Should They Call It A Day After This Tour?

[SBonilla]

Completely agree.

Me, too. Though, I think there is a good chance of a follow up album. Both parties (BRI & Capitol) should have negotiated for a second album option if certain criteria (chart position, sales figures) were met on the first one. If such an option exists and is exercised, we'll get another new Beach Boys album.

[drbeachboy]

Good or bad, the guys will make their own future. The reasons some of you have for them stopping now is just an easy way out for preserving legacy. To me that just cheapin's the legacy if they do truly want to continue making new music, but don't because of what others think about it. As long as it feels right, they should continue doing what they love to do; make music.

[Jason]

Good or bad, the guys will make their own future. The reasons some of you have for them stopping now is just an easy way out for preserving legacy. To me that just cheapin's the legacy if they do truly want to continue making new music, but don't because of what others think about it. As long as it feels right, they should continue doing what they love to do; make music.

But...but...but...fans know what's better for the Beach Boys than the Beach Boys do!

[Lowbacca]

Good or bad, the guys will make their own future. The reasons some of you have for them stopping now is just an easy way out for preserving legacy. To me that just cheapin's the legacy if they do truly want to continue making new music, but don't because of what others think about it. As long as it feels right, they should continue doing what they love to do; make music.

But...but...but...fans know what's better for the Beach Boys than the Beach Boys do!

Sometimes I think we do. 

[Jason]

Yeah, with years of hindsight from the perspective of someone outside of the band!

[drbeachboy]

Good or bad, the guys will make their own future. The reasons some of you have for them stopping now is just an easy way out for preserving legacy. To me that just cheapin's the legacy if they do truly want to continue making new music, but don't because of what others think about it. As long as it feels right, they should continue doing what they love to do; make music.

But...but...but...fans know what's better for the Beach Boys than the Beach Boys do!

Sometimes I think we do.  

Awfully high and mighty of you to think so.

[JanBerryFarm]

What IS all this "history says" baloney. You're just looking for excuses. Think about it.

History said, they were going to be one hit wonders after 'Surfin' slid off the charts.
History said, SMiLE would never be released.
History said, the Beach Boys were just surfing Doris Days.
History said, they'd never get back together in face of all the litigation.
History said, Brian Wilson was going to die like Elvis.
History said, they couldn't continue without Carl.
History said, Pet Sounds was a failure.
History said, "never hear surf music again".

All that was proven wrong by the worlds greatest rock/pop band, THE BEACH BOYS.

So stop trying to retire them and give them some freakin' credit.

[DonnyL]

No, I don't think so.  Perhaps another tour may not be in order, but the group's legacy needs one more GREAT album to stand up there with their best. I believe they have it in them !

[D409]

This (certainly the live aspect) has been touched on previously in this thread and I'll refer you to my response :

http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php/topic,13076.msg278613.html#msg278613

"I think they'll go back to being three separate touring units again, but the most ideal compromise would be for Brian to tour with his band as before, with Al and David permanently joining the Mike & Bruce band."

It would be nice to see another album of new material while they've still got it in them, though 

[Gdraft]

I'm sure all us BBs fans will always want more material, I certainly would.  However, we've got to realise the boys are almost all 70+ and this world tour is going to be a huge demand on them.
If they do manage another album then great, if they don't... well they've given us a lifetime of beautiful music to enjoy.
Thanks boys!

[Shady]

"summers gone" is actually a pretty depressing coda but a good one none the less..

I say f*** "history" and just do what feels right. The new album sold 86 thousand in its first week around the world so I'd wager Capitol will want a new album

[Mr. Cohen]

I think whatever Brian has lying around from the Pleasure Island suite, followed by the remains of the "My Life" suite, could make for an interesting album.  The first half could be a fun in the sun escape to Pleasure Island, while the second half is serious and reflective, using the Today model. It would be the perfect reflection of the BBs career. We sort of see that with the current album, but that would provide for a clearer delineation.

[Emdeeh]

The final sounds at the end of "Summer's Gone" is a fitting coda to the catalog.

"Summer's Gone" sounds and feels more like a "false" coda to me. That is, sounds effects and all, I don't get a sense of closure at the end of the album -- it still sounds like the album hasn't quite reached the end, and there is something more we haven't heard yet. It leaves me with the feeling that Brian and the rest of the Boys have more up their collective sleeves.

[GhostyTMRS]

There would be no shame in calling it a day after this album. They did what seemed impossible...a reunion, a solid album and a tour that's getting raves.
I can't foresee many more large scale group projects like this.
 
