AOTY 2023

Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire)

The Kinks - Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire)
Critic Score
Based on 2 reviews
1969 Ratings: #38 / 136
User Score
Based on 332 ratings
1969 Ratings: #12
Liked by 78 people
October 10, 1969 / Release Date
LP / Format
Pye, Reprise / Label
Sign In to rate and review

CRITIC REVIEWS

100
AllMusic

On paper, Arthur sounds like a pretentious mess, but Ray Davies' lyrics and insights have rarely been so graceful or deftly executed, and the music is remarkable.

80
Rolling Stone

Upon its release, the Kinks' eighth studio album was considered a pale imitation of the Who's rock opera Tommy, which debuted earlier the same year -- but now Arthur sounds like a quiet masterpiece.

Felix_96
70

7/10

classic

Fav tracks: Victoria, Drivin', Brainwashed, Australia, Shangri-La, Arthur

LetalShertly
98

I LOVE THIS BAND!

dearsongs
NR

Comfortably my favorite Kinks album, and being that they have 4 albums that I love, this has to get one of my elusive 100's. 'Some Mother's Son' is one of the most effective anti-war songs ever written. Over so many listens I have grown to love this album from start to finish. Simply excellent and essential.

from allmusic:
Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire) extends the British-oriented themes of Village Green Preservation Society, telling the story of a London man's ... read more

McBeardy
100

This is a classic that is often overlooked, sadly. All of the album sounds so concise, the concept is well-explored and you get some of The Kinks' best songs, such as "Victoria", "Drivin'" and "Australia". It gets you excited the whole time, the lyrics are sharp, well-thought, ironic and critic. The british landscape becomes really visible and there is no skippable tracks. The instrumentation is breathtaking. A great concept album.

my_hot_takes
90

1001 albums randomizer #17:

On the same level as Tommy, maybe even better

LetalShertly
98

I LOVE THIS BAND!

Purchasing Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire) from Amazon helps support Album of the Year. Or consider a donation?
Become a Donor
Donor badge, no ads + more benefits.
Advertisement

Track List

Comments

Please stay on topic. To go off topic, head to the General Chat.

Sign in to comment
No one has said anything yet.


Added on: June 1, 2013