Brian says Beach Boys reunion album sounds "mellow".

[Dunderhead]

Symbolically I suppose it would be nice, if the purpose of the reunion is to provide some ultimate sense of closure or catharsis to the Beach Boys story. But I don't think you can engineer that, if the album is good, that'll be the best possible closure. I don't really believe David Marks will be the pivotal element here. I like The Moon plenty, but I don't see David offering much to the album other than an obligatory guitar solo or two. It's not like he's going to come in and produce the thing and write all the new songs. This whole thing is about Brian and his relationship with Mike Love, let's face it. Just shoehorning in a bunch of guests out of a sense of obligation isn't going to do anything to make the album better, dollars to donuts it'll only detract.

[Ron]

I agree Beam Bag.  It sounds dated now, but maybe Joe Thomas has matured in the past few years and the album will sound more relevant.  

I don't know what all went down, but think about it.

Brian and Mike obviously have issues.  Brian's got emotional considerations that everybody involved is thinking about, so they're looking first and foremost, to make Brian comfortable.

I think Melinda is looking for that... and I think Mike is also looking for that.  It makes it better for everybody.  They want to keep Brian in a good place.

So who should produce?  The last time they worked together, Joe Thomas produced it.  Mike's comfortable with that.  Brian, Mike, Jeff, and Joe are not strange bedfellows.  They've all got a long history and that's probably why those 4 are handling things.

I'm anxious to hear what wall of voices they can come up with.  I hope some of the young guys get in on the album, like Matt Jardine or Mike's kid.  

[Aegir]

I hope some of the young guys get in on the album, like Matt Jardine or Mike's kid.  

young is a relative word. Matt Jardine and Christian Love appeared as children on the Sunflower cover in 1970, which conservatively places them around 45 years old.

[runnersdialzero]

45 ain't old. imo.

And I can't understand apathy over David not appearing while being content with Jeff being on it. sry, it's wrong. WRONG.

[Ron]

Well of course we're talking about the Beach Boys.  Relative to the beach boys, they're young.  

[Wirestone]

And I can't understand apathy over David not appearing while being content with Jeff being on it. sry, it's wrong. WRONG.

Well, Jeff toured with the group in the 80s and (I believe) sang on some of their studio material. He was on the original demo sessions for Kokomo. And he's a falsetto stand-in, which is a role that will have to be filled by someone. He also has Brian's ear and approval, which other folks like Matt Jardine just wouldn't have.

Dave just won't contribute as much, even if he appears. And while it would be nice if he were there, "apathetic" describes my emotions toward him too. He's so tangentially related to the music and period of the group that I enjoy. I acknowledge his role, have liked some of his songs, and am sure he's a great guy.

[runnersdialzero]

And I can't understand apathy over David not appearing while being content with Jeff being on it. sry, it's wrong. WRONG.

Well, Jeff toured with the group in the 80s and (I believe) sang on some of their studio material.

And did a terrible job/played on terrible songs.

He was on the original demo sessions for Kokomo.

Terrible song.

And he's a falsetto stand-in, which is a role that will have to be filled by someone.

Anyone is better than Jeff.

He also has Brian's ear and approval, which other folks like Matt Jardine just wouldn't have.

Who says Matt wouldn't? Who says this isn't a decision by Brian's handlers, one of them being, y'know, Jeff?

Dave just won't contribute as much, even if he appears. And while it would be nice if he were there, "apathetic" describes my emotions toward him too. He's so tangentially related to the music and period of the group that I enjoy. I acknowledge his role, have liked some of his songs, and am sure he's a great guy.

O yeah. I mean he's only on toss-offs like "Surfer Girl", "In My Room", "Your Summer Dream", "Surfin' USA", "Farmers Daughter", trash like that. Surely the guy who played on the Sunkist version of "Good Vibrations" deserves a spot on a new Beach Boys recover over David Marks.

[Dunderhead]

So will David make the album good?

[runnersdialzero]

So will David make the album good?

How would, say, Al Jardine make the album better but David wouldn't? How would anyone? Buncha washed up has been old d00ds working with the guy who invented Wendy's f*** these guys blah blah blah Pet Sounds Pet Sounds PET SOUNDS

[Dunderhead]

So will David make the album good?

How would, say, Al Jardine make the album better but David wouldn't? How would anyone? Buncha washed up has been old d00ds working with the guy who invented Wendy's frig these guys blah blah blah Pet Sounds Pet Sounds PET SOUNDS

Oh ok well when you put it that way it makes so much sense 

[JohnMill]

Maybe I'm in the minority but I'm more concerned that they find a way to include Denny and Carl in this than I am about David Marks or any other relatives of members of touring bands or whomever.  Denny and Carl should each have a solo vocal a piece.

