The most underrated and under appreciated band of all time! One of my all time favourites too! If anyone were to ask me "Beatles or Stones?" I'd probably have to hit them with "Kinks" lol. Great video!
Here's my top list: 01. Something Else by The Kinks 02. The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society 03. The Kinks - Face To Face 04. The Kinks - Arthur 05. The Kinks - Lola Versus Power man and the Money-go-round 06. The Kinks - s/t 07. The Kinks Kontroversy 08. Kinda Kinks 09. The Kinks - Muswell Hillbillies 10. The Kinks Schoolboys In Disgrace 11. Percy Soundtrack 12. The Kinks - Sleepwalker 13. The Kinks - Misfits 14. The Kinks - Everybody's In Show-biz 15. The Kinks - Soap Opera 16. The Kinks - Preservation Act 1
I always thought Schoolboys in Disgrace Belonged in the Arista era because of it’s harder Guitar rock edge. It signaled Ray was ready to get out of his Rock Opera / music hall phase and was ready to rock again.
I agree with 'Muswell Hillbillies' and 'Kronikles' was also my album introduction to the band. So many songs that I'd never heard on the radio. My drinking buddy for many a weekend back in the day.
Love The Kinks! The RCA era doesn't get enough love. Muswell, Preservation Act 1 & 2 and Soap Opera are totally underrated. In my list I would also have Give The People What They Want; great arena rock, my favorite Arista album. Plus The Great Lost Kinks Album. Great list of a great band.
@Mark Anstey I think the same that you. I also think that the Pye Records stage was his imperial stage, but the RCA stage is wonderful and very risky, which makes it more interesting and possibly made for cult listeners. I love the Muswell Hillbillies so much, and the exquisite and brilliant operetta "Preservation Act" (especially Act 2), it is the crown jewel of operettas Ray Davies did on RCA. Even so, I adore all the albums he made with RCA for being a stage in which Ray Davies evolved as a composer who was far ahead of the general public and the critics of the day, and with the Arista label they returned to conventional pop and rock with Pretty cool albums, even if they were less original and risky than the previous label.
Thank whomever that The Kinks got banned in America. Everything that Ray wrote in those days was pure gold! 'Muswell Hillbillies', 'Arthur', 'Village Green Preservation Society' are my favorites. I first saw them live on the 'Streetwalker'/'Misfits' tour. They were what a great rock and roll band sounds like. Dave may be the most underappreciated rock guitarist of all time. The guy is completely electric on stage!
This video turned me on to the Kinks. I’ve really been missing out. Ray Davies is incredible. Would love to hear your take on The Beach Boys if you haven’t gotten to covering them yet.
I was a teen during the Kinks arena era so I came to know them from Superman, Low Budget etc...But I dug into the 60's Kinks and loved that stuff much more. I don't think enough people in my age range did that though, leaving the Kinks something of an overlooked band.
Thank you soooo much for that! I wondered what happened to The Kinks after their well known mid '60's stuff. I'm literally blown away - having dived into their catalogue after your breakdown - what they did post 1970 - never tried to repeat a formula - always something new and relevant. I got some listening to do!
Thanks again. I very much enjoyed your non-kontroversial Kinks list. I got lost deep, deep in the woods of my own personal Village Green during the pandemic lockdowns and spent a lot of time listening repeatedly to prime Kinks albums during the five years or so from "Face to Face" through "Muswell Hillbillies." I hope you don't mind but I tend to free associate watching these videos and when you mentioned "Too Much On My Mind" I flashed on the opening of the great German director (and major Kinks fan) Wim Wenders' movie, "Alice in the Cities" (1974), part of his "Road Trilogy" with "The Wrong Move" and his masterpiece, "Kings of the Road." "Alice" begins with Wenders' alter ego, Phillip Winter (Rudiger Vogler), sitting "under the board walk" by the sea, snapping Polaroids of the sky and kind of mumbling the song to himself. I didn't even realize what he was singing until a few years after I saw the movie. (Wenders also used Kinks songs in his first feature, 1970's "Summer in the City (Dedicated to the Kinks)," even though it's named after a Lovin' Spoonful song.)
