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Kinks: h By Ward Borden Qarrwcock Staff Writer In first listening to The Kinks' new album Low Budget, I found myself getting caught up in the driving beat, consequently missing most of the lyrics to the songs. I thought, "This album is no big deal." Each time it is played, however, it gets better and better. Ray Da vies, songwriter/producer of The Kinks, has created a fast-paced album with two good sides. Three recurring phenomena, identity crises, drugs and depression, are the topics for most of the songs on the album. Davies is knowledgeable about all three. This somewhat depressing theme if nothing new for Davies and The Kinks, but it would seem to be a drag for the listener. It isn't: the production and musicianship on the album is good, and Ray Da vies' lyrics are captivating, if a bit odd. While there Is little letup fro side two has the characterl Side one begins with a somewhat frantic song called "Attitude." In this song, like several others on the album, Da vies seems to encourage one to shape up. It's a tight song and vintage Kinks. "Catch Me Now I'm Falling," the longest song on the album, is a bona fide hit which progresses from a slow beginning to a hot finish. The guitar work is particularly tasty, and the saxophone adds a nice touch. The song has characteristics of some real rock classics. to on rut**** 41*^6 iwoui v 10 oil upucai SUllg null Ul CdA& into a Beach Boys-type beat early. This song, like the first song "Attitude," is welldone but seems undistinguishable as a result of the frantic pace. It seems that Davies wanted to create an album with no low points. It may result, however, in the listener falling behind the album. Following "Pressure," the song "National Health" provides a welcome change of pace. It isn't a slow song, but the I of Fiv 25 Free 30 r Sun?Thurs I Fri?Sat4:3C Fr< S l-item Med I _ . I I For Only I I One Coupo, I I Expire j Remembe F H - _? a. I | aiKtori I < I ft *v .1 i '? '#?! V V I ' V #'?v ligh style * i~ ??? u tit? i_ 11? iiiouuiucnuiia die mucii suuuer m tins one. Also, the lyrics convey to the listener ways to release tension and avoid pressure. Davies quips, "If it's good for your head, it's good for your mind." "Superman (Wish I Could Fly Like)" is the vehicle for some of The Kinks' favorite song topics, lack of masculinity and depression. The song says that being a OIltVMtmAM nil - ? 441 upvi mem yv in uia&c uuc u ueiier man. This is one of numerous instances when 'Davies' lyrics take a poke at traditional societal norms. In an inoffensive way he says that the societal norm does not relate to actual societal conditions. Maybe society's norms are out of step. It is a recurring theme on the album and is characteristic of The Kinks. In spite of the fact that side one contains two highly publicized soiuzs. I like side two better. While there is little letup from the rocking on side one, side two has the m the rocking on side one, sties of a good bar-band. characteristics of n u/#?11.nlnnru?H cot q good bar-band. "Low Budget," the title song, is upbeat and very listenable. It isn't a standout song, but the lyrics are clever and Dave Davies fills the gaps with good guitar fills. "In Space" is another song that won't make the top forty, but the lyrics and high-pitched chorus lend it some character. In "Little Bit of Emotion" Davies again points up some of society's shortcomings, but by singing rather than shouting. The song, which is quiet and reflective, is the nrPttifMSt nn tho nlHlinrt IntorootinrtKi K v w" U1MUI1I, AIIWI VOC/111^1 J enough, the quiet contrast drives home Da vies' points most effectively: Look at the looney with the smile on his face He knows no shame, and he feels no disgrace He gotta look in his eye mmmmmmmuammammmmmmmmmmmmmBmmmmmmmm lT.VMWAI 6-0301 riin. Delivery i:30 pm?1:00 am ) pm?2:00 am *eCoke!! uPto ? b Hum Pizza S i 00 S 1 i Save.95' | I n per Pizza I I is 9-26 jj r,you must he Cokes. ^ ?I H I I I - % # * on 'Low ,Jr^ That makes him seem that he's from outer space Maybe that looney knows what it's all about He's got something to say but he can't spit it out He's uncoordinated so we shove him out The freauentlv olaved sono "A finllnn nf Gas" follows and it is reminiscent of old Grateful Dead releases. After two slow songs The Kinks jump into "Miserie," a fast rock and roll song with a beat that dates back to Chuck Berry. The song is good, but is unexplainably misses being really good. Side two ends with "Motion Picture," a moderately paced song which compares life ts </ rT otuvtRX 2 Quarts just for the ask r?i?? ! X-iteit* Li . S For Only I One Coupe I Expir I Remembe a?h fnr * RuHrsof' ff^m igrTOit fdl_VfM i| itM&g&*. WtmwS^M fmm^SBBu \ Di^^^^9H^H9^^K!HKfe^H?z& - . ' 1 r ^pf ^M 1 i1'l ] i"' i' i, f')''nl'i 'i M ill1!1! M i'i ' lii ii'11'^t'liP | t ^7~a~-'ri to a moving picture. It seems that after taking two sides to state his views, Davies sums things up with this song. "Low Budget' is a difficult album to rate. Some of the songs are memorable, while others are just okay. The difficulty arises in the fact that even the misses are near misses, and good guitar, drums and piano playing prevail throughout. In sDite of the fact that the lyrics get a bit depressing, the beat picks things up. What is comforting about the album is that there are still a few bands around that can still rock and make a statement at the same time. Even if you disagree with the statement, you can still take pleasure in its presentation. 1 S7 ^r?mi Mayya?jfcy wHBwHfr CjJD f9wfi ing! irge Pizza | i 100 j J Save* I75 J B m per Pizza | I es 9-26 | r,you must I I h?C<ikci. I j