the rest of the album is just OK. They don't have a lot going on rhythmically (that's part of the theme, I think) and have a real habit of just hanging on one chord of or one set of I-IV-V changes for just a hell of a long time. Nice listen, but a little plodding beyond the first couple songs.

Schön und gut, aber Kinks sind jetzt nicht gerade meine Favoriten

British rock nothing to write home about

Ok kinks album

Good, but not my favourite of their catalogue.

agreeably well-crafted and psychedelic but not really my cup of tea 6/10

I've always wanted to love the Kinks. I've always liked them instead. The music is so interesting; but maybe that's the problem. It's too clever by half and I'm always made to feel like its really important to Ray that we all know that he knows how clever he is. The Zombies are similarly studio/musically clever, but their music sweeps me up emotionally. The Kinks' music is always, just, interesting.

Chock full of interesting and tuneful and often funny ideas, but it does't really cohere into something I enjoy listening to. A couple 4-star songs, but plenty of 2-stars as well. Still, I'd listen again. Closer "People Taking Pictures of Each Other" is a prescient commentary on an age that can't experience the present without somehow capturing it for later - and this was 1968!

I enjoyed this album as a whole. I have to confess, though, the first four songs felt like they were taking over from where the Beatles left off after Rubber Soul. It felt like Last of the Steam Power Trains ushered in a more unique sound. Once Starstruck hit, it felt like there was a return to the very Beatles-esque sound. In between Animal Farm, Sitting and Village Green offered the oddity I liked most. This is definitely a listen again

3.4 Not super familiar with the kinks discography but this seemed like a grown up version of the band. Songwriting was interesting enough. Will be worth another listen at some point

very interesting, some neat moments but kinda goofy in other spots

This was a bit unforgettable. A few good moments, a few moments were a bit twee for my taste.

Picture Book Sitting By The Riverside Animal Farm Wicked Annabella People Take Pictures Of Each Other

It was decent but nothing to really get too attached to outside of a few hits.

This album was pleasant. Very reminiscent of the Beatles and a fun read on why they weren’t allowed to tour in the United States

Meh. 3

Classic Kinks

Not what I was expecting, but unsure if better or worse

song reco: picture book ⭐⭐⭐ it's giving sunday morning vibe. easy to listen album.

3.5

Always think I don't like the Kinks but I end up admitting I'm wrong with every album that comes up. It's just the twee, self-conscious Englishness of some songs grates on me a bit. Listening to this you realise half of 90s Blur songs were basically Kinks tributes.

- this was fun and fine - good sound

- same year as Sgt. Pepper? Fishy - solid, some enjoyable tunes

Basically the Beatles but better

Pretty standard '60s rock, nothing special really. I like the sound musically, but do not really connect with it's particular vibe of missing the old times, since it's the old time values that are least important to me that they reminisce about Favorite tracks: Village Green Preservation Society, Big Sky, Picture Book. Album art: Cool band photo, love the swirly neon colors.

Ok. Not my favorite. A bit too mellow. Need bad boy kinks.

I enjoyed this

It's okay, doesn't feel too unique, but it is enjoyable

I dont get the concept. Some solid tunes however. Not my favorit type of music

60er Jahre Album, das sicherlich vom Klang der „Beatles“ geprägt war. Stellenweise klingt es auch nach den frühen „Simon and Garfunkel“. Das Album hat einen eigenen hörbaren Stil. Herausragende Stücke haben sich aber nicht herauskristallisiert. Brauchbar sind „The Village Green“, „Last of The Steam Powered Steam“, „Village Green“ & „People Take Picture from Each other“. Im Gesamteindruck ist das Album ganz ok.

Pretty good. I like the kinks, never got to see them live. Did see Dave Davies once.

Very 60s psychedelic rock. But better somehow. Definitely not what I expected from the kinks. It was good

The Kinks are such an odd band - occupying this weird place compared to the Beatles and the Stones, and with such a wildly disparate sound between songs. Another album I knew of, but hadn't listened to. I enjoyed it, and the track by track discussion on the Wikipedia entry really enhanced the experience

Stop forcing The Kinks on me, they're so average

Why do these blokes think they aren't European. Bloody daft.

