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Smiley Smile Stuff => General On Topic Discussions => Topic started by: HeroesandVillains on July 17, 2017, 12:38:16 PM



Title: Summer of Love - 'Til I Die
Post by: HeroesandVillains on July 17, 2017, 12:38:16 PM
1992.

Put yourself into the mind of a young teenage boy. A few years ago, a song by a band that your mother fondly remembers is dominating the radio. A groovy little exotic song about beaches, the tropics and steel drum bands. Kokomo. You love It.
"The feel good hit of the Summer" announces the disk jockey before the drums start to pound. For a few weeks, you're Beach Boys crazy. Digging through your parents old record collection you find stacks of tracks of albums. Dozens of old dusty vinyl. There are 5 men. Three of them brothers. A friend. And a cousin. You throw on one of the random albums from the pile, the five men standing around a classic slick looking car, on the family turntable and listen. A guitar riff bursts out of the speakers and for the next 25 minutes, the sounds of pure 60s Rock N Roll bounce around the room. There are some slacks on the record. A song at the end is just a drum solo. But you don't care. You are moved by a beautiful track telling you "Don't Worry, Baby". More records follow. You sit in the living room, the glow of the fireplace complimenting the ambience as the reverb soaked twangs of a song you can't quite remember the name of. The record cover sticks out. The five men again, feeding goats? Pet Sounds. It's the most magnificent album you've ever heard. From the carnival organ intro to screech of the train, tears fill your eyes. You've never appreciated music like this. You become hooked. Every record has something to offer. Even the lesser ones of the mid 70s still have the power to captivate you. Then by sheer coincidence one day, you and your family are huddled around the TV watching a sitcom. Full House. Then the mullet wearing John Stamos mutters something: "Beach Boys"
Your eyes widen. They're here. The Boys enter the Tanner household, all dressed in jackets. One of them is missing though. The brother who played drums. It doesn't pass your mind however. Your eyes draw to a man in a cap.
"Mike Love"
They sing Kokomo later. Your favorite song.
The years pass and eventually you become more up to date with modern music. Then while watching more Full House, you see a poster in the background.
'The Beach Boys: Summer In Paradise'

Your eyes widen
A New beach boys record??
You have to find it.
Days pass and eventually your local record store is beginning to sell copies. You wait outside all night and when the doors open, buy the record. The first one there. Bringing the album home with its fancy Digipak packaging, wrapped in a bag, like gold, you place the CD into the stereo and hit play.

5 minutes pass

Something isn't right. The record sounds... so... lackluster. The first song was mediocre but you think hey maybe it's just that one. Then comes the next track: Surfin'. You recognize this one. An early one. But now it's been coated in synths and drums. You push the rage back. Maybe the rest will be okay.
The song ends and there is a brief moment of silence.
You had the chance to escape. To grab the CD and never look back. But you didn't. The drums explode through the stereo and a thick record scratch echoes out.

Then comes the singing.
It's Mr Love. The man you looked up to. You cherished. The man who made Kokomo, the greatest record Ever made.
He's rapping. A sickening beat about girls on the beach. By the time the track ends, you are openly weeping. You grab the CD case and check the back. Around 99% of the songs hold the name of Mr Love as a writing credit.
How could the Love man do this? The Beach Boys, in your eyes, are dead. The CD jams and begins to skip.
"It's a love thing" clicks in and out on infinite repeat. You run from the room, the mocking song echoing behind you.
Your father's gun is the only option. You cram the ammo into the chamber and run downstairs, unloading the bullets onto the CD player. It doesn't work. Nothing can stop this song. You know what to do. With the last few bullets, you aim the chamber at your head and then you pull the trigger. As the life fades from your eyes, Mike Love looms over you. Tears stream down your cheeks as you reach out to him. It hits you then. This song is a masterpiece. The greatest record ever made. And as you draw your last breath, Mike speaks
"Hey Now, well it's a love thing"
Your eyes close as the life drains from your body.
it is done


Title: Re: Summer of Love - Massive Disaster or Underated Masterpiece
Post by: KDS on July 17, 2017, 12:55:16 PM
Summer of Love might be the worst song in the entire history of the group.  The remake of Surfin is up there too from the same album. 

Call me close minded, but I'm not really a fan of when rock bands venture into dance music, which is why I dislike HCTN '79 and Runaway Dancer so much. 

But even though Summer of Love is a disaster, I think there are some good things on the SIP album. 



Title: Re: Summer of Love - Massive Disaster or Underated Masterpiece
Post by: CenturyDeprived on July 17, 2017, 12:55:21 PM
1992.

Put yourself into the mind of a young teenage boy. A few years ago, a song by a band that your mother fondly remembers is dominating the radio. A groovy little exotic song about beaches, the tropics and steel drum bands. Kokomo. You love It.
"The feel good hit of the Summer" announces the disk jockey before the drums start to pound. For a few weeks, you're Beach Boys crazy. Digging through your parents old record collection you find stacks of tracks of albums. Dozens of old dusty vinyl. There are 5 men. Three of them brothers. A friend. And a cousin. You throw on one of the random albums from the pile, the five men standing around a classic slick looking car, on the family turntable and listen. A guitar riff bursts out of the speakers and for the next 25 minutes, the sounds of pure 60s Rock N Roll bounce around the room. There are some slacks on the record. A song at the end is just a drum solo. But you don't care. You are moved by a beautiful track telling you "Don't Worry, Baby". More records follow. You sit in the living room, the glow of the fireplace complimenting the ambience as the reverb soaked twangs of a song you can't quite remember the name of. The record cover sticks out. The five men again, feeding goats? Pet Sounds. It's the most magnificent album you've ever heard. From the carnival organ intro to screech of the train, tears fill your eyes. You've never appreciated music like this. You become hooked. Every record has something to offer. Even the lesser ones of the mid 70s still have the power to captivate you. Then by sheer coincidence one day, you and your family are huddled around the TV watching a sitcom. Full House. Then the mullet wearing John Stamos mutters something: "Beach Boys"
Your eyes widen. They're here. The Boys enter the Tanner household, all dressed in jackets. One of them is missing though. The brother who played drums. It doesn't pass your mind however. Your eyes draw to a man in a cap.
"Mike Love"
They sing Kokomo later. Your favorite song.
The years pass and eventually you become more up to date with modern music. Then while watching more Full House, you see a poster in the background.
'The Beach Boys: Summer In Paradise'

Your eyes widen
A New beach boys record??
You have to find it.
Days pass and eventually your local record store is beginning to sell copies. You wait outside all night and when the doors open, buy the record. The first one there. Bringing the album home with its fancy Digipak packaging, wrapped in a bag, like gold, you place the CD into the stereo and hit play.

5 minutes pass

Something isn't right. The record sounds... so... lackluster. The first song was mediocre but you think hey maybe it's just that one. Then comes the next track: Surfin'. You recognize this one. An early one. But now it's been coated in synths and drums. You push the rage back. Maybe the rest will be okay.
The song ends and there is a brief moment of silence.
You had the chance to escape. To grab the CD and never look back. But you didn't. The drums explode through the stereo and a thick record scratch echoes out.

Then comes the singing.
It's Mr Love. The man you looked up to. You cherished. The man who made Kokomo, the greatest record Ever made.
He's rapping. A sickening beat about girls on the beach. By the time the track ends, you are openly weeping. You grab the CD case and check the back. Around 99% of the songs hold the name of Mr Love as a writing credit.
How could the Love man do this? The Beach Boys, in your eyes, are dead. The CD jams and begins to skip.
"It's a love thing" clicks in and out on infinite repeat. You run from the room, the mocking song echoing behind you.
Your father's gun is the only option. You cram the ammo into the chamber and run downstairs, unloading the bullets onto the CD player. It doesn't work. Nothing can stop this song. You know what to do. With the last few bullets, you aim the chamber at your head and then you pull the trigger. As the life fades from your eyes, Mike Love looms over you. Tears stream down your cheeks as you reach out to him. It hits you then. This song is a masterpiece. The greatest record ever made. And as you draw your last breath, Mike speaks
"Hey Now, well it's a love thing"
Your eyes close as the life drains from your body.
it is done

 :lol

All SOL needed was the original concept of a Bart Simpson duet to make it really great. That's literally all it was missing to achieve greatness. Just that one thing, and only that.


