Misfits (The Kinks album)


Misfits is the seventeenth studio album by the English rock band the Kinks. The album was released in 1978. Following the minor success of Sleepwalker in the United States, Misfits featured a more rock-oriented style than many other Kinks records of the 1970s. Despite internal conflicts within the band, leading to both bassist Andy Pyle and pianist John Gosling quitting the band, the album made the Top 40 in America. The album also contained the minor hit single "A Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy", as well as less successful releases "Live Life" and "Black Messiah".

Background

Misfits was the second album the band recorded for Arista Records, the record company the band switched to from RCA Records in 1976. Although the band had spent a good portion of the 1970s releasing concept albums, their previous album, Sleepwalker, signaled a shift toward more rock based material. In addition, the album began the band's commercial comeback in the US, the album reaching #21 and its title track peaking at #48. However, during the recording of Sleepwalker, longtime bassist John Dalton quit the band, being replaced by Andy Pyle.

Recording

Many of the album's songs, such as "Hay Fever", "In a Foreign Land", and "Black Messiah", were leftovers from the band's previous 1977 album, Sleepwalker. "In a Foreign Land", specifically, was in the planned running order until late in recording. Instead it was replaced with the late addition "Mr. Big Man".
The album was recorded at Konk Studios in London following the band's tumultuous 1977 tour. Due to conflicts between Ray Davies and Pyle, the latter began contemplating leaving the band. Gosling, also wanting to leave the band since Dalton's resignation, began to work with Pyle over plans to form another band. However, when Ray Davies caught wind of the project, he began to intervene. Gosling remembered, "We rehearsed and held auditions at the Bridge House pub in Canning Town. It was exhilarating, like starting over. But Ray somehow found out and started giving me a hard time during my last overdub sessions for Misfits." After recording was done both Pyle and Gosling departed for good. Zaine Griff and Ron Lawrence did bass overdubs for some songs. In addition, founding drummer Mick Avory also considering leaving, became a less active participant, leaving Dave Davies's friend Nick Trevisick to drum on three songs and session drummer Clem Cattini to do overdubs. However, Avory stayed with the band until 1984.

Release and reception

Although it was unable to chart in Britain, Misfits reached #40 in America. The debut single from the album, "A Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy", was also a minor hit in the US, reaching #30. Follow-up singles "Live Life" and "Black Messiah", however, failed to make an impact.

Track listing

On the UK version of the LP, a longer version of "Live Life" switches places with "Black Messiah". Remastered CD releases have the UK LP track order and include a shorter "Live Life" as a bonus track. Arista released a ten track CD that reproduces the original, non-UK LP version.

B-sides

Musicians and production

The Kinks
Other musicians
Production