Reviews (page 2 of 9)
Pre Listen: Oh boy, more Kinks! After this one all I'll have left from them on this list is Face to Face. Bittersweet feeling, considering how much I like 'em. That said, I only have one song from this album on my playlist, 'Waterloo Sunset', the rest I don't really remember all that well. Looking forward to listening through regardless. Notable Tracks: Tin Soldier Man - Most repetitive song on here I think, to the point it forces it's way in to your head. I don't know if I love it or hate it, but I know the bland bridge will be stuck in my head for longer than I'd like now. Love Me Till the Sun Shines - Least favorite track. My god the singing and lyrics are making my ears bleed. Waterloo Sunset - Favorite track, this one has been on my playlist for years, probably amongst the first 50-100 tracks I ever added once I started building my library. I love the progression and the warm feelings of the song. Post Listen: Once again I'm reminded why I don't recall the rest of the songs on the album. That was pretty mid. The album feels very juvenile. Not amateurish, just juvenile, like half the songs were either meant for children or written by children. The lyrics especially are pretty miserable in some songs, extremely repetitive and utterly lacking in substance. The instrumental work is solid, and has some highs, few lows, but it's mostly just so...juvenile, by virtue of being simplistic and repetitive. I didn't really like this album. Would be a 2 if it weren't for Waterloo Sunset. 3/5
This one is rough. It’s not really a 4 album. But I sure like it better than a whole lot that I have rated 3. So… 4 Boolean: True
Waterloo sunsets rocks
Solid rock album. Some songs were a little goofy but it was overall good.
controversial probably but i wasnt really a big fan. i can see why it is so popular and has so many positive ratings but it was lowk a bit disjointed for me.
Classic sound, although it passes by without any true highlights. Great to just put on and go about your day.
I don't mind a few songs of the kinks, but this album had a little too much pop and not enough rock. I was never hugely keen on this decade of music but I can at least agree that the 60s featured a multitude of influential bands that would change the the course of the music industry in the 2nd half of the 20th century and still inspire the music careers of many 21st century bands as well.
A band I've overlooked time and again for some reason or another. File under ¨Bands too British to make it in America,¨ like The Smiths, Buzzcocks and their spiritual sons The Jam.
Very 1970s, not too bad. Two stars…
Nothing too great. Not bad but long winded and not exciting
Fantastic, I will definitely listen again.
Meh
Solid album, I've always really loved Waterloo Sunset.
Best leuk. Paar mega missers wel
Wel leuk
Grappig en interessant. Van genoten maar het is me niet bij gebleven eigenlijk. 2 bangers
The sounds and vocals of David Watts (and the initial tracks) already had me excited for the Waterloo sunset to arrive. Mad respect for putting a groundbreaking song on the album last to complete the artistic vision, ahead of its time. I’m sure there’s a lot of commercial pressure to avoid doing that in the 60s Very explorative middle section for me
5: I will happily play this album anytime 4: I may occasionally play this album of my own free will 3: I will happily listen to this if someone plays it in the background 2: I will tolerate this if it is playing in the background 1: I will leave the room if someone plays this in the background Great album, but not amongst my favorite Kinks albums.
Nice album
good one
Some great tracks on this, including some of their best known songs. Love the keyboard sound on this.
Sweet record from the Kinks like expected. I just like Ray Davies songwriting style and voice it always delivers some kind of lightheartedness on his slower songs like on this album and energy in their faster hardrock riff songs. Dave Davies guitar playing is always incisive and fits the energy perfectly. All that being said I dont think its the Kinks best album its a decent charming album with some lovely songs but also some pretty boring lows in my opinion. Looking foward for minimum 2 other Kinks albums. 3,8/5
Some decent ones, but just don’t get the Kinks.
... interesting.
I mean, it was alright, it reminds me of earlier Beatles, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it just doesn't super interest me.
Stereotypical late 60's Brit rock.
Sounds like the Beatles, quite boring and nothing memorable here 2.5
Enjoyed it more than I expected. Pretty creative and didn't feel to samey throughout.
Not my kind of music
By this point ive made upy mind on the kinks. They wrote some ok pop songs but it has dated badly and the sound and vocals are very weak. This does nothing to change that.
3.6/5
Very beatle-esqe. I never really listened to much of the early Kinks, but still enjoyable.
This album was a sign of things to come. Without Something else, the Kinks would never write Village Green or Arthur, the latter of which is a personal favourite of mine. On this album, the Davies brothers draw their influence from music hall, itself an old trend from a generation prior. The softer, toylike instrumentation means the band loses a fair bit of its rock and roll bite, but the songwriting - always the crown jewel of the Kinks' oeuvre - makes up for it. In typical Kinks fashion, this is an album out of time and place - this wouldn't sound out of place if it had been released a decade prior. We have to keep in mind that, in 1967, most bands were out exploring psychedelia in an attempt to figure out what was going on in San Francisco at the time. The Kinks, a band banned from the US for an incident that took place before a TV performance, leaned even more heavily into their Britishness and ignored the concept of altered states entirely. Make no mistake, this is a straight laced, stone cold sober album about all sorts of things - British social issues, character pieces and genuine fun times are the main ones, but there's an air of seriousness in even the most whimsical songs. What I find is that the Kinks basically beat the Beatles to the punch by making a cutesy pop album as this predates both Magical Mystery Tour and Yellow Submarine, which features the same sort of naive, childlike songwriting. Of course, the Davies' singing about the weekly classifieds take this decidedly out of children's territory, but the instrumentation certainly keeps one foot in that realm. This is an album to check out if you really like British whimsy, or if you're a really into the Kinks. Key Tracks: Harry Rag, Love Me Till the Sun Shines, Waterloo Sunset
WannaBeattles. Just kidding, they're prety cool. The bassist goes harrrrrd! 4/5
Waterloo Sunset is one of the most beautiful songs oat
More enjoyable than I first gave it credit for. It's not afraid to push the boundaries without blindly following their contemporaries on every song. Songs like Harry Rag are... different. A few tracks fall totally flat, but there are clearly efforts to include more than just guitars and drums. The result is more fun than transcendent, and I can understand why some people swear by the Kinks.