Title: Re: Summer of Love - Massive Disaster or Underated Masterpiece
Post by: HeroesandVillains on July 17, 2017, 12:57:30 PM
Honestly though, it's a travesty of a song but I enjoy it ironically


Title: Re: Summer of Love - 'Til I Die
Post by: rab2591 on July 17, 2017, 01:09:02 PM
Kinda makes me almost glad that these days Mike just sonically destroys our ears with covers of old songs instead of recording originals.

:lol love that the album is demonic enough to keep playing after the stereo is shot ;D

Hypehat's review of SIP is legendary:

Ok, so I have a half a bottle of wine in me and another to go after a steady day of drinking, and listening to Summer In Paradise seems like a fantastic idea right now. It's been so hard to live without it, so lets talk about it.

1) Hot Fun In The Summertime

DEAR JESUS THE SNARE. We will have to get used to this.
Also, "Whisperin'" Mike Love. I like to picture putting HOURS into these leads.
Carl telling me we can "Bum bum bum" is kinda flattering imo.
SAX SOLO. Those breaks make me flinch.
This thing is mixed so fucking terribly Carl's high notes vanish from the mix.
also, WHAT THE HELL IS CARL DOING. I guess given Beckley/Lamm/Wilson, it's safe to say that absolutely every vestige of Carl's taste had disappeared by this point. He might have even thought this was A GOOD IDEA.

2. Surfin'

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.
f*** me, the vocals on this are absolutely terrrrrrrrrrible. NASAL DOMINATION. Carl being SHITE. Like, even his smack-addled late 70's performances have merit. This sucks.
Not to mention ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING ELSE ABOUT THIS.
new lyrics. NEW LYRICS
MORE OF THEM.
I'm in pain. There are ten more songs. WHY.

3. SUMMER OF LOVE.

Mike Love, I will come round your house and make my fist meditate up your arse for this.
CHRIST ON A BICYCLE THE DJ SCRATCHES.
My Grandma has better flow than MC "Whisperin" Love.
attached and back don't rhyme, you bald apple juice chuggin goon.

4. Island Fever

These verse appear to be words in the english language. But they make no sense.
The Beach Boys' hymn to sexually transmitted diseases?
"My baby caught it and I'm not quite sure how/she might have got it from her travel brochure?" - Denny lives?
My baby can't dance or sleep because IT BURNS.
KEYCHANGE
f*** synthesisers, btw.


5. Still Surfin'

What the hell is this.
WHAT THE HELL IS THIS.
The fact I've spent a lot of time editing other things during this song speaks volumes.
What the hell makes ANYONE think it's ok to drop mexican terms for women in verses. Mamacita and the like. f*** YOU, MIKE.

6. Slow Summer Dancin' (Unneccesary parentheses)

IN BOTH CORNERS, BRUCE JOHNSTON
DETAILING HOW HE'S GONNA MAKE SWEET, SWEET, SWEET LOVE TO GROUPIES.
Misheard "I'll treat my angel really nice" as "I'll treat my ANUS.....REALLY NICE!"
Al "The Songwriter" Jardine keeping up his fine, fine, tradition of contributing entirely original melodic and lyrical ideas to songs. HOW DO YOU SLEEP AT NIGHT
That sax break. NO.

7. Strange Things Happen.

Ok, this is the worst thing so far.

It's something to do with the combination of SLAMMIN' MIKE LOVE JAMS and Al "Well, that never happened before!" Jardine learning about sex in 1991.

OH MY GOD. This is so so so s oo soooooo awful. I am crying with laughter.

8. Remember (Walking In The Sand)

Carl, I do love you, but when Mary Weiss dies she's going to find you in heaven and BEAT SEVEN SHADES OF CRAP OUT OF YOU FOR THIS.

"Echoing" Mike Love is also particularly ridiculous.

THE SAX SOLOS. AHSHGSHDGFXBGDGXFNJDMKYI6


GUYS I'M LOSING THE WILL TO LIVE. I HATE THIS ALBUM.

9. Lahina Aloha

Tropical beats
meaningless title
SOOOOOLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
palm trees
paradise
"Whisperin" Love

the f*** is this DRIVEL. I FEEL LIKE I'M BEING VIOLATED WITH OFFENSIVE ITEMS CARVED OUT OF JELLY OR SOMETHING. OFFENSIVE SMOOTHNESS. It's some terrible oxymoron i wouldn't believe possible if it wasn't fucking me in my ears.
THE HELL.

THREE MORE TRACKS LEFT, YOU CAN DO IT.

10. Under The Boardwalk

MIke Love, you get the f*** away from my girl.
Carl, I'm sorry, but The Drifters are also going to beat the hell out of you up there too. Possibly Carole King as well. At least they'll be tired after beating mike love to shreds. And you, Al.
ANOTHER SAXOPHONE SOLO. mo'fos.

As an aside, guys, this is one of the most awful albums in terms of production, mixing and mastering I've ever heard. IT IS THIN AS HELL.

11. SUMMER IN PARADISE.

dig that jangly fauxbyrds guitar.
THOSE 'HARMONY' VOCALS ARE CRAP. BRIAN WOULD BEAT YOU DEAD IF HE WAS IN THAT SESSION.
I think these might be EVEN WORSE LYRICS than Strange Things Happen or MC LOVE in something else.
f***, IT'S JIM MCGUINN.
that explains the guitar.
YOU BITCH, MCGUINN.

This is shite. musically, aurally, it's balls. BALLLLLLS. BIG SWEATY, HAIRY, OOZING TESTICLES. I feel ill.

12. Stamorever.

I have no more bile. I just have wine. After the systematic and calculated raping of the entire spectrum of pop music through these twelve tracks, some arsehole covering a Dennis Wilson song pales in comparison. I mean, it even has woodblocks on it, which makes it more reverent of a 'classic' bb's sound than anything on this record yet.

SEE WHAT THIS RECORD HAS DONE TO ME. I AM DEFENDING STAMOS



and with one fucking horrible sounding fake midi chord on the keyboard, that's it. The worst record I ever heard.


Title: Re: Summer of Love - 'Til I Die
Post by: Love Thang on July 17, 2017, 07:55:09 PM
I purchase every copy of this infernal piece of sh*t that I come across and burn them. Surely by now I have burned half of the 1,000 that were sold.


Title: Re: Summer of Love - 'Til I Die
Post by: William Bowe on July 18, 2017, 06:54:59 AM
SiP is not the worst album I've heard, but I'm pretty confident the only reason for that is that I've never heard it. I have no plans to correct that, but I did once, in a spirit of fair-mindedness, listen to Lahaina Aloha on account of all the die-hards on this site who swear that it's some sort of saving grace. And it was garbage.


Title: Re: Summer of Love - 'Til I Die
Post by: KDS on July 18, 2017, 07:46:35 AM
SiP is not the worst album I've heard, but I'm pretty confident the only reason for that is that I've never heard it. I have no plans to correct that, but I did once, in a spirit of fair-mindedness, listen to Lahaina Aloha on account of all the die-hards on this site who swear that it's some sort of saving grace. And it was garbage.

Have you ever listened to the title track?  There's a live version of it on the MIC boxset that I think is pretty good. 

SIP is still The Beach Boys worst LP, but I think it's far from the worst album I've ever heard.  Of course, ruling out artists or genres I don't care for, albums like Van Halen 3, Metallica - St. Anger, the new Roger Waters, any post 2000 Bon Jovi, Motley Crue's Generation Swine, Deep Purple's Bananas, Queen's Hot Space, are all worse albums IMO. 


Title: Re: Summer of Love - 'Til I Die
Post by: rab2591 on July 18, 2017, 07:57:20 AM
They don't even sell this 100-kiloton stink bomb anymore...even in an age where it would cost them literally nothing to put it up on digital streaming services. It's so bad that they had to give it away on QVC with the GV boxset (can you imagine being one of those unlucky souls that did get this with their QVC purchase? You buy the set to hear 5 discs of timeless music, then get sucker punched with Mike's idea of a releasable Beach Boys studio album).

I try to find the good on any album these guys release...I actually like MIU and I think BB85 is really underrated. But man, I can imagine that finding anything supposedly good on SIP is like crawling 1000 yards through a sewer pipe and being happy you found a fake gold watch somewhere along the way...the experience wasn't worth it and it's certainly nothing you should brag about finding.


