New Beach Boys 2012 Remasters!

[runnersdialzero]

While I enjoy hearing clarity in the background vocals, they're occasionally fairly loud and overwhelming in the overall mix, and I like my background vocals pretty damn loud compared to some people. An ideal situation would be hearing them isolated (on a box set, mayhaps) and having the actual stereo mix a little more balanced (then again, I'm sure Mark or whoever is mixing them does think they're balanced).

It kind of feels like an unintentional, subconscious, "Hey, we finally found the masters for 'Don't Worry Baby'! Look what *I* can do!" *cranks up background vocals*

And again, I have to follow this up with saying Mark has done some absolutely incredible work and continues to do so to this very day. Even on the subject of balance, the clips of the stereo Smiley Smile are a great example overall in that they feel very faithful to the original mono mixes, and I'm sure it'll sound even better once we get the CDs.

Sryz, didn't mean to twist this into a "Let's be critical even though we just apologized for being critical" thing.

[Ron]

It's the reason he doesn't post here anymore.

But, if the rumors of static pops or noises in the new remixes are correct, Capitol Records and/or the remixing or mastering engineers should not be exempt from being criticized.

Well, would you rather criticize them here and not get their input, or would you rather keep your criticisms private and have them post here?  The bell is too late to be unrung, obviously, but I for one very much miss Mark posting here, and I especially miss Alan posting here.

Maybe I shouldn't be sharing this, but, I'm going to.  Those of you who were around right after BWPS was released may remember that I was highly critical of the production.

Well, much to my surprise, I ended up being employed by Alan Boyd a short time later, and part of my job (and to a very limited extent, my social life) involved interacting with Mark.  Well, he knew who I was, and we never quite made friends.  Which is dumb–I mean, I voiced my opinion, but forget that these are real people, and that talking about the quality of one's work negatively can hurt.  I hurt Mark, to some extent, and it compromised what could have been a much better relationship.  This is a guy who has lived and breathed as much Beach Boys as anyone save Alan.

So I dunno.  I like people being free to voice opinions.  But that has consequences.  You know, people actively rooting for bootleggers to get a hold of things is what ultimately drove Alan away, I think.  He got that you want to hear this stuff, but he's continually put his health and sanity on the line to get you as much stuff as humanly possible, so to hear people constantly saying that his work wasn't good enough–I'm sure that felt great.

So criticize away.  The pops and clicks aren't going anywhere, but people worth hearing from are.

Pretty fascinating stuff.  I think ultimately though, like you said, people's feelings do get hurt... but that's life.  If someone like you truly has a problem with the way the album was produced, you have the right to complain about if if you'd like... there's consequences like you experienced, but that's the choices we all make.  Everything has consequences.  It's a shame you and Mark didn't get along as well as you could have, but your critique was honest.  He probably thinks you're full of sh*t, but at least he knows your point of view. 

Personally I love all the work Mark's done, but I don't have dog ears like some (You!) do. 

[SMiLE Brian]

TJI, from someone who heard the Japanese material (can't reveal source or anything else, alas):

there are some digital "clicks" or clipping sounds on the tracks. ...

Here we go again...Please say it isn't so. 

Maybe Mark needs to be trained on working with digital audio? He just can't get it right.

Wow, what a demeaning statement. I should hope he doesn't pop in here and read that. The man is a professional - and his work on Pet Sounds in stereo alone qualify him as worthy to handle the Beach Boys catalog. While I may not like everything he mixes, I don't think anyone here is in the position to suggest he needs training in any aspect of the field.

This. I'm embarrassed to know that he might see stuff like this on this board.

He actually has before. And has made it known, through certain channels, that he's not appreciative of comments like this.

I'm really tired of the negative behavior and armchair producing here.

[Andrew G. Doe]

After offering "Sunflower" & "Surf's Up" as a twofer, offering them in 2012 on two separate discs(and with no bonus tracks) is simply a poor value.

After making such an effort(in 2011) to give the fans everything that they wanted(or at least everything possible, given the still-existing tapes) in the 5-CD + vinyl + book "Smile Sessions" box set, I'm disappointed that the 2012 "50th Anniversary" archival campaign has been poorly coordinated, and falls far short of what it could have been.

