it's good.. How could "Lucky" be better?

[matt-zeus]

There's really no reason to attack the thread-starter for this one. What's wrong with a wish list? Beach Boys fandom is nonstop full of it (take those last three words however you want). Someone sarcastically asks how you'd fix Pet Sounds? Everyone always makes suggestions on this very board: the most common response, by the way, seems to be replace Sloop John B with The Little Girl I Once Knew. Nothing is sacred, especially when you're talking about a record. Just a record. If you would like it more if A were B, or C were B, fine. Say so. I like TLOS a lot, but I have things I'd change. Doesn't mean I don't like it.

I agree, i've already constructed my alternate version of TLOS and I like it very much!

[shelter]

Maybe, but I don't make dumb statements like "didn't have to raid the archives" that are patently untrue.

That was not a dumb statement, that was a mistake.

In case you hadn't noticed, the 'tedious' comment wasn't mine. I really appreciate you setting straight any mistakes I or anyone else here makes. And please don't stop doing that. But please keep in mind that we can't all be as well informed as you are (no sarcasm) and that there's no need to say that anything's "dumb" just because someone makes a mistake. If "California Role" is an older song, than I overlooked it on your 'unreleased songs' list... Sorry, my bad... And those other two things, well... Couldn't it be debated that those are more 'nods' than 'raidings'?

[LostArt]

What's the big deal about raiding the archives?  Brian's raided the archives his whole career.  Pet Sounds was good, but why did he have to use that old "In My Childhood" rewrite.  And Wild Honey would've been so much better if he hadn't used that old "Thinkin' 'Bout You Baby" song.  Sheesh.

[shelter]

What's the big deal about raiding the archives?  Brian's raided the archives his whole career.  Pet Sounds was good, but why did he have to use that old "In My Childhood" rewrite.  And Wild Honey would've been so much better if he hadn't used that old "Thinkin' 'Bout You Baby" song.  Sheesh.

Oh, there's nothing wrong with it... After all, they're his songs... But look at Brian's solo albums: I'm not sure about BW88 (anyone?), but Imagination and GIOMH both had a lot of re-recorded older material (either released or unreleased), IJWMFTT and BWPS were (almost) entirely re-recorded Beach Boys material and Orange Crate Art wasn't written by Brian... So TLOS was his chance to prove that he's still able to write a complete album of all new material... Not that it matters much, but it would've been an even better 'statement' will only new material... See what I mean?

[SG7]

How could it be better? I think it's good enough. 

[LostArt]

What's the big deal about raiding the archives?  Brian's raided the archives his whole career.  Pet Sounds was good, but why did he have to use that old "In My Childhood" rewrite.  And Wild Honey would've been so much better if he hadn't used that old "Thinkin' 'Bout You Baby" song.  Sheesh.

Oh, there's nothing wrong with it... After all, they're his songs... But look at Brian's solo albums: I'm not sure about BW88 (anyone?), but Imagination and GIOMH both had a lot of re-recorded older material (either released or unreleased), IJWMFTT and BWPS were (almost) entirely re-recorded Beach Boys material and Orange Crate Art wasn't written by Brian... So TLOS was his chance to prove that he's still able to write a complete album of all new material... Not that it matters much, but it would've been an even better 'statement' will only new material... See what I mean?

No.  Okay, he used some unreleased vocal fragment from 1976 that I've never heard, and rewrote some unreleased song from the '80s that I've never heard.  How does that make for an inferior 'statement'?  How long after one writes a song does one have to release it before one is 'raiding the archives'?

[Wirestone]

For me, any criticism of raiding the archives has faded with the release of "Oh Mi Amor," "Message Man" and "Just Like Me and You." Three totally new, unfamiliar songs -- and they're tossed out as bonus tracks. At least in this case, the archives were used to make the album (presumably) better,  instead of covering for a lack of songs or failing of inspiration.

[mikeyj]

No.  Okay, he used some unreleased vocal fragment from 1976 that I've never heard, and rewrote some unreleased song from the '80s that I've never heard.  How does that make for an inferior 'statement'?  How long after one writes a song does one have to release it before one is 'raiding the archives'?

I really have to agree with you here LostArt. I couldn't give a stuff if Brian raided his archives. What's worse is when an artist either a) rips off other artists (see: Surfin' USA/intro to Fun, Fun Fun etc..) or b) keeps re-writing (meaning obvious re-writes)/re-recording their own songs.

I mean if we found out that all of the songs from Pet Sounds were written in 1960, would it really matter? Would people really think "gee, I don't think I like this as much anymore"

[Roger Ryan]

A few comments on this board about the art work when it was revealed awhile back. What does everyone think now they have the real deal?

I'm surprised that Mark London was not behind the art direction, but I think the packaging is close to BWPS brilliance. The cover may not be earthshattering, but the cut-up postcard snippets on the fold-out combined with the very evocative photography is just perfect. Looking at the front and back of the lyric booklet, it occured to me that Brian could be "that lucky old son (of california)".

[Amy B.]

Brian has always recycled. Remember All Dressed Up for School/I Just Got My Pay/Marcella?

Or Pamela Jean/Car Crazy Cutie
Or that early song (can't remember the title)/Darlin

I guess he figures there's no sense letting a good melody go to waste!

[Pretty Funky]

Thanks for the artwork mention Roger!

At the risk of being dumped on Blueboard style here's my thoughts on the new album.
I don't have it yet and have only heard the stream. I like the multi vocals and many of the chord changes. Just what you would expect from a Brian project. Bravo!

But I am not sure it is for me. It is great music but too MOTR for my tastes. Maybe a bit over-smooth. My main problem is I don't want to hear every lead by Brian in the same way I would not want to have heard every song on a Beach Boy album by him or any other single member of the group, even in their vocal prime.

One of the great traits of the BBs was the ability to have a lead on their albums sung by 2, 3,4 or even 5 singers.

My question then is this. Would a album written and produced to a greater extent by Brian Wilson be any less of a Brian Wilson album if say Jeff or Taylor had a lead or two or Brian/ Taylor duet?

Also Brian in interviews has often said he hears 'music in his head'. I presume he doesn't hear a lyric! Pet Sounds had two instumentals. Classics. I would be VERY interested to hear some of his head music played by his band stripped of vocals.

Before you answer think about this. Was a Beach Boy album any less of a Beach Boy album when they did not play a note?