They are one of the only bands who recorded a live “greatest hits” album (as their last act as a band, btw) that is in some ways better than the original.

They just missed the bar. I can honestly say that I like more of their songs than I do of the Who, and yet in high school I had Who posters and entire Who discography.

I saw the Kinks in 1984. It was a great rock and roll show. Saw them at St Anselms college in Bedford, NH. Maybe it was in Manchester, or Goffstown, I don’t remember. I went with a frequent commenter on this blog. Good times.

So, Youdopia, I encourage you to get yourself a good half dozen Kinks albums, containing at least two greatest hits collections, and revisit this band that missed superstardom by this much –> <—
they’ve aged better than most, and this song (below), called Hatred (A duet) is from their last album, and it’s just as fresh and powerful as You Really Got Me, from 30 years earlier. The Davies brothers have had a more contentious relationship than the Oasis dudes (the Gallaghers) and this song is tongue in cheek and dead serious. Vitriol for sure, but a great song.

Ray Davies is the one who started VH1 Storytellers, for good or ill. Tom Waits did one that was awesome, but so did Will I.Am. Ok. So set you iPods on stun and listen to a good, fat, handful of the Kinks. They’re way better than you remember, and they are definitely the Coolest Shit Ever. I think I’ll do a Kinks week.

The thing I have discovered is that their 1996 album, To The Bone, actually has my favorite versions of many of their songs, because it was recorded live, in a small setting, with modern equipment. You needn’t worry with the time factor and the unfortunate result of 1960’s production techniques. Also… I like the performances better. The Kinks were a remarkably powerful live band, and the voices of the Davies brothers have held up marvelously. Check them out. Maybe you’ll realize you’ve been a fan all along.

God save The Village Green and great music!