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

4.5 Good soup, good soup.

I liked it for the most part.

One very good song and then some ok ones. Top tracks: "Victoria," "Australia"

borring as fuck

--Victoria...simple but effective riff. fun bass groove. the added horns are just icing --Yes Sir, No Sir...I think this is making fun of fascists. that's cool --Some Mother's Son...Roger Waters vibes --Drivin'...skip --Brainwashed...straightforward rocker --Australia...a surfin' California song about, well, Australia. it's cheeky but "Back in the USSR" already existed at this point --Shangri-La...60s hippy stuff. second half kicks --Mr. Churchill Says...a little chaotic at the beginning but it settles into a nice groove --She's Bought a Hat Like Princess Marina...a lot of this LP feels like a White Album attempt. it mostly works. mostly --Young and Innocent Days...boring --Nothing to Say...fun rocker but nothing special --Arthur...nothing--too-special yet again but there's some fun guitar work and nice harmonies

With classic Kinks you're going to get two things: astonishing pop-rock songcraft, with gorgeous melodies and hooks for days, and a merciless, pathos-ridden vivsection of the mid-century British petit bourgeouisie. Ray Davies is as masterful a short-story writer as anyone in the canon, and his accomplishments also happen to rhyme. This album is smack in the middle of a run of about four or five that contain the work that makes the Kinks special, and that work arrived after they had already shook the world with their early garage rock material, which is still inescapable on classic rock radio. Legends among legends, greats among greats, and still somehow often overlooked and underappreciated.

Okay

Nice, decent rock.

I've only heard their hits, like You Really Got Me, Layla, and Come Dancing. Many of my friends who know my taste in music have often told me I would like the Kinks. They weren't wrong!! This is great album of well-crafted satirical songs from the 60s British pop era. I like this better than the Beatles and the Who.

How is this band so good???

The Kinks! Always underrated. Great production, great songs. I agree they should have been as big as The Stones, The Who, and others.

I would say old school pop-rock. Solid album, but nothing special.

surprised again that something feels ahead of its time.

echt een leuk album, nog een keer luisteren

Three and a half out of five

I usually don't care much for concept albums but I am a fan of The Kinks. Took me a couple of listens to get into it but enjoyed how quirky and weird it was at times. Favourite songs were Victoria and Nothing to Say.

The Kinks have made some great records. This isn't one of them.

Already listened to it... Easily one of my favorite albums of all time. Every single song fits perfectly in the album; I wouldn't change a single detail. Favs: Victoria, Some Mother's Son, Young and Innocent Days.

Big fan of The Kinks. This album is good! Sounds like if The Beatles were good.

I've never really given The Kinks a fair shake. I just thought of them as the lesser Beatles I guess. But this album actually gave me a much greater appreciation for what they were doing and I'm looking forward to digging into their catalog some more. Also, Shanrgi-la is amazing!

Not too familiar with later Kinks. I guess this is a concept album. The standout is Shangri-La. Weirdly I met an Arthur today.

2.5

More British than Weetabix and Bovril.

Very enjoyable, made me happy

More interesting in concept than in execution. The lyrical content seems like something I would be very excited by: an exploration of post-WWII Britain and how the decline of the empire affects everyday people. They take a lot of interesting angles on this concept too, digging into military life, consumerism, the class divide, and more. However, the actual music is very hit or miss. On this album, The Kinks play a mix of straightforward rock n' roll and gaudy Vaudeville-adjacent sounds, and the former is definitely my preference. The incessant quirkiness of the latter type of tracks really started grating on my nerves after a while, even if I could recognize the talent and musicianship behind them. Maybe I just wasn't in the right mood during my listen, but when such a high portion of an album irritates me like this, I can't give it many props, in spite of its ambitions.

What a treat! I bloody love 1960s Kinks! They influenced so much of the music I adore! This is their second-best album (after Village Green), but one I come back to often. I have to admit, I never knew it was written as the soundtrack for a TV play, but I can totally see that. The play was never performed and recorded, but you just know the BBC would have taped over it anyway, so only live viewers in 1969 would have seen it. I can imagine the character Arthur as one of my uncles. I can remember people in my parents' and grandparents' generations who thought and acted like him. Brilliantly written, as always, by the Davies brothers, nailing the British psyche. If anyone outside the UK wants to understand the British working class and why we are as we are, it's all here. "You're in your place and you know where you are". My favourite concept album by a country mile, full of incredible songs.

Dud can't sing. Tunes are mostly fine though. I you're into the 60s you should enjoy it. 5/10

Does not grab me as much as it did when I was younger. Still enjoyable and soaked with nostalgia.

Shanghai La may be the best song of its ilk

Quirky little concept album, but the opener blows everything else following it out of the water. Rating: decent 7/10

(6 estrellas)

The story of the Kinks is truly tragic, the more I read in depth about their albums. Their preceding masterpiece, The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society, made no money, in addition to their catalog classic single “Plastic Man.” This follow-up album was supposed to be accompanied by an ambitious TV play that would coincide with the album’s release, but that also fell through due to a lack of funding. Ray Davies and the Kinks just couldn’t catch a break, it seems. That still didn’t stop them from releasing perhaps a SECOND masterpiece, though. This isn’t just rock music; it’s art with political commentary. Davies based the story's premise on his older sister, who left for Australia in the early ’60s with her husband, also named Arthur. In the story, Arthur is a well off socialite that lost a son in the war, with children ready to head off to Australia. The themes dabble in nostalgia for the supposed greatness of the crumbling British Empire, and those who attempt to hold on to it, in spite as of the changing values of a modernizing society. However, the album itself ends up being much more than meets the eye. It’s loaded with anti-war themes and anti-establishment points of view, all littered with brilliant, sardonic wit yet again. One song after another touches on these themes, making the listener realize that the “greatness” of the Empire helped create many of the problems it faced in its attempts to remain “great.” How familiar this still feels today! As for the music, it’s lovely and diverse as always. The band really got so much better here: Mick Avory is pounding harder, the guitars from the Davies brothers are jangly, melodic, and noodly - those jams at the end of "Australia" and "Shangri-La" are astonishing. Meanwhile, the production allows the band to jump between all kinds of styles, ranging from classic pop rock and military marches to soft ballads, show tunes, jingles, and so much more. You never know what they’re going to throw at you—it’s like a demented television vaudeville special from start to finish. I love this album so much, and the Kinks were truly a special band at this point in their career. They deserved so much better. Take the time to listen and enjoy the ride. It’s a truly special listen, unlike most albums made in the ’60s. Post-script: given the global context today, the direct and poignant themes of this album, along with the diversity of the compositions, seems so much stronger than ...Village Preservation Society. For that, I'm going to give this the 5 instead. Just an amazing, powerful, fun album.

