THE KINKS - Ranking all 24 studio albums  

Ray Davies is such a clever songwriter. I love how his writing went through so many different phases. I’m going to pull Pres Act II this weekend and give it a spin. Thanks for watching and commenting. Mike

It's a masterpiece, it's a album for to go in

Many thanks for watching and commenting! I do agree with you. I think maybe because they went through about 5 distinct phases, people tend to prefer particular batches of albums eg theatrical, arena rock, pop etc. and their personal favourites then come from that phase. If that makes sense?? Mike

That’s a fantastic top 5, all brilliant albums. Have you given Muswell a good listen, I think that’s worthy of a good play. Thanks for watching and commenting. Mike

No I haven’t really listened to Muswell Hillbillies that much but the few times I have listened to it I haven’t liked it that much, but my opinion could probably change if I listened to it a bit more

@@mrlyx7884 I think it’s a bit of a treasure, so definitely worth more listens. Mike

Thank you very much Raphael, I appreciate your comments. Sleepwalker is a fantastic album I agree with you. You’re right, a great reason just to talk music! 😁 Mike

Thank you so much for your really thoughtful response to my video! As you know it takes a great deal of time and effort to put these things together but when you get responses like this it makes it all worth while! Great we have same top five but not surprising that would be different order. Let’s be honest if I ranked again I would probably move a few around. Interestingly, I play in a Kinks tribute band in the UK and we have been asked to perform (90 minute set), at Muswell Hill next Saturday to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Muswell Hillbillies album. It’s a celebration day for the Kinks and in theory Ray and Dave will be there (hopefully). Amazing our tastes are similar and your description of Ray’s imagery in his songwriting was brilliant. Many thanks for watching and commenting. Mike

Hey Jt, have you any recordings of your band doing 20th Century, I’d hear them. We don’t do that track yet. Phobia the last album is a funny one. Far too much filler because released during CD age. If it had been 10 / 11 tracks it could have been a hard rocking classic to finish with, but because too long it tends to be near the bottom of all rankings, such a shame. Thanks for staying with it and commenting Jt. Mike

@@pc31thevinylpolicemanI do ! My friend Ted ( Tower Records Mgr. ).. transferred my "Imaginary Numbers".. that was the name of our band ; songs onto CD. from Cassette, about a year ago..

Hi Jt, got to be honest took me a lot longer than I expected but I really enjoyed pulling it together. Such an interesting band with all those different periods/ genre changes. Video bit long, longer than I originally wanted but those 24 albums all seem to have a bit of a story…..and you are certainly not a ranker young man 😂 Mike

@@pc31thevinylpoliceman Folks on RU-vid will be able to enjoy your rundown of the 24 Kinks studio LP's.. for years to come ! Great project Mike.. Well done !

Hiya Mark, many thanks for watching and commenting. I’m same as you in that I swing between Arthur and Village but at the moment the epic songs on Arthur just swing it for me. Thanks again Mark. Mike

I totally agree Nicholas! Definitely the best two whilst with Arista. Many thanks for watching and commenting. Mike

Hiya Steve, sorry, bit late responding this weekend! Yes, I think the Kinks are a bit understated. The different periods really are very different. Also, the major events and meetings seem to have moulded them. The ban from the US in the summer of 1965 made Ray Davies’ writing become very British eg Waterloo Sunset, Sunny Afternoon, Dead End Street on and on… Then being signed to Clive Davis’ Arista turned then into an arena rock band with 6 rock albums. Very interesting are the Kinks. Again, thanks for watching Steve! Mike

That’s a very strong top 10, no arguments from me. I must say, I did my ranking about 18 months ago and since then I do have a deeper appreciation of the theatre albums. Schoolboys in particular. Many thanks for your comments and ranking, I appreciate it. Mike

Hi Stephen, really appreciate you watching and commenting. Glad you love the Kinks like me, I still think they’re a bit underrated as an important band. Percy is great, you’re right Dreams is a good track, must admit I neglected that one a bit. Lola and powerman just lacks something for me. I think there are some fantastic songs on it, but it’s not quite complete for me. But glad it’s a special one for you as it is with other folk. Thanks again for watching, great comments! Mike

@@pc31thevinylpoliceman Mike glad to read your comment. It's nice to talk Kinks honestly because they are so underrated. All we can do is keep spreading the good word. Cheers brother.

Hey, Hi Rod! Really appreciate your comments! Have you heard from Art the North Carolina Vinyl Picker?? Mike

@@pc31thevinylpoliceman yes I think he email me

Really appreciate your comments Gav. Glad you got something from it. Thanks for watching and commenting. Mike

Thanks so much for watching and commenting! Yes, Give The People…..what a great album, love it! Mike

@@pc31thevinylpoliceman Great Album!

