The Kinks Album: “Phobia”

It's been said that Fear is the enemy. Certainly not on this fine collection of Ray and Dave Davies originals. While this collection can't hold a candle to their best work of the 60's and 70's, it's a fine collection with at least a handful of songs that rank with Ray's best work.

Drift Away, Still Searching, Scattered, hatred and Over the Edge all would fit in well with the crowded room of Kinks classics written over the past thirty plus years. Dave contributes one of his finest songs with Close to the Wire (which also appears on the import version of Unfinished Business: The Dave Davies Kronkiles). It's Alright isn't quite as strong but still manages to keep its head above water and survives in the best company due to a swimming performance that is top notch.

So after thirty years the choice is yours. Give up and stick with the great classic stuff or take a risk with this fine more recent record. If you choose the former you'll be missing out on a fine record (and the last album of originals the band has recorded since 93)that offers a number of classic tunes. Hey, at least Ray and Dave aren't recycling the same stuff (unlike that famous band that gathers no moss)and expecting it to sell. In their prime these guys could hold their own and occasionally blow the Stones off the stage.

Find out why.

It's a shame that the only song the Kinks will ever be remembered by is LOLA. They have so many other great works Soap Opera and School Boys In Disgrace to name but a few. What's happened to modern radio that they let Phobia slip thru the cracks? What a great album, from start to finish!!!! Even if you call a station you won't find it on their play list so don't even try. Just buy this amazingly good effort by one of the greatest rock groups of all times. And let us hope this will not be the last thing they ever do togeather. If the last 2 Stones albums were even half this good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

certainly not up to the level of their late 60's output up to the lola album which many consider the end of their classic period. this album rocks out with hard hitting riff based songs highlighting dave davie's underappreiated guitar skills. there are at least a couple of classic songs on this disc including scattered, and hatred (a duet). i remember this album being in my heavy rotation for several months after i bought it when it was released. i also remember hatred getting quite a bit of radio play. i know ray and dave have had some tough times recently with dave's stroke and ray getting stabbed in new orleans. i hope they get back together for at least one last hurrah. do they have another arthur or village green in them? i'm hoping they do.

Never thought a band from the midsixties would still be able to grab your attention like the Kinks do on Phobia. I may be completely out of the modern day fashion, it may not have anything daring -lyric- or music-wise) but Ray Davies proves he is still a captivating and brilliant songwriter while his collegues from way back are retired or dead or both. A great album. Davies does not have one creative grey hair.

This is an excellent CD that shows the Kinks still have a lot to offer. The song Hatred is a hilarious (and rocking) commentary on the relationship between the brothers Davies while Still Searching, Scattered and the title track are standouts.