The Kinks are The Village Green Preservation Society (Pye 1968) 24-bit/96kHz Vinyl Rip

Ray Davies' sentimental, nostalgic streak emerged on Something Else, but it developed into a manifesto on The Village Green Preservation Society, a concept album lamenting the passing of old-fashioned English traditions. As the opening title song says, the Kinks – meaning Ray himself, in this case – were for preserving "draught beer and virginity," and throughout the rest of the album, he creates a series of stories, sketches, and characters about a picturesque England that never really was. It's a lovely, gentle album, evoking a small British country town, and drawing the listener into its lazy rhythms and sensibilities. Although there is an undercurrent of regret running throughout the album, Davies' fondness for the past is warm, making the album feel like a sweet, hazy dream. And considering the subdued performances and the detailed instrumentations, it's not surprising that the record feels more like a Ray Davies solo project than a Kinks album. The bluesy shuffle of "Last of the Steam-Powered Trains" is the closest the album comes to rock & roll, and Dave Davies' cameo on the menacing "Wicked Annabella" comes as a surprise, since the album is so calm. But calm doesn't mean tame or bland – there are endless layers of musical and lyrical innovation on The Village Green Preservation Society, and its defiantly British sensibilities became the foundation for generations of British guitar pop. Stephen Thomas Erlewine AMG.

Tracklisting:

A1. The Village Green Preservation Society

A2. Do You Remember Walter

A3. Picture Book

A4. Johnny Thunder

A5. Last Of The Steam Powered Trains

A6. Big Sky

A7. Sitting By The Riverside

B1. Animal Farm

B2. Village Green

B3. Starstruck

B4. Phenominal Cat

B5. All Of My Friends Were There

B6. Wicked Annabella

B7. Monica

B8. People Take Pictures Of Each Other

All composed by Raymond Douglas Davies
Produced by Raymond Douglas Davies