The Kinks' The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Published:30th Oct '03
Should be back in stock very soon
Andy Miller explores the creation of The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society, highlighting its overlooked brilliance and the band's unique sound during a tumultuous period in their history.
In The Kinks' The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society, Andy Miller delves into the intricate history and context of one of the most celebrated British albums of all time. Released in November 1968, the album initially went unnoticed, yet it has since gained recognition for its exceptional songwriting and unique sound. Miller explores the challenging circumstances surrounding its creation, highlighting how the band, on the brink of disbandment, crafted a collection of songs that defied contemporary musical trends.
Miller's analysis underscores the timeless quality of the album’s tracks, which showcase The Kinks' refusal to conform to the prevailing fashion of the era. He emphasizes the delicate balance within the music, particularly in songs like Big Sky, where powerful instrumentation is paired with heartfelt melodies. The combination of clattering drums, electric guitar, and ethereal harmonies creates a soundscape that is both vibrant and emotionally resonant. The Kinks’ ability to convey vulnerability through their music sets them apart from their contemporaries, making their work all the more impactful.
Through his examination, Miller not only celebrates the artistry of The Kinks but also invites readers to appreciate the album's enduring legacy. By tracing the band's journey during a tumultuous period, he sheds light on how The Village Green Preservation Society emerged as a poignant reflection of its time. This book serves as a testament to the album's significance, revealing the extraordinary talent of a band that, despite facing adversity, produced a masterpiece that continues to resonate with audiences today.
This detailed tome leads the reader through the often fraught construction of what is now regarded as Davies's [sic] masterpiece- and, like the best books of its ilk, it makes the reader want to either re-investigate the album or hear it for the first time. * Blender Magazine, October 2003 *
Miller takes an in-depth look at the Kinks' nostalgic and autobiographical album, released in 1968 , at the worst possible time, when rock was all about rebellion and psychedelia...This is the sort of focus that my make you want to buy a copy, or dig out your old one. * Rob Mackie, The Guardian *
A compelling portrait...Miller's insight into the album's thematic structure is as eloquent as any writing on The Kinks * Philadelphia City Paper *
...this is a charming and valuable addition to the series. * Joe Pettit, Ugly Things, Issue 25 *
So thorough is Miller's survey of the period. * Pop Culture Press *
Kinks commander Ray Davies once described the Beatles as "the boy next door only better." Miller notices this is a deeply autobiographical comment, and he's unquestionably in the tank for both that boy and that boy's nostalgia-driven magnum opus. But Miller tempers his enthusiasm with research, with and detailed-if-straightforward analysis of the songs, the time, the players and the fascinating history of the very English temperament that produced this most English of magnum opuses. * Austin American-Statesman, Oct. 17, 2004 *
One of the hallmarks of the 33 1/3 series is the track-by-track runthrough, during which the author proceeds, often in painstaking detail, to describe each song on a given album in order. Occasionally this can be redundant or tedious, but one of the first great examples is in Andy Miller’s book on the Kinks’ finest hour. -- Stephen M. Deusner * Pitchfork *
ISBN: 9780826414984
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: 146g
168 pages