No Pier Pressure (board member reviews)

[Mike's Beard]

Hmmmm, it's about as good or bad as I expected, to be honest. A few random thoughts;

Am I strange in that I really like Runaway Dancer? Got a Hall & Oates vibe to it which is something I never thought I'd be using to describe a Brian Wilson track.Kind of weird that such a non typical BW song is sequenced right at the start of the record, you'd think more leftfield turns were ahead but from track 3 onwards it's pretty much business as usual, guest vocalists or not.
I really liked Sail Away when it first leaked but have gone off it rather quickly. That could have been anyone singing on the opening verse because Blondie no longer sounds like Blondie.
Right Time is a real grower, Al's vocal is great.
On The Island is a nice enough tune, very laid back.
Our Special Love would have worked great as an acapella but the second those programmed beats beatbox blasts and 90s boyband soundalike Peter Hollens vocal kicks in it turns into a travesty. I couldn't make it to the end of this one.
Half Moon Bay is sort of filler but nice enough.
Somewhere Quiet should have been left as an instrumental back on Summer Days!
Guess You Had to Be There is very catchy but I'm not mad on what Mr. Otto Tune has done to Katy's voice - way too much reverb!
Don't Worry is bad, bad bad. Set to a horrible lumpy rhythm with crappy production, JT seems to have his prints all over this one.
Tell Me Why is Pet Sounds meets power ballad, can't make my mind up on this one although Al's vocals are great as always.
The Last Song is the bastard love child of Bruce Johnston and Dennis Wilson at their most sappy. This tries to be another Summer's Gone but fails to do so.

A big plus is Matt Jardine's vocals are much better then Jeff Foskett's and The Mullet has refrained from making anyone sound like a robot this time round.
Still, I can't see this replacing BW88 as my go to solo Brian album anytime soon.

[Wirestone]

but the second those programmed beats and 90s boyband soundalike Peter Hollens vocal kicks in it turns into a travesty.

Nothing programmed there. It's Hollens beatboxing.

[Mike's Beard]

Beatboxing? Do people still do that? Guess in ole Otto's mind it's the latest craze.

[GoofyJeff]

Everything on "Our Special Love" is a capella. No programmed drums or bass or whatever people claim to be hearing. Been a fan of Peter Hollens since first hearing he would be collaborating with Brian. Check out his YouTube page. The guy is incredible.

[Autotune]

I thought this would be the first BW release I wouldn't relate to. I'm not a big fan of the Disney and Christmas albums, but I felt that this one would showcase a certain type of sentimentality foreign to Brian's music; and that the songwriting would lack the interest and turns I cherish in this man's music.

I'm really happy and emotional that I've been proved wrong. While this probably lacks the heights of his best output, and there's hardly a classic in here, this album sets up a mood throughout and pulls you in. It is beautifully crafted and sung. The guests are just that and are very welcome. Al's presence makes me remember how much we love these guys. And it's a grower; it's the type of record I want to go back to. Of course I miss Mike's voice terribly. These two guys are bonded forever in music and when given a solid BW track, Mike always delivers. It's not that he has to be brought up every time or something, it's just that this beautiful album reminds me of why I became a fan in the first place.

Now bring on the edgier rock and roll album!

[JohnMill]

Everything on "Our Special Love" is a capella. No programmed drums or bass or whatever people claim to be hearing. Been a fan of Peter Hollens since first hearing he would be collaborating with Brian. Check out his YouTube page. The guy is incredible.

Yeah he is and I thoroughly admit that with a bit of egg on my face.  Just based on the samples I thought "Wow I'm really going to hate this Hollens song" but it's honestly one of my firm favorites on the record now.  I was reading through some of the reviews and one of them mentioned how Brian used a lot of these new artists to recreate the classic Beach Boys harmonies and I couldn't agree more.  Brian managed to replicate the magic that he has brought out in the past with The Beach Boys with these new artists.  Kacey, Peter, Sebu and Nate all do fantastic jobs on this record.  Almost make me wish they were part of Brian's band permanently.  The only one I haven't warmed up to is Zooey who is a decent actress but I don't think she gave Brian much to work with in terms of raw material in comparison with the others.