Melhor do que eu esperava.
Le premier chef d'oeuvre des Kinks.
Selon l'ia de google, il est probable que 80 à 90 pour-cent de la population mondiale n'ait jamais entendu les Kinks. Pas pour rien que ça va mal.
6/10
Good shite brotha!
Liked it fine. I’m realizing I like 70s rock more than 60s
Nostalgia, but hanging heavy on the famous bangers (timeless rare writing gold). Kinda makes me think Blur are like a modern Kinks.
I love the lyrics of this album and I think it's a jaunty adventure. Previously, I'd have given it a 5 without question, however the production early in the album has lessened for me this time round - is it exposure? Is it pickiness? Still a great album.
1 whole star just for Waterloo Sunset. Classic Kinks
a fun album. short, sweet, unique, distinct
Some fun tracks. But it's no Revolver....
Thought I was listening to a Beatles album
1034 - "Here's your juice box and orange slice. Thanks for coming."
Nothing about this stood out for me. I get that they made their mark on music, but 60s pop/rock has been one of the most tiresome things for me doing this list.
Yikes! Somewhere in the back of my mind I had the thought that The Kinks might be a band I'd really like if I explored their discography. This album sucks, there must be better Kinks albums! The songwriting is lazy or just bad, the vocal and musical performances are lazy, the recording/mix is lazy. Didn't notice a song that stood out as anything but not bad.
#3 from the Kinks so far on this list. I don't feel like the Kinks were important enough to merit more than one record. Maybe I'm wrong about that, we shall see. Yeah I mean this album is fine but unremarkable. Standard 60s brit pop/light psych pop. Waterloo Sunset sounds like a song the Beatles rejected and that's the best on this album. There isn't really anything else to comment on, it was an album I listened to today and it is not one I will likely come back to. 2.5/5
The Kinnks are an all time great band - they took some amazing left turns and were constantly evolving their sound to something interesting. This is kind of like their “Rubber Soul”, starting to get a little weird, a little folkier, but with some real gems. “Waterloo Sunset” is the clear highlight, but the rest of the album is full of surprising delights.
I like this better than the other Kinks albums on the list, but maybe that's only because it's the last one. Harry Rag feels like the kind of song you'd write to disguise chasing tail...turns out it's about cigarettes. I definitely come down on the side of blues rock vs. psychedelic rock. Lazy Old Sun is the worst song so far...but I don't want to say it's the worst on the album yet...still four songs to go.
Very 1960s British Rock n Roll. I personally wouldn’t listen to the songs again, not really interesting or soul scratching.
It's The Kinks and has the Greatest song ever written on it
This one reminds me of the early Beatles albums, up through maybe Rubber Soul. “Harry Rag” is a prime example of this Beatles-esque sound. Overall, it’s lots of short, easy-listening tunes with a couple of great songs sprinkled in. “Death of a Clown” and “Waterloo Sunset” are the standout tracks on this one.
It’s interesting. It’s brilliant. It’s the kinks. Although the album has some tracks that could do just a bit more in my opinion it’s one of the standouts of the 60’s era of rock and essential listening of fans of the period. Waterloo sunset is legitimately one of the best songs ever made. Fav tracks: David watts, death of a clown, two sisters, situation vacant, afternoon tea, end of the season, and Waterloo sunset
There are way too many Kinks albums on this list.
Had that great Kinks sound but lacked the hits. While I enjoyed most of the album, nothing really moved me. Faves were David Watts and Waterloo Sunset.
I was today years old when I learned that the Kinks were the Diet Beatles. It makes sense to me that there would be Beatles knock-offs, but I just never thought about it. Known for their smash hit "You Really Got Me," this project stays true-to-form by including four The Kinks albums, but of course not the album The Kinks which contains that hit. JFC.
60s pop. Not bad but a bit light for me. A couple of familiar tunes
I’m such a sucker for this kind of thing that it’s really quite embarrassing
I already don't like The Beatles so no wonder that the lite version of them also bored me to death. 1/5
This was very 60’s but kept my attention. I recognized a couple and discovered a couple more.
You gotta give it to Ray Davies and these guys for definitely creating a sound n style all their own. And for pushing the 1967 sonic envelope with a lot of bands at the time. For the most part The Kinks are an instantly recognizable band. And this was a perfectly fine listen. Just not as good as some of their other efforts.
This was fine. Can’t say I loved it. And was trying to find the words to describe Tin Soldier Man. Like it felt very old timey and almost like a novelty. Admittedly had to get some ChatGPT help to put my feelings into words. This seems to sum it up: “It sometimes sounds like a 1960s rock band performing songs written for a Victorian puppet show.”
