Where is that %^&$@#&* MIC Box Set @#$%^&*(!!!

[EgoHanger1966]

I'm a Seasons fan, right up to the "Silver Star" era but this... no. Trying too hard to be hip. If something doesn't catch my ear from the off, it won't suddenly do it later.

Fair 'nuff. But, by that statement, are you saying that you've never gone back to listen to albums you've dismissed on a first listen?

One of the reasons I like this album is because, yes, they WERE trying too hard to be hip, and it shows. And it's dated. But, they were trying, they didn't sink into The Lettermen or The Vogues syndrome of making adult contemp. vocal schmaltz while everyone else was off smoking weed and writing about other things. I like The Hollies' Butterfly album for the same reason, in a slightly different context (e.g - Graham Nash trying too hard to write the next Sgt Pepper). I like Frankie Valli/ The Seasons and Graham Nash (while he was in The Hollies) respectively, so these things work for me on a level they might not for someone else.

The Four Seasons did make a truly grandiose psychedelic-pop-harmony masterpiece I consider head and shoulders beyond Gazette - and that is the single "Watch The Flowers Grow"/"Raven".

[Andrew G. Doe]

I'm a Seasons fan, right up to the "Silver Star" era but this... no. Trying too hard to be hip. If something doesn't catch my ear from the off, it won't suddenly do it later.

Fair 'nuff. But, by that statement, are you saying that you've never gone back to listen to albums you've dismissed on a first listen?

Just that*. Been doing this for the best part of 42 years and never have yet. If, as here, nothing - absolutely nothing - catches my ear the first time round, to my mind there's nothing worth persevering with. If you have to work at 'getting' something, if it doesn't immediately provide either an emotional or visceral hit, then there's nothing there for me. BTW, for me this applies for everything from Shakespeare to Ansel Adams and all stops in between. It's not just music.

[* - well, for pleasure. If someone's paying me then I'll go back. SIP would be the classic example here.]

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

If I had taken that route, I'd never become a fan of the Beach Boys, cause the only thing I knew them for as a kid was 'Kokomo' and 'Barbara Ann'. The one time I heard a non-single was 'Don't Hurt My Little Sister', which I hated then and still do now. :/

[runnersdialzero]

If I had taken that route, I'd never become a fan of the Beach Boys

Yes!

[Mikie]

Made in California box set is complete and about to be delivered to Capitol.  Release date as yet undetermined.

Thanks for the update from Southern California!  Wonder if most of this will be done at the Tower.

[drbeachboy]

If I had taken that route, I'd never become a fan of the Beach Boys, cause the only thing I knew them for as a kid was 'Kokomo' and 'Barbara Ann'. The one time I heard a non-single was 'Don't Hurt My Little Sister', which I hated then and still do now. :/

Billy, not really true here. Andrew said that he was already a fan of the 4 Seasons, so not liking Imitation... is no different than him liking the Beach Boys, but not liking SIP. I am the same way. I am very familiar with The 4 Seasons since 1964 or so, and I know most of their music. I too, found nothing on Imitation... that floats my boat, except I do like Idaho.

[Sunflowerpet]

Rag Doll is a very good album, and the first from Jersey Boys wich had all original tunes and no covers.
It's a well worth listen too "Entertain You" from 1965 and "Working My Way Back To You" from 1966, you can notice that Valli & Co had already changed their sound to deeper mood with gorgeous song such as "Betrayed", "Beggar's Parade" and most of all "Everybody Knows My Name" (very Dylanesque). And don't forget the talent of Bob Crewe, his productions have always been stylish.

[AndrewHickey]

This is obviously something AGD and I differ greatly on. Almost none of the music I love is music that appealed especially on first listen (except sometimes if it was by an artist I already loved, working in their normal style). Took me three or four goes to get Pet Sounds, for example.

[Iron Horse-Apples]

He did stress that if "absolutely nothing" catches his ear first time, then it won't grow on him. So I don't think he's saying he has to love it first time

Personally I decide if I'm going to like or dislike something before I listen to it. then stick to that decision.

[SurfRiderHawaii]

Experiencing The Genuine Imitation Life Gazette for the very first time as I type.

Um.

Not really happening. Somewhat sub-Jimmy Webb... trying a bit too hard. When I first heard Odessey & Oracle I was doing backflips around the room after two cuts. That's not happening here, at all.

