Gettin' in Over My Head

[hart325]

While the album isn't great, it is nowhere near as bad as it's reputation seems to be.  There are some bright spots, I like City Blues, Desert Drive, The Waltz and parts of others.  I find it hard to believe that some people think that these tracks are worse than the Sweet Insanity versions.  SI (both versions) was just awful and the tracks from that era that appear here are slightly better.  The arrangements are mostly good and it is nice to hear real instruments.

There are some pretty disappointing moments (A Friend Like You) and a few cringe-worthy ones (Rainbow Eyes) but overall is just an okay album that is enjoyable but probably won't get a lot of playing time in your CD player.

[lance]

It is flawed, but I like it for the most part. I think there are moments of real brilliance and some bland parts, but I honestly dont hear anything horrible. I am used to Brians old man voice; he coulda done better, but whatever. To me, I guess the album sounds just a bit unfocussed, as if it wasnt quite finished. Yes, having the band do the vocals and just a few more lead vocal takes and it would have been really good...as it is, it reminds me of 15 Big Ones in a way--there is something there, it just never falls into place.



Not as good as the Paley sessions I have heard that it pilfers, the songs from Sweet Insanity are better than the originals, though... but I think you all underrate it a bit. Ill give it a 3,5 or 4.

[The Heartical Don]

I don't like the sleeve art.

[lance]

Yeah, the cover is sucksville, for sure.

[Aegir]

I've been listening to this some more. I don't get why everyone hates this album. There's plenty of good songs, or at the very least, okay songs. The main verse part of Fairy Tale is awesome. I hate it when Brian does his own backing vocals.

The only really bad song on this album is How Can Be Still Be Dancin'. Whenever I read about Brian saying he wants to make a "rock album", I imagine 12 tracks of How Can We Still Be Dancin'.

[variable2]

I really like the outro to You've Touched Me.  I'm a sucker for Brian's multi-part interweaving vocal.. things.

[Irwin M. Fletcher]

How Can We Still Be Dancin' is quite...tacky. Total kitty rock. Like what you'd expect a drug-addled, brain-damaged Tiny Tim to belt out 35 years after his heyday.

[phirnis]

Have to admit that GIOMH got me all excited when it came out in 2004. I had only just become a BB/BW fan in 2000 or 2001, so this was a first chance at being there when something new was being released by the man himself and since Smile had just turned out such a triumph on stage he sure wasn't going to fail - or was he? Today this record is about in the same league as Keepin' The Summer Alive for me, which means I hardly ever feel like listening to even the standout tunes. For a short period of time in 2004 however I really enjoyed it, most of all The Waltz (which I thought was hilarious), You've Touched Me, Saturday Morning In The City, and City Blues, but even then I had a hard time trying to convince myself of the greatness of Desert Drive, Make A Wish, and Fairy Tale, which especially in terms of lyrics I still think is among the absolute low points in Beach Boys history, down there with Smart Girls and Summer of Love. Brian's come a long way since then, really. Say what you will about TLOS's (very occasional) weaknesses or Brian's voice not being in the best shape imaginable, only four years ago it was GIOMH we were talking about, wondering why one would feel so underwhelmed after listening to A Friend Like You.