I'm willing to bet there are a fair amount of Kinks fans on this board, since Wes uses there music pretty frequently. My question is, What's everyone's favorite album? It's a toughy. 'Muswell Hilbillies' and 'Lola Vs. Powerman Vs. Moneyground' are up there, but my vote's gonna have to be for 'Arthur'.

I think Arthur (1969?) is one of the best concept albums ever -- underrated for sure. Of their 1970s work, I like Muswell Hillbillies (1971, I think) the most. Lola v. the Powerman (1970) is good, as is Village Green Preservation Society (1968)... but I have to go with Arthur, Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire.

Wow, now that I look at the years: what productivity!

i wonder why people connect the kinks so often to wes, he's only used one of their songs in his films so far. it's really weird but seems to come with him using 2 of their songs in the tdl-trailer. anyway i only have their debut record which i really like and really prefer over, let's say, the beatles' first albums.

Has anyone heard their '80's stuff? It's definitely not as good as their late 60's- early 70's stuff, but not bad. 'Give the People What they Want' is underrated I think, 'Low Budget' isn't bad either.

Also, I agree with Jonestown that their early albums are better than the Beatles early albums, but I prefer early Stones over either of them.

You're right about Wes/the Kinks, but Wes did say:

It´s really hard to narrow down music like this. I´ve only got The Kink Kontroversy, Village Green Preservation Society and Lola versus Powerman... And I must say, they are all great. The Kink Kontroversy is rather underrated I believe, it´s really good if you want to hear some raw and angry Kinks. Village Green... is a real good psychedelic album, but I like Lola versus Powerman more. It´s more moody. Quite suggestive. So, thats it, man.

Gotta check out Arthur now that I´ve read your earlier posts... Thanks, guys

wow. toughie. I like both "village green" and "something else". I also like "arthur" but have not heard all of it. But if I had to pick one, it would be "Village Green Preservation Society". It's just so good. I can relate those songs to what are happening to me now, what will happen to me in the future, and what will happen to me in the past. "Do you remember Walter?", wonderful, "All my friends were there?" beautifully painful. need I go on?

I agree that 'Village Green' rules, but I have to say I think 'All of my friends were there' has got to be the worst Kinks song. I love the lyrics. The lyrics are freaking brilliant, but the music is overly silly and bouncy. I find it really irritating.

Nice shout out on 'Something Else' God damn The Kinks are just so good.

Something Else by The Kinks and Face to Face are my favorites. I think Arthur is good, though overrated, and love The Village Green, though it certainly has some dead spots for me. I've never listened to Lola vs. the Powerman, probably because I don't care for the song "Lola", and tend to avoid the 70s output of great 60s bands. "Waterloo Sunset" is one of my favorite songs ever, and I'll agree with those who said they prefer the Kinks to the Beatles. I guess I don't really think of the Kinks as an "album" band. They are a band full of great singles, which is why when I do listen to a Kinks record, it's usually the 2LP Kinks Kronikles comp.

Hello! This is my first post, but I've been reading this message board for quite some time.

Anyway...my favorite Kinks album (and favorite all-time album, actually) is The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society. Everything about it really strikes a chord with me. The themes and the music and the performances...I could probably go on for hours about this record. So good.


Perhaps...too good?

I agree. I really like that album. But I also like Lola vs Powerman very much.

Those are my favorite ones.

That's a great one, too! I think I've listened to 'Apeman' more than anyone should.

I only have Village Green, Kinks Kontroversy and Kinda Kinks.
These all have great songs I had never heard. The only ones I'm never crazy about (and this goes for most British invasion) are the blues covers. Those usually always come off cliche' and end up being boring to me.

I would have bought most of the Kinks albums already if I didn't have to buy the import versions to get the bonus tracks.

Anyone know a way to get the British versions of the albums with all the bonus tracks where you don't pay and arm and a leg (I think on Amazon these run 18.99 for a single disc)?

Arthur is my favourite Kinks album, with Village Green as a close runner up.
Currently VERY excited; just found out that Ray Davies is doing a show in Glasgow in december! Amazing.

I noted while watching Bottle Rocket the other day that the "Practice Heist" robbery song sounds kind of like it could be the Kinks. It's actually a band called Love, but I thought of this discussion on The Kinks' unprecedented connection with Wes. Love also sing the song when Anthony and Inez have sex in someone's room. That song is called "Alone Again Or," and the song from when they rob Anthony's house is called "7 and 7 Is."