Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire)

My kinks include, but aren't limited to: Ass licking Amputees Getting my balls stamped on GILFS Gorillas Smearing my shit into the eyes of my sister Getting my feet tickled Wearing a jacket made of toast and leaping off a diving board onto an angry sea lion. BBW gangbangs Dave Davies' solo work

I've said this before, and been threatened and abused for saying it, but I'll say it again. Ray Davies is a better songwriter than Lennon & McCartney.

This is where the Kinks start making all types of sense to me. A perfect definition of weird and wonderful. Loved all of it. Mr Churchill Says (absolutely cracking bridge), Nothing to Say and Plastic Man are the big highlights. His voice on Mindless Child of Motherhood is amazing.. Actually just his voice in general is crazy-weird-good-can't-explain-it at times. The Kazoo attack at the end of Hat Like is hilarious. Shangri-La, Yes Sir No Sir and Some Mother's Son are pretty sad. Some of the Stereo versions really bring them to life with headphones on, especially Plastic Man.

What an album. Every song expertly crafted, lyrically poignant. Taking the time and attention to appreciate each songs individual charms and then how each on fits within the tapestry of the albums entirety. Brilliant!

This is glorious. Biting social commentary with uplifting tunes.

What a helluva album. A lot of fun, a fully realized concept, interweaving serious themes, and captivating me the whole time; That's a success! Rarely, I think, does an album get me so excited while listening but fuck, The Kinks did it here.

Top notch album by the best British Invasion pop group. Victoria is a banger of a song, and the concept of the album never gets in the way of it's enjoyability.

Could we please have The Kinks every week?

Very witty lyrics. Definitely a lot of references to war and being under the Queens rule vibe. I nearly thought that Sir Paul McCartney was in this band. Someone influenced someone.

At some point, it becomes hard to judge these early, folksy-sounding white guy rock albums because there's just so many of them. They all start to sound the same at some point so it begs the question - was this sound so instrumental to the formation of music that they have to appear on this list more than almost any other genre? Also, I guess I've had a different impression of The Kinks all these years because I thought more of their music would sound like You Really Got Me & Lola. Anyway, the record is fine. There are some good songs, like Australia and Some Mother's Son. But there's far too many albums like this on the list.

The Kinks were on fire in the late 60s, god damn. An album criticizing Britain from the most British band to ever exist? That's my kink. Almost like a really really early "Let England Shake" by PJ Harvey (also really good and also on this list, by the way). Best songs: "Australia", "Shangri-La", "Victoria".

Rich and exceptionally well conceived and executed, each song stands on it's own merits while still contributing to the larger themes. Great melodies, kicking arrangements, humor and pathos, this album stands as a rocking testament to the Kinks' contributions to the genre. Having only ever heard Victoria prior to this listen, the album hit me from out of left field. I've never been so happy to get beaned!

This took a few listens for me to truly appreciate, but over the course of those listens, I became a bigger and bigger fan of this album. In classic concept album style, the songs weave together and tell the story of Arthur and his experience in a post-war Britain. There's so much to enjoy here - the bombastic opener 'Victoria', the cheeky, Beatles-esque 'Yes Sir, No Sir', the highly energetic and catchy 'Shangri-La', just to name a few. This is quality 60's pop rock, and is well worth several listens.

For a concept album, it has to be one of the best I’ve heard. I’m a sucker for these kinds of albums and the storyline kept me involved all throughout my listen.

What a fucking tune Victoria is.

Right off the bat, I love this album from first listen. As a The Kinks album, it’s amazing. As a part of 60’s British Invasion, it’s amazing. As a part of music as a whole and regarding its influence on future artists and records, it’s amazing. Everything about this record, from the silly tunes to the introspective lyrics, is amazing. The last record that made me genuinely feel this much emotion was In the Aeroplane Over the Sea. I started to realize what this album was all about during Yes Sir, No Sir, and it hit hard. Some Mother’s Son then really drove the point forward, offering some truly heartbreaking and poetic lyricism. The rest of the record continued to provide deep, clever words with easily digestible and lovable tunes. I also love almost any concept album, if it’s done right. It’s usually so creative and daring and offers true meaning to the record and what the artist is trying to convey. The Kinks have proven themselves not only remarkable in the landscape of British rock but also capable of doing their own thing and being even more daring and creative than their contemporaries.

