Kinks (album)


Kinks is the self-titled debut album by English rock band the Kinks, released in 1964. It was released with three tracks omitted as You Really Got Me in the United States.
The album was re-released in 1998 in the UK on Castle Records with twelve bonus tracks. This reissue was itself reissued in 2004 on the Sanctuary label. A deluxe edition was released on 28 March 2011.

Reception

assessed the album as lacking in consistency, commenting that "As R&B cover artists, the Kinks weren't nearly as adept as the Stones and Yardbirds; Ray Davies' original tunes were, "You Really Got Me" aside, perfunctory Mersey Beat-ish pastiches; and tunes that producer Shel Talmy penned for the group... were simply abominable." Rock critic Mike Saunders of Rolling Stone described the album as one of their "successful rock and roll albums".

Track listing

All tracks written by Ray Davies unless noted.

UK release (Pye NPL 18096 mono: NSPL 83021 stereo)

US Release ''You Really Got Me'' (Reprise R-6143 (mono) RS-6143 (stereo)) track listing

The US version is missing three tracks. "I Took My Baby Home" had already been licensed to Cameo in the US as the B-side to "Long Tall Sally" and so could not be included. "I'm a Lover Not a Fighter" and the instrumental "Revenge" were held over for the US-only Kinks-Size album.

Personnel

In addition to the members of the band, a number of studio musicians and other musicians who were in the studio participated in making the album. Track numbering refers to the UK album.
The Kinks
Additional musicians
Production