The Kinks released their 23rd and last studio album, March 29, 1993. Three years later Dave and Ray Davies folded the tent as the band dissolved. Whether they realized at the time that this was their last album is unknown but it joined one of the better, if under-appreciated, discographies of music in rock history.
Phobia is one of those albums that has grown on me. Maybe I’m a tad nostalgic because it’s the last Kinks album to date and the Davies brothers have shown no inclination of creating another, but who knows.
Ray Davies had covered many of the topics contained here in the past but here, they took on some darker tones. Politics and social complaints shared the stage with some personal observations. Many of the tracks fit together well and formed a more cohesive feel than some of their recent albums. Yes, there were a few clunkers and at 16 tracks spread over 76 minutes, I can’t help but think it would have been a stronger album had three or so tracks been eliminated.
The two Dave Davies tracks are opposites, quality-wise. “It's Alright (Don’t Think About It)” struggled to be average but “Close to the Wire” is one of those songs that make you wish Dave had been more active as a songwriter. His guitar playing and lyrical ability had aged well and they were on display here.
The album started well. Ray Davies always had strong views about life. “Wall of Fire” found him turning his critical attention toward the environment. It may have been a little harsh, even for Ray, but it was powerful. “Drift Away” was another song of escape, a theme he had explored often through his music. Of course for Ray Davies, there was no escape.
Article comments
1 - anon
No mention of Scattered?
2 - Glenn Page Music
It's nice to not hear this album get slammed like people often do. I think it's a great album... there are many tracks on here that I love: "Still Searching", the title track, "Babies", "Somebody Stole My Car", "Scattered", "Drift Away"... I love ALL those songs. I like the rest. Probably the only "JUST GOOD" song on here, for me, is surviving, but I even like that one!!!
3 - Randy
"Scattered" is a classic Kinks song and a good way to end their career (if indeed it is the end). I agree, though, that had they eliminated 4 or so songs this would have been a much better album. It's unfortunately just another Kinks album that never really got enough notice.
4 - Brian Prebble
Apart from being a bit overlong - this was the era when many acts felt they had to fill CD's as much as possible to give "value for money" - this is a fine album. Certainly their strongest in around ten years. I've seen it written off way too many times I suspect by people who haven't actually bothered to listen to it. I did see them on tour promoting this album and the songs they played from it worked well enough for me to want to get the CD. Strange to realise it's the last full Kinks album.
5 - mark wiecek
I think this was one of the better (later) Kinks albums. One song that I like a lot is "Don't", although more than a little depressing. The end of "Dont" in particular after the guy has jumped-"hes in the heavens and Im standing on the ground saying dont look down", this shows the character observing the tragedy, ie Ray Davies, is also on the edge. Anyway, I seem to be getting more fond of this album as I get older. A lot of music for the money and I dont mind a couple of throw away songs.