TLOS is really good. Really good.

[Roger Ryan]

Listening with headphones, you can actually hear which vocals came from the demos and which were newly-recorded. This is most apparent on "Southern California" which features the demo lead on the first and third verse (I think) and a new vocal for the second verse and bridge. To me, I think Brian achieves a purer tone on the newly-recorded parts (he's a little scratchy on the demo vocal). I'm sure Brian figured if it was already recorded and sounded good, why bother doing it again. I think he actually improved on his performance, however, when he finished the lead vocals in a proper studio.

[TdHabib]

One of the great points about TLOS is that Brian basically told his people (if the 2005 phone calls are anything to go by) he wanted 2006 off from touring. To a certain extent, he got the better part of it off. And what did he do during his break? Probably rested for a few months and then went right into a collaboration with Bacharach and then the Bennett/Wilson stuff. A good rest pays off.

[Meade]

When you compare it to his pre-SMiLE albums, it certainly is a great leap forward. He actually sounds more in control, and certainly more at peace with himself, than ever.

I only hope he continues this streak with his next projects. At the very least, the reception to BWPS seems to have been a major confidence boost.

[Sam_BFC]

Listening with headphones, you can actually hear which vocals came from the demos and which were newly-recorded. This is most apparent on "Southern California" which features the demo lead on the first and third verse (I think) and a new vocal for the second verse and bridge.

I think Scott Bennett sang the demo for SoCal though.

I would be interested to know exactly which vocals were newly cut at the Capitol Studios.  I think the title track must be one.

[buddhahat]

remember, "Good Vibrations" would have lacked the bass vocal hook and cello without the help of Mike and Carl making suggestions, and I think those are very important elements in the chorus.

Well, I saw a TV movie about the Beach Boys and I think it went something like this: Brian got so stoned one night that he literally forgot how to make a pop song and, unfortunately, the rest of the Boys were out on tour, so he couldn't be helped. Still, Brian had to do something, so he just kept recording 30 second bits of music. While this ruse worked for awhile, pretty soon the record company was getting skeptical about Brian's ability to finish a song. Luckily, the Boys came back in town around that time and Brian called Mike and begged him to help him to finish a song. Mike came over to Brian's house and found him smoking a joint and trying desperately to figure out the proper way to assemble a peanut butter sandwich. Mike took Brian by the hand and told him that a pop song goes "verse, chorus, verse, chorus, bridge, chorus" and then settled down to listen to what Brian had been working on. Mike thought it was weird, a little too esoteric and mystical, but he added a killer bass hook on the chorus and wrote some fine boy-girl lyrics. With the song salvaged, he sent Brian on his way and the result was "Good Vibrations". If you listen closely to the song, you can tell that Brian still couldn't really remember how to make a pop song. It starts out with the "verse, chorus" format, but then Brian gets lost during the bridge and he never really recovers. Luckily, the listening public didn't really notice and the song was a hit, as millions of kids across the country imitated Mike singing "I'm pickin' up good vibrations!" in the chorus in their bedrooms at night when they were supposed to be sleeping.

The end.

Magic. I really want to see this.

[Roger Ryan]

Listening with headphones, you can actually hear which vocals came from the demos and which were newly-recorded. This is most apparent on "Southern California" which features the demo lead on the first and third verse (I think) and a new vocal for the second verse and bridge.

I think Scott Bennett sang the demo for SoCal though.

I would be interested to know exactly which vocals were newly cut at the Capitol Studios.  I think the title track must be one.

Right, I do remember hearing that Scott was on the demo (haven't heard it). But for the live show, didn't "Southern California" just use the first and third verse plus chorus? That's what tipped me off when listening to the full studio version: the second verse and bridge have a purer, cleaner lead vocal than the first and third verse. This suggests that the first and third verses were recorded earlier (assuming that the song was finished in the studio by adding the second verse and bridge).

[Andrew G. Doe]

Listening with headphones, you can actually hear which vocals came from the demos and which were newly-recorded. This is most apparent on "Southern California" which features the demo lead on the first and third verse (I think) and a new vocal for the second verse and bridge.

I think Scott Bennett sang the demo for SoCal though.

I would be interested to know exactly which vocals were newly cut at the Capitol Studios.  I think the title track must be one.

Right, I do remember hearing that Scott was on the demo (haven't heard it). But for the live show, didn't "Southern California" just use the first and third verse plus chorus? That's what tipped me off when listening to the full studio version: the second verse and bridge have a purer, cleaner lead vocal than the first and third verse. This suggests that the first and third verses were recorded earlier (assuming that the song was finished in the studio by adding the second verse and bridge).

Bad news - your assumption is incorrect: the demo with Scotty singing is all there was. It was the last song added to the album. All the BW vocals are 'new'.

[Roger Ryan]

Listening with headphones, you can actually hear which vocals came from the demos and which were newly-recorded. This is most apparent on "Southern California" which features the demo lead on the first and third verse (I think) and a new vocal for the second verse and bridge.

I think Scott Bennett sang the demo for SoCal though.

I would be interested to know exactly which vocals were newly cut at the Capitol Studios.  I think the title track must be one.

