Day 242: I was born, lucky me, in a land that I love...

Album 838/1031

The Kinks - Arthur, or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire (1969)

All songs written by Ray Davies

Side one
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Victoria"	3:40
2.	"Yes Sir, No Sir"	3:46
3.	"Some Mother's Son"	3:25
4.	"Drivin'"	3:21
5.	"Brainwashed"	2:34
6.	"Australia"	6:46

Side two
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Shangri-La"	5:20
2.	"Mr. Churchill Says"	4:42
3.	"She's Bought a Hat Like Princess Marina"	3:07
4.	"Young and Innocent Days"	3:21
5.	"Nothing to Say"	3:08
6.	"Arthur"	5:27

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_(Or_the_Decline_and_Fall_of_the_British_Empire)

Golf's verdict: HIDDEN GEM! More or less the opposite of what Máire says below. Having previously been a Best of... only owner of The Kinks (one of my very first Britannia Music Club free records, remember them?), exposure to this and Village Green etc. has made be realise what a great albums band they are too.

Máire's verdict: I’ve come to realise over the course of this challenge that I’m a ‘Best of....’ Kinks fan. (‘Lola’ - which isn’t on this album - is one of the best songs ever released). Anyway, to return to the album in hand.... nice vocals and melodies but nothing that would make me listen to it again anytime soon.

Album 839/1031

Lightning Bolt - Wonderful Rainbow (2003)

All tracks written by Lightning Bolt.

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Hello Morning"	0:55
2.	"Assassins"	3:43
3.	"Dracula Mountain"	5:11
4.	"2 Towers"	7:08
5.	"On Fire"	4:42
6.	"Crown of Storms"	5:09
7.	"Longstockings"	3:17
8.	"Wonderful Rainbow"	1:29
9.	"30,000 Monkies"	3:50
10.	"Duel in the Deep"	6:16

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wonderful_Rainbow

Golf's verdict: I quite enjoyed this despite it sounding more or less like one single noise-fest from beginning to end with no discernible song structures. Guess it depends on what mood you are in. Apparently this is their MOST accessible record which suggests you might want to brace yourself if you explore their catalogue any further...

Máire's verdict: Just shush! Lots of noise and not in a good way.

Album 840/1031

Love - Da Capo (1966)

All tracks composed by Arthur Lee, except where indicated.

Side one

1. "Stephanie Knows Who" – 2:33
2. "Orange Skies" (Bryan MacLean) – 2:49
3. "¡Que Vida!" – 3:37
4. "7 and 7 Is" – 2:15
5. "The Castle" – 3:00
6. "She Comes in Colors" – 2:43

Side two

7. "Revelation" (Lee, Bryan MacLean, Johnny Echols, Ken Forssi) – 18:57

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Da_Capo_(Love_album)

Golf's verdict: Not a hidden gem, but for the band that followed this up with one of rock's most perfect albums ('Forever Changes'), the first side gives a glimpse of the genius to come, especially on '7 and 7 is'. Side 2 is a rambling 'jam' mess that shrieks 'will this do?', unfortunately.

Máire's verdict: Not as good as Forever Changes (unsurprisingly) but thoroughly enjoyable, although wasn’t a huge fan of ‘Revelation’.

Album 841/1031

Billy Joel - The Stranger (1977)

All songs written and composed by Billy Joel.

Side one
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)"	3:30
2.	"The Stranger"	5:10
3.	"Just the Way You Are"	4:52
4.	"Scenes from an Italian Restaurant"	7:37

Side two
No.	Title	Length
5.	"Vienna"	3:34
6.	"Only the Good Die Young"	3:55
7.	"She's Always a Woman"	3:21
8.	"Get It Right the First Time"	3:57
9.	"Everybody Has a Dream" (includes a reprise of "The Stranger")	6:38

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stranger_(album)

Golf's verdict: 'She's Always a Woman' is a bit of a guilty pleasure and the rest was actually quite enjoyable. If you only know him for Uptown Girl and after, then this earlier period is a lot more Elton John and even Ben Folds-like.

Máire's verdict: Sounds dated but enjoyed it more than I was expecting to (I wasn’t expecting to so guess that’s not saying much).