The Smiley Smile Message Board

1. From There and Back Again
2. Strange World
3. That's Why God Made the Radio
4. Summer's Gone
5. Shelter
6. Pacific Coast Highway
7. Think About the Days
8. Isn't It Time
9. The Private Life of Bill and Sue
10. Beaches in Mind
11. Spring Vacation
12. Daybreak Over the Ocean

1. Isn't It Time
2. TWGMTR
3. FTTBA
4. Strange World
5. Shelter
6. PCH
7. Summer's Gone
8. Beaches in Mind
9. TPLOBAS
10. Spring Vacation
11. Daybreak Over the Ocean
12. Think About the Days

1. Summer's Gone
2. Spring Vacation
3. Pacific Coast Highway
4. From There And Back Again
5. Strange World
6. Shelter
7. Isn't It Time
8. That's Why God Made The Radio
9. Daybreak Over The Ocean
10. The Private Life Of Bill And Sue
11. Think About The Days
12. Beaches In Mind

That was harder than I thought it would be. I could almost interchange songs 4-10 and it will undoubtedly change.

There's not a track I don't like on it, so they are all tied for #1.

subject to change obviously.

*entering favorite songs on album section
1.  From There To Back Again
2.  Summer's Gone
3.  Shelter
4.  TWGMTR
5.  Pacific Coast Highway
6.  Isn't It Time
*entering solid songs section*
7.  Think About the Days
8.  Strange World
9.  Private Life of Bill and Sue
*entering enjoyable at times but a dud section*
10.  Spring Vacation
11.  Daybreak Over The Ocean
*entering depths of hell*
12.  Beaches In Mind

This is almost exactly the same as my list, although the order of the "favorites" section would be a bit rearranged.  You have excellent taste, Runaways, because it is the same as mine. "Beaches in Mind" is far away the worst and least-inspired track on the record.

1. From There to Back Again
2. Pacific Coast Highway
3. Summer's Gone
4. Think About the Days
5. Spring Vacation
6. That's Why God Made the Radio
7. Strange World
8. Isn't It Time
9. Shelter
10. The Private Life of Bill and Sue
11. Beaches in Mind
12. Daybreak Over the Ocean

Why no love for Beaches in Mind?  Am I the only one to kinda like it?
It should be the third single!


 1. Isn't It Time
 2. Strange World
 3. Summer's Gone
 4. From There and Back Again
 5. Pacific Coast Highway
 6. Think About the Days
 7. Beaches in Mind
 8. Spring Vacation
 9. Daybreak Over the Ocean
10. Shelter
11. That's Why God Made the Radio
12. The Private Life of Bill and Sue

I did this the other day on one of the other threads, but I think my rankings have changed slightly, so I'll start from scratch and do it again:

1. From There To Back Again
2. Spring Vacation
3. Pacific Coast Highway
4. Summer's Gone
5. Isn't It Time
6. That's Why God Made The Radio
7. Beaches In Mind
8. Think About The Days
9. Daybreak Over The Ocean
10. Strange World
11. The Private Life of Bill And Sue
12. Shelter

1. That's Why God Made The Radio
2. From There To Back Again
3. Summer's Gone
4. Spring Vacation
5. Isn't It Time
6. Pacific Coast Highway
7. Shelter
8. Think About The Days
9. Strange World
10. Daybreak Over The Ocean
11. The Private Life Of Bill And Sue
12. Beaches In Mind

The lower 2/3 of our lists are pretty similar...#5,8,11 exactly the same...#9 & 10 switched, #7 & 12 switched...

Well I think I remember commenting on you review that you sounded like a super-smart guy. :-D

The songs in my top 6 and my bottom 6 are identical to yours although shuffled around.

1.) Pacific Coast Highway
2.) FTTBA
3.) Isn't It Time
4.) TWGMTR
5.) Shelter
6.) Summer's Gone
7.) Strange World
8.) Think About the Days
9.) TPLOBAS
10.) Daybreak
11.) Spring Vacation
12.) Beaches in Mind

If SV had even slightly better lyrics, it might be higher. And sometimes Beaches in Mind is much higher in my estimation. But this is my list for public consumption.  ;D

Cool, didn't notice that!

1. From There To Back Again
2. Summer's Gone
3. Spring Vacation
4. Isn't It Time
5. Pacific Coast Highway
6. Strange World
7. Think About The Days
8. Shelter
9. That's Why God Made The Radio
10. Beaches In Mind
11. Daybreak Over The Ocean
12. The Private Life Of Bill And Sue

I like it too.

