#478 of 500
· Rolling Stone
“The back half of the RS500 is where the interesting debates live. Something Else by the Kinks is The Kinks's statement piece (1968) — locked in from the first groove. The original pressing does justice to a record that defined its corner of rock.”
The Kinks, led by brothers Ray and Dave Davies, emerged from London in 1964 as one of the most influential British rock bands of the era. Their early hits like "You Really Got Me" and "All Day and All of the Night" established their signature fuzzy guitar sound that helped define garage rock. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the band evolved from straightforward rock and roll into sophisticated concept albums and musical theater pieces, with "Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire)" (1969) and "Lola vs. Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part One" (1971) standing as creative peaks. Ray Davies' songwriting evolved to incorporate music hall influences, social commentary, and intricate storytelling, while maintaining the band's raw energy.
Style
The Kinks pioneered a distorted, bluesy rock sound rooted in American blues and R&B, later incorporating English music hall, vaudeville, and theatrical elements. Their style ranges from aggressive garage rock to sophisticated pop-rock with orchestral arrangements and innovative production techniques.
Significance
The Kinks are essential to vinyl collecting as foundational architects of British rock and innovators who demonstrated rock's potential as an artistic medium beyond commercial singles. Their catalog spans multiple genres and production styles, making their records highly valued by collectors seeking both raw early recordings and elaborate later works.
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