Reviews (page 9 of 12)
60’s Brit rock
Pretty chill, liked it. Nothing standout, but overall not too bad.
I feel they’re in the same league as the Beatles, it’s interesting that their music didn’t travel the same way. Lots of great political commentary, silly lyrics, and great guitar riffs happening here.
The Kinks are the 13th most played artist since I first played Face to Face in November 2022. Equal with Nirvana. But I guess that's not surprising since I've mostly been listening to this list over that time as well. Anyway, I don't really see the appeal of this band, this album is certainly an interesting concept but it's just as mediocre as the rest of the albums. Fave: Australia
I've only been doing this generator challenge for four months, and this is the third album from The Kinks. Again, just like the other ones, it's a mediocre classic rock album, and there is very little else to say. Favorite Song: "Shangri-La"
Fun album. This is definitely a band I knew about but really hadn't listened to much of their music. Glad this popped up. 3/5
Very much the Kinks.
pretty good, but for a rock opera the vocals are pretty underwhelming. still very enjoyable
I love the Kinks but this album is just too british to get any better than 3 stars. 3/5
I would be just fine without listening to this album before I die.
Für eine Platte aus den 70er sehr hörenswert.
Kinks huoh
A definitive Kinks album well produced and performed. The only issue for was that none of the songs stood out and there was nothing impress the listener.
Pretty good, used it as work music so I wasn't paying a lot of attention but solid 3.5/5
I don’t usually think of the Kinks and the Beatles in the same category. Maybe I haven’t ever paid attention, or maybe in 1969 everybody tried to sound like the Beatles. In any case, this was okay. But I didn’t love it. I even went back to focus on the lyrics and the social commentary, but, meh. I’m not British and not an Anglophile, don’t drool over Monty Python etc, so it’s just not my jam. This is the first Kinks album I’ve gotten in this project. I hear there are FOUR. Seems excessive. Hoping some of the others are more interesting, and justify their inclusion.
This was actually quite nice, but I still think this is not the best The Kinks album.
Enjoyable album. Really liked “Victoria”. Everything else was good, just not as standoutish. 3/5 Might listen again
Pretty mid. Felt like they were just trying to keep up with the Beatles to be honest. Not sounding super fresh, but not terrible. 2.5*
Appriciated the album. Just felt a bit stale and samey towards the end
Not quite as whimsical (believe it or not) as my go-to Kinks album The Village Green Preservation Society, and not quite as rockin’ as Lola Versus Powerman, Arthur sits squarely in the middle for me. It has bangers like Victoria, Drivin’, Australia, and Shangri-La, but this isn’t an album I listen to straight through like the others bookending this one. I also can’t help but notice how similar Drivin’ sounds to Picture Book on VGPS.
Some very interesting and topical at the time issues in there. A bit monotonous towards the end but I still liked it. Highlights: Victoria Some Mother's Son
Rating: 6.5/10
I am not familiar with the Kinks beyond their popular radio hits. This album was all new to me. It was not what I was expecting. I enjoyed it, but it wasn't something that hooked me.
Fun album, better than the one of theirs I've rated previously It's a harsh 3 I enjoyed this one but not on the same level as the 4s
Very English.
Yesterday I had an album named The United States of America so the next day getting one with the British Empire in the title I can't help but laugh a little bit. Especially because this was released a year after. Decent album overall, felt kinda repetitive at times and busy at others. I did enjoy my listen though!
I feel like this is so old that it's comfy listening even though it was probably pretty intense for the time.
It's ok. Wouldn't recommend nor would I be bothered if someone turned it on. 6/10
Kinda quirky, has a couple great singles.
Better than I had thought, rocky listen
It’s alright
Was not exactly on this vibe yesterday
Great album, weird lyrics, bit boring, Beatlesque
reminds me of Paul songs, just more annoying
This is the first Kinks album I have ever heard all the way through. It looks like I will have three other albums that I need to listen to during this project. I have always been a Kinks Greatest Hits-type of person with an interest in the more popular album tracks. This is a concept album, which I generally don't really enjoy. There have been exceptions I have found through this project. I always find the Kinks to be one of the more interesting British invasion bands and feel they work hard to not write typical 60's rock songs. I have also found their music to be a bit more elusive for me. It's difficult to put into words but the some of all the music I enjoy (and there is quite a bit) never has added up to a band I tend to enjoy. I think part of this is their social commentary that feels very British niche (at least to me). Victoria, Drivin', Shangri-La and Australia are all really great songs. I loved the end of Australia with the guitar solo outro, horns and drums. It was a fun song to listen to. The music is good but I am not sure this is the album that would convince me to do more than listen to the Kinks greatest hits. Great (and underrated in some ways) band, perhaps not an album-oriented band for me. Three more chances and my mind could get changed. This is three "3-star" albums in a row for me.
