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Smiley Smile Stuff => 'Rank the Tracks' => Topic started by: Letsgoawayforawhile on January 03, 2013, 02:00:44 PM



Title: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: Letsgoawayforawhile on January 03, 2013, 02:00:44 PM
A bit confusing for me to listen to all the way through, but it's still a wonderful album.

12. All I Want to Do - Probably the toughest BB song, yet also one of my least favorites. I just don't like it.
11. Bluebirds Over the Mountain - Just reminds me of the Sanford and Son theme song.
10. Be with Me
9. The Nearest Faraway Place - I think this is beautiful. Bruce did a lovely job.
8. Never Learn Not to Love
7. Do It Again - Great single!
6. I Can Hear Music - Beautifully done, Carl!
5. Cotton Fields
4. Our Prayer - Some of the finest harmonizing ever put on tape. So complex.
3. I Went to Sleep - I really love this. Really cool instrumentation.
2. Cabinessence - Perfect.
1. Time to Get Alone - Perfect.


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: phirnis on January 03, 2013, 02:08:51 PM
1. Do It Again - HUGE fan of this, every bit as brilliant as it is retro/simplistic
2. Time to Get Alone - the song that made me a hardcore fan when I heard it in An American Band
3. Cabinessence - a classic, of course
4. I Can Hear Music - simply gorgeous, a perfect single!
5. I Went to Sleep - <3
6. Our Prayer - another classic
7. Cotton Fields - "very Brian" in a way; always liked this just as much as the single version
8. Be With Me - slightly creepy and I love it!
9. The Nearest Faraway Place - actually a fan of this
10. Never Learn Not to Love - great lead vocal by Dennis but otherwise not a huge fave of mine
11. All I Want to Do - not entirely convinced by this one...
12. Bluebirds Over the Mountain - meh... probably one of the group's most forgettable singles ever


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: EgoHanger1966 on January 03, 2013, 02:16:38 PM
A breakdown of the tracks shows this to be a lot better than even I'd estimated it. So many flat out great songs here.

Our Prayer

Time To Get Alone
I Went To Sleep
Do It Again
Be With Me
Cabinessence
Cotton Fields

Never Learn Not To Love
I Can Hear Music
Bluebirds Over The Mountain

All I Want To Do
The Nearest Faraway Place


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: Ovi on January 03, 2013, 02:18:27 PM
12. Bluebirds over the Mountain - Never been a fan of the guitar sound.
11. Cotton Fields - Prefer the single version.
10. All I Want To Do - Used to hate it, but has kind of grown on me; a not half bad rocker.
9. The Nearest Faraway Place - Love the contrast between this and the previous track.
8. Do It Again
7. Our Prayer - Heavenly beautiful, but should've either opened or closed the album; terribly placed.
6. I Went To Sleep - Love the vocal delivery, couldn't have fit the song's atmosphere any better.
5. Be With Me - Love the climactic choruses.
4. Never Learn Not To Love
3. Time To Get Alone
2. I Can Hear Music - A perfect pop song with one of Carl's best vocal performances to date.
1. Cabin Essence - The hallucinating "grand coolie" section is one of the best bits of music I've ever heard.


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: I. Spaceman on January 03, 2013, 02:21:47 PM
First couple of years I listened to this album, I loved every track except for The Nearest Faraway Place. Now, I don't love the LP version of Cottonfields, and  I love Faraway Place. Sorry, other than that, I can't rank this one either.
I'll be able to rank the next one.


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: Letsgoawayforawhile on January 03, 2013, 02:24:26 PM
A breakdown of the tracks shows this to be a lot better than even I'd estimated it. So many flat out great songs here

That's exactly what I thought.


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: Eric Aniversario on January 03, 2013, 02:29:49 PM
1. Do It Again - In my all time top 3 BB songs
2. Cotton Fields - I prefer the single version overall, but there's something very very special about the album version too
3. Cabinessence - This song, included on Absolute Best Vol. 2 in 1991, was part of what made me realize there was more to the BBs than I thought
4. Bluebirds Over The Mountain - No other song like it in the BB catalog...I understand the mixed reviews, but I enjoy it
5. Time To Get Alone
6. I Can Hear Music
7. Never Learn Not To Love
8. I Went To Sleep
9. The Nearest Faraway Place
10. Be With Me
11. Our Prayer
12. All I Want To Do


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: Justin on January 03, 2013, 02:41:16 PM
1.  Our Prayer
2.  Never Learn Not To Love
3.  Do It Again
4.  Be With Me
5.  All I Want To Do
6.  Cabinessence
7.  I Can Hear Music
8.  Cotton Fields
9.  Time To Get Alone
10. I Went To Sleep
11. The Nearest Faraway Place
12. Bluebirds Over The Mountain


Surprised to see "Never Learn Not To Love" not very high on people's lists.  This to me is a gem of a song mainly because of Dennis' brilliant arrangement...overwhelming, intense and spooky.  Very few songs can accomplish that.  It's lightyears from Manson's demo.


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: G.C on January 03, 2013, 02:58:28 PM
1.Our Prayer
2.Cabinessence
3.Time To Get Alone
4.Do It Again
5.I Can Hear Music
6.Cotton Fields
7.All I Want To Do
8.Be With Me
9.The Nearest Faraway Place
10.I Went To Sleep
11. Never Learn Not To Love
12.Bluebirds Over The Mountain


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: Please delete my account on January 03, 2013, 03:05:11 PM
1. Cabinessence - sheer wondrousness
2. Do It Again - can't believe this rates so low on peoples' lists. (Overexposure?) One of my very favourite Beach Boys productions. Heard it played (LOUD!) as the intro music to a Polyphonic Spree gig once, and I thought, that's going to take a lot of living up to.
3. Be With Me - the lyric is all over the place, each verse is about something different, but beautiful music.
4. Never Learn Not To Love - beautiful song regardless of who wrote it.
5. Time To Get Alone - have tended to ignore this somewhat, have reappraised it in the light of all the praise it gets on here and elsewhere on the web. Very impressive. Still only 5th best song for me though.
6. Our Prayer - Like other "Smile" pieces, I never really thought about how good it is in its own right. I'm sorry not to have heard it live.


7. I Went To Sleep - glad it wasn't on "Friends" in place of Transcendental Metitation, particularly if anyone has ever played that album on their car stereo while driving.
8. I Can Hear Music - a bit "what people think the Beach Boys sound like". (Maybe I'm being unduly harsh out of amazement at people rating this cover version higher than Do It Again?)
9. Cottonfields - decent
10. Nearest Faraway Place - good but not great
11. All I Want To Do - I never thought this rocked all that much, but I know some rock and roll specialists who disagree, so I'll take their word for it.
12 Bluebirds Over The Mountain- Kinda catchy. Can't hate it.


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: I. Spaceman on January 03, 2013, 03:49:52 PM

8. I Can Hear Music - a bit "what people think the Beach Boys sound like". (Maybe I'm being unduly harsh out of amazement at people rating this cover version higher than Do It Again?)

Beautiful song, regardless of who wrote it.


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: TimeToGetAlone on January 03, 2013, 04:53:03 PM
While it may be lacking in cohesiveness, it's certainly not lacking in quality.  I often find the tracklist looks underwhelming because its two weakest tracks appear fairly early on.  Factor in the Break Away/Celebrate the News single and it's an embarrassment of riches.

1. Cabinessence
2. Time to Get Alone
3. Be With Me
4. I Went to Sleep
5. I Can Hear Music
6. Do It Again
7. Never Learn Not to Love
8. Our Prayer
9. Cotton Fields (The Cotton Song)
10. The Nearest Faraway Place

11. All I Want to Do
12. Bluebirds Over the Mountain


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: Wild-Honey on January 03, 2013, 04:58:19 PM
This is a great album. In my top 5.

