Face to Face

So good. If the worst thing you can say about a band is that, while they tried mightily, they never quite got to be as good as the Beatles, well, that’s high praise indeed. I like the Kinks more every time I hear them.

Actually really like this album- all new kinks songs to me except sunny afternoon and one I will come back to. Still sounds 60sish but has an extra layer (musically or lyrically) that makes it stand out often.

Definitely found the second side of this album more interesting than the first. The rock songs on the first side, though all solid, got a bit repetitive but the second side really changed it up. Fine precursor to Village Green.

It's all there, just need a few more albums to hone the introspective song writing

I’ve definitely heard of them and a couple of these songs before and I know they’re considered influential, yet nothing was considerably wowing for me. It was good, but something is lacking.

Thus far our oldest (3rd album into a long-ass career) and 4th early-period Kinks album ... it's often more of a challenge getting through early rock albums due to the rough mixes and this doesn't buck that trend. As for the songs I didn't know - it's nice in the exact way I'd have expected: a collection of polite-ish British...Kinks songs. It's fine - meaning I'm not sure I would go out of my way for this outside of a few tracks. I very much enjoyed their next few albums about to follow much more, as both the songwriting and production show improvement. You can see where they're about to go on this album even if many of the songs are pedestrian. Highlight: the easy answer maybe due to familiarity: "Sunny Afternoon" 5/10 3 stars.

...

"Party Line" is fun, but as this rolled along I couldn't escape the feeling that I've heard it all before and executed better. By that I'm referring mainly to their contemporaries. Unsure who influenced whom, but most of these songs sound like lesser versions of songs The Beatles and The Stones wrote. And why bother with pale shades of better music? The second half really blends together into a forgettable repetition of ideas, and it took me a moment to realize it ended because it wasn't holding my attention anymore. Yet another album I'm dropping into the larger pile from these that I can't say I needed to hear.

Nice. 'Sunny Afternoon' is perfect.

I mean its better than most from the Britpop explosion but like... there can't be that many more now, can there (yes, yes there can be) 7/10

I think I enjoyed one song. Not my cup of tea (get it? They're English...)

A few good songs. Not wild about most of it.

Some classic kinks like Sunday afternoon (which tbh isn’t that great) and some others that I had a pretty tepid reaction too. Overall just ok

Only 868 albums to go until Robert Dimery grants me permission to die

This has that kind of "look at us, we’re clever" charm that totally works when you're in the right mood. The melodies bounce, the lyrics wink, and it’s got that retro sunshine baked right into it. Chock-full of that "happy", almost blissfully-ignorant 60's sound. It’s the musical equivalent of a collage made with safety scissors. Definitely feels like a Spring cleaning soundtrack. A few songs kinda blur together, but it’s a fun blur. Spins: 2 Playlist Additions: - Dandy - Sunny Afternoon - Dead End Street

Not the best Kinks. I liked other albums way more. This one, other than a few fun songs, kinda went in one ear and out the other.

good vibes meilleur que les beatles 🫣

It's a really good album but I don't think it is an essential listen. There are some real flashes of brilliance, but those flashes just sound like Beatles imitations anyway.

-groovy - really solid album

Standard Kinks stuff. Ok if you like this type of 60s style I suppose, just not for me

3 maybe 4

Harpsichord, innit?

This album is so great. I liked so much of it, particularaly how The Kinks tend to spill their choruses directly into the next verse, like in both Party Line and Rosy Won't You Please Come Home. Their sound is perfectly poppy, yet it remains musically creative. My favorite is either Rainy Day in June, Holiday in Waikiki, or Rosy. I really enjoyed this one.

Fist four tracks are great tunes; “Too Much On my Mind” is particularly good

It is absurd the leap they made from their previous album to this one. Obviously their proto-punk work in their early albums is important, but this is the start of the Kinks sound I love. Unreal how many reviews can't see the huge influence they had on British music for decades to come. They clearly have carved out their own lane, how are reviewers hearing generic Beatles/Rolling Stones here? Embarrasing takes but a good reminder of the old adage "Imagine how stupid the average person is..." Rating: 4.7

Chill

“Party line” kicks off the album with a catchy pop / rock and roll sound, really representative of the time it was made and really catchy. “Rosy won’t you come home” is different, almost leaning into psychedelia like a lot of music at the time was, but with a strong pop sound. Not too far off a Beatles track. “Dandy” is relatively similar, leaning more towards simple acoustic rock. “Too much on my mind” is more Beatles-esque. I like the lyrics on this one. “Session man” sounds very similar. “Rainy day in June” leans more into the psychedelic qualities and is better for it. There is a return to rock n roll on “House in the country”. They might not do these songs as well as The Stones, but it still sounds good. The second half of the album begins with “Holiday in Waikiki” which features some good guitar work and a catchy melody. “Most exclusive residence for sale” does a similar job - the instrumentation isn’t as good but the lyrics are intriguing. “Fancy” is the weakest so far, not very memorable. “Little Miss Queen of Darkness” is better, a very simple sounding song but sounds great with a nice melody and instrumental. I have similar feelings about “You’re looking fine”. “Sunny afternoon” is the most popular song on the album, and for good reason. It’s all of the best pop & psychedelic moments from this record into a song with a catchy melody which makes for a relaxed 60’s classic. The album ends on a strong note with “I’ll remember”. 4/5.

21 nummers??? WAUW en dan nog steeds onder het uur blijven. Tiktok muziek uit 1966, best wel indrukwekkend eigenlijk! Dit is dus gewoon al het 3e album van The Kinks, en ze zijn nog niet onder de 3 sterren gekomen voor mij. Best indrukwekkend als je bedenkt dat dit niet echt mijn muziek is normaal gesproken! Ik denk dat ik The Kinks best wel goed trek omdat je gewoon het plezier hoort. Niet alles is even goed, soms is de zang gewoon echt slecht, maar ik heb continue het idee dat deze gasten zelf het tenminste ontzettend naar hun zin hebben. Dat is iets wat ik dus echt mis bij heel veel bands! Ga wel zeggen dat ik dit het minste album vind dat ik tot nu toe van hen heb gehoord. Dit is echt gewoon te langdradig en niet 'raar' genoeg. De piano klinkt nog wel nice op de achtergrond maar toch vind ik het allemaal vrij meh. Het zegt denk ik genoeg dat ik na de eerste helft geen nummers meer heb opgeslagen, daarvoor was het allemaal te veel van hetzelfde. Sunny Afternoon is de 'grote hit' op het album en eerlijk? Ik snap het niet, het haalt alle persoonlijkheid van The Kinks er uit voor mij en is eerder een soort Beatles achtige kloon dan dat het echt iets unieks is. Gewoon niet voor mij, dat kan natuurlijk ook! Het is nog steeds niet slecht trouwens, ik vind dit album gewoon prima, 3 sterren voor redelijke middelmaat, ik had gewoon op iets meer gehoopt na 2 best goede albums. FAVO: Dandy, A house in the country