Hi Andy, really appreciate you taking time to watch and comment. Yes, must confess it took me a lot longer than I thought it would, but I really enjoyed putting it together. There is a lot of depth to Ray Davies’ writing and the difference in the different periods is vast. Would really recommend top 5. Thanks Andy! Mike

I agree Jacob. The theatrical period is definitely the one I have neglected. I will take your advice and give the Preservation’s, Soap and Schoolboys a new listen. Thanks. Mike🎸

Thanks Mark, I really appreciate you taking time out to watch and comment. Good luck in your Kinks investigation! Mike

Thank you very much for watching my ranking and staying with it ......bit long! Our views seem very close. On reflection I think I could have placed Showbiz a little higher, strangely I've always found Celluloid a little corny. I know I'm in the minority there. Ive always thought that if Phobia was a 11 or 12 track album it could be right up there as a very very good album. Interesting that our top two is identical and even our top six is fairly close. Thanks again for giving me your views and ranking, it is really appreciated! Mike

Thanks Stefano, that’s a great list! I agree, the order changes all the time. My top three remain Arthur, Village and Muswell, but my most played at present are Sleepwalker and Misfits. I have neglected Lola in recent months, but inspired by you I will now give it several plays. Thanks again Stefano! Mike🎸

Hi, I didn't know Sleepwalker that well, I must say it would climb up my list, great album, maybe could be number 5 at the moment, I think schoolboys in disgrace is good too

Thank Jt, I didn’t appreciate that Sleepwalker was so important, it really is the rebirth of the Kinks I believe. Clive Davis at Arista is so important to the Kinks resurgence. I guess without him no Low Budget, Sleepwalker, Give the People… I agree Muswell genius and hard rocker Give the People so good. Great band!! Thanks Jt. Mike

@@pc31thevinylpoliceman I've had "Sleepwalker" on Velvel .. CD for quite awhile.. well, 10 years ? I too got into it much later than it's release..

Hi David, many thanks for watching and glad you enjoyed it. What are your top three?? Mike 🎸

Hi Richard, great top 5. It appears Muswell is getting a lot more love out there in the VC which I think is brilliant. Inspired by you I really enjoyed putting this together but must admit took me quite a while! It’s funny but I know I’m missing something with Pres II but just doesn’t happen for me at present. I think it’s one that I need to study to really get. It’s great with the Kinks though that these different periods are so different as it feels like you have a different Kinks for every mood. Thanks for watching and staying with it, bit long, I’m thinking of doing Comsat Angels next, you haven’t ranked them yet have you? Mike

@@pc31thevinylpoliceman I haven't Mike, in fact I have never heard of them lol

Good Choices!!. I love Presevation Act 2. "Preservation Act II" One of the most attractive works that Ray Davies did in his entire musical catalog. Greetings

For me the best albums in the Arista stage are without a doubt, Misfits and Sleepwalker. "Low Budget" is also a very good rock album and nothing to do with the sound of the previous albums, much more rock and more American.

Definitely my favourite Kinks album, great call Tom! Mike

Hi Mia, funny enough when I started I thought I would rank Lola higher, but it just didn’t work out that way for me. Muswell Hillbillies is fantastic I agree with you. Really appreciate you watching and commenting. Mike

Hi David, I agree it’s an excellent album. I think Strangers is one of Dave Davies finest songs. Thank you for watching and commenting. Mike

I really appreciate your kind comments Steve! I’ve only done one other ranking video and that was The Comsat Angels. I really enjoy researching and putting together rankings videos so definitely intend to do more. But I only like to do them when I’ve got all studio albums of the artist. There are a lot of artists I’m complete on so will do more. Keep at it with Muswell because I genuinely feel it’s one of their best. Thanks a lot Steve, means a great deal coming from you! Mike🎸

@@pc31thevinylpoliceman I'm the same way, I won't even talk about an album unless I own it. Anytime you want to do a ranking, let me know, I would consider it a privilege to do it along side of you.

Hi David, yes I agree, Arthur is an absolute classic. Shangri La and Australia are such wonderful songs. Mind you in 1969 I probably would have picked up Zep as well 😁 Thanks for commenting David. Mike

Hi James, thanks for watching and commenting. I went to a book signing in London a few weeks ago for Dave Davies new autobiography. I would also love a reunion to happen, but I fear neither are well enough for the rigors of performing…..I really hope I’m wrong. The big opportunity would be in September when a super deluxe boxset of the Muswell Hillbillies album is released to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its release. I agree James it’s really hard to pick up Kinks studio albums in the wild, it me a while to complete my studio albums collection. Glad you liked my rankings, I tried to really set aside my preconceptions and be as honest as possible. Glad Dale managed to pick up a Sleepwalker, that’s hard to find. Thanks James, keep searching it’s worth it! 😁 Mike

Hey Dale, thanks for watching and commenting and staying with it (it was a bit long!). I enjoyed doing it but must confess it took some serious time to prep. Sleepwalker I believe is a very important album as it was the rebirth album thanks to Clive Davis at Arista. If you like Sleepwalker then I think you’ll like Give The People and Low Budget. I’m the same Village Green and Arthur exchange places all the time but Arthur is just edging it for me at present. Probably because I think Australia and Shangri La are epics. I have researched the Kinks quite a lot so if you want to bounce any questions before purchasing other albums please just ask. Thanks Dale. Mike

Thanks for watching and commenting Jack! You’re of course right on rankings, must admit if I re-did the rankings now without seeing what I originally did they would probably change 😁 But I guess my top five remains fairly strong. What would be your top three Jack? Mike

@@pc31thevinylpoliceman As of this moment(which could change depending on the album I would be currently listening to😁) they would be Village Green, Muswell Hillbillies, Arthur, Lola vs. Powerman and then Celluloid. I started my love of country music from listening to Muswell many years ago. Don’t hold me to this list: subject to change at a moment’s notice 😉😉.

