#384 The Kinks, 'The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society' (1969)

Previously #258

Following ‘Something Else By The Kinks’ (#478), this record was another commercial flop on release. Much like its predecessor, its success was hampered by The Beatles, released on the same day as ‘The White Album.’ Despite this, the album would go on to become the band’s best-selling record. Ray Davies has called it “the most successful ever flop.”

A victim of an unfortunate release date, this is a brilliant concept record; a collection of stories about people within Village Green. Inspired by a trip that Davies took to Devon, the album has sounds reminiscent of bands to follow. The bass in ‘Picture Book’ reminded me so much of Green Day’s ‘Warning.’ Almost identical. I’ve just looked it up and I’m not the first person to note this. The Kinks were a major influence on punk, so this is no surprise to me. With only two songs longer than 3 minutes, the 15 tracks whizz by in 40 minutes; a nice quick tour around the village.

#rs500albums