- Audio CD (22 Feb 2006)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Format: Import
- Label: V2
- ASIN: B000CEK51S
- Other Editions: Audio CD | Vinyl | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,018,191 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
51 of 53 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
It's not every day you get the chance to buy a new album from Ray Davies. This is his first ever solo album of new material since the Kinks released their last new album of new material some 12 years ago. Davies is one of this country's finest modern day songwriters. If he had only written Waterloo Sunset and nothing else, he would have gone down in rock history as a great songwriter. But we all know he has achieved much more and is a cornerstone of modern rock and pop music. This new album contains a dozen little masterpieces including the classic Stand Up Comic (which would be a hit if it was released), The Tourist and many more. When most, if not all, of his peers have forgotten how to write a great tune and lyrics, Ray has proved he can still cut it. Mixing great and wry lyrics plus excellent arrangements, this is a must have album for Kinks fans as well as anyone who has loved the Kinks over the years. If you read this Ray, thanks Mate from all of us, this is very special stuff; a different league.
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Well, I saw Ray live last September and he played some of the tracks to be featured on this long-awaited album then, The Tourist and Stand-Up Comic amongst the set. I loved these new tracks and looked forward to the February launch, hoping that live memories wouldn't taint the album for me.
I needn't have worried. The album is spectacular. The sound is not far away from The Kinks later material, and in passion, not far away from the mid-60s work. There are songs reminiscent of the legendary Kinks Village Green album (Next Door Neighbour) as well as songs unlike any in Davies' oeuvre (Other Peoples Lives, with its Latin sound). Ray is 61 years old but still has the passion of a younger man (not to mention the voice) on tracks like After The Fall and Things Are Gonna Change. The hidden track at the end of the last song, Thanksgiving Day seems like a tribute to the USA, where he has spent many of the last few years and is a jaunty pop song.
If you like this, check out The Storyteller, with its acoustic setting and its crazy narration. At 61, Ray Davies is finally, a bona-fide solo star.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Ray Davies seems to have been around an awful long time -so to call this his first solo album is almost misleading. from his Storyteller and X-Ray shows and spin-off albums he's been creating music mainly by himself, with Phobia marking the last Kinks get-together. Those years have been spend honing and refining solid musical compositions and road-testing them before live audiences. Where he has let himself down somewhat has been in his production technique-till now! OPL is stunning from the outset -the brass, choir and guitars etc mixed throughout in an amazing and ever so subtle way. The classic 60s Ray is evident in Next Door Neighbour -a beautifully crafted, amusing song in Dedicated Follower of Fashion mode, but much more musically sophisticated, if not always lyrically. After the Fall, features angst with a fantastic glimpse of optimism, Better Things style, Stand Up Comedian and Thanksgiving Day (hidden track) both feature superb orchestrations, and Life After Breakfast breaks the rules of chorus structure in a novel way whilst providing the best audience participation type track I've ever heard (should he play it live). Listen through headphones to the sheer complexity and beauty of this album, or sing along. With one exception this is truly a masterpiece, both modern and retro without ever sounding dated or tired. If it wasn't for the occasional swear word these songs have top 10 written all over them. Ray is in the finest voice I've ever heard him, and the performances are fantastic. An un-missable album -and a beautiful cover too! Thank you Ray, for the Days!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Other People's Lives - Ray Davies. More please!
Having been a huge Kinks fan I approached this with a little trepidation -would it be Ray at his best (as in Village Green Preservation Society) or his over-indulgent worst... Read more
Published on 7 Aug 2009 by Victor
Don't Really Get Me Going!
Not over impressed with this album, considering it is Ray's first proper solo work.
There are one or two good songs, but nothing that stands out really. Read more
There are one or two good songs, but nothing that stands out really. Read more
Published on 23 Sep 2007 by Hickers
A Good Reminder of how Great The Kinks Are
It's 13 years since the last Kinks studio album...in fact it's over 40 years since You Really Got Me (a tune I once rather foolishly attempted at Karaoke in Ibiza) hit the top of... Read more
Published on 27 Mar 2006 by IWFIcon
Competent Modern Rock, But Nothing More
Ray Davies's first solo album 'Other People's Lives' is a rather typical modern pop/rock album in that its slick and polished production and predictable arrangements (bordering on... Read more
Published on 26 Mar 2006 by Jervis
a shame
Ray Davies is probably my hero. I discovered The Kinks when I was sixteen, about ten years ago, and they're something of a cult band among my friends. Read more
Published on 21 Mar 2006 by habbish
Blindin' mate .. absolutely bloomin' blindin'!!
This CD is astounding. Several of the songs should be hits, if there's any justice in this world. Read more
Published on 4 Mar 2006 by Jason Walker
shakespeare of pop returns....
having been the kinks greatest fan growing up and admiring Ray Davies's music for so long what a pleasure to hear him returning to all his 60's and 70's glory. Read more
Published on 1 Mar 2006 by david linnen
Worth the wait
In the decade or so since the Kinks finally called it a day, their reputation has grown and grown. They are now acknowledged as one of the select bands who set the direction for... Read more
Published on 28 Feb 2006
Worth the wait
In the decade or so since the Kinks finally called it a day, their reputation has grown and grown. They are now acknowledged as one of the select bands who set the direction for... Read more
Published on 28 Feb 2006 by Eddy Knasel
Fine Solo Effort From the Greatest British Songwriter Ever
In his first proper solo album Ray Davies features 13 new songs. The first words on the record are “Things are gonna change”. Are they really? Read more
Published on 27 Feb 2006 by Jukka Palm
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