Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire)

Listenable

Decent album.

Arthur was a fun listen, but I don’t know if I’d actually come back to look for it again. It was kind of a psychedelic meander through the English subconscious. I have to admit I have never heard and ode to Australia quite like this one. There’s a section in Mr. Churchill Says they fell into the pocket and just kind of grooved. Overall, I liked this album and I can see the pop culture influence for artist and years to come. I know Oingo Boingo are considered to be the Fathers of Alt-Rock, but I think that title belongs to the Kinks.

Random thoughts: * The Kinks records always sound of the late 60s/early 70s. Not sure why. Maybe because they weren't as mainstream and played as often as the Beatles and Stones. But they always sound tied to their era. * Opening track was fun and kinda sucked me in. * I think I can understand the love for the Kinks now better than I have before thanks to 1001. They don't hit as poppy as their contemporaries but have lots of quality and are interesting. I think I would have really liked the Kinks had I lived through their original era.

really good album

On first listen, I got the feeling that if Monty Python and the Beatles were to embark on an LSD-fueled trip to narrate a bedtime story, the outcome may resemble "Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire)." This concept album intertwines songs featuring lyrics that, while at times whimsical, are also reflective and often sharply critical. It follows the tale of Arthur and his journey through a post-war Britain, and in his relocation to Australia. The album is as scathing criticism of classism and privilege, and stands out thematically as an early forerunner of the punk movement. The album opens and closes with the lively tracks "Victoria" and "Arthur," while "Australia" showcases harmonies and "Some Mother's Son" delivers a powerful anti-war message. "Shangri-La" and "Young and Innocent Days" are also strong tracks. Although the perception is that Kinks have been eclipsed by their contemporaries, their body of work is rivaled by very few. "Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire)" is an fun experience, with catchy songs and compelling storytelling. My sole criticism would be that they occasionally indulge in their whimsy bit too much. However, this is also part of their unique charm.

This was pretty interesting, a little strange though. A fun listen overall!

Some really nice tracks. Didn't recognise many. Didn't fully know what to expect

It was aight ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

This one is ok. It's not as fun as the band's previous few albums. By this time, their penchant for high concept has started eclipsing the actual songs, but there's still some good ones here. Key tracks: Victoria Drivin' Shangri-La

This is the greatest advertisement for Australian tourism I've ever heard. Jokes aside, it's a decent concept album detailing post-war England. A lot of professional critics were putting this album on the level of the Beatles and The Who, and I just don't personally see that. Maybe a little bit in the production, but this stands alone on a peg just below those other British rock bands from the 60's in my opinion.

3/12, 25%

._.

The Kinks are always a fun time and this album was no exception. Great, upbeat songs

Fröhlicher alter Pop-Rock. Können die nicht besser singen?

Solid rock album

Delightful tunes throughout. Victoria, followed by Yes Sir No Sir is a great start to the album. It is a bit loooong for the lack of significant change-ups, though.

Happy acoustic gitarrieros

2.5

Solid sixties rock album som har sina moments och highlights. Kräver noggrannare bekantskap

Solid late 60s war protest and more general Rock N Roll. I enjoyed "Victoria" and the guitar solo in "Australia" the most, the band sounds really good. Not really a record I would probably go back to regularly but a pleasant listening experience.

3/5

Pretty good. Not a regular repeat though.

This was pretty good. But maybe not good enough for me to relisten to the whole album

Some parts are quite nice, but I'm on the fence about a lot of other parts.

Not my favorite type of music. can see why it was popular. The sort of music I wouldn't mind hearing at a summer barbecue, but not something I would put on my own playlist.

Okay, not something I want to listen to the entire album of all at once.

It's VERY British.

3.3 2x

***An ok album

Prima popmuziek. Goed te luisteren.

I enjoyed it

I can see how it was influential. An album from 1969 that sounded way ahead of it's time and definitely more modern than 56 years old. That being said, it didn't do much for me. Solidly mediocre.

It's fine, there's some interesting parts and I like the concept, but it's a style of music I just don't care about no matter how hard I try.

A pretty good album, I liked Victoria, Australia and Shangri-La the most.

The Kinks are really important. A bit overlooked for reasons I’ll get into. But they are one of the great 60s UK bands. This is a solid album though similar themes are found in the superior village green society. This is well regarded but I think it a bit long. Skippable tracks and nothing of the compel of Dead End Street, Lola, You Really Got Me, the Village Green Preservation Society, etc. Ray has been a bit Brexit supporting (ok a lot) with a tinge of racism, which is possibly why the Kinks have fallen a bit behind their contemporaries such as the Who, the Stones, the Animals or the Yardbirds. Also they got a dud deal which meant they stopped touring for long stretches. Not essential. But pretty good.

I always get The Kinks, The Smiths, and The Shins mixed up. I really like The Smiths and The Shins, and The Kinks are fine. I wish I could keep that straight.

Kinda psychedelic which I did not expect from the Kinks

It’s a mix of catchy and thoughtful. The songs feel connected, telling little stories that are nostalgic without being too heavy. It’s mellow but smart, with a sense of humor running through it. Everything feels like it fits, even if it’s not trying to be groundbreaking.

I'd probably give it a 3.5 rather than a 3 but halves are not possible. Enjoyed a lot but not as much as other Kinks stuff I know.