Many thanks KK! I get what you say about going into a dead end, because after registering ti albums over time they change positions and grow in you etc. but I had good fun putting this together and I’m really pleased you enjoyed it, a bit of a labour of love. I think all of their albums have treasures in them so definitely worth exploring the ones you haven’t heard so much. Thanks again for watching and commenting. Mike🎸

Hiya Lloyd, thanks for watching, it was much longer than my normal videos but 24 studio albums is a lot. You have an impressive number of Kinks studio albums compared to others and you seem to have most of the important ones. Its good we both seem to have same top two. I’d be interested to hear what you think of the Muswell Hillbillies? I think it’s brilliant but it is very different to their others. Yes, just imagine if The Kinks and Small Faces had George Martin, I think both would be even more highly regarded. Thanks for watching Lloyd and your great comments! Mike

@@pc31thevinylpoliceman Hi Mike, cant wait to hear MH, will keep ypou informed - Lloyd

@@pc31thevinylpoliceman hi Mike, to be honest, after five listens, i am not overly sold on Muswell Hillbillies, there are some really cool tracks on it ("skin and bones", "alcohol", "muswell hillbillies", "complicated life" and my favourite "have a cuppa tea") but i think its the weakest of the albums from that period IMO - Lloyd

@@pc31thevinylpoliceman Hi Mike, i listened to the album five times over the weekend, overall impression, i get the concept of it but i think at least half the songs leave me floundering at best whilst the half i really like are worth the admission price, favourite track to date is "have a cuppa tea". to me its the weakest of the that 68-73 period but hey. it is still new to me at this stage - Lloyd

Completely agree with you Jorge! So many great albums for all tastes, but also I think dependant upon what mood you are in. You can find a Kinks album for all your moods. Really appreciate you watching and commenting and having great taste! 😁🎸 Mike

Thanks Chris, have you heard Sleepwalker and Misfits? They are worth a good listen if you haven’t already. I think the songwriting is pretty strong on them. Mike🎸

Low Budget feels a huge album to me, with it's great anthems. Some very strong tracks that I imagine worked great live. Thanks for commenting Les! Mike

@@pc31thevinylpoliceman thank you for the reply! Thank you for this video. I was dying to see where Low Budget would fall on your list. I have heard so many people call it a bad album. I actually like every song on it! I am going to follow you. I was drooling over the mint quality of all your albums!

@@LesSmith45Thanks Les, I appreciate the follow. I do try and upgrade when I see better condition albums, so I do try my best to get really good condition albums. Thanks again. Mike

Many thanks for watching and commenting, I appreciate it! Mike

Many thanks for watching and commenting. Really pleased you liked my ranking. I agree, I have watched that OGWT clip so many times and I love it. Great song performed brilliantly especially by Dave on guitar. Mike

I must admit that since I did my Kinks rankings, Misfits is probably the album that has grown most on me and gone up my rankings. Also, Sleepwalker has grown since then. I probably appreciate the Arista years more now. Thanks for watching and commenting. Mike🎸

Hi Randy, thanks for watching and commenting. Muswell Hillbillies great choice to had on your pick ups list. It’s such a good album, well worth tracking down. Village Green is also a really good one for the collection, it is a lot of peoples number 1. From the Arista arena rock period I would strongly recommend Give The People What They Want, and then Sleepwalker and Low Budget. Misfits is a funny one for me because I know it’s a big grower. Every time I listen to it I enjoy it more. Thanks again for staying with my video ranking, I know it was a bit long 😂 Mike

Hi John, really appreciate your response! I agree, they are so underrated. Thanks again for watching and commenting. Mike

Hi Janne, Thanks for watching and commenting. What albums have you got so far, I'm interested to know?? What's your fav so far? Mike

@@pc31thevinylpoliceman I got "Preservation Act 2", "Schoolboys In Disgrace", "Sleepwalker", "Misfits" and a few singles here at home, could be so that I got a few more at the summer house where the most old stuff is. I do like "Sleepwalker", but I guess I need to spinn the all again to refresh the memory :)

@@popsandclicks Hi Janne, I think you would enjoy Arthur and/or Village Green. They are really clever albums. I also think the arena rock albums Low Budget and Give The People What They Want would be really worthy additions to your collection. Mike

@@pc31thevinylpoliceman Thanks for the recomendations, I will keep an eye open for those. Hopefully I can pick one up soon. Cheers!

