THE BEACH BOYS - That's Why God Made The Radio SS member reviews

[DonnyL]

I'm going to keep my review short, as I haven't read the entire thread, and I'm sure I don't have any sort of spectacularly new insights to make. From what I have read everyone is being so positive and seems to really dig the album, but it's honestly kind of "blah" for me.

Some of the songs are good, and are just a little something here or there away from being really good. Overall though, I'm having a really hard time getting past the production and mixing. It sounds so dated. There is only a marginal difference between how this sounds and how SIP sounded. The drum sounds, the tone on the guitar, it all sounds like it was done 20 years ago.

I don't want to be one of those people who bitch about Foskett, but there is no reason he should have a line with Bruce, Al and/or Mike and be mixed the loudest. "Isn't It Time" is my early favorite, but I wish Bruce was more audible in the chorus. He voice is weaker now, but in the studio you can play with that and push him up front. His voice still sounds great and that chorus should be his. It feels like whoever is making those decisions is saying "It's The Beach Boys, there has to be falsetto or else people won't know it's Beach Boys song." It's just so pandering.

Really that's what I don't like; the pandering, and it's all over this record. It's in the lyrics with empty nostalgia, old song titles and a chorus where we name off cities for no reason. It's in the faux island sound in nearly every song. I'm going to buy the vinyl when it comes out and give the mix another chance, hopefully they use a different master for the vinyl pressing. I know this little review sounds pretty negative, but I don't hate the album and it's honestly about what I expected it would be. I think the published reviews that are giving it around a 6/10 are fair and that's probably about where I would grade it.

I am intrigued with your term "Empty nostalgia"? When you look back at life when you are 69-70 years old and tell me your memories are filled with empty nostalgia, then I will believe it. I'm 54 and the older I get the more I keep looking back. I have no idea how old you are, but the way you used that term makes me think that you are young enough that nostalgia is not important to you, yet.

Well, there's nostalgia, and then there's 'empty nostalgia'.  I interpreted this to mean that it's kind of fabricated.

(for the record, I'm fairly young but I've always been a very nostalgic person).

So, I will ask you, what was the empty nostalgia for Mike or Brian or any of them for that matter? Considering that I lived during their hey day, what they sing on the new record sounds quite familiar and real to me.

Well, I didn't introduce this term but I can see where she was coming from. (Personally, I don't have a problem with the lyrics, just the production/mixing).

But to clarify -- I'm interpreting the point as 'honest nostalgia' (truthful, legimate reminiscing of days gone by) vs. a sort of fabricated-to-sell-records-and-reference-the-past sort of 'nostalgia'.

[drbeachboy]

I'm going to keep my review short, as I haven't read the entire thread, and I'm sure I don't have any sort of spectacularly new insights to make. From what I have read everyone is being so positive and seems to really dig the album, but it's honestly kind of "blah" for me.

Some of the songs are good, and are just a little something here or there away from being really good. Overall though, I'm having a really hard time getting past the production and mixing. It sounds so dated. There is only a marginal difference between how this sounds and how SIP sounded. The drum sounds, the tone on the guitar, it all sounds like it was done 20 years ago.

I don't want to be one of those people who bitch about Foskett, but there is no reason he should have a line with Bruce, Al and/or Mike and be mixed the loudest. "Isn't It Time" is my early favorite, but I wish Bruce was more audible in the chorus. He voice is weaker now, but in the studio you can play with that and push him up front. His voice still sounds great and that chorus should be his. It feels like whoever is making those decisions is saying "It's The Beach Boys, there has to be falsetto or else people won't know it's Beach Boys song." It's just so pandering.

Really that's what I don't like; the pandering, and it's all over this record. It's in the lyrics with empty nostalgia, old song titles and a chorus where we name off cities for no reason. It's in the faux island sound in nearly every song. I'm going to buy the vinyl when it comes out and give the mix another chance, hopefully they use a different master for the vinyl pressing. I know this little review sounds pretty negative, but I don't hate the album and it's honestly about what I expected it would be. I think the published reviews that are giving it around a 6/10 are fair and that's probably about where I would grade it.

I am intrigued with your term "Empty nostalgia"? When you look back at life when you are 69-70 years old and tell me your memories are filled with empty nostalgia, then I will believe it. I'm 54 and the older I get the more I keep looking back. I have no idea how old you are, but the way you used that term makes me think that you are young enough that nostalgia is not important to you, yet.

Well, there's nostalgia, and then there's 'empty nostalgia'.  I interpreted this to mean that it's kind of fabricated.

(for the record, I'm fairly young but I've always been a very nostalgic person).

So, I will ask you, what was the empty nostalgia for Mike or Brian or any of them for that matter? Considering that I lived during their hey day, what they sing on the new record sounds quite familiar and real to me.