There's roughly five months of 2012 left... oh, and weren't you the guy saying there wouldn't be any such releases in 2012 ?

Capitol's "Cohen of Silence" exists only inside your brain, and that's only because no-one involved is talking to you. Ever wondered why that might be , hm ? 

[hypehat]

It's the reason he doesn't post here anymore.

 

[puni puni]

"I've got the stereo mixes and am about to upload a few tracks on YouTube. Message me if you'd like a more complete and closer look."
















...Is what I'd like someone to post in this thread any day now.

[Alan Smith]

It's the reason he doesn't post here anymore.

 

Yeah, ditto

[Micha]

I'd venture to guess that our boy Phil here probably suffers from some sort of obsessive compulsive disorder.  In that perspective, his behavior is understandable.  I've known a few people like him and you simply can't get through to them, no matter how hard you try.

Can you recommend him a good therapist?

I mean, I don't read his posts, but it would be nice if there weren't so many posts just complaining about him. They cost time to skip them.

[Bean Bag]

It's the reason he doesn't post here anymore.

But, if the rumors of static pops or noises in the new remixes are correct, Capitol Records and/or the remixing or mastering engineers should not be exempt from being criticized.

Well, would you rather criticize them here and not get their input, or would you rather keep your criticisms private and have them post here?  The bell is too late to be unrung, obviously, but I for one very much miss Mark posting here, and I especially miss Alan posting here.

Maybe I shouldn't be sharing this, but, I'm going to.  Those of you who were around right after BWPS was released may remember that I was highly critical of the production.

Well, much to my surprise, I ended up being employed by Alan Boyd a short time later, and part of my job (and to a very limited extent, my social life) involved interacting with Mark.  Well, he knew who I was, and we never quite made friends.  Which is dumb–I mean, I voiced my opinion, but forget that these are real people, and that talking about the quality of one's work negatively can hurt.  I hurt Mark, to some extent, and it compromised what could have been a much better relationship.  This is a guy who has lived and breathed as much Beach Boys as anyone save Alan.

So I dunno.  I like people being free to voice opinions.  But that has consequences.  You know, people actively rooting for bootleggers to get a hold of things is what ultimately drove Alan away, I think.  He got that you want to hear this stuff, but he's continually put his health and sanity on the line to get you as much stuff as humanly possible, so to hear people constantly saying that his work wasn't good enough–I'm sure that felt great.

So criticize away.  The pops and clicks aren't going anywhere, but people worth hearing from are.

Thanks for sharing that!  Internet forums are "the wild."  Wild and crazy.  Because people are.  If you ask a question, you get bashed.  But someone will also help you.  That's the territory.  It's a mean world and it's a nice world.  And if you're James Brown...it's a man's world.

The days before the interweb sucked.

[Jimmie_R]

Can´t wait for these new remasters

[alanjames]

Why don't someone ban Phil Cohen?
It's just ridiculous enter here to read intelligent and informative posts about the great 2012 releases (and what a WONDERFUL year to be a BBs fan), and ended up reading so much downer posts from him, repeating the infamous "WALL OF SECRECY", "WALL OF SECRECY", "CAPITOL'S...WALL OF SECRECY".
This is a lunatic, extremely-paranoid "fan" who didn't understand and know nothing about recording companies/music industry politics (and he think he knows everything), and who don't want to be happy with everything that will be released: simply he wants more and more or something different (maybe he think he probably could do better everytime).

We got The Smile Sessions in various configurations (the box is a masterpiece), we got a new album and single, an Al Jardine's solo album physically released with bonus tracks, great books, a astounding reunion tour, cool official videos, new PBS special, and now these 2012 remasters and for who wants 2 greatest-hits package. And he doesn't get satisfied! Come on!
I'm really happy with everything, I would be with 1/3 of this list, and I'm just so proud to be a Beach Boys fan.

[SloopJohnB]

I haven't heard the new CDs so I can't comment on those, but I've heard the SMiLE sessions and I said what I had to say about some sounds that weren't supposed to be there.

I'll just say this - when we buy CDs, we're fans, but we're also customers. When you buy a car and find out it's poorly made, you talk about it on internet forums. And the engineers probably don't get mad.