Title: Re: Summer of Love - 'Til I Die
Post by: KDS on July 18, 2017, 08:06:22 AM
They don't even sell this 100-kiloton stink bomb anymore...even in an age where it would cost them literally nothing to put it up on digital streaming services. It's so bad that they had to give it away on QVC with the GV boxset (can you imagine being one of those unlucky souls that did get this with their QVC purchase? You buy the set to hear 5 discs of timeless music, then get sucker punched with Mike's idea of a releasable Beach Boys studio album).

I try to find the good on any album these guys release...I actually like MIU and I think BB85 is really underrated. But man, I can imagine that finding anything supposedly good on SIP is like crawling 1000 yards through a sewer pipe and being happy you found a fake gold watch somewhere along the way...the experience wasn't worth it and it's certainly nothing you should brag about finding.

I think, for me, the album's biggest crime might be Under the Boardwalk.  Once of the most timeless summer songs ever by the kings of summer music.  How in the world did it go so wrong?  I mean Hot Fun in the Summertime wasn't too bad.  If they'd just stuck with the original arrangement and lyrics (granted, the production would still suck), it would be decent. 

I'll also make no excuses for Remember Walkin in the Sand, Surfin 92, or the track on the title of this thread.   That's 33% of the album that's pretty much unlistenable IMO. 

I know I'm in the minority that I like the power ballad version of Forever.  I also like the title track, Island Fever, Strange Things Happen, and Lahania Aloha.  The other tracks to me are just kinda "meh."  Don't really like or dislike, they're just...there.


Title: Re: Summer of Love - 'Til I Die
Post by: guitarfool2002 on July 18, 2017, 08:21:18 AM
How in the world did it go so wrong?

(https://cbswcbsfm.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/gettyimages-143507648.jpg?w=640&h=360&crop=1)


Title: Re: Summer of Love - 'Til I Die
Post by: SMiLE Brian on July 18, 2017, 08:39:22 AM
H&V gave hypehat a run for his money! :lol


Title: Re: Summer of Love - 'Til I Die
Post by: petsoundsnola on July 18, 2017, 09:21:29 AM
We are weeks away from the 25th Anniversary of the release of this album.  I've only heard a few very short snippets on YouTube.  Maybe I will gather the strength to listen all the way through on August 3rd, but these comments and other reviews I have read over the years truly scare me.


Title: Re: Summer of Love - 'Til I Die
Post by: Love Thang on July 18, 2017, 09:28:42 AM
It sold somewhere in the neighborhood of 1,000-2,000 copies and bankrupted the distributer. That is really all you need to know about this abomination.


Title: Re: Summer of Love - 'Til I Die
Post by: rab2591 on July 18, 2017, 09:45:19 AM
It sold somewhere in the neighborhood of 1,000-2,000 copies and bankrupted the distributer. That is really all you need to know about this abomination.

Exactly. If these songs were, instead, released by a random bar band from Nassau on a no-name label they wouldn’t be talked about by anyone here or elsewhere. What makes it such an abomination is that only 26 years prior to SIP, Pet Sounds was released by the same band. It’s a disgrace to the band and an absolutely wretched collection of songs that deserves the reputation it has.


Title: Re: Summer of Love - 'Til I Die
Post by: KDS on July 18, 2017, 09:45:46 AM
We are weeks away from the 25th Anniversary of the release of this album.  I've only heard a few very short snippets on YouTube.  Maybe I will gather the strength to listen all the way through on August 3rd, but these comments and other reviews I have read over the years truly scare me.

I'd say give it a listen.  

Best case, you find a few things you like.  Worst case scenario, you wasted, what, 40 minutes?  And can review it on your own opinion rather than others'.  



Title: Re: Summer of Love - 'Til I Die
Post by: The LEGENDARY OSD on July 18, 2017, 09:46:56 AM
They don't even sell this 100-kiloton stink bomb anymore...even in an age where it would cost them literally nothing to put it up on digital streaming services. It's so bad that they had to give it away on QVC with the GV boxset (can you imagine being one of those unlucky souls that did get this with their QVC purchase? You buy the set to hear 5 discs of timeless music, then get sucker punched with Mike's idea of a releasable Beach Boys studio album).

I try to find the good on any album these guys release...I actually like MIU and I think BB85 is really underrated. But man, I can imagine that finding anything supposedly good on SIP is like crawling 1000 yards through a sewer pipe and being happy you found a fake gold watch somewhere along the way...the experience wasn't worth it and it's certainly nothing you should brag about finding.

Rab, you nailed it (and I'm still laughing) with your so deserving description of this pile of manure-"100 KILOTON STINK BOMB", which is a more fitting title for the album.


Title: Re: Summer of Love - 'Til I Die
Post by: rab2591 on July 18, 2017, 09:53:30 AM
:lol cheers OSD :beer


Title: Re: Summer of Love - 'Til I Die
Post by: SMiLE Brian on July 18, 2017, 10:05:27 AM
OSD doesn't drink no damn bud lights! :beer :beer


Title: Re: Summer of Love - 'Til I Die
Post by: guitarfool2002 on July 18, 2017, 10:06:48 AM
Mike's attempt to do his own Pet Sounds.


Title: Re: Summer of Love - 'Til I Die
Post by: Steve Latshaw on July 18, 2017, 10:10:48 AM
I'll make the same statement I made in 1992.  ANY new Beach Boys album is better than nothing at all.  It's still that bend and those voices.


Title: Re: Summer of Love - 'Til I Die
Post by: guitarfool2002 on July 18, 2017, 10:14:45 AM
I'll make the same statement I made in 1992.  ANY new Beach Boys album is better than nothing at all.  It's still that bend and those voices.

Steve, respectfully and just my opinion as always: That's like getting a cold cheeseburger on a stale or moldy bun with old dry cheese at your favorite burger joint and saying "a bad burger is better than nothing at all".  Not if you like cheeseburgers, not if you're a regular at the burger joint, and not if you paid for one that was at best comparable to all the burgers you've enjoyed there before and at worst edible.  :)


Title: Re: Summer of Love - 'Til I Die
Post by: Peadar 'Big Dinner' O'Driscoll on July 18, 2017, 10:38:30 AM
I'll make the same statement I made in 1992.  ANY new Beach Boys album is better than nothing at all.  It's still that bend and those voices.

I'd agree with this. It's a really poor album but there are moments where you hear Carl and Al sing and when all their voices blend that make it worth a listen.


Title: Re: Summer of Love - 'Til I Die
Post by: Wirestone on July 18, 2017, 10:39:34 AM
The badness of SIP is very particular.

There are many worse albums. Heck, some fans might say GIOMH is worse. But the thing is, we know that Brian, even at his most strung out, is capable of greatness.

The appalling fact of Summer in Paradise is that IT IS THE BEST MIKE CAN DO. These songs are carefully written and produced. The vocals were worked on. Terry Melcher used state of the art tech. This is the work of a man and a band he dragged along with him, ceaselessly devoted to creating this particular album.

And that's the horror. That Mike treasures this pile of mediocre recycled treacle and the creative process that produced it. HE STILL SINGS SUMMER IN PARADISE EVERY NJGHT.

He still thinks the album was good.


Title: Re: Summer of Love - 'Til I Die
Post by: KDS on July 18, 2017, 10:41:21 AM
The badness of SIP is very particular.

There are many worse albums. Heck, some fans might say GIOMH is worse. But the thing is, we know that Brian, even at his most strung out, is capable of greatness.

The appalling fact of Summer in Paradise is that IT IS THE BEST MIKE CAN DO. These songs are carefully written and produced. The vocals were worked on. Terry Melcher used state of the art tech. This is the work of a man and a band he dragged along with him, ceaselessly devoted to creating this particular album.

And that's the horror. That Mike treasures this pile of mediocre recycled treacle and the creative process that produced it. HE STILL SINGS SUMMER IN PARADISE EVERY NJGHT. He still thinks the album was good.

If he still thought the album was good, wouldn't be include more than one song on the setlist? 


Title: Re: Summer of Love - 'Til I Die
Post by: guitarfool2002 on July 18, 2017, 10:45:29 AM
The badness of SIP is very particular.

