Whenever asked the age-old question, Beatles or Stones? I would invariably have to choose C. The Kinks. Sandwiched between albums like Beggar's Banquet and the Beatles' White Album, The Kinks' Village Green album went almost unnoticed. With hard rock songs the likes of Street Fighting Man, Voodoo Child, and Revolution burning up the scene, the Davies' soft spoken songs about strawberry jam and playing cricket were perhaps out of touch with the classic anthems of it's day. But looking back now, it seemed like the most progressive and masterful songwriting of it's time. Simple, sweet, and with just the right touch of melancholy, this album displays talent most independent artists today could only hope for. I think the problem with most indie bands today is the intense level of cuteness unnapologetically injected into every tune of what I like to call car commercial pop. You know, the songs with the overused ukeleles and whistling, yeesh. I cringe just thinking about it. The Kinks however easily display the same innocent yet soulful songwriting without really striving for it. And therein, I think, lies The Kinks' charm.
And if I had to, I would choose the Beatles..... obviously.
No comments:
Post a Comment