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                   USA - (two-tone) REPRISE RECORDS 6366

LOOKS and PLAYS CLEAN ! 

SCARCE ...ORIGINAL "TWO-TONE"  1969 first press collectible release  -- an unsung gem by the mighty KINKS in thick gatefold cover

CONTAINS THE RARE "QUEEN" INSERT as pictured AND the original printed inner sleeve = all just as first released in '69!

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Many collectors agree that the Kinks "ARTHUR" is something that vies for 10 greatest albums ever. A gush of superlatives is boring, so suffice it to say that this is their Abbey Road or Who's Next: the band is firing on all cylinders, and everything -- lyrics, melodies, arrangements, playing, production, dynamics, diversity, vibe, sequencing, synergy -- is virtually unsurpassed anywhere. It's rocking, rebellious, incisive and introspective in the best senses, both substantive and a fun listen. 1969-1970 was probably rock music's peak, and these guys ride the wave as high as it can possibly go. While a bunch of hippies got stoned in fields and believed they were changing the world, The Kinks were truly in touch with the reality of the 1960s. The world they saw wasn't full of love and peace, it was a place where the average man lives a miserable life in which all his dreams are crushed and all he has to offer some consolation are material possessions he is supposed to believe will make him happy. That is the picture The Kinks paint with Arthur or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire. Though the band sticks to their traditional upbeat pop/rock, there is a strong emotional undertone to Arthur, as their was on their previous album Village Green. But whereas there I detected a great deal of sadness beneath the surface, here there is barely concealed anger. Ray Davies is rightfully outraged at the unbelievable state of Britain, a country where the elite 'give the scum a gun and make the bugger fight', teach people to give up their hopes of a fulfilling life, and brainwash them to convince them they are happy with their vacuous suburban existence. The only way out? The fabled land of Australia, where (supposedly) there are no problems! So basically 'if you don't like it, fu*k off!'

The strength of the message holds this album together, and it gives the songs an extra edge. The highlight of this album for me is the opening four song stretch, as the songs are of great quality to go with their great subject matter. Victoria mocks the patriotism that ran through Britain at the beginning of the 20th century. Yes Sir, No Sir and Some Mother's Son are the angriest songs here, and the contrast with Drivin' is brilliant. What are you told to do about the world's problems? Absolutely nothing; instead, shut up and distract yourself! It really emphasises the outrage running through the prior songs. Obviously, though, the song this album is most remembered for is Shangri-La, which basically sums up what The Kinks were about. It is certainly the album's centrepiece, and a great song with more solid lyrics. The second half of the album isn't as strong, though it ends very well with the title track, but the continued strong lyrics and continuation of the theme means the album remains solid and engaging.

Arthur was another great success for The Kinks, and is probably their best album, just beating its predecessor Village Green. Both are equally essential.

 A:

Victoria

3:40

Yes Sir, No Sir

3:46

Some Mother's Son

3:25

Drivin'

3:21

Brainwashed

2:34

Australia

6:46

 B:

Shangri-La

5:20

Mr. Churchill Says

4:42

She's Bought a Hat Like Princess Marina

3:07

Young and Innocent Days

3:21

Nothing to Say

3:08

Arthur

5:27