Crazy thought: Best Beach Boys album after Pet Sounds is...

[I. Spaceman]

Love You isn't the best Beach Boys album after Pet Sounds. It is the best.

I know how much you love this album - actually it was your comments in 'Love You's thread (70s albums review section) that got me into listening it carefully.
 

Hey, right on, man! I am being hyperbolic to counter all the squares in this thread. Pet Sounds is definitely the best. Love You is just my favorite.

[SMiLE Brian]

The backing tracks for this album are at around or above the Pet Sounds level in my opinion. Brian still was at the top of his game producing music, the goofy lyrics are another story. I think this album could have been a major hit instead of a cult classic with a outside lyricist. Still, the goofy lyrics and amazing backing tracks capture the true essence of BW.

[lance]

I love the album; it hits a spot no other album hits. I prefer it to Pet Sounds, which is too vast and imperiously above me.

[Myk Luhv]

One time I was listening to this album when I was incredibly drunk and... you know how Brian talked about how certain albums "scared" him? I know that feel now, and love it. Love You forms an unimpeachable trifecta in Brian Wilson World: Pet Sounds, Smiley Smile and Love You are all jointly (get it, huhuhu) number one to me. <3

[schiaffino]

One time I was listening to this album when I was incredibly drunk and... you know how Brian talked about how certain albums "scared" him? I know that feel now, and love it. Love You forms an unimpeachable trifecta in Brian Wilson World: Pet Sounds, Smiley Smile and Love You are all jointly (get it, huhuhu) number one to me. <3

 

Had a 'similar' experience while listening to 'Do you like worms' from the TSS...during the last bit (when Brian sings in Hawaiian) the song all of a sudden became stereo - I heard a completely new channel, clean and beautiful...it actually freaked me out, so had to stop the song.

Weird 

[mr_oleary]

One time I was listening to this album when I was incredibly drunk and... you know how Brian talked about how certain albums "scared" him? I know that feel now, and love it. Love You forms an unimpeachable trifecta in Brian Wilson World: Pet Sounds, Smiley Smile and Love You are all jointly (get it, huhuhu) number one to me. <3

Makes sense, some of the instrumentation on these tracks are purely demonic.  The backing track on Roller Skating Child is a great example.  Not necessarily 'bad vibrations' (a la Fire) but perhaps satanic vibrations are abound in that one.

[Micha]

Interesting, a thread to praise the Love You album, and most of the posts are from people who don't like it. Neither do I. The instrumentation, arrangement and vocals ruin each and every song on it. (Good Time excluded.) And the songs ARE good. If I imagine "Let's Put Our Hearts Together" on Today, "The Night Was So Young" on Pet Sounds, "Love Is A Woman" on Sunflower... all instant classics. But like this... no enjoyment for me, just regret.

An interesting perspective. Do you dislike the heavy use of 1970s synthesizers per se or is it just the sound of these particular arrangements you don't enjoy?

Both, probably. The drums are the worst drum tracks ever recorded, too, IMHO. "Let Us Go On This Way" with some neat driving bass drum, plus preferably some prominent guitar, and you'd have me.

Thanks for your question!

[Sheriff John Stone]

Interesting, a thread to praise the Love You album, and most of the posts are from people who don't like it. Neither do I. The instrumentation, arrangement and vocals ruin each and every song on it. (Good Time excluded.) And the songs ARE good. If I imagine "Let's Put Our Hearts Together" on Today, "The Night Was So Young" on Pet Sounds, "Love Is A Woman" on Sunflower... all instant classics. But like this... no enjoyment for me, just regret.

An interesting perspective. Do you dislike the heavy use of 1970s synthesizers per se or is it just the sound of these particular arrangements you don't enjoy?

Both, probably. The drums are the worst drum tracks ever recorded, too, IMHO. "Let Us Go On This Way" with some neat driving bass drum, plus preferably some prominent guitar, and you'd have me.

Thanks for your question!

The drums are some of my favorite parts of Love You. Brian got so much out of so little. Genius drums.

