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Smiley Smile Stuff => 1960's Beach Boys Albums => Topic started by: Charles LePage @ ComicList on December 26, 2005, 08:31:51 AM



Title: Stack-O-Tracks
Post by: Charles LePage @ ComicList on December 26, 2005, 08:31:51 AM
Discuss, review and rate Stack-O-Tracks, released August 1968.

(http://www.smileysmile.net/images/albums/stackotracks.gif)


Title: Re: Stack-O-Tracks
Post by: the captain on December 26, 2005, 10:30:31 AM
Not exactly an album to listen to in the same way as the others, but a great bit of fun for people who make music, or want to better understand arranging.


Title: Re: Stack-O-Tracks
Post by: Jason on December 26, 2005, 01:16:40 PM
An eye-opener for me. 4.


Title: Re: Stack-O-Tracks
Post by: I. Spaceman on December 26, 2005, 01:17:19 PM
Bad track selection, but still 4.


Title: You're so good to me -Played by Beach Boys?
Post by: Joe on December 26, 2005, 10:42:19 PM
Sorry if this has been covered before..。 but I just got hold of Stack-o-tracks, it's a great listen!(I love the Wild Honey tracks!)

One thing I thought when I heard "You're so good to me" just as a backing track, is that it sounds like the Beach Boys are playing it. Am I right? It's a little bit loose.

Stack-o-tracks is a lot of fun! Karaoke before karaoke existed!


Title: Re: You're so good to me -Played by Beach Boys?
Post by: I. Spaceman on December 27, 2005, 02:22:08 AM
Yes, they did play that one!


Title: Re: You're so good to me -Played by Beach Boys?
Post by: the captain on December 27, 2005, 10:17:54 AM
Yes, they did play that one!
, he exclaimed.



Title: Re: Stack-O-Tracks
Post by: SurferGirl7 on December 27, 2005, 01:04:22 PM
BEST on vinyl! (still trying to get it on vinyl also). Possibly the best BB cover ever  ;)


Title: Re: Stack-O-Tracks
Post by: donald on December 27, 2005, 01:24:48 PM
Anyone ever use it to actually sing along?

We got together and tried LSN over the Holidays.  A barrell of fun!!


Title: Re: Stack-O-Tracks
Post by: SurferGirl7 on December 27, 2005, 07:51:33 PM
I can never help but test my lyrical memory a few times  :D


Title: Re: Stack-O-Tracks
Post by: monkee knutz on December 29, 2005, 09:16:07 AM
Super interesting listen, but some of the vocal leakage onto the existing tracks bugs me. Ian's right- not the hottest song choices.


Title: Re: Stack-O-Tracks
Post by: I. Spaceman on December 29, 2005, 09:23:32 AM
The worst leakage is on Little Saint Nick and Little Honda , and why did we need the backing tracks of those anyway?


Title: Re: Stack-O-Tracks
Post by: Wizard_Glick on December 31, 2005, 08:28:32 PM
Favorite track.....Here Today

Least Favorite....Catch A Wave

But a really strong 4 from me.


Title: Re: Stack-O-Tracks
Post by: Joshilyn Hoisington on January 02, 2006, 07:51:42 PM
5 stars.

Sure, there are probably more interesting tracks they could have put on there, but there always would be anyway.

Quote
The worst leakage is on Little Saint Nick and Little Honda , and why did we need the backing tracks of those anyway?

The piano sound on Little Honda is incredible.  I think it's a terribly unique sounding track.

I'd like another few Stack-O-Track records released, of post 68 material that hasn't been booted as track only.


Title: Re: Stack-O-Tracks
Post by: Mitchell on January 03, 2006, 09:51:44 AM
5 from me, too. Just having some of these backing tracks is a blessing.


Title: Re: Stack-O-Tracks
Post by: analogdemon on January 13, 2006, 01:36:33 PM
I think that this album is good for one thing and that's gaining an appreciation for just how musically complex some of these songs really are.  Sometimes on the albums, the vocals can distract you from the genius of the music.  This album is all about the music.  4 stars.


Title: Re: Stack-O-Tracks
Post by: Fantastico! on January 16, 2006, 11:03:11 AM
4 out of 5.

if I was a casual fan I would like it less.

Who else could have an album of this concept?  It's really a testament to the group.

The Pet Sounds tracks would have been huge at the time.

Catch A Wave is my favorite.  Such a tight track.  Helped me really appreciate that cut.

I like the track selection.  Could it have been better?  Maybe in hindsight--we would kill for "Be Here in the Mornin" or "Don't Worry Baby".....because we don't have those.   Ian, what would have been a better track selection in your opinion?