A few classics but a not as magnificent as Village Green. Probably unfair as it's great but just not perfect [EDIT - easily upgraded to a 5* at the second opportunity. Hundreds of albums into this project, you can't be quibbling over the quality of something like this. Arthur has grown to be one of my favorite Kinks songs, and Ray Davies is undisputedly a genius blending the best qualities of Paul McCartney and Bob Dylan while entirely original and fucking hard as nails. England's finest songwriter? Dave Davies is up there with its finest guitarists to boot]

“She’s Bought a Hat” is like Sgt Peppers remixed for a Monty Python fanfic. I started just humoring this, but by golly, by the end I loved it. Not everyone can reinvent pop music like the Beatles; this takes a lot of inspiration from that group and shines with its own voice and whimsy.

Beginning was meh, middle had some decent songs then I lost interest towards the end again. It may have been a better effort at the time, there was depth to some of their songs but it weren't for me. 2*

I wish this had been generated on the weekend, I’d throw my original pressing of this record on my turntable, sit back, relax and write a lengthy and more in depth review. I’d probably follow up Arthur with Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround or Muswell Hillbillies and maybe some select tracks from Preservation. The point is, there are very few bands who had a run of albums as strong The Kinks did from 1966 to 1971. That they don’t get the same level of recognition as some of the other greats from their era is a disappointment to me, so I have no problem preaching the gospel of Ray and Dave Davies when given the opportunity. Maybe it’s because their songs weren’t quite as immediate or polished as their peers in the Beatles and the Stones, or because they didn’t have the same cultural impact in the US, but The Kinks’ well is deep. Much deeper, in fact, and worth returning to over and over. Some of their absolute greatest songs were only released as singles and didn’t appear on proper albums. Songs like “I’m Not like Everybody Else”, “Mindless Child of Motherhood”, “King Kong”, “Preservation”, “This Man, He Weeps Tonight”….like I said, the well is deep and exploring the bonus tracks on Arthur or picking up The Kink Kronikles or The Great Lost Kinks Album compilation albums on vinyl are more than worth your time if you like what you heard here. “Arthur” is probably their best record, though I am quite partial to “Lola…”. It goes toe-to-toe with anything The Beatles or Stones ever put out. You can be mad about that if you want, I don’t know what to tell you…it’s true.

I've owned and loved this record for 25 years. Hopefully I will get something I can explore soon.

Obviously a great album from a classic band. Though not one of their more highly appreciated albums, this is still a great album with some classics on it. The Kinks are often said to be the 'first punk band' and you can certainly hear elements that would eventually influence bands such as the Clash. The guitar parts in Australia come to mind. Lots of other interesting sounds mixed in as well. From the silly circus style music in "She bought a hat like princess marina," and some surf-rock like guitar mixed in elsewhere. I wouldn't call it a 'Rock Opera' in the same sense as Tommy for example, but it's still an interestingly tied together concept album. Favorite Songs: Victoria, Nothing to Say

Novo clássico. Álbum conceitual e história muito interessante. Destaque para Drivin' e Australia

I can forgive all the Europop horseshit because at least I got introduced to the Kinks

While I’ve never been a huge Beatles fan, this album made me realize that I do indeed like the Kinks more. There are so many great tunes on this album “Shangri-La”, “She’s Bought a Hat Like Princess Marin” (with all its kazoo and washboard pageantry), and “Arthur”. They’re lyrics are fun, they’re hooks are amazing and they don’t lean too much into the lilting Britishness from the 60s that I struggle with.

