This collection exists because The Kinks invited the world to "reinterpret" their songs for a contest. But Ray Davies only had to ask. Few need an enticement to show their admiration for The Kinks and their excellent catalogue of tunes. Count The Kevins among that globally-dispersed fandom.

On the contest web site, Ray Davies said to take liberties. Your version only had to "vaguely resemble a Kinks song." With an offer like that from the man who penned the tunes, who could refuse?

Stars in their eyes, The Kevins couldn't. First move: call upon fellow Kinks fans Andrew Bergey and Dave Allen to get a collaborative view on the project. AB's insights and DA's hours spent playing proved invaluable, unending thanks to both.

Every budding electric guitar player takes a stab at You Really Got Me and All Day And All Of The Night. I was no exception. Dave Davies and his serrated sound was the closest millions of bedroom axemen (like me) got to sounding like the spinning record. And Ray Davies' multi-layered lyrics continue to beguile, bewilder, amuse and observe with an honesty too rarely found.

For The Kevins, "reinterpreting" is what playing covers is all about! These five versions of Kinks songs do not sound like the original recordings. Ray Davies tunes are proven survivors of the most annoying and/or banal versions. Not that this collection is like that.

Thanks Ray Davies. thanks Dave Davies, for creating The Kinks.