The Kinks - "Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire)" (1969)

This album is a little more rockin', and I'm not sure I like that as much. They introduce horns, and the electric guitars come back. I'm a little underwhelmed. I really like "Australia", but I at 6:46, it's a little long for my taste. There's this really long extended "jam" for the last three minutes that I think is totally unnecessary. "Shangri-La" is a great track, I'd like it more if it were more down tempo. The upshot being the french horn in the background of this track. It's very subtle, very well placed, not overpowering at all. A resounding triumph of arrangement.

"She's Bought A Hat Like Princess Marina" is a jaunty tune ala the English music hall traditions Davies is so enamoured with. It works well here. The second half of the song is almost Lovin' Spoonful jug-band, and everyone knows how much I love John Sebastian.

I like this record. Like, not love.
- posted by Mason @ 4:30 PM