3.5

The Kinks are described as many things, including as a British Invasion band. I think that label is predominantly attributed to either those that didn’t grow up listening to music in the 60s or those that simply don’t care about Brit music to discern the differences. The Kinks are often credited for inspiring later rock, more specifically the punk movement. Even then, their longevity also allowed them to still produce music into the 80s. I don’t want to compare THE Kinks to The Beatles because I think both bands were looking for different things. But as dominate as The Beatles were, sometimes comparisons are inescapable. To me, The Beatles represent a clean, well crafted pop sound while later introducing some more rockier music. Even then, as superb songwriters, their music is technically sound. They knew what they were doing and they were masters. The Kinks, to my ear, are a bit edgier. It’s not hard to see why so many later rock bands cite them as an influence. As someone who is largely a rock fan, it is not hard to appreciate what The Kinks were doing. Plus, since Ray is the predominate songwriter, this album has a more consistent flow. I enjoyed it. It took me 3-4 listens to fully get into to it, and I finally landed on this being a low 4 rating.

The Kinks! Another band from rock’s earlier years often noted as very influential for years to come. I definitely cannot argue with that. I feel this has a rawer sound that some other rock acts from this time. And because of that, the rawness feel intentional, rather than a by product of poor recording equipment. In all, a very enjoyable album with catchy hooks that I could see myself occasionally coming back to.

This really is just a lot of fun. High quality, unserious, honest and free. Ray Davies made delightful fucking music. Maybe I’m bugging’, but I’m pretty sure Luscious Jackson pulled a riff from Rosy Won’t You Please, for their song Bam-Bam.

Los Kinks siempre son simpáticos de escuchar, pero tampoco saco mucho de esta escucha. Me ha gustado, está bien, pero no hay nada nuevo que destacar. Canción destacada: Sunny Afternoon

Meer Kinks, altijd leuk. De teksten zitten weer vol blije ongein, de stem van Ray Davies druipt weer gezellig van de droge humor. En er staat een hit op. Toch blijft dit op een vier steken. Het is leuk gedaan, maar de ironie raakt niet echt.

Heel erg jaren '60. Toch heb ik me hier niet echt aan gestoord. Het meeste is meer een vergeetbare 3. Al heb ik nu wel Dandy...Dándy in mijn hoofd. Een vergeetbare 3 dus. Wellicht het meest haalbare in dit genre.

Voor een band waarbij ik al vaker schreef dat je beter hun greatest hits kan luisteren dan losse albums, heb ik the Kinks verrassend vaak genoemd in een review. Blijkbaar hebben ze dan toch een minder vergeetbare indruk achter gelaten, dan de 3 waarmee ik de albums vaak wil beoordelen. Ergens is dit album ook meer een degelijke 3, maar ik moet zeggen dat de onbekende nummers ook prima in het gehoor liggen. Af en toe wordt er iets te veel op de harpsichord (die moest ik opzoeken) getingeltangeld, en daarmee krijgt het nog meer dat gedateerde, veel meer dan de rocky liedjes. Op het einde krijgen we nog Sunny Afternoon, op een dag vroeg in maart waarin het prachtig weer is. En the Kinks weten dat gevoel uitstekend te verwoorden. Bonuspuntje daarvoor en we kunnen dit weer afronden naar een 4.

While the recording quality is sustainability poor, representing this period, the sound is different enough from other contemporary music to enjoy.

Better than their really twee stuff. Best song wasn't on the album, just the extras: I'm Not Like Everybody Else

A Kinks album which I’m familiar with apart from the big hit single Sunny Afternoon. This is so quintessentially English it smells of toasted muffins and Earl Grey tea. It also sets the standard for the rest of the album. I’ve decided that I do not have enough of the Kinks in my life. When this album was released there were so many other groups around which I preferred The Kinks slipped the net. As this is the third Kinks album on this list I am grateful to the 1001 Gods to reintroducing me to them and realising what I have missed. 3/5 8/3/25

I will play sunny afternoon at a wedding. Tbd if it will be mine, but mark my words. The album grew on me after the first three of so. Started out sounding like a wanna be Beatles, but turned it into their own by the end

Sounds like a bunch of mid tier Beatles tracks I like the Kinks, but there's not much here I'd remember after it was over.

Just a wonderful shot of tipsy 60s garage rock. It’s funny, it’s cool, there are some pretty fantastic players that were pushing the boundaries of what rock could sound like at the time.

No tämä on Kinksia ja 60-lukua tämä. Mukavaa kuunneltavaa, hyvin taitavaa, keveää mutta ajateltua ja uudistavaa. Ei edelleenkään silti mun genre, jotta jaksaisin innostua. Mikään biisi ei nostata, että ”jes!” Siksi en melkein uskalla antaa kolmosta… mutta muuhun verrattuna ei niin plääh.

Party Line on kova biisi yllättävällä mollikoukulla, ja House in the Country on rock and rollia, jota ei voi kutsua muulla sanalla kuin "ilahduttava". Kaiken kaikkiaan levy saattaa olla bändin paras, vaikka vetonaula Sunny Afternoon ei ylläkään Waterloo Sunsetin tasolle (vastaväitteitä ei kuunnella). Miinukset: B-puolen täytebiisit; bändin perusolemukseen kuuluva taipumus 60-lukulaiseen hupailuun. 3,5

= The Beatles This band wants to be the Beatles so bad

It was well listened to, I will listen to another 7.5 out of 10.

If I wanted to listen to the Beatles, I would listen to the Beatles.

Not my favorite Kinks

Okay.

Always nice to have a Kinks album. I like this one but I think the Kinks have done better. This feels like a transitional album between the classic aggrevated rock of their debut and Kinks Kontroversy and their later work. All these songs are nice to listen to and there's a bunch of great R&B rock singles in here. Nice collection of 14 punchy short songs.

Prefer ass to ass

Nice

Only heard Village Green in full before, and from this album Sunny Afternoon. Face to Face is a good album but I'm a Village Green girl 3/5

Nice to listen to album. Like listening to a Beatles record if you didn’t know any Beatles music. I feel like I’ve heard similar albums from similar artists so I’m not sure why this one is singled out but I’m sure it’s my lack of knowledge.

3. Nothing stood out to me.

I like the Kinks, they're fun. But beyond Sunny Afternoon, a lot of the songwriting is like if a youth pastor got stoned and tried to write Beatles songs. That said, it bops. If you turn your brain off and/or get stoned, it's fun.

Classic Kinks - good but on the second tier of the British bands of the time.

The Kinks are kinked—like mean-spirited Beatles. Here for it!

Good, not great. Fun to bop to.

Pretty good, but held back by a limited sonic palette.

Oh look—a concept album. You can’t convince me that Party Line isn’t a Beatles song.

Turns out, The Kinks have a million songs. I'm a Kinks fan now.

good

Disappointing considering some of the songs these lads have done.

Fine for what it is... inoffensive background music. But only Sunny Afternoon has anything memorable

Meh, it’s ok. Sunny Afternoon is great but not sure there’s much else here

This is the 3rd Kinks album from the generator and it's easily my favorite. I didn't realize Sunny Afternoon was theirs, it's a banger. Every track is solid and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this. Nicky Hopkins on piano is always a bonus.

1. party line - 1 2. rozie - 1 3. dandy - 1.5 4. mind - 1.5 5. man - 1 6. june - 1 7. country - 1 8. uuaikiki - 1.5 9. zale - 1 10. fancy - 1.5 11. queen - 1.5 12. looking - 1.5 13. zunny - 1.5 14. remember - 1 15. everybody - 1.5 16. dead - 1.5 17. zmoke - 1.5 18. pleazant - 2 19. belong - 1.5 20. reporter - 1 21. little - 1

The first half of the album did not spark joy. It wasn’t bad just not particularly interesting to me. The sound quality and production felt inconsistent, not sure if it was intentional but it some felt like they were recorded on a tape recorder while others were studio quality. The second half had some stand out tracks that were catchy and felt less generic. Favorite songs were: Little miss queen of darkness Sunny Afternoon 7/10

I'm generally in The Kinks corner, but that album kinda dragged for me. I agree with Magilla's assessment of the first and second half. I wasn't really into anything till around Rainy Day in June. I liked it more after that, but didn't connect with much. Sunny Afternoon is a true classic, and it makes the album. I just wish more songs lived up to it. Album Cover (A-) The 60s you say?

"Rosy Won't You Please Come Home" is great, I love the vocals. This song sounds a lot like The Zombies, who I like a lot. They were contemporaries so likely they were part of the same musical moment. Every song after this blended together into one, enjoyable, thirty minute song. Their sound is very consistent on this album. I liked it, but did feel like I could have used some more variety. It was all very easy to listen to and inoffensive. 7/10

Decent, except for sunny afternoon which is outstanding 3.3

The first few tracks sound a little like a poor copy of The Beatles but then the songs start to hit home and by the end, it's been brilliant.

Great 60’s rock/pop

quite fun listen, wasn't super aware of the kinks but definitely ahead of their time. 6/10

Honestly I think sunny afternoon is the best track but far and they could’ve just named the album that too. Party line is solid as well, idk how many people actually know what party lines are politically. Rosy is a pretty good song and I like little miss darkness but it’s just another example of something oasis was ‘inspired’ by and actually improved (she’s electric). And I desperately wish dead end street was on the LP 4/5

Very 60's as expected. Not really my style but the album is fine.

Decently poppy 60s rock album. Not the best, not the worst.

i liked this i think i would en joy more in the summer. fun album

The Kinks heeft een speciaal plekje in mijn hart, en dan vooral door hun individuele nummers, en niet zo zeer om hun volmaakte albums. 'The Village Green Preservation Society' en 'Arthur' daargelaten, want dat zijn sensationele concept albums. Dit album is wat dat betreft meer typisch in hun discografie. Het kabbelt lekker voort. Meer filler dan hits, maar de hits zijn ook wel echt heel erg raak. Ze zakken voor mij nooit door een ondergrens, en de albums scoren daardoor altijd wel minimaal een 6,5 (t/m Lola versus Powerman), maar echt speciale dingen laten ze over de gehele lengte van een album niet zo vaak horen. Over de gehele lengte van hun discografie echter wel, maar dat is een ander verhaal. Deze krijgt een 7, omdat het wel een belangrijke plaat was in aanloop naar de 'Summer of Love' psychedelia explosie, en omdat hij het wel lekker deed met het zonnetje in m'n smoel. 7/10 Highlights: Rosy Won't You Please Come Home Too Much on My Mind Sunny Afternoon

Perfect voor een namiddag in een lentezonnetje. Onder een dekentje op een koude woensdagochtend werkt het dan toch niet wat minder. Maar dan toch, Face to Face is erg Beatlesque en even verplaatsend naar 1965/1966 is dit een straf plaatje. Misschien wat softer dan ander werk van the Kinks, en niet elk nummer is raak. Maar the Kinks is kwaliteit en dit was gewoon wel vermakelijk. 7,5/10 Highlights Sunny Afternoon

Kind of boring. The first half was better than the second half. One part of Rosy won’t you please come home sound exactly like another song that I can’t think of right now and it’s driving me crazy. I think it’s interesting how so many of these sound like a product of their time. I thought more of them would sound timeless but there’s only a couple that have. This wasn’t my favourite but I can see why someone who likes music from the 60s, likes the Beatles, etc would be really drawn to this. And I liked party line quite a bit.

Fine. The Kinks are great and I love some of their albums, but not this one. This album has a few good songs on it but overall it did not grab me and was a little boring.

A very good Kinks album. But not a great one. Some stuff I really like here, but not essential the way the next like 5 albums are. Still, this is prime Kinks in a great era for them.

This was an interesting one. I like The Kinks and have given one or two albums five stars. This one didn’t quite reach that level, but it’s a solid 4. And while I gave it a 4, I question its need to be included on this list, especially with such a good Kinks representation already.

Klingt für mich wie eine langweiligere Version der Beatles. Lieblingssongs: Too Much On My Mind oder I'm Not Like Everybody Else, cringe.

Another great album!

A much less interesting take on the Beatles.

I feel like I'm going crazy

2 sterne

I wanted to like this way more than I did, it's the Kinks! I think it's time to fess up that I only really like those original singles. The era of Kinks get a ton of praise for song writing, which I don't dispute, but they're not all that much to listen to.

This sounds like value brand Beatles… Seeing how I don’t really enjoy the original flavor I’m surprisingly not into this either. I was going to say 2 stars since it didn’t actively annoy me but after 11 songs I had to move on so I’m dropping this one down to 1 star. I did go and listen to Face to Face the band afterwards so there is that.

It was fine - I didn’t really get the hype. Not nearly as interesting as I had expected it to be.

