Phobia | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 29 March 1993 | |||
Recorded | September 1990 – February 1992 | |||
Studio | Konk Studios, London | |||
Genre | Rock, hard rock | |||
Length | 76:10 | |||
Language | English | |||
Label | Columbia [1] | |||
Producer | Ray Davies, Dave Davies | |||
The Kinks chronology | ||||
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Singles from Phobia | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [2] |
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [3] |
Phobia is the twenty-fourth and final studio album by the English rock group the Kinks, released in 1993. [4] [5] It is also the only studio album credited to the Kinks which does not feature drummer Mick Avory in any capacity; though he left the band in 1984, he still played on individual songs on both Think Visual and UK Jive . The album was produced by Ray Davies himself as R. Douglas Davies.
Ray Davies has since expressed displeasure with the album, commenting, "I hated Phobia, the album we did for Sony, because now I see the tempo of all the songs was wrong." [6]
The album received mixed reviews upon release. AllMusic gave it two out of five stars stating that "Ray Davies continues to turn out three or four brilliant songs on albums that barely anyone will ever hear." Rolling Stone were more forgiving rating the album four out of five stars stating that "Phobia is prime late-model Kinks." [7]
All lyrics are written by Ray Davies, except where noted
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Opening" | 0:38 | |
2. | "Wall of Fire" | 5:01 | |
3. | "Drift Away" |
| 5:05 |
4. | "Still Searching" | 4:52 | |
5. | "Phobia" | 5:16 | |
6. | "Only a Dream" | 5:04 | |
7. | "Don't" | 4:36 | |
8. | "Babies" | 4:47 | |
9. | "Over the Edge" | 4:20 | |
10. | "Surviving" | 6:00 | |
11. | "It's Alright (Don't Think About It)" | Dave Davies | 3:34 |
12. | "The Informer" | 4:03 | |
13. | "Hatred (A Duet)" | 6:06 | |
14. | "Somebody Stole My Car" | 4:04 | |
15. | "Close to the Wire" | Dave Davies | 4:01 |
16. | "Scattered" | 4:11 | |
17. | "Did Ya" (bonus track – UK/Japan only) | 4:32 | |
Total length: | 76:10 |
The Kinks
Technical
David Russell Gordon Davies is an English guitarist, singer and songwriter. He was the lead guitarist and backing vocalist for the English rock band the Kinks, which also featured his older brother Ray. Davies also sometimes undertook writing and/or lead vocals duties within the band, for example on songs such as "Death of a Clown", "Party Line", "Strangers" and "Rats". He has also embarked on a solo career, releasing several singles during the late 1960s and has since released eight solo albums.
"You Really Got Me" is a song by English rock band the Kinks, written by frontman Ray Davies. The song, originally performed in a more blues-orientated style, was inspired by artists such as Lead Belly and Big Bill Broonzy. Two versions were recorded, with the second performance used for the final single. Lead guitarist Dave Davies performs the song’s famous guitar solo. Although it was long rumoured that future Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page had performed the song's guitar solo, this has been debunked by Page himself.
Muswell Hillbillies is the tenth studio album by the English rock group the Kinks. Released in November 1971, it was the band's first album for RCA Records. The album is named after the Muswell Hill area of North London, where band leader Ray Davies and guitarist Dave Davies grew up and the band formed in the early 1960s.
Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part One, commonly abbreviated to Lola Versus Powerman, or simply Lola, is the eighth studio album by the English rock band the Kinks, released on 27 November 1970. A concept album, it is a satirical appraisal of the music industry, including song publishers, unions, the press, accountants, business managers, and life on the road. It marked the group's expansion to a five-piece with the addition of keyboardist John Gosling.
Kinda Kinks is the second studio album by the English rock band the Kinks. It was released on 5 March 1965 in the United Kingdom by Pye Records. The original United States release, issued by Reprise Records on 11 August 1965, omits three tracks and substitutes the singles "Set Me Free" and "Ev'rybody's Gonna Be Happy". Recorded and released within two weeks after returning from a tour in Asia, Ray Davies and the band were not satisfied with the production.
