Other People's Lives
by Ray Davies
  • Record Label: V2
  • Release Date: Feb 21, 2006
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 20
  3. Negative: 1 out of 20
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    Davies has lost little of his ability to marry great rock melodies to exquisitely offbeat lyrics. [24 Feb 2006, p.61]
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  2. PopMatters
    90
    These are great pop songs put across in fantastic performances.
  3. E! Online
    83
    His lyrics remain slightly twisted, the music is uniformly dark and the singer's still a little freaky.
  5. AllMusic
    80
    It's proof that while many try to emulate him, there's no substitute for the crankiest, funniest songwriter in pop.
  6. Amazon.com
    80
    Reverberate[s] with the wistfulness and introspection that have forever been his trademark.
  7. Alternative Press
    80
    Davies' tone has the ironic air of a cockney calypso, while the music anchors his musings in familiar surroundings. [Mar 2006, p.88]
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  8. Prefix Magazine
    80
    The most apt comparison would be Dylan's more recent comeback albums; if not quite the masterpiece of Love and Theft, it beats the hell out of anything McCartney, Jagger or Simon have put out in the last fifteen years.
  9. Filter
    76
    The songwriting recalls Davies' Misfits days, which wouldn't be a snipe if he hadn't penned so many masterpieces with the Kinks. [#19, p.92]
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  10. Billboard
    70
    Davies' first solo studio collection has all the tasty ingredients that epitomized the Kinks--primarily Davies' knowing lyrics and world-weary vocals. [25 Feb 2006]
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  11. Rolling Stone
    70
    It is a cocky, winning performance by a singer-songwriter who, on this album, for the first time in his rock & roll life, is truly on his own. [23 Feb 2006, p.61]
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  12. Blender
    70
    [An] assured and surprising record. [Mar 2006, p.110]
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  13. Mojo
    70
    At moments Other People's Lives sounds weird and forced, but it's never less than fascinating and it's frequently sublime. [Feb 2006, p.93]
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  14. Lost At Sea
    70
    Other People’s Lives is a record to get lost in, especially for those who can close their eyes and trust a sly old cuss to bring them back.
  15. Pitchfork
    67
    At times Davies matures backward, trading the Kinks' tergiversating sophistication for rash generalization.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 35 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 35
  3. Negative: 2 out of 35
  1. Jim
    Mar 21, 2007
    10
    Ray is the man! Superb album!!
  2. LanceS
    Jan 3, 2007
    10
    I have been a Kinks fan for my whole life, and I had very little expectations for this new Ray Davies album, and I couldn't have been I have been a Kinks fan for my whole life, and I had very little expectations for this new Ray Davies album, and I couldn't have been more wrong. All She Wrote is a devastatingly brilliant song, and Stand Up Comic is the funniest song Ray has ever wrote. All that needs to be said is that "Other People's Lives" is the BEST ALBUM OF 2006. Period.… Full Review »
  3. House
    May 22, 2006
    10
    Ray Davies releases his first solo album at age 61! Better late than never and better than ever. There are many who emulate him but only one Ray Davies releases his first solo album at age 61! Better late than never and better than ever. There are many who emulate him but only one orignal. This album was worth the wait. You'll laugh, you'll cry...Ray Davies at his best!… Full Review »
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