Face to Face

Perfectly fine 60s pop rock by why listen to this when there is far more interesting stuff out there from this time period. Sunny Afternoon is an utter classic though 3.5*

While The Beatles were perfecting their craft by looking for inspiration both inward and outward, The Kinks were doing the opposite. I should explain. Around the time of Rubber Soul, The Beatles took to America and The East for their musical direction and started writing more personal lyrics, best exemplified by In My Life, which set the stage for one of the best runs of albums in recorded music history. In contrast, The Kinks moved away from their musical backing in American Garage Rock and R&B and instead moved towards a sound inspired by British Musical Hall and traditional Folk. But their real innovation was lead songwriter Ray Davies’ beginning to move away from the typical teenage love songs he had written previously, and move further outside of his own experience and instead write character pieces. This was an utterly inspired decision. Practically no-one in Pop music at that time was doing character studies, and by the end of the 60’s they were all over the place. I don’t think they would have been if Face To Face wasn’t as good as it was. From the satirical and ironic portrayals of wealth and success of House In The Country, Most Exclusive Residence For Sale, and of course Sunny Afternoon, to Too Much On My Mind’s portrayal of neurosis, to the now outdated but still sharply observed brilliance of Party Line, Ray Davies’ writing is abundant with smart lines and a sense of genuine affection for his characters, which when coupled with the brilliant little earworms that pepper the music makes for an album that’s just a pleasure to listen to

Dandy, Dandy where you gonna go now? I love the quirky English charm of The Kinks. I mean, Damon Albarn must LOVE them. This is like a little slice of cool 60s England. More to the songs than meets the eye (ear). Cool guitar. I know it's wrong to even mention You Really Got Me because it doesn't appear on this album, but I will - one of the coolest tracks ever! I don't love every track on this, but it is a groovy collection of tunes - and Ray Davies is a top musiciiaaan.

I love The Kinks and Ray Davies so this review is longer than most! I've been a fan since I bought a singles compilation when I was 18. I love them from their raw youthful classics to the songwriting that developed and dominated. This album sits at the start of the transition. It's not their best, the music is ok, production is thin and dated, but there's still plenty to love. 'Sunny Afternoon' stands out as the best known and loved song on the album but there's much more. 'Too Much On My Mind' is perfectly constructed. 2 minutes 30 that sums up how we all feel at times, except those who are lucky enough to not have a care in the world. All set to a beautiful tune. Few were writing like this in the 'swinging' 60s. 'Session Man' is a simple ditty about a session musician but listen again and it could be about anyone who had a dream, came close to realising their dream, but was forced to compromise and do as they must to pay the bills. 'Rainy Day in June' is out there, really unusual imagery and sound for a Kinks song and I love it. 'House in The Country' makes another social statement, 'Little Miss Queen of Darkness' is a great tune but so sad. Davies creates characters and worlds in seemingly simple songs. 'Dead End Street' from the same year missed the original release but deserves a mention. A truly great song of the times, it's like a Ken Loach film. Class, inequality, isolation and human struggles in a changing world were common themes in his songs. Elsewhere there was plenty of humour too. Glad this album is on the list, but there are better Kinks albums to come...

I am a big fan of a large handful of Kinks songs, but have never really sat down with an album - and from what I can tell this probably wasn’t their biggest or best albums. A few lyrics and tracks come off as a bit outdated, which felt unfair to judge them on, but I don’t get that feeling from some other music from the same era. Definitely some gems in there that bring up the scorecard though - namely ‘Sunny Afternoon’ which is a bit of an all time classic in the Lovesey family lore if you ask me. That song will always remind me of boiled eggs and salad cream in the garden at Wickery Dene and High Street 😆

The Kinks are fine. I just can’t shake the feeling that The Beatles did everything they did but with far better production, lyrics, vocals, instrumentation, creativity, and with greater variety & experimentation in sound and genres. For that reason, I don’t find myself listening to them much. I like the racy, distorted sound of The Kinks on some of their debut album, but this was smoother and less abrasive - to its detriment. I don’t hear much that sets them apart from other British bands at the time, besides the singer’s distinctive voice - always sounds like he’s got a blocked nose! Considering this album came out within the same couple of months as Revolver, this is far, far behind. Sunny Afternoon is brilliant but otherwise a forgettable album. Sorry Dad.

Fun 60s rock and roll album.

The Kinks are fun, I always get a kick out of them and their wacky tunes. There's something so quintessentially 60's counterculture/hippie rock about their sound that is so ambient and delightful. I wasn't alive during this time, but to me, they perfectly encapsulate how it sounded to be a young and idealistic free thinker in the 60's. Very few bands can be so of their time and yet remain timeless; the Kinks are one of those rare few that have done so. I love them. Fantastic album artwork too!

Just another outdated Kinks Album

Grandfathers of britpop, jangly and eclectic, and one with Sunny Afternoon, one of the best pop songs ever. Damon Albarn took notes while listening.

I have a coworker who claims that the Kinks would've been bigger than the Beatles had they not been banned from America... I have a hard time disagreeing. The music here is catchy, but I definitely think the psych-pop of the Beatles went a bit further, time wise, than the baroque stylings here. The music is well-written, but I'm still not fully won-over by the Kinks. Favorite tracks: "Holiday In Waikiki", "Sunny Afternoon"

This album is an okay listen but nothing really stands out for me so I guess 3 stars or C seems a suitabie rating.

I have to admit I wasn't looking forward to this, but it turned out to be pretty good stuff. I can imagine hearing this music playing as people walked down the street in the late 1960s. Somewhere between psychedelic pop and rock, not too in your face, interesting vignettes, short songs. Not good enough for 5 stars, but a fine 4 star album.

The Kinks are like the beginnings of punk, mixed with rock and a dash of pop rock. Fantastic album! The third of theirs I've had on this album generator. Favourite songs: I'll Remember, Mr. Reporter, Sunny Afternoon, Dandy, You're Looking Fine, Little Miss Queen of Darkness, A House in the Country, Most Exclusive Residence for Sale, Dead End Street, Party Line Least favourite songs: I'm Not Like Everybody Else 4/5

Wow, I didn't really know this album...only the two big hits. At times it sounded like the Stones, at times the Beatles, or maybe those two bands sound like the Kinks! Ray Davies is one of the great songwriters of our time. Somehow they make that harpsichord work in many songs! I can't wait to give this a few more listens. Liked songs added: - A House In The Country - Sunny Afternoon - Dead End Street

Surely there are better Kinks albums to come?

Listenable - a couple of standouts. An old work colleague said this was her favorite band, and I didn't know much about their early stuff other than 'Lola', but 'Come Dancing' was a fave of mine in 1983. They seemed like a fun band.

Set aside Sunny Afternoon and it's a lovely summary of when the beat boom was just going a little psychedelic, which in the Kinks Kase was bringing their inner music hall and its tradition of social observation and humour into the mix. Solid 3.5.

a little jaunty and more upbeat than what I've been getting, its fine brit pop. it also has a couple weird songs which makes things interesting. Session Man amd Holiday in Waikiki in particular. nonsensical but why the hell not?

Pretty standard classic British pop music. Dandy stands out!