1. All I Want To Do.   Yes that's right. :)  Whenever I hear it I gotta mooove to it.
2. I Can Hear Music.  Carl's voice is just blissful. A beautiful love song.
3. Cabinessence. The Grand Coolie section is spine tingling.
4. Do It Again.  Classic.
5. I Went To Sleep.  Sounds like a Friends album song.
6. Our Prayer.
7. Time to Get Alone.
8. Cotton Fields.  Sorry but I adore the single version so much.
9. Be With Me.
10. Bluebirds Over the Mountain.   Boppy but corny.  Terribly lyrics.
11. Nearest Faraway Place.  Beautiful but I love their voices so much I prefer vocal pieces.
12. Never Learn Not To Love.  It's not that I think it sounds bad,  It's the association with what's his face.  Bit too sensitive maybe but I don't like to listen to it.


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: shelter on January 03, 2013, 06:15:12 PM
1. Time to Get Alone
2. Cabinessence
3. Our Prayer
4. I Can Hear Music
5. I Went to Sleep
6. Never Learn Not to Love
7. Do It Again
8. The Nearest Faraway Place
9. Cotton Fields
10. Be with Me
11. Bluebirds Over the Mountain
12. All I Want to Do


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: shelter on January 03, 2013, 06:23:24 PM
12. Never Learn Not To Love.  It's not that I think it sounds bad,  It's the association with what's his face.  Bit too sensitive maybe but I don't like to listen to it.

In that case, you also shouldn't like Cotton Fields (written by Leadbelly, a convicted murderer), I Can Hear Music (co-written by Phil Spector, also a convicted murderer) and Cabinessence (with yet another convicted murderer, Jim Gordon, on drums/percussion).


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: Wild-Honey on January 03, 2013, 06:41:13 PM
12. Never Learn Not To Love.  It's not that I think it sounds bad,  It's the association with what's his face.  Bit too sensitive maybe but I don't like to listen to it.

In that case, you also shouldn't like Cotton Fields (written by Leadbelly, a convicted murderer), I Can Hear Music (co-written by Phil Spector, also a convicted murderer) and Cabinessence (with yet another convicted murderer, Jim Gordon, on drums/percussion).

Well considering I didn't know the above information you have so graciously given...   The guy gives me the creeps like no other and that's my opinion. Thanks.


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: Tord on January 03, 2013, 07:31:11 PM
1.  Do It Again
2.  I Went to Sleep
3.  Cabinessence
4.  Cotton Fields
5.  I Can Hear Music
6.  Our Prayer
7.  Time to Get Alone
8.  Bluebirds over the Mountain
9.  The Nearest Faraway Place
10.All I Want to Do
11.Never Learn Not to Love
12.Be with Me


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: wantsomecorn on January 03, 2013, 08:14:50 PM
1. Time to Get Alone - One of Brian's greatest productions, and performances by the band as a whole. Criminally overlooked.
2. Cabinessence  - One of the best Smile songs, works better on Smile than on here.
3. I Went to Sleep - The best song that should have been on Friends.
4. All I Want to Do - A great hard rock song, Mike really nailed the vocals.
5. I Can Hear Music - I'm still suprised at how well Carl mimiced Brian's production style on this.
6. Bluebirds over the Mountain
7. Be with Me
8. Never Learn Not to Love
9. The Nearest Faraway Place
10. Do It Again
11. Cotton Fields - Far inferior to the single version.
12. Our Prayer - Doesn't work nearly as well out of context, in my opinion.
 


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: ArtVandalay on January 03, 2013, 08:51:04 PM
This one's tough...

Never Learn Not to Love
I Can Hear Music
Time To Get Alone
Cabinessence
Be With Me
I Went To Sleep
Our Prayer
Do It Again
Cotton Fields
All I Want to Do
Bluebirds
Nearest Faraway Place


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: NHC on January 03, 2013, 08:59:36 PM
1.  I Can Hear Music - - no contest
2.  Cottonfields
3.  Do It Again
4.  Time to Get Alone - - - glad I finally got all the lyrics sorted out
5.  Bluebirds Over The Mountain - - I know, I know, can't help it, love the rocking arrangement and the guitar
6.  Be with Me
7.  All the rest of it.  Have to see I have mi≈ed emotions about Never Learn Not To Love given its creepy feel AND author, and Cabinesence is too much of a broken mosaic for me.


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: Bubba Ho-Tep on January 03, 2013, 09:42:38 PM
Cabinessence
Our Prayer
Do It Again
Time To Get Alone
I Can Hear Music
Cotton Fields
I Went To Sleep
Never Learn Not To Love
All I Want To Do
Be With Me
The Nearest Faraway Place
Bluebirds Over The Mountain


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: smilethebeachboysloveyou on January 03, 2013, 09:43:13 PM
1.) Cabinessence-This song, for me, is the best result of Brian's modular song-recording method from the Smile era.  The "Home on the Range" and "Who Ran the Iron Horse" sections are less like the typical verse and chorus pattern and more like an intercutting sequence in an early film, as if the song is cutting between the Old West and the rushing approach of modernity as carried by the train, and the instrumentation of each respective part evokes the place that the lyrics refer to (such as the flute and old-timey sounding piano in the "Home on the Range" section and the metallic clangs in the "Who Ran the Iron Horse Section" that sound like a train.  The final section is their synthesis: the dawn of the new west as the railroad is getting constructed there.  The lyrics, melody, and instrumentation simultaneously bring out nostalgia for the old west, excitement of the approach of the new, and a certain darkness underlying the construction of the new west.
2.) Time to Get Alone-One of Carl's greatest lead vocals and some great group harmonies.  It has the sort of low-key charm of songs like "Aren't You Glad" and "Wake the World," but is aided by a slightly denser production than those songs.  Good thing that Mike and company demanded that Brian give this song to The Beach Boys, as their version blows Three Dog Night's away (unsurprisingly)
3.) Our Prayer-The essence of the Beach Boys' harmonic power, extracted and presented in all its haunting power.
4.) I Can Hear Music-Though Carl could never be Brian's equal as a songwriter, the abilities he displays as a producer here rival what Brian was doing in 1965.
5.) Do It Again-A nostalgia song that is actually better than many of the songs for which it is nostalgic.  The rhythm and group vocal effort make this rival their best Chuck Berry-inspired rock and roll songs of the early 1960s, but the sublime middle-eight pushes it over the top.
6.) The Nearest Faraway Place-I know a lot of people think this song is cheesy, but I think it's a great tribute to Brian's best work from the mid-60s, even though it obviously does not equal that work.
7.) All I Want to Do-Mike does a shockingly powerful lead vocal here on what is probably the hardest rocking Beach Boys song ever.  It works surprisingly well.
8.) Never Learn Not to Love-I hate to admit how much I like this song, but it has one of Dennis' best lead vocals.
9.) Be With Me-Another strong Dennis lead vocal, but not nearly as powerful a song.

I've never had any particular affection for Bluebirds Over the Mountain, Cottonfields, or I Went to Sleep, so I'm not sure how to rank them.


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: Phoenix on January 03, 2013, 09:53:47 PM
One of my favorite albums by the Boys (and one my opinions of which won't court controversy).  Sure it's a hodgepodge but so is the White Album, More Of the Monkees, and some of my other favorite Pop albums.

1. I Can Hear Music - Fantastic!!!  It should have been the follow up single to "Do It Again"!  It could have kept them relevant post-1966  ;D
2. Our Prayer - Tho I prefer it on Smile and without the additional overdubs!
3. Cabinessence - See above but WOW!  What a track!
4. Do It Again - Absolutely no need for the "Workshop" stuff on it tho.  Who knows what Brian was thinking...
5. Cotton Fields - I like Al's version better but would have never seen anything wrong with Brian's if the second one was never produced.
6. Time to Get Alone - Great!  My only problem is the different versions make me miss something from the others whenever I listen to any of them!
7. Never Learn Not to Love - MUCH better than that "other" version.  This is the track that really puts the album over for me.
8. Bluebirds Over the Mountain - Catchy and fair enough but I'll never see how people refer to this hoedown as one of the band's "rockier" tracks!
9. Be With Me - Unlike some of Dennis's later stuff, its still enough of a song to (barely in this case) balance the weight of the production
10. The Nearest Faraway Place - Not great but a nice showcase for Bruce.  I liked its inclusion in the Olympia video
11. I Went to Sleep - Decent.  It could have been even better with some outside lyrics.
11. All I Want to Do - OK (but barely).  It tries too hard (and fails for the most part) to take it seriously.  The Live In London version is slightly better but that one's rightfully right at home next to "Barbara Ann".