I’m not a big fan of his voice but I think the instruments did their part as in they offset his voice to make it a 3 if his voice was slightly better it would be a 4
Another thing that'll make me feel out of my depth several times on this list, pre-1970s rock. Though this barely makes the cut at 1969, and I generally like the Kinks, I'm not sure how much I like their melodic sound compared to the garage/frat style of their really early stuff. The Who are my touchstone standard for this era and the Kinks were always just a bit less interesting than them to me. I don't have many words for this one as a result, it's pleasant and the concept of tracing modern British history back through song is fun but it's not something I'd seek out. The coolest album I'll probably never listen to again. 6/10
Pretty non-descript - I remember liking a couple Kinks tunes, none on this collection. Nothing stands out - can't remember a single track that caught my attention.
It was ok. Sounded very like the beetles in places.
De Kinks maken wel leuke, relaxte jarenzestigmuziek met een prettig ironische ondertoon, maar ik hoor op dit album toch weinig opmerkelijks voorbijkomen. Ja, een speech van Churchill op muziek, wat een lol. Wel een hilarische albumtitel, en op Wikipedia lees je dan wie Arthur eigenlijk is, welja.
A few great kinks tracks.
It's a totally fine album. Very much sounds like it could be a Beatles album from the same year. Would I revisit it? Probably not. But that's not to say it's not a decent album with any songs that I would skip.
They sound way more like the Beatles on this one
Good album.
Liked 1 song, rest forgettable.
Very Sgt. Pepper vibes...hippy dippy with some obvious recreational substances in the background ;) I liked most of the songs but then they kind of went off into weird trippy places. Australia started off cool but then the drugs kicked in. Mr. Churchill and Nothing to Say were probably my favs and Drivin' was a hit but I found it somewhat annoyingly repetitive.
The Kinks have a kooky fun vibe, and I dig their sound and their energy. Appreciate the conceptual aspect, though it made it feel a little more like a storybook than a music album. Good times though!
Brainwashed sounded more like something from the White Stripes than I expected. Overall it's not a bad album but it's just alright.
Didn't really do it for me. Besides Victoria and Shangri-La the rest of the album doesn't sound as good and the songs sound like generic 1970 rock. 2.5/5, but I'll give it a 3 for convenience sake.
Good
Pleasant enough arrangements with lots of instrumental flavors, but lacks the kind of strong hooks that were released in albums by fellow colleagues in the music industry during the year of 1969. I can see why it was not a commercial success that year. Also, a bit too self-loathing about British life in my opinion. I understand it is a tradition to take the piss, but after awhile the pessimism gets tiresome. As a fan of concept albums I do give them credit for holding the story together over the whole album. The theme is clear and consistent. In my opinion, by 1969 their best songs such as "All Day and All of the Night", "You Really Got Me", and "A Well Respected Man" are all behind them and it was middling albums from here on out. Favorite track: "Australia"
Victoria 4 Yes Sir, No Sir 3.8 Some Mother's Son 3.4 Drivin' 3 Brainwashed 3.2 Australia 3.4 Shangri-La 4 Mr. Churchill Says 3.3 She's Bought a Hat Like Princess Marina 3 Young and Innocent Days 3.1 Nothing to Say 3.2 Arthur 3.3 Score: 3.391666667
I think I'm getting tougher with my ratings. The 2s have been rolling out. Would I have made this a 4 in the past? Tbh, probably not. It's good, it has a lot more variety than a lot of rock, indie, punk, etc. Don't come at me and pretend like those 3 genres aren't insane overlapped. Anyway, ya, 3, will listen again, but didn't blow my mind.
Good album for its time. Some songs are a bit dated.
I had only ever heard the hit single Victoria before and it was at such a young age that I thought the song was just about a girl named Victoria; not the Victoria. Was very interesting album to listen to the theme was cool and I quite enjoyed it.
some good riff, but a bit sloppy
Weird but enjoyable.
Style and vocals reminds me a lot of the Beatles White Album.
I like the Kinks alot, and "Victoria" is an all time banger, but most of this record was just kinda fine to me?
1st song: I like it because it sound like a love song and story and plus I like how they say victoria 2nd Song: i don't like it because it was kinda bored song and they singer like they are tried of it not rude way tho 3rd song-i pretty like it cus they singer so nice like it was super amazing
This album was okay. Its lyrics felt very simple but the meaning is powerful. the song isnt really catchy or good, but the sounds are really good. So overall I really dont reccomend this album, but if you like british songs and rock then this is a good album.
I quite enjoy the Kinks but I knew precisely zero songs on this record. I thought it sounded good for its time, but also sounded like it was an early record, not the later stuff I’m more familiar with. Anyway, it was alright and a nice break from the hardcore punk I’ve been getting thrown!
3.5/5
First couple days in Australia I listened to it. A lot else going on in my head at the moment and it failed to leave an impression. Not bad, but not particularly memorable. I didn't hate it.
It was alright, nothing too special
Beatles vibes, too old school for me...
Interesting record. This sounds like it could have come out now on some songs, definitely hear a lot of modern influence. Then other songs, just sounds like an unknown Beatles track, which dates it. Overall enjoyable though.
Having not listened to the kinks before, they feel like an alternate reality Beatles. The discontentment towards the war/work for an average person still ring true 50 years later.
Another British concept album to deal with. I like the kinks but this was a solid 3 for me.
