*Merged* Brian Wilson current album thread

[puni puni]

Lawlor, your posts take the edge off my apprehensions for as long as I can forget the very high likelihood of autotune.

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

May I note that not a single person on this board has heard more than a 10-second iPhone clip from this album?

... Apparently not.

Brian Wilson is not perfect, but he's no idiot. He can still write, arrange, sing and play. He's making a new record, and hopefully it will have some good tunes on it. He's worked with some younger singers, and folks involved feel positively about how the project is evolving (including folks from the outside like Ray Lawlor and Don Was, who have nothing to gain by lying to fans about a record's quality). So what is the problem?

It's going to be a splashy record, with big-name guests, released to coincide with a movie and book. It's a 21st-century multimedia extravaganza. It's why someone like Joe is still involved (making trains run on time), and why Brian still has a major-label deal. So I look forward to rolling with it and seeing what happens.

Well I think that is the way to approach it ; roll with it and see what happens; I think you have captured the essence of it.  See if there is stuff there that hits you.  I have heard the whole thing , and can only give you my opinion. I think that for the core fan base there are 7-8 tracks that I would consider "no brainers" ; "Sail Away" kind of reminds me of "Sloop John B" ; lead vocal's by Brian, Al and Blondie , swapping off ; background vocals are great; there are two tracks with rotating lead vocals of Brian and Al which I think are great. There is a ballad sung by Brian that , in my opinion , can be placed with anything he has done (except "SMiLE) ; one track has a jazz feel , with great harmonies; the remake of "Summer Means New Love' is one of my favorites; I always loved the melody of that track;  Brian decided he wanted to sing it so now its a vocal piece , with lead by Brian , and Brian and Al in the chorus; I had read somewhere on the board that this sounded like it could be a "vapid remake " or some such description.....wrong. There is a track that would fit right in with the three part suite that ends TWGMTR, but is definitely not part of it....then there is "Last Song" ...two versions are cut ; one with lead vocal by Lana Del Ray and one with lead vocal by Brian....I find them both essential, and hope the Brian lead sees daylight.   The guest artists ; well I am sure that there will be controversy here ; I love "On the Island" and I was prepared to really dislike the Kacey Musgraves track , simply because I am not big on country.  The track itself reminds me of " I got Plenty Of Nothin" from BWRG; and I really like the song, and her performance. "Saturday Night on Hollywood Blvd." is a gas. There are a few more, and I like each and every one of them. The songs are great on this record ; my opinion , and so are all the performances, both lead and background vocals.  What I can tell, by what I heard, is that there are a few backgrounds that are Brian stacked; the rest are Brian, Al, Matt and Jeff Foskett; I believe. .....so there is a very different sound to this record, than any other Brian solo record. There are four legitimate Beach Boys on this record;  Brian , Al, David and Blondie; I think they all sound great, and that is good enough for me.  But if none of that is "your thing "(not you personally, figure of speech) , and the guest artist participation offends your sensibilities, what can I say other than don't buy the goshdarn record !

I didn't say 'goshdarn " record....I got censored !!!

Lol...that was due to the word filter!
Thanks for the information. ..i for one am psyched!

[rab2591]

Thank you so much for the breakdown, Ray! I'm so looking forward to Summer Means New Love (didn't this song have lyrics penned for it back in '65? Or wasn't it originally supposed to have lyrics? I forget). Great to to hear that vocals will be placed on the track.

This album sounds like something special, something unique. I trust that Brian knows what he is doing. Frankly I'm just happy that he is back in the studio making a record. Who he records with, how he records it, I don't give a damn. As long as the record sounds good to my ears I'll be a happy man.

[Shady]

Ray you had me so exited, till you mentiond jeff Foskett background vocals 

[Ray Lawlor]

Thank you so much for the breakdown, Ray! I'm so looking forward to Summer Means New Love (didn't this song have lyrics penned for it back in '65? Or wasn't it originally supposed to have lyrics? I forget). Great to to hear that vocals will be placed on the track.

This album sounds like something special, something unique. I trust that Brian knows what he is doing. Frankly I'm just happy that he is back in the studio making a record. Who he records with, how he records it, I don't give a damn. As long as the record sounds good to my ears I'll be a happy man.