Good lyrics, good variety... Overall, I enjoyed this album, but it's not my cup of tea.

Eröffnets eifach mit ere queen victory lobeshymne und england homeland song. Okkkk dudes. Hender gwüsst das d queen victoria (1819-1901) 63 jahr regiert hed, krass oder? Es ganzes ziitalter prägt hed. Mir fiirt si generel scho sehr ab, au cool dass dazumals scho e starchi frau regiert hed. Aaaaaber isch au s kolonialziitalter gsi, das gid ihrer regierziit ganze doch e meh als e fahde biigschmack. Since vici is back in the club, hope you enjoyed your name patrons song :) Zrugg zu the kinks. Denked ihr die hend nach ihrere musikkarriere e wechsel gmacht, sind uf berlin usgwanderet und hend de kinky party trend gstarted und sind ez na guet verschrumplet im kinky business. Nenned mich verschwörigstheoretiker, aber Ich denkes scho. Han na nie vo ihne ghört aber es chömed da extrem grossi beatles vibes übere. Si hend eich scho sehr coole sound, aber bin au nöd würki in 60/70ies stimmig. Darum nur 3 kinky kings and queens für the kinks.

oioi lads wasmer ah dem album bsunders gfalle hett isch, dasmer de songtitel au ohni aneluege immer usegfunde hett wellsen als refrain au immer 20x gseit hend shangri laaaaaaa shangri laaaaaaa chömed doch uf au stra liaaaaaa au strai liaaaaa es isch so schön daaaaa schalalala oder de klassiker wie victooooooria victoooooriaaah und natürlich isches immer toll wemmer sich wie imene wes anderson film fühlt, das git no en bonus druf ufs hütige rating merci sinder alli cho, han mega freud so viel bekannti gsichter zgseh de negsti song kenneder alli scho, drum singed doch gern mit eis, zwei, drü ... drü drü drüüü pünkt das album hett drüüü pünkt

Great listen

First? 3/5 Again? 2/5

3.5★. Liked some songs (Brainwashed, Australia) a lot. But something kept this from sounding more than Beatles-lite.

Meh

I appreciate the Kinks, but they never seem to put it all together on one album...

Ein paar Songs catchy

The most 60s British album I’ve ever heard, and I like it? They’re not all winners.. Drivin just came on. Nothing really stood out. Victoria is catchy, but probably nothing I’ll return to.

Still so beatles-like and I'm not a huge beatles fan.

It's a little bored, but has Chill Vibes, Even its old. Could be better.

Fun. A nice combo of a classic US-rootsy sound with localized UK subject matter. Quite melodic.

When this started I wasn’t super into it. I like some stuff by the kinks, but the first few songs on here are not their best work. Then Australia happened and Shangri-La folllowed. Those two songs are worth listening to the rest of the album. After that the rest of the album is really good, but those two songs in the middle are the focal point of the album for me.

This is the second kinks album I’ve listened to, and even though I haven’t listened to the ‘big one’ I’m not sure I’m ever going to be one of the kinks biggest fans. I enjoyed this album, even if I think its a bit overwrought with the lyrics and arrangements on most of the songs, but again I wasn’t wowed. 3/5

Love the kinks. This was meh.

This seems like the album The Divine Comedy wre trying to make but failed. This was a lot better than their attempt. Some interesting sounds in this one. I can’t quite work out if it’s any good or not but there’s some of it I liked and it certainly raised a smile in places which marks it up in my book.

Nothing to set the pulse racing, but I enjoyed it. An interesting concept album that seemed to flow well. I am guessing we will have more of these guys later on to include some of their hits.

Great songwriter

Has a distinctly modern feeling to it that I don't get from other albums from this era which I thought was nice. Other than that, not much to really say for this record.

Cool chord progression in some songs, but didnt find too many songs i liked. i liked yes sir no sir

нормалек, но ни одна песня сильно не зацепила. типа битлз, очень похоже по звучанию + из того же времени примерно, но раньше особо про них не слышал.

Mostly sounds the same. Appreciated the historic referencing throughout the albumn

Starts strong with 'Victoria"... and then you see why that is the only song that is familiar. Kinks were instrumental, so for fans and historians, give it a listen. Ray and Dave actually play like they don't hate each other...

Decent!

Not bad

This might have been a four but I've heard way too much Kinks by now, it all sounds the same. People in the reviews compare the song writing to Lenon/McCartney a lot, but at least the production and sound of the Beatles material grew and changed to give the albums unique indentity. The Kinks sound never seems to mature, by which I mean it remains uninteresting to me. Happy new year by the way.

I had an interesting conversation recently about The Kinks and how their legal troubles prevented them from touring outside the U.K. during a particularly important time in their career. We agreed that this lack of exposure limited their popularity in the United States. I think we missed another important point about this. I believe that they also missed being exposed to American culture and this kept their songwriting in a very British mindset. While the Stones explored Country Music, The Who both courted and mocked the Hippies, and Led Zeppelin amplified The Blues, The Kinks stayed home and made music about the mundanity of life in postwar England. This does not translate well to American ears. London may have been swinging at the time, but you'd never be able to tell from this. I like (early and later) Kinks just fine, but this album and the others from this period just don't land with me.

-this was good! wasn’t expecting it to be so unique and interesting, I guess. I really like some of the concepts and instrumentation -the little guitar riff in the middle of Mr. Churchill Says is absolutely undefeated -the middle section of the album was probably my favorite part interestingly -Favorites are Brainwashed, Australia, and Mr. Churchill Says

60’s Brit rock

Pretty chill, liked it. Nothing standout, but overall not too bad.

I feel they’re in the same league as the Beatles, it’s interesting that their music didn’t travel the same way. Lots of great political commentary, silly lyrics, and great guitar riffs happening here.

The Kinks are the 13th most played artist since I first played Face to Face in November 2022. Equal with Nirvana. But I guess that's not surprising since I've mostly been listening to this list over that time as well. Anyway, I don't really see the appeal of this band, this album is certainly an interesting concept but it's just as mediocre as the rest of the albums. Fave: Australia

I've only been doing this generator challenge for four months, and this is the third album from The Kinks. Again, just like the other ones, it's a mediocre classic rock album, and there is very little else to say. Favorite Song: "Shangri-La"

Fun album. This is definitely a band I knew about but really hadn't listened to much of their music. Glad this popped up. 3/5

Very much the Kinks.

pretty good, but for a rock opera the vocals are pretty underwhelming. still very enjoyable

I love the Kinks but this album is just too british to get any better than 3 stars. 3/5

I would be just fine without listening to this album before I die.

Für eine Platte aus den 70er sehr hörenswert.

Kinks huoh

A definitive Kinks album well produced and performed. The only issue for was that none of the songs stood out and there was nothing impress the listener.

Pretty good, used it as work music so I wasn't paying a lot of attention but solid 3.5/5

I don’t usually think of the Kinks and the Beatles in the same category. Maybe I haven’t ever paid attention, or maybe in 1969 everybody tried to sound like the Beatles. In any case, this was okay. But I didn’t love it. I even went back to focus on the lyrics and the social commentary, but, meh. I’m not British and not an Anglophile, don’t drool over Monty Python etc, so it’s just not my jam. This is the first Kinks album I’ve gotten in this project. I hear there are FOUR. Seems excessive. Hoping some of the others are more interesting, and justify their inclusion.

This was actually quite nice, but I still think this is not the best The Kinks album.

Enjoyable album. Really liked “Victoria”. Everything else was good, just not as standoutish. 3/5 Might listen again

Pretty mid. Felt like they were just trying to keep up with the Beatles to be honest. Not sounding super fresh, but not terrible. 2.5*

Appriciated the album. Just felt a bit stale and samey towards the end

Not quite as whimsical (believe it or not) as my go-to Kinks album The Village Green Preservation Society, and not quite as rockin’ as Lola Versus Powerman, Arthur sits squarely in the middle for me. It has bangers like Victoria, Drivin’, Australia, and Shangri-La, but this isn’t an album I listen to straight through like the others bookending this one. I also can’t help but notice how similar Drivin’ sounds to Picture Book on VGPS.

Some very interesting and topical at the time issues in there. A bit monotonous towards the end but I still liked it. Highlights: Victoria Some Mother's Son

Rating: 6.5/10

I am not familiar with the Kinks beyond their popular radio hits. This album was all new to me. It was not what I was expecting. I enjoyed it, but it wasn't something that hooked me.

Fun album, better than the one of theirs I've rated previously It's a harsh 3 I enjoyed this one but not on the same level as the 4s

Very English.

Yesterday I had an album named The United States of America so the next day getting one with the British Empire in the title I can't help but laugh a little bit. Especially because this was released a year after. Decent album overall, felt kinda repetitive at times and busy at others. I did enjoy my listen though!

I feel like this is so old that it's comfy listening even though it was probably pretty intense for the time.

It's ok. Wouldn't recommend nor would I be bothered if someone turned it on. 6/10

Kinda quirky, has a couple great singles.

Better than I had thought, rocky listen

It’s alright

Was not exactly on this vibe yesterday

Great album, weird lyrics, bit boring, Beatlesque

reminds me of Paul songs, just more annoying

This is the first Kinks album I have ever heard all the way through. It looks like I will have three other albums that I need to listen to during this project. I have always been a Kinks Greatest Hits-type of person with an interest in the more popular album tracks. This is a concept album, which I generally don't really enjoy. There have been exceptions I have found through this project. I always find the Kinks to be one of the more interesting British invasion bands and feel they work hard to not write typical 60's rock songs. I have also found their music to be a bit more elusive for me. It's difficult to put into words but the some of all the music I enjoy (and there is quite a bit) never has added up to a band I tend to enjoy. I think part of this is their social commentary that feels very British niche (at least to me). Victoria, Drivin', Shangri-La and Australia are all really great songs. I loved the end of Australia with the guitar solo outro, horns and drums. It was a fun song to listen to. The music is good but I am not sure this is the album that would convince me to do more than listen to the Kinks greatest hits. Great (and underrated in some ways) band, perhaps not an album-oriented band for me. Three more chances and my mind could get changed. This is three "3-star" albums in a row for me.

I’m not a big fan of his voice but I think the instruments did their part as in they offset his voice to make it a 3 if his voice was slightly better it would be a 4

Another thing that'll make me feel out of my depth several times on this list, pre-1970s rock. Though this barely makes the cut at 1969, and I generally like the Kinks, I'm not sure how much I like their melodic sound compared to the garage/frat style of their really early stuff. The Who are my touchstone standard for this era and the Kinks were always just a bit less interesting than them to me. I don't have many words for this one as a result, it's pleasant and the concept of tracing modern British history back through song is fun but it's not something I'd seek out. The coolest album I'll probably never listen to again. 6/10

Pretty non-descript - I remember liking a couple Kinks tunes, none on this collection. Nothing stands out - can't remember a single track that caught my attention.

