New album info (as it rolls out...)

[Andrew G. Doe]

Hmmm... never seen a cookalorus that shape...

[Rocker]

Will Don't Fight The Sea be on the new album?

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=373838322647451&set=at.205985672766051.55341.100000638589261.100001449127373.1839964198&type=1&theater

I believe Al said in a recent interview that they were making a video for the U.S. government that features the song.

I heard that too. So it doesn't mean that DFTS will be on the new album and therefor this picture might not be from an actual album session (although - to use Mike's expressions - it would make a lot of sense to record while being in a recording studio).

[ArchStanton]

Ah, but of course!

It does worry me that the session is for Don't Fight The Sea. Regardless of whether it's any good or not (hint: I think it's dull and stayed in the can for a very good reason) but it's an actual bonafide track on Al's solo album. Waves Of Love was slated as a bonus, and you'd be able to just not put it on the reissue of Al's solo record. But this will come out on both! That's just terrible business, even for The Beach Boys.

I hear ya, but anyone that will buy Al Jardine's record will buy the Beach Boys one.  I can't imagine a bunch of people buying the Jardine album and passing the Beach Boys reunion.  Just my opinion.

[HeyJude]

"Don't Fight the Sea" has, for whatever reason, been marketed and framed in some interesting ways in the past. It was a Beach Boys recording, but then Al used it for his solo album even though it has more Beach Boys singing on it than some tracks that have been released under the "Beach Boys" name. Then he put it on a charity single with a Beach Boys track on the flip side, but with "Don't Fight the Sea" credited to all of the individual Beach Boys' names rather than the group. So now the Beach Boys are adding to a video for the song, but it's technically the reunited Beach Boys doing a video for an Al Jardine solo track, sort of.

As for putting either or both Al solo tracks on the BB album, it only makes a difference to those of us who simply want more completely "new" songs. It's not really bad marketing in the sense that casual fans that buy the new BB album won't be familiar with Al's solo album, so they won't know or care; and anybody that's a big enough fan to buy Al's solo album will of course buy the BB album. Including "Don't Fight the Sea" or "Waves of Love" will not hurt sales. If anything, it's possible that "Don't Fight the Sea" (or "Waves of Love") might be stronger than some of the other stuff on the album. We just don't know yet.

[the professor]

I acknowledge Hey Jude's comments; no need for debate; he correctly associates DFTS with the imagery and themes of the larger corpus.  I am bothered mostly by the "polar bear verse," which is a bit OTT, no? I agree that the main reason the song ought not to be on the album is our thirst for new material and no retreading.

I will never debate to seek victory on a message board; rather, I enjoy learning and being informed.  

I wonder if the available information so far indicates the existence, or the proposed existence, of a Wilson-Love composition (as opposed to Mike's adding a few lyrics to an already written song).

thank you.

[Wirestone]

So that's Matt Jardine at a reunion vocal session? Cool beans.

It's not a reunion vocal session.

[Wirestone]

I have just joined this board.  I have read all the posts and am comforted to know that i am not alone in waiting in anxious care about the album.  May I summarize some hopes and, perhaps, provide a focused platform for future information:

1. Are the BB playing instruments, such as on Sunflower and 20 other albums, or are ALL the tracks pre-done, with the BB only adding vocals?

No idea. David Marks is adding guitar parts, at the very least. Substantial tracking preceded the vocal sessions, but there could well be additional tracking done.

2. DIA is obviously a different category because we see already how it was produced: only David playing.

Although not on the original track. His parts were added later.

3. Are Mike and Brian writing new songs together ex nihil? Or is Mike adding lyrics to already written songs?

A good question. No definitive answer yet.

4. Will David's song make the album?

A good question. No definitive answer yet.

5. Any writing by Bruce and Al?

Probyn has suggested that Bruce was working on a song. And Al has mentioned that "Waves of Love," which he co-wrote in the mid-90s, might be on the record. But we do not know any of this definitively.

6. Will TWGMR come out as a "single,"  whatever that means in the modern world?

No idea. Although it's the only tune people have really highlighted so far.

7. Will they do the late-nite TV shows to promote the new album?

No idea. But it would seem like a good idea. Depends on where they would be during the tour, I suspect. They seem to be in the NY area during the first half of May, so it might make sense to do it then.

[The Shift]

"I went out in a boat, that was gently afloat"…

To my ears, possibly one of the the worst lyrical openings to a song, ever, reminds me of the Duck in the Truck kids' book.  Was it being steered by a goat, I wonder?

