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Smiley Smile Stuff => General On Topic Discussions => Topic started by: HeyJude on October 04, 2017, 02:01:56 PM



Title: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on October 04, 2017, 02:01:56 PM
http://www.iconvsicon.com/2017/10/04/beach-boys-mike-love-announces-new-double-album-unleash-the-love/

Looks like mostly a revamped version of the 2004 circulating "Unleash the Love" album, coupled with a borderline misleading second disc of "BEACH BOYS!!!!!!" re-recordings.

The thing even has a sticker on the cover with the BEACH BOYS logo!

The guy couldn't even bring himself to put out a solo album without attaching it to the Beach Boys. Disappointing. I'd respect a single disc solo album A LOT more.

Note the press release says there are 14 BB remakes, but I only count 12. (There's also at least one or two other typos in the press release). Also note on the link above (I didn't include below the stuff tacked on about Mike's tour) that Mike's going to give discounts for purchase of his album to ticket buyers.

And did we really need "Daybreak over the Ocean" again?

Can BRI at least tell Mike to take the BEACH BOYS name *and* logo off the sticker on the cover? This is far more blatant than the *free* CD Mike sued Brian over in 2004 or whenever that was.

Press Release:

Legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee, Grammy® Winner, New York Times Best-Selling Author, co-founder and chief lyricist of The Beach Boys, Mike Love, is set to release a special double album on November 17 through BMG. Entitled Unleash the Love the album will feature 13 brand new songs and 14 re-recordings of Beach Boys classics. The album is produced by Grammy®-winning producer, Michael Lloyd.

For more than fifty years, Mike Love has been the lead singer and front man of The Beach Boys taking the sounds of America’s band to every corner of the globe— playing for crowds of up to 750,000 fans. Mike has co-authored more than a dozen hit singles, cementing The Beach Boys as one of the only artists to have produced twelve Top 10 Singles within 5 years. With iconic and timeless tracks like “Good Vibrations,” “Fun, Fun, Fun,” “I Get Around,” and “Surfin’ Safari,” The Beach Boys have created some of the most performed songs in pop music history.

Unleash The Love is a testament and continuation of Mike Love’s remarkable career. The new tracks range from rock, gospel, R&B and pop and celebrate Love’s connection to the teachings of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and his journey to find personal love and peace. Love’s history with Transcendental meditation anchors a number of songs including “Ram Raj” a song celebrating the divine; “Pisces Brothers,” a tribute to the late George Harrison and the spiritual awakening the two artists shared on their respective birthdays and “Cool Head, Warm Heart” a breezy pop song, which borrows its title from a famous saying by Maharishi Mahesh. The album also includes a prayer for the planet “Only One Earth.” As with all of the new tracks, a sense of urgency is infused in every song: to change what you can, to transcend, connect to the planet and the people around you and give into the power of love.

“I’ve been working on these new songs on and off for many years now and I’m excited to share them with fans,” says Mike Love. “As a writer, I kept gravitating to this idea of love, in all forms. Romantic love, unrequited love, lasting love, spiritual love, love for the planet, and what the absence of love can do to us as a people. This album is my way of communicating what the world needs now is love sweet love. And the hope is if we all can unleash whatever love inside of us, we can collectively make this world better."

In addition to the collection of Mike Love original songs, the special double album features new versions of classic hits such as “California Girls,” “Help Me Rhonda,” and “Good Vibrations,” recorded members by The Beach Boys touring band.

Mike Love Unleash The Love Official Tracklist

Mike Love Originals:

Side A

All the Love in Paris featuring Dave Koz on Saxophone
Getcha Back featuring John Stamos on Drums
Daybreak Over the Ocean
I Don't Wanna Know
Too Cruel
Crescent Moon

Side B

Cool Head, Warm Heart
Pisces Brothers
Unleash The Love
Ram Raj
10,000 Years Ago featuring John Stamos on Drums
Only One Earth
Make Love Not War

Mike Love/Beach Boys Re-Records:

Side A

California Girls
Do It Again featuring Mark McGrath and John Stamos
Help Me Rhonda
I Get Around
Warmth of the Sun featuring Ambha Love
Brian's Back

Side B
Kiss Me Baby
Darlin' featuring AJR
Wild Honey featuring John Cowsill
Wouldn't It Be Nice
Good Vibrations
Fun Fun Fun


(https://i2.wp.com/www.iconvsicon.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/MikeLove_UTL-1-2017.jpg?resize=590%2C587)


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Jim V. on October 04, 2017, 02:23:16 PM
I'll first say, I'm glad Mike is releasing something, just as I'd be glad if Al did. Of course, Brian takes precedence over both, but I'm glad Mike's got something new coming. However I will say first off, where is "Big Sur"? I thought it was left off of Made In California cuz it was being "saved" for Mike's solo album? Meh. Also, why is "Getcha Back" on the first disc while "Brian's Back" is on the second one? Kinda seems random. Shouldn't both be on the second disc? And what's "Daybreak Over The Ocean" doin' on here? I assume it's the same basic recording as The Beach Boys version without Brian and Al at the least.

Regardless though, I'll be buying it. I've given Mike sh*t for a long time for not having the balls to release something, so good on him.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on October 04, 2017, 02:24:45 PM
I'll first say, I'm glad Mike is releasing something, just as I'd be glad if Al did. Of course, Brian takes precedence over both, but I'm glad Mike's got something new coming. However I will say first off, where is "Big Sur"? I thought it was left off of Made In California cuz it was being "saved" for Mike's solo album? Meh. Also, why is "Getcha Back" on the first disc while "Brian's Back" is on the second one? Kinda seems random. Shouldn't both be on the second disc? And what's "Daybreak Over The Ocean" doin' on here? I assume it's the same basic recording as The Beach Boys version without Brian and Al at the least.

Regardless though, I'll be buying it. I've given Mike sh*t for a long time for not having the balls to release something, so good on him.

I just wish he had had the balls to do it without trying as hard as he can to make it a BEACH BOYS product without technically making it so.

Especially hypocritical given the "Mail on Sunday" lawsuit from the previous decade.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: B.E. on October 04, 2017, 02:38:30 PM
So, 5 of the 13 "brand new songs" have been previously released and 2 of which are actually BBs songs? I'm not a Mike Love solo career expert, but wasn't I Don't Wanna Know on a Celebration album, Cool Head Warm Heart on a BBs comp, and Pisces Brothers on a recent comp.

I'm not crazy about the BBs logo being featured either. It's perfectly fine to note that he is "Mike Love of the Beach Boys," but to use the logo within that statement seems questionable to me. Whatever, though, I'll certainly check it out and I'd rather these guys release material than not.

Edit: Potentially 6 of the 13 songs on disc 1 have been previously released; if Crescent Moon is 'Love Like In Fairytales'.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: wild neon sins on October 04, 2017, 02:53:05 PM
me reacting to the cover 'This is a spoof, right?'
otherwise reads like an offical press release, except for the typos.
Are we sure this is legit?, there seems to be nothing on his offical site or facebook
why would a random popculture blog get it first?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on October 04, 2017, 02:55:51 PM
It's legit. I don't know if this website jumped the gun putting it up, but the project is legit.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Rocky Raccoon on October 04, 2017, 03:05:00 PM
Weird that Mike doesn't see any irony at all in re-recording "Brian's Back"... again.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: southbay on October 04, 2017, 03:08:43 PM
Some random thoughts...Is that cover picture serious?  Also, who is the "AJR" featured on Darlin'? Is Mike singing the lead on WIBN, GV and Help Me, Rhonda?  This whole thing could be comedic genius


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Chocolate Shake Man on October 04, 2017, 03:15:50 PM
(https://i2.wp.com/www.iconvsicon.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/MikeLove_UTL-1-2017.jpg?resize=590%2C587)

It's always nice when you can still go out and toss the ol' dove around.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: wild neon sins on October 04, 2017, 03:30:40 PM
It's legit. I don't know if this website jumped the gun putting it up, but the project is legit.

I just literally pulled this face (https://i.pinimg.com/236x/9b/7a/09/9b7a0986f923884dee790631189a0980--nocturnal-animals-animal-portraits.jpg)
(tilting your head like that hurts)


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: kwebb on October 04, 2017, 03:39:26 PM
The bootleg cover for is better than the actual cover here.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: CenturyDeprived on October 04, 2017, 03:47:04 PM
Weird that Mike doesn't see any irony at all in re-recording "Brian's Back"... again.

Brian's back, except with regards to being back in The Beach Boys. That the man who would re-re-release this song at this point in time is indicative that he's cuckoo for cocoa puffs.  Massive swaths of fans are mad as hell that he squeezed Brian out of the band, yet he has the unmitigated chutzpah to again release this song now? Why?????????

I can't believe that's the real cover art. That's like an SNL spoof.

I want some interviewer to ask Mike why it's ok for him to use the BBs logo, after suing Brian in 2005.  Can this happen?  

Good for Mike for actually releasing something, but aside from that in and of itself being a good thing to do (the idea of actually releasing content), mostly everything else about this is a major eyeroll.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Zargo on October 04, 2017, 03:49:06 PM
Some interesting apparently new songs listed there. I wonder if any of them is a variation of "Anything for you," a catchy little number which is a surprise omission.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Theydon Bois on October 04, 2017, 04:24:17 PM
Also, who is the "AJR" featured on Darlin'?

Al Jardine's Replacement


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Mr. Wilson on October 04, 2017, 04:27:32 PM
I dont have the boot handy right now so how many of the songs on the boot have been taken off  this legit release??  Seems like a couple at least because there are a couple of songs i dont recognize. And recording GV ? That better be a GREAT track because isnt that song their most artistic statement.. OH MY.. Well at least he didnt re record Barbara Ann LOL.. Why doesnt he release a live DVD and call it Mike and Bruce and friends..??  If your gonna re record your hits a live DVD would be much better.. Especially with the band he has now.. Ill buy this new cd  tho.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: GoogaMooga on October 04, 2017, 04:30:30 PM
I am not too fussed about the dove, is it really that much of a visual cliché? Nor can I get too worked up over the BB logo in the corner, for all I know, it could just be a sticker, looks like it.

The BB re-recordings are of course redundant, and they weren't even all his own leads, as has been pointed out. That disc will get played once by me, that's it.

No, my main concern, and what I am rather excited about, is of course the 13 Love originals on disc one. CHWH was the best of the three new songs tacked onto the Hallmark album, and I even got to see Mike sing it at a concert around the time of that release. It made the Hallmark album a keeper, along with Brian's TSORAR. If any of the other 12 are anywhere near as good, we are in for a treat. This project has been kicking about for years, and I am happy for Mike that he found a major label.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on October 04, 2017, 04:35:12 PM
To the battlements with OSD! >:D


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on October 04, 2017, 04:43:37 PM
But seriously, what a joke from BW’s biggest solo career critic...


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: 18thofMay on October 04, 2017, 04:55:46 PM
Surely this is a piss take!


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Jim V. on October 04, 2017, 05:09:30 PM
After some more time and looks at the track list, I also have to now wonder who is doing the leads on "I Don't Wanna Know" and "Too Cruel" as Mike's son Christian did the lead on the leaked versions from years ago. And now that I think of it, are these newly recorded versions of these tunes from the 2005ish leak or are they maybe just subtly remixed and changed? Especially songs like "Cool Head, Warm Heart" and "Pisces Brothers" as they've already been released.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Matt H on October 04, 2017, 05:20:59 PM
Are any of these remakes songs that he has not remade before?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: mtaber on October 04, 2017, 06:35:45 PM
Just wanted to say, Mike Love makes me sick...


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Mayoman on October 04, 2017, 06:46:13 PM
My guess is that AJR is Mike's daugher Ambha, who has sung that song live with the BB before.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: RubberSoul13 on October 04, 2017, 07:08:54 PM
What a joke. I don't have any further grievances than those that have been listed but this is just ridiculous.

Someone in the inner circle should be making a stink about the Beach Boys name on the cover, since normally Mike would be the one to do that...and I'm not saying he wasn't justified in the past, but this is a prime example of what he has constantly bitched about with the other guys...and don't get me started on Brian's Back. All the hundreds of songs he could've recorded, and that makes the cut? He has to know what he's doing.

What store is actually going to carry this? I don't see physical copies of this existing anywhere beyond his website and Amazon.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: tpesky on October 04, 2017, 07:12:39 PM
My guess is that AJR is Mike's daugher Ambha, who has sung that song live with the BB before.

They list her as Ambha Love in WOTS though, so why AJR there?  Weird that Getcha Back and Daybread is on the new Mike Love song disc, as that's both of those are BB remakes and  Brian's Back is on the remake disc when it was a Mike solo only released on Endless Harmony


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on October 04, 2017, 07:25:50 PM
Just wanted to say, Mike Love makes me sick...
Welcome back Marty! ;D


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: jeffh on October 04, 2017, 07:32:49 PM
Also, who is the "AJR" featured on Darlin'?

Al Jardine's Replacement

Three brothers influenced by The Beach Boys. This track excites me, as AJR are very good. Check out the official videos of "I'm Ready " and "Call My Dad " on YouTube. They are very good. I saw them open for Ingrid Michaelson a while back.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2dJxFIV28Y   20,000,000 hits on YouTube I'm Ready

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCo6_JbKp-A  Call My Dad A bit of Sloop John in this one


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: The LEGENDARY OSD on October 04, 2017, 07:50:53 PM
Just wanted to say, Mike Love makes me sick...

  :woot :woot :woot :woot :woot


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: jiggy22 on October 04, 2017, 07:56:38 PM
The M A D M A N actually did it!!


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on October 04, 2017, 09:09:00 PM
I'm glad to see him finally release a new solo album, but having the Beach Boys name on there, as pointed out elsewhere in the thread, is just the type of thing that Mike would sue about, so WTF?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: NateRuvin on October 04, 2017, 09:27:37 PM
I'm not gonna lie, I get super excited anytime ANYTHING BBs related is released, be it an archival album, new compilation, or new solo work. I just can't contain my excitement... Ok, maybe I'm getting a little too excited--- this is a Mike Love solo album we're talking about. But Cool Head Warm Heart is amazing, and I'm looking forward to hearing some songs I never heard before. If these are the re-recordings featured in Mike's book trailer, I will be satisfied. They sounded pretty good in the trailer. I'm just really bummed that there's no Big Sur. The version in his book trailer sounded sooooo good!!!! PETITION FOR 4/4 BIG SUR TO BE RELEASED!!!


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: elnombre on October 04, 2017, 09:33:50 PM
Removed comment

I don't even know any such thing about AJD, but that is beyond a classless comment.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on October 04, 2017, 11:25:09 PM
I edited it out. This wasn't the place for me to return the swipes he has taken at me, and I apologize.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Lonely Summer on October 04, 2017, 11:30:40 PM
Not surprised that the reactions here are mostly negative, but I am glad this is finally getting released.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: elnombre on October 05, 2017, 12:48:37 AM
I edited it out. This wasn't the place for me to return the swipes he has taken at me, and I apologize.

Fair enough, remove my quote of it too if you want to.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: JK on October 05, 2017, 02:32:11 AM
Also, who is the "AJR" featured on Darlin'?
Three brothers influenced by The Beach Boys. This track excites me, as AJR are very good. Check out the official videos of "I'm Ready " and "Call My Dad" on YouTube. They are very good.

I'll back that up. Brilliant band. Apparently Mike thinks so too.

This double album looks good. In a way, Beach Boys Re-Records was the one missing link in the chain. As I see it, if the various Boys were never to enter a recording studio again, the circle would now be complete. This was the one ingredient that was missing----an album of BB stuff played by Mike, Bruce and the band.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: “Big Daddy” on October 05, 2017, 04:24:59 AM
However I will say first off, where is "Big Sur"? I thought it was left off of Made In California cuz it was being "saved" for Mike's solo album?

Just for the record, this was speculation on my part a while back based solely off the fact that a re-recording of it ended up in a promo video for his book. Still, don’t know why they didn’t bring it out for this. Other Love/Lloyd re-recordings not making it to the album off the top of my head: “Surfin’ USA” & “Sloop John B.”


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: KDS on October 05, 2017, 05:28:38 AM
Couple of observations

1.  The 1st disc is mildly intriguing. 

2.  The 2nd disc is completely unnecessary, and I don't understand why the surviving Beach Boys still feel compelled to try to re-record their old songs. 

3.  I wonder if this might lead to CD releases of his past solo albums



Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Bittersweet-Insanity on October 05, 2017, 05:38:31 AM
i just want a high quality version of Trisha https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzyYIrQoZIc


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: STE on October 05, 2017, 06:18:52 AM
i just want a high quality version of Trisha https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzyYIrQoZIc


There's a 1998 version of Trisha available:

https://youtu.be/-p8R8HQUTgw (https://youtu.be/-p8R8HQUTgw)




Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: “Big Daddy” on October 05, 2017, 06:42:34 AM
Hear the title track here: https://soundcloud.com/theendrecords/mike-love-unleash-the-love/s-t7WXN


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Rich Panteluk on October 05, 2017, 07:14:25 AM
I'll buy this.  Always happy to have new material from the boys!  Getcha Back, I suspect, is the version they have been playing live with some new lyrics - a bit disappointed that Stamos is playing drums on it as I really like John's drumming on that tune.  Looking forward to Wild Honey with Cowsill - that has been a highlight of their live shows for me.  Good on Mike for finally getting some material out there. 


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: thorgil on October 05, 2017, 08:42:09 AM
Good if it gives Brian a reason to release a new album.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on October 05, 2017, 09:37:35 AM
I'll buy this.  Always happy to have new material from the boys!  Getcha Back, I suspect, is the version they have been playing live with some new lyrics - a bit disappointed that Stamos is playing drums on it as I really like John's drumming on that tune.  Looking forward to Wild Honey with Cowsill - that has been a highlight of their live shows for me.  Good on Mike for finally getting some material out there. 

I mean, he’s been putting material out there the last couple of years and it’s been consistently awful. I agree with Lonely Summer that the reaction here has been unsurprisingly negative, but I think that’s attributed to people here not being unrealistic about what we’ll be getting with this set...and it’s also attributed to people not being ignorant of Mike’s hypocrisy when it comes to his band mates releasing their own solo material (mike mocking Brian’s supposed use of autotune then using it in copiously laughable amounts, Mike getting all angsty and suing Brian for using The Beach Boys for a freebie CD but Mike is using it here to promote his own little solo venture, etc).

I’m with Thorgil though, if Brian is serious about recording a rock and roll album hopefully this will inspire some friendly competition and kick Brian into gear to make an awesome album.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: bonnevillemariner on October 05, 2017, 09:44:26 AM
Hear the title track here: https://soundcloud.com/theendrecords/mike-love-unleash-the-love/s-t7WXN

Wow. Hate the music, hate the kitschy lyrics, hate the bluesy tone. I cannot believe this man actually thinks he's a serious artist.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: BBs Footage Saga on October 05, 2017, 10:07:24 AM
Where is the Big Sur remake of the Good Vibrations Book Trailer?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: “Big Daddy” on October 05, 2017, 10:19:21 AM
Where is the Big Sur remake of the Good Vibrations Book Trailer?

You can hear it at about 0:54 of https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OutWymKjErk.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: southbay on October 05, 2017, 11:12:56 AM
Hear the title track here: https://soundcloud.com/theendrecords/mike-love-unleash-the-love/s-t7WXN

That's awful.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Dutchie on October 05, 2017, 11:35:42 AM
Finally its coming out ! YES  :-D


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: The Lovester on October 05, 2017, 11:50:32 AM
Hear the title track here: https://soundcloud.com/theendrecords/mike-love-unleash-the-love/s-t7WXN
Hmmmm, not as bad as I thought it would be, nor as bad as it could be. It doesn't sound too much like a Mike song, but if the production and instrumentation are an indication of the rest of the album, it might actually be good. Fingers crossed ;D


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: lee on October 05, 2017, 12:28:23 PM
I'm curious what's going to happen as far as these songs making the upcoming setlists. Mike clearly isn't going to drop "The Beach Boys" for any amount of time to tour under his own name but I'm sure he'll be trying to talk up this album at shows to create sales. BRI would clearly limit him to how much solo material he can perform while touring under The Beach Boys name. Hopefully no more than a song or two. Correct?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: KDS on October 05, 2017, 12:30:29 PM
I'm curious what's going to happen as far as these songs making the upcoming setlists. Mike clearly isn't going to drop "The Beach Boys" for any amount of time to tour under his own name but I'm sure he'll be trying to talk up this album at shows to create sales. BRI would clearly limit him to how much solo material he can perform while touring under The Beach Boys name. Hopefully no more than a song or two. Correct?

I'm thinking that's one of the reasons for the BB remakes.  Plus, a couple of the songs on the 1st disc have appeared on BB releases.  So, he could put a few of those - maybe Daybreak, Cool Head Warm Heart, etc - in the BB setlist, and still be "promoting" the new album. 


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on October 05, 2017, 12:34:43 PM
This is a branding clusterfuck....


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: The LEGENDARY OSD on October 05, 2017, 12:53:55 PM
This is a branding clusterfuck....

Not that he's litigious like his effed up cousin, and instead of wasting precious time listening to this mahagarbage crap, I'd love to see Brian & Co. find a loophole that drags that hairless crumb through the court system, if only to see a guard tell him to take off his hat after entering the courtroom.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on October 05, 2017, 12:57:57 PM
Good one OSD! Looking back without a Hat! :hat


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SurfRiderHawaii on October 05, 2017, 02:28:48 PM
The Facebook comments on this release are scathing.

The title track is horrendous! The cover is atrocious!

The BB sticker would seem to be a clear violation of his license. And the remakes are a way
to get his naive concert goers to buy his product instead of a BBs album. This cuts revenue
to BRI while increasing his.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: CenturyDeprived on October 05, 2017, 03:51:34 PM
I almost (not even kidding) feel like the title track could be a hidden reference to unleashing what's behind the zipper. And if anyone thinks that's absurd, ridiculous, or just being gross, lest we forget Rocking the Man in the Boat.

Could this tune be male counterpart to his classic chestnut from 1981?

The song sucks hard, and reminds me of a tune by The Wiggles.

That said, it's definitely recorded in good fidelity.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on October 05, 2017, 04:19:12 PM
CD! Unzip the love....


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: acedecade75 on October 05, 2017, 04:44:00 PM
I have to say, I'm looking forward to hearing the version of Wild Honey with John Cowsill.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: branaa09 on October 05, 2017, 05:28:06 PM
Auto-Tune is in full force! Robo-Mike is back and with revenge from the Beach! :lol


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: The LEGENDARY OSD on October 05, 2017, 05:42:51 PM
Good one OSD! Looking back without a Hat! :hat
:lol :lol :lol


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Pretty Funky on October 05, 2017, 06:13:58 PM
Am I correct in saying that neither Brian, Carl, Dennis, Al (or even Bruce and Dave) have ever promoted their album covers with the ‘of The Beach Boys’ tag? (NASCAR aside)

But giveaway a CD with a newspaper and that warrants a lawsuit? Reunion ends in 2012 due to confusion in the market?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: B.E. on October 05, 2017, 06:29:41 PM
Hear the title track here: https://soundcloud.com/theendrecords/mike-love-unleash-the-love/s-t7WXN

Auto-Tune is in full force! Robo-Mike is back and with revenge from the Beach! :lol

I don't think so. Do It Again 2017? Absolutely!!! I just listened to it again and it's even worse than I remember. That track is an embarrassment. I couldn't help but laugh numerous times. Unleash The Love, on the other hand, is much more tastefully done. It's a fine song and it sounds great (or good, at least). If it's indicative of the quality of the rest of the tracks, then I think it's a worthy release by Mike and good on him for releasing music (I'm speaking more about disc 1 than disc 2). I think if some of the hardcore fans removed their feelings about Mike from the song for a moment they'd hear a harmless, nice-sounding song. Basically, I don't think it would be fair to trash it.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: The LEGENDARY OSD on October 05, 2017, 06:35:29 PM
The Facebook comments on this release are scathing.

The title track is horrendous! The cover is atrocious!

The BB sticker would seem to be a clear violation of his license. And the remakes are a way
to get his naive concert goers to buy his product instead of a BBs album. This cuts revenue
to BRI while increasing his.

Thanks SR for the heads up regarding the comments on the BB FB page. Excellent reading!! myKe luHv is getting his "due" which he so richly deserves.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: wilsonart1 on October 05, 2017, 06:55:58 PM
Serving Turkey this year...playing it for our Thanksgiving guests.  This Turkey will stop all future celebrations at our house for generations.  Oven Turkey and Mike's new sounds are what we need tonight.  Anyone want cranberries with their serving of Love?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: RubberSoul13 on October 05, 2017, 07:19:18 PM
The band sounds fine on "Unleash The Love"...I'm assuming it's the touring band. But the lyrics are just as trite as I'd expect. Also, despite the attempts to beef it up with autotune, Mike's voice sounds very fragile on that track. I'm still not convinced I should spend money on this.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Lonely Summer on October 05, 2017, 08:10:32 PM
I'm curious what's going to happen as far as these songs making the upcoming setlists. Mike clearly isn't going to drop "The Beach Boys" for any amount of time to tour under his own name but I'm sure he'll be trying to talk up this album at shows to create sales. BRI would clearly limit him to how much solo material he can perform while touring under The Beach Boys name. Hopefully no more than a song or two. Correct?

I'm thinking that's one of the reasons for the BB remakes.  Plus, a couple of the songs on the 1st disc have appeared on BB releases.  So, he could put a few of those - maybe Daybreak, Cool Head Warm Heart, etc - in the BB setlist, and still be "promoting" the new album. 
I'll bet there will be at least as many of these songs in the setlists as Brian does when he has a new album out. And I suspect Mike will keep them in the shows for several years. Even when SIP died a quick death in 1992, Mike and the guys kept playing those songs year after year.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on October 05, 2017, 08:15:15 PM
Hear the title track here: https://soundcloud.com/theendrecords/mike-love-unleash-the-love/s-t7WXN

Auto-Tune is in full force! Robo-Mike is back and with revenge from the Beach! :lol

I don't think so. Do It Again 2017? Absolutely!!! I just listened to it again and it's even worse than I remember. That track is an embarrassment. I couldn't help but laugh numerous times. Unleash The Love, on the other hand, is much more tastefully done. It's a fine song and it sounds great (or good, at least). If it's indicative of the quality of the rest of the tracks, then I think it's a worthy release by Mike and good on him for releasing music (I'm speaking more about disc 1 than disc 2). I think if some of the hardcore fans removed their feelings about Mike from the song for a moment they'd hear a harmless, nice-sounding song. Basically, I don't think it would be fair to trash it.

Meh, as someone pointed out above, this seriously sounds like something the Wiggles would record. It brings me back to my Vacation Bible School days when I was 5 and they handed out cassette tapes of mediocrely written children’s worship songs.

I’m not referring to the backing track or (most of the) production at all; those sound pretty damn good to me. But the lyrics are so vapid it’s not even funny, especially considering this guys history.

This song does have a completely different vibe from what we’ve all gotten used to from him, so I gotta give it that at least.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: CenturyDeprived on October 05, 2017, 09:32:31 PM


This song does have a completely different vibe from what we’ve all gotten used to from him, so I gotta give it that at least.

+1 on that. It's not like anything I've heard from Mike, but I think that's because the song itself feels *so* completely written by other people not named Mike Love (although it's not like we have many examples of songs with backing tracks written by Mike)... it feels like some random band had Mike as a guest singer on a track that is fairly out of left field. It's just weirdly un-Mike, un-Beach Boys, but also wholly uninteresting to me.

I'll give it one thing - it does sound more tastefully produced, relatively speaking, than other recent stuff by Mike. It's probably closer in production to Cool Head, Warm Heart, probably the only newer tune by Mike that I quite like a lot. But other than not being *super* put off by the production in an allergic reaction type of way, I don't really have anything at all good to say about this. At least the production doesn't quite suck as much as other aspects of the song.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on October 05, 2017, 09:42:08 PM
If Mike had released "Unleash The Love" in 2012, Mitt Romney would have used it as his campaign song.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: krabklaw on October 05, 2017, 10:46:28 PM
Hope it's decent.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Hickory Violet Part IV on October 05, 2017, 11:37:49 PM
Auto-Tune is in full force! Robo-Mike is back and with revenge from the Beach! :lol

Agreed. It's virtually unlistenable.

Also, had no idea what 'Rocking the man in the boat' meant until reading this thread.  How bizarre and horrible giving the female genitalia a male identity. There are some truly strange people about.

And as for comparing this to the Wiggles, what on earth did the Wiggles do to deserve that?

Leave the poor f**king Wiggles be.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: B.E. on October 06, 2017, 06:09:01 AM
And as for comparing this to the Wiggles, what on earth did the Wiggles do to deserve that?

Leave the poor f**king Wiggles be.

I hadn't heard of the Wiggles prior to this thread, but they are anything but poor :lol


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on October 06, 2017, 06:32:36 AM
I've only listened to the new version of the title track on SoundCloud on crummy computer speakers thus far, and I haven't A/B'ed it directly against the circa 2004 "album" floating around, so I can't tell if it's a full re-record or just heavily overdubbed.

Two things I will say is that, first, the "new" version sounds overproduced compared to the 2004 version. I think some of his 2004 "album" is pretty decent, especially compared to his other solo output or SIP, etc. (I've always thought a better solo track for Mike to fly into TWGMTR in 2012 would have been "Too Cruel" with Al on lead). I liked that it sounded (relatively) understated and dry. Indeed, the stuff was probably all rough mixes. But this new version sound too over-embellished.

Hand in hand with that is also the obvious: As with the other stuff Michael Lloyd has produced of Mike's (e.g. "Alone on Christmas Day", etc.), this new version of "Unleash the Love" is SWIMMING in autotune. It also sounds like Mike's voice has either been digitally pitched-up a bit or sped up, and/or the autotune just give the effect of his voice sounding way too high/chipmunk-ish. Not hugely so. But the whole thing sounds even more synthetic when it sounds pitched too high *and* is awash in autotune.

Here's what I'm thinking: Mike had the balls to throw autotune swipes at Brian and Al a few years ago, but then when Mike actually for the first time in *36 Years* came to actually putting an album out of his own stuff, the autotune bug was just too difficult to resist, which is what has happened with a myriad of older and younger artists.

In any event, and this isn't surprising at all, but the hypocrisy of criticizing Brian and Al regarding autotune a few years ago, not to mention raising a huge stink about it in his book regarding its alleged use during tour rehearsals in 2012, still boggles the mind.

Giving this a little more time and a little perspective and breathing room since the announcement, and some wise words from some wise folks discussing this upcoming album, I'm going to still try my best to not just rail against this thing from moment one. I honestly think, from a pro-Mike perspective even, the CD or remakes is ill-advised. That is, if he wants his new solo stuff to be taken seriously at all. If he wants to be Lou Christie, if he wants to be Joey Molland re-recording flaccid Badfinger remakes, if he wants to be back in "Salutes NASCAR" territory, then he's fine I guess. It doesn't matter if Scott Totten and Michael Lloyd can do better BB remakes than Adrian Baker. It doesn't matter if John Stamos is drumming. It's still tacky. And it will be even moreso if that second disc is *also* swimming in autotune.

I think Mike could have been advised much better regarding this release. Give it a different title, a different cover that isn't goofy and a ready-to-Meme without touching it, and instead of pitching it as a "Double Album", pitch it as a *New Solo Album* with a free bonus disc (if the second disc *must* be included), and re-jigger the tracklisting so *all* the re-records are on that bonus disc.

So I'm going to try hard to not be too pedantic and predictably anti this new album. But I'm going to at least stick to my guns at the outset and say the "Beach Boys" sticker on the cover, *especially* actually using the BRI-owned BB logo, is ridiculous on its face and certainly ridiculous in light of the past Mike lawsuit from the previous decade. I don't care if it's just a pseudo "file under" sticker. The use of the actual logo in concert with re-recording a myriad of BB songs, and confusingly labeling (in the press release at least) the second disc as "Mike Love/Beach Boys", is something I hope BRI *politely* puts a stop to.

I'm not opposed to a sticker that mentions that a guy is a Beach Boy. Both Brian and Al have done this. But something more like this is much more appropriate and classy:

(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/iPlSgwmsKRM/maxresdefault.jpg)


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on October 06, 2017, 06:39:04 AM
I'm curious what's going to happen as far as these songs making the upcoming setlists. Mike clearly isn't going to drop "The Beach Boys" for any amount of time to tour under his own name but I'm sure he'll be trying to talk up this album at shows to create sales. BRI would clearly limit him to how much solo material he can perform while touring under The Beach Boys name. Hopefully no more than a song or two. Correct?

There's no evidence BRI instructs Mike as to how many "solo" songs he can play. He has been doing "Cool Head" and "Pisces Brothers" for years on and off. I want to say he even did "Unleash the Love" years ago. Maybe a few other solo things I'm not remembering at the moment.

I highly doubt Mike would do any gigs "solo." He might do some TV shows, but even on those, even when he's promoting a solo track (like "Alone on Christmas Day"), it's a murky thing where it's "The Beach Boys" performing a Mike solo song.

I think all we'll see is maybe another solo track or two added to Mike's setlist.

I *wish* BRI would clamp down more on Mike blurring the Beach Boys/solo line as far as promoting his solo stuff versus doing live shows. But I don't think they will, and they haven't at all in the nearly 20 years he's been licensing the name to tour.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: NateRuvin on October 06, 2017, 06:41:10 AM
Will this be Pet Sounds? F*ck no. Will it even be as good as LA? Definitely not. But Mike's touring band really kicks ass, so I'm looking forward to hearing an album with them as the instrumentalists. I don't think Mike is trying to make an artistic statement, just a fun album, as has always been his goal. To be honest, I think everyone is being too hard on this album before even hearing it as a whole.

 I will admit using the BBs logo is out of line, and seems to me to violate the rules BRI has in place.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: KDS on October 06, 2017, 06:44:22 AM
Will this be Pet Sounds? F*ck no. Will it even be as good as LA? Definitely not. But Mike's touring band really kicks ass, so I'm looking forward to hearing an album with them as the instrumentalists. I don't think Mike is trying to make an artistic statement, just a fun album, as has always been his goal. To be honest, I think everyone is being too hard on this album before even hearing it as a whole.

 I will admit using the BBs logo is out of line, and seems to me to violate the rules BRI has in place.

Im sure disc one will at least be a decent listen.  For a Mike product, if it's an enjoyable as BB85 or Still Cruisin, I'll enjoy it. 


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: NateRuvin on October 06, 2017, 06:47:04 AM
And to be honest, I don't think anything Mike is doing is damaging the image or legacy of the band. To the majority of people, The Beach Boys have always been a fun in the sun band (Just look at Endless  Summer or Sounds Of Summer which have done really well in sales). Mike doing DIA17 with Stamos, or blurring the lines between Mike Love and The Beach Boys doesn't really do anything at this point. Everyone knows them as the beach fun band. C50 cemented them as one of the alltime great rock bands for most people. And for (good) music fans, Pet Sounds and SMiLE (as well as 70's material) will define the band that we know and love. Mike has been doing his thing for nearly 20 years and the legacy of the band has stayed consistent. I think when the band members pass away, their legacy will grow as well. Pet Sounds and other masterpieces will be praised even more, and little things like DIA17 will be forgotten. Just like how no one remembers SIP (except for us hardcore fans), but you could go up to anyone on the street and ask them to sing God Only Knows, Good Vibrations, Surfin USA, California Girls, Barbara Ann, Wouldn't It Be Nice, etc...


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: KDS on October 06, 2017, 06:51:57 AM
And to be honest, I don't think anything Mike is doing is damaging the image or legacy of the band. To the majority of people, The Beach Boys have always been a fun in the sun band (Just look at Endless  Summer or Sounds Of Summer which have done really well in sales). Mike doing DIA17 with Stamos, or blurring the lines between Mike Love and The Beach Boys doesn't really do anything at this point. Everyone knows them as the beach fun band. C50 cemented them as one of the alltime great rock bands for most people. And for (good) music fans, Pet Sounds and SMiLE (as well as 70's material) will define the band that we know and love. Mike has been doing his thing for nearly 20 years and the legacy of the band has stayed consistent. I think when the band members pass away, their legacy will grow as well. Pet Sounds and other masterpieces will be praised even more, and little things like DIA17 will be forgotten. Just like how no one remembers SIP (except for us hardcore fans), but you could go up to anyone on the street and ask them to sing God Only Knows, Good Vibrations, Surfin USA, California Girls, Barbara Ann, Wouldn't It Be Nice, etc...

I agree.  Like any great band, the stuff that will ultimately be remembered was what happened in their prime. 


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on October 06, 2017, 08:06:18 AM
Posting this again in regards to the legacy talk above.

A few thoughts on the word “legacy” after reading continuous talk of this elsewhere.

And before anyone reads this and feels like I’m beating a dead horse, it’s just clarification of my own thoughts (mostly for my own benefit and for anyone else interested)...if anyone is tired of debate on this I totally understand: you don’t have to respond with muppet’s quotes or anything...as I said, this is mostly me thinking out loud to make sure I’m thinking about this correctly.

I’d just like to clarify the definition of “legacy” as I think there are some glaring misconceptions about the word. “Legacy” does not just mean that the music will always be there and will always hold up. Legacy is also all the baggage that is carried along with the music. Legacy includes thoughts, feelings, and memories about the entity in question...when you think about The Beach Boys do you have positive thoughts? Positive feelings? Good memories?