Realistically, and I don't want to sound morbid here, these guys are nearing the end of their time on planet earth and a retirement to focus on family (a rather enormous one collectively) with the odd fun little solo project that involved one or more members would be a joy for them, I would think.

[jamsvet]

Personally. I don't want to be sitting front row center as one of them has a heart attack. They're 70 years old for God sakes. Just do some new studio stuff if you feel like it.

[drbeachboy]

There would be no shame in calling it a day after this album. They did what seemed impossible...a reunion, a solid album and a tour that's getting raves.
I can't foresee many more large scale group projects like this.
 
Realistically, and I don't want to sound morbid here, these guys are nearing the end of their time on planet earth and a retirement to focus on family (a rather enormous one collectively) with the odd fun little solo project that involved one or more members would be a joy for them, I would think.

You must be young. Older people, you know, we can do more than sit in a rocking chair. I met Mike last night and he looks wonderful. They all look better in person than in some of the recent pics.

[Jonathan Blum]

At this point, anything else they do is a bonus.

But I'd rather have a chance for a bit more imperfect beauty than a perfect ending.

Cheers,
Jon Blum

[DonnyL]

There would be no shame in calling it a day after this album. They did what seemed impossible...a reunion, a solid album and a tour that's getting raves.
I can't foresee many more large scale group projects like this.
 
Realistically, and I don't want to sound morbid here, these guys are nearing the end of their time on planet earth and a retirement to focus on family (a rather enormous one collectively) with the odd fun little solo project that involved one or more members would be a joy for them, I would think.

You must be young. Older people, you know, we can do more than sit in a rocking chair. I met Mike last night and he looks wonderful. They all look better in person than in some of the recent pics.

Yeh, good point. Whatever makes them happy really at this point. I just hope BW is really on board and not just going along with what everyone else wants.

Some older musicians I've known are not interested in retiring. They just want to keep performing, keep creating ... I think Mike Love is certainly one of these types, and perhaps the rest as well.

[JohnMill]

Maybe I'm off base here but am I the only person who is drawing parallels between this discussion and the one we had six/seven months ago where the thought among many here was "The Beach Boys should NEVER MAKE ANOTHER RECORD because they'll damage their sixties legacy"?

[drbeachboy]

Maybe I'm off base here but am I the only person who is drawing parallels between this discussion and the one we had six/seven months ago where the thought among many here was "The Beach Boys should NEVER MAKE ANOTHER RECORD because they'll damage their sixties legacy"?

You're right, and see where that got us? As far as I'm concerned, as long as Brian is the producer and is making song decisions, I don't think we have anything to worry about. He may not be the hit maker anymore, but he still has the goods to make damn fine albums.

[onkster]

I say: why stop the miracles?

If they wanna do another studio album, I say bring it on!

If they screw up, they screw up. But what if they don't? What if they blow our minds *yet again*? You'd really wanna miss out on that, based on some la-di-da fussy notion of "oh, let's end on a dignified note, blah blah blah..."

This is rock'n'roll. As Lennon said at the end of "Yellow Submarine": there's only one way to go out...singing!

More, please, boys. More. Loving it.

[Jim V.]

I believe that as long as they enjoy it, they should continue on as The Beach Boys. If Brian wants to record with the guys, then have more Beach Boys albums. If he doesn't, make 'em Brian Wilson albums. And if the guys wanna continue touring together (Mike, Al, Dave, Bruce) with Brian sometimes joining in then that's cool too.

[Cam Mott]

Blowing it would also be a perfect ending so I say do whatever they want. Six of one, half dozen of another.

[Amy B.]

I don't think there's a question that Mike and Bruce will continue if the reunion splits up. As for the five guys together, if they want to keep going, let them keep going. Will they screw it up and put out bad songs? Probably. They have a history of doing that, and even on this album some of the songs are questionable. But all the more reason to let them do what they want and what makes them happy. It's not like they have a perfect record of great songs to tarnish. They've always been uneven-- great and terrible. I do hope Brian continues in the vein of the suite from TWGMTR, though. It seems like working with the BBs really inspired him to do his best work.

[Heysaboda]

NO FREAKING WAY should they call it a day after this tour.

They recorded an album that sounds glorious to my ears, an album that stands easily beside their best work.  And they are almost halfway through a highly successful tour.

So, how about 2 or 3 more studio albums, let Mike and Brian write some more together, because they are genius-level collaborators!  And give Al, Bruce and Dave a spotlight!  Maybe cut back on touring, and spend more time in the studio.  A live DVD, and some compilations.  We don't ask for much!  LOL

The Boys have still "got it" what ever "it" is!