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: MBE on January 03, 2013, 10:39:19 PM
A fine album that really shows how diverse the group was for the first time. Even if Brian missed some sessions what he did do was great, and you can hear his brothers coming into their own. I like all the songs very much except for the Bruce cut.

Time To Get Alone
Do It Again
I Can Hear Music
Cabinessence
I Went To Sleep
Our Prayer
Never Learn Not To Love
All I Want To Do
Be With Me
Cotton Fields
Bluebirds
Nearest Faraway



Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: runnersdialzero on January 03, 2013, 10:48:43 PM
yeah i totally think *falls asleep*


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: The Dumb Angel on January 03, 2013, 11:30:26 PM
For a while, I haven't been a huge fan of 20/20 for whatever reason, but recently it has really grown on me and I think, even though it's quite the hodgepodge of an album, it's a very good and strong album.

1. Time To Get Alone - Perfection. One of my all time favorite BB's Tracks.
2. Cabinessence - Belongs on Smile, but that doesn't keep it from being another one of my favorites.
3. Do It Again - Extremely strong track. It's a classic.
4. Our Prayer - The incredible harmonies gives me chills.
5. I Can Hear Music - Awesome production by brother Carl.
6. I Went To Sleep - Could have fit very well on Friends. Very Beautiful song.
7. Be With Me - Incredible backing track!
8. Never Learn Not To Love - Great track, but I do enjoy Manson's version better.
9. Cotton Fields - Nice track, but the single version is definitely better.
10. Bluebirds Over The Mountain - It's a decent track. Kinda corny.
11. All I Want To Do - This song hasn't really grown on me yet, but I do like Mike's powerful vocals.
12. Nearest Faraway Place - It's okay.


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: Quzi on January 03, 2013, 11:36:23 PM
Unfortunately the individual songs are much better separated than in the album they're presented. I like everything here with the exception of Bluebirds Over the Mountain which is a bit... how can I put this elegantly... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yr_Rpk9HR1g


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: Jim V. on January 04, 2013, 12:03:20 AM
1, "I Went To Sleep": awesome mellow, sleepy sound. I don't think I'm ever not in the mood to hear this; one of my favorites
2. "Cabinessence": I this stereo mix much better than the mono one on TSS
3. "Do It Again": insanely catchy, but believe it or not when I want to hear the song I usually listen to the reunion version
4. "Our Prayer": I much prefer this version with the added vocals over the TSS version
5. "Time To Get Alone": used to think it was overrated, but it really is a beautiful song
6. "I Can Hear Music": very nice production, great vocals, but I don't find myself having the urge to listen to it very often
7. "Be With Me": pretty song, shows Dennis had songwriting/production chops
8. "Cotton Fields (The Cotton Song)": I've kinda grown to prefer this version
9. "Bluebirds Over The Mountain": I didn't like it for a while, thought the whole screaming guitar thing was lame, but when I gave it a chance I kinda liked it
10. "The Nearest Faraway Place": pretty but honestly doesn't have replay value for me
11. "All I Want To Do": hits the spot sometimes, but a lot of the time it just comes off as The Beach Boys trying too hard to "rock"
12. "Never Learn Not To Love": even despite the Manson factor, it just doesn't do much for me


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: Smilin Ed H on January 04, 2013, 02:25:08 AM
1.   Cabinessence
2.   Our Prayer
3.   Time To Get Alone
4.   Be With Me
5.   Do It Again
6.   Cotton Fields
7.   Never Learn Not To Love
8.   I Went to Sleep
9.   I Can Hear Music
10.  The Nearest Faraway Palce
11.  All I Want to Do
12.  Bluebirds Over The Mountain


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: Please delete my account on January 04, 2013, 04:58:43 AM

8. I Can Hear Music - a bit "what people think the Beach Boys sound like". (Maybe I'm being unduly harsh out of amazement at people rating this cover version higher than Do It Again?)

Beautiful song, regardless of who wrote it.

Touché...
whatever a petard is, I think I've just been hoisted by one.


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: SonicVolcano on January 04, 2013, 05:37:48 AM
A strange album.

1. Time To Get Alone
2. Do It Again
3. All I Want To Do (the mono version is so much better)
4. Be With Me
5. Cabinessence
6. Our Prayer
7. Never Learn Not To Love
8. I Went To Sleep
9. I Can Hear Music
10. Cotton Fields
11. Nearest Faraway Place
12. Bluebirds over the Mountains


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: I. Spaceman on January 04, 2013, 08:46:25 AM

8. I Can Hear Music - a bit "what people think the Beach Boys sound like". (Maybe I'm being unduly harsh out of amazement at people rating this cover version higher than Do It Again?)

Beautiful song, regardless of who wrote it.

Touché...
whatever a petard is, I think I've just been hoisted by one.


I have been petarded for a long time now.


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: joe_blow on January 04, 2013, 10:16:28 AM
1. Time To Get Alone
2. Cabinessence
3. I Can Hear Music
4. I Went To Sleep
5. All I Want To Do
6. Do It Again
7. Be With Me
8. Our Prayer
9. Never Learn Not To Love
10. Cotton Fields
11. Bluebirds Over The Mountain
12. The Nearest Faraway Place


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: Freddie French-Pounce on January 04, 2013, 10:42:39 AM
Time to dig out the LP again...
always sounded half poorly mixed to me, but then again playing the Mono Fold-down LP isn't the best option - if I can find a cheap stereo copy I would!

1) Time To Get Alone - a lush vocal and arragement, only marred by a very poor edit into the second(?) chorus.
2) Cabinessence - One of my favourite SMiLE era tracks out of context - PERFECT!
3) I Can Hear Music - so smooth, but that fade just ain't right...
4) All I Want To Do - I found this song to just be plain awesome when I first played it, and that awesome hasn't gone since.
5) The Nearest Faraway Place - Ever sat by a pool on holiday with this playing? You haven't holidayed...
6) Do It Again - that drum sound has always grated on me, and it sounds rather odd in structure with a wordless chorus...
7) Our Prayer - Beautiful, but I hate the sound of it on this release.
8) Bluebirds Over The Mountain - Very enjoyable, but less than the above 7
9) Cottonfields - Imagine something between this and the single version...
10) I Went To Sleep - Never quite my cup of tea (I hate tea), but pleasant. Pleasant will do.
11) Be With Me - The sound of this has always put me off. I love Dennis tp death, but he wasn't quite shining here...
12) Never Learn not To Love - ...or here.


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: NHC on January 04, 2013, 11:28:56 AM
12. Never Learn Not To Love.  It's not that I think it sounds bad,  It's the association with what's his face.  Bit too sensitive maybe but I don't like to listen to it.

In that case, you also shouldn't like Cotton Fields (written by Leadbelly, a convicted murderer), I Can Hear Music (co-written by Phil Spector, also a convicted murderer) and Cabinessence (with yet another convicted murderer, Jim Gordon, on drums/percussion).

If any of those guys were violent sociopaths and career criminals who had put together a murderous zombie-like cult following that slaughtered half a dozen people in cold blood with knives and terrorized a city before they got caught,  I'd probably feel the same about them. At any rate, one doesn't get the idea when listening to Cottonfields/The Cotton Song that the protagonist is trying to lure some unsuspecting soul into a death chamber.  It's a creepy song no matter who wrote it.


