The Kinks Album: “Kinda Kinks [Remaster]”

Description :

The Kinks: Ray Davies, Dave Davies (vocals, guitar); Peter Quaife (bass); Mick Avory (drums). <p>Includes liner notes by Peter Doggett. <p>KINDA KINKS, the band's second release, is more or less of a piece with its predecessor. On the previous album, however, the band had used covers to fill the spaces between the Ray Davies originals, and here the tracks are almost all penned by Davies (with the exception of their version of "Dancing In The Street"). Davies' lovelorn songs had yet to fully flower into elegies for disappearing lifestyles and values (SOMETHING ELSE, three years later, effectively marked that change). But his wistful melodicism can be heard in tunes such as "Something Better Beginning," "Don't Ever Change," and "So Long," which mingle quite nicely with the pop propulsion of "Tired of Waiting." With the focus so squarely on the singing songwriter, it's almost easy to forget how powerful the rest of the ensemble was--a tight little rock & roll band of the highest order.

I bought this CD for the track "Nothin' in the World...", a fine bluesy ballad that's difficult to find elsewhere. However, all the tunes on this second release from the seminal British Invasion band are fun to hear after almost forty years. Hearing a youthful Ray Davies sing "See My Friends" is a treat. The remastered sound is great. Worth the price.

This is a WONDERFUL remastered disc (23! tracks) that captures the moment when Ray Davies and the boys truly found their voice.

It's packed with wonderful songs (e.g. "Nothin' in the World Can Stop Me Worryin' About That Girl", "Something Better Beginning","Tired of Waiting For You","Come On Now"). Great guitar work (Thanks to Dave Davies),excellent 60's 4-track British studio production sound, and those oh-so-slightly cynical Ray lyrics make this disc a MUST HAVE! Note: This review is for the import Sanctuary release ASIN #B0001XLXE8, not the US Castle version. (See also the remastered "Something Else By the Kinks").

Upon first listen I told myself that this must be a compilation of all their hits. Nope. This is merely their sophomore effort which is jam backed with fantastic tunes. I love the upbeat sound, the fuzzy guitars and vocals, and how catchy every song is. This album includes the major hit "Tired of Waiting for You" but there really isn't a bad track on the album. Great party album. I feel like people would definitely get up and dance to this. You can't help it! Check it out. It's a must-listen.

Get the UK version of the Castle/Sanctuary CD reissue for a normal, low CD price at amazon.co.uk. This is the version to get. Like the first album reissue, it includes a lot of bonus tracks, 11 total for 23 songs, way better than the American version which only has 16. And these bonus tracks are amazing, particularly "A Well Respected Man" and "See My Friends". As far as the original album goes Kinda Kinks is a strong improvement over the first album. Ray Davies (and to some extent Dave) have switched from their attempt at being white, blues guys and instead have gone straight toward pop rock. This album features so many great songs including "Tired of Waiting for You", "So Long", "Come On Now" and the beautiful ballad "Something Better Beginning." Again, if you're into rock and pop you need this! Basically, with the bonus tracks, it's like buying two great Kinks albums on one CD so what are you waiting for?