96. Something Else by The Kinks - The Kinks

Let's start at the end - this album closes with Waterloo Sunset, which has to be in the top 100 songs ever written. Far better writers have written far better things about that song than I ever could, so I won't bother trying. Suffice to say, it is the album's highlight.

The opening track is one that I had only ever heard by The Jam, at the time not realising that it was a cover. It is a great song, about pining for success and acceptance as a schoolboy, but I have to say that I prefer the venom of The Jam's version. Harry Rag is a a very catchy shanty, that I enjoyed on the first listen, and Situation Vacant and Afternoon Tea offer different subject matter to a classic pop song, which certainly adds some depth. Death of a Clown is a slightly swirling and well put together number, that was written by Dave Davies, Ray's oft-overshadowed brother. 

All in all though, I wanted to like this album more than I actually did. It contains some excellent music, but I find my mind drifting when I listen to it, which means that I am more than ready to move on to the next week's album. The slightly reedy, folksy nature of many of the songs mean that there doesn't appear to be much variety in it, and Funny Face and Lazy Old Sun really don't add anything to proceedings in my opinion. As an album, it just hasn't aged particularly well, however good individual songs. Well, song. 

Chloe's Album rating: 7

Chloe's favourite track: 7. Situation Vacant

Olly's Album rating: 6

Olly's favourite track: 13. Waterloo Sunset

Next week is 932. Vespertine by Björk. Doubt that will be folksy...