The Kinks – Come Dancing With The Kinks

Artist: The Kinks

Title: Come Dancing With The Kinks

Label: Koch

Rating: 6/10

Here’s a band that has profoundly influenced what we know today as rock ‘n’ roll. Over the last thirty-five years, The Kinks have put out over thirteen albums that have molded rock ‘n’ roll music and influenced bands from Mott The Hoop to Van Halen.

This Best Of album consists of eighteen classic Kinks’ tunes, with all new twenty-bit remastering and extensive liner notes. Classic versions of “You Really Got Me” and “Lola” are included as well as an ultimate favorite, “Come Dancing”, a song which back in the 70’s gave them an explosion of recognition.

The album encapsulates the long and colorful career of The Kinks quite successfully. If you’ve ever listened to the radio, songs like “Lola”, “Rock and Roll Fantasy”, and “You Really Got Me” will definitely ring a bell.

Something about albums that feature only a band’s most popular songs makes me uneasy. Maybe it’s the idea that these bands put out albums that break down concept albums just to hit some sort of mainstream realm and give those unfamiliar with their music all of the supposedly good songs, disregarding the supposedly bad ones. Those not-so-good songs make the band too.

While appreciation is greatly rendered when you know all aspects of a band’s sound, it’s undeniable that numerous bands have put out amazing albums that offered only their most notable work. New Order’s Best Of New Order and Medeski, Martin and Wood’s Last Chance To Trance Dance (Best Of 1991-1996) are prime examples, and I say Come Dancing With The Kinks: The Best Of The Kinks is another successful one.

+ Rachael Bellanca