[schiaffino]

Interesting, a thread to praise the Love You album, and most of the posts are from people who don't like it. Neither do I. The instrumentation, arrangement and vocals ruin each and every song on it. (Good Time excluded.) And the songs ARE good. If I imagine "Let's Put Our Hearts Together" on Today, "The Night Was So Young" on Pet Sounds, "Love Is A Woman" on Sunflower... all instant classics. But like this... no enjoyment for me, just regret.

An interesting perspective. Do you dislike the heavy use of 1970s synthesizers per se or is it just the sound of these particular arrangements you don't enjoy?

Both, probably. The drums are the worst drum tracks ever recorded, too, IMHO. "Let Us Go On This Way" with some neat driving bass drum, plus preferably some prominent guitar, and you'd have me.

Thanks for your question!

The drums are some of my favorite parts of Love You. Brian got so much out of so little. Genius drums.

Agree with the Sheriff! The drums are key to the weird, appealing sound. Like I stated at the begining of this thread, 'Love You' is the best creative output coming out of Brian Wilson since 'Pet Sounds'.

[Micha]

Interesting, a thread to praise the Love You album, and most of the posts are from people who don't like it. Neither do I. The instrumentation, arrangement and vocals ruin each and every song on it. (Good Time excluded.) And the songs ARE good. If I imagine "Let's Put Our Hearts Together" on Today, "The Night Was So Young" on Pet Sounds, "Love Is A Woman" on Sunflower... all instant classics. But like this... no enjoyment for me, just regret.

An interesting perspective. Do you dislike the heavy use of 1970s synthesizers per se or is it just the sound of these particular arrangements you don't enjoy?

Both, probably. The drums are the worst drum tracks ever recorded, too, IMHO. "Let Us Go On This Way" with some neat driving bass drum, plus preferably some prominent guitar, and you'd have me.

Thanks for your question!

The drums are some of my favorite parts of Love You. Brian got so much out of so little. Genius drums.

That's your opinion. My opinion is he got little out of little. Not genius, bad.

[Jay]

I'm going to throw out a truly off the wall "wtf?" answer to this thread "question". That's Why God Made The Radio.

*sitting back, arms folded, grinning". 

[schiaffino]

I'm going to throw out a truly off the wall "wtf?" answer to this thread "question". That's Why God Made The Radio.

*sitting back, arms folded, grinning". 

Fair enough. But isn't our judgement maybe clouded by the fact that it was the first recording of the band in almost 20 years? And that we were celebrating their 50th anniversary?

Don't get me wrong, it's an impressive album. But can we really be impartial in its ranking?

[I. Spaceman]

Interesting, a thread to praise the Love You album, and most of the posts are from people who don't like it. Neither do I. The instrumentation, arrangement and vocals ruin each and every song on it. (Good Time excluded.) And the songs ARE good. If I imagine "Let's Put Our Hearts Together" on Today, "The Night Was So Young" on Pet Sounds, "Love Is A Woman" on Sunflower... all instant classics. But like this... no enjoyment for me, just regret.

An interesting perspective. Do you dislike the heavy use of 1970s synthesizers per se or is it just the sound of these particular arrangements you don't enjoy?

Both, probably. The drums are the worst drum tracks ever recorded, too, IMHO. "Let Us Go On This Way" with some neat driving bass drum, plus preferably some prominent guitar, and you'd have me.

Thanks for your question!

The drums are some of my favorite parts of Love You. Brian got so much out of so little. Genius drums.

That's your opinion. My opinion is he got little out of little. Not genius, bad.

Yeah, we've heard that you think this great Beach Boys album sucks. Isn't it great to say how much Brian Wilson's music is crap?

[Micha]

Interesting, a thread to praise the Love You album, and most of the posts are from people who don't like it. Neither do I. The instrumentation, arrangement and vocals ruin each and every song on it. (Good Time excluded.) And the songs ARE good. If I imagine "Let's Put Our Hearts Together" on Today, "The Night Was So Young" on Pet Sounds, "Love Is A Woman" on Sunflower... all instant classics. But like this... no enjoyment for me, just regret.

An interesting perspective. Do you dislike the heavy use of 1970s synthesizers per se or is it just the sound of these particular arrangements you don't enjoy?

Both, probably. The drums are the worst drum tracks ever recorded, too, IMHO. "Let Us Go On This Way" with some neat driving bass drum, plus preferably some prominent guitar, and you'd have me.