Well, I didn't introduce this term but I can see where she was coming from. (Personally, I don't have a problem with the lyrics, just the production/mixing).

But to clarify -- I'm interpreting the point as 'honest nostalgia' (truthful, legimate reminiscing of days gone by) vs. a sort of fabircated-to-sell-records-and-reference-the-past sort of 'nostalgia'.

Understood. Please remember though that most of what they sang about (Surfing, Hot-rodding), was newly fabricated way back when. As we all know, most of them never practiced either one. They are waxing nostalgic for the myth much like we are.

[Amanda Hart]

DonnyL is right about what I meant with the "empty nostalgia" term, but I see where you're coming from drbeachboy. Something about it just feels forced to me, but I know I'm not in their target demographic. I can't relate on that same level, so you have a different appreciation for it than I can. Also, I know you weren't questions my rights a couple of posts ago, that part was simply in reference to what Shady said.

[DonnyL]

I'm going to keep my review short, as I haven't read the entire thread, and I'm sure I don't have any sort of spectacularly new insights to make. From what I have read everyone is being so positive and seems to really dig the album, but it's honestly kind of "blah" for me.

Some of the songs are good, and are just a little something here or there away from being really good. Overall though, I'm having a really hard time getting past the production and mixing. It sounds so dated. There is only a marginal difference between how this sounds and how SIP sounded. The drum sounds, the tone on the guitar, it all sounds like it was done 20 years ago.

I don't want to be one of those people who bitch about Foskett, but there is no reason he should have a line with Bruce, Al and/or Mike and be mixed the loudest. "Isn't It Time" is my early favorite, but I wish Bruce was more audible in the chorus. He voice is weaker now, but in the studio you can play with that and push him up front. His voice still sounds great and that chorus should be his. It feels like whoever is making those decisions is saying "It's The Beach Boys, there has to be falsetto or else people won't know it's Beach Boys song." It's just so pandering.

Really that's what I don't like; the pandering, and it's all over this record. It's in the lyrics with empty nostalgia, old song titles and a chorus where we name off cities for no reason. It's in the faux island sound in nearly every song. I'm going to buy the vinyl when it comes out and give the mix another chance, hopefully they use a different master for the vinyl pressing. I know this little review sounds pretty negative, but I don't hate the album and it's honestly about what I expected it would be. I think the published reviews that are giving it around a 6/10 are fair and that's probably about where I would grade it.

I am intrigued with your term "Empty nostalgia"? When you look back at life when you are 69-70 years old and tell me your memories are filled with empty nostalgia, then I will believe it. I'm 54 and the older I get the more I keep looking back. I have no idea how old you are, but the way you used that term makes me think that you are young enough that nostalgia is not important to you, yet.

Well, there's nostalgia, and then there's 'empty nostalgia'.  I interpreted this to mean that it's kind of fabricated.

(for the record, I'm fairly young but I've always been a very nostalgic person).

So, I will ask you, what was the empty nostalgia for Mike or Brian or any of them for that matter? Considering that I lived during their hey day, what they sing on the new record sounds quite familiar and real to me.

Well, I didn't introduce this term but I can see where she was coming from. (Personally, I don't have a problem with the lyrics, just the production/mixing).

But to clarify -- I'm interpreting the point as 'honest nostalgia' (truthful, legimate reminiscing of days gone by) vs. a sort of fabircated-to-sell-records-and-reference-the-past sort of 'nostalgia'.

Understood. Please remember though that most of what they sang about (Surfing, Hot-rodding), was newly fabricated way back when. As we all know, most of them never practiced either one. They are waxing nostalgic for the myth much like we are.

Gotcha. ("Remember way back when we used to pretend to surf?!?")

[HeyJude]

Listen to it again and you're going to notice more hooks.

It's definitely growing on me, several songs in particular.

[drbeachboy]

I'm going to keep my review short, as I haven't read the entire thread, and I'm sure I don't have any sort of spectacularly new insights to make. From what I have read everyone is being so positive and seems to really dig the album, but it's honestly kind of "blah" for me.

Some of the songs are good, and are just a little something here or there away from being really good. Overall though, I'm having a really hard time getting past the production and mixing. It sounds so dated. There is only a marginal difference between how this sounds and how SIP sounded. The drum sounds, the tone on the guitar, it all sounds like it was done 20 years ago.

I don't want to be one of those people who bitch about Foskett, but there is no reason he should have a line with Bruce, Al and/or Mike and be mixed the loudest. "Isn't It Time" is my early favorite, but I wish Bruce was more audible in the chorus. He voice is weaker now, but in the studio you can play with that and push him up front. His voice still sounds great and that chorus should be his. It feels like whoever is making those decisions is saying "It's The Beach Boys, there has to be falsetto or else people won't know it's Beach Boys song." It's just so pandering.