If I have to:

1. From There and Back Again
2. Pacific Coast Highway
3. Summer's Gone
4. Think About the Days
5. The Private Life of Bill and Sue
6. TWGMTR
7. Strange World



8. Shelter






9. Isn't it Time


























10. Daybreak over the Ocean
11. Spring Vacation





































12. Beaches in Mind

1. Spring Vacation
2. Shelter
3. Daybreak Over the Ocean
4. Isn't It Time
5. That's Why God Made The Radio
6. Strange World
7. From There to Back Again
8. The Private Life of Bill and Sue
9. Pacific Coast Highway
10. Beaches In Mind
11. Summer's Gone
12. Think About the Days

Best to not-so-best:


From There To Back Again
Summer's Gone
Pacific Coast Highway
Strange World


Shelter
Think About The Days
That's Why God Made The Radio


Daybreak Over The Ocean


Isn't It Time
The Private Life Of Bill And Sue


Spring Vacation
Beaches In Mind

1. From There To Back Again
2. Isn't It Time
3. Summer's Gone
4. Pacific Coast Highway
5. That's Why God Made The Radio
6. Strange World
7. Think About The Days
8. Spring Vacation
9. Shelter
10. Private Life Of Bill & Sue
11. Beaches In MInd
12. Daybreak Over The Ocean

After about five listens:

1 Strange World
2 Pacific Coast Highway
3 Isn't It Time
4 Spring Vacation
5 From There And Back Again
6 Summer's Gone
7 That's Why God Made The Radio
8 Beaches In Mind
9 Think About The Days
10 Shelter
11 The Private Life Of Bill And Sue
12 Daybreak Over The Ocean

the first time i heard the drums kick in on beaches in mind, i gagged a little and had to use my left hand to stop my right hand from changing the song.

Do we all agree that Daybreak is the best ML solo song to ever grace a BB album?

Shame it was held back until 2012, Mike can make good non-nostalgia songs when he feels like it.

*Songs I LOVE*
1. Pacific Coast Highway (actually, probably one of the best songs I've heard from The Beach Boys).
2. Summer's Gone
3. From There To Back Again
4. That's Why God Made The Radio
5. Isn't It Time
6. Think About The Days
7. Shelter
8. Daybreak Over The Ocean
9. The Private Life Of Bill and Sue
10. Spring Vacation

*songs I hope will grow on me - but I really dislike them right now*
11. Strange World
12. Beaches in Mind

One similarity these last two songs have, that I dislike, is that Peter Framptom style voice-box instrument....it adds NOTHING to either song, and sounds out of place. 

I really wish I could like Strange World, but it sounds like a song I'd hear on a 80's/90's sitcom during a flashback scene (Growing Pains, Full House, Boy Meets World, etc).

This could possibly change in the near-future. (I've already changed my mind about the rankings in my first review in another thread!)
Not reading anyone else's list until I'm done posting mine!

1.Summer's Gone
2.From There To Back Again
3.Pacific Coast Highway
4.Shelter
5.Isn't It Time
6.That's Why God Made The Radio
7.Strange World
8.Spring Vacation
9.Daybreak Over The Ocean
10.The Private Life of Bill and Sue
11.Think About The Days
12.Beaches In Mind

No, that's 'Big Sur'.

Big Sur without a doubt (and by a country mile). It wasn't even the best song on his unreleased album.

I think that one reason that Daybreak is so lowly rated is just because it`s the only song that had been heard previously (and because it wasn`t re-recorded). There is no way that it`s the worst song on the album and I reckon that with time people`s opinions will change (not that I think it`s the best song on the album either...).

It's my least favorite song on the album and no, I've never heard it before (I don't download music). I just think it's a weak composition and I don't see why, after 'Bluebirds over the Mountain', they needed another re-writing of 'My Bonnie'.

I don't get why it's so hated. Mike sounds great on the track, the harmonies are beautiful. It sounds like a classic Beach Boys song.

I also don't get why Strange World is so highly rated, but to each our own.

I am in the minority. I love " Beaches In Mind"

Listening to the cd and DOTO starts and it's the cringeworthy SIP all over again.  :o

Interesting....... the top 5 could be any order depending on my mood at the moment its

1 shelter
2 spring vacation
3 isnt it time
4 from there to back again
5 thats why god made the radio
6 strange world
7 summers gone
8 pacific ocean highway
9 think about the days
10 daybreak over the ocean
11 beaches in mind
12 private life of bill and sue

Summer's Gone has dropped out of my top 10.   :-[
I have several problems with it, and I can't stand the use of the Latin bar chimes anymore, as used by artists like Sade , Shakatak, Santana or other club lounge type of music.
I don't identify that sound with Beach Boys music. Beach Boys has f.e.  tambourins, sleighbells, timpani, woodblocks and other clipclop percussion.

& it's over produced. Loud or with headphones you hear all the interesting production bits and pieces,  but softer from a distance, a simple chord progression is all that you hear. This is a track that would not be out of place on Imagination :(  All the other tracks are better produced imho.

I'm with you brother!!

My list:

1) FTTBA
2) PCH

3) (tie) Summer's Gone, Strange World, Spring Vacation, Isn't it Time, TWGMTR, Beaches in Mind

9) Think About the Days

10) (tie) DOTO and Shelter
12) Private Life of Bill and Sue

The top 9 tracks are making my head explode (in a good way  ;D). The last three are ok. I don't mind that they're on the album.

Lyrics seldom ever do anything to shape my opinion of a song.  It's the songwriting, vocals, and production all the way.