I completely agree Arturo! Even the, let’s say, lesser albums all have treasures on them. Although Phobia is very difficult to get hold of, I would recommend tracking down because it is a very good rock album. It’s one of those albums that grows and grows. It has some great Dave Davies guitar work on it and some great songs. As I said in video, because it was peak CD time there are simply too many tracks on it. If there were 12 tracks on it, it would be a great album imo. Many thanks for watching and listening. Mike

@@pc31thevinylpoliceman I'd like to get a copy of Phobia, I just haven't seen one yet. It took a while to find UK Jive and (a British pressing of) To The Bone (I'm in Canada) but eventually they showed up. I may just have to buy it online, but that takes a bit of the excitement out of finding it

@@ArturoGofunkez I must admit I had to go online to get a copy of Phobia as I’d never seen it in the wild. Worth it though 😁 Mike

@@pc31thevinylpoliceman I'll have to get it now! By the way, which compilations do you have or recommend? I found mono and stereo of the 1966 Greatest Hits, Kink Kronikles, Great Lost Kinks Album, a Sundazed 2LP of all the A Sides up to Apeman, and the Come Dancing, Best of 1977-86. And I found an East German (I think) comp on Amiga, just called The Kinks (with a green cover). The sound of this Amiga record is great.

Thank you Sofya, I’m very pleased you liked my Kinks video ranking. Mike

Thank you Harry, I really appreciate it and thank you for watching and commenting. Mike

Really pleased you liked it Andrew! It was good fun to do and I have other rankings in the pipeline. Many thanks for watching and commenting. Mike

Hi Lis, I would never ever unsub you!! 😂I think you need some Kinks love. If you are in the mood for some punk/ heavy guitars/ big songs...then I would recommend 'Give The People What They Want' it's their big arena rock album. If you want clever brilliant songs and interesting concept it's 'Arthur' or 'Village Green Pres', if your in the mood for some satirical, acoustic, Americana, country rock then it's 'Muswell Hillbillies' if you want some sixties, beat, british invasion then it's 'Face To Face'. All of this obviously my humble opinion. But go and get some Kinks love Lis.😀Thanks for watching and commenting. Mike

@@pc31thevinylpoliceman I totally agree w all the ones you’ve mentioned!! I have had a few in your top 10 in my hands in the last few years but......I wasn’t sure! But thanks to this awesome video (and I do look forward to more of these) I now have a handle on the KINKS 😎🙏🏻

@@L.E.55472 👍🎸

No not really, I’m just someone with their own opinion.

For me their worst stuff are they middle 80's ssssssssssssssssssssssssh

@@ovelonse which albums?

@@pc31thevinylpoliceman Word of Mouth and Think Visual are not my stuff UK Jive and state of confusion , a little bit better musically but again it didn't sound like the Kinks to me .... I dont know why but for me Phobia is far superior than this 80's kinda bump A subjective thing Hugs

@@ovelonse thanks Andres, I agree with you, I think Phobia is undervalued at the moment. I think if it was only 10 or 11 tracks it would be a very good Kinks album. I do like Word of Mouth though. I appreciate your comments. Mike

Hi Morten, brilliant to hear from you and thanks for watching and commenting. I agree that they all have different redeeming features. Many of them are so different genres, style etc. it’s great that your a big Kinks fan like me. Mike🎸

​@@pc31thevinylpoliceman Thank you for your very nice response, Mike 🙂 Yes I am proud to say I'm a BIG Kinks-fan, since 1965, when I bought their first album. I'll never get tired of hearing them ! What a great band 🙂 I wish you the very best with this great Kinks-cover I've just found : ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-UwQiQHJzq18.html

@@mfredmoe that’s really good Morten, I watched Top of the Pops and Stop your Sobbing. Thanks for sharing. Mike🎸

Hi Mike, you know what, I didn’t even notice DT’s photo or name! I really enjoyed pulling this together. I put quite a lot of effort into it as I wanted to get across a lot of Kinks history as I find it fascinating. No hardship listening to the albums as I really love them, but that top 5 are just wonderful! Low Budget has been one of my favourites and I was surprised it ended up lower than I thought it would. Take care. Mike

Hi Philip, I agree Shangri-La is very special. I get something new from it every time I seem to listen, great song. Yes, just imagine a George Martin character, The Kinks albums of the 60's would have been even more special, and albums such as Something Else and Face to Face, wow, who knows, would probably be treated like Pepper. Great comments Philip, thank you! Mike

Hi Jeff, Sorry so late in responding to your comments, I've been very ill over the last few weeks, but now back in the saddle! We agree on so much! Many thanks for your kind words. Completely agree that Phobia is totally overlooked and shouldn't be. You're right, a bit of editing and it could have been a really successful album. I blame the CD age (albums too long with too many tracks), and Ray and Dave producing. imo, if they had got a pro producer to sit above it then he would have brought out the best 11 / 12 tracks and it would have been a classic. I probably did rank Lola too low, and if ranking now I think it would be higher. Top three are still good for me though. Wonderful band, great albums. Sincere thanks for taking time out to watch and comment Jeff. Mike