Was listening to The Great Lost Kinks Album a few months ago and was really taken with Lavender Hill, to the point of going down a rabbit hole to learn more about the history of the area, tours, movie scenes filmed there, etc.
A little late to this party but really enjoyed your video. My top 10 Kinks albums are: 1. The Kinks are the Village Green Preservation Society 2. Arthur 3. Lola vs. Powerman and the Moneygoround (Part One) 4. Face to Face 5. Something Else 6. The Kink Kronikles - best compilation I own, very eclectic 7. Muswell Hillbillies 8. Sleepwalker 9. Misfits 10. Preservation (Act 1)
Oh, Norman , thank you. You've made me feel humble and slightly ashamed. One of my sweeping generalisations is that Americans don't really get the Kinks, partly because of the ban that co-incided with their late 60s output and also because of the total Englishness lyrically and musically of their records in that period - and I've seen some ranking videos that just confirm my prejudice. And then here you are with a ranking that no British Kinks lover would argue with (your top 6 are the same as mine with only a small difference in the order) and, most importantly, a genuine love for the band and a real understanding of where Ray is coming from, both of which you communicate so well. Thanks again.
I tried to introduce a die hard Beatles fan to the Kinks but after a few listens I was told they're "too British" for their liking. Made me laugh, to be honest.
The big 5 from Face To Face through Arthur is the best stretch of consecutive five albums ever released by anyone. All in my top 30 lps, with 1968s Village Green is a top 10 for me. So, so, so underrated
thought about this, but help-mmt/white album is also incredible and so is beach boys today!-smile/smiley smile. at least 3 bands with a stretch of 5 GREAT albums
The Kinks, Miles Davis and Chet Baker I could listen to anytime 24/7. A lot of great music in the world, but those 3 works for me whether I'm sad, happy, waking up, going to sleep, whatever... I never ever seem to grow tired of listening to them. I enjoyed your heartfelt review of The Kinks.
I must admit i only have 4 Kinks albums. Face to Face, Something Else and Village Green Preservation Society, plus the 2002 compilation Kinks Ultimate Collection a 2cd set with all of their hits some which aren't on albums and b-sides and album tracks. I agree what you said about Waterloo Sunset. It's just the perfect pop song. Just listening to it makes you feel better every time. I could listen to it endlessly. It's a song Paul McCartney would have loved to have written. The melody is just incredible.
Very thoughtful ranking, you know your stuff. You are one year younger than I am, meaning we were listening to albums like Lola and Muswell Hillbillies as they came out. The first time I heard "Arthur" at a friend's house the album was only two years old. This all makes a difference, as we have context with what was happening in music while the albums came out. There is another Kinks best albums vid where the person awards Best Kinks Album to "Low Budget" and it's like, get real.
I’d argue Phobia is a great album and way to end their run as a band. Not sure what others think, but I love the album. There are some hidden gems on it.
You take such incredible care of your records. I can’t tell the difference between reissues and original pressings. Such a great list. The Kinks have such a great discography.
"Preservation albums" (specially Preservation Act 2) is the hidden gem of Ray Davies with The Kinks. Huge stage of the creative flow of Ray Davies, the most risky and meritorious thing he did in the entire 70's with the exception of the album Lola Vs Powerma and Muswell Hillbillies.
"The Great Lost Kinks Album" is on my top five list of "kick myself for selling in the 80's". Surprised and glad to see Soap Opera on your list. Of the RCA albums, it's my second choice but it's WAY behind Muswell Hillbillies. I agree that it's an impossible choice between Arthur and Village Green in the #1 position. Arthur definitely rocks harder, but both are treasures.
Cool - I agree that Village Green and Arthur are so brilliant as albums - Something Else by the Kinks has an astonishing collection of songs - but Arthur and Village Green just capture a spirit that is both vaudeville and rock n roll n something that does not sound like anyone else ever. But as Ray said he wasn’t like everybody else.
Totally. Arthur is just awesome. The description of the story on the back of the album puts you in the right frame of mind to understand the story being told. My favorite Kinks album.
How refreshing to see someone giving the Kinks catalogue some love! A totally underrated act, and next to the Beatles my favorite band of all time. Great list, too, very solid ranking. I am quite sentiental for Give The People..., so that would be on there replacing one of the earlier albums, but other than that we're pretty similar.