I really like the remake.....new lyrics , not from 65.....Probyn's French horn kicks ass on the track

[Ray Lawlor]

Ray you had me so exited, till you mentiond jeff Foskett background vocals 

Jeff sounds great....I like the way the vocals are mixed

[Alex]

Kokomo is in that rare camp amongst songs like Who Let The Dogs Out, Tubthumping, Closing Time, and countless other one hit wonder 90's bands who's songs were fortunate enough to be get into rotation on MTV or the radio, and just drilled themselves deep into people's hearts and minds with such tenacity that the only logical human reaction after a point was to revolt ....... but then someone would say "But when it comes down to it, it REALLY is a good little tune" ....... Well, other than Who Let The Dogs Out.

Semisonic had at least one other hit beyond "Closing Time," with "Singing In My Sleep" reaching #11 in the U.S. in 1998. You'll likely recall the refrain (if you were listening to music in those days--I don't know how old you are).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhS3YP04Fjk&feature=kp

And Dan Wilson, their primary songwriter, of course has quite a few more hits: Adele, Dixie Chicks, etc. So he's hardly a one-hit wonder.

(Sorry, I'm sensitive about my hometown guys. Oh, except that I mocked Prince a few posts ago...)

Don't forget "Secret Smile" and "All About Chemistry".

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

Ray , who wrote the new lyrics?

[Autotune]

I'm excited for this record. Seems like Brian is taking an author's or producer's approach to it. Like a Phil Spector or a Bob Crewe one. Brian's more hands-on than those two, of course, but this is a different setting for a BW album than it has been previously. I like to see Brian stretching his wings, trying different things while being himself. And everytime I hear a new great song from him (or a new song, whatsoever) I'm reminded about why I love this man's music, why it's been so crucial to my life, and how my understanding of music, art and beauty are shaped by this guy's music.

However, I must say I hate some of the promotional discourse-- I think it sucks; projects bitterness; feeds myths and exaggerations that rock journalists are prone to; and augments animosity between the fans. This whole "thanks to Mike Love being a jerk, Brian had to record this album as a solo with some help from the good guys" speech sucks. And Brian's people could certainly relieve us from reading that crap.

[Andrew G. Doe]

The Rolling Stone piece on the new album had me getting excited until I saw who wrote it. Hardly an impartial observer.

[Dudd]

I'm excited for this record. Seems like Brian is taking an author's or producer's approach to it. Like a Phil Spector or a Bob Crewe one. Brian's more hands-on than those two, of course, but this is a different setting for a BW album than it has been previously. I like to see Brian stretching his wings, trying different things while being himself. And everytime I hear a new great song from him (or a new song, whatsoever) I'm reminded about why I love this man's music, why it's been so crucial to my life, and how my understanding of music, art and beauty are shaped by this guy's music.

However, I must say I hate some of the promotional discourse-- I think it sucks; projects bitterness; feeds myths and exaggerations that rock journalists are prone to; and augments animosity between the fans. This whole "thanks to Mike Love being a jerk, Brian had to record this album as a solo with some help from the good guys" speech sucks. And Brian's people could certainly relieve us from reading that crap.

Agreed - that Facebook post was just a bad, bad move. A response to the scepticism shouldn't have been to instinctively jump to the defense that Mike is the square "don't f*** with the formula" bad guy to Brian's square genius (the idea that they encouraged that age-old idea anyway is bad) - it only served to increase fan animosity.

[Robbie Mac]

The Rolling Stone piece on the new album had me getting excited until I saw who wrote it. Hardly an impartial observer.

Impartiality is sometimes overrated.

[Andrew G. Doe]

I'm excited for this record. Seems like Brian is taking an author's or producer's approach to it. Like a Phil Spector or a Bob Crewe one. Brian's more hands-on than those two, of course, but this is a different setting for a BW album than it has been previously. I like to see Brian stretching his wings, trying different things while being himself. And everytime I hear a new great song from him (or a new song, whatsoever) I'm reminded about why I love this man's music, why it's been so crucial to my life, and how my understanding of music, art and beauty are shaped by this guy's music.

However, I must say I hate some of the promotional discourse-- I think it sucks; projects bitterness; feeds myths and exaggerations that rock journalists are prone to; and augments animosity between the fans. This whole "thanks to Mike Love being a jerk, Brian had to record this album as a solo with some help from the good guys" speech sucks. And Brian's people could certainly relieve us from reading that crap.

