Reviews (page 2 of 8)
Great album. 4.5
Day 102, 13th record I own. Nearly 40 days since the last one I had in my collection! Only got this one recently and it’s a reissue from the 70s but a real first edition would be expensive. Love this band and their name still delights me. I’ve always thought of them as the outsider British group with the insider crowd being of course the Beatles, the Stones, and the Who.
If only The Beatles had drumming this good
Has all the funkiness I've come to expect from the Kinks 🕺💃
Do the Kinks ever miss? Perfect, perfect, perfect!
Rating: 4.8/5 Short Review: Tea, melancholy, and emotional repression — bottled and harmonized. Favorite Track: “Waterloo Sunset” — it’s what nostalgia would sound like if it were kind.
Great
exactly what i’m looking for, i love this style of music
I loved it. Like the album form of The Dubliners or Winesburg, Ohio.
Five Stars if only for Waterloo Sunset.
Better than the Beatles and Stones by a country mile.
# In-Depth Review: *Something Else By The Kinks* (1967) ## 📀 Overview *Something Else By The Kinks*, released in September 1967, is the fifth studio album by the English rock band The Kinks. Often regarded as one of their finest works, the album marks a transitional phase in the band's career, bridging their early riff-driven rock sound and the more nuanced, narrative-driven style that would define their later work. Despite its commercial underperformance at the time of release, the album has since been recognized as a masterpiece of lyrical storytelling, musical sophistication, and cultural commentary . ## 🎤 Lyrics and Themes ### Narrative Depth and Character Studies The album’s lyrics, primarily penned by Ray Davies, are a highlight, showcasing his knack for **vivid character studies** and **social commentary**. Davies explores themes of: - **Class and Identity**: Songs like "David Watts" critique the idealized British schoolboy hero, with undertones of class envy and latent homoeroticism . - **Nostalgia and Loss**: Tracks such as "Waterloo Sunset" and "End of the Season" reflect on the passage of time, loneliness, and the erosion of traditional English life . - **Domestic Struggles**: "Two Sisters" allegorically portrays the Davies brothers’ relationship, using the dichotomy between siblings to explore themes of freedom vs. responsibility . - **Everyday Escapism**: "Harry Rag" (rhyming slang for "cigarette") uses smoking as a metaphor for small comforts in mundane lives . ### Subtle Humor and Pathos Davies’ lyrical style blends **wit and melancholy**, often masking dark themes with deceptively cheerful melodies. For example, "Death of a Clown" (co-written with Dave Davies) uses circus imagery to convey existential fatigue, while "Situation Vacant" critiques societal pressures with a satirical edge . ## 🎵 Music and Sound ### Genre Blending and Musical Diversity The album’s sound is a fusion of: - **British Music Hall**: Tracks like "Harry Rag" and "End of the Season" incorporate piano-driven, vaudevillian melodies . - **Acoustic and Psychedelic Influences**: "Lazy Old Sun" experiments with dreamy, psychedelic textures, while "Waterloo Sunset" features lush harmonies and a iconic descending guitar riff . - **Rock and Pop Elements**: "David Watts" is a energetic rocker with a driving rhythm, and "Love Me Till the Sun Shines" leans into blues-rock . ### Instrumentation and Arrangements The band’s performances are refined yet restrained: - Dave Davies’ guitar work is melodic and economical, avoiding showy solos in favor of serving the song . - Session pianist Nicky Hopkins adds elegance with harpsichord ("Two Sisters") and piano ("David Watts") . - The rhythm section (Mick Avory on drums and Pete Quaife on bass) provides tight, understated support . ## 🎛 Production ### DIY Aesthetic and Clarity Ray Davies took over production duties from Shel Talmy (though Talmy retained a contractual co-producer credit), resulting in a **clearer, more intimate sound** compared to the band’s earlier wall-of-noise approach . The production emphasizes: - **Vocal Prominence**: Ray’s vocals are mixed front-and-center, highlighting the lyrical narratives. - **Acoustic Texture**: Songs like "Afternoon Tea" feature delicate acoustic guitar strumming and minimalistic arrangements . - **Experimental Touches**: "Lazy Old Sun" uses Mellotron and tape-delay effects to create a hazy, psychedelic atmosphere . ### Limitations Some critics note that the production feels **dated** in places (e.g., the bossa nova rhythm of "No Return" sounds contrived), and the album’s lack of stereo mixing on early releases may detract from its depth for modern listeners . ## 🧭 Themes and Cultural Context ### Reaction Against Psychedelia In 1967, as bands like The Beatles and Pink Floyd embraced psychedelic experimentation, The Kinks doubled down on **Englishness** and **nostalgia**. *Something Else* is conspicuously devoid of psychedelic excess, instead focusing on grounded, relatable stories . ### Social Commentary The album captures the **tensions of post-war Britain**, exploring themes of class inequality, suburban ennui, and the decline of traditional values. Tracks like "Tin Soldier Man" critique conformity, while "Waterloo Sunset" finds beauty in urban isolation . ## 💡 Influence and Legacy ### Impact on Later Genres - **Britpop**: Bands like Blur and Pulp drew inspiration from The Kinks’ distinctly English storytelling . - **Punk and New Wave**: The Jam covered "David Watts," embracing its anti-establishment ethos . - **Singer-Songwriter Tradition**: Ray Davies’ nuanced character studies influenced artists like Elvis Costello and Jarvis Cocker . ### Critical Reassessment Though a commercial flop upon release, *Something Else* is now hailed as a **classic of the 1960s** and included in Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time . ## ️✅ Pros and Cons ### Pros 1. **Lyrical Brilliance**: Ray Davies’ songwriting is sharp, empathetic, and richly detailed . 2. **Musical Diversity**: The album seamlessly blends rock, music hall, and folk influences . 3. **Dave Davies’ Contributions**: His songs ("Death of a Clown," "Funny Face") add depth and variety . 4. **Influence**: Its impact on later genres is undeniable . ### Cons 1. **Inconsistent Flow**: Some tracks (e.g., "No Return," "Lazy Old Sun") feel underdeveloped or out of place . 2. **Dated Production**: The minimalist approach may lack the dynamism of modern recordings . 3. **Commercial Failure**: Its poor sales limited the band’s resources for future projects . ## 🎚 Conclusion *Something Else By The Kinks* is a testament to The Kinks’ artistic courage and Ray Davies’ singular vision. While it may lack the psychedelic grandeur of its contemporaries, it compensates with lyrical depth, musical innovation, and a deeply humanistic perspective. Its legacy as a cornerstone of British rock is well-deserved, and it remains essential listening for fans of intelligent, emotionally resonant music.
In the week where Terence Stamp died it’s appropriate to have Waterloo Sunset in the mix. The kinks are always whimsical and poignant and great artisans. WS alone is a work of art that deserves top marks.
I love The Kinks and this is one of their best. Ray's songwriting is in top form here: his empathy on Two Sisters; his chords on Lazy Old Sun; his cheeky wordplay on David Watts; and his everything on Waterloo Sunset. Plus Dave chimes in with three winners of his own. A classic, understated album.
Excellent
♫ As long as I gaze on, Waterloo sunset, I am in paradise ♫
I really like the Kinks - their greatest hits album is wall to wall bangers - and there are a few of them on this album. There is a notable drop in quality to the album tracks - but after listening a few times they are all working their charms. The sound quality /production is pretty dog shit tho unfortunately. Fav track David Watts.
Clean, tight, original sound. Great production for the 60’s !
This was a good dive into the Kinks, relaxing and peaceful
Relaxing to listen too 👍
Fantastic stuff.
I cannot get over how good this band was for such a long time. They deserve to be in the same discussion as the Beatles and Stones.
de david twat hani na cool gfunde! und funny vlt wett ich auchli meh wie de david sii death of a clown het öppis komisch veträumts gha im background gsang d perkussion isch nüt unglaublichs hahaha HAHAHAH mier passiert ständig, dass ich wett in spiegel luege aber denn id wöschmaschine lueg harry rag findi seeehr cool, de marschrhythmus isch mega tin soldier man isch na fun aber nöd meh luca wie hesch du das nöd gern?? fast jede song BANGT LOVE ME TILL THE SUUUUN SHINES ich weiss nöd ich find sie suuuper mengisch han ichs gfühl ghör ich en ahsatz vo punk (oder protopunk) und WOAAAH BAAAASSSS lazy old sun isch okkkk aber nüt unglaublichs ICH WETT AU EN AFTERNOON TEA für das, dass waterloo sunset anschinend es riese ding gsi isch, findis eifach so mega ok? WOBIII ICH HANS SEHR GERN aber iwie nöd megaaa crazy andersch als anderi lieder uf dem album? puuuh knaqqaaaaappp amene 5i verbii glaub. NOMAL LOSE
It's got Waterloo Sunset, what more do you want?
'Alweer een Kinks-plaat?' dacht ik. Maar het energieke en het simpele van dit album werkt heel aanstekelijk. Geen conceptgedoe, gewoon een stel aanstekelijke nummers en deze keer doet de maffe humor van Ray Davies het juist verrekt goed. En Waterloo Sunset is een evergreen. Dan ga ik ook niet moeilijk doen.
клево, очень клево, клоуна жалко((( 5/5
“Waterloo Sunset” alone is an all-timer, but Ray Davies (along with his brother Dave) consistently delivers lyrics that both lampoon and celebrate English culture with catchy melodies.
Before today, I'd never heard a Kinks song I didn't like. And nothing has changed now that I've listened to Something Else! This was a great listen, truly delightful. I'm giving it 5 stars. Those 5 stars don't hold the same weight as some of the others I've had so far, but I enjoyed myself for 100% of the album and would absolutely listen to it again. And I'm in such a good mood now, what else is there to do?
A lost gem
An eclectic, fun and thoroughly English album.
Chronically underrated.
Love this album! I've liked lots of individual songs by this band, but haven't listened to this particular album. There was an a song another band covered, that I didn't realize was a cover!
5/5
I ripped this album from LimeWire when I was like, 15. And I remember the copy I downloaded was labeled as a Beatles album. I just believed that for years before I realized it wasn’t them. Anyway this is my overall favorite Kinks album and without doubt my most listened to.
One of my favourite albums from the "classic" period of the Kinks. It's got their wonderful signature songs "Waterloo Sunset", "Death Of A Clown" and "David Watts", but in all honesty, I'm equally smitten with quite a few deeper cuts as well here. There's the lively rocker "Situation Vacant", the (quite rare for them) psychedelic foray of "Love Me 'Til The Sun Shines" (penned by Dave Davies), the very moody and poetic "Lazy Old Sun", and the mischievous "Two Sisters", where Ray Davies uses the two titular characters to actually address in a metaphoric way the complex relationship he has with his brother Dave. Ray was a stay-at-home dad while Dave was the life of the (sixties) party around that time (and this is also actually hinted through the song Dave wrote all by himself for the LP). Quite a funny and elegant way to go "meta" here... I could split hair and say that a couple of cuts on side one play the "oh-so-quaint" card a little too much. But those less enticing tunes remain important for the album's concept, all about the daily routines of "normal" British folks: commuting from the "city", afternoon tea, typical self- deprecation, and so on... "Cool Britannia" has rarely sounded any cooler than this. 4.5/5 for the purposes of this list of "essential" albums, rounded up to 5. 9.5/10 for more general purposes. Number of albums left to review: 82 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 395 (including this one) Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 229 Albums from the list I won't include in mine: 295
I think this is a very underrated and overlooked album from The Kinks and was honestly pretty surprised to see it on this list. I think it's one of their best and nearly perfect.
Trying to be the Beatles. Not my favorite. Their later work is my favorite.
Something Else By The Kinks by The Kinks kicks off with the peppy energy of David Watts, closes with the divine Waterloo Sunset, and ranges from baroque pop to garage rock in between. Probably my favourite The Kinks album, and just a really lovely way to spend half an hour
Some great tracks on this one, The Kinks are awesome! Lazy Old Sun is a standout
Great album and Ray Davies shows himself to be a writer of some excellent enduring songs.
In the shadow of The Beatles, but just as innovative, provocative and generative. “David Watt”,, “Death of a Clown”, “Waterloo Sunset”. WOW!
Nice album.
Nice album full of psychedelic gems. The Kinks do an amazing job of providing trippy instrumentals, whether it be through their chord progressions or choices of instrumentation. 4.8/5 Favorite: “Death of a Clown” Least Favorite: I have none.
First Kinks album I’ve heard all the way through and loved it. First half was stronger overall but end of the season and Waterloo sunset are probably my favorites. Rating: 4.7
Not sure I’m a fan
Nice, this was a easy to enjoy throwback, on par with some classic Beatles sounds of the era. The Kinks are a fantastic listen and this LP is top notch!
Loved it, Not a kinks album I had listened to before, knew waterloo sunset of course but not many of the others. Need to listen to more music by the kinds. I used to live in North London and saw Ray Davies standing on a street corner waiting for something in Highgate Village once.
10/10 endlessly fun and creative these guys were *almost* on par with The Beatles and it sounds really damn good
Complete!
I am really not familiar with much of The Kinks. I enjoyed this album very much.
"Nice and smooth." I love The Kinks. They have a kindness, a gentleness, a cuteness about them that makes them unique and endearing. David Watts and Waterloo Sunset are two of their best.
Such a good album. I love the kinks. Memories of my dad's old Volvo!
love it!
Cross between folk and rock - character driven music and so, so good. Comparisons to the Beatles are unfair - they are more than their own band.
I love this album. Waterloo, Sunset and death of a clown are some of my favorite songs. I could definitely lose no return. Otherwise, it’s a great British album that those sounding a little dated has plenty of melody and witty writing.
Own on Vinyl
I LOVED this. Such good vocals and lyrics.
Fantastic album. Feels like they were simply a step or two better than the Beatles in terms of this type of rock. Hard to dislike it at all
THESE CATS WERE COOKING!!!! Sounded like the Beatles lowkey
First of all, the Kinks are one of my favourite bands of all time and they have released a ton of good music, I would rank Something Else in my top 3 Kinks albums. This album began an amazing run of albums from the late 60's to early 70's (Arthur, Lola, Village Green and Muswell) which is a testament to the great songwriting and musicianship of the band. Something Else doesn't rely just on hit singles, though arguably Waterloo Sunset is one their best, it's a wonderful collection of eclectic songs filled with nostalgia, sentiment and humor. How many bands can use a harpsichord to good effect (Two sisters) in a "rock song? If you think of the Kinks only because of All Day and All Night, You Really Got Me and Lola, explore the depth and brilliance of these essential albums for the full Kinks experience.
very cool
Really enjoyed this album
I never knew how much I loved The Kinks until Village Green a few weeks ago and now this. They are awesome.