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: Mike's Beard on January 04, 2013, 11:34:59 AM
1. Do It Again - A stone cold classic.
2. Never Learn Not To Love. - All the hoopla about who wrote it tends to overshadow the fact that it's one of Dennis's best ever productions.
3. Time To Get Alone - Everything on this just works, Carl's lead, the harmonies (esp Mike's), the strings on that middle eight, everything.
4. Cabinessance.
5. The Nearest Far Away Place. - Only in a band as great as The Beach Boys could Bruce's skills be so underrated.
6. I Can Hear Music - Blows away the original.
7. Our Prayer.
8. Be With Me - Poor lyrics, the backing track by itself is far superior. Dennis was arranging at a near Pet Sounds level on this one.
9. All I Want To Do - Basic rocker.
10. Cottonfields - OK but the single remake is roughly 10038 times better.
11. I Went To Sleep.
12. Bluebirds Over The Mountain - Man, this just sucks.


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: Paulos on January 04, 2013, 11:44:51 AM
For a hodge-podge of singles and tracks that were lying around this is one fine album!

1) Cabinessence - probably my all time favourite Beach Boys song, just incredible
2) Our Prayer - the best a cappella harmony singing I will ever hear, Brian wanted spiritual music and man he nailed it
3) Be With Me - first time I heard this I didn't like it, not sure why because Dennis knocks this one out the park
4) Never Learn Not To Love - can't understand why this is rated so low by so many, another home run from Dennis
5) Time To Get Alone - Lovely stuff, the 'deep and wide' is brilliant as are the strings, only thing I don't like is the Wild Honey era piano sound
6) I Can Hear Music - great production and lead from Carl, the a cappella break is fantastic
7) Do It Again - took me a while to get into this as initially disliked the drum sound on the intro but has grown on me massively
8) All I Want To Do - straightforward and unsophisticated but it rocks and I like it
9) I Went To Sleep - nice enough but a bit soporific, which might be the point
10) The Nearest Far Away Place - a bit twee perhaps but this is Bruce's second best Beach Boys song after Disney Girls
11) Cottonfields - limp and uninspiring, Al's version is vastly superior
12) Bluebirds Over The Mountain - f*** off!  


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: Dave Modny on January 04, 2013, 03:04:49 PM
1) Time To Get Alone
2) Be With Me  (Really a tie with 1 & 2 for me -- too hard to pick. This is my favorite Dennis song. Ever. And both tracks are in my Top Ten for the band.)
3) Cabinessence
4) Our Prayer
5) I Can Hear Music
6) Never Learn Not To Love
7) I Went to Sleep (Another tie between 5, 6 & 7.)
8) The Nearest Faraway Place
9) Cottonfields (Like them both but slightly prefer the single.)
10) Do It Again
11) Bluebirds Over The Mountain
12) All I Want To Do


Note: Even the lower-ranked tracks don't necessarily imply a total lack of quality or a "dislike" for me. I pretty much love this album from start to finish...with little exception. Praise cobbling.


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: Wild-Honey on January 05, 2013, 04:13:25 PM
12. Never Learn Not To Love.  It's not that I think it sounds bad,  It's the association with what's his face.  Bit too sensitive maybe but I don't like to listen to it.

In that case, you also shouldn't like Cotton Fields (written by Leadbelly, a convicted murderer), I Can Hear Music (co-written by Phil Spector, also a convicted murderer) and Cabinessence (with yet another convicted murderer, Jim Gordon, on drums/percussion).

If any of those guys were violent sociopaths and career criminals who had put together a murderous zombie-like cult following that slaughtered half a dozen people in cold blood with knives and terrorized a city before they got caught,  I'd probably feel the same about them. At any rate, one doesn't get the idea when listening to Cottonfields/The Cotton Song that the protagonist is trying to lure some unsuspecting soul into a death chamber.  It's a creepy song no matter who wrote it.

Thank NHC, that's how I feel about it.  And the fact that often people search out the song just because of the association,  and others that think it's hip because it's all about the art and they are oh so cool and badass like that.   I wish it wasn't on 20/20 and pretty sure Dennis and the BB's would have preferred the song wasn't on there, no matter how good it sounded.  But it is.. doesn't mean I have to appreciate it just because it's "art" though.


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: I. Spaceman on January 05, 2013, 04:23:31 PM
Or maybe, the fact than Manson was capable of writing good songs, and was in fact touted to labels by not just Dennis Wilson, but others such as Neil Young, is the ultimate lesson that art should be judged on its own terms. No one should feel like they are on a high moral horse because they get creeped out listening to a song. That implies that others who do enjoy the song are doing something wrong. They're not.


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: Wild-Honey on January 05, 2013, 04:31:16 PM
And I don't think I should be wrong for feeling that way about the song either!  Was just defending my feelings.  And because I don't know much abut his songwriting abilities as you mentioned, please tell me, and I mean this with all seriousness, if he was touted by others such as Neil Young, were any of his songs used or recorded after the murders?  Surely if art should be judged on it's own terms and the songs were good, that would be the case?   


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: I. Spaceman on January 05, 2013, 04:46:45 PM
Yes, his songs have been recorded by folks ranging from Redd Kross to Guns N' Roses. Manson's own recordings are fairly mellow freak-folk, not far from even Gordon Lightfoot at times. It is a shame that he couldn't have channeled some obvious talent into a positive direction. Manson was the guru to his cult, but all that "devil" and "helter skelter" stuff is hype built up by him and his prosecutor. The famous Tate and LaBianca slayings, as high-profile as they were, were merely copycat crimes designed to exonerate the truly charismatic member of the clan, Bobby Beausoleil (a former member of an early lineup of Love), after he committed a drug murder.
The Manson cult is indeed disgusting, and it isn't cool to get into him for ghoulish, "naughty" reasons. But good music is good music, no matter the personal life of the artist.
Personally, I was highly disgusted to find out that the bass player of The Mothers Of Invention, Little Feat and Captain Beefheart fame, Roy Estrada, is a convicted child molester. But I can't burn every album he played on, or pretend not to enjoy his work as a musician.


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: Wild-Honey on January 05, 2013, 05:11:09 PM
Yes, his songs have been recorded by folks ranging from Redd Kross to Guns N' Roses. Manson's own recordings are fairly mellow freak-folk, not far from even Gordon Lightfoot at times. It is a shame that he couldn't have channeled some obvious talent into a positive direction. Manson was the guru to his cult, but all that "devil" and "helter skelter" stuff is hype built up by him and his prosecutor. The famous Tate and LaBianca slayings, as high-profile as they were, were merely copycat crimes designed to exonerate the truly charismatic member of the clan, Bobby Beausoleil (a former member of an early lineup of Love), after he committed a drug murder.
The Manson cult is indeed disgusting, and it isn't cool to get into him for ghoulish, "naughty" reasons. But good music is good music, no matter the personal life of the artist.
Personally, I was highly disgusted to find out that the bass player of The Mothers Of Invention, Little Feat and Captain Beefheart fame, Roy Estrada, is a convicted child molester. But I can't burn every album he played on, or pretend not to enjoy his work as a musician.

Thanks for this reply.  I didn't know any of the above (mainly because I don't search it out) as you say he was obviously talented at writing songs (kills me to say this!) When someone has done something atrocious it's hard to believe or admit they have ever done anything decent or worthwhile, for me anyway.  I know it seems I got on my moral high horse, but as you stated it isn't cool to get into him for ghoulish reasons, and THAT is actually where my revulsion lies.   Hmm how would I feel if Brian had done the same?  I'd be devastated and wouldn't listen to his songs again (does that make me less of a fan?)  But...  I get that others would still love and listen   and yup, I'd just have to accept it.  Thanks again.


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: bossaroo on January 05, 2013, 05:46:26 PM
obviously a lot of people like the song and enjoy Manson's music. nothing wrong with that in itself.

for me, it's what the song symbolizes more than who wrote it. the whole album symbolizes a real turning away from Brian as leader of the band, for whatever reasons. even as they mined the tape boxes and released his material against his will.

i find the 20/20 album very depressing. it's a huge bummer to see Cabin Essence and Our Prayer, two of the greatest songs from Brian's magnum opus just a couple years earlier, tacked haphazardly on the end of a total hodgepodge record. some of Brian's greatest stuff relegated to side 2 after so many mediocre cover tunes. the fact that a Charles Manson song is sandwiched right in the middle just adds insult to injury.

