138. Arthur, Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire - The Kinks

After two albums I think I get the Kinks; they write some excellent songs, have a bit of filler on their albums, comment on social class a lot and have an incredible guitar sound. They strike me a lot as a slightly old-fashioned, and less angry, version of The Jam, which I see as being something of compliment. And my God can they write a good bridge.

This album has some absolutely cracking songs on it. Mr Churchill Says is utterly irreverent, but brilliant in its use of quotations and mesmerising lead guitar. Shangri-La is a fascinating commentary on middle class values, and lyrically is still spot on today. She's Bought a Hat like Princess Marina doesn't reach the same heights musically with a slightly tired harpsichord but it does paint a fascinating picture of upper-middle class striving in the austere environment that was Britain post World War Two. Nothing to Say is truly anthemic and the slow burn success of the album, particularly with its beautiful backing harmonies, powerful horn section and percussive pianos. 

It's a shame that a few songs don't seem to jump out in the same way. I would regularly find my attention waning during Young and Innocent Days and Brainwashed, to the point that I would have struggled to name these songs after hearing the album through seven or eight times. They're not bad songs, it just sounds a bit like Ray Davies going through the motions. 

The album was written with the title character being based on the Davies' brother in law, Arthur Anning, who had emigrated to Australia with their sister Rosa. Davies apologised for using him as his inspiration only to find that Arthur was flattered. The album was written to act as the soundtrack to a TV show, and was released a few months after The Who's Tommy, demonstrating the trend for concept albums at the time.

I really enjoyed this album, but it is sold slightly short by the few weaker songs that hinder the momentum that the album builds up as it rambles through its nostalgic view of England. As a snapshot of the society it was written in, along with the idea of telling a story through vary varied songwriting, it reminds a bit of A Grand don't come for Free by The Streets. High praise indeed.

Chloe's rating: 8
Chloe's favourite track: 11. Nothing to Say
Olly's rating: 8
Olly's favourite track: 11. Nothing to Say

Next week's album is 927. Melody A.M. by Royksopp, which should be a fairly blissed out soundtrack in the run up to Chloe and I getting married.