The Smiley Smile Message Board

Does the new album surpass his released and unreleased solo recordings from 1988-2008?

I think the last three songs are up there with anything he did after 1974. As a whole I like TLOS better but those Beach Boys harmonies and voices make this record a touch more special. I can only imagine the results had they done that LP and tour with him. Politics made that impossible, but wouldn't it be nice?

Brian's best single song since 1977 is Goin' On, even though it was originated in the 60's. I think TLOS is his strongest post-1977 album from the songwriting perspective, but the new one has all surviving Beach Boys singing on it, so... Tough choice.

One thing is certain: Summer's Gone whips every ballad he's written since Oh Lord.

There To Back Again/Summer's Gone. No question about it. In terms of writing.

For an entire album, I would say TLOS. It's a cohesive piece and 90% of it is absolutely excellent. Midnight's Another Day is almost up there with There To Back Again.

Agreed

1. BW88
2. TWGMTR
3. TLOS

That Lucky Old Sun

I guess I'm in a minority with my opinion but I've always thought Sweet Insanity could have been a really great album.
Without Smart Girl on it - with decent arrangements - without the psychobabbling lyrics - it could have been a better LP than BW88 and the closest that Brian ever could have gotten to a "rock and roll album" during his solo career.

I also love Orange Crate Art a lot, though it's not really Brian's "work"

Number 3: BWRG

These three always do it for me.

TLOS.

I doubt he'll ever do again something as solid as TLOS.

TLOS is great, but it's not out of BW's current reach -- the new material on TWGMTR is every bit as good. With a semi-decent collaborator (and some inspiration) he could work at that level again quite easily.

Well yeah, and it isn't that old.. but i just doubt he would create something that good for The Beach Boys, just sticking with more simple songs.. you know?
tho the Life Suite is very good, but that's from, like, 1997.. Shelter is the "new" song, right ? it's catchy but nothing very outstanding.

I like the record and all, i hope they continue and give more freedom to Brian.

Most of BW 88
Some of TLOS
The first track and last three on the new album
A handful of other things, like Don't Let Her Know She's an Angel (which hasn't been recorded decently) and You're Still a Mystery

Orange Crate Art

He could, but surely it would be rejected.

I think the suite is the best thing since 197_. TLOS and some of the other tracks from TWGMTR second.

Yeah, i guess that's more realistic.

Rio Grande, TLOS, the suite, What Love Can Do, the Gershwin album...

I don't think we can write off Brian to any degree at all. He's. Loan every expectation out of the window in the last decade .... to say nothing could surprise me any more would just leave me open to not recovering from the next surprise!

Yes, absolutely.

Id rather listen to twgmtr all day.  Hooks are better on the pop tunes and the introspective are better than mad

Actually, the new songs are Think About the Days, Isn't It Time, Bill and Sue, Shelter and FTTBA. (Really!)

Paley sessions in my opinion,

... as far as released stuff, BW '88 has the best songs.  The production is kinda lame though.

Wow! i mean yeah i knew about the other ones -just kinda forgot about it i guess- but FTTBA ? woa, sounds promising then!
and it doesn't even need to be a full Brian Wilson songs album you know, i'm sure Waves Of Love could be a great first single, that David Marks can bring some really good stuff, and that Bruce Johnston could add a classy ballad.. but yeah, if they just let him do what he wants (with the help of his band i guess) i would love to hear more songs like Midnight's Another Day (well FTTBA is close enough right) or Good Kind Of Love, this classics type of sound and songwritting..

Oh well, album full of Brian Wilson songs or not, i guess i don't mind in the end, just as long it's as solid as TLOS, that one really blew my mind, definitely didn't see it coming! not that i thought he lost it (come on, we all know Brian Wilson is still great) but the fact he had the freddom to do that, the way it was arranged, the production and all.. really good.

Totally agree

Goin' On is one of the best songs Brian has written.

Rio Grande is the best song he has done since Love You IMO!

Solo stuff:

BW88--in spite of the production, the songs are mostly good-to-great in terms of melody, especially "Love & Mercy" (timeless in its' simplicity), "Melt Away,"  "There's so Many," and "Rio Grande," to name a few.
TLOS (just great from start-to-finish, and the concept is fitting for someone who's been around as long as Brian has).

As for the BB stuff, there's not much to choose from, b/c Brian didn't have a lot to do w/ most of the songs from MIU through SIP..."Goin' On" is great, though, and the last four songs on the the new one may be as good as anything from the 1960's.

Good summary. I agree. I really like every solo album of his, though. Even GIOMH has its moments for me (they are few, but they are there).  :)

I despise the production on Imaginations. GIOMH is much better IMO. Maybe that has lots to do with his backing band. Also love BW88. It has similar quirkiness to Love You. What Love You is to the 70s, BW88 is to the 80s.

I think That Lucky Old Sun is by far the standout in terms of a whole, coherent, album-length work. As for individual songs, for me the winner is "Melt Away."