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Smiley Smile Stuff => General On Topic Discussions => Topic started by: buddhahat on August 19, 2014, 06:04:00 AM



Title: For a band with so much in the vaults, why so much filler?
Post by: buddhahat on August 19, 2014, 06:04:00 AM
How come this band so often structured albums badly or padded them out with filler, despite the wealth of quality unreleased material?

I have this thought so often when listening to the BBs. Presumably others do too. I thought it might be worth starting a thread to moan about album sequencing missed opportunities. At the very least it will be a place where I can express my own frustration when these negative thoughts occur.

I was listening to Today! and after Please Let Me Wonder had finished my mind began playing the opening bars to Guess I'm Dumb. Side two is great but, wow, what an addition that track would have made (with BB vocals, obviously). When Brian decided they had to pad the album out with Bull Session With Big Daddy I wonder if he kicked himself for giving that tune to Glenn Campbell. And why didn't they try and record it as a BB tune in the first place? It's clearly a great song. If their albums were fit to bursting with quality material I could understand, but so much of the catalogue is blighted with obvious filler.



  


Title: Re: For a band with so much in the vaults, why so much filler?
Post by: TimeToGetAlone on August 19, 2014, 06:47:05 AM
One of the fascinating/maddening aspects of Beach Boys history.  They could have improved many an album with the goldmine of unreleased gems at their disposal.  Argument over tracklisting aside, it's ridiculous how a song like (Wouldn't It Be Nice) To Live Again which was fully complete and excellent stayed unheard for over 40 years.


Title: Re: For a band with so much in the vaults, why so much filler?
Post by: Joel Goldenberg on August 19, 2014, 06:49:44 AM
How come this band so often structured albums badly or padded them out with filler, despite the wealth of quality unreleased material?

I have this thought so often when listening to the BBs. Presumably others do too. I thought it might be worth starting a thread to moan about album sequencing missed opportunities. At the very least it will be a place where I can express my own frustration when these negative thoughts occur.

I was listening to Today! and after Please Let Me Wonder had finished my mind began playing the opening bars to Guess I'm Dumb. Side two is great but, wow, what an addition that track would have made (with BB vocals, obviously). When Brian decided they had to pad the album out with Bull Session With Big Daddy I wonder if he kicked himself for giving that tune to Glenn Campbell. And why didn't they try and record it as a BB tune in the first place? It's clearly a great song. If their albums were fit to bursting with quality material I could understand, but so much of the catalogue is blighted with obvious filler.



  

Regarding Guess I'm Dumb, maybe as in the case of In the Back of My Mind and the Dennis lead vocal, the lyrics were too personal and Brian felt uncomfortable with singing them himself, and in this case gave it to a brief Beach Boy. If this was the case, Brian soon lost this discomfort and sang I Just Wasn't Made For These Times.


Title: Re: For a band with so much in the vaults, why so much filler?
Post by: Joel Goldenberg on August 19, 2014, 06:51:38 AM
One of the fascinating/maddening aspects of Beach Boys history.  They could have improved many an album with the goldmine of unreleased gems at their disposal.  Argument over tracklisting aside, it's ridiculous how a song like (Wouldn't It Be Nice) To Live Again which was fully complete and excellent stayed unheard for over 40 years.

In the Elvis Presley realm, although it's not that iconic a song, I felt that way about the 1972 studio recording of For the Good Times, which was only available as a live version for more than 20 years despite many opportunities to place it on various collections.


Title: Re: For a band with so much in the vaults, why so much filler?
Post by: puni puni on August 19, 2014, 06:59:52 AM
Love once said in the 70s or 80s that the band usually left outtakes when they felt the material didn't belong on the album or would be more suitable on a future album.


Title: Re: For a band with so much in the vaults, why so much filler?
Post by: phirnis on August 19, 2014, 07:57:34 AM
Personally I feel that artists are pretty bad at judging their own material in terms of quality. Brian Wilson named 15 Big Ones his favorite album more than once and while I personally really like that album you'll hardly find a fan of the BB who's going to tell you it's his/her favorite thing the group ever did.


Title: Re: For a band with so much in the vaults, why so much filler?
Post by: Nicko1234 on August 19, 2014, 08:29:58 AM
With Guess I`m Dumb, wasn`t it more arguments about it being too much of a downer for the group?


