That's Why God Made The Radio

[MaryUSA]

Hi all,

The next time I am going to FYE I will buy some CDs and order some Brian Wilson ones. Do all of you have That's Why God Made The Radio?  Is it good?  It is at the local FYE in town.  Also, which BW Solo CD should I buy?  Is Imagination a good purchase or is Orange Crate Art better?  What about the CD with Love & Mercy on it?  Thoughts and opinions are welcomed. 

[The Shift]

That's Why God… is terrific to my ears. Still one of the few BBs CDs I have on regular circulation. Some ofd the summer-themed songs are corny by the opening track, the title track, Shelter, Strange World, Bill and Sue and the last three tracks are right up there with some of thebest stuff they did.

It shouldn'a happened but it did.

For Brian's solo stuff I'd get BW88 (which has Love & Mercy), TLOS, BWPS, Gershwin and Live at the Roxy.  For starters!

Personally I prefer OCA over Imagination; others may disagree.

[Lowbacca]

TWGMTR continues to polarise but - in one word - yes, it is "good" overall. Worth checking out if you already know the rest of the Beach Boys catalogue.

Are you new to BW solo material? If you want to try a single LP, I'd suggest you order That Lucky Old Sun.

"Love and Mercy" first* appeared on his 1988 solo album (his 1st). It's a pretty cool album overall. If you plan on checking out all his solo stuff you might start with it as well.






*I know, I know, the single came out earlier.

[Please delete my account]

Yeah, That's Why God... is recommended.
Check out the reviews subforum for more opinions on all Beach Boys/Brain Wilson albums

[MaryUSA]

Hi all,

Thank you for replying.  I have TLOS.  It is excellent.  I will TIWGMTR soon.  I am going to see which solo CD is the least expensive and order that one. 

[feelsflow]

If you like TLOS, then you would like Orange Crate Art. 

My FYE sells used CDs.  I've never had a problem with any that I have bought.  If you're on a budget, might be something to check while there. 

[Watch a Cave]

The last 4 songs on the album make it worth getting.. just brilliant.  The rest of the album is good too.


Brian's 88 solo album is great.. definitely get that too.

Orange Crate Art has all Van Dyke Parks songs.. so dont expect to hear Brian's style of music.  Still a good album though.

[Summertime Blooz]

Hi all,

The next time I am going to FYE I will buy some CDs and order some Brian Wilson ones. Do all of you have That's Why God Made The Radio?  Is it good?  It is at the local FYE in town.  Also, which BW Solo CD should I buy?  Is Imagination a good purchase or is Orange Crate Art better?  What about the CD with Love & Mercy on it?  Thoughts and opinions are welcomed. 

If you download a program called Spotify to your computer, you can listen to all of those albums (and many more Beach Boys goodies) to see what you like before buying anything.

[Jim Rockford]

I actually bought That's Why God Made The Radio there.  I had the songs already though because I downloaded it from amazon. I spent over 250 dollars there. I kinda regret that. 

[Alan Smith]

MaryUSA; you might be interested to know the TWGMTR CD track sequence is 33.3333% different from the Vinyl version.

Of the 12 songs, The first 4 and the last 4 are in the same order on the CD and Vinyl.  But tracks 5/6/7/8 are in reverse order on the vinyl:

CD - The Private life of Bill and Sue, Shelter, Daybreak Over the Ocean, Beaches in Mind
Vinyl - Beaches in Mind, Daybreak Over the Ocean, Shelter, The Private life of Bill and Sue

Some folk feel the vinyl sequence provides a different listening experience.

Happy shopping and check out Brian does Gershwin - it's quite enjoyable (except one song, but my gripe's with the actual song, not Brian's performance) - and OCA is a gem!

[runnersdialzero]

I actually bought That's Why God Made The Radio there.  I had the songs already though because I downloaded it from amazon. I spent over 250 dollars there. I kinda regret that. 

Tsk tsk. FYE's CDs are always insanely overpriced. I'm sowwy

[Disney Boy (1985)]

My advice re That's Why God Made The Radio:

Listen to the first four songs and the last four songs, and skip the four in the middle.

[runnersdialzero]

My advice re That's Why God Made The Radio:

Listen to the first four songs and the last four songs, and skip the four in the middle.

What a man.

[Micha]

the title track, Shelter, Strange World, Bill and Sue and the last three tracks are right up there with some of thebest stuff they did.

One of those songs you mentioned is actually the worst one they ever did... but I let Mary make up her own mind.

Other than that, I recommend TWGMTR too. IMHO their best since Sunflower!