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Frequently Bought Together
Product Details
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Track Listings
| 1. 20th Century Man |
| 2. Acute Schizophrenia Paranoia Blues |
| 3. Holiday |
| 4. Skin & Bone |
| 5. Alcohol |
| 6. Complicated Life |
| 7. Here Come The People In Grey |
| 8. Have A Cuppa Tea |
| 9. Holloway Jail |
| 10. Oklahoma U.S.A. |
| 11. Uncle Son |
| 12. Muswell Hillbilly |
| 13. Mountain Woman |
| 14. Kentucky Moon |
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The first album in the Kinks' RCA phase, this 1971 aggregation stands as one of the pivotal titles in the group's extensive oeuvre. Check out the cover for a sense where this collection is rooted: the five longhaired lads mill about at a sunlit working-class pub where the regulars go about their libationary affairs. The album's keynote tracks--"20th Century Man," "Holiday," "Here Come the People in Grey"--focus on proletariat proceedings that were familiar to frontman Ray Davies and his guitar-slinging sibling, Dave. Indeed, the title track's name is concocted from of the name of the north London community where the Davies brothers grew up and the then-popular Beverly Hillbillies TV show. Musically, Muswell Hillbillies draws on country and pub-jazz elements; check out the trad-band brass that adorns the intoxicating "Alcohol." Ray Davies called this album his "existentialist-type record," noting that he resisted the temptation to design a radio-friendly single to succeed "Lola" in favor of devising a conceptual collection of tunes. For better or worse, it would be some time before he'd abandon his predilection for plots. --Steven Stolder
Product Description
Audio CD.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
50 of 51 people found the following review helpful
By C. S. Junker
Format:Audio CD
Following the international success of "Lola", RCA signed the Kinks to a record deal, anticipating more smash hit singles. What they got was something quite different.
Ray Davies had already produced some fine concept albums ("Village Green Preservation Society" and "Arthur") in the late 60s, and "Muswell Hillbillies" returns to some of those themes: the ordinary man or woman, caught up in forces beyond their control "Holloway Jail", "Uncle Son"; the good old days before technology ("Twentieth Century Man", "Complicated Life"). In passing the Kinks comment on fad diets ("Skin and Bone"), addiction ("Alcohol") and bureaucracy ("Here Come the People in Gray").
There's not a false note or a weak song to be found on this elegant and touching album. The overarching theme is a whimsical view of British fascination with the mythical America of movies ("Take me back to those black hills/That I have never seen", sings Ray in the title track). However, this is not the three-chord power rock of the Kinks' early singles; nor is it the para-metal of their later hits like "Low Budget". While their hard rock albums sold much better, my preference is for the lighter, more whimsical Kinks, with their uniquely British perspective on pop music. I rate this as one the Kinks' four or five best records.
Although it was a relative commercial failure on its release, the years have been kind to the 1970s Kinks, as more people have discovered that this music really rocks ... in its own Kinky way.
This new SACD remaster is nothing short of spectacular. The sound is crystal clear, the stereo separation is almost lifelike; in short, these songs have never sounded better. The disc plays in regular CD players and is a major improvement over previous CD issues.
Do yourself a favor: buy this disc, pour yourself a cuppa tea, and take a trip back to those black hills that most of us have never seen. As Eric Burdon once sang, "It will be worth it!"
Ray Davies had already produced some fine concept albums ("Village Green Preservation Society" and "Arthur") in the late 60s, and "Muswell Hillbillies" returns to some of those themes: the ordinary man or woman, caught up in forces beyond their control "Holloway Jail", "Uncle Son"; the good old days before technology ("Twentieth Century Man", "Complicated Life"). In passing the Kinks comment on fad diets ("Skin and Bone"), addiction ("Alcohol") and bureaucracy ("Here Come the People in Gray").
There's not a false note or a weak song to be found on this elegant and touching album. The overarching theme is a whimsical view of British fascination with the mythical America of movies ("Take me back to those black hills/That I have never seen", sings Ray in the title track). However, this is not the three-chord power rock of the Kinks' early singles; nor is it the para-metal of their later hits like "Low Budget". While their hard rock albums sold much better, my preference is for the lighter, more whimsical Kinks, with their uniquely British perspective on pop music. I rate this as one the Kinks' four or five best records.
Although it was a relative commercial failure on its release, the years have been kind to the 1970s Kinks, as more people have discovered that this music really rocks ... in its own Kinky way.
This new SACD remaster is nothing short of spectacular. The sound is crystal clear, the stereo separation is almost lifelike; in short, these songs have never sounded better. The disc plays in regular CD players and is a major improvement over previous CD issues.
Do yourself a favor: buy this disc, pour yourself a cuppa tea, and take a trip back to those black hills that most of us have never seen. As Eric Burdon once sang, "It will be worth it!"
