BB opinions on each other's solo albums

[Rocky Raccoon]

I love Brian's 1988 album.  Even if it's not the best production-wise (though I don't mind the production, I think it works at some points), it's one of his best musically and vocally.  And "Rio Grande" is an underrated masterpiece.

[Amy B.]

I love Brian's 1988 album.  Even if it's not the best production-wise (though I don't mind the production, I think it works at some points), it's one of his best musically and vocally.  And "Rio Grande" is an underrated masterpiece.

The songwriting on BW88 is excellent.

[phirnis]

BW88 does have its flaws but I still think it's a fantastic record, almost on par with most of the group's classic 60s/70s work.

[BergenWhitesMoustache]

Yeah...I dig '88 as well. It sounds really eighties, but at the same time it SOUNDS like Brian, in a studio, layering a bunch of synths up himself. Whether it is or not, I don't know, but that's been lacking in his records since, which all sound a bit tasteful to  me

[shelter]

I'd imagine it's less Bruce doesn't like POB and more Bruce says he doesn't like POB because Mike and Dennis didn't get on and Bruce has his head permanently wedged up Mike's backside.

Well, if Bruce's own music is representative for his musical taste, than I can see why POB just isn't his type of album. Dennis's music was raw, deep and soulful. Bruce's music is slick, smooth and sterile. I don't find it that hard to believe that they probably weren't each other's biggest fans. I can't really see Dennis getting a big kick out of something like Disney Girls or I Write the Songs either. But that's OK, some of my best friends make music that I don't like, and vice versa. It's not a problem.

[Gohi]

He had no problem talking about Dennis' work and POB with me. I have a very funny quote from him in the book actually.

Sir, I would like to read your book. That is all.

[Jim V.]

Bruce doesn't like POB

I mean, obviously it pales next to Going Public, but even so that's a bit rich

I'd imagine it's less Bruce doesn't like POB and more Bruce says he doesn't like POB because Mike and Dennis didn't get on and Bruce has his head permanently wedged up Mike's backside. I seem to recall Bruce also being dismissive of Little Bird as well. Seems to still be a lot of contempt towards Dennis amongst certain members of the band, despite his having been dead now for three decades, which you would assume was punishment enough for whatever it was he did that annoyed them all those years ago... It's hard not to picture Dennis songs being endlessly voted down for inclusion on the forthcoming boxset because of certain band members ancient grudges.

I do think Bruce probably does agree with Mike about Dennis. That he was a useless druggy or whatever. I also find it interesting that a lot of the time when Mike talks about the old days, he would say something like "me, Brian, Carl, Al, and Bruce" would do this or that. He would conspicuously leave Dennis' name out. Maybe it's because he's been gone for so long, but it almost seems like Mike wants to wipe him out of Beach Boys history. I'm not anti-Mike by any means, but I could definitely see him purposely omitting Dennis, which I noticed he's done quite a bit.

He had no problem talking about Dennis' work and POB with me. I have a very funny quote from him in the book actually.

When are we gonna see this book Mike?!? I need to have that thing in my hands, pronto!

Some poster narrated the story that when he went to catch Bruce for signing an autograph on the album, Bruce immediately said to toss it & quickly left that human alone.

If that human is still with us, it'd be great to hear the rest of the story.

What's with you calling people humans? Usually one would say, "...quickly left that person alone" or "if that person is still with us..."

[Jim V.]

BW88 does have its flaws but I still think it's a fantastic record, almost on par with most of the group's classic 60s/70s work.

Agreed.

[I. Spaceman]

Oh my God! Maybe RangeRover ISN'T HUMAN!

[Myk Luhv]

Bruce of all people should be the most jealous of any of the group, he's never written anything even half as good as Dennis's weaker efforts! How can somebody whose CV includes Keepin' the Summer Alive and his solo albums talk sh*t like that with a straight face?

[joe_blow]

Bruce doesn't like POB

I mean, obviously it pales next to Going Public, but even so that's a bit rich

I'd imagine it's less Bruce doesn't like POB and more Bruce says he doesn't like POB because Mike and Dennis didn't get on and Bruce has his head permanently wedged up Mike's backside. I seem to recall Bruce also being dismissive of Little Bird as well. Seems to still be a lot of contempt towards Dennis amongst certain members of the band, despite his having been dead now for three decades, which you would assume was punishment enough for whatever it was he did that annoyed them all those years ago... It's hard not to picture Dennis songs being endlessly voted down for inclusion on the forthcoming boxset because of certain band members ancient grudges.

I do think Bruce probably does agree with Mike about Dennis. That he was a useless druggy or whatever. I also find it interesting that a lot of the time when Mike talks about the old days, he would say something like "me, Brian, Carl, Al, and Bruce" would do this or that. He would conspicuously leave Dennis' name out. Maybe it's because he's been gone for so long, but it almost seems like Mike wants to wipe him out of Beach Boys history. I'm not anti-Mike by any means, but I could definitely see him purposely omitting Dennis, which I noticed he's done quite a bit.