It was ok. Sounded very like the beetles in places.

De Kinks maken wel leuke, relaxte jarenzestigmuziek met een prettig ironische ondertoon, maar ik hoor op dit album toch weinig opmerkelijks voorbijkomen. Ja, een speech van Churchill op muziek, wat een lol. Wel een hilarische albumtitel, en op Wikipedia lees je dan wie Arthur eigenlijk is, welja.

A few great kinks tracks.

It's a totally fine album. Very much sounds like it could be a Beatles album from the same year. Would I revisit it? Probably not. But that's not to say it's not a decent album with any songs that I would skip.

They sound way more like the Beatles on this one

Good album.

Liked 1 song, rest forgettable.

Very Sgt. Pepper vibes...hippy dippy with some obvious recreational substances in the background ;) I liked most of the songs but then they kind of went off into weird trippy places. Australia started off cool but then the drugs kicked in. Mr. Churchill and Nothing to Say were probably my favs and Drivin' was a hit but I found it somewhat annoyingly repetitive.

The Kinks have a kooky fun vibe, and I dig their sound and their energy. Appreciate the conceptual aspect, though it made it feel a little more like a storybook than a music album. Good times though!

Brainwashed sounded more like something from the White Stripes than I expected. Overall it's not a bad album but it's just alright.

Didn't really do it for me. Besides Victoria and Shangri-La the rest of the album doesn't sound as good and the songs sound like generic 1970 rock. 2.5/5, but I'll give it a 3 for convenience sake.

Good

Pleasant enough arrangements with lots of instrumental flavors, but lacks the kind of strong hooks that were released in albums by fellow colleagues in the music industry during the year of 1969. I can see why it was not a commercial success that year. Also, a bit too self-loathing about British life in my opinion. I understand it is a tradition to take the piss, but after awhile the pessimism gets tiresome. As a fan of concept albums I do give them credit for holding the story together over the whole album. The theme is clear and consistent. In my opinion, by 1969 their best songs such as "All Day and All of the Night", "You Really Got Me", and "A Well Respected Man" are all behind them and it was middling albums from here on out. Favorite track: "Australia"

Victoria 4 Yes Sir, No Sir 3.8 Some Mother's Son 3.4 Drivin' 3 Brainwashed 3.2 Australia 3.4 Shangri-La 4 Mr. Churchill Says 3.3 She's Bought a Hat Like Princess Marina 3 Young and Innocent Days 3.1 Nothing to Say 3.2 Arthur 3.3 Score: 3.391666667

I think I'm getting tougher with my ratings. The 2s have been rolling out. Would I have made this a 4 in the past? Tbh, probably not. It's good, it has a lot more variety than a lot of rock, indie, punk, etc. Don't come at me and pretend like those 3 genres aren't insane overlapped. Anyway, ya, 3, will listen again, but didn't blow my mind.

Good album for its time. Some songs are a bit dated.

I had only ever heard the hit single Victoria before and it was at such a young age that I thought the song was just about a girl named Victoria; not the Victoria. Was very interesting album to listen to the theme was cool and I quite enjoyed it.

some good riff, but a bit sloppy

Weird but enjoyable.

Style and vocals reminds me a lot of the Beatles White Album.

I like the Kinks alot, and "Victoria" is an all time banger, but most of this record was just kinda fine to me?

1st song: I like it because it sound like a love song and story and plus I like how they say victoria 2nd Song: i don't like it because it was kinda bored song and they singer like they are tried of it not rude way tho 3rd song-i pretty like it cus they singer so nice like it was super amazing

This album was okay. Its lyrics felt very simple but the meaning is powerful. the song isnt really catchy or good, but the sounds are really good. So overall I really dont reccomend this album, but if you like british songs and rock then this is a good album.

I quite enjoy the Kinks but I knew precisely zero songs on this record. I thought it sounded good for its time, but also sounded like it was an early record, not the later stuff I’m more familiar with. Anyway, it was alright and a nice break from the hardcore punk I’ve been getting thrown!

3.5/5

First couple days in Australia I listened to it. A lot else going on in my head at the moment and it failed to leave an impression. Not bad, but not particularly memorable. I didn't hate it.

It was alright, nothing too special

Beatles vibes, too old school for me...

Interesting record. This sounds like it could have come out now on some songs, definitely hear a lot of modern influence. Then other songs, just sounds like an unknown Beatles track, which dates it. Overall enjoyable though.

Having not listened to the kinks before, they feel like an alternate reality Beatles. The discontentment towards the war/work for an average person still ring true 50 years later.

Another British concept album to deal with. I like the kinks but this was a solid 3 for me.

Hard to get into at first but it kept growing on me. It’s very British and very quirky with a lot of things happening which can be tough for me. It could grow on me more but I can’t give it a higher score despite it being a classic album for many. Highlights helped the cause. Highlights: “Victoria” & “Shangri-La”. 3.5 stars.

Quite overrated imo. Starts off great with Victoria but rest of the album is a slog. Neither any of the tunes or the story are that interesting to me. Brainwashed has a bit more rock bite and build up in Shangri-La is ok but nothing spectacular. I don’t really like the jokey, mugging, vaudeville style of singing that Ray Davies puts on occasionally during this.

Very British rock. Complaining about Churchill and war in general.

Hadn't heard this one before. Fun album. Might rate more stars with repeated listens. May be the most British sounding album I've ever heard. 3.5*

De har gjort så galet många bra låtar. Tyvärr saknar denna platta merparten av dessa. Godkänt trots allt.

poppier than I was expecting. it was fine.

Ну прикольно они троллят свою аудиторию. Слышал, что их альбом еще и концептуальный. И некоторые песни (Vitoria, Shangri-La) не пресные. Но в остальном ну ээхх.

Probably the best Kinks record I've listened to so far. I thought the songs were fun in a weird way while also being pretty straightforward rock. Other than that, I don't think anything revolutionary was done.

9/3/24. The Kinks are a bit underrated I think. Not on the levels of the Beatles, but still very good songwriting with variety and covering deeper themes.

British soft BORING rock

Like the other Kinks albums, this was fun. Nothing mind blowing in the end. 3.5/5

Nice album, full of British folklore. The Kinks are brutally underrated man...

Much like The Who's "Tommy" or Pink Floyd's "The Wall", this is very much a concept album following the life of the title character, Arthur. Multiple listenings may be needed to really appreciate this album, but in this reviewer's barely influential opinion, it's too British for full enjoyment from a disaffected American.

i feel like i don't have much familiarity with the kinks outside of their hits and whatever was included on the compilation record "come dancing with the kinks!" which i loved as a teenager but i would not go so far as to classify it as "good music"... i guess what i'm saying is it's hard for me to take them seriously as rock/pop musicians because i think of them as just goofy catchy 60s dance music and not anything worth thinking deeply about. and i don't think that this album changed my view very much. it has its charm but i frankly found it a bit grating. you can definitely hear the roots of all damon albarn's worst musical tendencies in this record lol. fav tracks: victoria; shangri-la; australia

I liked it! I don’t have a lot of thoughts about it tbh and don’t really feel strongly about most of the songs. However the song about how amazing is was so funny what’s the deal with that were they being sponsored by Australia’s travel bureau or something Favorites: Brainwashed, Shangri-La

These guys always puzzle me. It’s intelligent, tune-forward, multi-layered. But it’s always too clever by half. The bells and whoops and whistles, which I’m sure call to mind the music hall traditions of the Davies Brothers’ childhoods, are always way over the top. The socially conscious themes of average life in Britain are always more wink wink than they are heartfelt. Maybe I’m just not English enough to get it. Also, I don’t really like Ray’s voice. For me, they just get left in the dust by so many other bands of their era who are much less smart but so much easier to feel on an emotional level. Still, one can’t deny the artistry involved. But I never feel like throwing ‘em on.

It was ok. I know lots of people think the Kinks are underrated, but I think they are just ok.

So you're telling me this isn't a Beatles album? British invasion/British pop is one of my least favorite genres but this was at least listenable.

Reminded me of Arthur, the animated television series for children ages 4 to 8, developed by Kathy Waugh for PBS and produced by WGBH, set in the fictional U.S. city of Elwood City and revolving around the lives of Arthur Read, an anthropomorphic aardvark, his friends and family, and their daily interactions with each other.

A 10/10 opener with “Victoria” but it’s a shame nothing else on here rocks nearly as hard. Feels like the Kinks are the key artist that all the Britpop bands would reference ~25 years later, you can definitely see that influence here.

This would rank in the high 3s. Enjoyable!

I'm not a huge kinks fan, but I enjoyed the first song a decent bit and thought I may have misjudged them. But then the rest of the album is just a little bland. There are some good moments every now and then, but not enough for a 4. Also it's a little too British for me.

Very Beatles-y.

This was good.

Was bracing for another yawn after getting another The Kinks album just a few back. But this one I liked a lot more. Nice work, gents!

Good album but not their best one.

enjoyable!

N sei se gostei muito...

Still relevant social commentary but it's this type of brit-pop just isn't my thing. Favorite tunes: Brainwashed, Australia

Definitely poignant. Not my favorite, but the commentary was good and the music was solid overall.

Liked having this on in the background but wouldn’t listen again

I enjoyed! 3.5/5 Lyrics were great. Standout tracks: - Shangri-La - She’s Bought a Hat Like Princess Marina

I love The Kinks’ prior album Village Green Preservation Society, but most of their other albums fall flat for me. Village Green is their only album which is good all the way through. Most of their other albums feature a good song or two and then a bunch of crap. Arthur is sort of in the middle of the pack. As a concept album, it’s solid (especially since it was written as the soundtrack to a play), but the songwriting quality doesn’t match that of Village Green. “Victoria” and “Shangri-La” are good, and some other songs are solid as well, but the album as a whole just feels like a poor attempt to duplicate Village Green which is far superior.

Interesting. Not great, but a few gems.

I can definitely see why this was a successful album: some of the tracks felt like they were well ahead of their time. I feel like it gets a bit less exciting on the second half of the album, but it was still a good listen.