[HeyJude]

"I went out in a boat, that was gently afloat"…

To my ears, possibly one of the the worst lyrical openings to a song, ever, reminds me of the Duck in the Truck kids' book.  Was it being steered by a goat, I wonder?

Not a shining example of exemplary lyrical composition I suppose, but I’m always wary of singling something about as among the worst ever, of anything. It’s been awhile since a Beach Boys product had a lot of great lyrics going on. I could start running through BB and solo song openings, and probably find some stuff that’s more cringe-worthy. Certainly, stuff like some of the “Love You” lyrics are among the most embarrassing. But for some fans stuff like that is okay because it’s Brian being eccentric and different and innocent.

I’ve never felt like “Don’t Fight the Sea” is A-level BB material, but it’s well above average for the group (or solo variations) both musically and lyrically. Take away the novelty of it being a sort-of “new” BB song, and I still feel it’s better than most of their output since probably “LA (Light Album).”

[Iron Horse-Apples]

Certainly, stuff like some of the “Love You” lyrics are among the most embarrassing.

Love You lyrics are genius. I will fist fight anyone who disagrees

[HeyJude]

Certainly, stuff like some of the “Love You” lyrics are among the most embarrassing.

Love You lyrics are genius. I will fist fight anyone who disagrees

Exactly; I know a lot of fans love that album immensely. I quite like it myself. I don't even need to cite the obvious examples, but to *some*, there are some dire lyrics on that album.

[anazgnos]

Lyrically, I dislike stuff like Don't Go Near the Water and Take a Load off Your Feet way more than anything on Love You.  I'll take mere awkwardness over trying-too-hard preachiness any day.

[Rocker]

A new EP ? 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtaESOeLmRg&feature=related

[KokoNO]

I just want The Beach Boys to be known for rocking again. The Smile Sessions was a huge disappointment and didn't have enough guitar-ness to be awesome. I can't wait for this new album to come out and completely tower over the release of the material from that ill-begotten era. I just get the feeling that this new studio effort is what everyone will be talking about for the next ten years instead of Smile.

[Aegir]

[Justin]

I just want The Beach Boys to be known for rocking again. The Smile Sessions was a huge disappointment and didn't have enough guitar-ness to be awesome. I can't wait for this new album to come out and completely tower over the release of the material from that ill-begotten era. I just get the feeling that this new studio effort is what everyone will be talking about for the next ten years instead of Smile.

(Justin staring blankly)

[SMiLE Brian]

I just want The Beach Boys to be known for rocking again. The Smile Sessions was a huge disappointment and didn't have enough guitar-ness to be awesome. I can't wait for this new album to come out and completely tower over the release of the material from that ill-begotten era. I just get the feeling that this new studio effort is what everyone will be talking about for the next ten years instead of Smile.

No

[Rocker]

From facebook:

[Wilson Love]

I just want The Beach Boys to be known for rocking again. The Smile Sessions was a huge disappointment and didn't have enough guitar-ness to be awesome. I can't wait for this new album to come out and completely tower over the release of the material from that ill-begotten era. I just get the feeling that this new studio effort is what everyone will be talking about for the next ten years instead of Smile.

I hope it is. I agree a change of pace would be nice. Smile has been done, let's move on.

[Runaways]

brian saying the album is mellow is probably the best news we good have.  They're older gents, they don't rock very well anyway.

[Dave in KC]

Rolling Stone today quoting Glen Frey saying the band has re-thought calling the next tour their 40th Anniversary Tour because it reminds fans of just how old The Eagles are.

[Shady]

From facebook:

Ah, cool pic

[brother john]

Sadly, I don't have time to read all of this thread, though great news about a new album!

Could all 35 pages be summed up in a single, knowledgeable, paragraph?

[hypehat]

Suite like, apparently
Brian says mellow
Probyn says 'eighties'
Al says Pet Sounds
Thomas is 'executive producing', which implies he's not actually producing.
We may or may not have a track from Al's solo record on it - either Don't Fight The Sea or Waves of Love
Mike has mentioned he might write a song with David.
Brian has been writing with Jeff and Thomas, and maybe Mike.
Mertens is doing string arrangements, Probyn has done a bunch of horn stuff.
We have seen a bunch of photos with Brian's band doing stuff in the studio. Wirestone, however, believes Thomas is bringing in his own musicians. Hopefully the cast for DIA is indicative.
The only new song that they've mentioned, 'That's Why God Invented The Radio' is supposed to be the best thing since peanut butter kitkats.

Think that's all the information thus far. Where's the coffee at? 

[Alan Smith]

mmm, peanut butter kitkats...