The Kinks - Ultimate Collection [Sanctuary] (2007)

I love roaring guitars, I make no apology for it, I also love melody. I have another requirement, eclectic and emotive lyrics, to look for all of these in a popular music band could be a contradiction in terms, but with The Kinks all of these qualities are naturally in place.
Their music is like the 'Aslan' of the music world, lion-like in it's growling and snarling, but full of anecdotes and wisdom. Pete Townshend of The Who once stated 'Ray Davies' should be made poet laureate' and if this collection of works is anything to go by, there is plenty of evidence to support that suggestion.
There is a wistful, pondering and slightly fairytale quality to Kinks songs, they are the treasury which many of us carry in our heads without really realising it. And they can appeal to many camps, from heavy rockers to those who derive pleasure from a night in on the sofa sampling a good book.
'You Really Got me' with it's eternal guitar structure, the equally raucous 'all Day and All of The Night' bounds with an abandon few bands can match even today.
For the more bookish there is the irresistible 'Waterloo Sunset' with it's gambolling intro and it's reflective lyrics that tell of the sights, sounds and people who pass through London. There is something deeper interwoven into these lyrics, there is an essence of ourselves.
There is a frostiness about 'Sunny Afternoon' which bites even now, and in fact probably harder in some ways with the effects of the current recession, and 'Lola' which is The Kinks' pantomime moment. They proved they could do earnest and Lola showed they could do hammy too! 'Lola' strikes just the right balance of parody, playful without appearing cheesy.
I won't drivel on too much more, it suffices to say this album will captivate you for as long as you listen to it, and like with all the best fairy-tales, once read they are unforgettable.

This double CD with 44 superb Tracks is as it says on the label,The Ultimate Collection.The Kinks are one of THE very best of the British Invasion overseas,along with The Beatles,The Rolling Stones etc.,as well as being an iconic super group in the UK.What's not to like about Tracks such as DEDICATED FOLLOWER OF FASHION?,or the best one in my opinion entitled DAYS?.They certainly do not come any better than these talented Vocalists & Songwriters,and I for one am very pleased that they are.Murray,haggis-n-neeps

One of the great British groups of the 1960s. This great compilation includes all 3 of their UK Number Ones ("You really got me", "Tired of waiting for you" and "Sunny afternoon") as well as their 3 UK Number Two singles ("All day and all of the night", "Waterloo sunset" and "Lola"). The collection also includes the original versions of tracks that were hits for other artists, namely "David Watts" covered by The Jam and "Stop your sobbing" covered by the Pretenders. I was particularly pleased to find that this compilation includes two of their lesser known hits "Supersonic rocket ship" and Come dancing" which are hard to find elsewhere. Truly an ultimate collection!!

hi, without the kinks, and ray davies there would be no brit pop!, this collection highlights there amazing careers, superb songs everyone!, my personal fav is im not like anybody else!, buy this album!, its the best!!!

I am a child of the 60's and just loved bands like the Kinks.I had all of their records on vinyl.I am now searching out all my old favourites on cd so I was delighted to find this collection.If you are a fan you could buy no better cd.All the No1's,all the best known and some fab songs that are lesser known.I don't think I ever realised what prolific writers they were.I couldn't wait to play the cd and so as soon as I'd unpacked it on to the player it went, full volume.Oh, that guitar riff from "You really got me" I was back at the school disco! Brilliant. Love it Love it Love it.