Concept albums and rock operas are great when appreciated as a whole, but I think they are at their best when they can also be appreciated song by song. This is one of those. This is what Tommy wishes it could be. Just a really great album. The drumming on She Bought A Hat Like Princess Marina is really good. I should get further into their music. Favorites were Victoria, Australia, Shangri-La, Mr. Churchill Says, and Nothing To Say.

great album I had never heard before. highlights include "Victoria" "Drivin'" "Shangri-La" "Mr. Churchill Says" "She's Bough a Hat Like Princess Marina" "Nothing to Say" "Arthur"

Interesting historical themes and a delight to listen to!

Concept Albums are my favourite concept!

As usual, I start an unfamiliar The Kinks excited and ready to rave, and I end it wondering what has eluded me. I enjoyed this, the opening is a banger and Australia’s outright is godly, yet I’m still not in love. There’ll surely be more opportunities in this list: I’ll try again.

Definitely one to revisit, and pay more attention to, especially the lyrics. A harder Beatles basically, with a cool concept. Catchy enough here and there

4.0 - Came to this one excited because I love Village Green Preservation Society. Great concept developed in the first 8 songs, which are lyrically amazing, catchy, bouncy and well produced. The Kinks come on facetious in a charming British way - there's a Monty Python feel here, reflected also with the album art. Standouts include: really, all of side A into "Shangri-LA" on the reverse side. After that, I felt an unexpected drop-off in quality. I don't know if I was burnt out or if the songs got worse, maybe both. In any case, the last 15 minutes are a bit of a letdown. All in all, I still like it a lot.

A concept album about a man losing his son whois moving to Australia at the fag end of the sixties?Typically great Ray Davies lyrics looking at the minutiae of life and pretty simply it also rocks. Best Tracks: Victoria, Brainwashed, Shangri-La

At the beginning of Victoria, the lead guitar part is echoed with delay in the opposite ear, which is a pretty neat sound. There are some moments on this album that remind me of The Beatles, like like the latter half of She’s Bought A Hat Like Princess Marina and Nothing To Say. If The Kinks hadn’t been banned from touring in the US for 4 years in the late 1960s during the height of the British Invasion, they might have been way bigger here. The Kinks are clearly British as they sing about countries of the British empire and Mr. Churchill. The song Australia drags on too long and I could do without Drivin’. This album grew on me. I was solidly in the 3 star camp, but after a third listen, I want to keep listening. So I’m keeping it in my library…for now. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Sends off early goofy Beatles vibes, but shallower somehow. Mellow easy listening, absolutely no standouts. 2.5 stars.

Yet another white boy rock critic cult classic... an overlooked gem of 1960s pop / rock opera, just like soooo many others we have reviewed as part of 1001 albums. I mean, it's pleasant enough (by design), but part of Dimery's obsessions with the (1960s) Kinks. I have not enjoyed any of the other Kinks studio albums on the list so far. I find the album tracks. But I hit a patch in the middle of this record where I really started diggin' the listening experience (especially the run of Brainwashed / Australia / Shangri-La). They were pumping out some recent 60s rock there. Great tunes and muscular performance. This cottage-scale rock opera is less ambitious than, say, Tommy, but it is also far less pompous and batshit crazy then most rock operas, which is something of a relief. There are too many 60s Kinks albums on this list, but this is the one most to my taste. That said, as an Australian living in the 21st century, I find Ray Davies' wistful nostalgia for a bygone England just a bit irrelevant and hard to connect to, so it's a bit of a non-committal shrug from me. I would still tend to recommend to any new listener to track down a compilation of the Kinks' 60s singles rather than any individual album. Now, _that's_ a great listen.

It was pretty sweet even though I didn't really think any song stood out

bit twee

By the second song I found myself surprisingly thinking "This is like a Beatles record written by Ringo!"  That's not a bad thing at all though. This sort of music hall /novelty aspect makes it sound really different from the rest of the music produced at the time, at least to my ears.  OK, there is a little bit of Paul as well.  All in all, a very British record with its own references and probably idiosyncrasies, which makes it a bit harder for me to get fully into it as, for obvious reasons, I lack the cultural background. 