1. From There to Back Again
2. Summer's Gone
3. Pacific Coast Highway

4. Strange World
5. Think About the Days

6. That's Why God Made the Radio
7. Shelter
8. Isn't It Time
9. Spring Vacation

10. Daybreak Over the Ocean

11. The Private Life of Bill and Sue

12. Beaches in Mind

1. From There and Back Again
2. Strange World
3. That's Why God Made the Radio
4. Isn't It Time
5. Pacific Coast Highway



6. Shelter
7. Summer's Gone
8. Daybreak Over the Ocean


9. Spring Vacation
10. Think About the Days
11. The Private Life of Bill and Sue




12. Beaches in Mind

Oldsurferdude, do you always skip over Mike songs, or do you find Mike tolerable when his talents are in service to Brian's compositions? Just curious.

Everybody now:

We've got beeeeeaaacheeees in miiind.....   maaaan, it's been too much tiiimeee

One reason I like Beaches In Mind, is that it's one of the most Beach Boy-ish sounding track IMO. Another reason, is that it is damn catchy, with the worst part being the bridge.

1. Isn't It Time - Classic Beach Boys! Wow!
2. Spring Vacation - Are the lyrics cheesy? Yes. I wouldn't expect less from the Lovester. But I give him major props b/c it works in a big way! I would pick this as the second single.
3. That's Why God Made The Radio - Great in a Good Timin' way. Unexpectedly beautiful vocals. Bruce's part is AMAZING!
4. From There to Back Again - Al can still sing can't he?!?! I love it.
5. Summer's Gone - Classic Brian! Another major success in a long line of 'lonely' songs from the maestro.
6. Daybreak Over The Ocean - has gotten lukewarm reviews from the fans. Mostly I think b/c they already knew it. But I've never sought out Mike Love bootlegs so I heard it with fresh ears and thought it was really good
7. Pacific Coast Highway - I really like it, but I would  love it if it was twice as long
8. The Private Live of Bill and Sue - My wife, whi is a fan but not a fanatic, picked this one out as her favorite for the melody. I think it's a good example of a 'quirky' Brian song but nothing more
9. Shelter - I LOVE the choras. It defiitely reminds me of another song, but I haven't been able to put my finger on it. The verses are pretty weak though which moves it down my list.
10. Think About The Days -  This is a fine track, great vocals, but it sounds unfinshed to me and out of place opening the album
11. Strange World - Feels unformed, like a good idea that was never fleshed out, and weak lyrics
12. Beaches In Mind - A throwaway, and the only 'bad' song in the collection.

12. Beaches In Mind
11. Shelter
10. Spring Vacation
9. Daybreak Over the Ocean
8. The Private Life of Bill and Sue
7. Thing About the Days
6. That's Why God Made the Radio
5. Isn't It Time?
4. Strange World
3. From There to Back Again
2. Pacific Coast Highway
1. Summer's Gone

The biggest surprise to me was that I like a Mike Love song better than 3 Brian tracks.

"Beaches in Mind" sounds like a song that Brian had very little to do with. There is virtually nothing Brian-esque about this track's composition, with its generic three-chord progression and lack of any inventiveness. Even "Mona" with its four chords is a good example of what Brian's style sounds like when it is simplified.

The arrangement of "Beaches in Mind" brings it a wee bit closer to what we know of Brian's work, but it sounds like the bass harmonica part exists only to reassure us, "don't worry guys, this is a Brian song!" He literally must have written the track in five minutes.

I had never heard it.  It's just a bad song.

I think you're right. I find it hard to believe that Brian had much to do with the song and if he did he just tossed it off .

OMGGGGGG YESSSS
1. From There to Back Again
2. Pacific Coast Highway
3. Think About the Days
4. Isn't It Time
5. Shelter
6. Summer's Gone

Really good, will listen forever
7. Spring Vacation
8. That's Why God Made the Radio
9. Strange World

Meh.... these will scarcely ever make a mix playlist
10. The Private Life of Bill and Sue
11. Daybreak Over the Ocean

Not interested
12. Beaches in Mind

After 5 or 6 full listens. Beaches in Mind is the only song I have to skip. This is a good album.

I can't believe that we just got "From There and Back Again" from Brian Wilson in 2012. Sure is a strange world.

You know, I think we need more polls on this board. I like polls.

Being forced to rank them and finding it incredibly hard shows just how good this album really is. Strange World definitely last; the only one I'm definitely sure of at this juncture....


1.   Isn't It Time
2.   Shelter
3.   That's Why God Made the Radio
4.   Spring Vacation
5.   Pacific Coast Highway
6.   The Private Life of Bill and Sue
7.   Daybreak Over the Ocean
8.   From There and Back Again
9.   Think About the Days
10.   Summer's Gone
11.   Beaches in Mind
12.   Strange World

Lies!

 
 1.Summer's Gone (This song is what I call a Masterpiece, beautiful and moving)
 2.Isn't it Time (Brian, Bruce, Al and Mike sharing lead vocals in the catchiest track of the album)
 3.From There to Back Again (it reminds me the feel and spirit of Surf's Up)
 4.The Private Life of Bill and Sue (the chorus and Bruce's "ooohh" falsetto makes me shiver)
 5.Strange World (Pet sounds mood)
 6.Shelter
 7.Think About the Days
 8.Pacific Coast Highway
 9.TWGMTR
10.Spring Vacation
11.Daybreak Over The Ocean
12.Beaches in Mind

1. Pacific Coast Highway (a future classic)
2. From There to Back Again
3. The Private Life of Bill and Sue (can't help it...)
4. Think About the Days
5. Strange World (sweet and actually quite touching... very TLOS!)
6. Summer's Gone
7. Shelter
8. TWGMTR
9. Isn't It Time
10. Spring Vacation (music has really grown on me!)
11. Daybreak Over the Ocean
12. Beaches in Mind

Last two are actually the only ones I don't really care for.