[Heysaboda]

I know Joe Thomas ain't the most loved here...but I think he nailed it with Imagination.  He and Brian created a delicate, classic, sophisticated and mature sound on that album that knocked me out.  That album is so underrated.  Reading that he and the Beach Boys are working on this "hopeful" new Beach Boy release dropped my jaw.  Clearly, I'm right and those involved in this project are listening to logic and reason!!

 

You Are Correct, Sir!!!

[runnersdialzero]

I think folks want Matt Jardine on this record because he can do falsetto vocals well and with some kind of... respect? I don't know if that's the right word. He can do them justice, it's not a matter of him simply being the offspring of ol' Al Sardine. Yerp.

[jeffcdo]

Wasn't the issue with Andy Paley that "nobody produces Brian Wilson"?

[runnersdialzero]

Wasn't the issue with Andy Paley that "nobody produces Brian Wilson"?

I'm sure Brian will be given the first production credit, if only for coughing in the general direction of a knob at some point. He's just not as into it as he was 40 some years ago, which is understandable. I'm very interested in them having the right guy in the group's corner and behind Brian's production ideas. I don't know if Dave Thomas is that guy, but we'll see. I haven't heard any productions of his since, well, 1998. Some folks change, some don't.

I will say I hope we don't see a return to the double-tracked, reverb drenched Brian vocals of Imagination and GIOMH (although I know the latter is not Joe's work). It just does not work for his modern voice. Mostly dry with a bit of distant reverb, single-tracked, and right up front. "Midnight's Another Day", needisaymoar?

[Austin]

I will say I hope we don't see a return to the double-tracked, reverb drenched Brian vocals of Imagination and GIOMH (although I know the latter is not Joe's work). It just does not work for his modern voice. Mostly dry with a bit of distant reverb, single-tracked, and right up front. "Midnight's Another Day", needisaymoar?

Agreed. I love how delicately-treated his vocal is on BWRG -- just an ounce of reverb, lightly treated. And his voice has that nice thick quality that I think sounds excellent without needing to be doubled.

[SurfRiderHawaii]

David has a great voice for Dennis style leads on the reunion album.

Exactly.  And the same coolness vibe!

[homeontherange]

Oh nooooo. Jeff.

[Andrew G. Doe]

True, David jumped ship October 1963, but in the 19 months he was officially in the band, he played on three Top 10 singles, a Top 20 one, three Top 30 B sides and a Top 50 single, and three Top 10 albums (and a #32 one for good measure). Plus, he was there at the very beginning. This summer, I was told by two different people that the door was open, and neither of them had the initials ACJ.

He should be there.

[Dunderhead]

If he brings something to the table he should be there.

[Andrew G. Doe]

Musicianship, history.

[Dunderhead]

Musicianship, history.

They should be more concerned with doing something new, interesting, you know good, rather than wasting their time with some misty eyed tribute to "history". I don't see David Marks' participation as being anything other than symbolic. If he's there, fine. If he's not, that's fine too. The best way they respect the wonderful legacy of The Beach Boys is by going out on a high note, by doing something original, and honest that stands with their best work.

[John Manning]

Musicianship, history.

They should be more concerned with doing something new, interesting, you know good, rather than wasting their time with some misty eyed tribute to "history". I don't see David Marks' participation as being anything other than symbolic. If he's there, fine. If he's not, that's fine too. The best way they respect the wonderful legacy of The Beach Boys is by going out on a high note, by doing something original, and honest that stands with their best work.

You could argue that the Beatles Archeology reunion could have done without Ringo then, as he brings nothing to the table other than musicianship. And yes, I know, Ringo was there from the start through the end… oh, hang on… he wasn't the original drummer? He walked out during the White Album sessions?

You might be right, his presence might not be essential to the finished product but his guitar will lend it more validity as a BBs' product, in my opinion. It's wrong to talk of who has rights and who doesn't – that's for the guys (and their ladies) to sort out between them I reckons – but he's a Beach Boy. Jeff ain't.

From my fan's perspective, I say "let David in, bring him home".

As for Carl & Dennis vox on the album, I say "not essential". Nice if there's something worthy of inclusion, but no tokenism, please. Let the guys rest in peace and let their memory endure.

[Andrew G. Doe]

Musicianship, history.

They should be more concerned with doing something new, interesting, you know good, rather than wasting their time with some misty eyed tribute to "history". I don't see David Marks' participation as being anything other than symbolic. If he's there, fine. If he's not, that's fine too. The best way they respect the wonderful legacy of The Beach Boys is by going out on a high note, by doing something original, and honest that stands with their best work.

I'd love the reunion to produce a strong new album... but realistically, it won't: these guys are all, bar David, 69/70 now. The reunion itself is symbolic. I've a feeling that the most significant music to emerge from it will be some decades old... and I'd just love to be proved totally wrong on this. 

[hongkongcrowe]

if they have to do a reunion album, i'd prefer something that sounds like friends........i don't want any surfing/girl/car songs sung by guys in their 70s...