The Kinks - Kinks

Kinks is the self-titled debut album by English pop rock band The Kinks, originally released in October 1964 via Pye Records. Kinks was released with three tracks omitted as You Really Got Me in the USA.

The Kinks were formed in, North London in 1963 by brothers Dave and Ray Davies, and are regarded as one of the most important and influential rock groups of the era. The band emerged in 1964 during the height of British rhythm and blues and Merseybeat, and were briefly part of the British Invasion of the US until their touring ban in 1965. Between the mid-1960s and early 1970s, the group released a string of hit singles; studio albums drew good reviews but sold less than compilations of their singles. They gained a reputation for reflecting English culture and lifestyle, fuelled by Ray Davies' observational writing style. Their albums of the 1960’s and early 1970s, along with their accompanying singles, are considered among the most influential recordings of the period.

Kinks is very much representative of the times, a first album built around one or two singles, covers dictated to the band and thin production. The Kinks were still formative and finding their feet which is evident in this album. While reviews tend not to be overly favourable all of this needs to be taken into consideration. It is after all an album marking the band’s formative period.

Highlights of the album are the great “You Really Got Me”, and the rave-up treatments of the R&B standards “Got Love If You Want It” and “Cadillac”; and of course the potential of the simple “Stop Your Sobbing” would eventually be realised in the Pretenders 1980 cover.

This album is a 2021 reissue on 140 gram transparent red coloured vinyl with remastered audio in mono, the original UK tracklisting, and limited to 1,000 copies, pressed in Europe via Sanctuary Records.