In this episode, Dan and Carl dive into Something Else by The Kinks, #478 on Rolling Stone Magazine’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list. Released in 1967 (UK) and early 1968 (US), this album shows The Kinks moving from garage rock into baroque pop, British folk, and psychedelic sounds, with Ray Davies taking complete creative control. The hosts explore sibling tension, touring bans, Beatles comparisons, wild harmonic shifts, and why Spotify’s album cataloging drives them nuts.
Key Points

🎙️ Album Context: Released during The Kinks’ U.S. touring ban, Something Else reflects a more introspective, studio-based approach. Ray Davies wrote nearly the whole album, while Dave Davies contributed two standout tracks.
🇬🇧 Baroque Pop Influences: The hosts examine the album’s baroque elements—like harpsichord, vocal doubling, and experimental song structures—while noting its British charm and post-Beatles vibe.
🧠 Music Theory Deep Dive: “No Return” earns high praise for its unpredictable harmonic shifts and jazzy, Latin-inspired structure. We dissect modulations, tritones, and non-functional harmony with excitement.
🤡 Death of a Clown: Dave Davies’ top-three UK hit gets analyzed lyrically and emotionally—an introspective, Dylan-esque track about the exhaustion of touring.
🔊 Production Woes & Wins: The mix across the album varies wildly. Dan and Carl debate whether production inconsistency hurts or helps the listening experience.
🍻 Pub Rock Energy: “Harry Rag” becomes a surprise favorite—a rowdy drinking song that combines Cockney energy with expert handclaps and tongue-in-cheek lyrics.

Music Referenced

You Really Got Me by The Kinks
Lola by The Kinks
Tomorrow Never Knows by The Beatles
Strawberry Fields by The Beatles
Lady Madonna by The Beatles
Oasis
The Stooges
Bob Dylan
The Doors
The Zombies
The Point by Harry Nilsson
Coconut by Harry Nilsson
Simon and Garfunkel
Nirvana
Foo Fighters
Eminem
Cream
The Who
Brian Wilson
Synchronicity by The Police
Synchronicity II by The Police
The Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd
Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd
Animals by Pink Floyd
The Wall by Pink Floyd
Physical Graffiti by Led Zeppelin
Houses of the Holy by Led Zeppelin
Thriller by Michael Jackson
Rumours by Fleetwood Mac
Harry Styles
Englishman in New York by Sting
Shaggy
Jim Morrison
Donald Fagen
Cake

Join us next week when we cover Moanin' in the Moonlight by Howlin' Wolf

Ver todos los episodios