A stylistic transition album for the band with Ray Davies lyrics getting more concerned dealing with contemporary social subjects and personal reflections. There's also a change in the melodic idiom from r&b and primordial hard rock towards pop and music hall. Still very much garage and the production more allowing than adjusting. Probably a fitting description and I gotta start somewhere, but at the same time it implies some kind of distance to the album I don't have at all. This goes dirtectly to my heart and no words in the world could change that. Picture is totally clear showing the lives and observations of Ray and the band in England mid sixties - parties, loves and general phenomenons in society back then. Recordings are borderline primitive, sometimes unbalanced and seemingly uncorrected, giving a an almost direct connection to the band in the studio rather that shoving a ready made product down your throat. I especially fancy the vocals - unschooled, sometimes as speak-singing and sometimes strained - but always nailing it and 100% personal. I sure get the best from my two favorite musical worlds here - well written and catchy melodies conveyed by a true garage feeling. All cuts are good in their own way, but the hits "Dandy" (not released as single in UK and US, but reaching #1 in Germany, #2 in Belgium, #3 in Holland and top ten in many other countries) and "Sunny Afternoon" (UK #1 US #14) stands out together with the rocker "House In The Country" (my guess a great inspiration to the die-hard Kinks fans in Blur and their hit with the same name). Also as UK stereo (NSPL 18149). First US on Reprise (R/RS 6228). Premiere UK had label as shown here, thick unflexible vinyl and laminated flip/back cover. (KYX*) (PÖY*)
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