Hard to get into at first but it kept growing on me. It’s very British and very quirky with a lot of things happening which can be tough for me. It could grow on me more but I can’t give it a higher score despite it being a classic album for many. Highlights helped the cause. Highlights: “Victoria” & “Shangri-La”. 3.5 stars.
Quite overrated imo. Starts off great with Victoria but rest of the album is a slog. Neither any of the tunes or the story are that interesting to me. Brainwashed has a bit more rock bite and build up in Shangri-La is ok but nothing spectacular. I don’t really like the jokey, mugging, vaudeville style of singing that Ray Davies puts on occasionally during this.
Very British rock. Complaining about Churchill and war in general.
Hadn't heard this one before. Fun album. Might rate more stars with repeated listens. May be the most British sounding album I've ever heard. 3.5*
De har gjort så galet många bra låtar. Tyvärr saknar denna platta merparten av dessa. Godkänt trots allt.
poppier than I was expecting. it was fine.
Ну прикольно они троллят свою аудиторию. Слышал, что их альбом еще и концептуальный. И некоторые песни (Vitoria, Shangri-La) не пресные. Но в остальном ну ээхх.
Probably the best Kinks record I've listened to so far. I thought the songs were fun in a weird way while also being pretty straightforward rock. Other than that, I don't think anything revolutionary was done.
9/3/24. The Kinks are a bit underrated I think. Not on the levels of the Beatles, but still very good songwriting with variety and covering deeper themes.
British soft BORING rock
Like the other Kinks albums, this was fun. Nothing mind blowing in the end. 3.5/5
Nice album, full of British folklore. The Kinks are brutally underrated man...
Much like The Who's "Tommy" or Pink Floyd's "The Wall", this is very much a concept album following the life of the title character, Arthur. Multiple listenings may be needed to really appreciate this album, but in this reviewer's barely influential opinion, it's too British for full enjoyment from a disaffected American.
i feel like i don't have much familiarity with the kinks outside of their hits and whatever was included on the compilation record "come dancing with the kinks!" which i loved as a teenager but i would not go so far as to classify it as "good music"... i guess what i'm saying is it's hard for me to take them seriously as rock/pop musicians because i think of them as just goofy catchy 60s dance music and not anything worth thinking deeply about. and i don't think that this album changed my view very much. it has its charm but i frankly found it a bit grating. you can definitely hear the roots of all damon albarn's worst musical tendencies in this record lol. fav tracks: victoria; shangri-la; australia
I liked it! I don’t have a lot of thoughts about it tbh and don’t really feel strongly about most of the songs. However the song about how amazing is was so funny what’s the deal with that were they being sponsored by Australia’s travel bureau or something Favorites: Brainwashed, Shangri-La
These guys always puzzle me. It’s intelligent, tune-forward, multi-layered. But it’s always too clever by half. The bells and whoops and whistles, which I’m sure call to mind the music hall traditions of the Davies Brothers’ childhoods, are always way over the top. The socially conscious themes of average life in Britain are always more wink wink than they are heartfelt. Maybe I’m just not English enough to get it. Also, I don’t really like Ray’s voice. For me, they just get left in the dust by so many other bands of their era who are much less smart but so much easier to feel on an emotional level. Still, one can’t deny the artistry involved. But I never feel like throwing ‘em on.
It was ok. I know lots of people think the Kinks are underrated, but I think they are just ok.
So you're telling me this isn't a Beatles album? British invasion/British pop is one of my least favorite genres but this was at least listenable.
Reminded me of Arthur, the animated television series for children ages 4 to 8, developed by Kathy Waugh for PBS and produced by WGBH, set in the fictional U.S. city of Elwood City and revolving around the lives of Arthur Read, an anthropomorphic aardvark, his friends and family, and their daily interactions with each other.
A 10/10 opener with “Victoria” but it’s a shame nothing else on here rocks nearly as hard. Feels like the Kinks are the key artist that all the Britpop bands would reference ~25 years later, you can definitely see that influence here.
This would rank in the high 3s. Enjoyable!
I'm not a huge kinks fan, but I enjoyed the first song a decent bit and thought I may have misjudged them. But then the rest of the album is just a little bland. There are some good moments every now and then, but not enough for a 4. Also it's a little too British for me.
Very Beatles-y.
This was good.
Was bracing for another yawn after getting another The Kinks album just a few back. But this one I liked a lot more. Nice work, gents!
Good album but not their best one.
enjoyable!
N sei se gostei muito...
Still relevant social commentary but it's this type of brit-pop just isn't my thing. Favorite tunes: Brainwashed, Australia
Definitely poignant. Not my favorite, but the commentary was good and the music was solid overall.
Liked having this on in the background but wouldn’t listen again
I enjoyed! 3.5/5 Lyrics were great. Standout tracks: - Shangri-La - She’s Bought a Hat Like Princess Marina
I love The Kinks’ prior album Village Green Preservation Society, but most of their other albums fall flat for me. Village Green is their only album which is good all the way through. Most of their other albums feature a good song or two and then a bunch of crap. Arthur is sort of in the middle of the pack. As a concept album, it’s solid (especially since it was written as the soundtrack to a play), but the songwriting quality doesn’t match that of Village Green. “Victoria” and “Shangri-La” are good, and some other songs are solid as well, but the album as a whole just feels like a poor attempt to duplicate Village Green which is far superior.