Fine. Casual fun listen, not bad at all but also no stand outs

Pretty good. 4ish

Blueberry Pancakes

Rock historians have credited the album as one of the first rock/pop concept albums, with the loose common theme of social observation. I never liked the idea of something being a concept album just because the songs have a common theme. In my mind, a concept album tells a story. By that reasoning, any guy that sings songs about getting with a girl could call it a concept album. Saying that, (and I am a fan of the Kinks) a lot of the songs just don't stick out for me. "Sunny Afternoon" is catchy but I knew it from before. Most of the others felt kinda forgettable for me, and that's NEVER good. But the 60s Kinks never grabbed me anyway. I'll give it three because it's still the Kinks, but it just doesn't stand out for me at all.

Really not sure what to make of this album. I love the hard rocking songs from the Kinks that marked their earliest work (You Really Got Me, All Day and All of the Night) and I also like their poppier A Well Respected Man that came out just before this album. This is more like the latter. It sounds a lot like the Beatles to be honest, though not as good. Still good, but great? No. Very good? I can't decide. They mix in more instruments and stylings like the Beatles and they do some harmonizing too (though maybe that's more layering Ray Davies' voice than pairing it with Dave Davies). Reading up on the album it is apparently an early concept album and part of the psychedelic movement. The former I dispute, as I just hear disconnected songs about British life (Britpop for a generation earlier). The latter may be why I don't like this as much as other work by the Kinks. Party Line and Dandy have fun and edge to it, and Rosy Won't You Please Come Home is decent in between those two. But I don't know how I feel about the rest of side one - too much harpsichord and weird effects? House in the Country was a nice rocker, and got me back to feeling the good vibes from the first 3 songs. And then side two - Holiday in Waikiki was okay but felt like what you get when you try to put the Beatles and the Beach Boys together. Fancy felt like they were absolutely trying to emulate the Beatles and show they could play other instruments. I don't know if I like it or feel like it's a ripoff. Little Miss Queen of Darkness sounds a lot like Sunny Afternoon, which isn't a bad thing because the latter is a good song. But why so similar? Like side one, they close well with I'll Remember. When I step back, I feel like I'm not hearing novel sounds on this album. But then I might be forgetting how much the Kinks shaped other bands of this time (not the Beatles, but Badfinger et al.) and that I'm remembering a whole genre after the fact when they were key in creating that genre. I definitely liked the album more and more on each listen. But I think it's a 3.5. I listened to a couple of their next albums and think I like them better, even though they further depart from early Kinks sounds. So I'm going to save higher scores for those later albums.

I like the Kinks, but I'm wondering why we needed four albums by the Kinks in the 1001 - not enough sound variety between the albums to justify it. This album is so very 60s, but filled with plenty of catchy hooks. Favorite tracks: Party Line, Too Much on My Mind, A House in the Country, Little Miss Queen of Darkness, You're Looking Fine (really catchy), Sunny Afternoon (apparently the biggest hit on the album - it sounded vaguely familiar, mainly the "in the summertime" part).

The Kinks are a fantastic Beatles cover band. That’s not completely an insult. It’s 1966, if you can emulate the best band in the world this well, you should. Party Line really sets the tone, Sunny afternoon is so deep in the playlist, it’s a bit long over 7.3/10

Quite enjoyable jangly Beatles inspired tunes

I was familiar with Sunny Afternoon, it was a song I learnt as a teenager playing guitar, and I had a particular liking for Dead End Street. An alright album of classic British rock but not worth a repeat spin.

Basically bookmarking this to re-examine in future. Not familiar with the album at all (though have heard a handful of the tracks before) but it's got some excellent stuff.

A bit like The Beatles. A bit like The Grateful Dead. Chill vibes. All that being said, this one just wasn’t my cup of tea.

Good lil kinks album

Classic

Sunny Afternoon

Cookie cutter 60s stuff, but an enjoyable listen nevertheless.

If you close your eyes and imagine the quintessential late Brit Invasion/early psychedelic rock you’ll imagine this. And it’s pretty solid, quaint production and all.

When the Kinks were Beatles influenced

This was pretty good. I liked the style, it wasn't too it there, but different enough to keep my attention throughout. I'd probably listen to this again. 4/5

very much beatles-esque. not a bad thing, but i've heard better from the kinks. my favourite songs off of this album would probably be little miss queen of darkness and sunny afternoon.

Что - то на приятно-старческом

An album that does many things. Most of them right. None of them exceptional. Very Beatles-esque classic 60s Rock, Psychedelic Rock, a mixture of both and a rather unique Kinks sound, especially in "Sunny Afternoon", which is the clear highlight of the album for me. However, when there are 20 tracks on the first disc (I didn't even bother with the second), the quality of the album overall is inevitably diluted and it appears bloated.

Pleasant pop not super inspiring

Some songs are great while others are just okay

Most of this sounds like if you ordered The Beatles off Wish.com

Not my jam…

I'm real done with basically all the britpop on this list. It's fine, but I'm not listening to the whole album today.

Great album for the time, varied. Not the best Kinks album. Sunday Afternoon is a classic

upphaf blómaskeiðs. næstu eru betri en þessi engu að síður þrælgóð. 4.

The Kinks make me think of my dad, so this album is kinda comforting, even if it’s not really what I’d normally listen to.

Kinda boring but twas the style

Alright, The Kinks have always felt a little derivative to me though, like a more meh version of The Beatles

It's a little basic as you'd expect from a pop rock album from '66 but it's still fun and has some neat proto-psych production at many points.

So many classics! The Kinks are hard to beat.

Beetje comby van crossby, nash stills and young and beatles. Wel leuk

Brilliant multi-genre show of force. You can tell how they were so influential

Love The Kinks. This isn’t necessarily my favorite but still a solid Kinks album. Tons of catchy songs and just great feel.

Pretty basic. Too many songs.

Okay. Thought it would be better. Seems like a left turn influenced by the beatles left turn but not as successful

The songwriting didn't grab my attention in any way, but damn is this a peaceful album. Perfect for a relaxing Sunday stroll. It really captured that energy perfectly.

Forgot to write. Overall fun collection of songs. I don’t know if I had ever heard of a song from The Kinks prior. Standouts: Session Man, Most Exclusive Residence for Sale, Sunny Afternoon, Dead End Street, Big Black Smoke, and Mr. Pleasant.

wow. not great.

One of my favourite albums ever

Enjoyed Sunny Afternoon but the rest are just "ok".

Some kinda bland simple Britrock, probably sounded better at the time, now it just sounds like old rock.

This is so much like the Beatles, I can't tell who ripped off who lol Nice album though, and I think one of these songs was in Juno?

Solid album.

"Sunny Afternoon" is alright, I guess.

All a bit light beer groovy.

Sounds pretty much like St Pepper. But who was first.

I kind of like the Kinks, particularly their lyrical Englishness, but this is a bit pedestrian as a set of songs. Apart from Sunny Afternoon nothing really sticks out.

It’s strange how eerie The Kinks and The Beatles emulate each other. In a parallel universe, Ray Davies would be on every girl’s wall and John Lennon would be fighting anonymity. Sadly, will unfairly be thought of as derivative.

party line most exclusive residence for sale sunny afternoon

Enjoyed this more than I expected. The usual Ray Davies' story-telling, but some good tunes, in a mid-sixties style as you'd expect.

Listenable

Fabulous

I prefer their stuff that rocks a bit harder, but this has some nice songs.