Title: Re: For a band with so much in the vaults, why so much filler?
Post by: phirnis on August 19, 2014, 08:37:59 AM
Someone should've told them early on, "You're going to be around for at least 50 years and your geeky male die-hard fanbase is going to adore you for your 'downer' material more than anything else". :-D


Title: Re: For a band with so much in the vaults, why so much filler?
Post by: drbeachboy on August 19, 2014, 09:07:38 AM
With Guess I`m Dumb, wasn`t it more arguments about it being too much of a downer for the group?
At that point and time, Guess I'm Dumb was not stylistically close to what they were doing as a band. This was a song for an outside project, at least this arrangement, anyway.


Title: Re: For a band with so much in the vaults, why so much filler?
Post by: Disney Boy (1985) on August 19, 2014, 10:05:54 AM
Hindsight is a wonderful thing. Remember, for a long time the group was churning out 2, sometimes 3, albums a year; the sheer pace of their output probably had as much to do with it as anything.


Title: Re: For a band with so much in the vaults, why so much filler?
Post by: the captain on August 19, 2014, 10:26:12 AM
Personally I feel that artists are pretty bad at judging their own material in terms of quality. Brian Wilson named 15 Big Ones his favorite album more than once and while I personally really like that album you'll hardly find a fan of the BB who's going to tell you it's his/her favorite thing the group ever did.

I agree that the artist is rarely his or her best editor (in any art form). I actually like when artists follow the Lou Reed penned, Warhol-inspired method of "just work" (letting others analyze, evaluate, etc). Zappa, Prince, and Dylan are among examples of that.

And yet it's valid to cede to artists control of their own careers (and thus output), at least while they're alive, so if someone wants to--quite possibly misguidedly--withhold work from the public, oh well.

The BBs seem unique in the sheer volume of quality work withheld at least from it's initially intended purpose, if not altogether, though. It's baffling.


Title: Re: For a band with so much in the vaults, why so much filler?
Post by: Hot Rod on August 19, 2014, 11:05:20 AM
Hindsight is a wonderful thing. Remember, for a long time the group was churning out 2, sometimes 3, albums a year; the sheer pace of their output probably had as much to do with it as anything.


I think this is pretty much the reason. But what I don't understand are these stupid unlistenable Recording Sessions that they released. I much rather listen to a filler song than this.


Title: Re: For a band with so much in the vaults, why so much filler?
Post by: drbeachboy on August 19, 2014, 11:21:18 AM
Hindsight is a wonderful thing. Remember, for a long time the group was churning out 2, sometimes 3, albums a year; the sheer pace of their output probably had as much to do with it as anything.


I think this is pretty much the reason. But what I don't understand are these stupid unlistenable Recording Sessions that they released. I much rather listen to a filler song than this.
This probably goes back to Brian wanting to include comedy pieces in his work. It is OK when it is new, but that kind of stuff grows very old as time goes by.


Title: Re: For a band with so much in the vaults, why so much filler?
Post by: the captain on August 19, 2014, 11:32:15 AM
Hindsight is a wonderful thing. Remember, for a long time the group was churning out 2, sometimes 3, albums a year; the sheer pace of their output probably had as much to do with it as anything.


I think this is pretty much the reason. But what I don't understand are these stupid unlistenable Recording Sessions that they released. I much rather listen to a filler song than this.
This probably goes back to Brian wanting to include comedy pieces in his work. It is OK when it is new, but that kind of stuff grows very old as time goes by.

Doubtful they thought how those bits would stand the test of time though. It was all so temporal and disposable in those days.


Title: Re: For a band with so much in the vaults, why so much filler?
Post by: Beachlad on August 19, 2014, 11:53:32 AM
I would guess the early stuff was because they were putting out so many albums per year.  If Brian only had to do an album a year or every couple like they do now could have been a lot better for his issues. Just the stress from the record company had to be unbearable. it is not like he was getting a lot of help from any one.  Mcartney had Lennon and vice versa plus George Martin probably meant even more.


Title: Re: For a band with so much in the vaults, why so much filler?
Post by: drbeachboy on August 19, 2014, 11:57:00 AM
I have always liked most of Brian's "Filler" music. So, for the most part I'm happy with albums just the way they are.


Title: Re: For a band with so much in the vaults, why so much filler?
Post by: Disney Boy (1985) on August 19, 2014, 10:51:21 PM
I have always liked most of Brian's "Filler" music. So, for the most part I'm happy with albums just the way they are.

Aside from the comedy talk tracks, I like pretty much all of the band's 'filler'. Shut Down Vol 2 for instance is always accused of being full of filler, and yet I could quite happily listen to This Car of Mine, Pom Pom Play Girl, the title track, etc. repeatedly, any time, any day, anywhere. In fact, just talking about them is making me want to listen to them right now. If that's filler, I say I only wish there were more of it :)


Title: Re: For a band with so much in the vaults, why so much filler?
Post by: Kurosawa on August 19, 2014, 11:16:53 PM
I have always liked most of Brian's "Filler" music. So, for the most part I'm happy with albums just the way they are.

Aside from the comedy talk tracks, I like pretty much all of the band's 'filler'. Shut Down Vol 2 for instance is always accused of being full of filler, and yet I could quite happily listen to This Car of Mine, Pom Pom Play Girl, the title track, etc. repeatedly, any time, any day, anywhere. In fact, just talking about them is making me want to listen to them right now. If that's filler, I say I only wish there were more of it :)

I know what you mean. I feel the same way about songs like Drive-In.


Title: Re: For a band with so much in the vaults, why so much filler?
Post by: Niko on August 19, 2014, 11:22:53 PM
The only thing that bothers me is where there were better tracks that could have been released instead of the 'filler', or at the very least, along side them, which would improve the album.

Shut Down Part 2 is my least favorite in terms of filler. Don't Worry Baby followed by In The Parking Lot does not work for me, as gorgeous as the harmonies may be on that song. The album just lacks balance...though I'll spin both sides every time.


Title: Re: For a band with so much in the vaults, why so much filler?
Post by: Gabo on August 19, 2014, 11:25:00 PM
They were a singles band in the early years. The albums were basically thrown together. Today might not even be an exception, no matter how lovely it is...


Title: Re: For a band with so much in the vaults, why so much filler?
Post by: Lonely Summer on August 19, 2014, 11:46:40 PM
They were a singles band in the early years. The albums were basically thrown together. Today might not even be an exception, no matter how lovely it is...
That's true, the focus of the industry back then was on hit singles, the the BB's did fine on that front. It was only after we got albums like Rubber Soul and Pet Sounds that we expected perfection on all 10 or 12 tracks.


Title: Re: For a band with so much in the vaults, why so much filler?
Post by: smilethebeachboysloveyou on August 20, 2014, 04:42:03 AM
Hindsight is a wonderful thing. Remember, for a long time the group was churning out 2, sometimes 3, albums a year; the sheer pace of their output probably had as much to do with it as anything.

In addition to the fact that they were touring constantly.  It's no coincidence that Pet Sounds came after Brian had 1) quit touring and 2) seriously slowed down the band's output.  I do like a lot of what others might call filler from all of their albums between Surfer Girl and Summer Days (and Summer Nights!!) personally, though I could do without the spoken tracks.

As for their '70s output, since the songwriting was more democratic, I think a lot of the problem was internal politics, of which the issue with Dennis and Carl's fight keeping Dennis' songs from Surf's Up would be one example.


Title: Re: For a band with so much in the vaults, why so much filler?
Post by: Dancing Bear on August 20, 2014, 05:29:28 AM
When you want to write, arrange and finish a track in 2 hours you end up with 'I'm Bugged at my Old Man'. The comedy tracks were an artistic choice.


Title: Re: For a band with so much in the vaults, why so much filler?
Post by: tpesky on August 20, 2014, 06:44:14 AM
I have no problems with any of the so called filler songs at all, some of which I love and others I'm ok with. It's the Recording Sessions, Bull Sessions stuff but I think that was an artistic choice at the time, that whole comedy with the group thing. Jan and Dean were getting big into comedy too. It just hasn't held up over time, but that's true of many fads in pop culture.


Title: Re: For a band with so much in the vaults, why so much filler?
Post by: buddhahat on August 20, 2014, 06:48:37 AM
When you want to write, arrange and finish a track in 2 hours you end up with 'I'm Bugged at my Old Man'. The comedy tracks were an artistic choice.

Yes this is true. Look at the albums between Shut Down & Wild Honey. Every one has either an overtly comedic skit/song or a humorous song. Pet Sounds is the only exception but you could even argue that the dogs barking is a humour piece of sorts.