There are many worse albums. Heck, some fans might say GIOMH is worse. But the thing is, we know that Brian, even at his most strung out, is capable of greatness.

The appalling fact of Summer in Paradise is that IT IS THE BEST MIKE CAN DO. These songs are carefully written and produced. The vocals were worked on. Terry Melcher used state of the art tech. This is the work of a man and a band he dragged along with him, ceaselessly devoted to creating this particular album.

And that's the horror. That Mike treasures this pile of mediocre recycled treacle and the creative process that produced it. HE STILL SINGS SUMMER IN PARADISE EVERY NJGHT. He still thinks the album was good.

If he still thought the album was good, wouldn't be include more than one song on the setlist? 

Maybe if Mike trimmed down the schtick that goes along with "Be True To Your School" at every gig there would be some extra time in the set to include SIP material. I doubt that bit will ever be trimmed.


Title: Re: Summer of Love - 'Til I Die
Post by: KDS on July 18, 2017, 10:51:28 AM
The badness of SIP is very particular.

There are many worse albums. Heck, some fans might say GIOMH is worse. But the thing is, we know that Brian, even at his most strung out, is capable of greatness.

The appalling fact of Summer in Paradise is that IT IS THE BEST MIKE CAN DO. These songs are carefully written and produced. The vocals were worked on. Terry Melcher used state of the art tech. This is the work of a man and a band he dragged along with him, ceaselessly devoted to creating this particular album.

And that's the horror. That Mike treasures this pile of mediocre recycled treacle and the creative process that produced it. HE STILL SINGS SUMMER IN PARADISE EVERY NJGHT. He still thinks the album was good.

If he still thought the album was good, wouldn't be include more than one song on the setlist? 

Maybe if Mike trimmed down the schtick that goes along with "Be True To Your School" at every gig there would be some extra time in the set to include SIP material. I doubt that bit will ever be trimmed.

That schtick doesn't really bother me.   I do find it odd though when pockets of the audience rise and applaud it as if he just nailed Ava Maria. 


Title: Re: Summer of Love - 'Til I Die
Post by: William Bowe on July 18, 2017, 10:52:50 AM
SiP is not the worst album I've heard, but I'm pretty confident the only reason for that is that I've never heard it. I have no plans to correct that, but I did once, in a spirit of fair-mindedness, listen to Lahaina Aloha on account of all the die-hards on this site who swear that it's some sort of saving grace. And it was garbage.

Have you ever listened to the title track?  There's a live version of it on the MIC boxset that I think is pretty good.
 

Yeah, I've heard the MiC live version (and I've also heard Summer of Love), and I suppose I could be persuaded that it had a lingering trace of merit if only it had a totally different set of lyrics. Not as it stands though. Also, what Wirestone said.


Title: Re: Summer of Love - 'Til I Die
Post by: KDS on July 18, 2017, 11:01:31 AM
SiP is not the worst album I've heard, but I'm pretty confident the only reason for that is that I've never heard it. I have no plans to correct that, but I did once, in a spirit of fair-mindedness, listen to Lahaina Aloha on account of all the die-hards on this site who swear that it's some sort of saving grace. And it was garbage.

Have you ever listened to the title track?  There's a live version of it on the MIC boxset that I think is pretty good.
 

Yeah, I've heard the MiC live version (and I've also heard Summer of Love), and I suppose I could be persuaded that it had a lingering trace of merit if only it had a totally different set of lyrics. Not as it stands though. Also, what Wirestone said.

That's fine.  I just think it's a tad unfair to judge a 12 song album, based on having heard two songs and some clips, and on the opinions of others. 

Heck, when I first got on these boards, I was really looking forward to being blown away by the Love You album.  But......not so much. 


Title: Re: Summer of Love - 'Til I Die
Post by: guitarfool2002 on July 18, 2017, 11:18:52 AM
I agree, let people hear it for themselves.

If there are plans for a deluxe 25th Anniversary reissue, they should go all out and include Problem Child, the songs Mike was doing with Adrian Baker, the works. Let fans hear what Mike was bringing to the table in the 90's, musically.

And if they want to go all-out, how about a "Behind The Music" style video episode where Mike and Bruce can sit at a recording console with host Wink Martindale, play each song track-by-track, and talk about the making of the SIP album? It would be educational to hear all those drum machines and sequences isolated, and how great would it be to hear a vocals only mix of Summer Of Love?


Title: Re: Summer of Love - 'Til I Die
Post by: rab2591 on July 18, 2017, 11:19:53 AM
There are many worse albums. Heck, some fans might say GIOMH is worse. But the thing is, we know that Brian, even at his most strung out, is capable of greatness.

Agreed fully with your whole post. Also want to add that Brian's GIOMH charted at 100. SIP is the only Beach Boys album to not chart at all. Mike had The Beach Boys name for gods sake, the success of Kokomo, and still this album couldn't chart.

For anyone who hasn't given it a listen, it's worth it if only for the laugh. Grab a 6 pack and find a sound-proof room (to ensure no one hears you listening to this)...as Hypehat said, the lyrics of 'Island Fever' read like an ode to some potent tropical STD...You can't make this stuff up, it's just all bad.


Title: Re: Summer of Love - 'Til I Die
Post by: NateRuvin on July 18, 2017, 11:30:25 AM
This initial post in this thread is iconic.

Summer of Love and the Surfin remix are the musical low points of The Beach Boys career.

SIP isn't all bad though- I like Still Surfin (I like the modulations) and Strange Things Happen


Title: Re: Summer of Love - 'Til I Die
Post by: William Bowe on July 18, 2017, 11:43:15 AM
SiP is not the worst album I've heard, but I'm pretty confident the only reason for that is that I've never heard it. I have no plans to correct that, but I did once, in a spirit of fair-mindedness, listen to Lahaina Aloha on account of all the die-hards on this site who swear that it's some sort of saving grace. And it was garbage.

Have you ever listened to the title track?  There's a live version of it on the MIC boxset that I think is pretty good.
 

Yeah, I've heard the MiC live version (and I've also heard Summer of Love), and I suppose I could be persuaded that it had a lingering trace of merit if only it had a totally different set of lyrics. Not as it stands though. Also, what Wirestone said.

That's fine.  I just think it's a tad unfair to judge a 12 song album, based on having heard two songs and some clips, and on the opinions of others.  

Heck, when I first got on these boards, I was really looking forward to being blown away by the Love You album.  But......not so much.  

Okay, let's crank up the YouTubes and live blog ourselves some Be Fair to Summer in Paradise.

2.14. Hot Fun In The Summertime. You know what I really don't feel like doing? Hearing Mike Love ruin a Sly Stone song. One minute of this will more than do.

2.16. Surfin. Can't locate the SiP version on YouTube. Am I being unfair in concluding this hearing this would have no chance of changing my mind about the album? I really don't think that I am.

2.17. Summer of Love. Bye.

2.18. Island Fever. Holy sh*t, this album might actually be worse than I imagined. Just run Kokomo through the xerox, why don't you. Not a second more. Skip.

2.19. Still Surfin'. I hate it even before the end of the opening drum roll. It sounds exactly like I always knew the album would sound. Why am I doing this? Skip ...

2.20. Slow Summer Dancin'. I don't think I've ever heard that 80's-ruining gated snare sound cranked up quite so hard before, so I'll at least grant it novelty value. Beyond that, it's the least bad song so far, if only because bad ballads are intrinsically less offensive than bad rock'n'roll retreads.

2.24. Strange Things Happen. Yet again, the opening lyrics are an immediate deal breaker, as is the drum sound. I'll grant you that the chorus hook has a certain heft. But will I listen to it again? Hell no.

2.27. Remember (Walking in the Sand). A good song, of course. One might even potentially derive pleasure from hearing Carl sing it. But as Wirestone points out, the thing you can never get past is that they've put so much effort into this, and any lingering saving graces you might try to identify are drowning in the album's horrible aesthetic.

2.31. Lahaina Aloha. Ugh. I thought Carl sung this, and that's why the diehards overrated it so, but no, here's skeevy old Mike Love droning stale nothings into my ear. Oh okay, there he is on the useless, stinking chorus. Next ...