Here's what I like today: 1. Arthur - almost every song is great. 2. One for the Road - a fun 80s concert and video to watch them rock out and go nuts. 3. Kink Kontroversy - lot of good tunes here. 4. Face to Face - All but a few are great. 5. Something Else - lots of memorable tunes. 6. Preservation Society - Picture book, Johnny Thunder, Animal Farm. 7. Lola - Strangers, Apeman, Lola 8. Muswell Hillibillies 9. Low Budget 10. State of Confusion 11. Misfits I like the hits from the 80s but not much else and same with the first 2 albums. I haven't listened to their theatrical albums of the mid 70s but might see if anything is appealing. Maybe that Opera album, Kinks Kronikles, or Sleepwalker.
This is really great man. Yesterday Dylan my favorite solo artist, today the Kinks my favorite band. It doesn't get any better than this! With great pleasure I will watch your video again today:)
Great video, Mazzy ! ! 66 to 71 is the best period of Kinks music for me. Some of the best music by any band. Have a cup of tea, and listen to the Kinks ! Can't argue with your top four , although I would flip Arthur and Something Else by the Kinks.
Have to say excellent list - I thought i was in a minority loving Soap Opera. i have about 5 albums that interchange as my number one but as village green was the first album I persuaded my old man to buy me it always has the edge as my number one. The Kinks and Ray are criminally underrated !
village green definitely...and waterloo sunset is a perfect song....love te list..who else would know best....one album i would squeeze in there was 'schoolboys in disgrace'...don't ask me why, i have just always loved that album....be well my friend...peace....rocky
Loved that Mazzy. Lola for me and check the awesome cover of Strangers performed by Lucius on YT. Saw them in early 74 with Poco and Henry Gross (weird bill). Now back to my Old rocking chair and Shangri La. Peace.
Where is one of MY favorites?! -- Think Visual!! -- I think there's such a welcome return to some hints at their old chops .... 'How Are You' is outstanding... the chords reminiscent of 'Tired of Waiting' -- that aside, I really enjoyed your enthusiastic presentation. I also, am a FAN, sir. Long may they wave ... good job!
I ❤️ LOVE, LOVE, “Lola vs. Powerman”, “Muswell Hillbillies”, “Everybody’s in Showbiz”, both Preservation albums (especially Volume 1), “Arthur”, “Village Green Pres. Society”, “Soap Opera”, “Schoolboys in disgrace” ❤️, “Percy” which I noticed you were playing in the background-“The way love used to be” and “God’s Children” best songs on there-this was the best time/era in their career, Ray Davies was on Fire🔥 !
GOD SAVE THE KINKS !!! "Do You Remember Walter?" is a song that has taken on a whole new perspective as I get older and realize all my ol' friends can't "hang out" anymore......GREAT VIDEO MASLOV !!
On my first car in high school I had a bumper sticker that read. “ Ray Davies for president “. Great conversation starter. Don’t have the car but I saved that sticker. Great list.
as of April 18, 2021 have listen to, in order Lola vs. Powerman....., Village Green....,Arthur......, Face to Face, Something Else in the last week and half for the first time. All good. Will start with Percy to Low Budget to finish the 70's.
So glad to see Sleepwalker on your list. That's a personal favorite of mine...possibly because it's the first Kinks album I ever owned. I bought it as a kid after seeing them on the Merv Griffin show. I vividly remember Merv asking Ray why he was on the album cover. He said it was because he was the "prettiest."
Anyone like the Schoolboys In Disgrace album? Took a while to grow on me, but there are some great tunes on there. “I’m In Disgrace” rocks! I went to a College Prep School, so I could relate a bit to that album, lol.
I briefly lived in Fortis Green North London and the local pub (Clissold Arms) was where they all drank and did their first gigs. Not been for years but website says they have a “Kinks Room”! I think that pub is mentioned in one of their songs.
Yes!! Arthur is one of my favourite albums all time. I have no vinyl but album/playlist combos and I couldn’t help but include Picture Book and Days in my Arthur list of tracks. This reminds me that when it came out in 69 with Abbey Road and Let it Bleed that more than 1 person kept telling me that Arthur was better and the best album of the year!! I whole heartily agreed!