[dellydel]

Up to #2 on Amazon, btw!  That means, for the time being, Brian Wilson is outselling Taylor Swift!!!   

(altho I should point out, it's #2 on "CDs and vinyl", cuz that's what old fogies buy.  As far as digital music goes, it... doesn't seem to be... anywhere in the top 100.  But don't worry, Elton John's greatest hits is #100!)

[Zesterz]

Hah !!!! On the island has been the biggest surprise to me. Love her voice, too

[Mikie]

I saw a 2 minute promotion on "Good Morning America" this morning. Emphasis was that this is Brian Wilson, the guy responsible for all the Beach Boys hits. Had Beach Boys songs playing in the background with video (and Mike Love's voice). Pier Pressure cover on the screen. Talked about all the the guests on the album. Nice 'promo'. Nice segment!

[Mooger Fooger]

I picked up the delux CD on the way to work, will listen to it once I get home. I opened the jewel case and read through the CD booklet. I like the dedication to his daughters which states in part, "...who for the first time will actually think I'm cool..."

What I also liked is the booklet sized flyer for "Love and Mercy" and when you turn it over has promotional material for 50 Big Ones (for beginners), Made in California (for lovers of the music), and the re-release of The Pet Sounds Sessions (for collectors).

I am looking forward to the play through in a few hours.

[ArchStanton]

Hmm, that flier is not in the Target edition. Excuse me, it is not in *my* Target edition.

[The Cincinnati Kid]

Hmm, that flier is not in the Target edition. Excuse me, it is not in *my* Target edition.

It wasn't in mine either.

[Please delete my account]

First impression (18 track version)- really good easy listening album except for the last song, which I don't like. I'd only heard the previewed songs once or twice each, so they'd still sound fresh when I heard the album. I enjoyed each one more in the context of the album than I did when I heard them individually. (Except the last song).

Maybe it's because I'm one of those philistines who is rarely too excited by instrumentals, I think the vocal version of Summer Means New Love is a great idea and is very welcome. I'd love "Passing By" to get the same treatment.

ITBOMM is fascinating and a finished version would have been a strong addition to any Beach Boys album. Even though in my opinion none of the changes made to the song improve it. The original is one of my favourites.

Runaway Dancer strikes me as a great song trapped in a bizarre production. It sounds more like a radical remix than a "real" version.

I'll say no more till I know the album better.

[Mooger Fooger]

Ah, sorry forgot to mention, this is the German release.

[The Cincinnati Kid]

Up to #2 on Amazon, btw!  That means, for the time being, Brian Wilson is outselling Taylor Swift!!!   

(altho I should point out, it's #2 on "CDs and vinyl", cuz that's what old fogies buy.  As far as digital music goes, it... doesn't seem to be... anywhere in the top 100.  But don't worry, Elton John's greatest hits is #100!)

Now #44 on Amazon digital.  If things continue this looks like it'll easily place in the top 20.

[Debbie Keil-Leavitt]

Up to #2 on Amazon, btw!  That means, for the time being, Brian Wilson is outselling Taylor Swift!!!   

(altho I should point out, it's #2 on "CDs and vinyl", cuz that's what old fogies buy.  As far as digital music goes, it... doesn't seem to be... anywhere in the top 100.  But don't worry, Elton John's greatest hits is #100!)

Now #44 on Amazon digital.  If things continue this looks like it'll easily place in the top 20.

Digital too - wonderful!

[Larry Franz]

After two listens: I had some doubts after hearing some of the individual tracks and with all the guest vocalists, so I'm surprised how great the album sounds as a whole. It all hangs together very well. So far it doesn't look like there's a single track that I'm going to be skipping.

I'm listening to it in the context of the Beach Boys' recent history, so I might be attributing more coherence to the album than it deserves, but there are a lot of lyrics addressed to "you" that sound like they're directed to the Beach Boys. Listening to it that way makes it seem more like a concept album than a bunch of unrelated songs. Even all those la-la-la's make sense now.