[PhilCohen]

Why don't someone ban Phil Cohen?
It's just ridiculous enter here to read intelligent and informative posts about the great 2012 releases (and what a WONDERFUL year to be a BBs fan), and ended up reading so much downer posts from him, repeating the infamous "WALL OF SECRECY", "WALL OF SECRECY", "CAPITOL'S...WALL OF SECRECY".
This is a lunatic, extremely-paranoid "fan" who didn't understand and know nothing about recording companies/music industry politics (and he think he knows everything), and who don't want to be happy with everything that will be released: simply he wants more and more or something different (maybe he think he probably could do better everytime).

We got The Smile Sessions in various configurations (the box is a masterpiece), we got a new album and single, an Al Jardine's solo album physically released with bonus tracks, great books, a astounding reunion tour, cool official videos, new PBS special, and now these 2012 remasters and for who wants 2 greatest-hits package. And he doesn't get satisfied! Come on!
I'm really happy with everything, I would be with 1/3 of this list, and I'm just so proud to be a Beach Boys fan.

In response to the recent attacks against me(by various forum members), I should note that Mr.Linett & Mr.Boyd stopped participating in this forum BEFORE I joined the forum, so don't blame me for their exit!

[TheCanterburySound]

Why don't someone ban Phil Cohen?
It's just ridiculous enter here to read intelligent and informative posts about the great 2012 releases (and what a WONDERFUL year to be a BBs fan), and ended up reading so much downer posts from him, repeating the infamous "WALL OF SECRECY", "WALL OF SECRECY", "CAPITOL'S...WALL OF SECRECY".
This is a lunatic, extremely-paranoid "fan" who didn't understand and know nothing about recording companies/music industry politics (and he think he knows everything), and who don't want to be happy with everything that will be released: simply he wants more and more or something different (maybe he think he probably could do better everytime).

We got The Smile Sessions in various configurations (the box is a masterpiece), we got a new album and single, an Al Jardine's solo album physically released with bonus tracks, great books, a astounding reunion tour, cool official videos, new PBS special, and now these 2012 remasters and for who wants 2 greatest-hits package. And he doesn't get satisfied! Come on!
I'm really happy with everything, I would be with 1/3 of this list, and I'm just so proud to be a Beach Boys fan.

In response to your attack against me, I should note that Mr.Linett & Mr.Boyd stopped participating in this forum BEFORE I joined the forum, so don't blame me for their exit!

And where exactly did he blame you for their exit? 

[EgoHanger1966]

Retracted.

[pixletwin]

I'm listening to the  Today! stereo mix now, and I'm not digging it so much. Too much clipping, kinda top heavy and the EQ is like that of what was on the Warmth of The Sun remixes. 
Not blaming anyone, just saying. It isn't a pleasant listening experience for me.
Smiley Smile was great - can't say the same for this.
All IMO.

That is a bit disheartening to hear. 

[EgoHanger1966]

I take it back - I don't think that about ALL of it - as I'm listening, there are a couple mixes I'm liking - Dance Dance Dance and I'm So Young sound pretty good. Haven't finished listening yet. I can answer any specific questions about a certain track I guess.

[pixletwin]

I take it back - I don't think that about ALL of it - as I'm listening, there are a couple mixes I'm liking - Dance Dance Dance and I'm So Young sound pretty good. Haven't finished listening yet. I can answer any specific questions about a certain track I guess.

The ones I am looking forward to the most are WIGU(TBAM), KMB, and WITBOMM.. how do they sound? Any new revelations?

[drbeachboy]

I take it back - I don't think that about ALL of it - as I'm listening, there are a couple mixes I'm liking - Dance Dance Dance and I'm So Young sound pretty good. Haven't finished listening yet. I can answer any specific questions about a certain track I guess.

Which tracks aren't sounding so well?

[EgoHanger1966]

I take it back - I don't think that about ALL of it - as I'm listening, there are a couple mixes I'm liking - Dance Dance Dance and I'm So Young sound pretty good. Haven't finished listening yet. I can answer any specific questions about a certain track I guess.

The ones I am looking forward to the most are WIGU(TBAM), KMB, and WITBOMM.. how do they sound? Any new revelations?

The ones you are asking about are actually not the worst in my opinion - the ones I dislike are Do You Wanna Dance, Don't Hurt My Little Sister, and Please Let Me Wonder.