I noted in my review of Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire) that it was my favorite discovery of the 1001 challenge thus far... this one is good, but not THAT good. 3.5/5
It's not bad. I think I just don't have an ear for 60s British music because it all kinda sounds bland to me. Harry Rag stood out though, and was probably my favorite. Kinda an oddball song but I really liked it.
i really didn't hate any of the songs, but i didn't love a single one. just didn't capture me. Harry Rag was kinda fun. strong 2
Rating: 7/10 Another lovely album by The Kinks. So stereotypically British that they even have a song devoted to drinking afternoon tea and it’s a bop. These guys were some blueprint 60’s pop rock, they just did it so good, it’s a well made and produced little record. Of a very similar quality to Arthur where it’s very solidly front-loaded with just a couple weaker tracks towards the end. Bookended the best two songs of the album, David Watts and genuinely one of the greatest pop songs Waterloo Sunset, if you’re a fan of this genre at all you just have to think so otherwise what are you doing
FOR 1967 this ain't bad I guess. Vocals probably my least favorite part, the drums + instruments were pretty fun though, and I can't tell if recording tech was just bad or the reverb was on purpose, but it was pretty nice in that way as well. Not terrible not exciting 5.0/10
If it ain't Lola vs Powerman and the Moneyground, pt 1 I don't fuckin care
Much like I expected: very catchy melodies, pretty harmonies, short and sweet songs. This flew by pretty quickly. Overall a very enjoyable album. Favourite songs: Love Me Till the Sun Shines, Waterloo Sunset
Another in a neverending series of favs of my favs. The Kinks were kinda the hip alternative to the Beatles and whatnot for the Pill/mod/britpop crowd around Boston ca. 1999-2000. In part, because they have great songs, but also I suspect because Damon Albarn was acting as a tastemaker of sorts (along with other britpoppers). Likewise some of the NYC/LES bands would namedrop Ray Davies or do Kinks covers, esp. The Walkmen. Anyhow, the early hits aside, I’ve never gravitated to the Kinks, including their imperial album run. The character portraits matched with kinda quaint melodies just...sometimes there’s a progression that really captures my attention - No Return - and then it’s followed by a music hall number like Harry Rag or Tin Soldier Man, which I could not care less about.
Still a Kinks novice, but Arthur rocked me so taking these guys very seriously. This one sounds like the Kinks you’re used to and I think that’s the loose production sound. This wasn’t too far before Arthur so I’m sure there was a big shift somewhere. Enjoyed this, when you think you’ve figured a song out they hit you with a pretty interesting change. Prob 3.5 and rounding up.
I think I'm on the record that after hearing Arthur, the Kinks are in my top 5 favorite bands. This album doesn't hit those highs but has plenty going for it still. Death of a Clown is strange but evocative and Waterloo Sunset is an all timer. Afternoon Tea and a few others also great. A few duds, but the Kinks duds always come from pushing the envelope and coming up shrot, rather than settling for routine or what's comfortable. This is probably more like a 4 but these guys can do no wrong for me so bumping up.
Didnt quite hit like The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society album. No big takeaway songs, but not annoying.
Yeah ... I'll have something else, please.
шокирующе не панк а приятная мелодичная музыка из истории
I liked this one more than the other Kinks album. I liked David Watts and death of a clown And autumn almnanac Still 3 star album
I’ve been meaning to check out The Kinks for ages and this has made me finally get around to it. I really enjoyed it. My only reason for not giving it 5 stars is that the older style of music recording doesn’t always sit right in my ears (I don’t know how to explain it). I didn’t really grow up hearing music this old (including the Beatles) so I’m maybe not as tolerant of elements of that as other people are. I imagine I’d be obsessed with a slightly more modern version of this.
The number of Beatles-like bands on this list is astounding
Not too bad as far as Beatles clones go
Was okay for an occasional listen
Dave is a rocker, Ray writes about tea and mothers-in-law. Roles and responsibilities.
I love Waterloo Sunset but this one is pretty bland otherwise.
The Kinks don't have a lot in common with the Pet Shop Boys, except that they both made a lot of records, each one had one or two good (or great) songs, and the ones I really like aren't on the albums we got. That said, happy to listen to a Kinks album on a sunny afternoon (again, not on this album).
It gets a bit too spoofy in places to be fair ⭐⭐⭐
Just a pleasure
6/10 Bueno, pero nada para destacar. Normalito, no es malo
It was pretty cool, but it didn't really grab me a whole lot to be honest
Klassiker!
550/1089 - I don't really get the Kinks but I'm glad bands like The Jam and XTC were inspired by them.
Awesome. I obviously know plenty of classic Kinks songs but have never listened to an album from start to finish. This one was awesome to dive into. I have a feeling I could REALLY get into the whole Kinks oeuvre with a little time and effort. Could this be the start of my journey into Kinks superfandom?
I love the kinks, but this one was not it.
3/10 - another overrated Kinks album from the 60s, over-represented on this list
Nice
У Kinks есть альбомы и поинтереснее
I can see from the other reviews, there are people struggling to appreciate this because they can't see past the lyrical topics. I have to confess I've loved the kinks for many years, but there's a lot more going on than afternoon tea, sugar and gossip. The same applies to the small faces.
The Kinks make me happy. Simple as.
The hits are hits for a reason.
This was alright in places but a bit up and down. Waterloo Sunset clearly the best track.
