Reviews (page 9 of 12)
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
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.
Just ok for me, kind of boring
This whole album just sounded like The Beatles or The Monkeys to me but in a good way. No major standouts but generally pleasant listening all the way through.
Influential rock band from the 60s. These songs not my favorites.
Interesting concept album but didnt grab me. Some solid songs. Probably a 3.5 for me.
Not a bad song, but no great ones. Generally mid.
Rating: 6/10
Итс окэй. Лучшая песня - Village Green.
Listening to this album solved a long standing conundrum I had with Blur. They always reminded me of something but could never put my finger on it. But this album is it! So many Blur influences on here. I loved the Kinks as a young lad and bought their early singles. When it got to the period this album was released I was totally consumed with Sgt Peppers to notice this album. I suppose this was The Kinks Pepper. If not certainly their next album Arthur which I like more than this and bought on vinyl. It’s only the last few years when available on streaming services that I listened to this album. It is a quintessential English album and from the title of the album that’s what the group were trying to capture. I yearn for the old days when there was a lot more Englishness about so this album is a small window into those days. For me the album has succeeded in capturing the sounds and flavours of those days preserving those times into today’s very confusing multi-cultural times. Yes this album reminds me of my childhood of long summer days, rhubarb in sugar cones, tickling trout, machine guns made of sticks etc when life was so simple. Modern life is rubbish (Blur again!) so thank God albums like this were made to capture a wonderful time to be alive in. 3/5 12/4/24
Was good but nothing special
Ganz ok.
If you liked the Kinks (and I mostly do), I’m not sure why you wouldn’t have liked this when it came out, and why it wasn’t more successful. It’s the Kinks - Ray Davies being thoughtful and quirky.
I like the first song, but the rest kinda faded into more of the same.
Not my favourite stuff from the Kinks but I'm a pretty basic fan.
few songs I really liked but others not so much. Great song writing but doesn't strike much of a chord with me(except for last of steam powered trains and village green. I really liked those.)
best song: title, village green beatles lite mom can we have beatles. we have beatles at home. beatles at home. it was good though nothing to complain about
I do enjoy how they say the album name a few times throughout, Im sure if i were smarter there is probably some constant meaning throughout also. The music overall is good, nothing seems overly exciting about it but.
3.5. Good but samey.
High quality 60's pop rock. Perhaps missing an X factor, but high quality nonetheless.
Pretty good
Not as good as Arthur, definitely early concept with more silliness than structure
Never been a huge fan of this album some good songs, but most are average or below. 3/5
3 decent just worse early Beatles
Good melodies and guitar-work, with at times clever lyrics. Also interesting that each song is a character study. However this nostalgia for all things traditionally english (which I and most people can't relate to at all) , and it clearly taking place in it's time gives it character but also dates it. (The Beatles have kind of similar themes in songs like Penny Lane, but the visuals / story-telling and central themes are so good that it makes it universal and timeless) .To me the album is imaginative and upbeat but simply sounds kind of dated, and doesn't transcend in such a way that I feel really compelled to revisit it again beyond a couple songs. Would give it 3.5 stars as I thought it was pretty good, but not amazing
It wasn’t bad but none of the songs really stood out for me- maybe parts of songs like on Animal Farm and Picture Book. I still enjoyed it
Interesting rediscovery. Typical rock music. Not bad but a bit boring
Catchy tunes with great lyrics - reminds me of Rubber Soul…. Enjoyed people take pictures, wicked Annabella, animal farm
Está bueno pero no hay ninguna canción que me haya llamado especialmente la atención
5.59/10 Top 3 Songs 1. Big Sky 2. Last of the Steam-Powered Trains 3. Monica
A cross between Beach Boys, Beatles, and the Byrds.
Seemed good but I just don't really care.
Like the Beatles but I like the Beatles better. The Kinks are at their best with "You really got me" and "All day and all of the night " and this doesn't have neither of the songs.
Not really into the britpop albums on this list. This was less of a mess than Super Furry Animals at least.
I liked it
This was just okay.
Bien.
