Misfits (The Kinks Album)
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''Misfits'' is the seventeenth studio album by the English
rock Rock most often refers to: * Rock (geology), a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals or mineraloids * Rock music, a genre of popular music Rock or Rocks may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * Rock, Caerphilly, a location in Wale ...
band
the Kinks The Kinks were an English rock band formed in London in 1963 by brothers Ray Davies, Ray and Dave Davies, and Pete Quaife. They are regarded as one of the most influential rock bands of the 1960s. The band emerged during the height of British ...
, released in 1978. Following the minor success of '' Sleepwalker'' in the United States, ''Misfits'' featured a more rock-oriented style than many other Kinks records of the 1970s. It was their last album to feature pianist
John Gosling John Gosling may refer to: *John Gosling (The Kinks musician) (1948–2023), British keyboardist in The Kinks *John Gosling (Psychic TV musician) (born 1963), British big beat and industrial musician *John Gosling (cricketer, born 1833) (1833–188 ...
and the only one to feature bassist
Andy Pyle Andy Pyle (born 15 July 1946) is a British bassist who is best known for playing with The Kinks from 1976 to 1978. Prior to that, he was in Blodwyn Pig (1968–1972) and Savoy Brown (1972–1974). Later, he played with Wishbone Ash (1986–19 ...
as a member, both of whom quit the band following internal conflicts. Despite this, the album made the Top 40 in America. The album also contained the minor hit single "
A Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy "A Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy" is the lead single and fourth track from The Kinks' 1978 album '' Misfits''. Written by Ray Davies, the song was inspired by the band's then-tumultuous state at the time, with two members leaving the band during the re ...
", as well as less successful releases " Live Life" and " Black Messiah".


Background

''Misfits'' was the second album the band recorded for
Arista Records Arista Records ( ) is an American record label owned by Sony Music Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, the American division of the Japanese conglomerate Sony. The label was previously a division of Bertelsmann Music G ...
, the record company the band switched to from
RCA Records RCA Records is an American record label owned by Sony Music Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation. It is one of Sony Music's four flagship labels, alongside Columbia Records (its former longtime rival), Arista Records and Epic R ...
in 1976. Although the band had spent a good portion of the 1970s releasing concept albums, their previous album, '' Sleepwalker'', signaled a shift toward more rock based material. In addition, the album began the band's commercial comeback in the US, with the album reaching #21 and its title track peaking at #48. However, during the recording of ''Sleepwalker'', longtime bassist
John Dalton John Dalton (; 5 or 6 September 1766 – 27 July 1844) was an English chemist, physicist and meteorologist. He introduced the atomic theory into chemistry. He also researched Color blindness, colour blindness; as a result, the umbrella term ...
quit the band, and was replaced by
Andy Pyle Andy Pyle (born 15 July 1946) is a British bassist who is best known for playing with The Kinks from 1976 to 1978. Prior to that, he was in Blodwyn Pig (1968–1972) and Savoy Brown (1972–1974). Later, he played with Wishbone Ash (1986–19 ...
.


Recording

Many of the album's songs, such as "Hay Fever", "In a Foreign Land", and " Black Messiah", were leftovers from the band's previous 1977 album, ''Sleepwalker''. "In a Foreign Land" (which featured Dalton on bass), specifically, was in the planned running order until late in recording. Instead it was replaced with the late addition "Mr. Big Man". The album was recorded at Konk Studios in London following the band's tumultuous 1977 tour. Due to conflicts between Ray Davies and Pyle, the latter began contemplating leaving the band. Gosling, also wanting to leave the band since Dalton's resignation, began to work with Pyle over plans to form another band. However, when Ray Davies caught wind of the project, he began to intervene. Gosling remembered, "We e and Pylerehearsed and held auditions at the Bridge House pub in Canning Town. It was exhilarating, like starting over. But Ray somehow found out and started giving me a hard time during my last overdub sessions for ''Misfits''." Per
Dave Davies David Russell Gordon Davies ( '; born 3 February 1947) is an English guitarist, singer and songwriter. He was the lead guitarist and backing vocalist for the English rock band the Kinks, led by his older brother (and principal writer and singer) ...
, the band had practically disbanded: After recording was done both Pyle and Gosling departed for good. Zaine Griff and Ron Lawrence did bass overdubs for some songs. In addition, founding drummer
Mick Avory Michael Charles Avory (born 15 February 1944) is an English musician, best known as the longtime drummer and percussionist for the English rock band the Kinks. He joined them shortly after their formation in 1964 and remained with them until 1984 ...
also considered leaving, and became a less active participant, leaving Dave Davies's friend Nick Trevisick to drum on three songs and session drummer
Clem Cattini Clemente Anselmo Agustino Cattini (born 20 August 1937) is an English rock and roll drummer of the late 1950s and 60s, who was a member of The Tornados before becoming well known for his work as a session musician. He is one of the most prolifi ...
to do overdubs. However, Avory stayed with the band until 1984.


