"Soap Opera" - What an amazing album, never listened to it prior to Normans review. Thank you for including it!!!!!

Here's my top list: 01. Something Else by The Kinks 02. The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society 03. The Kinks - Face To Face 04. The Kinks - Arthur 05. The Kinks - Lola Versus Power man and the Money-go-round 06. The Kinks - s/t 07. The Kinks Kontroversy 08. Kinda Kinks 09. The Kinks - Muswell Hillbillies 10. The Kinks Schoolboys In Disgrace 11. Percy Soundtrack 12. The Kinks - Sleepwalker 13. The Kinks - Misfits 14. The Kinks - Everybody's In Show-biz 15. The Kinks - Soap Opera 16. The Kinks - Preservation Act 1

The most underrated and under appreciated band of all time! One of my all time favourites too! If anyone were to ask me "Beatles or Stones?" I'd probably have to hit them with "Kinks" lol. Great video!

I cant thank you enough for reminding me what an awesome band the Kinks are. Regards from Ody Slim

Muswell Hillbillies is the best album ever! Kinks Kronikles was my introduction to the kinks and that album has a special place in my heart!

So "Low Budget" and "The Kink Kontroversy" don't make the list? They were important albums in the Kinks catalogue!

“Drivin’” on Arthur...a personal favorite...it just lopes along brilliantly with a wonderful vocal timbre.

Great list. I've always loved Schoolboys in Disgrace. Loved Dave's tone on there. Some amazing guitar and fun singalongs

Face to Face.....Arthur......Village Green....Something Else. The Kinks are so overlooked.

Sleepwalker is my favorite Kinks album! Love it!

Thank whomever that The Kinks got banned in America. Everything that Ray wrote in those days was pure gold! 'Muswell Hillbillies', 'Arthur', 'Village Green Preservation Society' are my favorites. I first saw them live on the 'Streetwalker'/'Misfits' tour. They were what a great rock and roll band sounds like. Dave may be the most underappreciated rock guitarist of all time. The guy is completely electric on stage!

This video turned me on to the Kinks. I’ve really been missing out. Ray Davies is incredible. Would love to hear your take on The Beach Boys if you haven’t gotten to covering them yet.

I was a teen during the Kinks arena era so I came to know them from Superman, Low Budget etc...But I dug into the 60's Kinks and loved that stuff much more. I don't think enough people in my age range did that though, leaving the Kinks something of an overlooked band.

Thank you soooo much for that! I wondered what happened to The Kinks after their well known mid '60's stuff. I'm literally blown away - having dived into their catalogue after your breakdown - what they did post 1970 - never tried to repeat a formula - always something new and relevant. I got some listening to do!

Thanks again. I very much enjoyed your non-kontroversial Kinks list. I got lost deep, deep in the woods of my own personal Village Green during the pandemic lockdowns and spent a lot of time listening repeatedly to prime Kinks albums during the five years or so from "Face to Face" through "Muswell Hillbillies." I hope you don't mind but I tend to free associate watching these videos and when you mentioned "Too Much On My Mind" I flashed on the opening of the great German director (and major Kinks fan) Wim Wenders' movie, "Alice in the Cities" (1974), part of his "Road Trilogy" with "The Wrong Move" and his masterpiece, "Kings of the Road." "Alice" begins with Wenders' alter ego, Phillip Winter (Rudiger Vogler), sitting "under the board walk" by the sea, snapping Polaroids of the sky and kind of mumbling the song to himself. I didn't even realize what he was singing until a few years after I saw the movie. (Wenders also used Kinks songs in his first feature, 1970's "Summer in the City (Dedicated to the Kinks)," even though it's named after a Lovin' Spoonful song.)

A little late to this party but really enjoyed your video. My top 10 Kinks albums are: 1. The Kinks are the Village Green Preservation Society 2. Arthur 3. Lola vs. Powerman and the Moneygoround (Part One) 4. Face to Face 5. Something Else 6. The Kink Kronikles - best compilation I own, very eclectic 7. Muswell Hillbillies 8. Sleepwalker 9. Misfits 10. Preservation (Act 1)

I’d argue Phobia is a great album and way to end their run as a band. Not sure what others think, but I love the album. There are some hidden gems on it.

