Top tracks — play these first
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Do It Again Start here — As the lead single, this track encapsulates the album's themes of nostalgia and cyclical struggles in relationships, showcasing a classic Kinks sound with infectious energy.
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Living on a Thin Line — This song stands out for its poignant exploration of disillusionment and resilience, blending personal narrative with broader societal commentary, a hallmark of Ray Davies' songwriting.
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Word of Mouth — The title track serves as a manifesto on the power and pitfalls of communication, highlighting Davies' knack for clever lyrics wrapped in an upbeat tune.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends catchy melodies with sharp lyrics, showcasing The Kinks' signature style while exploring new themes.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a strong lead single that sets a mid-tempo pace, followed by several tracks that maintain this energy before dipping into slower ballads in the second half.
- Each song features prominent guitar riffs and layered vocal harmonies, with Ray Davies' lyrics often reflecting social commentary and personal introspection.
- The final track concludes with a stripped-down arrangement, contrasting with the more produced sound of earlier songs, creating a sense of closure.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- short, engaging listening sessions
- conversational lyrical storytelling
- upbeat and lively vibes
- reflective moments of introspection
- catchy hooks and melodies
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — Solid entry in the catalog, showcasing creativity but not widely recognized as essential.
- Themes
- cyclical relationships· disillusioned resilience· power of communication
- Career context
- Released on November 19, 1984, Word of Mouth was The Kinks' 18th studio album, following the band's commercial resurgence in the early '80s. It marked a period of renewed creativity for Ray Davies, who was reestablishing their relevance after years of fluctuating popularity since the late '70s.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Who· The Yardbirds· The Rolling Stones
Tracklist
- 1 Do It Again Start here 4:09
- 2 Word of Mouth 3:48
- 3 Good Day 4:32
- 4 Living on a Thin Line 4:13
- 5 Sold Me Out 3:42
- 6 Massive Reductions 3:13
- 7 Guilty 4:13
- 8 Too Hot 4:06
- 9 Missing Persons 2:53
- 10 Summer's Gone 3:53
- 11 Going Solo 3:19
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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