I bring this up because tonight I am having my first real experience listening to The Kinks - not in compilation form or as part of Wes Anderson soundtracks, but in context, in album form - and I'm feeling a bit sheepish at having been so incredibly ignorant for all these 32 years.
I listened to "Lola v. Powerman..." at work this afternoon, because I was desperate to hear "Powerman" again, and as a result I was utterly blindsided by "Strangers", "The Contenders", "Got To Be Free". Earlier tonight I was listening to "Arthur..." and finally heard "Shangri-La" in its proper context, as well as "Victoria" and the startlingly San Fransiscan "Australia"... and now I'm listening to "Village Green Preservation Society" and am just getting my brain's ass kicked left and right.
When it comes to The Kinks, everyone pretty much just talks about Ray and Dave, but does anybody talk about the rhythm section? Holy Christ. It could be argued that one of the reasons why The Kinks remain so friggin' awesome 40 years later is because they groove so incredibly well. These songs are impeccably arranged and they just feel so right. Charm and wit aside, as a band, they are absolutely top-notch.
But enough about me telling you what you already know. I just wanted to say that I GET IT NOW.
