The Kinks - Something Else by the Kinks

Some fans argue that this 1967 release is one of head Kink Ray Davies's middle-period masterpieces (coming between two LPs that no kultist can deny: Face to Face and Village Green Preservation Society), while others regard it as an uneven collection of great singles and inconsequential filler; a stopgap move. Although no one could argue that it's as consistent as those classics, Something Else does boast one of the great one-two punches in rock history: the rumbling tale of social envy, "David Watts," and "Death of a Clown," a slurring pub sing-along warbled by brother Dave. Elsewhere, the quartet dives headfirst into droning psychedelia ("Lazy Old Sun"), whimsical balladry ("Afternoon Tea"), suburban soap opera ("Two Sisters"--love that harpsichord), and one of the most poignant singles in rock history ("Waterloo Sunset"). --Don Harrison Amazon.com

This Album Saved Me

When I was in my first semester as a Freshman in college, I was alienated, lonely, going through some terrible trauma and depression. I had loved the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan and the Who since I was little, and they had helped me through such times. Wandering into an record store (this was 1984!) in Boston, I rifled through albums, and saw this one. I had only known the Kinks at that point for You Really Got Me, and a few others, but the cover art and then the titles of the songs made me realize I might be holding a gem I had never discovered.

As I played the album that night, I had one of many revelatory experiences I had only experienced with the Beatles and Rolling Stones, and one of many I would have with the Kinks. This is a masterpiece. And you simply cannot try to interpret or criticize it in the context of the Beatles. They are working with material and ideas very different from most anyone else. There is something both very coy and detached, but intimate in a way that speaks to a wistful mentality, one that knows that life can be terribly painful and lonely, but in the middle of it life can also be beautiful and precious. The Kinks present this shade of life in a manner that is not pretentious. Think of all the groups (the Kinks included) who have made melancholy, whimsy and wistfulness pretentious! This album, along with its precursor Face to Face, and it subsequent Village Greene Preservation Society are three of the quiet but wonderful monuments not necessarily to rock music, but just plain great music in general. The album will never tire on me. June 7, 2008

Worth it for Waterloo Sunset

Do you like thoughtful, witty Britpop with folky influences? If so, you'll probably want to try 'Something Else' by the Kinks. It begins with 'David Watts,' probably the most upbeat song about envy anyone has ever written, and ends with 'Waterloo Sunset,' possibly the best ballad the Kinks ever recorded and certainly one of the most bittersweet songs of the 1960s. In between, there's lots of jangly guitar, some clever harpsichord runs, and songs that come across as mashups between pub singalongs and Celtic balladry. True, the production values vary a bit throughout and both Ray and Dave Davies aren't the greatest singers on either side of the Atlantic. But the songwriting is first rate, Dave Davies was a criminally under-rated guitarist, and absolutely no one could write lyrics that veered from satirical to compassionate to heartbreaking like Ray Davies did. Simply put, this is an essential CD for anyone who loves the craftsmanship of non-psychedelic late-1960s pop and rock, or the quieter side of alternative rock.

If you're looking for the early 80's hard rock version of the Kinks, you'll probably be better served by 'One For the Road' but 'Something Else' is an unjustly forgotten gem that showcases the Kinks' gentler side. May 27, 2008

A Masterpiece that Stands the Test of Time

There will always be debate as to this being the 'best ever' by the Kinks. Over 40 years since its' release, it is still vibrant. I personally place the bonus-packed reissue of 'Face to Face' at the same, top, level and slightly above the next album, 1968's 'Village Green Preservation Society' (that said, all the Kinks albums from 1966 to 1971 are very good to excellent).
This was also Dave Davies' breakthrough as a songwriter-on "Death of a Clown" and "Love Me Till the Sun Shines" and "Funny Face". It is hard to beleive that just two years earlier this band was releasing albums that were two or three singles and a bunch of forgettable filler. Each song, from the strident rocker "David Watts" through the haunting melody of "No Return" and the numerous other catchy hooks in each of stories being told by song on this album elevate it to a level of a classic. There are sing-alongs: "Clown" and "Harry Rag"; tales of ordinary people "Two Sisters", "Situation Vacant", "Afternoon Tea", and the irresistably catchy "Waterloo Sunset". Some consider this (as well as 'Face to Face') to be a 'concept' album about the day-to-day travails of ordinary, British middle class people. The total departure from the hard rock Kinks of 1964 and 65 could not be more complete than the skillfully crafted "End of the Season", "No Return", and "Waterloo Sunset"; these are songs that would not be out of place in a musical from a previous generation. Together with the other strong songwriting throughout, they give 'Something Else' the timeless quality that makes it sound as good 40 years after release as it did in 1967. April 17, 2008

kinky stuff

Something Else by the Kinks furthers shows why the Kinks are largely considered the lost forgotten pop band of the late 60's. Some people put them right up there with the Beatles. I wouldn't go THAT far, but buying four or five Kinks albums wouldn't be a bad idea at all.

One song that immediately catches my attention is "Death of a Clown". An upbeat song with the word "death" in the title? Yes! "Waterloo Sunset" is probably the best song on the album, and anyone who believes this song shouldn't be played on the radio.. guess again! It should have been a huge hit, but it wasn't, and maybe it's for the better really. We don't need radio stations playing the same song over and over. All that would do is end up making people get tired of their music!

So pick up this brilliant pop album and prepare yourself for one fine, pop rock experience. March 5, 2008

the beginning of the end

Besides "David Watts," there isn't a listenable song on this album. And that's coming from a big Kinks' fan. Like many great "artists" of the 60's, Ray Davies took his cue from Dylan and Lennon/McCartney and decided to become a poet rather than a musician. What a shame. Boring, boring, boring. And pretentious to boot. January 10, 2008

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