Would listen to again.
Can't go wrong with The Kinks.
Good
KK GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD. Gooovy, baby! Very Shagalicious!
Great song writing
Very odd, in that specific 60s way. Very good though, and touches on themes few other bands wrote about.
Lawd the Kinks were great! "Death of a Clown" and "Waterloo Sunset" are load-bearing songs in the English psyche. This is the album where they really hit their stride, right? Fave track - As well as the aforementioned, "Harry Rag" is infections AF - I had to look up what the dickens a harry rag, was though - apparently it’s rhyming slang! Harry rag -> fag -> cigarette! Makes a bit more sense why everyone in the song is crazy about them - I was assuming it was some sort of miraculous cleaning product! The Kinks also continue their somewhat bewildering habit of releasing some absolutely cracking singles that don't appear on the albums. "Autumn Almanac" and "Mr. Pleasant" are awesome...
Fantastic album, love it
Storytelling and music hall mixed in this is pinnacle 60s brit pop
So excited to get this one. Already listen to it fairly regularly and love this album and 60s Kinks in general. No Return such a beautiful little bossa nova. Harry Rag sounds almost like a sea shanty. Beautiful little snapshots of a the old guard English life that was quickly disappearing, but not delusionally nostalgic in the sense of "ah the good old days" but rather pointing out the small day to day, with it's good and bad and wondering if the societal changes would actually change everyday life very much. So much domesticity in this album which is really interesting in comparison to the "kids tell your parents to fuck off" rock of the times. This album totally makes sense for 1967 - with the return to Edwardian fashion and the likes of The Beatles' Sgt Pepper's. Wonderful album and I just love the whole feel of it. Takes me back to a place I didn't know, yet still somehow missed.
Arguably The Kinks best album. This is the album where The Kinks could now be considered on a par with The Beatles. Each song is a little gem that paints a portrait as vivid and palpable as any band ever managed. This was The Kinks magic and when done well like on this album well there was very little on this level. 5 stars
Super solid. Great vibes.
David Watts to Waterloo Sunset. Golden age Kinks.
Waterloo Sunset is one my favorite songs
Lovely tunes disguising acerbic social commentary. Fabulous
Wonderful, unparalleled storytelling, varied sound, perfectly English.
Woah this album blew me off! It's so moody and cool! Typical nonsense childish lyrics of the summer of love (in a good way, I like 'em). I'd describe it as a Piper At The Gates Of Dawn lite in terms of weirdness. It's more commercial but atill enough weirdness. 5/5 it's soo fucking good! Fav. Song is Afternoon Tea.
Waterloo Sunset is amazing
My eyes lit up when this appeared. It's from the mid sixties, when Ray Davies was at the peak of his songwriting, with whimsical ditties, stories of various characters loaded with period charm. Song titles like 'Afternoon Tea', 'End of the Season' and 'Lazy Old Sun' tells you this is a very British sounding album. The production is understated and typical of a 1967 UK Act with hints of vaudeville, psychedelia and a vast array musical instruments. It's an organic sounding record with lots of standout tracks like the insistent 'David Watts', Dylan-ish 'Death of a Clown', the striking 'Two Sisters' (featuring a harpsichord), the slightly humorous Cossack rhythm of 'Harry Rag' (rhyming slang in England for fag, as in cigarettes) before ending with the timeless 'Waterloo Sunset'. Fans of 'You Really Got Me' etc may possibly hate this but I love it.
Understated, charming, grounded, enjoyed it a lot. 4.5
Another great 60s album of the Kinks - I always rated it above Face to Face, which I gave 5 stars half a year ago or so. The two singles are evergreens of course but the majority of the other songs are equally good and some of them are just as known as well.
A nice mix of psychedelic and silly.
this is such a good album. i wanna say something goofy about it but it is so good. the songwriting is beatles-y but not in an annoying derivative way. i just love the kinks
Damnnn
I love the Kinks. They are so playful with their lyrics and theme. This album was a hoot. '60s Brit pop rock at its finest.
Can really hear the DNA of rock n roll in this. One of the rare Beatles contemporaries who, despite being in the same space, sound different and unique. The first time I heard Act Nice and Gentle was as a Black Keys cover, and it took me a while to even figure out that it was a cover, but it goes to show how much they have influenced subsequent generations. Excellent album.
Interesting that this album was not as successful as some of the "Greatest Hits" albums released at the same time, this is the kinks changing their style from pop puppets to the brilliant masters of influential sardonically English pop/rock. Highlights include the great "David Watts" later recorded by Paul Weller and The Jam. The fraternal bickering that has unfortunately dogged the band through the years is writ large by the fact that, another highlight, "Death Of A Clown" so clearly written by David is credited as David/Ray because Ray added the La-Las into the refrain! Love this as a piece of musical history and also an important part of the Kinks journey to the "Village Greenary" that is as quintessentially English as Music Hall, Ian Drury and Only Fools and Horses! Great choice and of course has the classic "Waterloo Sunset" to boot! Rightfully on this list.
the best album. they have waterloo sunset
Love the Kinks more and more everytime I listen to them. Not a bad song on here.
Something Else by the Kinks does not fit the music on the album. And I'm glad it doesn't. It's just another album full of classic British pop/rock songs by Ray Davies. On this album highlights are "Death of a Clown" and "Waterloo Sunset" (probably his best composition). Pure gold!
I liked this very much
Second set of Kinks. No bad thing. Yep, it's The Kinks alright. Cannot complain even a little bit.
Always love this kind of music
It sounds very much like the 1960s but has a uniquely calm and innovative charm. I was surprised that they had so much more range than I thought
I’ve got this but was great hearing it again- I’ll need to dig out my Kinks CDs!
Similar Artist: The Beatles
Great Album of 60's nostalgia.
Un obra de genialidad. Brillantes.
So great
(Y)
Fun. First song made me dance. Good happy oldies. Good for work
At least two familiar songs.
Already loved The Kinks, it was fun to hear more songs from them!
If you told me this was The Beatles I'd believe you.
Very much enjoy the sound of the Kinks. Very cool 60s. I appreciate the familiarity of the sound, paired with the fact that I hadn't heard any of these songs before. Would listen again.
Have always loved this album
4.5 stars, mostly brilliant
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.
I’ve yet to find a kinks album I don’t love
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
Love this. The Kinks turned out some really good music.
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
Det her har en god energi.
Waterloo sunset saves this album. I raised my rating because if it.
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.
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.
This album is by no means perfect, but it's still great! Just on the back of Waterloo Sunset alone I love this record.
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.
perfectly cromulent collection of 60s british pop remarkable mostly for its closing with one of the best tracks in rock history 3.5/5
Hearing The Kinks is always a pleasure.
A solid classic
Banger song to end a grat record on. Nice length <3
Fun album, and Waterloo Sunset is an all time classic. 4
Another Kinks album and another realization they are just as good as the Beatles. Fun ditties, varied styles, great instrumentation.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Prefer other Kinks albums, e.g. VGPS
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
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.
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.
