The Kinks Album: “Think Visual”

Released in late 1986, "Think Visual" is the first album the Kinks did for MCA Records. Arista Records seemingly sensed that the Kinks period of commercial renaissance was over following the dropoff in sales of 1984's "Word Of Mouth". Indeed, the sales dropoff continued with "Think Visual", but don't let that fool you. "Think Visual" is an engaging, spirited rock record that no Kinks fan should be without.

Ray Davies does continue to mine very familiar lyrical territory throughout the album. He attacks the record industry on "Working At The Factory", sends up big business corporations on the title track, comments on getting stuck in a day-to-day rut on "Repetition", and looks back on the 'good old days' on "Welcome To Sleazy Town". "Lost and Found" is one of those spiritually-minded Ray songs where an incident that initially seems like a tragedy serves the over-arching purpose of heightening one's perception and appreciation of life. Granted, a lot of the lyrics do seem a little weak and formulaic, but it's often to amusing effect that's fun and isn't embarassing, and Ray shows he definitely has his sense of humor working for him on the highly amusing "The Video Shop".

Quality songs abound. The irresistible, uptempo title track links together several extremely catchy bits in its 3:12 running time, containing riffy lead guitar work from Dave Davies, plus a couple of blink-and-you'll-miss-it musical hall-flavored sections. "Lost and Found" is an uplifting feel-good ballad--it's a little overly slick, but still nicely atmospheric. "Welcome To Sleazy Town" is an excellent bluesy detour. The horn-powered, reggae/ ska-styled "The Video Shop" is infectious and perfectly suits the humorous lyrics. The wistful Dave Davies-penned album-closer "When You Were A Child" is a moving, wonderfully tuneful uptempo pop-rocker. The album-opening rocker "Working At The Factory" and the swinging "Repetition are fine tracks as well. Quite frankly, there really aren't any weak tracks on the entire disc.

Like with previous Kinks albums, there are moments here that give you an inescapable "where have I heard that before?" feeling. The back-and-forth between 'F' and 'G' chords on "How Are You" instantly recalls "Tired Of Waiting For You". The chorus of "Welcome To Sleazy Town" features a guitar riff that sounds like it was beamed in straight from Genesis' "Misunderstanding" (which itself sounds extremely similar to Sly & the Family Stone's "Hot Fun In the Summertime"). The title track sounds extremely similar to the Kinks' own "Definite Maybe" (from the "State of Confusion" album), with some of the riffing being copied note-for-note. And don't even get me started on "Natural Gift"...

In short, "Think Visual" is a highly worthwhile and underrated album from one of the most appealing bands in history. If you see this CD in a used bin for a few bucks in solid condition, it's a great deal.

I received "Think Visual" as a Christmas gift about six years ago, back when I was still relatively unfamiliar with the Kinks, and from the first listening I loved it. I honestly don't believe it deserves the poor reviews it seems to have gotten. "When You Were A Child" is my favorite Dave Davies song, it really strikes a chord with me. "Working in the the Factory" is also well done, as are several of the others. The whole album has a lot of energy to it, in spite of the fact that it isn't as hard rocking as some of the Kinks' other efforts, and all in all listening to it leaves me in a good, contemplative mood. I'd recommend it to any Kinks fan, and, unlike many of the other reviewers, I would also recommend it to any rock fan who is not yet well-versed with the Kinks. If you are anything like me, this album will be enough to convince you to earnestly seek out everything else this great band has to offer!

I'd been meaning to get this CD for years, ever since I saw the Kinks give a fantastic performance on a tour that featured a number of these songs. While I don't have the Kinks' entire catalog, this one is more adventurous than "Low Budget". I'm surprised at the distaste that some Kinks fans have for this. I'm guessing that this album is less likely to appeal to fans looking for the arena rock of "Destroyer" or "Do It Again".

Sure, this collection of songs has a lighter groove to it; nothing wrong with that. Which is not to say that this is an album of ballads, not by any stretch. Although the lead single, "Working at the Factory" never particularly tripped my trigger, "Welcome to Sleazytown" in particular is a must-have. "Lost and Found" is a classic, just listen to song samples online. "How Are You", ditto. "Video Shop" is a light, fun narrative that doesn't try to make any big statements about the human condition.

The title track should have been the single released in the wake of "Come Dancing". Unfortunately, that honor fell to "Rock and Roll Cities", quite possibly the worst song in the Kinks' catalog. Still, I like this album a lot. It's no wonder that half this album makes up the MCA years compilation "Lost and Found".

The criticisms remind me a lot of how critics greeted a good album like the Stones' "It's Only Rock n Roll". They rode the band hard for not putting out another "Exile On Main Street", but the band had changed gears on them. At the price this CD is going for, it's a bargain.

don't pay attention to the critics. Ray Davies is probably the best songwriter in rock history. though a newcomer to the kinks may not find this album worth much, the die-hard kinks fans will see the beauty in it. "Working at the factory" is lyrically quite poignant. "Killing Time" is a great song, "Video Shop" as well. though the production may leave something to be desired, if you are willing to look beyond the exterior here, you will find some gems. Admittedly, the kinks aren't as great as they were in the past, but name one thirty five year old band that is!

The key to the Kinks' American resurgence in the early 80's was how well their music fit in with the then current New Wave. Recycle "All Day and All of the Night" as "Destroyer", dress the Davies brothers in skinny ties and "bingo" the kids couldn't tell they were really old fogies from the original British Invasion.

This album brought all that to a screeching halt for 2 reasons: 1) the lead single was "Rock 'n' Roll Cities", a truly hideous Dave Davies composition, and 2) Ray changed the band's sound. Think Visual suddenly sounds like adult contemporary instead of vital rock 'n' roll. It's like the band aged 20 years overnight compared to Word Of Mouth. The new sound may have appealed to older Kinks fans, but older fans don't buy records. Kids do. Thus, the Kinks went into their final commercial death spiral.

But is the record any good? Yeah, if you can get past the two problems discussed above, it's a pretty enjoyable listen. Dave's other song "When You Were A Child" is one of his better Kinks contributions. Most of Ray's songs are good, even if none of them qualify as classics. The rockers like "Welcome To Sleazy Town" and the title track are hurt by the decidedly non-rock production style, but outside of "Rock 'n' Roll Cities" there's nothing to really dislike. So Think Visual is a minor but worthy addition to the Kinks' catalog.