Shut Down Vol 2 - Cassius" Love vs. "Sonny" Wilson
All Summer Long - Our Favorite Recording Sessions
Christmas Album - Santa's Beard
Today! - Bull Session with Big Daddy
Summer days & SN - I'm Bugged At My Old Man
Party! - Medley: "I Get Around" / "Little Deuce Coupe + general humourous banter throughout
Pet Sounds - Banana & Louie/train whistle?
Smile - Brian's plans for a humour album, talking between songs, "You're Under Arrest", Holidays, Vegetables, I Wanna Be Around following Fire? etc.
Smiley Smile - She's Goin' Bald, Vegetables
Wild Honey - Mama Says


Title: Re: For a band with so much in the vaults, why so much filler?
Post by: BJL on August 20, 2014, 09:26:50 AM
I've always loved "Bull Sessions with Big Daddy," and may be nearly alone in thinking it's the perfect ending to Today. Something about the way In the Back of My Mind fades out, the lights come up, and then the band is just sitting around having dinner feels so authentic and interesting to me. And I think it was very much intentional. The way I see it, the idea of the rock/pop album as art was still very nascent, and the Beach Boys' previous albums were not conceptualized as art, but as "product." They were meant to be fun, and cool. I don't really think it's fair to call the joke tracks "filler" when Brian was so productive at this point that he was leaving songs unreleased, and writing and producing tons of records for other bands, many of which were formed just to release a song or two that he had lying around. If Brian had wanted one more song for any of those albums, he could have gone into the studio and recorded one! But he included the joking around tracks because Beach Boys fans were teenagers, and those tracks helped build their image, create loyalty, make their fans feel like the band were just kids like them having a good time, joking around, playing music in their garage. It was about their image. So then in 1965, Brian is suddenly making this really arty, serious album, filled with self doubt, anxiety, questioning. But rather than give the album the kind of beautiful, poignant ending that he would practically invent with Caroline, No, he just made the "talking" track more serious too. Instead of silly voices, stupid jokes, and fake fights, he recorded three minutes of the band sitting around in the studio eating some burgers. Now that his music was more authentic, he made the "what it's like to be in a recording studio with the Beach Boy" track more authentic too.


Title: Re: For a band with so much in the vaults, why so much filler?
Post by: Disney Boy (1985) on August 20, 2014, 09:42:40 AM
I have always liked most of Brian's "Filler" music. So, for the most part I'm happy with albums just the way they are.

Aside from the comedy talk tracks, I like pretty much all of the band's 'filler'. Shut Down Vol 2 for instance is always accused of being full of filler, and yet I could quite happily listen to This Car of Mine, Pom Pom Play Girl, the title track, etc. repeatedly, any time, any day, anywhere. In fact, just talking about them is making me want to listen to them right now. If that's filler, I say I only wish there were more of it :)

I know what you mean. I feel the same way about songs like Drive-In.

I would never have even thought that Drive-In was filler to begin with!!


Title: Re: For a band with so much in the vaults, why so much filler?
Post by: Disney Boy (1985) on August 20, 2014, 09:45:48 AM
When you want to write, arrange and finish a track in 2 hours you end up with 'I'm Bugged at my Old Man'. The comedy tracks were an artistic choice.

Yes this is true. Look at the albums between Shut Down & Wild Honey. Every one has either an overtly comedic skit/song or a humorous song. Pet Sounds is the only exception but you could even argue that the dogs barking is a humour piece of sorts.

Shut Down Vol 2 - Cassius" Love vs. "Sonny" Wilson
All Summer Long - Our Favorite Recording Sessions
Christmas Album - Santa's Beard
Today! - Bull Session with Big Daddy
Summer days & SN - I'm Bugged At My Old Man
Party! - Medley: "I Get Around" / "Little Deuce Coupe + general humourous banter throughout
Pet Sounds - Banana & Louie/train whistle?
Smile - Brian's plans for a humour album, talking between songs, "You're Under Arrest", Holidays, Vegetables, I Wanna Be Around following Fire? etc.
Smiley Smile - She's Goin' Bald, Vegetables
Wild Honey - Mama Says

That's a rather baffling analysis: what on earth have Santa's Beard, Vegetables and Bull Sessions with Big Daddy got in common???


Title: Re: For a band with so much in the vaults, why so much filler?
Post by: drbeachboy on August 20, 2014, 10:08:43 AM
When you want to write, arrange and finish a track in 2 hours you end up with 'I'm Bugged at my Old Man'. The comedy tracks were an artistic choice.