At first I thought I was gonna hate it but honestly I liked almost every song. It is underwhelming in a good way.
мам, а можно битлз? у нас уже есть битлз дома
7.5/10
...and something of a mixed bag, but raised to a 4 by the gorgeous and timeless Waterloo Sunset. Plus without this album we would never have had The Jam's version of David Watts, and then our lives would all be immeasurably poorer.
Not my favourite kinks albums far, but still a banger. David Watts, hilarious, Waterloo sunset, gorgeous.
4 estrellas nomás espero que no me llamen sordo
all the people, so many people
Even if it's not the most musically complex, Something Else is a charming collection of songs always pleasant to listen to.
Is that the best Kinks Album? No. But after Baaba Mail and Big Black albums this was positively heaven. Plus one for being actual music.
4 estrellas solo por Waterloo Sunset, el resto 3
eh i hate 60s music but this was decent
This one is kinda like Ebby Calvin LaLoosh. I like the Kinks and although this isn't my favorite of their stuff, the whole thing is nice and listenable. Hovering my finger over the 4 button, pending another listen.
British Rock! Dani loves. It was nice, a short album (35 mins!)
Really enjoyed singing along to this one on this mornings dog walk, some real classics from Ray Davies and the boys.
Classic Kinks. Short, cute songs about everyday struggles.
Classic
By turns quirkily interesting and quirkily irritating, this is still an impressive set of pop tunes that seem to echo through to a lot of 90s guitar pop.
I’ve loved The Kinks for nearly 30 years now even if my one meeting with Ray Davies wasn’t exactly a pleasant one. Odd and distant would be putting it kindly. Still, whatever I think of the man, there’s no denying the brilliance of the music. I was genuinely pleased to see Something Else by The Kinks come up in this challenge. David Watts is a superb opener, a sharp, melodic, and instantly engaging. It’s one I’ve always loved. Death of a Clown has a wonderfully haunting quality to it, full of melancholy and character. And then there’s Waterloo Sunset. Its quite simply one of the greatest songs ever written. The melody, the imagery, the emotion, its perfect. What makes this album stand out is its intimacy. It feels smaller and more observational than some of their later concept records, but that’s part of its charm. The songwriting is warm, distinctly British, and packed with subtle wit and quiet sadness. It may not shout, but it resonates. Favourite track: Waterloo Sunset — a flawless, beautiful song that never loses its impact. Least favourite track: None. I genuinely enjoyed everything on this album. Album artwork: A classic cover. Simple, colourful, and perfectly in keeping with the era instantly recognisable and full of character.
It doesn't get more English
It's got Waterloo Sunset, one of the 5 best songs of the 60s. Ray Davies is one of the best to ever do it.
Something else would not satisfy in the way the Kinks return you to an era goneby.
Well, I know what a Harry Rag is now
Waterloo Sunset is one of the tunes of all time.
David Watts Death of a Clown End of the Season Waterloo Sunset
I love The Kinks. I wish they were as globally recognised as certain other British bands from the 60s. They are always a joy to listen to.
What a fun early English pop rock album. The songs are short and there is lots of styles being blended that keep the album from getting stale. There is a killer 4 song run in the middle section from Harry Rag to Love Me Till the Sun Shines and the closing Waterloo Sunset is stellar.
I love love love the kinks. Each time a little more, and this album is one of their best. Their sound is a bit sloppy at times , but in my opinion that puts the center on the insane songwriting of Ray Davies. He is the most British writer of his era. He has the humor, the storytelling and an incredible composition ability. I think Face to face is a little bit better (and deseved a 5 from me, but I didn't know better when ranking it almost two years ago) but this one is not far behind Another high 4!.
Really enjoyed this. The Kinks are a band I need to explore further. Liked it more than Preservation, which I had early on.
3.5
Cool 7/10
Has as strong a case as any for possibly being my favorite Kinks album. 4/5
Really enjoyed almost every song, especially loved Harry Rag. I liked the styles of the songs
The albums okay but Waterloo Sunset is the most beautiful song ever written so I have it an extra star
Great, quirky songs. Love his voice. Waterloo Sunset obviously one of the GOATs, perfect song.
sounded like the beetlessss
I wasn’t that familiar with the Kinks, and I loved this album! A nice mellow vibe and lots of great melodies, I will add this one to my rotation.
Me ha molado. Ha habido un momento en el que Lazy Old Sun ha estado a punto de ser uno de los mejores temas de la historia pero aun así buen tema. Waterloo Sunset otro temazo. Muy buen disco. Me están gustando los Kinks. Tendré que escucharlos más para saber si me gusta más este o el de Arthur. Tengo que investigar más sobre ellos para ubicarlos más o algo.
im partial to the harpsichord on this album
Wonderful discovery
this is a fun silly album. it feels lighthearted. i really am enjoying no return. very soft and airy i like it a lot wtf is harry rag about its kind of impressive that they got 21 tracks out of a <hour album. many many short stories situation vacant is catchy lazy old sun is cute and catchy i like the radio feel and scratchy distant vocals end of the season is gorgeous waterloo sunset brings me BACK act nice and gently IS CUTE ASF!!!! SO FUN AND ROADTRIP!!!!!
Some classic Kinks.
Good fun little album. Very 60s style. Some fun songs, some belters. Understandably influential.
I have to confess to being mildly disappointed, bookended by two masterpieces: David Watts and Waterloo Sunset, the rest fall short, but then that shouldn't be a surprise when they are so good. A good time listening for sure
No nyt päästään taas omiin ihan lempibändeihin. Tämä ei missään nimessä ole Kinksin paras levy, mutta yhdessä tätä edeltävän Face To Facen kanssa tärkeä suunnannäyttäjä myöhäisempään tuotantoon. Tässähän on kanssa sama homma mitä tätä seuraavalla (omalla suosikillani) Village Green Preservation Societyllä, että aika rohkeaakin erilaisuutta verrattuna muuhun samanaikaiseen popmusiikkiin. Sieltä alkoi tulla jo psykedeliaa ja paljon raskaampaa musiikkia (mitä itseasiassa Kinkskin oli ollut etulinjassa aikanaan muokkaamassa), mutta tämä levy nojaa vahvasti perinteisiin tarinoihin, ja soundit on jopa aika vanhanaikaisia. Biiseiltään tämä on Kinksille tyypilliseen tapaan aika epätasainen. Suurelta osin levyllä on ihan hyviä kappaleita ja useampikin "huttu" -kategoriaan menevä biisi, mutta sitten vastapainona kaksi aivan mestariteosta. Autumn Almanac on huikea biisi, mutta erityisesti Waterloo Sunset on yksi kaikkien aikojen kauneimpia pop-kappaleita. Itsellekin iskee aina välitön Lontoo-kaipuu kun sitä kuuntelee. Selkeä nelkkukelkku, säästellään sitä vitskaa tästä seuraavalle Village Green Preservation Societylle.
The Kinks are a sometimes overlooked band that should be placed below the Beatles and Dylan but right there alongside The Who, The Rolling Stones, and The Byrds. They had great singles, good to great albums, and their own distinct offerings to the story of Rock and Roll. That said, they can sometimes lag behind in production quality and musical innovation. This album often feels that way even though it is known for its lyrical quality and storytelling style. Because it’s the Kinks it’s at least a 4/5.