While The Kinks is not really underrated, they're obviously overshadowed by their peers. And like the big names such as The Beatles and The Stones, The Kinks also went beyond the usual cheap pop-rock stuff and made daring albums later in their career. That is not really interesting or surprising. But the sound and the scope of "Arthur" certainly is. It's a concept album about war and politics in the UK. Interestingly, it was originally made as a soundtrack for a TV show, which was never aired. Aside from the tunes and the lyrics, the thing that fascinates me here is the fact that this "concept album" is so carefree and loose sounding. It sounds fun and light oftentimes. As of now, however, it didn't really stuck to me. It has a few stellar moments, especially in the instrumentals. But the tunes are ultimately forgettable for me. But I guess it's interesting enough for me to listen to it again.

This sounds like a real classic. No matter who you are, these songs are all very recognizable to anyone. Great album.

Not as good as Preservation Society, but some fun songs nonetheless. Davies LOVES TROMBONES

Kind of odd. Like listening to a Monty Python movie. Combo of The Beatles, The Doors, Benny Hill. Fun at times, but I could not listen to regularly I don't think.

Such a pain to listen to. Not a single ear-worm, just the vocalists awful voice and uninspired music that I grow to dislike more with every additional listen. I do not understand the interest in the Kinks. The bar for "good rock band" must've been ankle high in the 60's.

No

Um I thought I lowkey liked the Kinks… I guess I don’t.

I wish I was one of those people who felt done with an album 3 songs deep, alas I am struck by an affliction that forces me to finish albums no matter how bad and boring they are I am currently halfway through but I need to vent by submitting my review now. No, the remaining half will not change my mind

Very enjoyable top to bottom. A fun blend of Beatles, Velvet Underground and a transitional period into modern sounding rock and pop.

"Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire)" is the seventh studio album by English rock band the Kinks. Lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist Ray Davies construction this loosely-based concept album as the soundtrack to a Granada Television play (which never was produced). The plot revolves around Arthur Morgan, a carpet-layer, and his family's plight in the post World War II and is based on his actual brother-in-law Arthur Anning who moved to Australia with Davies' sister Rose. Other bandmembers included Dave Davies ( lead guitars, vocals), Mick Avory (drums, percussion) and John Dalton (bass, backing vocals, replaced original bassist Pete Quaife). The album had universal critical acclaim but also poor sales reaching #105 in the US. "Victoria" starts off the album with an acoustic guitar and that classic electric guitar. The bass and drums come in. Wow, great sound and mix. The vocal harmonization chorus. A grand sounding middle eight. A rowdy vibe and guitar solo near the end. A song about the grim realities of Britain in the 19th century and, of course, adulation for Queen Victoria. "Drivin'" lightens the mood. Bouncy with the bass. Oooh's and aaah's in the backing vocals. Ace percussion and drums. Taking his wife out for a drive to help her forget her problems. "Australia" starts out rockin.' Humorous vocals with a high-pitched Frank Zappa sounding backing vocal, Beach Boy-type harmonies and doo-wop ones as well. A tongue-in-cheek advertisement for moving to Australia as Arther's sin is moving there. A jazzy outro with a guitar jam, horns and piano. Side two opens with "Shragri-La." A melancholic guitar, Davies singing softly, horns and a harpsichord. The song explodes getting louder and then faster. It's about Arthur's empty life in the suburbs. What a ride! "Arthur" closes the album. This songvhas a country rock vibe with the guitar. Both Davies' brothers on lead vocals. They don't want Arthur to waste his life and love andcwant to help him. A communal ending with the hanclaps and harmonies at the end. This is just a fantastic album. The production, mix and sound are incredible: horns, harmonies, backing vocals and percussion. Each instrument is heard clearly. It reminded me of a Who album but maybe better with the complexities, details and pace and instrumental changes within each song. The lyrics are serious, sad and humorous. Absolutely no filler on this album. I really need to go back and listen to each of the Kinks' album from their golden age. This one might be their best.

Solid

A kickass, anti-war, anti-capitalist, early Brit-rock ride. If the Beatles had a good drummer and were as politically subtle as a hammer to the face, it’d be this.

Easy listening.