This sounded familiar but not sure why (maybe all Kinks music sounds familiar)?

This is the first of 5 albums consecutively released by the group considered by many, myself included, to be the group’s peak. This is by far the weakest of the 5 but still has many fine moments, especially Sunny Afternoon, perhaps the finest example of Ray Davies’ chronicling of middle class British life in the 60’s. Albums 2-3-4 of the 5 are part of the 1001 albums, so hopefully we’ll get them down the line. They are all masterpieces.

Okay, not *everything* on this sounded the same, but I was nervous for maybe the first four or five songs, and “Mr. Pleasant” both sounds like a kinks song and has the perfect name for a kinks song. Entirely pleasant, 3.5, couldn’t bring myself to give it a 4.

Битлы на минималках. А битлы мне нравятся на три звезды бтв. А значит тут всего две. Спасибо, едем дальше.

Enjoyed this

4/10/24. Very Beatles-like, or perhaps I'm realizing this was the dominant sound of Rock in the 60s UK, but the Beatles get all the credit for it. Very good production and arrangements, Sunny Afternoon is a standout for me.

Tasteful and clever and groovy, with many standout cuts of significant variety, from the rocking “Holiday in Waikiki” to the mostly effective raga “Fancy” (which seems more Beatlesesque than Kinksy but works all the same) to the delightful languid pop of “Sunny Afternoon,” one of the best-ever tracks. “Too Much on My Mind” is terrific and the chamber-y opening of “Session Man” sounds like it could be from Vampire Weekend’s latest record and “Little Miss Queen of Darkness” is also sharp and swinging, the spiky “I’ll Remember” and the well balanced “I’ll Remember” feels like an unheralded gem. The social commentary cuts in the middle mostly land for being so crisp, a bit biting and a bit sweet. The Deluxe edition offers some tasty add-ons, especially “She’s Got Everything.”

Sounds like the Beatles!

Ray Davies is such a great songwriter. This album is an intelligent yet fun representation of The Kinks' ability to embody the English spirit. It's a great one. Full of 60's charm and much more than that. Just wish that the recording and mix was better.

This is British Invasion, "Beatles Lite" stuff. I like the Kinks' sound and this is not their best work, although I do like some of the writing on here.

Another mid 1960’s British album that sounds the same as the rest. Is it the Kinks? Is it the Beatles? Who knows. 2.5

- eh - sounds very classic but decent energy

- they tend to sing about mundane stuff - enjoyable and British - nothing I’d really come back to

I have some trouble with this simple early era of rock/pop from the 60s, but this was a pleasant enough listen. Definitely heard 'Sunny Afternoon' in various places before but it's nice to put a band and album to it. Songwriting is good but it blends together a bit by the end.

I feel like this may not be their top album but I don't know them that well. Some good sound but not the tightest album. Sunny Afternoon is a classic.

I don't know what it is but this album feels hack. Okay, this is satirical. I'm not like Everybody Else is a catchy tune. This is Where I Belong is pretty good. Now I'm just depressed, nothing that they are pointing out with satire has changed and this came out in 1966.

I have always liked the Kinks and have an album of theirs as it is. This one is from WAY before I tuned in to them, and serves to make me think of how underrated I myself have made them. I have a couple of late 70's early 80's albums, but this is their third and it is from 1966 (no wonder the Beatles feel to it). It makes me kind of feel bad for not paying more attention. Well, better late than never!

Perfectly fine very English sounding 60s pop with some great highs (Little Miss Queen of Darkness, Sunny Afternoon) and some dull but inoffensive bits of lava lamp music (You're Looking Fine). Not my favorite bit of the Kinks catalog, but an appropriate soundtrack for Sunday morning coffee

Ok Beatles

I always forget The Kinks started in the 60s - I think of them as a later rock band… so when I hear this music, it’s so surprising to me. A pleasant surprise, but still. Great early concept album. Would love to hear the unreleased tracks and get and even better sense of Davies’ full concept.

I like it

Not the Kinks best, but still carries their characteristic sound.

so good and sounds like beatles

Not my band. Really heard sounds like John Lennon and The Rolling Stones. Karen said she saw a Kinks show in the ‘80s.

Rounded up to 4 for “Rainy Day in June” and “Sunny Afternoon”. I enjoyed this one

I'm not a huge fan of the psychedelic period, but these guys could harmonize well. Enjoyed a couple of songs; the rest sort of merged together.

This reminded me of my childhood riding in the car with my dad. Don’t know if he played this album but it sure feels like it. Another 3 star.

Underwhelming

Great

Ive always felt the Kinks were a second tier Beatles. This album like all the others are very good. Still I feel they became the Minks once the beatles were out of the picture. Thos is a really good album very easy to listen to and flowing amazingly. By 1972 I feel they became a better band without the beatles pressure. Was a different kind of pressure all about taking the vacant spot. They did well I like em but this album its not my favorite. Still aweso E and freat musicianship from all members. Really good band

The Kinks are one of the best ever!

As my daughter said as we listened: Why does every band from the 60s sound like The Beatles? Just because!

With the exception of Sunny Afternoon found this suprisingly bland. For one of the supposed best songwriters ever, I thought it was quite dated and very lightweight.

I get it. Kitschy, easy to understand pop/rock. It feels like a less sleazy version of the Rolling Stones, a bit. A precursor to Vampire Weekend.

they're great

Love Ray Davies and the boys

A good album, I liked Rosy Won't You Please Come Home, Little Miss Queen Of Darkness and Loved the famous Sunny Afternoon.

Good kinks album but 1 song sticks out

it was good, no bad songs on the album, just not something i would normally listen to

very good, very catchy.

pretty nice, i've always kinda liked the kinks so this one was no surprise 👍

Interesting. They sound a lot like the Beatles and the Monkeys. I liked it

Apparently this is what music sounded like in the mid-60s. I'm not sure who was writing for whom and whether the path of musical inspiration only ever went in one direction. Anyway, I really liked a few tracks on the album. Sunny Afternoon is one of my favorites. I was also pleased to hear Dandy again. But all in all, it's not enough to get into the higher ranks. 3/5

Ratings: 5: I will happily play this album anytime 4: I may occasionally play this album of my own free will 3: I will happily listen to this if someone plays it in the background 2: I will tolerate this if it is playing in the background 1: I will leave the room if someone plays this in the background Of the British invasion bands, this is the one band that I keep coming back to again and again even now. Solid 4.

2.5 Great Value Beatles at it again

The Beatles but shitty. Except for Sunny Afternoon, which is actually getting stale at this point.

Nice rock

Beatles, Stones, Dylan all appear to be influencers of this record. Good but not one I’d buy or put on a playlist. Not a big fan of Ray Davies’s voice.

40+ songs, 2 hours of quality dated Beatlesque music is just too damned much

150 albums. I wasn't sure I'd get this far. This is actually the first 50-album milestone where I've gotten an album from an artist I had already gotten! 50th was my first Def Leppard album and 100th was my first T Rex album, but Face to Face is not my first album from The Kinks. I listened to Village Green Preservation Society about a month and half ago and I really liked it! So, how does Face to Face compare? Well, it's definitely an earlier album of theirs, that's for sure. It kind of gives of similar vibes to earlier Beatles work. It's good, but not nearly as groundbreaking and top-notch as later work. There are things that I really liked about Village Green that are here in Face to Face, but in a way that isn't as refined as it would be in later work. There is a variety of songs in terms of writing and sound, but there aren't as many songs that truly stand out. In fact, the only song on this album that's really seemed to make an impact is Sunny Afternoon. That song is great, and there are other really good songs too, but this album isn't really anything spectacular. I like the sound and singing, but as stated earlier, it does feel a bit too similar to early Beatles. The writing is quite good. I do like it. Overall, while Village Green is still a much more noteworthy and better album, Face to Face is still a solid collection of songs with a loose theme to tie them together. High 3/5.

