One of my favorite bands. Some Kinks fans argue over which period is the best. For me all their phases matter and offer something. I kept up with them from the 60s into the Arista era, then I got busy and lost track. Years later I caught up with everything they did till the very end and it's all satisfying.
The Kinks’ late 70s/early 80s run was the stuff I grew up with and holds a special place in my heart, regardless of whether it was or wasn’t their “best.”
The Kinks’ musical journey is amazing! A true path to follow for anyone new to the awesome world of vinyl-philes. I rarely buy straight music, and every Kinks album I have taken a chance on has been amazing.
The Kinks have been underrated in my view. Maybe because they were banned from touring in the US at the height of the Brit Invasion? Which is too bad because they deserve to be talked about with The Beatles, Stones, and The Who.
Yes, I agree that they’ve been very underrated. And your reason is definitely one of the big contributing factors. I’ve always placed them right up with The Beatles, Stones, and The Who.
Those must be wonderful memories. Always fascinating how we link and relate albums, books, and photographs to various periods in our lives that were special to us.
There are few albums whose opener and closer I enjoy more. Around The Dial is actually one of my fave Kinks tracks ever and, of course, Better Things sends you off with a smile.
I listen to their 60s and 70s stuff a lot more regularly than their 80s records — I find the arena-rock "production values" of the era to be a bit distracting — but this one always has a special place in my heart, since it was the first new studio Kinks album to come out after One For The Road turned me into a diehard Kinks fan.
It’s cool that this one has a special place in your heart - it does in mine too. And yes, ‘One For the Road’ was such an amazing live album. Great to touch base with another diehard Kinks’ fan.
One of my favorite bands. Some Kinks fans argue over which period is the best. For me all their phases matter and offer something. I kept up with them from the 60s into the Arista era, then I got busy and lost track. Years later I caught up with everything they did till the very end and it's all satisfying.
I love all their periods and styles too.
The Kinks’ late 70s/early 80s run was the stuff I grew up with and holds a special place in my heart, regardless of whether it was or wasn’t their “best.”
Yes, me too. I treasured those records in real living time.
The Kinks’ musical journey is amazing! A true path to follow for anyone new to the awesome world of vinyl-philes. I rarely buy straight music, and every Kinks album I have taken a chance on has been amazing.
Yes they went on such an amazing musical journey and took us with them.
Concept-album years for me. Arthur kicks so much ass. Love The Kinks.
Yes, that’s an amazing era of theirs and Arthur is incredible.
The Kinks have been underrated in my view. Maybe because they were banned from touring in the US at the height of the Brit Invasion? Which is too bad because they deserve to be talked about with The Beatles, Stones, and The Who.
Yes, I agree that they’ve been very underrated. And your reason is definitely one of the big contributing factors. I’ve always placed them right up with The Beatles, Stones, and The Who.
Hey Ma there goes a piece of the president’s brain. Great album indeed
Indeed it is!
Destroyer recalls many of my college parties, so that would have to be my fave. Nevertheless the Kinks remain one of my early life favorites.
Those must be wonderful memories. Always fascinating how we link and relate albums, books, and photographs to various periods in our lives that were special to us.
Great album, especially Better Things. IMHO, nothing will ever top the Kinks 60s track-Victoria.
Yes, 'Victoria' is an incredible track!
There are few albums whose opener and closer I enjoy more. Around The Dial is actually one of my fave Kinks tracks ever and, of course, Better Things sends you off with a smile.
Yes, great point - they are the absolutely perfect opener and closer combination!
I listen to their 60s and 70s stuff a lot more regularly than their 80s records — I find the arena-rock "production values" of the era to be a bit distracting — but this one always has a special place in my heart, since it was the first new studio Kinks album to come out after One For The Road turned me into a diehard Kinks fan.
It’s cool that this one has a special place in your heart - it does in mine too. And yes, ‘One For the Road’ was such an amazing live album. Great to touch base with another diehard Kinks’ fan.
Likewise! Here's a piece I wrote a while back about seeing them in concert for the first time (in '83)... https://danepstein.substack.com/p/a-rock-n-roll-fantasy
What a great article - I loved it! We have very similiar musical tastes.
Thank you, Alex! And thank you for sharing it!
My pleasure.
I can’t drive safely if Destroyer comes on! What a tune!
Haha, yes such a wild and fun song!