9/10
1. Summer's Gone

8/10
2. That's Why God Made The Radio
3. From There To Back Again
4. Isn't It Time

7/10
5. Pacific Coast Highway

6/10
6. Strange World
7. Spring Vacation
8. Think About The Days

5/10
9. Shelter
10. Daybreak Over The Ocean

4/10
11. Beaches In Mind

2/10
12. The Private Life Of Bill And Sue

I hate having to try to pin these down, but I'll give it a shot"

1. Pacific Coast Highway - This is a perfect song. (10/10)



2. Shelter - I liked this from the moment I heard the Amazon samples, and it only got better from there.  Very catchy and I love what's going on in the background in the chorus.  (8/10)
3. Summer's Gone - The harmonies are so beautiful.  I woke up today with this in my head. (7/10)
4. Daybreak Over the Ocean - The opening vocals just bring a smile to my face.  I am surprised I like this so much, but I have played it more often then everything else below it. (7/10)
5. Think About the Days - This is a wonderful opener, but I really wish it opened the B-side instead. (6.5/10)
6. TWGMTR - This is a very catchy song, but I sort of burned out on it since the single came out. (6.5/10)

7. From There to Back Again - This is very good song and I hate ranking it near the middle, but I just enjoy the above tracks more. (6/10)
8. Spring Vacation - Aside from the name checking of old songs, this is a really fun song.  I really like the melody lines and the hand off of vocals between Mike and Brian. (6/10)

9. The Private Life of Bill and Sue - This song would be higher except for the goofy lyrics.  It reminds me a lot of Two For The Price of One by ABBA, which is a wonderful piece of music that is brought down a notch or two by the lyrics. (5/10)
11. Strange World - I like this song, but it doesn't do much to me one way or another. (5/10)
10. Isn't It Time - I find myself singing along with this, and I enjoy Jeff's part on the bridge, but otherwise this song is just okay for me. (5/10)




12. Beaches in Mind - I skip this song most times.  I still find myself singing along when I don't, but this song seems like it was tacked on.  There's just not much to it. (2/10)

Fair question. Thought Myke's lead vocals were good when I was in high school(62-66) although I always gravitated toward the Wilsons and Al. I was relieved when Carl took more leads and Myke was relegated more to the bvs. Yeah, I know, AIWD is wonderful and all but quite honestly I just don't play the stuff I liked in high school with any abundance-moved on. Listen to SG-that's where Myke can stay-buried in the mix and yes, I most definitely skip DOTO on the new album.

Thanks, OSD. It's interesting to hear your perspective. Yes, "All I Wanna Do" is exhibit "A" for Mike Love possessing talent as a composer and a different kind of singer. It's a shame that he hasn't really expanded upon this style since.

I like Mike's work, but I am first and foremost a fan of Brian's compositions, Brian's production, and also the compositions of the other Wilsons brothers. I've seen Brian live a number of times and his solo career over the past decade has been thrilling. I love Al as well, and I'd have killed to see a Brian and Al concert (who needs Mike?) before the reunion was announced.

However, one thing that really struck me when I saw The Beach Boys C50 tour is that Mike is a consummate frontman. Without Mike, this aspect of The Beach Boys would be sorely missed. There is a lot to make fun of and find fault with in Mike - his mannerisms, the gold rings on his fingers, the lecherous vibe, his sense of humor - but I'll be damned if Mike Love isn't one of the top people in the world at his job, being a frontman for a live band. He makes it look easy, but it's not.

This is especially crazy to me because Mike is likely the least musically talented person on that stage; he is not even the best singer on stage, and he is surrounded by talented people who absolutely destroy at their jobs. Still, not one of them could do Mike's job the as effectively as he does it, and for the record, I love Brian and Al's solo shows. Love him or hate him, I don't think Mike gets enough credit for this.

Anyway, thanks for the reply. I'm not going to try to change your opinion of Mike... sorry, Myk... and perhaps it is deserved. Still, when I saw them live, I was struck by how important Mike was for the band.

The songs I LOVE!
1.  Summer's Gone- If this ends up being the last Beach Boys song ever, I'm okay with that.
2.  Pacific Coast Highway- Lyrically, this knocked me off my feet. So simiple, yet it nearly had me in tears.
3.  Shelter- This has everything I look for in a song. Catchy yet charming melodies, simple yet sincere lyrics and beautiful harmonies.
4.  Isn't It Time- It has a Ukulele. Need I express my love for this song any further? :-D
5.  That's Why God Made The Radio- Catchy, but not annoying. Some interesting lyrical choices. I really love the "whole new generation" part, and as Mike said "it's got every chord ever invented!" :lol
The Songs I Like...
6.  Think About The Days- Nice opener, almost like a warmup for whats to come, well played boys.
7.  From There To Back Again- Nice ballad, sung beautifull by Al. But what is the hype over this? Am I missing something?
8.  The Private Life of Bill and Sue- I didn't like this until the last stanza from the voiceover guy, think it is hillarious!
The Songs I don't like..... :(
9.  Spring Vacation- Cheese.
10.Strange World- Cheese.
11.Beaches in Mind- Gorgonzola up in here.
12.Daybreak Over The Ocean- I couldn't even listen to this whole song...easily the worst on there.