2.32. Under the Boardwalk. Can't immediately find this on YouTube, and not going to waste any more time looking.

2.33. Summer in Paradise. Sorry, I get as far as "way back when when the master plan was having Fun Fun Fun and America's band", and there's no way in hell I'm listening to the rest of it. Don't insult me telling me I'm missing anything.

2.34. Forever. Jesus, this is beautiful. Why wasn't I told?


Title: Re: Summer of Love - 'Til I Die
Post by: rab2591 on July 18, 2017, 11:45:23 AM
SiP is not the worst album I've heard, but I'm pretty confident the only reason for that is that I've never heard it. I have no plans to correct that, but I did once, in a spirit of fair-mindedness, listen to Lahaina Aloha on account of all the die-hards on this site who swear that it's some sort of saving grace. And it was garbage.

Have you ever listened to the title track?  There's a live version of it on the MIC boxset that I think is pretty good.
 

Yeah, I've heard the MiC live version (and I've also heard Summer of Love), and I suppose I could be persuaded that it had a lingering trace of merit if only it had a totally different set of lyrics. Not as it stands though. Also, what Wirestone said.

That's fine.  I just think it's a tad unfair to judge a 12 song album, based on having heard two songs and some clips, and on the opinions of others.

To go along with Guitarfool's hamburger analogy...this is like saying it's unfair to call a restaurant bad after it gets closed down by health inspectors...you've never eaten there but you have every right to call it bad based off the fact it doesn't exist anymore due to health concerns and complaints by mostly anyone who went there.

Likewise, they don't even sell this album on iTunes or officially through Amazon...It's the only Beach Boys album to not get a reissue. It's the only Beach Boys album to never chart, at one point they had to give copies away, a sitcom star from Full House covers a classic Dennis tune (a poster for this album actually made its way onto the set of Full House), just 26 years after Pet Sounds and these are the lyrics the same band releases on a studio album:

Yeah I'll take you to the movies
But I'm no fool
First I'll get you on the beach
Or in a swimming pool
Doing unto others is the Golden Rule
But doing it with you would be so
Very cool


Edit: William, that is now my second favorite review of SIP...thanks for the laugh ;D


Title: Re: Summer of Love - 'Til I Die
Post by: Wirestone on July 18, 2017, 11:47:44 AM
The badness of SIP is very particular.

There are many worse albums. Heck, some fans might say GIOMH is worse. But the thing is, we know that Brian, even at his most strung out, is capable of greatness.

The appalling fact of Summer in Paradise is that IT IS THE BEST MIKE CAN DO. These songs are carefully written and produced. The vocals were worked on. Terry Melcher used state of the art tech. This is the work of a man and a band he dragged along with him, ceaselessly devoted to creating this particular album.

And that's the horror. That Mike treasures this pile of mediocre recycled treacle and the creative process that produced it. HE STILL SINGS SUMMER IN PARADISE EVERY NJGHT. He still thinks the album was good.

If he still thought the album was good, wouldn't be include more than one song on the setlist? 

It's more than he includes from the No. 3-charting TWGMTR.


Title: Re: Summer of Love - 'Til I Die
Post by: KDS on July 18, 2017, 12:02:50 PM
The badness of SIP is very particular.

There are many worse albums. Heck, some fans might say GIOMH is worse. But the thing is, we know that Brian, even at his most strung out, is capable of greatness.

The appalling fact of Summer in Paradise is that IT IS THE BEST MIKE CAN DO. These songs are carefully written and produced. The vocals were worked on. Terry Melcher used state of the art tech. This is the work of a man and a band he dragged along with him, ceaselessly devoted to creating this particular album.

And that's the horror. That Mike treasures this pile of mediocre recycled treacle and the creative process that produced it. HE STILL SINGS SUMMER IN PARADISE EVERY NJGHT. He still thinks the album was good.

If he still thought the album was good, wouldn't be include more than one song on the setlist? 

It's more than he includes from the No. 3-charting TWGMTR.

I'll agree with you there, and I think it's a shame neither band does anything from this album. 


Title: Re: Summer of Love - 'Til I Die
Post by: HeyJude on July 19, 2017, 06:49:28 AM
The badness of SIP is very particular.

There are many worse albums. Heck, some fans might say GIOMH is worse. But the thing is, we know that Brian, even at his most strung out, is capable of greatness.

The appalling fact of Summer in Paradise is that IT IS THE BEST MIKE CAN DO. These songs are carefully written and produced. The vocals were worked on. Terry Melcher used state of the art tech. This is the work of a man and a band he dragged along with him, ceaselessly devoted to creating this particular album.

And that's the horror. That Mike treasures this pile of mediocre recycled treacle and the creative process that produced it. HE STILL SINGS SUMMER IN PARADISE EVERY NJGHT. He still thinks the album was good.

If he still thought the album was good, wouldn't be include more than one song on the setlist? 

The band dropped most of the SIP songs *very quickly* after the album came out. I think "Under the Boardwalk" survived on and off for a couple of years, and that was about it. Mike, I think, thinks SIP was and is a good album. But his sense of building a crowd-pleasing setlist overrides even that.

But you can go back into interviews and find Mike bad-mouthing or otherwise criticizing various albums, including even "Still Cruisin'", and downplaying the performance of the "TWGMTR" album even though it was by *every measure* their most successful new album in DECADES. Yet, not a peep about SIP. Yes, he doesn't go on and on about it in interviews either. But because he's clearly predisposed to not ever admit fault or regret about *himself* in interviews, he never has, as far as I can tell, volunteered the SIP album as an example of something lackluster in the BB catalog or in their careers.

We *do* have the 1992 Goldmine interview where Mike talks about the then-new SIP as if he was crafting "Pet Sounds II", talking about having Al and Carl on it and implying they were eventually smart enough to participate in such an illustrious album project.

I will also say this: I do wonder if the SIP album has been kind of blackballed by BRI. That is, the album indeed has not even been made available for streaming and we saw during things like C50 when big montages of every album cover were put together, SIP was nowhere to be seen. So I'm curious if Brian, after having been marginalized and presumably not consulted or not interested in SIP back in 1992, has now in more recent years at least asserted his right to pull his support for anything to do with the album. I don't know who *owns* the album masters; maybe one of Mike's production companies does or maybe that new off-shoot "Brother Entertainment" owns it. Brian may have no ownership stake in that album. But he does have stake in the "Beach Boys" name, and he could pull his support for SIP continuing to be in print under the "Beach Boys" name.


Title: Re: Summer of Love - 'Til I Die
Post by: KDS on July 19, 2017, 06:59:08 AM
The badness of SIP is very particular.

There are many worse albums. Heck, some fans might say GIOMH is worse. But the thing is, we know that Brian, even at his most strung out, is capable of greatness.

The appalling fact of Summer in Paradise is that IT IS THE BEST MIKE CAN DO. These songs are carefully written and produced. The vocals were worked on. Terry Melcher used state of the art tech. This is the work of a man and a band he dragged along with him, ceaselessly devoted to creating this particular album.

And that's the horror. That Mike treasures this pile of mediocre recycled treacle and the creative process that produced it. HE STILL SINGS SUMMER IN PARADISE EVERY NJGHT. He still thinks the album was good.

If he still thought the album was good, wouldn't be include more than one song on the setlist? 


I will also say this: I do wonder if the SIP album has been kind of blackballed by BRI. That is, the album indeed has not even been made available for streaming and we saw during things like C50 when big montages of every album cover were put together, SIP was nowhere to be seen. So I'm curious if Brian, after having been marginalized and presumably not consulted or not interested in SIP back in 1992, has now in more recent years at least asserted his right to pull his support for anything to do with the album. I don't know who *owns* the album masters; maybe one of Mike's production companies does or maybe that new off-shoot "Brother Entertainment" owns it. Brian may have no ownership stake in that album. But he does have stake in the "Beach Boys" name, and he could pull his support for SIP continuing to be in print under the "Beach Boys" name.

Could be.  SIP is also the only album cover not featured in the C50 Tour Program (Stars and Stripes made the cut).  It's also the only studio album not represented on the MiC boxset (except for a live version of the title track). 

It's been a few years since I've watched Endless Harmony, was SIP even mentioned?  From what I recall, the later years were somewhat glossed over. 