Thanx Mazzy , enjoyed this segment on the KinKs... I would have to say that my go-to albums of The Kinks is very similar to yours. ... Are the Village Green preservation Society, Arthur, Something else by the....Face-to-Face, and misfits. Love all those albums fantastic band only seen them once
Totally agree... Great news! The village green preservation society is a complete masterpiece. And their best LP. I think it have something of a conceptual album... for me, almost every song is about nostalgia for childhood and adolescence... every song seem to talk about some thing which happen him in a ficticious youth, and he is telling these stories as if he would be 50 years old... he sings about his closest friend, (do you remember walter) his first girlfriend, (village green), the foxy who everybody wanted to win, but was totally broken inside (starstruck), the prostitute of the town (Monica), the old woman which used to frighten the boys and everybody thought as a legend, that he was a witch and ate children... (wicked annabella) the tough boy of the school (johhny thunder), the family (picture book), and the familiar meetings (people take pictures of each other), and in the middle some songs which point that he miss the old things as they used to be... or to say "I don't like to be here", I want to come back or to be in another wolrd (animal farm) or some kind of critic about his hard actual world. (big sky) It's not a complete concept, but it works... Big Sky.... The first band which come to my head when I hear it is BLUR, and the first song is PARKLIFE. It's not similar, but It had to be some inspiration... without a doubt. It's in the air. Ok. maybe it's only in my head... The start of Big Sky is Fantastic!!!! but my favourite song is Village Green. It's PERFECT. Do you remember walter... What happens when your best friend in the school during many years, starts suddenly to ignore you? How many people wrote a song about that? Animal farm, starstruck, all of my friends were there... the "paris 1920's flavoured" Sitting by the riverside... The Sena Riverside. even phenomenal Cat with it's hilarious choruses, hide some interesting fable abour some winner who won everything, and as he had not more things to do, he sat and "ate himsef thought eternity"... Unhappiness!. This LP is a total masterpiece.
I had a few beers for two hours at the Holiday Inn bar with the Kinks in late 1974 (except Ray, who remained in his hotel room). These guys are just as hilarious in private as they are on stage! I was a big Kinks fan back then and had all their albums. I loved Preservation Act II performed live, one of the very best and most unforgettable concerts I've ever attended (saw them two nights in a row, in Providence, RI and the next night again in Boston)! However, now that I'm older and my musical tastes have matured, only one Kinks album in my humble opinion has stood the test of time, their best: Muswell Hillbillies! It's the only one I still listen to.
Absolutely love Mussel Hillbillies. Probably currently my favourite album of theirs (even above Village Green), and you are absolutely spot on re Waterloo Sunset. Probably my favourite ever pop song.
Great list. I am more a 70/80´s fan because that's when I started to listen to them. So, Misfits and Sleepwalker have a place in my heart. And also "Give the people what they want" and the live album "One for the road". But in the last year, Muswell Hillbillies grow im my ears, specially the song "Okhaloma U.S.A", one of the beautiful songs that Ray wrote, at least, in my opinion.
Hi, Totally agree with you considering Waterloo Sunset being the number 1 Kinks song, with Dedicated Follower Of Fashiion and Days being second and third. Ray is one of the best "short story in a 3 minutes popsong" writer. And yes ....... Village Green is their best LP.
I love these videos because they inspire me to seek out your recommendations. I'm only familiar with their 60s singles so now I have some references to check out
Hello Mazzy, Music is so subjective with emotional ties, I am biased to the late 70's early 80's Kinks. Low Budget, Give the people what they want, state of confusion, word of mouth, think visual and I like- phobia. Thanks again for a great video. Now that we know Kinks in your top3, Beatles Number1, who is in the second slot? Just curious.
If you can get the mono albums box set ( you can safely skip the Kelvin Hall disc ) you’re sorted for the killer Sixties period. Soap Opera is also a gem. Nice overview of a wonderful band.
Wonderful list Mazzy. I agree with almost all of it, and I would probably nudge Lola up there a few spots just for the song Strangers, which is such a great tune. Maybe I will give Soap Opera another go. Hope this finds you well. Much love from Ohio.
