The Village Green Preservation Society (Pickle the Villagers)

Overall Album Score: 9.6 out of 10

Now we're getting into Kinks albums that I actually have personal history with. This album used to be in my Top 5 favorite albums of all time --- that's how highly I once thought of this. Not that I don't love this album to death anymore, but I've become acquainted with many more albums since this to grab those coveted places. So, you might be wondering what makes this album so great. It's great, because it rules. That's why. Do I need to go in more detail? ................... OK, maybe I should.

It's pretty clear that The Kinks were one of the most unique bands of their era. They had a distinct style, and they wrote fantastic pop-rock songs with it. The quality of songwriting manages to be a significant improvement compared to its already spectacular predecessor Something Else. You see, every song on Village Green Preservation Society manages to sound inspired and meaningful whereas there were still a few "kinks" in the previous record. The only song that doesn't sound inspired is "Big Sky," which happens to also (arguably) be the most unique song of the album. And even that's not so bad.

The funny thing about the album is that you might not get the distinct impression that Ray was doing anything revolutionary. There are several spots where he borrows certain styles or ideas already explored by previous '60s artists. Plus, part of his aim was to fiddle around with styles of music that had long existed before such as music hall, tropicana and classical music. Furthermore, he's trying to write good pop music, and he's not being overly weird!

However, the attitude of these songs and the distinct style and personality that Ray gives them do make these unique and personable. Not to mention that his songwriting manages to produce a catchy hook nearly every time. I have already mentioned this in previous Kinks reviews, but the whole Brit-pop movement in the '90s owes everything to Ray Davies. They all wanted to be The Kinks, but unfortunately for them, that was impossible!!

This is a concept album with its theme about nostalgia preservation. I used to be a little more impressed about the concept (as I used to be more impressed with concept albums in general), but I genuinely think Ray nailed that. Who knows why he's so interested in preserving the past, but I like what he did --- a solid message, a unique voice and great tunes. How can it go wrong?

Overall Album Score: 9.6 out of 10 (Ray Davies had never created an album with such great tunes to this date --- clearly. This album will probably live forever unless people in the future suck.)

Average Song Score: 9.4 (The songwriting is impeccable. Everything is wonderful!!)

Album Tilt: 9.5 (This is one of the easiest albums to sit through.)

Artist Rating: 10 (I argued with this rating, but I feel that it should be up there. The concept is believable and carried out remarkably well. Most importantly, they have crafted a distinct, oft-imitated style here that I love!!)

Track Reviews

Village Green Preservation Society 10/10

And the festivities begin with this wonderfully tuneful track. It's a mid-tempoed rocker and doesn't try to do anything else but be charming and awesome. Its melody certainly ranks as one of the group's finest --- it's just so good that it manages to generate a life of its own! Seriously, these are some wicked pop hooks. The instrumentation is also solid and absolutely perfect. It's neither over-the-top nor under-produced. There's absolutely nothing I would have done differently.

Do You Remember Walter 9.5/10

They let up but only slightly. This track is a slightly more passionate and longing. They nail that mood! The instrumentation is a little less straight-ahead, predominantly featuring some pounding piano chords. Also, there's a strange sounding organ you hear very lightly in the background --- that was an inspired touch. Most importantly is the melody, which is absolutely solid. Excellent!

Picture Book 10/10

This awesome song is another personal favorite. There was a commercial once that featured this song, and it was the greatest commercial ever. It's nice to see that there's somebody in the advertising agency with taste in music. Though that's pretty rare... This song is pretty close to regular British Invasion music in style. It's an upbeat pop-rocker, but it's tight and utterly catchy. The melody is complex and wonderful enough to be distinctly Kinksian.

Johnny Thunder 9/10

They're still not letting up with the pure goodness in "Johnny Thunder." The melody is wonderful but not when you put it next to the three previous songs. Thankfully, the instrumentation is complex and solid, and it's nothing if it doesn't sound fresh.