With The Beach Boys yeah, mostly all of the above. Do the last three decades of embarrassing antics hurt the 60s/70s music catalogue? Of course not, that music is solidified in time as some of the greatest ever made. Do the last three decades of embarrassing antics hurt the image of the band? Yes.

You see this when a music journalist writes about this band - they usually mention the fractious history of the band in their interviews. You can see this even on the official Beach Boys Facebook page in the comments of the DIA song post that mostly everyone hates. The public reads these articles and comments and their perception of band is altered.

As KDS mentioned yesterday, the Beatles quit after a decade - they didn’t record disco, they didn’t go on sitcom shows, they didn’t have a nasty reunion breakup. They didn’t have these things so their legacy is one of the brightest stars in the sky. But therein proves my point: the actions made by The Beach Boys over the past few decades have altered how bright their star is in the sky...the disco track, the sitcom appearances, etc have all added up the tackiness that is now part of the image of this band....ie part of their legacy.

When we think of The Beatles, we also think of Yoko Ono breaking up the band. That thought will be forever cemented with their legacy. See what I’m getting at? It’s not just the great music but the events that stand out. They could be good events or bad events, but each go hand in hand with the legacy.

The music is safe, and maybe that’s all some fans care about. Others of us care about the group that Brian, Mike, Carl, Dennis, Al, David, Bruce, Blondie, Ricky, belonged to at one point or another. This band is a device that created culture, created introspection, gave people dreams. The music of course is what we listen to and love, but the culture of this band goes right along with the music. And when the image of that band is tarnished time and time again, people remember that when they think of the music (like the Axl Rose example someone made above).

These embarrassing antics don’t effect our enjoyment of the past music, they effect our perception on the vessel that gave us that music. And to some of us, that part of the legacy is almost as important as the music itself.

^this was regarding his embarrassing performance on national television which got a ton of negative feedback on social media (point being: some things Mike does these days do add droplets to the bucket of things people remember about the band he is allowed to tour under).

But I don’t at all think that a cover album by Mike would have an impact on the legacy of the band - firstly, very few people are going to buy this. Secondly, as far as I know, he won’t be hawking this on broadcast tv on a major holiday. So I can’t see this album itself having a negative impact on much of anything.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Jim V. on October 06, 2017, 08:09:19 AM
I've always thought a better solo track for Mike to fly into TWGMTR in 2012 would have been "Too Cruel" with Al on lead

Gotta disagree with you there. Although I think "Too Cruel" is a good song by Mike's standards, in the form it'll likely be in on this upcoming album, it's way super Jason Mraz-y or Jack Johnson-y or whatever they were playing in the Gap from like 1998 through 2003, and I don't think it would fit in on a Beach Boys album.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on October 06, 2017, 08:18:02 AM
I've always thought a better solo track for Mike to fly into TWGMTR in 2012 would have been "Too Cruel" with Al on lead

Gotta disagree with you there. Although I think "Too Cruel" is a good song by Mike's standards, in the form it'll likely be in on this upcoming album, it's way super Jason Mraz-y or Jack Johnson-y or whatever they were playing in the Gap from like 1998 through 2003, and I don't think it would fit in on a Beach Boys album.

Yeah, I was thinking more the song than the arrangement or production. It's a good key for Al. If they had re-recorded it with more straight-forward instrumentation and without the sampled electronic drum beat interludes, etc., I think that would have been preferable.

In its 2004 form, it indeed would have stuck out like sore thumb on TWGMTR. But then again, "Daybreak...." stuck out production-wise too, even with overdubbed BB backing vocals punched in.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on October 06, 2017, 08:30:31 AM
The 2004 stuff floating around tended to consist of:

1. Unleash The Love
2. Cool Head, Warm Heart
3. Anything For You
4. Pisces Brothers                  
5. Everyone’s In Love With You
6. 10,000 Years
7. Glow Crescent Glow (aka "Love Like in Fairytales")
8. Too Cruel (featuring Christian Love)
9. Brian’s Back
10. I Don’t Wanna Know (featuring Christian Love)
11. Love Foundation
12. Daybreak Over the Ocean
13. Only One World


I didn't include the '68 recording of McCartney, et al. singing "Happy Birthday Mike Love"; that was never going to be on an actual album.

So what is and isn't included on the new album? I'm talking songs and not recordings, because it's unclear if he wholesale re-recorded everything or if he used elements of those 2000s recordings.

For sure, the new album carries over:

Unleash The Love
Cool Head, Warm Heart
Pisces Brothers                  
10,000 Years
Too Cruel (presumably now with Mike singing the lead?)
I Don't Wanna Know (presumably now with Mike singing the lead?)
Daybreak Over the Ocean
Brian’s Back (on the second disc)


These tracks on the new album may also be reconfigured from the 2004 collection:

Crescent Moon (could this be "Glow Crescent Glow" aka "Love Like in Fairytales", the latter title was used on an ESQ CD)
Only One Earth (very similar title to "Only One World")


I don't remember the lyrics too well from those 2004 tracks, so I don't know if the lyrics in those suggest any of the other "new" 2017 tracks are based on those.

We know "Everyone's In Love With You" is missing for sure; a bit surprising considering Mike added it back to the setlist back in the 2000s presumably based on having recently re-recorded it back circa 2004-ish.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: phirnis on October 06, 2017, 08:30:42 AM
Unleash the LOL. The only thing missing from this set is a remake of Rockin' the Man in the Boat.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Ang Jones on October 06, 2017, 08:39:57 AM
Van Dyke Parks expressed an opinion on Twitter.

"Unleash Mike? Fine. But get your rabies shots in the whole hood. Take yer dog to the bank. If he leaves a deposit, take paws."


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on October 06, 2017, 08:43:06 AM
See, Mike could have *blown everyone's mind* by collaborating with VDP on this new album.....


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: mtaber on October 06, 2017, 08:48:14 AM
This release will serve as inspiration for numerous untalented aspiring musicians the world over - "if MIKE can do it, SO CAN I!!!"


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Jim V. on October 06, 2017, 08:49:51 AM
Will this be Pet Sounds? F*ck no. Will it even be as good as LA? Definitely not. But Mike's touring band really kicks ass, so I'm looking forward to hearing an album with them as the instrumentalists. I don't think Mike is trying to make an artistic statement, just a fun album, as has always been his goal. To be honest, I think everyone is being too hard on this album before even hearing it as a whole.

Hey there Nate, like you I'm actually somewhat *excited* to hear this album. But I gotta say, I'm pretty sure that if Mike's guys are on the album, for the most part they'll only be on the second disc, maybe with appearances on the (likely recently recorded) "Getcha Back" and maybe "Dehra Dun" or whatever that other new tune is called. For the rest, there is likely to be a lot of Adrian Baker and Christian Love as I'm pretty sure a larger chunk of this stuff is dated from his 2003 or so sessions.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on October 06, 2017, 08:50:16 AM


But I don’t at all think that a cover album by Mike would have an impact on the legacy of the band - firstly, very few people are going to buy this. Secondly, as far as I know, he won’t be hawking this on broadcast tv on a major holiday. So I can’t see this album itself having a negative impact on much of anything.

Both Thanksgiving and The Hollywood Christmas Parade are coming up in a scant few months, don't count out Mike and his management just yet. I wouldn't be surprised if a parade float hasn't been commissioned already so Mike can roll down some major city street lip-syncing "OUR new single" just behind the Accu-Weather team from Channel 5.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on October 06, 2017, 08:51:15 AM
See, Mike could have *blown everyone's mind* by collaborating with VDP on this new album.....

Hell would freeze over before Van Dyke Parks collaborated with Mike.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on October 06, 2017, 08:54:41 AM
This release will serve as inspiration for numerous untalented aspiring musicians the world over - "if MIKE can do it, SO CAN I!!!"

It didn't work with the Do It Again Stamos-McGrath debacle...unless there has been an uptick in middle-aged hacks with expensive haircuts doing DIY videos miming to autotuned classic rock cover songs in front of hotel bedsheets.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on October 06, 2017, 08:55:32 AM
Worth noting is that it appears Mike is actually putting this album out through "The End Records", which is an independent label acquired last year by BMG.

Someone more entrenched in the industry can correct me if I'm wrong or partially wrong.

He's listed in the label's roster of artists:

http://theendrecords.com/artists/

And of course the new song uploaded on SoundCloud is on that label's page.

So it's a bit weird that the press release for the album only mentions BMG. I would presume they're trying to make it sound more prestigious than saying it's coming out via "The End Records."


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on October 06, 2017, 08:57:27 AM
See, Mike could have *blown everyone's mind* by collaborating with VDP on this new album.....

Hell would freeze over before Van Dyke Parks collaborated with Mike.

It was of course not a serious suggestion.

I'd say VDP would be more likely to accept an offer from Mike than Mike would be to accept an offer/pitch from VDP.

I'd love to see it, if for no other reason than the fact that VDP's story from the "SIP" sessions about being confronted 25 years later about the same "Cabinessence" lyrics, along with being stiffed for the cost of a private plane ride, is among my favorite hilarious BB-related stories.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on October 06, 2017, 09:01:58 AM
Also worth mentioning is that the new album is coming out from the same parent company as Mike's book. Bertelsmann owns the "Penguin Group", under which the book's publisher "Blue Rider Press" operates. Bertelsmann also owns BMG, who in turn owns the label putting the album out, "The End Records."

No conspiracy theories or anything, but it might help explain *how* he scored a record deal.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on October 06, 2017, 09:06:17 AM
They need a reality show with Mike and VDP making an album! >:D


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on October 06, 2017, 09:09:25 AM
Also worth mentioning is that the new album is coming out from the same parent company as Mike's book. Bertelsmann owns the "Penguin Group", under which the book's publisher "Blue Rider Press" operates. Bertelsmann also owns BMG, who in turn owns the label putting the album out, "The End Records."

No conspiracy theories or anything, but it might help explain *how* he scored a record deal.

It's not a conspiracy theory at all, it's just the way management and business is run and seeing the connections and give-and-take deals. Just like knowing Mike Love and Mark McGrath share the same management, it makes more sense how they ended up together on a BB remake and subsequent appearances promoting it.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on October 06, 2017, 09:17:40 AM
Also worth mentioning is that the new album is coming out from the same parent company as Mike's book. Bertelsmann owns the "Penguin Group", under which the book's publisher "Blue Rider Press" operates. Bertelsmann also owns BMG, who in turn owns the label putting the album out, "The End Records."

No conspiracy theories or anything, but it might help explain *how* he scored a record deal.

It's not a conspiracy theory at all, it's just the way management and business is run and seeing the connections and give-and-take deals. Just like knowing Mike Love and Mark McGrath share the same management, it makes more sense how they ended up together on a BB remake and subsequent appearances promoting it.

It's definitely common, increasingly so with the well-known consolidation of media conglomerates and all of that. Hence my mentioning "no conspiracy theories" in my previous post, as I didn't want anyone to think I felt I had uncovered some secret corporate agenda. It just *may* help to explain how Mike finally got a record label, even if only an indie attached to a big conglomerate, to sign on for his album after all these years; it may not be coincidental that he first had to sell the company some copies of an autobiography before they'd follow through with putting an album of his out. In turn, they can then of course cross-promote both.

I hate to be so fixated on the logo thing, but does anybody here think there wouldn't have been bloody murder being screamed if, say, Al had stuck a big sticker on his "Live in Las Vegas" album in 2001 with the Dean Torrence-designed ubiquitous "Beach Boys" logo?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: The Lovester on October 06, 2017, 10:23:29 AM
They need a reality show with Mike and VDP making an album! >:D
For once I'll agree with you, that would be pretty funny :lol


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: CenturyDeprived on October 06, 2017, 10:25:55 AM


I hate to be so fixated on the logo thing, but does anybody here think there wouldn't have been bloody murder being screamed if, say, Al had stuck a big sticker on his "Live in Las Vegas" album in 2001 with the Dean Torrence-designed ubiquitous "Beach Boys" logo?

It's really quite simple. I have zero doubt that the reason Mike feels legitimized by doing so (and not letting anyone else do so) is that he thinks HE is the Beach Boys, that he deserves different treatment than everyone else, and that it's only ok for him to do this.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on October 06, 2017, 10:27:22 AM
They need a reality show with Mike and VDP making an album! >:D
For once I'll agree with you, that would be pretty funny :lol
It would be quite the grudge match! :lol


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Pretty Funky on October 06, 2017, 11:06:03 AM


I hate to be so fixated on the logo thing, but does anybody here think there wouldn't have been bloody murder being screamed if, say, Al had stuck a big sticker on his "Live in Las Vegas" album in 2001 with the Dean Torrence-designed ubiquitous "Beach Boys" logo?

It's really quite simple. I have zero doubt that the reason Mike feels legitimized by doing so (and not letting anyone else do so) is that he thinks HE is the Beach Boys, that he deserves different treatment than everyone else, and that it's only ok for him to do this.

From Mikes own lawsuit against The Mail on Sunday.

35. Because Mike Love has long been recognized as the face and voice of today’s Beach Boys, BRI has granted Mike Love the exclusive license to use The Beach Boys trademark to perform as The Beach Boys.


Without reading the rest of it, it would seem the trademark can only be used when his group performs as The Beach Boys, not solo recordings.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Emdeeh on October 06, 2017, 11:40:29 AM
Enjoy the potential sequel album ideas in this story:
http://www.citypages.com/music/15-albums-mike-love-needs-to-unleash-after-unleash-the-love/449680963

I noticed the photo of the album in this article does not have the blue circle with the BB logo at the bottom of it, so I suspect the blue circle is actually a sticker.

Edit: Here's the image link:
http://stmedia.startribune.com/images/ctyp_unleashed.jpg


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on October 06, 2017, 11:53:37 AM


I hate to be so fixated on the logo thing, but does anybody here think there wouldn't have been bloody murder being screamed if, say, Al had stuck a big sticker on his "Live in Las Vegas" album in 2001 with the Dean Torrence-designed ubiquitous "Beach Boys" logo?

It's really quite simple. I have zero doubt that the reason Mike feels legitimized by doing so (and not letting anyone else do so) is that he thinks HE is the Beach Boys, that he deserves different treatment than everyone else, and that it's only ok for him to do this.

From Mikes own lawsuit against The Mail on Sunday.

35. Because Mike Love has long been recognized as the face and voice of today’s Beach Boys, BRI has granted Mike Love the exclusive license to use The Beach Boys trademark to perform as The Beach Boys.


Without reading the rest of it, it would seem the trademark can only be used when his group performs as The Beach Boys, not solo recordings.

I agree with all you guys, HJ, CD, etc...I also think one of the core issues is and has been for a very long time that Mike thinks he IS The Beach Boys and wants everyone to agree with him. Most of the kerfuffles and lawsuits and all the other garbage we've seen unfold since 1997 has centered around that core issue. And I do also think that C50 which saw fans around the world cheering *the band* with original members together on stage as well as ol' Brian sitting at the piano versus Mike strutting around and in his eyes "working hard" getting bigger applause from those crowds really shook him up, disturbed his preconceptions of why fans come to these shows.

And I also share the opinion that if Al or even Brian pasted that damn logo on one of their releases, the line of cars full of lawyers, paralegals, and process servers delivering C&D orders, subpoenas, and other assorted legal filings would extend up the mountain roads of both Big Sur and Beverly Hills in a scene that would rival the ending of "Field Of Dreams" :

(http://www.ejumpcut.org/archive/jc52.2010/RobsonBaseball/pix/Field6.jpg)


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on October 06, 2017, 12:00:45 PM
The 2005 lawsuit was the legal version of why Mike thinks he is the BBs.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on October 06, 2017, 12:12:30 PM
Enjoy the potential sequel album ideas in this story:
http://www.citypages.com/music/15-albums-mike-love-needs-to-unleash-after-unleash-the-love/449680963

I noticed the photo of the album in this article does not have the blue circle with the BB logo at the bottom of it, so I suspect the blue circle is actually a sticker.

For sure; I've been saying since the first picture that it's a sticker. It's surely meant for the same purpose as the sticker on Al's 2012 version of "Postcards" that I posted earlier in this thread. The difference is that the BB name is featured prominently, and it uses the BRI-owned actual logo.

Putting that Dean Torrence logo on a package connotes a BRI-sanctioned and Beach Boys-approved piece of merchandise in my opinion, and this Mike album has *nothing* to do with BRI or the Beach Boys on a corporate level. Mike no doubt has to pay BRI a cut of any merch at his shows featuring the BB logo/name. Will he do the same with his solo album?

I was going to say that surely some Brian CD cover stickers also have the BB name somewhere. It's a bit more of a challenge to find pics of the stickers on CD covers; so you have to seek out a bunch of old eBay auctions and the like.

His NPP album from 2015 doesn't even mention the BBs at all:

(http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/oZcAAOSwA3dYVzz9/s-l1600.jpg)

"That Lucky Old Sun" has no mention either:

(https://www.picclickimg.com/d/l400/pict/292118339397_/Brian-Wilson-That-Lucky-Old-Sun-Cd-New.jpg)

"Love at the Roxy?" Nope.

(http://images.eil.com/large_image/BRIAN_WILSON_LIVE%2BAT%2BTHE%2BROXY%2BTHEATRE-481024.jpg)

The 2004 "Smile" does mention the BB name, which is appropriate considering it's a re-imagining of a BB project. And it makes it clear it's a new solo version:

(http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/qfEAAOSwAxJZz8~5/s-l1600.jpg)

The Gershwin albums mentions he's a co-founder of the BBs, but the album is obviously a solo product with no BB songs:

(http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/SBYAAOSwm8VUrX5L/s-l1600.jpg)

There are surely other examples of both scenarios, but in any event, Brian has never used the BB logo, and never used the BB logo attached to a CD of re-recordings of BB tracks. The closest he ever came to that scenario was the "Mail on Sunday" freebie CD that did have some solo BB songs with the BB name, some old pics, but no BB logo. And oh yeah, Mike sued Brian over it.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on October 06, 2017, 12:15:52 PM
Quick. Someone mock up an LL Cool J cover with a sticker on it that says "This album has absolutely nothing to do with...." followed by the Dean Torrence-designed BB logo.

That would be no different from what Mike's doing.

If someone is aware of an internal agreement among BRI members that they can all use the BB logo to promote their solo work, I'd be fascinated to find out. Considering Brian and Al as recently as the last few years have supposedly been harangued about even advertising that they are Beach Boys when doing their solo shows (no sign of a BB logo anywhere), I tend to doubt such a thing would be allowed.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on October 06, 2017, 12:29:27 PM
Go to Rolling Stone's Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/RollingStone/ (https://www.facebook.com/RollingStone/)

Scroll down to find their link to Mike's release, and read through the comments posted so far. If changing minds is one of the goals of all these activities and PR, Mike and his people have a steep uphill climb ahead.

But remember, all the negativity is the fault of this forum... ;D


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: blueeyedtreefrog on October 06, 2017, 01:15:18 PM

[/quote]

It was of course not a serious suggestion.

I'd say VDP would be more likely to accept an offer from Mike than Mike would be to accept an offer/pitch from VDP.

I'd love to see it, if for no other reason than the fact that VDP's story from the "SIP" sessions about being confronted 25 years later about the same "Cabinessence" lyrics, along with being stiffed for the cost of a private plane ride, is among my favorite hilarious BB-related stories.
[/quote]

I don't know this one, but it sounds funny. Now I am sooo curious! Could anyone explain what happened? Thank you!


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: MikestheGreatest!! on October 06, 2017, 01:57:58 PM

What store is actually going to carry this? I don't see physical copies of this existing anywhere beyond his website and Amazon.

Well, I have yet to se an actual physical copy of Sunshine Tomorrow in any record store or department yet, and I've been in quite a few.  Surprisingly so, I might add....

As for the re-records, well Brian's "Smile" (more like a faux-Smile to me) album was basically a re-record job.  No I don't care much for those, regardless of which BB does it.  But the first disk of this set appears to be a rather useful compendium of many unofficially released tracks in one spot.  Having said that, I doubt I buy it.  Just too much old stuff, previously released or not....


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on October 06, 2017, 02:13:43 PM

As for the re-records, well Brian's "Smile" (more like a faux-Smile to me) album was basically a re-record job.  No I don't care much for those, regardless of which BB does it.  But the first disk of this set appears to be a rather useful compendium of many unofficially released tracks in one spot.  Having said that, I doubt I buy it.  Just too much old stuff, previously released or not....

It's pretty silly to compare Mike re-recording "California Girls" and "Help Me Rhonda" and tracks like that to Brian finishing "Smile" in 2004. Equating Mike re-recording "Fun Fun Fun" to Brian's 2004 "Smile" is pretty much troll activity as far as I'm concerned.

As if "Song for Children" and "Roll Plymouth Rock" were song titles on there to entice baby boomers at Beach Boys shows who toss the beach balls around. A number of the songs on the 2004 "Smile" had never been released.

There was actual craft and composition involved in Brian finishing "Smile." Whether you like it or not.

If we're going to start counting the first release of a song that is actually a re-recording of an old unreleased song, then BOTH discs on Mike's new album feature mostly re-recordings.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on October 06, 2017, 02:33:51 PM

As for the re-records, well Brian's "Smile" (more like a faux-Smile to me) album was basically a re-record job.  No I don't care much for those, regardless of which BB does it.  But the first disk of this set appears to be a rather useful compendium of many unofficially released tracks in one spot.  Having said that, I doubt I buy it.  Just too much old stuff, previously released or not....

It's pretty silly to compare Mike re-recording "California Girls" and "Help Me Rhonda" and tracks like that to Brian finishing "Smile" in 2004. Equating Mike re-recording "Fun Fun Fun" to Brian's 2004 "Smile" is pretty much troll activity as far as I'm concerned.

As if "Song for Children" and "Roll Plymouth Rock" were song titles on there to entice baby boomers at Beach Boys shows who toss the beach balls around. A number of the songs on the 2004 "Smile" had never been re-recorded.

There was actual craft and composition involved in Brian finishing "Smile." Whether you like it or not.

If we're going to start counting the first release of a song that is actually a re-recording of an old unreleased song, then BOTH discs on Mike's new album feature mostly re-recordings.

Nearly everything in his post history is troll activity. He’d probably have a better time at the Mike coddled Pet Sounds Forum.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on October 06, 2017, 02:46:47 PM
Rab, that’s a five wooter! :woot :woot :woot :woot :woot


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Wata on October 06, 2017, 05:07:40 PM
Does Mike have the right to sell his CD with the logo of the Beach Boys? Is there any possibility that he'll get sued?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on October 06, 2017, 05:53:37 PM
Does Mike have the right to sell his CD with the logo of the Beach Boys? Is there any possibility that he'll get sued?

I’m really not sure if there are grounds for a lawsuit with this. But if there are, I’d venture to bet that no one in BRI, outside of Mike, is wanting to kickstart a headache of a lawsuit that will last years, take money, further deepen the divide between these guys, and ultimately not go anywhere. Mike seems to be the only guy willing to do this kind of sh*t (as he has proven) the others seem a bit more grown up about this kind of stuff.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Pretty Funky on October 06, 2017, 06:06:36 PM
Semi complete amazon page.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07667GM1W/ref=as_li_ss_tl?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1507265349&sr=1-3&keywords=mike+love&refinements=p_n_date:1249114011&linkCode=sl1&tag=thesecdis-20&linkId=fc06e1399ae2e482e02a0c08094d4f41


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: The_Beach on October 06, 2017, 06:46:35 PM
I am excited to here mikes new solo album. It's gonna be great as long as it is not auto tuned!


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: mtaber on October 06, 2017, 07:58:29 PM
Mike releasing this album could only be topped by Rocky Pamplin getting his book released...


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on October 06, 2017, 09:03:40 PM
Where is rocky? ;D


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Hickory Violet Part IV on October 07, 2017, 12:47:09 AM
I am excited to here mikes new solo album. It's gonna be great as long as it is not auto tuned!

Life is full of crushing disappointments.  It's how you deal with them that counts.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on October 07, 2017, 01:33:51 AM
I am excited to here mikes new solo album. It's gonna be great as long as it is not auto tuned!

The title track has already been released and it's swimming in autotune.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Hickory Violet Part IV on October 07, 2017, 02:12:48 AM
I am excited to here mikes new solo album. It's gonna be great as long as it is not auto tuned!

The title track has already been released and it's swimming in autotune.

It is voluminously vari-pitched, it has been much melodyned and tremendously T-Pained. It has also been lathered in 'life after love'


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Cabinessenceking on October 07, 2017, 04:38:31 AM
Life is full of disappointments, Mike Love being one of them.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: thorgil on October 07, 2017, 06:03:02 AM
Hear the title track here: https://soundcloud.com/theendrecords/mike-love-unleash-the-love/s-t7WXN
OMGG. Beyond awful, and this has nothing to do with the history and politics of the Beach Boys, or me being a "Brianista". And what's the matter with Mike's voice? Is that the effect of some tons of autotune, or what?
Thanks for the link, however. :)



Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Wata on October 07, 2017, 06:17:43 AM
Does Mike have the right to sell his CD with the logo of the Beach Boys? Is there any possibility that he'll get sued?

I’m really not sure if there are grounds for a lawsuit with this. But if there are, I’d venture to bet that no one in BRI, outside of Mike, is wanting to kickstart a headache of a lawsuit that will last years, take money, further deepen the divide between these guys, and ultimately not go anywhere. Mike seems to be the only guy willing to do this kind of sh*t (as he has proven) the others seem a bit more grown up about this kind of stuff.
Agreed. Overall, the idea of Beach Boys logo on solo album is ridiculous, and it's kind of devalue the stuff himself as 'just an imitation of the public image of the Beach Boys'. It doesn't do justice to his own material, which probably means that he didn't put much soul this time.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Wata on October 07, 2017, 06:23:29 AM
That said, I have pretty much expectation to this album. I somehow know that it will interest me a little bit more than TWGMTR and NPP. (I know I'm in the extreme minority)

I thought 'Unleash the Love' was quite good compared to Mike's 'summer! fun!' stuff around 80's, though his vocals are in a very poor form.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: The LEGENDARY OSD on October 07, 2017, 08:11:46 AM

"Unleash The Hate". the Hoffman board has deleted the" UTL" thread which, of course, and deservedly so, became embroiled in a myKe luHv hate fest with the usual  ML apologists and fanboys getting their panties in a twist. Just another example of how polarizing this buffoon has made himself to be and I can only hope he knows about it whether he cares or not.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: wilsonart1 on October 07, 2017, 10:07:21 AM
Told neighbor about new M. Love issue and his reply was so fitting.  "sh*t The Bed"


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on October 07, 2017, 10:55:15 AM

"Unleash The Hate". the Hoffman board has deleted the" UTL" thread which, of course, and deservedly so, became embroiled in a myKe luHv hate fest with the usual  ML apologists and fanboys getting their panties in a twist. Just another example of how polarizing this buffoon has made himself to be and I can only hope he knows about it whether he cares or not.

No surprise there. I'm amazed the Hoffman folks haven't learned the lesson from when they had to shut down at least two threads over there when that same crew started talking sh*t about this board and having a circle jerk about how great it was to be reunited. I'm surprised Peaches & Herb wasn't playing in the background.

But anyway, yeah - No surprise there. Maybe people will learn who or what is the real "toxic" element in all of this mess.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on October 07, 2017, 11:01:03 AM
And add to all this the comments posted to RS on Facebook, and other sites...it gets bad when the negative to positive ratio of comments starts hitting 98 to 2 or something.

I think some of the reactions may have been less intense had Mike not pasted that goofy fucking logo on the cover and let his own work stand on its own. And also, have just a disc of his music and leave the Beach Boys remakes for USB thumb drive freebies where they belong, short of locked in a vault.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on October 07, 2017, 11:09:31 AM
I’m really hoping that Mark McGrath will get another guest spot with Mike on the album...preferably yelling “Do it!” during the chorus of ‘Kiss Me Baby’


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on October 07, 2017, 11:10:29 AM
I’m really hoping that Mark McGrath will get another guest spot with Mike on the album...preferably yelling “Do it!” during the chorus of ‘Kiss Me Baby’

I was hoping for a McGrath "DO IT!!!" cameo on Pisces Brothers.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: the captain on October 07, 2017, 11:10:52 AM
Enjoy the potential sequel album ideas in this story:
http://www.citypages.com/music/15-albums-mike-love-needs-to-unleash-after-unleash-the-love/449680963



Makes me proud to be a Minneapolitan.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: lastofmykind on October 07, 2017, 11:20:34 AM
I talked to some one inside the Mike Love camp today who confirmed that Mike recorded lead vocals for Too Cruel and I Don't Wanna Know.  I for one am highly disappointed that he took Christian's vocals off both songs. 


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on October 07, 2017, 11:22:51 AM
I’m really hoping that Mark McGrath will get another guest spot with Mike on the album...preferably yelling “Do it!” during the chorus of ‘Kiss Me Baby’

I was hoping for a McGrath "DO IT!!!" cameo on Pisces Brothers.

The only song where a McGrath cameo makes the song better :lol


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on October 07, 2017, 11:30:56 AM
I’m really hoping that Mark McGrath will get another guest spot with Mike on the album...preferably yelling “Do it!” during the chorus of ‘Kiss Me Baby’

I was hoping for a McGrath "DO IT!!!" cameo on Pisces Brothers.

The only song where a McGrath cameo makes the song better :lol

Haha, true! But it's still galling how Mike and his producers and managers fail to see how having McGrath yell "DO IT!" on one of the coolest singles of all time isn't the same as me going to the Philadelphia Art Museum and chucking water balloons filled with white paint at the Impressionist masterworks.

So I wonder how Mike would digest hearing his "masterpiece" defaced by Mark McGrath yelling and grunting throughout the song. "Hare Krishna...DO IT!...gonna miss ya...Unnhhh, LETS DO IT..."


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on October 07, 2017, 11:33:34 AM
This song has been floating around YouTube for years.  And, it doesn't seem to conform to the Mike-"style" that is generally attributed to him.  It is more lyrical in nature, "telling a story" and truly a "snapshot" captured of a more spiritual experience that became a commonality for many of that era's musicians, looking "beyond and outside of themselves" but which, according to an interview of Olivia Harrison, after George died, left a lifelong change in lifestyle, which, George carried to his death.  She reported that George meditated more, as he was in Hospice, and that his exit from life, was more accepted as peaceful. 

This whole Eastern mysticism was perceived as a whole new way of looking at life, throughout the Western world, as a means of looking inward, and in a detached (from material goods) manner, brought to the masses via the translation in the Beatles' music and to a certain, perhaps lesser extent, the Beach Boys, and other high profile actors, etc. gave the Eastern philosophy perspective a "voice" with their music, and the use of the sitar. 

This song isn't "news" per se because it has been around for about 10 years, but has a certain "official dedication" in a timely fashion, to George Harrison, whose absence is no less felt, alongside John Lennon, and the departed Beach Boys, Dennis and Carl.  And, in a certain sense, John Lennon's death was as incongruous as Dennis' drowning.  And Carl's death seems analogous to George's; lung to brain cancer.   

I guess Mike had a story inside himself to tell that isn't an easy one to put into words, that took shape in that song.  But it is, I find a "snapshot," of an era and influences that won't be duplicated, and oddly the TM thing is being carried forward, as a vehicle to make schools less violent in the States.  Especially schools, where there are metal detectors at the door, a sign of kids coming from homes where guns and violence are just part of their lives.  Mike got that award, in part, as a result of the social conscience that the music world acquired from Eastern influences, grounded in a difference in perspective from Western thinking.  And the encouragement of tolerance.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on October 07, 2017, 11:37:17 AM
"LET'S DO IT AGAIN! UNNNH...DO IT AGAIN! DO IT! DO IT!" 

Genius, right there.

Put that together with Pisces Brothers, and the genius factor would be so strong it would be lethal.



Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on October 07, 2017, 11:50:48 AM
This song has been floating around YouTube for years.  And, it doesn't seem to conform to the Mike-"style" that is generally attributed to him.  It is more lyrical in nature, "telling a story" and truly a "snapshot" captured of a more spiritual experience that became a commonality for many of that era's musicians, looking "beyond and outside of themselves" but which, according to an interview of Olivia Harrison, after George died, left a lifelong change in lifestyle, which, George carried to his death.  She reported that George meditated more, as he was in Hospice, and that his exit from life, was more accepted as peaceful. 

This whole Eastern mysticism was perceived as a whole new way of looking at life, throughout the Western world, as a means of looking inward, and in a detached (from material goods) manner, brought to the masses via the translation in the Beatles' music and to a certain, perhaps lesser extent, the Beach Boys, and other high profile actors, etc. gave the Eastern philosophy perspective a "voice" with their music, and the use of the sitar. 

This song isn't "news" per se because it has been around for about 10 years, but has a certain "official dedication" in a timely fashion, to George Harrison, whose absence is no less felt, alongside John Lennon, and the departed Beach Boys, Dennis and Carl.  And, in a certain sense, John Lennon's death was as incongruous as Dennis' drowning.  And Carl's death seems analogous to George's; lung to brain cancer.   

I guess Mike had a story inside himself to tell that isn't an easy one to put into words, that took shape in that song.  But it is, I find a "snapshot," of an era and influences that won't be duplicated, and oddly the TM thing is being carried forward, as a vehicle to make schools less violent in the States.  Especially schools, where there are metal detectors at the door, a sign of kids coming from homes where guns and violence are just part of their lives.  Mike got that award, in part, as a result of the social conscience that the music world acquired from Eastern influences, grounded in a difference in perspective from Western thinking.  And the encouragement of tolerance.

Thank you “guitar fool” for this “throwback” in time. In all seriousness, this is a great throwback to what nightmarish depths the Kokodopes will go to put Mike on a pedestal. I mean, the “encouragement of tolerance” from the guy who wrote/approved some of the most appalling bullshit about Brian in the 2005 lawsuit - not to mention Al during that same timeframe?

To be fair to Mike, he hasn’t really said a peep negatively about Brian recently and I give him props for that. Seems like he finally realized that his words do have an effect on how people look at him...hopefully the trend continues. But to write that “encouraging tolerance” sh*t in 2014 during the prime era of sh*t-talking about Brian via Mike is hysterical.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on October 07, 2017, 12:27:46 PM
Happy “Saturday” rab and GF. :beer


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on October 07, 2017, 02:18:26 PM
Cheers, SB! :beer


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: the captain on October 07, 2017, 02:27:45 PM
Let's not steal my schtick, folks.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on October 07, 2017, 02:31:03 PM
Imitation is the sincerist form of flattery... :hat


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: the captain on October 07, 2017, 02:41:43 PM
That won’t work in this situation. Take it one more degree... Come on!


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on October 07, 2017, 02:48:07 PM
Well give us a faux-Filleplage post from the “master”!


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on October 07, 2017, 02:53:30 PM
Let's not steal my schtick, folks.

:lol the record number of quotation marks in that filledeplague post warranted a bit of emergency satire on my part. I hand the torch honorably back to you.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Bill30022 on October 07, 2017, 08:01:29 PM

What store is actually going to carry this? I don't see physical copies of this existing anywhere beyond his website and Amazon.

Well, I have yet to se an actual physical copy of Sunshine Tomorrow in any record store or department yet, and I've been in quite a few.  Surprisingly so, I might add....

As for the re-records, well Brian's "Smile" (more like a faux-Smile to me) album was basically a re-record job.  No I don't care much for those, regardless of which BB does it.  But the first disk of this set appears to be a rather useful compendium of many unofficially released tracks in one spot.  Having said that, I doubt I buy it.  Just too much old stuff, previously released or not....

I can’t resist because BWPS, even with its imperfections (primarily that there is only one BB on it), is my favorite album.

BWPS is SmILE because Brian said it was.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Bill30022 on October 07, 2017, 08:36:22 PM
BRI won’t sue because this will not generate enough revenue to warrant a suit.

Crap like this (the remakes) more sad than anything else. Mike does have an admirable legacy but his quest to be put on par with BW makes him a modern day Salieri.

As for the press release. Was it written by the same person who called ‘Endless Summer’ a Mike Love inspired concept album?

Mike was neither “the lead vocalist” nor the “chief lyricist” of The Beach Boys.

A less kind person would point out that when Brian felt there was something important to say lyrically or to be sung he would opt for someone’s other than Mike Love for the lyrics or lead vocals.

I would be remiss if I did not point out that the least interesting component of a song co-written (certainly after 1963) or sung by Mike Love were Mike Love’s contributions.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Hickory Violet Part IV on October 08, 2017, 12:07:45 AM
Mike does have an admirable legacy but his quest to be put on par with BW makes him a modern day Salieri.


I'm sure Mike would be the first to agree with that ananogy as Salieri is one of the most unfairly maligned figures in music (thanks to some contemporaneous unfounded whispers and a fairly recent play/movie)

In the real world Mozart and Salieri got on just fine.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on October 08, 2017, 11:46:41 AM
BRI won’t sue because this will not generate enough revenue to warrant a suit.

Crap like this (the remakes) more sad than anything else. Mike does have an admirable legacy but his quest to be put on par with BW makes him a modern day Salieri.

As for the press release. Was it written by the same person who called ‘Endless Summer’ a Mike Love inspired concept album?

Mike was neither “the lead vocalist” nor the “chief lyricist” of The Beach Boys.

A less kind person would point out that when Brian felt there was something important to say lyrically or to be sung he would opt for someone’s other than Mike Love for the lyrics or lead vocals.