I really wanted this to be less like the Beatles and more like their self-titled item (a little more garage rock). I did not like this album and I knew I wasn't gonna like it based on the album cover ----

Day391 - i had to listen twice. at first i thought it was corny and simple but i think i quite liked it

Not bad

Today's album is Face to Face (1966) by The Kinks. This is a great album. I'd never listened before. Baroque pop is almost always wrapped up in The Beatles, Brian Wilson/The Beach Boys, The Zombies, Stones, and while The Kinks are neither forgotten or even necessarily underrated, this album is pristine of-the-era (mid 60s) baroque, early psychedelic, folksy/bluesy pop rock. I adore Ray Davies voice and songs here. Arrangements, background vocals, and performances are all wonderful. I need more time with it, but it's out of the gates with a 4 of 5, and I want to go 4.5. -G

- hat mich irgendwie nicht abgeholt, fand ich sehr eintönig und wenig überraschend (was nicht immer schlimm ist, hier war es aber eben teilweise zu eintönig)

First time listen to this album pleasant surprise.

7.5/10

Pleasant enough

I like the Kinks quite a bit. The funny thing about it is that their music, bass lines, and harmonies all work well together all while the vocal style sounds like they are just half-passing it. There's an irony there. Good stuff.

Some cool moments, but a lot of same-y songs.

This album kinda proved to me that I’m just not a fan of psychedelic rock music like this. There were a few tracks here and there that I liked, like Fancy and Sunny Afternoon. Loved the horn on Dead End Street. But I know for I fact I won’t listen to this album again, thus a 2.

Sounds like all the other Kinks albums. I'm thinking the maker of this list has a Kinks kink. 3/5

I haven’t been much a fan of the Kinks albums I’ve gotten previously; while there were some tracks I found annoying here, too, there were also some that were surprisingly enjoyable. Maybe my favorite of theirs so far. Best tracks: Sunny Afternoon, Rosy Won’t You Please Come Home, Fancy

Solides Sixties Album mit klassischem Beat und einigen Pop-Elementen. Neben dem Paradesong „Sunny Afternoon“ stach noch „Dandy“ hervor. Es ist aber kein Album, das überdurchschnittlich zu gefallen weiß.

This isn't my first rodeo with a 60's Kinks album, and I feel the same way about this one as I did about the other. It's hard to put my finger on what it is that I don't really like about them. Maybe it's a little bit of a sing-songy quality? The album's not terrible or anything... I'm sure many folks really like it. It's just not for me.

This album's OK, but there feels like so much filler. I suppose it was paving the way for their amazing albums at the end of the decade, but I don't think it's good enough on its own merit to be here

This album was fun. It came out a few months after "Revolver" and the Beatles influence is definitely there. "Party Line" VERY easily could have been a Beatles tune. Unfortunately I feel like the first half of the album doesn't sound as well as the back half/deluxe songs (Specifically from "Sunny Afternoon" to "Big Black Smoke"). "Dandy" wasn't good at all lol. "A House In the Country" is soooooo good tho. I am torn on this album because I feel the first half isnt GREAT, but then it keeps getting better the more you listen. I think I like earlier songs by "The Kinks" more overall. Actual rating 3.5 Liked Songs: "Party Line" , "Session Man" , "A House In the Country" , "Most Exclusive Residence for Sale" , "Little Miss Queen of Darkness" , "Sunny Afternoon" , "I'll Remember" , "I'm Not Like Everybody Else" , "Dead End Street" , "Big Black Smoke" , "Mr. Reporter"

liked songs: Dead End Street This album is... fine. It's very 60s and not super interesting to me, but there's nothing wrong with it. 2.5

For anyone who loves 1960s English beat music. F2F begins a sequence of five albums - F2F, Something Else, Village Green, Arthur, Lola - that's probably only equaled by The Beatles. It's a great album.

Average album by an average band, placing comfortably somewhere in the (lower) middle of the list presented by whoever. It was entirely okay, but I forgot everything about it couple hours after listening.

I don't know what it is about 1960s British pop but it all blends together for me in a way that this album, despite its delights, is just one among many jangly others. I'm sure it was groovy when it came out decades ago but it fails to keep my sustained interest over the course of its track list today.

3.25

The Kinks are like a nice blend of UK Rock almost like the perfect blend of The Stones and The Beatles. Another album with bot that many like is a 4 but this album is a solid 4.5.

Huh, Second Kinks in 4 days [no.418 and 415\ and in a ting of 2s and 3a - bore ass albums.Doesn't break the trend, however this is much mire poppy and upbeat - early Kinks as they try to find their voice. Surprises within, Sunny Afternoon pushes it to a 3

That opening is extremely iconic. I love their harmonies so much, so simple but effective. Rosy is so emotional, with such a groove. Dandy, what a gentle punch in the face. There’s Too Much On My Mind make me cry, because god I feel that so deeply. Session man! “he’s not paid to think, just play” love it. Rainy day, sounds of rain/thunder throughout and somehow not tacky at all. House In The Country, such a beautiful and tight rhythm. Also the lyrics are way more meaningful than i ever picked up on before. Holiday sounds like it’s just vapid fun and shocker it’s acc not. I love the Davies. So jealous of their talent. Most Exclusive, the backing vocals are fucking hilarious and of course make it so much better. Fancy, so moody because of the instrumentation. It’s not my favourite but let’s be real it’s not bad just different. Little Miss has a magic to it, and i’m sure a lot of women feel it very deeply that it could be them they’re talking about. The guitar in the beginning and throughout and the drum solo in the middle is perfect. Storytelling is the cherry on top. You’re Looking Fine, is fine lol, the riffs and the keys carry it. Sunny Afternoon! What is there to say other than it’s an all time classic. If you don’t think so you’re so boring it’s unbelievable. I’ll Remember, lovely way to end the album. A neat little bow around the project. Has it all that they are perfect at. Their sound is so solid you know it’s them from a mile away. Their main melody lines are something to behold honestly. Can anyone actually explain to me why they weren’t as big as The Beatles??

I would listen to this album over and over. I love the sixties vibe. No standouts, but very enjoyable to listen to.

Not their greatest album, but a fascinating snapshot of 60s musical change.

This album was okay. Nothing really jumped out at me. 3 stars

Sounds just like The Beatles to me. It’s not as interesting as their later album (…the Village Green Preservation Society), so it doesn’t do a lot for me.

I was surprised at how catchy the first third of the songs in the album were, but then they started getting very generic. Overall, it was an okay album and it would have been even cooler-sounding back in the late 60s when it came out.

My seemingly very unpopular opinion is that The Kinks are better than The Beatles

Beatles ripa pff

Classic!

Definitely felt the Beatles vibe on this one. It was decent.