I agree on Village Green and Arthur as well as the Kink Kronicles. I would rate Sleepwalker and Misfits higher. No mention of The Great Lost Kinks Album but all in all a great recap of one of my all time favorite bands.
Hi, Massy. Really enjoying your videos. Like you a BIG Kinks / Ray Davies fan... Have you heard "A Place In Your Heart" from 2017 Americana? Brilliant, classic Ray... Keep it up.
I,ve always found it amazing that none of the latterday 60s Pye albums charted in the Uk. To me these are all classics and some of the greatest records ever
"The Kinks are the Village Green Preservation Society" is right there with "Pet Sounds," "SF Sorrow," or "Forever Changes" in the pantheon of cult classics.
I’m only familiar with their first nine albums despite loving their early stuff from about 1989 onward when I discovered it. It strikes me that they went down a significant notch with Arthur and Lola after the divine ‘66-‘68 period, and even more after that. I think Ray got overconcerned about talking over the head of the common man, and he became a “teller” when he used to be phenomenal at “showing.” Moreover, most of their best stuff ‘64-‘68 didn’t make the albums. So prolific in the ‘66-‘68 period, and virtually every song in that time period was a gem. I love the CD era because all of the singles and unreleased stuff from that great period were included on both the ‘98 reissues and the deluxe sets. 9. Percy 8. Kinda Kinks (far higher if the ‘65 singles and EP tracks from the deluxe edition are included) 7. Muswell Hillbillies 6. The Kinks Kontroversy 5. Arthur 4. Lola The top three are among the top 150 albums of all time, and the top two are probably top 50. Of course they each rank considerably higher on my personal lists if it’s possible to include the bonus material from the CD reissues. 3. Face to Face 2. Something Else by The Kinks 1. The Kinks are the Village Green Preservation Society
Hi Mazzy, I popped in to watch your video again, i've just seen others youtuber ranking the Kinks, my list has changed a litte. I've got Lola vs the Powerman at the top now: 1) Lola vs the Powerman 5/5 plus 2) Village Green Preserv society 5/5 3) Face to Face 4/5 4) Muswell Hillbillies 4/5 5) Arthur 4/5 5) Something else 4 6) Everybody's in show biz 4 7) Misfits 3.5 8) The Kinks s/t 3.5 9) Soap Opera 3 10) Sleepwalker 3
Nice list. Love the Kinks! Can't believe you saw them 5 times; that's awesome. They were here (Seattle) in early 80's that's time that I know of but I could be wrong.
British as you can get 😂. Love The Kinks Are The Village Green Pres.Soc, Musclewell Hillbillies, Preservation1 and 2. Lola vs Powerman. Soap Opera is creatively brilliant! Everybody's In Showbiz Kinks the debuet is very cool Misfits , Arthur! Did they do an even mediocre album?...All so awesome progressive stuff❣️
The best work of The Kinks in the mid-seventies is undoubtedly the exquisite operetta "Preservation Act" (especially Preservation Act 2), a waste of creativity from all musical styles with brilliant and precious melodies. The most beautiful album of The Kinks. (But for advanced listeners). Not for chumps.
Thanks for your posts. I love the Kinks and think they are criminally under-rated. Sunny Afternoon is great. I Think you ignore Live Albums but I had a live album from the sixties. A lot of screaming on it which I imagine is somewhat faked. They do Sunny Afternoon and Ray has the audience sing along. When they sing "I got a big fat mama trying to break me" the teenyboppers scream louder when they realize what they said. Priceless.
Hi Mazzy I knew a few early Kinks songs growing up but it was the Arista years that made me a fan mostly Sleepwalker and Misfits. And the Jam's version of David Watts got me into checking out the rest of their music. Cool video Mazzy.
I've always liked Soap Opera a lot too, especially You Make it all Worthwhile. I always thought that Norman was having a nervous breakdown and his wife was playing along with it.
Return to Waterloo is my favorite. Ray like Chrissie returns to the past and her city is gone. Mom I'm home. Ray is good with nostalgia. Fortunately I have all of the Kinks records.
