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Post by Paul on Jun 18, 2007 10:47:52 GMT -5
NP: Lola vs The Powerman & The Moneygoround Y'know this album has probably been one of the most ignored of The Kinks in my possession. Not even sure why as it contains some real standouts. Love A Long Way From Home - prob as Ray always plays it live since he's thawed towards Dave of late. He did that when I saw him in DC as well. Lola for me is one of my most played Kinks albums - actually, the ones I listen to most are - Muswell, Something Else, and Lola. "This Time Tomorrow" is easily one of my favorite songs. I'm a sucker for the banjo, and that song and "Got To Be Free" have lots of banjo  What do you think of "Rats"? I used to not like it at all, but now, I love it. I like Dave's heavier, no frill songs. Ultimately Ray is what's up, but I like when Dave gets 2, 3, or even 4 songs on an album. They're typically a good contradiction to Ray's songs. That's probably part of the reason I like Something Else so much - Dave has like 5 songs! Including the amazing "Death Of A Clown". |
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Post by Kensterberg on Jun 20, 2007 12:51:35 GMT -5
Well, listened to Muswell Hillbillies for the first time last night ... My initial reaction is that the (American, if not British) public seemed to have paid attention to Ray's depictions of the dangers and horrors of being a succesful rock star, which dominate Lola and this release as well, and decided that they'd give him his wish by completely ignoring this record. And that's perfectly understandable. Unlike VGPS, Muswell Hillbillies really doesn't fit in with the context of its time. I can't say, though, that Muswell Hillbillies is the disaster I'd feared it would be. As I'd mentioned before, I don't normally go for Brits playing with country music idioms, and even when it works (such as selected Elvis Costello or Nick Lowe) it generally doesn't really resonate with me. However, this record has more of the Kinks personality on it rather to a slavish devotion to form, and it really feels more like a relaxed country-tinged rock album a la Wilco's A.M. and Being There rather than an attempt to recreate a Nashville sound. As a result, I found myself liking Muswell Hillbillies more than I thought I would. I was afraid that this record would sound like the Kinks trying to do Neil Young or Porter Wagoner, but instead it just sounds like the band recorded this LP sitting on a porch rather than on-stage with the amps cranked up to eleven. In fact, the closest analog that comes to my mind for MH is Wilco's Sky Blue Sky, and that's not a slam on either recording. Too soon to give any sort of ranking to Muswell Hillbillies -- it's too much of an oddity to slap a label on after one listen. I can, however, absolutely assure you that I'll be playing it again very, very soon. Like today. |
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Post by Fuzznuts on Jun 20, 2007 13:25:09 GMT -5
Muswell is my favorite Kinks record.
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Post by Kensterberg on Jun 20, 2007 15:21:03 GMT -5
Muswell is my favorite Kinks record. State of Confusion is my favorite Kinks record. By a pretty fair margin. Lola vs. Powerman and the Money-go-round is probably my pick for the best Kinks record, but that particular title is very much up in the air right now. Listened to Arthur this morning, and it's all right ... not in the same league as the best of '69, but not bad. |
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Post by dolly on Jun 22, 2007 2:03:43 GMT -5
Whoa. Some backreading to do here. Looking forward to reading Ken's thoughts but thought I'd pop in and say hi.
I think Arthur has taken over from VGPS as my favourite Kinks, though that's interchangable on mood. Muswell comes a hair's width behind those two though. Did you really think our boys would be anything but themselves, Ken? If you want derivative aping, look no firther than the Stones (much as I love 'em).
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Post by dolly on Jun 22, 2007 6:11:43 GMT -5
I love the way I spelt further in that last post. Either my nails are too long, or these barely litererate assignments are destroying brain cells. Possibly a bit of both I should fathom.
4 weeks left til the summer holidays!!!!
NP: Arthur... - Australia (the guitar jam solo!)
Right now I could do with some Australian-style sunshine looking at the dreary rain outside the office window. Can't complain though, I have my little heater, my mp3 player, the Internet, and a shedload of crappy assignments that I'd like to stick through the shredder.
