Something Else By The Kinks - Kinks (The)

Advantages: it gives a neat summary of the Kinks colourful and varied career
Disadvantages: Being a 'Best of' you only get to scratch the surface

...One of the gems of British rock music, the Kinks helped define our little island in the 6o's as the epicentre of the most exciting cultural revolution of the the 20th Century. This album charts their progress, starting with the gritty rock n' roll of 'You Really Got Me' to the more quirky and observational pieces such as 'Sunny Afternoon' and 'Apeman' to the more risque and sexually ambiguous 'Lola'. This album by no means gives the full flavour of the Kinks, but it is a very useful starting point for a Kinks beginner. It can be seen as a contents page with each song acting as the title of a chapter, charting their progress and maturation over the years.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Great songs
Disadvantages: None

...All of those that thought Big Country went extinct in the 80s you'll be surprised to hear that they have just released one of their finest albums - Driving to Damascus. Sporting their original line-up (therefore with ace drummer Mark Brzezicki) they have produced an album full of their trademark guitar riffs and bluesy ballads. Lead singer Stuart Adamson has again been the driving force behind the song writing, even collaborating on one song, Something Else, with Ray Davies of The Kinks. There is a limited edition in the shops with two extra tracks but minus a booklet and the first single from the album, Fragile Thing, has had BBC airplay and made it into the charts. As anyone who has ever been to a BC concert will know that they are awesome live, so it is sad to hear that their last concert, in Glasgow's Barrowlands on May 31 (I... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Cleverly written and beautifully crafted songs
Disadvantages: Not everyone's cup of tea, but then, what is?

...". The Kinks were out of favour, the album title didn't really help it's sales, and the record company didn't exactly herald the release of this record with blazing trumpets. So it slipped quietly away.... This edition is a triple CD compilation, but to prevent an overlong review I'll initially just cover the tracks on the original album, followed by a short summary of what else is stashed on this set. ~1 The Village Green Preservation Society Not the strongest of openers but it's pleasant enough and sets the tone for the rest of the album. A medium-paced pop song with a kind of summer groove. Harmonies throughout, lead singer Ray Davies misses the old values: " We are the Draught Beer Preservation Society God save the Mrs Mops and dear Old Mother Riley" ~2 Do You Remember Walter? A bouncing piano chord intro soon cascades into a Kinks... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful