07 - Arthur Or The Decline And Fall Of The Brit...

Arthur Or The Decline And Fall Of The British Empire (1969)

01. Victoria
02. Yes Sir, No Sir
03. Some Mother's Son
04. Drivin'
05. Brainwashed
06. Australia

07. Shangri-la
08. Mr. Churchill Says
09. She's Bought A Hat Like Princess Marina
10. Young And Innocent Days
11. Nothing To Say
12. Arthur

This album is another milestone. These songs are more "adult" than the previous: They are more complicated, they have longer solos and very pointing lyrics and I think all the band does a great job. Mick and John are at their top and they provide a powerful rhythm section, while Ray and Dave stand out in the front.

Arthur couldn't start better. Victoria is a great rock song with a great singing by the master Ray and an awesome guitar playing by the master Dave (in my opinion this song is one of Dave's biggest successes).

Yes Sir, No Sir and Some Mother's Son are brilliant and they share the same theme from a totally different perspective. Some Mother's Son is one of the most emotive songs ever written, it should be used everywhere as an anti-war anthem. This is not only "Peace & Love" or "Give Peace A Chance", when you listen to Some Mother's Son you can actually see the soldier in the trench, his mother crying and the picture on the wall. If this song doesn't make you sad you don't have a heart.

Drivin' lightens the tension from the previous song, now you can breathe again. It was exactly what we needed here: A catchy song with brilliant harmonies and again great guitar playing. Bravo, Kinks! I have to admit that I don't like Brainwashed as much as rest of the album. I was going to say the same about Australia but after listening to it I can't! It's very good indeed.

And after them we get Shangri-La, the album's key track and one of the Kinks masterpieces. What can I say about it that hasn't been said before? Nothing, instead of reading my opinion just go and listen to it. Mr Churchill Says is also one of my favourites, Ray's very good on vocals and the war sirens sounding must be one of the best moments in rock history. Absolutely brilliant song, almost at the same level of Shangri-La.

She's Bought A Hat Like Princess Marina, Nothing To Say and Arthur are funny and sad at the same time, not between my favourites but very enjoyable, they certainly grow up every time you listen to them. And Young And Innocent Days is another delicate and touching song, it was a very good idea from Dave's part to add it to his live shows.

When people ask me about my favourite Kinks albums I never consider answering Arthur. It's probably not my favourite, but if you asked me now I would certainly say it is. I just finished listening to it and I can't wait to play it again!

Ah ...Arthur !

The kind of album that any Kinks fan can put among his 3 best albums by the Kinks. A real pleaser !

If you like Dave's guitar playing, Arthur is THE album that lets you have plenty of it. It's a bit like he's playing solo throughout the entire album.

There's an extraordinary blend of moods and emotions here. And Ray's writing still getting better and better.

Classics like Victoria, Shangri-La, Australia, oh la la !!!

No doubt in my mind, not only one of the best from the Kinks, but one ot the all time top 20.

I just finished listening to Arthur. This is my favorite Kinks album. Ray Davies is a freak - a songwriting freak. He was so far above all the rest when this album came out that most people were not able to appreciate what he did. They just wanted to hear something dumber.

When I say something like "Ray Davies is a genius" or "The Kinks are arguably the greatest band ever" and people laugh, I ask if they have heard Arthur. What an album.

Then people say they've never heard it and have no intention...

I was away for most part of the day and it's very cold and windy here... Hardly had I come back home I listened to this album.

It's not my most favorite but it's in among my 5 most favorite Kinks albums. It's a gem and although I don't listen to it often it's always great to put it again and to hear those great songs.

I have loved Victoria from the very beginning, Shangri-la is my most favorite. Drivin' is a songs that always makes me smile.
Some Mother's Son is a gem, I've just realized how much I love Nothing to Say and Arthur. I could listen to them again and again. Brainwashed, Young and Innocent Days are very enjoyable.

I can't say I like She Bought a Hat Like Princess Marina, it's a nice song but it's not among my most favorite.

I will always rate this album as one of the best records ever released. Just think about it: recorded 40 years ago and still remains one of the most important records in rock'n'roll history. I applaude Ray and admire him.

Arthur is a wonderful album. Dave really enjoyed making it. It contains many beautiful songs, arrangements, and the band sounds great!

Today's blog post -- Victoria

Although later I wished I had written about "Drivin"" instead. Or maybe "Australia..." But I really like the video I made for this one. Enjoy!