3/5. Much better than I was expecting, it's happy-go-lucky energy through me off but most of these are just well written pop songs. Short and sweet. Although not game changing for me, this was enjoyable and was nice to hear something that felt unique despite the overabundance of same style of music from this era.

Beatles' vibe! fiquei me questionando se é parecido num nível mesma época/moda ou se faltou originalidade... fora isso, delicinha, dançante e ROSIE, WON'T YOU PLEASE COME HOME?!

Quirky, upbeat, and altogether Kinks. While the Stones were playing blues and The Beatles were entering their psychedelic phase, The Kinks were making oddball pop songs (and later inventing the fuzzed out sound that Hendrix and Black Sabbath adopted). The Kinks are underappreciated, IMO, and this album shows their unique approach to songwriting. Recommended.

Had I been a teenage girl in 1966, I probably would have lost my mind over this album. But it's 2024, and I'm not a teenage girl.

Charmant, on ne peut plus influencé par le Beatles, jusqu’à avoir son morceau orientalisant vers la fin de l’album. “Sunny Afternoon” restera un grand classique. Plein de jolies choses, comme la plus rock “Party Line” en ouverture, “Rosy won't you please come home”, jusqu'à “I'll remember” qui clôt l'album avec de jolies harmonies vocales. Ils n’ont pas encore atteint là leur plus haut niveau, qui ne devrait pas tarder. L'album est aussi trop long avec 14 titres, allourdissant un peu l'écoute, mais c'est très chouette quand même.

I get that the Kinks are "important," but not sure I got this album. Looking forward to revisiting it and hearing Something Else and Village Green Preservation Society, have enjoyed those in the past.

I know many of The Kinks' hits, but haven't ever spent time with any of their albums start to finish. So far, this one is classic late-60s pop rock. Lots of stuff that I like about this. 3/5

Just 1960's awesome

Hard to wrong with Kinks. Not quite the caliber of Village Green or Arthur but still a solid and very consistent pop album.

Old timey 60’s pop from one of the bands that shaped the sound. A decent listen but I’ve never been a big Kinks fan.

I still say they sound like the Beatles. Best Kinks record I've listened to so far.

I enjoyed listening to this. It's more fun 60s pop from The Kinks which isn't a bad thing. I'll listen to this again.

Solid! Definitely wouldn’t mind this being played somewhere.

A more mello verion of the Beatles + CCR. Soothing and relaxing music. Not something I would listen to again.

It was Ok - I liked ‘Rainy Day in June’ but that was about it

Sunny afternoon is great, everything else was ok.

This is the THIRD Kinks album I've encountered on this list. I assume by the end of the list I will have listened to every Kinks song in existence. I find myself liking the kinks less and less with each album. Please, no more.

Euuh ouais ? Pas de souvenirs

So a few albums ago I listened to The Clash and reflected how it reminded me of U.K. Mod rock from the 1960’s. Now The Kinks Face to Face album is generated and it to a great extent confirms that thought (at least to me). The ‘punk’ of the late 70’s and early 80’s was kind of a rehash of this rebellious mod vibe. That being said, The Kinks have some classics but this album as a whole is just okay. I have a hard time accepting it is one that one must listen to.

Like Sunny Afternoon, could leave the rest of this

2 brilliant, classic Kinks Song, Dandy and Sunny Afternoon and mostly disappointing other songs in a style the Beatles did it much better.

The Kinks older stuff is underrated.

This was very enjoyable, I like The Kinks. Lots of good ones on here.

Good. A lot ofnworse bands try to sound like this.

Nostalgia is a hell of a drug. This “concept album” made me just feel like listening to the Beatles Felt too happy, I’m glad the Stones stole R&B & the Beatles did psychedelics so rock music evolved past this

Fun, solid album from a band that always reveals how great they are the deeper you dive into their catalog. This is a great collection of songs with varied arrangements, subjects ranging from slightly biting social commentary to shining a light on session musicians, and solid performances throughout. I love The Party Line, You’re Looking Fine, and Sunny Afternoon. If it doesn’t have the top-top tier songs of the Kinks, it also doesn’t really have a bad track across its 20+ songs, a real achievement.

The Kinks are the shit. I wish my reviews were better but my life sucks rn.

Just st enjoyable, well-made pop rock.

Banda remil infravalorada los kinks loco, le pondría 5 estrellas pero...

While this is clearly an important album in the evolution of The Kinks, I like the ambition and songwriting in their subsequent albums much more. Some standouts (Sunny Afternoon remains one of the greatest songs ever written) but the cohesive vision that would soon emerge in their work.

Great album. Not listened to this album in full before but enjoyed it rather a lot.

kinda boring tbh

MEH

I really like The Kinks. There's something about their whimsical themes that really chimes with me. This album is no different. It's just a really fun romp of 60s themes with the iconic sound of that British bands absolutely nailed in that period. I think the tambourine player may have been drunk, though.

I think I had only heard two of the songs on this album so most of it was new to me. There were a couple of songs on here I really dug and overall it was an enjoyable listen.

Jovial mid 60's album warm melodies with classical flair from the frequent use of harpsichord. Great song writing and use of pop song structure. Most songs don't engage with me as well as they'd like to. But, I genuinely appreciate it still. Much prefer Lola though.

A breezy listen through some pretty ditties and melodies. Nice

3.5 stars. It was decent. Very Beatles-esque baroque pop/folk rock. Standouts are “Party Line” and “Sunny Afternoon”.

Je ne mange qu'à moitié de ce pain là

Similar sound to others of the same era. You could tell me they were lost Beetles tracks and I'd have believed it. I expected more raunch and rattle like "Lola" but it was pretty standard 60's white person rock.

The Kinks have a distinctive voice -- upbeat pop-rock with clever lyrics filled largely with satire and social commentary. Ray Davies voice is very distinctive (some say that's a bad thing) but they're solid musicians and the melodies and styles have a good deal of variety. This album is no exception and while not the best Kinks record, it's entertaining. Sunny Afternoon is the killer track but Dead End Street and I'm Not Like Everybody else are top notch as well. It was fun to listen to the album for the first time since I didn't know a number of songs on it, but I didn't add any new favorites.

pretty good album errrm. sunny afternoon is peak. 7.6/10

I prefer this path of song writing to their albums prior. I found it easy to listen to and understand. Representative of music during its time.

Great alternative to the Beatles

Plaisant

I do enjoy some kinks from time to time… … and I’m also a fan of the band! Having said that, most of their songs that I like are not on this album. It’s a solid concept album with a consistent tone/feel all the way through and there was nothing that stuck out as particularly bad. Sunny Afternoon is a great song and almost takes it to 5 stars. Almost.

I’m kinky for The Kinks! However, this doesn’t quite get itself 5 stars as they have better albums (Village Green Preservation Society) which I look forward to popping up as well. Sunny Afternoon is an all-time great though.

Sunny Afternoon is a good tune, but it's a miracle I got that far into the album to hear it. It's the 2nd night running I've almost fallen asleep at the wheel, listening to these albums whilst driving home. Another quick listen before bed and maybe I just wasn't in the mood. Not a driving album, but it's not bad. 3 stars - I doubt I'll revisit it again.

Perfectly fine album, nothing really jumped out of me. Obviously, sunny afternoon is a classic but it wasn't enough to get it to 3 stars.

Some good songs and I like the kinks but nothing special. Liked Session Man though

This was ok. Probably not ok enough to listen to again, but good enough for a 3. It started off real slow and I was not really into it, but as the album progressed, I got more into it.

I’ll place these guys as ‘another band that could stand side to side with the Beatles and I probably couldn’t tell the difference’. Now that being said I do really like the Beatles, but it’s hard to tell apart imo for this genre. 3.5

The Kinks have been solidly 3 stars for the rest of this project but this was my favourite of their 4 albums on the list So by that logic they finally snag a 4

This is the second of three Kinks albums from this list that I was disappointed in. Maybe I don't like them as much as I thought? It's not bad, it's just kinda goofy.

Extremely 1966. You can feel this coming out in a similar landscape to Rubber Soul, for instance, where old meets new. There's something about The Kinks that doesn't quite scream progressiveness and mysticism, but this is maybe not that far off. It's a good mix of ripe old fun and something more interesting though, and is a very enjoyable way to spend 39 minutes.

Not a special album.

I've been enjoying hearing more Kinks albums as we make our way through this list. Previously, I had only known one or two but it's fun to get a wider sense of their catalogue. This one is a fun, early-ish album. Definitely scratches the same itch as early Beatles albums. Fast, short, upbeat songs focusing on characters. Honestly, a bunch of these songs have parts that remind me of Beatles songs. I like when we get a Friday album like this that’s worth listening to a few times or easy to put on in the background. My first impression was that this was a solid batch of songs but that some of them felt a little clunky. I’ve put it on a few more times over the weekend though and it’s growing on me. As the melodies are becoming familiar, I’m enjoying the album more. It’s a quirky, catchy and sometimes funny album. Great album cover.

I need this album to appear on this list in the Spring. I need to be driving next to a river with the windows rolled down, inviting a crisp sixty three degree day and the seat warmers keeping my behind warm, while this is coming through my speakers. Right now, my feet are freezing. I'm stationary and there's not a lot of pretty things around me; just a grey sky outside of the window I'm facing and a 50/50 chance for snow. Hearing "Dandy" in this context is like pushing myself to eat a steaming hot bowl of soup on a tepid summer day. It's just two things that are nice when separate but together is a dilution of the quality of both things. Instead of that Spring day, it's New Years Day. I went to bed at four AM and while I didn't drink much, I feel hungover because of the distorted sleep I got. These songs don't deserve this- they deserve a cheery setting where the listener can bop their head and tap their toes and hum what they know. Outside of this experience, I am enjoying this album more than the last Kinks album, which showed up only a few album's ago on this list. I can tell there's a lot of thought that is going into these songs and I speculate that specifically there is a lot of thought about making these songs stand out on their own and not just be born from templates. I appreciate that. How about that thunder sound effect on "Rainy Day in June"? It's such a bad sample, but I can imagine the difficulty of capturing that sound back in the 1960's.

Fun! And I swear I've heard the tune Dandy in some horror fare I've consumed, maybe AHS?

OK enough baroque Pop.

Sounds of the age it was made, but doesn't stand apart from the other music of the time.

The Kinks waren bisher nur "Lola" und "You Really Got Me" - beides nicht auf der Scheibe. Auf der Face to Face sind die bekanntesten Dandy Sunny Afternoon - mir nicht geläufig.

Not the Kinks’ best but you can hear a shift on the brink with their songwriting.

Thoughts before listening: I know the Kinks. Everybody knows the Kinks. I know \"Lola\" and \"You Really Got Me\" and \"All Day and All of the Night\" and I am pretty sure that I have even listened to some of their albums like Muswell Hillbillies. I have not however heard this album, and I feel like there is a HUGE Kinks discography that I no nothing about. What I do know about the Kinks is that whenever I hear their deep cuts I tend to really like them. Catchy, unpretentious, short little pop rock songs. Its like a pre-cursor to punk rock without all the snottiness. All this to say that I am glad to get my first Kinks album on the 1,001 List and something tells me that this will be right up my alley. Review: Sunny Afternoon is on this album and that is an all time great 60s rock song. The rest of the album is what I expected: super catchy, unpretentious pop songs with lyrics skewering 60s British culture. Nothing else reaches Sunny Afternoon's heights, but this is an enjoyable listen. A few songs do rise above the rest: Dandy, Session Man, Holiday in Waikiki, and House in the Country.

Very enjoyable.

A two feels harsh but I just didn’t like it enough to give it a 3/5. I think I would have liked it more if I understood the politics that were being criticized? But as it stands in 2023, this album was boring and I’m honestly thankful it had a short run time.

Very “British Invasion”. Very strong for the time period.

Love the Kinks.

More of the Kinks distinctive sound which is another way of saying this is no different to all the other Kinks albums I've heard.

Old sound, pretty catchy songs.

A bit lukewarm album

i'm not a huge beatles fan, but i'd much rather be listening to the beatles

Hasn’t held up after all these years. Not really distinguishable from any of the other pop of that era.

Please tell me this is the final Kinks album on the list I'm so fucking tired of them

Nothing to write home about

c'est tr;es britrock, c'Est bon ca sonne bien. mais c'est pas très originale et le style se fait mieux. J'ai quand meme eu un bon moment et c'est un bon album ! 4

60s gentle pop. Okay.

Eh. It's fine I guess.

Mids-level Beatles 2.5/5

Pretty neat and potatoes

den rå, simple lyd af 60’er rock

I've always been what I would call a casual fan of the Kinks. I think this is the 4th Kinks album I've gotten on this list, and I am always blown away by how much really good material the Kinks released. I was only aware of a small part of it, but there's so much to enjoy. I was struck by how much some of this sounded like The Monkees. I guess it was just the sound of the time. Anyway, I don't really get the "concept" behind this supposed concept album, but I enjoyed listening to it. 4 stars.

Évoque parfois les Beatles, témoigne d'une mutation sociale. Musicalement parlant, très acoustique pour un album plus rock.

My thought processes on first listen: “this is OLD”, “ I’m not sure about this” “lol they really do like their sound effect machine” (Rainy Day In June), “hey I know this song!”, “this is ok I guess”. Once again, I do like the political commentary. Listens: 2 Fave Track: Sunny Afternoon Rating: 3

I like their sound and message. Not particularly compelled by the songs themselves however.

Favorite Tracks: Party Line, Rosy Won't You Please Come Home, Dandy, Too Much On My Mind, Holiday in Waikiki

Very good album!

Honestly this is a really good Kinks album and it really stands the test of time. I never listened to them until recent years, but they are fun to listen to!

I'm not sure how many Kink's albums we have heard on this list, but by this point I'd say it's too many. Not because they are bad, but because they all sound the same. They have their own sound...kind of a UK rock type thing (super rare on this list), but that sound is the same on all albums. At a certain point, unless the albums themselves are very different, there shouldn't be that many multiples of the same group.

Woof. Our fourth, yes you heard that right, fourth album from the Kinks, a band that prior to this list I would've considered a one hit wonder. I just took the time to scroll through their single discography on Wikipedia, and I'll upgrade them to "two hit wonder" for "You Really Got Me" and "Lola." Here's my problem: are they a good band? Surely, and they deserve A place on this list. But do they deserve four places on this list? Well, considering that NONE of the albums featuring the two hits I described are among the four, absolutely not. My suggestion: whittle this down to a max of two albums from the Kinks, which has got to be Village Green Preservation Society and one other. The other two slots can be used to inject this list with some life to balance out what feels like a lot of repetition. Anyway this album is just fine. Favorite tracks: Rainy Day in June, Holiday in Waikiki. Album art: Really dig this one! Such a cool, colorful cover, really like the art style (is it watercolor?). A shame that my rant had to fall to this one because it just looks fantastic. 2.5/5

Would

I love the kinks but this isn't one of my favorites. Still solid though.

Sympa pour une petite promenade en printemps je pense Mais en terme de Britrock c'est pas exceptionnel, un album pas forcément trop mémorable, je pense que d'autres albums des Kinks sont meilleurs 3/5

At the start it reminded me of the Beatles and I wasn't really feeling it, but as the album continued, I warmed up to it a lot. Looks like they were releasing around the same time as the Beatles so it makes sense that they have a similar sound. I mostly listened in the shower, and it was good. I don't have a lot of comments about it, it's pretty fine. Not really revolutionary, but definitely good.

I love so much of The Kinks library. They had many different eras, but they were revolutionary in so many ways from straight-up Rock and Roll to Brit Rock/Pop. "Face to Face" is a solid 4-star album to me. "Something Else" and "...Village Green..." are the 5's in their catalog. (And there are some Kinks albums that are 2's for me...) "Face to Face" is a promise of things to come, for me, rising above their previous work, and leading directly to those amazing albums in just the next 2 years!

Pretty good

Old timey music. Thanks for educating me. Pop/rock oldey but goodey.

I liked this album alot, it has an unusually dark criticism of commercialism and success. Some songs seem pretty standard or pulling from a music hall tradition but then diverge in interesting ways. I think the production is somewhat dry its a 4.75 for me

I liked listening to this but it's nothing extraordinary. It's overshadowed by bands like the Beatles.

I really liked this album. Not full of hits. But I listened twice.

Solid Kinks material

"Face to Face" by The Kinks is a classic album that marked a significant transition in the band's sound and songwriting. Released in 1966, it's a reflection of the changing musical landscape of the mid-1960s. Tracks like "Sunny Afternoon" and "Dandy" are notable for their catchy melodies and Ray Davies' sharp, observational lyrics. The album's production is more refined and polished compared to the band's earlier, rawer work, showcasing their evolving style. While "Face to Face" is an important record in The Kinks' discography, it may not reach the same iconic status as some of their later albums like "The Village Green Preservation Society." Additionally, the more polished production might not appeal to fans of their earlier, more garage-rock-oriented sound.

Face to Face is the fourth album by the English rock band the Kinks. Initially, the album only performed averagely critically and commercially, but it has since earned critical acclaim, considered a pivotal album of the psychedelic era and the Kinks' evolution, as well as regarded as rock's first concept album. This Kinks' album is influenced by baroque pop, but can also be classified as a rock or garage pop album. This was a decent album of pop rock music that was upbeat and fun to listen to. "Sunny Afternoon" is perhaps the stand-out track, but each song had its own charm. I don't know much of the Kinks' albums or songs, so it's impossible for me to compare this album to any of their others. I guess I'll have to explore this band's other works now.

2.5

Really vintage and whimsical and Alice in wonderland sounding old school rock. I enjoyed it. Mainly the song “too much on my mind”, I’m gonna cover it in like a pop punk version (or shoegazey too, fuck it)

Loved it

I know a few songs, but I don't think I've ever listened to a full Kinks album from start to finish. Honest, while I enjoyed it, I do wish it was less pop and more garage. I feel like some of the songs needs a bit more emotion and grit to them. For example Rosy Won't You Please Come Home felt too joyful for the subject matter. Standouts: Party Line, Too Much on My Mind, Sunny Afternoon

Ray Davies is a genius. And the album is a great illustration of his very English musical style

I never really did a deep dive or got super into the Kinks but I do love the song Sunny Afternoon, it reminds me of playing songs with a good friend at the beach so it's got some good mems attached. Nice to listen to the full album, I understand this was quite a shift in direction for the Kinks but that doesn't mean very much to me. It really sounds very of its time, super strong 60s sound which I dig.

I do like the kinks, I like their sound and how they sing about all kind of different topics. My favourite kinks songs weren't on this album but I still enjoyed it

Well this slams with hits doesn't it! The Kinks seem so nostalgic for me and I don't even know what for. Not a time I was alive but the feel of the 60s is so apparent, maybe it's the storytelling or descriptions. It's jaunty and bright. Good mood music!

Great stuff, what a sound.

I love the Kinks, and this is a great album, hasn't got most of their best hits but still solid. Sunny Afternoon is such a great summer song

A great 'Day in the Life' album. A very progressive and influential album that is unfortunately overshadowed by the Rolling Stones and the Beatles, and for good reason. Although very enjoyable, it never reaches the heights that its competitors earned.

Very fun early album, creative in some sonic pursuits, though kind of unintentionally hilarious on occasion (the thunder sounds being so loud made me giggle) Very good. Enjoyed it much more especially after that terrible Motörhead album lol Favorite tracks: Dandy, Sunny Afternoon, Little Miss Queen of Darkness, Too Much On My Mind

60-luku pop rock bändi. Beatles mainittu 123 kertaa. EI KUULOSTA OLLEENKAAN... niin paljon eroavaisuuksia ... ensinnäkin se, että ei harkinnassa ole mitään nelposia tai vitosia heheh kaukana KAUKANA siitä kinkkerit, kinkkuset. ykkösen ja kakkosen välisellä aidalla taiteillaan tämä matka heh.. aivo kuolma sunny afternoon

Decent to have on in the background, but like the other Kinks album I've had on the project, just not engaging enough for me. 2.5/5

It's okay, not my favorite Kinks that I've heard

Amazingly soothing, lighthearted songs. Great rock/blues sounds in some tracks too.

Classic 60s Britpop. I've always liked The Kinks but had never listened to one of their albums. The Britpop-obsessed phase of my life is long over, but it's nice to revisit every now and then. While the standout song here is obviously "Sunny Afternoon," I was delighted when "Dandy" came on. I only knew Herman's Hermits' version. Would give 3.5

Gave this one two straight listens through hoping more would connect. There are some solid jams in here (Rainy Day in June, You're Looking Fine) and The Kinks show a decent range of motion, but most of this album feels like solid forgettable service. No straight up duds which pushes this to a high 3 for me. At the end of the day though, I won't be back any time soon. --- Album opens with Party Line, which features a polka-style beat. Fine song; sounds like the 60s. Rosy Won't You Please Come Home also has a distinctive 60s feel owing to the harpsichord. I really like this song though. I'm 6 songs in with this in the background. Nothing has really grabbed my ear, but its fine 60s rock. Rainy Day in June is the first that sparked my interest. You're Looking Fine is a jam. I feel like this comes up a lot, but this feels like a direct predecessor to something like Spoon today.

