THE KINKS
KINKS (Album)
1964, Reprise Records / Sanctuary Records / Pye Record




ThatMetalDude : 12/20
To a lot of people now, The Kinks's debut may just seem like another typical 60's rock 'n' roll album. In actuality, this album is a first in a few different genres of music. Not only was the raw sound on this album a predecessor to punk rock, but also hard rock and possibly even heavy metal. I've heard numerous metal musicians say in interviews that "You Really Got Me" is considered to be the first heavy metal song ever written. Now, I wouldn't necessarily go that far (to me, heavy metal generally brings thoughts of bands like Black Sabbath and Judas Priest), but it was definitely a huge inspiration to many of the first true metal bands.

So, we know that "You Really Got Me" was a hugely inspirational song, but what about the rest of the album? Well, it's definitely one of their heavier albums overall. That doesn't necessarily mean it's one of my favorites though. The first Kinks albums I ever listened to were their 'Face to Face' and 'Village Green Preservation Society' albums, both of which were quite soft in comparison and had more in common with groups like The Beatles than the music contained on this album. Needless to say, this caught me a little off guard when I first heard it. There were also a lot of cover songs on here. I like to hear covers as much as the next guy, but I like to hear originals as well. I'm sure that after a few more listens, I'll like 'Kinks' as much as some of their later albums, but for now, 'Face to Face' remains my favorite Kinks album.

Fun Fact: 'Kinks' features some of the earliest recorded work by both Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin) and Jon Lord (Deep Purple). Page plays acoustic 12-string on "I'm a Lover Not a Fighter" and "I've Been Driving on Bald Mountain" and Lord plays piano on "You Really Got Me".

Standout Tracks: "You Really Got Me"
12/20

2015-12-28 14:40:00