Interesting. Not great, but a few gems.
I can definitely see why this was a successful album: some of the tracks felt like they were well ahead of their time. I feel like it gets a bit less exciting on the second half of the album, but it was still a good listen.
3.4 - I thought I was gonna love this album, but the first few songs just didnt land for me. But then it picked up the pace and started to feel it more. Really like shangri la
For the most part I enjoyed the tunes far more than the lyrics, but standout songs were Victoria and Shangri-La
Divertido y cheeky, más de lo que esperaba
Moderately good album, but not quite as good as other British concept albums of the period, e.g. "Ogden's Nut Gone Flake" or "S.F. Sorrow." Usual Kinks-y sound. Worth including on a playlist if in that kind of mood.
I'd rather be listening to Iron Maiden. 3.5
a wide ranging album that touches on a lot of different genres and feelings, from high energy to soft and gentle.
Will never not love the Kinks. Probably isn't my favorite album to listen to, but certainly an influential and important one.
Again not my type of music but still a good listen
omg like blorbo from my video games. i can’t listen to any more british men im going to start eating rusty nails !!
Better than I expected! I wished I knew the words so I could sing along a couple times
jolly good
Reading other reviews I think I need to come back to this. I had it on as background listening and thought some was very good, but very similar to the Beatles. Overall good brit pop but I need more time with it
I think the highest form of praise I can give an unfamiliar album is to say I liked my time with it and will plan to revisit it. I'd probably give this a 3.5 after one listen. Fav tracks : Victoria, Brainwashed, Mr Churchill Says, Nothing to Say
cheeky, chappy
Good
fajne ale nie dla mnie
Always interesting.
The album starts off with a banger, the best track of the album, Victoria. It never really recovers afterwards, with a few honorable exceptions, so I can’t be more generous than handling out three stars
less douchey Beatles
I prefer this over the previous Kinks 1968 album (village green) I got on the generator. Victoria is a standout track. 3.5
Victoria is great. I assume a lot of this is tongue in cheek, but as a concept this doesn't feel any different to a lot of The Kinks' stories, but not as engaging as - say - Sunny Afternoon or Dedicated Follower. Good, but not great.
The word that kept coming to mind for the sounds on this album was 'quirky'. I am familiar with The Kinks songs All Day and All of the Night and You Really Got Me, so this album to me was a departure from what I am used to from them. On some of the songs the singer sounds a bit like Paul McCartney to me. At other times I wondered if this band has two singers because of how different the singing sounds on this compared to the songs I am familiar with. I liked 'Brainwashed' and 'She Bought A Hat like Princess Marina'.
First Kinks album. Could hear the lineage of late 90s/early 00s UK indie rock in this. Musicianship was solid and there were a few great tracks, but I did find it slightly underwhelming.
witzig, schönes 60er medldy, kleine beatles brüder
The album reminds me of the very early Beatles. Sometimes a bit more psychedelic. I enjoyed listening to it. But I won't be doing it again any time soon. 3/5
Is this the Kinks or the Beatles?
Day174 - i enjoy listening to ray davies voice but most of the kinks songs don’t click with me
this sounds more modern than i was expecting for a 50 odd year old album. will listen again.
Listened Before? N Pretty good early britpop/rock stuff here. I’ve never spent much time listening to this band so this was all new to me. Deserves its spot on the list. Added to Librsry? N Somgs added to playlist: Victoria
A good listen - never heard before
Victoria! I like the kinks but not sure i have ever listened to this album. I give it a 3 stars
# 261 : They've done a pretty decent job. I think Its OK, a great collection of songs, and one or two bangers. The rest require a couple of listens and then become better and better. Favourite Track : Victoria Listened : 24/06/2024
Victoria Shangri-La
The Kinks ushering a new political era! Dying in a war for no reason, income inequality, misplaced patriotism (is that what it's called in Great Britain?), wartime propaganda, questioning authority, parodying the advertising of Australia! This one's got it all! It's all good, The Kinks rule, and the British Empire is officially dead! huzzah
Decent record. It started off with a nice one then when Yes Sir, No Sir came in it really brought me back to earth. I really thought it was gonna be another banger. It wasn't bad but it definitely wasn't as good as I thought it would be since a lot of the British Invaders got lots of classic albums. I thought most of the album itself was decent, it had a couple of low points throughout but I felt like it did end quite nicely. Not something I would come back to but I didn't mind listening to it. Best - Victoria, Brainwashed, Shangri-La, and Arthur Worst - Yes Sir, No Sir and Nothing to Say 3.0-3.25
3/5
又是摇滚
This concept was boring for me. Music was not bad
Joda ait, men begynne å bli my 60-70-tallsrock no, håpe på nokka mer spennende i morra.
Oku dale. 7/10
Yeah, yeah, fine. They’re fine. Good, even.
Fan of the Kinks, but this isn’t anything to write home about. 2.8
Not bad, but nothing I would go out of my way to listen to all the way through. Added some songs to my giant playlist for variety.
Very 60s but nothing I would revisit
As someone who uses a fair amount of distortion (maybe that’s an understatement) to cover up my inadequacies on the guitar, I appreciated how clean and precise the guitar was on this. Also enjoyed it playing along with the melodies. Australia and Shanghai-La were interesting journeys. I thought the vocals on Drivin’ were grating. Perhaps this is unfair but it was just missing something to get me to a 4. I can’t put my finger on it but just needed a lil something more to get me over the hump. Call it a 3.5 but rounding down. Sorry The Kinks.
Didn’t really grab me, but not terrible.
I feel like I should be into this one more than I actually am
ummm this was ok. A lot of the songs featured interesting switches in them which i enjoyed but nothing really stuck out to me except for like Shangri-La. I do appreciate however all of the anti-war rhetoric and think that it has nice messaging. top 3 - Shangri-La, Victoria, Some Mother’s Son
Beatles influenced!
Typical 60s. Eng to Aus theme.
I absolutely love Victoria it’s a fantastic opener and one of The Kinks’ great anthems. It bursts out of the speakers with energy and irony, setting the tone perfectly for what follows. What really stands out across this album is the songwriting. Ray Davies delivers sharp, thoughtful lyrics that feel bold and socially aware for the time. The album tackles themes of class, empire, and the changing face of Britain with intelligence and bite, yet never loses its melodic charm. There’s real depth here beneath the hooks. It may lack the immediate, top-drawer pop singles that define some other Kinks records, but in many ways this makes it more cohesive and powerful. As a concept album, it feels ambitious and emotionally resonant — a reflection on identity and decline wrapped in distinctly British storytelling. Favourite track: Victoria — energetic, clever, and endlessly replayable. Least favourite track: Australia — it never quite grabs me in the same way and feels a little overextended. Album artwork: Amazing. Bold and colourful, it perfectly complements the grand, reflective themes of the record.
pretty good, not bad for being so 'early'
Helt ok, og er nok et av de albumene som ikke har holdt seg med tiden fordi det er kommet så mye likt i etterkant.
Never heard this particular one but I have always been a Kinks fan. They get the vote out of me. :)
I liked this album
Nice, inoffensive 60s pop, that will not go down in history as a great innovation, but which flows nicely in any case. 3/5
An interesting concept album from the Lola fellas. It was very ok.
Victoria, great tune. Nice rhythm and melody to the song. Theres some good lyrics. Lots of social commentary from the time. Lots of meaning behind each song. I listen to the lyrics of Australia and they are still very apparent today. i connected with those lyrics on a personal level. Shangri-La was a good tune. I like how it transitioned between different melodies. Some good guitar licks dashed throughout the songs. I enjoyed the change of pace in "Mr churchill" and "she bought a hat like princess marina." Overall a couple of good tunes. Lots of meaning behind the lyrics but only the one stand out tune for me - victoria. A good 3/5.
The Kinks are a band I always thought I'd enjoy, but as I delve deeper into music, they haven't quite lived up to my expectations. While their music isn't bad, it feels somewhat middle-of-the-road compared to other bands from that era.
Not my favorite kinks record but it was fun
Has alot of charm, witty lyrics, a fun listen. Instrumentally lacking, it doesn't ever feel particularly interesting even if it's always enjoyable. I think back in the day this woulda slapped tho. Fav track: Victoria Solid 3.5
Decent
Enjoyable. Was neat hearing bits and pieces of other bands they've influenced in these songs. 3/5
expected to enjoy this more than I did, just a 3
Kind of wild amalgam of what the Kinks do and sound like. Weirder here though. Victoria I knew not much else. Brainwashed is A+ and the sheer British oddness of She's Bought a Hat Like Princess Marina is kind of great. There is so much Kinks and I've listened to a lot so I was surprised so much of this was new to me. Good, but not my favorite of theirs
Interesting album
I think I’m biased against concept albums. It was witty and thematically consistent, but I found myself getting annoyed with the heavy-handedness of it all. Not bad, just not the sort of thing that appeals to me.
Good
Solid 60s rock
Not a fan...I listened to majority of album, could not get it.
This is good. Liked the commentary about modern life, feel like that still holds up today. I think a couple of songs stood out more along those lines, maybe the rest blends together a bit, but overall is decent. It's hard not to feel the Beatles influence here, and at the same time wish the songwriting was as grabbing and interesting as the Beatles.
Very kinks. Just a classic album by them
The Kinks have a lot of better songs but none of them are on this album.
This one is hard to rate for me, some songs are good and I really don't like others. Many sounded like Beatles songs which is fine but this released the same year as abbey road which just doesn't match up. A lot of the songs just didn't sound very full, like they were missing elements to make everything flow better. I do like some of The Kinks' hits but none are on this album. Favorite Song: Shangri-la 6/10
Interesting mix of vibes. Liked a lot of songs others were meh. Could be pretty goofy but I liked that. Top songs: Some mothers son Shangri-la
Victoria, Drivin, and Shang rala are great. I love that they wanted to make their own style of music.
I hope this is my last Kinks album. They're fine I guess, but severely overrated and overexposed on this list. Yes, there's some good songs but there's a lot of shruggable stuff too.
