Something Else by The Kinks

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Work

Something Else by The Kinks · On this album Ray Davies took over production from Shel Talmy, who until then had overseen the Kinks' recordings. The songs were written between the autumn of 1966 and the summer of 1967, when the band toured less and accumulated songs for Davies's still vague Village Green plan. He himself later doubted whether he should have been allowed to produce the record.

The sound is softer than the raw rock and roll of before: acoustic baroque pop, English music hall and tempered R&B, with highlights such as the bossa nova of No Return and the chamber pop of Death of a Clown, a song by Dave Davies. Ray Davies's lyrics deal with English subjects and character types, as in David Watts, Two Sisters and Waterloo Sunset. The album sold poorly, although the singles reached the British top three. Later it grew into a cult favourite, and critics praise the quiet music that carries his characters so beautifully.

Listening

Track list

1. 1David Watts2:42Apple Music ↗
2. 2Death of a Clown3:17Apple Music ↗
3. 3Two Sisters2:04Apple Music ↗
4. 4No Return2:04Apple Music ↗
5. 5Harry Rag2:19Apple Music ↗
6. 6Tin Soldier Man2:54Apple Music ↗
7. 7Situation Vacant3:14Apple Music ↗
8. 8Love Me Till the Sun Shines3:25Apple Music ↗
9. 9Lazy Old Sun2:49Apple Music ↗
10. 10Afternoon Tea3:26Apple Music ↗
11. 11Funny Face2:29Apple Music ↗
12. 12End of the Season3:00Apple Music ↗
13. 13Waterloo Sunset3:17Apple Music ↗

30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗

See also

• The Kinks