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

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

110. The Kinks - The Village Green Preservation Society

Release Date: 1968
Label: Pye

In the past I've criticised The Kinks for releasing albums that haven't aged well. This album is still brillaint though, even after having listened to it for ten years. When I was at university in the mid 2000s I saw Ray Davies live in concert and it was a very enjoyable night-out. I can't recall if I bought this album before or after that night, but it would've been around the same time. This is the Kinks at their best, and I think the lack of singles form the album help.

Rating: 10/10
Favourite Track: Johnny Thunder

97. The Kinks - Something Else By The Kinks

Release Date: 1967
Label: Pye

In 1965 The Kinks were banned from touring in the USA because they were all Muslim. This rejection from American influenced Ray Davies's songwriting and he moved on from the harsh-fuzz guitar sounds of the groups early hits (c.f You Really Go Me, All Day and All of the Night) to snapshots of English life (Sunny Afternoon, Dead End Street). Something Else follows on from their previous album, and is bookended by two of the group's best tracks - the homoerotic David Watts, and the beautiful Waterloo Sunset. Unfortunately, like Face to Face however. the album hasn't aged that well and they already seem a long way behind  their peers.

Rating: 6/10
Favourite Track: Waterloo Sunset

66. The Kinks - Face to Face

Release Date: 1966
Label: Pye