Release and reception

Although it was unable to chart in Britain, ''Misfits'' reached #40 in America. The debut single from the album, "
A Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy "A Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy" is the lead single and fourth track from The Kinks' 1978 album '' Misfits''. Written by Ray Davies, the song was inspired by the band's then-tumultuous state at the time, with two members leaving the band during the re ...
", was also a minor hit in the US, reaching #30. Follow-up singles "Live Life" and " Black Messiah" (the latter a British-only release), however, failed to make an impact. ''
Rolling Stone ''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. The magazine was first known fo ...
'' wrote: "Thanks to Ray Davies, ''Misfits'' is very nearly a masterpiece because it anatomizes rather than glorifies Davies' role as 'One of the Survivors', as the Kinks sang five years ago."


Track listing

On the UK version of the LP, a longer version of "Live Life" (4:47) switches places with "Black Messiah". Remastered CD releases have the UK LP track order and include a shorter "Live Life" as a bonus track (different from the US version). Arista released a ten track CD (Arista 260 173) that reproduces the original, non-UK LP version.


B-sides


Personnel

The Kinks *Ray Davies – vocals, guitar, piano, synthesizer *Dave Davies – backing vocals, lead guitar, lead vocals on "Trust Your Heart" *
Mick Avory Michael Charles Avory (born 15 February 1944) is an English musician, best known as the longtime drummer and percussionist for the English rock band the Kinks. He joined them shortly after their formation in 1964 and remained with them until 1984 ...
– drums and percussion (except "Trust Your Heart", "A Rock & Roll Fantasy" and "Get Up") *
John Gosling John Gosling may refer to: *John Gosling (The Kinks musician) (1948–2023), British keyboardist in The Kinks *John Gosling (Psychic TV musician) (born 1963), British big beat and industrial musician *John Gosling (cricketer, born 1833) (1833–188 ...
– piano, organ, synthesizer *
Andy Pyle Andy Pyle (born 15 July 1946) is a British bassist who is best known for playing with The Kinks from 1976 to 1978. Prior to that, he was in Blodwyn Pig (1968–1972) and Savoy Brown (1972–1974). Later, he played with Wishbone Ash (1986–19 ...
– bass guitar (except "Live Life", "Rock and Roll Fantasy", "In A Foreign Land", and "Get Up")Doug Hinman (2004). The Kinks: All Day and All of the Night. Hal Leonard Corporation. pp. 219. . *
John Dalton John Dalton (; 5 or 6 September 1766 – 27 July 1844) was an English chemist, physicist and meteorologist. He introduced the atomic theory into chemistry. He also researched Color blindness, colour blindness; as a result, the umbrella term ...
– bass guitar on "In A Foreign Land" Other musicians *Nick Trevisik – drums on "Trust Your Heart", "A Rock & Roll Fantasy", and "Get Up" *Ron Lawrence – bass guitar on "Live Life", "Rock and Roll Fantasy", and "Get Up" * Zaine Griff – bass guitar overdubs *
Clem Cattini Clemente Anselmo Agustino Cattini (born 20 August 1937) is an English rock and roll drummer of the late 1950s and 60s, who was a member of The Tornados before becoming well known for his work as a session musician. He is one of the most prolifi ...
– drum overdubs *John Beecham – trombone on "Black Messiah" *Nick Newall – clarinet on "Black Messiah" * Mike Cotton – trumpet on "Black Messiah" Production *Written and Produced by Raymond Douglas Davies *Engineered by Steve Waldman *Photography – James Wedge


References


Notes


Sources

* * * {{Authority control 1978 albums The Kinks albums Arista Records albums Albums produced by Ray Davies