The Kontroversial Kinks of North Hampton Shire

Overall Album Score: 7.7 out of 10

This is the Kinks' most consistent and solid album to this point. At the same time, it's woefully inconsistent when you compare this to their classic albums. This is a transitional album --- about half of the songs are set in the old-school rock ways and the other half point to their first classic album, Face to Face, released the following year. Thankfully, the old school rockers are done much better than they were on Kinks and Kinda Kinks! Although, they're not quite out of the clear. There are a few relatively weak rockers such as "It's Too Late" and "Gotta Get the First Plane Home," but there are much more solid rockers as "Milk Cow Blues" (the only cover) and "Where Have All the Good Times Gone."

The best (and definitely the most interesting) tracks are the ones that are in the proto-classic Kinks vein such as "I'm On an Island" and the ballad "Ring the Bell." Both of these are excellent songs (especially the former) but they do sound like weaker models of the Kinks formula that worked.

There's a great gem in the bonus tracks called "Dedicated Follower of Fashion." Because all mainstream record companies are run by chickens with their heads cut off, not all versions of these Kinks albums will contain the bonus tracks! It's definitely worth it, because "Dedicated" is by far the greatest track --- it's freaking fantastic. It rings of the classic Kinks sound so well that --- um --- you'd might as well just call it the beginning of their classic sound. They're pioneering Brit-pop here --- a distinctly British sound --- but the melody is catchier than anything. Fan-freaking-tastic.

This is such a scatter-shot album that it could be off-putting to many listeners. Again, you might consider this a for-fans-only release, but this is certainly more enjoyable than many of their bloated '70s rock operas.

Overall Album Score: 7.7 out of 10 (A nice little improvement. Their instrumentation is more exact, songwriting more confident and the melodies are slowly improving. ... Brace yourself for the album they'll make next!!!)

Average Song Score: 8.1 (I can feel enthusiastic about a few of these tracks, but they've still got some kinks to work out. Or in their case, more kinks to work in...)

Album Tilt: 7.5 (Pretty inconsistant. Such is usually the nature of transitional albums.)

Artist Tilt: 7.5 (Not the most impressive thing to hear. The newer sounding songs are nice but still sound like the Kinks are in their infancy --- as they were.)

Track Reviews

Milkcow Blues 9/10

Easily the best Dave Davies vocal performance to date is on the vicious cover of "Milk Cow Blues." This is a great rock song that's only out-matched by the Rolling Stones in furiosity. Naturally, the riff is wonderful, and they match it by some top-notch electric guitar This is wonderful to hear from them, because their covers have been pretty shoddy up until now. Oh, but this is the only cover on the album! Oh, how they can tease.....

Ring the Bells 8/10

Ray is really blossoming as a songwriter with the ballad "Ring the Bell," but it's pretty clear he still had quite a bit of room to advance. The melody is unique and distinct to this group, but the track isn't exciting or beautiful. You sort of listen to it while bobbing your head and that's it. Not a bad thing --- I've bobbed my head to worse songs.

Gotta Get the First Plane Home 6.5/10

Back to the old school rock. Songs like "Gotta Get the First Plane Home" are what keeps this album from achieving a high score (in my book)! The riff is not original whatsoever, and they don't necessarily make great use of it. This isn't that fun, either. The instrumentals are pretty shoddy --- that's a shame.

When I See That Girl of Mine 8/10

"When I See That Girl of Mine" is an old-school rocker, but it's very fun. The melody is catchier than anything, and you can tap your foot to it most agreeably. It's nice to hear them making such pleasant send-ups of the Beatles. Not better than the Beatles, but few things ever are...

I am Free 7.5/10

Definitely a welcome track written by good old Dave, "I Am Free." It's weird to hear him write a song in more of the new, more unique Kinks style. It's clear that Ray is the better songwriter, but --- well, Dave has talent also. His vocal performance is fine here although you don't hear it too clearly in the mix. The pacing is rather dreary, but the melody is good.

Till the End of the Day 8.5/10

One of the more solid rockers on the album, "Till the End of the Day" is a bit reminiscent of their old "You Really Got Me." The melody is pretty catchy, and I like the instrumentation. The spirit is genuine, and so it's a great rock track.

The World Keeps Going Round 8/10

This sounds like the Yardbirds' "Shape of Things" except not quite as good. This is a thundering track (and fairly lethargic), but at least the melody is catchy. The instrumentation is all right, and quite heavy.

I'm on an Island 9.5/10

What a nice song! Musically, it's based on a simple idea and chord progression, but it's hella catchy. The nice instrumentation consists of simple guitars, drum beat and some very good piano. This points a direct finger at their more music hall future. Solid songwriting.

Where Have All the Good Times Gone 9.5/10

Davies does a bit of a Dylan impression with the otherwise anthemic rocker "Where Have All the Good Times Gone." The melody is great and the instrumentation fits the mood perfectly! This is one of their huge classics --- and for good reason too. These guys can really rock when they want to.

It's too Late 7/10

Eh, back to the so-so songwriting. "It's Too Late" is a mid-tempoed old-school rocker that it's difficult to care about since the Kinks seem to give it average effort here. Ray's original melody is solid, but not too memorable. The sloppy instrumentals destroy much of the potential it had, any-dang-way. This is a bit of a bummer after the previous track...

What's in Store for Me 8/10

A more upbeat old-school rocker "What's in Store For Me" features Dave on lead vocals. He's much easier to hear than he was on the previous Kinks albums --- in fact, he's almost great-sounding. Again, the melody is catchy, but not their best. The instrumentation is a bit tighter, and I like the crunchy guitars.

You Can't Win 8/10

For the ending of an album, "You Can't Win" is a weak whimper, but at least it has a good swing to it! It's middle-of-the-road and fairly catchy (though quite simple). The instrumentation is quite solid and clear, so no major criticisms there.

BONUS TRACKS

Even though this doesn't have quite the elaborate set of bonus tracks as their two previous albums, The Kinks still manage to save the best for the bonus tracks ... "Dedicated Follower of Fashion" is a brilliant old song. It's certainly done in their Brit-pop style with a splash of gospel thrown in for good measure. It's these sort of unique ideas that gives the Kinks their good name. This is easily the best-written melody of the whole lot --- and when they have great melodies, you can bet they're GREAT. Ray's performance is definitely unique. He sings it as if he were playing an aristocrat in a British musical. This one of the group's finest songs ever.

"Sittin' On My Sofa" is an old-school rocker --- and it's not a bad one. It's a bit of a drag to hear after that wonderful, exciting "Dedicated," but --- this manages to sound pretty fresh. The riff is catchy, and so is the melody. Quite nice....

Here's a demo version for "When I See That Girl of Mine." As you can expect, this version sounds more stripped down and rawer. The original version is definitely better....

And now another version of "Dedicated Follower of Fashion." The versions aren't too different, except they really overdid the stereo. Ray's singing in my right ear and all the instrumentation is in my left. Pretty annoying for headphones...

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