Reviews (page 12 of 13)
I love the Kinks, and this album falls directly in (towards the end of, really) their greatest period of work. The concept album kings, this one here loosely follows a carpet-layer, a proxy for the Davies brothers' own brother-in-law. The album features some of the band's most fun singles, like "Victoria" and "Drivin'". It blows me away that this album is from the '60s. The Kinks should be spoken about in the same breath as the Beatles and the Rolling Stones; they were really that good.
Tää bändi on nerokas ja paranee mitä enemmän tätä kuuntelee! 4/5
Oon antanut kolmelle aiemmallekin Kinksille nelosen ja onhan tää samaa tasoa. Enempää ei varmaan näitä tule?
Olin jotenkin aina suhtautunut Kinksiin huonompina Beatleseina, mutta on tää kyllä omalla tavallaan nautinnollinen bändi ja hyvä levy! 4/5
The kind of classic rock I can get down with, weird enough to be fun and interesting without totally losing me.
Here The Kinks sound like all of the other best bands of the 60s. I'm just not sure what their own sound is based on this album.
They go in a lot of different directions here and I really like some of them. Victoria is a cool song, even though I prefer the up-tempo live version. Fantastic dark psychedelic sound on Some Mother's Son. Sangri-La rocks, as well. I think this is a band where I really love my favorites by them, but can easily leave the rest. 1 - bad 2 - average 3 - good 4 - great 5 - outstanding
Classic record from the Kinks. The Kinks were known in their early days for their hit singles, but by the mid-60's they strung together some great albums. Except for maybe, Victoria, songs from Arthur weren't on greatest hit albums, instead the album was consistently excellent with well crafted and intelligent songs written by the Davies brothers. This is peak Kinks, one of my all-time favourite albums and it holds up today as one of their finest achievements of their career. Must hear, essential!
Meh? Kind of fun and jangly, but discordant and sort of redundant.
A different sound than the familiar hits from them…starts heavily anti-war and then becomes almost child-like later. “Australia” is hilarious propaganda that was worth listening to for the laugh.
showing what was about to come: Kinks 70's strike of genius
Parempi kuin odotin, johtunee siitä että on lähempänä kunnon 70-lukua, parempaa ja raskaampaa rockia
Tämä sisältää taitavaakin sävellystyötä, ja levyn konsepti on sinänsä viihdyttävä. Lopulta musiikin esteettinen ilme ei kuitenkaan mahdollista varauksetonta nautintoa.
I love the Kinks. So unpretentious and fun. I feel like they were the original punk rockers. Other than Victoria I wasn't familiar with anything from this album, but it was great. A lot of times "concept albums" feel forced, like some of the music is just there to move the story forward but isn't really good. In this case though every song is good and stands on its own. 4 stars.
Some of the bands of this era, and in this genre, blend together for me but the Kinks seem to be do something unique that makes them stand out - even if I can't put my finger on what that is exactly. I liked most of these songs, and my favorites were "Victoria" and "Shangri-La".
I'm generally a fan of concept albums and this is one of the best. "Village Green" usually gets most of the attention in this regard, perhaps because it came first, but I think "Arthur" is much more focused and holds together more consistently as an album. Some of the songs are almost mini-operas or song suites on their own, particularly "Shangri-La" and "Mr. Churchill Says." The former being my favorite track on the album by far. But the entire album flows effortlessly. Only weak spot might be that the jam at the end of "Australia" goes a bit too long.
Instant comparison to Tommy by The Who for me, although I think I can get behind Arthur a bit more conceptually. Interesting that the actual TV program this album that was to be a companion-album for was cancelled, it's like sort of making an album for a "fake tv show" but without the pretense. Victoria is the stand-out track and Shangri-la as well, I've heard both before. A lot of tracks I can appreciate in concept but don't necessarily enjoy listening to (such as Yes Sir, No Sir).
Like a few later tracks. Funny how similar themes are across eras (eg suburban angst on Shangri-La).
Not a lot to say about this one. Seems like a very standard album for its era, not really a fan of the vocalists voice
Holy **** I just love this album to death. Definitely my most listened to album of the 60s (and I really like the 60s). It's just so perfect, each track makes me feel happy or pumped up (except the one or two sad ones). Each track is just perfect, criminally underrated on this website. Glad it’s rated way higher on RYM
Some great tracks, but the ‘music-hall’ style songs really set my teeth on edge.
Oh no, a rock-opera, the album generator has become sentient and is targeting me now. I love this period of messing with stereo recording, the isolated instruments on each side makes it feel immersive. Very catchy, and I love albums that have a narrative.
I generally like The Kinks but I feel this album gave me a better sense of why some people don't
Kinks - Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXEWNdCnfw0&list=PLAyDusZa0PT_Rb4_Zrc1a4nN1nc4TAGjl&index=12 Coté 2/5.
A fucking racket…vocals like a cheese grater to the brain
Fantastic
The Kinks are great, but not on this album.
Victoooooooria! Victoooooooria! Victoria. Victoria. I love the Kinks. I've always loved their songs, but their back-catalogue was always a bit intimidating, so I never really ventured into it beyond the (admittedly still quite large selection of) greatest hits. So thank you 1001 albums generator for making me do just that! There's lots of really good songs in here, with tons of personality and charm. Everything is top class - songwriting, musicality, instrumentation, the sheer variation on display. I am loving the brass on here! I'm loving how upbeat it is! I am loving the extended instrumental moments! I'm loving the boldness, the chucking lots of different ideas at it, the range of instrumentation! The different styles! The lyrical content! They're just an all-round class act.
Good songs. I enjoyed this one. Just the right amount of 60’s rock sloppiness. Brainwashed sounds like it may have been an inspiration for Blur’s “song 2”.
This was cool, I enjoyed listening to it. Probably won’t listen again but fun songs!