[later] OK, so over halfway through. Getting a bit tedious now. I'll see it through to the end, but this will be the first and last listen.

I have to agree with AGD, and I even have the original LP, am a huge 4 Seasons fan having seen them like 10 times. Don't blame them for rolling the dice in a big way but there is a reason the album wasn' a big hit. It's good, don't get me wrong, but it's no Pet Sounds.

[Mike's Beard]

My favourite stuff always tends to be the stuff that has to grow on me. When I first heard Genuine Immitation of Life... it was only Mrs. Stately's Garden and Idado that really grabbed me but after a few plays the other stuff got it's hooks into me. Same with Pet Sounds, I only really liked the singles from it initially. The rest had to grow on me.

Good news about the box set!!!

[FatherOfTheMan Sr101]

Made in California box set is complete and about to be delivered to Capitol.  Release date as yet undetermined.

Someone please tell me this is true

[tansen]

I think it's a little silly judging an album on the premise that 'it's a band trying to be hip'. I'm not saying that it's not true, but from a musical/compositional standpoint 'Gazette' is pretty good. And by using that method, you would kinda dismiss Bee Gees' early albums, Status Quo and Del Shannon's late-60s albums - all great material, despite the fact that it doesn't fit their image/style.

[Andrew G. Doe]

I'm not. Just saying that to my ears, nothing grabs me and that part of the problem is that they're trying too hard. Other parts are a well-dodgy stereo mix and some uninspired/derivative/formulaic songwriting. I'm not dismissing the Seasons entirely, just this one album that I had high hopes for based on the comments of others.

Please try to understand that just because someone likes an album, it doesn't mean everyone else has to. I listened to it, uninterrupted and cold, aside from a few comments here, and it did nothing for me. That's it, I gave it a fair shot.

[Sam_BFC]

Sorry, thought this was a Beach Boys forum 

[FatherOfTheMan Sr101]

Sorry, thought this was a Beach Boys forum 

 

[Gertie J.]

Made in California box set is complete and about to be delivered to Capitol.  Release date as yet undetermined.

Someone please tell me this is true

this is true.

[Andrew G. Doe]

Sorry, thought this was a Beach Boys forum 

It was, then we moved on to better things.

[Shady]

Made in California box set is complete and about to be delivered to Capitol.  Release date as yet undetermined.

Someone please tell me this is true

OMG that post was exciting

[SurfRiderHawaii]

One thing for sure, there will not be more than one Four Season's song on MIC.

[rogerlancelot]

"Wonder What You'll Be" is my favorite song off the album.

[Jim V.]

One thing for sure, there will not be more than one Four Season's song on MIC.

What, "East Meets West"? I wouldn't be surprised if that's on there.

[DonnyL]

Experiencing The Genuine Imitation Life Gazette for the very first time as I type.

Um.

Not really happening. Somewhat sub-Jimmy Webb... trying a bit too hard. When I first heard Odessey & Oracle I was doing backflips around the room after two cuts. That's not happening here, at all.

[later] OK, so over halfway through. Getting a bit tedious now. I'll see it through to the end, but this will be the first and last listen.

It has it's moments, but overall, I agree with Andrew here -- it's no masterpiece! But their '66-'67 singles ARE I think.

For those who have not heard it, The Further Adventures of Charles Westover by Del Shannon is a stone-cold classic ... top 10 for me for sure.

[halblaineisgood]

.

[rogerlancelot]

Experiencing The Genuine Imitation Life Gazette for the very first time as I type.

Um.

Not really happening. Somewhat sub-Jimmy Webb... trying a bit too hard. When I first heard Odessey & Oracle I was doing backflips around the room after two cuts. That's not happening here, at all.

[later] OK, so over halfway through. Getting a bit tedious now. I'll see it through to the end, but this will be the first and last listen.

It has it's moments, but overall, I agree with Andrew here -- it's no masterpiece! But they're '66-'67 singles ARE I think.

For those who have not heard it, The Further Adventures of Charles Westover by Del Shannon is a stone-cold classic ... top 10 for me for sure.

I disagree. I find Genuine Imitation to be a masterpiece. And thank you for the tip, I will be on the lookout for the Del Shannon album.