Title: Re: Summer of Love - 'Til I Die
Post by: CenturyDeprived on July 21, 2017, 08:34:33 PM
It just dawned on me… Was the release of this song in 1992 and attempt to capitalize on the then-25th anniversary of the event of the same name?  It's sort of feels like it's not likely that's just a coincidence…


Title: Re: Summer of Love - 'Til I Die
Post by: carolinablonde on July 21, 2017, 08:58:52 PM
One of my Beach Boys dirty secrets:  upon first listen, I LOVED this album and especially the album cover.  However, take into consideration that at the time I was an 11 year old girl in an era where Lisa Frank was the coolest, and the album cover reminded me of her artwork.  It was also reminiscent of my beloved Kokomo which started me on a 25 year plus journey of Beach Boys obsession.  After my initial repeated listening, it went by the wayside as I gravitated more toward the greatest hits albums as well as the Smiley Smile/Wild Honey twofer that my parents gave to me that Christmas (of all the twofers available, they thought that one was the most appropriate for a preteen girl...go figure).  It wasn't until 2012 that I revisited this album and realized what an atrocity it was.  It saddens me that this is Carl Wilson's last original Beach Boys album and makes me wonder what would have happened had the Paley Sessions been completed and released....


Title: Re: Summer of Love - 'Til I Die
Post by: guitarfool2002 on July 22, 2017, 09:43:35 AM
Something occurred to me just this morning listening to WXPN as they spun this record. This song was recorded using the same very, very early versions of ProTools which some *blame* for the sound of the Summer In Paradise album. Like saying, the technology was still dodgy, the sounds weren't quite there, it was a primitive digital recording platform and that's why it sounds like it does, etc.

Take a few minutes and listen to this in comparison. Again, recorded in the same time frame using the same primitive ProTools hardware and software that gets blamed for SIP's shortfalls...and give your opinion of whether the technology is a convenient excuse.

"Divine Intervention" by Matthew Sweet. Recorded with much the same ProTools components as SIP.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qvbtujjHfk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qvbtujjHfk)

Note: This song was recorded in 1990 and released in Fall '91. Summer In Paradise was released August 1992.


Title: Re: Summer of Love - 'Til I Die
Post by: SMiLE Brian on July 22, 2017, 10:15:31 AM
There goes another one of Filleplage's excuses.... >:D


Title: Re: Summer of Love - 'Til I Die
Post by: MikestheGreatest!! on July 22, 2017, 01:12:33 PM
I'm impressed that anyone on this board actually bought SIP.  It, along with Still Cruisin' and Stars and Stripes were the first "new" BBs albums that I actually never even considered buying.  Still though I would like to see an official release of all the eighties and nineties singles and best album tracks on a retrospective album, yes, even Problem Child, Crocodile Rock, Rock and Roll to the Rescue...be nice to have these all together in one place.  And if you wanted to clear a room, it would be fairly easy to do so..... :-D

Did see the Boys after SIP in concert and they did nice versions of Walking in the Sand and Hot Fun.  I only heard the latter on the radio a very few times but I thought it was a good remake.  Apparently the piano intro for Sail On Sailor was an homage to Hot Fun or else just a direct ripoff.....


Title: Re: Summer of Love - 'Til I Die
Post by: KDS on July 24, 2017, 05:35:58 AM
I'm impressed that anyone on this board actually bought SIP.  It, along with Still Cruisin' and Stars and Stripes were the first "new" BBs albums that I actually never even considered buying.  Still though I would like to see an official release of all the eighties and nineties singles and best album tracks on a retrospective album, yes, even Problem Child, Crocodile Rock, Rock and Roll to the Rescue...be nice to have these all together in one place.  And if you wanted to clear a room, it would be fairly easy to do so..... :-D

Did see the Boys after SIP in concert and they did nice versions of Walking in the Sand and Hot Fun.  I only heard the latter on the radio a very few times but I thought it was a good remake.  Apparently the piano intro for Sail On Sailor was an homage to Hot Fun or else just a direct ripoff.....

I still think they could've put those extra late 80s / early 90s songs somewhere on the MiC box by either adding a 7th disc or cutting some of the repetitive stuff.  

I don't think there's a very good chance of any kind of stand alone release with these tracks.


Title: Re: Summer of Love - 'Til I Die
Post by: Aomdiddlywalla on July 24, 2017, 06:21:41 AM
I'm impressed that anyone on this board actually bought SIP.  It, along with Still Cruisin' and Stars and Stripes were the first "new" BBs albums that I actually never even considered buying.  Still though I would like to see an official release of all the eighties and nineties singles and best album tracks on a retrospective album, yes, even Problem Child, Crocodile Rock, Rock and Roll to the Rescue...be nice to have these all together in one place.  And if you wanted to clear a room, it would be fairly easy to do so..... :-D

Did see the Boys after SIP in concert and they did nice versions of Walking in the Sand and Hot Fun.  I only heard the latter on the radio a very few times but I thought it was a good remake.  Apparently the piano intro for Sail On Sailor was an homage to Hot Fun or else just a direct ripoff.....

I still think they could've put those extra late 80s / early 90s songs somewhere on the SIP box by either adding a 7th disc or cutting some of the repetitive stuff. 

I don't think there's a very good chance of any kind of stand alone release with these tracks.

SIP box!?
When/ How did that get released!?
😉


Title: Re: Summer of Love - 'Til I Die
Post by: KDS on July 24, 2017, 08:06:34 AM
I'm impressed that anyone on this board actually bought SIP.  It, along with Still Cruisin' and Stars and Stripes were the first "new" BBs albums that I actually never even considered buying.  Still though I would like to see an official release of all the eighties and nineties singles and best album tracks on a retrospective album, yes, even Problem Child, Crocodile Rock, Rock and Roll to the Rescue...be nice to have these all together in one place.  And if you wanted to clear a room, it would be fairly easy to do so..... :-D

Did see the Boys after SIP in concert and they did nice versions of Walking in the Sand and Hot Fun.  I only heard the latter on the radio a very few times but I thought it was a good remake.  Apparently the piano intro for Sail On Sailor was an homage to Hot Fun or else just a direct ripoff.....

I still think they could've put those extra late 80s / early 90s songs somewhere on the SIP box by either adding a 7th disc or cutting some of the repetitive stuff. 

I don't think there's a very good chance of any kind of stand alone release with these tracks.

SIP box!?
When/ How did that get released!?
😉

Sorry, typo.  I edited my post.  I meant the MiC box. 


Title: Re: Summer of Love - 'Til I Die
Post by: HeyJude on July 24, 2017, 08:33:29 AM
For better or worse, the MIC set was targeted at casual fans as a career retrospective, with most of the non-canon tracks being stand-out unreleased tracks not already released.

They didn't seem to want to use it as a catch-all for non-album tracks, movie soundtrack songs, etc. They did put "It's a Beautiful Day" on there in remixed form, but I'm guessing that was due to feeling it was a strong enough track.

So I can't imagine artistically wanting to put dreck like "Problem Child" on the set, or even "Crocodile Rock" which is an okay cover track but nothing that great. There may also be some rights issues with some of those types of tracks; not sure if Brother owns those.

If I had to pick one of those random soundtracks songs, I'd probably go with "Chasin' the Sky" which is not a bad song and has some great group vocals.

A slightly stronger case could be made for "Rock and Roll to the Rescue" on MIC since it was a single and featured on "Made in USA." But it isn't a high point either.

I think some of these random tracks would work on a boxed set, multi-disc "rarities" set, and/or individual album reissues with bonus tracks, and of course *if* BRI could license tracks they don't own.


Title: Re: Summer of Love - 'Til I Die
Post by: Love Thang on July 24, 2017, 09:08:29 AM
I'll never forget when SIP came out. I went down to the local Musicland--remember those? Back then we didn't have internet reviews--you took a chance and hoped for the best. I grabbed the cd and went to pay and the guy running the register said: "Have you heard this yet?" I said well no but they are my favorite band so I buy all of their albums. He said "put it back, and walk away. Trust me." I didn't listen to him and I have regretted it for 25 years.


Title: Re: Summer of Love - 'Til I Die
Post by: KDS on July 24, 2017, 09:36:20 AM
For better or worse, the MIC set was targeted at casual fans as a career retrospective, with most of the non-canon tracks being stand-out unreleased tracks not already released.