Not sure I like the mixing on this album... feels very flat and tinny. Lyrics are fun! I enjoyed Shangri-La and had never heard it before listening through the album
Ok, Guitar grooves that remind me of my favorite Beatles period. Has some good moments, but the off-key vocals don't quite work for me. Highlights: she's bought a hat, shangrila, australia
While I'd heard some of this album's songs (thanks to "Chronicles"), I haven't heard this album as an album before, and it sounds like it's really meant to be a whole album/concept experience. I'll admit that without reading the Wikipedia entry for this album, I would never have realized this was either a musical or that there's a whole storyline involved (although knowing it now makes the whole Shangri-La/Australia thing a lot more understandable). It's odd that it got a fairly tepid reception in the UK, but a glowing one in the US, and in some ways probably doesn't belong as one of their best albums (despite favorable comparisons to "Tommy" at the time). But a fun listen nonetheless.
god i wish there were half stars. 2.5 is exactly what this is. 2 implies its bad and 3 implies its good. this just is.
The Kinks, perhaps not so well known for being the social commentary band of the 60's. This is yet another album that I have known about for a long time, but never bought or listened to. A long one for it's time but with some really great tracks, some I knew some I didn't. As an album it's not exceptional but it is good. I'm torn here, from it's reputation it should be at least a 4. But for me personally its a 3.6, 3.7. So to be consistent I can only give it a 3
The concept album appeared to be a big thing at that point in time. Interesting how us Brits panned it and the Americans loved it. Well I thought it was very good, I've never listen to it before. But I was aware of the song 'Victoria' which was covered by The Fall. It fills a sort of cultural gap between 'Ogden's Nut Gone Flake' and 'Tommy'. It will get another listen. A high 3.
Never heard an album by this group. Very 60s. A couple of good songs, rest pretty decent.
I was going to give this a 4 but other than the first track nothing stuck out to me. War sucks and the military sucks yeah yeah yeah we know. I wonder if this is an album where you should read the lyrics while listening to get the full picture.
Feels like one long, quirky song. Nothing particularly stood out. While I appreciate the uniqueness, it wasn't for me - quirky in an annoying way. Fav tracks: N/A
Another middle of the road rock album
It was alright
3rd album of The Kinks from the list. They still remind me a lot of The Beatles. And I'm not really sure if it's a good or a bad thing. 3.5/5.
I like othe Kinks albums better
I wonder if I would like this more if I was from the UK. The jams where fine, but not really for me. I probably won't come back to this again
this one was a'ight. Nothing earth shattering to write home about...
Fun.
Nice lyrics, maybe I miss some more strength in the music
Not bad, but typical of the era
Kinks are always fine -- but I definitely prefer early, angsty Kinks to later, quirky Kinks
Compared to what I've heard from the Kinks in the past, this was great. It wasn't so great that I'd say I love this album, but it's real close. But it's really good, not what I was expecting from the Kinks.
New to me, enjoyed most of it a fair bit. Not my typical listen, but it's a solid record. Australia was a great track. I think I can forgive Muswell Hill for producing Wetherspoons now.
Never delved into the Kinks. Fun and uplifting.
This is not what I thought The Kinks were - very war focused, Beatles-ish Brit Pop Rock. But also had this like hippy/renaissance fair vibe. Didn't hate it. Definitely some catchy tunes but very different from other Kinks songs I know like Lola or You Really Got Me. 3.5
good
The kinks were definitely ahead of their time.
I love the Kinks and at his best, Ray Davies is as good a songwriter as Lennon/McCartney. But this is an album I have always struggled to enjoy. Sure it does contain at least two undisputed Kinks classics (Victoria and Shangri-la) and both are outstanding. Driving is also catchy but much of the remaining material is lyrically mundane. The music is an interesting period piece, with brass and harpsichords mingling with rock. It's not terrible and some even rate it above TVGPS, but I personally wouldn't select this as a starting point for the Kinks. Ps the non-album King Kong single is another outstanding example of Davies' songwriting.
It was ok. Victoria a classic
Intersting, never realised that that Fall song was a cover! Usual eccentric album I enjoyed this one more than the garden party larky. Got lost a few times but a bit of energy here and there. Think the Kinks are best when they have a bit of energy. Is that Terry Gillingham artwork I see?
Our fourth (and final) Kinks album on the 1001 list. I never really got into The Kinks, dunno why its good music, and this album is pretty decent, but if I was going to recommend a Kinks album, I'd go with "Something Else".
The theme was interesting
Probably good but couldn't be arsed listening.
Decent, some great songs mixed in with some not so great ones.
Pretty good
Kinda like The Beatles later years. The Beatles are not a favorite of mine.
The Beatles at home. This did have some nice production techniques and personality later in the album. Still, the title promised far more than it delivered.
Þetta er fínasta tónlist. Ég þekki náttúrulega Kinks en hef aldrei hlustað á þessa tilteknu plötu áður eða lögin á henni. Ég gæti alveg hugsað mér að spila hana aftur en í hreinskilni sagt mun ég líklegast bara gleyma henni
The Kinks just don’t grab the way I would have expected and I fine the lyrics kind of condescending towards the peopk being written about bur idk maybe I’m missing the point or something
nice
This album was fun. Not their best but I enjoyed it.
