The Kinks - Arthur Or The Decline And Fall Of The British Empire (CD 2004)

I suppose it comes from cutting musical teeth in Punk's aftermath, but I've always had a problem with the, erm...'concept album'. In fact, as a rule, the mere mention of the term usually brings about a reaction similar to Christopher Walken's pest controller in "Mouse Hunt."

Frankly, even The Who's "Tommy" (arguably The Daddy of them all) always brought me out in spots, and I'm writing this as an otherwise huge Who fan. With the exception of "Pinball Wizard", I'd be delighted if it never darkened my doorstep again. As for the glut of sub-Tolkein twaddle, free jazz odysseys and beard that choked the early 1970s, I've only this to say: RE-ACTIVATE THE GULAGS!!

So now I've got that off my chest, I'm about to demand you fall in love with, er, a concept album. But wait! Stop laughing! Before someone disappears for the blindfold and marksman, this really IS worth your while. It's called "Arthur (Or The Decline And Fall Of The British Empire)", it's by THE KINKS and it's magic.

Thing is, "Arthur" does just what it says on the tin and while Britain's role in world affairs (and it's effect on the man in the street) may seem like an unwieldy choice for a 'suite' of 12 songs, in Ray Davies' capable hands it's beautifully realised.

I grew up with the Kinks. Now I'm older, I have been revisiting much of their work. And it just keeps sounding better! This album contains some of Ray Davies' greatest writing and some of The Kinks' greatest musicianship. Such fine observation of a post-Empire England that has now disappeared. This album will take your mind to another place and time.