The Kinks' Underrated Masterpiece

Pastebin of References used - pastebin.com/JuuhKdg2
Muswell Hillbillies is an album that allowed chief songwriter of the Kinks Ray Davies to vent his frustrations with the rapidly developing 'modern' world. gentrification as it's now known today, people turning their backs on tradition, and general frustrations with society are common themes throughout, and the pent up anger lead us to one the Kinks' best LPs. At release it wasn't met with much of any fanfare, but over the last 5 decades it's become known as a classic - this video jumps into the headspace of Ray at the time of writing, his motivations and the results that lead us to Muswell Hillbillies.
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[@SiloSoundStudios]

Just overall, Kinks just dont get the acknowledgment they deserve.

[@obbor4]

Not underrated in my house! 'Muswell Hillbillies' has long been my favorite Kinks album. It speaks to me in so many ways.

[@TheAnarchitek]

"20th Century Man". Any time you can rhyme Shakespeare with Gainsborough, you know you're showing off:

[@tjwolfe77]

I think it could be argued that The Kinks had possibly the strongest 5-album run of any rock band:

[@pedroV2003]

Saw them around 1972 and they were easily one of the best most fun concert I've ever been to.

[@chuckbouscaren3898]

My all time favorite Kinks albums.

[@sjames1955]

ONE of Ray's underrated masterworks.

[@z-man2343]

Not only is this my favorite Kinks album, Muswell Hillbillies has been (since I bought it in 1978) and remains, on my top 20 albums of all time. Yeah, it's that good. This is Ray Davies at the absolute top of his songwriting game ...poignant, pithy and poetic, painting lyrical pictures of the trials and tribulations of the common (wo)man as no one else can.

[@tre243t]

I have always loved this album - a classic album showcasing Ray’s brilliance!!!

[@miked6335]

Bought this album when it first came out, the Kinks being a favorite band. I didn't realize there was a concept behind it, but living on Long Island I had no idea what was going on in London. I didn't care for the addition of horns. I'm surprised you didn't mention how flimsy the actual LP was. Don't know if all RCA LPs were like that at the time, but it gave the impression of being cheap or that the Kinks were minor leaguers not worthy of using enough vinyl to stiffen the record.

[@onetripwonders]

Took me a while to appreciate it but now I love it.

[@beatxt]

Excellent! (Both your mini doc and the album).

[@napadave58]

I've always thought that Muswell Hillbillies was their best and most "unKinks-like" albums - and I also took it as being inspired (at least partially) by The Stones' Let It Bleed - another UK band who, when they stretched into North America, picked up a bit of that American Appalachia sound and texture - see: Byrds Sweetheart Of The Rodeo, Pure Prairie League (non-UK), Gram Parsons - even the Beatles added their names to the mix with songs like Rocky Raccoon. I'm just blabbing though ... carry on with your day. And clean that place up a bit. It looks a bit messy.

[@fractuss]

My favorite.

[@montyrose78]

Great review of a great album thanks

[@DerekDerekDerekDerekDerekDerek]

Country abd bluegrass is not the only sound, there is clearly english music hall snd folk influences too.

[@johnking6252]

Ladies and gentlemen....the Muswell hillbillies.....👍. Yeah baby ✌️

[@tombrehony6277]

This album is Seriously Underrated...

[@richardchambers3533]

I like the album "Give the people what they want "

[@jamesguitar2006]

Great video man, if you can I’d love to see a video about the band ‘The Vines’ who actually were quite influenced by the kinks, think it would be interesting