Initially conceived as the soundtrack to an "experimental teleplay," but that idea ended up falling through, so the album's concept was altered and it was released as a standalone work. The concept of the album was inspired by Ray and Dave Davies' sister, Rose, who moved to Australia in 1964, an event which devastated Ray. While the story that the album tells is pretty basic (the tale of a British family's move to Australia), it's rich with themes. The Kinks cover an array of subjects including live in WWII-era England, nostalgia for the pre-war lifestyle, and starting life anew in another country. It's a pretty interesting work to say the least. And whether or not you're a fan, I highly recommend that you check it out.
Got any favorite concept albums?
