Reviews (page 3 of 13)
tipico rock alternativo de los 60, sin más, nada especial, se deja escuchar y ya
Outstanding. Not sure how I slept on this.
Solid 4.5. Álbum conceitual que é divertido, todas as músicas são interessantes, é bem coeso e não é repetitivo, com melodias e elementos diversos.
Ein Konzeptalbum, das mehr Idee als Wirkung hat. Die Kinks erzählen groß, doch viele Songs plätschern eher brav dahin und verlieren sich im Thema statt in starken Melodien. Respekt für den Anspruch, aber emotional bleibt es erstaunlich flach.
I like the kinks but in small doses. One or two songs is a good amount!
I really liked the first Kinks album on the list... and I like music that speaks truth to power... which leaves me wanting to like this album more than I did. But I found many of these songs repetitive and lacking the melodic hooks that I liked on the first album. Case in point, Australia was pretty good... but then seemed to drag on after the first few minutes. There is probably potential there... I would probably like this more after a few more listens, but I'm finding that I'm not interested enough to invest the time.
We only have to jump a couple of weeks ahead to get to this one. I connected with this album significantly more than their other record we heard. I want to spend more time diving into the story because I enjoyed the sound quite a bit. This was zany and entertaining throughout with far more memorable moments. Maybe I’ve just gained an appreciation for The Kinks and would enjoy their previous work more now but at first glance this feels like a real development in their sound and direction. Some of these tracks were a real journey. 1 listen Favorite Tracks: Victoria, Australia, Shangri-La
Expectation: -> This is our second Kinks album. I'm good with that. After listening: -> The Kinks make some fun music that I certainly enjoy. There isn't a song here that I dislike, yet also none that blew me away. Happy to have experienced some more 60s tunes from this popular band. Track ranking: Son Yes Sir Nothing Churchill Victoria Shangri-La Brainwashed Hat Drivin' Australia Arthur Young
It's fine for what it is, but really not my thing.
not touching or "classic". wouldn't recommend it to somebody
Loved this album, the lyrics and of course songs are just neat. Easy 4/5
3/5 Favorite Song: Arthur
This s a cool album. I only knew one song from before, but this was surprisingly refreshing. When I get more time I will have another listen. It is actually close to a 5*. Favourites: Victoria, Nothing to Say, Arthur
Didn’t interest me
Please, decline and fall, already.
Eh not for me
A pretty good listen! There’s not a lot here I really feel the need to come back to, but I can understand why this was important enough to include.
The Kinks are a perfect example for me of a band that I actually "kind of like" but can not do a whole album at once. I am a big fan of several of their songs and I do like the way they change things up and have a good range, but somehow when it is "all at once" it gives me the feeling of just wanting it to hurry up so that is a negative. Otherwise I do like the Kinks and think they deserve a place in music history as a highly regarded band. Nevertheless, for me, they need to be a in a playlist so I do not get too stuck on wanting something else in between.
I listened to it, but it just lacks...umph.
Having perfected the pop rock formula with Village Green, there was only one way left to go for Davies: bigger. Bigger songs, a bigger concept, a bigger sound, the whole affair. Now did this ambition pay off? ...yeah, kind of? As is to be expected, there are many fabulous songs on here, in an unprecedented number of styles. They pull off bluesy yet orchestrated rock, English folk, that classic Kinks flavour of baroque pop, and they even deliver some mean Music Hall tomfoolery - all of it a brilliant blend of catchy and intricate. That being said, just maybe this album have been ever so slightly better as a "regular" pop rock album, without the not-quite-there concept/story driving it, and at the odd moment (e.g. the kind of unnecessary "big" jam in Australia) dragging it down a bit.
Another day another blind listen. ——— I’m loving the repetitive sounds of Drivin and Australia. Really good. ——— This was a very fun listen. It felt very mature and ripe. The songs were fresh and unique, yet there is a musical theme across all that ties the work together. I enjoyed it. there were many creative moments that took the unexpected route and in a successful manner. and great politics! —— Poem: I find night lost in a day the blindsiding crime committing side of time and space the hunger that promises to meet you, swerve you at every other of life’s curb THE ROAD IS CLOSED TODAY, GO FIGURE IT OUT FOR YOURSELF, TODAY. I forgot it was June the twenty first could not start in time my chase of the never ending horizon of summer’s tail
ye i liked it. didnt save any songs but it was enjoyable. i like the medieval influenced sound
Once I was at IKEA and there was some music playing low in the warehouse section that felt familiar but I couldn’t quite place it. It took a minute but it eventually dawned on me that IKEA was piping in a muzak version of “Shangri-La”. This is objectively one of the most hilarious things I have ever experienced.
81/100. Time has a way of sanding off the rough edges. Understanding often begins when we put them back. The Kinks use the story of one ordinary man to explore much bigger ideas. On the surface, the album centers on working-class British life during the first half of the twentieth century, but beneath that it becomes a reflection on national identity, class, war and the gradual decline of Britain's imperial power. Many of the songs deal with war and its human cost. Rather than focusing on politicians or historical events, the album is interested in how those forces affect ordinary people and families. The songs work perfectly well as individual tracks, but the deeper you pay attention, the more connections you notice. The writing is strong because it avoids simple nostalgia. The past is neither romanticized or completely dismissed. The Kinks looked at the fall of the British Empire and decided it needed fewer politicians and a lot more driving guitar riffs.
