Al Jardine vs The Beach Boys

[Rocky Raccoon]

Al relies way too much on his Beach Boys past to make his solo album anything special.  It's not horrible but it seems more like a tribute CD to himself rather than a conventional album.

"California Feelin'" was done much better on Brian Wilson's Classics compilation; California Saga, Help Me Rhonda, Honkin' Down the Highway, California Dreamin,' and the godawful Sloop John B cover (I don't know what he was thinking with that one) don't come close to surpassing the originals; while the only memorable "new" tracks in my opinion which are "Don't Fight the Sea" and "Waves of Love" rely heavily on the Beach Boys themselves.  The arrangements are mostly too sparse, the lyrics cheesy, the guest stars gimmicky (though I do like the Crosby, Stills, Jardine, and Young version of California Saga; the Beach Boys version is much better in terms of arrangement and production), and at best, I can call the album good background music for an outdoor restaurant.

"That's Why God Made the Radio" is an album made completely out of previously unreleased material and songs mostly written specifically for it.  While it doesn't rank with the Beach Boys' best work, it works as a cohesive album in conventional terms.  Also, let's face it.  Al Jardine is not a good songwriter.  He doesn't come close to matching Brian Wilson in ability and if we're comparing the two albums, that is painfully obvious.  Overall, "That's Why God Made the Radio" is the better album, no contest.

[Camus]

"California Feelin'" was done much better on Brian Wilson's Classics compilation;

Really?  I thought Brian Wilson's Classics comp version was awful.  Leaden with a totally uninterested Brian vocal.  I thought Al's version is the best version I've heard of the song (and I've heard Late Brian, Rocky Pamplin, Carl and Al sing it).

[Lonely Summer]

"California Feelin'" was done much better on Brian Wilson's Classics compilation;

Really?  I thought Brian Wilson's Classics comp version was awful.  Leaden with a totally uninterested Brian vocal.  I thought Al's version is the best version I've heard of the song (and I've heard Late Brian, Rocky Pamplin, Carl and Al sing it).

Same here!

Ditto!

[Aegir]

Al's is my least favorite. I think Brian's is awesome.

[Nicko1234]

Al`s is the best of the versions that I`ve heard too.

[Ziggy Stardust]

1 Think About The Days
2 That's Why God Made The Radio
3 Isn't It Time
4 A Postcard From California
5 Shelter
6 California Feelin'
7 Daybreak Over the Ocean
8 Waves Of Love
9 Strange World
10 And I Always Will
11 From There To Back Again
12 Pacific Coast Highway
13 Summer's Gone

imo

[Alan Smith]

A tough choice - I love 'em both, but I think I'll vote TWGMTR by a whisker; while Postcard has greater sonics and smokin' guitars, it's marred  by Tide Pool Interlude and the occasional uninspired retread lyric. 

Then again, TWGMTR has Strange World and Spring Vacation...what to do, what to do...

[Shady]

16 votes for "Postcard".

Matt Jardine must have 16 accounts on the board