Yes this is true. Look at the albums between Shut Down & Wild Honey. Every one has either an overtly comedic skit/song or a humorous song. Pet Sounds is the only exception but you could even argue that the dogs barking is a humour piece of sorts.

Shut Down Vol 2 - Cassius" Love vs. "Sonny" Wilson
All Summer Long - Our Favorite Recording Sessions
Christmas Album - Santa's Beard
Today! - Bull Session with Big Daddy
Summer days & SN - I'm Bugged At My Old Man
Party! - Medley: "I Get Around" / "Little Deuce Coupe + general humourous banter throughout
Pet Sounds - Banana & Louie/train whistle?
Smile - Brian's plans for a humour album, talking between songs, "You're Under Arrest", Holidays, Vegetables, I Wanna Be Around following Fire? etc.
Smiley Smile - She's Goin' Bald, Vegetables
Wild Honey - Mama Says

That's a rather baffling analysis: what on earth have Santa's Beard, Vegetables and Bull Sessions with Big Daddy got in common???
Maybe, that they are comedic?


Title: Re: For a band with so much in the vaults, why so much filler?
Post by: buddhahat on August 20, 2014, 10:52:36 AM
When you want to write, arrange and finish a track in 2 hours you end up with 'I'm Bugged at my Old Man'. The comedy tracks were an artistic choice.

Yes this is true. Look at the albums between Shut Down & Wild Honey. Every one has either an overtly comedic skit/song or a humorous song. Pet Sounds is the only exception but you could even argue that the dogs barking is a humour piece of sorts.

Shut Down Vol 2 - Cassius" Love vs. "Sonny" Wilson
All Summer Long - Our Favorite Recording Sessions
Christmas Album - Santa's Beard
Today! - Bull Session with Big Daddy
Summer days & SN - I'm Bugged At My Old Man
Party! - Medley: "I Get Around" / "Little Deuce Coupe + general humourous banter throughout
Pet Sounds - Banana & Louie/train whistle?
Smile - Brian's plans for a humour album, talking between songs, "You're Under Arrest", Holidays, Vegetables, I Wanna Be Around following Fire? etc.
Smiley Smile - She's Goin' Bald, Vegetables
Wild Honey - Mama Says

That's a rather baffling analysis: what on earth have Santa's Beard, Vegetables and Bull Sessions with Big Daddy got in common???
Maybe, that they are comedic?

Yeah - lighten up, Disney Boy!


Title: Re: For a band with so much in the vaults, why so much filler?
Post by: Disney Boy (1985) on August 20, 2014, 11:58:45 AM
When you want to write, arrange and finish a track in 2 hours you end up with 'I'm Bugged at my Old Man'. The comedy tracks were an artistic choice.

Yes this is true. Look at the albums between Shut Down & Wild Honey. Every one has either an overtly comedic skit/song or a humorous song. Pet Sounds is the only exception but you could even argue that the dogs barking is a humour piece of sorts.

Shut Down Vol 2 - Cassius" Love vs. "Sonny" Wilson
All Summer Long - Our Favorite Recording Sessions
Christmas Album - Santa's Beard
Today! - Bull Session with Big Daddy
Summer days & SN - I'm Bugged At My Old Man
Party! - Medley: "I Get Around" / "Little Deuce Coupe + general humourous banter throughout
Pet Sounds - Banana & Louie/train whistle?
Smile - Brian's plans for a humour album, talking between songs, "You're Under Arrest", Holidays, Vegetables, I Wanna Be Around following Fire? etc.
Smiley Smile - She's Goin' Bald, Vegetables
Wild Honey - Mama Says

That's a rather baffling analysis: what on earth have Santa's Beard, Vegetables and Bull Sessions with Big Daddy got in common???
Maybe, that they are comedic?

Yeah - lighten up, Disney Boy!

Why does not understanding a connection mean I need to lighten up? I still don't see the connection. Is Santa's Beard a comedy track? And what - aside from 'Dick Rising' - is funny about Bull Sessions...? I just think it's a very threadbare link, to put it mildly.


Title: Re: For a band with so much in the vaults, why so much filler?
Post by: drbeachboy on August 20, 2014, 12:15:10 PM
When you want to write, arrange and finish a track in 2 hours you end up with 'I'm Bugged at my Old Man'. The comedy tracks were an artistic choice.