Great album. Not a great one for concept albums so just took this at a song at a time. Really enjoyed as already likedThe Kinks. Like every track minus Austrilla which could take or leave.

It took me a bit to get into the album, but the concept and, especially, the sound are super-appealing.

I wasn’t impressed. Similar to the Beatles

Cute, inoffensive, easy to listen to, nothing special

A bit quirky, occasionally biting lyrics, fun and varied instrumentals! I had a good time with this!

It's pretty good.

pj and i got this the same day haha!

A masterwork. 5/5.

The Kinks... The band where every once in a while I'll hear a song and think "I wonder who that is" and it's quite often The Kinks. The band that wrote Sunny Afternoon, Lola and Living On A Thin Line. To say that's a varied mix would be underselling it. The first half listen of this album I was kinda worried. It was giving off Beatles vibes, but in the "this is the Beatles trying to sound rambunctious" way, not the genius of "Someone", "Blackbird" or "Helter Skelter" Beatles. But I gave it another go, and it really opened up. And now on the third listen... What has struck me is this album is almost the anti-Sunny Afternoon. Where Sunny Afternoon tells the story of a privileged guy living in his mansion lamenting the systems he feels are oppressing him because he can't afford to take his yacht out, this album instead is telling the story of a British everyman who has been sold the dream but then been sold out by the system. Get down on your knees, buy the hat to look like your favourite rich person, buy your dream home in the suburbs and dream of the new car, rent that TV, destroy your body, die on the front lines, but stiff upper lip you can always move to Australia. Each song has tone that conflicts with the stories being told, and on first listen that felt like a bad thing but on relistens it becomes part of the character work. Victoria with the rambunctious Beatles sound is a parody of the British officer class. Australia sounds superficially like a bad Beach Boys song, but is actually a perfectly crafted satire selling the fantasy of migration. She's Bought A Hat Like Princess Marina should be Instagram's theme song, swathes of people from pre-teen to pre-retirement, watching influencers and thinking a hat, a holiday and a filter are the key to happiness. So know your place. Go outside and polish your car. Buy the Kylie Jenner lipstick. Or sit by the fire in your Shangri La. (On a side note, I can find no confirmation of this but I am absolutely certain that Rockstar modelled the story of Red Dead Redemption 2 on this album - the main character's name is the same (Arthur Morgan), the themes and the journey are identical. Arguably the best game ever made, a brilliant story, crafted decades earlier by The Kinks.) On the first listen, this was a 3 star. But after three times listening to this, it's a 5 star. It speaks to me. We were sold a dream, and the best we can hope for is the odd piece of escapism and the delusion that we are more than a number on the factory line.

How are there 4 Kinks albums on here. Come on you don't need 4 by these guys. Also this isn't as good as Village Green.

60's British rock commentary? I dig it. I think these guys heard the Beatles or vice versa?

There were some good songs on this album, some not so much, so my rating is a mixed 3.

Genius song writing.

The album art reminds me of older bands that relied heavily on the album art to sell their sound, in this case we've got some de Chirico (maybe Dalí) influences, we're working on image building through symbols. I'm right down the middle with The Kinks in general, but this was better than I'd expect with the artwork, I might even buy a copy at the right price. The effort is just slightly better than your -average- Beatles album, but it doesn't really compete with the stars. Same '60s rock and roll sound, slightly more edge/punk energy, but totally average by today's standards. 3/5

279. ok

Really liked that

The Kinks… not for me. Bored through most the album. 3/10. 2 stars.

So the kinks are on here quite a bit. And I understand why.... they are essentially a Beatles knock off and so if the Beatles are the absolute kings of pop rock, this cover band version of The Beatles should obviously be interesting to listen to. And I'm not saying that they're bad but the Beatles exist, and these guys essentially are copying their sound. Several times I found myself wondering whether or not John or Paul wrote the song that I was listening to. Either way if the Beatles didn't exist, this would be groundbreaking and original and truly a fantastic album however, Sergeant Pepper's exist, and this is a mediocre knock off of that sound.

Kinks é subestimado, mas não por este disco.

I’m not finishing this it’s just not my vibe at all I do like the anti-war stuff tho esp on the kirkaversary!

Not entirely my cuppa

Definitely a little copying of the Beatles' notes going on here, some parts are frankly egregious, but with less variety and with some of the Fab Four's more annoying twee cor-blimey britishness turned up to eleven. Not for me.

A bit dull.

pretty nice, not my thing

Забавно, что этот звук может считаться устаревшим, хотя ничего такого здесь нет, очень хорошо записанный альбом, потрясающий бэк-вокал. Сами песни потрясающие, красивые и мелодичные

598/1089 - I didn't like this at all but it was well made. Probably the most memorable Kinks album I've had so far. I like how crispy the drums sound.

Pretty good album! Nothing too crazy about it but it was good

Pretty good! I'd say around 3.5 stars. Some songs have "We have Beatles at home" vibes, but there was still a good amount I enjoyed here. Outside of the chorus of that Drivin' song, which was REALLY painful to listen to. Oh well, one outlier out of the bunch isn't bad at all.

Good. Quaint, sometimes rockin'. Good songs.

