Preservation Act 1
The late '60s through the mid '70s represented the era of plot rock. From the Who'sTommyonward, plot-driven and suite-length character meditations were everywhere. The Kinks' approach to the rock musical was more conceptually measured than was the norm. The plot and drama behindPreservation, Act 1andAct 2are far more subtle investigations of class, culture, and commerce--even if they're couched in characters like rocker Johnny Thunder. The tussle of thePreservationdrama is common enough--a citizenry pursuing goals in an increasingly competitive, even ruthless manner, while on the periphery is Mr. Black, who'll save the day and restore balance, and his antagonist, Flash, who seeks to pilfer the Village Green. Both emblematic of community and a direct link to the band's 1969Village Green Preservation Society, the drama and characters make it far better to tune in for an entire CD rather than for just one song. But "Sweet Lady Genevieve" is a gentle, lovely tune, and so many other selections are, even for passive Kinks fans, important pieces.--Andrew Bartlett