These offerings focus on more nostalgic and sentimental themes, retreating from the psychedelic and mod posturing that had dominated the rock world. Something Else sounds like nothing else from 1967.
The Kinks change gear on this album, preferring acoustic ballads, music hall numbers, and tempered R&B to full-out guitar attacks. Part of the album's power lies in its calm music, since it provides an elegant support for Davies' character portraits and vignettes. From the martial stomp of “David Watts” to the lovely, shimmering “Waterloo Sunset”, there's not a weak song on the record.