The Kinks
The Kink Kontroversey
(Sanctuary Records)

Siblings don’t always make great band mates but they often seem to make great music, which seems to be the case with Ray and Dave Davies of the Kinks.   By the time their third album, The Kink Kontroversy, came out in 1965, these two brothers were already known for their onstage fights and for being banned from touring in America.  The album represents a turning point in the band’s career and it’s just been rereleased in a deluxe edition featuring the original twelve tracks as well as a bonus disk with seventeen tracks of outtakes, interviews, and some rarities from the BBC.

The album itself may not be well-known by the average music fan but it contains some really varied and terrific tracks such as “Till The End Of The Day,” which retains some of that tight, heavy guitar sound that made the group famous.  It also features “Milk Cow Blues,” which is a classic, as well as songs like “I’m On A Island” and “I Am Free,” which give a hint toward the lyrical direction in which the band would soon be heading.  The bonus disk also has a few fantastic offerings such as two versions of “Dedicated Follower Of Fashion,” the demo of “All Night Stand,” and the highlight, a group of interviews and tracks including “A Well Respected Man” from BBC’s Top Of The Pops.

If you are not familiar with the Kinks’ early music, do yourself a favor and check out this release.  These are the kind of tunes that are just one Wes Anderson film or Volkswagen commercial away from being a radio hit.