Last of the Steam Powered Trains 9.5/10

It sounds like they're making a bow toward Bob Dylan with this more straight-ahead rock offering with the heavy use of the harmonica. Then again, they could be honoring The Rolling Stones. Well.... this is a distinct Kinks tune at any rate except this is a mid-tempoed bit of riff rock. The melody, again, is hopelessly catchy, and this is a lot of fun. I like how it gradually picks up a different groove in the middle --- making it seem like a train picking up!

Big Sky 8/10

"Big Sky" is an interesting song and it unfortunately doesn't pick up the same steam and debris as the previous tracks. But I guess everything needs some time to rest and settle! The structure of this song is unusual. I'd classify it as a pop-rocker, but it's not usual... The problem with it is that the melody isn't that catchy. The only thing that's memorable is that pseudo-classical "riff" that the harpsichord plays while Ray speaks his lyrics. And that's not even so great. But is it listenable? ... Certainly.

Sitting By the Riverside 9.5/10

Here is perfect music for, um, sitting by the riverside. It's a nice, laid back song with a fast enough of a tempo to keep it from growing dull. Ray adapts to some French pop music undertones with this one and combines it with his distinct Kinkian style. I like his creepy horror music build-up around the two-minute mark. This guy is awesome.

Animal Farm 9.5/10

I remember that "Animal Farm" initially interested me the most when I first got this album, because I was such a fan of Orwell's book (which was an opinion that made me differ from my high school classmates --- and even the teacher). I quickly found out that the lyrics had nothing to do with the book, but it didn't matter. What I got instead was an excellent song with a remarkably catchy and unusual melody.

Village Green 9.5/10

This was another one of my early favorites from the album. I put it on one of my first mix CDs, so listening to this song seems like revisiting an old friend. For some reason, I love it when Ray uses a clavinet (or something) and rocks out with some severe Baroque classical music leanings. He brings in a pretty woodwind instrument to add to that Baroque feel. Most importantly, the melody is catchier than anything.

Starstruck 10/10

"Starstruck" is an upbeat pop-rocker whose status I want to elevate as one of the best on the album. This song is rather Beatles-esque, but Ray proves that he can write music with the best of them! This is solid and wonderful.

Phenomenal Cat 9.5/10

Some old-style cinematic flutes begin "Phenomenal Cat," but it isn't long before a pop tune starts. This song is hardly usual, however --- there's no major backing drums. Someone sounds like he's smacking on a paper bag to create a beat. Also, they have a weird idea to have a back up singer that sounds 'impish.' But as usual, this is a catchy song --- that combined with the fact that it's a bit peculiar means that this is another classic.

All of My Friends Were There 9/10

A bit of music-hall. The first part is bouncy and the second part is smooth and almost ballad-like. The melody is very good though honestly not one of the album's best. Naturally, it's a lot of fun!!

Wicked Annabella 9.5/10

They're using the bass guitar as a primary instrument, which seems like a take-off of The Who's "Boris the Spider." Naturally, this is a darker song, but Ray seems to be trying to take it as lightly as possible. Perhaps that's a disappointment for people who wanted him to go deathcore, but there you go... I like the sound of this one, it's more unique than most of the other songs (which in themselves were pretty unique), and it turns out to be one of the album's most distinctive and memorable songs. No need to mention that the melody is tops... because that's implied.

Monica 9.5/10

Here is an entirely pleasant pop song that's half-inspired by tropicana. Unlike the bossa nova "No Return" from their previous album, this one seems like an utterly distinct song that was completely thought through. Combine that with another fantastic melody, and you have an instant classic!!!

People Take Pictures of Each Other 9.5/10

And it's over. "People Take Pictures of Each Other" strikes a resemblance to "David Watts" from their previous album. It has about the same people, some funny chanting, and its feel is pretty menacing and droning. It's not quite as brilliant, but it's still a lot of fun. The melody is so catchy and this is done so well that it's hardly worth complaining that they tried this sort of song before...

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