The Kinks - Something Else by the Kinks

Face to Face was a remarkable record, but its follow-up, Something Else, expands its accomplishments, offering 13 classic British pop songs. As Ray Davies' songwriting becomes more refined, he becomes more nostalgic and sentimental, retreating from the psychedelic and mod posturing that had dominated the rock world. Indeed, Something Else sounds like nothing else from 1967. 

The Kinks never rock very hard on the album, preferring acoustic ballads, music hall numbers, and tempered R&B to full-out guitar attacks. Part of the album's power lies in its calm music, since it provides an elegant support for Davies' character portraits and vignettes. From the martial stomp of "David Watts" to the lovely, shimmering "Waterloo Sunset," there's not a weak song on the record, and several -- such as the allegorical "Two Sisters," the Noël Coward-esque "End of the Season," the rolling "Lazy Old Sun," and the wry "Situation Vacant" -- are stunners. And just as impressive is the emergence of Dave Davies as a songwriter. His Dylanesque "Death of a Clown" and bluesy rocker "Love Me Till the Sun Shines" hold their own against Ray's masterpieces, and help make Something Else the endlessly fascinating album that it is. 

TRACKLIST

side one: David Watts 0:00 Death of a Clown 2:41 Two Sisters 5:56 No Return 10:02 Harry Rag 12:21 Tin Soldier Man 15:14 Situation Vacant 17:58 side two: Love Me Till the Sun Shines 18:26 Lazy Old Sun 21:51 Afternoon Tea 24:38 Funny Face 28:03 End of the Season 30:32 Waterloo Sunset 33:32