published reviews of MIC

[the professor]

No, Nicko, as I hear it, they sound great: rough, bluesy, haggard, a real down home vocal style. Can't get enough of it.
Another question about PR's review. Who is playing that keyboard solo in Help Me Rhonda (Dennis on lead vocals). Did he say it's the Captain?  Do I hear Dennis say "take it Billy" (Billy H?). Have I misunderstood?
best to all from the Professor, and thanks for making this such a good thread.

A really interesting read.

Was Sumahama really included on KTSA in Japan though?

The only opinion I would disagree with would be the assessment of Why Don't they Let us Fall in Love? Mike and Brian sound pretty crappy on this one.

[Gregg]

I would say most definitely that it's Billy on the piano solo. He played this piano solo a LOT over the years and it continued to evolve somewhat, but that definitely sounds lke his style.

Also, there's the fact that you can hear Dennis say, "Take it, Billy." 

[SurfRiderHawaii]

http://www.wmmr.com/music/news/story.aspx?ID=2034663

Sorry, not a review but I didn't want to start a new thread. Another good article by Howie, and happy birthday to Al Jardine.

[Don Malcolm]

Superb piece, Peter. Paul Williams would be proud of you. Depth of knowledge and a light touch--unbeatable!

[buddhahat]

Nice review from Drowned In Sound acknowledging the Dennis contributions to the set:

http://drownedinsound.com/releases/17837/reviews/4146826?ticker

[the professor]

this is a wonderful review. Notice how he talks about the amazing coherence, even when the songs are played randomly. This is precisely the kind of Sonic magic that the professor has been discussing concerning this album. I cannot put it into words, but this musical experience that is simply the Beach Boys is unlike anything I have ever experienced.I believe that many of these reviews are expressing a similar sense of awe that just how much how deep how beautiful and how emotional this corpus is when seen from any angle, as it were.


quote author=buddhahat link=topic=16276.msg399426#msg399426 date=1378500205]
Nice review from Drowned In Sound acknowledging the Dennis contributions to the set:

http://drownedinsound.com/releases/17837/reviews/4146826?ticker
[/quote]

[buddhahat]

MIC now on Metacritic:

http://www.metacritic.com/music/made-in-california-box-set/the-beach-boys

[Mark Dillon]

I teamed up with Andrew Burns of website Biff Bam Pop for our own take on our favorite inclusions on the set.

http://biffbampop.com/2013/09/09/10-big-ones-guest-blogger-mark-dillon-and-andy-burns-pick-their-must-hears-from-the-beach-boys-made-in-california-box-set/

[drbeachboy]

I teamed up with Andrew Burns of website Biff Bam Pop for our own take on our favorite inclusions on the set.

http://biffbampop.com/2013/09/09/10-big-ones-guest-blogger-mark-dillon-and-andy-burns-pick-their-must-hears-from-the-beach-boys-made-in-california-box-set/

Thanks Mark, a fun read. By the way, where did your (Wouldn't It Be Nice To) Live Again story originate? It is a bit different than the standard story circulating.

[Mark Dillon]

I teamed up with Andrew Burns of website Biff Bam Pop for our own take on our favorite inclusions on the set.

http://biffbampop.com/2013/09/09/10-big-ones-guest-blogger-mark-dillon-and-andy-burns-pick-their-must-hears-from-the-beach-boys-made-in-california-box-set/

Thanks Mark, a fun read. By the way, where did your (Wouldn't It Be Nice To) Live Again story originate? It is a bit different than the standard story circulating.

Thanks Dr.BB. I used the word "theory" in there. In this thread: http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php?topic=9651.0, Rieley touches on the half and half Wilson/non-Wilson makeup of the album. I don't know if he ever got more specific than that. If Al and Mike were insistent on getting their songs on the album, then a couple of Wilson tunes had to go, which may have led to the Carl/Dennis standoff we've heard about. Whose songs would get cut? Of course, this doesn't explain why they couldn't have just gone with 12 tracks.

[Mark Dillon]

In short, Rieley says, "When Carl and I compiled the album running order, most versions had the Wilson songs on one side and the jive on the other. It was uncool, so we changed to the running order you know."

[drbeachboy]

In short, Rieley says, "When Carl and I compiled the album running order, most versions had the Wilson songs on one side and the jive on the other. It was uncool, so we changed to the running order you know."

"...and the jive on the other."   Great quote.

[Heysaboda]

This comment I find hilarious:

'It becomes very clear at this point that this collection is a gift to the fans for 50 years of support.'

well, just not a "free gift"........