This was great. At times, it has after laughter vibes…sarcasm, sad words over happy music. Enjoyed this a lot
arthur caused the industrial revolution (fav tracks: Victoria, Australia, Arthur)
Apart from the first track which is my favourite Kinks song this album took a little for me to get into. It is a very ambitious record but does seem a little lost in places. The Davies brothers are geniuses without question which makes this a worthwhile record. If it feels like you have heard some of the sounds on here over and over. That it is because the has strip mined especially during the Britpop era
Fun and enjoyable, I really liked it. Fav tracks: Victoria, Australia, Yes Sir No Sir, Nothing to Say Least fav tracks: Brainwashed, She’s Bought A Hat Like Princess Marina
Not my favorite Kinks album, but the baby enjoyed a couple tunes.
Victoria is a banger. The album is great as a whole, very cohesive
Underrated.
No és un disc senzill. No té les grans cançons que poblaven els seus discos de mitjans dels '60 i d'alguna manera avança la musicalitat de la banda en la década que s'havia d'iniciar. Tot ell és un conjunt ferm de temes pop amb una temàtica marca de la casa que amb el temps acaba agafant un pes important dis la discografia d'una de les bandes pop més importants de la història
Low
All new kinks songs for me.
Sounded good but idk just not my style
Relaxed surfy influenced Rock, not too Bad dringend summertime, and right noch i am enjoying the Sun:)
Meh.
I’ve argued this point with my mates before, I’m my humble opinion The Kinks are a good ‘Best Of’ band and nothing more! A Best Of will give you all you need from them without having to sit through the 8+ below average tunes on each album. This album is irrefutable proof that I am, in fact, absolutely correct. I’ve never heard any of their albums that are all great songs and this is no exception. Two or three bangers and every other track is forgettable. Sorry, not sorry.
This was fine, one or two songs I liked and the rest were grand.
I really enjoyed this. Just as good as any Beatles, Monkees, etc. from this same era.
I enjoyed this. I did not remember how much like The Beatles they sounded.
Highlight: Yes Sir, No Sir; Arthur
This had a lot of cool bits. Many McCartney like bits along the way.
I really love the Kinks when they're all whimsical and eccentric like this. A few great tracks and a couple of less focused ones. When I'm in the mood I really dig this album, especially Victoria and Australia.
An album with meaning. And great songs. What more do you really need?
Not the best kinks but a few slappers
victoria is a pog song
This I liked. Good 60s sound and some fun riffs. I feel like the Kinks sound different every time I hear them. Victoria, Shangri-La, and Arthur were my faves.
Nothing on this album stood out to me. Pretty straightforward tunes. I did like the song Shangri-La, though. The stripped down Mr. Churchill, with the twangy southern guitar, stood out a little bit. A boring review for a boring album.
Good, what you would expect from the Kinks, a couple of radio friendly unit movers along with some more experimentals.
The Kinks are really underrated in the pantheon of British invasion bands
Mad decent
Ovaj album mi je otkriće, općenito Kinksi. Unrerrated totalno. Nažalost.
extremely british Beatles-y protest-y britpop that's a bit too pompous and long for me despite the eclectic lyrics and songs. 2.75/5
solid rock album. apparently they have more music that You Really Got Me and Lola.
7/10
Very good was a fan of the Monty python vibe
I liked this album the only song I didn’t like was She’s got a Hat like Princess Marina
Complaining about someone’s vocals on the heels of praising Bob Dylan is, admittedly, a little rich, but I struggle to enjoy Ray Davies voice. Paired with the unevenness of the tracks, I couldn’t find my way into this record. My wife expertly described this album as having “a Monty Python vibe,” and if this concept album had actually been the backing track to the TV show that it was written for but that was never produced, I might have enjoyed it more. The only stand out for me was the complete lack of bangers.
Godt å høre at det ikke bare var Stones og Beatles som kunne lage slik musikk
one or two good songs
I read that this album was done prior to Tommy and that it should be considered the rock opera OG. I see that Tommy was recorded and released before Arthur. Hmmm. Perhaps Davies had the Arthur story line worked out before Townshend sorted out Tommy. Who knows? Anyway, apparently S.F. Sorrow beat both Pete and Ray to the punch but it doesn't hold a candle to either album. The songs are really well written and played and this album might be Ray's pinnacle. The guitars and harpsichord wonderfully capture the sound of the late 60s. An excellent example of both these instruments is on "She's Bought a Hat Like Princess Marina". Victoria is a great sucker punch for the British Empire years. When I heard the verses of that song today I couldn't help but think their singing was similar to Canned Heat
It's interesting to chart the trajectories of the big British invasion bands during the course of the sixties as they jumped from straightforward rock and roll to psychedelic to prog. The Kinks were possibly the weirdest of the bunch, maybe because they were banned in the US for 4 years during the height of the British Invasion and elected to explore a very English sound, as can be heard on this album. It took me a couple of listens to warm up to this mix of psychedelic folk, baroque pop and dancehall, especially since Ray Davies’ voice can be quite weak and grating at times. I like the hit, “Victoria” (even with that voice). “Shangri-La” is my favorite I think. There are many good songs throughout, with eclectic themes, lyrics and changes of pace. For a concept album it lacks the epic-ness of Tommy which came out in the same year, which I can understand since the main character is a carpet layer as opposed to a deaf, dumb & blind pinball wizard. I’ll ignore the ugly cover art & round up because my second listen was so much more enjoyable than the first.