He had no problem talking about Dennis' work and POB with me. I have a very funny quote from him in the book actually.

I have noticed for years that when referencing the past Mike loves to recall....""...then Brian and I..." almost like he wants to keep everyone reminded that they collaborated. In the podcasts for TWOTS, I recall Mike and Bruce saying some nice things about Dennis-Bruce calling him a prince and calling Forever Dennis' finest work. Mike only went so far as to say how popular Dennis was with the girls.

[punkinhead]

There is another recent interview with Brian conducted by Howie Edelson where Brian says he likes Dennis solo album, and doesn't like Carl's. That's from maybe a year or two ago.

Wondering why he doesn't like Carl's albums, I'm guessing he just can't relate to them...obviously Brian likes Heaven, being that he recorded it a little while ago.

Oh yeah! Heaven was performed live with the Beach Boys.

[oldsurferdude]

                                   COUNTRY  LUHV

[runnersdialzero]

I wonder what oldsurferdude would talk about here if he didn't slam Mike Love in literally every post. His obsession reeks of closet fanboyism, just as often times, those most violently opposed to homosexuality would be the butt fuckinest homos on earth if only they weren't in such extreme denial, usually for totally silly reasons.

[smilethebeachboysloveyou]

There is another recent interview with Brian conducted by Howie Edelson where Brian says he likes Dennis solo album, and doesn't like Carl's. That's from maybe a year or two ago.

Wondering why he doesn't like Carl's albums, I'm guessing he just can't relate to them...obviously Brian likes Heaven, being that he recorded it a little while ago.

Oh yeah! Heaven was performed live with the Beach Boys.

Carl's solo albums are, on the whole, not that good.  There are some good tracks (my favorites are "Givin' You Up" and "Of the Times" from Youngblood, but "Heaven" is also decent) and none of the songs on either album are cringe-worthily bad, but for the most part they are pretty dull.

[joshferrell]

There is another recent interview with Brian conducted by Howie Edelson where Brian says he likes Dennis solo album, and doesn't like Carl's. That's from maybe a year or two ago.

Wondering why he doesn't like Carl's albums, I'm guessing he just can't relate to them...obviously Brian likes Heaven, being that he recorded it a little while ago.

Oh yeah! Heaven was performed live with the Beach Boys.

Carl's solo albums are, on the whole, not that good.  There are some good tracks (my favorites are "Givin' You Up" and "Of the Times" from Youngblood, but "Heaven" is also decent) and none of the songs on either album are cringe-worthily bad, but for the most part they are pretty dull.

"Of the times" should have been on a beach boys album,it's that good..

[Sheriff John Stone]

"Of the times" should have been on a beach boys album,it's that good..

Excellent song. Youngblood is a very good album, both the songs and especially Carl's vocals.

This is an interesting thread. Through the years, and I'm going way back, whenever a solo album was released, I used to wonder how many times the other guys listened to that album. I wouldn't be surprised if it was no more than one or two times. I would especially be curious to know how many times Brian has listened to his brothers' albums.

[Jason Penick]

Are there any `should be hits` on either BW88 or Mike`s solo stuff?

Love and Mercy isn`t because of the synthesized productions (hence it wasn`t a hit) and that goes for most of the album.

I don`t hear any potential hits in Mike`s stuff either. I suppose that if Running Around the World had been included in that advertising campaign then it might have done ok and arguably Country Pie ought to have been released by the BBs instead of Peggy Sue.

It's funny you mention this. You might be aware Curt Becher (Boettcher) produced LBWL. What you may not be aware of is that as early as 1982, there were Arbitron-styled listener-generated surveys that could "predict" (how accurately? who could say?) "hit" singles in advance.

So the story goes, "Runnin' Around the World" scored *really* high in these user ratings. It seemed as Mike might have had a pre-"Kokomo" hit on his hands.

The problem was, Mike had a habit of not wanting to pay his backing musicians. Musicians that were essentially from the stable of Curt Becher, such as Mike Meros. Guys that backed Mike on his solo gigs as the Endless Summer Beach Band.

The upshot being, Curt advocated for his crew, and told Mike in no uncertain terms, you don't pay these guys, you don't get the song. Curt had the rights to the track. Mike ultimate acquiesced.

There's still some promo copies of a "Runnin' Around the World"/ "One Good Reason" 45 on there on the Neil Bogart's Boardwalk label. Truly a real Beach Boys collectable!

More than you probably ever wanted to know, but there you go.