Pretty solid. Was vibing to this while working. - 7/10
this was fine but not too exciting to me, 6.5/10
Old but nice. Surprisingly crisp production for the 60s. Reminded me of the Beatles. 7/10
Quirked up Beatles
I was so disappointed with this! I thought I'd love it, but it feels like they've really leaned into a pastiche of English pastoralism that (a) means nothing to me and (b) gets in the way of the often quite interesting musicality. They threatened this already with songs like Lazy Sunday Afternoon, but this felt like it was designed to give American audiences a comforting insight into English life that bears little resemblence to reality for most people.
and a 1/2 Fav Songs - Do You Remember Walter?, Picture Book, Intro
Very Kinks sounding. Happy, unoffensive, nice melodies and grooves. This may have been ground-breaking in 1968 but it seems verging on boring now. It's good background music for cruising through a happy day, and the chord progressions and melodic elements are nice enough, just nothing mind-blowing.
3rd Kinks album I've gotten. They have a classic 60s British rock sound, but sometimes it drifts too far into goofy Britishness. Favorite song was the one about the Last Train
Cheery bit of 60s pop rock. Nothing revolutionary to wright home about, yet I enjoyed it very much. Very listenable.
Está bien, pero no encuentro la energía que asocio con los Kinks. Creo que simplemente lo que tratan de hacer no es lo mío. 3/5.
favourite song: last of the steam powered trains struggled with this one. i do think all of the songs are good but whilst theyre not quite boring, they are all very samey which gets a bit grating as it goes on. torn between 3 and 4 stars.
Niet bijster kinky
Bold album, and the highs were pretty good. Still, not the sort of thing that I actively want to listen to.
Fínt 60's rokk. Smá experimental hjá þeim og svona djók plata hálfgerð. Sum lögin nokkuð slöpp og ekkert sérstakt heildarverk. Hljómsveitin er þó geggjuð og mjög mikilvæg.
Skítsæmileg plata, en alls ekki það besta frá Kinks. Ekkert sem greip mann sérstaklega, en alltaf metnaðarfullt að gera concept plötu.
Ok
Not bad! I think this band should learn how to finish songs, though.
A lot of songs felt kinda samey but otherwise good album.
• Omslaget får mig att tänka på det Stevie Wonder albumet • Låter som 60-talet, rätt bra • Man får lite Beatles-vibbar, vilket kanske inte är konstigt för ett brittiskt band på 60-talet • Har inte så mycket mer att skriva än att det är bra • All of My Friends Were There va intressant • Tycker om 60-tals trummor, Ringo etc. • Har varit fokuserad på annat men har inga klagomål direkt Betyg: Den hade kanske fått en 3,5 om det gick, nu när det ej går är det la en 3a eller 4a, så väljer arbiträrt en 3a idag => 3/5
meh
Some nice psych-tinged sounds on this. I can hear some of the roots of 90s britpop here.
The boyos
I think this was a concept album of some sort…workmanlike, competent effort, but I don’t get the concept
alright listen, enjoyed it overall.
Lighter Beatles. Ok to listen to, but wouldn't add it to my library.
Simple song structures and happy pop hooks are heard on this album, similar in a way to the Beatles. The voice is calming and melodic and the guitars are both rambunctious and relaxing. Both Folk and Rock are obvious influences for The Kinks, as this album has both warm folksy guitars and the slight wildness of Rock. This album is a fun one to listen to.
Kann ich mir gut mal anhören, aber nach dem vierten/fünften Stück reicht es dann auch...
Great gentle british pop rock concept album.
Concept album without major hits, but a fun listen.
Not as good as Arthur for me, but it's still thematically strong
Very quaint and whimsical. Honestly, it verges on too quaint and whimsical. Still, Ray Davies is clearly a talented songwriter and there are plenty of lovable moments here. Best song: Picture Book
What a delightful album. Variability in every song. I love the subtle hints of blues and what I now understand to be Merseybeat.
3,5 *
The Kinks are always a good listen. This isn’t a favorite but there are some good tracks on this. It’s hard to be great when it’s a concept album.
Bien.
But my first email address was a pun on a song off Village Green
Cool album, liked it.
Great hits from other albums, but in the context of 1968, they pale in comparison to the Beatles and other contemporary legends of the time
sounds of the late 60s...energetic, melodies with piano backing, short songs clocking in at less than 3 mins... Reminiscent of the Beatles or the Monkees. Pleasant, morning music.
3/5 Not my favorite early pop-rock experience, it feels like a muted beatles experience, and the beatles pre-drugs are not particularly inspiring nowadays, let alone the costco brand version
It is now that I am deciding that I will only listen to these albums once, and only once before I write anything. And I will not be editing these blurbs. This album is like the Beatles if I liked them at all. They have that old studio sound of a group of artists just hanging out in their prime. Peak chilling on a lot of these songs. 7/10 also Hot Fuzz reference
the dumbest nonsensical English storytelling twee wanky tanky willy wonky shit I’ve ever heard
Sound a la Beatles
This album strikes me as distinctly average. Critics apparently praised the songwriting, but it comes across to me as rather contrived. I didn't find this a very exciting album, though it must have been good at the time to have an album focussed on 'English-ness'.
Picture early Beatles. It's okay, if not a bit too sweet and simple.
The Kinks just dont do it for me. I don't get the hype. Decent music though. This one was kinda long.
if red dead had a goofy soundtrack
I don't know which came first, but I hear CCR in this Kink's album.
I didn't enjoy this Kinks album as much as Arthur. This one sounded a lot like the Beatles but without the charm.
3/5
Comenzaron cuando yo nací. Veo cosas que después encontraría en otros grupos
Okay.
Maybe this album has some historical importance that I am too young to grasp, but looking back from 2024 it seems generic. It isn't bad, precisely, just ordinary.
It’s weird only ever hearing the popular tracks, there are some real oddball tracks in here but overall I dig it. 3/5
Although unique in some of its arrangements and definitely containing some eclectic pop sounds, the album as a whole doesn’t stand out for me. The album as a whole is pretty safe and stays well within the late 60’s musical pop sounds, ensuring that it will be accepted by reviewers. There are only one or two songs that I will likely visit again, including All of My Friends and Picture Book, but really little more can be found that cannot be found elsewhere in the late 60’s pop music. When put beside albums by otrher artists within a couple of years before or after, there are albums that stand out far more.
Have I heard of The Kinks? I think I have, but I'm not sure. This album cover is giving me Beatles vibes so that's the kind of sound I'm expecting. Okay yeah. This is what I was expecting. Track 2 is odd. Not a huge fan of that. Track 3 is really catchy. I don't understand the appeal of these kinds of vocals though. They are also all singing unison. This is the same issue I have with the Beatles lol. I don't know if I'm just dumb or what, but most of these songs don't make sense to me. Mmmkay track 6 is not my favorite. I have been enjoying the melodies so far though. The piano on track 7 is giving ragtime vibes. Not mad at that. Oh wait, now it's started to go off the rails. Hang on...did "Bittersweet Symphony" sample track 8?? I love the flutes in the beginning of track 11. Reminds me of an old Disney movie. Turns out, that's all I like about that track. 3/5 I don't listen to this genre much, basically because I'm not a huge fan of the vocal style. While I found many of these songs to be a bit weird, I did have fun listening.
A decent album, but very of its time. The primitive production and tinny sounding instruments date this album a lot, and sonically has not aged as well as some other 60s albums. That being said, there is very little to actively dislike on this album, it still has some fun grooves that were rather enjoyable to hear.
naja
Fairly diverse range, light listen for a nice day out in the summer.
Not sure if I liked this better than Arthur! Still quite nice.
Not bad but will probably not listen again
Ihan kiva, aika lailla parasta Kinksiä kokonaisuutena, ainakin mitä olen kuullut ja jos multa kysytään. On nimittäin kokonaisuus, vaikka ajan hengen mukaisesti käydään vähän ”orientaalisissa” ja keskiaikaisissa tunnelmissa (ilahduttavasti molemmissa niin, ettei tule sekava olo) mutta sopivan pienesti (ei silkkaa sitaria ja psykedeliaa).
Classic
Several of the songs are very Beatle-esque, which I didn’t expect. I love the Beatles so that endears me to their sound. But, it begs the question- how much of this album is simply mimicking popular sounds of the times? Hmm. Enjoyed it regardless. 3.2
I don't know much about The Kinks -- if I did, I might appreciate this more. Some songs were decent, but the majority is standard psychedelic pop. Doesn't do a whole lot for me. 3.3
Good old Ray Davies
It was ok, not a big fan of the Kinks
☆民俗、鄉村音樂 love:Last of the Steamed-Powered Trains
Solid retro rock album with a distinct sound.
Not bad, but feels a little like Kirkland Signature Sgt. Pepper's.