A nice flow to this album that is very Beatlesque throughout. Jumps up a rating for the excellent Waterloo Sunset.
Interesting variation of sounds and styles, but this one doesn’t draw me in as much as other Kinks efforts. Waterloo Sunset head and shoulders over the rest really.
Might be lazy to say but this reminds me of some Beatles records (in a very good way)
Something more like the Beatles. Nough said.
Waterloo Sunset one of the GOAT tracks
Think the Beatles, but more interesting and less interesting at the same time.
Good stuff
67/100
I had a Greatest Hits cassette of the Kinks back in the day but I think that’s about as far as I go with them. They have some great songs but the English whimsy starts to grate. 3.5
This is Brit Pop I can get behind.
Something Else by The Kinks is most notable for being home to Waterloo Sunset, a song deemed so perfect there are actual college level classes on its composition. Something Else is important for another reason as well, showing that The Kinks were going to be just fine transitioning out of "the beat" era.
Loose, unserious, catchy. Sure, why not spin this every once in a while.
Pretty good
It's a nice album. Not a lot stood out, however it's a very pleasant listen. Waterloo Sunset is an absolutely lovely track in particular. Would definitely listen again; Waterloo probably bumps it from a 3 to a 4.
You can hear in this album what will later become punk, new wave, etc. These guys were bringing something to the table no one else was, and though I didn't love the album itself, and thought some of the songs fell a little flat, I'm completely glad I listened to it, and wouldn't turn down listening to it again.
The more albums I listen to by The Kinks, the more I absolutely adore them. They’re just fun, feel good, and a bit silly. Afternoon tea was a delight. Tin soldier man is awesome. I can see myself absolutely loving this album after a couple of listens.
Schuurt tegen de 4 aan
Geef mij maar something else van iemand anders.
genius
Enjoyable work from the old boys
This one was just fine. I like The Kinks, but there's nothing memorable on this album.
I don’t mind The Kinks and I got on well with TVGPS but this seemed a bit middling to me. Even the name suggests a lack of something truly great. There’s a couple of tracks that stood out as good on first listen and in _Waterloo Sunset _, one classic song, but for the most part, this passed me by.
If the Beatles are Moe, the Stones are Larry, and The Who are Curly, the Kinks are Shemp.
These guys really are one hit wonders to me. Waterloo Sunset is a great song, the rest is ok but nothing special
Seems like they stole the Beatles rejected songs from the trash.
An enjoyable enough listen. Definitely has a knock off Beatles vibe, but a passable at a glance knock off.
I found it pretty boring, especially for it being released after the album with "You Really Got Me".
Some great tunes on here, but a number of songs I just didn’t get into, too. Like it overall.
Enjoyed it!
Much stronger second half, even if it really is just dance hall music. 3.0/5.0: Good
i mustve missed something because I dont get why this made the cut. it was fine but nothing special
It is a very good-to-great album with one immortal song, several excellent songs, and a handful that are more charming than truly great.
60s pop/rock in the vein of early Beatles. Unfortunately the production doesn't hold up very well and it sounds very rough in places. Some of the songs were kind of fun, like the sea shanty Harry Rag and Waterloo Sunset. But overall it was a bit forgettable.
I’ve yet to find a kinks album I don’t love
Packed with hits, but I'm especially partial to the sick sweetness of Death of a Clown and Waterloo Sunset #everythingisakink
Beatles-esque, childlike, weird—alternating between good and bad ways
coming up with the “Waterloo Sunset” guitar lick must’ve been satisfying as fuck
I had no idea the Jam version of David Watts was a cover. This album is really great. Nice diversity in styles that all show off really great songwriting. Waterloo Sunset is a fantastic closer and maybe the best Kinks song. Last night after listening to this YouTube recommended me a video of Ray Davies and Damon Albarn performing Waterloo Sunset in 1995 and then they play Parklife immediately after and I finally understand. The end of Tin Soldier Man is the SpongeBob theme. Favorites were David Watts, Death of a Clown, Tim Solider Man, Situation Vacant, Afternoon Tea, and Waterloo Sunset.
yay kinks
Actually lots of fun. Last song is excellent
muy lindo, se ven los inicios de la banda :D
Gear: 64 Audio Duo Artwork: 📷🕰️🍸 Production (Stereo Mix): 🎧😖💩 Music: 😞📉🙄 Rating: 🤡(🤡)/5
# Playlist Track - Waterloo Sunset # Notes - My favorite track from this album kind of sounds like something the Beatles recorded and never released for some reason. - Not a bad album, not at all. I enjoy that there are all kinds of sound mixed in there. Still, not something I'm going to be returning to all the time.
Takes me back
Something Else by The Kinks once again feels like it just isn't hitting the potential it should be. Once again The Kinks have a much more defined sound they are working with for their 5th studio album, Something Else By The Kinks, but something feels missing that should be making this project pop more in my eyes. You can see the band starting to be more adventurous with their songwriting from time to time, but in order for this album to pop more I need it to be across the board or something like that man. A lot of my same comments from Face to Face can be repeated here unfortunately, maybe next project will grasp me a lot better but for now I am feeling rather the same here.
Love this. The Kinks turned out some really good music.
I didn't find this particularly interesting. Vaguely Beatlesy but it didn't unremarkable, like Beatles tunes they didn't bother includint on a final album. Probably because I'm removed from the context in which it was released since The Kinks are cited as influential on a lot of music I like but it just didn't do much for me 2.5 Highlights: Situation Vacant
everything you would expect from the 60's Kinks. No real bangers here.