It's ok
04/01/2025 *1. david watts - already love this song <3 also love the cover by the jam. the lyrics are so fun :) bass is great! love the piano. 2. death of a clown - tinkly piano. guitar... very folksy/bluesy..... loving the female backing vocals. reallly great lyrics again - reminded me of the ending of the clowns by fellini :) 3. two sisters - loving the intro! baroque-pop harpischord! the strings at the end are reaallly nice. lovely lyrics again! *4. no return - kinda samba/bossanova-y!! the drums are really great, with the guitar and the bass as well! these lyrics are so sweet <3 *5. harry rag - military drums! bass is fantastic!! love the singing on this one!! loving the louder, rockier sound of this one. 6. tin soldier man - saxaphone? bass is really great again <3 loving the bridge. *7. situation vacant - loving the guitar on this one!! rockier again... organ? keyboard? is really nice. the chorus is soooo goooood. the lyrics are reallll great through the whole album. ending is really great! *8. love me till the sun shines - guitar intro is great! liking the louder, rockier songs more than the earlier twee-ish ones. bass is great as well. drum breaks are phenomenal!!! ending is great again! *9. lazy old sun - psychadelic!!!!! love the sounds..... tempo change? bass is great!! kindof choral backing vocals!! more tempo changes!?? love the trumpet? 10. afternoon tea - basssss!!! very twee.... still very nice to listen to, but didn't enjoy it as much as any of the other songs. 11. funny face - great intro! verses are alright, but chorus is great! bit too whimsy for me lol. *12. end of the season - bird sounds are nice :) the bass and piano together are sosososos nice :) his voice is so nice.... lyrics are fantastic!!!! *13. waterloo sunset - love this!!! great guitar, great bass, great voice, great lyrics!!!! really great ending for this album..... so sweet <3 really great album! listened to village green preservation society two days ago, wasn't expecting another kinks album so soon! although i really enjoyed it, some songs did drag a bit (too whimsical for me) compared to the other album, which didn't drag at all. loved the rockier songs especially :) started doing this thing to listen to music i wouldn't usually and a lot of it has been 60s/70s rock, which i listen to alot already!!! not complaining though, do not want to listen to another metal album anytime soon.......
Album 1007 of 1089 Something Else By The Kinks - The Kinks (1967) Rating : 4 / 5 At this point in the project, The Kinks have become one of those bands I can reliably put on and just enjoy. This album delivers more of that instantly recognizable Kinks sound I’ve grown to love - warm, playful, and effortlessly charming. There aren’t any huge, knock-you-over standout tracks here, but that really isn’t the point. The strength of this album is the experience as a whole. The songwriting is clever without trying too hard, the melodies are inviting, and those sometimes silly, sometimes thoughtful lyrics land just right. It’s the kind of record that doesn’t shout for attention but rewards you for giving it your time. This is comfort-food listening for me - familiar, enjoyable, and satisfying from start to finish. Nothing flashy, nothing forced, just another solid reminder of why The Kinks keep finding their way back into my regular rotation.
I like it, a good addition to Beatles-esque oldies
I like it.
4.5
4.5
i actually surprisingly really enjoyed this album and saved a bunch from it. Wasnt expecting it
The Kinks are just a delight. They could be the most quintessentially English group ever. When I’m listening to one of their albums, it always feels like their best one and listening to this today was no exception. It is so solid through both sides. The songwriting is superlative and the personality of the group shines at all times.
Tycker denna skiva håller bättre nivå än förra. Det är som sist bra i grunden. Det hålls hela tiden på rätt sida av "trams". Trallvänligt. Saknar kanske några riktigt bra låtar. Men helheten drar upp.
Den här tycker jag var klart bättre än Arthur, som vi lyssnade på sist. Här saknas de alldeles för putslustiga inslagen som jag irriterade mig på sist och de lyckas hitta en mer lagom nivå. Även om jag hade önskat mig ett par till låtar i samma klass som Waterloo sunset så är det ändå jämnbra och kul lyssning rakt igenom.
Una maravillosa colección de canciones. Más allá del eterno Waterloo Sunset. Death of a Clown está en la misma onda que los mejores Beatles. David watts es un gran comienzo pero mientras ellos cantaban esto los Stones preferían su Lets spend the night together. El piano sobre la que el tema cabalga es el que toca el genial Nicky Hopkins (también con los Stones). Two sisters mete ese clavicordio que le da una aire retro incluso hoy en día. Psando por No return, un tema semiacústico y ligero, llegamos a Harry Rug y Tin Soldier Man en la línea clásica de los Kinks. Buenas melodías y buena orquestación. Cierra la cara A Situation Vacant, un tema que va ganando hacia el final con esa maraña de guitarras. Abre dave la cara B con la potente Love Me Till The Sun Shines. Siguen con Lazy old sun, incluyendo el Mellotron tan de moda entonces. Si esta suena a Lennon, Afternoon Tea suena a Macca, con unos coros muy logrados. Cierran el disco con Funny Face, la extraña End of the Season y el maravilloso sencillo Waterloo Sunset. Un buen disco, pero es que el 67 es el mejor de la historia. En la versión extendida destaca Act gentle un beat de la British invasion.
I may be a fan of The Kinks. This is my fourth Kinks album and the lowest grade I have given them is a "3" and I'm wondering if I may have been too tough on them with the "Arthur..." album. This album was more baroque pop than the rock songs I thought they tended to play this early in their career. I really liked Love Me Til the Sun Shines, as I had not heard that song before. Really good album, and as always, I'm not sure we needed another Kinks album in the book this was a good one. My favorite songs were: David Watts Death of a Clown Two Sisters Love Me Til the Sun Shines Afternoon Tea End of the Season Waterloo Sunset
Baroque pop, short stories in short musical forms, I like it a lot
Interesting. Couple stand outs. Like how they didn’t feel pressured to appeal to public and stuck to ol British roots.
Very similar to the beatles but with fewer hits. Nice album.
Only songs I've heard of theirs before was Lola and You Really Got Me, both good songs. And this album didn't disappoint. Starts off with the amusing David Watts. Death Of A Clown was nice. A little country, a little rock n roll, with a nice sad story. Two Sisters and No Return had really nice music. Harry Rag was an absolute blast Tin Soldier Man and Situation Vacant were really good. Lazy Old Sun was the only dud on the track, not sure what they were going for there. Afternon Tea, End Of The Season, and Waterloo Sunset are great. All in all, a total blast, had a lot of fun with the one. Best song: Harry Rag
Damn this is good…..
Great stuff
What an amazing encapsulation of what the evolution of rock and roll was going through at that time with its particular mix of sub genres it delved into. A little garage rock, psychedelic, R&B. Highlights: "Lazy Sun" and "Afternoon Tea"
Just goofy enough to be charming
Je l’ai écouté deux fois d’affilée 🥺
Powerman by the Kinks is still my favorite album. But I always love a new Kinks discovery.
Really enjoyed this!
A nice little album. Didn't enjoy it as much as Face To Face. This one seemed a bit more boring in comparison 4 ⭐️
Rock-Beatles
Didn’t listen to full thing but enjoyed what I heard
Hard carried by Waterloo Sunset
Mellower Death of a clown Situation vacant Waterloo sunset
Very Kinks. Very enjoyable. I'm giving it 4 because I haven't got time to get to know it.