Yes this is true. Look at the albums between Shut Down & Wild Honey. Every one has either an overtly comedic skit/song or a humorous song. Pet Sounds is the only exception but you could even argue that the dogs barking is a humour piece of sorts.

Shut Down Vol 2 - Cassius" Love vs. "Sonny" Wilson
All Summer Long - Our Favorite Recording Sessions
Christmas Album - Santa's Beard
Today! - Bull Session with Big Daddy
Summer days & SN - I'm Bugged At My Old Man
Party! - Medley: "I Get Around" / "Little Deuce Coupe + general humourous banter throughout
Pet Sounds - Banana & Louie/train whistle?
Smile - Brian's plans for a humour album, talking between songs, "You're Under Arrest", Holidays, Vegetables, I Wanna Be Around following Fire? etc.
Smiley Smile - She's Goin' Bald, Vegetables
Wild Honey - Mama Says

That's a rather baffling analysis: what on earth have Santa's Beard, Vegetables and Bull Sessions with Big Daddy got in common???
Maybe, that they are comedic?

Yeah - lighten up, Disney Boy!

Why does not understanding a connection mean I need to lighten up? I still don't see the connection. Is Santa's Beard a comedy track? And what - aside from 'Dick Rising' - is funny about Bull Sessions...? I just think it's a very threadbare link, to put it mildly.
So, you don't think Santa's Beard is funny, light fare? And if Bull Sessions isn't funny to you, then just think of it as just a fun behind the scene's look at the band. I think the point is: is that Brian used these types of tracks, whether spoken word or songs to lighten the load and have fun or be funny. I hope that makes it a bit clearer for you.


Title: Re: For a band with so much in the vaults, why so much filler?
Post by: Disney Boy (1985) on August 20, 2014, 12:19:30 PM
When you want to write, arrange and finish a track in 2 hours you end up with 'I'm Bugged at my Old Man'. The comedy tracks were an artistic choice.

Yes this is true. Look at the albums between Shut Down & Wild Honey. Every one has either an overtly comedic skit/song or a humorous song. Pet Sounds is the only exception but you could even argue that the dogs barking is a humour piece of sorts.

Shut Down Vol 2 - Cassius" Love vs. "Sonny" Wilson
All Summer Long - Our Favorite Recording Sessions
Christmas Album - Santa's Beard
Today! - Bull Session with Big Daddy
Summer days & SN - I'm Bugged At My Old Man
Party! - Medley: "I Get Around" / "Little Deuce Coupe + general humourous banter throughout
Pet Sounds - Banana & Louie/train whistle?
Smile - Brian's plans for a humour album, talking between songs, "You're Under Arrest", Holidays, Vegetables, I Wanna Be Around following Fire? etc.
Smiley Smile - She's Goin' Bald, Vegetables
Wild Honey - Mama Says

That's a rather baffling analysis: what on earth have Santa's Beard, Vegetables and Bull Sessions with Big Daddy got in common???
Maybe, that they are comedic?

Yeah - lighten up, Disney Boy!

Why does not understanding a connection mean I need to lighten up? I still don't see the connection. Is Santa's Beard a comedy track? And what - aside from 'Dick Rising' - is funny about Bull Sessions...? I just think it's a very threadbare link, to put it mildly.
So, you don't think Santa's Beard is funny, light fare? And if Bull Sessions isn't funny to you, then just think of it as just a fun behind the scene's look at the band. I think the point is: is that Brian used these types of tracks, whether spoken word or songs to lighten the load and have fun or be funny. I hope that makes it a bit clearer for you.

Guess so. I'd sure never have thought to make that link myself. No, I've always just thought of Santa's Beard as a catchy xmas pop song, in much the same way I think of The Man With All The Toys. I'm not meaning to be pedantic, just being truthful.


Title: Re: For a band with so much in the vaults, why so much filler?
Post by: drbeachboy on August 20, 2014, 12:50:33 PM
When you want to write, arrange and finish a track in 2 hours you end up with 'I'm Bugged at my Old Man'. The comedy tracks were an artistic choice.

Yes this is true. Look at the albums between Shut Down & Wild Honey. Every one has either an overtly comedic skit/song or a humorous song. Pet Sounds is the only exception but you could even argue that the dogs barking is a humour piece of sorts.

Shut Down Vol 2 - Cassius" Love vs. "Sonny" Wilson
All Summer Long - Our Favorite Recording Sessions
Christmas Album - Santa's Beard
Today! - Bull Session with Big Daddy
Summer days & SN - I'm Bugged At My Old Man
Party! - Medley: "I Get Around" / "Little Deuce Coupe + general humourous banter throughout
Pet Sounds - Banana & Louie/train whistle?
Smile - Brian's plans for a humour album, talking between songs, "You're Under Arrest", Holidays, Vegetables, I Wanna Be Around following Fire? etc.
Smiley Smile - She's Goin' Bald, Vegetables
Wild Honey - Mama Says

That's a rather baffling analysis: what on earth have Santa's Beard, Vegetables and Bull Sessions with Big Daddy got in common???
Maybe, that they are comedic?

Yeah - lighten up, Disney Boy!

Why does not understanding a connection mean I need to lighten up? I still don't see the connection. Is Santa's Beard a comedy track? And what - aside from 'Dick Rising' - is funny about Bull Sessions...? I just think it's a very threadbare link, to put it mildly.
So, you don't think Santa's Beard is funny, light fare? And if Bull Sessions isn't funny to you, then just think of it as just a fun behind the scene's look at the band. I think the point is: is that Brian used these types of tracks, whether spoken word or songs to lighten the load and have fun or be funny. I hope that makes it a bit clearer for you.

Guess so. I'd sure never have thought to make that link myself. No, I've always just thought of Santa's Beard as a catchy xmas pop song, in much the same way I think of The Man With All The Toys. I'm not meaning to be pedantic, just being truthful.
I hear you. I never gave it much thought before today and this thread, either. :)


Title: Re: For a band with so much in the vaults, why so much filler?
Post by: buddhahat on August 20, 2014, 01:09:03 PM
When you want to write, arrange and finish a track in 2 hours you end up with 'I'm Bugged at my Old Man'. The comedy tracks were an artistic choice.

Yes this is true. Look at the albums between Shut Down & Wild Honey. Every one has either an overtly comedic skit/song or a humorous song. Pet Sounds is the only exception but you could even argue that the dogs barking is a humour piece of sorts.

Shut Down Vol 2 - Cassius" Love vs. "Sonny" Wilson
All Summer Long - Our Favorite Recording Sessions
Christmas Album - Santa's Beard
Today! - Bull Session with Big Daddy
Summer days & SN - I'm Bugged At My Old Man
Party! - Medley: "I Get Around" / "Little Deuce Coupe + general humourous banter throughout
Pet Sounds - Banana & Louie/train whistle?
Smile - Brian's plans for a humour album, talking between songs, "You're Under Arrest", Holidays, Vegetables, I Wanna Be Around following Fire? etc.
Smiley Smile - She's Goin' Bald, Vegetables
Wild Honey - Mama Says

That's a rather baffling analysis: what on earth have Santa's Beard, Vegetables and Bull Sessions with Big Daddy got in common???
Maybe, that they are comedic?

Yeah - lighten up, Disney Boy!

Why does not understanding a connection mean I need to lighten up? I still don't see the connection. Is Santa's Beard a comedy track? And what - aside from 'Dick Rising' - is funny about Bull Sessions...? I just think it's a very threadbare link, to put it mildly.

Ok, sorry. 'Lighten up' was meant as a joke given we were discussing humour - no offence intended.

My point was that on nearly all the albums listed at least one track is purposefully humorous.


Title: Re: For a band with so much in the vaults, why so much filler?
Post by: Moon Dawg on August 20, 2014, 01:12:51 PM
  "Guess I'm Dumb" was Brian's thank you to Glen Campbell for his six months of service. It does make a good closing track for TODAY. I don't hear "Drive In" as filler.


Title: Re: For a band with so much in the vaults, why so much filler?
Post by: bgas on August 20, 2014, 02:25:02 PM
When you want to write, arrange and finish a track in 2 hours you end up with 'I'm Bugged at my Old Man'. The comedy tracks were an artistic choice.

Yes this is true. Look at the albums between Shut Down & Wild Honey. Every one has either an overtly comedic skit/song or a humorous song. Pet Sounds is the only exception but you could even argue that the dogs barking is a humour piece of sorts.

