Ray Davies and the Button Down Brass does not, in any way, represent the melodic brilliance of The Kinks’ frontman, and creative rep, Raymond Douglas Davies. I learned this lesson, as you would say, the hard way, but Volume Two of Stereo Sound Stage isn’t necessarily a venture with which to walk away from, Kinks-less notions notwithstanding. I was duped, but in a pleasing manner, if in any way that makes sense.