Aside from Victoria this album just feels. Another case of more important than good
I always thought “Victoria” was a love song. I didn’t take the lyric “she’s my queen” literally, but it’s a wonderful song nonetheless. “Drivin’” is good, as are a few others. It’s interesting to take a musical trip through English history, I like the concept. While a lot of it is very British pop of the period, I think the constraints of the concept hurt the music a bit.
A lot of good songs on here
This album had completely passed me by. To be fair, I probably only really know the Kinks as a singles band. Ray Davies, of course, is the great English songwriter.
Kõla poolest ei olnud see muusika üldse minule. Ma mõistan kuidas ta võib meeldida. Ta on selline pubis õllese peaga kaasa laulmise muusika. Suhteliselt lihtsad kohati kantrilikud meloodiad ja jutustav sarkastiliskriitiline lüürika. See on muusika briti töölisklassile. Ma kujutan ette, kuidas sellele võiks UKs pinda olla, aga kahjuks mulle ta ei ole. The Clash on ikka veidi rohkem minu asi.
Vamos hoy jueves con The Kinks, banda que escuché completa hace un tiempo. Disco amable, muy Beatle de a momentos (o muy inglés), lleno de hits y de un sonido sólido, particular de ellos, donde incluyen la experimentación, el juego, lo circense si se quiere. Gracias y hasta mañana viernes.
I too do not like the British Empire. ‘Nuff said. (8/10) Favorite Tracks: “Victoria”, “Some Mother’s Son”, “Brainwashed”, “Nothing to Say”
Really nice pop rock. It aged prety well compared to other album of its time. If you like the Beatles your gona like it too. Really liked the guitar solos and the more prog element. Some time very political in its lyrics. Favorite songs in any order: Australia, Victoria, Drivin', Shangri-la
Funky
klassisk shangri-la føles moderne - ikke 1969
Good band in their days. Not one of their better album. I prefer them better with their tracks such as You Really Got Me and All Day and All of the Night. A good album.
I didn't like it too
2,7/5
Far better than the name Arthur
listened before
Not bad! Don’t think I’ve ever listened to a full kinks album
Not bad, they definitely hit more for me with the more upbeat/energetic stuff. Once they slow down, I lose interest.
Never listened to this Kinks album. Is this their political album? Not their best, not sure why its on this list. 3
4/5
These Kinks albums are worth going back to. Known as a singles band really, there is a run of three or four of which this is one, that are outstanding.
sigh. this was great but probably gets washed away in my hazy memories of a couple hundred other albums
Epic
Yes, sir! No, sir! How should i vote, sir? Only one note, sir, five stars.
Fine
I'm not much of a Kinks fan but enjoyed this well enough. And indeed, the fall of the British Empire went down pretty much as they describe it.
It's like my favorite part of the Beatles, but the whole time!
okay album with some still relevant themes. favourite song: yes sir, no sir
OpportunitiesAreAvailableInAllWalksOfLifeInAustraliaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!
RATING: 7/10 HIGHLIGHT: Shangri-La LOWLIGHT: Nothing to Say
Really Good
It's good. Very good. But I think the issue I have with The Kinks is that they're too clever for single listens. I need to listen more, but conversely I'm not sure their plinky plonky style will have lasting power for me.
I really like the kinks, it's very approachable.
Definitely more political than I expected. Sadly "Brainwashed" is still just as relevant now as it was then.
I need a few more listens with this one. I think I prefer Something Else. Still very enjoyable
This is a masterpiece in concept album making. It’s buoyant, fun, holds the theme, irreverent and poppie Love this album
fantastically weird. i've been converted into a new kinks fan.
the kinks!
Kinda fun, music for boys
I love "Victoria", but maybe that's because I love the Fall version so much. Great kickoff to an album that, although it has its moments of Kinks tweeness, is generally better than the other Kinks albums I had on the list.
Kind of repetitive at times but had a good vibe. Like the folky influences to it.
So sad, so good.
Kinks were like, "What if we were Monty Python?"
Reading the synopsis and reviews for this album and realizing its a rock opera that was heavily compared with Tommy was very interesting. Tommy is one of my favourite albums of all time so I won't compare it because i love that album too much. This album is super enjoyable and I love this kind of classic rock so much. It's nostalgic and easy and you don't need to know the plot to enjoy listening! It's just vibes. I don't know lyrics until i really get into an album, so they aren't so important to me on the initial reaction. It's just pseudo-beatles and better in certain ways and I really enjoyed it! I know I would have more to say with a more intense and repetitive listen but I just really enjoyed it and found it very charming.
Нормально
I mean, more beatles, eh? 2.5, rounded up
Surprisingly like the beatles but a solid 3. The kazoo was a nice touch.
Surprisingly good concept album about the foibles of the British Empire. I like the Kinks, but had never heard of this one - I think it's one of their best. I looked it up before reviewing (which I try not to do lest it sway my opinion) and the consensus seems to be that making sociological comments about British society was a deeply uncool thing to do when all the other rock bands were singing about sex and drugs, therefore this album was overlooked.
Boring
This was fine. I quite liked the concept but I didn’t find it that riveting.