I recon Victoria is one of their top songs, alongside Waterloo Sunset, Lola and You really got me. I get a lot of CCR vibes from this song also, which is interesting coming from a 60s Brit band. The rest of the album didn’t resonate with me though
1. Victoria - 9/10 2. Yes Sir, No Sir - 8/10 3. Some Mother’s Son - 8/10 4. Drivin’ - 7/10 5. Brainwashed - 6/10 6. Australia - 9/10 7. Shangri-La - 8/10 8. Mr. Churchill Says - 8/10 9. She’s Bought a Hat Like Princess Marina - 6/10 10. Young and Innocent Days - 7/10 11. Nothing to Say - 8/10 12. Arthur - 7/10 I’ve listened to another The Kinks album as a result of this generator, which I liked, but I loved this one! Very enjoyable to listen to, great tracks. 4/5
Genres: Rock Formed: Muswell Hill, London, in 1963 Run time: 12 songs, 48 min, 37 sec The seventh studio album by the band. On the whole, the album is a social commentary on 60’s Britain. A few songs are about the war which doesn’t seem very contemporary, but I’m guessing at the time those who remembered it are at loggerheads with the younger generation who didn’t have any idea of the sacrifice made by many. The narrative of these songs, written by Ray Davies, is fantastic. He is very good at picking out the quirks and foibles of the British public. Spotify: Least popular song: track 11, “Nothing To Say” with over 500k plays Most popular song: track 1, “Victoria” with almost 20M plays. Eight tracks with over 500k plays and three with over 1M plays. Track 3, “Some Mother’s Son” is quite profound, discussing the effects of war on the families of soldiers. My favourite song is track 1, “Victoria”. Who knew a song about Queen Victoria could be so catchy? I enjoyed listening to the album, but this is the only song I clicked on the “like” button. Listen Again?: No, but I will listen to a Best Of… My Rating: ***
Great album. The Kinks had an incredibly consistent (and prolific) output for nearly a decade. 18 albums from 1965 to 1975. A couple duds in there, but from Face to Face (1966) through Muswell Hillbillies (1971), they were unstoppable. Every album is fantastic (excluding the soundtrack to Percy in 1971). This is arguably their best and gives any of the Beatles' albums a run for their money. Victoria and Shangri-La are the standouts, but all of the tracks are great. 9/10.
3.75
This music wasn’t bad but I couldn’t help feel like it just sounded like a worse version of the Beatles.
Ray Davies and The Kinks gets overshadowed in the rock opera discussions. This quintessentially British story is great from stary to finish. Ray Davies observations on everyday life are nuanced and insightful. The story, like many rock operas, is thin, but it fuels a superb song cycle. While many artists would get snarky with material like this, The Kinks are sympathetic. While there were no hit songs, Victoria, Australia and Shangri-La are stand outs.
Very good album from the most underappreciated British Invasion band. I like the concept -- the story is pretty easy to follow. It does have a lot of Beatles influence, but I think that's a sign of the time it was made more than the Kinks' trying to copy what was so successful for their contemporaries.
An interesting and very British concept album. While I enjoyed it the more I listened to it (especially “Victoria”, “Mr Churchill Says” and “Australia”) a lot of it felt like a Sgt. Pepper knock off. Why listen to a Beatles album with weaker Melodie’s when you can hear the real thing?
This might be another 5. I mean it's the most beatles sounding kinks album but it's very sharp fresh, with some great jams and tunes
Pretty good Kinks album. Wouldn’t say it is a must listen to.
Good, old, classic album and band, no complaints, 4 stars
Feels to me like they were trying to do a Sgt. Pepper's thing... with mixed results
Funky, good lyrics, lots of varied musical styles, Shangri-La is a masterpiece.
Rock sesentero. Ningún megahit. Un 4.
Þokkaleg plata en vekur ekki almennan áhuga á bandinu.
Quite good, a bit dated now and I'm personally not a big fan of the vocals but still a reasonable album
Finally stopped to listen The Kinks. Nice finding.
The Kinks are great because their songs are colorful and filled with details that make them distinct. Every song feels like it has its own personality. The concept of this album is ambitious - “The Decline and Fall of the British Empire” - but the lyrics don’t get in the way of the music. Ray Davies is too good of a pop songwriter for that. You can ignore the words and still have a great time listening to this album. But the lyrics (that I caught on the first listen) elevate the songs even more. I’ll have to pay more attention to them in the future. Fun listen from front to back.
I enjoyed it. Songs are easy to listen to and very consistent in quality and sound and that's what I expect from The Kinks. The standout track for me was "Victoria". 3/5
Loved this. Definitely on the listen again list and may deserve 4+.
What an album! 4.5/5
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.
Like #1 Victoria, #4 Drivin', the solo in Australia, #7 Shangri-La, #8 Mr. Churchill Says
Pretty good
3.5
Good! Very catchy and well made. I want to listen more
The previous Kinks album that I've gotten on this list was Village Green Preservation Society, which provides a very interesting contrast with this album, since it was the album made directly before this one. On that album, I thought they were doing something cool, but it didn't exactly blow my mind. Here, it feels like their sound has matured in the intervening year and is much more a match for what they're trying to do lyrically. The music is a lot groovier and more interesting, which makes sense because the psychedelic movement was advancing rapidly in this period. The beginning of the album is definitely stronger than the end of it, but it's relatively consistent throughout. Lots of good melodic songs that work together well in the context of the album 4/5
I am very fond of the Kinks. It annoys me that Ray Davies career slumped. I feel they were more creative and inventive than the Who. A fine set of songs in a jangle pop/rock mode. A tad twee but very British. It was compared to Tommy on release. I prefer this.
The Beatles Lite.
8/10
solid album, shangri-la is a great song among a few others 3 stars.
Always assumed ‘Victoria’ was by The Fall, didn’t realise it was a cover. Anyway, couldnt be bothered with this. Mondays are always really busy for me, but I’m glad I made the time. This is class. How’s it like 50 year old? Can hear so many bands in this record. Much prefer this to previous Kinks. Another concept album that’s way better than it sounds on paper.
Better than face to face, victoria was good and it was largely enjoyable. Leans on the Beatles a bit too much still and the harpsichord still sounds ridiculous.
I enjoy a concept album but only really liked Some Mother's Son.
I love a good rock opera or concept album and thought this was really good. The first 7 tracks are especially strong, I just wish they didn't sound so much like The Beatles. Highlights were "Yes Sir, No Sir", "Some Mothers Son" and "Shangri-La"
What Kinks I've heard in the past I've liked, none of it was on this album though. I like the sound of this mostly. It sounded pretty dated. Thought it dragged a bit. The whole concept album type thing I generally am not a huge fan of.
Pleasant enough but not consistent
Nice collection of pop rock songs, not my favorite from them, but still pretty entertaining.
Another Kinks album. This is number 4. Like the other albums it is eccentric and not memorable. No need to listen to again. It was relatively short. It is between a 2 and 3. I guess I will round up for no reason in particular.
Apart from the first names of 90s-era kids’ cartoons, I don’t see the comparison of this album to Tommy. Maybe Ray Davies doesn’t translate well across the Atlantic?
Victoria is such an earworm, I love it!
