Suggestaholic!

 The Kinks were with us for a long time. In fact, I believe President Lincoln was watching one of their early shows the night he was gunned-down by Shirley Booth, at Ford Fairlane Theater in Washington D.C. Of course, I might be mixed-up on some of the details…

One thing’s for sure, though: the band had more distinctive eras than most.They started as one of the harder-rocking British Invasion groups, taking full advantage of global Beatlemania. They produced their fair share of energetic pop hits (including the perennial “You Really Got Me”), destroyed a bunch of amplifiers, and wore snappy matching outfits.

Then, when most of their contemporaries were dabbling in psychedelia (maaan) and trying to out-freak each other, the Kinks let loose a string of quieter albums that examined everyday lives of “common” people, and seemed to celebrate (long for?) the Britain of earlier days.  

When they sang about afternoon tea, the Kinks actually meant afternoon tea. It wasn’t some wink-wink insider code-phrase for hallucenogenic mushrooms, or whatever. How utterly uncool…

Eventually the band started dabbling in concept albums, with mixed results. And from there they transformed into a big-guitar arena rock group. They had some hits, kicked some ass, made some money, etc.

And then it was time for the long painful slide into relative mediocrity, and public disinterest.  The band’s leader, Ray Davies, was still capable of knocking out the occasional blast of brilliance by this point, but few fans had stuck around to notice.

Finally, the Kinks called it a day. Or more precisely, they made a record and just never got around to making another one. That’s the way it all ended, as far as I know; they just never got around to continuing.

The Kink Kronikles is one of the finest compilations ever. It respects the group’s distinctive eras and doesn’t try to wedge different styles of music together in a clumsy bastardization. So, it’s got that going for it. But it’s the songs, of course, that really make it great.

The two-disc set is culled from the second era of the band’s existence, when Davies was at the height of his creative powers. And it illuminates, in spectacular fashion, the least-known phase of the Kinks’ career.

And holy crap is it good. When I originally bought it, way back in the days of vinyl, I was almost completely oblivious to the years between “You Really Got Me” and “Lola.” And after a few listens I realized I’d been missing out on the best part.

Compiled by a Kinks-obsessive named John Mendelssohn, it’s not a greatest hits package, but a true best-of. In fact, I think the band had a couple of minor British hits during the period that were left off, because Mendelssohn didn’t believe they were worthy.

Ray Davies remains an accomplished songwriter, but never was he better than 1966 – 1971, the years covered by The Kink Kronikles. It’s just one incredible hunk of brilliance after another on the thing. And it only improves with use, like the British equivilant of an old baseball glove, or something. After a while you find yourself putting it on, and feeling like you’re home.

Casual fans of the Kinks, like I used to be, will likely be unfamiliar with 90% (or more) of the 28 songs included here. It seems to be one of the most overlooked stretches of creative overachievement in all of recorded music. Especially among bands as well-known as The Kinks. I don’t even understand how such a thing happened…

But once you start living with it, your days of being a casual fan will likely be over. I predict you’ll start wondering how you made it to your current age without knowing these songs. And then you’ll need more. Perhaps there should be a warning label, making consumers aware of the risk of dependency?

When I was 23 I got a job out of state, and left home in a hurry. I was frantically throwing clothes into a suitcase, and left behind all but the most necessary items. The only music I took along? The Kink Kronikles, on cassette. And it served as my spiritual anchor during a traumatic period of transition.

Years later, when I was suddenly transferred to southern California, and forced to live apart from my family for several months, I took refuge in the Kronikles again. It’s a source of comfort that’s never far from me.

My only small complaint? The CD needs to be remastered. It doesn’t sound horrible, but could most certainly sound better. The neglect of the Kinks’ second era, even by their record company, is baffling. I mean, what’s a guy gotta do to get some respect? Isn’t six years of impossible genius enough? Shit!

The Suggestaholic strongly suggests The Kink Kronikles, and better living through Ray Davies.

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