The Kink Kontroversy is the third studio album by the English rock band the Kinks. It was released in the United Kingdom on 26 November 1965 by Pye Records. Issued in the United States on 30 March 1966 by Reprise Records, it was the Kinks' first American album to feature an identical track listing to its British counterpart. It is a transitional album, with elements of both the earlier Kinks' styles and early indications of the future direction of Ray Davies' songwriting styles. The liner notes were written by Michael Aldred.
Think Visual is the twenty-second studio album by the English rock band the Kinks, released in 1986. It peaked at #81 on the Billboard chart.
The Kinks were an English rock band formed in London in 1963 by brothers Ray and Dave Davies. They are regarded as one of the most influential rock bands of the 1960s. The band emerged during the height of British rhythm and blues and Merseybeat, and were briefly part of the British Invasion of the United States until their touring ban in 1965. Their third single, the Ray Davies-penned "You Really Got Me", became an international hit, topping the charts in the United Kingdom and reaching the Top 10 in the United States.
"David Watts" is a song written by Ray Davies that originally appeared on the Kinks' 1967 album Something Else by the Kinks. It was also the American and Continental Europe B-side to "Autumn Almanac". It has been included on several compilation albums, including The Kink Kronikles (1972) and a live version recorded at Landmark Theatre in Syracuse, New York, 4 March 1980 was included on One for the Road , a double live album released June 1980.
Word of Mouth is the twenty-first studio album by the English rock group the Kinks. It was released November 1984. "Do It Again" was released as a single from the album in 1985.
Schoolboys in Disgrace, or The Kinks Present Schoolboys in Disgrace, is a 1975 concept album by the Kinks. Their 15th studio album, it was considered by critics to be the last album in what they dubbed the group's "theatrical" period, and their final release for RCA Records. The album is rooted in 1950s rock and roll, and also includes elements of hard rock, '50s pop and doo-wop, and arena rock.
UK Jive is the twenty-third studio album by the English rock group, the Kinks, released in 1989. It was the first album in almost three years since the 1986 album, Think Visual. At this point, it was the longest gap between album releases since the inception of the group. It was their last studio album to feature keyboardist Ian Gibbons who left during the sessions. Gibbons would later rejoin in time for the group's swansong live album To the Bone.
"Wicked Annabella" is a song by the English rock band the Kinks from their 1968 album, The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society (1968). Written by Ray Davies, it was recorded by the Kinks in July 1968. The song is Dave Davies's only lead vocal contribution on the album. It is one of several character studies on Village Green, recounting the wicked deeds of the local witch as a warning to children. Employing an eerie tone, its lyrics are darker than the rest of the album and have been likened by commentators to a dark fairy tale.
Kinkdom is a studio album by the English rock band the Kinks. Released in the United States and Canada on 24 November 1965, it was their fourth album issued on Reprise Records. It peaked at number 47 on the Billboard album chart.
Preservation Act 2 is a 1974 concept album by the English rock band the Kinks, and their thirteenth studio album. It sold poorly, and received a mixed response among critics. Ken Emerson, in Rolling Stone, held up the album as an "underrated" one in the Kinks' repertoire.
"(Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman" is a song written by Ray Davies that was first released on the Kinks' 1979 album, Low Budget. The song, inspired by Superman: The Movie, employs a disco beat and lyrics that describe the singer's wish to be like the fictional character Superman. The song's disco style was created as a response to Arista Records founder Clive Davis's request for "a club-friendly record," despite Ray Davies' hatred of disco.
"Only a Dream" is a song released and performed by the British rock band The Kinks, written by the main songwriter of the band, Ray Davies. The song appeared on their 1993 album Phobia, the band's final LP.
"You Can't Stop the Music" is a song by the British rock band The Kinks. The song, appearing on the band's 1975 album Soap Opera, was written by the band's principal songwriter, Ray Davies.
"So Mystifying" is a song written by English musician Ray Davies, first recorded by his band the Kinks for their 1964 debut album Kinks. It appears as the second track on side one, following "Beautiful Delilah", and is the first track on the album on which Ray Davies performs the lead vocals. The best known version of the song was recorded by Swedish rock group Hep Stars, whose version of the song reached the top-five on both Kvällstoppen and Tio I Topp in 1965.