Really that's what I don't like; the pandering, and it's all over this record. It's in the lyrics with empty nostalgia, old song titles and a chorus where we name off cities for no reason. It's in the faux island sound in nearly every song. I'm going to buy the vinyl when it comes out and give the mix another chance, hopefully they use a different master for the vinyl pressing. I know this little review sounds pretty negative, but I don't hate the album and it's honestly about what I expected it would be. I think the published reviews that are giving it around a 6/10 are fair and that's probably about where I would grade it.

I am intrigued with your term "Empty nostalgia"? When you look back at life when you are 69-70 years old and tell me your memories are filled with empty nostalgia, then I will believe it. I'm 54 and the older I get the more I keep looking back. I have no idea how old you are, but the way you used that term makes me think that you are young enough that nostalgia is not important to you, yet.

Well, there's nostalgia, and then there's 'empty nostalgia'.  I interpreted this to mean that it's kind of fabricated.

(for the record, I'm fairly young but I've always been a very nostalgic person).

So, I will ask you, what was the empty nostalgia for Mike or Brian or any of them for that matter? Considering that I lived during their hey day, what they sing on the new record sounds quite familiar and real to me.

Well, I didn't introduce this term but I can see where she was coming from. (Personally, I don't have a problem with the lyrics, just the production/mixing).

But to clarify -- I'm interpreting the point as 'honest nostalgia' (truthful, legimate reminiscing of days gone by) vs. a sort of fabircated-to-sell-records-and-reference-the-past sort of 'nostalgia'.

Understood. Please remember though that most of what they sang about (Surfing, Hot-rodding), was newly fabricated way back when. As we all know, most of them never practiced either one. They are waxing nostalgic for the myth much like we are.

Gotcha. ("Remember way back when we used to pretend to surf?!?")

That I do! As a kid, I always thought that it was Mike Love riding that perfect wave on the cover of the Surfin' USA album. I did do some Sidewalk Surfin' back in the day.

[DonnyL]

I'm going to keep my review short, as I haven't read the entire thread, and I'm sure I don't have any sort of spectacularly new insights to make. From what I have read everyone is being so positive and seems to really dig the album, but it's honestly kind of "blah" for me.

Some of the songs are good, and are just a little something here or there away from being really good. Overall though, I'm having a really hard time getting past the production and mixing. It sounds so dated. There is only a marginal difference between how this sounds and how SIP sounded. The drum sounds, the tone on the guitar, it all sounds like it was done 20 years ago.

I don't want to be one of those people who bitch about Foskett, but there is no reason he should have a line with Bruce, Al and/or Mike and be mixed the loudest. "Isn't It Time" is my early favorite, but I wish Bruce was more audible in the chorus. He voice is weaker now, but in the studio you can play with that and push him up front. His voice still sounds great and that chorus should be his. It feels like whoever is making those decisions is saying "It's The Beach Boys, there has to be falsetto or else people won't know it's Beach Boys song." It's just so pandering.

Really that's what I don't like; the pandering, and it's all over this record. It's in the lyrics with empty nostalgia, old song titles and a chorus where we name off cities for no reason. It's in the faux island sound in nearly every song. I'm going to buy the vinyl when it comes out and give the mix another chance, hopefully they use a different master for the vinyl pressing. I know this little review sounds pretty negative, but I don't hate the album and it's honestly about what I expected it would be. I think the published reviews that are giving it around a 6/10 are fair and that's probably about where I would grade it.

I am intrigued with your term "Empty nostalgia"? When you look back at life when you are 69-70 years old and tell me your memories are filled with empty nostalgia, then I will believe it. I'm 54 and the older I get the more I keep looking back. I have no idea how old you are, but the way you used that term makes me think that you are young enough that nostalgia is not important to you, yet.

Well, there's nostalgia, and then there's 'empty nostalgia'.  I interpreted this to mean that it's kind of fabricated.

(for the record, I'm fairly young but I've always been a very nostalgic person).

So, I will ask you, what was the empty nostalgia for Mike or Brian or any of them for that matter? Considering that I lived during their hey day, what they sing on the new record sounds quite familiar and real to me.

Well, I didn't introduce this term but I can see where she was coming from. (Personally, I don't have a problem with the lyrics, just the production/mixing).

But to clarify -- I'm interpreting the point as 'honest nostalgia' (truthful, legimate reminiscing of days gone by) vs. a sort of fabircated-to-sell-records-and-reference-the-past sort of 'nostalgia'.

Understood. Please remember though that most of what they sang about (Surfing, Hot-rodding), was newly fabricated way back when. As we all know, most of them never practiced either one. They are waxing nostalgic for the myth much like we are.