1. Spring Vacation
2. From There and Back Again


3. Strange World
4. Isn't It Time
5. Pacific Coast Highway
6. Summer's Gone
7. That's Why God Made the Radio
8. Think About the Days


9. The Private Life of Bill and Sue
10. Shelter


11. Daybreak Over the Ocean
12. Beaches in Mind

No, HELL no.  You'd have to ignore Big Sur, right?  Big Sur kicks this song's ass in every, every way.  EVERY way. 

1. "Think About the Days"   8/10
2. "That's Why God Made the Radio"  7.5/10
3. "Isn't It Time"  8.5/10
4. "Spring Vacation"   8.5/10
5. "The Private Life of Bill and Sue"  5/10
6. "Shelter"  7/10
7. "Daybreak Over the Ocean"   7.5/10
8. "Beaches in Mind"  6/10
9. "Strange World" 8/10
10. "From There to Back Again" 9/10
11. "Pacific Coast Highway"  9.5/10
12. "Summer's Gone"   9.5/10

Quick thoughts the singing is great, and the production is very natural. As a First Edition fan it's nice that their short term piano player John Hobbs is all over it.  The harmoinies are very well layered and nothing (except for the Jimmy Buffett vibe on Bill and Sue) seems at all off. David does make his presence felt in the music especally on "Isn't It Time". Brian's voice over the last five years has really gotten to where he sounds like Brian Wilson again minus of course the higher parts. Al and Mike sound great with no nasal crap from the latter. Nothing seems to be a real rehash and though they could have left off a few of the song title mentions there isn't anything that makes them seem like a retread. It's not up to 1961-72 standards but it's easily the most even album they have done since Holland? Don't they sound good together? They really do need each other to play off of to get the best vocal results. While I wish the best of Postcard and TLOS would have been held for this, it is a fine album. I can hardly wait for the vinyl, and this is first post Holland album I wouldn't hesitate to play for people (not counting the best of Brian and Dennis' solo work). The last three songs are very much the heart of the album. These are up to pre 15 Big Ones quality and the first really emotional Beach Boys songs since the Dennis leads (bar Shortining Bread) and Good Timin on L.A. Light. Never thought I would see this happen and I never thought it would be done so well if it did. Joe Thomas still hasn't completely won me over but I have to say I never thought he could write as well as he has here. Again I would like to say the production, arrangements, vocals are by and large impressive. Not a masterpiece but it's a respectable, polished, and creative Beach Boys album. We haven't had one since Holland.
 

1. From There To Back Again
2. Summer's Gone
3. Isn't It Time
4. Pacific Coast Highway
5. Strange World
6. Shelter
7. TWGMTR
8. TPLOBAS
9. Think About The Days
10. Spring Vacation

all those were pretty close compared to
11. Daybreak
12. Beaches in Mind

I'll take 'Daybreak Over The Ocean' over 'Beaches in Mind' and 'Spring Vacation' any day. The latter I actually have to skip when listening through the album.

As of now:

1.  From There To Back Again
2.  Summer's Gone
3.  Pacific Coast Highway
4.  Think About The Days
5.  Isn't It Time
6.  That's Why God Made The Radio
7.  Shelter
8.  Strange World
9.  Daybreak Over The Ocean
10.  Spring Vacation
11.  The Private Life Of Bill And Sue
12.  Beaches In Mind

Just a note: those of you who haven't put Pacific Coast Highway at Number 1 (10/10), and Summer's Gone (10/10) at Number 2 can revise your lists later with no shame attached!!!

;D

From There to Back Again

Summer's Gone
Pacific Coast Highway

Isn't It Time
Think About the Days

That's Why God Made the Radio
Shelter
Strange World

Spring Vacation
Daybreak Over the Ocean
The Private Life of Bill and Sue

Beaches in Mind

From There To Back Again
Pacific Coast Highway
Summer's Gone
Think About the Days
Strange World
Isn't It Time
That's Why God Made The Radio
Spring Vacation (GP)
Shelter
Daybreak Over The Ocean
Beaches In Mind
The Private Life Of Bill And Sue

This is basically mine.

Pacific Coast Highway

Summer's Gone

Think about the Days

Isn't it Time

Spring Vacation

That's Why God Made the Radio

Daybreak Over the Ocean

From There to Back Again

Shelter

Beaches in Mind

The Private Life of Bill and Sue

Strange World

About the same as me. What's GP mean?

Guilty Pleasure.  ;D

I don't get the pacific ocean highway love - to me it's the weak part of the suite. The piano is cheesy, and the wall-of-fosketts "goodbye" is so cheesy as well. In the middle of some really inspired stuff from Brian I think it's a weak point!