I swear I'm not giving everything 5's, but the Kinks are the most underappreciated British Invasion band, and this is their best album, imo. Shangri-La is my favorite song of theirs, Victoria is awesome, Australia is epic, Mr.Churchill Says is the best McCartney-aping, and Some Mother's Son is the anti-war song that Roger Waters tried and failed to write for years. It's a 5.

I gave this a 4 the first time around. But damn I enjoyed it even more this time. I found myself listening to it all weekend and singing along by Sunday. For that reason, I am giving it a 5 this time. These songs are very enjoyable right from jump. 1969 was a great year for music it seems.

Pretty damn good! Frank told me to listen to this a few weeks ago so feeling particularly prepared, and a second and third time through i feel like i truly "get" it. The tone of Ray Davies is a little confusing but the story on Arthur is pretty clear. He loves Britain, its time to let go of the past. Telling the story through the lense of his brother in law works incredibly well, and is just the kind of stange humor that defines The Kinks. The story, concept, humor works and so does the instrumentation and song writing. I generally associate the Kinks with below average production/instrumentation, possibly by design, but the production here sounded great. I was pretty stunned by some of these songs, in particular the horns throughout. A year ago I bought a house that needs a lot of work, and spend a significant amount of time stressing, thinking, working on this piece of shit. Because of that, Shangri La hit a little too close to home (no pun intended). I gotta believe this is The Kinks best work?

Ray Davies is one of most intelligent songwriters of all time. This album has more depth than most novels, but the language and delivery is so simple and unpretentious that its hard to even notice how evocative it is on the first few listens. The way he describes war as 'someone killed some mother's son today.' Or how 'everyone walks around with a perpetual smile on their face' in Australia - or, in my favorite song on the album, the narrator in his old age talks about his youth 'I wish my eyes could see everything how it used to be. But its too late. So late' He's wry without ever being sarcastic; clever without being a wiseass, emotional without any sentimentality. I don't think rock songwriting as an artform has ever really topped this album. It can be debated, I think, if rock music is really the right venue for storytelling - and maybe the reason this album wasn't popular at the time is because most people just want to hear songs about love or having sex, songs that they don't have to think too hard about. But it you like art that creates a whole story to immerse yourself in - this is as good as it gets. Thats before we've even gotten to the quality of the music itself. Thats what brings this to another level. Every song is like a musical adventure, taking some strange turns along the way, and then usually ending in the same place it started, except changed somehow by everything it's done to get there. From an arrangement standpoint, I think its the best use of horns in any rock album - they always come in at the exact right time, usually the bridge, to subtly either lift the tone or otherwise take the song in a new direction. But they never overpower or call attention to themselves. This is a top 10 album for me easily. Ray Davies is absolutely a better songwriter than either Paul McCartney or John Lennon. He's way more ambitious and way more thoughtful. It's just that fewer people actually want that from music.

Get excited every time I see a Kinks album pop up - seems like they’ve got some unexplored gems I need to dig into more. I’ve seen reviews talk about them on the same plane as the Beatles and Stones, and that comparison is starting to resonate a bit. This was a real treat. Yes Sir, Churchill, Nothing to Say stand out after a few listens but excited for this to be on more regular rotation.

Never properly listened to the kinks but this was a great introduction, will be listening again

Wow. The Kinks having an amazing and innovative concept album wasn't exactly surprising when I first listened to The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society way back in January 2024. But to listen to its followup, Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire), and find out that they actually have AT LEAST two of them? Crazy. It's a good kind of crazy though. I'm very happy. This album's great. This is my third album from the Kinks. Obviously, Village Green is a classic and is still probably my favorite of theirs. Face to Face was good but nowhere near the levels of Village Green. Arthur though? This one gets close. I do still think I like Village Green more, but it's a closer call than you might think. Arthur is just a very interesting album to me. As stated earlier, this one's also a concept album about the titular Arthur. Apparently his full name is Arthur Morgan, which is really funny to me because it makes me think of the funny cowboy game. This is now the second review in which I have acknowledged Red Dead Redemption 2 despite having never played the game myself. How neat. The story's pretty loose in terms of how it's told, but it seems like a nice story from what I can tell. The songs do a good job at feeling connected with one another without feeling repetitive or redundant. The songs are great, by the way. This album has the perfect blend of quirkiness and sophistication. I like it. Songs like "Victoria," "Australia," and especially "Shangri-La" make the album as great as it is. The songwriting is strong. As far as songwriting goes, this is definitely one of the best concept albums of the 60s. You know, if I had a nickel for every iconic concept album released in a year ending in 9 that mentioned Vera Lynn in its lyrics, I'd have two nickels, which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice. So yeah, this album's fire. The Kinks have done it again! Good job Ray Davies. You made peak music again. Well, not quite peak, but it's close. Low 5/5.