I like the concept but didn't particularly enjoy the execution here. Found it all a bit happy-clappy and lacked any edge. Maybe it is there below a surface-level listen.
Very good
It was fine would listen to again but not high on my list
Pretty unexpected. Needed a second listen to get into it, but I really like it. Never heard them before but I have a feeling they’ll be popping up on this list again.
Just having Victoria on this album raises it two stars
I really enjoyed the variety of lyrical topicals and all songs felt really fun.
Me pareció una buena sorpresa, es rock and roll pero experimentando con diferentes tonos y expresando diferentes emociones por medio de las melodías Esto tiene que ver con el soundtrack de una serie que no se dió Llego a creer que realmente pudo haber sido un exitazo solo por la música de la serie misma Mi favorita fue Brainwashed, que es una megainfravalorada Tienen unas algo aburridonas, pero no al punto de saltarlas Muy en la nota del rock británico de ese entonces, de hecho diría yo que probablemente era un buen referente ahí, a pesar de que ya en ese entonces habían otros referentes de muchísimo peso
Horrible
Like the clash but more like the Beatles
nice
Ray Davies is a great songwriter. The output of the Kinks was off the charts in terms of overall quality for the time, probably only matched by the Beatles. That said, I don't think history has been particularly kind to the Kinks. The one tune most people would recognize is "Lola" which is more of a gimmick than anything else... a novelty tune.
the beatles??? t is wel leuk ! dit is beter dan the beatles
dit klinkt echt beatles achtig maar dan beetje anders?
Great great record. Amazing follow up to village green and shangrila imo is the best song they ever made. Adore this band I stand by they r the most underrated band of all time they should be talked about in the Beatles stones zeppelin who convos
like the Beatles if they sang about politics rather than love and nonsense words
Very british
Just brilliant. Alternative universe Beatles?
There aren't many radio friendly songs but they are rick and beautiful. I would listen to it again!
Mildly eccentric fun with some great tracks (Victoria) - just not enough truly great songs to justify more than a 4. Astonishing how much sone of this sounds like the Beatles (and the Monkees).
It is really interesting lyrically and is fun to "actively" listen to but not the style of music i am 100% vibing to
Good stuff from the 60-70s
I really enjoyed Drivin'. Plastic Man was also rather catchy! I enjoyed the harpsicord in She's Bought a Hat Like Princess Marina.
kinda just pissing me off. i do like other kinks songs but i hated this album
This was my first time listening to the Kinks and I was pleasantly surprised. I loved this album, it’s so fun and weird and energetic. The majority of albums I’ve given a 5 to have been ones I’ve heard before but this is the first album that came out of nowhere and deserves an 5. What a great listen to the end.
Pretty fire, captures british identity pretty well (in the white upper middle class perspective). Some bangers on here even if the beatles and beach boys influence is pretty heavy.
I am not sure how much I like it. It has good moments but sometimes is also really slow.
interessting album, lots of interessting tracks that showed that the kinks are more then just a typical 60s british rock band
Somehow I never consciously listened to The Kinks before and I think that needs to change.
Don't rate this album at all simpley not a good album starting from the voice overall not a fan of it 1.1/10
no kinkshaming here
No standouts
nice one mate!
Unexpectedly jammy and real high energy at points. Mr. Churchill, Brainwashed, Shangri-La, Yes Sir No Sir, Nothing to Say are stands out for me. While parts sound extremely dated and do not hold up, other parts of the album are surprisingly modern sounding. There is an air of urgency that the 60s carried which resonate with today. This urgency can be felt in some aspect of any decade which is a difficult thing to capture artistically without sounding corny. However, the innocent flower child aspects of this album do come across as corny and naive. Which thankfully, are sparse within this album. Overall, I enjoyed the album which gives it a solid to mild 3/5.
3.5
any of my australian friends will tell you that's probably not true fave track: brainwashed
Really nothing here to go back to
Very British Invasion. I was not overly impressed by any track, I felt like I was listening to a movie soundtrack. I don’t think I’d ever heard most of these tracks before, Nothing to Say seemed really familiar. The one thing I will say, this album was much more cohesive than all the other albums by the Kinks. They seem all over the place later on.
megusto eh, vibes a geese 3/5
Might be the most late 60s thing ever. A British Concept Album / Rock Opera about Britain and how everything had gone to crap. Not unenjoyable, and Davies is a damn fine songwriter, but living in Australia, which is the Land of Milk and Honey on the album, the thing does hit a bit differently
I mean, it was fine.
Ik kende de naam maar op enkele nummers na niet echt de muziek. Bij het horen van het album hoor je dat het leuker, slimmer en scherper is dan de grote tijdsgenoten. Ik las dat dit album was bedoelt voor een tv show die uiteindelijk gecanceld werd maar de muziek toch hebben uitgebracht. Dit hoor je wel een beetje doordat wel een paar fillers op zitten wat iets minder uitgesmeerd had gekund. Ik snap wel dat mensen zeggen dat de kinks onverdiend wat minder aandacht krijgen dan hun tijdgenoten. Er staat nog wat andere albums van de kinks in deze lijst en dat is wel iets om naar uit te kijken. Voor nu een 4 maar misschien word ik wel een fan later.
Minder bekend dan de Beatles of de Beach Boys, maar dit album heeft wel een beetje die Sgt. Pepper-vibe. Niet dat ik The Kinks met hen wil vergelijken, want ze hebben echt een eigen sound. Tijdens het luisteren voelt het alsof je naar een band luistert die enorm underrated is. Mijn persoonlijke favoriet is Shangri ei-La, een echt geweldig nummer. Er staan echter ook wat mindere nummers op, zoals Australia en Arthur die soms een beetje irritant kunnen zijn. Ondanks die mindere punten heb ik er echt van genoten. 4 sterren!
I knew the song Victoria very well, but almost nothing of the rest of it. Really enjoyed this. Its predecessor The Village Green Preservation Society is also great. The best of the Kinks’ music is like a public service channel: documenting an era in English life, including all the nostalgia that imbued and informed that period.
Couple a nice ones. not my fav
I think this is my favorite Kinks album to date. Strong message and very cohesive. As usual, super whimsical melodies which provides a balance to it ’taking itself seriously’. Will listen again.
Meh....did nothing for me, they just sounded all the same. Completely forgettable. Victoria is OK.
listened to half of it, was not the vibe / energy i wanted on that saturday.
A fine, average, good album from a great band. They're a vibe.
This was very very good. I particularly enjoyed the first track - Victoria. If their catalogue is as strong as this record I’m shocked they aren’t more ubiquitous.
Good folksy rock doing my favourite thing: criticising the British Fave track: Victoria
There’s a track called “Australia” that’s a song about Australia. Pretty funny. 3/5
I think I liked it more than it was good.
Nepaliko didelio įspūdžio, labiau toks pasalokamasis
wish beatles/pink floyd
Liian vanhaa. Pink Floyd about samaa vuosikymmentä mutta joku maaginan muutos tapahtui tossa 70-luvun taipeessa. Meikän paappa salee soittaa repeatilla. Yks biisi jatkoon
good
I enjoyed this album more than I expected to. The songs were great and catchy. I really liked their harmonic vocabulary and modal chord progression, often modulating 2+ times within a song.
STOP THE WAR!
This albums comes on really strong. I think the first few tracks are the best on the whole thing. It slowly trails off as we go through it, but like it never gets all that bad. I expected it to keep up with itself once we got like 3 songs in, but that couldn't quite happen. I do think it sticks the landing with some good songs near the end. It's like there are 3 different sections of this album. 1st third is great, 2nd third is okay, final 3rd is good. All together it is well paced, and well arranged. I enjoyed it. 4.1/5
This is great pop, great tunes, funny/odd lyrics, it's very enjoyable and I'm surprised I haven't listened to it before.
whereas Village Green Preservation Society was a pastiche of British music, society and culture, Arthur is a surreal, damning commentary on British politics, particularly the ways in which the UK's imperialist history has impacted its citizenry. the album tells the story of Arthur Morgan, a man whose life is radically altered by war (losing both a brother and son to it) and economic strife (with Arthur's other son seeking to emigrate with his family to Australia in search of a better life than could be found at home). "Victoria" sets the stage with a satirical portrayal of The Way Things Used To Be in the British Empire, akin to many moments on Village Green; the difference with this song, and much of Arthur as an album, is the ever-expanding scope of the Kinks' ambitions as songwriters and arrangers. their music remains upbeat, wistful and nostalgic, but the twists and turns they take their songs through are something to behold. given this is a rock opera, the entire thing comes off as a through-composed suite. the songs might not be as immediately memorable to me as they were on Village Green, but I kind of like the feeling of novelty that Arthur gives me with every listen; as in, every time I spin it, trying to put the words together to describe it, I always find something new. maybe when I've given it that fiftieth spin, I'll have the whole picture put together. strong 8/10.
Tykkäsin tosi paljon, marauders vibes
yo creo que de fijo tengo un tipo, y ese tipo es rock psicodélico y discos conceptuales de bandas inglesas de los 60 y 70. me recordó demasiado a odgens' nut gone flake. de fijo lo voy a estar reescuchando.
乱糟糟的，但又挺好听的3.5/5
I think the Geneva Conventions have something to say about recommending an album with "Drivin'" on it...
This is a nice album, great melodies and solid hooks - as to be expected from the kinks. but my God does it not sound like a Beatles clone sometimes.
The album started very weak and it remembered me more of an amateur rock band with their repetitive structure, weak vocals and save fills/solos. With Brainwashed it started to build up a bit more, including more instrumental variety and Australia had a solid psychedelic rock ending that reminded me more of the Doors. Overall I'm very torn whether this album deserves a bit more, but I just didn't get into the vibe with it.
The first song sounded like a 45rpm record playing at 33 — Ray Davies has that kind of voice, slightly flattened, very English, almost accidental. Once I confirmed it was playing at the right speed, I settled in. Arthur is a concept album about the decline of British working class life. It has ambitions. It also sounds, for long stretches, like Status Quo at a slightly slower tempo. The theatrical moments are there — occasional bursts of something more interesting — but they keep getting interrupted by perfectly competent rock songs that don't quite earn the concept they're supposed to be serving. Easy listen. Nothing stayed. 0815 — which is a German expression meaning "completely unremarkable," and I think Ray Davies would understand it even if he hasn't heard it. 3/5 — fine, Arthur. You're fine.