Thanks for watching and commenting. I think that’s what great about The kinks canon, the different periods and genres. The theatrical period is not a personal favourite of mine but I appreciate that it is for lots of folks and for certain a very creative period for Ray. For me Schoolboys is currently my favourite during this period and indeed the Kinks tribute I perform in play The Hardway and it is an audience favourite. I think it’s a period which I have neglected a little and must give it more play time. Many thanks. Mike

school boys and preservation act one are my favorite theatrical ones

Really pleased you liked it Gary. I’m the same, I rarely get to the end of videos this long, but with 24 albums I found it hard to shorten. Misfits is interesting because I don’t think that one’s landed with me yet. I like it but I don’t love it yet but it feels like a slow burn grower for me. I’m sure the penny will drop soon. I really think Arthur and Village Green are must haves Gary. I strongly recommend them, they are very clever classic albums. Also Face to Face is for me the first great Kinks album. Really pleased you enjoyed it, hope it was worth the wait. Mike I have attached a link to my band Kinked Alive! I’ll send you a few others, hope you like. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-b0Eg68lHWPs.html

ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-PHU-B5wj7vI.html

ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-aBdrBUPWoro.html

Thanks for watching and commenting Kev. It took me longer than I thought to pull it together but I really enjoyed doing it. Something Else, I agree is an early classic, and Lola had so many brilliant songs on it. I think Strangers doesn’t get the full love it deserves. Thanks again Kev. Mike

@@pc31thevinylpoliceman I like how you manage to include the release date and what phase they were in at the time (arena rock; theatrical; pop). Really enjoyed

@@kevtruth thanks Kev 👍🎸

Hi Manuel, thank you so much for watching my ranking video and for making such great comments! I feel your pain....it is so hard to choose between all of these great albums. But I really like your groupings, there are some great albums in there. My number 1 is still Arthur, but Muswell is so close!! Thanks again and keep listening to the wonderful KINKS! Mike

Hi Ben, That's a pretty serious top 5! great choices, for me just needs a little bit of the Arista Arena Rock period and for me that would be 'Give The People What They Want', but great top 5. I must say I was back to back vinyl listening for 2 days, but I enjoyed it. Really appreciate you taking time to watch and comment. Cheers Ben! Mike

@@pc31thevinylpoliceman You're vid has inspired me to investigate the Arista stuff 👍

@@benrankins4446 Brilliant Ben, I really believe those 6 albums, that period, is one of their best. Especially Give The People and Low Budget and I think Sleepwalker was the game changer. Mike

very typical list.

Fantastic Brian, I hope you’re enjoying your Kinks journey. You’ve certainly got some great albums there. After that I would recommend Somethjng Else (some regard this album as their Revolver), and Face to Face from the sixties. From the Arista late 70’s early 80’s period I personally would recommend Sleepwalker and Misfits. Really pleased your enjoying this great band Brian. Mike🎸

​@@pc31thevinylpoliceman cheers for the recommendations Mike I will listen to them next

Literally all of those albums you mentioned Antonio I consider excellent. The Arista records Sleepwalker and Misfits have both grown so much for me in recent years. Muswell is an absolute classic. Also I think your right Lola deserves more credit. Thanks for your comments Antonio. Mike

That’s absolutely brilliant to hear that you both got together because of a love for The Kinks! Have you special songs that mean something to you both? Yes, I’m in a tribute called Kinked Alive! I’ve put a link here for you. Would be great if you could sub that channel as we haven’t been going for long and need Subs 😁 ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-b0Eg68lHWPs.html you’re completely right so many good albums, even I would probably change a few around if I did another video. Really appreciate you watching and staying with it, because it was my longest video to date! Take care. Mike

@@pc31thevinylpoliceman I can't think of any particular song that has a great significance for us, but we could probably talk about The Kinks for hours! "Shangri-La" is my very favorite Kinks song, though. It's got everything. (No Kinks pun intended! LoL). I've subed to your tribute band channel. Very cool!! - hideelee

Hi Davy, two brilliant albums that I also really enjoy listening to on a regular basis. Have you heard Muswell Hillbillies, if not, I really recommend, I think you’d enjoy that as well Davy. Mike

@@pc31thevinylpoliceman I will check out 'Muswell Hillbillies' Album on your recommendation. Thanks so much, Mike !

@@DavyDredd14 I’ll be very interested to see what you think Davy. Please let me know. Mike

@@pc31thevinylpoliceman Wow ! 'Muswell Hillbillies' is already becoming one of my most favourite KINKS Albums after listening to it a few times. I absolutely love the fun lyrics and loose style of the songs ! Thanks so much, Mike for recommending me this fantastic Album !!