Love The Kinks! The RCA era doesn't get enough love. Muswell, Preservation Act 1 & 2 and Soap Opera are totally underrated. In my list I would also have Give The People What They Want; great arena rock, my favorite Arista album. Plus The Great Lost Kinks Album. Great list of a great band.

Very thoughtful ranking, you know your stuff. You are one year younger than I am, meaning we were listening to albums like Lola and Muswell Hillbillies as they came out. The first time I heard "Arthur" at a friend's house the album was only two years old. This all makes a difference, as we have context with what was happening in music while the albums came out. There is another Kinks best albums vid where the person awards Best Kinks Album to "Low Budget" and it's like, get real.

Oh, Norman , thank you. You've made me feel humble and slightly ashamed. One of my sweeping generalisations is that Americans don't really get the Kinks, partly because of the ban that co-incided with their late 60s output and also because of the total Englishness lyrically and musically of their records in that period - and I've seen some ranking videos that just confirm my prejudice. And then here you are with a ranking that no British Kinks lover would argue with (your top 6 are the same as mine with only a small difference in the order) and, most importantly, a genuine love for the band and a real understanding of where Ray is coming from, both of which you communicate so well. Thanks again.

From beginning to end my two favorites are Arthur and Face to Face.

Was listening to The Great Lost Kinks Album a few months ago and was really taken with Lavender Hill, to the point of going down a rabbit hole to learn more about the history of the area, tours, movie scenes filmed there, etc.

Love that you’re playing “God’s Children” in the background. Definitely in my top three favorite Kinks tunes.

Great video, Mazzy ! ! 66 to 71 is the best period of Kinks music for me. Some of the best music by any band. Have a cup of tea, and listen to the Kinks ! Can't argue with your top four , although I would flip Arthur and Something Else by the Kinks.

The big 5 from Face To Face through Arthur is the best stretch of consecutive five albums ever released by anyone. All in my top 30 lps, with 1968s Village Green is a top 10 for me. So, so, so underrated

The Kinks have come a long way since You Really Got Me, thanks for showing.

Anyone like the Schoolboys In Disgrace album? Took a while to grow on me, but there are some great tunes on there. “I’m In Disgrace” rocks! I went to a College Prep School, so I could relate a bit to that album, lol.

I always enjoyed the two preservations. I tend to think of them as music hall.

VGPS is my #1 album of '68. It's practically perfect

"The Great Lost Kinks Album" is on my top five list of "kick myself for selling in the 80's". Surprised and glad to see Soap Opera on your list. Of the RCA albums, it's my second choice but it's WAY behind Muswell Hillbillies. I agree that it's an impossible choice between Arthur and Village Green in the #1 position. Arthur definitely rocks harder, but both are treasures.

Have to say excellent list - I thought i was in a minority loving Soap Opera. i have about 5 albums that interchange as my number one but as village green was the first album I persuaded my old man to buy me it always has the edge as my number one. The Kinks and Ray are criminally underrated !

Go glad to see Muswell Hillbillies so high on your list. That LP was my gateway to the Kinks.

as of April 18, 2021 have listen to, in order Lola vs. Powerman....., Village Green....,Arthur......, Face to Face, Something Else in the last week and half for the first time. All good. Will start with Percy to Low Budget to finish the 70's.

The Kinks, Miles Davis and Chet Baker I could listen to anytime 24/7. A lot of great music in the world, but those 3 works for me whether I'm sad, happy, waking up, going to sleep, whatever... I never ever seem to grow tired of listening to them. I enjoyed your heartfelt review of The Kinks.

You take such incredible care of your records. I can’t tell the difference between reissues and original pressings. Such a great list. The Kinks have such a great discography.

