Of course, I couldn't call myself a garage fan without discussing the guys who kicked it all off, The Kinks. This group have influenced almost every rock n' roll artist in existence since the release of the epochal 'You Really Got Me' in 1964, a track that to this day sounds heavy, menacing and timeless and shall remain so for eternity. Founded in 1962, the group was comprised of chief Songwriter/Rhythm Player Ray Davies, his brother, Lead Guitarist Dave Davies (pretty much the inventor of the distorted guitar tone), Bassist Pete Quaife and Drummer Mick Avory. Toddy I'm having a look at their classic '65 LP 'The Kink Kontroversey', a record that finds the boys transitioning into their pop-art second phase with the beginnings of the Davies' brothers' signature character study-in musical form tracks alongside more R&B garage material (a mix that I certainly dig!).
Side One starts with possibly the GREATEST Kinks garage rockin' track, 'Milkcow Blues', a tune that would later be lifted wholesale for the Chocolate Watchband's 'Dont Need Your Lovin' featured in the hippie exploitation flick, 'Riot On Sunset Strip'. This is one hell of a rave up, the guys surging through the old blues number with powerhouse guitar and screaming vocals from the brothers' Davies. An excellent opening track that precedes a beautiful follow up, 'Ring The Bells'. Here we can spot a slight Merseybeat influence mixing with folkish picked acoustics, Ray cooing away in his classic subdued manner. Next up is more high energy rock with 'Gotta Get The First Plane Home', great snarlin' riffs from Dave and groovy bossa nova drumming from Mick Avory, could have easily fitted onto the first couple of Stones' records. 'When I See That Girl' follows with a kinda Motown/Brit-Pop feel, a straightforward pop number with a tricky middle eighth that suggests a Beatles influence. 'I Am Free' is where things get interesting, Dave oozing Dylanish introspection (and vocal intonation), the group backing him up with echoey backing vox and - curtesy of session man extraordinaire Nicky Hopkins - deep bass piano. Finishing off Side One is the absolute knock out that is 'Til The End OF The Day', featuring more of that slashing guitar distortion and stop start riffing that made them famous, such a blast of a track.
Side Two kicks off with the mildly psych-ish 'The World Keeps Turning Round', Ray tacking the forefront with a 'Rain' like tale of an over worried acquaintance who can't stop to see what's in front of them. Not a complex story I know, but a progression from 'Girl, You really got Me going' no? 'I'm On An Island' has a disorientating calypso feel next, pre-empting the groups' later experiments into complex instrumentation and metaphorical storytelling. 'Where Have All The Good Times Gone' is, of course, another classic, Ray quoting The Stones and The Beatles whilst reminiscing bout... when exactly, a year before? Jeez, not like your careers over yet guys! More great electric/acoustic combo riffing on this one and I've always dug Dave's high pitched harmonies in the chorus. 'Its Too Late' is a little weak to be honest, nice chorus but a bit too straight for my tastes. As always, the production is great - Shel Talmy got one hell of a sound from The Kinks and SOOOO many other groups from the time - and there's another Nicky Hopkins appearance in the solo so not its without interest. 'What's In Store For Me' sounds like another step forward for the guys, with more Dave introspection and a music hall two-step stomp (a lot like 'Party Line' from their next record, 'Face To Face'), pretty tight little number. Capping off the LP is another cool garagey number, 'You Can't Win', Ray and Dave sharing the lead vocal and the band rockin' away behind them (and of course, more savage guitar attack from Dave). All in all, a nice album, full of classics and a tight mid-sixties groove, definitely worth checking out if you're a Kinks fan or dig 60s' rock in general. Tune in next time when I'll be checkin' out another album from '65 (yes, I'm working chronologically now If you're interested...), see you then!
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