This one's pretty great. I discovered it a couple of years ago when going through the Rolling Stones 500 list. Its not as good as Madvillainy but I still like it.
I do really like The Kinks. A good amount of these songs are on playlists of mine. Solid album.
Oh yeah that's the stuff
Nice Album,
The Kinks had burst onto the scene in the mid-60s with hard-hitting anthems such as 'You Really Got Me' and 'All Day and All of the Night', songs that would be a pivotal reference point for the future punk rock movement, but by 1967, the Davies brothers and their merry men wanted to prove they were more than one-trick ponies. 'Something Else' is, quite literally, the answer to The Kinks' more explorative and adventurous side, eschewing raw power-chord rock and roll in favour of baroque pop and almost 'shanty-like' sing-a-longs. Think Syd Barrett-era Pink Floyd minus the psychedelic weirdness. It's certainly not a bad record though. The songs are short, sharp and catchy, and Ray Davies certainly proves he has the songwriting chops to rival John Lennon and Paul McCartney in places. It's quite interesting that The Kinks came out of the blocks with such punchy and aggressive tunes only to refine their sound into something more relaxed and accessible (for the time anyway). It now makes sense that The Kinks are the same band who sang 'You Really Got Me' and 'Lola', as it used to blow me away that 'Lola' was a Kinks song, as it sounded nothing like what I thought their modus operandi to be. Well, given 'Something Else' is the half-way point on the timeline between those two songs, it truly fills in the gap. 'Something Else' is such a joyful album with accessible songs and themes, and while none of the songs really hit as hard as 'You Really Got Me' or 'All Day and All of the Night' do, I can see how the songwriting of Ray Davies inspired future bands (notably The Jam, Buzzcocks, Blur and Oasis) to keep a strong British flair to their sound. Best songs: David Watts, Death of a Clown, Harry Rag, Waterloo Sunset
8/10… baroque Pop / 60s rock 👂
Yllättävän hyvä kuuntelu! Monipuolista tavaraa ja nykypäivänä relevanttia säveltämistä!
With their catalogue, I'm extremely surprised that this record was selected. It was their lowest selling record at the time. It is one of their most diverse and has "Death of a Clown", which is one of my favorite Kinks songs. It just seems like one of those hipster picks.
A good kinks album has no filler songs. First listen I found it boring in comparison to my favorite kinks album. 2nd listen I found it subtler and more polished. It’s probably a 5 with subsequent relistens. May need a revisit later.
Ray Davies had already been sketching out his vision of the English village green by 1966, though it would not fully bloom until The Village Green Preservation Society two years later. Which leaves Something Else in an awkward spot: a Kinks record released in the long shadow of Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, without the cohesion, scope, or studio wizardry that defined 1967’s high watermark. Davies, forced into the producer’s chair after Shel Talmy’s departure, did not have the luxury of the Beatles’ sonic palette. Something Else is not beautifully or cleverly produced, nor is it particularly well sequenced. What it offers instead is a patchwork of Davies’s miniatures - sometimes sharp, sometimes shapeless. Davies has often been lauded as pop’s master of character studies, but McCartney was already excelling in that field. Eleanor Rigby in 1966, She’s Leaving Home in 1967 - these were exquisitely detailed human portraits. By contrast, Davies’s formula was becoming predictable: a few light observations in the verses, a neat chorus, little development as the song unfolds. You heard it on Dedicated Follower of Fashion. Tin Soldier Man is the worst offender here, the weakest in Davies' string of Man songs stretching from A Well-Respected Man, through Session Man to Ape Man. Even David Watts, taut, punchy and enjoyable as it is, tells us little about its subject - or its narrator, hiding behind a coy homoerotic fantasy. Davies was always coy about the person here. Elsewhere, the narratives - when there are any - fall flat. The moral of Two Sisters is traditionalist schmaltz, especially in an era when Sgt Pepper was encouraging even civil servants to expand their minds. Situation Vacant reduces itself to a stale mother-in-law gag, while McCartney was busy drawing grannies into the psychedelic fold. Lennon sneered at such fare as "granny shit," but the point stands: the Beatles were redefining the generational conversation, while Davies seemed stuck in your granda's music hall. In hindsight, I wish Davies had bided his time, learned his way around the studio, stockpiled the strongest songs. But that wasn't the way things were done then. His later albums would be criticised for their thematic rigidity, but at their best his Hogarthian sketches coalesce into broader social commentary - as they would on Village Green. Here, you wonder what is the point of listening different people who smoke on Henry Rag. Still, without Something Else, we would lose some of the Kinks' finest moments. Singular works, there would be no place for them in Davies' thematic preoccupations. Waterloo Sunset is not a character piece at all but a panoramic canvas, a Whistler-like view of the Thames that captures both the sweep of London life and the solitary contentment of the man in the crowd. Terry and Julie - Stamp and Christie, or just some young lovers that any of us might know - exist simultaneously as Swinging London icons and anonymous figures on the embankment. That duality is what made the psychedelic moment so powerful: the extraordinary rendered universal. And then there is Death of a Clown, one of the best of Dave Davies’s turns, rough-edged, sure, but somehow it pierces right through your heart. Throw in David Watts and End of the Season and you're golden. Something Else is uneven, awkward, and frequently slight - but also the cradle of one of the greatest songs of the sixties. It is the Kinks caught between worlds: too restless for the old beat boom, not yet equipped for the new studio age. It is not a masterpiece, barely a record, but it was, at least, the sketchbook in which Ray Davies finally drew Waterloo Sunset. 3 This is a delightful album and I was very happy to listen to it today. There’s a little dip in the middle with Situation Vacant, which doesn’t quite work, and Love Me Till the Sun Shines which is ill-fitting and dull. Those tracks aside, Something Else is very special. Certainly more special than anyone could have guessed from the self-sabotaging title and cover art, which have the air of having been thrown together by the record label in 5 minutes. Of course there is a double meaning to Something Else, but poor Americans, for example, who had been lumbered with a Capitol faux Beatles album a couple of years before called ‘Something New’ must have struggled to find it. It’s hard not to think of The Beatles when you listen to the Kinks in their pomp. The baroque delicacy and the English character sketches and the mix of sweet and silly. I think part of the reason I love the Kinks is that I feel a bit sorry for them. Why should any band that are capable of pop music as slick and idiosyncratic as David Watts or as profound and beautiful as Waterloo Sunset have to suffer comparison with anyone? Well they just do sadly, but The Kinks deserve all the laurels they get, however crushed, and I will add that Ray Davies is funnier than The Beatles. ‘Sybilla looked into her mirror/ Percilla looked into the washing machine’ It shouldn’t be possible to have that line open a song and then have the song turn out beautiful and affecting but there is the unique magic of The Kinks at their best. 4/5
ooh… definitely one of my favorite kinks i’ve listened to. up there with village green and lola
Not the best Kinks album but I still Liked it a lot. Easy to see the influence it had on Brit-pop here.
A good album, I liked Death Of A Clown, Harry Rag and Wonderboy the most.
Absolutely loved death of a clown and harry rag. Overall pretty decent album
Clearly about the lyrics but enough going on musically to draw you in and get you interested in what they have to say
Just think, 1967 was Sgt. Pepper's and Satanic Majesties. Lazy Old Sun by itself would propel the Kinks into that company, then add David Watts and Waterloo Sunset. So it becomes an impulse in these British Invasioners to explore poetic expression. Revolver really raised the bar and taught everyone to pole vault.
For decades, I lived under the misguided assumption that since I knew a handful of hits by The Kinks that I pretty much had them sussed and didn't need to explore further. Turns out, the best of their material is stuff that never made the radio, at least not in the States. This is another album full of great songs and clever turns and social insight and it's never a chore to listen to. I'm still in discovery mode, so I can't gauge their catalog to know which are my personal picks, but this was another great record.
Reminder to self: "Listen to more of The Kinks. You will be delighted."
Love The Kinks!
Manages to be both backward looking and forward looking at the same time.
Like if The Beatles were good and not great
The album really opens up in the latter third and becomes much more expansive and interesting. That's not the say that the early songs aren't good, because they are, but they are much more middle-of-the-road. Either way, "Waterloo Sunset" was always going to be highlight here. It's one of the most perfect pop songs ever written and is still full of magic.
The kinks rule but this was a year or two before they really found it. Harry Rag sounds like it could be on Rain Dogs. Waterloo sunset is elite
Paul McCartney could craft a more beautiful melody but I'll be damned if you can find a finer English lyricist from the Sixties than Ray Davies. I prefer Village Green and Arthur more than Something Else but this is as good as rock and roll can get. Waterloo Sunset is another one of those Inner Circle songs. 4.5 for me.
(83/100)
Something else is a collection of songs that, while perfectly fine, don't have the charm of those on Village Green Preservation Society. However, it ends with one of the truly great songs in Waterloo Sunset a perfect piece of music which is head and shoulders above anything else on this album and 90% of the songs on this list.
By now I know how cool The Kinks are thanks to this book, but why is another album in the list? I mean, what’s special about it? Well, I really enjoyed it anyways.
Very good album of The Kinks. Waterloo Sunset is my favourite track of them.
Eén van de beste Kinks albums imo David Watts, Death of a Clown, Waterloo Sunset en Autumn Almanac! 4.2
Sorti en 1967, en pleine explosion du rock psychédélique et du "Summer of Love", "Something Else" by The Kinks est un album qui semble exister hors du temps. Alors que le monde musical regardait vers San Francisco avec des fleurs dans les cheveux, Ray Davies, le parolier et chanteur du groupe, tournait son regard vers les rues pavées de Londres, les petites habitudes de ses compatriotes et la mélancolie d'une Angleterre en pleine mutation. Le résultat est un chef-d'oeuvre intemporel, un recueil de vignettes pop d'une intelligence et d'une finesse rares. Dès les premières notes, l'album marque une rupture avec le son brut et garage des premiers succès du groupe comme "You Really Got Me". Ici, la production est plus soignée, les arrangements plus subtils, mêlant des influences de pop baroque, de music-hall et de folk. Ray Davies s'affirme comme un observateur social hors pair, un chroniqueur du quotidien capable de transformer la banalité en poésie. L'album est une collection de portraits et de scènes de vie. "David Watts", la chanson d'ouverture, est une satire brillante de l'admiration et de l'envie ressenties pour le garçon le plus populaire de l'école. Avec "Two Sisters", Ray Davies explore de manière à peine voilée la relation complexe et parfois conflictuelle qu'il entretient avec son frère Dave, en la déguisant en histoire de deux soeurs aux modes de vie opposés. Des morceaux comme "End of the Season" ou "Lazy Old Sun" distillent une atmosphère de nostalgie et de lassitude, peignant le portrait d'une gloire passée et d'un temps qui s'étire lentement. Il ne faut pas oublier la contribution cruciale de Dave Davies, qui signe et chante le tube "Death of a Clown". Avec son ambiance de fête foraine triste et son refrain puissant, la chanson apporte une touche plus rock et exubérante qui contraste magnifiquement avec la tonalité plus introspective du reste de l'album. Mais le joyau incontesté, le coeur battant de "Something Else", est bien sûr "Waterloo Sunset". Cette chanson est un pur moment de grâce. Sur une mélodie d'une beauté poignante, Ray Davies contemple le coucher de soleil sur la Tamise, trouvant un réconfort et une forme de paradis au milieu de la "sale vieille ville" ("dirty old town"). C'est un hymne à la solitude, à la beauté simple et à la capacité de trouver de la magie dans l'ordinaire. La chanson est à juste titre considérée comme l'une des plus belles jamais écrites dans l'histoire de la musique pop. Alors qu'il fut un succès commercial modeste à sa sortie, éclipsé par les géants de l'époque, "Something Else" by The Kinks a vu sa réputation grandir de manière exponentielle au fil des décennies. C'est un album qui se révèle écoute après écoute, un trésor de mélodies parfaites et de textes d'une profondeur littéraire. Il représente le sommet de l'art de Ray Davies en tant que conteur et la confirmation des Kinks comme l'un des groupes les plus importants et les plus singuliers de leur génération. Un disque essentiel pour quiconque s'intéresse à l'âge d'or de la pop britannique. Un beau 4 sur 5
The Kinks are always good. I love their sound so much. This isn’t my pick for their best album, but it’s definitely top five for me. The second half of the sixties treated them very well, creatively speaking. The finale is possibly their best song, but every single track has its own character and they can all easily stand on their own. The reason that they never gained as much popularity as the Stones or Beatles or other contemporary bands is frustrating to me, but not surprising. Their style is a little niche, but I adore it. 4/5
It's an album by a band I love, but an album I know isn't five material, even though I desperately want it to be. There's just too much filler here amongst the timeless classics. It'd probably be fair to take the handful of gems and give the album a five on the strength of those - but I feel there's too much that's substandard by the superlative standards set across their 60s catalogue. And I've finally realised Waterloo Sunset is perfect. Better than any Monet evoking Thames sunset. It's the highest of fours.
The Kinks doing their own thing, and being good at it. The opening rif of Waterloo Sunset really makes me think The Strokes were trying to channel The Kinks in some of their work.
A delightful listen.
Sitä Beatles soundia josta tykkään. Pakko verrata Beatlesiin koska siitä tätä ekaksi kuulin. Hauskaa tekstiä ja rallattelua.
im a bitch for basic 60s rock
Not my favorite 60s band but there's still a lot to love here
I mean, I'm not upset that this album's on the list or anything, but why did I have to get this now? I've gotten 6 repeat artists in a row now and it's literally only been like 2 weeks since my last Kinks album! I want different things, not my 4th album from one band. Whatever. At least this album's pretty good. I do happen to like the Kinks quite a bit. They've grown on me over time. Is this their best album? No. I liked Village Green and Arthur more. But I did like this more than Face to Face, so it has that going for it. Something Else by the Kinks is pretty great though. This may not be a concept album like the ones that followed it, but it still has the things that make the Kinks at their peak a great band. Ray Davies shows some strong songwriting chops on these songs, with "Waterloo Sunset" being the obvious highlight. The instrumentation is still great. The Kinks have this sound that's kind of hard to explain, but you know it when you hear it. Maybe it has to do with the mixing. I don't know. It's quite nice though. There really aren't any bad songs here, and the best ones are among the band's best songs in general. I really like this album. It serves as a nice reinforcement of my positive opinions regarding the Kinks. Strong 4/5. Now please give me an album from an artist or band that I haven't already gotten albums from.