I would be remiss if I did not point out that the least interesting component of a song co-written (certainly after 1963) or sung by Mike Love were Mike Love’s contributions.


Nice post - Agreed 100%. And about Smile too.

Trying to say Mike was the lead vocalist or chief lyricist of the BB's is as much bullshit as it would be to assign such titles to either Lennon or McCartney, it excludes and ignores how the band really worked. But being in this warped fandom where people from flacks to historians to average fans can distort facts and history as they see fit and get mad when challenged by the actual facts, it's no surprise to see this stuff on official press releases coming from Mike's people.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on October 08, 2017, 12:43:28 PM
Just on that topic, take an informal poll of which 5 Beach Boys songs are their most well-known as of 2017, or 10 songs for that matter, and calculate on how many of those was Mike either the "lead vocalist" versus part of a shared lead between Mike-Brian and later Carl and Al and the group blend, and on how many of those Mike was "chief lyricist" versus collabs with Brian, Christian, Usher, Asher, Parks...et al especially on the 60's "classic" era hits.

The fact that this nonsense keeps getting published and shared just boggles the mind, and it's just as frustrating to see those who will stoop to any depths of eschewing common knowledge to defend this crap, and things like Mike producing the Endless Summer comp. What a messed up scene all of this can really be.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: marcusb on October 09, 2017, 06:15:59 AM
I have no idea how BRI works, or how the deal with the use of the BB name works, but is it possible that BRI is OK with using the BB logo on this release and that Brian, Al and the estates of Dennis/Carl will get money for the use of it?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on October 09, 2017, 07:57:10 AM
I have no idea how BRI works, or how the deal with the use of the BB name works, but is it possible that BRI is OK with using the BB logo on this release and that Brian, Al and the estates of Dennis/Carl will get money for the use of it?

As to the latter, I highly, highly doubt that BRI is getting a piece of Mike's solo album.

To be clear, there's no problem with Mike using the BB *name* on the sticker. As Al and Brian have done (though ironically sometimes with some pushback), any of the members can say they are Beach Boys, or former Beach Boys, or co-founding members of the Beach Boys, etc.

It's the use of the actual logo that would be potentially an issue, as it's a BRI-owned trademark. But as with all such things, BRI would have to take action. So, much like I would imagine Brian and Al were mulling over options in the aftermath of C50 regarding Mike's license but ultimately did nothing, it may well be that while some BRI members aren't a fan of Mike of using the BB logo on a sticker for his new solo album, they may not take any legal action due to any number of reasons (e.g. "it's not worth the hassle/cost").

I would hope that the other BRI members, rather than launching a suit, would just shoot off an e-mail or phone call to Mike or his representatives and/or the record label and kindly and politely ask them to remove the sticker. It would be an easy fix. And warranted, considering not only is he using the BRI-owned logo, but is using the logo in conjunction with a disc full of "Beach Boys Songs", making the whole thing even murkier.

Outside of any of these scenarios, it's not impossible that they all have some sort of legal agreement among BRI members that they can use the BB logo to promote their solo stuff. I *very highly* doubt this considering Brian and Al (individually and collectively) have been harangued in recent years simply for saying they are members of the Beach Boys in promotional materials for live shows, without using any logos, etc.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on October 09, 2017, 08:06:11 AM
BRI won’t sue because this will not generate enough revenue to warrant a suit.

BRI not perusing this won't be particularly because they won't see revenue. It would most likely not be pursued because it will *cost* them money. Non-revenue versus cost is a fine point to be sure, but I think the point in enforcing stuff like this is often to prevent it from happening in the future, and/or being escalated. Every lawsuit isn't necessarily specifically or directly a *revenue-generating* lawsuit.

The idea being, what if Mike puts the BB logo right on the front cover of his next CD? He might say "BRI didn't do anything when I used the logo last time."

As I also mentioned in another post, BRI could at least attempt a simple *ask* of Mike and his label rather than suing. They could easily remove stickers from manufactured copies (assuming they've already been manufactured).

(I'm also very aware that we don't actually know for sure that the pic of the sticker is actually what the final product will look like.)


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on October 09, 2017, 08:15:39 AM
Just on that topic, take an informal poll of which 5 Beach Boys songs are their most well-known as of 2017, or 10 songs for that matter, and calculate on how many of those was Mike either the "lead vocalist" versus part of a shared lead between Mike-Brian and later Carl and Al and the group blend, and on how many of those Mike was "chief lyricist" versus collabs with Brian, Christian, Usher, Asher, Parks...et al especially on the 60's "classic" era hits.

The fact that this nonsense keeps getting published and shared just boggles the mind, and it's just as frustrating to see those who will stoop to any depths of eschewing common knowledge to defend this crap, and things like Mike producing the Endless Summer comp. What a messed up scene all of this can really be.

No takers?  :)

Put this into the Mike h8 thread as another example of the facts being stubborn and getting in the way of a good PR shill based on something less than the facts (i.e. 'truth'). It takes a few shakes of a lambs tail to disprove and debunk most of this crap that gets spewed in the name of either shilling for Mike's latest ventures or "setting the record straight". But it's a fun exercise.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Love Thang on October 10, 2017, 05:20:47 PM
This guy is a true piece of garbage. After listening to bits of this musical queef, I cast serious doubt on his contribution to any of the BB songs.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on October 10, 2017, 07:03:19 PM
After listening to bits of this musical queef

(http://replygif.net/i/378.gif)


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on October 11, 2017, 02:17:52 PM
Article on Mike (among others) from The Guardian:

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/oct/11/from-mick-jagger-to-mike-love-all-hail-the-money-grabbing-men-of-rock

I think the premise of the article, as it pertains to Mike, is pretty much totally wrong, and it seems to come from the author's lack of deep familiarity with the history of Mike and the BBs. To suggest a band "needs" someone who is a "money grabber", when that "someone" often squeezes others out of the band, is absolutely asinine. Ask Al Jardine how well *that* worked out for him. When prominent members of bands are "money grabbers", they often if not usually are doing so *for themselves*, not the band or brand.

Anyway, that's not the main point I wanted to hone on in. As it pertains to Mike's upcoming album, this article is interesting because it highlights that the "lack of excitement" concerning the album on social media turned to "open mockery."

I'm not sure why this guy writing the article thinks it's primarily Mike being a "money grabber" that has led to this mockery, as opposed to the myriad of his words and deeds (and his past scant solo efforts and BB efforts helmed by him). Not to mention the album's title, and artwork, and guest list, and tracklisting......

But I just found it interesting, as I've largely stayed way from "social media" opinions on Mike's new album, that the lack of enthusiasm for Mike's album is evident even to more mainstream, non-hardcore fandom.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Hickory Violet Part IV on October 11, 2017, 03:01:23 PM
But I did quite like the line "Mike Love, naturally, is the ultimate Mike Love and he is widely despised for it"


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on October 11, 2017, 03:05:25 PM
This is as close Heyjude will get angry! ;D

But seriously, this is a wacky article that ranks with Iain Lee's.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: CenturyDeprived on October 11, 2017, 03:34:16 PM
Article on Mike (among others) from The Guardian:

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/oct/11/from-mick-jagger-to-mike-love-all-hail-the-money-grabbing-men-of-rock

I think the premise of the article, as it pertains to Mike, is pretty much totally wrong, and it seems to come from the author's lack of deep familiarity with the history of Mike and the BBs. To suggest a band "needs" someone who is a "money grabber", when that "someone" often squeezes others out of the band, is absolutely asinine. Ask Al Jardine how well *that* worked out for him. When prominent members of bands are "money grabbers", they often if not usually are doing so *for themselves*, not the band or brand.

Anyway, that's not the main point I wanted to hone on in. As it pertains to Mike's upcoming album, this article is interesting because it highlights that the "lack of excitement" concerning the album on social media turned to "open mockery."

I'm not sure why this guy writing the article thinks it's primarily Mike being a "money grabber" that has led to this mockery, as opposed to the myriad of his words and deeds (and his past scant solo efforts and BB efforts helmed by him). Not to mention the album's title, and artwork, and guest list, and tracklisting......

But I just found it interesting, as I've largely stayed way from "social media" opinions on Mike's new album, that the lack of enthusiasm for Mike's album is evident even to more mainstream, non-hardcore fandom.

That article, to me, reads like a semi-transparent puff peace organized by Mike's publicist, to try and gently nudge the needle in Mike's favor, by comparing him to Roger Waters, etc. (with a few not-so-nice things said about Mike in order to throw the reader off the track of what/who I think is behind the article in actuality, IMHO).

The one big difference between Mike and the guys the article seeks to compare him to (the businessmen of the various bands) is that those bands, by and large, didn't suffer creatively due to their businessmens' wishes nearly in the way that this band did/does. The idea of a band member being business-minded isn't necessarily a bad thing in and of itself. Whether or not Mike verbatim said the formula comment is besides the point; it's obvious it was implied by Mike's actions, even if he denies it.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on October 11, 2017, 03:35:26 PM
Mike is like the used car salesmen of classic rock bands....


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Lonely Summer on October 11, 2017, 11:06:46 PM
I don't get why people are opposed to an album of re-records. That's basically what we expect the guys to do every time they're on stage - relive past glories. Might as well have an album of the current band playing the songs they play every night.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: mikeyj on October 12, 2017, 01:19:08 AM
Does anyone else think it strange that on the record label website on the page for Unleash the Love it has the following quote:

Quote
"Trio unveil "organic and perfect and fantastic" rendition of 1968 Beach Boys single" - Rolling Stone

And yet when you go to the original source (http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/watch-mike-love-john-stamos-mark-mcgraths-do-it-again-video-w493041) the "organic and perfect and fantastic" quote is from Mike himself...


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Dudd on October 12, 2017, 02:18:47 AM
Lol. Only from Mike Love.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on October 12, 2017, 05:19:31 AM
:lol I can’t think of too many other artists who would stoop to that level.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: marcusb on October 12, 2017, 05:36:05 AM

As to the latter, I highly, highly doubt that BRI is getting a piece of Mike's solo album.


I don't mean they'll get a piece of the album, but rather, maybe Mike/the record label paid a fee to BRI for the use of the logo and this is all legitimate.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on October 12, 2017, 06:29:09 AM

As to the latter, I highly, highly doubt that BRI is getting a piece of Mike's solo album.


I don't mean they'll get a piece of the album, but rather, maybe Mike/the record label paid a fee to BRI for the use of the logo and this is all legitimate.

Anything of course is possible, but again, I highly doubt it. I think, however unfortunately "hands off" Brian and Carl's estate have been over the years concerning Mike's license to use the name to tour, a *clear line* has always been drawn between using the name to tour and using the name in any way in relation to recorded albums/releases.

If they start "selling" the use of the logo/name for some sort of limited purpose, it just opens the door to more confusion and more needless capitalization on the band's trademark. Considering both Brian and Al have been the targets of lawsuits concerning various uses of the names and logos and trademarks and all of that, I highly doubt they'd just sign off on taking a cash payout to let Mike throw the BB logo on his solo CD. And again, it would also set a bad precedent.

I think it's more likely Mike and his label just *did it* rather than actually going through the BRI corporation and negotiating a fee. My total guess is they'd just bank on the other BRI members not seeing it as worth the headache to pursue this.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: The LEGENDARY OSD on October 12, 2017, 06:52:02 AM
Mike is like the used car salesmen of classic rock bands....
:lol :lol :lol :lol  Now there's a fitting subject for a myKe luHv article seeing that he's a clown and a huckster. Yeah, that's the ticket, the luHvster's a huckster!


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on October 12, 2017, 11:54:43 AM
Now OSD is a rapper! :lol


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Pretty Funky on October 12, 2017, 12:09:00 PM
Mike is like the used car salesmen of classic rock bands....

Actually, the same writer hit the nail on the head reviewing the C50 IMO.

‘It doesn't really matter that four of them look as if they are on their way to the golf club, while Love – in an extraordinary silver and black paisley tuxedo and Beach Boys baseball cap – looks like he is off to a strip club:’

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/sep/30/beach-boys-review


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on October 12, 2017, 12:49:42 PM
It's even more bizarre that a writer who wrote about and seemingly *understands* the BB naming/license situation and understood the downside to how C50 ended, could then advocate that the band as a whole needed the "money grabbing" aspect of Mike's personality. That aspect of Mike seems to be one of the driving forces behind Al's 1998 ouster and the demise of the reunion in 2012.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Pretty Funky on October 24, 2017, 09:11:13 AM
https://mobile.twitter.com/MikeLoveOFCL/status/922556377897283584

25 clips in 25 days from Mikes new album.

OSD and Add Some in 3...2...1.. Kaboom! 😤



Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Wirestone on October 24, 2017, 12:13:43 PM
https://mobile.twitter.com/MikeLoveOFCL/status/922556377897283584

25 clips in 25 days from Mikes new album.

OSD and Add Some in 3...2...1.. Kaboom! 😤



He's writing notes about the creation of each song. George Takei voice: "Oh my."


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: JK on October 24, 2017, 12:28:45 PM
I don't get why people are opposed to an album of re-records. That's basically what we expect the guys to do every time they're on stage - relive past glories. Might as well have an album of the current band playing the songs they play every night.

Exactly! If the Beach Boys record nothing else ever again, collectively or individually, the picture will still be complete. This was the missing piece of the puzzle.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on October 24, 2017, 12:36:40 PM
Wait, so the picture was complete, yet an additional album of cover versions is also a missing piece of the puzzle? Even though Mike has already released multiple albums of re-recorded BB songs?

Geez people, this isn't rocket science. It all but the most unique of circumstances, re-recording cover versions of your own stuff is generally less well-regarded because it lacks creativity and seems like a cash grab. Even the good ones that sound spot-on like Jeff Lynne's ELO re-recordings from a few years ago, an album that I love, I'll also admit was a total crash grab and devoid of any creativity.

Any artist bundling an entire disc of re-recorded greatest hits with their first album of new material in 36 years is going to come across as a case of not having faith in their *new* stuff, and/or going for a cash grab, and/or not being able to find a label that would put their new stuff out on its own.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on October 24, 2017, 12:39:46 PM
Based on Mike's notes, it appears "All the Love in Paris" is a co-write with Paul Fauerso.

As for the song, like a number of songs before it, it kind of rips on "Don't Worry Baby/Belles of Paris", and so on. Sounds pretty bland musically, and the autotune being cranked to 11 doesn't help either. Far more egregious autotune than even the most extreme examples from TWGMTR.

Without hearing the rest of the song, I'm thinking maybe a sound sample from one of the verses instead of the repetitive chorus might have made the song sound less tedious.



Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: The LEGENDARY OSD on October 24, 2017, 12:55:30 PM

Unleash The Hypocrisy  ::) ::) ::)





Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on October 24, 2017, 02:08:33 PM
A new interview/article with Mike discussing the album:

https://www.southbendtribune.com/entertainment/inthebend/music/mike-love-has-a-cool-head-warm-heart-on-new/article_7a2ad772-197a-584c-a293-3a98a559be09.html

The writer of the article tries to position Mike's album as a response to the current presidential administration, which is laughable considering Mike's own stated views on that subject. You can see in the interview that even when the writer is trying his hardest to paint Mike in a sympathetic light in this regard, Mike tries to walk back any specific implication that his songs are meant as an indictment on the current specific administration.

Also amusingly disappointing (if such a thing is possible), but not surprising, is Mike's attitude when asked about archival releases. Long story short, he clearly doesn't care much about them. He's willing to patronize fans if they're into it, but he clearly is more interested in touring.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on October 24, 2017, 02:22:37 PM
Unleash the OSD! >:D


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: wilsonart1 on October 24, 2017, 02:38:22 PM
Is time for Ben Vaugh Quintet to re-release Ben"s Prayer..A/K/A Kill .......Love?   Sure it's still on utube.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Debbie KL on October 24, 2017, 03:26:40 PM
Enjoying the humor...not quite up to listening to the audio clips...but, it sounds like it's what I'd expect.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: The LEGENDARY OSD on October 24, 2017, 04:20:12 PM
Is time for Ben Vaugh Quintet to re-release Ben"s Prayer..A/K/A Kill .......Love?   Sure it's still on utube.

Just listened to it once again with great pleasure. Thanks for the reminder, WA! C'mon, Deb, listen and enjoy Vaughn's ode to the toad.  >:D


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on October 24, 2017, 06:32:36 PM
A new interview/article with Mike discussing the album:

https://www.southbendtribune.com/entertainment/inthebend/music/mike-love-has-a-cool-head-warm-heart-on-new/article_7a2ad772-197a-584c-a293-3a98a559be09.html


Quote:

The Beach Boys’ frontman and standard-bearer has fond recollections of recording “Wild Honey,” most of which was done in a studio the band installed in Brian Wilson’s house.

“It was at Brian’s, the studio we put in Brian’s home because he was going through some ups and downs, mentally and emotionally,” Love says, “and it was more or less necessary to create a studio environment in his home so that he wouldn’t be subject to all the things going on around The Beach Boys at the time.”

Revisionist bullshit.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Mr. Wilson on October 24, 2017, 09:02:43 PM
BULLSHIT i agree.. ML always has to bring up BW ups + downs.. No matter how he words it its negative.. for a guy that meditates and is involved with spiritual matters  ML is more  depressed  than BW ever was.. ML re writes the legacy like a politican..


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Pretty Funky on October 24, 2017, 09:34:09 PM
To be fair, although I don’t have a copy of the Endless Harmony DVD handy, didn’t both Carl and Al say something similar? Happy to be corrected.


Edit. Not a happy period.

http://www.laweekly.com/music/brian-wilsons-secret-bedroom-tapes-4392791


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Lonely Summer on October 24, 2017, 11:24:26 PM
Wait, so the picture was complete, yet an additional album of cover versions is also a missing piece of the puzzle? Even though Mike has already released multiple albums of re-recorded BB songs?

Geez people, this isn't rocket science. It all but the most unique of circumstances, re-recording cover versions of your own stuff is generally less well-regarded because it lacks creativity and seems like a cash grab. Even the good ones that sound spot-on like Jeff Lynne's ELO re-recordings from a few years ago, an album that I love, I'll also admit was a total crash grab and devoid of any creativity.

Any artist bundling an entire disc of re-recorded greatest hits with their first album of new material in 36 years is going to come across as a case of not having faith in their *new* stuff, and/or going for a cash grab, and/or not being able to find a label that would put their new stuff out on its own.
So does that mean that any artist touring mostly on the strength of their old material does not have faith in their new material? I mean, isn't that what we all praise Brian for, doing the old songs live year after year, instead of playing NPP and TLOS songs?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Zargo on October 25, 2017, 12:27:14 AM
Is that Bruce on the "Do it again" snippet? Hard to tell, sounds a bit like him.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on October 25, 2017, 06:17:45 AM
Wait, so the picture was complete, yet an additional album of cover versions is also a missing piece of the puzzle? Even though Mike has already released multiple albums of re-recorded BB songs?

Geez people, this isn't rocket science. It all but the most unique of circumstances, re-recording cover versions of your own stuff is generally less well-regarded because it lacks creativity and seems like a cash grab. Even the good ones that sound spot-on like Jeff Lynne's ELO re-recordings from a few years ago, an album that I love, I'll also admit was a total crash grab and devoid of any creativity.

Any artist bundling an entire disc of re-recorded greatest hits with their first album of new material in 36 years is going to come across as a case of not having faith in their *new* stuff, and/or going for a cash grab, and/or not being able to find a label that would put their new stuff out on its own.
So does that mean that any artist touring mostly on the strength of their old material does not have faith in their new material? I mean, isn't that what we all praise Brian for, doing the old songs live year after year, instead of playing NPP and TLOS songs?

You're conflating a concert tour with a "new album." Very different things. People like McCartney (or even Ringo Starr) continue to produce new albums of new material. Brian's albums aren't packaged with a full disc of re-recorded Beach Boys hits. McCartney doesn't do this either. A re-recording here and there happens (and Brian was rightly, in my opinion, criticized for wasting space on "Imagination" with two BB re-recordings), but an entire album full of BB re-recordings tacked on to a new album is going to be ripe for criticism, and it isn't *at all* the same as how these artists program their setlists.

Though, it's ironic you mentioned TLOS, because Brian actually did perform *the entire* TLOS album on the corresponding TLOS tour.

I'm not sure why people try to lump Brian in with Mike on this "riding on past glories" thing. Any artist from that era with *that many* hits is going to focus on that material when they tour. But not only has Brian aired a ton more *new* solo material in concert than Mike, he has put out many, many more albums of new material. Meanwhile, Mike put out re-recordings and then, when he finally got around to doing a new album of new material, still bundled it with yet *more* re-recordings.

Mike bundling his new album with a full album of remakes tells me:

1. He and/or his label don't have a ton of faith in his "new" material to let it stand on its own.

2. He and/or his label are going for a cash grab by capitalizing on the hits.

3. He and/or his label are happy to subtly conflate "Mike Love" and "The Beach Boys" by prominently featuring the BB name (and possibly the logo on a shrinkwrap sticker) in promotions for the album, mixing solo and BB songs on the CD set, promoting Mike's "Beach Boys" tour in promotional blurbs for his new solo album, and in turn promoting his solo album via "Beach Boys" concerts.

4. Mike's label possibly needed a CD of BB classics to be sold on putting out a Mike Love solo album.

5. Mike himself, even in the moment he puts out a solo album of new material, still hones in on those same old BB hits that are his bread and butter. He doesn't appear to be interested in being taken more seriously as a "solo" artist.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on October 25, 2017, 06:19:18 AM
Is that Bruce on the "Do it again" snippet? Hard to tell, sounds a bit like him.

I don't know for sure if Bruce is on any of the tracks, but in general I think it's fascinating that Bruce seems to rarely participate in Mike's solo recordings, further emphasizing their weird Johnny Carson/Ed McMahon relationship of touring together constantly and otherwise rarely seeming interested in having anything to do with each other.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: NateRuvin on October 25, 2017, 06:38:17 AM
Based on what I've heard, these songs aren't bad. They aren't great, but they aren't bad. They are however, unlistenable.

The heavy autotune just sucks the life out of these songs, which would be enjoyable otherwise.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on October 25, 2017, 06:41:21 AM
Based on what I've heard, these songs aren't bad. They aren't great, but they aren't bad. They are however, unlistenable.

The heavy autotune just sucks the life out of these songs, which would be enjoyable otherwise.

From everything I've heard so far, those circa 2004 recordings breathe a lot more and sound far less grating on the ears.

I think, from a production standpoint, maybe Mike should have stuck with Paul Fauerso instead of going to Michael Lloyd. Lloyd has introduced sonic muck and uber-autotune into the mix (literally).


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on October 25, 2017, 06:44:35 AM
Unleash the Muck! :lol

But seriously, well reasoned points from Jude on this solo album.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: NateRuvin on October 25, 2017, 07:06:01 AM
I'm 99% sure I can hear Bruce on the "Dit, dit, did-i-dit" part of Do It Again.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on October 25, 2017, 07:48:58 AM
I'm 99% sure I can hear Bruce on the "Dit, dit, did-i-dit" part of Do It Again.

Can't say for sure, and I really just don't want to listen to the song again to find out. But in general, Bruce in the past has not participated in many of Mike's solo sessions, which on the surface seems quite odd (but once you know their deal, isn't surprising). I don't hear him much if at all on the 2004 recordings (which seem to be a lot of Christian Love and Adrian Baker). Similarly, the "Salutes NASCAR" album also sounds mostly like Mike and Adrian Baker.

Some photos of Mike's sessions over the last few years have been posted online, and they usually tend to show Stamos and Foskett (and perhaps Totten?), but I've never seen Bruce.

Again, no indication how much he's on this stuff. But I don't think Bruce is joined at the hip in the studio with Mike the way he is on tour.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on October 25, 2017, 07:57:48 AM
Listened to the "Getcha Back" clip. There isn't a lot of lead vocal in the excerpt, but Mike's voice still sounds horribly robotic.

This is making even Mike's leads on the C50 live album sound like a warm analog natural recording in comparison.

Is Mike's voice really in *that* bad a shape that Michael Lloyd had to crank the autotune? I would tend to think not. It's really, really distracting.

I'm starting to wonder if Mike actually held onto "Melinda's secret autotune device" and decided to use it on everything.

Also noticing that in both of the samples released so far, the backing vocals surprisingly have that anonymous "Looking Back with Love" sound. Super anonymous-sounding vocalists. Yes, I can hear Foskett on the high part on "Getcha Back", but for better and worse, so far it doesn't sound like a stack of Fosketts. Rather, it sounds like the backing vocals on LBWL, or the non-BB layers on the disco remake of "Here Comes the Night."


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Matt H on October 25, 2017, 08:36:34 AM
In the snippet it shows the Love You album cover.  I thought that was odd.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on October 25, 2017, 09:04:08 AM
A new interview/article with Mike discussing the album:

https://www.southbendtribune.com/entertainment/inthebend/music/mike-love-has-a-cool-head-warm-heart-on-new/article_7a2ad772-197a-584c-a293-3a98a559be09.html


Quote:

The Beach Boys’ frontman and standard-bearer has fond recollections of recording “Wild Honey,” most of which was done in a studio the band installed in Brian Wilson’s house.

“It was at Brian’s, the studio we put in Brian’s home because he was going through some ups and downs, mentally and emotionally,” Love says, “and it was more or less necessary to create a studio environment in his home so that he wouldn’t be subject to all the things going on around The Beach Boys at the time.”

Revisionist bullshit.

To be fair, although I don’t have a copy of the Endless Harmony DVD handy, didn’t both Carl and Al say something similar? Happy to be corrected.


Edit. Not a happy period.

http://www.laweekly.com/music/brian-wilsons-secret-bedroom-tapes-4392791

I stand by my description "revisionist bullshit" about Mike's comment. The "bedroom tapes" period is after 1967, after Wild Honey and even after Friends. Chidester's article isn't relevant to what Mike is commenting on.

There are numerous comments on the record and published dating back to Summer 1967 how and why the home studio was put into Brian's then-new house.

Briefly: The common thread in many of them is that Brian since early '67 was having a harder time booking the studios he wanted to book. Another common thread I've seen from at least two people directly involved was that Nick Grillo had the idea to get the studio to Brian so Brian wouldn't have to go to the studio. David Anderle said Brian was frustrated because he couldn't book the studios when he was hot to record, and was also having problems regarding the engineers.

Derek Taylor wrote nearly the same sentiments in July '67, Brian would want to book time and record when the inspiration struck, even on a whim with no notice, and he couldn't book the rooms he wanted.

Taylor also wrote in July '67:  "In one inspired decision, (Nick) Grillo and the Beach Boys were able to a. Make use of Brian Wilson's new house, b. restructure the attitude and atmosphere at recording sessions and c. remove the problem of availability of commercial studios. They built their own 8-track studio in the Spanish house."

Al Jardine - July 2000 interview - backed up that Grillo was behind the idea, but also mentioned a financial reason: "I'm trying to figure out how we went from United-Western and Columbia to Brian's living room. I'll have to ask [Steve] Desper, our engineer about that. It must have been a conception of his and Nick Grillo, our manager at the time. There must have been something related to costs. It was certainly costing an arm and a leg to record at these studios."

I cannot copy and paste (nor can I remember offhand) other quotes from those involved, but I do know the most prevailing "reason" was that Brian was frustrated by the lack of availability of his favorite studio rooms and was unable to book them when he wanted to record. So if it was Grillo, and I don't see any reasons given that it wasn't his idea as he was the manager at that time, they solved the availability issue and also got an engineer pretty much "on call" in the person of Jim Lockert who would be available specifically for the band and Brian when they wanted to record.

I did hear that Chuck Britz was offered that gig to be the band's on-call engineer but declined and instead personally recommended Jim Lockert who took the job. Lockert ended up doing Smiley Smile, traveled to Hawaii for the live recordings, and did Wild Honey. The "home studio" was not fully operational until the Friends album which is why Brian cut a lot of sessions at Wally Heider's then-new studio facilities at Selma and Cahuenga (prior to that Wally had mostly done gear rentals and remote/live recordings for his business, including Monterey Pop. The brick-and-mortar studio was new when Brian started cutting there, in fact Brian and the BB's were among Wally's first big clients at that facility).

So again - Mike proscribing the move to the home studio specific to Wild Honey to Brian's mental and emotional issues is revisionist bullshit.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Pretty Funky on October 25, 2017, 09:56:06 AM
Thanks for the clarification GF.

That whole period for Brian and the band must have been pretty f***ed up. While not to mock Brian or the way he worked, the concept of studios being available 24/7 on his whim sounds great in theory but surely unlikely in a business sense. Not to mention the band wanting to come down, again on a whim.

I’ll cut Mike a bit of slack here still. The question asked of him was specifically related to WH sure, but that whole period and the music recorded when and where is possibly a bit blurred.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: NateRuvin on October 25, 2017, 09:58:09 AM
Say what you will about Mike's voice, but look at any youtube clip of him performing in 2017, and you will know that his voice is still strong for his age and DOESN'T need that much autotune!


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on October 25, 2017, 09:59:59 AM
Say what you will about Mike's voice, but look at any youtube clip of him performing in 2017, and you will know that his voice is still strong for his age and DOESN'T need that much autotune!

I've seen as many clips to disagree with that opinion - if not more - than I have to agree with it. But I'll leave it at that. It's subjective.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on October 25, 2017, 10:13:52 AM
Thanks for the clarification GF.

That whole period for Brian and the band must have been pretty f***ed up. While not to mock Brian or the way he worked, the concept of studios being available 24/7 on his whim sounds great in theory but surely unlikely in a business sense. Not to mention the band wanting to come down, again on a whim.

I’ll cut Mike a bit of slack here still. The question asked of him was specifically related to WH sure, but that whole period and the music recorded when and where is possibly a bit blurred.

No problem! It just happens to be a topic where there are quite a few comments from people who were there at that time which don't back up Mike's opinion. I can't imagine Mike's recollections would be that hazy to not know the difference between Wild Honey and 1969, let's say.

For more related comments on how Brian worked during 1966-67, re-read the David Anderle-Paul Williams interviews. Anderle says Brian was full of creative ideas and an energy that was difficult to accommodate or keep up with for those working around him, in fact they were not able too. He'd get an idea in the middle of the night and want it done right away. That included getting studio time to record at all hours of the day, and obviously the operational issues of actually doing that when studios had to be booked as well as engineers could make it very difficult to accommodate him.

It's actually not much different from other stories I've heard related to other creative artists in other fields, they'd get ideas at all hours of the night and expect those around them to be ready to work on a whim. Heck, I even heard that the owner of a famous department store (at least in my area) would get ideas and start calling his executive team in the middle of the night, expecting them to wake up and come in to brainstorm some idea he got.

Also heard via Geoff Emerick that working during Sgt Pepper with the Beatles was similar. They wanted to record all night long until the sun came up, then start again the next day. And these guys had other sessions besides the Beatles, so there were weeks where they literally had no life outside The Beatles and recording. It wore them down, and it sounds just like what Brian was doing or wanting to do during the exact same period of time. It was hard to accommodate the Beatles' creativity and schedule which is why The Beatles eventually built their own studio(s) too.

I'd also point to a letter that surfaced at an auction, where Brian penned a letter to the maharishi asking him to get Mike back to LA so the band could work on the Friends album. So Mike had his own scheduling and personal issues going on that if the letter is any proof, and was affecting the band's recording schedule. Namely, he was meditating and studying when the band needed him to cut his vocals and work on their new album. Funny in an ironic sense that the band needed Brian so badly to work on WH that fall of '67 that they basically demanded he stop his outside work to produce them, and by early spring '68 it was Mike thousands of miles away in an ashram or something seemingly delaying the process of cutting new music to where Brian had to write to Mike's guru to try getting him back home to work.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on October 25, 2017, 10:14:22 AM
Say what you will about Mike's voice, but look at any youtube clip of him performing in 2017, and you will know that his voice is still strong for his age and DOESN'T need that much autotune!

Mike's voice is in overall decent shape *for a 76 year old guy touring all year, ever year.*

That is, his voice sometimes is okay, and sometimes is pretty ragged and raspy. If he'd not shred his voice by touring 150-175 shows per year, his voice would be in better shape.

His voice is in decent enough shape that, with proper work and enough takes (and perhaps even comping multiple takes, which I'm fine with and is nothing like autotune at all), and enough transposing songs into the right key, he could record new songs without resorting to autotune.

Here's what I'm guessing, and this is 100% a total guess: Let's assume for the sake of this particular discussion that Mike knows autotune is being used on his stuff. So we're setting aside the possibility that he leaves it *all* to Michael Lloyd and doesn't even pay any attention to that stuff. So, assuming he knows it's being used, here's my guess as to what has happened: Back in 2011 when he was recording with Brian and Joe Thomas, he hadn't been *seriously* recording a ton. He was doing random things here and there, and did have some stuff recorded back in the early 2000s (the original "Unleash the Love/Mike Love Not War" stuff), and had recorded some quickie remakes with Adrian Baker in the mid-late 90s.

But the TWGMTR sessions, even if Mike was only attending vocal sessions well after most of the backing tracks had been cut, were probably the most concentrated, voluminous series of recording sessions Mike had done in a number of years. Having not been knee-deep in the recording process himself anytime recently, he perhaps had the luxury of frowning upon autotune, complaining about it on C50, supposedly being unhappy with the C50 live album, and even throwing some passive aggressive shade towards Brian and Al's "The Right Time" regarding autotune (perhaps the most hypocritical move). But then, when Mike got down the nitty gritty and wasn't just d**king around in the studio on solo stuff in his spare time as he has been throughout the 2000s, but instead recording and finishing a full album (actually two full albums) for imminent release, all of a sudden autotune tempted Mike the same way it has tempted so many people in the industry (both old and young). It's a cheap, easy, lazy shortcut to remove imperfections, and it probably sounds to many like modern music, because so much modern music is using it too.

Even knowing how Mike is, I'm pretty surprised he threw out the "hopefully with no autotune, I'm sure it's good" comment about Brian and Al's "The Right Time" and then in quick order went on to heavily use autotune all over his solo stuff. I actually, believe it or not, cut Mike some slack on that diatribe of an "interview" Beard did with Mike regarding NPP and "The Right Time" back in 2015, because Mike even citing "autotune" at all absolutely *reeked* of someone, knowingly or unknowingly, feeding him information/gossip/talking points.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on October 25, 2017, 10:26:01 AM
*Part*, and I stress only *part* of the reason Mike might trot out some tired, since-proven-incorrect characterizations/generalizations of things like why they moved to recording at Brian's house, is that all of these guys (even Mike, who is always going on about how everybody else "wasn't there" and doesn't know the full story) have over the years let other journalists/fans/books/articles and even fellow band members color their memory.

I believe Mark Lewisohn has talked about this, about how even the Beatles themselves started remembering things incorrectly and would characterize them as they had been reported in subsequent years.

Mike surely sometimes just conflates all the post-1966/67 stuff together when it comes to Brian. Substance abuse, mental issues, a downturn on the charts, less collaborations, not touring with the band, etc. He clearly has little interest in the *musical* or *recording* history of the band based on his "meh, whatever" attitude about archival releases. The same would likely hold true when it comes to various aspects of the band's interpersonal history, and just general historical facts.

Now, the problem when Mike does this now is that he has burned through any benefit of the doubt because *on top* of any even partially understandable tics such as what is mentioned above, he also often has an axe to grind when it comes to Brian, seems to be super defensive, and seems stuck on portraying so much of everything about Brian negatively. He always takes any opportunity he can to remind people about Brian's mental and drug problems, and the Wilsons's drug and alcohol abuse.

So yeah, when, for instance, Al tells some old story that is actually a co-opted David Marks story or something, I cut him some slack because he has no axe to grind and it's just what people do sometimes; they conflate memories.

But when Mike portrays something that reflects negatively on Brian, even something slightly more innocuous like his apparent explanation for why the band moved to Brian's house to record, one is always left wondering if it's motivated by his insecurity in always either criticizing Brian or offering backhanded compliments.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: NateRuvin on October 25, 2017, 10:28:34 AM
I do agree that it's incredibly hypocritical that Mike talks sh*t about BW using autotune, and the whole thing with Melinda hooking up the devices, and then he goes and drenches his album in autotune, to the point where it barely even sounds like Mike Love!!


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Lonely Summer on October 25, 2017, 12:05:31 PM
Wait, so the picture was complete, yet an additional album of cover versions is also a missing piece of the puzzle? Even though Mike has already released multiple albums of re-recorded BB songs?

Geez people, this isn't rocket science. It all but the most unique of circumstances, re-recording cover versions of your own stuff is generally less well-regarded because it lacks creativity and seems like a cash grab. Even the good ones that sound spot-on like Jeff Lynne's ELO re-recordings from a few years ago, an album that I love, I'll also admit was a total crash grab and devoid of any creativity.

Any artist bundling an entire disc of re-recorded greatest hits with their first album of new material in 36 years is going to come across as a case of not having faith in their *new* stuff, and/or going for a cash grab, and/or not being able to find a label that would put their new stuff out on its own.
So does that mean that any artist touring mostly on the strength of their old material does not have faith in their new material? I mean, isn't that what we all praise Brian for, doing the old songs live year after year, instead of playing NPP and TLOS songs?