Gotcha. ("Remember way back when we used to pretend to surf?!?")

That I do! As a kid, I always thought that it was Mike Love riding that perfect wave on the cover of the Surfin' USA album. I did do some Sidewalk Surfin' back in the day.

I always thought it was Mike too.

[Justin]

The album will certainly put off a lot of people who are looking for an "accessible" Beach Boys album.  This album is a weird hybrid of personal, introspective songs synched with songs about beaches, fun during spring vacations and lost loves.  It is no coincidence that each section of the album is grouped in the way that it is--hopefully that will help people figure out what those sections mean to them.  The production is meh...too slick for my liking but I have to remind myself that it's about the songs not the production.  What I do appreciate is that this album definitely has a direction and specific conviction to accomplish a complete thought---something missing in a modern day Beach Boys album in a very, very, very long time.  This album wavers just slightly in the middle but depending on how you view this album--it still works and doesn't hurt the album in the end. 

[Eric Aniversario]

OK, I've listened about 30x in the car and at home, so I think I can do a review now...

First, a track-by-track commentary:

Think About The Days - A beautiful opener, but maybe would have been better right before FTTBA.

TWGMTR - I think about this song the same way I think about "Add Some Music To Your Day".  Some gorgeous harmonies, but not destined to be a favorite of mine.  I think it's really cool though that Brian has the lead on the 1st single off the album.

Isn't It Time - It seems that this will be the 2nd single, but I don't think that it will get much airplay unfortunately.  I think it's a fun song; my favorite part is when Mike sings his verse, the handclaps and other percussion sounds during that part are very prominent.  Like other songs on this album, I wish that it had ended in a different way other than just fading out.

Spring Vacation - This is what I wish would be the 2nd single...it's a lot of fun, super catchy, and Mike and Brian both have prominent leads that sound great!  Sure there are a ton of cliche lyrics, but that's part of its charm.  It really does sound like the Beach Boys' "comeback" song, with the triumphant "we're back together" lyric.  I think that it could get some airplay if released as a single. (See below for more on this song)

...Bill and Sue - This song is a little frustrating to me only because I like the general sound of the song, but the subject is kind of silly and makes it seem like a novelty tune, and it's right there in the middle part of the album.  The chorus is the highlight, and Brian's vocals on the lead are pretty good, but this is what I've been skipping a lot.  Seems like a weaker, weirder version of "South American"....and definitely not a big fan of the "news report" at the end...

Shelter - I like Brian's verses, but the chorus is too un-Beach Boys to feel like a Beach Boys track.  Not only is a non-principal member singing the lead, but his voice is super processed.  I like Jeff, he is a great vocalist, and a great guy in general, but I was hoping that all leads on this album would be covered by the Beach Boys themselves.  One of my least favorites from the album.

Daybreak Over The Ocean - I really liked this as part of Mike's unreleased album, and out of those leaked tracks, this was one of my favorites.  But as a centerpiece for the new Beach Boys album, it just doesn't fit.  The production is very different from the rest of the album, and it's weird to hear Adrian Baker here.  I can discern very little difference from the 2005 version other than some overdubbed vocals at the very beginning and the last 30 seconds or so.

Beaches In Mind - A fun song that seems a little incomplete...the chorus repeating on the fadeout leaves me wanting more.  I think they could've dropped the vocoder effect during that one part.  The guitar parts are fun, remind me of a 90's sitcom a little bit.  

Strange World - Perhaps one of the disadvantages to hearing this song earlier than its actual release was that I heard it around the same time that there were some pretty wild news stories of heinous crimes out this past week, and so I couldn't help but to associate it with that.  As for the song itself, the intense music on the chorus reminds me of a 90's newsmagazine, the kind that would come on at 10pm before the local news.  "Coming up next, on Dateline or 20/20 or Primetime Live..."  As a result, this song makes me a little uneasy, but I think I'll think differently in a few months (maybe).

FTTBA - The absolute gem of this whole album...a stellar lead vocal by Al, then Brian has a great part too, then Mike's pa-da-pa-pa part, then is that Bruce whistling?  Everything about this song is great...easily their best song as a band since at least 1979.

PCH - Heartbreakingly beautiful.  Evokes feelings of incredible sadness as Brian sings of getting old and "wanting to go home", then we get images of him driving down PCH at sunset and then "Goodbye".  This is possibly the saddest Beach Boys song I have ever heard.  The age thing really resonates with me, not because I'm super old, but I'm not exactly super young anymore.  Also, I found out this week an older friend of mine is facing a challenging illness, so that adds some extra poignancy for me.  Facing one's mortality is difficult, and it makes me feel alternating feelings of wanting to make the most of life, and sad resignation and longing for the past.

