The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society (2018 Stereo Remaster Deluxe 2CD)

68年のザ・キンクスの名盤、50周年再発2CD。
英国の古き良き田舎をテーマに、アコースティック主体のフォーキーなサウンドで作り上げたコンセプト作。レイ・デイヴィスらしい作曲センスが味わえる穏やかで可愛げのある楽曲がコアなファンをくすぐる愛すべき名盤をアルバム全曲のステレオ/モノラル両ミックスにレア・トラックを加えて2CDで再発。手触りも心地良いデジパック、写真多数のブックレットと丁寧な装丁も◎
(C)梅田大阪マルビル店:村越 辰哉

イギリスらし過ぎるブリティッシュ・ロック・バンドとして世界中のロック・ファンから今も愛され、リスペクトされているザ・キンクス。その彼らの最高傑作との呼び声高い『THE VILLAGE GREEN PRESERVATION SOCIETY』が、発売50周年を記念して新リマスター音源で蘇る!アルバムのステレオ&モノラル・ヴァージョンに、未発表曲「Time Song」をはじめ、シングル曲、B面曲などのボーナス・トラックを追加収録した贅沢な2CDデラックス・エディションが発売!

Ray Davies' sentimental, nostalgic streak emerged on Something Else, but it developed into a manifesto on The Village Green Preservation Society, a concept album lamenting the passing of old-fashioned English traditions. As the opening title song says, the Kinks -- meaning Ray himself, in this case -- were for preserving "draught beer and virginity," and throughout the rest of the album, he creates a series of stories, sketches, and characters about a picturesque England that never really was. It's a lovely, gentle album, evoking a small British country town, and drawing the listener into its lazy rhythms and sensibilities. Although there is an undercurrent of regret running throughout the album, Davies' fondness for the past is warm, making the album feel like a sweet, hazy dream. And considering the subdued performances and the detailed instrumentations, it's not surprising that the record feels more like a Ray Davies solo project than a Kinks album. The bluesy shuffle of "Last of the Steam-Powered Trains" is the closest the album comes to rock & roll, and Dave Davies' cameo on the menacing "Wicked Annabella" comes as surprise, since the album is so calm. But calm doesn't mean tame or bland -- there are endless layers of musical and lyrical innovation on The Village Green Preservation Society, and its defiantly British sensibilities became the foundation of generations of British guitar pop. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine