The Kinks' Greatest: Celluloid Heroes

Album Review

Originally released in 1976, The Kinks' Greatest: Celluloid Heroes was a somewhat uneven summary of their time at RCA Records. Signed on the strength of "Lola" and anticipated as a glitter rock outfit in the manner of David Bowie (who was also on RCA at the time), the group defied expectations by delivering a series of concept albums that the label never fully understood. The greatest-hits album was a case in point; since they didn't have many genuine hits while at RCA, it wound up being a haphazard sampling of concept albums broken up by some isolated free-standing tracks. Occasionally, an album is accurately represented, such as the selections from Muswell Hillbilles, but considering that nearly half of the original compilation leaned on that terrific record, it would have to be. Otherwise, the selection was decidedly scattershot, skipping their sole U.K. hit, "Supersonic Rocket Ship," as well as anything from The Kinks Present Schoolboys in Disgrace, and overlooking "Here Comes Yet Another Day" and "Sweet Lady Genevieve" as well. Those are still absent from the 2001 CD version, which is completely recompiled and a major improvement — gone from the original are "Holiday," "Skin and Bones," and "Sitting in My Hotel"; only three songs from Muswell Hillbillies are on the CD, but three songs from The Kinks Present Schoolboys in Disgrace are also present, and the sound has been improved on every possible level (apart from the fact that it was a cheap cash-in effort by the label, and thus hastily done; the original LP was pressed very roughly and had a lot of noise). The guitars crunch and grind away in high relief and the choruses, horns, and other accompaniment sound like they're part of a live show. There's also a detailed account of this period in the band's history in the notes, and the result is a surprisingly indispensable CD which is at least triple the original's album's value as a showcase for the group. ~ Bruce Eder & Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide