Side Two
"When I Turn off the Living Room Light" – 2:17
"The Way Love Used to Be" – 2:11
"I'm Not Like Everybody Else" — 3:29
"Plastic Man" – 3:00
"This Man He Weeps Tonight"* – 2:38
"Pictures in the Sand" – 2:45
"Where Did My Spring Go?" – 2:10
Gordon Hauptfleisch is a Blogcritics Books Editor, freelance writer, and book reviewer for San Diego Union Tribune Books (R.I.P.). For many years he worked in and managed bookstores and record stores, and most recently was purchasing manager for San Diego Technical Books. …
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Article comments
1 - Bill Sherman
Though I frequently disagree with Mendelsohn’s liner notes on both this and Kink Kronikles, this Kinksfan still has a big soft spot in his heart for this out-of-print “ramshackle” collection. Even though most of these tracks have since appeared as bonus tracks on CD reissues, I’d love to own a copy of this disc â€" saw an import version (from Holland, I think) of it once, but it inexplicably omitted the liner notes . . .
2 - Holly Hughes
I'm a pretty uncritical Kinks fan, but then so was Mendelsohn up to this point...I guess we'll never know why he turned on the band so viciously with these liner notes. This is, after all, a collection of lighter songs that Ray Davies had decided NOT to put on other albums (and I've always heard he didn't want them released on this, either), so why complain that it's not Significant Music? Personally I love the early 70s Kinks -- yes, every last track of Preservation 1 and 2, the sloppy live tracks on the second disk of Show Biz, the whole shebang. It's my favorite era of the Kinks, in fact; how can you top Muswell Hillbillies?
These liner notes are a classic example of a critic simply getting it wrong, for whatever reason. To dislike a record is one thing, but to go on for so many pages disliking it in such detail -- well, that's just creepy.
3 - Gordon Hauptfleisch
Thanks, Holly--agreed.
I happened to dig out the more sloppy, elaborate and theatrical '70s concept albums -- both Preservations, Soap (which immediately puts "Ducks on the Wall" into my head for hours--but that's a good thing). I hadn't played these in years, and even though I had loved these LPs (and the concerts at the time) I kind of expected something cringe-inducing and indulgent, but they still sounded marvelous, tuneful, and indeed sloppy, but gloriously so.
4 - Gordon Hauptfleisch
Bill--thanks for the comment. Holland must be a good place for finds--I picked up an import of Lennon's 'Two Virgins' once, plain brown wrapper and all.
As you probably know, the liner notes for GLKA come as an insert within the album. If you want me to email me I'd be glad to mail you a copy.
5 - Josh
I'm happy to say my copy of Kinks Kronicles has been ordered and should be on the doorstep on Tuesday. I've been meaning to do this for a long time and am really looking forward to taking the first steps in catching up to everyone else.
6 - Gordon Hauptfleisch
Enjoy, Josh!
7 - Bill Sherman
If you want to email me I'd be glad to mail you a copy.
That's okay. I've gotten along without it so far. :)
That Holland import included some demo-level tracks from Dave Davies' first attempt at a solo album (done in the wake of "Death of A Clown," apparently), so it's of additional interst to Kinks fans who can track it down. I used to have a copy of it in my own little hands, but I let it slip through my fingers . . .