loose cannon
06-29-2004, 11:09 AM
The Kinks after experiencing some great success in the mid-60's fell into a commercial decline in the 70's. They released some fine concept albums that still did well on rock radio with songs like Celluloid Heroes and Well Respected Man but the huge Top 40 Success enjoyed with songs like You Really Got Me in 1965 was long gone. After a few minor lineup changes the Kinks started to rock out again in the late 70's with the 1979 album Low Budget which hit big with the title track among others. But it was the 1981 album Give The People What They Want that was not only a huge success but also a rock 'n' roll masterpiece. The album is rife with social commentary that still holds true today if not more so than 1981. Ray Davies and his brother Dave reveal themselves as prophets commentating on the media glorification of violence and it's effect on our society. This was long before there was a CNN, Fox News, or Ricki Lake.
Track 1- Around The Dial- Starts out with radio sqelching and then launches into a wall of heavy guitars. The song is about a DJ who has disappeared and no one knows why. With Clear Channel and other Corporate Media destroying radio this song is more relevant in 2004 than 1981. 9
2. Give The People What They Want- A superb blues rock song that poignantly describes the glorification of violence through the media and TV shows in general and how the public eats it up. 10
3. Killer's Eyes- An ominous ballad that looks into the mind of a serial killer. 8
4. Predictable- A very funny sarcastic sing along about an adult just slacking off. 8
5. Add It Up- A great punk style song about a man mocking a rich woman who passed him by on the way up and now he no longer cares because he knows under all the material possessions she's miserable. A very cutting, fierce song. 8
6. Destroyer - Key track on the album about a man who's manic depressed. 9
7. Yo, Yo- A sad song about a man drifting away from his wife and falling into a rut of the corporate working world. 8
8. Back To Front- A kickass punk style song about general stressed out insecurity. 9
9. Art Lover- A melodically decieveing pop song about a perverted old man that gets his kicks off drawing pictures of young girls at the playground. 8
10. A Little Bit Of Abuse- One of the most riveting, powerful songs ever written about spousal/partner abuse. 8
11. Better Things- An happy anthemic song about being optimistic about the future. 9
Do yourself a favor and buy this album. It is an absolute classic.
Track 1- Around The Dial- Starts out with radio sqelching and then launches into a wall of heavy guitars. The song is about a DJ who has disappeared and no one knows why. With Clear Channel and other Corporate Media destroying radio this song is more relevant in 2004 than 1981. 9
2. Give The People What They Want- A superb blues rock song that poignantly describes the glorification of violence through the media and TV shows in general and how the public eats it up. 10
3. Killer's Eyes- An ominous ballad that looks into the mind of a serial killer. 8
4. Predictable- A very funny sarcastic sing along about an adult just slacking off. 8
5. Add It Up- A great punk style song about a man mocking a rich woman who passed him by on the way up and now he no longer cares because he knows under all the material possessions she's miserable. A very cutting, fierce song. 8
6. Destroyer - Key track on the album about a man who's manic depressed. 9
7. Yo, Yo- A sad song about a man drifting away from his wife and falling into a rut of the corporate working world. 8
8. Back To Front- A kickass punk style song about general stressed out insecurity. 9
9. Art Lover- A melodically decieveing pop song about a perverted old man that gets his kicks off drawing pictures of young girls at the playground. 8
10. A Little Bit Of Abuse- One of the most riveting, powerful songs ever written about spousal/partner abuse. 8
11. Better Things- An happy anthemic song about being optimistic about the future. 9
Do yourself a favor and buy this album. It is an absolute classic.