Shut Down Vol 2 - Cassius" Love vs. "Sonny" Wilson
All Summer Long - Our Favorite Recording Sessions
Christmas Album - Santa's Beard
Today! - Bull Session with Big Daddy
Summer days & SN - I'm Bugged At My Old Man
Party! - Medley: "I Get Around" / "Little Deuce Coupe + general humourous banter throughout
Pet Sounds - Banana & Louie/train whistle?
Smile - Brian's plans for a humour album, talking between songs, "You're Under Arrest", Holidays, Vegetables, I Wanna Be Around following Fire? etc.
Smiley Smile - She's Goin' Bald, Vegetables
Wild Honey - Mama Says

That's a rather baffling analysis: what on earth have Santa's Beard, Vegetables and Bull Sessions with Big Daddy got in common???
Maybe, that they are comedic?

Yeah - lighten up, Disney Boy!

Why does not understanding a connection mean I need to lighten up? I still don't see the connection. Is Santa's Beard a comedy track? And what - aside from 'Dick Rising' - is funny about Bull Sessions...? I just think it's a very threadbare link, to put it mildly.

Ok, sorry. 'Lighten up' was meant as a joke given we were discussing humour - no offence intended.

My point was that on nearly all the albums listed at least one track is purposefully humorous.

Is the longer, original version of All Summer Long's   - Our Favorite Recording Sessions available on boot somewhere?   
Probably something else I should know, but I tend to forget a lot of these....


Title: Re: For a band with so much in the vaults, why so much filler?
Post by: Joel Goldenberg on August 21, 2014, 10:56:28 AM
When you want to write, arrange and finish a track in 2 hours you end up with 'I'm Bugged at my Old Man'. The comedy tracks were an artistic choice.

Maybe there was an attempt to compete or emulate the comedy on Jan and Dean's albums. I love Submarine Races and the speaking bits on the Batman album

(I see this was alluded to above)


Title: Re: For a band with so much in the vaults, why so much filler?
Post by: metal flake paint on August 21, 2014, 04:11:33 PM
When you want to write, arrange and finish a track in 2 hours you end up with 'I'm Bugged at my Old Man'. The comedy tracks were an artistic choice.

Yes this is true. Look at the albums between Shut Down & Wild Honey. Every one has either an overtly comedic skit/song or a humorous song. Pet Sounds is the only exception but you could even argue that the dogs barking is a humour piece of sorts.

Shut Down Vol 2 - Cassius" Love vs. "Sonny" Wilson
All Summer Long - Our Favorite Recording Sessions
Christmas Album - Santa's Beard
Today! - Bull Session with Big Daddy
Summer days & SN - I'm Bugged At My Old Man
Party! - Medley: "I Get Around" / "Little Deuce Coupe + general humourous banter throughout
Pet Sounds - Banana & Louie/train whistle?
Smile - Brian's plans for a humour album, talking between songs, "You're Under Arrest", Holidays, Vegetables, I Wanna Be Around following Fire? etc.
Smiley Smile - She's Goin' Bald, Vegetables
Wild Honey - Mama Says

That's a rather baffling analysis: what on earth have Santa's Beard, Vegetables and Bull Sessions with Big Daddy got in common???
Maybe, that they are comedic?

Yeah - lighten up, Disney Boy!

Why does not understanding a connection mean I need to lighten up? I still don't see the connection. Is Santa's Beard a comedy track? And what - aside from 'Dick Rising' - is funny about Bull Sessions...? I just think it's a very threadbare link, to put it mildly.

Ok, sorry. 'Lighten up' was meant as a joke given we were discussing humour - no offence intended.

My point was that on nearly all the albums listed at least one track is purposefully humorous.

Is the longer, original version of All Summer Long's   - Our Favorite Recording Sessions available on boot somewhere?   
Probably something else I should know, but I tend to forget a lot of these....

AFAIK, just the portions that were edited from the 3:06 track.


Title: Re: For a band with so much in the vaults, why so much filler?
Post by: kookadams on August 21, 2014, 06:18:18 PM
I have always liked most of Brian's "Filler" music. So, for the most part I'm happy with albums just the way they are.

Aside from the comedy talk tracks, I like pretty much all of the band's 'filler'. Shut Down Vol 2 for instance is always accused of being full of filler, and yet I could quite happily listen to This Car of Mine, Pom Pom Play Girl, the title track, etc. repeatedly, any time, any day, anywhere. In fact, just talking about them is making me want to listen to them right now. If that's filler, I say I only wish there were more of it :)
so.......because shut down vol2 has two tracks that could be considered filler thats why the album didnt initially chart well?