AFL1-3603 (1980)
The Kinks’ Other Davies Makes A Statement!
After decades in the shadow of his brother, Dave Davies stepped out on his own for his first solo album, the wryly titled AFL1-3603. Dave made a statement with his barcoded title (not long after becoming a new industry requirement) and his debut – a smart and simple record, which curiously sounds like a well-honed demo with 80s production. Dave’s sometimes tortured vocals, which are perfect as a ragged counterpoint to brother Ray’s leads, have long been his weakest link. Not here. For AFL1-3603, Dave softened the attack of his lead vox and overdubbed his background vocals into a thick mesh of harmonies. The energetic opening track has the feel of a Pete Townshend demo, with layered multi-guitars and a distant, emotive vocal. My favorite is “Imaginations Real,” a tune I shoved on way too many cassette mixes for the car. Davies counters the garage rock of his illustrious past with a soft hazy glean, seemingly bypassing the influence of the 80s new wave completely. It’s one of those LPs that takes a few spins to settle in, but it provides an intriguing respite from The Kinks, while making a case for Dave’s often overshadowed talents in the process. Amazon‘s got it.
Where Do You Come From (3:43)
Doing The Best For You (4:46)
Visionary Dreamer (4:29)
Nothin’ More To Lose (4:10)
The World Is Changing Hands (2:56)
Move Over (3:46)
See The Beast (3:56)
Imaginations Real (3:53)
In You I Believe (3:18)
Run (3:55)
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Thank you, sir. Even though Dave is a Major Flake (read his autobiography about the time he got possessed by aliens. No, really.), this was, and still is, an excellent album. You can’t keep those Davies boys down, unless you get possessed by aliens, of course.
Thanks for the Dave Davies! Used to have this album and have missed hearing it. “Death of a Clown” came on my MP3 player shuffle the other day, reminding me that Ray wasn’t the only major talent in that family. Now if only they could overcome their differences and give us one last, great Kinks album.
That seems to be getting less and less likely. Have you heard THE LATEST FROM DAVIES?
I’m pretty sure I listened to this album exactly once back in the day — I might even have reviewed it — and then promptly forgot about it.
But “Imagination’s Real” is absolutely fantastic. Wow. Can’t wait to hear the rest….
I have a whole shelf of those.
I haven’t heard the latest — thanks!
It’s different…
Imaginations Real! Same for me, Willard. There was hardly a mixtape I made that didn’t have it. What a wonderwall of clean, layered guitars. Love it!