Summer's Gone - A beautiful vocal from Brian layered on top of some of the most beautiful music I've heard on a Beach Boys track.  Also, another incredibly sad song.  As beautiful as these last 2 songs are, I find myself skipping back to Spring Vacation for some relief from the intensity.

***********

Overall, a great album, easily their best since LA Light Album (and I hold that album in very very high regard, one of my top 5).  I really like that there is a variety of material so that people who want the fun side of the Beach Boys get that (Spring Vacation, Isn't It Time, Beaches In Mind), and those who want a deep, introspective, emotional experience can get that too (FTTBA, PCH, Summer's Gone, Think About The Days).  There are a lot more Brian leads than I was anticipating, and his vocals sound great.  I find myself looking forward most to Mike and Al's leads when listening.  Bruce's voice was used well on the album as well; he plays a bigger part on this album since there are really only 4 Beach Boys and Jeff switching off leads now.  I like that some tracks seem a little thrown together and rushed...reminds me of the early albums where individual tracks didn't need to be perfect to be released.  "Spring Vacation" has several mistakes in it...the stray tone around 2:14, also the part right before that where Mike seems to flub his lyric "something something particular persuasion something...."  Also the double tracking mistake...are they singing "Wheels to get around" or "Here's to gettin around" or "Years to get around" I still can't tell, but that's totally OK.  These weird blips in production are what make early tracks like "Wendy", "Here Today", etc even more special.  They didn't have to perfect to be classics.  On another note, the last 3 songs, particularly FTTBA are pretty close to perfect so you get a little bit of both.

On my playlist, I inserted the 2012 "Do It Again" after "Daybreak" and before "Beaches In Mind" and it works pretty well there.  I think that certain songs would have benefitted from better sequencing.  Here's a sequence I think would have worked better:

1. Isn't It Time
2. Spring Vacation
3. Daybreak Over The Ocean
4. TWGMTR
5. Beaches In Mind
6. Private Life of Bill And Sue
7. Shelter
8. Think About The Days
9. Strange World
10. FTTBA
11. PCH
12. Summer's Gone

[Summertime Blooz]

I haven't read this anywhere, and maybe I'm just stating the obvious, but doesn't it seem like the inspiration for Daybreak Over The Ocean was My Bonnie Lies Over The Ocean? Much in the same way that, with Sloop John B, the Beach Boys took an old folk song and brought it into the modern day as a pop song, it occurs to me that Daybreak is an attempt to do the same thing. Mike substitutes Bonnie with 'baby' as in "Bring back my baby" instead of "Bring back my Bonnie. "My Bonnie lies over the ocean, My Bonnie lies over the sea" is updated to "As day breaks over the ocean, Moonlight still on the sea". This concept helps me like the song a lot a more, as I can see that Mike put a lot of thought and effort into it's creation. The lyrics feel very complete and are fleshed out nicely. I'm kind of digging this song now, right in the middle of the album, as it's a nice change-up from all the Brian lead vocal stuff, even though it brings Kokomo to mind. So- good job, Mike Love.

[Summertime Blooz]

OK, I've listened about 30x in the car and at home, so I think I can do a review now...

First, a track-by-track commentary:

Think About The Days - A beautiful opener, but maybe would have been better right before FTTBA.

TWGMTR - I think about this song the same way I think about "Add Some Music To Your Day".  Some gorgeous harmonies, but not destined to be a favorite of mine.  I think it's really cool though that Brian has the lead on the 1st single off the album.

Isn't It Time - It seems that this will be the 2nd single, but I don't think that it will get much airplay unfortunately.  I think it's a fun song; my favorite part is when Mike sings his verse, the handclaps and other percussion sounds during that part are very prominent.  Like other songs on this album, I wish that it had ended in a different way other than just fading out.

Spring Vacation - This is what I wish would be the 2nd single...it's a lot of fun, super catchy, and Mike and Brian both have prominent leads that sound great!  Sure there are a ton of cliche lyrics, but that's part of its charm.  It really does sound like the Beach Boys' "comeback" song, with the triumphant "we're back together" lyric.  I think that it could get some airplay if released as a single. (See below for more on this song)

...Bill and Sue - This song is a little frustrating to me only because I like the general sound of the song, but the subject is kind of silly and makes it seem like a novelty tune, and it's right there in the middle part of the album.  The chorus is the highlight, and Brian's vocals on the lead are pretty good, but this is what I've been skipping a lot.  Seems like a weaker, weirder version of "South American"....and definitely not a big fan of the "news report" at the end...