I Can See Music is just not that strong of a song in my opinion. Cottonfields is cool, but just another reworked folk tune in the end. Bluebirds Over the Mountain? please.

Do It Again is good enough song, but it is almost a cover tune in itself. It's Beach Boys-by numbers, and a clear sign that they had begun looking backward instead of forward.

it's cool that Dennis was writing more, but I think Celebrate The News is a stronger song than anything on 20/20. again, my opinion.


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: NHC on January 05, 2013, 06:46:57 PM
Manson was the guru to his cult, but all that "devil" and "helter skelter" stuff is hype built up by him and his prosecutor. The famous Tate and LaBianca slayings, as high-profile as they were, were merely copycat crimes designed to exonerate the truly charismatic member of the clan, Bobby Beausoleil (a former member of an early lineup of Love), after he committed a drug murder.

Tell that to the families of the victims.  And i didn't realize there was anything "mere" about the second murders.  I don't give a good god-d*** about his so-called "art" or what famous musician thought it was good or who recorded it or anything else about it.  He was an evil monster who ruined the lives of many people, and that song is creepy.  Jim Jones of People's Temple/Jonestown "fame" taught in my high school in Northern California about the same time Manson was selling local kids their first dope and LSD.  I've seen first hand enough of the damage these two sociopaths did and am not interested in discussing the value of some savage cult leader's "art".  Art, schmart. Sorry, didn't mean to shout and nothing personal intended or implied.


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: I. Spaceman on January 05, 2013, 08:02:06 PM
And i didn't realize there was anything "mere" about the second murders.  I don't give a good god-d*** about his so-called "art" or what famous musician thought it was good or who recorded it or anything else about it.  He was an evil monster who ruined the lives of many people, and that song is creepy.  

I wasn't trivializing the murders, and you know it.
Manson isn't evil, and he isn't a monster. Saying that gives him power he doesn't deserve and attracts people to him, it is the fuel his following runs on.
He is just a pathetic individual who was a product of his environment and mental imbalances. The lasting fame and infamy he has achieved was nearly entirely stoked and invented by his prosecutors, and those who choose to be frightened by this silly, sad little man.
Never Learn Not To Love is a creepy song, sure. Hey Little Tomboy is creepier.


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: Amazing Larry on January 05, 2013, 09:33:50 PM
Never Learn Not To Love is a creepy song, sure. Hey Little Tomboy is creepier.
Especially the Adult/Child version.  :o


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: Mike's Beard on January 06, 2013, 03:40:44 AM
And i didn't realize there was anything "mere" about the second murders.  I don't give a good god-d*** about his so-called "art" or what famous musician thought it was good or who recorded it or anything else about it.  He was an evil monster who ruined the lives of many people, and that song is creepy.  

I wasn't trivializing the murders, and you know it.
Manson isn't evil, and he isn't a monster. Saying that gives him power he doesn't deserve and attracts people to him, it is the fuel his following runs on.
He is just a pathetic individual who was a product of his environment and mental imbalances. The lasting fame and infamy he has achieved was nearly entirely stoked and invented by his prosecutors, and those who choose to be frightened by this silly, sad little man.
Never Learn Not To Love is a creepy song, sure. Hey Little Tomboy is creepier.

You guys do know that Dennis himself didn't consider Manson a murderer? I'm paraphrasing but he once was quoted along the lines of "Charlies a creep and an asshole, but he isn't a murderer. One day I will tell what I know about the murders".

Dennis's guilt was that he was partly responsible for helping Charles "Tex" Watson get a foothold in dealing drugs to the rich and famous, which in turn led to the killings.


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: Catbirdman on January 07, 2013, 05:11:18 AM
A+
Cabin Essence
I Went to Sleep
Our Prayer
Time to Get Alone
I Can Hear Music

A
Be with Me
Do It Again
Cotton Fields
Never Learn Not to Love

B
Bluebirds Over the Mountain
All I Want to Do

D
The Nearest Faraway Place


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: Fall Breaks on January 07, 2013, 05:19:08 AM
1. Time To Get Alone (my favorite BB song for many years, still in my top 10)
2. Cabinessence
3. I Went To Sleep
4. I Can Hear Music
5. Do It Again
6. Our Prayer (would've been higher hadn't it been for the overdubs - much prefer the original 1966 version)
7. Never Learn Not To Love
8. All I Want To Do
9. Be With Me
10. Bluebirds Over The Mountain
11. The Nearest Faraway Place
12. Cottonfields (single version would have been second after Time To Get Alone)


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: Domino on January 08, 2013, 11:29:47 AM
1. Cabinessence
2. I Went To Sleep
3. Our Prayer
4. Be With Me
5. Time To Get Alone
6. Do It Again
7. Cotton Fields
8. I Can Hear Music
9. Never Learn Not To Love
10. All I Want To Do
11. Bluebirds over the Mountains
12. Nearest Faraway Place


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: SMiLE-addict on February 01, 2013, 02:59:29 PM
OK I just listened to this whole album for the first time in months, and decided the 2 best songs IMO (not counting the Smile songs) are I Went To Sleep and Never Learn Not To Love.

Considering that the first was written by Brian when he was starting to lose it, and the second was partially written by Charles Manson, gets me wondering about the relationship between insanity and creativity.

NEway maybe that's a different topic.

Only song on this album I skip is Cotton Fields. CCR did a good cover of it, but it just doesn't seem to lend itself to BB interpretation. All the other songs are pretty good. The Nearest Faraway Place is also one of the most interesting BB instrumentals IMO.


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on February 01, 2013, 04:47:49 PM
God I love this album. This, along with Friends, Holland, Sunflower, and So Tough, are my favorite BB albums. The order varies depending on mood.

 I'm not going to count the Smile tracks on this, as that is not 'fair'. There's not a single track on here I dislike. As always, #1 is my favorite, #10 is my 'least' favorite.

10. Cotton Fields- I prefer the single version.
9. Bluebirds over the mountain- I love it, but I prefer my homebrewed version that takes the Dutch mix and mixes it 'properly'
8.  Nearest Faraway Place
7. All I Want to do
6. Do it again
5. I can Hear Music
4. Never Learn Not To Love
3. Be With Me
2. I Went to Sleep
1. Time to Get Alone


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: Disney Boy (1985) on February 02, 2013, 12:00:04 AM
I'm excluding the SMiLE tracks, although needless to say i think they're utterly superb.

1. Time To Get Alone (LOVE this song!)
2. Never Learn Not To Love (forget the Manson connection and just listen to the incredible arrangement, production and vocals - incredible!)
3. Do It Again (a classic single, and one of their best ever album openers)
4. I Went To Sleep (beautiful - understated and yet a very deceptively complex arrangement)
5. All I Want To Do (optimistic lyrics, yet such a dark and twisted sounding song. That fade gets me every time - love it!)
6. I Can Hear Music (Carl's amazing vocal and production lift this light years ahead of the original - the boy had talent)
7. All I Want To Do (i really don't get the dislike for this song - it's a rocking tune and it's great to hear Mike singing like this for a change. And as for that fade... What'd you rather have, another Bruce Johnson schmaltz-fest?)

I love all of the above songs - 20/20 really is an amazingly strong album - however...

8. Cotton Fields (i'm not really keen on this song, whether it's this version or the single version. Not my cup of tea...)
9. The Nearest Faraway Place (i like the way it contrasts with All I Want To Do, but that's about all i like about it. It's elevator musak. They should've ditched this and had Mona Kanu instead - now THAT'S an instrumental!)
10. Bluebirds Over The Mountain (it's a mess, all over the place. Nothing fits. Don't like it. Bruce waited all that time to get a song on an album and this was the best he could do?)