You're conflating a concert tour with a "new album." Very different things. People like McCartney (or even Ringo Starr) continue to produce new albums of new material. Brian's albums aren't packaged with a full disc of re-recorded Beach Boys hits. McCartney doesn't do this either. A re-recording here and there happens (and Brian was rightly, in my opinion, criticized for wasting space on "Imagination" with two BB re-recordings), but an entire album full of BB re-recordings tacked on to a new album is going to be ripe for criticism, and it isn't *at all* the same as how these artists program their setlists.

Though, it's ironic you mentioned TLOS, because Brian actually did perform *the entire* TLOS album on the corresponding TLOS tour.

I'm not sure why people try to lump Brian in with Mike on this "riding on past glories" thing. Any artist from that era with *that many* hits is going to focus on that material when they tour. But not only has Brian aired a ton more *new* solo material in concert than Mike, he has put out many, many more albums of new material. Meanwhile, Mike put out re-recordings and then, when he finally got around to doing a new album of new material, still bundled it with yet *more* re-recordings.

Mike bundling his new album with a full album of remakes tells me:

1. He and/or his label don't have a ton of faith in his "new" material to let it stand on its own.

2. He and/or his label are going for a cash grab by capitalizing on the hits.

3. He and/or his label are happy to subtly conflate "Mike Love" and "The Beach Boys" by prominently featuring the BB name (and possibly the logo on a shrinkwrap sticker) in promotions for the album, mixing solo and BB songs on the CD set, promoting Mike's "Beach Boys" tour in promotional blurbs for his new solo album, and in turn promoting his solo album via "Beach Boys" concerts.

4. Mike's label possibly needed a CD of BB classics to be sold on putting out a Mike Love solo album.

5. Mike himself, even in the moment he puts out a solo album of new material, still hones in on those same old BB hits that are his bread and butter. He doesn't appear to be interested in being taken more seriously as a "solo" artist.
I think it makes perfect sense to have the remakes on the album. Those old hits are what he's going to be singing till the day he dies. New album by veteran artists have a short shelf life these days. When was the last time Macca played anything from Off the Ground, Driving Rain, or Memory Almost Full? It is the Beatles and Wings stuff that people come to hear. Same with Brian. Sure, he has done a few special shows for things like TLOS, but when that is over, it is always back to the music from 1962-73. I guess it is good publicity for a tour to announce that Macca, Brian, Ringo, etc "is releasing a new studio album", but the general public doesn't care about the new music, they want the hits. Personally, I think it would be great if there was more support for these guys with their new music, but it's just not there. When classic hits/rock radio plays their music, it is the old stuff from the 60's and 70's that everyone remembers.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: KDS on October 25, 2017, 12:26:44 PM
Wait, so the picture was complete, yet an additional album of cover versions is also a missing piece of the puzzle? Even though Mike has already released multiple albums of re-recorded BB songs?

Geez people, this isn't rocket science. It all but the most unique of circumstances, re-recording cover versions of your own stuff is generally less well-regarded because it lacks creativity and seems like a cash grab. Even the good ones that sound spot-on like Jeff Lynne's ELO re-recordings from a few years ago, an album that I love, I'll also admit was a total crash grab and devoid of any creativity.

Any artist bundling an entire disc of re-recorded greatest hits with their first album of new material in 36 years is going to come across as a case of not having faith in their *new* stuff, and/or going for a cash grab, and/or not being able to find a label that would put their new stuff out on its own.
So does that mean that any artist touring mostly on the strength of their old material does not have faith in their new material? I mean, isn't that what we all praise Brian for, doing the old songs live year after year, instead of playing NPP and TLOS songs?

You're conflating a concert tour with a "new album." Very different things. People like McCartney (or even Ringo Starr) continue to produce new albums of new material. Brian's albums aren't packaged with a full disc of re-recorded Beach Boys hits. McCartney doesn't do this either. A re-recording here and there happens (and Brian was rightly, in my opinion, criticized for wasting space on "Imagination" with two BB re-recordings), but an entire album full of BB re-recordings tacked on to a new album is going to be ripe for criticism, and it isn't *at all* the same as how these artists program their setlists.

Though, it's ironic you mentioned TLOS, because Brian actually did perform *the entire* TLOS album on the corresponding TLOS tour.

I'm not sure why people try to lump Brian in with Mike on this "riding on past glories" thing. Any artist from that era with *that many* hits is going to focus on that material when they tour. But not only has Brian aired a ton more *new* solo material in concert than Mike, he has put out many, many more albums of new material. Meanwhile, Mike put out re-recordings and then, when he finally got around to doing a new album of new material, still bundled it with yet *more* re-recordings.

Mike bundling his new album with a full album of remakes tells me:

1. He and/or his label don't have a ton of faith in his "new" material to let it stand on its own.

2. He and/or his label are going for a cash grab by capitalizing on the hits.

3. He and/or his label are happy to subtly conflate "Mike Love" and "The Beach Boys" by prominently featuring the BB name (and possibly the logo on a shrinkwrap sticker) in promotions for the album, mixing solo and BB songs on the CD set, promoting Mike's "Beach Boys" tour in promotional blurbs for his new solo album, and in turn promoting his solo album via "Beach Boys" concerts.

4. Mike's label possibly needed a CD of BB classics to be sold on putting out a Mike Love solo album.

5. Mike himself, even in the moment he puts out a solo album of new material, still hones in on those same old BB hits that are his bread and butter. He doesn't appear to be interested in being taken more seriously as a "solo" artist.
I think it makes perfect sense to have the remakes on the album. Those old hits are what he's going to be singing till the day he dies. New album by veteran artists have a short shelf life these days. When was the last time Macca played anything from Off the Ground, Driving Rain, or Memory Almost Full? It is the Beatles and Wings stuff that people come to hear. Same with Brian. Sure, he has done a few special shows for things like TLOS, but when that is over, it is always back to the music from 1962-73. I guess it is good publicity for a tour to announce that Macca, Brian, Ringo, etc "is releasing a new studio album", but the general public doesn't care about the new music, they want the hits. Personally, I think it would be great if there was more support for these guys with their new music, but it's just not there. When classic hits/rock radio plays their music, it is the old stuff from the 60's and 70's that everyone remembers.

I think you're right about concert audiences.  For the most part, the majority of a crowd attending a show by a legacy artist wants to hear the classics.   

But, when it comes to new music, I think the fans who still buy the new stuff would prefer new originals as opposed to inferior remakes of the classics they love.   I'd even settle for covers of other artists' songs. 


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Peadar 'Big Dinner' O'Driscoll on October 25, 2017, 12:56:38 PM
Is time for Ben Vaugh Quintet to re-release Ben"s Prayer..A/K/A Kill .......Love?   Sure it's still on utube.

Did Ben Vaughn release that in some form or was it just a live track? cant find it on discogs.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on October 25, 2017, 01:21:17 PM
Wait, so the picture was complete, yet an additional album of cover versions is also a missing piece of the puzzle? Even though Mike has already released multiple albums of re-recorded BB songs?

Geez people, this isn't rocket science. It all but the most unique of circumstances, re-recording cover versions of your own stuff is generally less well-regarded because it lacks creativity and seems like a cash grab. Even the good ones that sound spot-on like Jeff Lynne's ELO re-recordings from a few years ago, an album that I love, I'll also admit was a total crash grab and devoid of any creativity.

Any artist bundling an entire disc of re-recorded greatest hits with their first album of new material in 36 years is going to come across as a case of not having faith in their *new* stuff, and/or going for a cash grab, and/or not being able to find a label that would put their new stuff out on its own.
So does that mean that any artist touring mostly on the strength of their old material does not have faith in their new material? I mean, isn't that what we all praise Brian for, doing the old songs live year after year, instead of playing NPP and TLOS songs?

You're conflating a concert tour with a "new album." Very different things. People like McCartney (or even Ringo Starr) continue to produce new albums of new material. Brian's albums aren't packaged with a full disc of re-recorded Beach Boys hits. McCartney doesn't do this either. A re-recording here and there happens (and Brian was rightly, in my opinion, criticized for wasting space on "Imagination" with two BB re-recordings), but an entire album full of BB re-recordings tacked on to a new album is going to be ripe for criticism, and it isn't *at all* the same as how these artists program their setlists.

Though, it's ironic you mentioned TLOS, because Brian actually did perform *the entire* TLOS album on the corresponding TLOS tour.

I'm not sure why people try to lump Brian in with Mike on this "riding on past glories" thing. Any artist from that era with *that many* hits is going to focus on that material when they tour. But not only has Brian aired a ton more *new* solo material in concert than Mike, he has put out many, many more albums of new material. Meanwhile, Mike put out re-recordings and then, when he finally got around to doing a new album of new material, still bundled it with yet *more* re-recordings.

Mike bundling his new album with a full album of remakes tells me:

1. He and/or his label don't have a ton of faith in his "new" material to let it stand on its own.

2. He and/or his label are going for a cash grab by capitalizing on the hits.

3. He and/or his label are happy to subtly conflate "Mike Love" and "The Beach Boys" by prominently featuring the BB name (and possibly the logo on a shrinkwrap sticker) in promotions for the album, mixing solo and BB songs on the CD set, promoting Mike's "Beach Boys" tour in promotional blurbs for his new solo album, and in turn promoting his solo album via "Beach Boys" concerts.

4. Mike's label possibly needed a CD of BB classics to be sold on putting out a Mike Love solo album.

5. Mike himself, even in the moment he puts out a solo album of new material, still hones in on those same old BB hits that are his bread and butter. He doesn't appear to be interested in being taken more seriously as a "solo" artist.
I think it makes perfect sense to have the remakes on the album. Those old hits are what he's going to be singing till the day he dies. New album by veteran artists have a short shelf life these days. When was the last time Macca played anything from Off the Ground, Driving Rain, or Memory Almost Full? It is the Beatles and Wings stuff that people come to hear. Same with Brian. Sure, he has done a few special shows for things like TLOS, but when that is over, it is always back to the music from 1962-73. I guess it is good publicity for a tour to announce that Macca, Brian, Ringo, etc "is releasing a new studio album", but the general public doesn't care about the new music, they want the hits. Personally, I think it would be great if there was more support for these guys with their new music, but it's just not there. When classic hits/rock radio plays their music, it is the old stuff from the 60's and 70's that everyone remembers.

You just made a perfectly understandable case for Mike continuing to do these songs in concert, not for re-recording them and bundling them with an album of new music.

Again, this is conflating live tours/setlists with "new" music/recordings.

Nobody is arguing against the idea that Mike (and Brian, and McCartney, and anybody with hits) is going to perform the "classics" in concert. The (valid) criticism comes into play when he unnecessarily re-records a full album of the songs. It's redundant, both because the original recordings are already there, and he's constantly touring and performing those songs, and someone can catch a modern Mike version of those songs that way.

Further, he's not simply doing an album of covers of his own stuff (as many artists have done, to mixed results in terms of quality and usually poor results in terms of originality), he's bundling that album with his album of new material (which far fewer artists do). He's not simply offering a freebie CD, or having a hits CD made available as a retailer exclusive or something. He's presenting his new album as a 2-disc experience and giving equal weight to both the "new" stuff and the re-treads. That shows a lack of confidence in the new material in numerous ways.

And it's new material that we're talking about here. You can't just bust into a conversation of the artistic merits of new material with a "nobody cares, they only care about the hits" argument, because when we're talking about new albums/songs/material, it's *obviously* implicit in that discussion that we're talking about fans who care about new material in the first place.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: tpesky on October 25, 2017, 05:03:11 PM
I find it sad that Mike would have no interest at all in listening to any of the archival releases or touting them.  I'm not saying he has to sell the album but you think he would more intrigued.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: acedecade75 on October 25, 2017, 05:40:52 PM
Listened to the "Getcha Back" clip. There isn't a lot of lead vocal in the excerpt, but Mike's voice still sounds horribly robotic.

This is making even Mike's leads on the C50 live album sound like a warm analog natural recording in comparison.

Is Mike's voice really in *that* bad a shape that Michael Lloyd had to crank the autotune? I would tend to think not. It's really, really distracting.

I'm starting to wonder if Mike actually held onto "Melinda's secret autotune device" and decided to use it on everything.

Also noticing that in both of the samples released so far, the backing vocals surprisingly have that anonymous "Looking Back with Love" sound. Super anonymous-sounding vocalists. Yes, I can hear Foskett on the high part on "Getcha Back", but for better and worse, so far it doesn't sound like a stack of Fosketts. Rather, it sounds like the backing vocals on LBWL, or the non-BB layers on the disco remake of "Here Comes the Night."

Where are you hearing the clips at?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Pretty Funky on October 25, 2017, 06:28:30 PM
https://mobile.twitter.com/MikeLoveOFCL/status/922556377897283584


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Rocker on October 26, 2017, 01:13:26 AM
In the snippet it shows the Love You album cover.  I thought that was odd.



Not so odd if you consider this - and beware: you won't like it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAmk-Wk2pNA


It's the Beach Boys' "That's why God made the radio" video only with Mike's new audio


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Matt H on October 26, 2017, 08:44:06 AM
In the snippet it shows the Love You album cover.  I thought that was odd.



Not so odd if you consider this - and beware: you won't like it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAmk-Wk2pNA


It's the Beach Boys' "That's why God made the radio" video only with Mike's new audio

That's right, it did seem familiar to me.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on October 26, 2017, 10:27:37 AM
In the snippet it shows the Love You album cover.  I thought that was odd.



Not so odd if you consider this - and beware: you won't like it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAmk-Wk2pNA


It's the Beach Boys' "That's why God made the radio" video only with Mike's new audio

That's right, it did seem familiar to me.

I had to piece this together to find it, but for anyone curious - It's the "Getcha Back" remake clip posted to Mike's twitter account, #2 in his series of 25.

And it's the TWGMTR video lifted from 2012 now with Mike's new remake audio on top.

I don't get it. Maybe Noven Jaisi was either unavailable to find some new stock footage to cut together for Mike, or he's just so busy with work on Mike's 25-day schtick that he's getting a little lazy on the job and recycling too much.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on October 26, 2017, 10:42:45 AM
I find it sad that Mike would have no interest at all in listening to any of the archival releases or touting them.  I'm not saying he has to sell the album but you think he would more intrigued.

I'm guessing a number of us are not surprised at Mike's lack of interest because we've seen it play out over and over again that this is how Mike is, there's no other way to spin it. He's not interested in the legacy as much as his own activities as the self-proclaimed "standard bearer" of the Beach Boys' legacy and brand name. The touring is all that matters, if comments like these recent ones are any insight.

I would also offer my own opinion that the more attention is focused on the actual legacy, as in the music as featured on Sunshine Tomorrow which Mike can add to his "Nope, I'm too busy touring and carrying the torch to have a listen..." inbox to occupy a place alongside No Pier Pressure, BW 88, BWPS, Love & Mercy, The Right Time single...etc...the *less* attention gets put on Mike as the leader and captain of the ship. Mike becomes a member of the team and not the captain, and I have to think after decades of seeing this kind of action and words from him, he doesn't dig that as much as projecting that he's in charge.

When people listen to Sunshine Tomorrow, there is no "frontman" in the form of Mike running the show especially on the album cuts. Mike is a role player, not the focal point or not even the driving force. I don't know why he won't embrace it more because Mike sounds GREAT on those WH tracks, his vocals are top-notch.

It's no wonder he'd rather tell his fanbase comprised mostly of people who don't know or don't care about 1967 to buy his new products with Stamos and McGrath and don't forget to order a new "Love" logo baseball cap too. Sunshine Tomorrow? What's that?

It is sad.

I'd also add if Mike is too busy to listen to the Beach Boys' latest archival release, which is THE REAL BEACH BOYS and the reason why Mike is wearing pinky rings worth more than the average man paying to see his band play makes in a year...I may not be alone in being "too busy" to listen to Mike's new recordings, and definitely too busy to drop my money into Mike's piggybank to hear him play live.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Mr. Wilson on October 26, 2017, 10:59:18 AM
Very well said.. And i really like the last paragraph.thx


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on October 26, 2017, 12:14:31 PM
In that infamous 1992 Goldmine interview with Mike, it starts out with the interviewer asking Mike about the then-recent Capitol two-fers, remarking how great they were. Mike seems to not know anything about them. The interviewer finds that amusing, which in turn seems to irk Mike a bit. Mike then quickly goes off on some tangent that quickly leads to him taking credit for naming the "Endless Summer" album.

In any event, I mention this to point out that Mike certainly has been more hands-on with more recent archival BB releases. I don't think he literally doesn't care about them. I believe Howie Edelson mentioned that all of the band members spoke with enthusiasm when interviewed for "Sunshine Tomorrow", and Mike was certainly involved with MIC in 2012/13 to the point of commissioning an overdub on one of his songs. When tasked with a given project, I think Mike shows enough interest, and he's certainly signing off on these things.

The problem is that he just doesn't give a lot of weight to them, and certainly prioritizes his touring (and other projects involving himself, like his solo album). So, while he has reportedly/allegedly thrown a wrench in the gears of a few archival things here and there over the years, he generally isn't completely uninvolved in them and seems to sign off on more projects than not. The larger issue is that his "meh" attitude about it means he's never going to champion an archival program. He's not going to BRI recommending the archives be opened up wider. He seems rather bemused by the attention fans give to outtakes and alternates and all of that. It's arguably a bit patronizing. But that's how he looks at the fans. Look at the 1998 "Endless Harmony" documentary when he talks about GV/Smile material: He says something like "some fans like that stuff", as if there's some fringe element of diehard fans crazy enough to have an interest in "Good Vibrations" and "Smile."

But I think it's important to differentiate between not being a major proponent in propelling archival releases forward, or showing zero interest, and what Mike does, which is show some level of participation only to prioritize his own stuff like touring. So, he participated in "Sunshine Tomorrow", but right at the same time pushed the McGrath/Stamos single. I'm glad he signed off on "Sunshine Tomorrow." I just wish he (or any of the members) were strongly pushing for more of that sort of stuff. Let's hope someone is.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: CenturyDeprived on October 26, 2017, 12:57:22 PM
In that infamous 1992 Goldmine interview with Mike, it starts out with the interviewer asking Mike about the then-recent Capitol two-fers, remarking how great they were. Mike seems to not know anything about them. The interviewer finds that amusing, which in turn seems to irk Mike a bit. Mike then quickly goes off on some tangent that quickly leads to him taking credit for naming the "Endless Summer" album.

In any event, I mention this to point out that Mike certainly has been more hands-on with more recent archival BB releases. I don't think he literally doesn't care about them. I believe Howie Edelson mentioned that all of the band members spoke with enthusiasm when interviewed for "Sunshine Tomorrow", and Mike was certainly involved with MIC in 2012/13 to the point of commissioning an overdub on one of his songs. When tasked with a given project, I think Mike shows enough interest, and he's certainly signing off on these things.

The problem is that he just doesn't give a lot of weight to them, and certainly prioritizes his touring (and other projects involving himself, like his solo album). So, while he has reportedly/allegedly thrown a wrench in the gears of a few archival things here and there over the years, he generally isn't completely uninvolved in them and seems to sign off on more projects than not. The larger issue is that his "meh" attitude about it means he's never going to champion an archival program. He's not going to BRI recommending the archives be opened up wider. He seems rather bemused by the attention fans give to outtakes and alternates and all of that. It's arguably a bit patronizing. But that's how he looks at the fans. Look at the 1998 "Endless Harmony" documentary when he talks about GV/Smile material: He says something like "some fans like that stuff", as if there's some fringe element of diehard fans crazy enough to have an interest in "Good Vibrations" and "Smile."

But I think it's important to differentiate between not being a major proponent in propelling archival releases forward, or showing zero interest, and what Mike does, which is show some level of participation only to prioritize his own stuff like touring. So, he participated in "Sunshine Tomorrow", but right at the same time pushed the McGrath/Stamos single. I'm glad he signed off on "Sunshine Tomorrow." I just wish he (or any of the members) were strongly pushing for more of that sort of stuff. Let's hope someone is.

Unless Mike thinks an archival release will get HIM, specifically, a bunch of critical accolades, or a bunch of money, his interest level won't be all that high. Ironically, Sunshine Tomorrow was the last chance for Mike specifically to get positive critical reevaluation, but he screwed the pooch with the laughable Do It Again '17 remake just days later.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Lee Marshall on October 26, 2017, 01:16:36 PM
I'd also add if Mike is too busy to listen to the Beach Boys' latest archival release, which is THE REAL BEACH BOYS and the reason why Mike is wearing pinky rings worth more than the average man paying to see his band play makes in a year...I may not be alone in being "too busy" to listen to Mike's new recordings, and definitely too busy to drop my money into Mike's piggybank to hear him play live.

NO "if" involved with it here.  I currently own as many Mike records and compact discs as I do Mike 'books'.  That's not gonna change.  Just like 'he's' not gonna change.  So why would I put money into fueling THAT nourishment and revenge agenda?  I wouldn't.  And I don't.  AND...I won't.

Unleash the love?  What love?  What release?  What a joke.

Caught them live in 2015. [co]  MC'd it.  I sure as sh*t didn't PAY to be there.  Glad i did it though.  Got to hear them.  I'll never have to wonder about it.  They were good. B U T...They weren't the Beach Boys


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on October 26, 2017, 02:10:37 PM
Can you M.C a M&B show with guest of honor OSD? >:D


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: JK on October 26, 2017, 03:18:53 PM
Is time for Ben Vaugh Quintet to re-release Ben"s Prayer..A/K/A Kill .......Love?   Sure it's still on utube.

Did Ben Vaughn release that in some form or was it just a live track? cant find it on discogs.

Lots of MP3 downloads around, Big Dinner, but I suspect they're all of that live performance.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: wilsonart1 on October 26, 2017, 08:01:11 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiGnvgSIOj4   Should be Ben Vaugh Quintet's Ben's Prayer A/K/A   kill ...........


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Zargo on October 27, 2017, 12:59:03 AM

In any event, I mention this to point out that Mike certainly has been more hands-on with more recent archival BB releases. I don't think he literally doesn't care about them. I believe Howie Edelson mentioned that all of the band members spoke with enthusiasm when interviewed for "Sunshine Tomorrow", and Mike was certainly involved with MIC in 2012/13 to the point of commissioning an overdub on one of his songs. When tasked with a given project, I think Mike shows enough interest, and he's certainly signing off on these things.


If I recall correctly, one of the people behind the MiC release stated that Mike was as keen as (or even more so) any of the other members to have a big Dennis presence in the track-list. The fact it had all the hits on it too would have made the release more interesting to him, I imagine.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: The LEGENDARY OSD on October 27, 2017, 06:26:01 AM
Can you M.C a M&B show with guest of honor OSD? >:D
:lol  As long as I can take the stage in my " myKe luHv is a douchbag " T shirt and sing the Ben Vaughn song.  ;D


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on October 27, 2017, 07:21:59 AM

In any event, I mention this to point out that Mike certainly has been more hands-on with more recent archival BB releases. I don't think he literally doesn't care about them. I believe Howie Edelson mentioned that all of the band members spoke with enthusiasm when interviewed for "Sunshine Tomorrow", and Mike was certainly involved with MIC in 2012/13 to the point of commissioning an overdub on one of his songs. When tasked with a given project, I think Mike shows enough interest, and he's certainly signing off on these things.


If I recall correctly, one of the people behind the MiC release stated that Mike was as keen as (or even more so) any of the other members to have a big Dennis presence in the track-list. The fact it had all the hits on it too would have made the release more interesting to him, I imagine.

And there's the rub. "Hey Mike, we're going to do a BB archival release that focuses predominantly on Dennis!" I'm not sure how much he'd be pushing for that. (He apparently/allegedly wasn't a fan of the "Love & Mercy" soundtrack, which was ostensibly in part a "Beach Boys" release that was very Brian-centric, albeit in a different way).

But if handed an already-compiled project that has some Dennis stuff, it doesn't cost Mike anything to say "Yeah, sure! Sounds good." Especially if the project also takes out time to devote to Mike's stuff like "Brian's Back", "Goin' to the Beach", "Summer in Paradise", etc.

I don't believe Mike has been approaching BRI internally to champion Dennis archival material.

To be clear, I'm not saying Mike signing off on a good project is a bad thing, regardless of how much he's proactive about it. I'm also not suggesting MIC shouldn't focus on all members. That makes total sense.

Again, the basic idea is that Mike isn't adamantly opposed to archival stuff. He just doesn't prioritize it heavily when, in my opinion, he and all the members should be. When it comes to the Beach Boys, we're not talking like Beatles fans pushing for the other 27 takes of "I Saw Her Standing There" to be released (not a bad thing, to be sure). The Beach Boys have *albums worth* of totally unheard material that would be a game changer for them in terms of the story/narrative that's out there now regarding their later-era history.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Lee Marshall on October 27, 2017, 07:48:06 AM
Can you M.C a M&B show with guest of honor OSD? >:D
:lol  As long as I can take the stage in my " myKe luHv is a douchbag " T shirt and sing the Ben Vaughn song.  ;D

"Do IT!!!  Do IT!!!  Do IT!!!"


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: “Big Daddy” on October 27, 2017, 08:35:46 AM
Full songs now on YouTube:

“All The Love In Paris”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgmloe5Tb04
“Unleash The Love”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IGZRF90j6o
“Darlin’”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fj8gfeSG-TU

Like the re-recording of “Do It Again,” this new version of “Darlin’” seems to be an attempt to be modern/poppy. Not sure it works.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: The LEGENDARY OSD on October 27, 2017, 09:30:21 AM
Three AMAZING, INCREDIBLE, and PROFOUND  reasons NOT to go anywhere near this waste of time (that I can't get back).  ::) ::)


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on October 27, 2017, 09:34:09 AM
Comments posted yet? >:D


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: joshferrell on October 27, 2017, 10:27:32 AM
"All the love in Paris" isn't too bad, kind of reminds me of "don't worry baby" and the sax part is pretty cool. It sounds like it could have fit on "still cruisin".

"Unleash the love" is okay, not horrible though, even though it sounds like he has a crap load of autotune on his voice.

"Darlin" is a remake, not as good as the original, sounds like it could have been on the " Nascar" CD..


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Wirestone on October 27, 2017, 10:28:36 AM
Why does Darlin' sound like it was recorded in a broom closet?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on October 27, 2017, 10:31:25 AM
Well, Michael Lloyd *did* produce this epic single:

(https://img1.etsystatic.com/134/0/5813765/il_fullxfull.1006953747_r4hn.jpg)


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Matt H on October 27, 2017, 10:34:00 AM
Why does Darlin' sound like it was recorded in a broom closet?

I can't hear Mike on this track at all.  Can anyone hear him on it?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on October 27, 2017, 10:42:03 AM
Why does Darlin' sound like it was recorded in a broom closet?

I can't hear Mike on this track at all.  Can anyone hear him on it?

I was thinking the same thing as I was listening. First, who is singing lead on this?

Second, if Mike is anywhere he may be the bass vocal. But then I realized Mike is pretty much just as involved in this recording as he was in the original Darlin...which is an involvement level of very slim.

Then I thought to myself yet again, so what's the point of this other than to counter the release of The Real Beach Boys' 1967 collection which features The Real Beach Boys doing the recordings everyone knows and loves and has guys named "Wilson" actually featured on the tracks.

How this remake version of Darlin falls under a "Mike Love" labeling/category is something perhaps only Mike's apologists and flacks can explain.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on October 27, 2017, 10:44:06 AM
Regarding autotune, I know several folks have already mentioned in passing Mike's comments about it and the irony involved in his new albums swimming in it, but I thought it would be good to repost the specific quote from Mike from his early 2015 "interview" when asked about Brian and Al's "The Right Time":

"I haven't heard the song yet, I am sure with Al's voice and hopefully no autotune, the song will be great."


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on October 27, 2017, 10:50:15 AM
And not to keep repeating points already made, but how arrogant is it coming from Mike to expect fans to get behind his remake of Darlin which has perhaps less than 10% involvement from ANY "Beach Boys" while telling his fans about his passive attitude toward archival releases that feature The Real Beach Boys?

That's just warped, man. No other description fits. I'm glad this stuff is free so I can listen and not have to drop one penny into Mike's piggybank to hear this revisionism.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Wirestone on October 27, 2017, 10:54:18 AM
Why does Darlin' sound like it was recorded in a broom closet?

I can't hear Mike on this track at all.  Can anyone hear him on it?

I was thinking the same thing as I was listening. First, who is singing lead on this?

Second, if Mike is anywhere he may be the bass vocal. But then I realized Mike is pretty much just as involved in this recording as he was in the original Darlin...which is an involvement level of very slim.

Then I thought to myself yet again, so what's the point of this other than to counter the release of The Real Beach Boys' 1967 collection which features The Real Beach Boys doing the recordings everyone knows and loves and has guys named "Wilson" actually featured on the tracks.

How this remake version of Darlin falls under a "Mike Love" labeling/category is something perhaps only Mike's apologists and flacks can explain.

John Cowsill, according to the promo materials. He's on Wild Honey.

AJR? Whatever that is.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on October 27, 2017, 10:57:57 AM
I think we should just be glad that the BB license only pertains to touring.

Given that he's literally presenting the "classic" BB songs on this album as songs performed by his touring band, to the point of having Cowsill sing a lead, I think at this point it's pretty obvious that if Mike could call this thing a "Beach Boys" album, he totally would.

It's beyond strange that the exact same group of musicians can perform a song on stage as "The Beach Boys", but then have to be called "Mike Love" when you press it onto a disc. Don't get me wrong, that's better than the aforementioned alternative.

But yeah, I'm kind of confused as to why Mike, on his *own* album, wouldn't just pick songs he can sing. He even did "Ballad of Ole Betsy" on that NASCAR album and just sang it in a lower register.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on October 27, 2017, 11:00:45 AM
Why does Darlin' sound like it was recorded in a broom closet?

I can't hear Mike on this track at all.  Can anyone hear him on it?

I was thinking the same thing as I was listening. First, who is singing lead on this?

Second, if Mike is anywhere he may be the bass vocal. But then I realized Mike is pretty much just as involved in this recording as he was in the original Darlin...which is an involvement level of very slim.

Then I thought to myself yet again, so what's the point of this other than to counter the release of The Real Beach Boys' 1967 collection which features The Real Beach Boys doing the recordings everyone knows and loves and has guys named "Wilson" actually featured on the tracks.

How this remake version of Darlin falls under a "Mike Love" labeling/category is something perhaps only Mike's apologists and flacks can explain.

John Cowsill, according to the promo materials. He's on Wild Honey.

AJR? Whatever that is.

An "indie pop band" apparently. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AJR_(band)

As for their provenance, there's this:

AJR's debut single, "I'm Ready", which features a sample of SpongeBob SquarePants repeatedly singing his catchphrase, "I'm ready," from the eponymous animated series' premiere episode, was commercially released on August 22, 2013.

They apparently met him (and seemingly un-ironically referred to him as "our hero") in May of 2016 (perhaps when they made the recording?). Mike seems pretty interested in this shot:

(https://scontent-sjc2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13165844_10153434479936583_3400367847179737310_n.jpg?oh=b2300d98e4a0304e3594e423eab9cf5e&oe=5A66DBD4)


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on October 27, 2017, 11:10:18 AM
So, wait...Mike has a band called AJR doing Darlin, it's not even his band on that track? And he wants fans to listen and buy that over The Real Beach Boys?

What the serious f*** is going on here?

(That photo...Mike is wearing the Corvette cap...must have been a Tuesday lol )

(That photo part 2...Mike's tour badge says TALENT...the irony reminded me of Landy holding a sign in front of Brian on the '76 SNL performance that said SMILE )


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on October 27, 2017, 11:14:02 AM
I haven't had a chance to listen to "Darlin'" yet, but I would think they at least technically have Mike singing some bass background part on it or something. If he literally just commissioned another artist to record one of his songs but then stuck it on his album, that's indeed pretty lame.

I'm sure someone at some point here will bring up Brian's guest stars on NPP, but Brian produced/played and/or sang on all those guest tracks, and wrote/co-wrote the material as well. It was also *new* material. Note that the one track where one of the guests recorded a cover of Brian's with Brian (She & Him doing "God Only Knows"), Brian *didn't* include that on his album, leaving it for the Soundstage Blu-ray (and maybe a She & Him album?).


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on October 27, 2017, 11:18:51 AM
The lovester has been lazy in the studio since the 1960s as the SOT boots prove.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on October 27, 2017, 11:33:01 AM
Well that answers why it was a mystery trying to figure out who was singing lead on Mike's Darlin remake...now the question is apart from Mike if that's him doing bass vocals, are any of Mike's musicians on that cut or is it this band "AJR" instead?

It's really hard to believe if it wasn't a reality. Mike wants fans to listen to AJR covering Beach Boys songs, billed as a Mike Love solo release even though he's on maybe 10% of the recording, and downplays the Real Beach Boys archival release of the same songs? Damn.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on October 27, 2017, 12:00:33 PM
I'm trying to think of a hypothetical example to compare this too, which would come from one of the few similar legacy artists or legendary bands as the Beach Boys with a solo member releasing an album.

Best I can do is imagine if McCartney released a solo album with a cover of John's Norwegian Wood that didn't feature Macca's own live band, but instead a new band that was mostly unknown. And imagine if all McCartney himself added was duplicating his harmony vocal on the "she asked me to stay..." sections from the original, and that was it. Then he puts it out as a "Paul McCartney" solo release.

I'm imagining both McCartney's fans and especially Beatles fans would feel like they just got rooked by an original Beatle.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Wirestone on October 27, 2017, 12:04:22 PM
Some AJR tunes ...

"I'm Not Famous": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkXYjy6sZ2A

"Drama": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tD6KJ7QtQH8


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Lee Marshall on October 27, 2017, 12:10:23 PM


(https://scontent-sjc2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13165844_10153434479936583_3400367847179737310_n.jpg?oh=b2300d98e4a0304e3594e423eab9cf5e&oe=5A66DBD4)

Good of Mike to wear the "talent" badge 'round his neck and dangling down  to the south side of his ever-so-cool sunglasses.  Otherwise...Who would have known?  If your talent has "left the building"...just wear a tag that says you have some.  As good as an alternative as was likely available when the photographer showed up.  I wonder if they used it for the album cover?

Oh and  All of the links to the 'music' are no longer available.  At least not here.  Maybe U-Tube has standards?

------------------------

Hey MIKE!!! The camera is OVER HERE!!!  Obviously BEING in 'the here and now' has not been one of his strong suits/'talents' since somewhere in the vicinity of 1965.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Pretty Funky on October 27, 2017, 12:46:27 PM
Well that answers why it was a mystery trying to figure out who was singing lead on Mike's Darlin remake...now the question is apart from Mike if that's him doing bass vocals, are any of Mike's musicians on that cut or is it this band "AJR" instead?

It's really hard to believe if it wasn't a reality. Mike wants fans to listen to AJR covering Beach Boys songs, billed as a Mike Love solo release even though he's on maybe 10% of the recording, and downplays the Real Beach Boys archival release of the same songs? Damn.

But......?  :lol



Since when does a musician covering a song have to be an improvement versus an interpretation or just someone wanting to record a song which they love?


(Sorry GF)


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Tony S on October 27, 2017, 01:56:48 PM
Absolutely incredible how the Lovester can get away with some of this stuff.....using a boy band to re record Darlin, then putting it on HIS solo album is bad enough, but using the Beach Boys logo etc...is just plain wrong. He is nauseating....go away, retire, or whatever......but re recording classic Beach Boy tunes and plastering them on what is supposed to be a Mike Love solo alum.....oh please. JUST GO AWAY!


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Hickory Violet Part IV on October 27, 2017, 03:48:47 PM
Well that answers why it was a mystery trying to figure out who was singing lead on Mike's Darlin remake...now the question is apart from Mike if that's him doing bass vocals, are any of Mike's musicians on that cut or is it this band "AJR" instead?

It's really hard to believe if it wasn't a reality. Mike wants fans to listen to AJR covering Beach Boys songs, billed as a Mike Love solo release even though he's on maybe 10% of the recording, and downplays the Real Beach Boys archival release of the same songs? Damn.

But......?  :lol





Since when does a musician covering a song have to be an improvement versus an interpretation or just someone wanting to record a song which they love?


(Sorry GF)


I think the key point is that Mike had little to zero to do with this cover. So he hasn't really recorded it, he's basically put someone elses cover on his album.

I haven't heard Darlin, it's no longer available (that's my evening spoilt), but I did listen to those two songs by AGD or AJR or whatever they're called.

If that horrible, lazy, mumbled, not pronouncing words properly so called conversational style of singing has been used on Darlin, then those three jokers need stringing up and flaying alive. They should then be force fed their own genitals.  I'm deadly serious.

Also Mike should have his license to use the Beach Boys name revoked forthwith for allowing this to be recorded.

Like I say, I haven't heard it, but my judgement is final.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on October 27, 2017, 03:54:34 PM
Well that answers why it was a mystery trying to figure out who was singing lead on Mike's Darlin remake...now the question is apart from Mike if that's him doing bass vocals, are any of Mike's musicians on that cut or is it this band "AJR" instead?

It's really hard to believe if it wasn't a reality. Mike wants fans to listen to AJR covering Beach Boys songs, billed as a Mike Love solo release even though he's on maybe 10% of the recording, and downplays the Real Beach Boys archival release of the same songs? Damn.

But......?  :lol



Since when does a musician covering a song have to be an improvement versus an interpretation or just someone wanting to record a song which they love?