"Stop YOur Sobbing"....a masterpiece .....love The Pretenders version too....unfortunately, I only saw them ONCE...and they were incredible. Ray Davies reeked of charisma....helluva showman......awesome band...."Face to Face" is really a great album (adore the song "I'll Remember"....along with "Something Else"....
Great choice ! I would just add one favourite: "Kink Kontroversy" ! "Milk Cow Blues" by Dave, "Till the end of the day", "Where have all the good times gone", "It's too late", "You can't win",.....Still a fresh sound. For me, the album of maturity like "Rubber Soul".
Glad to see Soap Opera on this list...my friends used to play "You can't stop the music"..a true opera, the experience of a Superstar becoming an Ordinary man...to learn from his "reality"...genius.
Great Overview Norman of my #1 band! Davies is a creative genius as well as a prophet. I am certain you have picked up all the recently released box sets. You should do an overview of the books available on the kinks of which there are many!
The Kinks.. The Byrds.. the Grateful Dead.. I like your choices of bands to rank their albums. Shout out to “The Kinks Kontroversy.” I view Kronikles as an album that perhaps might qualify for this list as there is very little overlap with their classic albums. And FtF is my #1- a concept album about upward and downward mobility. Amazing.
Great video, thank you. I have around 70 Beatles records, 50 Stones, 40 Dylan....and TWO Kinks albums. I’m not even sure why this is, because I love many of their songs. I will make it a priority to seek out your top 5..
I usually agree with most of your lists - even the odd one that I disagree with is mild. And anyway, as you say, it's your list - not ours . . . . BUT . . . Your Kinks list was spot on with the top three and others, but when you went through the track listing of Arthur you did not even mention, probably the greatest Kinks song after Waterloo Sunset! Not a word about the absolutely wonderful Shangri-La? Was this an error or don't you rate it?
Spot-ON, Colin - here's a version Ray does, that catapults it even HIGHER into the stratosphere.....ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-bI0QHXTM7Fo.html
Really enjoyed this Mazzy, I would have gotten rid of my Kinks Kronicles if I had not watched this. The mono box set is excellent, they should repress it. I have a Pye greatest hits with an all black cover that is excellent as well.
The Kinks remain one of the absolute best Sixties British Invasion Bands. The American Touring Ban was 1965-1969 after The Kinks’ 1965 American Tour; essentially banned for 4 years. Ever notice the greatest artists from the Sixties, no matter what form of art, were working-class?
Mazzy love the Kinks, love your listings but how could you not mention Shangri-La off the Arthur album? What a stunning track. It's like a mini opera but organic, beautifully written and gathers momentum in its 5 or so minutes. Also a shout out for Dave Davies beautiful Strangers from the Lola album.
Shangri-La has to be the greatest song that Ray ever wrote. I know Waterloo Sunset is considered their masterpiece but Shangri-La, something just perfect about it.
The Kinks are the greatest band ever! My faves: Arthur, Soap Opera, Schoolboys In Disgrace, Lola Vs Powerman, Muswell Hillbillies, Preservation Act 1& 2, Sleepwalker.
I agree with much of what he says. That he suggest buying Kink Kronikles is his best advice. Waterloo Sunset is still their most revered song, and lond known as the Anthem of London as Celluloid Heros is the Hollywood Anthem. I have still yet to find anyone who mentions one of my top three songs... "Money and Corruption/I'm Your Man"! God Save The Kinks! Still my all-time favorite band!
I was amazed to discover that the Kinks albums mostly bombed in the UK. Excluding compilation hits packages they only scored 3 top 10 albums between 1964 & 65- Kinks, Kinda Kinks and the Kinks Kontroversy. Face to Face reached No12 in 66. In 67 Something Else reached 35 and Village Green made it to No47 in 68. From 68 every album they released failed to chart on the UK Top 50 album chart. Astounding! It was a different story when it came to singles.
"Preservation albums" (specially Preservation Act 2) is the hidden gem of Ray Davies with The Kinks. Huge stage of the creative flow of Ray Davies, the most risky and meritorious thing he did in the entire 70's with the exception of the album Lola Vs Powerma and Muswell Hillbillies.