A solid album but nothing really stands out until Waterloo Sunset which is one of the finest songs of the 60s and still touching today.
Waterloo Sunset already is a 4 stars. Then there are the other songs that are amazing as well. Funny, clever, inventive, trippy. The Kinks are a gem.
As English as cricket and cream tea. Such a good band with so many good songs. But this isn't quite the complete article.
Big fan of the Kinks, their hits and the rest. A proper Brit band a proper Kinks album.
Unsurprisingly I liked this album - I've always been a fan of the slightly kitschy late 60s 'britpop' sound ala Sgt. Pepper's and Village Green Preservation Society, that would also get revisited later with Blur and Pulp. Waterloo Sunset is an absolute classic, and this is definitely a stepping stone to the tighter, more musically adventurous albums that would come later. The Kinks continue to surprise me with every deep dive, and show they were more than just a standard 60s pop rock band.
This was pretty good I enjoyed it
I liked this, nother decent efforr from the kinks
I enjoy the Kinks. I've always felt that they get overshadowed by the Beatles and Stones, but they were a pioneer of the British Invasion with a sound all their own! This album started off strong, got boring for a bit, and then finished strong.
4.5
Why do I always end up liking the Kinks damnit
A very fun, catchy and a bit silly album. It also contains some psychedelic elements, but they aren't as predominant as the memorable and more Pop oriented tunes. A very solid listen.
In general I don’t like it as much as the other Kinks album I’ve heard on here but it definitely has some strong tracks including “Situation Vacant”.
Я до сих пор не уверен по поводу этой группы, но альбом мне понравился, несмотря на простуду, лень, проебанные дедлайны, и так далее. Лучшая песня - Waterloo Sunset.
kinky
Enjoyable. Waterloo sunset blows all of the other songs out of the water. Just too good. Will definitely listen to this again
Good sound. Liked this more than I thought I would
These guys sound like more of a hot mess than Oasis! I appreciate the variety and quirkiness they bring to their music. There's always something interesting going on, even in the more 'meh' songs, and I enjoy the stories they tell. Overall, I really enjoyed almost all of this. A few of the songs were so-so, but I'm generally pretty drawn to their sound!
Yay another one I own! 4/5 #musicsky #albumsky
Thoughts before listening: The Kinks specialized in seemingly simple pop rock songs that focused on melody and catchiness over technical prowess. I'm not sure that I actually know this album, but I'd expect more of the same. Review: So I nailed the Kinks' sound on this album. There is very little of the over the top, psychedelic sound that is stereotypical of late 60s rock music. Instead you're left with fun little ear worm ditties. This album has "Waterloo Sunset" on it which is one of the best songs of this era, but I'm enjoying everything in hearing. 4-stars
4.0 - Waterloo sunset really is a huge song, the rest was a little forgettable
So funny to me that we’ve already had a few Kinks albums, all of which are pretty good but not really special, and now we have another one called simply “Something Else by the Kinks”. And guess what - it’s something else by the Kinks. Let’s be clear something else, not something different. It’s good, not great. It has the timeless classic “Waterloo Sunset”. It has tongue in cheek lyrics and whimsical subject matter. It has some songs that are just average. It’s a Kinks album. Nothing more nothing less. 3.8/5
Great, short rock album with well-written songs. Waterloo sunset will always be the tops.
Nice variety of songs and styles. The more I listen to The Kinks, the more convinced I am that they were the closest that anyone contemporary got to The Beatles.
Lo que podemos esperar de un álbum de los Kinks. Temas potentes, mucha diversión y música de calidad. Quiero más de los Kinks.
4/5
Listened in July 2021. For some reason, I've never gotten into The Kinks as much as I have many of their 60s contemporaries. This is a great album, but not one I feel hugely compelled to return to.
There are so many hits on this album, such an influential sounds.
Not my favorite of the Kinks’ records - I prefer the three that follow this one - but Something Else has one of the greatest songs ever written, “Waterloo Sunset”, several other career highs and some really beautiful instrumentation, like on Two Sisters. It is probably their most explicitly “British” and least contemporary sounding record - at least of their early classics. I can see why this is a lot of people’s favorite Kinks’ record.
This is really Something Else! And it's by the Kinks! Which makes it Something Else By The Kinks! Splendid and straight to the point. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Good Kinks album
Pretty nice listen. Harry Rag is pretty bad, but the rest is classic capital B British rock.
Not quite at the same level as the previous Kinks album I had heard here but I like the variety!
Sounds like the Beatles, but album cover looks like that weird long Nitty Gritty Dirt Band album. Confusing! Generally short and poppy and nice. Also, this album title is hilarious. The only way to improve on it would be to use a different band name. I assume 'Harry Rag' is Cockney rhyming slang, which is of linguistic interest. 'Tin Solider Man' reminds me a lot of Masquerade from Phantom of the Opera ("Hide your face so that the world will never find you"). I think 'Waterloo Sunset' is the only song here I've heard before. Not sure how to rate this one, 3 or 4. It's pleasant but the sound is so "old" that I don't think I'd ever listen to this on my own. Maybe we'll be generous in hopes of someday being able to give a rating of 5!
not rly astounding to me as an album but kind of astounding as an outpouring of Creativity on the part of ray, who throws out a bunch of varied and compelling character sketches in a way that makes the whole record feel like it has great Worldbuilding. but tbh outside of a few songs im not quite sure it has the Sonic Chops for me to fully say that...the melodies r bouncy and genial but maybe a tad underdeveloped when deployed across the actual song structures, and the arrangements have some rly strong moments but on the whole i think village green nails a Vivid Cohesive Vibe more. still this is a cool step in quirky, literary pop music, definitely a lot of roots for indie and singer/songwriter stuff on here. im sure Someday ill be head over heels for a kinks record but i aint heard a bad one yet
Pretty good
Previously rated: Face to Face (4/5) Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire) (5/5) The Village Green Preservation Society (5/5) ************************************************************** Starts off with the best track of the album, David Watts. So catchy, and I know I've heard it earlier on the list. I thought the Kinks may have re-recorded it, but no, The Jam covered it, and I thought it was the best song on that album too. Situation Vacant is another standout for me. Overall, not their best, but it's the Kinks. I will listen to it again down the road.
Slightly outside of my norm but this is worth returning to
Not my favorite kinks album but still pretty good.
It's not the Kinks' best work. It sounds very lazy. But I always find myself going crazy over the drum sound on this album. An extra star will be given for that alone. 4 stars. plus: Waterloo Sunset is an immortal classic.
Alright, I'll keep going with my rhetorical device of writing a long stream of consciousness exposition with no real point and then pointing out something about this album that is THE BEST EVER. Here we go. Rock and roll probably ought to have an undercurrent of disaffection if it's going to be called that. The Kinks disaffection here is in fine form, and their eclectic urge is WAY out front on this album. The mixed feelings you get from the opener David Watts (which The Jam turned into one of my all time favorite songs, this version is more pointed, can't tell if mad, jealous, or ...) up to the resigned, possibly defeated protagonist on Waterloo Sunset are a ride and a half. Very entertaining, but there's a bitterness about being middle-class. Waterloo Sunset might be the most beautiful song ever written in the English language. I'd probably put it in the top 5 at least.
Melodies that speak to the soul