Like others who commented i feel like I heard a Beatles influence in the music and themes, however the album does stand on its own. The lyrics, in general, are above grade with a couple of exceptions.

seems to me they kept getting better on the first few albums, and this means this one wasnt that big of a deal, at least for me. its funny that this sent me their 3 almost consecutive albums in reverse release order

Not bad but didn't particularly love. Another album that reminds me of the Beatles.

Kinda shit, too old of music I couldn’t even really finish it. 1/5

Pretty stock 60s rock to my ears. I enjoyed it, but it wasn't too memorable.

the kinks are all right 3/5

This was great, I know a few Kinks songs but have only listened to one other full album of theirs. I knew Sunny Afternoon and it’s still my favorite track on here. Every song was concise, there was no filler on here. Just a fun album full of story songs.

Rock that’s smooth and full Sung by accented crooner To merry effect

It's fun to imagine young people listening to this back in the day, and their parents shaking their heads in disbelief.

Just fine

Not my favorite stuff from them, but pretty enjoyable nonetheless.

Dring! Dring! Who Is Speaking? C’est The Kinks. Quelle belle intro! Bonne chanson d’ouverture à la Beatles. Gros coup de cœur pour la deuxième chanson aussi « Rosy Won’t You Please Come Home », qui rappelle The Doors avec la voix et le clavecin. Et aussi pour « Sunny Afternoon », apparemment le plus grand succès de l’album. Très bon album dans l’ensemble. Belle découverte. À réécouter.

Des Beatles un peu plus sales, un peu plus cyniques. C’est très brit, très sixties et c’est très bon! Un petit peu de surf sur Rainy Day in June, un peu de psychédélisme par ci par là, une petite touche parfois garage parfois pop, c’est foisonnant même s’il se dégage une unité à l’ écoute de l’album.

I like The Kinks but there doesn’t seem to be much noteworthy about this album. They’ve got four albums on the list, I think we could easily lose this one.

Another The Kinks record that has been in my library for ages, heard in the background, neglected until now. This has teeth and that lovely concreteness of Ray Davies’s lyrics. This hasn’t stuck with me as hard as “Village Green”, but some of the shift-ups demand return. “Little Miss Queen of Darkness” deals out two cooly ominous instrumental freak-outs that make me want to drop it into a party to watch the reactions, and it’s out of the door in just over three minutes. I haven’t read any literature on the band, but I’d be amazed if no one’s spent a few paragraphs extolling how the bass-line of “Sunny Afternoon” is the perfect match of musical form and lyrical function. A harpsichord on a pop record instantly dates it in a way I find distracting: there must be uses of the instrument that don’t come off as gimmick, but I can’t recall any.

clearly the transition point between beat rockers and multi-instrumental whimsy, hints at the great stuff yet to come but not essential [EDIT - Ray Davies still has my vote for England's Greatest Songwriter (TM); McCartney may have been ahead at this point in time but Davies was just getting started. "Sunny Afternoon" makes the case, and the harbinger of "Lola" buried in "Party Line" is fun to spot]

My favourite 60s band, who always seem to represent a more realistic, somewhat prosaic, version of the era which seems more and more authentic as it fades into the further past. In truth, this finds them a little earlier than their ascent into a truly great albums band. Yet there is plenty to enjoy and, in Sunny Afternoon, one of my very favourite songs. Attention wanders from time to time and it does always seem quite long for an album of this time period. That’s probably a reflection of some of the filler tracks in the mid period of the record. But the highs are of the very highest and the cover is a pure period delight. Can’t rate it as highly as what was to come from them, and the contemporary scene was pumping out some incredibly strong competition so it’s probably suffered by comparison to those albums. But it’s a hidden gem; a rough diamond perhaps, but a gem nonetheless. I love The Kinks.

Everithing has been written here before. Simply genious!

Couple great songs, mostly mediocre overall.

Fun album, I've always loved these guys.

I enjoy the satirical lyrics, and musically, it's right up my alley.

I’ve always been aware of the kinks but never really listened to them that much. I didn’t realise how much they sounded like the Beatles! Good vibes

1966 was a good year for writing songs about taxes huh. Most of the 60s music that is nostalgic for other folks my age because their parents are core era boomers is lost to me. "Sunny Afternoon" has ended up in my nostalgia wheelhouse bc Jimmy Buffett covered it on his 1994 album "Fruitcakes" which was one of the first CDs my dad bought.

Sure why not

I played all of this and registered none of it

4 stars

Vähän turhanpäiväistä Beatles renkutusta. Jotkut kappaleet ihan ok, mutta yleisesti aika samankuuloista. Parhaat: I'm Not Like Everybody Else, Sunny Afternoon

Ett mycket vasst album med flera klassiker.

great one. I really like The Kinks.

This album is simplistic in its arrangements and, at times, even repetitive, but it’s hard to fault it when it’s delivered with such enthusiasm and tongue-in-cheek humor. Ray Davies’ sharp wit and observational lyrics shine throughout, and the band’s charm makes up for any lack of complexity in the music. It’s an album that feels like a cheeky grin—playful and irresistibly enjoyable. The mix of satire, storytelling, and lightheartedness gives Face to Face its enduring appeal. While it may not be the most sophisticated record, it’s packed with personality, and I found myself thoroughly entertained. Standout Track: Mr. Pleasant Score: 4/5

4 - This is a lighter four than the others. Maybe I'd like this more than Arthur? IDK, I haven't listened to that one in a long time so I don't know how my opinion may differ now. Even if it's not my favourite, there's still some good songs on here. I mean, I did still give it a four, after all. I'd say none of the tracks are as strong as the strongest tracks on the other Kinks albums on here, at least for the time being. I may end up changing my mind with relistens. There's a bit of a lull in the middle if I remember correctly, but oh well. I still liked my time with it. It's better than a lot of stuff on this list.

A very psychedelic sound so maybe this was ahead of it’s time for the 60’s. Pleasant but kind of one note for me, I can’t really pick out any standouts.

Not quite reaching the same heights of their scouse contemporaries but getting very close!

Interesting as a pseudo concept album, wish they could have had more control over production to lean into the tying everything together.

Totally fine.

A solid album though sounds very much like many of it's contemporaries. No complaints though. 3/5

It's good, but The Kinks have just done so much better.

Good album. Nothing objectively bad about it, just nothing that really sets it apart from the other 60's Brit-pop. 3/5 Might listen again

This reminds me of this one Beatles song.

The Kinks are another version of The Beatles, and this album is no exception. Nothing on here is earth-shattering. It's a mid-tier album. Favorite Track: "Rainy Day In June".

Too Much On My Mind // A House In The Country // Most Exclusive Residence for Sale // Little Miss Queen of Darkness // Sunny Afternoon 3.5/5

I only knew Sunny Afternoon from this one, but pretty good stuff.

