was not as warm, although reviews were still generally positive. Disc & Music Echo commented that "Arthur works as a complete score because it is basic and simple and pleasing to the ear, and powerfully conjures up pictures in the eye." Melody Maker seconded Mike Daly's comments in Rolling Stone, again calling it "Ray Davies' finest hour", and adding that it was "beautifully British to the core". Doug Hinman later commented on the album's reception in Britain: "In the British music press there [was] less celebration, and coverage [was] relatively routine, though everyone saw the rock opera angle." Reappraisal Today the album receives generally positive reviews. Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic said Arthur was "one of the most effective concept albums in rock history, as well as one of the best and most influential British pop records of its era", and in 2003 Matt Golden of Stylus called it "the best rock opera ever". Switch magazine included Arthur on their "100 Best Albums of the 20th Century" in 1999, and in 2003 Mojo featured the album on their list of the "Top 50 Most Eccentric Albums". The album was also included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. Track listing Personnel The Kinks Mick Avory – drums, percussion John Dalton – bass guitar, background vocals Dave Davies – lead guitar, background vocals, co-lead vocal on "Australia" and "Arthur", lead vocals on his own tracks Ray Davies – lead and background vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards (harpsichord and piano), production Pete Quaife – bass guitar, background vocals on bonus tracks: "Plastic Man", "King Kong", "This Man He Weeps Tonight", "Lincoln County", "Hold My Hand" and "Creeping Jean" Production Lew Warburton – horn and string arrangements Andrew Hendriksen – engineering Brian Humphries – engineering on "Drivin Bob Lawrie – album art Austin Sneller – credited as "album 'tester Charts Weekly charts Singles See also Album era British invasion British rock Class society (in England) Music Hall and Vaudeville Queen Victoria Satire Notes References Print articles Bibliography Album notes External links Dave Emlen's Unofficial Kinks Web Site – Covers Latest News Concerning the Kinks The Golden Age of the Kinks – Discusses the Kinks' Most Artistically Fertile Period (1966–1972) The Kinks albums 1969 albums Rock operas Pye Records albums Reprise Records albums Albums produced by Ray Davies