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Post by dolly on Jun 22, 2007 6:13:12 GMT -5
I never see State of Confusion for sale anywhere. Did have a copy, but not sure what's happened to it. I seem to remember that I found the title track horribly dated sounding when I last listened. I'm also not keen on Ray's 'rock voice' either. It's camp fey-Ray all the way for me.
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Post by Paul on Jul 2, 2007 9:09:04 GMT -5
Well, listened to Muswell Hillbillies for the first time last night ... My initial reaction is that the (American, if not British) public seemed to have paid attention to Ray's depictions of the dangers and horrors of being a succesful rock star, which dominate Lola and this release as well, and decided that they'd give him his wish by completely ignoring this record. And that's perfectly understandable. Unlike VGPS, Muswell Hillbillies really doesn't fit in with the context of its time. I can't say, though, that Muswell Hillbillies is the disaster I'd feared it would be. As I'd mentioned before, I don't normally go for Brits playing with country music idioms, and even when it works (such as selected Elvis Costello or Nick Lowe) it generally doesn't really resonate with me. However, this record has more of the Kinks personality on it rather to a slavish devotion to form, and it really feels more like a relaxed country-tinged rock album a la Wilco's A.M. and Being There rather than an attempt to recreate a Nashville sound. As a result, I found myself liking Muswell Hillbillies more than I thought I would. I was afraid that this record would sound like the Kinks trying to do Neil Young or Porter Wagoner, but instead it just sounds like the band recorded this LP sitting on a porch rather than on-stage with the amps cranked up to eleven. In fact, the closest analog that comes to my mind for MH is Wilco's Sky Blue Sky, and that's not a slam on either recording. Too soon to give any sort of ranking to Muswell Hillbillies -- it's too much of an oddity to slap a label on after one listen. I can, however, absolutely assure you that I'll be playing it again very, very soon. Like today. Nice Ken, glad to see you are kinda digging Muswell. It's indeed an oddity, (good word BTW to describe the album) and pretty tough to dissect on one listen. Like I said, it took about 5 or 6 months for me to warm up to it. It really does have an honest feel to it, and in no way sounds forced - like you said, it has a relaxed feel. What do you think are some of the stand outs? Check out the lyrics of "Skin and Bones" - they're basically singing about the Atkins diet in 1971! Muswell is among my top tier from the Kinks. I flip-flop on my order and what not, but Muswell is certainly always near the top. Fuzz, that's cool that's your favorite...I don't think there are a lot of folks who can say that. That's awesome! My fave is still Arthur. I don't really listen to it much anymore, but I remember how blown away I was when I first heard it. I think I like it so much, b/c its simply more rockin' than a lot of there other albums. Actually, this whole year so far, until this weekend, I've barely listened to the Kinks. Just relistened to VGPS over the weekend. I haven't really listened to the mono side, and after doing so, noticed more subtleties. Ken alluded to this in his write up, and he's on to something. The mono version is better. My favorite song is still "Sitting By the Riverside". Ken, what did you think of "Mr. Churchill Says" on Arthur? |
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Post by Paul on Jul 2, 2007 9:16:14 GMT -5
"Right now I could do with some Australian-style sunshine" Don't know about the weather in the UK right now, but here in DC/MD/VA it's about 80 degrees Fahrenheit and no humidity. For those not familiar w/ this area, typically this time of year it's about 90 degrees and 100% humidity. We're on an awesome break from the typical steam bath conditions here. I never see State of Confusion for sale anywhere. Did have a copy, but not sure what's happened to it. I seem to remember that I found the title track horribly dated sounding when I last listened. I'm also not keen on Ray's 'rock voice' either. It's camp fey-Ray all the way for me. That's pretty much how I feel regarding the later Kinks albums. When I listen to 'Arthur' I can't help but to think, especially w/ Georgie Boy in power, how relevant it is. I listen to the late albums and it sounds stuck in that time. Maybe that's a good thing. Maybe it represents and captures a block of history better, don't know, but I just don't dig them that much. I've tried and tried to listen to 'Misfits', 'SleepWalker', and 'Low Budget', but they're not my bag. I don't think they're horrible, I just never really have a desire to listen to them. |