Right, I do remember hearing that Scott was on the demo (haven't heard it). But for the live show, didn't "Southern California" just use the first and third verse plus chorus? That's what tipped me off when listening to the full studio version: the second verse and bridge have a purer, cleaner lead vocal than the first and third verse. This suggests that the first and third verses were recorded earlier (assuming that the song was finished in the studio by adding the second verse and bridge).

Bad news - your assumption is incorrect: the demo with Scotty singing is all there was. It was the last song added to the album. All the BW vocals are 'new'.

Very well - I stand by my statement, however, that the second verse and bridge have cleaner vocals. Maybe the first and third verses were recorded in the morning and Brian came back after lunch in slightly better voice to tackle the rest of the vocal  

[adamghost]

I have to say that, except for a few spots (MAD one of them), Brian's vocals really make TLOS.  This is the only solo album of his where I see his vocals as a net plus.  There's just something about them that suits the "been there, lived that" vibe of the songs.  A different singer wouldn't have added that much weary power to the vocals. 

[donald]

I think this album stands as Brians best work of his solo career since 1988.  It is, all in all, a joy to listen to, time and again.

[The Heartical Don]

I have to say that, except for a few spots (MAD one of them), Brian's vocals really make TLOS.  This is the only solo album of his where I see his vocals as a net plus.  There's just something about them that suits the "been there, lived that" vibe of the songs.  A different singer wouldn't have added that much weary power to the vocals. 

...is a good remark. The comparison is odd, but it's what I like about Johnny Cash' last works. Sure, he sang covers in 'American Recordings', but he 'owns' the material, in a way that I can't imagine another interpretation of it being even more personal and convincing.

[punkinhead]

Somehow, when I heard this album, I thought 'instant classic'


When I heard the demos, I thought this is Brian's 2nd best solo project after BWPS

[absinthe_boy]

I think this album stands as Brians best work of his solo career since 1988.  It is, all in all, a joy to listen to, time and again.

Its a great album, but it isn't a joy to listen to. The production is awful and grates on my ears very badly.

The CD is very compressed, vinyl is better but still not easy on the ear.

The music and the actual recording are both great. The production sucks. Whatever the record cover says, Brian Wilson wasn't at the controls when the final master was cut.

[Andrew G. Doe]

The music and the actual recording are both great. The production sucks. Whatever the record cover says, Brian Wilson wasn't at the controls when the final master was cut.

No argument here... but mastering has nothing to do with producing. Brian produced TLOS, with Scotty's help. Bob Ludwig mastered it and, it's commonly agreed, mastered it very badly.

[brother john]

Admittedly there's some filler and a couple mild cringeworthy moments (let's hear that Spanish rap again!) but I was surprised how consistently good it was.   When I play it as often as not I just let it run all the way through.

Don't need the DVD or LP versions, though.  Do check out the live version he recorded for NPR, they still have it up there.  Good performance, mixed by Mark Linett.

Could you explain NPR to me? Or maybe let us have a link?

Thanks alot,

BJ

[TdHabib]

The music and the actual recording are both great. The production sucks. Whatever the record cover says, Brian Wilson wasn't at the controls when the final master was cut.

No argument here... but mastering has nothing to do with producing. Brian produced TLOS, with Scotty's help. Bob Ludwig mastered it and, it's commonly agreed, mastered it very badly.

Part of that is the ongoing loudness war...pardon me LOUDNESS WAR
I can barely listen to CDs made in the last year or so for more than thirty minutes without the ears being affected in some way. TLOS is no exception. And, unfortunately, I tend to play music a little loud.

[Amy B.]

Admittedly there's some filler and a couple mild cringeworthy moments (let's hear that Spanish rap again!) but I was surprised how consistently good it was.   When I play it as often as not I just let it run all the way through.

Don't need the DVD or LP versions, though.  Do check out the live version he recorded for NPR, they still have it up there.  Good performance, mixed by Mark Linett.

Could you explain NPR to me? Or maybe let us have a link?

Thanks alot,

BJ

Not sure if you mean explain _what_ NPR is, or explain what the NPR live recordings consist of. NPR is National Public Radio in the U.S.--partly government supported but mostly listener supported radio.
If you go to npr.org and put Brian's name into the search box, you get this:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14999155

The Smile live is indeed terrific. The documentary section follows the David Leaf-style story ("His fellow Beach Boys didn't want to sing it") but is worth a listen anyway. Darian's in it, as are Brian and Melinda. And the band sounds great in concert.  There's also other terrific stuff on that page, including TLOS live.

[Dr. Tim]

 Could you explain NPR to me? Or maybe let us have a link?

Thanks alot,

BJ
[/quote]

Here is the NPR link (National Public Radio's concert series) to TLOS live in Dec. 2008:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=98042111

On the mastering issue, I recall Andrew or a fellow pond-crosser telling us the European CD master was terribly brickwalled and shrill, the US mastering was OK.  I don't think the US master is that bad,  though I agree it could "breathe" a bit more.  

[brother john]

Thanks Amy B and Dr Tim.

I'm English, so the letters NPR mean nothing to me, but thanks for explaining!

The gig sounds great. Whoever did the mixing etc. on this did a great job (as well as the band of course...)