I must admit i only have 4 Kinks albums. Face to Face, Something Else and Village Green Preservation Society, plus the 2002 compilation Kinks Ultimate Collection a 2cd set with all of their hits some which aren't on albums and b-sides and album tracks. I agree what you said about Waterloo Sunset. It's just the perfect pop song. Just listening to it makes you feel better every time. I could listen to it endlessly. It's a song Paul McCartney would have loved to have written. The melody is just incredible.

Where is one of MY favorites?! -- Think Visual!! -- I think there's such a welcome return to some hints at their old chops .... 'How Are You' is outstanding... the chords reminiscent of 'Tired of Waiting' -- that aside, I really enjoyed your enthusiastic presentation. I also, am a FAN, sir. Long may they wave ... good job!

My second fav band - good to see the Kinks getting some love - great vid as always

This is really great man. Yesterday Dylan my favorite solo artist, today the Kinks my favorite band. It doesn't get any better than this! With great pleasure I will watch your video again today:)

GOD SAVE THE KINKS !!! "Do You Remember Walter?" is a song that has taken on a whole new perspective as I get older and realize all my ol' friends can't "hang out" anymore......GREAT VIDEO MASLOV !!

Cool - I agree that Village Green and Arthur are so brilliant as albums - Something Else by the Kinks has an astonishing collection of songs - but Arthur and Village Green just capture a spirit that is both vaudeville and rock n roll n something that does not sound like anyone else ever. But as Ray said he wasn’t like everybody else.

Here's what I like today: 1. Arthur - almost every song is great. 2. One for the Road - a fun 80s concert and video to watch them rock out and go nuts. 3. Kink Kontroversy - lot of good tunes here. 4. Face to Face - All but a few are great. 5. Something Else - lots of memorable tunes. 6. Preservation Society - Picture book, Johnny Thunder, Animal Farm. 7. Lola - Strangers, Apeman, Lola 8. Muswell Hillibillies 9. Low Budget 10. State of Confusion 11. Misfits I like the hits from the 80s but not much else and same with the first 2 albums. I haven't listened to their theatrical albums of the mid 70s but might see if anything is appealing. Maybe that Opera album, Kinks Kronikles, or Sleepwalker.

Loved that Mazzy. Lola for me and check the awesome cover of Strangers performed by Lucius on YT. Saw them in early 74 with Poco and Henry Gross (weird bill). Now back to my Old rocking chair and Shangri La. Peace.

Very similar too my top kinks albums, my something else would be 2, and Arthur number 3. Great video man. 👌👌

Thanx Mazzy , enjoyed this segment on the KinKs... I would have to say that my go-to albums of The Kinks is very similar to yours. ... Are the Village Green preservation Society, Arthur, Something else by the....Face-to-Face, and misfits. Love all those albums fantastic band only seen them once

Preservation act 1 is superb. It has some absolutely beautiful songs on it, even if the narrative of Pt 1 isn't always that clear.

Thanks Norman!!! 🥰 Kinks was a childhood band for me! Thir Swedish EPs are insanely rare

On my first car in high school I had a bumper sticker that read. “ Ray Davies for president “. Great conversation starter. Don’t have the car but I saved that sticker. Great list.

village green definitely...and waterloo sunset is a perfect song....love te list..who else would know best....one album i would squeeze in there was 'schoolboys in disgrace'...don't ask me why, i have just always loved that album....be well my friend...peace....rocky

How refreshing to see someone giving the Kinks catalogue some love! A totally underrated act, and next to the Beatles my favorite band of all time. Great list, too, very solid ranking. I am quite sentiental for Give The People..., so that would be on there replacing one of the earlier albums, but other than that we're pretty similar.

Hello Mazzy, Music is so subjective with emotional ties, I am biased to the late 70's early 80's Kinks. Low Budget, Give the people what they want, state of confusion, word of mouth, think visual and I like- phobia. Thanks again for a great video. Now that we know Kinks in your top3, Beatles Number1, who is in the second slot? Just curious.

Excellent ranking. Side one of Preservation Act 1 is one of my favorite Kink sides. Because of that, on my list, I’d rank it in the 7 or 8 range.

Hi Mazzy, I popped in to watch your video again, i've just seen others youtuber ranking the Kinks, my list has changed a litte. I've got Lola vs the Powerman at the top now: 1) Lola vs the Powerman 5/5 plus 2) Village Green Preserv society 5/5 3) Face to Face 4/5 4) Muswell Hillbillies 4/5 5) Arthur 4/5 5) Something else 4 6) Everybody's in show biz 4 7) Misfits 3.5 8) The Kinks s/t 3.5 9) Soap Opera 3 10) Sleepwalker 3

Wonderful list Mazzy. I agree with almost all of it, and I would probably nudge Lola up there a few spots just for the song Strangers, which is such a great tune. Maybe I will give Soap Opera another go. Hope this finds you well. Much love from Ohio.

I ❤️ LOVE, LOVE, “Lola vs. Powerman”, “Muswell Hillbillies”, “Everybody’s in Showbiz”, both Preservation albums (especially Volume 1), “Arthur”, “Village Green Pres. Society”, “Soap Opera”, “Schoolboys in disgrace” ❤️, “Percy” which I noticed you were playing in the background-“The way love used to be” and “God’s Children” best songs on there-this was the best time/era in their career, Ray Davies was on Fire🔥 !

Yes!! Arthur is one of my favourite albums all time. I have no vinyl but album/playlist combos and I couldn’t help but include Picture Book and Days in my Arthur list of tracks. This reminds me that when it came out in 69 with Abbey Road and Let it Bleed that more than 1 person kept telling me that Arthur was better and the best album of the year!! I whole heartily agreed!

I briefly lived in Fortis Green North London and the local pub (Clissold Arms) was where they all drank and did their first gigs. Not been for years but website says they have a “Kinks Room”! I think that pub is mentioned in one of their songs.

Boozer is the Archway Tavern.. Muswell Hillbillies is a hidden gem.

I usually agree with most of your lists - even the odd one that I disagree with is mild. And anyway, as you say, it's your list - not ours . . . . BUT . . . Your Kinks list was spot on with the top three and others, but when you went through the track listing of Arthur you did not even mention, probably the greatest Kinks song after Waterloo Sunset! Not a word about the absolutely wonderful Shangri-La? Was this an error or don't you rate it?

So glad to see Sleepwalker on your list. That's a personal favorite of mine...possibly because it's the first Kinks album I ever owned. I bought it as a kid after seeing them on the Merv Griffin show. I vividly remember Merv asking Ray why he was on the album cover. He said it was because he was the "prettiest."

Soap Opera is a great album. The ending of the story is a bit of a surprise to the listener. How many songwriters could pull something like this off ?

I love these videos because they inspire me to seek out your recommendations. I'm only familiar with their 60s singles so now I have some references to check out

One of my favorite bands, “Arthur” is my number 1 and then “Village Green Preservation Society”.

Hi, Massy. Really enjoying your videos. Like you a BIG Kinks / Ray Davies fan... Have you heard "A Place In Your Heart" from 2017 Americana? Brilliant, classic Ray... Keep it up.

Hi Mazzy I knew a few early Kinks songs growing up but it was the Arista years that made me a fan mostly Sleepwalker and Misfits. And the Jam's version of David Watts got me into checking out the rest of their music. Cool video Mazzy.

