The Kinks: Arthur

The Kinks Arthur

Label: Reprise Records

Year: 1969

Every Kinks album is a concept album revolving around Britishness in some fashion, and Arthur is no exception. However, it’s not necessary to understand the concept or to be British to enjoy Kinks albums. “Victoria” sounds like the Kinks sounding like Canned Heat before sounding like the Kinks. “Yes Sir, No Sir” sounds like the Kinks sounding like the Bonzo Dog Band before sounding like the Kinks. The Kinks sound like the Kinks on tracks 3-5 as the concept is taking hold for those paying attention and for the rest there’s “Australia”. The Kinks go super British on the 5 minute plus single “Shangri-La” and for the remainder of Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire) the Kinks go into full British concept mode as only the Kinks can, while unintentionally making the case they could have used a producer.

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