Nice...very Beatles
Gut aber nixht ganz meins
A solid 3/5
Okay
For some reason, I can’t help but think of the kinks as some alternate universe band of what Paul McCartney would sound like if he never met John. The songs are usually so tight, focused on catchiness and can often have a quirky, “granny” -ness to them. This was a fun album, not my favourite listen I found it a bit repetitive but a good listen.
i like the kinks and this is a solid one
A fun little album. Bonus points for Australia (straya) Fav tracks - Victoria - Australia
Malo predugo pjesme traju, ali sve u svemu dosta dobro
Didn't have much of a chance to listen closely to this in one sitting. It was pretty good. Didn't get very into it but also have no criticisms. Favorite song: Yes Sir, No Sir?
Lot better than I expected. Classic late 60's English lyrical pop.
none of the classics on here (i don't like 'victoria') but some great guitar riffs and tones, its the kinks alright, british british oh my god we're the kinks and we're british standouts: some mothers son australia
thots: SOOOO BRITISH. I could smell the must of missing teeth and poor gum health from across the Atlantic with this one. It's interesting because the Kinks were banned from touring in the US due to unions or some shit (I don't know I believe in Capitalism?). Nothing felt particularly awesome about this album, probably because we hear it all the time. Lyrics were mid and lacking. Just talked about England or Australia (?) or the queen or war. But the war in a silly way that I can't comprehend because the WW's definitely left some people traumatized...amirite??? Weiners: Brainwashed - so real. so real. omg we are so totally brainwashed omg Young and Innocent Days - this is kinda just sweet and fun and whimsy Nothing to Say - Fun trumpets in this one. Doesn't STANK of straight Brit so I liked it Shangri-La was also Ok but kind of long. Losers: Australia- fucking bore of a song She's Bought a Hat Like Princess Marina - again so effing boring.
01) Victoria - 8,0 02) Yes Sir, No Sir - 7,5 03) Some Mother's Son - 7,5 04) Drivin' - 7,5 05) Brainwashed - 7,0 06) Australia - 7,5 07) Shangri-La - 7,5 08) Mr. Churchill Says - 7,0 09) She's Bought a Hat Like Princess Marina - 6,5 10) Young and Innocent Days - 7,5 11) Nothing to Say - 7,0 12) Arthur - 7,5 TOTAL: 7,33 (73/100) Nice sixties rock, but nothing special or memorable. The album didn't even chart in UK. Weren't they like a big thing back than? Only few months after this album their single "Lola" came second in the UK charts.
Music for depressive pixie boys. Quirky and fun but somehow also boring??? Not the kinkies at their best 3.3
I like Some Mother's Son and there's a nice distorted riff on Brainwashed. The longer more complex songs like Australia and Shangri-La are my favorites. Goes in a more psychedelic direction on She's Bought a Hat... Overall good but not great.
Some Mother’s Son is a great song. The rest is OK.
It’s fine. I like the kinks, but I am really so tired of this list feeding me 60s rock. It all starts sounding the same, and it’s getting hard to take individual albums on their own merit. This is easily the third kinks album I’ve had already out of like 130 albums. On top of that moby grape, cream, deep purple x 3, traffic, etc. It’s too damn much.
Aika Beatles tyyppistä, mutta mielenkiintoisempaa. Välillä aika meemi. Parhaat: Yes Sir No Sir, Shangri-La, Arthur
Probably should listen more. Had an ethereal indie pop vibe I would liken to the Beatles, but it wasn't that kinda vibe last night.
Shallallallalla
Victoria is a strong opener. The switch in the middle of Yes Sir, No Sir is interesting. Brainwashed is very catchy. Started off pretty strong but got a bit boring.
I'm generally here for The Kinks. And I enjoyed this album... on balance. Sure, some of the songs felt EXACTLY like Monty Python joke songs (I'm looking at you, "She's Bought a Hat Like Princess Marina") but they were balanced out by some really solid Beatles-esque rock songs. I'd like to have given this a higher score. No, scratch that. I'd like for this album to have earned a higher score. But it didn't.
First time I didn’t get too excited, but on the second listening I started liking the album
Has its moments but kinda dull
nice to listen to. I like the music and the musical concept of the album but I dig it down one star because I don´t like the vocals.
Not really a big Kinks fan but this album was pretty good. Liked the concept of the waning British Empire through the eyes of a hard lucked everyman. Not of al the music hits but enough to rate it higher than the previous Kinks albums I've listened to on this list.
Paar easy listening nummertjes, verder niet zo bijzonder
Tja, wat kan ik hier weer over zeggen. Wel weer oké, maar er waren geen nummers bij die er voor mij echt uit sprongen. Niet super, maar ook niet slecht
Not bad, not great. It's like Punk Beatles
This was ok
A pleasant enough listen with plenty of politics women throughout. This is one of the few Kinks albums I've listened to straight through -- and it's certainly inferior to Village Green, in my estimation. That's not to say it's bad. It's just not great. Unexpected banger: Brainwashed, I guess...