This wasn't bad, but it wasn't good. Not really the Kinks that I am familiar with. It was a little too weird at times. Probably just a 2. Also pretty long. Liked Songs: "David Watts" , "Harry Rag" , "Tin Soldier Man" , "Situation Vacant" , "Funny Face" , "Waterloo Sunset" , "Polly" , "Lincoln County"
A tapestry of sound that's as chaotic as it is charming. It's like they're playing a high-stakes game of musical chairs, and every time you think the tune has ended, another seat spins into view. Spins: 1 Playlist Additions - David Watts - Death of a Clown - Waterloo Sunset - Autumn Almanac
Enjoyed Village Green more than I expected so was looking forward to this, but it was only fine. Waterloo Sunset is an obvious highlight but the rest is just good
I prefered the first Kinks album I got in my journey through the 1001, though this was not bad. Maybe my expectations were higher because I liked "Arthur" so much.
Nah
Хороший альбом
🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑 (rounded down because of the overall effect) Something else by the Kinks, and so soon after the last thing by the kinks—what difference is there, really? Well, in fairness, I knew more songs off of this one—"Waterloo Sunset," "David Watts," and "Death of a Clown" are all saved, though they're amongst my least favorite Kinks songs in my library. That being said, I definitely enjoyed them this time around, maybe simply due to the fact that they were familiar faces in an unexpected setting. I also really enjoyed a few other songs on this album, though none powerfully so. Overall, though, this one was mellower than I like my kinks—certainly the them at the most "hum dee dum" / "hi-ho" British I've ever heard them, and while I'm not opposed to that as a whole, it doesn't amount to much looking back. 1: Bad | 2: Okay, No Desire to Revisit | 3: Good, Conditionally (OR Inconsistent Mix of Qualities) | 4: Great (OR Technically amazing but missing the sauce emotionally) | 5: Amazing
Wait, you’re telling me these AREN’T the Beatles? Huh?? Fun and weird but not quite a 4.
This album was a little weird to me and sounded dated. There were parts that sometimes caught my ear, but they didn't pop up a lot. The last song was nice though. Overall, not really my thing.
Otro gran álbum de la banda. Me llegan los tipos estos, sabían componer espectacular. 6/10
I don't know what I thought the Kinks sounded like before I listened to this album, but the only word that comes to mind is insipid. Did not care for this, do not need to hear it again.
Love Me Till the Sun Shines and Waterloo Sunset were alright. Technology of the era produced Pet Sounds. So I don't know what the reason is for the way this album sounds.
Like other stuff by them more but this was just okay mate
Couldn’t get on board with these blokes
Not for me
Very Yellow Submarine like album and I don't just mean because it sounds like the Beatles---although it does sound very much like something the Beatles would write and sing. It has a similar sort of humor and childlikeness to it. Not a very serious album. Downloaded two (I think) songs but mind you the album is 20+ so that isn't amazing numbers. The best song is the one I already had downloaded: Waterloo Sunset (I didn't count it towards the two mentioned earlier, those are separate). What does that signify? That this is a 3.5 stars album (damn you for not letting me do halfsies) and that I have amazing taste (I can find the best song off an album even before listening to the whole album, isn't that remarkable!)
Just fun rock that brings a smile to my face!
Not a big Kinks fan to begin with, and this album doesn't help. 3
Waterloo sunset is an absolute classic. The rest of the album was fairly solid
You haven’t heard the kinks like this since the last time you heard the kinks like this.
Det her har en god energi.
sparklingly inventive, wonderful characters in the songs, great melodies, splendid guitars
I was looking forward to this album when it came up,that feeling faded fast. Very disappointed in this album. No energy and no emotion. A definite miss for me.
Waterloo sunset saves this album. I raised my rating because if it.
Not their best overall, but a better closer may be impossible.
Probably helped this album’s rank for me as I was traveling through the English countryside on a bus with it playing.
This is very British, but it’s not bad
It's not *bad* but also 1967 was incredibly stacked in terms of releases so this one is pale in comparison.
This is like the last album but more backgroundy. I liked it less
Multiple songs on the tracklist named after other people? What is this, a 2017 Soundcloud trap album?
I really love this kind of stuff man. Just groovy like a drive-in movie. I will forgive all sins if you have this kind of fun. Closer to a four than a six.
It’s good, but kind of like a poor-man’s Beatles.
I feel like every album is the same
One of my favorite bands ever. Their first 5-6 records are all top-notch. Where British Invasion meets power pop. This one might come in slightly behind Village Green and Face to Face, but it’s right up there. Infectious tunes, great production, always clever lyrics.
I'm bored, lets reheat the Beatles nachos
Liked it a lot!
thats soooooo boring i guess that who doesnt like the beatles imagine them like this
This was an awesome wasn’t perfect. There were songs that’s a one time lesson but it definitely holds enough weight to come back to listen to it. You definitely take some elements from the Beatles if I was in 1969 listening to this album I definitely would be happy.
not as good as lola vs powerman
i enjoyed that immensely but i wouldn't listen to it regularly as an album.
Not bad, a bit repetitive
Waterloo Sunset almost bumped it up to a 4 on its own, but the rest of the album wasn't quite there.
Great album. Waterloo Sunset alone makes this a 5. Can't help but smile while this is playing.