Agreed - that Facebook post was just a bad, bad move. A response to the scepticism shouldn't have been to instinctively jump to the defense that Mike is the square "don't f*** with the formula" bad guy to Brian's square genius (the idea that they encouraged that age-old idea anyway is bad) - it only served to increase fan animosity.

Maybe that was the gameplan all along...

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

I'm excited for this record. Seems like Brian is taking an author's or producer's approach to it. Like a Phil Spector or a Bob Crewe one. Brian's more hands-on than those two, of course, but this is a different setting for a BW album than it has been previously. I like to see Brian stretching his wings, trying different things while being himself. And everytime I hear a new great song from him (or a new song, whatsoever) I'm reminded about why I love this man's music, why it's been so crucial to my life, and how my understanding of music, art and beauty are shaped by this guy's music.

However, I must say I hate some of the promotional discourse-- I think it sucks; projects bitterness; feeds myths and exaggerations that rock journalists are prone to; and augments animosity between the fans. This whole "thanks to Mike Love being a jerk, Brian had to record this album as a solo with some help from the good guys" speech sucks. And Brian's people could certainly relieve us from reading that crap.

Agreed - that Facebook post was just a bad, bad move. A response to the scepticism shouldn't have been to instinctively jump to the defense that Mike is the square "don't f*** with the formula" bad guy to Brian's square genius (the idea that they encouraged that age-old idea anyway is bad) - it only served to increase fan animosity.

Maybe that was the gameplan all along...

Just like Al ditching out of Jones Beach.

..... Maybe he never intended on playing the gig from the get go.

[HeyJude]

I'm excited for this record. Seems like Brian is taking an author's or producer's approach to it. Like a Phil Spector or a Bob Crewe one. Brian's more hands-on than those two, of course, but this is a different setting for a BW album than it has been previously. I like to see Brian stretching his wings, trying different things while being himself. And everytime I hear a new great song from him (or a new song, whatsoever) I'm reminded about why I love this man's music, why it's been so crucial to my life, and how my understanding of music, art and beauty are shaped by this guy's music.

However, I must say I hate some of the promotional discourse-- I think it sucks; projects bitterness; feeds myths and exaggerations that rock journalists are prone to; and augments animosity between the fans. This whole "thanks to Mike Love being a jerk, Brian had to record this album as a solo with some help from the good guys" speech sucks. And Brian's people could certainly relieve us from reading that crap.

Agreed - that Facebook post was just a bad, bad move. A response to the scepticism shouldn't have been to instinctively jump to the defense that Mike is the square "don't f*** with the formula" bad guy to Brian's square genius (the idea that they encouraged that age-old idea anyway is bad) - it only served to increase fan animosity.

Maybe that was the gameplan all along...

Just like Al ditching out of Jones Beach.

..... Maybe he never intended on playing the gig from the get go.

Even those that have espoused the opinion that everything is Al's fault and he's the total d**k haven't suggested that. On the contrary in fact; it has been indecisiveness cited.

I seriously doubt one would leave themselves open to lawsuits and ill will from fans simply to make Mike look bad, especially when he does a fine job of that on his own.

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

I'm excited for this record. Seems like Brian is taking an author's or producer's approach to it. Like a Phil Spector or a Bob Crewe one. Brian's more hands-on than those two, of course, but this is a different setting for a BW album than it has been previously. I like to see Brian stretching his wings, trying different things while being himself. And everytime I hear a new great song from him (or a new song, whatsoever) I'm reminded about why I love this man's music, why it's been so crucial to my life, and how my understanding of music, art and beauty are shaped by this guy's music.

However, I must say I hate some of the promotional discourse-- I think it sucks; projects bitterness; feeds myths and exaggerations that rock journalists are prone to; and augments animosity between the fans. This whole "thanks to Mike Love being a jerk, Brian had to record this album as a solo with some help from the good guys" speech sucks. And Brian's people could certainly relieve us from reading that crap.

Agreed - that Facebook post was just a bad, bad move. A response to the scepticism shouldn't have been to instinctively jump to the defense that Mike is the square "don't f*** with the formula" bad guy to Brian's square genius (the idea that they encouraged that age-old idea anyway is bad) - it only served to increase fan animosity.

Maybe that was the gameplan all along...

Just like Al ditching out of Jones Beach.

..... Maybe he never intended on playing the gig from the get go.

Even those that have espoused the opinion that everything is Al's fault and he's the total d**k haven't suggested that. On the contrary in fact; it has been indecisiveness cited.