Was getting Beatles vibes from this one, it felt fairly average.

I do enjoy old Kinks. I'm always surprised when I hear them because I'm so used to Lola as the sound of theirs I'm most familiar with, but this almost Beatles sounding stuff makes me smile.

Alright i like the kinks but this is a bit too much. Also not their best

It definitely has a feel of a particular era.

I feel like the more albums I get by The Kinks, the less I like them. This is just your average B-list 60s band, and there's nothing wrong with them, I just think that their music is far overrepresented on this list.

Some British punk music for sure.

We have Revolver at home. Pretty generic mid 60s britpop. Some decent songs but mostly forgettable. I know the Kinks have some great singles but they don’t show up anywhere here. It also might be one of the worst sounding albums on this list. The guitars are harsh and tinny, the drums sound like trash cans, and the vocals are distorting all over the place (and not in a good way). Plus the playing is generally subpar. 2.5 / 5.

3 - not bad, just feels like a beetles copy

It’s such a fun album. Hard to not bop along to songs like “Little Miss Queen of Darkness”

The Kinks are a band I actively tried to get into for a couple of years but their sound has always been a "hit-or-miss" (like the Stones.) Sometimes, they're fantastic, other times, you're wondering how they're one of the most renowned '60s acts. "Face To Face" is their most adequate album, I daresay. A bit dry at times, but fun nonetheless, with the iconic "Sunny Afternoon." Unfortunately, I never found the motivation to explore further for the band.

so far, it is a very laid-back album with lots of short forget-me songs. I do appreciate the cohesiveness that kind of reminds me of a non-Beatles, Beatles. I appreciate the easy listening that comes with this album, not something that is memorable.

Este disco me hace acordar a los Beatles. Tiene temas realmente muy buenos, pero otros un tanto básicos.

Beatles knock off

Quintessential Kinks: reminiscent of Big Pink from the Band in that it's music from the people, improved upon and altered, and returned to them with good faith. I always forget they're actually brothers but I love that. Very fun, very light, wildly impactful 3.5/5

Ray Davies is a master of lyrical imagery and storytelling. I love the Kinks and I really enjoyed this album; it draws you in, getting better and better as it unfolds. House In The Country; Holiday In Waikiki; Fancy; Little Miss Queen of Darkness; and of course Sunny Afternoon.

Me gusta

I wonder to what extent it's familiarity, but Sunny Afternoon is head and shoulders above the other tracks on this album. The rest are good, but not memorable in the same way. A solid 3.

delightful

I’ve heard better Kinks records. This was just okay to me.

I should like the Kinks more than I do but I don't so what can you do? This record is fine, most of their records are fine they just never blew me away with any of them

Very dated flashback to the 60’s man! Doesn’t hold up as well as other artists of their era like The Who or Rolling Stones

I was just sad i wasnt listening to the beatles

The Kinks just don’t do much for me, never really have. This sounds like your standard 60’s Brit psychedelia. Maybe I’m missing something but at first list I was just kinda bored.

kennt man ein kinks album, kennt man alle

Kinks are a classic. Never heard any of these tracks. Take that back I know sunny afternoon. Seems pretty typical for the mid sixties. I’m sure there is some importance here but not interested enough to research. Also I’m not listening to the bonus tracks. So there.

I’ve learned through this challenge that I really love The Kinks. I always liked them well enough, but never listened to entire albums, just singles. But wow. Every album from them I’ve had on this list so far has been perfection. My favorite songs are “Party Line,” “Rosy Won’t You Please Come Home,” and “Sunny Afternoon,” but there really aren’t any weak songs on the album. This will be on heavy rotation for me going forward.

I enjoyed this album thoroughly - 4/5

9/10. Most of the songs made the playlist. Great album.

Whether I actively listen to them or not, The Kinks are no doubt a very important band in the history and evolution of the 60s British Invasion. But they weren’t always as highly regarded for their creativity as they are now. Which is where this record comes in. It took a couple years and quite a few albums for them to really make waves in the industry as songwriters. I was not initially aware of this, but they were actually quite successful at the beginning of their career, especially with You Really Got Me, and even released five albums in the span of two years. But Face to Face was definitely the turning point, because they’d be on a roll from here on out until the beginning of the 70s. Much like the band Small Faces that I spoke about not too long ago, The Kinks were also a big part of the modernist youth subculture that was growing at the time. From the brief amount of music I’ve heard, I’ve learned to embrace and even appreciate how unapologetically weird this band tends to be. Even down to the conventions of their album names, they represent the quirkiness that ran rampant in this decade. And this carefree nature allows their creativity to really flourish. Best example I can give is that they are one of the few bands I’ve heard who can make the harpsichord not sound ridiculous and out of place in a rock context like this. I guess I don’t really have gripes with any specific aspect of this. Sunny Afternoon is a standout song, and feels oddly nostalgic and familiar for some reason. But of course, like many records before it, this falls in line with that same sound that has become far beyond saturated for me. So I don’t know if I see myself coming back to any other part of this. Rating: 6/10

4.4

bands with two brothers who hate each other >>>>

It didn't stand out much. It was okay

Quite a few good songs but not as consistent as their other albums

again super good instrumentals but wasn’t struck by anything crazy special definitely a really good album love the kinks

fairly standard stuff, pretty foundational psychedelic shit. Somewhat repetitive in places but would go insanely hard as the soundtrack to like a sunday barbecue. 1.) too much on my mind 2.) dandy 3.) sunny afternoon

Middle of the road fare. Some enjoyable tracks, some real clunkers. Nothing that really stands out against other 60s britpop as new or innovative. Solid 3

Heard of the Kinks.

Love the Kinks, but I'm not crazy about this one. I'd rather listen to some of the singles rather that the full thing.

Ok, but would not listen again 3/5

Slightly down transitional album, but still decent.

Good jangly Kinks here. Davies with some solid songwriting. A fun listen. Unexpected bangers: Dandy, A House in the Country, Most Exclusive Residence for Sale

Waffles are better than pancakes in almost every conceivable way, they have structure, and pockets for butter and syrup, along with an excellent uniform crispiness. Then you have pancakes, which seem to attract a large following while being the inferior batter. Given the choice between the two it’s an ez choice. However, I’m not going to turn down pancakes either. The kinks are pancakes.

I actually kinda mess with this one, or at least some songs on this one. Session Man is a very fun meta song without getting too lost in its own joke. I think I’ve heard Sunny Afternoon a few times before as well. Some highlights, some songs shouldn’t have made the cut, but at least there are some memorable, very Beatles-inspired moments.