Would love to give this one another listen. Feel like there’s something special here… Man, the Kinks really ARE the underdog Beatles. Fantastically British pop rock with killer melodic sensibilities.

It was fine. Very British, very 70's. Had some good cuts.

Feels very Beatles-y, but not quite as good

Some people think The Kinks are overrated. Others think The Kinks are underrated. But because I am intelligent I know The Kinks are rated exactly as they should be.

They got me closer to liking a Kinks album this time, by having more of a rocking sound paired with pointed lyrics in the first half (plus I had to reckon with having liked Victoria for a long time before now anyway). But then the songs are running too long and the vaudeville and the aimless nostalgic pining and all the usual suspects came back round and Ray was singing more and they show themselves right back in the foot. I respect trying to make a sprawling concept rock opera out of the British 20th century, but a) that’s a harder challenge than I think they could pull off and b) it’s just reflective of a sort of introspective Britishness that I don’t care for in the Kinks still even when it has less nostalgia ironic or otherwise.

I mean, it's the Kinks, it's never going to not be a good time. The OG Britpop.

Such a great album, interesting concept, and fantastic all around.

Really should listen to more Kinks albums

Little know fact that the term "kink shaming" comes from shaming people who like The Kinks.

I'm sick of beatles-esque music. "Shanngri-La" made me want to throw something. Two just for Victoria

Kändes bra i början, men blev för mycket tveksamheter efter ett tag och då föll det något.

After hearing this album, it’s clear I need more kinks in my life

Just when you thought The Kinks couldn't get any better they truly stepped it up a notch with Arthur. This project feels more epic than the typical Kinks project and I found it to actually work on myself unalike a lot of other "theater-esc" projects. This project has winding tracks and a much longer runtime that really lets some of the songs here play out in some very pretty fashions. Even with a much longer runtime than anything The Kinks have played around with before, they never feel like they overstay their welcome. Arthur feels epic, and that is exactly what The Kinks had been trying to get to since Village Green. One of my general complaints or notes, depending on how you read it, was that The Kinks felt very 60s and now they actually feel like they are progressing ahead of their time and I really appreciated it during the entirety of this project. It is an album you simply need to digest as one giant meal, and once you do you will truly be famished. Nuff said!

This album impressed me with its concept & the actual song content. Just shy of 4 stars.

Solid Kinks album, some really good songs and some ok songs

An album that showcases the core artistry of The Kinks. Catchy tunes and sharp social commentary. Feels like a blast into the past in the most positive sense.

Decent album - definitely sounds like others from the British Invasion of the 60s.

Ooooh that hit a spot

The Kinks are really good, again I’ve only known them from their hits but this is a really good album, it sounds dated in some areas but overall a really fun listening experience

Solid classic rock album

#246 Heard Before? Only as part of a Kinks binge of several albums in a day. I've always thought of them more as a singles act. Notes: - typical British invasion production with strong stereo separation. still love this. the big mono era and the loudness wars really damaged the whole industry. - fine vocals. always interesting and detailed guitar parts. but why didn't they use other instruments more often, though? i feel like these arrangements are crying out for organ, horns, strings, etc. - uniformly excellent songwriting, with clever lyrics, varied structures and a lifetime of ideas crammed into one album. even the songs i don't care for have something intriguing going on. - "Brainwashed" jumped out this time as a perfect little surprise. Verdict: A riot of ideas expressed gloriously with modest means. Listen Again? I still think of them as a singles act, but this inspires me to take their albums more seriously.

Classic Kinks sound, but not for the casual listener. This is for the ardent Kinks fan.

I liked the first two songs a lot I like the changes the songs have in general, like the change of "emotion" they have. Cool album!

60s rock is hit or meh for me, never bad. For me, this one was meh. 3/5.

Such a strangely combination of quasi-cozy & unsettling; almost an alt-history version of a Beatles record.

Enjoyed the witty lyrics. Some songs were a bit grating but easy listening overall

More Kinks. Not getting any better vocally. ⭐⭐

Not half bad!

I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel a bit of dread when I see a British album from this decade on my list, but to my surprise I found myself growing more and more into what was here. I can't help but draw comparisons between The Kinks and The Beatles, and you'll find it right from the top with Victoria. It's a lot of that same melodic vocal harmonies that scratches the brain in such a distinct way that it'd be impossible not to draw comparisons. And either way, whoever is drawing inspiration from who, it's still good stuff here. There's some low points, the verses and bridges don't get to the same highs as the choruses, but it's still good enough throughout to warrant a good time. Highlight: Shangri-La Surprise Hit: She's Bought a Hat Like Princess Marina

4.5/5

I was wondering/hoping/waiting to see if they would be on here. Of course it’s my opinion, but of their music that I know, I see them as quietly one of the greatest and most influential bands ever. They felt so ahead of their time, even though you had the likes of Hendrix, Dylan, zeppelin, The Beatles, and the Stones pushing boundaries all around them. They just feel like a bedrock type group. The sound of this album in particular does feel a bit fuller, more refined — in my minds ear, they own that tinny, mono, pre super sound engineering sound. Top to bottom, it’s not a home run, but I thought it was pretty good — it opens and closes really well with Victoria and Arthur, and there are a few goodies in between. It seems to be some type of commentary or story that I can’t formulate, but the instruments are really nice, the songwriting is on brand, I got some canned heat vibes here and there, and I really did jam out on a couple. Theres also a theme of a song taking an unexpected change of pace for a few minutes then back to the beginning…I don’t have an opinion on it, just something I noticed. Good pick, don’t think it’s their best offering. Curious to see if they show up again.

Ihan kivaa, korvasta sisään ja toisesta ulos.

71 picks since my last hip-hop album. Of the 740 albums I’ve been delivered, this is one of only about 10 that you should actually listen to before you die. The Kinks fucking rule and this album particularly so.

Very good, well crafted songs, happy to dive a little deeper into the Kinks.

9/10 – Great

3.75 excellent point in time

Great album. Lots of bangers, but maybe a little too silly?