[Smilin Ed H]

Here's a good review by Bob Stanley of St Etienne - scroll down; it's the second one.

http://fridaynightboys300.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/the-beach-boys-made-in-california-2013.html

[Smilin Ed H]

Love that he likes Stevie!

[Please delete my account]

Love that he likes Stevie!

And even covered it.

[Nicko1234]

Thanks Dr.BB. I used the word "theory" in there. In this thread: http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php?topic=9651.0, Rieley touches on the half and half Wilson/non-Wilson makeup of the album. I don't know if he ever got more specific than that. If Al and Mike were insistent on getting their songs on the album, then a couple of Wilson tunes had to go, which may have led to the Carl/Dennis standoff we've heard about. Whose songs would get cut? Of course, this doesn't explain why they couldn't have just gone with 12 tracks.

Exactly. They could have gone with 12 tracks. And it discounts all of the previously mentioned stories about Dennis himself pulling the songs.

[Mark Dillon]

Thanks Dr.BB. I used the word "theory" in there. In this thread: http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php?topic=9651.0, Rieley touches on the half and half Wilson/non-Wilson makeup of the album. I don't know if he ever got more specific than that. If Al and Mike were insistent on getting their songs on the album, then a couple of Wilson tunes had to go, which may have led to the Carl/Dennis standoff we've heard about. Whose songs would get cut? Of course, this doesn't explain why they couldn't have just gone with 12 tracks.

Exactly. They could have gone with 12 tracks. And it discounts all of the previously mentioned stories about Dennis himself pulling the songs.

Right. I meant to say they perhaps didn't go with 12 tracks in order to keep that Wilson/non-Wilson ratio even.

[Nicko1234]

Thanks Dr.BB. I used the word "theory" in there. In this thread: http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php?topic=9651.0, Rieley touches on the half and half Wilson/non-Wilson makeup of the album. I don't know if he ever got more specific than that. If Al and Mike were insistent on getting their songs on the album, then a couple of Wilson tunes had to go, which may have led to the Carl/Dennis standoff we've heard about. Whose songs would get cut? Of course, this doesn't explain why they couldn't have just gone with 12 tracks.

Exactly. They could have gone with 12 tracks. And it discounts all of the previously mentioned stories about Dennis himself pulling the songs.

Right. I meant to say they perhaps didn't go with 12 tracks in order to keep that Wilson/non-Wilson ratio even.

Or maybe the sources who say that Dennis pulled his own material are more reliable than Jack Rieley.

[drbeachboy]

Thanks Dr.BB. I used the word "theory" in there. In this thread: http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php?topic=9651.0, Rieley touches on the half and half Wilson/non-Wilson makeup of the album. I don't know if he ever got more specific than that. If Al and Mike were insistent on getting their songs on the album, then a couple of Wilson tunes had to go, which may have led to the Carl/Dennis standoff we've heard about. Whose songs would get cut? Of course, this doesn't explain why they couldn't have just gone with 12 tracks.

Exactly. They could have gone with 12 tracks. And it discounts all of the previously mentioned stories about Dennis himself pulling the songs.

Right. I meant to say they perhaps didn't go with 12 tracks in order to keep that Wilson/non-Wilson ratio even.

Or maybe the sources who say that Dennis pulled his own material are more reliable than Jack Rieley.

Both stories could be true. If Dennis didn't have a sequencing issue, then Tree could have been dropped and you would still have a 50% Wilson written album.

[hapman]

I find it a bit puzzling that Pitchfork hasn't reviewed MiC. Not that I really give a damn about P4k's opinion, but a few years ago they even reviewed far less essential Beach Boys releases (TWOTS, U.S. Singles Collection). The Beach Boys aren't HIP enough any more or what?

[Jim V.]

I find it a bit puzzling that Pitchfork hasn't reviewed MiC. Not that I really give a damn about P4k's opinion, but a few years ago they even reviewed far less essential Beach Boys releases (TWOTS, U.S. Singles Collection). The Beach Boys aren't HIP enough any more or what?

They got too hip.

Now if they put out something lame, like the The Still Cruisin' Sessions, they'd probably be all over it. Just cuz it'd be ironic hipster-y.

[hapman]

PopMatters' MIC review

http://www.popmatters.com/review/the-beach-boys-made-in-california/


Not the greatest piece of pop journalism, to put it mildly

[the professor]

No, I think it's a very good essay, clear and energetic and detailed. It's critique of certain periods of BB music , however, fails to understand the warts and all approach of the set, which is chronicling the reality of the BB history, not trying to occlude weaknesses and periods of eccentricity.
Continued thanks to all who are contributing to this thread.

PopMatters' MIC review

http://www.popmatters.com/review/the-beach-boys-made-in-california/


Not the greatest piece of pop journalism, to put it mildly