Arthur Or The Decline And Fall Of The British Empire
by The Kinks

From Brad1770 TOP 100 COMMENTER 12/30/2018 11:13 | #228328 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

'Arthur' was originally written for a BBC Television show that was cancelled just as filming was about to commence. It is a concept album that tells the tale of one Arthur Morgan who lives in London in a house called Shangri-La (note: the track "Shangri-La" was actually inspired by visiting Davies' sister Rose in Adelaide Australia) with a wife called Rose He has a son called Derek who's married to Liz, and they have 2 children Terry and Marilyn. Arthur's son Derek and family are planning to emigrate to Australia. Arthur's 2nd son Eddie was killed in the Korean war , whilst his brother was killed in the battle of the Somme.
The album tracks fit loosely around this premise

The 12 tracks that make up 'Arthur' represent another outstanding Kinks album with the band at their creative peak. This is never more evident than hearing the non-album tracks that appear on the 'Arthur Deluxe' edition. Cracking songs such as "This Man He Weep's Tonite" , "Mindless Child of Motherhood" , "Creeping Jean" , "Lincoln County" and "Hold My Hand" are as good as any on the actual album and are among some of The Kinks finest compositions.

Simply awesome (Edited)

This album has got at all! Great songs. Great playing. Great lyrics. Interesting story. Good production. Plenty of bonus-tracks.
Of course "Shangrila" is the oustanding track. But there are no weak songs here. "Some Mother`s Son" is very moving - could be an anti-war anthem! "Young and Innocent Days" - beautiful sentimental Davies ballad.

Energy in the rockers "Brainwashed", "Victoria" and "Nothing to Say"

Lots of humour and satire throughout the album.

Among the bonus tracks you`ll find some af Dave Davies' best songs from this period, "This Man He Weeps Tonight" and "Mindless Child of Motherhood" as well as the previously unreleased "Mr Shoemaker's Daughter" from Dave`s aborted 1969 album!

This album deserves to be in any record collection.

https://www.angelfire.com/nv/Badfinger/BANDkinks.html (Edited)

From Romanelli TOP 100 COMMENTER 05/18/2011 02:02 | #21933 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

This was a soundtrack to a TV show. It's a superb album. The Kinks deserve better, always. (Edited)

An interesting concept album that is full of the classic Kinks charm that leads to an enjoyable experience. The song writing is great and well thought out making it fun to explore his words in depth. Musically, it has that feel good vibe to it that makes you feel happy when you listen to it and instantly makes you feel nostalgic for the music even if you haven't heard the album before. I am also a huge fan of the horn and string arrangements on here as they add so much to the sound and atmosphere especially on the bigger tracks. They completely transform a song like Yes Sir, No Sir from a decent song into one that I absolutely love to revisit. Overall, a solid Kinks release that doesn't blow me away but it is harmless and a lot of fun to listen to. (Edited)

From covecove TOP 100 COMMENTER 11/13/2011 05:48 | #30496 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

Pure perfect pop music, the sound created in Something Else and perfected in Village Green comes to a fundamental peak here, this album is ambitious, eclectic and perfectly crafted from start to finish, there is not a single weak note and some trully amazing achievemnts like Australia and Mr. Churchill Says... (Edited)