And DEFINETELY the best BB album cover.  It's so righteous.



Title: Re: Stack-O-Tracks
Post by: Aegir on January 16, 2006, 05:32:11 PM
I think what we're all neglecting to take into account here is that the tracks weren't decided for which would be the most interesting or educational or anything like that, but if people would like to sing and play along to them.. the "insights" are just a bonus.


Title: Re: Stack-O-Tracks
Post by: I. Spaceman on January 16, 2006, 06:06:57 PM
And they thought that people would want to "play along and sing" with Here Today and not Surfin' U.S.A. and California Girls?


Title: Re: Stack-O-Tracks
Post by: Fantastico! on January 16, 2006, 06:35:13 PM
OK guys, I'll buy that, but at the time of release, from a fans perspective, what tracks would you have liked?
When I Grow Up maybe?  All Summer Long? Wendy?


Title: Re: Stack-O-Tracks
Post by: I. Spaceman on January 16, 2006, 06:40:28 PM
ALL OF EM!


Title: Re: Stack-O-Tracks
Post by: Compost on January 17, 2006, 02:40:10 PM
Strange track-listing but capable of opening up another means of appreciating the music.  I long for many, many tracks devoid of singing (and vice versa). 

4


Title: Re: Stack-O-Tracks
Post by: Joshilyn Hoisington on January 17, 2006, 03:00:50 PM
Quote
ALL OF EM!

Yep.  Every goshdarn track they ever put to tape.


Title: Re: Stack-O-Tracks
Post by: DUMB ANGEL on January 21, 2006, 11:55:16 AM
Very good album and very unusual for it's time. I wish the track for Wendy or Don't worry baby was on it


Title: Re: Stack-O-Tracks
Post by: mike thornton on March 28, 2006, 09:00:01 PM
i play this one and the christmas album the most.


Title: Re: Stack-O-Tracks
Post by: Compost on March 28, 2006, 09:11:48 PM
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v96/Compost/Stack-o-Tracks.jpg)


Title: Re: Stack-O-Tracks
Post by: punkinhead on March 28, 2006, 09:38:19 PM
nice!
that's heaven if ive ever seen it


Title: Re: Stack-O-Tracks
Post by: mikeyj on May 09, 2007, 06:21:04 PM
I gave this a 4. But the question I want to know, it says on the front cover that it includes a booklet "with printed lyrics, chord symbols, lead line & bass line" so I was wondering did later issues on vinyl have this with them still, or just the first print?


Title: Re: Stack-O-Tracks
Post by: thomasogg on June 25, 2007, 04:51:42 PM
Well, this was something the record company just bunged out wasn't it, so I don't really rate it as a BB album, although it is interesting for several listens. The cover however could well be my all-time favourite! 5 for the cover, 5 for the musical quality, 2 for the concept


Title: Re: Stack-O-Tracks
Post by: lance on May 01, 2008, 10:56:48 PM
I burned this on CD and added other instrumentals that have been since released. It's not something I'll play for other people but there's something about it I like. At times it can be a revelation.
The record company just put it out, but us fans like it. And the Beach Boys have continued to put out similar things, on the Box Set on these compilations that have recently surfaced.
Ad mit it fans! The fact that they put out this stuff is part of why we like them. Perfect geek band.
I give it 3/5. Probably being generous, but screw it.


Title: Re: Stack-O-Tracks
Post by: Wrightfan on May 16, 2008, 05:26:41 PM
3. Cool to hear the backing tracks but kind of an odd selection.

Plus, it's just an album of backing tracks.


Title: Re: Stack-O-Tracks
Post by: Luke_Barshack on May 26, 2008, 09:00:13 AM
Actually, a very good record to turn low and study to.  This is a more recent discovery of mine  :-D

Of course, I find it confusing when looking at the choice of tracks here and it's really the job of more comprehensive collections to fulfill this role rather than offering a comparatively small total of 15 tracks.  A very shallow dip into the Beach Boys catalogue by this point, to be sure.


Title: Re: Stack-O-Tracks
Post by: Poprocks on June 13, 2008, 10:49:27 PM
It is what it is.  4 stars.