3.4 - I thought I was gonna love this album, but the first few songs just didnt land for me. But then it picked up the pace and started to feel it more. Really like shangri la

For the most part I enjoyed the tunes far more than the lyrics, but standout songs were Victoria and Shangri-La

Divertido y cheeky, más de lo que esperaba

Moderately good album, but not quite as good as other British concept albums of the period, e.g. "Ogden's Nut Gone Flake" or "S.F. Sorrow." Usual Kinks-y sound. Worth including on a playlist if in that kind of mood.

I'd rather be listening to Iron Maiden. 3.5

a wide ranging album that touches on a lot of different genres and feelings, from high energy to soft and gentle.

Will never not love the Kinks. Probably isn't my favorite album to listen to, but certainly an influential and important one.

Again not my type of music but still a good listen

omg like blorbo from my video games. i can’t listen to any more british men im going to start eating rusty nails !!

Better than I expected! I wished I knew the words so I could sing along a couple times

jolly good

Reading other reviews I think I need to come back to this. I had it on as background listening and thought some was very good, but very similar to the Beatles. Overall good brit pop but I need more time with it

I think the highest form of praise I can give an unfamiliar album is to say I liked my time with it and will plan to revisit it. I'd probably give this a 3.5 after one listen. Fav tracks : Victoria, Brainwashed, Mr Churchill Says, Nothing to Say

cheeky, chappy

Good

fajne ale nie dla mnie

Always interesting.

The album starts off with a banger, the best track of the album, Victoria. It never really recovers afterwards, with a few honorable exceptions, so I can’t be more generous than handling out three stars

less douchey Beatles

I prefer this over the previous Kinks 1968 album (village green) I got on the generator. Victoria is a standout track. 3.5

Victoria is great. I assume a lot of this is tongue in cheek, but as a concept this doesn't feel any different to a lot of The Kinks' stories, but not as engaging as - say - Sunny Afternoon or Dedicated Follower. Good, but not great.

The word that kept coming to mind for the sounds on this album was 'quirky'. I am familiar with The Kinks songs All Day and All of the Night and You Really Got Me, so this album to me was a departure from what I am used to from them. On some of the songs the singer sounds a bit like Paul McCartney to me. At other times I wondered if this band has two singers because of how different the singing sounds on this compared to the songs I am familiar with. I liked 'Brainwashed' and 'She Bought A Hat like Princess Marina'.

First Kinks album. Could hear the lineage of late 90s/early 00s UK indie rock in this. Musicianship was solid and there were a few great tracks, but I did find it slightly underwhelming.

witzig, schönes 60er medldy, kleine beatles brüder

The album reminds me of the very early Beatles. Sometimes a bit more psychedelic. I enjoyed listening to it. But I won't be doing it again any time soon. 3/5

Is this the Kinks or the Beatles?

Day174 - i enjoy listening to ray davies voice but most of the kinks songs don’t click with me

this sounds more modern than i was expecting for a 50 odd year old album. will listen again.

Listened Before? N Pretty good early britpop/rock stuff here. I’ve never spent much time listening to this band so this was all new to me. Deserves its spot on the list. Added to Librsry? N Somgs added to playlist: Victoria

A good listen - never heard before

Victoria! I like the kinks but not sure i have ever listened to this album. I give it a 3 stars

# 261 : They've done a pretty decent job. I think Its OK, a great collection of songs, and one or two bangers. The rest require a couple of listens and then become better and better. Favourite Track : Victoria Listened : 24/06/2024

Victoria Shangri-La

The Kinks ushering a new political era! Dying in a war for no reason, income inequality, misplaced patriotism (is that what it's called in Great Britain?), wartime propaganda, questioning authority, parodying the advertising of Australia! This one's got it all! It's all good, The Kinks rule, and the British Empire is officially dead! huzzah

Decent record. It started off with a nice one then when Yes Sir, No Sir came in it really brought me back to earth. I really thought it was gonna be another banger. It wasn't bad but it definitely wasn't as good as I thought it would be since a lot of the British Invaders got lots of classic albums. I thought most of the album itself was decent, it had a couple of low points throughout but I felt like it did end quite nicely. Not something I would come back to but I didn't mind listening to it. Best - Victoria, Brainwashed, Shangri-La, and Arthur Worst - Yes Sir, No Sir and Nothing to Say 3.0-3.25

3/5

又是摇滚

This concept was boring for me. Music was not bad

Joda ait, men begynne å bli my 60-70-tallsrock no, håpe på nokka mer spennende i morra.

Oku dale. 7/10

Yeah, yeah, fine. They’re fine. Good, even.

Fan of the Kinks, but this isn’t anything to write home about. 2.8

Not bad, but nothing I would go out of my way to listen to all the way through. Added some songs to my giant playlist for variety.

Very 60s but nothing I would revisit

As someone who uses a fair amount of distortion (maybe that’s an understatement) to cover up my inadequacies on the guitar, I appreciated how clean and precise the guitar was on this. Also enjoyed it playing along with the melodies. Australia and Shanghai-La were interesting journeys. I thought the vocals on Drivin’ were grating. Perhaps this is unfair but it was just missing something to get me to a 4. I can’t put my finger on it but just needed a lil something more to get me over the hump. Call it a 3.5 but rounding down. Sorry The Kinks.

Didn’t really grab me, but not terrible.

