The Kinks – Think Visual

The Kinks – Think Visual

The Kinks – Think Visual is the band's twentieth studio album, released in 1986 and showcasing a more polished, contemporary side of the legendary British rock group. Produced by Ray Davies and the band, the album combines their trademark sharp songwriting, character-driven observations and melodic guitar rock with the bigger, cleaner production style of mid-1980s rock.

The album opens with "Working At The Factory," a typically wry Kinks commentary on working life, before moving through the melodic "Lost And Found" and the more reflective "Repetition." "Welcome To Sleazy Town" and "The Video Shop" capture the band's fascination with everyday British life while reflecting the changing culture of the 1980s.

Side two brings a more straightforward rock energy with "Rock 'N' Roll Cities," while "How Are You" and the title track "Think Visual" highlight Ray Davies' knack for combining memorable melodies with observational lyrics. "Natural Gift," "Killing Time" and the closing "When You Were A Child" round out the album with a mixture of rock, pop and nostalgia.

By the time Think Visual appeared, The Kinks had already established themselves as one of Britain's most influential rock bands, with a catalogue stretching back to the 1960s and classics such as "You Really Got Me," "Waterloo Sunset," "Lola" and "All Day And All Of The Night." Rather than attempting to recreate their earlier sound, Think Visual reflects the band's ability to adapt their songwriting to the musical landscape of the 1980s.

For fans of The Kinks, Ray Davies, British rock, classic rock, power pop and melodic 1980s guitar music, Think Visual offers an interesting later chapter in the career of one of Britain's most important and enduring bands.

Tracklist

Side A

1. Working At The Factory – 2:58
2. Lost And Found – 5:19
3. Repetition – 4:06
4. Welcome To Sleazy Town – 3:50
5. The Video Shop – 5:15

Side B

1. Rock 'N' Roll Cities – 3:42
2. How Are You – 4:28
3. Think Visual – 3:12
4. Natural Gift – 3:44
5. Killing Time – 4:02
6. When You Were A Child – 3:40