By 1973, The Kinks appeared to be doomed. This was an incredible turn of events, seeing as how the band recently had its biggest hit in ages, but the band just seemed to be exhausted with fame, or the lack of it.

Pursuing that goal took a serious toll on their personal lives, and Ray in particular seemed to be ‘checking out’. The music was still relevant and interesting, but they somehow manipulated their remaining audience into a private room, where even radio was disinterested in the band’s pursuits.

This album signals an era when the Kinks were, by definition, a ‘cult’ band. The “Preservation’ series is still difficult to swallow in many ways, but heard from a distance, it makes for some truly interesting listening.

Featured tracks include the entire first album of the series (and the subsequent single);

Preservation

Morning Song

Daylight

Sweet Lady Genevieve

There’s a Change in the Weather

Where Are They Now

One of the Survivors

Cricket

Money and Corruption

Here Comes Flash

Sitting in the Midday Sun

Demolition