The Kinks are a band I never really listened to for some reason. I think maybe it's because when I've wanted to hear this sort of sound I would have more easily just put on The Beatles. I can tell that there's depth here and more to just a single listen so I can't rate it too hard off of that, but at the same time I'm not grabbed by too much from this first full listen. I know there's more! There has to be. Unfortunately the record just sort of flew by. I'm giving it a 3 but predicting a 4 in the future.
On the verge of annoying, and I can’t say I really enjoyed this album. I was considering giving it a 2, but there’s enough charm and earnestness to bump it up at least half a star.
Better than the last one but still some real questionable stuff in here
I liked the variety of music, but some of the songs were a little too jaunty for my taste. I didn’t love the singer’s voice either.
I like the kinks! 3.5 because I'm taking -.5 for too much 70s-ish british music
2.5 stars, rounded up for Phenomenal Cat
Solidan
Fine
I really feel like I should like this more but having tried it a few years ago and again a few times since, it just doesn't move me hugely. I like The Kinks in general, right through 70s and 80s. I feel like the conceptual nature of this album elevates it's standing.
I thought they went a bit harder than this album lets on. Like a cooler Beatles.
This isn't the Kinks best work. It is perfectly serviceable, but not a single sing stuck out. It all sounded so generically Kinks. 3/5.
That was cute
The music and words to me are just okay. The idea and vision is there but I'm not feeling a deep connection to the idea or the artist so far. I also don't really favor the fade out endings and nearly all the songs on the album had them as their "ending."
Twee with a side of cheese.
Can hear the influence on bands like Spacehog for sure! 2.73
Not my favorite Kinks record but solid
I didnt think i would like this but i did. Kinda early beatles vibe. Will definitely listen more in the future
Not my favorite Kinks album. Not even sure why it’s considered great without reading about it.
Solid 60s type rock. Enjoyed.
Like most people, I've heard all the 'hits' from The Kinks. But most of this album was new to me. It was fairly standard brit pop from the 60s. I don't think I would revisit this one at all but it wasn't like I was waiting for it to be over. Would be a solid 2.5/5.
Very reminiscent of its time period. Fun music but a little disjointed and forgetful
Love: Like: Like the sound of Last of the Steam-Powered Trains Sitting by the Riverside Starstruck Village Green Preservation Society Do you remember Walter All of my Friends were there Meh: Big Sky Animal Farm Village Green Wicked Annabella People take pictures of each other Monica Nope: Phenomenal Cat
Lots of kinks on this list. Preferred this to the previous one (which I think was the album released after this), this one was them starting to become experimental and without going too far. less harpsichord in this album too. Generally I prefer the kinks to the Beatles but they don't have the big marquee songs. Can't tell if the whole village green thing is just a theme to hang the album on or genuinely how they feel, if it's the latter and they thought things had changed too much in the sixties they must have been massive Tories, which I should mark them down for really. The album in general was a middle of the road 3.
I thought it was decent 60s pop, didn't feel particularly inspired though.
Iets te oud voor mijn smaak
This album was pretty similar to the last one (Odessey and Oracle) but a little bit more enjoyable. I would say genre is exactly the same and works as a remembrance to The Beatles' era. To me this kind of music, though enjoyable, sometimes falls silly. I am more used to more stimulating melodies.
Fun album. Nice mix between psychedelic and folly rock. Enjoyed it. Probably won't come back to it though
good not great, only one memorable song to me
3,5/5
The Village Green Preservation Society - 8/10 Do You Remember Walter? - 8/10 Picture Book - 8/10 Johnny Thunder - 8/10 Last of the Steam-Powered Trains - 8/10 Big Sky - 7.5/10 Sitting By the Riverside - 7.5/10 Animal Farm - 8/10 Village Green - 7.5/10 Starstruck - 7.5/10 Phenomenal Cat - 8/10 All of My Friends Were There - 7/10 Wicked Anabella - 7.5/10 Monica - 7.5/10 People Take Pictures of Each Other - 7/10 TOTAL - 115/150
One thing this project is teaching me that I was pretty unaware of is England’s obsession with not losing them selfs to America. This is a reoccurring theme that spans decades. As a Canadian I get it. The opening 3rd of this album is fantastic. Overall it’s definitely a little folkier Beatles. As usually the 2nd half blends together. I don’t know the kinks, so I don’t know the context but this feels like the “true fans” fav album. It’s good 7.4/10
This was ok, I always think the kinks are heavier
I keep running into this issue with albums of this era - everything kinda sounds like the Beatles, but not *quite* as good. Still, I really like the humor on this album, and the songs are written well. There's a decent amount of stylistic experimentation as well, which I love.