Pretty good Beatles-y rock. Nothing that really grabbed me but it was good and I'll keep it around for a couple more listens. It's hard when The Beatles did all this first and so very well, raises the bar to ridiculous standards and now with all the benefit of hindsight, it's hard to judge them fairly hearing them all together. Still, I enjoyed it and will listen to it again.
One to give more listens, I wasn't paying 100% attention and there were little hints of lyrics peeking through that made me want to look into it more. Some great tunes though, 'Shangri-La' and the closer especially, though 'Australia' feels like it goes on for about 3 or 4 minutes too long.
I was underwhelmed. It was clever, but didn't light my fire.
Bright and jangly up-tempo songs that channels the Beatles and, with a tad harder edge, lays the ground for power pop to come. Great lightly crunchy guitar sound. There's a near constant backing vocal part that takes on the function an organ might have of giving some bedding/continuity alongside the more stochastic guitar/drums parts in addition to being a harmonic counterpoint. A few songs (Mr Churchill, Australia) get a lot looser, delving into a trancey psych jam that has an almost Can feel to it.
Les Kinks se démènent toujours avec les même vigueur pour remonter ne serait-ce qu'un tout petit peu dans mon estime avant la fin du générateur mais c'est malheureusement peine perdue. Désolé les Kinks.
A few songs went on too long but overall good
So much better than so many of their contemporaries, The Kinks drive a dagger through the heart of the English establishment with this opus.
It's ok. I thought I'd really like it, but it's a bit slow.
Fun album. Especially knowing how many bands they influenced.
3.5 It’s got its ups and downs. Very much an artifact of ‘wall of sound’ British era. Not my jam but I can see others rating it higher.
Needs more Lola
This may be sacrilegious in the world of rock-n-roll aficionados, but this just feels like an extension of The Beatles.
Different. In a good way.
I am familiar with the Kinks, but I can't help but think that the studio tried to enlist the beatles, got scammed and got some sort of beatles rip off. Still OK though
Quite nice, not exceptional
Has it's moments but overall it's just a tad dull.
It was ok. Lots of blues influences and a good listen. Personally, I would most likely not listen to this again.
Was okay. Not really my thing.
Victoria is a great track. The rest is uneven. A lot of it sounds like a Beatles cover band.
Decent album
A couple songs were great.
Very Beatles-esque. Love the first track and love The Kinks in general but they’ve got better albums I would say…
I really like The Kinks but never find myself loving them
It's going ok.
On the one hand, I can see why people like them. But I can't stand the lead singers voice. It's such a well made album with brilliant instrumentals and thought-provoking lyrics, but I just can't deal with his voice. I want to like it, but I just can't. However, I can't give it less then a 3, because it's clear its good music.
Very Beetleish.
Downloaded 1 song.
Muito, mas esse mar de álbuns de "rock clássico" dessa lista começa a fazer parecer que esses álbuns não são a norma e não o ótimo.
I think this is a workmanlike concept album - it may have made more sense had the projected TV play been made. I don't see why critics seem to laud the quality of the lyrics, which seem rather so-so to me.
Prior to listening to this I was only familiar with a couple Kinks songs. Biting social commentary and a complete album concept about modern British working class life in the late 60s, coupled with war and politics. It has that slightly off kilter feel that the Kinks did so well, along with Ray Davies' warbling singing, mixing in serious along with silly. A little Beatles-esque, a little Who thrown in, but all great to listen to. Drivin' and Shangri-La are my favorites.
Brief moments of brilliance, a little too corny around the concept at times
Wel een geinig album, leuk voor de eenmalige listen
Fun
If my kink was catchy, not bad but fairly average albums, then this would be an easy 5.
I like The Kinks and I enjoyed this album. I don't believe I've ever owned an album but then and I'm not sure why.
British-Invasion-Light
An interesting concept album. I don't think I'd listen to individual tracks necessarily but at a whole it's very cohesive. Standout track: Yes Sir, No Sir
Not special.
Meh. I'm on vacation and don't feel like writing up a large thing but I felt very 50/50 on this album. Nothing new to write home about. 5/10
Political
I liked this. Old school rock and kinda punk-ish. 3.5/5
Fine, but not anything I'd relisten to.
They are trying so hard to make their point heard, and it gets a bit tired being hit over the head with it on every track. The chorus of Shangri-La is the best on the album so far Did you know this is a protest album? The Kinks would like to remind you once again that this is a protest album.
I liked the instrumentals on this album well enough, but I think the draw is certainly the thematic elements. As opposed to the contemporaries that I have listened to plenty (e.g., The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, etc.), the Kinks "Arthur" is the first album I've heard from the 60's that is so dang...British. Plenty of the themes are applicable to the states, sadly; however, I can only imagine that I'd appreciate this album a whole lot more over tea. Fav Tracks: Australia, Shangri-La, & She's Bought a Hat Like Princess Marina
altogether decent. classic rock.
Listened in Madison at work
Decent effort by the Kinks bit not their best. A bit repetitive and the storytelling is better on other albums
It's fine.
I thought it was going to be more of a punk album with the name like the kinks but it was really nice guitars and melodies. I enjoyed it