They didn't seem to want to use it as a catch-all for non-album tracks, movie soundtrack songs, etc. They did put "It's a Beautiful Day" on there in remixed form, but I'm guessing that was due to feeling it was a strong enough track.

So I can't imagine artistically wanting to put dreck like "Problem Child" on the set, or even "Crocodile Rock" which is an okay cover track but nothing that great. There may also be some rights issues with some of those types of tracks; not sure if Brother owns those.

If I had to pick one of those random soundtracks songs, I'd probably go with "Chasin' the Sky" which is not a bad song and has some great group vocals.

A slightly stronger case could be made for "Rock and Roll to the Rescue" on MIC since it was a single and featured on "Made in USA." But it isn't a high point either.

I think some of these random tracks would work on a boxed set, multi-disc "rarities" set, and/or individual album reissues with bonus tracks, and of course *if* BRI could license tracks they don't own.

Seemed pretty pricey for a release aimed at casual fans though. 

Maybe one day, they'll reissue the early 80s "Rarities" release with a bonus disc. 


Title: Re: Summer of Love - 'Til I Die
Post by: CenturyDeprived on July 24, 2017, 09:44:48 AM
For better or worse, the MIC set was targeted at casual fans as a career retrospective, with most of the non-canon tracks being stand-out unreleased tracks not already released.

They didn't seem to want to use it as a catch-all for non-album tracks, movie soundtrack songs, etc. They did put "It's a Beautiful Day" on there in remixed form, but I'm guessing that was due to feeling it was a strong enough track.

So I can't imagine artistically wanting to put dreck like "Problem Child" on the set, or even "Crocodile Rock" which is an okay cover track but nothing that great. There may also be some rights issues with some of those types of tracks; not sure if Brother owns those.

If I had to pick one of those random soundtracks songs, I'd probably go with "Chasin' the Sky" which is not a bad song and has some great group vocals.

A slightly stronger case could be made for "Rock and Roll to the Rescue" on MIC since it was a single and featured on "Made in USA." But it isn't a high point either.

I think some of these random tracks would work on a boxed set, multi-disc "rarities" set, and/or individual album reissues with bonus tracks, and of course *if* BRI could license tracks they don't own.

Seemed pretty pricey for a release aimed at casual fans though. 

Maybe one day, they'll reissue the early 80s "Rarities" release with a bonus disc. 

As long as SIP is laughed at in a huge way, and is as infamous as it is, I wouldn't count on the band going out of their way to reissue it, nor the other 80s songs. But I hope I'm wrong, because I can stomach and even kinda dig about 1/3 of the album, not to mention a good chunk of those 80s songs are guilty pleasures for me. But SIP in particular is something that if it were to be reissued, I could see mainstream blogs dedicating entire articles to crucifying it, and not sure Mike wants that kind of attention (although with the DIA '17 music video release, maybe he actually does).


Title: Re: Summer of Love - 'Til I Die
Post by: KDS on July 24, 2017, 10:05:45 AM
For better or worse, the MIC set was targeted at casual fans as a career retrospective, with most of the non-canon tracks being stand-out unreleased tracks not already released.

They didn't seem to want to use it as a catch-all for non-album tracks, movie soundtrack songs, etc. They did put "It's a Beautiful Day" on there in remixed form, but I'm guessing that was due to feeling it was a strong enough track.

So I can't imagine artistically wanting to put dreck like "Problem Child" on the set, or even "Crocodile Rock" which is an okay cover track but nothing that great. There may also be some rights issues with some of those types of tracks; not sure if Brother owns those.

If I had to pick one of those random soundtracks songs, I'd probably go with "Chasin' the Sky" which is not a bad song and has some great group vocals.

A slightly stronger case could be made for "Rock and Roll to the Rescue" on MIC since it was a single and featured on "Made in USA." But it isn't a high point either.

I think some of these random tracks would work on a boxed set, multi-disc "rarities" set, and/or individual album reissues with bonus tracks, and of course *if* BRI could license tracks they don't own.

Seemed pretty pricey for a release aimed at casual fans though. 

Maybe one day, they'll reissue the early 80s "Rarities" release with a bonus disc. 

As long as SIP is laughed at in a huge way, and is as infamous as it is, I wouldn't count on the band going out of their way to reissue it, nor the other 80s songs. But I hope I'm wrong, because I can stomach and even kinda dig about 1/3 of the album, not to mention a good chunk of those 80s songs are guilty pleasures for me. But SIP in particular is something that if it were to be reissued, I could see mainstream blogs dedicating entire articles to crucifying it, and not sure Mike wants that kind of attention (although with the DIA '17 music video release, maybe he actually does).

I'd be seriously surprised if any Beach Boys albums under 40 years old get any time of deluxe reissue in the future. 


Title: Re: Summer of Love - 'Til I Die
Post by: Aomdiddlywalla on July 24, 2017, 10:25:29 AM
Don't think you're wrong there..


Title: Re: Summer of Love - 'Til I Die
Post by: HeyJude on July 24, 2017, 10:27:16 AM
For better or worse, the MIC set was targeted at casual fans as a career retrospective, with most of the non-canon tracks being stand-out unreleased tracks not already released.

They didn't seem to want to use it as a catch-all for non-album tracks, movie soundtrack songs, etc. They did put "It's a Beautiful Day" on there in remixed form, but I'm guessing that was due to feeling it was a strong enough track.

So I can't imagine artistically wanting to put dreck like "Problem Child" on the set, or even "Crocodile Rock" which is an okay cover track but nothing that great. There may also be some rights issues with some of those types of tracks; not sure if Brother owns those.

If I had to pick one of those random soundtracks songs, I'd probably go with "Chasin' the Sky" which is not a bad song and has some great group vocals.

A slightly stronger case could be made for "Rock and Roll to the Rescue" on MIC since it was a single and featured on "Made in USA." But it isn't a high point either.

I think some of these random tracks would work on a boxed set, multi-disc "rarities" set, and/or individual album reissues with bonus tracks, and of course *if* BRI could license tracks they don't own.

Seemed pretty pricey for a release aimed at casual fans though. 

Maybe one day, they'll reissue the early 80s "Rarities" release with a bonus disc. 

I'm definitely not going to defend the arguably strange marketing angle behind the MIC set. Too large and filled with too many outtakes for a "casual" fan, and too much of the same hits/common tracks for hardcore fans.

I think they were just looking to do a "coffee table book" sized sort of boxed set as a holiday gift sort of thing, and folks like Alan Boyd were able to take that opportunity get as much "hardcore fan" material on the set as they could. They were at least able to omit most of the previously released outtakes found on the two-fers and Hawthorne, CA and the EH Soundtrack and the GV boxed set to make room for mostly "new" outtakes.

But I think when it came to the main crux of the set, the "career spanning" part featuring mostly core catalog material, they were going for something representative of their better work. Hence the omission of stuff like "Problem Child" (if rights issues weren't already an issue). I wouldn't have picked the exact core catalog tracks they did, but they did a good job of not picking any total weird awful duds. The weirdest it gets is stuff like "Amusement Parks USA" or "Had to Phone Ya."


Title: Re: Summer of Love - 'Til I Die
Post by: KDS on July 24, 2017, 10:31:39 AM
For better or worse, the MIC set was targeted at casual fans as a career retrospective, with most of the non-canon tracks being stand-out unreleased tracks not already released.

They didn't seem to want to use it as a catch-all for non-album tracks, movie soundtrack songs, etc. They did put "It's a Beautiful Day" on there in remixed form, but I'm guessing that was due to feeling it was a strong enough track.

So I can't imagine artistically wanting to put dreck like "Problem Child" on the set, or even "Crocodile Rock" which is an okay cover track but nothing that great. There may also be some rights issues with some of those types of tracks; not sure if Brother owns those.

If I had to pick one of those random soundtracks songs, I'd probably go with "Chasin' the Sky" which is not a bad song and has some great group vocals.

A slightly stronger case could be made for "Rock and Roll to the Rescue" on MIC since it was a single and featured on "Made in USA." But it isn't a high point either.

I think some of these random tracks would work on a boxed set, multi-disc "rarities" set, and/or individual album reissues with bonus tracks, and of course *if* BRI could license tracks they don't own.