Shelter - I like Brian's verses, but the chorus is too un-Beach Boys to feel like a Beach Boys track.  Not only is a non-principal member singing the lead, but his voice is super processed.  I like Jeff, he is a great vocalist, and a great guy in general, but I was hoping that all leads on this album would be covered by the Beach Boys themselves.  One of my least favorites from the album.

Daybreak Over The Ocean - I really liked this as part of Mike's unreleased album, and out of those leaked tracks, this was one of my favorites.  But as a centerpiece for the new Beach Boys album, it just doesn't fit.  The production is very different from the rest of the album, and it's weird to hear Adrian Baker here.  I can discern very little from the 2005 version other than some overdubbed vocals at the very beginning and the last 30 seconds or so.

Beaches In Mind - A fun song that seems a little incomplete...the chorus repeating on the fadeout leaves me wanting more.  I think they could've dropped the vocoder effect during that one part.  The guitar parts are fun, remind me of a 90's sitcom a little bit. 

Strange World - Perhaps one of the disadvantages to hearing this song earlier than its actual release was that I heard it around the same time that there were some pretty wild news stories of heinous crimes out this past week, and so I couldn't help but to associate it with that.  As for the song itself, the intense music on the chorus reminds me of a 90's newsmagazine, the kind that would come on at 10pm before the local news.  "Coming up next, on Dateline or 20/20 or Primetime Live..."  As a result, this song makes me a little uneasy, but I think I'll think differently in a few months (maybe).

FTTBA - The absolute gem of this whole album...a stellar lead vocal by Al, then Brian has a great part too, then Mike's pa-da-pa-pa part, then is that Bruce whistling?  Everything about this song is great...easily their best song as a band since at least 1979.

PCH - Heartbreakingly beautiful.  Evokes feelings of incredible sadness as Brian sings of getting old and "wanting to go home", then we get images of him driving down PCH at sunset and then "Goodbye".  This is possibly the saddest Beach Boys song I have ever heard.  The age thing really resonates with me, not because I'm super old, but I'm not exactly super young anymore.  Also, I found out an older friend of mine is facing a challenging illness this week, so that adds some extra poignancy for me.  Facing one's mortality is difficult, and it makes me feel alternating feelings of wanting to make the most of life, and sad resignation and longing for the past.

Summer's Gone - A beautiful vocal from Brian layered on top of some of the most beautiful music I've heard on a Beach Boys track.  Also, another incredibly sad song.  As beautiful as these last 2 songs are, I find myself skipping back to Spring Vacation for some relief from the intensity.

***********

Overall, a great album, easily their best since LA Light Album (and I hold that album in very very high regard, one of my top 5).  I really like that there is a variety of material so that people who want the fun side of the Beach Boys get that (Spring Vacation, Isn't It Time, Beaches In Mind), and those who want a deep, introspective, emotional experience can get that too (FTTBA, PCH, Summer's Gone, Think About The Days).  There are a lot more Brian leads than I was anticipating, and his vocals sound great.  I find myself looking forward most to Mike and Al's leads when listening.  Bruce's voice was used well on the album as well; he plays a bigger part on this album since there are really only 4 Beach Boys and Jeff switching off leads now.  I like that some tracks seem a little thrown together and rushed...reminds me of the early albums where individual tracks didn't need to be perfect to be released.  "Spring Vacation" has several mistakes in it...the stray tone around 2:14, also the part right before that where Mike seems to flub his lyric "something something particular persuasion something...."  Also the double tracking mistake...are they singing "Wheels to get around" or "Here's to gettin around" or "Years to get around" I still can't tell, but that's totally OK.  These weird blips in production are what make early tracks like "Wendy", "Here Today", etc even more special.  They didn't have to perfect to be classics.  On another note, the last 3 songs, particularly FTTBA are pretty close to perfect so you get a little bit of both.

On my playlist, I inserted the 2012 "Do It Again" after "Daybreak" and before "Beaches In Mind" and it works pretty well there.  I think that certain songs would have benefitted from better sequencing.  Here's a sequence I think would have worked better:

1. Isn't It Time
2. Spring Vacation
3. Daybreak Over The Ocean
4. TWGMTR
5. Beaches In Mind
6. Private Life of Bill And Sue
7. Shelter
8. Think About The Days
9. Strange World
10. FTTBA
11. PCH
12. Summer's Gone

Hey, man, thanks for taking the time to write such a detailed review. I agree with probably 90% of what you said, so you sound like a super-smart guy. 30x though? Have you slept the last couple days?

Mike's line in Spring Vacation  that you were wondering about is "An encore or two don't take much persuasion" and, weirdly, I hear "persuasion" echoed or repeated by someone in the right channel.

I know exactly what you mean about the thrown together aspect. It seems there are times when all the vocal parts are mixed rather poorly, making them nearly inaudible and kind of pointless. Other times there's some wonky editing going down. Can't say that I'm as happy about that as you are, but it's not a deal breaker. Overall the sound is very nice, and even Brian's vocals are the best they've sounded since BWPS.