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: Jason Penick on February 04, 2013, 08:34:37 PM
1.   Cabinessence
2.   Our Prayer
3.   Be With Me
4.   I Went to Sleep
5.   Never Learn Not To Love

6.   Time To Get Alone
7.   Do It Again
8.   I Can Hear Music
9.   Cotton Fields
10.  The Nearest Faraway Place

11.  All I Want to Do
12.  Bluebirds Over The Mountain


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: rynedotcom on February 05, 2013, 05:29:49 PM
1.   Cabinessence - Simply Amazing.


2.   Do It Again - Catchy and makes me come back to it often.
3.   Time To Get Alone
4.   I Can Hear Music
5.   The Nearest Faraway Place - I'm not one for instrumentals but this is absolutely amazing. Bruce did a terrific job with this piece.
6.   Our Prayer
7.   I Went to Sleep
8.   Be With Me
9.   Never Learn Not to Love


10.  All I Want To Do
11.  Bluebirds Over The Mountain
12.  Cotton Fields

Overall the album is a great listen.


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: Wrightfan on February 05, 2013, 07:42:15 PM
Forgot this one:
Cabinessence
Time to get Alone
I Went to Sleep
Our Prayer
I Can Hear Music (Awesome cover)
Do it Again (fake stereo? Yuck! Still, it's a great song)
Bluebirds over the Mountain
The Nearest Faraway Place
Be With Me
Never Learn Not to Love
Cotton Fields (The Cotton Song)
All I Want to Do


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: Puggal on February 06, 2013, 07:58:57 PM
Not a fan of this album. But as can be usually assumed, Brian's contributions are far better than his colleagues' offerings.
:D
1. Cabin Essence
2. I Went To Sleep
3. Time To Get Alone
4. Our Prayer
:l
5. I Can Hear Music
6. Do It Again
7. Bluebirds Over The Mountain
:(
8. Cotton Fields
9. Be With Me
10. Never Learn Not To Love
11. The Nearest Faraway Place
12. All I Want To Do


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: Custom Machine on February 08, 2013, 01:45:31 PM
One of my all-time favorite Beach Boys albums.  Contains some incredibly good stuff, IMO, and not one song on here that I don't really enjoy.

1.   Do it Again
2.   Time to get Alone
3.   I Can Hear Music
4.   Cabinessence
5.   Cotton Fields
6.   Be With Me
7.   All I Want to Do
8.   Bluebirds over the Mountain
9.   Never Learn Not to Love
10. I Went to Sleep
11. Our Prayer
12. The Nearest Faraway Place








Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: Sunflowerpet on February 21, 2013, 11:05:39 AM
 1. Cabbinessence
 2. Time To Get Alone
 3. I Can Hear Music
 4. Do It Again
 5. The Nearest Faraway Place
 6. I Went To Sleep
 7. Be With Me
 8. Cotton Fields
 9. Our Prayer
10.All I Want To Do
11.Never Learn No To Love
12.Bluebirds Over The Mountain


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: joshferrell on March 19, 2013, 07:53:10 PM
1.cabinessence
2.time to get alone
3.i went to sleep
4.do it again
5.i can hear music
6.the nearest faraway place
7.be with me
8.all i want to do
9.bluebirds over the mountain
10.our prayer
11.cotten fields
12.never learn not to love (not a bad song by any means just kind of creepy)


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: Summer_Days on April 16, 2013, 07:06:24 AM
I find this album a tad frustrating to rate because of the two Smile tracks; I feel like I should only be ranking the newer tunes, but oh well:

1. Time To Get Alone - One of my top 10 favorite Beach Boys song, a real beautiful gem I really can't get enough of. YES it's better than the Smile tracks....duh!
2. Cabinessence - One of my favorite Smile tracks, so yeah. Friggin' spectacular.
3. Our Prayer - Of course it's brilliant.
4. I Can Hear Music - Brother Carl brings the honey. Amazing cover.
5. I Went To Sleep - Serious genius here. Lovely as can be.
6. Do It Again - Just plain awesome. One of the band's best real RAWK song. LOVE IT.
7. Be With Me - Really quite great. Denny's best on the album by far. Spectacular backing track and cushions of harmonies.
8. Bluebirds Over The Mountain - Could've been a lot better, but still pretty damn good.
9. All I Want To Do - Um, yeah! Go Dennis? I dunno, I think it kinda sorta rocks. A bit.
10. Cotton Fields - Never liked this version all that much. Way prefer the pedal steel-laden single version, with a more exciting Al vocal, more harmonies and a jumpier track.
11. The Nearest Faraway Place - So syrupy it's Aunt Jemima, but still pretty nice I guess.
12. Never Learn Not To Love - What joshferrell said above me.

Nice n' uneven, but overall pretty damn good, like most BBs albums.


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: Dudd on April 20, 2013, 12:27:55 AM
12. Be With Me
11. I Went To Sleep
10. All I Want To Do
9. Cotton Fields - S'okay version, I prefer the other one much more
8. Do It Again
7. The Nearest Faraway Place - I will always defend Bruce! I liked Tears In The Morning and goddammit I like this :P
6. Time To Get Alone
5. Bluebirds Over The Mountain
4. Our Prayer - Beautiful a cappella, though crappily squeezed into the album
3. Never Learn Not To Love - Always thought it was kinda underrated. It's nice and psychedelic.
2. Cabinessence - As good as this one is, it feels kinda tacked on; it works a hell of a lot better in SMiLE.
1. I Can Hear Music - I'm surprised at how few people have put this has no 1. I think it's one of the best ever BB songs.


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: Summer_Days on April 20, 2013, 10:46:55 AM
1. I Can Hear Music - I'm surprised at how few people have put this has no 1. I think it's one of the best ever BB songs.

If it weren't for the two Smile tracks, I would've put I Can Hear Music at #2. It IS a truly amazing, amazing song. But not even half as good as 'Time To Get Alone', I feel.


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: Gabo on June 12, 2013, 07:33:07 PM
I don't like this album. Too much of a hodge podge, and I only like the top five songs. Out of all the Beach Boys albums I own, it's probably (with 15 Big Ones and Summer Days) my least favorite.
1. Cabinessence
2. I Went To Sleep
3. Our Prayer
4. Time To Get Alone
5. I Can Hear Music

6. Do It Again
7. Bluebirds Over The Mountain
8. Cotton Fields (They could have picked a better folk song to cover. Just not my style of music. Brian obviously wasn't into it either...)
9. The Nearest Faraway Place (Elevator music, but somewhat pretty. It actually reminds of me of 32/64 bit video game music.)
10. Be With Me (besides the verse melody, this song is overblown and lacking in the melody department.
11. Never Learn Not To Love (Boring. The Charles Manson connection doesn't help.)
12. All I Want To Do (one of the worst Beach Boys songs. A highly unconvincing rocker. Just stupid.)


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: scooby1970 on June 27, 2013, 03:11:29 AM
Definitely one of my favourite albums.

01. Time To Get Alone
02. Cabinessence
03. Bluebirds Over The Mountain
04. Do It Again
05. I Can Hear Music
06. Cottonfields
07. Our Prayer
08. All I Want To Do
09. Never Learn Not To Love
10. The Nearest Faraway Place
11. Be With Me
12. I Went To Sleep

:) Mark


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: drbeachboy on June 27, 2013, 09:49:16 AM
Definitely one of my favourite albums.

01. Time To Get Alone
02. Cabinessence
03. Bluebirds Over The Mountain
04. Do It Again
05. I Can Hear Music
06. Cottonfields
07. Our Prayer
08. All I Want To Do
09. Never Learn Not To Love
10. The Nearest Faraway Place
11. Be With Me
12. I Went To Sleep

:) Mark
The album is a bit disjointed, but not every album has to be a "Concept Album". On a song by song basis, there's some pretty good listening here. One of my faves, as well.