I feel like I should be into this one more than I actually am

ummm this was ok. A lot of the songs featured interesting switches in them which i enjoyed but nothing really stuck out to me except for like Shangri-La. I do appreciate however all of the anti-war rhetoric and think that it has nice messaging. top 3 - Shangri-La, Victoria, Some Mother’s Son

Beatles influenced!

Typical 60s. Eng to Aus theme.

I absolutely love Victoria it’s a fantastic opener and one of The Kinks’ great anthems. It bursts out of the speakers with energy and irony, setting the tone perfectly for what follows. What really stands out across this album is the songwriting. Ray Davies delivers sharp, thoughtful lyrics that feel bold and socially aware for the time. The album tackles themes of class, empire, and the changing face of Britain with intelligence and bite, yet never loses its melodic charm. There’s real depth here beneath the hooks. It may lack the immediate, top-drawer pop singles that define some other Kinks records, but in many ways this makes it more cohesive and powerful. As a concept album, it feels ambitious and emotionally resonant — a reflection on identity and decline wrapped in distinctly British storytelling. Favourite track: Victoria — energetic, clever, and endlessly replayable. Least favourite track: Australia — it never quite grabs me in the same way and feels a little overextended. Album artwork: Amazing. Bold and colourful, it perfectly complements the grand, reflective themes of the record.

pretty good, not bad for being so 'early'

Helt ok, og er nok et av de albumene som ikke har holdt seg med tiden fordi det er kommet så mye likt i etterkant.

Never heard this particular one but I have always been a Kinks fan. They get the vote out of me. :)

I liked this album

Nice, inoffensive 60s pop, that will not go down in history as a great innovation, but which flows nicely in any case. 3/5

An interesting concept album from the Lola fellas. It was very ok.

Victoria, great tune. Nice rhythm and melody to the song. Theres some good lyrics. Lots of social commentary from the time. Lots of meaning behind each song. I listen to the lyrics of Australia and they are still very apparent today. i connected with those lyrics on a personal level. Shangri-La was a good tune. I like how it transitioned between different melodies. Some good guitar licks dashed throughout the songs. I enjoyed the change of pace in "Mr churchill" and "she bought a hat like princess marina." Overall a couple of good tunes. Lots of meaning behind the lyrics but only the one stand out tune for me - victoria. A good 3/5.

The Kinks are a band I always thought I'd enjoy, but as I delve deeper into music, they haven't quite lived up to my expectations. While their music isn't bad, it feels somewhat middle-of-the-road compared to other bands from that era.

Not my favorite kinks record but it was fun

Has alot of charm, witty lyrics, a fun listen. Instrumentally lacking, it doesn't ever feel particularly interesting even if it's always enjoyable. I think back in the day this woulda slapped tho. Fav track: Victoria Solid 3.5

Decent

Enjoyable. Was neat hearing bits and pieces of other bands they've influenced in these songs. 3/5

expected to enjoy this more than I did, just a 3

Kind of wild amalgam of what the Kinks do and sound like. Weirder here though. Victoria I knew not much else. Brainwashed is A+ and the sheer British oddness of She's Bought a Hat Like Princess Marina is kind of great. There is so much Kinks and I've listened to a lot so I was surprised so much of this was new to me. Good, but not my favorite of theirs

Interesting album

I think I’m biased against concept albums. It was witty and thematically consistent, but I found myself getting annoyed with the heavy-handedness of it all. Not bad, just not the sort of thing that appeals to me.

Good

Solid 60s rock

Not a fan...I listened to majority of album, could not get it.

This is good. Liked the commentary about modern life, feel like that still holds up today. I think a couple of songs stood out more along those lines, maybe the rest blends together a bit, but overall is decent. It's hard not to feel the Beatles influence here, and at the same time wish the songwriting was as grabbing and interesting as the Beatles.

Very kinks. Just a classic album by them

The Kinks have a lot of better songs but none of them are on this album.

This one is hard to rate for me, some songs are good and I really don't like others. Many sounded like Beatles songs which is fine but this released the same year as abbey road which just doesn't match up. A lot of the songs just didn't sound very full, like they were missing elements to make everything flow better. I do like some of The Kinks' hits but none are on this album. Favorite Song: Shangri-la 6/10

Interesting mix of vibes. Liked a lot of songs others were meh. Could be pretty goofy but I liked that. Top songs: Some mothers son Shangri-la

Victoria, Drivin, and Shang rala are great. I love that they wanted to make their own style of music.

I hope this is my last Kinks album. They're fine I guess, but severely overrated and overexposed on this list. Yes, there's some good songs but there's a lot of shruggable stuff too.

Not sure I like the mixing on this album... feels very flat and tinny. Lyrics are fun! I enjoyed Shangri-La and had never heard it before listening through the album

Ok, Guitar grooves that remind me of my favorite Beatles period. Has some good moments, but the off-key vocals don't quite work for me. Highlights: she's bought a hat, shangrila, australia

While I'd heard some of this album's songs (thanks to "Chronicles"), I haven't heard this album as an album before, and it sounds like it's really meant to be a whole album/concept experience. I'll admit that without reading the Wikipedia entry for this album, I would never have realized this was either a musical or that there's a whole storyline involved (although knowing it now makes the whole Shangri-La/Australia thing a lot more understandable). It's odd that it got a fairly tepid reception in the UK, but a glowing one in the US, and in some ways probably doesn't belong as one of their best albums (despite favorable comparisons to "Tommy" at the time). But a fun listen nonetheless.

god i wish there were half stars. 2.5 is exactly what this is. 2 implies its bad and 3 implies its good. this just is.