I think this was a solid album. But it doesn’t surpass the album with “You Really Got Me” and it’s not something I would go back to.

Rather gentler than I expected.

They have an incredible talent for writing 3-minute power pop/rock bangers like the album's opener ... but then they got lost in the concept sauce.

A joy to listen to

(7/7) I didn't know these guys had a concept album phase that seems to be largely forgotten/neglected

Muy aprobado, subió un poco la vara de todo lo que me venía recomendando, casi siempre si es viejo, funca.

- I only really enjoy Victoria best here... and the psychedelic ending on Australia (but, like the album, it went on too long). - The other thing I like is the political tone to the songs. - On the other hand, the vocals feel on the pinched side. - I liked it better the second time I listened, but it still feels like a less-memorable Beatles album. There definitely were nice elements to all of the songs, but overall, I didn't really connect much to them. - To top off the disappointment, the stereo recording isn't great.

One of the best produced 60s albums I have heard! It's a very high 4

Listened to this twice today (I’ve never done that before) really hard choice between a four and a five, as it sits somewhere as the best of fours and the worst of fives. I feel satisfied with this choice.

OK, bij deze ben ik fan van de Kinks. Wat een vette nummers, en originele uitwerking

Jaaaaa mega gut... kannte ich schon :)

Mycket bra. Får starka artic monkeys vibbar. Snudd på en femma i betyg. Vi kan säga 9/10.

Aggressively British, but for once that's not a bad thing. This is one of my favorite albums ever, mainly because it's one of the rarest things in music: a concept album where the concept is actually interesting and the individual tracks can stand on their own. So many concept albums get totally lost up their own ass and forget that they're supposed to have songs, but there is not one skippable track on Arthur. They work both on a purely visceral level of having great hooks and melodies but still advance the album's story and themes. Speaking of themes, I would probably be annoyed at a lot of the social satire on this album in the hands of a lesser artist, but the Kinks make it work; the album rarely sounds smug or judgemental. Genuinely some of the most beautiful songwriting I've ever heard on Some Mother's Son and Young And Innocent Days.

I’d like all my history lessons to be sung by the Kinks. This was fun.

Every time I listen to The Kinks, I’m always struck by how smart it all is. Smart musical choices, smart lyrics, good musicians. This album doesn’t disappoint.

This was a really interesting and good listen. I liked this a lot. 3.5 on the 4 side

Like the other Kinks album I've gotten, it's fine.

I'm sure I've said this before, but if I never had to listen to The Kinks again it would be too soon....let me out !!!!!!

Um disco de rock ‘classudo’ que trás uma história real conceitual sobre pessoas e eventos reais. A receita que a maioria das bandas de antigamente faziam e que hoje é muito pouco explorado. Musicalmente uma obra muito bem feita, é bom sem ser chato e repetitivo e te prende do começo ao fim. Uma baita indicação pra todo mundo que gosta de escutar algo “novo” e “velho” ao mesmo tempo.

Escuchando 2019 Remaster Buenas Guitarras en Victoria. Me gusta Yes sir no Sir Siento que es muy de epoca, asumo que los Beatles y The Beach boys como mayor influencia. No siento que sea algo que te rompa la cabeza o disruptivo sobreviviente al paso del tiempo, pero los temas son lindos de escuchar, estan buenos y la banda es muy solida. EN MrChurchillSays hay algunos arreglos que me hacen acordar a Geese, salvando muchas distancias. No me gusta usar la cantidad de reproducciones como parametro o vara para calificar una cancion, pero entiendo porque hay un bajon de escuchas post Mt.Churchill Says. Shes Bought... no se siente como todo lo que lo precedio. Cositas de OctopusGarden o Maxwell SIlver Hammer, pero no es lo mismo young and innocent days igual mejora muy bueno el album. No creo que busque ser innovador pero si es una gran referencia de un sonido de epoca y a que punto se habia desarrollado. EN niningun momento se me hizo tedioso o muy repetitivo, no lo hice prestandole atencion a las letras simplemente a la musica en general. AUnque por arriba las canciones no se me hicieron tremendamente profundas, seguramente me equivoco pero bueno. De los 3 albumes hasta el momento el mejor que escuche. Si Al green fue un 3, Nirvana fue 3,2 y esto es 3,5. Manana decidire si es 4 o 3

Victoria is a banger and the rest of the album does not quite match it. Although after a few listens the rest of the album did grow on me and there are some great guitar hooks and lyrics. The production sounded really ropey to me - with everything sounding quite muffled and fuzzy.

Took 3 listens, but came through as a fun ditty of 60s life in Blighty

non mi ha emozionato

Perfeito

Australia og Shangri-La går rimelig hardt. Dette var egentlig veldig kult! Kanskje jeg må tilbake til Village Green. Jeg kommer i hvert fall tilbake til dette. Kanskje med tiern på lur...?

Hadde helt glemt hvor mange bangers den plata her har. Tenderer mot prog til tider og selvfølgelig vittig som alltid. Som et mer utviklet Village Green, hvertfall musikalsk

Yep, enjoyable offering from The Kinks

I like the kinks overall. This seems very much like a Grateful Dead style, and sound from back in that day. It was fun enough style, for that style.

The Kinks are always a good listen.

Catchy stuff. But when I saw it was by the Kinks, I was excited, then listened, and it was disappointing for the band that did Sunny Afternoon and You Really Got Me.

Enjoyed this Brit pop rock album. The kinks are alright with me.