I dont know… I just really didnt find anything super interesting about this one. Side B was much better though. That would be closer to a 4
It was alright, liked some of the songs a lot but in general am not that into 60's stuff
Eh. I've enjoyed most of the Kinks I've heard, but this just wasn't for me.
Quite alright, as far as I recall
🙂
Nite quite ready for prime time, despite a couple of great tracks
Rv
Another gem from an under appreciated band from the UK. They are amazing at painting characters and settings that make you feel a part of the story
This would be a three if not for Waterloo Sunset.
Yeah kink motherfuckers also a great album
This album is by no means perfect, but it's still great! Just on the back of Waterloo Sunset alone I love this record.
Alt rock
Some great tracks (David Watts, Death of a Clown, Tin Soldier Man, Lazy Old Sun), and an all-time classic in Waterloo Sunset. But quite large portions of the album don't fully grab me. 7/10
My biggest regret on this site are being too generous in my grading. I gave Joni Mitchell a 3 yesterday and after reflection the truth is I just did not like it. My child often asks me, "Why are you listening to this junk? Just listen to what you like." So Joni Mitchell should have been a 1 or a 2 and while I cannot go back and fix that, unfortunately for Ray Davies and the Kinks they are going to take a beating today as I work toward more forceful scoring. While Something Else is a critically beloved album that showcases Ray Davies’ lyrical wit and the band’s uniquely British sensibility, its modest production, stylistic scatter, and reliance on music‑hall charm makes it feel unexciting if you’re expecting the punch of late‑60s rock or the conceptual depth of the Kinks’ later work. These elements don’t resonate with me and even though the album’s historical reputation is strong this is at best a 2 for me.
I saw The Kinks in the early 1990s, and they didn't play Waterloo Sunset. If my parents hadn't paid (I was 14 and went with them), I would have demanded my money back. Although this album proves that they were knocking out classics at an impressive rate in the 1960s, that song is the jewel in their crown.
Die beatles wenn sie nur so okay wären
perfectly cromulent collection of 60s british pop remarkable mostly for its closing with one of the best tracks in rock history 3.5/5
Lowkey quaint.
old school. catchy.
Whichever one of the two brothers was the talented one is an absolute genius. This album is DANGEROUSLY close to being excessively English, but every note works. Too bad about the whole "banned from the USA for ages" thing.
Hearing The Kinks is always a pleasure.
There are some good examples of early rock music here among other styles, a lot of which seems very “British” sounding to me. Considering that it’s their fifth album (!) I think it would be well worth checking out all the other albums they made before this. Some strange and psychedelic stuff here as well which fits in well alongside what The Beatles and The Beach Boys were doing around this time. This was an enjoyable listen so I hope I have some time to listen to more of their back catalogue!
shit sucked Would I listen again: no. Deserves to be on this list: no. 2.0
A solid classic
OBOŽAVAM ovo mi je definitivno najslabiji album iz njihove po mom mišljenju trilogije remek-albumâ (uz prethodni »face to face« i naredni »village green«), ali to nipošto ne znači da je loš, no ipak ima jednu slabiju stvar (»no return«). sve ostalo je ili dobro, što je rjeđe, ili naprosto divno. najdraže stvari: »david watts«, »death of a clown«, »harry rag«, »love me till the sun shines« (!!!), »funny face«. sve u svemu vrh, uvijek uživam u slušanju. zašto ih ljudi (pa i na ovoj stranici) opisuju kao bitlse za siromašne, nikad mi neće biti jasno
pretty nice
Jeg fortsætter som fan af Kinks selvom det her er det mest “we have Rubber Soul at home” agtige album vi har haft fra dem
Garanteret et hot take, men tror jeg synes det her er den bedste Kinks vi har haft! Det har generelt været en eye opener i det her projekt hvor vildt fede Kinks er.
Banger song to end a grat record on. Nice length <3
3.8/5 ray davies incredible some bangers on this
Easy to listen to, good length. My two favourite songs were the first and last tracks, which probably bumps my rating for this up slightly.
Meh.
Fun album, and Waterloo Sunset is an all time classic. 4
I for one would’ve preferred Something Else by The Kinks
Désolé, c'était mieux You Really Got Me.
Another Kinks album and another realization they are just as good as the Beatles. Fun ditties, varied styles, great instrumentation.
3rd Kinks album. Can't get the Blur comparison out of my head now. Crosses quite a few styles. Waterloo Sunset is a classic but I'm just not a fan of the album. 2/5.
While this is not my favourite album by this great, quintessential English band (and in that respect so much more English than other bands) it's a great showcase of talent with a unique bland of music hall, baroque pop, somehow introverted rock music. The Kinks could go hard, but more than anything else they could live up to a very different vision filled with nostalgia, observations of English life and so on.
Se nota que es un disco muy de su época, bailongo, pensado para entretener
such a comfort album for me, always good to just put on when i need it. village green is still my favorite of their albums, but this is close.
I mess with projects that Thundercat has played with, but I don’t mess with Thundercat - sometimes the artistry gets in the way of the art.