I love Kinks

Ear massage.

The Kinks are definitely one of my favorite finds from this whole 1001 albums project. Favorites from this album were Mr. Churchill Says, Victoria, Shangri-La, and Australia.

great

The best Kinks album. I will die on that hill. If I could give it a six I would.

One of my favorite discoveries yet from this 1001 process. The Kinks are probably best known for being underrated and this album may be Exhibit A: a musically delightful album from top to bottom. It’s a concept album looking at life in post-war Britain, with big picture themes considered through the lens of everyday people. The opening song title fittingly refers to the empire (Queen Victoria) whereas the last song title is one man, our everyday hero, Arthur. If you listen to this back to back with Sgt Pepper it would not feel derivative, but rather like a wonderful progression. And if you listen to it back to back with itself…you will enjoy it more each time. At least that’s my experience.

This album is mystifying in the best way. The tracks are all strong and catchy and at the same time indistinguishable. The Davies make this album seem casual, as if they aren't even trying, while they capture your soul and have you singing right along with them. I don't know half of the people referenced in "Mr. Churchill says," but I bought in thoroughly. Absolutely brilliant album.

Really an excellent concept album. There are a few low spots but that’s just because the rest of the album is so good. Loved it.

Ok, this is brilliant. I had no idea they were this good.

Super fun. Lots of stuff going on; gives you an idea why so many bands listed them as an inspiration. FS: Shangri-la, but lots to choose from. (Not Australia, though. What a dumb song.)

A real lesson for me. Cohesive as a collection in sound and style, but each song distinct. Musically a great time from start to finish with some 👌 guitar and drums with catchy and energetic arrangements. Lyrically some entertaining and incisive social commentary which in many cases is still relevant today!

Great album! Each track brings something different sound wise but weaves a story throughout. Favourites include Brainwashed, Australia, and Shangri-La. Big fan of the Kinks and this style of early rock. 5/5

Really enjoyed this, nice rock and roll.

This was my first listen to Arthur. I learned this 1969 album was originally conceived as a companion soundtrack to a now-lost television drama by the same name. It tells the story of a working-class man navigating post-WWII Britain. The album captures feelings of a generation that saw the empire shrink, promises fade, and modernization creep into every corner of their lives--parallels easily drawn in 2025 for multiple nations. There’s a raw edge throughout this record. Fuzzy guitar riffs, punchy drums, touches of brass, and intricate vocals carry each track’s tale. It teeters between stripped down garage rock (even though that term didn’t really exist yet) and full on theatrical storytelling. Tracks like "Shangri-La," "Some Mother’s Son," and "Young and Innocent Days" stand out. While the bombastic "Victoria" kicks off the record, "Shangri-La" builds from something quiet and nostalgic into a takedown of the suburban dream. The anti-war track "Some Mother’s Son" is beautiful, bleak, and haunting. And at my age, my favorite track was probably "Young and Innocent Days." It’s reflective and melancholic, yet beautifully underscores loss of youthful idealism. Despite commercial ups and downs, Kinks remained a band unafraid to evolve. Their relevance lies not in stylistic consistency, but in their ability to mirror contradictions of modern life across decades of shifting musical landscapes--and make great music while doing so. This album was foundational to their future. Five stars from this guy.

Come on, it's the Kinks. They're great. Not as appreciated as the Stones and the Beatles, maybe, but they deserve the appreciation. This is classic British rock.

