The Kinks - State Of Confusion

Details :

• Year of release : 1983
• Label : Arista 205 275
• Review format : vinyl

A slight change of tack for this site with this review moving away from heavy and hair and taking a look at one of my all-time favourite bands, a band who’s early output influenced so many but who subsequently fell upon hard times commercially in the 70s choosing to explore more arty concept directions rather than the pop oriented single success of the 60s.

A recovery of sorts in the early 80s saw them gain ground once again and take a more back to roots direction performing live in big venues once more and including many of their hits in the live set. Follow up to and in many ways companion album of the critically acclaimed Give The People What They Want 1983’s State Of Confusion also marked the final ‘hit’ single the band achieved.

Title track State Of Confusion is an ideal opening track. A solid rock anthem and lyrically as clever as say, Dead End Street its a fine, angry rock song that so badly deserves greater attention and quite why this was never a hit single is beyond me. Definite Maybe is another up tempo rock ‘n’ roller let down only by gimmicky backing vocals otherwise its a modern sounding pop rock track that just possibly influenced Oasis on the choice of their debut album title? Dave Davies gives a heavy metal take on the bridal march to introduce the guitar heavy Labour Of Love; another fine lyric to this one that sees Ray Davies comparing marriage to a two-headed transplant as well as other well chosen acerbic observations. Track four is the fine Come Dancing, the song that was their final hit single and although a little out of context on here as it was recorded a little earlier its nevertheless the highlight of the album. Capturing completely the essence of The Kinks at their pomp its another typical storytelling lyric of an earlier, disappearing age. Some 16 years after the magnificent album ‘The Village Green Preservation Society’ Ray Davies proves still adept at capturing a British scene and compressing it into 4 minutes of perfect pop rock. Quite rightly this track finds its place on just about any self-respecting Kinks compilation collection. The questioning mid-tempo smooth pop of Property closes side one and its so tempting to just replace the needle at the start and listen to this side again.

The beautiful piano ballad Don’t Forget To Dance begins the second side and displays Ray Davies’ ability once again to convey hope in the most desperate of situations. Deceptively uplifting its a big step away from most peoples expectations of The Kinks sound and perhaps all the stronger for it. The heavy guitar returns once again for the superbly sarcastic wit of Young Conservatives which would have been especially cutting at release and may well be due a dust down soon! Heart Of Gold is an acoustic pop song a little faster than but not a million miles away from Sunny Afternoon whilst also sounding a little reminiscent of Ray Davies then partner Chrissie Hynde’s band The Pretenders. Cliches Of The World (B Movie) is darker both lyrically and musically with Ray Davies voice sounding particularly on form before Dave Davies takes the lead vocal for final track Bernadette; a bawdy twelve bar blues rocker of suitable sound for the man who with that distorted riff on You Really Got Me is credited by many as inventing the heavy metal guitar sound.

“Woke up in a panic like somebody fired a gun,

I wish I could be dreaming but the nightmare’s just begun.

There’s flooding in the basement, there’s water all around,

There’s woodwork in the attic and the ceiling just fell down.

I’m in a state of confusion….”

© Ray Davies, 1983

Summary : A band more revered as a 60s singles act yet they have released some excellent albums over the years as well. Obviously the likes of Muswell Hillbillies and Lola vs. The Powerman rate higher whilst The Village Green Preservation Society marks their absolute peak however to overlook any Kinks album of the 70s or 80s is folly as there is always something of interest on each release. On State Of Confusion there are 4 or 5 tracks that merit serious attention while the superb title track and the hit single Come Dancing rate alongside anything they’ve ever done.

If You Listen To One Track Listen To : Come Dancing

Score : 3/5

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“Come Dancing” promo video