This is a real gem of an album - so English, so much of its time, and yet still very relevant.
This sounds So English! It’s a comment on postwar Britain, the class system, the yearning for a different life. A portrayal of working-class aspiration or lack thereof. Couldn’t help comparing the Pogues singing ‘South Australia’ about convicts being transported and the idyllic ‘Australia’ here which is a symbol of attainment. A punishment becomes an ideal. The songs are well-crafted and witty. Ray Davies’ voice is very distinctive and adds to the eccentricity of this concept album. This album and its peculiar slant fills my heart with a strange mixture of pride and relish.
I love this album. This is the first Kinks album I purchased on vinyl. I had a girlfriend name Vikki and loved playing "Victoria" even though it was a commentary about the British monarchy. I don't think this was a popular album here in the USA but I can picture this group of lads "Drivin' " around the Englush country side. I like their surfer reference ala the Beach Boys harmonies in the song "Australia". This is between a 4 and 5 for me but will leave it at 4 since I think the Kinks have better material on later albums.
The song Victoria holds up and the Churchill song stood out. The rest of the album was unremarkable.
In the last couple of years, I've come to realize I've under-appreciated how good this band is. "You Really Got Me" and "All Day And All Of The Night" (and "Lola") sit atop the tunes I could rattle off by the band, and none of that really hints at the depth of The Kinks' songwriting prowess, which seems silly to say considering they're massive, iconic rock songs. So I'm no expert on the band (I'd refer you to Scott for that), but I'm on the road to discovery. Bottom line, this is a fantastic album. I didn't have the opportunity to linger on every song and soak up every lyric, but I will continue to dig into the band's catalog because every time I listen to a Kinks' album, I like the band more.
Ray Davies is my favorite lyricist. He tells beautiful and sad tales of everyday Britons with such empathy, compassion, and love. That alone would endear him to me, but these songs aren't just pretty tunes or great rockers; they're also powered by Davies' scathing wit, which is fueled by rage and contempt towards the powers that be who stomp his protagonists into the ground, killing their sons in war, and crushing their spirits, leaving them with only dreams of owning a house with no outdoor loo or buying a nice hat, which they can wear while scrubbing the stairs. Plus, the songs are bangers. This album contains some of the best Kinks songs of all time (Victoria, Shangri-La, Arthur, and Some Mother's Son, which is the best anti-war song ever). And the fact that this ambitious project is just ONE of the contenders for the Best Kinks Album is a testament to how damned great these guys were at this time. Their run of Face to Face, Something Else, Village Green Preservation Society, Arthur, Lola, and Muswell Hillbillies rivals the best run of any band or artist. As a die-hard Kinks fan, I now have to sign off with the obligatory "God Save the Kinks."
I know that Scotty has shared a lot of his knowledge about The Kinks with me over the years. But I never really dove deep into the band. This album is inspiring me to do so. I loved this listen and this listen really encapsulates why this experiment is important and fun in my life. I also REALLY loved to learn the backstory. I often find the backstory more interesting than the final product. This was a concept album for a tv show: "The rough plot revolved around Arthur Morgan, a carpet-layer, who was based on Ray and guitarist Dave Davies' brother-in-law Arthur Anning." In this age of streaming and a gazillion channels, why hasn't someone revisited the idea?! Here's hoping that within the millions of 1001 explorers, one of us is a producer.
Great album, cutting lyrics against snappy pop tunes. Really enjoyed this from front to back.
This is not what I expected from The Kinks, but at the same time, it was pretty good. I enjoy the general cohesiveness and planned flow of concept albums and this was right on point. The sharp pain of loss and the dull fear of the unwritten, unknown future is a very human emotion, regardless of the scale. As I listened, I found myself paying closer attention to the lyrics. The sharp commentary with upbeat music creates a layered experience and is very well done. Going back and listening to Victoria after finishing the album was a completely different experience than the first time.
I was pleasantly surprised. It was a really good listen.
A fun, peppy, and quirky album. I have no doubt that the Kinks had a lot of fun making this album. I like that it’s funny and theatrical but also has a lot of beautiful moments. It’s a poignant social criticism wrapped up in beautiful composition. Definitely saving some songs and listening to this again sometime. Favorite Tracks: 1) Victoria 2) Some Mother’s Son 3) Australia 4) Shangri-La 5) Young and Innocent Days Honorable Mentions: Arthur, Drivin’
Não percebi o desenvolvimento da ideia do álbum conceitual, mas funcionou bem para escutar mais rock setentista.
1969. Victoria
The Kinks have always been solid.
Always like the kinks. This one was my favorite but still good
i literally hated this
Could we please have The Kinks every week?
bad
Not much to say, love the sound (finally a decent sounding kinks record!), great tunes and perfect length. A couple filler songs but more than enough standouts to balance it out. A great record
I've heard of the Kinks before, but I haven't gone out of my way to listen to any of their music. I wasn't sure what to expect. I was surprised by how much I liked this album. I'm gonna be looking forward to the other Kinks albums on this list now. My favourite songs were She's Bought a Hat Like Princess Marina, Australia, and Drivin'.
Great album with smart lyrics and great sound. Saved tracks: Victoria, Shangri-La, Mr Churchill Says, Plastic Man, Mindless Child of Motherhood
Helt oki, noen sanger er bops andre var veldig sytete
3.75/5 Lots of fun tunes but the album didn’t do a ton for me
Brilliant
Baita som
Standouts: Victoria, Arthur, Mindless Child of Motherhood.
Started off and ended kinda strong, but the whole middle was kinda meh. Just not for me I guess. Standouts: Victoria, She's Bought a Hat Like Princess Maria, Arthur
honestly better than most of the beatles’ discography in one single album
My kind of music, didn't find the songs to be catchy enough
victoria : 5/10 yes sir, no sir : 6/10 some mothers son : 4/10 drivin : 8/10 brainwashed : 7/10 australia : 7/10 shangri’la : 6/10 mr churchill says : 5/10 she’s bought a hat like princess marina : 4/10 young and innocent days : 4/10 nothing to say : 6/10 arthur : 6/10
Better than the Beatles.
Not my typical genre, but it's a solid album that's an easy and enjoyable listen, although some tracks did go on a little long for my taste. My top 5 tracks (in no particular order): She's Bought a Hat Like Princess Maria, Mr. Churchill Says, Yes Sir, No Sir, Brainwashed, Shangri-La.
Victoria is a great song and a great opener. I really like this a lot. As someone seemed to note in the Wikipedia write up, this is like Tommy if it had good melodies. I can listen to this a bunch more.
Here's the deal - this album get five stars on the basis of Shangri-La alone. It is one of my favourite songs, ever. As a songwriting commentator on a specific type of small, suburban British life I don't think Ray Davies has a peer. Take Shangri-La - is it a celebration of those creature comforts that welcome us after our day's toil? Is it a critique of this lifestyle? Or is it, as I suspect, both? It walks the line beautifully in terms of both tone and execution, from its gentle fingerpicked intro to the brass-driven midsection. There's more juice in this one track than some artists manage over the course of a whole album. And then there's Victoria, and the breezy pastoral of Drivin'...and everything else. So, so good.
This was a good time. I like how often the vocal choices almost make them sound drunk, but it kinda works ya know? Very pro-alcoholism over here. "Australia" was too long, but otherwise I enjoyed the whole experience.
They're a good Beatles knock off. Hard to get excited about.
It was interesting, a concept album by the kinks, I've never heard any of these songs before. Overall it wasn't bad.
Its not fantastic but not bad either, they are a classic british rock act from the 60s and you get pretty much what you except
The Kinks always seems to be having fun on these early albums.
Pretty good, never listened to it but was an impactful anti war message.
Not the worst concept album ever, but still: it's fairly boring.
I really love the unique sound of this band. Pretty sure I could pick a new favorite track every time I listen to this album, but this time it was Arthur
Victoria is soooo catchy, this so sounds sooo 60's London, thus it gets a bit much
Not my favorite collection of Kinks songs, but it's a catchy record.
A fun listen but the words/music often sounded muddy, the vocals were not strong, and the songs were a bit long
It was good. I wasn't able to sit down and really listen to the lyrics so that might have changed my opinion some but it was a good listen. Not something I'll come back to.
This is discount recycled Beatles, which isn’t necessarily bad but it’s not that special to me. I think Shangri-La is a standout.
Good album, decent music, the lyrics spoke to me.
Listening to The Kinks is like taking a really pleasant Sunday drive. It doesn't really matter where you are going, or even if you "arrive" at any destination. The road just meanders and you enjoy the ride.
Their sound works on the kind of twee Britpop songs, especially Victoria and Driving. But most of the album is really like lo-fi blues rock, and they just don’t do that that well. In particular, relative to their competition they’re really lacking in instrumental and vocal talent- their singer straight-up sucks, he’s constantly flat- but they still heavily feature vocals and mediocre guitar solos. Even the twee stuff, which they do much better (the more developed instrumentation covering for their shortcomings elsewhere), and which better suits their harmonic style (heavy on somewhat abrupt key changes) is not as good as their contemporaries (eg Zombies).
J'adore les Kinks et l'ecriture de Ray Davies... Hélas, je suis plus amiureux de ses singles & EPs merveilleux que des "operas rock" auxquels il semble s'être consacré à partir de la fin des années 60... Peut-être est-ce dû à mes difficultés de compréhension des subtilités de la langue, de la culture et de l'histoire anglaise (même difficultés avec les textes de Oeter Gabriel) ? Sans doute même... De plus je trouve que l'influence grandissante de Dave Davies sur les choix du groupe (son beaucoup okus "hard" rock, tentation de conquérir les stades américains, ...)s'est faite au détriment de la grande finesse, délicatesse de Ray Davies... D'où un désintérêt grandissant pour les albums des Kinks durant toute les seventies... L'album solo de Ray Davies avec tout ses invités heureux de contribuer à un disque de cet auteur exceptionnel est remarquable... Il m'a fait penser à ce disque sublime que de grands artistes avaient offert à Roy Orbison, permettant à cet autre immense créateur de connaitre un crepuscule enchanté...
The Kinks are a hard one to rate. I can never tell where to put them on the scale between the Beatles and the Monkees. They have some great songs, but they also have some really cheesy gimmicky songs that make them feel like a cheap knockoff of the Beatles (like the Monkees). I’d probably go 3.5 stars, but we’ll give them the benefit of the doubt and go with 4.
Excellent album from an excellent band. Favorite track: Drivin'
Big fan of this album. Love the concept and the harmonies always great with the Kinks. Fav track: Victoria
Great album. Hadn’t listened to it before but knew some songs on it and already liked them. But subtracted a star because there was already another Kinks album recommended fairly recently.
Good
Better than expected. Crazy 60s pop rock. Moments of zaniness but a bit tired thematically.
On par with sgt pepper or pet sounds, if maybe to influenced by it, but also influencing like the beach boys or Beatles but not with the same credit. Vitoria and Arthur bookend the album perfectly that is maybe hurt by its Britishness in North America
I have to be honest here. After seeing another band from the 60s as my daily album, I labelled it as "old and boring" and listened to it in the background, while browsing internet. Additionally, before listening to it, I have seen couple comments, that the first song, "Victoria" is the best on the album. Unfotunately it was very average, with slightly irritating vocalist, so I completely gave up. Then I got to the song "Brainwashed", and as a title suggest, I was brainwashed into believing it's not a good album. From this song onwards I had a total 180 degrees turn - total rollercoaster of emotions, great gutiar and organs solo on "Australia", amazing song "Shangri-La" and a little step down, but still fascinating 5 songs to end the album. Excellent concept album in style of 60s rock, which isnt't my forte, but really captivated well enough, that I instantly re-listened the full record from the beginning. The songs were really fun, guitars were playing relatively modern riffs and solos, and the drum work was really on point - feeling the mood of the song and amplifing that at least two-fold. It's a very well-thought album, with some amazing moments and is very listenable in the future, in my opinion. The few negatives would be the specific vocal range by the Ray Davies and rather slow start to the album (music-wise). Still, a very pleasant surprise.
Definitely not something I expected from the Kinks. They definitely branched out from their normal style and subject matter to do a cool history concept album. I enjoyed it.