Masterpiece. I just recently got into the Kinks and have to say this (together with "Village Preservation Society") is pure pop rock gold. The songwriting is focused but varied enough to keep it intersting at all times. Nearly every song stuck in my head pretty soon. I love the chord progressions and tempo changes. And that jammy stretch in "Australia"! It's not perfect, because the last three songs don't resonate with me as much as the rest, but it's damn near perfect! A band that deserves more credit. 4.5/5
I like this more than the last album
Best album but these gents. The kookiness and the melody come together in harmony. Favorite track: Victoria
This is the most 60s British rock I've ever heard
Найс
cool, gefällt mir. 4/5 i guess. obwohl. eig 5/5 finds sehr nice
4,5
“Yes sir, no sir” reminds me of SOAD “Prison song.” Also Hendrix vibes. “Brainwashed” Beatles pop
Overall Rating - 3.54/5 (7.08/10). Absolutely the kind of music I expect from The Kinks. My kind of fun.
Very British. Reminded me a lot of the parts of the good parts of the Beatles. Favorite Songs: Victoria, Yes Sir No Sir, Shangri-La
Another tedious sixties album.
This was an enjoyable album, it was really giving me Sgt Pepper vibes. There were great lyrics, commentary that still resonates today, and some zany noises that actually worked. This was classic British Invasion, and I found a new side of The Kinks that I didn't really know existed.
This IS way better than Tommy. I feel like I have been living a lie.
At first I found it a bit boring, then it felt like another version of Sargent Pepper’s - and then I started to really like it. Solid 4.
I need some more standalone songs to justify the concept.
This album is so good. It’s incredibly atmospheric, deeply emotional, and so beautifully British it almost hurts. While listening I felt a whole rollercoaster of emotions — nostalgia, sadness, warmth, anger, pride, and quiet reflection all mixed together. It’s a proper concept album that tells the story of a working-class man named Arthur and his family through the changing face of Britain in the 20th century — from the end of the Empire to postwar life, suburban dreams, and quiet disappointments. Ray Davies’ songwriting is at its peak here, with sharp, observant lyrics about everyday routines, class, family, and national identity. The instrumentals are fantastic too — tight, melodic, and full of character. So many iconic songs: “Victoria,” “Shangri-La,” “Some Mother’s Son,” “Australia,” “Drivin’,” and the title track… they all hit hard. The whole record just breathes with that classic Kinks charm — witty, heartfelt, and strangely comforting even when it’s sad. One of The Kinks’ absolute best. If you want smart, emotional, and very British rock with real storytelling, this is essential listening.
Lyrics are depressing
pretty good album! at first i thought it was a hit run of the mill 60s classic rock album but it's actually quite fun. i liked shangri la and australia, and yes sir no sir.
I liked this vibe!!
The start was a bit of a let-down, but the second half of the album really reminded me of The Beatles. Three stars…
There’s something about The Kinks that makes me respect them a little more than the Beatles. I think it’s because I kind of think that they believe what they are saying more than the Beatles? Don’t crucify me though, I literally cannot care about either band less. Hence the down the middle score.
No es de mi gusto
No está mal
Had a whole thing typed out and lost it. Overall, the album was fun in places and not so much in others. When their lyrics and sound lean in to something more upbeat, the instruments and Davies' vocals shine (such as in "Victoria" and "Australia"). When they attempt something more somber however, they lose a lot of their flavour and seem to mistake 'somber' for just plain flat. Overall, still an enjoyable album; I need to listen to more of The Kinks.
Lunes it but not a lot
What was probably a bold, innovative concept album when it came out is now an irritating, overly twee textbook definition of britslop
I think im very very mixed on the Kinks. In my head I like them a lot more than when I sit down to listen This one started off so well. But by the end im counting the minutes. Its fine, but it feels a bit meh It being their 4th, and hopefully last, album on the list feels like overkill. Yes Sir, No Sir is great
Excelente banda y disco. Pop rock clásico. Victoria es un tema genial. Mucha narrativa, muy elegante todo.
Very fun, heavily Beatles inspired
Love The Kinks, particularly this late 60s-early 70s era of The Kinks. Pretty familiar with this album as it was in my rotation for a while. Excited for a relisten, I think this will hold up well. This album is just great. It’s a serious standout. It’s all anti war and anti British colonialism from a British working class perspective. Crazy this came out at the height of Vietnam yet it’s not really about Vietnam yet it hits themes that are extremely relevant to its time period in America. Tells a story, feels like a better rock opera/musical than Tommy. Also: it rocks! It’s great late 60s rock. The songs all stand out on their own or work together as a whole. The Kinks were creatively elite during this time period. This is an easy 5. A classic no skips Kinks album.
Not terrible - songs are a little repetitive.
Unmemorable. A little repetitive. Kinda blah.
This might be my favourite Kinks album so far only just listening to it twice this morning while gardening. At least 4 stars for sure
This makes me want to buy a bumper sticker I saw that said “Beatles or the stones? The kinks!!!”
Love the kinks. Love this album. Pure brilliance. Victoria is a brilliant opener and the brilliance continues in the next two tracks. Songwriting is incredible throughout and appreciation only increases through further listens as the story becomes increasingly clear. Splendid.
