Phobia

by

The Kinks

Edit

"I'm surviving, that's all I am," the brilliant Ray Davies sings on "Surviving," another of his introspective tributes to The Kinks' legendary fortitude. No band on Earth has put out more quality material over such an extended period of time as The Kinks, and none of them have risked the self-effacement of so many of Ray's wrenching autobiographical inquiries. "Every dog has his day" he sang on the immortal title track to 1978's "Misfits" album. But "Phobia" proves that the dog's day is a long way from done; it still has all four legs and it's off to a running start with the sizzling treatise on environmental ruin, "Wall of Fire." The album's only flaw -- if one must be plucked from so many jewels -- is its length. It packs so many punches that comparatively slight run-throughs like "Somebody Stole My Car" or the awful "Babies" only distract from the album's obvious and sustained power. Thankfully, there are so many great tunes here that these lower moments are only passing misfortunes. Where 1986's disastrous "Think Visual" chokes on the venom of its embitterment at the hands of a greedy industry, "Phobia" delivers a gamut of political and personal statements that are as searing musically as they are in message. "It's apocalypse now, so we're waiting for the flood" Ray growls on the gritty escapist anthem, "Drift Away." Ray's yearning to drift away from the real world to an island of one's dreams seems as relevant now as ever. After the album slips into the Tom Petty-style ballad, "Still Searching," it becomes apparent that "Phobia" is The Kinks' most consistent release since "Word of Mouth." Exhibiting the atmospheric splendor of Ray's 80s outtake, "Voices in the Dark," "Still Searching" is as instantly inviting as "Living on a Thin Line" or "Property," songs whose eloquent longing and outrage at the changes time forces upon us drive corkscrews through the listener's heart. From its title track to the eerily 80s-ish "Don't" or Dave's nod to Angus Young on the pithy "Close to the Wire," "Phobia" is the work of a band whose torch refuses to fade. Neither the "finale" nor the disaster others say it is, "Phobia" marks the continued devotion of a powerful band to its craft. There would be more to come after this, as the stunning, 2-disc "To the Bone" attests. And with a Ray Davies solo project on the way and a recent one from Dave, the "apocalypse" Ray sings about here is probably the only thing capable of closing the book on The Kinks. That's a lot more than can be said of all the other baby boomer bands content to cash in on old glories with tour after tired tour.

It's been said that Fear is the enemy. Certainly not on this fine collection of Ray and Dave Davies originals. While this collection can't hold a candle to their best work of the 60's and 70's, it's a fine collection with at least a handful of songs that rank with Ray's best work.

Drift Away, Still Searching, Scattered, hatred and Over the Edge all would fit in well with the crowded room of Kinks classics written over the past thirty plus years. Dave contributes one of his finest songs with Close to the Wire (which also appears on the import version of Unfinished Business: The Dave Davies Kronkiles). It's Alright isn't quite as strong but still manages to keep its head above water and survives in the best company due to a swimming performance that is top notch.

So after thirty years the choice is yours. Give up and stick with the great classic stuff or take a risk with this fine more recent record. If you choose the former you'll be missing out on a fine record (and the last album of originals the band has recorded since 93)that offers a number of classic tunes. Hey, at least Ray and Dave aren't recycling the same stuff (unlike that famous band that gathers no moss)and expecting it to sell. In their prime these guys could hold their own and occasionally blow the Stones off the stage.

Find out why.