Hard to believe, but after all these years, the Kinks sound more relevant than ever.

The Kinks are misunderstood because they are belovedly remembered for a handful of songs that inarguably reside in anybody's greatest 100 rock song list. "You Really Got Me" and "All Day and All of the Night" might be in anybody's top 10.

Back in the day, they defied conventions and were punished for it, while the Beatles and Rolling Stones cleaned up America. The Kinks conjured up the unexpected flavor: 1965, London is swingin', the whole world is gettin' high and gettin' laid, and the Davies brothers belt out "Oh won't you tell me... Where Have All the Good Times Gone??" It also didn't help that labor union snafus banned them from touring the United States for 3 years during the end of the 60's, setting up a pattern of multiple comebacks rather than defending their rightful throne.

Still, the same band that instigated grunge and punk in 1964 made some of the craftiest and most astounding pop albums of all time. Case in point? The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society takes the cake over Sgt. Pepper's and Let It Bleed ANY DAY. Each song earns its turn as favorite -- this album is an essential classic.

An effort from '66 comes close to masterpiece status... Face to Face is the Village Green forebear with songs like "Sunny Afternoon" and "Session Man." Songs relevant here in 2005 include "Too Much On My Mind" and, if the real estate bears are right, "Most Exclusive Residence for Sale".

We could go on and on... the Kinks released many fine albums over 30 years. Our suggestion is to get one or both of these records, and see how that does for starters. We can help you forward in subsequent posts.