This is one of the best albums I've ever listened to. You can pay attention to the concept plot, or not, it's simply perfect. The songs are incredible, sung and played great. 5/5...Wow
Man, the Kinks are so underrated. They are rarely talked about when people list the greatest bands of all time, but they absolutely should be. I looked at the track list here and wasn’t too excited, I didn’t recognize any of the songs. I went in open minded but not particularly excited, but I was immediately blown away. Excellent, creative song writing, musically and lyrically. I loved it.
Solid, but doesn't resonate much with me.
Au vu des notations de mes collègues, je vais revoir mes exigences vis-à-vis des albums. Et ça commence avec celui-ci. Je serai, à partir de maintenant, une main de fer dans un gant de fer, n'en déplaise aux Britanniques. 2 sur 5 pour Albion. On dirait une pâle copie des Beatles.
Et pourquoi pas Parfois j'avais la sensation d'écouter des variations de Maxwell silver hammer C'est entraînant parfois, j'ai du l'écouter 1,5 fois afin d'être sûr que ça ne se répétait pas vraiment tout en se répétant On sent qu'on est en 1969 (led zeppelin ct 1969 aussi mais ça se sentait moins) Donc bon, c'est pas le Beatles mais ça reste sympa 4
1969 deuxième jour ! Album concept centré autour du personnage d'un charpentier nommé d'Arthur Morgan (?) donc déjà ils gagnent des points pour avoir fait RDR2 en avance. Et ensuite c'est quand même extrêmement bien composé, avec une vraie critique de l'Angleterre par le groupe le plus anglais qui soit. Certes, on a pas de riff emblématique à la 'You Really Got Me', mais on passe un bon moment si on écoute réellement les chansons. A partir d'aujourd'hui j'indique la chanson de chaque album que j'ajouterai à la playlist des 1001, donc playlist pick du jour : Yes Sir, No Sir
gets a 4 for victoria
Not bad. Pretty representative of the era.
3/10 - another overrated album from its time
Chill, me gustó
This is a good album, but face to face is better.
more old bullshit
Kinky
Don't really know much about The Kinks besides Your Really Got Me and Lola. Interested to hear an album of theirs. This is a weird little album but I dig it. It's pretty good, feels very British late 60's in a good way. Nothing that really stood out for me but I would give it a 3.5.
Great album
beatlesy but punkish
Started off enjoying a trip down memory lane but it got a bit samey.
Surprisingly good fun!
On the whole the Kinks fall short of being ranked among the great rock bands of the 60s and 70s. They had a number of great songs, but were never up to the gold standard of other bands of the era.
es la primera vez que escucho algo de the kinks con la intención de, y me arrepiento tanto de no haberlo hecho antes!!!!
9/10 (changed to 5 from 4)
Leuk om naar te luisteren
I love this album. Amazingly crafted social critique from within.
Pretty good, nice variation and good music throughout the album
I’m ambivalent about the Kinks but this one spoke to me with its witty observations of the mundane and whimsical instrumentation.
I've always loved the kinks, but never bothered to listen to this album. What a doofus, they are such a good band. A slice of England and a slice in time.
meh, I'm not feeling this today. Sorry. I don't get concept albums. 2 stars.
ok tier, 2.5+/5
A écouter d'une oreille distraite
C'est pas méchant, mais c'est pas marquant.
some bangers
I'm starting to wonder what people see in the Kinks. Was it innovative at the time? It sounds like mildly original but otherwise mid-level late-60s brit pop. Other people were doing this better.
Wasn't familiar with this album yet. Glad I am now.
mocna sredniawka
I like the music quite a bit more than I expected, but had a really hard time with the singer's very derpy voice. 6/10
This is a tough one. Had I been alive and old enough to get into this era of music, I think this would have been in my collection. Not in a way that is listen to it constantly like other albums of the era, but one that definitely connected with the time period. And so it would get out on occasionally when the mood struck. But I'm not of that period. And it's just not that strong of an album for me to come back to it. I dig it, but not enough to really pay it much mind overall.
Medio aburrido pero consistente
un peu nptq
One of the first conception albums by the Kinks, one of the original “British Invasion” groups from the 1960’s. “Victoria” and “Shangri-La” were the 2 cuts that received the most airplay.A good, solid listen.
This album doesn't sound wholly original.. It has its moments though.
Good stuff
I liked the satirical streak in this one, which gave it an extra dimension compared to other albums of its genre. I thought it sounded like a more cynical Beatles album - in the opening song it sounds just like Paul McCartney’s vocals on Golden Slumbers. Anyway, this is a 3.5 rounded down to 3 - for now.
The Kinks are still as clever here as their previous albums, but Ray Davies is getting a little preachy.
Not bad but these types of bands all sound the same to me
Un inicio Increíble, muy buenas canciones. No le doy 5 por que las últimas canciones me parecieron repetitivas o ya no me gustaban tanto. Pero la verdad un álbum muy completo y uno de los mejores que he escuchado.
Enjoyable songs. Starts and ends strong, middle gets a bit slow. No real earworms, but I liked it.
It's a Kinks album. Not one I was familiar with. It's fine.
7.8
2.4 I dont like to kink shame but this album was kinda bad
No conecte
Fun tunes with Beatles feeling, but mature.
Funny whimsical album by the kinks. Sometimes it's just a bit too, normal kinksy? Idk what to say but I miss very special moments/songs that are just bangers like Victoria. But was a nice listen however. 1. Victoria 2. She's Bought a Hat Like Princess Marina 3. Shangri-La
A sunny cold day in March kinda vibe
Yeah, it's alright that
Didn't get into this at all.
Bien, estuvo bueno. Era para una serie que luego se canceló. No sé si lo volvería a escuchar.
Maybe their best
Somehow never listened, don’t know why. Brilliant!
Based on my AM radio level knowledge of the Kinks I thought I really liked them. Sad to be so disappointed by hearing a couple albums.
Idk how ive never really heard of these guys before. They sound so so similar to the Beatles in a lot of ways. But I guess they also got overshadowed by the Beetles in a lot of ways.
A true classic, only surpassed by Lola.
Not something i would listen to but the artist did a good work Its calming(kinda boring)
The most British thing ever. Then again I do like a lot of British Music and so far this does kind of hit the spot. 'Yes sir, No sir' is pretty good. 'Some Mother's son' is very good. Really enjoyed this one. 'Shangri La' is my fave thus far
I didn't realize how much I liked the kinks until I heard this album. I knew they had some good tunes, but didnt know that they had a career spanning 4 decades and some majorly good tracks.
The Kinks' most solid and fun listen is their 1969 concept album? The Who could never.
osea esta ok, pero muy beatles y para eso escucho a los beatles no?
Awesome stuff
enjoyed this one! can definitely tell it was released in 1969. funnily enough, the first thing that came to mind was the penny collection. the types of songs in this album would be the type I would add to my main playlist, then add it to my favs, then sort-of regret adding to my favs playlist, and then be glad I didn't add it to rot. the vibes are definitely very familiar. it's the type of album where i would've found the artists and spam-added them to my 10k playlist (hands).
me gusto mucho la verdad, muy linda musica.
Middle of the pack.
The album was fine
This is just ok. The Kinks are always best when they are writing fun, upbeat songs. Whether it's Lola, Come Dancing, or You Really Got Me, they are all relatively similarly constructed and truly define The Kinks at their best. Unfortunately, I didn't hear a ton of that on this album. Not that it is slow, but it wasn't a super fun listen to me. Pretty average album to my ear.
fav tracks: "Shangri-La", "Nothing to Say", "Mr Churchill Says"
Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire) 1. Slay love 2. Middle was meh but loved rest 3. Good 4. Okay 5. beh 6. Okay too but eh 7. Luv 8. Great 9. AMAZING 10. Good 11. Meh 12. Pretty good
Half the time he sings in an annoying way. The harpsichord or whatever is really not suited for rock music, it immediately sounds like theater. I dont know what to make of this, maybe I'm not British or English speaking enough to fully grasp it
Enjoyed greatly. Brilliant production, loved the lead guitar, quirky in (mostly) the right way.
I thought this was pretty good as far as it goes. The third Kinks album i think we've had as part of this process. Very much needs to be listened to as an album, if i'd have dropped in part way through i'd have scored it way lower.
I do like the Kinks but I don't think this is one of their best.
Thought this was super mid, had none of the charm of Face to Face. Very gcse drama vibes to its narrative
So many great tracks, quite a few of which I'd never heard before. Worth going back to.
03/04/2026 *1. victoria - like the bass immediately... guitar is sweet :) looove the horns. reaaallly fun song!! *2. yes sir, no sir - nice military-esque drums at the start. the vocals on these albums sound so different from the previous kinks albums i've listened to lol. the lyrics are fantastic!! love the horns again :) is there a harpischord? baroque vibes. *3. some mother's son - love the strings in the back... drums are great! looove the lyrics again!! <3 *4. drivin' - intro is really nice. realllly liking this one. the backing vocals are lovely! bass is great :) guitar solo is great aswell! *5. brainwashed - kindof surfy start? the lyrics throughout this album have been fantastic!! *6. australia - loooove the backing vocals!! kindof beach boys vibes? bit dreamy! tempo change is gorgeous!! instrumental is great!!! gets kindof psychedelic <3 *7. shangri-la - folksier guitar... oooo the guitar? harpischord? in the chorus is verry fuzzy!! guitar almost three mins in is fantatsic! horns are still great :) love the la la las <3 8. mr. churchill says - his singing in this one is reminding me of brian ferry... don't know why? love the air raid siren sound! maybe it's satire, but the lyrics about churchill don't land entirely well nowadays... the end is really great! *9. she's bought a hat like princess - harpischord is back. the lyrics are really great <3 looove the tempo change!!! drums near the end are phenomenal <3333 *10. young and innocent days - softer... lovely <3 11. nothing to say - nice piano at the start! nice :) 12. arthur - really nice guitar! kindof country vibes? great!! 60s pop rock >>> anything else!! loved every song! looking forward to the last kinks album left on here <3 <3 <3
3.5
Some gems, some noise. Some songs seem ahead of their time for the 60's rock scene. Maybe it's their influence on later bands I'm hearing.
Kinky! Totally fine 60's rock, I'm not sure I followed the concept at all but I also wasn't terribly invested.