Big british energy. This was better than expected

Don't really know anything about the Kinks besides the name and their top couple songs. Reading the history of the album is interesting though. The first song is a sort-of love letter to the England of the past, while still examining its faults. I really like the second song though. I always love confusion and loss personified, and the horns are very fun as is the song change about halfway through. "Some Mother's Son" was a good and very sad, it gives me big David Bowie vibes. "Drivin'" is very Beatles-esque. Its a good song but doesn't blow my mind. "Brainwashed" has a fun intro and very 60s guitar. I continue to really like the horns on this album, and the guitar is finding a more "rocky" sound. The end of this song in particular is soo modern and ahead of its time. "Australia" was a good fun song, the horns here gave me big like High School band energy, but in a good way. "Shangri-La" is a good philosophical take on suburbs and cookie cutter comfort. "Mr. Churchill Says" is a good historical song with fun guitar. "She's Bought a Hat Like Princess Marina" is a song about British materials values and snobbery essentially, its a very Beatles-esque song again. "Young and Innocent Days" is another modern sounding song. "Nothing to Say" is about a complicated relationship with a father its seems like, the guitar is very Chicago in parts. "Arthur" is a fun and sweet song and a good ender. Overall, this is a fun album, I really enjoy the guitar, the horns, and they have a good theme for the lyrics. I can see it being ahead of its time and helping to inspire other things. But it is just good and doesn't blow my mind. 3/5 Favorite Tracks: Yes Sir, No Sir; Brainwashed; Shangri-La Least Favorite Tracks:

интересно былл познакомиться с кинкс в целом, но не прям мое

Not a bad thing, just no a thing. Muy simplon.

Two of their best songs, Victoria and Shangra-la - rest is great, some filler for the concept

I really want to go to Australia now

A stone cold fucking masterpiece. Ray Davies was a transcendent genius at his peak. Right up there with any other album that came out of the British Invasion, even if they did rip off The Fall's Victoria.

not to shabby

Ray Davies singing with a fake american accent for even one second on this album about working class Britain pissed me off so much

First of all great record. Some of these songs sound more British than anything, but in a good way. Victoria is such a great opener, Some Mother’s Son is a genuinely touching anti-war song (opposed to others of the era that just advocates sunshine and love and stuff). A few tracks are a little longwinded and sound too much like it’s era, but only a very few. Kept revisiting it and it just got better. 9.5/10

This is the best rock ‘n’ roll album about the decline and fall of the British empire to date, and plausibly the best one that will ever be.

I’m pretty tired of the Kinks. Maybe I wasn’t in the mood for this one, nothing hear really sticks out to me. Rating: 4/10 Favorite Song: Victoria

rym 3.98 Pop Rock/Rock Opera 终于来了，席卷全球的英伦big 4之一。从周围的世界取材，用音乐唱出自己的不满与愤怒，但又如此的轻巧舒缓。不过这类老专辑，其大名虽早已如雷贯耳，我也觉得不赖，但就是很难全身心地热爱，可能一个时代有一个时代的审美意趣吧。依然是张很悦耳的专辑。 pick: She's Bought a Hat Like Princess Marina, Arthur, Australia

6.5/10

findi bis etz s coolste womer vo ihne gha hend. victoria kenni sogar. und some mother's son glaub au. brainwashed huuere geile giti sound uiii. australia findi gad recht nervig wells afoch immer australia singed. shangri la checki wieder baut seehr cool uuf. nice.

Mjög hresst. Ég elska nákvæmlega þessa tegund af 60's rokki. Kinks eru alltaf flottir.

Kinks eru alltaf góðir, en mér fannst vanta aðeins húmorinn og pönkið sem er í bestu lögum þeirra. Ekki viss um að nenna að hlusta á þetta aftur. Það sem mér fannst skrýtið var hvað söngurinn og lögin minntu mikið á Paul McCartney. 3,5

Really progressive for 1969, I always enjoy the kinks

The Kinks are what you would have if The Beatles had teeth behind their social commentary.

fun album and worth a listen

Very good album, reminded me of Bob Dylan a little

alter Britpop 🤷

Great stuff! Favorites: Victoria, Yes Sir, No Sir, Shangri-La, Nothing to Say

This album kicks so much ass, and it's somehow not the best Kinks record (in my opinion, of course)??? May Sir Ray Davies live forever.

What can you say about this British group who are the ultimate songwriters of English life. Very underrated and yet they consistently charted with one hit after another. How can you not like a rick band who were banned from America.

It's ok. Not their best work. But I can see how it influenced a lot of modern rock and folk music I guess. Considering my love for classic rock and 60s music I was disappointed with this one. It's funny, the album mirrors my own childhood - emigrating from the UK to NZ.

Honestly such a great discovery. I had never really listened to the kinks, just « you really got me » but nothing else. And this album is so well made and constructed. It just felt nice listening to it. It’s the kind of song you jam to in your room dancing, or while tidying your room. I personally listened to it while being in the pool, and then on the couch while reading « Orbital » by Samantha Harvey ( a masterpiece btw).

even when i haven't had a lot of sleep and i'm tired from a festival day i cna still recognize that this album is fun and great. I probably will enjoy this even more some other time.

Really nice album, actually. Wasn't even aware of The Kinks before.

As an Australian who has an obsession about songs related to Australian locations, this one tickled my fancy. I was familiar with said track, but not the rest of the album. It was a right jam. I never really paid attention to The Kinks before aside from their hit radio singles. I was impressed to hear something largely unfamiliar. I should really listen to more of their discography.

Highlights: Victoria. Very Beatle Like. 3.2

Lyder som alt det andet britiske lort - Jesus hvor de moaner . Hørte det ikke færdigt

Not bad, pleasant surprise

Ok. Usual kinks fayre.

6/10

The Kinks are one of my all time favorites. And while this album doesn’t have any of their “hits” it’s full of fun Kinks songs.

Really enjoyed this. Have never listened to a Kinks album before now so was pleasantly surprised.

Buen álbum, álbum que simplemente te lleva a una euphoria por el ritmo y sus letras, ganas no me faltaron de agarrar mi guitarra y imitar la de este disco.