I seriously doubt one would leave themselves open to lawsuits and ill will from fans simply to make Mike look bad, especially when he does a fine job of that on his own.

As true as your last sentence might be, he's certainly had loads of help from others.

[HeyJude]

The Rolling Stone piece on the new album had me getting excited until I saw who wrote it. Hardly an impartial observer.

Many that score interviews with these guys usually do so with an implication that they will be sympathetic. It's the same as the guys who get Mike for an interview and ask him softball, leading questions about how he still manages to make everyone so happy touring, etc. If an interviewer grilled Mike for a half hour on the end of the reunion, they probably would not get another interview.

As biased as Fine may be, this RS article conveys more new information than any interview with Mike in over a year. Fine's stuff seems to be less editorial in nature anyway. It's simply an insider describing what's happening in the studio. Promotional puff stuff to be sure, but still more informational than most articles or interviews with these guys.

[Andrew G. Doe]

For them as might be unaware, Fine is working with Brian on his second autobiography, to be published next year.

[Nicko1234]

Many that score interviews with these guys usually do so with an implication that they will be sympathetic. It's the same as the guys who get Mike for an interview and ask him softball, leading questions about how he still manages to make everyone so happy touring, etc. If an interviewer grilled Mike for a half hour on the end of the reunion, they probably would not get another interview.

As biased as Fine may be, this RS article conveys more new information than any interview with Mike in over a year. Fine's stuff seems to be less editorial in nature anyway. It's simply an insider describing what's happening in the studio. Promotional puff stuff to be sure, but still more informational than most articles or interviews with these guys.

Does everything really have to come down a competition between the band members?

`Interviewers are much kinder to your favourite Beach Boy than they are to my favourite Beach Boy.`

Really?

[The Shift]

May I note that not a single person on this board has heard more than a 10-second iPhone clip from this album?

... Apparently not.

Brian Wilson is not perfect, but he's no idiot. He can still write, arrange, sing and play. He's making a new record, and hopefully it will have some good tunes on it. He's worked with some younger singers, and folks involved feel positively about how the project is evolving (including folks from the outside like Ray Lawlor and Don Was, who have nothing to gain by lying to fans about a record's quality). So what is the problem?

It's going to be a splashy record, with big-name guests, released to coincide with a movie and book. It's a 21st-century multimedia extravaganza. It's why someone like Joe is still involved (making trains run on time), and why Brian still has a major-label deal. So I look forward to rolling with it and seeing what happens.

Well I think that is the way to approach it ; roll with it and see what happens; I think you have captured the essence of it.  See if there is stuff there that hits you.  I have heard the whole thing , and can only give you my opinion. I think that for the core fan base there are 7-8 tracks that I would consider "no brainers" ; "Sail Away" kind of reminds me of "Sloop John B" ; lead vocal's by Brian, Al and Blondie , swapping off ; background vocals are great; there are two tracks with rotating lead vocals of Brian and Al which I think are great. There is a ballad sung by Brian that , in my opinion , can be placed with anything he has done (except "SMiLE) ; one track has a jazz feel , with great harmonies; the remake of "Summer Means New Love' is one of my favorites; I always loved the melody of that track;  Brian decided he wanted to sing it so now its a vocal piece , with lead by Brian , and Brian and Al in the chorus; I had read somewhere on the board that this sounded like it could be a "vapid remake " or some such description.....wrong. There is a track that would fit right in with the three part suite that ends TWGMTR, but is definitely not part of it....then there is "Last Song" ...two versions are cut ; one with lead vocal by Lana Del Ray and one with lead vocal by Brian....I find them both essential, and hope the Brian lead sees daylight.   The guest artists ; well I am sure that there will be controversy here ; I love "On the Island" and I was prepared to really dislike the Kacey Musgraves track , simply because I am not big on country.  The track itself reminds me of " I got Plenty Of Nothin" from BWRG; and I really like the song, and her performance. "Saturday Night on Hollywood Blvd." is a gas. There are a few more, and I like each and every one of them. The songs are great on this record ; my opinion , and so are all the performances, both lead and background vocals.  What I can tell, by what I heard, is that there are a few backgrounds that are Brian stacked; the rest are Brian, Al, Matt and Jeff Foskett; I believe. .....so there is a very different sound to this record, than any other Brian solo record. There are four legitimate Beach Boys on this record;  Brian , Al, David and Blondie; I think they all sound great, and that is good enough for me.  But if none of that is "your thing "(not you personally, figure of speech) , and the guest artist participation offends your sensibilities, what can I say other than don't buy the goshdarn record !