Rather enjoyed this. Will listen again.

This early concept album is great and shows the satirical approach The Kinks often had. It's not as great as Village Green but great enough and maybe a good start if you'd want to get kinky.

9/10 Favorite Tracks: *Shangri-La*, Victoria, Mr. Churchill Says Least Favorite: None

4.5/5.0: Excellent

'If he dies we'll send a medal to his wife.' Ray Davies effectually carries on the efforts of World War 1 poets like Wilfred Owen and Isaac Rosenberg, while also telling a story of Australian emigration and composing catchy, blues-heavy songs (check out Dave Davies's guitar work on 'Australia'). I have always found it ironic that the British band that in my opinion most aptly aped American music, w/ classics like 'You Really Got Me,' which did more than copy and paste African American artists, but actually presaged punk, came to export more Britishness than any other B Invasion clique. Conceptual after Sgt. Pepper but before The Wall, Arthur succeeds chiefly b/c, tho it's worlds from mine, you get the sense they really lived this thing.

Tremendo discazo. Lo amé. Ya había escuchado otros de los Kinks pero este me pareció glorioso. Un hit completito.

4.5

viiiiiiictoria

A Classic!!

- The Kinks are amazing. If you don't appreciate them, I can't help you. -

Really fun album. I have heard about this album for years but never listened to it for whatever reason. I need to get my own copy now.

Pretty kickass

That The Kinks – chroniclers of the British experience (though, if we’re being honest, isn’t it just “English”?) – managed to put out a concept album that covers emigrating to Australia tickles me enormously. I suppose I hadn’t ever fully considered just how important a strand of the British psyche “going to Australia” has been (and for well over a century now); the lingering upside down uncanny, as if at some stage Britain’s history decided to pack up, leave and live out an alternative destiny at the global antipode. It’s a place that you lose people to. This is another absolutely solid Kinks record. There simply can’t have been a bigger chorus in all history up to that point as in “Victoria” – I will happily be corrected on the idea, but might it be the first big indie rock banger? It sounds stadium even sitting on the train, off to service my mortgage (Ray’s ongoing patronising of the routines of adult responsibility portends punk’s most petulant attitudes). Songs like “Yes Sir, No Sir” (a sort of Catch-22 come to melodic life), “Mr Churchill Says” (a codex for literally every guitar band in the 80s and 90s), “Brainwashed” (unbelievably stylish in every facet) and “Australia” (direct, wild; the sound of a promise not being kept) cement in my mind the idea that there was no better band active in the UK than The Kinks until culture pivoted to reimagining them through those guitar bands. Pairs well with sunshine, too.

Excellent album start to finish. Can and have listened to this on repeat many times in the past. Would recommend to all ears.

Just as good as anything the Beatles made during their prime. Flipping amazing.

J'avais pas le goût d'écouter ça, c'étais bofbof la journée que je l'ai écouté

Un chef d'oeuvre. C'est l'fun sans bon sens. Après l'avoir écouté 3 fois hier, je risque de l'écouter encore aujourd'hui. 8 étoiles

Album inclassable. En équilibre parfait sur le sweet spot entre le prog et le rock'n'roll. Un peu dans la même famille que Ram. Une fenêtre sur un univers parallèle où y'a pas de règlements quand tu décides d'écrire une bonne toune. Un peu comme dans les films de super-héros quand le personnage prend pleine conscience de tous ses pouvoirs. Depuis la sortie de cet album, on parle souvent d'un phénomène nommé le "Paradoxe d'Arthur"; principe qui veut que toutes les chansons d'un album soient meilleures que toutes les autres. Un son plus réconfortant qu'un feu de foyer en pantoufles. Ok, no joke, j'ai écris cette phrase avant d'arriver à Shangri-La et là j'entends : "Put on your slippers and sit by the fire". O_O Y s'est pus jamais rien fait de bon après ça.

