The Kinks - Something Else (#478)

In this episode, Dan and Carl dive into Something Else by The Kinks, #478 on Rolling Stone Magazine’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list. Released in 1967 (UK) and early 1968 (US), this album shows The Kinks moving from garage rock into baroque pop, British folk, and psychedelic sounds, with Ray Davies taking complete creative control. The hosts explore sibling tension, touring bans, Beatles comparisons, wild harmonic shifts, and why Spotify’s album cataloging drives them nuts.

Key Points

• 🎙️ Album Context: Released during The Kinks’ U.S. touring ban, Something Else reflects a more introspective, studio-based approach. Ray Davies wrote nearly the whole album, while Dave Davies contributed two standout tracks.
• 🇬🇧 Baroque Pop Influences: The hosts examine the album’s baroque elements—like harpsichord, vocal doubling, and experimental song structures—while noting its British charm and post-Beatles vibe.
• 🧠 Music Theory Deep Dive: “No Return” earns high praise for its unpredictable harmonic shifts and jazzy, Latin-inspired structure. We dissect modulations, tritones, and non-functional harmony with excitement.
• 🤡 Death of a Clown: Dave Davies’ top-three UK hit gets analyzed lyrically and emotionally—an introspective, Dylan-esque track about the exhaustion of touring.
• 🔊 Production Woes & Wins: The mix across the album varies wildly. Dan and Carl debate whether production inconsistency hurts or helps the listening experience.
• 🍻 Pub Rock Energy: “Harry Rag” becomes a surprise favorite—a rowdy drinking song that combines Cockney energy with expert handclaps and tongue-in-cheek lyrics.

Music Referenced

• You Really Got Me by The Kinks
• Lola by The Kinks
• Tomorrow Never Knows by The Beatles
• Strawberry Fields by The Beatles
• Lady Madonna by The Beatles
• Oasis
• The Stooges
• Bob Dylan
• The Doors
• The Zombies
• The Point by Harry Nilsson
• Coconut by Harry Nilsson
• Simon and Garfunkel
• Nirvana
• Foo Fighters
• Eminem
• Cream
• The Who
• Brian Wilson
• Synchronicity by The Police
• Synchronicity II by The Police
• The Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd
• Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd
• Animals by Pink Floyd
• The Wall by Pink Floyd
• Physical Graffiti by Led Zeppelin
• Houses of the Holy by Led Zeppelin
• Thriller by Michael Jackson
• Rumours by Fleetwood Mac
• Harry Styles
• Englishman in New York by Sting
• Shaggy
• Jim Morrison
• Donald Fagen
• Cake

Join us next week when we cover Moanin' in the Moonlight by Howlin' Wolf