This 20-track Anthology Was Released By Disky In 1996. It Gives A Very Good Overview Of The Kink's Early Successes.

Issued by Disky in 1996 and named merely “The Kinks”, this CD anthologizes their early hits right up to the “Lola vs. the Powerman & the Money-Go-Round, Pt. 1” album. There is not a lot to dislike and not that much to change either.

The CD has everything from their early smashes “You Really Got Me” and “All Day And All Of The Night” to cuts like “Waterloo Sunset”, “Lola” and “Apeman”. Moreover, non-album sides that are key to the band’s appeal like “Days” and “Dedicated Follower Of Fashion” are featured. The one and only blemish is the inclusion of “Dandy” at the expense of tunes like “See My Friends”, “A Well Respected Man” or “Set Me Free”.

Also, it must be noted that no songs by Dave Davies are included. No “Susannah’s Still Alive”, and no “Death Of A Clown”. I will let you discuss how much of a loss that really is in the “Comments” below.

The songs from “The Village Green Preservation Society” which are included are the title cut and the single “Starstruck” – nothing to complain here. However, I am not too sure on the “Arthur” contingent – “Drivin’” and “Shangri La”. I mean, “Shangri La” was an obvious choice. But where is “Victoria”?

However, if we were to judge the compilation in terms of how inspirational and representative it is, it gets full marks. All the early undisputed hits are there. If you are into British music and you want to know exactly why The Kinks are always on your contemporary heroes’ lips, this will give you a truly majestic answer.

Would I recommend purchase of this compilation: Yes
Do I feel like digging deeper into their catalog after listening to it: Yes