BBC Sessions 1964-1977

This double CD of BBC Sessions accurately mirrors the Kinks' career trajectory. Disc 1 opens with the primeval riffology and sexual suggestiveness of "You Really Got Me" and also includes high-octane versions of two other proto-garage-metal punk anthems, "All Day and All of the Night" and "Til the End of the Day". The remarkable development of Ray Davies' compositional skills is evinced by the original Brit pop classicism of "Waterloo Sunset", "Days" and "The Village Green Preservation Society". Disc 2, covering the years 1970-77, finds the Kinks undergoing a dramatic commercial and creative decline. After the daring brilliance of controversial hit, "Lola"--disappointingly absent here--Ray's muse all but deserted him. Only a truly stirring rendition of "Victoria", from a Radio 1 In Concert, hints at former glories. Elsewhere, the leaden boogie anchoring "Here Comes Yet Another Day", "Skin and Bone" and "Money Talks", verges on pub rock. Ironically, despite The Kinks continuing artistic slump, 1977's axe-heavy "Sleepwalker" found favour with Stateside rock fans and led to a reversal of fortune for the band, at least overseas. --Chris King

Label: Unknown
Studio: Sanctuary
Released: 2001-03-12
Format: Audio CD