This album idk how to explain it, it started off amazing, like DAMN DIS DAT 60s PSYCHEDELIC GOOD SHIT, the lyrics of the first like 5 songs were all so good, they were deep and like kept you interested, but also band is doing an amazing job, that tempo and key change on like 2nd song got me hard lowkey. The second half tho was jus like it’s okay, not anything that blew me away, jus sounds like another 60s band type shi you feel me, but the last two songs tho atleast ended it off on a good note, idk ima rate it a 4 but I do wanna relisten to it at some point and my rating may change

Excellent and timeless.

i think maybe it's because i experienced 3 months of being British since listening to the other one, but i liked this a lot more than The Village Green Preservation Society. more human in its storytelling and more loose with its sound. deserves to be one of the 1001? uehhhhh sure

fav songs: brainwashed british, folk, rock 40/100

really good

åing

Listened to this one during a long day of payroll and catchup at work. I loved it. Flew by in a good way. Going to go back to it again.

It got very British and very 60’s very quickly.

Got worried when I heard “concept album” but I really enjoyed this. I feel like it would be a difficult one to explain to non-brits as there are so many references to our culture and class systems. As a Brit, I loved the “cynicalness” of it. Shanghai-la was a standout track

A fine album, but without any outstanding songs.

yes yes yes victoria is an easy 10 top song for me highlights: victoria yes sir no sir brainwashed australia shangri-la mr. churchill says

Day 354 Highlights Victoria Shangri La Arthur

An American has about as much license to review the Kinks as a suburban white boy has to review Chief Keef. But when I see Ray Davies hailed as a better songwriter than Lennon/McCartney online I must don my cowboy boots and ten-gallon hat and go to bat for people that write actual songs and not trite political snark over sparsely arranged/imagined tunes. I’m really being too hard on ol’ Ray, this is a good album. It's just that I used to listen to it a lot and nowadays I often wonder why. The production always annoyed me. Maybe it says more about me than about the album that my favorite songs are the slickest and most Beatle-like, “Mr. Churchill Says” and “She’s Bought a Hat Like Princess Marina”.

Uplifting and fun while having a lot to say. Really enjoyed listening to this. Some Mother's Son was my fav song and first listen of the album. Victoria and Nothing To Say were my other highlights

I’ve always liked the Kinks. This is a super enjoyable album.

I'm not a fan of concept albums, but this is pretty solid. "Victoria" is an absolute banger of a track but it never really reaches the same heights afterwards. Solid Kinks album, though.

On paper this is something that should be right up my alley. But for some reason this just did not resonate with me

Enjoyed this album. I'm a sucker for British Invasion pop. 4/5.

Brit Rock 1969, was supposed to be tv play - cancelled, Rock opera Victoria Australia Nothin to say

I like Victoria. Not the biggest fan. Australia is a long song I like Shangri-la I think its a 3 star album for me. I like she bought a hat like princess Marina. I like Arthur

Liked more than I expected to

Very good.

My fav song by them is waterloo sunset

Victoria Victoria

lyttede til det i baggrunden og lagde ikke rigtig mærke til det. så det tegner godt i guess, haha. gode guitar tunes.

Kind of annoyed that this one is on here, to be honest. Victoria is one of the greatest songs ever, so this gets a 3 just based on that, but everything else is just so, so meh. This is the Kinks' Bossanova. Anyway, there's way better stuff by the Kinks themselves that's apparently not on here - Muskwell Hillbilly in particular is about 100 times more fun.

My favourite of the Kinks, something beautifully British about each tune. They were really putting out Beatles levels of albums out at this time

Beatles but cooler

A group who I've enjoyed in passing, but never quite gave a chance. Now that my eyes have been opened as to their genius songwriting and composition, I'm looking forward to exploring this legendary band of the British Invasion movement. The social commentary and storytelling go together perfectly, with the whole concept feeling realised in full, and I especially loved the dynamic instrumentation throughout. Not a single bad track to be found. A classic. Favourite track: Shangri-la Least favourite track: N/A

An excellent collection of 1960s rock that only had one track I previously knew.

Think these guys might be British

Veerrryyyyy of it's time

Me gusto, buen roksito, muy beatles. 7/10

2/10 idk man this is like the 12th British rock band and I'm just tired

Its ok. Don't know if I really get the Kinks, its pretty innocuous music to me

Хуй знает что-то про Черчилля и короля Артура

3. Some fun songs.

My second favorite Kinks album. Witty writing a cheekily preformed.

Loved it!

The Kinks rule

Great

I like this album a lot. Really great, creative songwriting, and the band is cooking. The Kinks don't just "sound British," though, they have constant themes of British nationalism throughout their music. It's definitely more than a bit ironic, though (certainly less creepily earnest than Village Green). Excuse the cliche, but I prefer their earlier stuff. Nonetheless, a really good set of songs.

First Kinks album, never even heard of the band before. Ok, the first thing I have to say is the year, 1969. This album is nearly 60 years old and it does feel it. Starts off strong with Victoria but then it goes down the very British pop/rock scene of the 60s and 70s and I just do not vibe with the vocal style. I don't mind the songs too much but the vocals and the lyrics just don't do it for me. Over the course of the first 4 songs each song got less and less impressive. They didn't feel fresh, they didn't do anything different. Ok, 5th song in and that's not like it, driving beat, get some brass in there and jazz that mother up! Australia had some bad bits then some much better bits. They do much better when they stick to the instrumentals. I feel like they would have done well transitioning this record to a mainstream prog rock record and focusing on the instrumental work, but then I have to remember King Crimson did their first record this year too. Same with Shangri-La, and Churchill, better towards the end. "She bought a hat..." Starts off like a bunch of year 10s singing in assembly once it catches some drive it improves dramatically and the drum solo was great. But then whilst it sounds like it's going for fun, kazoo and all, it doesn't make up for we are 9 songs in and the best one was the first one. The finish to the record like the songs is better, it starts and finishes well but the middle is about better than what I'd think as alright. Maybe was more pioneering for it's day but to me feels dated. ⭐⭐⭐ (3.5 rounded down)

Who up wearing they hat like Princess Marina? Me fr fr bestie and such. After sonic youth yesterday, it's refreshing to hear music that sounds like music, and that sounds good.