(Sorry GF)


If AJR had done a cover of Darlin and released it as AJR feat. Mike Love, that's what normal artists do when they cover a song. No issues with that at all, in fact it's cool to hear different takes on a known song. Mike puts a cover version by this group AJR on which his role in that recording is minimal (to say the least) on his solo album and has it billed as a Mike Love solo track, and at the same time tells fans he has no interest in the Real Beach Boys' archival release featuring the same song as it was cut in '67. Yet he still he pastes a sticker with "The Beach Boys" logo on his solo record...so "AJR" are now the Beach Boys for one track? Or what...it's a clusterfuck of the highest order but Mike deals in such things as normal practice.

Did this really need further explanation?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on October 27, 2017, 03:55:51 PM
Beat me to it Hickory.

I can understand wanting to defend Mike against all the toxic people, but seriously, this defines "no-brainer"... ;D


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Pretty Funky on October 27, 2017, 04:01:01 PM
All in good fun.

It relates to a discussion about Brian recording R&R covers on his proposed album. I thought it was a bad idea and could not understand re-recording classics. Already perfect so why touch them IMO.
Regardless who is on Mikes album singing what is irrelevant. If it ain’t broke, why fix it. If Brian re-records a classic of his or someone else, the same applies.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Pretty Funky on October 27, 2017, 04:05:34 PM
Beat me to it Hickory.

I can understand wanting to defend Mike against all the toxic people, but seriously, this defines "no-brainer"... ;D

Definitely not defending Mike. Like Add Some, not one penny has come from me for anything he has done since Carl’s death, C50 and official Beach Boys releases aside. That won’t change with UTL.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on October 27, 2017, 04:10:08 PM
I still think any artist can record and release a cover of any song they want to cover. Mike can't even do that without fucking it up.

I've used the comparison before, for certain fans with a proclivity for defending Mike to any lengths, but it feels like if this were The Godfather, Mike would be Fredo Corleone. He feels like he got passed over on the true leadership and recognition departments for decades, to the point of feeling wronged, and has impossible Don Quixote type fantasy visions of how much he can get done if he was given a chance to run the show. Then when he does, it falls flat.

The scene, Godfather 2, of Fredo and Michael on the patio after Fredo betrayed him...Fredo says "I'm SMART and I want RESPECT!".


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on October 27, 2017, 04:11:16 PM
Beat me to it Hickory.

I can understand wanting to defend Mike against all the toxic people, but seriously, this defines "no-brainer"... ;D

Definitely not defending Mike. Like Add Some, not one penny has come from me for anything he has done since Carl’s death, C50 and official Beach Boys releases aside. That won’t change with UTL.

We share a similar mindset on those points. Not one penny from me either.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Hickory Violet Part IV on October 27, 2017, 04:12:27 PM

Definitely not defending Mike..........

is how all Mike defenders start their posts.



Just joking PF,  you's one of the good guys.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on October 27, 2017, 04:36:28 PM
Keeping with the godfather theme, I wonder if BW gave Mike the "kiss of death" when he broke up the C50.....


"Mike, you broke my heart....."


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Pretty Funky on October 27, 2017, 04:39:40 PM

Definitely not defending Mike..........

is how all Mike defenders start their posts.



Just joking PF,  you's one of the good guys.

 ;D

Ditto!

I just call em as I see em. They have all grabbed defeat over the years.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Pretty Funky on October 27, 2017, 04:41:37 PM
Keeping with the godfather theme, I wonder if BW gave Mike the "kiss of death" when he broke up the C50.....


"Mike, you broke my heart....."

I’ll play! Remember the horse head? I predict Mikes album will be the other end!  :lol


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on October 27, 2017, 04:47:46 PM
You don't come to Brooklyn and talk to a guy like Michael Lloyd like that! :lol :lol :lol


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Wirestone on October 27, 2017, 05:47:34 PM
I must note here that, without the credits at hand, we don't know the exact role AJR plays on the new recording of "Darlin'" aside from (presumably) vocals. They are a self-contained band on their own, but they may simply be contributing those vocals to a track recorded by the BB touring group.

I've spent the evening listening to some of their stuff, which is very modern pop, but clever enough for the form. There's a gigantic shout-out to the Boys in this song, titled "Call My Dad." It starts around 48 seconds in.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Du_8o-Y0b6c


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: B.E. on October 27, 2017, 05:56:31 PM
... I've spent the evening listening to some of their stuff, which is very modern pop, but clever enough for the form. There's a gigantic shout-out to the Boys in this song, titled "Call My Dad." It starts around 48 seconds in.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Du_8o-Y0b6c

You are NOT kidding!


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Zargo on October 27, 2017, 07:06:17 PM

In any event, I mention this to point out that Mike certainly has been more hands-on with more recent archival BB releases. I don't think he literally doesn't care about them. I believe Howie Edelson mentioned that all of the band members spoke with enthusiasm when interviewed for "Sunshine Tomorrow", and Mike was certainly involved with MIC in 2012/13 to the point of commissioning an overdub on one of his songs. When tasked with a given project, I think Mike shows enough interest, and he's certainly signing off on these things.


If I recall correctly, one of the people behind the MiC release stated that Mike was as keen as (or even more so) any of the other members to have a big Dennis presence in the track-list. The fact it had all the hits on it too would have made the release more interesting to him, I imagine.

And there's the rub. "Hey Mike, we're going to do a BB archival release that focuses predominantly on Dennis!" I'm not sure how much he'd be pushing for that. (He apparently/allegedly wasn't a fan of the "Love & Mercy" soundtrack, which was ostensibly in part a "Beach Boys" release that was very Brian-centric, albeit in a different way).

But if handed an already-compiled project that has some Dennis stuff, it doesn't cost Mike anything to say "Yeah, sure! Sounds good." Especially if the project also takes out time to devote to Mike's stuff like "Brian's Back", "Goin' to the Beach", "Summer in Paradise", etc.

I don't believe Mike has been approaching BRI internally to champion Dennis archival material.

To be clear, I'm not saying Mike signing off on a good project is a bad thing, regardless of how much he's proactive about it. I'm also not suggesting MIC shouldn't focus on all members. That makes total sense.

Again, the basic idea is that Mike isn't adamantly opposed to archival stuff. He just doesn't prioritize it heavily when, in my opinion, he and all the members should be. When it comes to the Beach Boys, we're not talking like Beatles fans pushing for the other 27 takes of "I Saw Her Standing There" to be released (not a bad thing, to be sure). The Beach Boys have *albums worth* of totally unheard material that would be a game changer for them in terms of the story/narrative that's out there now regarding their later-era history.

Agreed certainly, and I'm pleased you acknowledge that it's not just Mike who's not overly interested. Carl it seems wasn't all that keen either. "Sweet and Bitter" didn't get as much excitement as it should've when it appeared out of the blue because it was a Mike lead, but for me that's quality enough it could be a single off a new archival release. If Mike is clued up enough about it beforehand to play it live (ala "Goin' to the beach") then that would make it more appealing. I could imagine the touring band playing a long lost Carl song, if not a Jardine one. 


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: jeffh on October 27, 2017, 07:12:47 PM
Weay back on one of the first pages I posted links to two AJR songs. Check them out. They are good


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Hickory Violet Part IV on October 28, 2017, 01:39:59 AM
Checked them out. They are not.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: phirnis on October 28, 2017, 03:54:22 AM
For whatever reason I just decided to listen to All the Love in Paris and the Darlin' remake. Couldn't make it to the end of either. All the Love made me want to take a shower. Will play some Wild Honey now and try to forget.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: BBs Footage Saga on October 28, 2017, 06:06:29 AM
Where is the Big Sur remake of the Good Vibrations Book Trailer?

You can hear it at about 0:54 of https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OutWymKjErk.

I Wasn't Asking for where it's sounds. I'm Asking What the hell Big sur is missing


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Peadar 'Big Dinner' O'Driscoll on October 29, 2017, 04:47:30 AM
Where is the Big Sur remake of the Good Vibrations Book Trailer?

You can hear it at about 0:54 of https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OutWymKjErk.

I Wasn't Asking for where it's sounds. I'm Asking What the hell Big sur is missing

Mike could find no room on his album for the best song he has ever written alone. Classic Mike.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Peadar 'Big Dinner' O'Driscoll on October 29, 2017, 04:48:38 AM
Is time for Ben Vaugh Quintet to re-release Ben"s Prayer..A/K/A Kill .......Love?   Sure it's still on utube.

Did Ben Vaughn release that in some form or was it just a live track? cant find it on discogs.

Lots of MP3 downloads around, Big Dinner, but I suspect they're all of that live performance.


Thanks John, got loads of Ben V records so was curious.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Tony S on October 29, 2017, 05:23:00 AM
Obviously, including all the Beach Boys redo's is because he realizes the solo material is weak, and his only real chance of selling the music is to include the legacy of the Beach Boys


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Lonely Summer on October 29, 2017, 09:27:14 PM
Obviously, including all the Beach Boys redo's is because he realizes the solo material is weak, and his only real chance of selling the music is to include the legacy of the Beach Boys
Albums of new material by older artists do not sell in Taylor Swift numbers in 2017. So naturally they are looking for anything they can use that will boost sales. I suspect ML's album will do well if he sells it at his shows.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Awesoman on October 29, 2017, 10:45:41 PM
Based on the sound samples I've heard so far, this album at best sounds alright.  Nothing overly remarkable and some questionable BB covers, but this is hardly as lousy as some of his previous embarrassing efforts.  Methinks a lot of the dooming and glooming on this board comes from those that are taking their anti-Mike Love hysteria just a little too personally.  I always thought "Cool Head, Warm Heart" was a pretty good song and some of the other track samples on here aren't too bad.  Nothing can save the ridiculous umpteenth cover of "Do It Again" though. 

At least Love isn't releasing this album under the "Beach Boys" title. 


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: NateRuvin on October 30, 2017, 06:41:14 AM
Awesoman, I agree completely. To be honest, I'm looking forward to adding it to my collection. But that's just the completest in me talking.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Jim V. on October 30, 2017, 07:05:26 AM
Awesoman, I agree completely. To be honest, I'm looking forward to adding it to my collection. But that's just the completest in me talking.

I'm looking forward to it too. I don't expect it to be very good at all. But he does have a few good songs. I think "Cool Head, Warm Heart", "I Don't Wanna Know" and "Too Cruel" are all pretty nice.

And I'll saying something else that will make me hated on here. Of the new songs on that Songs from Here & Back collection a few years ago, Mike's "Cool Head, Warm Heart" was by far the best new song, far better than Al's "PT Cruiser" or Brian's "The Spirit of Rock & Roll."

Obviously I think Mike's a bit of a dick-bag a lot of the time, but I'm not gonna sh*t on him when it's not necessary. Occasionally he can still do good work. And there's a few songs on this thing that I'm sure I'll be happy to add to my collection.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on October 30, 2017, 07:49:43 AM
Perhaps worth pointing out is that on past BB-related products where autotune was used in some fashion, it has always varied from song to song. On TWMGTR, it's more obvious in certain spots ("Spring Vacation"), and less apparent, or dialed back, or not present at all on other tracks ("Think About the Days", "Pacific Coast Highway", etc.). Even on the C50 live album, while Mike sounds like a robot on something like "Don't Back Down", other tracks remain unscathed ("Getcha Back" as a random example).

Whereas, every sample released from Mike's new album so far has had pretty much the exact same ear-bleeding amount of autotune. It's the same robo-Mike pretty much across the board. I fear Mike has been done a disservice by his producer on this project. That same sound is present on the XMas single from a couple years ago as well. It's Mike's project and he surely chooses to sign off on this stuff, and I also can't rule out the possibility that he directed Michael Lloyd to use autotune. But to the degree the autotune is entering the picture by the hand of Lloyd, he's hurting the whole project. There's not subtlety to it whatsoever. It's more distracting than the worst autotune/processing I've heard on any other BB-related product. The rest of the production side of things isn't too hot either (Wirestone was right about "Darlin'", which sounds really dead and kind of throttled sonically), but Mike is near Frampton talkbox levels of autotune on this thing.

I'd seriously advise folks to, where the corresponding same track is available, seek out the circa 2004 Mike solo set floating around. I never thought the production on even *that* stuff was amazing, but it sounds far less processed. I'd also say Christian Love's takes on "Too Cruel" and "I Don't Wanna Know" sound better than Mikes, for whatever that's worth. Why Mike packed this new set with guest vocals but cut both of those is pretty perplexing.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Mayoman on October 30, 2017, 12:05:06 PM
Mike is live on ASCAP's instagram right now taking questions.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Mayoman on October 30, 2017, 12:16:53 PM
It ended up being a huge failure with no live questions and Mike mostly inaudible.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on October 30, 2017, 12:34:49 PM
Damn, I wish OSD and add some had taken part.... :lol


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: pixletwin on October 30, 2017, 02:31:16 PM
Everything I have heard (mostly from Mike's Facebook) is dead awful.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Matt H on October 30, 2017, 02:41:01 PM
I think the remake idea is bad, and I am not a fan of Mike Love.  I think Looking Back With Love is a terrible album.  I think that this album sounds to be much better than Looking Back With Love. 


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: CenturyDeprived on October 30, 2017, 03:40:03 PM

And I'll saying something else that will make me hated on here. Of the new songs on that Songs from Here & Back collection a few years ago, Mike's "Cool Head, Warm Heart" was by far the best new song, far better than Al's "PT Cruiser" or Brian's "The Spirit of Rock & Roll."
 

This is a very true statement.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: CenturyDeprived on October 30, 2017, 03:42:58 PM


I'd seriously advise folks to, where the corresponding same track is available, seek out the circa 2004 Mike solo set floating around. I never thought the production on even *that* stuff was amazing, but it sounds far less processed.

The worst thing that's happened to the music industry, possibly ever, is the increased prevalence/normalization/expectation of Autotune being present in a very blatant, non-invisible and non-transparent manner. It's absolutely horrific and appalling from an artistic standpoint. Literally stomach-turning and repulsive to my ears.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Wirestone on October 30, 2017, 05:56:03 PM

And I'll saying something else that will make me hated on here. Of the new songs on that Songs from Here & Back collection a few years ago, Mike's "Cool Head, Warm Heart" was by far the best new song, far better than Al's "PT Cruiser" or Brian's "The Spirit of Rock & Roll."
 

This is a very true statement.

I'd say it's indisputable. I enjoy that tune a great deal.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: RangeRoverA1 on October 30, 2017, 05:59:59 PM
This is a very true statement.
When I sat down & listened to that compilation, I liked "Pt Cruiser" the best. It's cool, catchy, joyful & fast. Then I start reading boards (& sign up here) & to much amazement find actually people praise "Cool Head Warm Heart". I figured "Pt Cruiser" would be everybody's favorite. Still don't get what's so good about the other song. It's boring. Definitely disagree with "very true statement" whatever that means. Mike's best songs vary solid good to decent - CHWH is neither.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: The LEGENDARY OSD on October 30, 2017, 06:14:05 PM
Damn, I wish OSD and add some had taken part.... :lol

Questions that need answers now:

Now that most people have trashed your new album, will that mean we don't have to listen to any more of your feeble attempts at songwriting?

Is it jealousy and your insecurity that prevents you from listening to Brian's new songs and watching Love and Mercy?

What the f*** happened to the Vibe Room?

Are you aware of the fact that you are the most hated laughed at clown the world of music has ever witnessed?

When Dennis passed away, were you bummed that the opportunity to meet women was completely over with?

Knowing he has a great voice, why did you shitcan Al Jardine from the Beach Boys?

You've been accused of smacking some of your wives around. Do you still do that and does it make you feel like a real man?

If you had to tour under your own dumb name, could you fill a corner bar?

Who picks out your hideous shirts, Robert Hall?

In the name of your beluHved Transcendental Meditation, do you still paint your face like a clown once a year?

Does br00th still run to the deli when you want a sandwich?

Are you poised to sue Brian again soon? There must be even more songs that you say you wrote.

Now that your voice is shot to hell, will you turn to autotune  again?

Do you have all of Ben Vaughn's Albums?

Since you don't play baseball, why did you choose a baseball cap over a rug?







Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Wirestone on October 30, 2017, 06:14:24 PM
Eh, PT Cruiser and Spirit are retreads of retreads.

Cool Head, Warm Heart is a catchy, well-arranged breath of fresh air, with on-message lyrics and a relaxed vocal from Mike. Probably his best songwriting effort since the 1970s. IMO, of course.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Pretty Funky on October 30, 2017, 06:25:15 PM
Damn, I wish OSD and add some had taken part.... :lol

Questions that need answers now:

Now that most people have trashed your new album, will that mean we don't have to listen to your feeble attempts at songwriting?

Is it jealousy and your insecurity that prevents you from listening to Brian's new songs and watching Love and Mercy?

What the f*** happened to the Vibe Room?

Are you aware of the fact that you are the most hated laughed at clown the world of music has ever witnessed?

When Dennis passed away, were you bummed that the opportunity to meet women was completely over with?

Knowing he has a great voice, why did you shitcan Al Jardine from the Beach Boys?

You've been accused of smacking some of your wives around. Do you still do that and does it make you feel like a real man?

If you had to tour under your own dumb name, could you fill a corner bar?

Who picks out your hideous shirts, Robert Hall?

Do you still paint your face like a clown once a year?

Does br00th still run to the deli when you want a sandwich?

Are you poised to sue Brian again soon? There must be even more songs that you say you wrote.

Now that your voice is shot to hell, will you turn to autotune  again?

Do you have all of Ben Vaughn's Albums?







Why the holding back?  :lol


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: RangeRoverA1 on October 30, 2017, 06:44:52 PM
Quote
PT Cruiser and Spirit are retreads of retreads.
"Spirit" like "Cool Head" is boring too. To me, it's easy - either I like song or dislike. I liked "Pt Cruiser", retread-not retread I rarely care about these things. Esp. if song's *really* good, as is case with "Pt Cruiser".


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: wilsonart1 on October 30, 2017, 06:45:47 PM
Every night I pray to the heavens above...  you understand OSD


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Awesoman on October 30, 2017, 09:26:59 PM
This is a very true statement.
When I sat down & listened to that compilation, I liked "Pt Cruiser" the best. It's cool, catchy, joyful & fast. Then I start reading boards (& sign up here) & to much amazement find actually people praise "Cool Head Warm Heart". I figured "Pt Cruiser" would be everybody's favorite. Still don't get what's so good about the other song. It's boring. Definitely disagree with "very true statement" whatever that means. Mike's best songs vary solid good to decent - CHWH is neither.

"PT Cruiser" is an extremely lame and derivative "spot the reference" car song.  The only thing remarkable about Brian's "The Spirit of Rock & Roll" is that Bob Dylan appears on the original recording.  The version on the Hallmark CD is a clunky re-recording of a mediocre unreleased song.  "Cool Head, Warm Heart" was at least an original, pleasant track that was surprisingly good considering it came from Mike Love.  No surprise here that people favored it over the other two songs. 


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on October 31, 2017, 04:23:10 AM
OSD! :lol


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: KDS on October 31, 2017, 05:37:34 AM


I'd seriously advise folks to, where the corresponding same track is available, seek out the circa 2004 Mike solo set floating around. I never thought the production on even *that* stuff was amazing, but it sounds far less processed.

The worst thing that's happened to the music industry, possibly ever, is the increased prevalence/normalization/expectation of Autotune being present in a very blatant, non-invisible and non-transparent manner. It's absolutely horrific and appalling from an artistic standpoint. Literally stomach-turning and repulsive to my ears.

It's also transforming talentless people into megastars (Ke$ha comes immediately to mind).  .


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on October 31, 2017, 06:36:32 AM


And I'll saying something else that will make me hated on here. Of the new songs on that Songs from Here & Back collection a few years ago, Mike's "Cool Head, Warm Heart" was by far the best new song, far better than Al's "PT Cruiser" or Brian's "The Spirit of Rock & Roll."


I don't think I've ever seen someone on this board express a liking for a Mike song only to be "hated" here.

Indeed, specifically concerning the Hallmark CD, if you go back to the threads from back when it came out in 2006, you'll find plenty of folks espousing that the Mike track was the best of the three. I'd easily say so. I don't think "Cool Head" is like a-list, life-changing material, but it's a catchy song and the type of thing Mike most excels at when he's left to his own devices. In a head-to-head with the other two "new" songs on the Hallmark CD, it's not exactly going up against a-list material. Al's song was a novelty bit, and had *already been released*, so it wasn't even new when that CD came out. Brian's re-re-re-recording of "Spirit of Rock and Roll" always struck me as kind of limp and lacking in energy. Dropping the key (a necessity vocally) didn't help either, nor did changing part of the drum pattern in the verses.

Though, to be fair in criticizing the guys for submitting the tracks that they did, I believe Alan Boyd posted all those years ago that Hallmark picked the songs. Presumably, they submitted a small pool of songs and Hallmark made the picks. So yeah, *they* chose "PT Cruiser." I'd be curious to know what else Al (and the other guys) submitted in addition to the final selections.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on October 31, 2017, 06:49:09 AM
This is a very true statement.
When I sat down & listened to that compilation, I liked "Pt Cruiser" the best. It's cool, catchy, joyful & fast. Then I start reading boards (& sign up here) & to much amazement find actually people praise "Cool Head Warm Heart". I figured "Pt Cruiser" would be everybody's favorite. Still don't get what's so good about the other song. It's boring. Definitely disagree with "very true statement" whatever that means. Mike's best songs vary solid good to decent - CHWH is neither.

"Postcards" proved Al had some good stuff in the vaults at that time. I think the issue with "PT Cruiser" in part was that it had *already* been released, on a CD single with *FIVE* different mixes of the song no less. So part of the disappointment was that Al's track wasn't even new. Aside from that, I think the song comes off as a novelty bit (if not a car commercial; PT Cruisers were still being made back then) and retreads way too many other songs. It's like a "Rutles" version of a BB car song.

Mike's track was just catchy. Nothing more, nothing less.

Based on your stated preferences in other threads regarding other music  (BBs and others), you seem to have a pretty offbeat set of standards/preferences. In particular, you seem to dislike slow songs. In past threads, you've mentioned varying amounts of dislike for songs like "Don't Talk", "Pacific Coast Highway", "Summer's Gone", and in particular you seem to reference many songs specifically using the terms "slow" and "boring." It sounds like you weigh tempos of songs perhaps proportionately more than the musical content, in which case preferring "PT Cruiser" to "Cool Head" makes total sense. All just my interpretation/opinion of course.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Matt H on October 31, 2017, 07:47:24 AM
I went to Mike's website, and in the discography that is supposed to have solo and Beach Boys, the following albums are missing:

Looking Back With Love
Summer In Paradise
That's Why God Made The Radio

It seems odd that various Christmas re-treads are on there, but these are missing.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: KDS on October 31, 2017, 07:50:15 AM
I went to Mike's website, and in the discography that is supposed to have solo and Beach Boys, the following albums are missing:

Looking Back With Love
Summer In Paradise
That's Why God Made The Radio

It seems odd that various Christmas re-treads are on there, but these are missing.

I'm not too surprised that SIP is missing.  SIP was the only album that wasn't represented in the C50 Tour Program, and it's also the only album that didn't have any tracks on the MiC box (other than the live version of the title track). 


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: CenturyDeprived on October 31, 2017, 09:32:37 AM
I went to Mike's website, and in the discography that is supposed to have solo and Beach Boys, the following albums are missing:

Looking Back With Love
Summer In Paradise
That's Why God Made The Radio

It seems odd that various Christmas re-treads are on there, but these are missing.

I'm not too surprised that SIP is missing.  SIP was the only album that wasn't represented in the C50 Tour Program, and it's also the only album that didn't have any tracks on the MiC box (other than the live version of the title track). 

Mike can just pretend it didn’t happen, like the 2005 lawsuit omission in his bio. Sounds like a solid plan.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: KDS on October 31, 2017, 09:38:05 AM
I went to Mike's website, and in the discography that is supposed to have solo and Beach Boys, the following albums are missing:

Looking Back With Love
Summer In Paradise
That's Why God Made The Radio

It seems odd that various Christmas re-treads are on there, but these are missing.

I'm not too surprised that SIP is missing.  SIP was the only album that wasn't represented in the C50 Tour Program, and it's also the only album that didn't have any tracks on the MiC box (other than the live version of the title track). 

Mike can just pretend it didn’t happen, like the 2005 lawsuit omission in his bio. Sounds like a solid plan.

Considering the title track still pops up in his setlists, I don't think that's the case.  HJ might have more insight, but I think the exclusion of the album art from the C50 program and any studio tracks from the MiC set has something to do with the label / copyright, or something. 


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on October 31, 2017, 10:19:57 AM
I went to Mike's website, and in the discography that is supposed to have solo and Beach Boys, the following albums are missing:

Looking Back With Love
Summer In Paradise
That's Why God Made The Radio

It seems odd that various Christmas re-treads are on there, but these are missing.

I'm not too surprised that SIP is missing.  SIP was the only album that wasn't represented in the C50 Tour Program, and it's also the only album that didn't have any tracks on the MiC box (other than the live version of the title track).  

Mike can just pretend it didn’t happen, like the 2005 lawsuit omission in his bio. Sounds like a solid plan.

Considering the title track still pops up in his setlists, I don't think that's the case.  HJ might have more insight, but I think the exclusion of the album art from the C50 program and any studio tracks from the MiC set has something to do with the label / copyright, or something.  

I don't think anyone is quite sure why SIP was the lone album absent from some C50 montages/artwork compilations, etc. Brother owns the album outright as far as I know; they can do whatever they want with it.

Here's what we (maybe) know: The album was recorded of course without Brian, during a strange period around the same time he was being extricated from Landy. I don't know if Brian was even consulted or offered to "vote" on whether the album should happen. Considering three other BRI members participated in the album, it presumably wouldn't have mattered. So the album was recorded at a time when the other members strangely felt comfortable enough to do a Beach Boys album without Brian.

In subsequent years, Brian has (to varying degrees and at varying intervals) made more peace with the other BRI members than was the case in 1992 (when the fake autobiography lawsuit was still a fresh wound, among many other issues), and Brian and Melinda have asserted Brian's role and standing in BRI and in the BB legacy in general much more strongly than was the case in 1992.

Long story short, I wouldn't be surprised if Brian, and/or BRI on the whole, have quietly sort of "retired" SIP from the "canon" so to speak. It's not like they're literally trying to erase its existence. But it was done under circumstances that almost certainly would never take place today, and it probably makes the whole thing easier that the album was the biggest album flop of their career and went virtually unnoticed. Even *Mike* doesn't try to tout total failures for years and years. Mike has kept SIP in the setlist on and off, but that's about it. He doesn't wax nostalgic about the SIP *album* the way, say, Bruce might about "Sunflower." He briefly tried to recycle "Summer of Love" in that Baywatch episode where Brian made an appearance. But in any event, it probably doesn't bug even Mike that SIP remains out of print and that it isn't included in the "canon" when career-spanning artwork/montages are put together. So if Brian's thinking or the general thinking is to just quietly stop doing anything with the album, it's probably not something Mike is going to beef.

It's perhaps a bit like those weird mid-90s "Fleetwood Mac" projects done with Bekka Bramlett and Dave Mason, or something like that. Totally legit projects done by enough members who controlled use of the name for the projects. But then at some point after the "classic" lineup reunited and that era was just kind of forgotten.

In a sense it's too bad; I'd love to hear Brian's thoughts/remembrances about that period of time and that album. I'm not sure anyone has ever got Brian on record talking about the SIP album. It's quite odd; the band didn't even try to fly in an old Brian track or two to give the veneer of a "group" album. I think the fact that the album tanked (despite promotion on multiple episodes of "Full House") was perhaps one of the only reasons Mike and the band weren't grilled mercilessly about why Brian was nowhere to be seen or heard on the album. Indeed, even Al was absent for most of the sessions due to various band issues, and Mike felt emboldened to do the album anyway.

I think SIP had to be a humbling experience for Mike even if he never would admit it. To loosely borrow some points I recall Wirestone making some time back about the album, SIP is notable because it's Mike trying as *hard* as he can. It's Mike pushing the entire project (creatively more of a "solo" album than even "Looking Back with Love"), he and Terry Melcher bringing their A-game, using then state-of-the-art technology to record the album. It's Mike as pure and unfiltered as you can get, with Carl and Al adding some nice vocals (which does nothing but help the project), and the album was a 100% failure by *any* objective measure.

If Mike wasn't able to use the SIP title track to constantly try to convince people he and Bruce care about the environment despite their other stated politics being often diametrically opposed to such ideals, he probably wouldn't even continue to do that one track in concert.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: KDS on October 31, 2017, 10:50:30 AM
I went to Mike's website, and in the discography that is supposed to have solo and Beach Boys, the following albums are missing:

Looking Back With Love
Summer In Paradise
That's Why God Made The Radio

It seems odd that various Christmas re-treads are on there, but these are missing.

I'm not too surprised that SIP is missing.  SIP was the only album that wasn't represented in the C50 Tour Program, and it's also the only album that didn't have any tracks on the MiC box (other than the live version of the title track).  

Mike can just pretend it didn’t happen, like the 2005 lawsuit omission in his bio. Sounds like a solid plan.

Considering the title track still pops up in his setlists, I don't think that's the case.  HJ might have more insight, but I think the exclusion of the album art from the C50 program and any studio tracks from the MiC set has something to do with the label / copyright, or something.  

I don't think anyone is quite sure why SIP was the lone album absent from some C50 montages/artwork compilations, etc. Brother owns the album outright as far as I know; they can do whatever they want with it.

Here's what we (maybe) know: The album was recorded of course without Brian, during a strange period around the same time he was being extricated from Landy. I don't know if Brian was even consulted or offered to "vote" on whether the album should happen. Considering three other BRI members participated in the album, it presumably wouldn't have mattered. So the album was recorded at a time when the other members strangely felt comfortable enough to do a Beach Boys album without Brian.

In subsequent years, Brian has (to varying degrees and at varying intervals) made more peace with the other BRI members than was the case in 1992 (when the fake autobiography lawsuit was still a fresh wound, among many other issues), and Brian and Melinda have asserted Brian's role and standing in BRI and in the BB legacy in general much more strongly than was the case in 1992.

Long story short, I wouldn't be surprised if Brian, and/or BRI on the whole, have quietly sort of "retired" SIP from the "canon" so to speak. It's not like they're literally trying to erase its existence. But it was done under circumstances that almost certainly would never take place today, and it probably makes the whole thing easier that the album was the biggest album flop of their career and went virtually unnoticed. Even *Mike* doesn't try to tout total failures for years and years. Mike has kept SIP in the setlist on and off, but that's about it. He doesn't wax nostalgic about the SIP *album* the way, say, Bruce might about "Sunflower." He briefly tried to recycle "Summer of Love" in that Baywatch episode where Brian made an appearance. But in any event, it probably doesn't bug even Mike that SIP remains out of print and that it isn't included in the "canon" when career-spanning artwork/montages are put together. So if Brian's thinking or the general thinking is to just quietly stop doing anything with the album, it's probably not something Mike is going to beef.

It's perhaps a bit like those weird mid-90s "Fleetwood Mac" projects done with Bekka Bramlett and Dave Mason, or something like that. Totally legit projects done by enough members who controlled use of the name for the projects. But then at some point after the "classic" lineup reunited and that era was just kind of forgotten.

In a sense it's too bad; I'd love to hear Brian's thoughts/remembrances about that period of time and that album. I'm not sure anyone has ever got Brian on record talking about the SIP album. It's quite odd; the band didn't even try to fly in an old Brian track or two to give the veneer of a "group" album. I think the fact that the album tanked (despite promotion on multiple episodes of "Full House") was perhaps one of the only reasons Mike and the band weren't grilled mercilessly about why Brian was nowhere to be seen or heard on the album. Indeed, even Al was absent for most of the sessions due to various band issues, and Mike felt emboldened to do the album anyway.

I think SIP had to be a humbling experience for Mike even if he never would admit it. To loosely borrow some points I recall Wirestone making some time back about the album, SIP is notable because it's Mike trying as *hard* as he can. It's Mike pushing the entire project (creatively more of a "solo" album than even "Looking Back with Love"), he and Terry Melcher bringing their A-game, using then state-of-the-art technology to record the album. It's Mike as pure and unfiltered as you can get, with Carl and Al adding some nice vocals (which does nothing but help the project), and the album was a 100% failure by *any* objective measure.

If Mike wasn't able to use the SIP title track to constantly try to convince people he and Bruce care about the environment despite their other stated politics being often diametrically opposed to such ideals, he probably wouldn't even continue to do that one track in concert.

Right, same with those Black Sabbath albums from the late 80s / early 90s, most of which feature only Tony Iommi, which were quickly forgotten once they reunited with Ozzy Obsourne, then later Dio, then later Ozzy again.   Many of those Sabbath albums aren't even in print. 

Back to SIP, I wonder if Mike with Carl, Bruce, and Al would've even attempted to release a Brian-less Beach Boys LP if not for the unexpected success of Kokomo.   


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on October 31, 2017, 11:34:16 AM
Back to SIP, I wonder if Mike with Carl, Bruce, and Al would've even attempted to release a Brian-less Beach Boys LP if not for the unexpected success of Kokomo.  

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I get the impression that, apart from vague overtures from Brian in the 90s of wanting to produce a "new Beach Boys album", it was Mike that was the prime (and maybe only) mover behind doing an album in 1992.

They had already done their "cashing in on Kokomo" album with "Still Cruisin'", which went gold on the back of the "Kokomo" success, but didn't seem to impress fans or critics a great deal, and certainly didn't inspire Capitol to offer the band another album contract.

I'm unsure how Mike got SIP going as a "Beach Boys" album in its initial phases, when Brian wasn't there and Al was also on the outs and not present. Not only did Mike convince the rest of the guys (including eventually Al) to do the album, and not only did he convince them to let him (Mike) control *everything* about the album to the point of it being a Mike solo project with a BB logo slapped on it, but Mike also apparently convinced them to go deeper into a band-run business by doing the "Brother Entertainment" thing and essentially releasing the album on their own label (with of course a distributor to actually get it in the shops).

Even more bizarre is that, after the album tanked in the US, they got some sort of distribution deal with EMI for the album in the UK in 1993, and threw good money after bad by remixing and partially re-recording numerous tracks on the album, resulting in something that wasn't particularly any better, and which also tanked as far as I can tell. (Did SIP even chart when EMI put it out in the UK in 1993?).

Listen to the late 1993 Paramount Theater recording (from the "boxed set" tour), and one of the guys (I think Al?) makes a pretty heavily sarcastic reference to asking people to buy the GV boxed set to help fund their own record label, which I would presume would be referring to SIP and their "Brother Entertainment" enterprise. Clearly, by late 1993, it was obvious the whole thing was a bust.

It may well be that SIP not only tanked commercially and critically, but that the whole self-financed deal ended up losing *all of them* some money. Note that Mike *never again* attempted to spearhead a group album project (and it took him 25 more years to even crank out a single solo album). He was in the backseat on the Paley sessions, was involved in "Stars and Stripes" but with someone else (Joe Thomas's label) bankrolling the thing, and of course was not a prominent creative force on TWGMTR (and, while he wanted to write more songs with Brian, he certainly hadn't in the previous two decades been trying to *spearhead* a new BB album; it took Joe Thomas and Capitol and big wad of cash to make that happen).


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: KDS on October 31, 2017, 11:42:03 AM
Back to SIP, I wonder if Mike with Carl, Bruce, and Al would've even attempted to release a Brian-less Beach Boys LP if not for the unexpected success of Kokomo.   

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I get the impression that, apart from vague overtures from Brian in the 90s of wanting to produce a "new Beach Boys album", it was Mike that was the prime (and maybe only) mover behind doing an album in 1992.

They had already done their "cashing in on Kokomo" album with "Still Cruisin'", which went gold on the back of the "Kokomo" success, but didn't seem to impress fans or critics a great deal, and certainly didn't inspire Capitol to offer the band another album contract.

I'm unsure how Mike got SIP going as a "Beach Boys" album in its initial phases, when Brian wasn't there and Al was also on the outs and not present. Not only did Mike convince the rest of the guys (including eventually Al) to do the album, and not only did he convince them to let him (Mike) control *everything* about the album to the point of it being a Mike solo project with a BB logo slapped on it, but Mike also apparently convinced them to go deeper into a band-run business by doing the "Brother Entertainment" thing and essentially releasing the album on their own label (with of course a distributor to actually get it in the shops).

Listen to the late 1993 Paramount Theater recording (from the "boxed set" tour), and one of the guys (I think Al?) makes a pretty heavily sarcastic reference to asking people to buy the GV boxed set to help fund their own record label, which I would presume would be referring to SIP and their "Brother Entertainment" enterprise. Clearly, by late 1993, it was obvious the whole thing was a bust.

It may well be that SIP not only tanked commercially and critically, but that the whole self-financed deal ended up losing *all of them* some money. Note that Mike *never again* attempted to spearhead a group album project (and it took him 25 more years to even crank out a single solo album). He was in the backseat on the Paley sessions, was involved in "Stars and Stripes" but with someone else (Joe Thomas's label) bankrolling the thing, and of course was not a prominent creative force on TWGMTR (and, while he wanted to write more songs with Brian, he certainly hadn't in the previous two decades been trying to *spearhead* a new BB album; it took Joe Thomas and Capitol and big wad of cash to make that happen).

I'm pretty sure Mike would've been the one to get the ball rolling on doing a BB album in 1992.   The history of SIP seems to be another murky patch in BB history. 