"Must listen". This is a cult classic and I can see it inspiring a lot of future acts, I also see the influence of the decade shining through them, and I wonder if this couldn't have been left out from the list. I preferred the Village Green Preservation Society by a lot to this, this one just feels like imitation Beatles done right. If I'd been a child of the 70s this might be a lot of fun, but we've evolved so much after this, and the project isn't asking me to give it another listen. 2.5/5
I can see why folks say this sounds like early Beatles but not every song hits
Aight, guess it’s more 60s rock time! David Watts was alright. Nothing special, slightly grating, but not offensive. Death of a clown starting with ode to joy was a nice touch. Two sisters had some fun to it, but I found No Return quite boring. It had good guitar, but that didn’t save it. I actually quite enjoyed Harry Rag. It was quite amusing. Tim Soldier Man had some nice brass. Situation vacant was alright! I liked the instrumentation at the end. Love me till the sun shines felt like a complete track. I didn’t love it, but I appreciated it. Lazy old sun was actually pretty cool. Afternoon tea didn’t take itself too seriously. End of the season was quite cool. Waterloo sunset to close was quite nice. I still think this album is slightly boring but it redeemed itself slightly. 3/5 ⭐️ 121/1089
20% complete with the list and we’ve had repeats of multiple bands, like The Kinks, who are still as terrible on this as the last album we got by them. And still no Beatles! For the love of god, where are The Beatles??
This album gave off major Beatles vibes. I enjoyed the slow nature of the songs and their creative beats as well. It won’t make my musical rotation, but it was a surprisingly decent listen.
An extremely well named album - I definitely wish this was Something Else by the Kinks.
No good at all. I didn't hate Love Me 'till the Sun Shines, the rest was pretty terrible.
By number of hits, the Kinks most successful. My second favourite Kinks album
Great album
This is what I like to see from the Kinks. Plenty of big singles and bright melodies with performances and production that rough them up a bit for extra dimension. In terms of sheer hit-rate this may be the best LP.
Today’s Kinks album gets a low 4 from me, i dont like it as much as their more concepy-driven records but it’s still a lovely slice of sunshine pop from a great period
I like The Kinks
4.8
It was pleasant enough but I don’t see myself revisiting songs beyond the delightful Waterloo sunset
No. 394/1001 David Watts 3/5 Death of a Clown 4/5 Two Sisters 3/5 No Return 3/5 Harry Rag 3/5 Tin Soldier Man 3/5 Situation Vacant 3/5 Love Me Till The Sun Shines 4/5 Lazy Old Sun 3/5 Afternoon Tea 3/5 Funny Face 3/5 End of the Season 3/5 Waterloo Sunset 4/5 Average: 3,23 Alright record. Nothing especially great about it.
Ok
A friend of mine introduced me to the Kinks a few years ago, and as is often the case, I became familiar with just one of their albums, which was "Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround." This album struck me as a bit more juvenile than that one, both in composition and production (although the version of LVPM I listened to was a 2020 remaster). I didn't sense as much uniqueness from this album though, but I did sense some British silliness and Beatles influence.
This one reminds me I was just thinking the other day that I also have the book 1001 SONGS to hear before you die (maybe there's a One Song a Day app, too?). Famous Village Voice rock critic Robert Christgau called the closer on this album, "Waterloo Sunset," the "most beautiful song in the English language," and I certainly agree that it's a lovely, excellent song. The rest of the album is quite good, too, and has good variety, and is another 4 or 5, but I'm leaning toward a 4 for this one, I guess because the other songs don't really stand out all that much (even though they're good -- also very British, and very 60s, and kinda quirky). As I'm listening a second time, though ("Afternoon Tea," at the moment) I'm hearing some interesting stuff (instrumentation/arrangement), and I suspect that this might be the kind of album that takes time to grow on you (but probably would). Still, I think, somewhat reluctantly, I'm gonna stick with a high 4.
fun, smorgasbord of a record. I enjoyed the variety and freedom of the songwriting the mixing is pretty tinny unfortunately. I was debating giving it four if not for the production quality fav tracks are "No Return," "Lazy Old Sun" and "Waterloo Sunset" there are also a few tracks I didn't care for
i love the kinks
It's decent, sounds like the Beatles
This has definitely grown on me. At first, I didn't think it was that special. But, after a few listens, I moved from 3 stars to almost 5. Actually, the only reason not to award 5 stars is that I found a couple of songs a bit offputting (probably the music-hall influence). I found Side 2 very good. I found "Harry Rag" a bit similar to Tom Waits (??). Favourite tracks include: Situation Vacant, Love me Till The Sun shines, Lazy Old Sun, or Waterloo Sunset.
It's been kind of funny listening to The Kinks discography in reverse - makes me appreciate their musical growth from where they started (and thank goodness in my opinion for that growth). I really didn't connect with this album at all until the last song; most of this album feels like more of the same generic 60s pop that you could hear anywhere. But Waterloo Sunset is a fantastic song, and really highlights the direction The Kinks would be going with their sound
L: 3 M: 6 F: 5 O: 5
Even though I'm aware Ray Davies is a songwriting genius, Something Else feels like they just stretched the songlist way too thin, it's basically "Waterloo Sunset" and 12 filler songs. It has this cool 60s British invasion vibe, but a lot of it sounds like a cheap knockoff of The Beatles or The Beach Boys. Songs like "Harry Rag" and "Tin Soldier Man" are cute, but the sound is kinda muddy, and the mixing doesn't help them. The first and last tracks, "David Watts" and "Waterloo Sunset", are amazing, but the rest is a bit too granny pop (but not on the level of McCartney's granny music) for me. I get the storytelling and the band trying new things, but most of the songs don't have those killer riffs or go as deep as their other stuff. It's cool to hear, but if you've heard the few hits, you've heard the best of it.
