Don't Fight the Sea / Friends (A Capella)

[tansen]

So I got the 7" of Don't Fight the Sea / Friends (A Capella) in the mail today, but I don't have an record player at the moment. Did anyone 'rip' the a capella to mp3/wav yet? The former is of no interest

[vintagemusic]

Although I am not that keen on the recording or should I say the song itself.
Basically what we have with Don't Fight The Sea, is a Beach Boy reunion song.

I know they weren't all in the studio at the same time, and I know it's not
a Brian Wilson production. I am aware some of the parts were recorded
decades ago. Even so, basically it's a brand new Beach Boys song, Why is
this not a huge headline grabber all over the planet?

First new Beach Boys song in 20 years ! Why was there no frenzy over this?

[Smilin Ed H]

And it's better - by far - than most of the group songs since the Light Album (and some of the stuff on that, where it would've fit nicely).

[tansen]

Although I am not that keen on the recording or should I say the song itself.
Basically what we have with Don't Fight The Sea, is a Beach Boy reunion song.

I know they weren't all in the studio at the same time, and I know it's not
a Brian Wilson production. I am aware some of the parts were recorded
decades ago. Even so, basically it's a brand new Beach Boys song, Why is
this not a huge headline grabber all over the planet?

First new Beach Boys song in 20 years ! Why was there no frenzy over this?

Well, it may be a Beach Boys reunion song, but pardon my honesty, it's a poorly written song (both in lyrics and chord progression), sung by a couple of old dudes. I mean, this is how the world most likely views it. You can ask the same about Brian Wilson's solo stuff - why is there no frenzy over that? (it is essentially Beach Boys songs, but with better backing vocals - compared to today's Beach boys of course). It might just be the same problem as with 'Don't Fight the Sea'.

[drbeachboy]

I'm getting older too. Maybe that's why I don't buy much music from younger artists. How do you know how bad The Beach Boys backing vocals are today? I haven't heard anything new in 15 years.

[tansen]

Well, it's my understanding that some of the backing vocals on 'Don't Fight the Sea' is new?

[drbeachboy]

Yes, some are new. I was questioning your original comment that Brian's band sing better backing vocals than today's Beach Boys. Other than DFTS, we haven't heard new vocals in 15 years. I love Brian's band, so I'm not knocking them at all. I'm just thinking that we cannot compare until The Beach Boys do that new Reunion album next year.

[tansen]

Yes, some are new. I was questioning your original comment that Brian's band sing better backing vocals than today's Beach Boys. Other than DFTS, we haven't heard new vocals in 15 years. I love Brian's band, so I'm not knocking them at all. I'm just thinking that we cannot compare until The Beach Boys do that new Reunion album next year.

I hear you. But I think the main concern here is the age difference. Very few of the old 'rockers' manage to keep their voices fresh in their late 60s - there are of course exceptions in people such as Steve Winwood and Colin Blunstone, but the general trend is quite apparent deterioration.

[drbeachboy]

Yes, that is true, but I think that they would pull off backing vocals much better than lead vocals.

[tansen]

Yes, that is true, but I think that they would pull off backing vocals much better than lead vocals.

Agreed!

[vintagemusic]

Al Jardine sounds great IMO. I sometimes have fantasy's about how great the Lucky Old Sun
album would have been if Al and Mike had sung a few of Brians lead parts here and there.

But anyway I am shocked, perhaps for the last time in history a new song, featuring vocals
from at least four Beach Boys including Brian. and Carl! and Al sounds great!

The song is slightly a bit of a dog, not terrible, but you know..average. But still its the
Beach Boys! I am just surprised It hasn't become a big thing.. Most of my friends interested
in music have no idea the song exists unless I happened to tell them. I don't think most people
are aware Don't Fight The Sea exists with four Beach Boys singing on it.

[drbeachboy]

Actually, there are 5 Beach Boys on DFTS. You forgot, Bruce is on there too.

[vintagemusic]

Oops.. Bruce counts too

[Pretty Funky]

But a good song will be a hit regardless of who sings it IMO.

If the hottest act at the moment (and don't ask me who it is....Kate Perry maybe?) sings a poor song it aint going to be a hit.

For Al to get a single out is amazing. To think it will get airplay and some motion is a long-shot.

[SurfRiderHawaii]

Although I am not that keen on the recording or should I say the song itself.
Basically what we have with Don't Fight The Sea, is a Beach Boy reunion song.

I know they weren't all in the studio at the same time, and I know it's not
a Brian Wilson production. I am aware some of the parts were recorded
decades ago. Even so, basically it's a brand new Beach Boys song, Why is
this not a huge headline grabber all over the planet?

First new Beach Boys song in 20 years ! Why was there no frenzy over this?

I have to agree!  Boggles the mind.

The answer is:

a) This board is fixated with Brian and Smile.
b) They never, ever 'heard' all the brilliant music from Pet Sounds to Holland. They listened but didn't 'hear'.  If they had, they'd realize Brian is a shell of his former self.
 They think Gershwin is brilliant when it's truly merda (compared to Brian's hey day).

[hypehat]

.

[hypehat]

Oh, and Don't Fight The Sea is some kind of unfettered musical genius?

Just because it has all the Beach Boys on it in some capacity doesn't make it good! As attested by the fact the song itself is limp, the production cheesy, and the lyrics banal in the extreme.

And for all the things you mention, vintagemusic, it's NOT a new beach Boys song. It's Al Jardine grabbing headlines for his crap solo record.

[The Shift]

For Al to get a single out is amazing.

Not amazing - it's a nice but mediocre fund raiser, not a commercial enterprise, and its real sales incentive is the B-side.