For some reason I've never listened to Arthur. Village Green was always my go to, and I enjoyed that so very much I didn't venture much further, beyond that and my best of CDs from teenage years. What a glorious record this is. I barely know any of the songs apart from the fantastic Victoria, but they are all very good. Real social commentary going on, extremely evocative, in typical Davies style. Some Mother's Son is fabulous. Shangri-la is the best song that isn't Victoria, and possibly the best Kinks song I didn't already know, why it's not on any of the best of compilations I've heard makes no sense at all. Even if it does go a bit Tales of Brave Ulysses near the end. She Bought a Hat may be silly in style but it's lyrics are heartbreaking and ring true, like much of Davies' writing. I am of the school that Ray the songwriter was at least the equal of Lennon-Mccartney, and probably Dylan too. Is it as good as Village Green? Probably not, but few albums by anyone are.

First surprise is the opening track, Victoria, because I thought it was a much later Kinks song, but no matter, it is an excellent start to the album. And the rest of the album has a great sound musically and the lyrics are a satirical, almost Monty Python-like, commentary on the idea of Britishness and the ‘glory’ of the British Empire. For me, it is a much more satisfying album than the more celebrated “Village Green Preservation Society.” It’s, as you would expect, quirky as only the Kinks could be, and there are some really nice touches, like the Beach Boys harmonies in the background when ‘surfing’ is mentioned in Australia. The instrumentation and arrangements are excellent, particularly the guitars and horns, and the drums have a Keith Moon/Mitch Mitchell freedom to them. I’m sure I have listened to the album before but this was a pleasant surprise.

Loved it

reallly liked it so british the hard hitting rock is great and the switch to smoother pop/RnB works so well big fan

Really dig Australia

I'm ashamed to admit I have not familiarized myself with The Kinks discography like I should have. I assumed they'd be more hard rock, less pop. I also wasn't aware they were comparable to The Beatles, which is silly of me - now I know, and I feel there is room for all on the scene. This was a great listen. Whimsy, playful, catchy British rock n roll. It's fun, I was engaged. This is another one I'll have to keep on repeat for a while.

I’m excited for this one, I don’t know any songs on this album but I do like the kinks. Plus if we’re talking about the decline of the British Empire….ha. So I read the quick Wikipedia and it looks like this is a concept album for a film that was never made. The first three opening tracks are great so far. Complex instrumentation and 60s pop vocals. “Some Mother’s Son” and “Yes Sir, No Sir” reminds me of a British version of “Find the Cost of Freedom.” I wonder if this version of the British Empire is as shitty for the Brits as it is for its subjects…ha. “Australia” is great, a bit long, but reminds me of what would have been had they made a “Blue Hawaii”-esque movie sponsored by the Australian tourist authority. Man, listening some of the crunchy guitar at the end of “Australia” how was this record not a hit?! “Shangri-La” is a working class ode to not having too much, you’re working hard and life can be tough, but that your little home with your slippers and your favorite chair is a little piece of heaven. Unlike the songs “Yes, sir, no sir” and “some mother’s son” the song “Mr. Churchill says” is a more positive song about the military, and how tough Brits were during WWII and even features an air raid siren! “She’s bought a hat like princess marina” is about post-war poverty and struggling, in a way it reminds me of pygmalion and the DRUMMING on this track is so good. Combined with “young and innocent days” I can hear some of the Beatles inspiration here…almost like “For the Benefit of Mr. Kite” territory, had that record come out yet? Is he pining for his youth here because it really was a better time, or is it stained by the nostalgia we all feel for the times right on the cusp of adulthood. It’s interesting, I sort of feel like a lot of these songs are like couplets of the immediately preceding track…is that the word I’m thinking of? “Nothing to say” the protagonist grew up a little bit, the world has changed, maybe he has kids and a little gray hair. Okay this record is a keeper for me, I love it from beginning to end. “Arthur” is the character study of the guy who this record is about, and continues the themes of the other songs. If the show ended up getting made, “Arthur” could be the theme song. There’s something about it that reminds me of sitcoms from the 70s? There’s not a single song I’d keep off the record and I love the story it tells. It’s quintessentially working class, it’s complex instrumentation, and really fucking fun (most of the tracks are fun anyway).

Quite a decent outfit