I really like this album in particular “Victoria”, “Australia” and “Shangri-La”. The kinks have some amazing songs! I read somewhere that the Kinks and the Small Faces had “something”. The Beatles and the Stones just had it….

fun album! my first rock opera too!

Thank god the British Empire declined so I don't have to listen to this garbage.

Victoria - 4.5/5 Yes Sir, No Sir - 4/5 Some Mother's Son - 4/5 Drivin' - 3.5/5 Brainwashed - 4/5 Australia - 4/5 Shangri-La - 4.5/5 Mr. Churchill Says - 4/5 She's Bought a Hat Like Princess Marina - 3.5/5 Young and Innocent Days - 4/5 Nothing to Say - 4/5 Arthur - 4/5 I had only known the Kinks from one song, so seeing them pull off a pretty good concept album is both surprising and reassuring that they were still as good as they were on debut. An entire album criticizing the British way of life after WWII is a brilliant concept, and they execute the sort of monochromatic, dull way society functioned with the longing and horrors of the past behind our main character. Overall: 4/5 Favorites: Victoria, Shangri-La

Loved the lyrics to the songs, lots of neat sounds and some great bops, but some kind of wore on me. Great album tho overall

Pretty cool.

So many excellent classics from the Kinks, unfortunately not on this album. Glad to see there are 3 more albums on this list. 2 stars

Like the kinks. Album was good. But no stand out tracks for me.

Good album, this is. I feel it echos the Beatles somewhat from the same era. The drum parts are more complex though, which is refreshing. Enjoyed this one, and it’s got some memorable catchy lines. 3.9/5.0

Fun listen.

Listening to The Kinks always leaves me feeling happier. Spectacular album.

There are a number of songs by The Kinks that I thoroughly love and enjoy, but I've yet to find an album of theirs that really captures me. This album did change that for me. A few good songs, but overall the album fell pretty flat.

The Kinks were such a brilliant band, it's a shame they never got the same mainstream recognition as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and The Who. They definitely deserved it, going by the quality of music alone. I haven't listened to this in ages, but it's still as spectacular as ever. It's easily one of their best releases, full of sharp, insightful lyricism, great songwriting and incredibly fun harmonies. Overall, an absolute must listen. If anyone wants to explore further beyond the picks on the list, I would suggest listening to Muswell Hillbillies next. Favourite track: Shangri-La

When I pressed play, what I heard did not sound like the Kinks to me. The vocals don't sound like the Ray Davies that I am used to. It wasn't until about halfway through the second song ("Yes Sir, No Sir") that it sounded like the Kinks to me. This is OK. None of the songs really grabbed me though. I liked "Nothing to Say" the most, I think. 2.5 stars.

Buen álbum, gran influencia. Líricamente hablando tiene algunas canciones preciosas, pero se me ha hecho un poco repetitivo.

Outro álbum fantástico

Beatles influence clear

I love the Kinks, but the bourgeois nostalgia and neuroses of postwar Englishmen are simply never gonna grab me. Fortunately the music is inventive; if I'd grown up on music-hall and early 20th c. English song stuff I'd appreciate it even more. Village Green I love, this one I admire from afar.

7/10

Ganz cool. Ich mag, dass der Dance hall Sound von den Kinks auf ironische Weise adaptiert wird

Pre Listen: The Kinks :) I have a good number of their songs on my playlist already, mostly from their Lola VS. album. I'm certain I'll recognize some songs from this, and I will enjoy this album overall. Notable Tracks: Victoria - Oh yeah, I know this one. Most excellent. May be playlist worthy, excited for the rest of this album. Yes Sir, No Sir - Another one I know. This one *will* be going on the playlist. Drivin' - Another one I know, and yet isn't part of my playlist. Will be adding this one too. Shangri-La - I don't recognize this one, but I absolutely love it. Probably my favorite on here. Another one added to the playlist! Post Listen: I stopped putting notable tracks on because I loved basically every song on here. Easy 5! Some have described the Kinks as Beatles-adjacent, and I get that. They have such a great variety of instruments, sounds, lyrics, etc. Every instrument is well played, every lyric sung in-tune and well done. So great overall, I hummed along to nearly every track. I needed this. 5/5

A bold choice to commit your career to being The Beatles but worse. Same dull hippy-dippy sound I’d hear off their albums but with grating vocals on top of it. Yuck.

Starts absolutely on fire. Doesn't keep that same level throughout, but still a really good album.

Love a 60s Brit pop with a dash of baroque.

It's mind-blowing to me how underrated these guys are 💐💐💐💐💐💐

Rate: 8/10.

Another album from the 60s

Favourite Songs: Brainwashed Australia

A really lyrically heavy album to say the least, even though the listening experience is not bad per se(quite the opposite), i dont feel the songs have individual replay value so i dont see me coming back often About the music itself, instrumentals light out what would be a heavy listening, i cant really remark anything as nothing is sticking out for me, a nice 1 time listening but nothing more

Lo escuché muy de fondo

The Kinks are quite good and an underrated band

don't understand much the concept of the album it's fun to listen

Woah! What an incredible concept album. Every track was a beautiful soundscape of instruments that told a beautiful story.

A good album that I probably won’t come back to because I’ve never been in a mood for the kinks

Wouldn’t reach for it but not bad

I really wanted to like this more, but it's just okay. You hear stuff from the Kinks and think they are just a hair behind the Beatles or Stones, but then you get into their albums and see they are actually quite far behind.

This is my jam! Always had a soft spot for the Kinks, but never listened to this as an album before. It’s a work of genius. Will revisit. 4.5

Pretty enjoyable folk/pop/art rock, with great songwriting. Instrumentally the album was very good too.

Fun and groovy, with a grand and wonderful arrangement. Some dark lyrics but with strong pacifism and lovely critiquing. Peace and love! 4/5

Some of these tracks are weirdly long.

