Comments for Kinks, the, Preservation, Act I

RHINO has thankfully put out a nicely boxed 2 CD reissue of Both Preservation parts. Although the lyrics and concept can get a little laboured at times, these are very important albums for any true Kinks fan to know. The beginning of Part 1, with Morning Song, Daylight and Sweet Genevive is truly sublime.

Maybe we think poorly of "Rock Operas" in retrospect, but hey, it seemed like a good idea at the time! Act I has some great songs like "Sweet Lady Genevieve", "Where are They Now?", and "One of the Survivors." "Cricket" is very funny, and "Sitting in the Midday Sun" fits into RDD's "Sunny Afternoon" sub-genre nicely. However, the concept begins to be laid on thickly and leads inevitably to the next album, which is the least favorite record by my favorite band.

well adjo...ill tell you about it. It's has a number of fine songs and is the first of their overblown concept rock album phase. Alot of it sounds great and it is an album which grows on you but parts of it sound really silly though still pleasent. "Preservation" is great, "One Of The Survivors" is a classic, "Demolition" and "Where Are They now" are interesting too. Songs like "Money and Corruption", "Here Comes Flash", and "Change In the Weather" are really neat but are weighed down by the silly lyrics and concept. But If you are a Kink fan like me you'll find it enjoyable.

A big project, needs to be listened to in its entirety in one sitting (that is, Acts One through Two). If you do, it''s very satisfying. Preservation is somewhat of a continuation of the Village Green Preservation Society concept - the Tramp is here again observing the sitiuation. Though this time no "china cups " or "virginity" - the themes are much heavier - politics, money & corruption..conscience. Phew! Don''t let this scare you. There''s a lot of great rock''roll here and some vicious guitar-playing by Dave! My wife and I were very lucky to have seen the Kinks'' Preservation stage show in New York City - Ray was in top vocal form and each of the Kinks "acted" out each part . The added female voices were a nice touch, too...

Released in December of `73, this is probably Davies`(and The Kinks`) most ambitious project ever - a rock opera, justlike The Who`s "Tommy" and "Quadrophenia," but only big Kinkfans seem to have heard of this. Even I don`t know much about it. I`ve never even seen it in any store! If it weren`t for The Kinks Web Site, I probably would never have seen the album`s cover, or known any of the songs on it. I would like to hear this album. Perhaps it is as good, or even better than "Tommy" or "Quadrophenia," but I kind of doubt it. Anyone out there have this album (or Act II), whether it be on vinyl or CD? I`d like some feedback on it.

Released in December of `73, this is probably Davies`(and The Kinks`) most ambitious project ever - a rock opera, justlike The Who`s "Tommy" and "Quadrophenia," but only big Kinkfans seem to have heard of this. Even I don`t know much about it. I`ve never even seen it in any store! If it weren`t for The Kinks Web Site, I probably would never have seen the album`s cover, or known any of the songs on it. I would like to hear this album. Perhaps it is as good, or even better than "Tommy" or "Quadrophenia," but I kind of doubt it. Anyone out there have this album (or Act II), whether it be on vinyl or CD? I`d like some feedback on it.