@@DavyDredd14 really pleased you love it Davy, I thought you would! Mike

Brilliant story……thanks for sharing it with me. Arthur is still my number one Kinks album, and Muswell a very strong number three. Low Budget has slipped a little for me, but has some fantastic songs on it. Thanks for commenting, great story! Mike🎸

@@pc31thevinylpoliceman I hadn't thought about Angie for decades! Funny how these things cause dormant synapses to fire.

Literally just listened to that album!

I agree Paul, a song that’s often missed because their are so many epic songs on the album. Mike🎸

Arthur is my favorite.

the album, I mean

I think the key thing here is the way bands in the sixties felt they would be short changing the fans if they put their singles on their albums. When you look at the incredible songwriting that was going on by artists such as Ray Davies ie singles and albums you would have had genuine masterpieces if they put them all on the albums. But notwithstanding that some of the mid sixties albums were the key building blocks in my opinion. But all good! Mike

In my opinion ' Low Budget ' is # 1

Thanks for watching and commenting Ian. What would be your top 3? Thanks. Mike

Hi Brian, yes, I think the CD age has much to answer for, that combined with digital recording where artists could tinker adinfinitum with unlimited tracks. Certainly the Phobia album is a victim of that. I would really recommend top 5. Thanks for watching and commenting, and as an aside I just got my first Spoon…..excellent! Mike

@@pc31thevinylpoliceman I am now on the hunt for your top 5! I hope you enjoy Spoon.

@@EmbryonicRobot Lucifer on the sofa is on my turntable now…..superb! 😁

@@pc31thevinylpoliceman Excellent 😀

Hi Jan, thanks for watching and commenting. We agree on number 1 and 2, what do you think of Muswell Hillbillies? It’s the 50th anniversary this year and I think there could be a box set coming. Thanks for listing your top 5 I always find it really interesting seeing other people’s rankings. Mike

@@pc31thevinylpoliceman Muswell Hillbillies is really good, heck all the albums are at least good. Verry solid album with no weak track on it.

Hi George, I use to rate it higher as it has some excellent singles on it. But for me the best of the Arista period is Sleepwalker and Misfits as albums that completely hang together. Great to hear your view George. Mike🎸

Hi Dale, great question(s). I’d say the hardest to track down was ‘Phobia’, their last album. It was released in 1993, so right in CD territory. I had to settle for a limited edition reissue. But the last I actually purchased was ‘Schoolboys in Disgrace’. Thanks for watching. Mike

I guess that’s my love for Bruce getting the better of me Johnny.

Hi Sean, thanks for watching and commenting I really appreciate it. Arthur and Village Green obviously brilliant, BUT, I would really give Muswell Hillbillies and Give The People a chance. Have a listen to them on youtube or stream because you may really like them. Give The People is quite a hard rocker, arena rock, catch tunes and Muswell (50th anniversary this year), is very acoustic, bluegrass, brass, vaudeville. It's hard to describe but honestly worth a listen. Thanks. Mike

@@pc31thevinylpoliceman Hi Mike,, i will definately give them a listen, and see about buying a copy of them on vinyl.Is the Muswell Hillbillies, the group with Mark Knopfler-Dire DStraits fame? I've heard them, briefly, they sound pretty good. Thamks Sean.

@@seanjennnings2010 Hi Sean, no completely different. Knopfler’s are the Notting Hillbilies. The Kinks album called Muswell Hillbillies is based upon where the Davies brothers grew up ie Muswell Hill in north London. Have a listen I think you may really like it. Mike

Can’t argue with your top four Edward. What do you think of Muswell? Mike🎸

Hi Andrew, thanks for watching and commenting. Looks like we’re pretty much in tune regarding the Kinks. Some days Muswell can be my top album but most of the time Arthur and Village Green take too spots because so many great tracks. Schoolboys could be a little higher, I love Hardway, great live track. I’m in Kinked Alive! I’ve attached a couple of links below. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-b0Eg68lHWPs.html ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-aBdrBUPWoro.html Thanks Andrew, Mike

@@pc31thevinylpoliceman Mike watched the "Till the end of the day" video. Very good. Where do you gig?

@@andrewdouglas7174 Hi Andrew, thanks for watching our Kinks video. We are in Swanage, Dorset next Saturday. The best way is to like and follow our Facebook page which is; @KinkedAlive and all future gigs will be posted on there. Really hope to see you at a gig in the future please come and say hello. Where are you based? Mike

Absolute classic! Epic songs like Australia and Shangri La and course Victoria. But great strong album all round. You’ve inspired me to go and give it a spin now! Mike

I must confess that I have probably neglected act two. I must give it more of a chance. Probably like a lot of artists, when I go to play a record in gravitate to my favourites. I promise to try harder 😁 Mike🎸

Tom, I’m so with you! You’re right, if your feeling reflective and chilled then Arthur and Village Green are perfect because you can really study them and think about them. Some epic songs. But if you want to rock, and sing along with some great hooks then Arista does it…….Do it Again, Superman, Give the People etc. etc. I had a stab at ranking but it is hard. Thanks for commenting and giving your thoughts Tom. Mike🎸

Hi David, 15….can’t argue with that. God’s Children alone probably does it for me. Mike🎸

I agree Edward, it’s a shame a lot more people haven’t heard Strangers because it is a clever and beautiful song. Lots of very good versions on RU-vid. Great call Edward! Mike🎸

Hi Mark, I guess you’ve seen that it’s getting a re-release in a boxset with Muswell Hillbillies on 9th Sept, can’t wait for that. It’s a good opener for sure, have you seen this RU-vid.be/N9e4oREN2lo Thanks for watching. Mike

@@pc31thevinylpoliceman Yes I'm pretty excited for it.

Great list. Lola has definitely grown for me over the years. Thanks for doing your list. Mike

Excellent ranking, thanks for showing. Muswell is definitely a worthy number 1, and Face to Face number 2. Misfits has certainly grown for me. I think Phobia needs a bit more love 😁. What a brilliant catalogue of albums. Thanks again for showing. Mike🎸

​@@pc31thevinylpoliceman Ray Davies' songwriting is quirky, capable of subtlety and satire at the same time, but often repetitive. What's wrong with the early Kinks LPs is the same kind of wrongness in the later editions. Sometimes, the words don't work, sometimes the melody isn't intriguing, sometimes both. The Kinks blazed trails in iconographic music-making, but their individualism wasn't charismatic enough to sell songs the way the Beatles did. The last third of Side 4 of the White Album, is a good example, where we seriously discuss Revolution #9 as anything but a huge waste of vinyl, and accept Savoy Truffle and Goodbye as comparable to the majority of the rest of the album. Ray wrote alone, and if we judge him by the singles and great album tracks, he probably wrote as many "hits" as anyone, Lennon/McCartney or Jagger/Richards included. The list is impressive for its length and breadth, from proto-metal rock of All Day and All of the Night, Preservation, Everybody's a Star, and Give the People What They Want, to the pop sensibilities of Well Respected Man, Sunny Afternoon, Lola, Celluloid Heroes and Come Dancing. A Major League ballplayer only hits one out of three, if he's really good, so I guess we can give Ray a pass, for his "near-misses". I have all the Kinks songs I like on my iPod, in heavy rotation. It's always been great music, and there's never been "too much" of that.

@@pc31thevinylpoliceman I have 111 Kinks' tunes on my iPod, through Word of Mouth. I dunno about Phobia, I've had it for 30 years, it hasn't resonated yet. Same with the Stones, after Tattoo You, not their best by years. I have the newer LPs, but don't listen to 'em.

That’s a fantastic top 5! The only one there that I blow hit and cold on is Lola, although it has some classic moments on it eg Strangers, Lola, Apeman etc. thanks for sharing your top 5. Mike

@@pc31thevinylpoliceman rats is a heavy rocking song

@@MrHobo71 sure is 👍

I think you’re right Martin, no bad albums, and yes Muswell Hillbillies one of my favourites, very underrated. Mike

The Kinks are one of the few groups with a very extensive record catalog that does not have bad or mediocre albums, they are masterpieces, bordering on the masterpiece or very enjoyable albums. The Best : Lola Vs Powerman (1970) My Favourite : Preservation Act 2 (1974)

@@lennon_9dream133 Muswell Hillbillies being released as a 50th anniversary boxset on 9th September……can’t wait…..such a brilliant album!!

I wouldn’t expect anything else Geoff 😂 glad you liked the video, what are currently your top 3? Mike

@@pc31thevinylpoliceman hi Mike. My top 3 are 1 Muswell Hillbillies, 2 Arthur, 3 Lola v Powerman…. My bottom 3 are 24 UK Jive, 23 Think Visual 22 The Kinks (1st album) Although I struggled with it when it came out, I now rate Preservation 2 much higher than you do. GTPWTW is my least favourite of the Arista years, although I think the songs work much better live. But every day my preferences change. 😀

Stick with it Lance, because I truly remember feeling the same as you, and then it clicked. I genuinely feel it’s a classic album now. Stand out tracks for me are Big Sky, Walter, Johnny Thunder just so many great tracks. Have another good listen. Mike

@@pc31thevinylpoliceman big sky my favorite on the album, one of my favorite of all kinks songs

Brilliant album, I agree! The home of Waterloo Sunset, Two Sisters, David Watts, Death of a Clown and many others. One of my personal favourites, apart from of course Waterloo Sunset, is DD’s Love Me Till The Sun Shines. So many great Kinks tracks on this album. Thanks William. Mike

@@tas6313 Where can I hear the outakes? :0)

Hi Lance, to be honest I was the same. At first couldn’t see what iconic status of album was about. It then got me, and I now genuinely think it’s a masterpiece. It’s certainly not an instant. But I would really urge you to sit down, make a cup of tea (that’s essential) and keep listening. My favs are Big Sky, Johnny Thunder, Last of Steam Powered but there are now no weak tracks for me. Do you like the follow up Arthur? Thanks for watching Lance. Mike

@@pc31thevinylpoliceman My favorites are Lola, Something Else, Sleepwalker, Misfits, Low Budget. Actually, if I had to pick one album to bring to a desert island it would be the Kink Kronikles . I like Arthur but haven’t heard it in a while. I’ll give that a listen.

