ALBUM REVIEW: The Kinks - Schoolboys in Disgrace

    At last, The Kinks theatrical comes to an end. It seems that after Ray Davies released bomb after bomb, he finally got the hint and moved on from this truly disastrous era for The Kinks. As if the signs that this era wouldn't be anything more than a regrettable flop era weren't immediately apparent with the boring and plotless Preservation Act 1, the even more disastrous double disc Act 2 should have been the kick in the ass to know that these baffling experiments were not cutting it. Nonetheless, Ray pressed on, either boldly or foolishly depending on your outlook. I've been formulating the idea that all of these rock operas were some sort of elaborate career self-sabotage for a while now, and if the album cover of Schoolboys in Disgrace isn't proof enough, than let me be struck by lightning. That being said, Schoolboys is easily the best album in this embarrassing quartet of albums, and while that might not sound like a compliment, rest assured it's meant to be. Some of the moments on Schoolboys are the hardest hitting moments since Everybody's in Show-Biz three years prior, and when it's generally as consistent as it is, it feels like a breath of fresh air after the flat works that preceded it.

    You already know the rigamarole with these rock operas by now, but Schoolboys in Disgrace is, believe it or not, a prequel to the Preservation series. No shit. While Soap Opera was its own thing, Schoolboys brings it all back around, and shows us the origin story of the "beloved" anti-hero in Mr. Flash and his days in school. Now, while on paper the idea of the origin story to the anti-hero of one of the most spectacular failures in rock music history is possibly the dumbest thing I've ever heard, I still went in hopeful that maybe on the fourth time around, things would be better. While I wasn't wrong, I would like to mention how this doesn't really play into Preservation like... at all. There's a good chance on my part that I missed something, but ultimately this could be a completely disconnected rock opera about the troubles of the school system and I wouldn't be any wiser. I was also worried that, coming from a 30-year old rocker, the talk of "school sucks!" would be incredibly patronizing at points. While this is no "Another Brick in the Wall," it's not really that patronizing, and at points it's even a little... clever? While the tongue is still firmly in cheek with this release, it's far more competent and well-written than any of the preceding albums, and I think that alone is worth something.

    The concept is half of it, of course - some moments on Schoolboys in Disgrace are legitimately their best songs in years. Unfortunately, some of this does come with the fact that it's a pretty front-heavy album, and after Side A the album really trickles off. Nothing is quite as hilariously bad as on Preservation Act 2 or Soap Opera, but it may be just as malign and boring at points - "Headmaster," anyone? Didn't think so. At least the second side opens and ends strongly with the pumping "I'm in Disgrace" getting the second half off to a pretty energetic start, and could make a damn good rock song in its own right, removed from the concept - too bad the momentum is killed right after with "Headmaster." The low and foreboding "No More Looking Back" is also a great ending song that probably gets the closest to tying the record together with Preservation. How about that first half? Well, "Schooldays" isn't a half-bad way to begin, and has some solid energy that translates to most of the first half as well. "Education" is a fun enough rocker, even if its length does get it dangerously close to Wild Life Syndrome in my opinion. "The First Time We Fall in Love" may very well be the best thing on the album, though, with its juvenile reflection on love coming across as somewhat sweet and certainly at least a little earnest. Ray's falsetto throughout is actually pretty solid - if the distortion was turned down, it could pass for a Beach Boys tune.

    Schoolboys in Disgrace would prove to be The Kinks' final release on RCA Victor, with the group moving to Arista following the album's release. While it can't be said that their time with RCA is as distinguished as their time with Pye, Schoolboys was enough of a rebound from their previous train wrecks to make their departure end on a fine enough note. Schoolboys may lack some of the stupid charm of their previous rock operas, but it makes up for it by being easily the best in terms of musical quality and merit. If, God forbid, you are going to listen to any of these, make it Schoolboys in Disgrace - save Preservation Act 2 for if you want a good laugh, and leave the rest in the bin. No looking back.

RATING: ✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯

Listen to Schoolboys in Disgrace.