I think I'm with you on Private Life being the weakest track (maybe Beaches In Mind), but I still quite like it (much more so than South American).

[buddhahat]

think of a helicopter shot from high up in the sky and we're slowly zooming in on a convertible,

Cool - reminds me of this:

http://youtu.be/yXQLJ16GDB8

which is now what I picture when Think About The Days comes on!

Great way of framing the album.

[Justin]

think of a helicopter shot from high up in the sky and we're slowly zooming in on a convertible,

Cool - reminds me of this:

http://youtu.be/yXQLJ16GDB8

which is now what I picture when Think About The Days comes on!

Great way of framing the album.

Right on buddhahat!  That's exactly the image I was talking about...and frankly, I can't view this album any other way at this point.  The album is delivered in a very cinematic approach all within the confines of Brian's music.  I don't see it as a linear album of just a random 12 songs with a three song mini "suite" at the end.  It's two packages rolled into one.  The ideas of this album might be better than the actual presentation but all in all, this album is truly one of their best assembled albums in terms of theme, songwriting and overall artistic intention since Holland.

[hypehat]

As a summary, I think this could be better than expected from a JT influenced album. I'm waiting for the vinyl, and the general insanity of my life atm has meant I've done lots of listening in stolen moments.

Mostly, I'm very heartened by it - it's delivered on a lot of promise from BW's solo career, namely his improving voice and increasing ambition. The songs are also (mostly) well produced (Strange World!), everyone's singing well....

Mike Love is a problem (I know). His crippling lack of good taste really derails Spring Vacation (and yes, Brian does drop some of the clunkers here) and the inexplicable Beaches In Mind. I mean, it's endearingly dorky for him to write two songs about how fucking amazing it is to be a Beach Boy, but I really don't care. (Beside the Talkbox on BiM - hilarious). What makes it painful is that he can still lay it down - Isn't It Time! Those lyrics rock!

But yeah, those are contenders for worst Beach Boys songs right there. If they proffered SV as a next single, Capitol Records should drop them. I'm amazed they even put it on the album in place of the 'full suite', but the Beach Boys were never smart, were they.

(as an aside, what's with the fluffed bridge in Spring Vacation?)

The biggest disappointment is The Private Life of Bill & Sue, though. Mostly because I was really expecting it to be cool - BW muses on celebrity culture - but he never really says anything! Maybe a better chorus would have saved it, maybe not. Also, f*cking egregious Jersey Shore reference/crummy 'spanish' guitar soloing = my fears of Imagination 2.0 realised.

Shelter hasn't hit me yet either - apart ffrom the 'makealittlelove/makeafewcalls' bit. The chorus is really predictable. And the verses sound like San Miguel.

And yeah, generally the sound/vocal processing doesn't bother me a lot, but there are a few - the first two lines in Isn't It Time are jarring.


But I do like EVERYTHING ELSE

Besides those songs, he's really knocked it out of the park compositionally - the chords posted to TWGMTR were particularly illuminating. Strange World is one I keep playing a lot - the lyrics are supersweet, and so BW. And, yeah the suite lives up to the hype. So glad BW can still DO THAT. The new 'last great' Beach Boys songs. Probably best since Love You - Dennis & Carl's songwriting/vocals are sorely missed.

Isn't It Time and Strange World are the two I keep repeating over and over - love the processed (?) high pitched bits in  the chorus of Isn't It Time, and Mike's bass-riffing.

For my slagging off Mike earlier, Daybreak is really cool - hadn't heard it from boots either. Someone here once said that Mike Love never forgets a riff, and this is doo-wop par excellence. Agree that Christian's Carl impression would have been more than welcome on the album.

There's not much you can say about the suite. But it's  wonderful. When the last section of FTTBA kicked in I was ridiculously happy - again, so happy he can do that.

Also, GOD BLESS AL JARDINE

[Runaways]

i finally got it.

holy crap. shelter. isn't it time. the end songs.  THE END SUITE OMFGGGGGGGG

[Runaways]

Bill and Sue actually reminds me of a Brandon Flowers track off his solo album Flamingo.  So weird.  (leader of the Killers btw)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-ErGn11BLk

not melodically, just styles. 

[Justin]

I honestly can't even approach the ending suite without getting choked up.  "From There To Back Again" starts the ball rolling with the lump in my throat!

[Newguy562]

Top 5 songs from the album are:

1. From There To Back Again

2. That's Why God Made The Radio

3. The Private Life Of Bill And Sue

4. Summer's Gone

5. Shelter

[Amy B.]

