Other People's Lives

, Davies,Ray

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 21, 2006)
• Original Release Date: February 7, 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: V2 North America
• ASIN: B000E1JOPM
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (81 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #48,880 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
As the leader of one the most vital and volatile bands of the British Invasion, Ray Davies may also have been one of the genre's most underappreciated, often playing second fiddle to the likes of Lennon, McCartney, and Jagger, but never failing to reignite the flame on a now-legendary songwriting caldron. More than a decade since the Kinks' last release, Davies makes his virgin foray into solo artistry with 13 songs that reverberate with the wistfulness and introspection that have forever been his trademark. It doesn't take long to detect, as the guitar/bass crescendo and tomorrow-will-be-better lyrics make "Things Are Gonna Change (The Morning After)" a singalong halfway through its 4:21. And then the world once again is put under Davies's uncanny surveillance: his pal Mr. Brown in the country-singed "Next Door Neighbour," "The Tourist" hobnobbing in New Orleans (where Davies makes an American home), and eras of lost acquaintances in "All She Wrote," a Kinks-ish acoustic rocker. They are reminders of what we've missed--and hopefully what's yet to come--from a remarkable artist whose return is undoubtedly being celebrated from the streets of a restored Big Easy to the barstools of Muswell Hill. --Scott Holter

More Ray Davies

The Storyteller	The Kink Kronikles	Come Dancing with the Kinks
The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society	Arthur: Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire	Muswell Hillbillies

Product Description
Japanese only SHM-CD (Super High Material CD - playable on all CD players) pressing includes one bonus track. Universal. 2008. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 4 1/2 stars great return to form from head Kink, February 26, 2006

By	Wayne Klein "If at first the idea is not absu... (My Little Blue Window, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

Ray Davies has been MIA for too long."Other People's Lives" is a terrific return to form. The glossy production surface compliments the songs-- here he does what he does best creating character studies in each song perfectly crafted with rich melodies. From the touch of sonic discord (pardon the pun) that opens "Things are Gonna Change" to the witty lyrics and a melody that would have fit at home on "Village Green" in "Is There Life After Breakfast?" Ray's in top form. The playing perfectly supports his witty observations in "Stand Up Comic" which acts as a perfect metaphor for his own career.

The CD booklet has great liner notes from Ray discussing the origin of the songs, how they came to be recorded, what he thinks of them now that they're finished. As usual the notes are clever, witty and feature his brand of self depreciating humor that fans love. While the material was written and recorded prior to his attack in New Orleans (he chasd a purse snatcher that had his girlfriend's stuff and was injured in a knife attack in the process) and Hurricane Katrina they sound like they capture that vibe.


His last album 1998's "The Storyteller" CD had some new material that was extremely good mixed in with vintage Kinks tunes as part of Ray's "audiobiography" tour for X-RAY. These songs were recorded in 2002 but weren't mixed until last year with finishing touches put on the album as well. At age 62 Ray has found his muse and that's good for us the listeners. Sure some people complain that Dave's biting guitar playing is missed (and it is on a few tracks)but it would also have felt out of place on some of these more intimate tracks. Besides, Dave's been busy making some fine music of his own with "Bug" and was recovering from his stroke last year.

Ray we missed you! Don't wait another 7 years to release the next album!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Return Of A Legend, February 21, 2006

By	ralph (Woodbridge, NJ United States) - See all my reviews

A long wait for this one. Mr. Davies first proper solo disc! It's all I expected (and more) from Ray Davies. 13 minor masterpieces, and nothing drags this disc down! It's been a long
long time we've heard anything new from Ray (with or without the Kinks). Savor this one! A very solid 5 star CD!!!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ray Triumphs Over All His Peers, February 22, 2006

By	Mitchell Brenner "mibodoca" (Manalapan, NJ United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

He's not the most celebrated 60's icon just the best. Nobody from the Rolling Stones to Paul McCartney has been able to release an album this good for 20 years. They've gotten good press and some decent reviews but this album shines above anything by anybody released in that time. BUY THE ALBUM! It's perfect!