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.

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".

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.

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"

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.

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.

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

This one is GREAT. Has to be among one of my favorite discoveries since starting to use the generator. I think I’ve read that it has a recurrent theme and could be considered a rock opera, though I’m not quite sure about that. Fav tracks: Yes Sir No Sir, Some Mother’s Son, Shangri-La, Mr Churchill Says, She Bought A Hat…. 4.5/5

Brilliant album, great concept and great music. I'm a sucker for a concept album, especially ones about British culture so this is right up my street. Love it.

Well, I just had my final R.E.M. album this week, and now it's time for my final Kinks album. I was pretty underwhelmed by Face to Face and Something Else, but I enjoyed The Village Green Preservation Society, so maybe I'll enjoy this later entry as well. Arthur was outstanding, and easily the best Kinks album that I got to review. I didn't think they'd outdo The Village Green Preservation Society with me, but this album was incredible. The songwriting on Aurthur is outstanding. The social commentary is incredibly biting, and I love the way that the whole album has a feeling of "hey, we can say these things because we're English." The lyrics had such a sense of place to them, and they really transported me to England in the sixties, with the use of some great visual imagery. Musically, I really enjoyed this album as well. Arthur was some solid sixties guitar rock, with a really unique sound. It felt like The Kinks didn't try to do anything weird or avant gardé, opting to use more traditional rock sounds that helped further establish the sense of place established by the lyrics. The accessible arrangements really lured me in as a listener, making the sharp social critiques of the lyrics pack that much more punch due to the contrast. Arthur was a brilliant album, and I'm delighted that my last Kinks album to review wound up being my favorite of the bunch.

This was an instant 5 for me.

This was completely not the sound I expected from the kinks

One of my all time favorite albums

Teniendo una canción que se llame Arthur, cómo no voy a darle un 5.

This is rad af. Wild, trippy, silly, inventive and influential. Like The Beatles mixed with Monty Python.

Great album in the great class of ‘69.

Вполне себе

Victoria is a HIT! Album is a masterpiece! I like it very much. Every track is perfect! Thank you!

Kinks rule. This might be their peak. Wonderful rock opera. Favorite tracks: Victoria, Shangri-La, Mr. Churchill Says, Nothing to Say

The Kinks were on terrific form in this period. Many great songs here.

In my mind pure Punk in the sound of the Beatles. Genious.

I have yet to meet a concept album I don’t like.

Dit is het beste album van the Kinks, misschien samen met Something Else. Begint met Victoria, mogelijks het beste nummer van the Kinks. Yes Sir, No Sir is bijna even goed. Maar de rest ook echt. Mr. Churchill says, Australia, Some Mother's Son ... Heerlijk album en minstens een 4.6 waard.

Great album by The Kinks I had never heard before, outside of Victoria. Shangri-La is my favorite song on the album easily.

5/5. There are some really great and unique pop songs on here and the lyrics are funny and yet very relatable even today. Politics is politics and the only winners are the ones at the top and who say do as I say not as I do. I've heard every concept album from this time and yet never listened to the Kinks. The instrumentation, especially the drumming, is excellent And the production is full of sound. Maybe the vocals could be a little more at the forefront but otherwise, still beautiful to listen to. It is a very re-listenable album and I just ran it again once it finished. Best Song: Shangri-La, Victoria, Some Mother's Son

The King sure one of my favorite of all time especially these early albums they were just so creative. The music was great. The lyrics were great good humor.

omg, this is awesome!!!! AUSTRALIIIIIIIIIAAAAAA!

Dave Davies guitar solo 🥴🥵 This one I like :)

Great kinks. Again another unique band

What a wonderful surprise. I love the Kinks, but I haven’t listened to their entire discography. This album is amazing. Solid themes, tight lyrics with biting commentary, and almost epic poetry. I don’t hear singles. This album should be enjoyed as a whole!

Really good, almost Beatles-level 4.6

These kinks fellas sure love a good concept album

I love The Kinks, perhaps especially their weird stuff, and it doesn't get much odder than a concept soundtrack to a TV play (that didn't get made) in which hardly anything exciting was to happen. Ray and Dave spun gold out of the idea though, and made a lovely collection of songs which also work really well together

They're so COOL. So far ahead of their time. Love it.

We just don’t get this on a public scale anymore.

I will never not love The Kinks. I actually bounced around for a while when I saw this was my album today.

This was my highest album for a long time.

What a masterpiece, catchy songs with excellent lyrics.

Incredible