Very up and down. Best track: Nothing to Say
I wrote something about "their brand" of psych last time I listened to The Kinks and this album has me regretting it. There is a progression here more suitable for an album twice as long, but only in density and never in drag. The weirdness and soft noodlings peak in the middle (and in Australia) with what sound like British beginnings and American ends, more simply. It's an album that covers much of life and a lot of the time between 1969 and now. All in a way that sounds great and is still fun. Village Green charmed me and this adds just enough edge while staying full Kinks.
The Kinks do Rubber Soul
Not my favorite Kinks tbh
Also dull.
This is fine. Not quite as exciting as you'd expect from a Kinks album, it's more of a concept album focusing on the end of the British empire. Maybe it's a bit unfair, looking back on it from almost 60 years later, but it doesn't really tackle any of the interesting themes around the end of empire. The musical style is all a bit twee, nothing particularly striking. An underwhelming 2/5.
3.4
Britirisk rock, catchy, let lyrik
New music would say I liked some song but still a meh
Good album. I like the Kinks but am not too familiar with their discography or many of these songs.
Brainwashed was my favorite song. An overall laid back album.
yes sir no sir reminds me of some of montreal songs - talk/singing voice is really similar. it's a catchy album but it's sooo british. but not bad
Goodgoodgood
I’m incredibly biased even as a self proclaimed not a Beatles fan that this band can make no name for itself in my eyes as this bands entire existence resides in the shadow of the Beatles creations
Very interesting. Kind of like it.
A few classics but a not as magnificent as Village Green. Probably unfair as it's great but just not perfect
I have always loved The Kinks and this album in particular. Love the through line story and concept for it. The Kinks rule!
The album follows a very poppy straightforward feeling throughout each and every song on the album but the kinks really seem to shine when the put a nice spin on it like the quirky bridge section in yes sir no sir; we also have some really good slow tracks on here like some mothers son,young and innocent days and shangri-la this one in particular is good as it’s a song that starts slow and builds to rampage; there’s also another song that does this (she brought a hat like princess marina) but that time the rampage feels too nonsensical and is probably mg least favourite on the LP. There are still some other very good tracks like the opener Victoria, drivin’ which is a rather jumpy acoustic track, the insane rampage that commences in brainwashed and the rather jolly nothing to say. All throughout the album there is militaristic undertone none more prominent than mr Churchill says which is essentially a long line of quotes from Winston Churchill with a chorus, it’s not one of my favourites but it’s quite cool when the moaning Minnie’s come in. I’am still a little skeptical about the the 6 minute Australia the track starts off as overly quirky then there’s a (very) short lived slow part which I actually love but the more instrumental half feels unnecessary and would definitely be a track that I would’ve sequenced much later on. The album closes with Arthur a very solid song but I wouldn’t have picked this fairly uptempo tune when there’s plenty of slow jams to close off with but I know that’s personal preference at play.
Really good Rock'n'Roll
Another strong effort from the Kinks. They were such a consistently interesting band. From '65 through 71 one could argue that no band had as consistently strong albums as The Kinks. No really big hits on this particular album but the song cycle and the strength of songs like Victoria, Some Mother's Son, Drivin', Shangri-La, Brainwashed etc... make this a concept album that never sounds overwrought. 4.5 stars
Eh wasn't really my cup of tea.
I love them
Fun album, kinda like goofy beatles stuff.
Great album. Kinks are super underrated
beautiful
09/03/2022 Hmm…I’ve liked Victoria on this album for a long time, but frankly….I wouldn’t listen to this album. I’ve never been a huge Kinks girl, but Village Green Preservation Society is way better imo. However….you can’t tell me that all of 2013/2014 indie rock got their brand from this band. Australia literally sounds like a strokes song. — Studio was roughhhh today, but I ended up slaying and got a shit ton of work done so I could enjoy the long weekend. Heading to San Antonio to see my Lukey :)
Some great tunes on here
Liked the music liked the message.
Didn't like it
Beatles vibes
Yay
this is my second album i've gotten from the kinks. I like the song victoria. so far i don't think this one is better than the previous album. the mixing of this isn't that great and it's hard to really hear the lyrics in my opinion. the instruments are just a lot louder than the singing.
Very classic rock, reminiscent of Jimi Hendrix and other music from this era. Very openly anti-war. Familiar twangy guitar and straight drum beats. Favourite track so far: Mr Churchill Says.
"Give the scum a gun and make the bugger fight. And be sure to have deserters shot on sight. If he dies we’ll send a medal to his wife.”
The Kinks are cool. They were like a little more "punk" version of the Beatles. Really enjoyed this one.
seems cool, enjoyable so far VICTOOOOORRRRIIAAAAA wow this part is Awesome! :D sounds like smth out of a unreleased beatles album, im rlly enjoying this actually WTF The Kinks (Hahaha! Get It? It's Because I Have a Domination Kink! Hahaha!) Not All Heroes Wear Capes... Mine Like To Drive IDK if the 2019 remasters mixing is any different from the original HELL YEA I FUCKIN LOVE AUSTRALIA (the only thing she knows about australia is Sniper TF2) I Am Hitting The Griddy To This Song oh shit i forgot its fred durst Friday!! Rollin' Rollin' Rollin' Rollin'!!! shangri-laAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Is this song a reference to Winston Churchill? That's fucking epic. Mr. Churchill Says You Get No Mr Incredible Becoming Uncanny Memes For A Week! 😭 WHAT!? This Sound Like Gorillaz! IS THIS A SAMPLE? this goes hard! Crazy Ass Moments In Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire) History that piano part sounded like smth fatboy slim would sample, honestly i wouldnt be surprised if he already did ohh the uncanny days we'd spend together.... this album is really fun to listen to actually LAST SONG guitar sounds cool in this im HITTING that Whip and Nae Nae Decent Album. 7/10
First time with this album. Some thoughts. Best listened to with a few pints of room temperature English ale and a basketful of gooseberry tarts. Major points for the scathing social and political commentary, that is still very much applicable today, and not just in Britain. Musically a bit too jangle pop for most of the time, I know The Kinks are capable of rocking a bit harder, and I would have liked to see them do that here more. Overall a good album that I don't see myself returning to all too often.