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: bluesno1fann on July 14, 2013, 10:10:06 PM
12. Do It Again. Overrated track. Another song I never liked. Still not as bad as the 2012 remake, however.
11. I Went To Sleep. Forgettable, never grew on me. Like no.10.
10. Time To Get Alone. Forgettable, never grew on me. Like no.11.
9. Bluebirds Over The Mountain. Quite crap. Big mistake covering it. Not as heavy as some people make out to be.
8. Our Prayer. Shouldn't be on this album. Don't care for this track much, but that's my opinion.
7. The Nearest Faraway Place. Sort-of underrated. Don't understand why some people don't like it.
6. Cottonfields. Not as good as the single version, but still all right.
5. Cabinessence. Shouldn't be on this album, but still a great track.
4. I Can Hear Music. Equal to no.3. A favourite Carl production.
3. Never Learn Not To Love. Equal to no.4. Because of obvious reasons, people don't care about the track itself that much. Shame really. That makes it one of the most underrated Beach Boys tracks ever.
2. All I Want To Do. Possibly the heaviest Beach Boys song, and I love it!
1. Be With Me. One of the best Beach Boys songs ever.


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: TimeToGetAlone on October 01, 2013, 11:26:30 AM
1. Cabinessence - 487.5 (17)
2. Time to Get Alone - 444 (14)
3. I Can Hear Music - 372 (3)
4. Do It Again - 367 (5)
5. Our Prayer - 360.5 (3)
6. I Went to Sleep - 316.5 (1)
7. Be with Me - 272 (1)
8. Never Learn Not to Love - 251.5 (1)
9. Cotton Fields (The Cotton Song) - 222
10. All I Want to Do - 185.5 (1)
11. The Nearest Faraway Place  - 161.5
12. Bluebirds Over the Mountain - 147

My thoughts?  My namesake had an impressive run to second.  I do think Be With Me and I Went to Sleep should place higher, however.


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: alf wiedersehen on January 08, 2014, 07:36:26 PM
1. "I Went to Sleep" - I've been in love with this song since I first heard it. I love the way the single voice leads off those (gorgeous) harmonies on every line. The vocal delivery is so soft and tender and the mood it creates is sublime. Not to mention that great, serene, mellow backing track. I'm not even sure what instruments are being used, but gosh are they great. I also love those little sound effects that are used, like the tambourine for the sprinkler, the occasional snoring, the plastic birds. It's aural bliss.

2. "I Can Hear Music" - I love the way this song starts. It starts off big, almost like someone cut it to the middle section of a longer harmony line. Then, that unique take on a Spector song comes in - just a bunch of acoustic guitars. Carl, as always, is absolutely stunning at singing and those low harmonies behind it all are lovely. Then, it collapses into that wonderful a cappella section only to launch right back into how the song started. Great idea.

3. "Time to Get Alone" - I love the way the keyboards bounce around in the beginning - makes a really cool sound. The lyrics are really nice, just getting away with the person you love. The whole song is supported by the backing vocals, which are everywhere, sometimes multiple ones in the same section happening at once. There's also the "deep and wide" section that ends in that ominous, rising string part.

4. "Do It Again" - I love that booming bass that starts this off (sort of a pattern so far, great openings). The verse is fine and enjoyable, but the chorus is where this song really shines. All those great voices and melodies coming together great to create a really unique chorus. The bridge is great too, though I kinda enjoy Brian singing that part more. I'll never understand that "Workshop" ending, though.

5. "Cabinessence" - Probably one of my lesser favorite Smile tracks, but I can still appreciate the song. I think they did a great job with it and there isn't really much more to say about this song at this point.

6. "Never Learn Not to Love" - This song's beginning has always intrigued me - it's very dark, sweeping, and ominous. This is undoubtedly one of my favorite Dennis songs, as I have the fortune of being able to separate it from that whole Manson deal. I love the backing vocals, the backing track, and I love the way the song pounces along at certain points.

7. "The Neartest Faraway Place" - I actually like this song. Being a piano player myself, I can appreciate the intro and how talented he was at this particular instrument (I'm assuming Bruce plays it). I think it's a rather pretty instrumental, sort of if someone combined "Diamond Head" and Pet Sounds, that's how I see it anyway.

8. "Be with Me" - It ain't bad. I quite like the horns, the strings, and the percussion. For the mast part, I can get behind the lyrics and the melodies are pretty good for the verses. However, I'm not too keen on the "FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE" part. I like most everything else, though. Although, the coda does sound like someone's doing a Meatloaf impression.

9. "Our Prayer" - Never a big fan of this version. I've always thought the TSS version sound clearer and crisper. Not a bad 'song' technically, but I hate the way it sounds.

10. "Cotton Fields (The Cotton Song)" - Never been a favorite of mine. Something about the way the song sounds has always put me off (similar to the last song), but I'm not really sure what it is. The production is pretty flimsy here and has been done better elsewhere by Al. I do like the little breakdown that happens about halfway through. The song gets better as you get closer to the end.

11. "All I Want to Do" - Just an insignificant effort in my eyes. It's nice that it goes outside of what's expected from the Beach Boys, but it just doesn't really do a lot for me. I love Mike's delivery, though - very raw and ragged, which is not something you'll get to hear often. Almost a glimpse into an alternate reality where the Beach Boys steered clear of pop perfection and dove into actual rock music.

12. "Bluebirds Over the Mountain" - What a disaster this song is. I can see how it would be an attempt for them to update their sound, but it's jus no goooood. That eternally annoying fuzz guitar that haunts my sleep, that weird calypso thing they have going on, and those weak and irritating backing vocals all come together to form a song I wish I could forget.


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: Gabo on January 08, 2014, 09:36:35 PM
1. I Can Hear Music -- Amazing cover. The production and performance is spectacular. Hurrah for Carl.
2. Cabinessence -- Probably the best composition on the album, but I find the single above more enjoyable.
3. Do It Again -- This song warms my heart. Too bad it's in mono, though.
4. I Went To Sleep --  Spellbinding melody. I would like 20/20 far less if it did not contain this song.
5. Bluebirds Over The Mountain -- The fuzz guitar sucks, but I love everything else about this track. It's just so catchy.
6. Time To Get Alone -- A great song, but nothing special for Brian. Like most of 20/20 the production is pretty ugly.
7. Our Prayer -- A nice piece of choral music, but not exactly the most entertaining song in the world. I don't understand why they overdubbed another falsetto vocal in 1968. It sounds better on The Smile Sessions.
8. Never Learn Not To Love -- The song is good, but the production is slipshod.
9. The Nearest Faraway -- This song either sounds like a Kenny G backing track or something off a JRPG soundtrack. I like it, but it's hard to escape the cheese.
10.  Be With Me -- I don't like this song very much. The lyrics are bad, and the choruses sound very forced. I like Dennis's vocals as always, and the production is good, but it is a very flawed composition.
11. Cotton Fields -- The production of this song is awful. You can tell Brian wasn't trying. I do like the banjo fade-out, though. That was a good idea.
12. All I Want To Do -- A failed attempt at a rock-out. The lyrics are pedestrian and the performance hamfisted. I always skip this one.


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: Niko on January 09, 2014, 04:30:10 AM
Wild Honey? That surprises me, I would never have considered that be a bad vocal. There might be a shrill syllable or two, but its definitely not bad.


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: drbeachboy on January 09, 2014, 06:52:48 AM
2. "I Can Hear Music" - I love the way this song starts. It starts off big, almost like someone cut it to the middle section of a longer harmony line. Then, that unique take on a Spector song comes in - just a bunch of acoustic guitars. Carl, as always, is absolutely stunning at singing and those low harmonies behind it all are lovely. Then, it collapses into that wonderful a Capella section only to launch right back into how the song started. Great idea.
Very nice write-up, Mr. Waves, but I couldn't resist asking - do you really like every single vocal by Carl? Wild Honey? Pom Pom Play Girl? All Dressed up for School? Here Comes the Night? Talk to Me? Mess of Help? (naming the songs considered the worst Carl vocs around here) Not that there's anything wrong, am just genuinely surprised.
I don't consider any of those vocals as "worst". What it does show is that Carl had a very versatile voice that was able to handle a multitude of styles and genres.