I really enjoyed this one. I’ve covered a few more famous Kinks songs with a band I was in a long time ago but I had never heard this album for. The lyrical content is a quaint little take on what I would imagine suburban English life was at the time: unimportant and pretty banal things that even those of us that grew up elsewhere and in different circumstances can follow along with. Some are direct (Picture Book, Sitting by the riverside) and some are more abstract (Big Sky). I read that this is supposed to be a take on the way the bands life used to be and what it meant for England to get more globalized at the time. If you listen to it with that in mind, some of the songs become a kind of call out on boring weirdness, but if you take it literally they just sound like a sing a first grader would write. It’s a bit of weird way to straddle the two ideas and I’m not sure they pull off the more intellectual side of it. Lyrical content aside, this is musically a pop rock album. It’s cleaner and in my opinion more listenable than a lot of the other British stuff coming out in that era. That doesn’t mean that it’s particularly interesting though. Again, I’m not sure how I’m “supposed” to hear it. It’s s fine enough album but I bet the Kinks have much better ones out there. Maybe we’ll hear them later.

Some of these songs really suck and the others make me want to watch Hot Fuzz.

Simon and Garfunkel mixed with the beatles, its pleasant

Pretty happy go lucky Beatles style tunes of the 60's, enjoyable. But lacking any profundity.

i do love an album title that includes the artist's name. this kinks album makes me think of them as the british beach boys, which i've never thought before. 1968 is the time where the pop bands of the sixties were experimenting, and the kinks are no exception. this album is halfway between sweet pop and more adventurous rock music. of course, i don't find them to be a cookie cutter of the beach boys at all. they took this album in a different direction. there's some south asian influence, folk, and psychedelia, too. not the sound i was expecting from the kinks!

This album felt experimental and playful while still being pretty approachable! They explore a lot of different types of music here and do so well! The Kinks seem to have followed suit of other British Invasion type bands. "You Really Got Me" was their breakaway hit, which was still fairly different (and punk-y) compared to other British Invasion bands, but the composition felt pretty standard. By this album, they have deepened their craft a bit with good songwriting and genre experimentaiton; this album kind of feels like it could be their "Pet Sounds" or "Sergeant Pepper's". Not a bad listen at all!

It was alright

Nice one

Interesting. Best track is Last Of The Steam-powered Trains 3/5

I enjoyed it. 3

As with the other Kinks albums I've listened to on this list, the songs here are out of the ordinary and sometimes a little strange. I can see why many reviewers don't like it ... you keep waiting for a rocker like "You Really Got Me", and you end up with a song about a flying cat. But to me the Kinks live up to their name ... the songs take a few simple, but unexpected twists and turns. I find it all both charming and fun.

Post Sgt Pepper, pre Space Oddity, post Piper At The Gates Of Dawn. Sounds like all three. There's an hidden attitude in here I don't like, but maybe I'm just projecting backwards from britpop.

Beatles esque

Favorite Tracks: The Village Green Preservation Society Village Green People Take Pictures of Each Other

They took a lot of chances on this album and not all of them worked, but points for trying. 2.5/5.0: Mixed

Not bad. Beatlesy

Yeah

Right there in the depths of a 3

I enjoyed listening to this but conversely I didn't find it special.

Lyrically uninteresting and musically average. Released in the same era as big Kinks hits, I have to believe that the surrounding albums are superior.

British rock

Bright and jangly melodic pop that lacks the force of their best work, but replaces it with a funny observational approach to song writing and richer arrangements. Is this just little England nostalgia though? It's self aware and parodic, but not entirely kidding about yearning to live in the Hot Fuzz town and win the flower prize...Requires a few listens to sink in.

Yet another 70s rock album. Not bad, but did I really have to listen to it before I died ?

Good. A little too British folksy

hmmmmmmmmm would need to listen again but have no desire to

No bangers but this was a nice, casual listen. I liked it.