Village Green and Arthur have great songs on them but the production on both seems amateurish. Top three for me are Word if Mouth, Lola and the best, Phobia. Bottom three for me are Preservation I and II with Schoolboys being the worst. Thank you for the positive review of Phobia, one of my top ten of all time from anyone. If Babies and Don’t are removed it is perfect and powerful.

@@reactivearmour5126 You have said everything backwards and it would have been better as a great listener

Wow Paul, that’s brutal……..you’ve written off 16 Kinks studio albums as garbage! ……and all the early ones! I pity the poor bands you’re not a HUGE fan of! 😁 seriously though, have you given the six Arista albums a good listen? Sit down with a nice cup of tea (or something stronger), and give ‘Misfits’ a good listen, I think it’s a warmly produced album with good songs. Or if your in a heavier rock mood have a good listen to ‘Give The People What They Want’. Staying with the Arista albums ‘Sleepwalker’ has some exceptional songs ‘Brother’, ‘Live Goes On’ et al. Thanks for commenting Paul, it’s good to debate Kinks albums. Mike

@@pc31thevinylpoliceman Guten Tag VP: Well, I still consider myself a fan of both the Who and the Rolling Stones although I don't think either made anything worth hearing after the mid-70's at the latest. I mean who needed either when there was the Jam and Dr. Feelgood? But it's not as if I summarily rejected all of those 16 albums without listening to them first. To be honest, I don't even care much for "Lola vs. Whatever..." either and "Muswell Hillbillies" is about as far as I can indulge Ray in his "tea and crumpets" lamentations. There are certainly 5-6 tunes from the 16 records that I don't particularly mind hearing, but I couldn't imagine ever waking up in the morning and thinking, "Man, I GOTTA hear "Sleepwalkers" like I sometimes do with "Face to Face." Again, I have to reference John Mendelsohn's "take" on the Kinks as being exactly my own. Hey, I hate Led Zeppelin too, and John's prescient review of their first album pretty much qualified my feelings about their entire career. I think there are two kinds of Kinks konnisewers: Those who first fell in love with "You Really Got Me" and were there from the get go, all the way through "Arthur" and "Percy" and purchased British singles just for the B-sides that never made it to any American albums. THEN, there were those whose first Kinks experience was probably "Lola" and then followed them around through all the live shows of the 70's when Ray was flouncing around in feather boas and Mick Avory and Pete Quaife had already left. Ray's literary ambitions, like Pete Townshend's didn't necessarily translate into either great music or great albums and now I think I'll go and listen to "Creeping Jean."

@@ailurophile17 Well, we agree on Led Zeppelin. Bloated, bombastic, precious, overwrought, pretentious. Can't stand them.

@@davidbowman4259 Yeah, they're the very apotheosis of what I HATED about the 70's! And let's not forget their (what a friend of mine calls) "thieving magpie-ry" for giving themselves credit for tunes composed by more deserving artists. The most obvious would be their stealing the fantastic Small Faces' version of "You Need Love," but both Spirit and Jake Holmes should have gotten the credit (and $$) they deserve as well.

@@ailurophile17 Exactly.

Hi Ron, I'm probably not qualified to answer that, as I'm not enough of a Deadhead. But you could well be right and you're probably more qualified than me to answer it if you're a Kinky and a Deadhead. Mike

Hi Johnny, I like the Arista Arena Rock albums, but I also understand and agree with your comments. I also think Ray was/is at his best when writing the kitchen sink dramas. Hey Johnny have another listen to ‘Misfits’ because I find it a warm production and strong songs. Great comments, thank you. Mike

As they say ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder’ Norman. So who says your wrong? 😂 Mike🎸

Hi Barnaby, The Kinks album are different degrees of great for me. I couldn’t rank Radiohead as I couldn’t stay awake long enough, mind you Coldplay would be worse! Mike

Naaaa, more like a Heinz Baked Bean! 😂😂 But seriously, happy with that comparison, I’ve been called a lot worse Andrew 😂 Mike

Glad to hear it. Really liked your video. I'm a massive Kinks fan. What tribute band to you play in?

I play in Kinked Alive! Really good fun playing all those great songs. Mike

I need to listen to the theatrical period again. It’s probably the batch of records I’ve played and studied the least. Thanks Mike

I’ve listened to quite a lot thank you as I’m lead singer in a Kinks tribute that has a 4 hour repertoire. So I guess I must have listened at some point!

Hi Chris, totally get what you say about Phobia. I think it would get a lot more love if 5 or 6 tracks were shaved off. It’s a product of the cd age I’m afraid, where artists thought they had to produce over an hour of music to put an album out, so quality dropped. Arthur and Village Green swap places constantly for me 1 and 2. What do you think of Muswell Hillbillies? Thanks for commenting Chris. Mike