Sunny Afternoon has always been a jam. Overall really like the album. Would give it 3.5

Nothing really stands out about this album. Maybe because I'm listening to it right after Aftermath and it just exudes 60's rock. Another one of these albums right around a 3.

Pretty standard sounding 60's album. If someone were to ask me what early rock sounded like this would be the exact album I would show them. No standout songs

This is pretty pleasant. Wild decision to have a random bomb explosion in the background during Rainy Day in June. All pretty standard stuff but a pleasant background listen. Sunny Afternoon is great.

Good album classic songs but the kinks would go on to make better albums

I find the Kinks difficult to review. They’re not bad, I just can’t get into them. I enjoy the odd song and they’re strong musicians I just find most of it very meh. 3 stars

This was good; classic late 60s sound. No songs immediately jumped out at me but overall good, especially having listened to alot of the crap from this era. 7/10.

Epic classic

Not the kinks best but sunny afternoon is good.

Sunny Afternoon was one of the highlights of 1966. I didn’t hear much else from this album at the time. Herman’s Hermits had the hit with Dandy. And, inexplicably, the great double-sided single Dead End Street/ Big Black Smoke (Top 5 in the UK but didn’t make the 2UE Top 40) was left off the album, where both songs would have fitted so well & released as a single a month after the album came out. There’s a level of sophistication about Ray Davies lyrics on a lot of this album. Who else but Lennon & McCartney were writing songs about the English that were this good? And, like The Beatles, there’s very little repetition. Each song is a whole new ball-game. The band are in great form & everyone’s keyboard Session Man of choice, the great Nicky Hopkins is a big bonus. I hadn’t heard this album for a long time (I accidentally destroyed the cd) but I’ve played it 3 or 4 times in the last 24 hours & it gets better with each listen.

I do not understand why this album is on the list. The Kinks (especially in the 60s) were a great singles band, but those best songs were usually not included on albums. And this album is a prime example of not containing singles; Sunny Afternoon is a bit of a classic, and A House in the Country got a bit of love during Britpop, but otherwise, these are not A-list songs from the Kinks. I have been reading pop music history for 40 years, and I don't think I have ever heard mention of this album. I rate the Kinks singles, but this album? Why the hell is this on the must-hear list? Someone has a fondness for 60s Kinks, and felt the need to include something, so they put this down. I honestly feel like it was a waste of time listening to this album. Not much to recommend. Get a Kinks singles compilation instead.

A more folk side of the kinks. Love sunny afternoon.

4+/5

Not a single horrid song, dead end street and sunny day were favorites of mine

Typical Kinks, fun lrics

I unoo

4/5 Standouts: Sunny Afternoon, Party Line, Dandy, Very catchy songs.

This album is very much a British Invasion album. Released in 1966, many of these songs could've been Beatles songs (Party Line) or songs by other British Invasion bands like Herman's Hermits (Dandy). Sunny Afternoon is the most popular hit from this album. It's amazing to compare the songs here with their earlier work with the bluesy/power chords of You Really Got Me and All Day and All of the Night. I would've expected this album to have preceded those releases where they took more of a rock approach vs jangly acoustic guitars. It's almost like two different bands. Overall, this is an album full of really solid pop songs and very enjoyable.

Nice for its time but that was 60 years ago

Never got into the Kinks. After hearing this, still not into them.

Another good Kinks album. Not quite as good as Arthur. Party Line, Dandy, Sunny Afternoon are favorites.

Pretty sure the kinks just throw shit at the wall and see what sticks. Some of it does though.

Maybe not the very best of the Kinks but an important evolution of their sound and an early example of a concept album. This is definitely an album that gets better the more I listen to it.

Reminds me of the Beatles, especially Rubber Soul and Revolver, which were released in the prior year. The American Federation of Musicians prohibited the Kinks from touring in the U.S. for four years around this time, apparently for rowdy behavior, which may have included brawling. That hurt their sales in the U.S., and made this album a mostly hidden treasure, despite the success of the single “Sunny Afternoon.” The Kinks were younger than the Beatles and Ray Davies admitted the Beatles were more organized and professional at the time.

So so good. Love this band.

Inconsistent overall but still an enjoyable kinks album

Track 1 - Party Line Fun bouncy track, nice twangy guitar, solid drums, great sounding vocals, jangley guitar riffs, fun lyrics, solid consistent drums, vocals sound layered, makes them pop, excellent opener 8/10 Track 2 - Rosy Won’t You Please Come Home Swaying guitars, stand out vocals from ray in his signature sound, baroque style piano?, nice guitar riff to highlight the vocals, classic blinks style British lyrics, crescendo of instruments before fade out, the exact opposite of its track mate and opener, Party line, reflective and light, rays lyric writing genius on full display, amazing song 8.5/10 Track 3 - Dandy Springy acoustic riff, pulsing electric guitar accompaniment in the verse, walking chords, great storytelling, sudden shift, rays voice suits the song perfectly, nice jolly little song 8/10 Track 4 - Too Much On My Mind Calm reflective guitar riff, return of the baroque piano, pondering lyrics, amazing harmonies between ray and Dave, breezy, gentle backing vocals, chord change in the chorus, sliding bassline accompanies song well 9/10 Track 5 - Session Man Twiddling baroque piano intro, good vocal accompaniment by Dave, uses pronunciation to rhyme the lines together, simple guitar chords to highlight changes, happy uplifting signature kinks style 7.5/10 Track 6 - Rainy Day In June Tremelo guitar riff fits the theme well, pounding timpani’s, simple acoustic chords in the background, rays storytelling strikes again, almost every backing vocals do their job just right, hand claps suit the arrangement well, loud crack of thunder caught me off guard, light swaggering chorus, echoing of chorus lines before fade out 7.5/10 Track 7 - House In The Country Nod to their classic rock and roll early days, swaggering guitar 12 bar, great chords outside of the twelve bar that suit the song well, bluesy piano halfway through, nice bonk bonks and descending guitar riffs, classic double stop early kinks type guitar solo 8.5/10 Track 8 - Holiday In Waikiki Once again swaggering guitar riff, stones-Esau’s singing stay and drum beat, sounds similar to the previous albums, nice boppy quacks guitar sound just before the verse kicks back in, swelling guitars towards the end 7.8/10 Track 9 - Most Exclusive Residence For Sale Octave sounding guitar intro, springy guitar chords, solid consistent drumbeat, no one tells the story of the lives of the higher class of Britain better than ray davies, nice nasally bop bop harmonies, slightly fuzzy ascending guitar notes before the return to the verse, classic kinks la la las to finish with 8/10 Track 10 - Fancy Looping steel string thwacking guitar riff, isolated bass vocals and guitar, drums slowly start to fade in, sounds like the bongos or some sort of African drum, humming backing vocals, droning plane like sound at the end 7/10 Track 11 - Little Miss Queen Of Darkness Little hoppy acoustic diddy, brushed drums, sounds like a double bass, guitar accompanies vocals well at the end of the chorus, military style drum rolls, a few Ruth’s changes at the end of the chorus, steep crescendo abruptly ended to finish 7.5/10 Track 12 - You’re Looking Fine BEATLES RIPPED THEM OFF FOR HEY BULLDOG, swaggering guitar riff, fortunate son style guitar slides, slamming piano keys, bluesy solo, slows down for big bluesy ending 8/10 Track 13 - Sunny Afternoon Don’t even have to explain it, one of the defining moments of 60s and British music as a whole, start of a whole new direction for the band, simply a master piece 11/10 Track 14 - l’ll Remember Rumbling bass, snappy guitar lines, guitar accompanied the vocals, good closing track probably would have worked better if it swapped places with Sunny Afternoon but can’t knock it 7.7/10 Final Thoughts Their “Revolver” moment. This gem of an album marked a huge change in the musical direction of the band and their transition from a rock and roll band to one of the most unique bands to come out of the British Invasion as well as the 60s in general. This album sees Ray Davies in all his lyrical glory, this album was the change in writing songs about parties and clubs like they did in their earlier records, to the behaviours and attitudes of the everyday characters of London and the British class system in the 60s, as shown in “Most Exclusive Residence For Sale” and in later albums “Lola”, “David Watts” and Dave’s finest hour, “Susannahs Still Alive”. Sonically, Dave Davies’ twangy guitar proficiency shone through and made the songs even more memorable and catchy. Dave’s vocals don’t get half the recognition they should. His soft breezy harmonies are like foundations upon which Ray and the rest of the band can flourish. The use of the baroque style piano made songs such as, ”Session Man” and “Rosy Won’t You Please Come Home” a cut above the rest of their contemporaries like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. All in all, this album sees the band in their lyrical and musical pomp and turns The Kinks from a Rock And Roll band from London into a staple of Great British Music and pushes the boundaries of their sonic capabilities which they would explore more deeper into their discography. GOD. BLESS. THE. KINKS Final rating: 8.8/10 Best song - Sunny Afternoon Worst Song - Fancy Most Popular Song - Sunny Afternoon Most Underrated Song - House In The Country