Brian is completely justified in being very proud of this album.

PS -- When I saw the title of this thread, my first thought was: this is where the members of the Board of Directors, like the CEO and the outside directors, will be giving their reactions.  

[Mikie]

Ah, sorry forgot to mention, this is the German release.

So at least the German release has the flier.......

[ArchStanton]

First impression (18 track version)- really good easy listening album except for the last song, which I don't like. I'd only heard the previewed songs once or twice each, so they'd still sound fresh when I heard the album. I enjoyed each one more in the context of the album than I did when I heard them individually. (Except the last song).

Maybe it's because I'm one of those philistines who is rarely too excited by instrumentals, I think the vocal version of Summer Means New Love is a great idea and is very welcome. I'd love "Passing By" to get the same treatment.

ITBOMM is fascinating and a finished version would have been a strong addition to any Beach Boys album. Even though in my opinion none of the changes made to the song improve it. The original is one of my favourites.

Runaway Dancer strikes me as a great song trapped in a bizarre production. It sounds more like a radical remix than a "real" version.

I'll say no more till I know the album better.

Do you not like "The Last Song" as in track 16 or the last song, as in track 18 ("Love and Mercy")?

[the professor]

here is a round of professor quiz: what song on the album sounds like the association's hit, Windy? And which song borrows directly from the melody and phrasing of the Buckingham's "Don't You Care?
prises for the winners.

[Please delete my account]

First impression (18 track version)- really good easy listening album except for the last song, which I don't like. I'd only heard the previewed songs once or twice each, so they'd still sound fresh when I heard the album. I enjoyed each one more in the context of the album than I did when I heard them individually. (Except the last song).

Maybe it's because I'm one of those philistines who is rarely too excited by instrumentals, I think the vocal version of Summer Means New Love is a great idea and is very welcome. I'd love "Passing By" to get the same treatment.

ITBOMM is fascinating and a finished version would have been a strong addition to any Beach Boys album. Even though in my opinion none of the changes made to the song improve it. The original is one of my favourites.

Runaway Dancer strikes me as a great song trapped in a bizarre production. It sounds more like a radical remix than a "real" version.

I'll say no more till I know the album better.

Do you not like "The Last Song" as in track 16 or the last song, as in track 18 ("Love and Mercy")?

Good point. "The Last Song".

[alf wiedersehen]

The deluxe version of NPP is currently #1 on Amazon's album charts.

It's also the record of the week on Slacker Radio: http://www.slacker.com/station/album-of-the-week

[SMiLE Brian]

Hell yes!

[Paul J B]

Just finished listening for the first time. I need another spin or two before I'm real sure about what I think but so far...

The production-no problems. Reverb...autobleep.. Whatever... Who cares this sounds good.

The guest vocalists- Work GREAT. Brian never took the lead on an entire BB's album and at this stage in the game it makes more sense than ever to share the vocals.

Runaway Dancer seems perfectly fit to be track 2 and it is what Brian needed to freshen things up.

The Last Song is nice but it did not hit me like it did some. Can't see it rivaling Summers Gone.

I'd have to check the short track release but one thing that seems slightly amiss to me is that it feels a few tunes too long. I'm talking the basic 16 tracks from target. I think it would have worked perfectly as a whole at about 13 tracks. Need another listen before I could say what tracks are my favorite.

ITBOMM though interesting seemed really out of place even for a bonus track. Should have been on one of the box sets. Made me sad 'cause it sounded like the old Brian voice clashing with what would forever be the new Brian voice. Comparing the Surfs Up Brian at the piano demo from TSS to this is depressing to me.

All in all after one spin I give it a big thumbs up. Really outstanding tracks are on this.

[send me a picture and i'll tell you]

The vinyl is pretty awesome. The alternate track order is pretty effective so far (I'm on side 2 now). Ballsy, detailed sound, silent surfaces. Cool purple Capitol labels. BW is almost life-size on the back cover.