23 of 23 people found the following review helpful
By kevin march
Format:Audio CD
Take it from an ancient Kinks fan...this is certainly one of their very best. I consider "Muswell" a masterpiece that stands confidently next to the other generally "accepted" Ray Davies masterworks ,i.e., "Lola vs..." , "Village Green Preservation Society", and the UNDISPUTED GIANT of Kinks works...."Arthur". I fully appreciate the common criticism that always seems to attend any meaningful discussion regarding "Muswell" among Kinks fans: that the album lacks the "English-pop" intensity of their previous works, so therefore it's "not quite" the Kinks...Well, boys and girls, THATS THE POINT of this LP ! It was a CONSCIOUS change of direction. Every great artist in history has experimented with the limits of his or her talents...and Raymond Douglas Davies is no different. Any TRUE Kinks purist would understand this and embrace this 1971 gem with open arms. Granted, it might take several listenings before this worthy disc endears itself to you but it's well worth the effort. However many spins it takes, eventually you'll sit up in your chair and exclaim loudly....Oh yeah, ...NOW I GET IT..! "Muswell Hillbillies" is an ACQUIRED taste. With tongue firmly planted in cheek, Ray teases us with delectible little country-flavored ditties like the Title tune (an effective ode to his hometown suburb in North London)or the heavily horned and witty "Holiday" and "Alcohol". When you first encounter these particular tunes (as I did in the early 70's), you might make the error of dismissing them out of hand as campy novelty tunes far below Ray's abilities. This couldn't be further from the truth.... if you LISTEN, I mean truly LISTEN to the lyrical content you'll detect the desperate sadness that he was trying to convey about the struggles of the English working class to maintain any semblance of sanity in the face of the modern technological society that was threatening to oppress them even more. Ray Davies WAS (and still is) very sensitive to this. Many would scoff at this...the world famous wealthy pop legend? how could he possibly relate to the poor? Easy, his fame aside Ray NEVER lost the common touch. Of all the pop icons, he never forgot his roots. Its a recorded fact that Ray always lamented the passing of a more simpler time. Recall his odes to "Victoria" and the magnificent "Waterloo Sunset" (which I always felt was Ray's greatest single composition, on a par with Lennon's "Day in the Life" on "Pepper') Just listen to the opening rocker on "Muswell" ,"20th Century Man" with it's vehement jabs at modern life and the painfully poignant line "I'm a 20th century man but I don't want to be here......" This seems to be Ray's personal philosophy in an aural nutshell, if you will, and this brilliant album captures this ethos perfectly. Ray is a walking anachronism, a man out of place in his time ...he has stated many times that he feels he was born too late. As far as I can tell he's adjusted pretty well and enriched the world with his genius. I highly recommend this cd, for any serious Kinks fan. GOD SAVE THE KINKS
22 of 23 people found the following review helpful
By J. Fregosi
Format:Audio CD
Over the last few months, I have been re-acquainting myself with the Kinks, and I have come to the conclusion that they are the most sadly neglected group in Rock History. If you were to ask the average person to name a Kinks song, they will probably get stymied after "Lola" and "You Really Got Me". Most people probably don't even own a Kinks album.
From the fist moment I heard "Muswell Hillbillies" I knew I was hearing one of the very best albums in Rock and Roll. The songs of Ray Davies transcend old-fashioned bluegrass, blues, English vaudeville, and German Beerhall music, delicately making it something urgent and relevant for the new millenium.
Not one of these songs could be considered a pop hit unto itself, but all together they make one of the most original and versatile listening experiences you're likely to hear.
From the fist moment I heard "Muswell Hillbillies" I knew I was hearing one of the very best albums in Rock and Roll. The songs of Ray Davies transcend old-fashioned bluegrass, blues, English vaudeville, and German Beerhall music, delicately making it something urgent and relevant for the new millenium.
Not one of these songs could be considered a pop hit unto itself, but all together they make one of the most original and versatile listening experiences you're likely to hear.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another Kinks Klassik
Not what you were expecting maybe, from the guys who wrote You Really Got Me, but listen to it a few times and pay attention to the words.
Published 11 days ago by Scott Foster
5.0 out of 5 stars
Kinks Favorite
One of the best Kinks albums ever made. This began a new era in the way The Kinks made music.
Published 2 months ago by Joe Shopper
5.0 out of 5 stars
A unique album from a musical genius
To sit here and compare this to earlier Kinks records,really does this album a disservice.It takes away from the genius of Muswell Hillbillies. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Eddie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Their most underrated effort
This a solid, from track 1 (20th Century Man) until the last. Unparalleled humor -- Ray Davies is a treasure.
Published 4 months ago by Robert Price
5.0 out of 5 stars
A different Kinks album, but still a strong result of Ray's...
Muswell Hillbillies was the start of a new era for The Kinks, as they left longtime label Pye and signed with RCA. Emboldened by the commercial success of LOLA V. POWERMAN... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Hokeyboy
4.0 out of 5 stars
SACD review: My 10th Kinks album!
Because I just saw the Kast of Kinks again and did not have all the played songs yet I bought my 10th Kinks cd (probably the last, because what came out after this one, only the... Read more
Published 17 months ago by A. Boers
5.0 out of 5 stars
Yet Another Gem From 1971
One of the bartenders I work with started playing this CD a month ago,and I was just knocked out. How could I have not heard this before ?? Read more
Published 17 months ago by M. Esoian
5.0 out of 5 stars
Muswell Hillbillies by The Kinks
Muswell Hillbillies
It's just as I remember. Accept it's CD and not vinyl with the occasional scratch. Great album.
It's just as I remember. Accept it's CD and not vinyl with the occasional scratch. Great album.
Published 20 months ago by Kurt
5.0 out of 5 stars
Old Kinks But great!
My son knowing what I like in music told me to buy the Kinks' Muswell HillBillies.
It didn't work in my CD player , no problem I used my other player and it played this... Read more
It didn't work in my CD player , no problem I used my other player and it played this... Read more
Published 23 months ago by Frank G. Wetteroth
5.0 out of 5 stars
Up there with the best of the seventies (and sixties)
Only recently have I started listening to the Kinks and I am so sorry it took me this long. I now have all of their CDs from "Face to Face" through this masterpiece. Read more
Published on April 4, 2011 by George C. Reynolds Jr.
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