Outside of Waterloo Sunset, it's just really forgettable. Not that it's bad, I just don't care that much. Indifferent.
Prefer other Kinks albums, e.g. VGPS
Nice
Nostalgic and very unique. Kinks had their own sound which shined through on this album.
Hoped for something great but got something mediocre at best. Nothing against these songs but they are just too inoffensive and have little to say musically or lyrically. Just not the best and a bit too vanilla for me. Still love The Kinks’ popular songs though.
I didn't mind it, nothing special, but listenable. Kind of a discount Beatles.
Pretty good
Too old for my liking. Stand-outs - Love Me Till the Sun Shines - Afternoon Tea
As great a band as The Kinks were, I've always thought of them as a singles band, and none of their albums have quite blown me away. This is a nice set of songs and Ray Davies' storytelling style of writing was certainly developing strongly on this record. I like the whimsical nature of the tunes and it's very pleasant. For me it lacks any tracks that are truly classic other than Waterloo Sunset but overall I enjoyed it
Always enjoy a kinks album, but not as much as the first one we had. Still a solid album. 7/10 Top song Waterloo sunset
Some good tunes but as a whole album I feel like it's missing something.
I've never really gotten in to The Kinks. This is the second album I've had from them in this project and whilst it is more consistent, it isn't particularly remarkable (aside from the closing track which I enjoyed a lot). Found myself a bit bored and often wishing I was listening to better albums from the period.
Okay. Good.
I've generally liked all the Kinks albums on this list, but I thought this was one was truly great. No big singles, just some well-crafted pop melodies and just the right amount of whimsy. I dig it.
3/5
20 songs all very short. Lots of variety. If you don’t like harpsichord don’t worry that songs only 3 minutes long. One song that I recognise. No complaints but not in a hurry to listen to again.
3 out 5 stars. I like the Kinks and this album was solid.
Coming into this, the only Kinks songs I was aware of were You Really Got Me and All Day and All of the Night which pioneered the use of distortion guitar. I was expecting to hear something along those lines. But as the album title says, this was something completely different. I was pleasantly surprised to hear a wide variety of styles. David Watts opens with a cool syncopated piano lick. Death of a Clown has a honky- tonk feel to it complete with de-tuned piano. Two sisters is in the vein of the baroque pop that artists were experimenting with in the late 60s. No Return is a pleasant breezy bossa nova track followed by Harry Rag with drums in martial cadence over what sounds like an old English drinking song. 60s psychedelia finds its way into multiple tracks. I am really impressed with this diversity of styles so well done. The album ends with its strongest song Waterloo Sunset which has the band firing on all cylinders. I can imagine the group spending days / weeks in the studio getting this just right. I ended up listening to this outstanding album three times through.
This was well executed and I don’t have many gripes to speak of, it just didn’t interest me a whole lot and I may not return to it. 1 listen Favorite Track: Waterloo Sunset
Expectation: -> I don't know this band. After listening: -> Some Beatles/Monkees vibes. Not my genre for sure. First listen I was on a 2 but I gave it 3-4 more full spins through and there are definitely some songs worth coming back to. What this album lacked most of all was cohesiveness. It felt like each song was recorded on a different day, in a different studio, with different instruments, and different vocalists. The final product…a collage. Track ranking: Waterloo Sisters Tea Situation Nice Love Me Soldier Harry Polly Funny Autumn Watts Clown Susannah Wonderboy Season Sun Lincoln No life No return
Music critics and my more snobby friends will try to convince you that The Kinks are great. They were prolific over the course of their career, so I don't deny they wrote the occasional banger (Waterloo Sunset and maybe David Watts, on this album for example), but I generally find it hard to enjoy an entire album's worth in one sitting. How to say, I'd rather listen to something else rather than Something Else by the Kinks? And to my friends, it's not that I just don't understand them and their charms — I see what the Kinks are up to with their jaunty music hall nostalgia but I'm not down.
Can't believe I haven't heard this until now!
Imitation Beatles tunes… too heavy on the high end in mixing… fatiguing.
At first I thought I was gonna hate it but honestly I liked almost every song. It is underwhelming in a good way.
Contains all the quirkiness and melody this band's known for, just wish it was a bit longer. Favorite track: Harry Rag
Distinctly British, low-key.
мам, а можно битлз? у нас уже есть битлз дома
Starts and ends great by there is a good reason I am not familiar with the rest of the LP. “Something else by the Kinks” Wish I was listening to “Anything else but the Kinks”
So, my 600th album milestone is one from The Kinks. There are worse ways to celebrate this milestone than listening to a Diet Beatles album. Favorite Track: "Harry Rag".
Not my kink.
7.5/10
Was meh
Another great record by the Kinks. I have a special place for them in my heart
FOURTH album be The Kinks. While their music is ok, not sure why they are valued that much. They sound very much like many groups of the time but no song sticks out much.
Very surprisingly listenable. I even listened to Harry Rag twice.
Overall decent vibes - a bit boring at times. First song and last song were the best and fell a bit flat after that
A couple of songs like Waterloo Sunset did a lot of the lifting.
Waterloo sunset is a lovely song but I found the rest of the album a bit twee and boring.
Didn’t really give it a fair shot but Waterloo Sunset has been one of my fave songs. Would like to revisit.
Too Bwatles-y for me though I really liked the guitar and bass tone on a couple songs