My feeling is that the album has a lot of mediocrity but some REALLY high highs. It starts off well, but a few songs in, suddenly it's like it's the 90s. It's like Imagination 2.0. Or Kokomo 2.0.  And yes, I see that Brian is credited as producer. I feel that the arrangements on the middle songs could have been a lot more imaginative.

Some of the lyrics are grating. Spring Vacation-- I mean, the part about being back together and making "easy money"? Come on.

However, I love a lot of the songs, particularly the end suite. It's jaw-droppingly beautiful. My favorites are the first three and last three songs.

[Bedroom Tapes]

So is there a difference between the single and album versions of TWGMTR?  Good album btw but it is lacking that special Carl element.

[Newguy562]

So is there a difference between the single and album versions of TWGMTR?  Good album btw but it is lacking that special Carl element.

and that special landy element..lol jk

[GhostyTMRS]

Okay, setting aside the MOR production and occasional over-processed vocals, there's no question that this album is steeped in harmony and even more importantly MELODY.......it seems like Brian (and his battalion of collaborators) and maybe Paul McCartney are the last guys standing that understand the importance of melody. I don't care how great your arrangements are, how great your playing is, if you don't have a decent melody you don't have anything (Indie bands like Fleet Foxes should take notes when they're ripping off "Cabinessence" for the umpteenth time...MELODY is everything). With that rant out of the way I'll go track by track like others have done here:   

1. Think About The Days - I get it. It's a nice little prelude to the actual album and it sets the nostalgic tone for the whole experience. It's okay. I would've rather they had started with a Beach Boys version of Brian's "One For The Boys". That's in a similar vein and it's a better tune. Oh well...

2. That's Why God Made The Radio - It's a monster. It ranks up there with the best of the band's post-60's catalog. Nuff said.

3. Isn't It Time - Should be the single they service to college radio. It's got a bonkers arrangement with handclaps and synth plunks and is catchy as hell. For me, this is the album's highlight.

4. Spring Vacation - Yep, the Beach Boys start treading some "Summer In Paradise"-type territory here but...like the song before it, it's an ear worm. Not a bad song at all. 

5. The Private Life Of Bill And Sue - This is another one of the highlights for me. It's one of Brian's (and I suppose Joe Thomas's) "little songs about nothing". It hits the spot.

6. Shelter - Classic mid-60's Beach Boys. I love the pause before the chorus (shades of "The Little Girl I Once Knew") and Carl is sorely missed on this track although Jeff does a nice job subbing for him.

7. Daybreak Over The Ocean - Guess what? It's a great tune. Great performance from Mike. No complaints here. As an aside, it's a strange phenomenon that many guys over 50 start donning Hawaiian shirts and suddenly dig the tropics and are completely oblivious to how corny that looks to everyone else. I guess Jimmy Buffet is the patron saint of this movement (with Mike Love and Sammy Hagar a close second).

8. Beaches In Mind - Pleasant but pedestrian. Probably the album's only real "meh" moment for me but I'd rather have it than not.

9. Strange World -  It's okay. A step up from the previous track and it moves along at a nice clip. Sounds like an outtake from That Lucky Old Sun. Not a a bad thing really.

10. From There To Back Again - Yep, it's another monster. Despite the "Jardine-in-a-can" sound of the vocals there's no question this a latter day Beach Boys classic.

11. Pacific Coast Highway - This COULD'VE been a classic if it was more than a minute long. WTF? Couldn't they have fleshed this thing out? I have a feeling the reprise of "Think About The Days" was added more to boost the running time of the track then to create some sort of thread that runs through the album.

12. Summer's Gone - It's gorgeous. It's the best of what the Beach Boys are about. It doesn't so much harken back to the 60's as much as it sounds like it came from that parallel universe where only the greatest Beach Boys music seems to come from.         

[hypehat]

11. Pacific Coast Highway - This COULD'VE been a classic if it was more than a minute long. WTF? Couldn't they have fleshed this thing out? I have a feeling the reprise of "Think About The Days" was added more to boost the running time of the track then to create some sort of thread that runs through the album.
        

Not quite - It probably  reprises Think About The Days because Think About The Days was lifted from it's intended place in those last 4 songs (the 'suite' BW and others have mentioned) and placed at the top of the album (it's been mentioned in one of the v detailed interviews, but I can't remember which one).

[Runaways]

Does anyone else think that the end suite is kinda a natural progression of Beach Boys music post Smile?  Especially from there to back again.  Mike's "bah bah bah" part at the end sorta has the groove of late 60s/early 70s stuff.  And the piano work is jazzy and quite cool on all of it.  I feel like in the era the beatles put out like "hey jude", the beach boys would put out this style of music. 

[I. Spaceman]

It is a really, really cool album. That's my review.