Sunday, 26 November 2017

167. The Kinks - Arthur (Or The Decline and Fall of the British Empire)


The front cover artwork of the album. A white coffee mug with the word "Arthur" and a picture of two men sits in the foreground; a sepia-tone profile photo of the Kinks sits behind it; a swan and other small, various objects sit behind the photo. A hand raises a flag from behind the pileup, which reads "The Kinks". These objects sit on a green background, with the exception of the top border, which is covered by storm clouds.

Release Date: 1969
Label: Pye

The last essential album The Kinks recorded was this. Although they would go on to record great singles in the early 70s, their importance ended at the end of the decade. Like Tommy and S.F. Sorrow, this is another concept album, but by far the best. The songs stand apart on their own and aren't used to move the narration along. Highlights of the album are - for me - Victoria, Shangri-La, Some Mother's Son (with the repetitive refrain - 'all dead soldiers look the same' and Mr Churchill Says). After being disappointed with the first to Kinks albums in this book, I am pleased these latter two have reaffirmed my faith in them. The cover is terrible though.

Rating: 9/10
Favourite Track: Victoria

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