WIGU - Wide stereo, not too loud and it doesn't clip. Treble heavy.
KMB - Sounds a little different than the Warmth of The Sun remix. It has the same EQ as the Warmth mix - I can't describe what that sound is, but I guess you'll know it if you've heard it. Not as wide as WIGU - some sax at the end I hadn't noticed.
ITBOMM - Single tracked Dennis. Treble heavy. This is kind of kick ass.

[EgoHanger1966]

Bull Session is mono (probably for the better!)
She Knows Me Too Well has a faux-double tracked vocal - like YSBIM on the current Pet Sounds SACD.

[pixletwin]

I take it back - I don't think that about ALL of it - as I'm listening, there are a couple mixes I'm liking - Dance Dance Dance and I'm So Young sound pretty good. Haven't finished listening yet. I can answer any specific questions about a certain track I guess.

The ones I am looking forward to the most are WIGU(TBAM), KMB, and WITBOMM.. how do they sound? Any new revelations?

The ones you are asking about are actually not the worst in my opinion - the ones I dislike are Do You Wanna Dance, Don't Hurt My Little Sister, and Please Let Me Wonder.

WIGU - Wide stereo, not too loud and it doesn't clip. Treble heavy.
KMB - Sounds a little different than the Warmth of The Sun remix. It has the same EQ as the Warmth mix - I can't describe what that sound is, but I guess you'll know it if you've heard it. Not as wide as WIGU - some sax at the end I hadn't noticed.
ITBOMM - Single tracked Dennis. Treble heavy. This is kind of kick ass.

Sounds doable then. The ones you took issue with were the ones I always thought sounded substandard anyway. Thanks for the quick review.

[Heysaboda]

I take it back - I don't think that about ALL of it - as I'm listening, there are a couple mixes I'm liking - Dance Dance Dance and I'm So Young sound pretty good. Haven't finished listening yet. I can answer any specific questions about a certain track I guess.

The ones I am looking forward to the most are WIGU(TBAM), KMB, and WITBOMM.. how do they sound? Any new revelations?

The ones you are asking about are actually not the worst in my opinion - the ones I dislike are Do You Wanna Dance, Don't Hurt My Little Sister, and Please Let Me Wonder.

WIGU - Wide stereo, not too loud and it doesn't clip. Treble heavy.
KMB - Sounds a little different than the Warmth of The Sun remix. It has the same EQ as the Warmth mix - I can't describe what that sound is, but I guess you'll know it if you've heard it. Not as wide as WIGU - some sax at the end I hadn't noticed.
ITBOMM - Single tracked Dennis. Treble heavy. This is kind of kick ass.

ITBOMM ? WITBOMM ? WTF?  English translation anyone?  Checked the wiki lists -- didn't find these.

[EgoHanger1966]

I take it back - I don't think that about ALL of it - as I'm listening, there are a couple mixes I'm liking - Dance Dance Dance and I'm So Young sound pretty good. Haven't finished listening yet. I can answer any specific questions about a certain track I guess.

The ones I am looking forward to the most are WIGU(TBAM), KMB, and WITBOMM.. how do they sound? Any new revelations?

The ones you are asking about are actually not the worst in my opinion - the ones I dislike are Do You Wanna Dance, Don't Hurt My Little Sister, and Please Let Me Wonder.

WIGU - Wide stereo, not too loud and it doesn't clip. Treble heavy.
KMB - Sounds a little different than the Warmth of The Sun remix. It has the same EQ as the Warmth mix - I can't describe what that sound is, but I guess you'll know it if you've heard it. Not as wide as WIGU - some sax at the end I hadn't noticed.
ITBOMM - Single tracked Dennis. Treble heavy. This is kind of kick ass.

ITBOMM ? WITBOMM ? WTF?  English translation anyone?  Checked the wiki lists -- didn't find these.

In The Back Of My Mind. Pixletwin added a W at the front, I think it was just a mistake.
Listening to the mono mix now. I had heard some negative things about it, but so far I like it!
I bought Summer Days too, will listen to that later.
I will be happy to answer any and all questions, but please don't PM to ask me to share. Thanks.

[pixletwin]

Oops. Yeah I added the W for "way". Best word Dennis sings in the whole song next to "be". Yup.