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The Kinks - Soap Opera Audio CD

A fair review of the The Kinks "Soap Opera" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all The Kinks reviews here, or go back to the The Kinks tabs.

The Kinks Band: The Kinks
Title: Soap Opera
Rating:
Release Date: 2005-01-25
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Everybody's A Star (Starmaker) 2: Ordinary People 3: Rush Hour Blues 4: Nine To Five 5: When Work Is Over 6: Have Another Drink 7: Underneath The Neon Sign 8: Holiday Romance 9: You Make It All Worthwhile 10: Ducks On The Wall11. (A) Face In The Crowd 11: You Can't Stop The Music 12: Everybody's A Star (Starmaker) (Mono Mix) 13: Ordinary People (Live) 14: You Make It All Worthwhile (Live) 15: Underneath The Neon Sign (Live)

A good time was had by all
I think it's a sad reflection on the intelligence and imagination of my generation. Despite their smash hits from the sixties, the Kinks never seemed able to maintain the fan-base that other English groups attained and manipulated so well. Oh well, it's over and done with, isn't it? I mean, what have we to look forward to now but Social Security, physical decline, ill health, and, ultimately, death.
But, doggone it, SOAP OPERA was a wonderful album. I'm not going to dissect it and attempt to grade or degrade individual cuts on the work. I just want to say that, from my perspective, this album has it all. It was great fun everytime I put the disk on. The artwork was outstanding, the performance impeccible, the lyrics, the feel for the mood of the time, the music. . . . Why couldn't everyone see that?! It has often been said that the Kinks' "theatrical" period was their least popular. In my mind, it was the artistry of Ray Davies and the Kinks at their best. If you didn't "get it", it's your loss.


Digitizing my youthful record collection
Not sure why I bought it 30 years ago. Buying CDs to replace my albums and so I got around to getting this one. I like the Kinks but this is sort of obscure. Anyway, it has a few good songs, but the rest is hard to get through. Starmaker is typical Kinks song and is pretty good. Ducks on the Wall and Rush Hour Blues are pretty funny. But that's it.


Can't Stop the Music, Indeed
The story, such as it is, involves the Starmaker changing places with the hopelessly normal Norman. My favorite of the 1970s concept albums, A Soap Opera is certainly more accessible than the sprawling Preservation project, and less restrained thematically than, say, Schoolboys in Disgrace. Familiar Ray Davies subject matter is covered here, especially how the mundane working life robs people of their individuality, and how many of us attempt to cope (there are two morbidly amusing tunes about the old demon alcohol, "When Work Is Over," and "Have Another Drink"). "Holiday Romance" and "You make It All Worthwhile" are both sweet and ironic, while "Ducks on the Wall" is a hilarious rocker about a lover with rather poor decorating skills. "(A) Face in the Crowd" is downright heartbreaking, a character resigned to giving in, to becoming "one of them. " Thankfully, the album closes with the far more optomistic "You Can't Stop the Music," a tribute to the rock stars of the past. Remove the storyline and you've still got a strong batch of songs, which is more than you can say for most concept albums. Give this one a chance. I bet you'll be plesantly surprised.


For die hard Kinks fans
Quite frankly, this one is for those who feel the need to have as much of the Kinks' music as possible. As a long time Kinks fan, it pains me to not recommend one of their albums. Don't get me wrong, there are some good songs on it, but overall not enough to recommend it. The only song you might recognize is the first track that was used in 2008 for a Converse commercial. That commercial inspired me to finally buy this CD to replace my vinyl version. If you are just discovering the Kinks, wait and get this one later - start with a different one (from the 60s or later 70s or early 80s). If you are well versed in the Kinks music and just want more, then by all means get this and enjoy. .


Good Music and a lot of Humour.
Having recently seen the group live twice ( once performing Preservation Act ) I had a hard time waiting for the release of their next album. "When "Soap Opera" was first released in 1975 the Kinks were my undisputed number one favourite band. And as big fans rarely are, I wasn't disappointed when it finally appeared in the local record store. In the beginning I particularly enjoyed the melodic ballads such as "Nine to Five", "You Make it All Worthwhile" and "A Face in the Crowd". It was disappointing, though, that none of the singles taken from the album managed to bring the Kinks back to the top of the charts. Another frustration was that none of my friends seemed to share my enthusiasm with the album, a fact that I could not really understand.

Now, years later, I realize that "Soap Opera" is far from being one of the Kinks' greatest albums, and though most the music still sound great, it's obvious that only few songs work outside the context of the "Soap Opera Story". Actually, my originally least favourite song "Holiday Romance" may be the one track that has such quality. Great melody and a charming humouristic story; I have often imagined Mickey Mouse as the charmer dancing with Lavinia.

The story itself may appear not very interesting today, but there is a great sense of sarcasm and humour in many of the songs, so I still feel well entertained when listening to the album.


You can see a complete list of all The Kinks discography, or go back to the The Kinks tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

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