Seemed pretty pricey for a release aimed at casual fans though. 

Maybe one day, they'll reissue the early 80s "Rarities" release with a bonus disc. 

I'm definitely not going to defend the arguably strange marketing angle behind the MIC set. Too large and filled with too many outtakes for a "casual" fan, and too much of the same hits/common tracks for hardcore fans.

I think they were just looking to do a "coffee table book" sized sort of boxed set as a holiday gift sort of thing, and folks like Alan Boyd were able to take that opportunity get as much "hardcore fan" material on the set as they could. They were at least able to omit most of the previously released outtakes found on the two-fers and Hawthorne, CA and the EH Soundtrack and the GV boxed set to make room for mostly "new" outtakes.

But I think when it came to the main crux of the set, the "career spanning" part featuring mostly core catalog material, they were going for something representative of their better work. Hence the omission of stuff like "Problem Child" (if rights issues weren't already an issue). I wouldn't have picked the exact core catalog tracks they did, but they did a good job of not picking any total weird awful duds. The weirdest it gets is stuff like "Amusement Parks USA" or "Had to Phone Ya."

Right, the list price was also absurdly high for a six disc set IMO.  And for that price, the discs aren't even well protected.  At least the GV set has five individual jewel cases. 


Title: Re: Summer of Love - 'Til I Die
Post by: Magic Transistor Radio on July 24, 2017, 10:51:33 AM
I think 15 Big Ones is worse than Summer in Paradise. At least most of the songs were not covers.


Title: Re: Summer of Love - 'Til I Die
Post by: KDS on July 24, 2017, 10:58:54 AM
I think 15 Big Ones is worse than Summer in Paradise. At least most of the songs were not covers.

That's a toughie.  Both are definitely in my bottom 5 though. 

I will say that, while not nearly as good as the covers the band did in the 60s, I like most of the 15BO covers over the SIP ones, Remember Walkin in the Sand and Under the Boardwalk are particularly dreadful.


Title: Re: Summer of Love - 'Til I Die
Post by: Needleinthehay on July 25, 2017, 03:02:07 AM
The last ESQ was devoted to SIP and mike is interviewed about it and talks about it like all the other albums and stuff, about how great it is, etc with no hint of irony...
Makes you wonder if deep down he knows its crap or he honestly thinks “its a love thing!” rivals good vibrations or something.


Title: Re: Summer of Love - 'Til I Die
Post by: The Heartical Don on July 25, 2017, 07:51:10 AM
Kinda makes me almost glad that these days Mike just sonically destroys our ears with covers of old songs instead of recording originals.

:lol love that the album is demonic enough to keep playing after the stereo is shot ;D

Hypehat's review of SIP is legendary:

Ok, so I have a half a bottle of wine in me and another to go after a steady day of drinking, and listening to Summer In Paradise seems like a fantastic idea right now. It's been so hard to live without it, so lets talk about it.

1) Hot Fun In The Summertime

DEAR JESUS THE SNARE. We will have to get used to this.
Also, "Whisperin'" Mike Love. I like to picture putting HOURS into these leads.
Carl telling me we can "Bum bum bum" is kinda flattering imo.
SAX SOLO. Those breaks make me flinch.
This thing is mixed so fucking terribly Carl's high notes vanish from the mix.
also, WHAT THE HELL IS CARL DOING. I guess given Beckley/Lamm/Wilson, it's safe to say that absolutely every vestige of Carl's taste had disappeared by this point. He might have even thought this was A GOOD IDEA.

2. Surfin'

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.
f*** me, the vocals on this are absolutely terrrrrrrrrrible. NASAL DOMINATION. Carl being SHITE. Like, even his smack-addled late 70's performances have merit. This sucks.
Not to mention ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING ELSE ABOUT THIS.
new lyrics. NEW LYRICS
MORE OF THEM.
I'm in pain. There are ten more songs. WHY.

3. SUMMER OF LOVE.

Mike Love, I will come round your house and make my fist meditate up your arse for this.
CHRIST ON A BICYCLE THE DJ SCRATCHES.
My Grandma has better flow than MC "Whisperin" Love.
attached and back don't rhyme, you bald apple juice chuggin goon.

4. Island Fever

These verse appear to be words in the english language. But they make no sense.
The Beach Boys' hymn to sexually transmitted diseases?
"My baby caught it and I'm not quite sure how/she might have got it from her travel brochure?" - Denny lives?
My baby can't dance or sleep because IT BURNS.
KEYCHANGE
f*** synthesisers, btw.


5. Still Surfin'

What the hell is this.
WHAT THE HELL IS THIS.
The fact I've spent a lot of time editing other things during this song speaks volumes.
What the hell makes ANYONE think it's ok to drop mexican terms for women in verses. Mamacita and the like. f*** YOU, MIKE.

6. Slow Summer Dancin' (Unneccesary parentheses)

IN BOTH CORNERS, BRUCE JOHNSTON
DETAILING HOW HE'S GONNA MAKE SWEET, SWEET, SWEET LOVE TO GROUPIES.
Misheard "I'll treat my angel really nice" as "I'll treat my ANUS.....REALLY NICE!"
Al "The Songwriter" Jardine keeping up his fine, fine, tradition of contributing entirely original melodic and lyrical ideas to songs. HOW DO YOU SLEEP AT NIGHT
That sax break. NO.

7. Strange Things Happen.

Ok, this is the worst thing so far.

It's something to do with the combination of SLAMMIN' MIKE LOVE JAMS and Al "Well, that never happened before!" Jardine learning about sex in 1991.

OH MY GOD. This is so so so s oo soooooo awful. I am crying with laughter.

8. Remember (Walking In The Sand)

Carl, I do love you, but when Mary Weiss dies she's going to find you in heaven and BEAT SEVEN SHADES OF CRAP OUT OF YOU FOR THIS.

"Echoing" Mike Love is also particularly ridiculous.

THE SAX SOLOS. AHSHGSHDGFXBGDGXFNJDMKYI6


GUYS I'M LOSING THE WILL TO LIVE. I HATE THIS ALBUM.

9. Lahina Aloha

Tropical beats
meaningless title
SOOOOOLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
palm trees
paradise
"Whisperin" Love

the f*** is this DRIVEL. I FEEL LIKE I'M BEING VIOLATED WITH OFFENSIVE ITEMS CARVED OUT OF JELLY OR SOMETHING. OFFENSIVE SMOOTHNESS. It's some terrible oxymoron i wouldn't believe possible if it wasn't fucking me in my ears.
THE HELL.

THREE MORE TRACKS LEFT, YOU CAN DO IT.

10. Under The Boardwalk

MIke Love, you get the f*** away from my girl.
Carl, I'm sorry, but The Drifters are also going to beat the hell out of you up there too. Possibly Carole King as well. At least they'll be tired after beating mike love to shreds. And you, Al.
ANOTHER SAXOPHONE SOLO. mo'fos.

As an aside, guys, this is one of the most awful albums in terms of production, mixing and mastering I've ever heard. IT IS THIN AS HELL.

11. SUMMER IN PARADISE.

dig that jangly fauxbyrds guitar.
THOSE 'HARMONY' VOCALS ARE CRAP. BRIAN WOULD BEAT YOU DEAD IF HE WAS IN THAT SESSION.
I think these might be EVEN WORSE LYRICS than Strange Things Happen or MC LOVE in something else.
f***, IT'S JIM MCGUINN.
that explains the guitar.
YOU BITCH, MCGUINN.

This is shite. musically, aurally, it's balls. BALLLLLLS. BIG SWEATY, HAIRY, OOZING TESTICLES. I feel ill.

12. Stamorever.

I have no more bile. I just have wine. After the systematic and calculated raping of the entire spectrum of pop music through these twelve tracks, some arsehole covering a Dennis Wilson song pales in comparison. I mean, it even has woodblocks on it, which makes it more reverent of a 'classic' bb's sound than anything on this record yet.

SEE WHAT THIS RECORD HAS DONE TO ME. I AM DEFENDING STAMOS



and with one fucking horrible sounding fake midi chord on the keyboard, that's it. The worst record I ever heard.

 :-D :-D :-D

Many, many thanks for reposting this brilliant piece of serious reviewing! I just read it for the first time. Now comes the small print:

I never heard it. I actually am going to look for a copy.