Totally agree... Great news! The village green preservation society is a complete masterpiece. And their best LP. I think it have something of a conceptual album... for me, almost every song is about nostalgia for childhood and adolescence... every song seem to talk about some thing which happen him in a ficticious youth, and he is telling these stories as if he would be 50 years old... he sings about his closest friend, (do you remember walter) his first girlfriend, (village green), the foxy who everybody wanted to win, but was totally broken inside (starstruck), the prostitute of the town (Monica), the old woman which used to frighten the boys and everybody thought as a legend, that he was a witch and ate children... (wicked annabella) the tough boy of the school (johhny thunder), the family (picture book), and the familiar meetings (people take pictures of each other), and in the middle some songs which point that he miss the old things as they used to be... or to say "I don't like to be here", I want to come back or to be in another wolrd (animal farm) or some kind of critic about his hard actual world. (big sky) It's not a complete concept, but it works... Big Sky.... The first band which come to my head when I hear it is BLUR, and the first song is PARKLIFE. It's not similar, but It had to be some inspiration... without a doubt. It's in the air. Ok. maybe it's only in my head... The start of Big Sky is Fantastic!!!! but my favourite song is Village Green. It's PERFECT. Do you remember walter... What happens when your best friend in the school during many years, starts suddenly to ignore you? How many people wrote a song about that? Animal farm, starstruck, all of my friends were there... the "paris 1920's flavoured" Sitting by the riverside... The Sena Riverside. even phenomenal Cat with it's hilarious choruses, hide some interesting fable abour some winner who won everything, and as he had not more things to do, he sat and "ate himsef thought eternity"... Unhappiness!. This LP is a total masterpiece.

Nice list. Love the Kinks! Can't believe you saw them 5 times; that's awesome. They were here (Seattle) in early 80's that's time that I know of but I could be wrong.

God bless you sir! Soap Opera was the first Kinks album I ever owned, and I immediately, and to this day, love it to bits. Cheers, Pete

Great video, thank you. I have around 70 Beatles records, 50 Stones, 40 Dylan....and TWO Kinks albums. I’m not even sure why this is, because I love many of their songs. I will make it a priority to seek out your top 5..

I had a few beers for two hours at the Holiday Inn bar with the Kinks in late 1974 (except Ray, who remained in his hotel room). These guys are just as hilarious in private as they are on stage! I was a big Kinks fan back then and had all their albums. I loved Preservation Act II performed live, one of the very best and most unforgettable concerts I've ever attended (saw them two nights in a row, in Providence, RI and the next night again in Boston)! However, now that I'm older and my musical tastes have matured, only one Kinks album in my humble opinion has stood the test of time, their best: Muswell Hillbillies! It's the only one I still listen to.

Great Overview Norman of my #1 band! Davies is a creative genius as well as a prophet. I am certain you have picked up all the recently released box sets. You should do an overview of the books available on the kinks of which there are many!

Mid 60's to 1970 is hard to beat.

"The Kinks are the Village Green Preservation Society" is right there with "Pet Sounds," "SF Sorrow," or "Forever Changes" in the pantheon of cult classics.

I agree on Village Green and Arthur as well as the Kink Kronicles. I would rate Sleepwalker and Misfits higher. No mention of The Great Lost Kinks Album but all in all a great recap of one of my all time favorite bands.

Thanks for your posts. I love the Kinks and think they are criminally under-rated. Sunny Afternoon is great. I Think you ignore Live Albums but I had a live album from the sixties. A lot of screaming on it which I imagine is somewhat faked. They do Sunny Afternoon and Ray has the audience sing along. When they sing "I got a big fat mama trying to break me" the teenyboppers scream louder when they realize what they said. Priceless.

I think your list matches with mine, beautiful collection as well!

My list is pretty much identical to yours except I included 'Low Budget' & Give the people what they want.. Bit I must include as an HM Dave's album titled 'Bug' with the beautiful song 'Flowers in the rain'

Mazzy love the Kinks, love your listings but how could you not mention Shangri-La off the Arthur album? What a stunning track. It's like a mini opera but organic, beautifully written and gathers momentum in its 5 or so minutes. Also a shout out for Dave Davies beautiful Strangers from the Lola album.

Hi, I love your videos and your in-depth knowledge of the 60s especially. I definitely agree with your top 3 ranking of Kinks records. But I wonder, wasn't there a place for Kinks Kontroversy among the top 13? I mean, "Till the end of the day" is one of their most iconic pop songs. Can't comment on or evaluate their 70s stuff because I haven't heard it, but it seems like a pity.

Really enjoyed this Mazzy, I would have gotten rid of my Kinks Kronicles if I had not watched this. The mono box set is excellent, they should repress it. I have a Pye greatest hits with an all black cover that is excellent as well.