3.5/5
Typically solid Kinks album. A bit of a step up from “Village Green,” honestly…
For some reason I've struggled to describe the album or what I think about it. It's excitingly novel in a lot of ways but also chaotic and seemingly unconcerned with its moderately shabby presentation. What's clear is this is an album where the lyrics and the topics they cover are meant to take front stage. The album is lyrically sharp and poignant at points ('Some Mother's Son') and tongue-in-cheek at others ('Yes sir, No Sir', 'Platic Man'), which makes it hard to figure out how to take other tracks ('Drivin'). For their part, the arrangements are floating along merrily, but they feel so far in the background that it's hard to focus on them long enough (over the singers) to gather a clear impression. Tracks like 'Mindless Child of Motherhood' and 'The Man He Weeps Tonight', give some of the clearest pictures of the groups' cohesion and power. It is a powerful and ironically complex and it's one that I'm definitely going to be coming back to again and again.
Light but rich rock'n'roll tunes. The lyrics center around social and political commentary, yet they are not bitter.
Pretty good - more raucous and less music hall than I expected. Brainwashed stood out.
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".
All about war
Enjoyed this on the drive to Grace's Hag Do. Great for Exmor scenery. wish I could give a 3.5 as although this has a rightful place on the list and my favourite Kinks song appears (Victoria) towards the end I didn't like them so much. Will vote up for good measure
Not bad at all.
Impressive. A band I only listen to their hits. Prejudiced I suppose by their reputation as jerks, I never choose to listen to them. However, this was an enjoyable album.
Victoria - what a tune - added straight to the playlist. However - immediately followed by 'Yes sir, No sir' - which is one of those type of songs I roll my eyes at - a 'novelty' song. Featuring lyrics from a nursery rhymes, whimsical melodies, and even interjected 'laughter'. These type of songs just don't stand up to the test of time in my view - which is a shame, as it could have been seriously thoughtful song. 'Princess Marina' also falls foul of this also - just a silly topic that might be funny on first listen but just seems a bit childish all these decades later. 'Some Mothers Son' has a very contradictory tone . It's a serious lyrical subject played to a tune that could have been a Beach Boys song. I'm not convinced it totally works. Australia shows where it does work though - some great sounds - with a wonderful outro that goes on for a couple of minutes. Listening to more of the songs, they all come across as fun sounding, catchy tunes - very upbeat, lots of harmonising and bouncy melodies - it's pretty good stuff. The Kinks have a really good tone, at points you can see their musical intelligence shine through - yet, the album is spoilt by just a couple of what a term 'novelty' songs. 7/10
My old boss used to say that, if the Kinks hadn't been banned in America, they would've been as big as the Beatles. I think this album does a good job backing that claim up. Hooks for days. Maybe not as progressive as the Beatles were at the time, but you can tell there's a non-zero chance that they could find their way there. Favorite tracks: "Yes Sir, No Sir", "Brainwashed", "Young And Innocent Days"
Some nice classic Kinks
DNF
I think this is one I need to revisit; I don't think I was in the right mindset going in, and I might enjoy it more another day. But as it is, its some nice smart rock, I just didn't connect with it.
I think this was a solid display from the Kinks. I enjoyed the album and would listen again, but nothing staggeringly awesome.
A different sound that I'm not used to from The Kinks. Elements of prog-rock and Brit-pop sound off here 3.5/5.
Got a soft spot for the Kinks. Lovely album, not quite a 5 stars but right up my street.
8/10. Maybe 9/10, love a good concept album
Something decently memorable from The Kinks. 7/10
Rock sesentero
It works overall as a concept, even though I was hoping it was based on, or inspired by, the Dudley Moore comedy of the same name and featured a guest appearance by Christopher Cross. It's still a pretty good album to listen to whenever you find yourself caught between the moon and New York City.
Bons Rocks Soltinhos e WCS. Nothing to say tem um bom riff.
Ok album
This was pretty great. The Kinks were very ahead of their time.
Esto fue aburrido
Kinks are pretty good
What a weird, weird album
I thought I wasn't enjoying this album, but I found myself humming the tunes by the latter half. There's some humor and interesting song structures.
The Kinks have some great tunes, but I've never been a fan. Their music runs a fine line between solid rock and something Dr Demento might play.
24th May 2022 Listened while packing up the flat for the big move back to painswick! Really enjoyed this, mix of country and sunny funny lyrics
I loved the Village Green Preservation Society, and Arthur has something of the same wistfulness, at least lyrically, but with less rose tinted glasses. if anything there is quite an anti-establishment, anti-war theme to the album. Victoria is a strong opener, Some Mother's Son is poignant and Drivin is quintessential Kinks whimsy (and sounds as if it may have been left over from Village Green; see also Young and Innocent Days). The Australian tourist board missed a trick if they didn't use Australia to promote the land of Oz, but otherwise an unremarkable track. Apart from that, the remaining tracks aren't - with the exception of Arthur - that much to write home about. Arthur has its moments, but not one of their best
Started off well, then got a bit boring.
I liked this a lot.
Some decent songs on this
very good!!! i have underrated the kinks for too long and it ends now
That was a joy!
Eh. This probably horrible to write…but are The Kinks the lesser Beatles? I was kind of bored.
“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.
Another album I'm familiar with. Listened to it through again. I've never thought of Arthur as a true standout (compared to Lola, Village Green, even Muswell Hillbillies), so was surprised to see it on the list. However, upon reading a bit more about it, it is a much higher reviewed album (both nowadays and upon release) then I realized. Where I think it falls down is from a modern point of view; although there are great songs on this album, and good songs throughout it now, these songs are great because they prescribe to the formula so well used by Ray Davies and the Kinks. A formula is great because it allows you to extend your one idea hugely. Just that volume isn't all we look for in a band. That said, I'm a fan.
Surprised this has not been bumped off the list by better recent albums
Probably one of the better concept albums out there. Great 60s rock, a very fun listen that I see myself visiting again.
I've owned and loved this record for 25 years. Hopefully I will get something I can explore soon.
Ahhh, the late 60s punish continues. 2/5.