I have not heard this before. I’ve heard most of these songs over the years but somehow i have slept on the kinks discography other than their first two albums, while still really liking them. There’s a good mix of rock, psychedelia, and baroque pop here and they show a lot of growth from the early garage rock albums of theirs I have, although at a few points they come a little too close to the circus music that Paul McCartney was into at the time. Still a great album.

This is a fun concept album, and the music is good. I was hoping for something to really hook me. Maybe I'm just too removed from the UK experience.

Wow this bangs; I am super impressed.

Love how they can be funny/sarcastic and then serious and it doesn’t feel forced

I had super low expectations for this, but the songwriting won me over. Objectively, they’re worse at every thing The Who do instrumentally but their songs are better.

Victoria and Shangri-La are such incredible starts to the A and B sides, well done lads

- When the music is fast or crunchy (such as "Victoria" or "Brainwashed"), I do not mind the sound. I also appreciate this very much being a "working man"'s collection of messages. - But, unfortunately, much of the album is just incredibly derivative of what the Beatles had already pushed into the atmosphere at least two years earlier. And it all feels insubstantial to boot.

Album between 2 era, Autralia is in the oldies but some other song sound more contemporary

Vrm pas fou malheureusement

The Kinks - Arthur - or the decline and fall of the British empire I’ve had a semi enforced (by holiday) break from the album-a-day routine so my generator has stopped generating and I have a lot of albums queued up to listen to. This is the first in the queue. I pretty much enjoyed most of this with the standard track being Australia. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Quite enjoyed this, somewhere between 3 and 4 stars but rounding down.

Victoria - 4 Yes sir, no sir - 3 Some mother's son - 4 Drivin' - 3 Brainwashed - 4 Australia - 3 Shangri-la - 3 Mr. churchill says - 4 She's bought a hat like princess marina - 4 Young and the innocent days - 3 Nothing to say - 3 Arthur - 3

Ok

There were parts I enjoyed quite a lot. Others, not so much. On the whole I could take it or leave it.

Beatles contemporaries always just kinda sound like the Beatles don't they? An album made for a movie that never came out is an interesting origin

And a half.

Decent, I only recognised Victoria from this one

What an opener, Shangri-La decent too

Good stuff in there .

The Kinks are an interesting bunch. First, it should be noted that already at this album's release, The Kinks were already at 6 album releases. They were truly music generating machines. This album sits pretty well with me. It's that classic rock 60's early 70's sound. It had a good mix of flavors. This pick for the day was also nice because I hadn't really given The Kinks much deeper of a dive than their commercially successful hits. It was fun to take a trip back in time with the band. Victoria was a rocking track.

Interesting, seems like it would be fun to see in person!

While the concept of this one may be a little beyond me without more effort than I'm willing to put in, those Davies boys should could write a lovely tune.

no - too twee

Omg this was so British! I know the kinks but maybe only 1or 2 of these songs. I think Victoria the first song was my favorite

okay

A fine album, very beetlesesque imo but a few weaker entries. Top songs: Victoria, Yes Sir, No Sir, Shangri-la, Mr. Churchill Says, Nothing to Say

What a lovely album this was as a previous person‘s head. This is songwriting on Paul McCartney after 1000 albums. It’s still lovely to find an album like this.

Not bad. Always down for a concept album. Some of the songs are a bit too frisky and British, which is very fitting for the concept. High 3 for me since I don't see myself revisiting.

Less punk than I expected.

Solid album and band that deserves more recognition they get. The Kinks are something that everyone should hear sometime in their life

this is the missing link. this is the proto everything. goddamn 5 better than the beatles

I'll show these guys a Kink or two

Album #109: Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire) - The Kinks Genre (W): Rock Singles: Drivin’, Shangri-La, Victoria I have listened to this album once before. Thoughts?: The music is solid, but the lyrics are bland and undercooked. Overall a meh album. Favorite songs: Victoria, Yes Sir, No Sir, Drivin’, Brainwashed, She's Bought a Hat Like Princess Marina

Meh

I really liked the start with Victoria, yes sir no sir was ok, then kind of meandered between not jumping out to me and some gems. Brainwashed and Shangri-La were good in different ways, Princess Marina and Mr Shoemaker's Daughter gave that wacky rock vibe that is fun for me, but at other times just didn't land.

I appreciate what The Kinks are doing, but I don't always need 50 minutes of them in a row. They got a little experimental in this album with tracks like the 7-minute-long Australia, and I respect that, but I didn't particularly enjoy the execution necessarily. Some enjoyable stuff on here though: Victoria, Arthur, and She's Bought a Hat Like Princess Marina all had me vibing.

Loved brainwashed, nothing to say Didn't care for Australia Overall good album by a surprisingly fun band

Victoria is a great song and the kinks have such a chill rock vibe. Love the album!

Wowwwww this inspired a whole kinks listening day. Still continuing to listen to victoria and yes sir, no sir. The kinks are now in my rotation!

3.5/5

I usually don't note this, but this one's Englishness really stood out. English soft rock from an another time, with some really interesting song writing, but I really did not feel the need for this right now. If I was a little more artsy maybe I would have liked this more.

idgaf

3.5

DELÍCIA de album, gostei demais!!! músicas cativantes, interessantes e letras muito boas.

Kinky!

Kinky

Son los Kinks, uno de los grandes. A mi parecer no terminan de redondear sus canciones, pero siempre tienen algo interesante.

Still not completely sold on the Kinks.

The Kinks' *Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire)* is a quintessential "everyman" concept album that captures a distinct, nostalgic charm, particularly in its stronger first half. Tracks like "Brainwashed" and "Australia" stand out for their infectious energy and masterful instrumental interplay, offering a compelling blend of tight vocal harmonies and creative, free-flowing musicianship. While the record leans into a classic, Beatles-esque aesthetic that feels both familiar and engaging, the experience is somewhat uneven; the production quality occasionally falters—most notably on "Shangri-La"—and the latter portion of the tracklist struggles to maintain the momentum established by the album's sharper, more melodic opener.