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Working Man's Cafe
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Working Man's Cafe Image
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 23 Ratings

  • Summary: The sophomore solo album for The Kinks' lead singer was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee.

Top Track

Morphine Song
Listen to my heartbeat Yeah, all fall down Someone help me Off of the ground Listen to my heartbeat Yeah, all fall down Someone help me Off of the... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. Los Angeles Times
    88
    Overall, the album's humor level is a little lower than usual for Davies, but the reflective songs are among his most intimate and touching.
  2. The A.V. Club
    83
    Café draws Davies out just enough to refresh and reinforce his legend.
  3. Mojo
    80
    Not every number here reaches its perfection, but 'twas ever thus with the works of Raymond Douglas Davies; warts and all, and even the warts are interesting. [Dec 2007, p.109]
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  4. Billboard
    80
    The net result is smart, personal and potent.
  5. Hartford Courant
    70
    If the lyrics occasionally seem first-draft rough, the melodies are sharper than on 2005's "Other People's Lives," and the varied musical settings--such as the rockabilly of opener 'Vietnam Cowboys' or the spooky New Orleans blues of 'The Voodoo Walk'--throw into sharper relief the classic Kinksian pop of songs like 'You're Asking Me' and the title track, which show Davies alternately snarling and sighing at the world as winningly as ever.
  6. Blender
    60
    This album about the seamy, scary side of Bushland, conceived after Davies was shot in New Orleans in 2004, is a mixed bag of pointed personal reflection (Good Ray) and facile social critique (Bad Ray).
  7. Austin Chronicle
    50
    Davies' trademark softer delivery saves 'Imaginary Man,' but convincing vocalizations remain a major problem at the Café. Two steps forward, one step back.

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User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 11
  3. Negative: 1 out of 11
  1. IgnacioD.
    Nov 22, 2008
    10
    A very compassionate, complex and interesting albums from the greatest songwriter in rock.
  2. DeanA.
    Feb 24, 2008
    10
    Ray's best material in years. He combines the 'classic Ray melodies' and ocassional lyrical revisits such as 'the world Ray's best material in years. He combines the 'classic Ray melodies' and ocassional lyrical revisits such as 'the world keeps going round' with solid rock riffs- 'Hymm For A New Age' and 'Peace In Our Time' His humor, observations and sarcasim are welcome-'Morphine Song' It's a pleasure to still have Ray Davies producing great music. He is one of a kind. We need a North America tour!!… Expand
  4. RonnyV.
    Feb 22, 2008
    10
    This is Ray at his best .
  5. RayL.
    Apr 23, 2008
    10
    What other singer/songwriter can produce such original material after a 40-year plus career. Each your collective hearts out, Rolling Stones.
  6. KenM.
    Apr 5, 2008
    9
    A very strong effort from Ray. A notch above Other Peoples Lives, which I thought was quite good. I'm happy that old Ray still has his A very strong effort from Ray. A notch above Other Peoples Lives, which I thought was quite good. I'm happy that old Ray still has his chops. Favorite cuts include Imaginary Man, No One Listen, In a Moment, and Voodoo Walk.… Expand
  7. SteveL.
    Apr 7, 2008
    8
    Title track, You're Asking Me and Real World make for some shining standout moments.
  8. NasirT
    Mar 25, 2014
    0
    One word. Hate! I just did.t understand the central plot or goal of the album at all. When I start hearing music like this, I feel bad forOne word. Hate! I just did.t understand the central plot or goal of the album at all. When I start hearing music like this, I feel bad for man-kind. I'm disgusted!… Expand

See all 11 User Reviews

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