87: The Kinks’ Village Green Preservation Society (1968)
It’s hard to boil down the Kinks to one album, I’m fond of almost everything they did. This one is my favorite because of its attention to detail, its themes of nostalgia and focused sentimentality, and its Mellotron-tasticness. At the time of its release, however, Village Green wasn’t such a hit. Ray Davies has, however, referred to it as a “successful flop” thanks to the interest its received since.
“Starstruck” was the U.S. single, but “Last of the Steam Powered Trains” and “Wicked Annabella” are both rock’n'roll lovey goo.
The Kinks: “Starstruck” (mp3)