0.5/5 unlistenable

- Heard other Kinks albums before but not this one - Thought it was pretty good, not their best - Sunny Afternoon is one of their best songs - All round good but not great listen - Fav songs: Sunny Afternoon, Party Line, Rainy Day in June

PREFS : TOUT MOINS PREF : RIEN

# 11. Pleasant, Classic Kinks is always a good listen, Sunny Afternoon is great, maybe their best song ever.

I tried to find a great song, but it seemed a challenge on this sixties-sounding album. Sunny Afternoon was probably the only highlight for me. 2.4/5

сдфыышс

Perfectly serviceable mid 1960s album. Nothing mind-blowing or anything but easy to listen to while doing other stuff. I would rather listen to some of their contemporaries before listening to this again.

Perfect day for Sunny Afternoon.

3.3 Not many stand out songs but a solid unit of an album and my type of music so a pretty good album for me. Fave songs: Sunny Afternoon, party line

Fun album, never listened to it although I knew a few of the songs. Solid.

Groovy early rock 'n roll

There is something good to be said about sunny British pop music from the 60s. It's quirky and fun. Loved it.

This is the worst Beatles album I've ever heard

“Rosy…”, “Too Much on My Mind”, “Sunny Afternoon”, “Rainy Day in June” 3.5

Kinks er kinky

Marty said my exact thoughts on this record lol!

This was good. Even though it’s long it kept up the pace and didn’t really have any lulls. Had that nice 60s sound. I do wish the production was more consistent - the mix of mono and stereo tracks was a bit jarring. Party Line, Queen of Darkness, Sunny Afternoon, and Mr Reporter were the faves.

This is a great Kinks album and shows a shift to more poppier songs with a music hall style. Ray Davies will refine and revisit this style throughout his career. Also notable is the juxtaposition of older music styler with timely lyrics, another Kinks trait that will continue. Sunny Afternoon is a great single. While solid, this album falls short of inclusion on my list.

The Kinks always seem to get lost between the rise of the Beatles and Rolling Stones. A very good band that never really got the credit (in America) that they deserved. This is a really good album, but not a stand-out. As always, clever, sometimes biting lyrics delivered in British Invasion style.

The music on here was pretty boring although there were some amusing stories within them here and there. The Beatles already made better versions of this music.

Pretty forgettable, tbh.

I like the Kinks, but nearly all of the music from Face to Face was new to me. "Sunny Afternoon" was the only track that I recognized. There weren't a lot of stand out tracks for me on this fist listen, but I liked this album enough. It sounded like the Kinks. "Sunny Afternoon", "Fancy", and "Too Much on My Mind" were the tracks I gave the highest grade to. I could listen to this again, so I'm rounding up to 4 stars.

"Face to Face" is the fourth studio album by English rock band The Kinks. It was a shift from their hard-driving style of beat music to music drawing heavily from baroque pop and music hall and marked the start of The Kinks' golden age (1966-1971). The album is recognized as one of the first concept albums with a loose theme of social observation. It is entirely Ray Davies' compositions with observational and satirical lyrics commenting on English culture, social class and the music industry. The album was not a big commercial success however reaching #12 in UK and #135 in the US. A ringing phone marks the opening of "Party Line." Dave Davies on the lead vocals. This definitely is more in the 60's garage rock area. Paranoia and complaining about being on a phone line shared with multplie subscribers. Talk about anachronism. The Kinks show a darker side on "Rosy Won't You Please Come Home." Acoustic guitar. Prominent bass. It's about Ray's sister moving to Australia. "Dandy" has very much a Beatles-esque sound. Well, maybe The Beatles had very much a Kinks-esque sound. Screaming, edgy vocals by Ray Davies as he describes the neighborhood Casanova. The Kinks get bluesy, kind of Stonesy, in "Holiday in Waikiki." A chuck Berry homage and about the commercialization of Hawaii. Intriguing guitar sound. A cool drum solo interlude highlights "Little Miss Queen of Darkness." Another song about his sister who gave him a guitar: a tough ending for her though as she dies. Near the album end is their big single "Sunny Afternoon." Hey, here's the music hall. Piano. Melodica. Second consecutive week with a song about that damn mid-60's British progressive tax (Beatles' "Taxman"). This one is poking fun at those affected people though. I have to admit, this is my first listen to a Kinks' 60's album. By the end of this challenge, I'll be be quite familiar. This is a good album; songs clip in at two to three minutes. The music and lyrics have a darkness, edginess and sarcasm to them. I'm looking forward to more from their golden age.

i'm diggin it, a little psychedelic at time but also got some bangers

even though it wasn’t the most innovative or technically advanced, i enjoyed the simple vibe it gave off.

---REDACTED--- look, i know you never ought to bite the hand that feeds you, and here we worship at the altar of our glorious leader r o b e r t d i m e r y (praise be to the dime) who conceived this glorious list. however, does anyone actually care about this fucking album? the kinks my god - they could have picked lola vs moneygoround which has lola and apeman etc on it. or their debut. sunny afternoon is a classic obviously but the rest, ah. is anyone really touched by davies' repeated and robotic scathing satires on such badies as the dandy and the session man? now please do not let my heartfelt concern and love for the direction and stated purpose of this institution be confused for heretical or treasonous behav... (the rest of the page is illegible as it is covered with blood and bits of brain) ---REDACTED---