But I'm very open to persuasion!

Ah. I was surprised I liked it myself. I read the lyrics before playing it and I didn't expect it to be so catchy. It's not "great" but far better than their 1978-92 nostalgia fests.

I think it's very pretty, and has a nice simplicty to it.  It also has some fine harmonic and melodic changes.

I think it's sequencing helps bring out a good bit of energy; especially after the mellow openers.  This album is more roll than rock, but Spring Vacation provides a bit of a middle ground.

I love how Mike stresses and swaggers the I'm cruisin' the town line, and gets me into a groove that (vaguely) harks back to the I get around vibe.

1. Pacific Coast Highway
2. Shelter
3. From There to Back Again
4. Summer's Gone
5. Isn't It Time
6. Strange World
7. That's Why God Made the Radio
8. Think About the Days
9. The Private Life of Bill and Sue
10. Beaches in Mind
11. Spring Vacation
12. Daybreak Over the Ocean

But I don't dislike any of the songs actually. Top eight is very strong though.

I find it moving in the extreme -  seems to be utterly from the heart, and that final "Goodbye…" – is that Brian, after declaring that he's getting older, wants to go home, that he's better off alone, saying Goodbye to everything, as the sun sets?

The tip of the hat to Dennis in the delivery of the first word, the simple setting sun metaphor…  gargh! Wilson has no right to wring the emotions of an oldster like me in this way!

This whole album has turned the world on its head – Beach Boys getting along, going-on-70-year-old men creating new career highs, new respect for Thomas and Foskett… confuse me some more, why don'cha!

Indeed. Big time.

Actually just had another listen. It is a pretty and Dennis-like song. I think it suffers from over production. Whereas FHtBA and Summers Gone suit the big production, I think PCH would have been better very raw - dry piano and vocals. It sounds a bit cheesy with the full on thing.

It's schmaltzy orchestral arrangement and stately pace reminds me of The Long And Winding Road. I wonder if that could have been an influence either consciously or subconsciously. I always considered that to be the Beatles goodbye song.

1. Spring Vacation
2. Isn't It Time
3. Think About the Days
4. The Private Life of Bill and Sue
5. Summer's Gone
6. Pacific Coast Highway
7. From There to Back Again
8. Daybreak Over the Ocean
9. Strange World
10. Beaches in Mind
11. That's Why God Made the Radio
12. Shelter

Beaches In Mind is my guilty pleasure.

The standout tracks are Think About The Days, TWGMTR, Isn't It Me, FTTBA, Pacific Coast Highway and Summer's Gone.

Shelter is really nice.

Bill & Sue is a missed opportunity to really rip into the social and cultural phenomenon of reality TV and how it damages people.

The rest. Meh. It's OK. Why is there a HIDEOUS amount of autotune (or similar) on Spring Vacation? That song would have been listenable without it.

Nothing truly bad on the record to be honest.

1) From There To Back Again
2) Pacific Coast Highway
3) Summer's Gone
4) Isn't It Time
5) Shelter
6) That's Why God Made The Radio
7) Strange World
8.  Think About The Days
9) Bill and Sue
10) Daybreak
11) Beaches In Mind
12) Spring Vacation


I think I would have liked Daybreak better with a stronger lead vocal from Mike. Funny that he sounds older in 2005 than now.

I rated Bill and Sue pretty low but I must admit the chorus is my guilty pleasure.

For those of you that have Spring Vacation ranked so highly I really don't understand. I wish that I could unhear it.  :-[

Finally a list that I can relate to. Mine is pretty close:


1) From There To Back Again
2) Pacific Coast Highway
3) That's Why God Made The Radio
4) Isn't It Time
5) Think About The Days
6) Summers' Gone
7) Strange World
8. Daybreak
9) Shelter
10) Bill & Sue
11) Beaches In Mind
12) Spring Vacation

I guess BB fandom is a broad church.  Bizarre how low FTTBA is on some people's lists...

Think I'm ready to do this but it may change at any moment. For the record I think every song is above a 7/10, so just because I rank a song low doesn't mean I don't like it, I like them all very much.

1. From There to Back Again (9.5/10)
2. Pacific Coast Highway (9/10)
3. Summer's Gone (9/10)
4. Isn't it Time (8.5/10)
5= Spring Vacation (8/10)
5= Strange World (8/10)
5= That's Why God Made the Radio (8/10)
8= The Private Life of Bill and Sue (7.5/10)
8= Daybreak Over the Ocean (7.5/10)
8= Think About the Days (7.5/10)
11= Shelter (7/10)
11= Beaches in Mind (7/10)

I rated the album 4 stars on RYM and thought "Am I being too generous just cos it's the NEW BEACH BOYS ALBUM?" but working out an average of the above tracks comes to 8.04, so 4 stars works great. Not sure why Strange World is getting so middling reactions around here.

Are his vocals the same as they were on the Unleash the Love recording? They sound different to me...

 When I first heard this album, I thought it was okay.  But the more I listen to it, the better I like it.  Even the melodic twists and turns of "That's Why God..." were too much for me to really latch onto at first.  Now, the more I listen, the more awesome I think it is.  And that goes for most of the rest of the album.

01. Isn't It Time
02. Daybreak Over the Ocean
03. Spring Vacation
04. From There to Back Again
05. Shelter
06. Pacific Coast Highway
07. That's Why God Made the Radio
08. Summer's Gone
09. Strange World
10. The Private Life of Bill and Sue
11. Beaches in Mind

I didn't include "Think About the Days" because it's unfair to compare it to any of the other songs on the album.

Top 5:
1. From There To Back Again (10/10)
2. That's Why God Made The Radio (9/10)
3. Summer's Gone (9/10)
4. The Private Life of Bill and Sue (7/10)
5. Shelter (7/10)

i totally agree :)

From There To Back Again
Pacific Coast Highway
Isn't It Time

Think About the Days
That's Why God Made The Radio

Summer's Gone
Strange World

Daybreak Over the Ocean
Shelter







Beaches In Mind
The Private Life of Bill and Sue











Spring Vacation

Think About The Days : 8/10
That's Why God Made The Radio : 7/10
Isn't It Time : 7.5/10
Spring Vacation : 0/10
The Private Life Of Bill And Sue : 4/10
Shelter : 5/10
Daybreak Over The Ocean : 6/10
Beaches In Mind : 0.5/10
Strange World : 4/10
From There To Back Again : 8/10
Pacific Coast Highway : 8.5/10
Summer's Gone : 9/10


So then, it would look like :

1. Summer's Gone
2. Pacific Coast Highway
3. From There To Back Again
4. Think About The Days
5. Isn't It Time
6. That's Why God Made The Radio
7. Daybreak Over The Ocean
8. Shelter
9. Strange World
10. The Private Life Of Bill And Sue
11. Beaches In Mind
12. Spring Vacation


TAADDAAAAAAAA

Jesus, could you imagine Spring Vacation ending the album.

1.Pacific Coast Highway
2.Summer's Gone
3.From there to back again
4.Strange World
5.Think about the days
6.Isn't it time
7.That's why God made the radio
8.The private life of Bill and Sue
9.Shelter
10.Spring vacation
11.Beaches in mind
12.Daybreak over the ocean

i think my original top 3 still stands at

1. From There To Back Again
2. Summer's Gone
3. Shelter

Seriously, Shelter is the best pure pop beach boys tune on the album for me.  LOOOOVE IT.  And after a few weeks the only song that has probably moved up is Daybreak.  Surprisingly. 

1. From There To Back Again - it didn't immediately hit me but the way Al sings 'wonderful' brings the hairs on my neck up!
2. Pacific Coast Highway - Essentially brief, the heavy sounding chords at the start remind me of Dennis.
3. Summer's Gone - The song itself doesn't really go anywhere but somehow it's entirely magical and that ending with the rainfall...man!
4. Isn't It Time - Vibrant, catchy, retro cool. The only thing i'd change is Brian's vocal on the first verse.
5. Shelter - Think I might prefer the verses to the chorus. Superbly composed song.
6. Strange World - Another cracker, the synth sounds remind me of The Who a little bit.
7. That's Why God Made The Radio - Great comeback song, the harmonies in the chorus knock me out.
8. Private Life of Bill and Sue - I love this one, the backing vocals in the chorus are a bundle of fun to sing along to. A missed opportunity lyric wise though, could have taken more of a swipe!
9. Daybreak - Lovely stuff from Michael. I had heard this one before but somehow it just fits on this album, it's light stuff but Mike sounds great on it and Christian's vocal is a nice nod to Carl.
10. Think About The Days- Lovely but would fit better after PCH.
11. Beaches In Mind - I like it a lot but the title just annoys me.
12. Spring Vacation - Wah I used to like this one as a stand alone track but with the rest of the album that horrid autotune on Brian's voice just grates and so does that Good Vibrations line after the third listen. Excitations might even have worked better! A shame because it is insanely catchy.

1. Pacific Coast Highway
2. From There to Back Again
3. That's Why God Made the Radio
4. Summer's Gone
5. Isn't It Time
6. Strange World
7. Think About the Days
8. Daybreak Over the Ocean
9. Spring Vacation
10.Shelter
11.The Private Life of Bill & Sue
12.Beaches In Mind


 **** I think this album will stand the test of time...the 6 or 7 best tracks (by my ranking) are all pretty stellar. No obvious duds. "Spring Vacation" should be easy to hate but I find it hard not to like a little. I actively enjoy "Daybreak Over the Ocean." (Surprising that Mike has had this tune in the bag since 1978 or so...it might have enhanced any Beach Boys album KTSA onward.)

"Beaches In Mind" sucks.  However I think "Daybreak Over The Ocean" is not half bad. 

Agreed. And with "Shelter" they're basically lifting melody lines from "San Miguel" and "Darlin'".

