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It's hard to believe, but Other Peoples Live's is Ray Davies' solo debut. Who'd have thought there'd be such a milestone left for a man with such a long musical career?
It's hard for an artist with Davies' history to escape comparisons with the past and it feels a little unfair to judge this against the majesty of The Kinks, but inevitably, anyone hoping for another "Waterloo Sunset", "Autumn Almanac" or "Lola" will be disappointed.
There's little that stands out from a disturbingly average collection which can only be compared to a mid-Atlantic version of Del Amitri. For a songwriter of Davies' calibre, Other People's Lives is nothing short of a failure. --Chris Long
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
51 of 53 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A rare and very special event!,
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This review is from: Other People's Lives (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:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Living Legend Returns - A Kink Alone,
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This review is from: Other People's Lives (Audio CD)
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:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dedicated follower of Ray,
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This review is from: Other People's Lives (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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