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Post by bowiglou on Jul 2, 2007 18:40:09 GMT -5
Paul, me being your typical clueless So Cal tourist, I was at a convention in August of 2000 at DC, and decided to walk from my hotel to the holocaust museum (maybe a 15 minute or so walk) and just got caught in an amazing and torrential thunderstorm.....I ducked under an art museum and you could literally feel the ground shake!!!.......I'll take the occasional shark as opposed to DC thundershowers!!! "Right now I could do with some Australian-style sunshine" Don't know about the weather in the UK right now, but here in DC/MD/VA it's about 80 degrees Fahrenheit and no humidity. For those not familiar w/ this area, typically this time of year it's about 90 degrees and 100% humidity. We're on an awesome break from the typical steam bath conditions here. I never see State of Confusion for sale anywhere. Did have a copy, but not sure what's happened to it. I seem to remember that I found the title track horribly dated sounding when I last listened. I'm also not keen on Ray's 'rock voice' either. It's camp fey-Ray all the way for me. That's pretty much how I feel regarding the later Kinks albums. When I listen to 'Arthur' I can't help but to think, especially w/ Georgie Boy in power, how relevant it is. I listen to the late albums and it sounds stuck in that time. Maybe that's a good thing. Maybe it represents and captures a block of history better, don't know, but I just don't dig them that much. I've tried and tried to listen to 'Misfits', 'SleepWalker', and 'Low Budget', but they're not my bag. I don't think they're horrible, I just never really have a desire to listen to them. |
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Post by Paul on Jul 3, 2007 16:08:51 GMT -5
yeah, the thunderstorms can be pretty vicious here. it'll be nice all day, then at 5pm, the sky will fall, all hell breaks loose, then it's sunny and steamy 30 minutes later. still though, i think i'll test my luck w/ the clouds over a shark!!! have you ever seen one while surfing? i'd shit myself if i ever get that up close and personal with one of those animals.
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Post by Paul on Jul 20, 2007 16:32:56 GMT -5
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Post by RocDoc on Jul 20, 2007 19:45:54 GMT -5
Paul, me being your typical clueless So Cal tourist, I was at a convention in August of 2000 at DC, and decided to walk from my hotel to the holocaust museum (maybe a 15 minute or so walk) and just got caught in an amazing and torrential thunderstorm.....I ducked under an art museum and you could literally feel the ground shake!!!.......I'll take the occasional shark as opposed to DC thundershowers!!!
Geez Bow, don't you do anything BUT get caught in downpours/thunderstorms in every city you visit??
'It's a gorgeous day outside, sir. No, I don't think you'll need any rain gear...(*snicker*)"
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Post by dolly on Jul 26, 2007 3:52:51 GMT -5
Excellent. It's just a shame they couldn't have got it in the shops in time for my summer holiday. |
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Post by dolly on Jul 26, 2007 4:00:28 GMT -5
"Right now I could do with some Australian-style sunshine" Don't know about the weather in the UK right now, but here in DC/MD/VA it's about 80 degrees Fahrenheit and no humidity. For those not familiar w/ this area, typically this time of year it's about 90 degrees and 100% humidity. We're on an awesome break from the typical steam bath conditions here. Summer is a total washout here in the UK (more so than usual!). A good portion of the country is under water in the worse floods I've ever seen in this country. It's going to be a nightmare trying to get up north next week. Global warming eh. Hope all is well with the fine patrons of the Ray board! All is good at this end as the ol fella and I try and get ready for moving into our first bought home together. It's so exciting I just want to be in there already drinking G&T on the decking. Even laid back JLLM is getting enthusiastic - I've never known a male member of the species take such an unhealthy interest in soft furnishings before. Scary. |
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