The Village Green Preservation Society - THE KINKS****

The Village Green Preservation Society/Do You Remember Walter/Picture Book/Johnny Thunder/Last Of The Steam Powered Trains/Big Sky/Sitting By The Riverside/Animal Farm/Village Green/Starstruck/Phenomenal Cat/All Of My Friends Were There/Wicked Annabella/Monica/People Take Pictures Of Each Other

With Village Green Preservation Society The Kinks get into nostalgia in a big way. Given the favourable reviews, and the popularity of the group at the time, it is mystifying that it failed to chart.

"Although Village Green Preservation Society was a commercial failure when originally released its reputation has burgeoned over the years. This reputation is well-founded. The songwriting is of a consistently high standard and the band is playing at its best."

"Village Green Preservation Society is a work steeped in nostalgia, memories and narratives of the old ways of Britain. A concept album dealing mostly with traditions and progress."

"This album is a great illustration of how Ray Davies was clearly living in a different world to his musical peers in the late 60s. Whilst pop groups seemed to still be indulging in the concept of changing the world around them, Davies was once again creating everyman suburban characters living in an orthodox universe."

"The Kinks try to emulate the Fab Four, and the results are good, but far from spectacular. In particular, this album is highly derivative of the campy, Tin Pan Alley side of The Beatles which I believe Paul McCartney was largely responsible for. There aren't any songs here I'd call great, but there's a few really good ones. It's very consistent without any weak tracks."

"The basic theme is the great English countryside and its fast disappearing traditions. It's not a folk album, but it does have a very pastoral theme. Songs are well crafted, with plenty of great Kinks style hooks and melodies, coupled with lyrics which show a real regret for a world fast disappearing."

"In retrospect it's easy to see why it sold so poorly, as its cosy nostalgic songs were well out of place in a time when rock was just beginning to get heavy. It's only with the passing of time than one can admire the album's brilliance. All songs are Ray Davies originals, sepia toned to a time which may never have existed."