I didn't say 'goshdarn " record....I got censored !!!

Many thanks for this - can we call it a "spoiler"? - Ray. This kinda detail has me even more enthused than a ten-second clip and will tide me over until the album is in my hands.

Couple of queries - You didn't mention Jeff Beck so I guess that co-op might have been excised?

And Matt and Jeff F's vox on the same track(s)… didn't expect that.

Thanks again - all spoilers gratefully lapped up!

[coco1997]

Well I think that is the way to approach it ; roll with it and see what happens; I think you have captured the essence of it.  See if there is stuff there that hits you.  I have heard the whole thing , and can only give you my opinion. I think that for the core fan base there are 7-8 tracks that I would consider "no brainers" ; "Sail Away" kind of reminds me of "Sloop John B" ; lead vocal's by Brian, Al and Blondie , swapping off ; background vocals are great; there are two tracks with rotating lead vocals of Brian and Al which I think are great. There is a ballad sung by Brian that , in my opinion , can be placed with anything he has done (except "SMiLE) ; one track has a jazz feel , with great harmonies; the remake of "Summer Means New Love' is one of my favorites; I always loved the melody of that track;  Brian decided he wanted to sing it so now its a vocal piece , with lead by Brian , and Brian and Al in the chorus; I had read somewhere on the board that this sounded like it could be a "vapid remake " or some such description.....wrong. There is a track that would fit right in with the three part suite that ends TWGMTR, but is definitely not part of it....then there is "Last Song" ...two versions are cut ; one with lead vocal by Lana Del Ray and one with lead vocal by Brian....I find them both essential, and hope the Brian lead sees daylight.   The guest artists ; well I am sure that there will be controversy here ; I love "On the Island" and I was prepared to really dislike the Kacey Musgraves track , simply because I am not big on country.  The track itself reminds me of " I got Plenty Of Nothin" from BWRG; and I really like the song, and her performance. "Saturday Night on Hollywood Blvd." is a gas. There are a few more, and I like each and every one of them. The songs are great on this record ; my opinion , and so are all the performances, both lead and background vocals.  What I can tell, by what I heard, is that there are a few backgrounds that are Brian stacked; the rest are Brian, Al, Matt and Jeff Foskett; I believe. .....so there is a very different sound to this record, than any other Brian solo record. There are four legitimate Beach Boys on this record;  Brian , Al, David and Blondie; I think they all sound great, and that is good enough for me.  But if none of that is "your thing "(not you personally, figure of speech) , and the guest artist participation offends your sensibilities, what can I say other than don't buy the goshdarn record !

Thanks for the insight, Mr. Lawlor.

Can you confirm whether "Danny Boy" or the Al 'car song' "Run James Run" made the album?

[Autotune]

For them as might be unaware, Fine is working with Brian on his second autobiography, to be published next year.

If the RS article is indicative of the tone and perspective of the new autobiography, I'll pass. I'm sick of the "Brian rules because Mike sucks" approach.

[JohnMill]

Many that score interviews with these guys usually do so with an implication that they will be sympathetic. It's the same as the guys who get Mike for an interview and ask him softball, leading questions about how he still manages to make everyone so happy touring, etc. If an interviewer grilled Mike for a half hour on the end of the reunion, they probably would not get another interview.

As biased as Fine may be, this RS article conveys more new information than any interview with Mike in over a year. Fine's stuff seems to be less editorial in nature anyway. It's simply an insider describing what's happening in the studio. Promotional puff stuff to be sure, but still more informational than most articles or interviews with these guys.

Does everything really have to come down a competition between the band members?

`Interviewers are much kinder to your favourite Beach Boy than they are to my favourite Beach Boy.`

Really?

As long as you go into them with eyes wide open I suppose?  Not sure quite frankly.

[Robbie Mac]

For them as might be unaware, Fine is working with Brian on his second autobiography, to be published next year.

If the RS article is indicative of the tone and perspective of the new autobiography, I'll pass. I'm sick of the "Brian rules because Mike sucks" approach.

Some of us are equally sick of "Poor Mike!  Damn that evil Brian and his media buddies!"

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

I for one am sick of the idea that if you like/respect one, you have to hate the other. All of them were extremely talented...there was no weak link in that band.