The Kinks - Sleepwalker (1977/2004) [SACD]

It marked a return to straight-ahead, self-contained rock songs after several years of concept albums. It is the first album in what critics usually call the “arena rock” phase of the group, in which more commercial and mainstream production techniques would be employed. The album also marks the last appearance of bassist John Dalton, who left the band during the recording sessions. Dalton plays bass on all songs on the album save for “Mr. Big Man,” which bassist Andy Pyle played on. The lineup of The Kinks would be trimmed downed significantly in 1977 following the album’s release, as the brass section and backup singers were removed and the band returned to a standard rock band outfit.