Beatles influence. 3.5
Oi - bloody brilliant, innit it? Good 60s British Invasion rock/pop.
I see why so many people like it.
Victoria is fantastic but starting on a high means the rest of the album suffers somewhat.
Cute
Sometimes the goofy little guy energy that reminded me of parts of the white album worked and sometimes it didn't. Plastic man definitely didn't work, but there were a few songs that did.
Is great, but a little repetitive
Not for me
3/5 nice but not enough
Rocking good time.
Concept album alert!!!! Bit it's theme is incredibly prescient for a 55 year old album - we're still debating the failure of empire and colonialism 55 years later. Ray Davies' knack for storytelling is brutal here. He takes a 'square' character, makes you empathise with him despite his flaws and let's the (then) modern world tear his life apart. The fact it also has some great Kinks classic songs in there is almost a bonus! The music is a solid 4, but delivering a story this good with such resonant themes on top of that easily pushes it into the upper echelons.
I really like but don't love the Kinks. They tend to get lost in some space between the Stones and the Beatles. Village green is there best but this a good listen.
Very pleasant listen with some high points, but not going to change my overall view of the Kinks as the fourth-best British band of the sixties. Which is not a bad position to be in.
Amazing -never heard it before but like Floyd and Groundhogs a preoccupation with the futility of war is as poignant as ever.
Vähän jo unohtunut mitä tuntemuksia herätti kun kuuntelusta on jo muutama päivä aikaa. Levy jäi ainakin kesken joten kertonee riittävän paljon.
Klassikkobändi ja suunnannäyttäjä, mutta hirveästi ei enää kanna tähän päivään biisit. Joitain aivan huippuja löytyy bändiltä, mut tälle levylle ei niitä ollu eksyny. Pitää kyllä kuunnella vielä levy uudestaan
4.5
Bom.
Some half decent songs, but not the best by their own standards.
Listened to on 3/21/22 3/5 Favorite song: Victoria Some of those songs were great and the commentary on growing up in England was so fun but the album as a whole felt chaotic - could have been better or worse if the TV show was made
It was a very fun listen all the way through. Different songs felt like the Beatles and others felt like Bob Dylan and others felt like something completely different. Would listen to the album again.
Meh, had a few good songs but most just fell flat for me.
This is cool as a museum piece. Like looking at a fossil of rock and picking out elements in it that would be refined over and over. The songs themselves are fine but I'm pretty full of this kind of sound. the fact that its in mono is also a bummer. Shangri-La is a good track. This would be a fun concert.
Good album. I’d imagine the impact would be greater from an English perspective.
I know the kinks hits, but first time listening to this album. This is a masterpiece brilliant musical story telling through out the album, up there with the best concept albums.
grande banda. estamos chegando nos lançamentos quentes daquele ano.
amo álbums de virada de década como esse: uma mistura de ref q soa mt bem
Aside from Victoria, Mr. Churchill Says, and Arthur, there wasn’t much of interest to me. Nothing to Say is a straight up Beatles rip off.
Fun, clever
Pretty okay album. Songs seem more influential that historic. Nothing too memorable but some cool things done in the instrumentation and production.
bit twee
Rock sesentero. Ningún megahit. Un 4.
Teniendo una canción que se llame Arthur, cómo no voy a darle un 5
The Kinks is a referent band. I didn't know this album but it's good.
Yeah its good. The kinks are the sad depressing beatles but also still upbeat
Overall pretty good, there were a few tracks that I liked, and a few that I wasn't such a huge fan of. I think I would listen to this album again, but probably not until I ran out of albums that I liked better. My favorite track was probably Mr. Churchill Says, but I also liked Plastic Man, Shangri-La, and Yes Sir, No Sir.
This is not the Kinks album I was expecting, and indeed it was a nice surprise! This album gets off to a rocking start with 'Victoria' and carries through with an interesting story. Not my favorite Kinks album but an enjoyable listen nonetheless.
Got some strong Beatles vibes from some of these tracks. Quite liked it on the whole.
Ну возможно альбом великий, но как по мне обычный в своём роде и времени. 7/10
Pop-rock sesentero sencillo y elegante. Canciones sencillitas, pero con buenas melodías. No muy guitarrero y en su punto de instrumentalización correcto. Para escuchar casi en cualquier momento
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
Un rock "classico" quello di 'Victoria', la prima canzone dell'album. Mi ricordano i Beatles, ma meno spensierati. Un po' però più easy e rilassato.
GENIE Prefs: Victoria, Yes Sir, No Sir, Some Mother's Son, Brainwashed, Australia, Shangri-La, She's Bought a Hat Like Princess Marina, Arthur Moins pref: Mr. Churchill Says (quand même incroyable)
The Kinks have a lot in common with The Who. Started out as a garage rock member of the British invasion, represented the 60s mod culture in Britain, and shifted their focus in the late 60s to more pop-like rock. When I think of 90s Britpop, it is these two bands that I hear the strongest comparison. Arthur is a member of a string of fantastic late 60s Kinks album. A concept album centeres on Arthur and his life during and following WWII, acting as a commentary on war and the promises Britain made. Its operatic sound and style of storytelling is eerily reminiscent of Tommy. Even elements like the instrumental of "Mr Churchill Says" reminds me of some instrumental tracks on Tommy. Most of the tracks don't take themselves seriously. I couldn't see myself liking "Drivin" for example, but it's goofy and fits in well with the rest of the album. Maybe it's a reaction to being kicked out of United States, but there is an inherently British sound that I'm not sure how to describe. For example, "Yes Sir No Sir" has a marching band sound that just screams Britain to me, not sure why. The harpsichord too in several songs, like "She's Bought a Hat like Princess Marina." Either way, it's very accessible and works well as a pop album, with a bright mood and engaging subject matter. Lacks any hits beside "Victoria" which explains the lack of commercial success, but then again Tommy suffered to same with "Pinball Wizard." Favorites: Victoria, Australia, Shangri-La
It's surprising how many of their songs I already knew.
Clash? Yes. Kinks? Nah.
Enjoyed this more than I expected I Would
Another classic! This is an excellent intro to the kinks for those who only remember "You Really Got Me."