I really don't get how people can rate some of the songs on the album a 9 or a 10 out of 10. What would you rate "Good Vibrations" then? Or "Don't Worry Baby", or "Don't Hurt My little Sister", etc, etc?
I find it really odd if anyone would can claim that any of the songs on the new album are remotely as good as the ones mentioned.
Definitely some good tunes on the album, no doubt, but rating them any higher than 7.5/10, I just don't understand.
(unless of course you're purely rating the songs within the universe of this album, e.g. 7.5 = 10 ;))

(http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTN0xAdeIGHGS_sI1MzUTyJPOcQO2VSwacdyanqCXoRHxqkualEBu0Y4ZDqTg)

the only song i can say that is good or even better than the earlier stuff is from there to back again and that's why god made the radio and summer's gone :) those are up to par with the today stuff imo and definitely better than anything on surf's up / sunflower..

 1. From There and Back Again
 2. Summer's Gone
 3. Pacific Coast Highway
 4. Think About the Days
 5. Strange World



 6. Shelter
 7. TWGMTR





 8. The Private Life of Bill and Sue
 9. Isn't it Time
 10. Daybreak Over the Ocean
 11.Spring Vacation
 12.Beaches in Mind


I really like 1-5, but my first choice is a great song. I don't much care for the bottom five; it's a pity Mike opted for his latter day lyrical stylings rather than those of the more distant past, although the irony is Mike's worst lyrics aren't on his own song.

For me, Love's lyrics are, at times, too close to those on Summer in Paradise and there's a forced cheesy sentimentality (a la Summer of Love) about some of the songs - though I rather like the music for Spring Vacation.  The best of the album however, is very good indeed. I just wish the rest had matched it. In that sesne it reminds me of LA - a kind of 50/50 album, though here, the best songs are Brian's whereas Dennis, as a writer or singer, rules the best songs on LA and Brian was pretty much absent.

It's all subjective. Personally, I would rate the last three songs, Good Vibes, and Don't Worry Baby as perfect tens. I think the suite is a masterpiece. It's not breaking any ground like Good Vibrations, but I think it's perfect.

Don't Hurt My Little Sister would probably rate around an 8 with me.

1. From There to Back Again
2. Strange World
3. Pacific Coast Highway
4. Summer's Gone
5. Think About the Days
6. Shelter
7. Daybreak Over the Ocean
8. The Private Life of Bill and Sue
9. Spring Vacation
10. Isn't it Time
11. Beaches in Mind
12. TWGMTR

Tesla and Marconi made the radio.

1. summer's gone
2. isn't it time
3. from there to back again
4. think about the days
5. that's why god made the radio
6. spring vacation
7. shelter
8. pacific coast highway

---

9. daybreak over the ocean
10. beaches in mind
11. strange world
12. the private life of bill and sue

I like your screename.

1. TWGMR
2. From there to back
3. Shelter
4. Daybreak
5. Summer's gone
6. Isn't it time
7. Pacific coast
8. think about the days

Why am I not joining in the Love-hate relationship that leads everyone to underrate Daybreak? Actually, the album suffers from feeling a bit forced and the easygoing sway and vocals of Mike's song are a relief. Shelter is the best single material, IMHO.

I think quality wise Shelter is comparable to Breakaway, but I actually like Shelter more.  I've already listened to it more than Breakaway, I'm confident in saying I like it more than Do It Again.  But that's partly because I've never been as high on that song as others.  From There To Back Again, is one of their best tunes I think, it belongs on a legitimate Best Of album.

Holy moly jesus christ of mother lord nature god, will you guys ever stop with this childish argument to defend yourself? can't we just like or dislike a song, just for what it is, and none of because who did what on it?

Btw, i love the song.

To each their own. From a songwriting perspective I think 'Breakaway' and 'Do it Again' are much better songs. My comparison to 'San Miguel' and 'Darlin'' was the fact that 'Shelter' borrows melody lines from the two songs - which to me makes the former a bleak copy.

Someone saying that the three last songs on the album can be compared to "Good Vibrations' and "Don't Worry baby', I just can't fathom. Certainly not from a songwriting, arranging or production perspective, anyways.

I see what you mean, ironically because Darlin' just borrows the whole melody from Thinkin Bout You Baby, adding a better chorus, but imo bringing said melody down.  Breakaway i think is better than Do It Again, but something about Do It Again.  It's the first in a long line of singles that includes good timin, soul searchin, getcha back, twgmtr.  The standard "beach boys" song that from a songwriting perspective, is super standard stuff. All the background vocals in the Shelter chorus layering, the sweet french horn, and the lyrics, i just dig it more (not that i'm saying shelter is groundbreaking).

Yeah, I'm torn between 'Darlin' and 'Thinkin' Bout You Baby' - I really like the punch of the former, and the sweetness of the latter. Also love Carl's vocals on Darlin'. I agree that 'Breakaway' is better than 'Do it Again'.

But, totally, I see that you can find nice elements in 'Shelter', not going to argue there. I guess I'm just a little disappointed that Brian couldn't/didn't come up with something more original.

It doesn't bother any of you that this album sounds really over-processed and compressed?

I guess people are used to that now.  :-\

Oh man, trust me, you're not alone. The use of vocal tuning drives me mad, not to mention the overall slick production.

It sounded weird the first two or three times I listened to it, but that was like a month ago! I'm over it.

Right. I wanna be over it too. Maybe I should get some less expensive headphones.  :smokin

Sure it does. Bugs me every time I listen to it, but not as much anymore as when it was still fresh.