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Rating: THE REVIEW
The Kinks were formed in a London suburb in 1963 by the Davies brothers, Ray and Dave, alongside Peter Quaife and Mick Avory. They played as a backing band for their future manager Robert Wace in small venues until 1964 when they released their first single "Long Tall Sally". A month later, they composed the classic "You Really Got Me".
In the same year, this first album of fresh and brilliant rock n roll, very aggressive was released. Launched by the hit song "You Really Got Me", considered by some as the founding father of hard rock, it immediately became an icon mod along with My Generation by The Who, still remembered for its splendid Groove. For me, it holds up well to the level of Please, Please Me which was simultaneously turning the Liverpool quartet into idols. The album opens with the splendid "Beautiful Delilah", characterized by the gritty vocals of Davies and their crazy guitars spinning their wild riff repeatedly. Next comes "So Mystifying" opened by a cheerful guitar riff and driven by an almost spoken singing that leads to the catchy chorus, a strong point of the song. "Just Can't Go To Sleep" is a Beatles-style song full of chorus and uhhh. . . Superior is the next track "Long Tall Shorty", a bluesy number exceptionally driven by the vocals and harmonica, an exhilarating song (a bit like batteries. . . or viagra!). "I Took My Baby Home" is again driven by the usual wild rock n roll riff and the increasingly crazier harmonica. "I'm A Lover Not A Fighter" is a crazy song just like the following "You Really Got Me", super distorted by the use of a tiny green amplifier pushed to the max. The second side doesn’t match the first due to the absence of a track like "You Really Got Me". It opens with "Cadillac", a simple '60s song but pleasant to listen to. "Bald Headed Woman" is a very interesting track as it already hints at the more mature Kinks (see Village Green and Arthur), quirky and melodic at the same time. "Revenge" is a piece completely led by harmonica, "Too Much Monkey Business" is a re-adaptation of a classic '60s tune. "I've Been Driving On Bald Mountain", "Stop Your Sobbing", and "Got Love If You Want It" are additional rock n roll tracks.
Long live The Kinks!!! Cheers from Psychobonco!
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Summary by Bot
This review celebrates The Kinks' 1964 debut album as a raw, aggressive rock n roll milestone. Led by the groundbreaking hit 'You Really Got Me,' the album stands alongside legendary British rock releases. The reviewer praises several tracks for their energy and musicality, noting the album's influence in hard rock. Despite a slightly weaker second side, the album’s overall impact remains strong and vibrant.
The Kinks
The Kinks were an English rock band formed in London in the early 1960s, closely associated with the British Invasion. Their songwriting is strongly identified with Ray Davies’ character-driven narratives and social observation, alongside Dave Davies’ guitar-driven early sound.15 Reviews