Two greats and some other good stuff.

The Kinks are a band I really hadn’t listened to until the past couple years and I really enjoy their music

Standard Kinks. Nothing stood out tbh

Ok

Very good.

197/1001 🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑

The sunshine and brocade of this music belie the dark, sarcastic, critical-of-society strains that run throughout this album.

This album surprised me. I enjoyed it. I didn’t expect to.

chato

Pretty mid unfortunately. None of these songs stand out to me at all, in fact they are pretty tedious to listen to. Sunny Afternoon and I'll Remember are the best songs on the record and sadly they're at the very end. 3.

60s britpop overshadowed by the greats. Alright, just had me in the mood for The Beatles.

Released in 1966, Face to Face is a seminal album by the British rock band The Kinks, mostly noted for missing a golden opportunity to release a cleverly titled follow up 3 years later.

one of those albums that was in there for one good song rest was poor filler

Good classic stuff.

Very sarcastic, very enjoyable

Not my favourite The Kinks album by a long shot. but still not bad. "Sunny Afternoon" brings it up to a three.

Enjoyable. Helps me connect the dots with 60s and britpop and garage/indie rock of the 90s and 00s. I really liked it. Quirky lyrics. Sunny Afternoon an obvious highlight but other good songs on here. I like the Britishness of it.

"He's not paid to think, just play." This album leaves me to conclude that the 22 year old Ray Davies didn't seem to appreciate that music is more about feeling than thinking. And the only thing that he seemed to feel at this point was cynicism and bitterness. He's undoubtedly clever lyrically. But there are only three SONGS here that I care to listen to: Little Miss Queen of Darkness, Sunny Afternoon, and I'll Remember. And the fact that they're buried at the back of Side B suggests he wasn't nearly as interested in exploring his gift for song writing as he was of proving how clever he was.

It’s okay. It’s a good mix between The Beatles, Beach Boys, The Rolling Stones and other big names from back then. It’s never as good as those other bands - The Kinks are just more “middle of the road”. Best tracks: House in the Country, Sunny Afternoon and I’ll Remember. So it’s better towards the end.

Chipper, poppy, dated

Vaikea levy. Toiseen hetkeen liian munatonta taivaan maalausta, mutta sitten taas toisessa mielentilassa ihan viihdyttävää taustamusaa. Painetaan kakkoseen...

Kinks on parhaimmillaan, ku ne vähän revittelee. Tällä levyllä sitä oli vähän (ehkä normaali määrä, ei oo levyt tuttuja). Vähän jäi laimeaksi, mutta letkeydellään ansaitut 2,5 tähtee = 3

Jangly 60s power pop with a bit of Dylan and a bit of psychedelia and a lot of Beatles. Mostly bright and uptempo with short songs and pitchy lightly fuzzy guitar but some tracks with drones and slower folkier sound

Not a bad album but any means, but just didn’t vibe with it throughout. It’s an early psychedelic rock album - and it didn’t hook me other than Sunny Afternoon.

Gran disco

Sharply observed vignettes of urban and suburban life, of frustrations and disappointments. A key source for so many English songwriters who followed him - Townsend, Weller, Difford & Tillbrook, Albarn and many others.

One of the great albums of the 60's. Their best album. Smooth sounds and a couple enduring hits.

Doesn't sound like The Kinks. Fairly generic Britrock.

No real big hits on this album but it was a pleasant listen. Pretty good overall maybe a 3.5

I didn't think it was that incredible. The Kinks can write and record a good song but their albums are always lackluster.

Classic band, ok album.

Reminded me a lot to the Beatles. But I guess I'm a bit older now. 6/10

I'm always here for the kinks, every day of the week

Okay, but still has BVD (British Voice Disease)

I liiiike this. Like beatles and pink floyd combined in a way

Great transition album

The Kinks are one of my favourite bands ever. This album has been said by critics to be the start of their golden era, but I wouldn’t fully agree. It has some amazing songs like ”Rosy won’t you please come home”, ”dandy” and of course ”Sunny afternoon” but the large majority of songs don’t stand out like they do for example in Village green or hell even the next album Something Else. It tears me up not giving a kinks album a 5 but I try to put previous listening aside and this isn’t a perfect album especially without “Dead End Street” which I think would fit perfectly and is in my opinion the best song from this time.

Dated banal lyrics trying to be the beatles (no caps).

Another britrock band with a good album but no standout tracks. You might even think you’re listening to the beatles if you’re not paying attention

First Kinks album on the list I quite liked.

The first and last tracks, "Party Line" and "I'll Remember", sounded so much like the Beatles that I had to check. Contains the classic "Sunny Afternoon". Some of the other tracks were quite progressive for the time.

So very British. I wish I had the lens to look at these guys when they released this. It seems like they just went with safe Beatles mimicry, but it could be something that stood alone.

As soon as you realize that the Kinks are a novelty band (like Queen after them), you learn to enjoy their catalog a lot more. This record precedes there best work, but lacks the childish nature of other albums. Thus is a high three, with some great singles

Holy harpsichord, Batman!!! From what I’ve been exposed to so far, The Kinks clearly write great songs. I support their British-focused psychedelic efforts more than The Beatles, that’s for sure. That said, this is still veryyyy much a psychedelic record, and sounds very distinctly stuck in the mid-‘60s. So even though I like the Kinks in general and like parts of everything on here, Face to Face still fits within an aesthetic and vibe I generally hate. That vibe forces them to add in flourishes that I genuinely find distracting, and it makes for a hard listen overall. Not to say it’s all negative; there’s elements to every song here that I like, and there’s some songs that I’ll be returning to frequently (“Rosy Won’t You Please Come Home,” “House in the Country,” and “You’re Looking Fine”). Most of this record is just songs that I like but don’t love, though, with some songs I straight up find annoying – “Dandy” and “Fancy,” in particular. Side B is especially rough on my ears, but does end strong. Face to Face is strong, but I wish it was stronger. It’s clear this is a transitional album, and that’s fine, but that results in spotty growing pains. Growing pains are fine once I’m sold into being a completionist for a band, but not essential. Face to Face is good, but it’s not going to make you a Kinks Konvert. I’ll probably revisit this once I finish their entries on this list and decide to dive into the Kink’s full discography, but even though I now know it’s good, I also know that even on a revisit, it’ll never be my favorite record by them.

i mean, if youre living in 1966, and i ask "have you listened to revolver" and you say "yeah..." i mean, if i ask "what about pet sounds" and you say "yeah....." i mean, if i then ask "do you just want a break from all this revolutionary new groundbreaking stuff" and you say "yeah.........." then i guess you can listen to this

The Kinks show up The Beatles as tetchy and patronising. Which isn’t to say the brittleness of The Beatles doesn’t make them a better band overall, but it’s difficult not to root for Team Kinks as the soul of British music. Ray Davies sings about what the British really care about, class envy and people living in more expensive houses than us. Nice that a song taking the piss out of rich people moaning about paying taxes was released before The Beatles song where they moan about paying taxes.

