The Kinks
Kinda Kinks

THE REVIEW

Here we are with the Kinks. In the midst of the British Invasion era, four young guys were making their way in England by offering their musical proposal, consisting of a Rock 'n' Roll with a clear Blues origin. Or Beat, as you wish to call it. The protagonists are two brothers, Ray and Dave Davies. Two minds that would give birth to one of the most influential and underrated groups of the 60s English scene.

Kinda Kinks, our heroes' second studio effort, let's say right away that the influence of the Beatles is absolutely present. Perhaps perpetually remaining in the shadow of the Fab Four has significantly penalized the group. But let's move on, after the great debut Kinks, which included what is considered the first Hard Rock song, You Really Got Me, and many other good tracks, the band delivered an album that is clearly linked to its predecessor, but that lacks the courage and audacity that had characterized them. The sound is more mature and it shows, but the lack of big hits, crucial at the time, certainly makes the record fall short. Not that there is a lack of great Rock 'n' Roll examples within the album. With Look for my baby, it kicks off with a wild rock, other noteworthy tracks are the Blues of Naggin' Woman and the acoustic ballads Nothing in this world can stop my worryin' 'bout that girl and the splendid So Long. There's also room for a cover, Dancing in The Street, written by The Vandellas, or more precisely by a certain Marvin Gaye when he was starting out within the just-mentioned group, and made famous by the, let me say, somewhat homosexual duet of David Bowie and Mick Jagger, but that's another story. The closure with Something Better Beginning is excellent.

1965 undoubtedly had superior musical offerings, such as Highway 61 Revisited by Dylan, My Generation by The Who, and the Beatles' double punch Help - Rubber Soul, but it's an album that serves as a piece in the reconstruction of 60s Rock music.