Thanks for your question!

The drums are some of my favorite parts of Love You. Brian got so much out of so little. Genius drums.

That's your opinion. My opinion is he got little out of little. Not genius, bad.

Yeah, we've heard that you think this great Beach Boys album sucks. Isn't it great to say how much Brian Wilson's music is crap?

No it ain't. Side one of the 1964 christmas album is on heavy rotation at my place at the moment, so is WIRWFC. And it's been a VERY long time since I listened to a newly released album as often as TWGMTR, with great enjoyment.

Sorry if my opinion bugged you and reading it bored you. I accept your opinion about Love You, and I'm happy for your ability to enjoy it. But it is still an opinion, not a fact. My last word: They should record a new version of Love You with real arrangements that do the songs justice!

[Jay]

I'm going to throw out a truly off the wall "wtf?" answer to this thread "question". That's Why God Made The Radio.

*sitting back, arms folded, grinning". 

Fair enough. But isn't our judgement maybe clouded by the fact that it was the first recording of the band in almost 20 years? And that we were celebrating their 50th anniversary?

Don't get me wrong, it's an impressive album. But can we really be impartial in its ranking?

Good point(s). I guess it can be very easy to "hype" the album, simply because it's been so long since the group has made another studio recording, and that it's not another Summer In Paradise.  To be honest, I was being slightly facetious in my comment, simply to see how people would react.  It may not be THE BEST album since Pet Sounds, but it's close. With songs like Strange World, The Private Life of Bill and Sue, and the title track, it is quite possibly the group's best effort since Holland. It is certainly their most "consistent" recording since Holland. The final three songs are staggeringly great. Not since Surf's Up has their been such a "triple whammy" ending to a Beach Boys record.

[Micha]

I'm going to throw out a truly off the wall "wtf?" answer to this thread "question". That's Why God Made The Radio.

*sitting back, arms folded, grinning". 

Fair enough. But isn't our judgement maybe clouded by the fact that it was the first recording of the band in almost 20 years? And that we were celebrating their 50th anniversary?

Don't get me wrong, it's an impressive album. But can we really be impartial in its ranking?

Good point(s). I guess it can be very easy to "hype" the album, simply because it's been so long since the group has made another studio recording, and that it's not another Summer In Paradise.  To be honest, I was being slightly facetious in my comment, simply to see how people would react.  It may not be THE BEST album since Pet Sounds, but it's close. With songs like Strange World, The Private Life of Bill and Sue, and the title track, it is quite possibly the group's best effort since Holland. It is certainly their most "consistent" recording since Holland. The final three songs are staggeringly great. Not since Surf's Up has their been such a "triple whammy" ending to a Beach Boys record.

Personally, I think TWGMTR is their best album since Sunflower. Only bummer on it to me is "The Private Life of Bill and Sue", which I can't stand (cringes). The other tracks I'd rate between good, great, and classic.

[schiaffino]

I'm going to throw out a truly off the wall "wtf?" answer to this thread "question". That's Why God Made The Radio.

*sitting back, arms folded, grinning". 

Fair enough. But isn't our judgement maybe clouded by the fact that it was the first recording of the band in almost 20 years? And that we were celebrating their 50th anniversary?

Don't get me wrong, it's an impressive album. But can we really be impartial in its ranking?

Good point(s). I guess it can be very easy to "hype" the album, simply because it's been so long since the group has made another studio recording, and that it's not another Summer In Paradise.  To be honest, I was being slightly facetious in my comment, simply to see how people would react.  It may not be THE BEST album since Pet Sounds, but it's close. With songs like Strange World, The Private Life of Bill and Sue, and the title track, it is quite possibly the group's best effort since Holland. It is certainly their most "consistent" recording since Holland. The final three songs are staggeringly great. Not since Surf's Up has their been such a "triple whammy" ending to a Beach Boys record.

Actually you got me started on sth...with 'Brian Wilson Presents Smile' a lot of people here questioned the real level o Brian's involvement. I wonder, does everyone see Brian Wilson as having a more real 'production' participation on TWGMTR? The coda I agree is spectacular...but would people question his producer input here as much as they do with, say, the 2nd movement in BWPS?

