REVIEW: Dave Davies, ‘Rippin’ Up Time’
Last year was a good one for Dave Davies, founding member and lead guitarist of the Kinks. After maintaining a relatively low-key status in the music world for nearly a decade — quietly recording some music, but for the most part staying off the radar — he released 2013’s I Will Be Me, proving that he hasn’t lost his edgy, raw touch. Moreover, he returned to live performances, touring in the States to coincide with the album. Since last spring, he’s done two US tours and one show in the UK.
Now, only a little over a year since releasing I Will Be Me, Davies is releasing another album, Rippin’ Up Time. Any fan of the legendary guitar riffs Davies has created over the past 50 years will be delighted with the hard and heavy garage-rock essence of the album’s title track, as well as “Johnny Adams,” “Nosey Neighbors,” and “Mindwash.” These songs offer the listener the gritty sound Davies has defined for decades, full of attitude, rage, and a hint of the rebellion which contributed to his “Dave the Rave” moniker over the years. With the help of David Nolte, who has worked with Davies several times in the past, Davies has produced a solidly sharp rock record with his signature proto-punk aesthetic and heartfelt — and sometimes aggressive — lyrics.
For those more interested in the lyrics, Davies has penned a reflective work that takes on the heavy task of sorting through years of musical achievements and the subjects of friendship, family, sanity, and conformity. In true Davies fashion, much like his brother, the songs are often introspective, nostalgic, and critical. “Front Room” returns to the infancy of the Kinks, exploring the origins of the band’s legend from within the walls of their family home on Denmark Terrace in North London. The gentle melody (featuring 12-string guitar from the Jigsaw Seen‘s Jonathan Lea) enhances the affection in the lyrics.
“In the Old Days” follows suit, tracing back to Davies’ childhood and interestingly featuring vocals from his son, Russ Davies (Abakus, Cinnamon Chasers), which adds a nice generational element. The father-son duo had previously produced two albums together, one of which, The Aschere Project, is present within another Rippin’ track. “Between the Towers” ebbs and flows from a gentle lullaby to an electronic prog ballad; the song seems to not only explore dreams, but also exist within a kind of sci-fi fantasy while dealing with very Earth-centric human concerns.
Perhaps what this album best exemplifies is Davies’ breadth of style and influence, both his own and from others. “King of Karaoke” is a playful, rather self-explanatory ode to a man whose favorite pastime is picking up a mic and wailing out his favorite hits. Sounding like flamenco-meets-the theme from Black Books, the track is something of a generational love song, paying tribute to other artists who have created catchy earworms over the years, both contemporaries to and including the Kinks, such as the Beatles, the Beach Boys, Queen, and others. While not as “rocking” as most of the album, “King of Karaoke” is fun and addictive. “Mindwash” is another catchy gem, which tackles the issues of individuality, authority, and media as Davies has often visited throughout his discography. The beat and tempo are refreshing and the song strangely, albeit in a good way, borders on hip-hop; it’s unexpected, but intriguing.
If you’re a Kinks fan and enjoyed Davies’ 2013 release, this album won’t disappoint. If you haven’t been paying attention to his recent resurgence, this is a great album to discover what you’ve been missing.
GET IT! Rippin’ Up Time is out today in the US, and Monday, November 3, in the UK. Dave Davies will kick off his third US tour since last year on November 11 in Milwaukee, WI.
(Cover photo by Dawn Badessa.)
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