Search - Kinks :: Face to Face

First, maybe

William R. Nicholas | Mahwah, NJ USA | 07/01/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Music people argue, what was the first rock concept album: SF Sorrow, Tommy, Sgt. Pepper, Village Green. In a sense, who was first really does not matter. The more informative fact to realize is that in the 60s, great artists fed off and tried to outdo each other, and this fuled some wonderful records.



Face to Face is prime example. This is about swinging London. It talkes about party lines, run away teenagers, session men, and being home on a sunny afternoon. Ray Davies, maybe rock's best storyteller after Dylan, creates a masterpiece that discribes English, and London, life in the 1960s. If the record is not a story in itself, it definately linked by its themes.



You can also argue, to no end, if this is his materpiece. Or is Village Green better, or is it the epic, experimental sweep of Something Else. True, Something Else is more ambitious, musically, and when Village Green arrived, recording technology had improved, so the music did SOUND better.



Actually, I feel that Face To Face and Village Green are two sides, same coin. Where the first is about city live, the other is about the rustic countryside during the same period. But they are both sound paintings of the England Davies documented so well.

"

"Hello?..... Who's that Speaking Please"?

! Metamorpho ;) | Castle in Scotland | 09/22/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Admittedly the Kinks got even better after this one. Check out "Something Else". You will thank me later. But that does not detract from the fact that this is one wonderful album. It is one of Metamorpho's "secret finds" that can now, finally, be revealed to a wider audience. I bought this in it's original incarnation as an L.P. Is Metamorpho dating himself? Don't tell.

What comes to mind here is Ray Davies incredible talent at songwriting and the wonderful pop-hook. All in glory. All ever-reaching onward. Think they had the inimitable Nicky Hopkins playing on this. What a wise choice. It is a transition album, for sure. Davies is exploring new areas of pop nuance - away from the charged chords of "You Really Got Me" and "All Day and All of the Night". Two early rockers. Actually, I preferred the understated but subtle chord changes of "Tired Of Waiting for You". That sort of thing is more evident here- although he still gives the rockers their just due.

Love the beginning of "Party Line". Nowhere in rock is there a beginning like this. But, sound bits were coming into vogue as witnessed by that summers "Pet Sounds" and the forthcoming Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper". This gives you some idea of the genius of Ray Davies. Real depth in some tunes. Still like the subtle "Fancy". They only see what's in their own 'fancy'. Isn't it true? Don't we only see what we want to? So clever of Ray to get this into a song. I love tunes you have to think about. Ray is a songwriter that has levels you must explore. But there are also those tunes there to amuse and entertain. But, a sure-fire genius nevertheless.

He channeled Metamorpho with "Too Much On My Mind". I am sure many of you have gone through this. Also, the forces that be are always conniving to take away the pleasures of life, i.e; "A big fat mama, tryin' to break me", in a 'Sunny Afternoon'. Davies is the little man, the everyman, and his songs always reflect the plight of the common man.

If you like pop - and especially circa mid 60's, this little known but highly regarded work is for you. Metamorpho has so deemed. And may the color of the cover match the color of all your dreams. Considerable - INDEED!



The eternal tickster - Metamoprho :)

"

The Beggining of the Kinks Peak

Monty2584 | 07/24/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This album showed that the Kinks were headed down a new creative path.The only rocker is the opening track which is awesome. "Party Line" is a funny song. Then there's "Rosie Won't You Please Come Home" which is the sound most of the album has. "Dandy" is a funny jab at Dave's party going lifestyle from his brother Ray. "Holiday in Waikiki" is skippable and seems to be ripping off "Last Train To Clarksville" by The Monkees and "19th Nervous Breakdown" by the Rolling Stones. But, it seems to only be me who thinks this.The album also has "Sunny Afternoon" which is one of the Kinks most famous songs. It's also the album's best.There's also one bonus track that I quite like: "Dead End Street" which is a cynical song. It's probably the only bonus track that I felt was essential. Although this album isn't as essential as other Kinks discs (I'd give it 4 1/2 stars if I could), it is still essential and worth the money."