Title: Re: Stack-O-Tracks
Post by: punkinhead on May 24, 2011, 11:57:28 AM
If I would have lived at my age of 26 during the time this came out, I would have been very appreciative of this album. Back then, it would have been much more difficult to find track only songs without the net or boots, so we're spoiled now. When I first got into the BB, I was so obsessed of finding the tracks to songs, mostly Pet Sounds tracks, which the PS box helped with. But I actually really like the track selection, it's kind of greatest hits, but it's more of a setlist from a Brian Wilson concert, early non-single tracks. I've often heard When I Grow Up was supposed to be on this album, are there any others that were supposed to be? When originally buying the albums, I didnt have any sort of boots, so I was thrilled with everything on this album, even having the bonus tracks; having the California Girls track, wow! It's kind of odd that they picked the track to Our Car Club, was it already a choice back then? I really enjoy the drums on there, they're fantastic! What a rocker. Brian's tunes from that Surfer Girl LP era were something else, the ballads were great and the fast tunes were automatic gems.


Title: Re: Stack-O-Tracks
Post by: Disney Boy (1985) on March 25, 2012, 05:28:14 AM
Well, it's sure got a GREAT album cover...


Title: Re: Stack-O-Tracks
Post by: Orange Crate Art on July 11, 2013, 03:06:43 PM
Instant collector's item ;) It's great to hear even if I would've chosen different songs.


Title: Re: Stack-O-Tracks
Post by: BeHereInTheMorning on July 11, 2013, 05:32:06 PM
Would have had a different track listing for sure but still a solid four, maybe four and a quarter.

How I wish I had four or five others to sing along with.


Title: Re: Stack-O-Tracks
Post by: Mr. Wilson on December 10, 2013, 09:14:14 PM
3/5.. An odd choice way back then but nowdays nothing unusual.. The lp came with a thin music book to play along if you like.. Front cover suitable for framing.. !


Title: Re: Stack-O-Tracks
Post by: punkinhead on December 11, 2013, 11:29:14 AM
With everyone posting about there needing to be a different selection of tunes and thinking the ones picked were odd... What songs would you have expected? (Hint hint-make a list of 12-15 track only tunes).


Title: Re: Stack-O-Tracks
Post by: metal flake paint on December 11, 2013, 07:34:47 PM
"Good To My Baby" was also considered but was ultimately replaced by "Do It Again." Apparently, "When I Grow Up..." was a contender, too.

More info here:

http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php/topic,9830.msg171191.html#msg171191 (http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php/topic,9830.msg171191.html#msg171191)


Title: Re: Stack-O-Tracks
Post by: punkinhead on December 13, 2013, 10:49:24 AM
I gave this a 4. But the question I want to know, it says on the front cover that it includes a booklet "with printed lyrics, chord symbols, lead line & bass line" so I was wondering did later issues on vinyl have this with them still, or just the first print?
I would say just the first release, but that's just because of my experience with the copy of Stack O Trackw that I have from the late seventies I believe. The sleeve had the lyrics I think, but nothing else. The cover has the reels of songs in a wooden box on the sand. Also, the twofer release didn't include any of the lyrics/tabs/etc, so that leads me to believe what I said earlier concerning re-releases.


Title: Re: Stack-O-Tracks
Post by: Summer_Days on January 01, 2014, 03:25:53 PM
The 'Let Him Run Wild' backing track is worth the price of admission alone.  Maximum ear candy. Slip on the headphones and turn it way up.


Title: Re: Stack-O-Tracks
Post by: Mr. Wilson on January 16, 2014, 09:12:17 PM
This LP only came with the booklet on 1st release.. When it was deleted and then re released no booklet after that..


Title: Re: Stack-O-Tracks
Post by: Alan Smith on January 16, 2014, 09:26:20 PM
The booklet of the Japanese CD edition contains a reproduction of the chord sheet etc.


Title: Re: Stack-O-Tracks
Post by: VanDykeParksAndRec on April 11, 2014, 11:31:21 AM
Found an original release for $12, no book.  Trying to decide if I should pull the trigger. I would get over duophonic.


Title: Re: Stack-O-Tracks
Post by: Alan Smith on April 11, 2014, 03:38:14 PM
Found an original release for $12, no book.  Trying to decide if I should pull the trigger. I would get over duophonic.

I'd buy it for $12 or so if I saw it (which I haven't, in a shop that is), although some of the genuine collectors in these parts could advise you better on the price.

And I believe the correct technique is to squeeze, don't pull.


Title: Re: Stack-O-Tracks
Post by: slippingonthrough on April 11, 2014, 10:35:30 PM
Interesting album concept. Definitely not for the casual fan. I never realized how much Little Honda rocks! I reckon the track listing is pretty good. The only I would change would be Catch A Wave. I would put there instead Surfin' USA, I Get Around or All Summer Long.

4/5


Title: Re: Stack-O-Tracks
Post by: JK on November 21, 2015, 04:18:24 AM
I wouldn't change a darn thing. Running the gamut from basic to complex, it must (or rather should) have been a real eye-opener at a time when this practice was unheard of, let alone commonplace.

5/5