Jukebox Upchuck #29

The Kinks are the most underrated rock band, in my mind. Sure, they've sold millions of records and recorded one of the most recognizable rock songs of all time. Yes, they singlehandedly spawned heavy metal and power-pop with a simple chord exchange and guitar tone. (Van Halen sure loves them!) And they're in rock's hall of fame. But still, people don't give them enough props. Still, people don't own every record they recorded from 1964-1971, as they do with The Beatles and The Stones. Still, we haven't found it necessary to idolize Ray Davies as we have done with Lennon, McCartney, Richards, and Jagger. And frankly, that's a shame.

I can only speculate as to the reasons why. It's true, The Kinks were a bit of an outsider band when The Beatles and Stones were at the height of their late-'60s popularity, largely thanks to Ray and his preference for intelligent, conceptual records, and songs with abstract lyrics that dealt with social issues and melancholy moods. Then, in the mid-'70s after several critical flops, the band did an about-face, reinventing themselves as a commercial hard-rock juggernaut. We tend to have lazy minds with selective memory, so we naturally gravitate toward "You Really Got Me" or Misfits-era arena rock, and don't give much thought to lesser hits (that are just as good) like "Tired of Waiting for You" or "Victoria" or "David Watts".

So to help correct that, here's a sampling of some of their lesser-known masterpieces from their brilliant period from 1966-1971. Do yourself a favor and investigate further, if you haven't already.

The Kinks – "I'm Not Like Everybody Else"
The Kinks – "Waterloo Sunset"
The Kinks – "Big Sky"
The Kinks – "Brainwashed"
The Kinks – "Get Back in Line"