Quirky and fun!
I like it. Easy listening. Wish I paid a little more attention to listening to this while at the gym. Not the best workout music lol 3.3
Some of the best pop rock I've heard in a while
The songs were ok, but it mostly sounded like they wished they were the Beatles. The Kinks have much better material to include in this list.
Fuck these guys, they're British, they keep talking about cricket and jam and I have never heard more unrelatable lyrics. They should have deleted everything Phenomenal Cat and after. I didn't outright hate any songs but they kind of all sounded the same, and i would never consciously listen to this album again. Added only Starstruck to my playlist, but I also enjoyed Picture Book, Johnny Thunder, Village Green, and Monica. The style grew on me, was worth the listen. Maybe a 4 or 5/10. All of this bands' good songs were re-recorded by actually good bands on modern equipment, but this handpicked album has none of those originals strangely so I wonder why it's even in this collection
Paul Rudd as Kunu voice: “you sound like you’re from London!”
Very plinky plonky and twee, if you like that vibe then happy days, but it's not for me.
Sounds like they inspired the likes of ELO kind a an oldie but not that goodie in my opinion. My parents would probably love them. a few songs reminded me of green tambourine
I don’t think I like it very much 🙁
Interesting album. At least it's original.
Without getting any context on what exactly I was listening to I just jumped into what the Kinks had to offer and it was…….. interesting? Not a bad listen per se, I was reminded of my first time listening to the monkees or the beach boys or even the EARLY beatles. I didn’t really know how to describe what I was listening to I just knew it was going to be a listen I needed to try and give it an objective look. Well I tried and this definitely isn’t for me. I realize I’m not the biggest fan of the early experimentation with early psychedelic rock/pop. I can’t say I didn’t come out curious though. 3 out of 5 stars.
# 97 : Easy listening and solid musically and lyrically, hard to fault, although no hits on this record. Pretty standard '60s rock, I like it, but nothing special really. Favourite Track : Picture Book Listened : 27/10/2023
I expected way worse, but most songs were actually listenable to. Some obviously aged quite a lot, but not too bad overall
Village green
The Kinks always feel less polished and put together than the Beatles. I think this is a good thing. Lots of tracks on this album sound like they're having a good time recording. Overall, a fun record but I probably won't be on the lookout to own it for my collection or anything. Favorite tracks: Do You Remember Walter?, Last of the Steam-Powered Trains, The Village Green
It was ok!
Did not enjoy this
You can really hear the Beatles influence on this album, and several tracks that sound like they could have been on an early Beatles album. That simple poppy melodies, especially on the song "just can't sleep". Then you get to that striking track "You really got me now" that has such a great sound. Overall not a super memorable album for me but I think it just hasn't aged well and can be hard to judge when so much has come after it.
Sounds like a quirky Beatles
I was surprised, quite pleasantly, as my previous exposure to The Kinks was limited to their most well-known tracks. Musically none of the tracks stood out as headliners, but equally, none of them were weaker either. I probably wouldn't be rushing to listen to it again, but neither would I turn it off.
I feel like I'm part of the original audience for this album that wondered what the lads were thinking when they produced this. I like the Kinks so I'll listen to it again in 20 years, and will surely praise it then for its vision and brilliance.
Meh. Hippy music. There’s a time and place. Not bad. Not great.
jipis
Es un 3.5. Lo disfruté.
Growing up surrounded by 60's pop and rock, I can appreciate the album, but musically I don't find much that particularly stands out. Interesting wiki read. Best Song(s): Sitting by the Riverside, All My Friends Were There Listen Again: Probably not
Pretty good. Even more British than The Beatles. Can't see me regularly listening but good for a kind ol' time.
Pretty good album
Album starts strong with the opening track, but doesn't keep the momentum up and falls flat for the majority of the record unfortunately.
Average
Pretty standard and inoffensive '60s rock. Admittedly my exposure to this decade of English rock is limited, but this sounds like other stuff I've heard from the era. Like I really don't know what the difference between this and The Beatles is--they sound identical to me. Pleasant songwriting and melodies but not adventurous or surprising enough to be interesting. Maybe it was ahead of its time and I'm just dumb? That's probably it.
downloaded 2,3,6,7
So this is DC's versions of The Beatles?