"The Kinks became arena rockers with Sleepwalker, and its follow-up, Misfits, follows in the same vein, but it's a considerable improvement on its predecessor. Ray Davies has learned how to write within the confines of the arena rock formula, and Misfits is one of rock & roll's great mid-life crisis albums, finding Davies considering whether he should even go on performing. "Misfits", a classic outsider rallying cry, and "Rock and Roll Fantasy" provide the two touchstones for the album Davies admits that he and the Kinks will never be embraced by the rock 'n' roll mainstream, but after Elvis' death, he's not even sure if rock 'n' roll is something for mature adults to do. Over the course of Misfits, he finds answers to the question, both in his lyrics and through the band's muscular music". - AllMusic