If you can get the mono albums box set ( you can safely skip the Kelvin Hall disc ) you’re sorted for the killer Sixties period. Soap Opera is also a gem. Nice overview of a wonderful band.

Your top 5 are exactly identical to mine. I think we just became best friends, whether you like it or not.

Absolutely love Mussel Hillbillies. Probably currently my favourite album of theirs (even above Village Green), and you are absolutely spot on re Waterloo Sunset. Probably my favourite ever pop song.

Very well done!

Hey Mazzy ! I love the Kinks! Such a great band! I actually remember you did a similar vid awhile back showing all your Kinks Kollection! I’m kinda commenting while watching so I may comment yet again! LoL Peace ☮️✌️👽🤘☮️

The Kinks are a top 5 band for me. I'd have a hard time ranking beyond 7 records, because I like a lot of them equally, but here's my top 7 anyway. 1. Arthur (or the decline and fall of the British Empire) 2. Misfits (yes, side one is just perfect) 3. Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, part one 4. Muswell Hillbillies 5. The Kinks are the Village Green Preservation Society 6. Face to Face 7. Something Else by the Kinks BTW... I play my Spanish pressing of Arthur at the record store quite often.

I'm enjoying your countdowns, my Kinks collections consists of 1,2,3,5 and 6.........and I love Waterloo Sunset. Still gotta pick up their debut.

Return to Waterloo is my favorite. Ray like Chrissie returns to the past and her city is gone. Mom I'm home. Ray is good with nostalgia. Fortunately I have all of the Kinks records.

Great Video. I would have put Lola a little higher and switched Schoolboys for Soap Opera

No mention of “Percy” (unless I missed it)yet you have it playing in the background.

Enjoyed this ranking, but not fair to have Percy playing at the background, that distracted me from the words, lol. I think generally Arthur is my nr. 1, though as you mentioned at the start of the vid, it can change by day/week/month. God Save The KinKs and Ray and Dave ofcourse...

Not sure why “Give the people what they want” doesn’t get any attention or ranked in high regard. But I think it’s awesome!

Great review Mazzy. I love The Kinks. Need a few more of those LPs.

🤠 You know what, Partner? Preservation Acts 1 and 2 are among my favorite Kinks albums. I know, right? Some of it may have to do with getting into those albums at a certain time and place, but whatever the case, they very much speak to me. I suppose Schoolboys in Disgrace could be considered Preservation Act 3?...or would it be the prequel?

Great list. I’m still on the hunt for your number 1 and 2. Arthur, I can find but not always in the greatest shape. No Schoolboys on this list? I dig that record. I’d put Lola higher on the list but you already mentioned that most people would. Great video Mazzy. I’ll be digging into your Dylan rankings next. Great to see you! Cheers, Brian🍀

LOVE the 60s Kinks, have since their first appearance on the scene. Idea their first 2 Conserts in the states after the ban on them was lifted, one being at the iconic Fillmore East, where they were second on the bill to Spirit. I believe I was the only one who got up and left the choice seats I shared with my girlfriend after The Kinks left the stage, as I didn’t want to spoil the rare at the time experience of seeing The Kinks live with a group I could care less about ringing in my ears. By the way, what happened to Kink Kontroversy?

Great list. I am more a 70/80´s fan because that's when I started to listen to them. So, Misfits and Sleepwalker have a place in my heart. And also "Give the people what they want" and the live album "One for the road". But in the last year, Muswell Hillbillies grow im my ears, specially the song "Okhaloma U.S.A", one of the beautiful songs that Ray wrote, at least, in my opinion.

Hi, Totally agree with you considering Waterloo Sunset being the number 1 Kinks song, with Dedicated Follower Of Fashiion and Days being second and third. Ray is one of the best "short story in a 3 minutes popsong" writer. And yes ....... Village Green is their best LP.

For and Englishman who know a bit of recent history the record Arthur is laden with meaning and emotion. I wonder whether there is an equivalent record for Americans? Perhaps Monster by Steppenwolf?

Give the people what they want has a lot of punk fun to offer