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: Disney Boy (1985) on January 09, 2014, 10:09:21 AM
2. "I Can Hear Music" - I love the way this song starts. It starts off big, almost like someone cut it to the middle section of a longer harmony line. Then, that unique take on a Spector song comes in - just a bunch of acoustic guitars. Carl, as always, is absolutely stunning at singing and those low harmonies behind it all are lovely. Then, it collapses into that wonderful a Capella section only to launch right back into how the song started. Great idea.
Very nice write-up, Mr. Waves, but I couldn't resist asking - do you really like every single vocal by Carl? Wild Honey? Pom Pom Play Girl? All Dressed up for School? Here Comes the Night? Talk to Me? Mess of Help? (naming the songs considered the worst Carl vocs around here) Not that there's anything wrong, am just genuinely surprised.

I like all those Carl vocals - especially Wild Honey!


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: bluesno1fann on January 09, 2014, 02:42:50 PM
2. "I Can Hear Music" - I love the way this song starts. It starts off big, almost like someone cut it to the middle section of a longer harmony line. Then, that unique take on a Spector song comes in - just a bunch of acoustic guitars. Carl, as always, is absolutely stunning at singing and those low harmonies behind it all are lovely. Then, it collapses into that wonderful a Capella section only to launch right back into how the song started. Great idea.
Very nice write-up, Mr. Waves, but I couldn't resist asking - do you really like every single vocal by Carl? Wild Honey? Pom Pom Play Girl? All Dressed up for School? Here Comes the Night? Talk to Me? Mess of Help? (naming the songs considered the worst Carl vocs around here) Not that there's anything wrong, am just genuinely surprised.
Wild Honey, Here Comes The Night and Mess Of Help are some of the best Carl vocals!  :lol


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: alf wiedersehen on January 09, 2014, 03:15:54 PM
2. "I Can Hear Music" - I love the way this song starts. It starts off big, almost like someone cut it to the middle section of a longer harmony line. Then, that unique take on a Spector song comes in - just a bunch of acoustic guitars. Carl, as always, is absolutely stunning at singing and those low harmonies behind it all are lovely. Then, it collapses into that wonderful a Capella section only to launch right back into how the song started. Great idea.
Very nice write-up, Mr. Waves, but I couldn't resist asking - do you really like every single vocal by Carl? Wild Honey? Pom Pom Play Girl? All Dressed up for School? Here Comes the Night? Talk to Me? Mess of Help? (naming the songs considered the worst Carl vocs around here) Not that there's anything wrong, am just genuinely surprised.

Damn straight!
I love me some Carl.


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: retrokid67 on January 09, 2014, 10:29:47 PM
Wild Honey? That surprises me, I would never have considered that be a bad vocal. There might be a shrill syllable or two, but its definitely not bad.
It surprises me as well that a lot of posters dislike his WH vocal. Someone even said that Carl sounds like a brat. To me, it's one of the greatest examples of his singing, very bright & soulful.

I personally prefer the more soulful leads than the rock leads he does  :)  I would take "Soulful Old Man Sunshine" over "Mess of Help to Stand Alone" it sounds like its more natural and easier for him to sing and he did an awesome job  ;D


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: drbeachboy on January 10, 2014, 08:41:07 AM
Wild Honey? That surprises me, I would never have considered that be a bad vocal. There might be a shrill syllable or two, but its definitely not bad.
It surprises me as well that a lot of posters dislike his WH vocal. Someone even said that Carl sounds like a brat. To me, it's one of the greatest examples of his singing, very bright & soulful.

I personally prefer the more soulful leads than the rock leads he does  :)  I would take "Soulful Old Man Sunshine" over "Mess of Help to Stand Alone" it sounds like its more natural and easier for him to sing and he did an awesome job  ;D
I would ask you to listen to ANYTHING (Studio or Live) from 1972 onward and you will see that Carl's vocal on Mess Of Help is closer to natural than what he did prior. As I have said before, Carl had a versatile singing voice and could sing almost anything, but his natural singing voice seems closer to the sounds of Mess Of Help more so than Soulful Old Man Sunshine.


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: retrokid67 on January 10, 2014, 01:53:50 PM
Wild Honey? That surprises me, I would never have considered that be a bad vocal. There might be a shrill syllable or two, but its definitely not bad.
It surprises me as well that a lot of posters dislike his WH vocal. Someone even said that Carl sounds like a brat. To me, it's one of the greatest examples of his singing, very bright & soulful.

I personally prefer the more soulful leads than the rock leads he does  :)  I would take "Soulful Old Man Sunshine" over "Mess of Help to Stand Alone" it sounds like its more natural and easier for him to sing and he did an awesome job  ;D
I would ask you to listen to ANYTHING (Studio or Live) from 1972 onward and you will see that Carl's vocal on Mess Of Help is closer to natural than what he did prior. As I have said before, Carl had a versatile singing voice and could sing almost anything, but his natural singing voice seems closer to the sounds of Mess Of Help more so than Soulful Old Man Sunshine.

I like how he sings it on that one t.v. appearance they did with Captain Keyboards  :)  I found it odd that denny came at the very end of it and then a similar thing happened with mike for the music video version


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: Orange Crate Art on August 12, 2014, 08:37:18 AM
Love the 20/20 album!

1. Cabinessence
2. Time To Get Alone
3. Do It Again
4. Be With Me
5. Our Prayer
6. All I Want To Do
7. I Went To Sleep
8. I Can Hear Music
9. Cotton Fields
10. Never Learn Not To Love
11. Bluebirds Over The Mountain
12. The Nearest Faraway Place


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: job on October 30, 2014, 02:20:57 PM
This one is so close.  So many high quality tunes.  Not much separation from first to last for me.

1. Time To Get Alone
2. Do It Again
3. Nearest Faraway Place
4. I Went To Sleep
5. I Can Hear Music
6. All I Want To Do
7. Be With Me
8. Cotton Fields
9. Bluebirds
10. Cabinessence
11. Our Prayer
12. Never Learn Not To Love


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: Peter Pumpkinhead on August 19, 2015, 03:09:12 AM
01. Time to Get Alone
02. Cabinessence
03. Our Prayer
04. I Can Hear Music
05. I Went to Sleep
06. Never Learn Not to Love
07. Be with Me
08. Do It Again
09. The Nearest Faraway Place
10. Cotton Fields
11. All I Want to Do
12. Bluebirds Over the Mountain


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: You Kane, You Commanded, You Conquered on March 27, 2016, 04:24:53 PM
Cabinessence
Our Prayer
All I Want To Do
Do It Again
The Nearest Faraway Place
Never Learn Not To Love
I Went To Sleep
Time To Get Alone
Bluebirds Over The Mountain
Cottonfields
I Can Hear Music
Be With Me


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: jiggy22 on June 27, 2016, 09:22:26 AM
Discounting the two SMiLE tracks:

10. Cotton Fields (Single Version is so much better, sorry Brian!)
9. All I Want to Do
8. Never Learn Not to Love
7. The Nearest Faraway Place
6. I Can Hear Music
5. Do it Again
4. Be With Me
3. Bluebirds Over the Mountain (So catchy sounding!)
2. I Went to Sleep
1. Time to Get Alone


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: Mr Fulton on May 14, 2017, 04:08:00 AM
1. Cabinessence
2. I Can Hear Music
3. Time To Get Alone
4. I Went To Sleep
5. Do It Again
6. Our Prayer
7. Be With Me
8. Never Learn Not To Love
9. The Nearest Faraway Place
10. All I Want To Do
11. Bluebirds Over The Mountain
12. Cottonfields


Title: Re: Rank the tracks #15: 20/20
Post by: Wata on December 28, 2017, 09:21:33 PM
Low point of late 1960's albums - but still consistent

1. I Can Hear Music - very casual wall of sound.
2. Cabin Essennce - very thick wall of sound
3. Be with Me - strings' wall of sound
4. Do It Again
5. Time To Get Alone
6. Never Learn Not to Love

7. I Went to Sleep
8. Our Prayer
9. All I Want to Do
10. Cotton Fields
11. Bluebirds over the Mountain - still good.

12. The Nearest Faraway Place