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The Kinks, Rats
I was wandering around New York City feeling depressed as hell last week when “Rats” by the Kinks popped on my iPod. It was the kind of song just randomly on my music player without my knowledge, and without me ever hearing it before. It immediately altered my mood from depressed and sad, to something…
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The Kinks, Autumn Almanac
The Kinks. I love them. I love Ray Davies, the writer of this song, “Autumn Almanac,” an absolute stunning piece of musical genius from 1967. A lot happened in 1967. It was the year when the Beatles released Sgt. Pepper to critical and international fame, when Jimi Hendrix was revolutionizing the use of the electric…
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The Kinks, Brainwashed
I promised more Kinks, and by God I’m delivering more Kinks. For who? I have no idea. Who are you people? Are you even out there? Is this just a daily exercise in attempting to augment my already distorted sense of self and importance? If it is, it’s not working, as those last two things…
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The Kinks, Australia
I’m moving to Australia! That’s right, come October, I’m packing my life up, grabbing a friend, and taking a 21 hour flight overseas to the land down under. Actually, I’m headed to South Korea for a week first, and then off to the land of kangaroos. Don’t worry, it’s only for a year at most,…
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The Kinks, Waterloo Sunset
Part 70 of my youtube countdown continues with more Kinks. The Kinks are the most underrated group of gods from the 60s British Invasion era, and this song, “Waterloo Sunset,” is their overrated masterpiece. First of all, let me praise it. From their LP Something Else, “Waterloo Sunset” is a work of genius. It’s just…
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The Kinks, Sunny Afternoon
Part 66 of my countdown is the Kinks again, this time with “Sunny Afternoon,” from Face to Face. This is a boozy depressed sunny pop song about the downside of being a rich famous rock star. The tax man took all his money, his girlfriend left and stole his car, and Ray’s got nothing left…