Just about an ok album from the kinks as ever
Good not great
Good album with lots of interesting riffs and melodies going on in the background. Solid 3. Best song was Mindless Child of Motherhood.
i don't know how something by a band called "the kinks" is this dreadfully boring. there's occasionally songs that work for me like "mr. churchill says" but then there's tracks like "princess marina" which are aggressively unpleasant to listen to. i mostly find ray davies' singing to be incredibly obnoxious with the only real saving grace being that i can appreciate a neatly told concept album because i was not feeling almost any of this. honestly i just don't know how you get me to dislike a harpsichord!? that should be illegal; i love that thing. very much not my jam.
I love a good concept album that tells a fairly clear narrative with a poignent message. Sure the "war is pointless" messaging isn't exactly revolutionary, but I think for an English band it has a critique about the nonesense pride over the concept of having an "empire" when that same empire is just an arm of repression over the world still hits today. I still here the addage "The sun used to never set over the empire" as if the fall of the British Empire was some great loss for the common public of England. There are elements that have aged, the critique of the rush of immigration by English people to Australia as a false kind of promised-land was very astute then, with the Ten Pound Pom scheme reaching its height the year the album came out, now its a kinda funny antiquated criticism. I'm not the biggest on the singing on a fair amount of this track, but everything else here is great. It's less similar to Tommy and more of a proto-The Wall in terms of the way it goes about its concept. Shangri-la is the very clear standout song of this album, its great. If all of the album reached that height it would be a high 5 and one of the best albums of the 60s, but I just don't think its quite there.
Fun album, favorites were Mr. Churchill Says, Australia, and Shangri-la. Some songs blended for me.
Favorite songs: Drivin Brainwashed Shangri la I’ve only listened to the kinks early 60s music but this was great I love ray something’s voice
Top Songs: Victoria Australia Brainwashed Wtf was up with English bands and that guitar-lute sound in the 60’s
Solid
4.5?
It doesn't get me going. I like some of their other stuff more
The Kinks aren't band I think of often, but whenever I do listen to them I enjoy it. Love the horns on this album, although some tracks do seem to go on a bit too long.
This album is funky I lowk love it!
Not for me, I think this album would only be good if you heard it at the time it came out.
I like this album, but not enough to listen to it every day
Not as interesting as the Beatles' White Album, but a valiant effort. More harpsichord, which is nice.
The Kinks have an iconic sound and this album is ultimately more of the same. There are more good songs than not on this album. Not sure if I’ll revisit it again but I enjoyed the ride.
This is a side of the Kinks that I haven't heard as I've only heard their bigger hits like Lola and You Really Got Me. This might be a bit of a hidden gem for me. Opens up strong with Victoria, Shangri-La was a great midpoint, and the album has a lot of the fun ups and downs of a good concept album.
Beatle-y, not super memorable to me. I like the guitar work on some songs a lot (esp. Australia). I like the rock opera storytelling aspect.
Somehow you can just tell it's British like with the who album. Not anything special in my opinion.
This album sounds like someone asking the question: what if the Rolling Stones played Sgt Pepper? It feels fairly emblematic of the 60’s in general but not in a way that seems important…
Was this a lot like the Beatles? Absolutely, but was it a fun listen? Sure was!
I really like the title and the cover of this album it's very silly. This just feels like another british band that the person felt like they had to include because the kinks are so big so it's obligatory. Long story short, it is NOT obligatory! It's nice to listen to but I wish it were differentttttt and weirdddddddd... I would give it a two but there is a little bit of fun in it
Folk puro
Fun instrumentation, great vocals, and a deeper subject manner I can't fully appreciate because I'm not British. However, America can also agree that war sucks and mothers shouldn't be losing their sons like that. Favorite Track: Australia
mr churchill says este album es aburrido, no mi estilo solo tres canciones buenas siendo generosos
Such well written album about war mixed with amazing musicians and snark
Fine 3 stars; back story to this album is interesting!
I honestly had way too high of expectations for this album. I don’t think it’s great, but it is pretty good. The highlights were probably: Victoria, Australia, Shangri-La, Mr. Churchill Says, and Arthur. Overall, I’d give it a 3.9/5!
251/1089 and here we have the Victoria Plumbing theme tune lmao pretty on par with the other two kinks albums i’ve heard, though my faves here are better than the ones on those albums imo i think the kinks are the sort of band/artist who make music that i’d prefer to listen to the instrumental versions of instead of the regular vocal versions. because there are some pretty great instrumentals here but it gets muddled for me only one more kinks album on this list for me phew faves: shangri-la, mr churchill says 27/100
Prob my favorite Kinks album so far. 3.5-4/5
Music has a kinetic-ness about it. Lyrical content could be political abd some some songs aloof. I really like
Love , The Kinks. I have this and think it's a great album
I am all for an album that tells a story but this was unbearable. Listening to Arthur was like sitting through a young writer reading their first novel out loud. Word play, subtlety, and expanded vocabulary would have made it easier to listen to.
A more musical, and melodic Kinks
Classic Brit 60s sound
Sensational stuff
Silnejšie aj slabšie piesne, nie zlé...
Considering I only really knew The Kinks for "Lola," this was a pleasant surprise. Significant social commentary in a digestable package.
Not a fan of their voices