The Kinks, perhaps not so well known for being the social commentary band of the 60's. This is yet another album that I have known about for a long time, but never bought or listened to. A long one for it's time but with some really great tracks, some I knew some I didn't. As an album it's not exceptional but it is good. I'm torn here, from it's reputation it should be at least a 4. But for me personally its a 3.6, 3.7. So to be consistent I can only give it a 3

The concept album appeared to be a big thing at that point in time. Interesting how us Brits panned it and the Americans loved it. Well I thought it was very good, I've never listen to it before. But I was aware of the song 'Victoria' which was covered by The Fall. It fills a sort of cultural gap between 'Ogden's Nut Gone Flake' and 'Tommy'. It will get another listen. A high 3.

Never heard an album by this group. Very 60s. A couple of good songs, rest pretty decent.

I was going to give this a 4 but other than the first track nothing stuck out to me. War sucks and the military sucks yeah yeah yeah we know. I wonder if this is an album where you should read the lyrics while listening to get the full picture.

Feels like one long, quirky song. Nothing particularly stood out. While I appreciate the uniqueness, it wasn't for me - quirky in an annoying way. Fav tracks: N/A

Another middle of the road rock album

It was alright

3rd album of The Kinks from the list. They still remind me a lot of The Beatles. And I'm not really sure if it's a good or a bad thing. 3.5/5.

I like othe Kinks albums better

I wonder if I would like this more if I was from the UK. The jams where fine, but not really for me. I probably won't come back to this again

this one was a'ight. Nothing earth shattering to write home about...

Fun.

Nice lyrics, maybe I miss some more strength in the music

Not bad, but typical of the era

Kinks are always fine -- but I definitely prefer early, angsty Kinks to later, quirky Kinks

Compared to what I've heard from the Kinks in the past, this was great. It wasn't so great that I'd say I love this album, but it's real close. But it's really good, not what I was expecting from the Kinks.

New to me, enjoyed most of it a fair bit. Not my typical listen, but it's a solid record. Australia was a great track. I think I can forgive Muswell Hill for producing Wetherspoons now.

Never delved into the Kinks. Fun and uplifting.

This is not what I thought The Kinks were - very war focused, Beatles-ish Brit Pop Rock. But also had this like hippy/renaissance fair vibe. Didn't hate it. Definitely some catchy tunes but very different from other Kinks songs I know like Lola or You Really Got Me. 3.5

good

The kinks were definitely ahead of their time.

I love the Kinks and at his best, Ray Davies is as good a songwriter as Lennon/McCartney. But this is an album I have always struggled to enjoy. Sure it does contain at least two undisputed Kinks classics (Victoria and Shangri-la) and both are outstanding. Driving is also catchy but much of the remaining material is lyrically mundane. The music is an interesting period piece, with brass and harpsichords mingling with rock. It's not terrible and some even rate it above TVGPS, but I personally wouldn't select this as a starting point for the Kinks. Ps the non-album King Kong single is another outstanding example of Davies' songwriting.

It was ok. Victoria a classic

Intersting, never realised that that Fall song was a cover! Usual eccentric album I enjoyed this one more than the garden party larky. Got lost a few times but a bit of energy here and there. Think the Kinks are best when they have a bit of energy. Is that Terry Gillingham artwork I see?

Our fourth (and final) Kinks album on the 1001 list. I never really got into The Kinks, dunno why its good music, and this album is pretty decent, but if I was going to recommend a Kinks album, I'd go with "Something Else".

The theme was interesting

Probably good but couldn't be arsed listening.

Decent, some great songs mixed in with some not so great ones.

Pretty good

Kinda like The Beatles later years. The Beatles are not a favorite of mine.

The Beatles at home. This did have some nice production techniques and personality later in the album. Still, the title promised far more than it delivered.

Þetta er fínasta tónlist. Ég þekki náttúrulega Kinks en hef aldrei hlustað á þessa tilteknu plötu áður eða lögin á henni. Ég gæti alveg hugsað mér að spila hana aftur en í hreinskilni sagt mun ég líklegast bara gleyma henni

The Kinks just don’t grab the way I would have expected and I fine the lyrics kind of condescending towards the peopk being written about bur idk maybe I’m missing the point or something

nice

This album was fun. Not their best but I enjoyed it.

Nice...very Beatles

Gut aber nixht ganz meins

A solid 3/5

Okay

For some reason, I can’t help but think of the kinks as some alternate universe band of what Paul McCartney would sound like if he never met John. The songs are usually so tight, focused on catchiness and can often have a quirky, “granny” -ness to them. This was a fun album, not my favourite listen I found it a bit repetitive but a good listen.

i like the kinks and this is a solid one

A fun little album. Bonus points for Australia (straya) Fav tracks - Victoria - Australia

Malo predugo pjesme traju, ali sve u svemu dosta dobro

Didn't have much of a chance to listen closely to this in one sitting. It was pretty good. Didn't get very into it but also have no criticisms. Favorite song: Yes Sir, No Sir?

Lot better than I expected. Classic late 60's English lyrical pop.

none of the classics on here (i don't like 'victoria') but some great guitar riffs and tones, its the kinks alright, british british oh my god we're the kinks and we're british standouts: some mothers son australia