To be honest...I don't know. I want to believe that all these beautiful productions are (still) his. But I want to listen to everyone's opinion.

[phirnis]

I'm going to throw out a truly off the wall "wtf?" answer to this thread "question". That's Why God Made The Radio.

*sitting back, arms folded, grinning". 

Fair enough. But isn't our judgement maybe clouded by the fact that it was the first recording of the band in almost 20 years? And that we were celebrating their 50th anniversary?

Don't get me wrong, it's an impressive album. But can we really be impartial in its ranking?

Good point(s). I guess it can be very easy to "hype" the album, simply because it's been so long since the group has made another studio recording, and that it's not another Summer In Paradise.  To be honest, I was being slightly facetious in my comment, simply to see how people would react.  It may not be THE BEST album since Pet Sounds, but it's close. With songs like Strange World, The Private Life of Bill and Sue, and the title track, it is quite possibly the group's best effort since Holland. It is certainly their most "consistent" recording since Holland. The final three songs are staggeringly great. Not since Surf's Up has their been such a "triple whammy" ending to a Beach Boys record.

I'd say it's more like their best album since BB85, with stuff like "Beaches in Mind" being quite reminiscent of Still Cruisin'. TWGMTR is a good album from beginning to end and I love the closing trilogy as much as anyone, but personally I don't think it's even close to any of the classic albums they did between '63 and '77.

[hypehat]

It's half a good album. The production is really starting to kill it for me, even on the best tracks. Damn you, Joe Thomas....

[Theydon Bois]

It's half a good album. The production is really starting to kill it for me, even on the best tracks. Damn you, Joe Thomas....

Amen to that; I can't get past the autotune.  I think of TWGMTR as equal in quality to the 1985 album: some good songs, some not-so-good songs, but all fatally hamstrung by the same error of judgement, namely the adoption of the vogueish production techniques du jour.  If the premier vocal group of the rock'n'roll era needs that much artificial assistance to make a competent record (which they really don't), then I have to wonder what the point is.

(I loved the three new tracks at Wembley though.)

[phirnis]

In terms of production and overall sound, I think it could have been MUCH worse.

That said, when I first heard the lead-off single it sounded like pure plastic somehow, in a strange way. I couldn't tell any of their voices apart from each other (except for Brian's, of course) and it took a couple of spins until I really could distinctively hear Alan and Mike. That was a bit weird but now I really like that song, so I guess it's alright.

Some of the vocal effects still annoy me but overall TWGMTR strikes me as much more tastefully produced than, say, Imagination or, for the most part, BB85.

[Sam_BFC]

I've been loving TWGMTR...I guess it quite possibly could have been better with a more 'organic' approach to the production style, but I agree it still turned out more tasteful than something like Imagination.

For some reason, the auto-tune hasn't really bothered me.  The thing I'd say I like the least about it is way some of the drums sound; rather artificial sounding/possibly entirely sample-replaced at certain points.

[Micha]

I've been loving TWGMTR...I guess it quite possibly could have been better with a more 'organic' approach to the production style

Depends on the organ you use as a template. I don't miss farty synth basses, I'm telling you!

[hypehat]

Some of the vocal effects still annoy me but overall TWGMTR strikes me as much more tastefully produced than, say, Imagination

This is basically it - it's still drenched in synthetic echo and the vocals are homogenised with studio trickery... but the source materials aren't gloop, as it was in Imagination.

Waiting for inevitable 'That's Why God Stripped The Radio' project where someone takes off all the crap effects. Capitol, I volunteer my services, but I will not back down on the name.

[Bean Bag]

The drums are some of my favorite parts of Love You. Brian got so much out of so little. Genius drums.

I love the drum sound!!!  And that fat synth bass!!!  This is actually my favorite era of the beach boys -- largely because of those two delicious ingredients. 

Which brings me to my point -- Good Time.  That song kills the mojo for me.  When it's over -- that big drum sound is back -- and I'm all like "yeah."  But that's my point... Love You isn't perfect.  I think Today is more perfect, and probably the best after PS as a result of it's perfection.

But Love You... coming from my favorite era of the Beach Boys... well it's the tops.