[BergenWhitesMoustache]

Carl's solo albums are, on the whole, not that good.  There are some good tracks (my favorites are "Givin' You Up" and "Of the Times" from Youngblood, but "Heaven" is also decent) and none of the songs on either album are cringe-worthily bad, but for the most part they are pretty dull.

"Of the times" should have been on a beach boys album,it's that good..

Which one? KTSA?

I'd sooner listen to Mike or Bruce's solo records than Carls. At least they are kind of fun, tasteless and crappy (Disco Deidre!). His are just boring. Heaven is a nice song, but the production blows...it's crazy considering the great production he did on BB records in the late sixties-early seventies.

[MBE]

He had no problem talking about Dennis' work and POB with me. I have a very funny quote from him in the book actually.

Sir, I would like to read your book. That is all.

I will keep everyone updated. Haven't heard back from the publishers yet, but I hope to be able to say something over the next few months. I would love them to see the interest it has generated here, and elsewhere, but I'm not sure how to present that in a somewhat formal fashion. Any ideas are very welcome.

[MBE]

There is another recent interview with Brian conducted by Howie Edelson where Brian says he likes Dennis solo album, and doesn't like Carl's. That's from maybe a year or two ago.

Wondering why he doesn't like Carl's albums, I'm guessing he just can't relate to them...obviously Brian likes Heaven, being that he recorded it a little while ago.

Oh yeah! Heaven was performed live with the Beach Boys.

To my ears, and maybe Brian's, the difference is that POB has some of Dennis' best work, while Carl's (outside of Heaven) is found elsewhere.

[punkinhead]

Are there any `should be hits` on either BW88 or Mike`s solo stuff?

Love and Mercy isn`t because of the synthesized productions (hence it wasn`t a hit) and that goes for most of the album.

I don`t hear any potential hits in Mike`s stuff either. I suppose that if Running Around the World had been included in that advertising campaign then it might have done ok and arguably Country Pie ought to have been released by the BBs instead of Peggy Sue.

It's funny you mention this. You might be aware Curt Becher (Boettcher) produced LBWL. What you may not be aware of is that as early as 1982, there were Arbitron-styled listener-generated surveys that could "predict" (how accurately? who could say?) "hit" singles in advance.

So the story goes, "Runnin' Around the World" scored *really* high in these user ratings. It seemed as Mike might have had a pre-"Kokomo" hit on his hands.

The problem was, Mike had a habit of not wanting to pay his backing musicians. Musicians that were essentially from the stable of Curt Becher, such as Mike Meros. Guys that backed Mike on his solo gigs as the Endless Summer Beach Band.

The upshot being, Curt advocated for his crew, and told Mike in no uncertain terms, you don't pay these guys, you don't get the song. Curt had the rights to the track. Mike ultimate acquiesced.

There's still some promo copies of a "Runnin' Around the World"/ "One Good Reason" 45 on there on the Neil Bogart's Boardwalk label. Truly a real Beach Boys collectable!

More than you probably ever wanted to know, but there you go.

That was a good story!
Seein that 45 title, One good Reason as the b-side, it's prolly my favorite from LBWL. It's one of Mike's better, slowed down song vocals. I wouldn't mind it if it was on BB85.

[Rocker]

In recent interviews (this year) Al mentioned that "That lucky old sun" is a very cool album and I believe Mike mentioned that Brian did a Gershwin project. I don't know if Mike had heard it. Given that Bruce had to tell him during a live interview after the Grammys that he (Bruce) wasn't the only Beach Boy who won a Grammy - as Mike had just stated - I don't know if Mike really knows much about Brian's solo albums.

[punkinhead]

In recent interviews (this year) Al mentioned that "That lucky old sun" is a very cool album and I believe Mike mentioned that Brian did a Gershwin project. I don't know if Mike had heard it. Given that Bruce had to tell him during a live interview after the Grammys that he (Bruce) wasn't the only Beach Boy who won a Grammy - as Mike had just stated - I don't know if Mike really knows much about Brian's solo albums.

That's kinda sad that I know more about Brian's solo work than Mike does. Show's how much time of day Mike gives Brian sometimes.

[runnersdialzero]

In recent interviews (this year) Al mentioned that "That lucky old sun" is a very cool album and I believe Mike mentioned that Brian did a Gershwin project. I don't know if Mike had heard it. Given that Bruce had to tell him during a live interview after the Grammys that he (Bruce) wasn't the only Beach Boy who won a Grammy - as Mike had just stated - I don't know if Mike really knows much about Brian's solo albums.

That's kinda sad that I know more about Brian's solo work than Mike does. Show's how much time of day Mike gives Brian sometimes.

It happens. I have a couple friends who I used to be in bands with. I still like them, we still get along, I wish them well with their current projects and while the stuff they're doing now doesn't offend me or anything, it doesn't really do much of anything for me, either.