SEALED1974 PROMO =DOUBLE= THE KINKS PRESERVATION "2" UNDERRATED ROCK OPERA

$

76

              "P r e s e r v a t i o n   A c t  2"

                   USA - RCA - CPL2 5040

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Original 1974 ADVANCED RELEASE PROMOTIONAL ::: STILL FACTORY SEALED :::

NEVER OPENED / NEVER PLAYED ... a PERFECT flat & square copy with 4 sharp corners ...

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"PRESERVATION" belongs to the tradition of ambitiously EPIC rock operas by world-class bands, alongside Quadrophenia and The Wall. While not as heralded or constructed as those albums if only because The Who and Pink Floyd had both evolved to the point where this type of epic conceptual creation felt natural, but The Kinks at this point were in the same mix. Brief pause to reflect on the growth of The Kinks up to 1974: from garage riffing pre-punks to chroniclers of quaint British society to over-the-top musical theater rockers. An interesting turn, one that anyone who listened to "You Really Got Me" in 1964 could have predicted.

Preservation Act 2 had been preceded the year before by Preservation Act 1, which is a solid, tight set of songs. It's been criticized for really only setting up the characters of the rock opera instead of telling the story, but to be honest, the story is always the worst part of any rock opera. Many collectors love Quadrophenia, but probably couldn't tell you what it's about. Many collectors love The Wall, but when the story was visualized in Pink Floyd: The Wall, it was akin to overindulgence. Perhaps the all-time best rock opera's are "S.F. Sorrow" by the Pretty Things as well as "Tommy" by the Who.

Anyway, the story of Preservation Acts 1 & 2 is about this guy called Flash who becomes the leader of the nation and basically ruins everything. Or something along those lines, the downfall of society and all that. Quite a few of the songs on Act 2 feel like while Ray Davies is pushing the plot forward, The Kinks are still sound so damn good! "When a Solution Comes," "He's Evil," and "Oh Where Oh Where Is Love?" are all instant classics.

Most of the songs are indeed good, but the listener might question if the excess here is a sign of genius or a sign of self-indulgence. The "Announcement" tracks all disrupt the album's flow, and not sure if "Flash's Dream (The Final Elbow)," with a nasally Ray Davies as Flash talking to the deep-throated voice of Flash's soul, is a good predictor of The Wall or merely a coincidence.

In any case, this is an interesting album, and a very underrated one. But even after only two listens, one may not get a firm grasp on the record in its entirety. This one needs some more time to digest, to think over, and also maybe some artificial stimulation to catch fully the deep proceedings.

A:

Announcement 0:41

Introduction to Solution 2:43

When a Solution Comes 3:39

Money Talks 3:44

Announcement 0:56

Shepherds of the Nation 4:12

B:

Scum of the Earth 2:45

Second-Hand Car Spiv 4:01

He's Evil 4:25

Mirror of Love 3:28

Announcement 0:32

C:

Nobody Gives 6:33

Oh Where Oh Where Is Love? 3:40

Flash's Dream (The Final Elbow) 3:56

Flash's Confession 4:27

D:

Nothing Lasts Forever 3:43

Announcement 0:20

Artificial Man 5:27

Scrapheap City 3:14

Announcement 1:06

Salvation Road 3:20

CONDITION: rated: STILL FACTORY SEALED ... a PERFECT copy, 4 sharp corners, PROMOTIONAL stamp on back cover upper left corner ... After 42 years, still has a fresh appearance -- there are no delete marks, no split seams, no bends, and no writing  ... A VERY collection worthy appearance ... never opened / never played = IMMACULATE!

      A cool addition to anyone's music library!

SEE: SELLERS OTher items for similar cool sounds for "head" people...

EFFICIENT/CAREFUL GRADING

All imperfections are noted both cover & record