The Kinks – Arthur or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire

Review

"Arthur or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire" by The Kinks isn't just a mouthful of a title but perhaps one of the band's boldest conceptual escapades. Released in 1969, it was initially crafted as a soundtrack for a Granada Television production that never graced the screens. The album unfolds the story of Arthur Morgan, a character with all the stiff-upper-lip resilience of a quintessential Englishman in the shadow of a crumbling empire.

Ray Davies' lyrical wizardry takes listeners on a journey through British life with social observations both biting and tender. "Victoria" kicks things off with a royal flourish, nostalgically tipping its hat to days of yore, while "Shangri-La" encapsulates the monotonous suburban sprawl Arthur contends with. From the bittersweet bid for a brighter life in "Australia" to the wartime retrospectives in "Mr. Churchill Says" and "She’s Bought a Hat Like Princess Marina," the album illustrates the 1960s zeitgeist with wit and charm.

While at its debut it suffered rather dismal commercial prospects, "Arthur" has since been venerated for seamlessly integrating a variety of musical styles and themes. Critics and fans alike hail it as a pivotal moment in The Kinks' illustrious career. With the 2019 remaster breathing new life into its celebrated sound, 'Arthur' continues to be an indomitable fixture for those eager to explore the band's uniquely British storytelling ethos. Utterly delightful, if you aren’t chuffed with this album in your collection, perhaps you’ve been knighting the wrong discs all along! - Oliver