I still don't think the album is as bad as it's reputation.  I've seen on various threads on different boards where people make a nice playlist by combining the best of TWGMTR and NPP.  I think the same could be done with Still Cruisin and SIP.

I think the SIP album is marred by four hideously bad tracks (Summer of Love, Surfin 92, Remember Walkin in the Sand, and Under the Boardwalk).   Plus, the production is pretty bad, which seems like a big issue with Mike's upcoming solo album as well. 



Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Awesoman on October 31, 2017, 01:34:21 PM
I went to Mike's website, and in the discography that is supposed to have solo and Beach Boys, the following albums are missing:

Looking Back With Love
Summer In Paradise
That's Why God Made The Radio

It seems odd that various Christmas re-treads are on there, but these are missing.

I'm not too surprised that SIP is missing.  SIP was the only album that wasn't represented in the C50 Tour Program, and it's also the only album that didn't have any tracks on the MiC box (other than the live version of the title track).  

Mike can just pretend it didn’t happen, like the 2005 lawsuit omission in his bio. Sounds like a solid plan.

Considering the title track still pops up in his setlists, I don't think that's the case.  HJ might have more insight, but I think the exclusion of the album art from the C50 program and any studio tracks from the MiC set has something to do with the label / copyright, or something.  

I don't think anyone is quite sure why SIP was the lone album absent from some C50 montages/artwork compilations, etc. Brother owns the album outright as far as I know; they can do whatever they want with it.

Here's what we (maybe) know: The album was recorded of course without Brian, during a strange period around the same time he was being extricated from Landy. I don't know if Brian was even consulted or offered to "vote" on whether the album should happen. Considering three other BRI members participated in the album, it presumably wouldn't have mattered. So the album was recorded at a time when the other members strangely felt comfortable enough to do a Beach Boys album without Brian.

In subsequent years, Brian has (to varying degrees and at varying intervals) made more peace with the other BRI members than was the case in 1992 (when the fake autobiography lawsuit was still a fresh wound, among many other issues), and Brian and Melinda have asserted Brian's role and standing in BRI and in the BB legacy in general much more strongly than was the case in 1992.

Long story short, I wouldn't be surprised if Brian, and/or BRI on the whole, have quietly sort of "retired" SIP from the "canon" so to speak. It's not like they're literally trying to erase its existence. But it was done under circumstances that almost certainly would never take place today, and it probably makes the whole thing easier that the album was the biggest album flop of their career and went virtually unnoticed. Even *Mike* doesn't try to tout total failures for years and years. Mike has kept SIP in the setlist on and off, but that's about it. He doesn't wax nostalgic about the SIP *album* the way, say, Bruce might about "Sunflower." He briefly tried to recycle "Summer of Love" in that Baywatch episode where Brian made an appearance. But in any event, it probably doesn't bug even Mike that SIP remains out of print and that it isn't included in the "canon" when career-spanning artwork/montages are put together. So if Brian's thinking or the general thinking is to just quietly stop doing anything with the album, it's probably not something Mike is going to beef.

It's perhaps a bit like those weird mid-90s "Fleetwood Mac" projects done with Bekka Bramlett and Dave Mason, or something like that. Totally legit projects done by enough members who controlled use of the name for the projects. But then at some point after the "classic" lineup reunited and that era was just kind of forgotten.

In a sense it's too bad; I'd love to hear Brian's thoughts/remembrances about that period of time and that album. I'm not sure anyone has ever got Brian on record talking about the SIP album. It's quite odd; the band didn't even try to fly in an old Brian track or two to give the veneer of a "group" album. I think the fact that the album tanked (despite promotion on multiple episodes of "Full House") was perhaps one of the only reasons Mike and the band weren't grilled mercilessly about why Brian was nowhere to be seen or heard on the album. Indeed, even Al was absent for most of the sessions due to various band issues, and Mike felt emboldened to do the album anyway.

I think SIP had to be a humbling experience for Mike even if he never would admit it. To loosely borrow some points I recall Wirestone making some time back about the album, SIP is notable because it's Mike trying as *hard* as he can. It's Mike pushing the entire project (creatively more of a "solo" album than even "Looking Back with Love"), he and Terry Melcher bringing their A-game, using then state-of-the-art technology to record the album. It's Mike as pure and unfiltered as you can get, with Carl and Al adding some nice vocals (which does nothing but help the project), and the album was a 100% failure by *any* objective measure.

If Mike wasn't able to use the SIP title track to constantly try to convince people he and Bruce care about the environment despite their other stated politics being often diametrically opposed to such ideals, he probably wouldn't even continue to do that one track in concert.

Probably a simpler answer why the album was ignored was because of how much of a critical and commercial flop it was.  Didn't it initially sell less than a 1,000 copies upon release?  For all we know all the unopened copies of the album were buried in the same landfill with those E.T. Atari 2600 games.   :afro


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on October 31, 2017, 01:38:33 PM
Or in AGD’s flat.... >:D


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: The LEGENDARY OSD on October 31, 2017, 02:00:58 PM
Or in AGD’s flat.... >:D

 :woot :woot :woot


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on October 31, 2017, 02:36:08 PM
Aka club kokomo....


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Needleinthehay on October 31, 2017, 04:37:11 PM
I do wonder if a big problem was lack of promo budget. Youd think the bb had enough fans that they could sell 50k copies no matter how bad an albim it was if the public was aware of it.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Pretty Funky on October 31, 2017, 08:18:35 PM
I remember Beach Boys related stories around that time all related to Brian not being involved with the album and the Brian/ Landy split with the group. All pretty negative and not good for promoting an album.Fast forward to 2012 and the theme is unity (on the surface at least) and its a whole different ball of wax!


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 01, 2017, 06:43:43 AM
In terms of the SIP album, it being ignored *is* the outcome of it not selling and being a critical failure. Certainly, it was continually ignored because it had no momentum and was apparently more or less DOA.

A lack of a promo budget certainly wouldn't have helped things. They were choosing to release the album themselves, and I would imagine it didn't have a huge promo budget. But it got some good publicity via multiple episodes of "Full House." They did service multiple singles to radio.

I think 1992 just wasn't a year when the "Beach Boys" were going to easily have another "Kokomo/Endless Summer" sort of career resurgence (and "Kokomo" was more of a blip than a huge career-changer; they were already a popular touring act before it was a hit, and "Kokomo" didn't leverage them any better albums), and Mike churning out an awful album made it even easier for the band as anything other than a touring machine to fall even farther off the radar. Superfans can pick through the scraps of SIP and find a few catchy melodies and chord changes. But as objective as we can be, SIP was a poor album and the marketplace rejecting it made sense. It's not like it's a hidden gem that people just weren't tuned-in enough to take a shine to.

Nobody was looking at BB '85 or "Kokomo" or "Still Crusin'" and specifically saying "That guy, Mike Love, what I *really* want is a full album of stuff from him!"

The production, even for 1992, was shrill and synthetic and sterile. Nobody wanted to hear something like "Summer of Love" from a guy in his 50s. Those who cared to know the then-recent history of the band would also easily pick out the multiple sad "Kokomo" clones on the album. And certainly, Brian literally not singing or playing one note on the album was a huge knock against the album. Brian had, at best, a mixed bag of his own material around this time. But I've never even been that into the "Sweet Insanity" stuff, yet a few tracks off that would have made SIP more listenable and notable. If Mike had been a true leader for the SIP album, he would have not only allowed but actively *encouraged* if not demanded that Al and Carl contribute more songs and lead vocals to the album.

I'd also say that, despite "Kokomo" subsequently being a hit, Mike's already-bruised reputation among casual fans and the rock press, exacerbated by his reputation-sealing R&R Hall of Fame speech, certainly didn't help the band sell SIP.

There are other "legacy artists" who were maybe doing albums that were mixed bags around this same time, who were not getting hits any more. But a lot of those albums from around that time still had some genuinely quality material buried somewhere in there. To use an obvious and perhaps tired comparison, McCartney's "Off the Ground" was not all a-list material, but as an album on both the song and production side of things, it was a masterpiece compared to something like SIP. Heck, even Ringo's "Time Takes Time" from 1992 truly is a hidden pop masterpiece compared to SIP.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Matt H on November 01, 2017, 06:54:28 AM
In terms of the SIP album, it being ignored *is* the outcome of it not selling and being a critical failure. Certainly, it was continually ignored because it had no momentum and was apparently more or less DOA.

A lack of a promo budget certainly wouldn't have helped things. They were choosing to release the album themselves, and I would imagine it didn't have a huge promo budget. But it got some good publicity via multiple episodes of "Full House." They did service multiple singles to radio.

I think 1992 just wasn't a year when the "Beach Boys" were going to easily have another "Kokomo/Endless Summer" sort of career resurgence (and "Kokomo" was more of a blip than a huge career-changer; they were already a popular touring act before it was a hit, and "Kokomo" didn't leverage them any better albums), and Mike churning out an awful album made it even easier for the band as anything other than a touring machine to fall even farther off the radar. Superfans can pick through the scraps of SIP and find a few catchy melodies and chord changes. But as objective as we can be, SIP was a poor album and the marketplace rejecting it made sense. It's not like it's a hidden gem that people just weren't tuned-in enough to take a shine to.

Nobody was looking at BB '85 or "Kokomo" or "Still Crusin'" and specifically saying "That guy, Mike Love, what I *really* want is a full album of stuff from him!"

The production, even for 1992, was shrill and synthetic and sterile. Nobody wanted to hear something like "Summer of Love" from a guy in his 50s. Those who cared to know the then-recent history of the band would also easily pick out the multiple sad "Kokomo" clones on the album. And certainly, Brian literally not singing or playing one note on the album was a huge knock against the album. Brian had, at best, a mixed bag of his own material around this time. But I've never even been that into the "Sweet Insanity" stuff, yet a few tracks off that would have made SIP more listenable and notable. If Mike had been a true leader for the SIP album, he would have not only allowed but actively *encouraged* if not demanded that Al and Carl contribute more songs and lead vocals to the album.

I'd also say that, despite "Kokomo" subsequently being a hit, Mike's already-bruised reputation among casual fans and the rock press, exacerbated by his reputation-sealing R&R Hall of Fame speech, certainly didn't help the band sell SIP.

There are other "legacy artists" who were maybe doing albums that were mixed bags around this same time, who were not getting hits any more. But a lot of those albums from around that time still had some genuinely quality material buried somewhere in there. To use an obvious and perhaps tired comparison, McCartney's "Off the Ground" was not all a-list material, but as an album on both the song and production side of things, it was a masterpiece compared to something like SIP. Heck, even Ringo's "Time Takes Time" from 1992 truly is a hidden pop masterpiece compared to SIP.

"Time Takes Time" had more Brian involvement than SIP.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: B.E. on November 01, 2017, 06:57:52 AM
"Time Takes Time" had more Brian involvement than SIP.

 :lol


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 01, 2017, 07:16:06 AM
"Time Takes Time" had more Brian involvement than SIP.

Exactly!

There was certainly some extended estrangement, even well after Landy was out of the picture. Brian didn't play on-stage with the BB's between 1990 and 1995 as I recall.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Nate on November 01, 2017, 11:10:42 AM
After reading much of this thread since the last time I contributed, I have several thoughts.

1) I don't think SIP deserves the hate it gets. I think all the songs are good except Surfin, Summer Of Love, Forever (hate the redo), and Remember Walkin

2) I think Unleash The Love will be much better than Looking Back With Love.



Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: KDS on November 01, 2017, 11:24:12 AM
After reading much of this thread since the last time I contributed, I have several thoughts.

1) I don't think SIP deserves the hate it gets. I think all the songs are good except Surfin, Summer Of Love, Forever (hate the redo), and Remember Walkin



I agree with you, except I'd swap Forever 92 for Under the Boardwalk.   I actually like the Forever remake, but I had a fondness for cheesy power ballads. 


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 01, 2017, 11:57:57 AM
I think Stamos's cover of "Forever" would have been fine on a Stamos album. On a BB album, even a crummy, compromised, pseudo-Mike-solo-album Beach Boys album, it still seems rather bland and forgettable.

The most fascinating thing about Stamos's "Forever" in relation to the SIP album is that Stamos featured the song *multiple times* on "Full House", at a time when the show was one of the *highest rated* shows on TV, and the SIP album *still* tanked.

And I do think the album got decent distribution. I recall seeing it back in 1992 even at places like mall record stores and places like "Fry's Electronics." It came out during the tail end of the CD "long box" era where CDs came in the long cardboard boxes, and SIP was supposed to be "ecologically friendly" while still attempting to maintain "longbox" dimensions, thus it had the odd packaging where the case was left open-face and then shrink wrapped.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on November 01, 2017, 12:02:18 PM
After reading much of this thread since the last time I contributed, I have several thoughts.

1) I don't think SIP deserves the hate it gets. I think all the songs are good except Surfin, Summer Of Love, Forever (hate the redo), and Remember Walkin

Every BB studio album up until SIP had some sort of life to it - each album has memorable moments, and more to the point many forgettable moments. And with the exception of the shitty ‘Here Comes The Night’ remake, mostly every song prior to SIP was harmless and not overly embarrassing. Post Love You:

MIU: ‘My Diane’ is a knockout, and the whole album has a cohesive vibe focusing on vocals and harmony.
Light Album: Full of some okay songs that just didn’t take off. But no harm done at all.
KTSA: it’s got charm, and it’s not creepy, yet the whole thing is forgettable.
BB85: yeah, it’s 80s production but Getcha Back kicks ass and Brian has some good tunes on there as well. Carl’s voice shines on it - and unlike SIP, Carl’s voice isn’t the only thing holding this album together.

And back to my point about each of these albums having forgettable moments: much of the content of these albums is so inoffensive that nobody bothers to talk about the songs. When was the last time someone mentioned ‘Sumahama’ on this site? Yet the creepy vibe of SIP, the plastic production, sacrilege ‘Forever’ remake makes it an album that is talked about negatively and it does deserve the hate and it shows everywhere - be it this forum or others, or review sites, blogs, etc. Hell, the fact that they don’t sell this pile of dicks anymore (in an age where digital streaming would make nearly any album free money for these guys) should be clue number one that this album deserves the shitty reputation that it has.

Aside from one or two people here who feel the need to interject SIP positivity constantly, no one goes out of their way to say “Under The Boardwalk is a great song from SIP, let’s discuss it”. Whereas you do hear sporadic and genuine praise for ‘My Diane’, ‘Getcha Back’, maybe even ‘Good Timin’ once in a while. No one asks about what kind of mic setup they used on SIP because it doesn’t matter; it all sounds like sh*t. The closest anyone has come to inquiring about details of production is when ProTools is mentioned, and it’s only brought up when posters are having a laugh at how bad the album sounds.

Assemble friends and family around for Thanksgiving this year, then turn on your Dolby 5.1 surround system, then play Summer In Paradise while you’re all sitting down to eat (heck, even skip the really bad songs). Let me know how that goes. And that is why this album 10000% deserves the hate it gets.

It’s an absolute joke and a slap in the face to the legacy of the band that brought us Pet Sounds.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: KDS on November 01, 2017, 12:05:11 PM
I think Stamos's cover of "Forever" would have been fine on a Stamos album. On a BB album, even a crummy, compromised, pseudo-Mike-solo-album Beach Boys album, it still seems rather bland and forgettable.

The most fascinating thing about Stamos's "Forever" in relation to the SIP album is that Stamos featured the song *multiple times* on "Full House", at a time when the show was one of the *highest rated* shows on TV, and the SIP album *still* tanked.

And I do think the album got decent distribution. I recall seeing it back in 1992 even at places like mall record stores and places like "Fry's Electronics." It came out during the tail end of the CD "long box" era where CDs came in the long cardboard boxes, and SIP was supposed to be "ecologically friendly" while still attempting to maintain "longbox" dimensions, thus it had the odd packaging where the case was left open-face and then shrink wrapped.

I definitely prefer the Sunflower version, but I still think the 92 version is decent.  If anything, it's the best produced song on the album by far.  

I also think that the Full House tie-in failed because the song was credited to "Jesse and the Rippers" even though Mike and Carl have cameos in the music video they aired at the end of the episode.  So, even though the song appeared on Full House, they didn't specify that it was a Beach Boys song featuring John Stamos.  

I do remember there was a previous episode where Mike and Bruce show up at the Tanner house, and "Uncle Jessie" asks permission to cover Forever.   My memory of the details is foggy, but I don't recall any dialog about a new BB album for 1992.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 01, 2017, 12:06:28 PM
After reading much of this thread since the last time I contributed, I have several thoughts.

1) I don't think SIP deserves the hate it gets. I think all the songs are good except Surfin, Summer Of Love, Forever (hate the redo), and Remember Walkin

2) I think Unleash The Love will be much better than Looking Back With Love.



When one is trying objectively review an album, we're not just looking at how much we like a given song, or how much it's "okay", or "better than" something else. The whole ball of wax is scrutinized, to give it some context.

SIP is not like the "worst album ever" or anything like that. It's the context that makes it maybe the worst in all aspects in the BB canon. Musically, it *is* not every good, with a few songs that compositionally are okay/catchy, and with some good group vocals (as always) and good leads from Carl and Al. But the production/recording/mixing/mastering is awful. And, again to paraphrase/touch on the point I drew from Wirestone, this middling-to-awful album is Mike *trying his hardest*, bringing his A-game.

The album is rightly pounced on not just because the songs are on the whole not very good, but because of what it represents and is emblematic of. And that is *bad* artistic (and frankly commercial/financial) decisions. Mike shouldn't have been put in charge of an album. Carl and Al shouldn't have abdicated seemingly more or less *all* of their control. And they all shouldn't have done an album without Brian. Unless Brian at that point had specifically announced that he was quitting the Beach Boys and would never ever work on an album with them again, they should have held out and waited.

Not only should a band like that not cede all control to one member, they certainly shouldn't to a member has a very specific, often derided and criticized artistic taste.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 01, 2017, 12:07:48 PM
I think Stamos's cover of "Forever" would have been fine on a Stamos album. On a BB album, even a crummy, compromised, pseudo-Mike-solo-album Beach Boys album, it still seems rather bland and forgettable.

The most fascinating thing about Stamos's "Forever" in relation to the SIP album is that Stamos featured the song *multiple times* on "Full House", at a time when the show was one of the *highest rated* shows on TV, and the SIP album *still* tanked.

And I do think the album got decent distribution. I recall seeing it back in 1992 even at places like mall record stores and places like "Fry's Electronics." It came out during the tail end of the CD "long box" era where CDs came in the long cardboard boxes, and SIP was supposed to be "ecologically friendly" while still attempting to maintain "longbox" dimensions, thus it had the odd packaging where the case was left open-face and then shrink wrapped.

I definitely prefer the Sunflower version, but I still think the 92 version is decent.  If anything, it's the best produced song on the album by far.  

I also think that the Full House tie-in failed because the song was credited to "Jesse and the Rippers" even though Mike and Carl have cameos in the music video they aired at the end of the episode.  So, even though the song appeared on Full House, they didn't specify that it was a Beach Boys song featuring John Stamos.  

I do remember there was a previous episode where Mike and Bruce show up at the Tanner house, and "Uncle Jessie" asks permission to cover Forever.   My memory of the details is foggy, but I don't recall any dialog about a new BB album for 1992.

True, they didn't really specifically mention that *that* recording/song was going to be on a new BB album.

Stamos *did* prominently display the SIP poster in the background of the show on his "radio show" set.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: KDS on November 01, 2017, 12:15:14 PM
I think Stamos's cover of "Forever" would have been fine on a Stamos album. On a BB album, even a crummy, compromised, pseudo-Mike-solo-album Beach Boys album, it still seems rather bland and forgettable.

The most fascinating thing about Stamos's "Forever" in relation to the SIP album is that Stamos featured the song *multiple times* on "Full House", at a time when the show was one of the *highest rated* shows on TV, and the SIP album *still* tanked.

And I do think the album got decent distribution. I recall seeing it back in 1992 even at places like mall record stores and places like "Fry's Electronics." It came out during the tail end of the CD "long box" era where CDs came in the long cardboard boxes, and SIP was supposed to be "ecologically friendly" while still attempting to maintain "longbox" dimensions, thus it had the odd packaging where the case was left open-face and then shrink wrapped.

I definitely prefer the Sunflower version, but I still think the 92 version is decent.  If anything, it's the best produced song on the album by far.  

I also think that the Full House tie-in failed because the song was credited to "Jesse and the Rippers" even though Mike and Carl have cameos in the music video they aired at the end of the episode.  So, even though the song appeared on Full House, they didn't specify that it was a Beach Boys song featuring John Stamos.  

I do remember there was a previous episode where Mike and Bruce show up at the Tanner house, and "Uncle Jessie" asks permission to cover Forever.   My memory of the details is foggy, but I don't recall any dialog about a new BB album for 1992.

True, they didn't really specifically mention that *that* recording/song was going to be on a new BB album.

Stamos *did* prominently display the SIP poster in the background of the show on his "radio show" set.

I don't recall that poster in the background.  But, for whatever reason, my memory of the later Full House episodes is pretty foggy. 

Of course if one doesn't notice The Beach Boys' logo, one would probably think it's a poster from a local aquarium. 


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Needleinthehay on November 01, 2017, 04:07:08 PM
I was about 12 when full house was at its peak and i remember “forever” being sang and that i had no clue it was a bb song or that uncle jessie had a version on a bb album. So yeah i dont know how much promo it did. Why couldnt someone take 5 seconds and say “hey great beach boys song...youre on the new album right?” On the show...sure it wouldve been cheesie but whole show is not exactly breaking bad
Altho maybe in the long run it wouldve hurt the band if more people had spent money on such a subpar albun


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: KDS on November 02, 2017, 05:20:08 AM
I was about 12 when full house was at its peak and i remember “forever” being sang and that i had no clue it was a bb song or that uncle jessie had a version on a bb album. So yeah i dont know how much promo it did. Why couldnt someone take 5 seconds and say “hey great beach boys song...youre on the new album right?” On the show...sure it wouldve been cheesie but whole show is not exactly breaking bad
Altho maybe in the long run it wouldve hurt the band if more people had spent money on such a subpar albun

They could've done a quick tag at the end of the episode, like "if you liked this version of Forever, it'll be on the new Beach Boys album, SIP." 

And much worse albums by great bands have sold many more copies without doing any damage. 


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on November 02, 2017, 09:49:25 AM
Without repeating for the umpteenth time what I've said in the past about the SIP debacle (yes, it's one of my bigger gripes in the band's history), I'll suggest there was no lack of promotion for the project nor was there a lack of reaching the core audience of Beach Boys fans who were the key demographic for buying the SIP album.

The issue was demand - Those core fans were simply not interested in buying this album. They all knew it was out and available, whether it was Capitol or Boardwalk or MELECO or Peter Pan on the label. They simply did not buy it, or want to buy it.

Consider these points.

- There was no shortage of the album in the stores, as I've reported before the "Beach Boys" section in the big shops was full of the SIP album available for sale. The supply never went down, it seemed. After that it went into the cut-out bins...and again, it seemed like the rack was always full to the brim for anyone to buy even at a discount, several years even after the release.

- Mike was promoting this album and especially the title song for several years on all the stages he and the band played after the release. I can speak for one I witnessed  and it's probably up on YouTube to watch...Philly, July 4 1995. They played the title cut of SIP, and it seemed to drag on and on like swimming a length of a pool filled with molasses. It wasn't the Beach Boys...of course neither was the dancing girls and all the other Mike-led trappings on display at the show. But if fans who saw the band play live in the 90's up to Carl's passing dug the song and wanted to buy it, they simply didn't do so.

- Mike was on several pretty big media outlets plugging the album. Howard Stern, yeah his audience was more into hard rock and metal, but if BB fans heard Mike's interview, they heard Mike tell them about his new BB album. They must not have bought it either. Then Mike with QVC...they gave SIP away as a free bonus for people buying the GV box set. I guess freebie bonuses aren't tabbed as sales, who knows. But QVC moves product, and it's pretty desperate to give away an album that stiffed as a bonus.

- Full House. As mentioned, if Uncle Jesse's fans wanted to buy the SIP album, they would have. It appears they did not.

- Baywatch. At the time Mike and the Boys were featured on the show, it was being called the most popular and most watched show *in the world* thanks to syndication. Mike and the Boys had a whole episode written around them that even worked the title track (and album) into the plot as a fundraiser for clean water, and Mike had the infamous "Summer Of Love" video shot for the episode...no one bought it. Even with Stamos and the bikini girls dancing around Mike. So even giving the SIP album and a single from the album a huge marketing push via the world's most-watched TV show at that time, a few years after the original release, no one seemed interested in buying the album or the related singles.

After considering those examples of the promotions and exposure SIP received for the years after its release, was it really a lack of promotion or knowledge of the album that caused it to stiff, or was it the album itself? That's an easy one to hash out.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on November 02, 2017, 10:13:11 AM
Add to the above, a two-page spread ad ran in Billboard August 1992 to advertise and hype the SIP album. First page was a "Brother Entertainment" ad with the names Elliot Lott and Ron Alexenburg along with logo and contact info. The second page was a full hype on the album, with bullet points touting the highlights including John Stamos' recording "debut", as well as listing upcoming tour dates for the band. The release was even reported as going independent as a news item, through "Brother Entertainment" (listing Mike Love as executive in charge of music production, so don't tell me (you know who you are lol) that Mike was not running this dog-and-pony show at this time), and distributed by Navarre Corp out of Minnesota. Mr. Alexenburg's resume and credits in the music biz are a mile long, and the band had control even moreso because it was their own label releasing it. Again, just to point out that the industry and fanbase were fully aware of this project. The fact it stiffed can't be chalked up to ignorance or lack of information 25 years later.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Curt Lambert on November 02, 2017, 10:54:52 AM
I bought SIP when it first came out as I was excited about a new Beach Boys album. And yes, ugh. It is the worst Beach Boys album, by far and away. Exponentially so. But, lol, I do like 4 songs on the album. " Strange Things Happen" (although it sounds like it was unfinished)," Lahaina Aloha" (yes, a Kokomo derivative/rip off/whatever), but I enjoy it when I hear it; "Hot Fun In The Summertime", and "Remember Walking In The Sand". I know most, above and beyond the general distaste, seem to dislike Remember,, but I like it. Even inspired a screenplay by me. S0 yes, I haven't listened to the album in a few years, the overall sound and production is crap and it has a lot of drek on it. But I do like those 4 songs. No, they are not in my top 100 Beach Boys songs and yes, they should have waited for Brian, and Carl and Al should have taken much, much more leadership on SIP. Their vocals are what I like on the album. I think Mike is a disaster in many ways, and this album is one prime example. I will not be buying or listening to the new solo release. I have heard a few seconds and no thank you.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: jeremylr on November 02, 2017, 11:59:09 AM
Mike will be interviewed live on SiriusXM's Elvis channel across the street from Graceland in Memphis in a few minutes.....just saw the news on deejay Big Jim Sykes' Facebook page.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 02, 2017, 01:03:45 PM
Strange Things Happen" (although it sounds like it was unfinished),"

They attempted to remedy this on the 1993 UK remix by simply lopping off like a full minute or two from the end of the song. I'm not even sure that particular track was "remixed"; it may have simply been edited.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 02, 2017, 01:05:49 PM
Mike will be interviewed live on SiriusXM's Elvis channel across the street from Graceland in Memphis in a few minutes.....just saw the news on deejay Big Jim Sykes' Facebook page.

Mike has an hour long Google Talk up on YouTube. I haven't had the time to watch it yet, but I'd *love* for someone else to watch it and give us some CliffsNotes in the meantime. I'm curious if he only trots out the same stories from his book and other recent interviews:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xglrwVdqUes

Addendum: I was just able to watch several minutes, starting around the 35-ish minute mark, and surprisingly the interviewer actually gives Mike a huge opening to allow him to explain how mental illness rather than solely drugs was a major factor with Brian, and Mike mentions something randomly about ADD, acknowledges people self-medicate, but clearly isn't prepared to cut Brian any slack due to having pre-existing mental health issues.

I also wish he'd actually explain *how* the Wilsons taking drugs was the "worst" thing that ever happened to the group. I'm not saying it wasn't awful for a hundred reasons, but I'd be curious to hear him actually describe how the drug use impacted the group, rather than simply pointing out their drug use so that he can mention that he *didn't* do drugs.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Tony S on November 02, 2017, 04:27:34 PM
Clearly I'm no fan of Mike love but it's very obvious what drug usage did to the band and the impact it had on the Wilsons and the boys in general. Brian is clear.... LSD blew his mind. Carl and his heroin Addiction in the late 70s really impacted his singing and his touring performances on stage. Dennis of course was the worst when it came to drug abuse and its impact on him and on his performances live was clear. Again no fan of Mike love but drugs did have a negative impact on the band


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: CenturyDeprived on November 02, 2017, 05:06:56 PM
Clearly I'm no fan of Mike love but it's very obvious what drug usage did to the band and the impact it had on the Wilsons and the boys in general. Brian is clear.... LSD blew his mind. Carl and his heroin Addiction in the late 70s really impacted his singing and his touring performances on stage. Dennis of course was the worst when it came to drug abuse and its impact on him and on his performances live was clear. Again no fan of Mike love but drugs did have a negative impact on the band

A severe addiction to total control + power is also absolutely a drug.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Lonely Summer on November 02, 2017, 11:30:40 PM
After "Kokomo" was #1, I thought maybe the BB's could get a record company to back them on an album of all new material. Instead, Capitol wanted another compilation - a few new tracks mixed in with the old stuff. 1990 came around, just one single that was incredibly hard to find - "Problem Child"; 1991 - "Crocodile Rock" on the Elton tribute cd. I was beginning to think there would never be another album of all new BB's recordings. I remember the day I saw SIP in the store. Picked up the longbox, looked at the backside for song titles, and noticed that it was nearly all Melcher/Love songs. One song from Bruce, nothing from Al or Carl. I put the cd back in the rack, wasn't interested in a Mike Love album masquerading as a Beach Boys disc. No, I didn't expect Brian to be on it, I knew he'd been on the outs with the guys for awhile, especially since the release of his autobiography.
I finally did pick up a copy of SIP many years later in a used record store - for less than a dollar. I don't hate it as much as I used to, but it's definitely the worst BB's studio album. Completely soulless production, and most of the songs just sound like Kokomo Part 10.
I think, at the time, Carl was more focused on the Beckley/Lamm/Wilson stuff. Mike wanted total control on SIP and he got it. He was convinced he was the only one who could write a hit song. "I wrote a worldwide #1 hit called Kokomo, that proves that I am the one in touch with what our fans want."
I hope Mike's not gonna be crushed if Unleash the Love isn't a big seller.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Tony S on November 03, 2017, 04:10:10 AM
I'll say one thing for Mike Love......he is at least using social media to promote his new CD. Some pretty good ideas too, using the "new song each day" snippet on Facebook, as well as the Sirius and Google radio promotions. More than Al or Brian ever did with their releases.....I don't like Mike Love, and don't care for the snippets that I heard on Facebook. But at least he's trying to promote it through contemporary social media.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 03, 2017, 06:49:11 AM
Clearly I'm no fan of Mike love but it's very obvious what drug usage did to the band and the impact it had on the Wilsons and the boys in general. Brian is clear.... LSD blew his mind. Carl and his heroin Addiction in the late 70s really impacted his singing and his touring performances on stage. Dennis of course was the worst when it came to drug abuse and its impact on him and on his performances live was clear. Again no fan of Mike love but drugs did have a negative impact on the band

I mentioned in my previous post that I wasn't denying that drugs have vastly negatively impacted the band and its members. No question. But Mike never elaborates on it at all. It always comes across, when he brings it up, as a way to simply say something negative about the Wilsons (they did drugs) and something positive about himself (I didn't do drugs). He rarely goes into any more detail than that.

It also gives him a convenient way to not go into any detail about the *other* reasons the band faced problems over the years, which would mean *Mike* would be one of those problems. He never mentions that litigiousness, ego, or questionable artistic decisions like SIP also impacted the band. Remember, when he talks about drugs, he's being asked about how it impacted *the band*, not how it impacted their personal lives (how drugs impacted their personal lives would be painfully obvious of course).

The "LSD blew his mind" bit is always problematic, because Mike (and at times maybe even Brian) have too strongly emphasized Brian's 60s recreational drug abuse when talking about Brian is *now.* Mike rarely mentions how Brian pre-existing mental issues, and very rarely if ever points out that Landy's prescribed drugs in the late 80s and early 90s f-ed Brian up arguably more than LSD did in the 60s.

Mike never says "You know what, Brian did drugs in the 60s and 70s, but it maybe wasn't all his fault because he was self-medicating due to mental illness. Also, I certainly can't blame Brian for the drugs given to him by Landy in the 80s and 90s which took a huge toll on him."


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 03, 2017, 06:56:33 AM
I'll say one thing for Mike Love......he is at least using social media to promote his new CD. Some pretty good ideas too, using the "new song each day" snippet on Facebook, as well as the Sirius and Google radio promotions. More than Al or Brian ever did with their releases.....I don't like Mike Love, and don't care for the snippets that I heard on Facebook. But at least he's trying to promote it through contemporary social media.

Brian and Al are both hugely active on social media. Brian regularly promotes his tours and album projects there. They both regularly post and push BB and Brian/solo projects, and other things as well. Brian pushed numerous "exclusive" full previews of NPP songs back in 2015, and did the same with the new songs from "Playback."

Brian regularly does TV appearances as well.

Al's solo album was seven years ago (and then five years ago when he reissued it); the social media climate and how they were using it was different even back then. As I recall, Mike seemed to not even understand how Facebook worked in 2012 when he wrongly claimed there was "negative" stuff about him on "Al's website."

I'm not criticizing Mike using social media, but releasing clips of his songs every day isn't exactly a mind-blowing, creative idea. He's essentially slowly doling out what you'd fine on the "song previews" section on Amazon or iTunes.

Separately, I'd have to say whoever is picking which 30 seconds of Mike's songs to preview is doing a bad job. I tried "Ram Raj" and they clearly picked some sort of interlude or basic chorus or something that just repeats the title refrain over and over. There's literally no evidence of Mike lead in the 30 second sound sample. Is some underling really just randomly grabbing 30 seconds?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Bicyclerider on November 03, 2017, 08:42:52 AM
The issue of drugs and their effect on the BAND and on their OUTPUT is interesting and not addressed by Mike or just about anyone associated with the band.  For instance, an argument can be made that drugs (along with mental illness) was a major factor in the collapse of the Smile project - yet Smiley Smile was apparently a "drug" ALBUM that was heavily influenced by hash and marijuana use by the entire band (with the exception of Al), including Mike.  Mike DID inhale despite his anti-drug stance now.

What other albums were almost derailed, or songs left unfinished or in a rough state but still released, because of drugs?  What songs feature vocals by someone clearly impaired by drugs or alcohol (Love You's Carl leads come to mind).  What tours were disasters because of drugs (the Australia tour with Carl out of it in what 77 or 78?).  Was the Maharishi tour decision disaster influenced by drugs or solely by Mike and the band's love of T.M.?  What role did drugs play in the cancellation of the Monterey appearance?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Jim V. on November 03, 2017, 09:10:23 AM
Separately, I'd have to say whoever is picking which 30 seconds of Mike's songs to preview is doing a bad job. I tried "Ram Raj" and they clearly picked some sort of interlude or basic chorus or something that just repeats the title refrain over and over. There's literally no evidence of Mike lead in the 30 second sound sample. Is some underling really just randomly grabbing 30 seconds?

I've actually found most of the preview clips pretty decent as far as getting a feel for the songs, but on "Ram Raj" or whatever I have to be honest it gave me no clue about the song at this point. Is it just some kind of ambient interlude or an actual song with a Mike lead?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on November 03, 2017, 09:10:48 AM
After "Kokomo" was #1, I thought maybe the BB's could get a record company to back them on an album of all new material. Instead, Capitol wanted another compilation - a few new tracks mixed in with the old stuff.

Just to correct this because I've written a lot about this exact topic in the last 5 years - Capitol did not want another compilation after Kokomo, they wanted a new album of new Beach Boys material and even had a contract for them where they wanted three new singles. There is an LA Times article which outlines this to a "t" including comments from a Capitol label exec and from the band members as well, including Bruce who said he wanted to make new original music and not become a traveling jukebox type of oldies revue.

Capitol was very, very hot for a follow up from the band if not demanding it as part of a contract, and the band blew it. They simply could not and did not deliver, so what Capitol did was put out a watered-down compilation so they could have an album for fans to buy Kokomo and at least recoup some profits from that since Kokomo was originally not on Capitol and instead on the label which released the Cocktail soundtrack...because when Cocktail came out, the band was not signed to a label.

After Kokomo and the Still Cruisin compromise, the band was without a label again. They blew it with Capitol and despite having *four* songwriters in the band not named Brian, including a Grammy winning writer in Bruce, a Wilson, a Jardine, and a frontman who has people saying he's a genius too, they blew it.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: KDS on November 03, 2017, 09:19:24 AM
In their history, The Beach Boys didn't see many open doors that they didn't emphatically slam shut. 


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on November 03, 2017, 09:27:58 AM
It's important to correct the notion that Capitol did not want another compilation, they wanted specifically a new original album and three singles to follow up Kokomo, and the band dropped the ball. Capitol dropped them, then for the next 20 years or so was OK with doing archival stuff and compilations (since the band blew it and the well was dry without Brian)  until Brian came back with all surviving members for the 50th anniversary. Capitol got a top-5 album which Mike then proceeded to badmouth in interviews because he was bitter about his role in making it. Maybe it's not exactly "the band" blowing these opportunities or slamming the doors shut en masse as much as some individuals in the band.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 03, 2017, 10:10:43 AM
Separately, I'd have to say whoever is picking which 30 seconds of Mike's songs to preview is doing a bad job. I tried "Ram Raj" and they clearly picked some sort of interlude or basic chorus or something that just repeats the title refrain over and over. There's literally no evidence of Mike lead in the 30 second sound sample. Is some underling really just randomly grabbing 30 seconds?

I've actually found most of the preview clips pretty decent as far as getting a feel for the songs, but on "Ram Raj" or whatever I have to be honest it gave me no clue about the song at this point. Is it just some kind of ambient interlude or an actual song with a Mike lead?

At first, I almost thought it was the "10,000 Years" backing track with different "vocals." But then I remembered that "10,000 Years" is still a separate track.

Speaking of "10,000 Years", can anybody (Jon Stebbins?) speak any more to what Dennis and Mike's different versions/contributions were. I recall years ago someone (perhaps Jon?) mentioning that the best working theory was that it may have been a collaboration at some point, but that at some point both Dennis and Mike separately took the song and did their own things to it.

Long story short, is there any chance "10,000 Years" would retain a Dennis songwriting credit? I'm not even saying it *should*; the song it a bit murky in that area. I'm not even 100% sure if it was ever determine which of Dennis or Mike was attached to the one backing track from the 70s for the song that circulates. It has often been attached to compilations of Dennis tracks, but I don't know.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 03, 2017, 10:22:59 AM
After "Kokomo" was #1, I thought maybe the BB's could get a record company to back them on an album of all new material. Instead, Capitol wanted another compilation - a few new tracks mixed in with the old stuff.

Just to correct this because I've written a lot about this exact topic in the last 5 years - Capitol did not want another compilation after Kokomo, they wanted a new album of new Beach Boys material and even had a contract for them where they wanted three new singles. There is an LA Times article which outlines this to a "t" including comments from a Capitol label exec and from the band members as well, including Bruce who said he wanted to make new original music and not become a traveling jukebox type of oldies revue.

Capitol was very, very hot for a follow up from the band if not demanding it as part of a contract, and the band blew it. They simply could not and did not deliver, so what Capitol did was put out a watered-down compilation so they could have an album for fans to buy Kokomo and at least recoup some profits from that since Kokomo was originally not on Capitol and instead on the label which released the Cocktail soundtrack...because when Cocktail came out, the band was not signed to a label.

After Kokomo and the Still Cruisin compromise, the band was without a label again. They blew it with Capitol and despite having *four* songwriters in the band not named Brian, including a Grammy winning writer in Bruce, a Wilson, a Jardine, and a frontman who has people saying he's a genius too, they blew it.

Not only did Capitol want a *new* album of *new* songs (and that exec in that article mind-blowingly actually seemed excited and hopeful about the BBs doing some *good new* music), Mike in later comments/interviews clearly indicated he felt the opposite, that it should have had *less* new songs and had *more* of the "movie soundtrack" themed stuff.

Here are his comments from his 1992 Goldmine interview:

But the problem with a major is that just as recently as the Still Cruisin' album, the same week that we went to radio with a song called "Somewhere Near Japan," which was getting really good airplay, Capitol Records went to CHR radio stations with eight singles. That was just one label in the same week. They'd also just done a deal with Duran Duran. They had paid a lot of money for Duran Duran, whereas we did an album of half new and half older songs. The theme of that album was to have been songs that have been in movies. It was basically a repackage.

But then in got watered down with politics, meaning Brian's Dr. Landy forcing a song called "In My Car," which was never in a movie, and a song by Jardine, which ultimately ended up on the album, called "Island Girl," which was never in a movie either. So to me the concept was a little bit diluted there politically.

So what happened in this instance was I was not happy that the album was half repackage and half politics. What happens when you do things politically just to accommodate the fact that if you're in a group and you divide it by five members, and you got two songs each, it may be a nice thing to do but everybody has their own point of view that isn't taken into consideration objectively.



On the one hand, he agrees with many fans that the album was diluted a bit. But he feels it was diluted by the "non movie" songs, like Brian's and Al's songs. But then, at the same time, he seems to trumpet "Somewhere Near Japan" a bit, even though it was also one of the "non movie" songs (perhaps not coincidentally, one *he* co-wrote).

He doesn't seem to include himself in any of the criticism, but it is interesting that he did note that the album came across as sort of half-baked and a bit schizophrenic. It was indeed about "half repackage" and "half politics." It just sounds like he may have been more into a firm decision to go with "repackage", essentially a "Beach Boys Greatest Movie Songs", more than "politics" even if the "politics" at least resulted in more *new* music.

What you get from the interview above, in addition to countless other interviews, is that Mike firmly saw BB product at that point as *product* first and foremost. He doesn't say a word about workshopping new, good music ideas, or picking the best songs. He talks about how to "package" and "market" stuff, how to "theme" it.

He seems a bit disenfranchised in that interview about how "Still Cruisin'" went down. Yet, when left seemingly 100% in charge of everything to do with the band's next album, his ideas and sensibilities were 100% wrong (and wrong based on *Mike's* own standards, which is sales/chart position/profit). He seemed annoyed having to bow to "politics" and give Brian and Al each a song on "Still Cruisin'." So on SIP, Brian was nowhere to be seen and Al was absent for most of the sessions and wasn't given any songs on the album. The result? It tanked hard. I'm not saying one Al song on SIP would have vastly changed things. But it's emblematic of what happens when Mike is in charge of the "art" side of things.

What's the last non-touring, recording-based thing that was vastly successful that Mike can take the lion's share of credit for? Naming "Endless Summer" in 1974 and then co-writing "Kokomo" in 1988?

Meanwhile, years later as Mike has led the charge to morph the band into an AARP brand, Brian and Joe Thomas crank out a *Top 3* album, with generally decent reviews to boot, and help morph the band *back* into a relevant *recording* act despite 20 years away from the album business and even longer since their last decent *hit* album. And Mike has nothing but scorn for the album.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: NateRuvin on November 03, 2017, 10:44:11 AM
There are some people on this board who are really looking forward to this album, although most of the people probably could care less. But it dawned on me that we should be thankful. Beach Boys-related music is still being recorded and released. I'll take anything I can get.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: The LEGENDARY OSD on November 03, 2017, 07:51:04 PM
There are some people on this board who are really looking forward to this album, although most of the people probably could care less. But it dawned on me that we should be thankful. Beach Boys-related music is still being recorded and released. I'll take anything I can get.

And what you want is just what myKe luHv is counting on.  ::)


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: kreen on November 03, 2017, 09:01:51 PM

[/quote]
 Brian and Joe Thomas crank out a *Top 3* album,
[/quote]

You say earlier that TWGMTR was a Top 5 album, and now you bring up this chart placement. You realize that it means nothing commercially these days, right? TWGMTR and NPP sold to the remaining BB fans, then dropped like stones. These days, you can sell like 30 000 copies and get to number one. It's entirely possible that the record company made no money from either of those albums.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Lonely Summer on November 03, 2017, 10:38:05 PM
After "Kokomo" was #1, I thought maybe the BB's could get a record company to back them on an album of all new material. Instead, Capitol wanted another compilation - a few new tracks mixed in with the old stuff.

Just to correct this because I've written a lot about this exact topic in the last 5 years - Capitol did not want another compilation after Kokomo, they wanted a new album of new Beach Boys material and even had a contract for them where they wanted three new singles. There is an LA Times article which outlines this to a "t" including comments from a Capitol label exec and from the band members as well, including Bruce who said he wanted to make new original music and not become a traveling jukebox type of oldies revue.

Capitol was very, very hot for a follow up from the band if not demanding it as part of a contract, and the band blew it. They simply could not and did not deliver, so what Capitol did was put out a watered-down compilation so they could have an album for fans to buy Kokomo and at least recoup some profits from that since Kokomo was originally not on Capitol and instead on the label which released the Cocktail soundtrack...because when Cocktail came out, the band was not signed to a label.

After Kokomo and the Still Cruisin compromise, the band was without a label again. They blew it with Capitol and despite having *four* songwriters in the band not named Brian, including a Grammy winning writer in Bruce, a Wilson, a Jardine, and a frontman who has people saying he's a genius too, they blew it.
I hate to disagree with an expert, but there was an interview with Carl from this period where he was asked if he had any songs on the new album, and he said no, he had one he'd been working on, but wasn't satisfied with it. He said the record company asked for 3 new songs, and the band gave them 5, so it was a compromise. I'm confident the band could have given Capitol an all new album if it was wanted - even if that meant Mike and Terry doing a SIP-style album a few years early. In fact, if SIP had come out in 1989, it probably would have done a lot better commercially, riding on the success of Kokomo. And the style of production heard on SIP would have fit in a lot better radio-wise than it did in 1992.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Lonely Summer on November 03, 2017, 10:44:47 PM

Brian and Joe Thomas crank out a *Top 3* album,
[/quote]

You say earlier that TWGMTR was a Top 5 album, and now you bring up this chart placement. You realize that it means nothing commercially these days, right? TWGMTR and NPP sold to the remaining BB fans, then dropped like stones. These days, you can sell like 30 000 copies and get to number one. It's entirely possible that the record company made no money from either of those albums.
[/quote] Kreen, thank you for pointing this out. I have seen the chart placement of TWGMTR repeatedly cited on this board as some kind of great success. Sure, it was nice to see a BB's album high in the charts again, but it didn't last. TWGMTR had nowhere the staying power of Sounds of Summer. I'll bet that Mike believed a really strong new album from the group would hang around a lot longer than it did. Now the album is pretty much forgotten. Are Mike and Bruce doing any of the songs now in there shows? How about Brian and Al?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 03, 2017, 10:59:35 PM

You say earlier that TWGMTR was a Top 5 album, and now you bring up this chart placement. You realize that it means nothing commercially these days, right? TWGMTR and NPP sold to the remaining BB fans, then dropped like stones. These days, you can sell like 30 000 copies and get to number one. It's entirely possible that the record company made no money from either of those albums.

I'm well aware of the current state of the industry and what it takes to get high up on the charts now compared to the past.

SIP didn't crack the *TOP 200* in  1992. It sold a few thousand copies at the most. That TWGMTR sold MORE units in 2012 than SIP did in 1992 even though  WAY more units were moving for bands in 1992 proves how dire the SIP situation was.

I *guarantee* you if Mike's new solo album hit the Top 10 Mike would trumpet that endlessly.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on November 03, 2017, 11:17:19 PM
After "Kokomo" was #1, I thought maybe the BB's could get a record company to back them on an album of all new material. Instead, Capitol wanted another compilation - a few new tracks mixed in with the old stuff.

Just to correct this because I've written a lot about this exact topic in the last 5 years - Capitol did not want another compilation after Kokomo, they wanted a new album of new Beach Boys material and even had a contract for them where they wanted three new singles. There is an LA Times article which outlines this to a "t" including comments from a Capitol label exec and from the band members as well, including Bruce who said he wanted to make new original music and not become a traveling jukebox type of oldies revue.

Capitol was very, very hot for a follow up from the band if not demanding it as part of a contract, and the band blew it. They simply could not and did not deliver, so what Capitol did was put out a watered-down compilation so they could have an album for fans to buy Kokomo and at least recoup some profits from that since Kokomo was originally not on Capitol and instead on the label which released the Cocktail soundtrack...because when Cocktail came out, the band was not signed to a label.

After Kokomo and the Still Cruisin compromise, the band was without a label again. They blew it with Capitol and despite having *four* songwriters in the band not named Brian, including a Grammy winning writer in Bruce, a Wilson, a Jardine, and a frontman who has people saying he's a genius too, they blew it.

I hate to disagree with an expert, but there was an interview with Carl from this period where he was asked if he had any songs on the new album, and he said no, he had one he'd been working on, but wasn't satisfied with it. He said the record company asked for 3 new songs, and the band gave them 5, so it was a compromise. I'm confident the band could have given Capitol an all new album if it was wanted - even if that meant Mike and Terry doing a SIP-style album a few years early. In fact, if SIP had come out in 1989, it probably would have done a lot better commercially, riding on the success of Kokomo. And the style of production heard on SIP would have fit in a lot better radio-wise than it did in 1992.

http://articles.latimes.com/1989-05-26/entertainment/ca-869_1_fat-boys-brian-wilson-endless-summer (http://articles.latimes.com/1989-05-26/entertainment/ca-869_1_fat-boys-brian-wilson-endless-summer)

>>>>>
The Beach Boys' New Splash
May 26, 1989|STEVE HOCHMAN


The Beach Boys are riding their biggest wave in two decades. They're coming off their first No. 1 single in 22 years ("Kokomo"), "genius" Brian Wilson is back in the fold, they've re-turned to Capitol Records and are on the road with Chicago for a hot-ticket summer tour.

You'd think these purveyors of good vibrations and endless summer fun, fun, fun would be coasting along quite comfortably. But the mood at a Culver City sound stage during the band's final rehearsal for the Chicago tour was anything but light.

The tension seemed to mirror the band's determination to take advantage of the current resurgence and re-establish itself as a contemporary hit-maker--or be doomed to a life as nostalgia merchants.

Carl Wilson, who had spent much of the night before working on new songs in a recording studio, declined to be interviewed. And Wilson, Bruce Johnston, Mike Love and Al Jardine seemed pretty businesslike as they worked out choreography steps to "Barbara Ann" with the six bikinied surfer girls who are decorating the stage on this tour (which includes shows Saturday at the Pacific Amphitheatre and Sunday at the Hollywood Bowl).

Explained Johnston, who joined the Beach Boys in 1965 after Brian Wilson gave up full-time touring: "I don't want the Beach Boys to be the futile endless road show of 'The King and I' or 'I Love Lucy' reruns. I live, eat and breathe getting on the radio. I just think, 'How can we get back on the radio?' "

Johnston didn't pause before answering himself: "With great songs, that's how!"

An odd question, coming not long after the band's "Kokomo," a song from the "Cocktail" movie score, became the Beach Boys first No. 1 single since 1966's "Good Vibrations."

And that was only one highlight from what was the group's best year in eons. It began with its induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, built through the attention focused on the solo album debut of Brian Wilson--the architect of the Beach Boys' often-imitated sound--and crested with "Kokomo."

The new Capitol release will be the band's first album in four years. Titled "Still Cruisin' " and due this summer, the record will be a combination of movie-related tracks including "Kokomo" and "Wipe Out" (a pairing with the rapping Fat Boys) and several new songs. After that, the contract contains an option for an album of all new material. Johnston calls it "the album of doom."

"Just because you've had a No. 1 doesn't mean you're automatic," Johnston said during a rehearsal break, acknowledging that the Beach Boys could go on forever recreating the endless summer with its stockpile of old hits. But that isn't good enough for him.

"It's records that matter," he said. "There's no point in touring without new records. It's just huge payments to me. We've got to be better than that."

David Berman, president of Capitol Records, was pleased to hear that the Beach Boys are going into their new arrangement with the label with that attitude.

"I think it's a pivotal point in their career," he said. "I hesitate to say with them that it's ever make or break. As a touring entity so continually successful, I wouldn't say that if this record doesn't happen it's the end of them as a recording entity. They're too good and represent too much so that they won't ever be dated. But on the other hand, I'm glad they feel that way because it bodes well for the record."

It's clear to the Beach Boys what Capitol expects from them.

"Three hit singles, to tell you the truth," Jardine said. "That's what they told us."

"That's fair," Berman said. "That's what I would hope for."

But even one hit, coming on the heels of "Kokomo," would pay double dividends for Capitol, which still owns the Beach Boys' '60s catalogue, some of which is now on CD, with the much-anticipated and much-delayed CD release of the hailed "Pet Sounds" 1966 album still to come.

Said Berman: "We do anticipate that a new hit Beach Boys record will help us exploit the catalogue, including but not limited to a 'Pet Sounds' CD."

Much is being made of Brian Wilson's role with the group. He will play only selected dates on this tour, including the Southland shows, with a four-song solo set included. But he will be working throughout the summer in the studio creating new songs for the band, which is essentially the role he has played for the past 25 years.

"We're going back to the original formula," said Dr. Eugene Landy, Brian's controversial therapist, guide and co-writer who hovered around while Brian was being interviewed. "Brian is most valuable to the Beach Boys using his time in the studio."

Still, many are perceiving this as a return to the fold for Brian, given his solo activities and the fact that he was not involved with "Kokomo." That impression was heightened last year when Love said in interviews that "Kokomo's" commercial superiority over Brian's solo album might prove to Brian that he needed the Beach Boys.

And Brian himself spoke of being accepted back into the Beach Boys.

"I'm very happy about it," he said. "And Mike seems to be happy for me being in the Beach Boys."

In any case, Brian's presence is paramount to Capitol. "Brian's involvement on this record is extremely important," Berman said. "But the fact that Mike Love and (producer) Terry Melcher came up with 'Kokomo' on their own without Brian means you've got a tremendous amount of talent there. I'm confident we can have quality material from all the Beach Boys."
<<<<<

Three hit singles according to Al Jardine in May 1989.

Capitol put the option in the new contract for a new album dependent on new material. Still Cruisin was in the works as of May '89 when this article appeared, the president of Capitol wanted new material which was part of the band's deal, including three hit singles which Capitol hoped would boost the profile and sales of the back catalog in the process. The band delivered none of that. They dropped the ball. Capitol eventually dropped them and this new album contract stipulation.

I don't know how much more clear that could be as it's described in the article including direct quotes.

If anything, the GV box set which had as its main calling card 40+ minutes of unreleased Smile audio did more for the band's profile and legacy than anything Mike cooked up, including more touring complete with dancing girls and the SIP debacle. So it kind of worked opposite of how Capitol envisioned it...the archival material bailed them out when the band couldn't follow up a #1 smash hit with...anything.

The most surreal part of that article will always be Bruce saying he doesn't want the band to become..."I don't want the Beach Boys to be the futile endless road show of 'The King and I' or 'I Love Lucy' reruns. I live, eat and breathe getting on the radio. I just think, 'How can we get back on the radio?'"..."With great songs, that's how!"...."It's records that matter," he said. "There's no point in touring without new records. It's just huge payments to me. We've got to be better than that."

...obviously Mike disagreed with Bruce on that. Yet look what happened to Bruce and Mike. They became the endless Beach Boys road show.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: phirnis on November 04, 2017, 12:13:28 AM
Three hit singles? No wonder they were churning out desperate bs material like Wipe Out.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on November 05, 2017, 08:23:48 AM
Three hit singles? No wonder they were churning out desperate bs material like Wipe Out.

Wipe Out was released as a Fat Boys single in 1987, before Kokomo, on the Fat Boys' record label (not Capitol), and got considerable airplay on MTV - mostly because the Fat Boys were very popular at that time. So it wasn't a case of the BBs churning out Wipe Out, they were guest artists on a Fat Boys record that sold. Like Kokomo showing up on Still Cruisin, Capitol wanted BB's fans to be able to have all these scattered singles and soundtrack hits on a *Capitol* label compilation so they could make some bank on it too...after the fact.

Ironic or not, Wipe Out was on a Fat Boys album called "Crushin'", and two years later on the BB's comp "Still Cruisin'" after it ran its course.

Maybe Mike could have named his album "Endless Cruisin'".


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Lonely Summer on November 05, 2017, 09:47:05 AM
After "Kokomo" was #1, I thought maybe the BB's could get a record company to back them on an album of all new material. Instead, Capitol wanted another compilation - a few new tracks mixed in with the old stuff.

Just to correct this because I've written a lot about this exact topic in the last 5 years - Capitol did not want another compilation after Kokomo, they wanted a new album of new Beach Boys material and even had a contract for them where they wanted three new singles. There is an LA Times article which outlines this to a "t" including comments from a Capitol label exec and from the band members as well, including Bruce who said he wanted to make new original music and not become a traveling jukebox type of oldies revue.

Capitol was very, very hot for a follow up from the band if not demanding it as part of a contract, and the band blew it. They simply could not and did not deliver, so what Capitol did was put out a watered-down compilation so they could have an album for fans to buy Kokomo and at least recoup some profits from that since Kokomo was originally not on Capitol and instead on the label which released the Cocktail soundtrack...because when Cocktail came out, the band was not signed to a label.

After Kokomo and the Still Cruisin compromise, the band was without a label again. They blew it with Capitol and despite having *four* songwriters in the band not named Brian, including a Grammy winning writer in Bruce, a Wilson, a Jardine, and a frontman who has people saying he's a genius too, they blew it.

I hate to disagree with an expert, but there was an interview with Carl from this period where he was asked if he had any songs on the new album, and he said no, he had one he'd been working on, but wasn't satisfied with it. He said the record company asked for 3 new songs, and the band gave them 5, so it was a compromise. I'm confident the band could have given Capitol an all new album if it was wanted - even if that meant Mike and Terry doing a SIP-style album a few years early. In fact, if SIP had come out in 1989, it probably would have done a lot better commercially, riding on the success of Kokomo. And the style of production heard on SIP would have fit in a lot better radio-wise than it did in 1992.

http://articles.latimes.com/1989-05-26/entertainment/ca-869_1_fat-boys-brian-wilson-endless-summer (http://articles.latimes.com/1989-05-26/entertainment/ca-869_1_fat-boys-brian-wilson-endless-summer)

>>>>>
The Beach Boys' New Splash
May 26, 1989|STEVE HOCHMAN


The Beach Boys are riding their biggest wave in two decades. They're coming off their first No. 1 single in 22 years ("Kokomo"), "genius" Brian Wilson is back in the fold, they've re-turned to Capitol Records and are on the road with Chicago for a hot-ticket summer tour.

You'd think these purveyors of good vibrations and endless summer fun, fun, fun would be coasting along quite comfortably. But the mood at a Culver City sound stage during the band's final rehearsal for the Chicago tour was anything but light.

The tension seemed to mirror the band's determination to take advantage of the current resurgence and re-establish itself as a contemporary hit-maker--or be doomed to a life as nostalgia merchants.

Carl Wilson, who had spent much of the night before working on new songs in a recording studio, declined to be interviewed. And Wilson, Bruce Johnston, Mike Love and Al Jardine seemed pretty businesslike as they worked out choreography steps to "Barbara Ann" with the six bikinied surfer girls who are decorating the stage on this tour (which includes shows Saturday at the Pacific Amphitheatre and Sunday at the Hollywood Bowl).

Explained Johnston, who joined the Beach Boys in 1965 after Brian Wilson gave up full-time touring: "I don't want the Beach Boys to be the futile endless road show of 'The King and I' or 'I Love Lucy' reruns. I live, eat and breathe getting on the radio. I just think, 'How can we get back on the radio?' "

Johnston didn't pause before answering himself: "With great songs, that's how!"

An odd question, coming not long after the band's "Kokomo," a song from the "Cocktail" movie score, became the Beach Boys first No. 1 single since 1966's "Good Vibrations."

And that was only one highlight from what was the group's best year in eons. It began with its induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, built through the attention focused on the solo album debut of Brian Wilson--the architect of the Beach Boys' often-imitated sound--and crested with "Kokomo."

The new Capitol release will be the band's first album in four years. Titled "Still Cruisin' " and due this summer, the record will be a combination of movie-related tracks including "Kokomo" and "Wipe Out" (a pairing with the rapping Fat Boys) and several new songs. After that, the contract contains an option for an album of all new material. Johnston calls it "the album of doom."

"Just because you've had a No. 1 doesn't mean you're automatic," Johnston said during a rehearsal break, acknowledging that the Beach Boys could go on forever recreating the endless summer with its stockpile of old hits. But that isn't good enough for him.

"It's records that matter," he said. "There's no point in touring without new records. It's just huge payments to me. We've got to be better than that."

David Berman, president of Capitol Records, was pleased to hear that the Beach Boys are going into their new arrangement with the label with that attitude.

"I think it's a pivotal point in their career," he said. "I hesitate to say with them that it's ever make or break. As a touring entity so continually successful, I wouldn't say that if this record doesn't happen it's the end of them as a recording entity. They're too good and represent too much so that they won't ever be dated. But on the other hand, I'm glad they feel that way because it bodes well for the record."

It's clear to the Beach Boys what Capitol expects from them.

"Three hit singles, to tell you the truth," Jardine said. "That's what they told us."

"That's fair," Berman said. "That's what I would hope for."

But even one hit, coming on the heels of "Kokomo," would pay double dividends for Capitol, which still owns the Beach Boys' '60s catalogue, some of which is now on CD, with the much-anticipated and much-delayed CD release of the hailed "Pet Sounds" 1966 album still to come.

Said Berman: "We do anticipate that a new hit Beach Boys record will help us exploit the catalogue, including but not limited to a 'Pet Sounds' CD."

Much is being made of Brian Wilson's role with the group. He will play only selected dates on this tour, including the Southland shows, with a four-song solo set included. But he will be working throughout the summer in the studio creating new songs for the band, which is essentially the role he has played for the past 25 years.

"We're going back to the original formula," said Dr. Eugene Landy, Brian's controversial therapist, guide and co-writer who hovered around while Brian was being interviewed. "Brian is most valuable to the Beach Boys using his time in the studio."

Still, many are perceiving this as a return to the fold for Brian, given his solo activities and the fact that he was not involved with "Kokomo." That impression was heightened last year when Love said in interviews that "Kokomo's" commercial superiority over Brian's solo album might prove to Brian that he needed the Beach Boys.

And Brian himself spoke of being accepted back into the Beach Boys.

"I'm very happy about it," he said. "And Mike seems to be happy for me being in the Beach Boys."

In any case, Brian's presence is paramount to Capitol. "Brian's involvement on this record is extremely important," Berman said. "But the fact that Mike Love and (producer) Terry Melcher came up with 'Kokomo' on their own without Brian means you've got a tremendous amount of talent there. I'm confident we can have quality material from all the Beach Boys."
<<<<<

Three hit singles according to Al Jardine in May 1989.

Capitol put the option in the new contract for a new album dependent on new material. Still Cruisin was in the works as of May '89 when this article appeared, the president of Capitol wanted new material which was part of the band's deal, including three hit singles which Capitol hoped would boost the profile and sales of the back catalog in the process. The band delivered none of that. They dropped the ball. Capitol eventually dropped them and this new album contract stipulation.

I don't know how much more clear that could be as it's described in the article including direct quotes.

If anything, the GV box set which had as its main calling card 40+ minutes of unreleased Smile audio did more for the band's profile and legacy than anything Mike cooked up, including more touring complete with dancing girls and the SIP debacle. So it kind of worked opposite of how Capitol envisioned it...the archival material bailed them out when the band couldn't follow up a #1 smash hit with...anything.

The most surreal part of that article will always be Bruce saying he doesn't want the band to become..."I don't want the Beach Boys to be the futile endless road show of 'The King and I' or 'I Love Lucy' reruns. I live, eat and breathe getting on the radio. I just think, 'How can we get back on the radio?'"..."With great songs, that's how!"...."It's records that matter," he said. "There's no point in touring without new records. It's just huge payments to me. We've got to be better than that."

...obviously Mike disagreed with Bruce on that. Yet look what happened to Bruce and Mike. They became the endless Beach Boys road show.
No, it's very clear in this article - Still Cruisin' was always going to be a mix of new and old. If that did well, there was an option for an album of all new material. The Beach Boys delivered their part of the deal - 5 new songs. That Capitol failed to promote them is not the band's fault. If Capitol wanted Brian to be more involved in the album, they needed to make that a stipulation in the contract. Everyone knew what the situation was with Brian and Landy.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on November 05, 2017, 10:09:50 AM
After "Kokomo" was #1, I thought maybe the BB's could get a record company to back them on an album of all new material. Instead, Capitol wanted another compilation - a few new tracks mixed in with the old stuff.

Just to correct this because I've written a lot about this exact topic in the last 5 years - Capitol did not want another compilation after Kokomo, they wanted a new album of new Beach Boys material and even had a contract for them where they wanted three new singles. There is an LA Times article which outlines this to a "t" including comments from a Capitol label exec and from the band members as well, including Bruce who said he wanted to make new original music and not become a traveling jukebox type of oldies revue.

Capitol was very, very hot for a follow up from the band if not demanding it as part of a contract, and the band blew it. They simply could not and did not deliver, so what Capitol did was put out a watered-down compilation so they could have an album for fans to buy Kokomo and at least recoup some profits from that since Kokomo was originally not on Capitol and instead on the label which released the Cocktail soundtrack...because when Cocktail came out, the band was not signed to a label.

After Kokomo and the Still Cruisin compromise, the band was without a label again. They blew it with Capitol and despite having *four* songwriters in the band not named Brian, including a Grammy winning writer in Bruce, a Wilson, a Jardine, and a frontman who has people saying he's a genius too, they blew it.

I hate to disagree with an expert, but there was an interview with Carl from this period where he was asked if he had any songs on the new album, and he said no, he had one he'd been working on, but wasn't satisfied with it. He said the record company asked for 3 new songs, and the band gave them 5, so it was a compromise. I'm confident the band could have given Capitol an all new album if it was wanted - even if that meant Mike and Terry doing a SIP-style album a few years early. In fact, if SIP had come out in 1989, it probably would have done a lot better commercially, riding on the success of Kokomo. And the style of production heard on SIP would have fit in a lot better radio-wise than it did in 1992.

http://articles.latimes.com/1989-05-26/entertainment/ca-869_1_fat-boys-brian-wilson-endless-summer (http://articles.latimes.com/1989-05-26/entertainment/ca-869_1_fat-boys-brian-wilson-endless-summer)

>>>>>
The Beach Boys' New Splash
May 26, 1989|STEVE HOCHMAN


The Beach Boys are riding their biggest wave in two decades. They're coming off their first No. 1 single in 22 years ("Kokomo"), "genius" Brian Wilson is back in the fold, they've re-turned to Capitol Records and are on the road with Chicago for a hot-ticket summer tour.

You'd think these purveyors of good vibrations and endless summer fun, fun, fun would be coasting along quite comfortably. But the mood at a Culver City sound stage during the band's final rehearsal for the Chicago tour was anything but light.

The tension seemed to mirror the band's determination to take advantage of the current resurgence and re-establish itself as a contemporary hit-maker--or be doomed to a life as nostalgia merchants.

Carl Wilson, who had spent much of the night before working on new songs in a recording studio, declined to be interviewed. And Wilson, Bruce Johnston, Mike Love and Al Jardine seemed pretty businesslike as they worked out choreography steps to "Barbara Ann" with the six bikinied surfer girls who are decorating the stage on this tour (which includes shows Saturday at the Pacific Amphitheatre and Sunday at the Hollywood Bowl).

Explained Johnston, who joined the Beach Boys in 1965 after Brian Wilson gave up full-time touring: "I don't want the Beach Boys to be the futile endless road show of 'The King and I' or 'I Love Lucy' reruns. I live, eat and breathe getting on the radio. I just think, 'How can we get back on the radio?' "

Johnston didn't pause before answering himself: "With great songs, that's how!"

An odd question, coming not long after the band's "Kokomo," a song from the "Cocktail" movie score, became the Beach Boys first No. 1 single since 1966's "Good Vibrations."

And that was only one highlight from what was the group's best year in eons. It began with its induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, built through the attention focused on the solo album debut of Brian Wilson--the architect of the Beach Boys' often-imitated sound--and crested with "Kokomo."

The new Capitol release will be the band's first album in four years. Titled "Still Cruisin' " and due this summer, the record will be a combination of movie-related tracks including "Kokomo" and "Wipe Out" (a pairing with the rapping Fat Boys) and several new songs. After that, the contract contains an option for an album of all new material. Johnston calls it "the album of doom."

"Just because you've had a No. 1 doesn't mean you're automatic," Johnston said during a rehearsal break, acknowledging that the Beach Boys could go on forever recreating the endless summer with its stockpile of old hits. But that isn't good enough for him.

"It's records that matter," he said. "There's no point in touring without new records. It's just huge payments to me. We've got to be better than that."

David Berman, president of Capitol Records, was pleased to hear that the Beach Boys are going into their new arrangement with the label with that attitude.

"I think it's a pivotal point in their career," he said. "I hesitate to say with them that it's ever make or break. As a touring entity so continually successful, I wouldn't say that if this record doesn't happen it's the end of them as a recording entity. They're too good and represent too much so that they won't ever be dated. But on the other hand, I'm glad they feel that way because it bodes well for the record."

It's clear to the Beach Boys what Capitol expects from them.

"Three hit singles, to tell you the truth," Jardine said. "That's what they told us."

"That's fair," Berman said. "That's what I would hope for."

But even one hit, coming on the heels of "Kokomo," would pay double dividends for Capitol, which still owns the Beach Boys' '60s catalogue, some of which is now on CD, with the much-anticipated and much-delayed CD release of the hailed "Pet Sounds" 1966 album still to come.

Said Berman: "We do anticipate that a new hit Beach Boys record will help us exploit the catalogue, including but not limited to a 'Pet Sounds' CD."

Much is being made of Brian Wilson's role with the group. He will play only selected dates on this tour, including the Southland shows, with a four-song solo set included. But he will be working throughout the summer in the studio creating new songs for the band, which is essentially the role he has played for the past 25 years.

"We're going back to the original formula," said Dr. Eugene Landy, Brian's controversial therapist, guide and co-writer who hovered around while Brian was being interviewed. "Brian is most valuable to the Beach Boys using his time in the studio."

Still, many are perceiving this as a return to the fold for Brian, given his solo activities and the fact that he was not involved with "Kokomo." That impression was heightened last year when Love said in interviews that "Kokomo's" commercial superiority over Brian's solo album might prove to Brian that he needed the Beach Boys.

And Brian himself spoke of being accepted back into the Beach Boys.

"I'm very happy about it," he said. "And Mike seems to be happy for me being in the Beach Boys."

In any case, Brian's presence is paramount to Capitol. "Brian's involvement on this record is extremely important," Berman said. "But the fact that Mike Love and (producer) Terry Melcher came up with 'Kokomo' on their own without Brian means you've got a tremendous amount of talent there. I'm confident we can have quality material from all the Beach Boys."
<<<<<

Three hit singles according to Al Jardine in May 1989.

Capitol put the option in the new contract for a new album dependent on new material. Still Cruisin was in the works as of May '89 when this article appeared, the president of Capitol wanted new material which was part of the band's deal, including three hit singles which Capitol hoped would boost the profile and sales of the back catalog in the process. The band delivered none of that. They dropped the ball. Capitol eventually dropped them and this new album contract stipulation.

I don't know how much more clear that could be as it's described in the article including direct quotes.

If anything, the GV box set which had as its main calling card 40+ minutes of unreleased Smile audio did more for the band's profile and legacy than anything Mike cooked up, including more touring complete with dancing girls and the SIP debacle. So it kind of worked opposite of how Capitol envisioned it...the archival material bailed them out when the band couldn't follow up a #1 smash hit with...anything.

The most surreal part of that article will always be Bruce saying he doesn't want the band to become..."I don't want the Beach Boys to be the futile endless road show of 'The King and I' or 'I Love Lucy' reruns. I live, eat and breathe getting on the radio. I just think, 'How can we get back on the radio?'"..."With great songs, that's how!"...."It's records that matter," he said. "There's no point in touring without new records. It's just huge payments to me. We've got to be better than that."

...obviously Mike disagreed with Bruce on that. Yet look what happened to Bruce and Mike. They became the endless Beach Boys road show.


No, it's very clear in this article - Still Cruisin' was always going to be a mix of new and old. If that did well, there was an option for an album of all new material. The Beach Boys delivered their part of the deal - 5 new songs. That Capitol failed to promote them is not the band's fault. If Capitol wanted Brian to be more involved in the album, they needed to make that a stipulation in the contract. Everyone knew what the situation was with Brian and Landy.

No, what is clear is what is said in the direct quotes in the article. Capitol wanted new material after Still Cruisin, as detailed by the president of Capitol. And the band members (except Mike, whose usual quotes and braggadocio are oddly absent from this article) made comments directly addressing the sense of pressure that was on them to produce something substantial for Capitol as part of their new deal.

The Capitol president even says that yes, Brian's involvement was paramount but even without a certain level of involvement from Brian, he thought the band could produce given the talent in the band. Direct quote: >>>In any case, Brian's presence is paramount to Capitol. "Brian's involvement on this record is extremely important," Berman said. "But the fact that Mike Love and (producer) Terry Melcher came up with 'Kokomo' on their own without Brian means you've got a tremendous amount of talent there. I'm confident we can have quality material from all the Beach Boys."<<<

It's ok to get a different reading of the same words published in that article, but in this case I'll say again it was pretty clear what the situation was in terms of what Capitol expected from the band based on recent chart success - Brian or no Brian -  versus what the band ended up giving them in return, which was nothing until SIP, and by then they were without a label again.

Let me shift a bit to the side on this one, and ask what about the timeline surrounding these events, let's say from the time of this article May 1989 up to the release of SIP.

Hopefully someone more in tune with the timeline kind of info can fill in or clarify, but consider what happened in those years.

- Why was Al Jardine sh*t-canned by Mike?

- Why were both Carl and Al all but left out of the SIP recording process?

- Why was Mike yet again back with Adrian Baker making demos and recordings of BB and oldies remakes as well as new (and some pretty sub-par) "fun in the summer" type of songs in this same period? Was this Baker material the kind of thing Mike was bringing to the table and pitching to Capitol as potential Beach Boys releases for this post-"Still Cruisin" original album?