[tansen]

Oh, and Don't Fight The Sea is some kind of unfettered musical genius?

Just because it has all the Beach Boys on it in some capacity doesn't make it good! As attested by the fact the song itself is limp, the production cheesy, and the lyrics banal in the extreme.

And for all the things you mention, vintagemusic, it's NOT a new beach Boys song. It's Al Jardine grabbing headlines for his crap solo record.

I have to agree with you here. I really never listen to lyrics, but on this song the lyrics just pop out, almost embarrassing me. And like I said initially, the song itself - its chord use/progression is nothing to shout about either. But yeah, I mean, sure Al can sing, but is it amazing? Well, it sounds like a guy in his 60s singing. And by all means, that's cool. Colin and Rod does it, Jagger does it, Ray does it, etc.

And TheOther: While I know what you're trying to say, I don't think it's all true. There is some really bad stuff out on the market, being immensely popular - think Bieber and Rebecca Black - so there's no guarantee that a good song necessarily will always be a hit, that's for sure. But regardless, I guess what you're saying is that 'Don't Fight the Sea' isn't all that good, so that will definitely not stand a chance.

[Curtis Leon]

Don't Fight the Sea ain't bad. It's actually one of the highlights on the Postcard to California album. Still, I think it embraces modern production values far too much to be truly great. And Al was never the best songwriter of the BB's, even in their prime. Still, you have to dig those massive vocal hooks.

[drbeachboy]

Oh, and Don't Fight The Sea is some kind of unfettered musical genius?

Just because it has all the Beach Boys on it in some capacity doesn't make it good! As attested by the fact the song itself is limp, the production cheesy, and the lyrics banal in the extreme.

And for all the things you mention, vintagemusic, it's NOT a new beach Boys song. It's Al Jardine grabbing headlines for his crap solo record.

Sounds like a Brianista talking here. DFTS may not be a new song by age, but it is new to us. You write this post like your opinion is the only one that matters. Some of us like it and it does matter to us. I'm 54 and have listened to a lot of music produced in the late 70's and 80's and DFTS is no cheesier than half the stuff recorded in that period. The 45 is for charity and not for grabbing headlines. Except for a few online articles, I've seen very little of Al Jardine drawing the spotlight on himself. If you don't like it, tha's fine, but do you really hate it that much? I'm interested because I feel that songs like "When Girls Get Together" or "California Calling" are far more below caliber than DFTS. At least DFTS has some really terrific vocals on it.

@surfriderhawaii
Gershwin is not merda. I think history has proved that. Again, why does one thing need to be ripped in order to get a point across on another? Start a new thread if you want to talk about something other than Smile.

[SurfRiderHawaii]

Oh, and Don't Fight The Sea is some kind of unfettered musical genius?

Just because it has all the Beach Boys on it in some capacity doesn't make it good! As attested by the fact the song itself is limp, the production cheesy, and the lyrics banal in the extreme.

And for all the things you mention, vintagemusic, it's NOT a new beach Boys song. It's Al Jardine grabbing headlines for his crap solo record.

Sounds like a Brianista talking here. DFTS may not be a new song by age, but it is new to us. You write this post like your opinion is the only one that matters. Some of us like it and it does matter to us. I'm 54 and have listened to a lot of music produced in the late 70's and 80's and DFTS is no cheesier than half the stuff recorded in that period. The 45 is for charity and not for grabbing headlines. Except for a few online articles, I've seen very little of Al Jardine drawing the spotlight on himself. If you don't like it, tha's fine, but do you really hate it that much? I'm interested because I feel that songs like "When Girls Get Together" or "California Calling" are far more below caliber than DFTS. At least DFTS has some really terrific vocals on it.

@surfriderhawaii
Gershwin is not merda. I think history has proved that. Again, why does one thing need to be ripped in order to get a point across on another? Start a new thread if you want to talk about something other than Smile.

I agree with your DFTS thoughts exactly!

But I dare you to listen to "King for a Day" and then Gershwin.  Night and day diff.  Anyone who loved Brian's pre-74 voice 'has' to cringe on Gershwin.  Al could have done the same exact album and it would have sound 1000% better.   Gershwin just sounds 'canned', totally predicable.  PAPA DOO RUN RUN coulda done it.

Gershwin was a nice idea but there's a reason most reviews were mediocre or poor.  You're right, not Merda but just bores the hell out of me.

[drbeachboy]

Sorry, I thought you were talking about Gershwin, the composer, not Brian's album. I agree with you, as I am not a fan of his singing voice either. I haven't liked it since the 85 album. I will say though, that BWRG & BWPS are his best sounding albums.

[SurfRiderHawaii]

Sorry, I thought you were talking about Gershwin, the composer, not Brian's album. I agree with you, as I am not a fan of his singing voice either. I haven't liked it since the 85 album. I will say though, that BWRG & BWPS are his best sounding albums.

I'm no AGD when it comes to writing, that's for sure.  I love Gershwin - "Rhapsody in Blue" is one of my all time top 10 favs.  Just Brilliant!  I think "Surf's Up" is brilliant too!  Brian's crowning achievement!

But it boggles the mind about "DFTS".  Cause we have some here who pine away for Mike recording "How Can We Still Be Dancing". My God :-(  Here we have a brilliant Al/Carl vocal just released and people want to focus on some more crap.  I mean, if they couldn't do anything decent after 85..........

[tansen]

It really boggles my mind that Al couldn't come up with something better that DFTS (especially if this is one of the bright sides of the album (according to one poster). I mean, he had so many years, and even if he wasn't the best songwriter of the Beach Boys, he still should be able to produce something better than this. And even more so considering he involved the other Beach Boys.