Description

Between 1965-1967, The Kinks enjoyed their first commercial peak, scoring nine British and seven US chart hits including Ray Davies hymn to the Thames on the peerless Waterloo Sunset which anchored the band s fifth studio effort, Something Else. As Ray s songwriting developed, he emerged as a witty, compassionate social commentator, chronicling the absurdities and aspirations of English life. Something Else finds the band closing out their hard-rock period in favor of pastoral folk and pop songs about the quiet pleasures of family life and the English countryside, dotted with harpsichords, acoustic guitars and ethereal harmonies. A radical rejection of the Age of Aquarius, it was one of the boldest pop albums of its time and an artistic landmark. In addition to further distinguished numbers from Ray like David Watts, Two Sisters, End of the Season, and Lazy Old Sun,  Something Else also marked the emergence of brother Dave s songwriting prowess with the equally as compelling Death of a Clown and Love Me Till the Sun Shines.