Dieses Mal habe ich mir die Stereoversion angehört. Klingt noch einmal besser als die Monovariante. Was mir besonders an der Scheibe gefällt, ist der Einsatz vom Cembalo. Dadurch bekommen die Lieder das gewisse etwas. "Sunny Afternoon", ""Dandy" und "Dead Ende Street" sind natürlich die absoluten Klassiker. Genauso wichtig sind die Songs: "Too much on my mind" und "Fancy".

I love the Kinks. This is not their best album. It’s an ok album. Just like mayonnaise is ok.

Yeah this is cool. Very Beatles/Monkees feel. I’ve never heard this album but I dig it.

It's okay - I love the groovy'ness of it but eventually, everything started to sound the same and unmemorable.

I feel I've should have been listening to this one already

Auf die Kinks ist Verlass. Viel zu oft im Schatten der Beatles, aber sie brauchen sich nicht zu verstecken. Hier sind die Klassiker vertreten: Dead Ende Street, Sunny Afternoon, Dandy. Aber das ist noch nicht alles. Unbedingt anhören. Die DeLuxe Ausgabe bietet auch Stereo Mixe an. Lohnt sich

First reaction: gah, another expected 60ies staple of a British Jangle Poprock thing. But turns out: I get it. I read some "underrated" recently with regards to The Kinks and I can see myself cautiously agreeing. This is neat. And surprisingly well positioned in a world (and country) where The Beatles (and Stones) already exist. Will I put this on again? Probably not. But it's cool. Thumbs up.

STANDOUTS: Nope. OVERALL: 2/5; Sounds like any British 60s-70s band, tbh

the kinks are my beatles

Decent album

Kinda like the Beatles but not as good

chill, fun... good for a Sunday

7/10. It features some really fun, and pleasant 1960's rock songs. :)

This sounds so much like The Beatles and The Stones. That was my exact thought whenever a new song started. LOTS of harpsichord!! It’s a decent album, just sounds way too familiar.

Party Line sounds so much like a Beatles song but also it's hilarious in that wondering if "she's a she at all" would come back during the internet era. Wonder how many people who listen to this nowadays even know what a party line is/was. Holiday in Waikiki is pretty good. Can't say any of the rest of this was memorable; it mostly sounds like Beatles songs (which is unfair; The Kinks are not a derivative band by any stretch but still.)

Started off great with the first track then it mellowed out a bit throughout the album but I thought it was still a good listen. I was expecting something a bit more from the rest of the record. It ended off solidly with the two last songs though. Best - Party Line, Session Man, Sunny Afternoon, and I'll Remember Worst - no bad songs (although some were a bit of a drag) 3.00-3.25/5

Kinda fun. Liked Little Queen of Darness and Sunny Afternoon the most. Some of it was too 60’s for me though.

Groovy! Didn’t realize The Kinks had so much in common with like Help!/Revolver era Beatles or Monkees. Indian influences on Fancy. Definitely some filler songs in here (You’re Looking Fine). Most of these songs are the kinda fluffy love songs John Lennon poopoo’d about the Beatles. Sunny Afternoon tho! Gonna be more stringent on ratings. More like restaurant stars.

It's all good.

How dare Ray Davies trash Revolver when he blatantly copied the Stones and the Who (and frankly, with the harpsichords, the Beatles too) in the same year! At least the Beatles did something unique. You should be ashamed of yourself, sir! Good, but the fact that they just ripped off better artists makes me angry.

There are moments here, I'll give it that! But the only thing separating this from american music in the 40s is a british accent, more expensive tech and the pretentious instinct to call it baroque pop because they used harpsichord on a couple of songs. I'll give it 3 stars as it isn't really bad, just uninteresting in hindsight.

This was ok, i liked sunny afternoon

This was not my favorite Kinks album. For some reason it didn't grab me.

I like the Kinks and their brand of Cockney 'kitchen-Sink' dramas. Very 60's and influential although it's not 100% my cup of tea.

Maybe just the day, but this was annoying almost the whole way through

this album i really liked, very creative and witty especially for this time. i really like not just the instrumentation but also the occasional sound design and foley that is heard throughout. it's kinda funny how it seems like every single rock band from this time sounds like the beatles. like the way they sing, it's practically identical. i wonder why that is. it can't just be because "well, they're popular". maybe it's just the accent.

I was reading other reviews and came across this review which I felt couldn't describe my feelings better so going to copy here! "You could be forgiven for forgetting that you're not listening to The Beatles or The Rolling Stones or any of a half-dozen britrock bands. There are some bands that are just pillars of a time and place. The Kinks seem to just bounce around in the in-between spaces that aren't occupied by the greats. They don't offer anything really new or unique to the britrock scene. They're just sort of filler. Not that the album is bad. It's not bad by any measure. There's a lot of good stuff on here. There just aren't any tracks that stand out. In every case, someone else did it better."

7,pp

This is good, especially for '66, but it's got a lot in common with a sandwich. Party Line and Sunny afternoon are massive highlights, but the inside of the sandwich just gets a bit bland after a while. There's a lot of good here, and an insane amount of creativity that makes this enjoyable to listen to. There's just some drag with tracks like Dandy and Rain Day in June that just get annoying on second listen. Some of the second half is fairly forgettable, and I don't really have a desire to come back to this one.

This album is fine it’s just somewhat simple. Lots of harpsichord. My favorites were Party Line, Session Man, and Sunny Afternoon.

The album that led the Kinks to just say fuck it, let’s start making albums that appeal to only British people.

Bien. Estilo The Beatles.

I dig this energy! Some of these are familiar or maybe just been ripped off over time. Glad I finally got to listen to it!

Felt like hints of the Beatles in there

Just a bit too 60's. An okay mix of paces but the long album and many short songs lose impact with each song.

Good, not particularly my style but it was good

Some songs on this sound pretty poor production-wise and some sound better. Britpop that I am unfamiliar with and wasnt really that into.

Not for me.

Always exciting to see a band you like come up on this list! Really enjoyed this one, and included some classic songs! 5 ⭐️

Pretty good. Got early Rolling Stones vibes, esp on Holiday in Waikiki. Not bad overall, ran through it twice. Don't think it'll be on the regular rotation, it's a smidge droney on some tracks for me.

Sounds old, somewhat Beatles-ish. Typical 60’s sound.

4/10