Face To Face (Re-Issue)by The Kinks

The Kink's first great album, this was a major leap forward in songwriting for Ray Davies who wrote every song on it. 'Face To Face' has been called one of the very first concept albums and although there is no overriding story, thematically most of the songs are similar. Almost all of the songs are interesting character portraits of class and everyday English-life."Session Man" is a standout track describing a workman musicians comftorable but unsatisfying existence. The song "Fancy" breaks up the sugary pop to throw in some Eastern-y drone, it could be considered part two of the Kink's earlier single "See My Friends". Tracks like "Big Black Smoke", "Mister Pleasant" and the great single "Dead End Street" (which Oasis would later rip-off) keep with the theme of impoverished living. Most people would agree that the lazy, rolling "Sunny Afternoon" is the best song and for good reason, with the infectious drawl of "summertime", this song has rightly been called a classic. 'Face To Face' is an addicting and great record that the Kinks would only improve on later albums.