If those events are considered at least relevant to the time period when they happened, perhaps there is some of the reasons why Capitol dropped the band after Still Cruisin. And as I said, fortunately the Real Beach Boys in the form of the archival material was there and available for release and promotion so the label wasn't left holding an empty bag.

I'd also suggest looking more into what Mike's mindset was at the time, to think anyone let alone Capitol would have accepted an original Beach Boys album that had little to no involvement from Carl, Al, and Brian and instead touted himself and John Stamos.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on November 05, 2017, 11:09:12 AM
Add to that list of questions, any thoughts on why Mike was bailing on his band in this pre-SIP early 90's era to play runs of shows with the "Endless Summer Beach Band"? If their label Capitol was hot on the band, hot on releasing new material, and hot on their archival releases, why would Mike shine on The Beach Boys and instead play Beach Boys and other summer flavored hits for paying audiences with an anonymous backing group instead of his own band?



Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on November 05, 2017, 11:23:48 AM
Mike was broke yet again, hence the 1994 lawsuit.... ::)


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Lonely Summer on November 05, 2017, 11:28:32 PM
Add to that list of questions, any thoughts on why Mike was bailing on his band in this pre-SIP early 90's era to play runs of shows with the "Endless Summer Beach Band"? If their label Capitol was hot on the band, hot on releasing new material, and hot on their archival releases, why would Mike shine on The Beach Boys and instead play Beach Boys and other summer flavored hits for paying audiences with an anonymous backing group instead of his own band?


It makes no sense to me, either. So am I to believe that after Still Cruisin came out, did what it did, Capitol still wanted a new studio album from the guys? Because my impression has always been that Capitol was not pleased with the sales of SC - #40-something on the charts, the single Still Cruisin' peaked at #90 with an anchor on the Hot 100 (although it was a top ten AC hit), Somewhere Near Japan didn't catch on at all....I figured the label looked at those results and said "well, we've gotten all we're gonna get out of these guys". Now if it is a fact that Capitol didn't drop them after those disappointing results (results, BTW, that I blame squarely on the label itself - I was a fan in 1989, and recall next to no promotion for the album or the singles), then what was it that kept them from putting together a new studio album? Brian's situation with Landy? Mike demanding to have total control of the band and album? Carl, Al and Bruce not caring? By the time they did come out with a new album, it was far too late. Whatever momentum Kokomo's success might have created was long gone.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Pretty Funky on November 06, 2017, 12:46:55 AM
Maybe everyone except Mike thought ‘F*** it! It’s been 30 years, its all turned to sh!t and do I really want to carry on?’

These guys were all turning 50ish and probably having a mid life crises. Add to that being given targets by some punk from a studio as described? Screw that!


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 06, 2017, 10:05:36 AM
Some stream of consciousness here:

It's so weird and interesting to see how much Mike and Bruce changed their tune from where they claimed to be in the late 80s and early 90s.

Bruce is going on and on in 1989 about how he doesn't see a point in touring without new music (despite having released exactly one album of new material between 1981 and 1988; and all the while Bruce continued to collect tour checks), yet he went on to tour for *decades* with little to no new material, and certainly few hits. What has he been doing the last 20 years *but* collecting touring paychecks? He doesn't even appear to sing on *Mike's* solo stuff regularly.

Meanwhile, in 1992, Mike was saying he saw himself soon retiring and opening up a TM school, and Elliott Lott at BRI in 1999 was saying Mike had five years left of touring in him. Meanwhile, a quarter century later here we are, and Mike's still touring.

I think what we see with "Still Cruisin'" and "SIP", in part, is the sort of starting of the final realization for these guys that, unless they were willing to truly do "passion projects" to scratch *their own* artistic itch, their "recording artist" days were largely over and *everything*, money, attention, positive reinforcement, success, was *all* in touring.

That they wouldn't spend a huge amount of time and money working on albums that might tank, and spent the majority of their time touring, is *not* surprising at all. What *is* surprising is that guys like Carl showed little interest in working on music outside of the band for the sole purpose of the art.

He did work on "Beckley Lamm Wilson", but that was a case of only putting forth about 1/3 of an album, and even then it took nearly a decade and didn't see release until after he died.

I think the lack of albums, lack of *good* albums, and continued shifting to an emphasis on touring was due in part to having little artistic juice left in the tank. Add to that bad management (nobody talking any of these guys into doing a little club tour and a boutique album, etc.), and a general shift in the industry to tours being more lucrative than albums even when albums *are* successful, and it spells doom for these guys having their s**t together enough to not only make an album, but make a good one and build on that success.

Fans who weren't fans *during* that 80s/90s period and seem kind of "meh" about the dissolution of C50 in 2012 may then better understand some fans' frustration with *throwing away* the success of C50 by looking at what fans had to live through in the 80s and 90s. The *success* of C50 on all fronts, including a strong showing on the charts and decent reviews, was a type of momentum that surpassed even the (squandered) momentum created by "Kokomo."

To Mike's *partial* credit, he's somewhat honest about how much he prefers and prioritizes touring over recording, and therefore prioritizes touring over artistic expression and creation and creativity.

The band at some point decided they, for the most part, didn't want to be artists anymore, and decided to just be a touring machine (and, for many years, didn't even make the *tours" interesting), essentially no more of an artist than a factory pressing music.

Not to get too scattered here, but *part* of the reason the band biffed the album/recording/creative side of things is that they spent too long shooting for "hit singles" and "radio airplay." They got stuck way too long in the old mode of what constitutes success in the recording business. They saw little benefit in getting good reviews even if something didn't sell that well. Even in more recent years, they've been stuck in this mode. Mike seemed to not understand how TWGMTR falling quickly down the charts is *very common* in this current industry climate (and that a #3 showing was pretty amazing for their first album in 20 years). Al spent years waiting for a major label to pick up his solo album instead of just getting it out there (and then ultimately *did* just release it himself).

Seriously, knowing what we know about these guys' talents, I'm astonished and disappointed that there aren't five more Carl solo albums from 1984-1996, a couple Al solo albums, a few Mike, even a Bruce set, and so on.

People seem to sometimes fall back on the "people make Brian record albums" stuff, which I think is largely incorrect (Brian doesn't do stuff he doesn't want to do far more often than some people think), but certainly he has an apparatus behind him that keeps the ball rolling on this stuff. What Carl, Al, and Mike needed in the 80s and 90s was a Melinda (and others) pushing them to create, to mine their vaults, and so on. Carl shouldn't have just been singing backups on Rick Rubin-produced Tom Petty albums. He should have been *making* albums like that. And if they were feeling uninspired to write a ton of new material, they could have easily shopped around for good songs, called up friends for songs (who doesn't think Tom Petty wouldn't have sent Carl a few songs in a heartbeat?).


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Pretty Funky on November 06, 2017, 11:31:52 AM
Interesting point about group members not understanding the way albums sell today in relation to TWGMTR. I don’t really understand either but have no reason to disagree.
A fantasy I know but even now I think Brian could probably put together an ‘art’ album, round up ‘The Beach Boys’ to sing it and create a slow burner. No tour or ‘hits’, but essentially a solo album with the groups name to push it to that next level.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on November 06, 2017, 07:56:06 PM
Capitol was banking on what was at the time a market trend for "legacy" artists who from 1986 to 1989-90 were making comebacks in the form of new albums that sold, new singles that got extensive airplay on MTV and radio, and often included major, large-market tours and TV appearances. I remember it well because a lot of these artists had signature hits in the 60's, but by the mid 80's I think were thought to be past their hitmaking prime and doomed to archival and greatest hits types of activities.

I think the first (maybe biggest in a 1986 context) one I remember was the improbable return and success of The Monkees. They owned MTV in late 86 into 87, and had the #1 video for weeks in the countdown: Daydream Believer which was 20 years old. But they upped the ante with a new recording that was a hit, a cover of "That Was Then This Is Now" which was part of their greatest hits album. And a very successful tour followed. So I'm thinking that may have been the opening shot.

In those years, MTV and radio was playing new songs by George Harrison, Paul McCartney, Pink Floyd, Roy Orbison, Eric Clapton, Neil Young, Aerosmith, Tom Petty, The Traveling Wilburys, Bonnie Raitt, The Rolling Stones, feel free to add to the list because there were more. Some of them were thought to be commercially done, others had not charted hits for over a decade, yet they were pumping out some great singles that were getting in heavy rotation (and some still are). TV-video-radio-record stores...they were running the table for that brief period with brand new songs.

But the back catalogs of those legacy artists started to sell more too, thanks to the exposure to a new fan base and also reconnecting with their original fans who now had more money to go see the shows and start replacing vinyl and tape with CD copies of the classic albums.

I think Capitol expected more from the Beach Boys because they had one of those improbable #1 hits with Kokomo. Thanks to a blockbuster fluff movie with Tom Cruise and a video in heavy rotation on MTV with bikini girls and John Stamos, but the BB's scored a #1 chart hit and proved there as an audience beyond the original fans and the "legacy" tag.

If there was a time for them to deliver a home run, that was it, it was what Capitol saw the market trending toward and making other labels who held back catalogs a lot of money, alongside and even on the strength of quality new material that was actually charting and being played regularly on MTV.

Capitol wanted that too, after Kokomo they thought the band could deliver their own version of Roy Orbison's "You Got It" or "Got My Mind Set On You" or "Nick Of Time" (on Capitol BTW) but the band didn't deliver that quality of hit to follow up Kokomo. Capitol probably saw all these 60's and early 70's artists doing it and expected similar from the Beach Boys, especially since the back catalog of 60's classics was always their winning hand.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Forrest Gump on November 06, 2017, 08:32:54 PM
Add to that list of questions, any thoughts on why Mike was bailing on his band in this pre-SIP early 90's era to play runs of shows with the "Endless Summer Beach Band"? If their label Capitol was hot on the band, hot on releasing new material, and hot on their archival releases, why would Mike shine on The Beach Boys and instead play Beach Boys and other summer flavored hits for paying audiences with an anonymous backing group instead of his own band?


It makes no sense to me, either. So am I to believe that after Still Cruisin came out, did what it did, Capitol still wanted a new studio album from the guys? Because my impression has always been that Capitol was not pleased with the sales of SC - #40-something on the charts, the single Still Cruisin' peaked at #90 with an anchor on the Hot 100 (although it was a top ten AC hit), Somewhere Near Japan didn't catch on at all....I figured the label looked at those results and said "well, we've gotten all we're gonna get out of these guys". Now if it is a fact that Capitol didn't drop them after those disappointing results (results, BTW, that I blame squarely on the label itself - I was a fan in 1989, and recall next to no promotion for the album or the singles), then what was it that kept them from putting together a new studio album? Brian's situation with Landy? Mike demanding to have total control of the band and album? Carl, Al and Bruce not caring? By the time they did come out with a new album, it was far too late. Whatever momentum Kokomo's success might have created was long gone.

Still crusin’ lp did well enough it’s a platinum lp


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 06, 2017, 08:46:55 PM
Didn't it sell about 750,000? That would be gold not platinum (still good, though)


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Lonely Summer on November 06, 2017, 11:50:24 PM
Didn't it sell about 750,000? That would be gold not platinum (still good, though)
Never understood how it managed to sell gold considering it's chart placement, which was not much better than BB85 or BW88. The real failure, though, was with the singles. If one of those singles had taken off the way Kokomo did, then you can be sure Capitol would want to continue the momentum and get more new recordings from the guys. My guess is, the label wasn't impressed with the new songs the band recorded, and decided to just throw the album on the market and be done with it. I remember walking into my local record stores, and not even seeing it (my friend behind the counter had to point it out to me). The cover art did nothing to draw my eyes to the fact that this was a new BB's album, and there wasn't anything sent out as promotional material; contrast that with a year previously, when Sire went all out for Brian's solo debut. The store owner gave me a couple promotional 'flats' for the album and a nice poster of Brian. I used to get stuff like that all the time from the store. Nothing, zero, nada for Still Cruisin'.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Forrest Gump on November 07, 2017, 01:26:17 AM
Didn't it sell about 750,000? That would be gold not platinum (still good, though)

Certified platinum 9/30/03.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 07, 2017, 07:14:55 AM
Didn't it sell about 750,000? That would be gold not platinum (still good, though)

Certified platinum 9/30/03.

Yes, but when we're talking about how Capitol (and the band) measured the album's success back *in 1989*, its 2003 certification wouldn't matter.

I think the only reason the album sold as well as it did is that, until the 1993 GV boxed set and then the 1995 "Greatest Hits Vol. 1" CD, I think "Still Cruisin'" was the only *Beach Boys* album that had "Kokomo" on it. Other than that, you had to either get the single, or buy the "Cocktail" soundtrack.

I'm frankly surprised the band didn't just call the album "Kokomo."

Also surprising is that for an album that did relatively well (even if it was more a slow burn in sales than a hit album on the charts), it has been out of print in physical form for eons and I believe it may still be out of print as a digital download even if it is on streaming services like Spotify.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on November 07, 2017, 08:01:13 AM
For a time during the period 1992-1995 or so, there was no shortage of either Summer In Paradise or Still Cruisin' available to buy in the racks. And I checked multiple times each week looking for something new or different to hit those Beach Boys racks.

Capitol got what they wanted with Still Cruisin, again keep in mind the article from May 1989 says Still Cruisin was already planned to hit the stores. They were able to harness "Kokomo" away from the label that originally made money off it with the Cocktail soundtrack, and BB fans could buy "Kokomo" and the other BB tracks they'd been hearing in films on a Capitol label release. After that they wanted more new material.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on November 07, 2017, 08:12:00 AM
My guess is, the label wasn't impressed with the new songs the band recorded

I was hoping this comment would be made in some form!  :)

This may be one of the key points which gets missed or passed over when talking about all this. Mike on multiple occasions has blamed Duran Duran and Capitol putting their promotional muscle behind DD rather than the BB...but does "Somewhere Near Japan" sound like a hit single? Does it connect lyrically? It was a song about events surrounding a drug buy, as written by John Phillips. Not quite what you could promote as fun in the sun.

"Still Cruisin'" the song was almost a shameless rip-off of "The Mountains High" by Dick & DeeDee, with Mike's nostalgia lyrics on full display. Who was the audience for this? Baby Boomers or kids watching MTV?

After that, Mike seems to have spun out of control trying to capture another hit like Kokomo for the wrong reasons and using the wrong tools, and also (opinion) show that he could make his own Pet Sounds with an ecology theme with the new Kokomo Sound...since Pet Sounds had a lot of buzz after the reissue.

Question open for discussion, and yes it is purely subjective and based on how you hear the songs:

***Was the original material the band gave Capitol "hit material"?***


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Manfred on November 07, 2017, 08:21:45 AM
"The Beach Boys delivered their part of the deal - 5 new songs"    -  Carl told me the record company wanted only 3 !           


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on November 07, 2017, 08:28:40 AM
Just an FYI for anyone not familiar with these recordings.

This is Fairy Tale Girl, the John Phillips track which got adapted and rerecorded as Somewhere Near Japan:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7AvvEDsakI (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7AvvEDsakI)

And this - of course - is Somewhere Near Japan:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAdeXsyIvE4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAdeXsyIvE4)

A song written about John's daughter and her new husband calling asking for money and to score drugs on their honeymoon.



This is John  Phillips' original Kokomo recording:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAuqngA9CuM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAuqngA9CuM)

No need to post the BB's version, everyone knows it.


And this is Dick & DeeDee "The Mountain's High":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU2rjoSXI34 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU2rjoSXI34)

And "Still Cruisin'" with the main hook which bears more than a passing resemblance to Dick & DeeDee:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZyGeH8Mfdw (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZyGeH8Mfdw)



Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Jim V. on November 07, 2017, 09:00:01 AM
"Still Cruisin'" the song was almost a shameless rip-off of "The Mountains High" by Dick & DeeDee, with Mike's nostalgia lyrics on full display. Who was the audience for this? Baby Boomers or kids watching MTV?

Let's not use this one as a diss on Mike. We've got a lot of material on the man, but songs being "shameless rip-offs" is actually something that The Beach Boys do pretty well ("Surfin' U.S.A." with "Sweet Little Sixteen", "At My Window" with "Raspberries, Strawberries", Brian's recent [at the time] "Little Children" with "Mountain of Love") and if anything "Still Cruisin'" is just another Beach Boys adaption. Plus, we can actually be pretty sure to say that Mr. Paul Simon deserves some credit (not literal legal credit, er.....maybe?) for the lyrics of "Still Cruisin'". I mean, "still crazy after all of these years..." and "still cruisin' after all of these years"? Pretty obvious where Dr. Love got the idea.

And secondly, I'm not sure I know many people who know "The Mountain's High" anyway.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on November 07, 2017, 09:16:24 AM
"Still Cruisin'" the song was almost a shameless rip-off of "The Mountains High" by Dick & DeeDee, with Mike's nostalgia lyrics on full display. Who was the audience for this? Baby Boomers or kids watching MTV?

Let's not use this one as a diss on Mike. We've got a lot of material on the man, but songs being "shameless rip-offs" is actually something that The Beach Boys do pretty well ("Surfin' U.S.A." with "Sweet Little Sixteen", "At My Window" with "Raspberries, Strawberries", Brian's recent [at the time] "Little Children" with "Mountain of Love") and if anything "Still Cruisin'" is just another Beach Boys adaption. Plus, we can actually be pretty sure to say that Mr. Paul Simon deserves some credit (not literal legal credit, er.....maybe?) for the lyrics of "Still Cruisin'". I mean, "still crazy after all of these years..." and "still cruisin' after all of these years"? Pretty obvious where Dr. Love got the idea.

And secondly, I'm not sure I know many people who know "The Mountain's High" anyway.

Most who grew up with the Beach Boys listening to radio in the 60's knows The Mountain's High. It's the same demographic Mike's nostalgia lyrics in Still Cruisin were targeting, that was who he was singing to.

The way Kokomo became such a hit - aside from Cocktail and Tom Cruise - was in part due to the lyrics being relatable to kids watching MTV and the fans who bought Surfin Safari on 45rpm. Hedonism sells.

Nostalgia is a harder sell because you have to relate the nostalgia to a shared experience with the audience. Still Cruisin sounds geared toward Baby Boomers who were the original BB fans in the 60's. A 17 year old girl watching MTV in 1989 is not going to relate to those lyrics.

And pushing a song about a faded rock star's drug addled daughter and her husband trying to score dope in Guam as a follow-up single...no clue what they were thinking there. Or what Mike was thinking in trying to push the blame for the single laying an egg on Capitol and Duran Duran.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 07, 2017, 09:18:06 AM
Question open for discussion, and yes it is purely subjective and based on how you hear the songs:

***Was the original material the band gave Capitol "hit material"?***

It's tough to know, because even many of those among us who know their BB history back and forward aren't super familiar with what would have or could have been a "hit" in 1989. I lived through that time, and remember what *did* hit, and I'm not sure I can say what would constitute a hit. Obviously, nobody ever knows for sure.

Howie Edelson in a recent Fabcast with Mark Lewisohn went over the tone of the charts in that same timeframe, talking about whether what McCartney was doing could have really been a "hit", as in a hit single.

Sometimes it's easier to figure out what probably *wouldn't* be a hit.

McCartney's "My Brave Face" in my is, in some ways, a bit similar to the BB's "Somewhere Near Japan." Both from 1989, both songs are relatively high marks for the era for their respective artists. Catchy songs, songs that *the fans* tend to hold dear. But were they going to be #1 singles, or even Top 10? I'd say probably not. In both cases, it was a case of the artists doing what they did well, melodic, catchy stuff.

Was anything else on "Still Cruisin'" sounding like a hit *single*? No, I suppose not. SNJ was the only other vaguely commercial think they could have possibly shopped around as a single. "Make It Big" already sounded a little dated in 1989 (which maybe make sense since it was a few years old by that time; and I tend to like the song). "Island Girl" was a novelty song. Catchy, but not hit single material. "Wipe Out" and "Kokomo" were of course already singles. And Brian's "In My Car" wasn't hit single material either. It was too shouty and bombastic. Brian hadn't had any hits with his 1987/88 solo material, and this was essentially more of that.

If you took another 5 songs of similar quality and added them, then "Still Cruisin'" would be a cool little 1989 album that fans would remember relatively fondly.

Now, as the band headed into the 90s, what they should have could have done is drop the idea of scoring a hit *single*, and do what people like Dylan and McCartney were doing, scoring high-charting *albums* and winning Grammys for *albums.*

McCartney's "Flaming Pie" hit #2 in 1997 and was nominated for "Album of the Year." There were zero hit singles on it. By that time, singles were already barely even a thing in the US anymore.

If the Beach Boys had finished an album of the Paley material in 1995, they would have garnered pretty good chart action (maybe not #2, but maybe Top 10 or 20), potentially very good reviews, and they could have started the indie/hipster career resurgence that ultimately Brian capitalized on solo.

Even Brian didn't directly cash in on that; he bypassed the Paley material and went AC with "Imagination", and really capitalized on the indie career resurgence based on touring and then, eventually "Smile."


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 07, 2017, 09:23:57 AM
In one of the band's many "Spinal Tap" esque moments, Al Jardine allegedly, *after* recording the song, later was said to have refused to sing "Somewhere Near Japan" once he was made aware of the drug references.

So I'd wager none of these guys, and probably many of the fans, were really truly *listening* to the lyrics of these songs.

I've always found it amusing that the band's loud-and-proud teetotaler, regularly citing the Wilsons' drug abuse, co-wrote a song in "Kokomo" that required the Muppets cover version to *censor* the lyrics!  :lol


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on November 07, 2017, 09:29:44 AM
In one of the band's many "Spinal Tap" esque moments, Al Jardine allegedly, *after* recording the song, later was said to have refused to sing "Somewhere Near Japan" once he was made aware of the drug references.

So I'd wager none of these guys, and probably many of the fans, were really truly *listening* to the lyrics of these songs.

I've always found it amusing that the band's loud-and-proud teetotaler, regularly citing the Wilsons' drug abuse, co-wrote a song in "Kokomo" that required the Muppets cover version to *censor* the lyrics!  :lol

It is more than ironic bordering on hypocritical that Mike, who has both touted how important lyrics are to a song ("Mike's a genius too" - Bruce referring to Mike's lyric writing) AND taken such a fire-and-brimstone approach to drug use bordering on moralizing and lecturing on the evils of drugs, chose to offer a song about addicts trying to score hard drugs in Guam as a Beach Boys single.

If lyrics are so important, and lyrics hinting at drug lingo as presented by Brian, Van Dyke, Tony Asher, etc in the 60's were so objectionable in Mike's eyes to present to the Beach Boys' fan base, then how does a song about a rock star's daughter scoring dope fit into that mindset in 1989?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 07, 2017, 10:03:18 AM
We all remember the end-of-tour reunion dinner that Mike skipped back in 2012. He's making up for it now with his own "Unleash the Love" dinner. Table for one:

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DN_bzgxVAAAX4rg.jpg)


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on November 07, 2017, 10:07:24 AM
Corvette Tuesday! ;D


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on November 07, 2017, 10:18:26 AM
That photo would be 25% better if Mike wore a Dallas Cowboys hat.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on November 07, 2017, 10:54:04 AM
Question open for discussion, and yes it is purely subjective and based on how you hear the songs:

***Was the original material the band gave Capitol "hit material"?***

It's tough to know, because even many of those among us who know their BB history back and forward aren't super familiar with what would have or could have been a "hit" in 1989. I lived through that time, and remember what *did* hit, and I'm not sure I can say what would constitute a hit. Obviously, nobody ever knows for sure.

Howie Edelson in a recent Fabcast with Mark Lewisohn went over the tone of the charts in that same timeframe, talking about whether what McCartney was doing could have really been a "hit", as in a hit single.

Sometimes it's easier to figure out what probably *wouldn't* be a hit.

McCartney's "My Brave Face" in my is, in some ways, a bit similar to the BB's "Somewhere Near Japan." Both from 1989, both songs are relatively high marks for the era for their respective artists. Catchy songs, songs that *the fans* tend to hold dear. But were they going to be #1 singles, or even Top 10? I'd say probably not. In both cases, it was a case of the artists doing what they did well, melodic, catchy stuff.


Clarification: In the US "My Brave Face" went top-5 on the AC singles charts (peak #4), went top-20 on the Mainstream Rock charts (peak #12), and went top-30 on the Hot 100 (pop) chart (peak #25). It also had a video which was getting semi-regular rotation on MTV, in part because it's cleverly taking the piss out of Beatle collectors and has a few in-jokes for fans and rare film clips of Macca. Plus, it's a decent song.

"Still Cruisin'" barely cracked the top 100, peaking at #93.

"Somewhere Near Japan" didn't chart at all.

"My Brave Face" wasn't a smash hit or #1, but it did well for a brand new McCartney song, especially on the AC charts which was his core audience at that point anyway. If the concert I saw at Vet Stadium in Philly for the Flowers In The Dirt tour was any indication, that was the AC audience and demographic who could afford those tickets in 1989-90.

Top 5 - Pretty good. #93...not so good. Not charting at all...very sad.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 07, 2017, 11:17:27 AM
That photo would be 25% better if Mike wore a Dallas Cowboys hat.

Probably the only time something could improved with Dallas Cowboys *anything*


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on November 07, 2017, 11:27:12 AM
What was the period without a Houston football team like?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 07, 2017, 11:32:54 AM
Considering I dislike football intensely, glorious.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: CenturyDeprived on November 07, 2017, 11:36:31 AM
We all remember the end-of-tour reunion dinner that Mike skipped back in 2012. He's making up for it now with his own "Unleash the Love" dinner. Table for one:

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DN_bzgxVAAAX4rg.jpg)

Wasn't Mike a vegetarian? Or did I imagine it? Or was that only for a time, and no longer?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: NateRuvin on November 07, 2017, 11:37:57 AM
He's usually vegetarian but eats fish sometimes.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on November 07, 2017, 11:38:57 AM
Considering I dislike football intensely, glorious.
No Earl Campbell Jersey? ;)


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on November 07, 2017, 11:43:48 AM
Either way that plate is making me hungry!


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on November 07, 2017, 11:50:28 AM
I would prefer BW's deli....


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: NateRuvin on November 07, 2017, 12:06:04 PM
As of today, Mike is all finished with previewing his new songs on Facebook... Now we're onto the BBs re-recording portion of his 25 Days Of Love... This will be harder for me to get through than the new stuff. I find charm in the Adrian Baker era re-recordings, because I think the power of the BBs music carries through, and I think it will with these new recordings too.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: KDS on November 07, 2017, 12:08:52 PM
What was the period without a Houston football team like?

At least Houston didn't have to wait as long as Baltimore did. 

Though, I still don't get why Tennessee retained the rights to the Oilers even after changing their name and logo. 


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 07, 2017, 12:18:27 PM
Question open for discussion, and yes it is purely subjective and based on how you hear the songs:

***Was the original material the band gave Capitol "hit material"?***

It's tough to know, because even many of those among us who know their BB history back and forward aren't super familiar with what would have or could have been a "hit" in 1989. I lived through that time, and remember what *did* hit, and I'm not sure I can say what would constitute a hit. Obviously, nobody ever knows for sure.

Howie Edelson in a recent Fabcast with Mark Lewisohn went over the tone of the charts in that same timeframe, talking about whether what McCartney was doing could have really been a "hit", as in a hit single.

Sometimes it's easier to figure out what probably *wouldn't* be a hit.

McCartney's "My Brave Face" in my is, in some ways, a bit similar to the BB's "Somewhere Near Japan." Both from 1989, both songs are relatively high marks for the era for their respective artists. Catchy songs, songs that *the fans* tend to hold dear. But were they going to be #1 singles, or even Top 10? I'd say probably not. In both cases, it was a case of the artists doing what they did well, melodic, catchy stuff.


Clarification: In the US "My Brave Face" went top-5 on the AC singles charts (peak #4), went top-20 on the Mainstream Rock charts (peak #12), and went top-30 on the Hot 100 (pop) chart (peak #25). It also had a video which was getting semi-regular rotation on MTV, in part because it's cleverly taking the piss out of Beatle collectors and has a few in-jokes for fans and rare film clips of Macca. Plus, it's a decent song.

"Still Cruisin'" barely cracked the top 100, peaking at #93.

"Somewhere Near Japan" didn't chart at all.

"My Brave Face" wasn't a smash hit or #1, but it did well for a brand new McCartney song, especially on the AC charts which was his core audience at that point anyway. If the concert I saw at Vet Stadium in Philly for the Flowers In The Dirt tour was any indication, that was the AC audience and demographic who could afford those tickets in 1989-90.

Top 5 - Pretty good. #93...not so good. Not charting at all...very sad.

I was speaking more in reference to the discussion of "My Brave Face" in the Fabcast; that McCartney thought it could be a #1 hit, and it didn't really do that well compared to what he had been doing even earlier in the 80s, even with dreck like "Spies Like Us."

The common thread I was drawing between it and SNJ was how fans, especially in the moment and then separately many years later, view both songs as very good material relative to what these artists were doing at the time, yet neither was a "hit."

McCartney was launching his first solo tour ever, and first world tour since 1976 (and first tour of any sort since 1979), and had high hopes for FITD. Believe me, McCartney was probably more surprised *and* frustrated about how "My Brave Face" (and certainly the other singles from the album that truly tanked) performed than the BBs were about "Somewhere Near Japan." I doubt McCartney has ever taken much solace in doing okay on any of those sub-charts like the AC charts. He was looking at the singles chart, and saw it stall at #25, followed by "This One" stalling at #94 and "Figure of Eight" at #92. Even "Press" from 1986 did better at #21.

Heck, McCartney by the later singles on FITD was doing "Beach Boys" type business on the singles chart. "Still Cruisin'" as a single hit #93.

When you look at how the BBs were doing on the singles chart in the 80s, I'm not sure why they were still chasing it. I suppose it was because "Kokomo" was a surprise hit. But it was the textbook definition of an anomaly.

What were their relative hits in the 80s?

"Beach Boys Medley" hit #12 in 1981. A fluke due to a trend, and obviously not any original material.

"Come Go With Me", now three years old, was pulled from "Ten Years of Harmony" and, again a relative fluke, hit #18.

"Getcha Back" hit #26.

Some other singles either didn't chart or were in the lowest reaches of the Top 100.

"Wipe Out" hit #12, "Kokomo" hit #1, and then "Still Cruisin'" hit #93, and the BBs were never seen in the US Hot 100 singles chart again.

I suppose the ultimate debate is, how much is this the fault of the band? I'd argue the main problem was overall lack of productivity. If they had done an album in 1989, another in 1990, and then another in 1992/93, and so on, and held some modicum of a standard for the material on those albums (meaning at least the quality of the originals on "Still Cruisin'", and not "SIP"), then they at least would have had more chances to score another "Come Go With Me" sort of surprise Top 10 or 20 hit.

But what would have been great, again, was for them to concentrate on albums. McCartney's "Hot 100" singles action fell off in much the same way, with some okay showings on those sub-charts, and just the occasional single popping back into the singles chart.

There was a period of time in the 90s and 2000s when a lot of older bands seemed totally clueless, desperately wanting a "hit single" when actual purchase of singles was not much of a thing in general in the US, and radio airplay wasn't happening for these bands.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 07, 2017, 12:36:03 PM
Kind of bummed Mike didn't re-record this for his new album:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wDs8PYNrDg


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Jim V. on November 07, 2017, 12:38:55 PM
"Still Cruisin'" the song was almost a shameless rip-off of "The Mountains High" by Dick & DeeDee, with Mike's nostalgia lyrics on full display. Who was the audience for this? Baby Boomers or kids watching MTV?

Let's not use this one as a diss on Mike. We've got a lot of material on the man, but songs being "shameless rip-offs" is actually something that The Beach Boys do pretty well ("Surfin' U.S.A." with "Sweet Little Sixteen", "At My Window" with "Raspberries, Strawberries", Brian's recent [at the time] "Little Children" with "Mountain of Love") and if anything "Still Cruisin'" is just another Beach Boys adaption. Plus, we can actually be pretty sure to say that Mr. Paul Simon deserves some credit (not literal legal credit, er.....maybe?) for the lyrics of "Still Cruisin'". I mean, "still crazy after all of these years..." and "still cruisin' after all of these years"? Pretty obvious where Dr. Love got the idea.

And secondly, I'm not sure I know many people who know "The Mountain's High" anyway.

Most who grew up with the Beach Boys listening to radio in the 60's knows The Mountain's High. It's the same demographic Mike's nostalgia lyrics in Still Cruisin were targeting, that was who he was singing to.

You didn't respond to my point. Are the other songs "shameless rip-offs" too? Or just "Still Cruisin'"? I don't think any of them should be classified that way, regardless of my opinions on the person who developed the song ("Little Children" and "Surfin' U.S.A." in Brian's case, "At My Window" in Al's case and "Still Cruisin'" in Mike's case).


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 07, 2017, 01:20:11 PM
Never heard of "The Mountain's High" before. That said "Island Girl" does borrow parts of the melody from 'The Tide is High" by Blondie.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Rocker on November 07, 2017, 01:25:52 PM
That said "Island Girl" does borrow parts of the melody from 'The Tide is High" by Blondie.



-> Buddy Holly's "Everyday"




My two cents: I think "Still cruisin'" is a very good album and it's new songs all sound like they could've been hits to me. I think "Somewhere near Japan" is a great song and it being about drugs is something that a band that had the status of the Beach Boys totally could've gotten away with. It's not like all succesful pop songs of that time were about fun-in-the-sun. It's beatifully produced and the vocals are very strong.
If you take "Still cruisin'" "Somewhere near Japan" "Island girl" "In my car" "Make it big" and "Kokomo" and then add some other new songs I think it would've made for a very good 80s Beach Boys album. Or maybe "California dreamin'", which didn't appear on any album before, and "Don't fight the sea" and you'd have a cool Beach Boys album that's mostly Mike-central.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 07, 2017, 01:37:49 PM
Confession...the only song I can't stand on Still Cruisin is "In My Car" (although the lyrics to "Make It Big" come close).  I can bear the title track without cringing.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Jim V. on November 07, 2017, 02:46:37 PM
My two cents: I think "Still cruisin'" is a very good album and it's new songs all sound like they could've been hits to me. I think "Somewhere near Japan" is a great song and it being about drugs is something that a band that had the status of the Beach Boys totally could've gotten away with. It's not like all succesful pop songs of that time were about fun-in-the-sun. It's beatifully produced and the vocals are very strong.
If you take "Still cruisin'" "Somewhere near Japan" "Island girl" "In my car" "Make it big" and "Kokomo" and then add some other new songs I think it would've made for a very good 80s Beach Boys album. Or maybe "California dreamin'", which didn't appear on any album before, and "Don't fight the sea" and you'd have a cool Beach Boys album that's mostly Mike-central.

I actually like Still Cruisin' as well. Is it anywhere near their best (or even their very good) stuff? No. But every song is enjoyable, though "Wipe Out" is a bit much (this coming from a huge hip-hop fan). Though I do have to say, I do like hearing Brian do the falsetto on there. But regardless, I enjoy "Still Cruisin'", "Island Girl", "Make It Big" and "In My Car" a lot. And I wonder if Brian singing "still cruisin' after all these years" on "In My Car" was merely coincidence or whether that was a purposeful tie in with Mike's song and the album title.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Lonely Summer on November 07, 2017, 03:03:20 PM
"The Beach Boys delivered their part of the deal - 5 new songs"    -  Carl told me the record company wanted only 3 !           
Exactly. So it doesn't sound like Capitol was exactly super confident about the guys delivery great new songs. If there was going to be a new studio album, it needed to be then, 1989, not a year later, and certainly not 3 or 4 years later.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Lonely Summer on November 07, 2017, 03:07:41 PM
Question open for discussion, and yes it is purely subjective and based on how you hear the songs:

***Was the original material the band gave Capitol "hit material"?***

It's tough to know, because even many of those among us who know their BB history back and forward aren't super familiar with what would have or could have been a "hit" in 1989. I lived through that time, and remember what *did* hit, and I'm not sure I can say what would constitute a hit. Obviously, nobody ever knows for sure.

Howie Edelson in a recent Fabcast with Mark Lewisohn went over the tone of the charts in that same timeframe, talking about whether what McCartney was doing could have really been a "hit", as in a hit single.

Sometimes it's easier to figure out what probably *wouldn't* be a hit.

McCartney's "My Brave Face" in my is, in some ways, a bit similar to the BB's "Somewhere Near Japan." Both from 1989, both songs are relatively high marks for the era for their respective artists. Catchy songs, songs that *the fans* tend to hold dear. But were they going to be #1 singles, or even Top 10? I'd say probably not. In both cases, it was a case of the artists doing what they did well, melodic, catchy stuff.


Clarification: In the US "My Brave Face" went top-5 on the AC singles charts (peak #4), went top-20 on the Mainstream Rock charts (peak #12), and went top-30 on the Hot 100 (pop) chart (peak #25). It also had a video which was getting semi-regular rotation on MTV, in part because it's cleverly taking the piss out of Beatle collectors and has a few in-jokes for fans and rare film clips of Macca. Plus, it's a decent song.

"Still Cruisin'" barely cracked the top 100, peaking at #93.

"Somewhere Near Japan" didn't chart at all.

"My Brave Face" wasn't a smash hit or #1, but it did well for a brand new McCartney song, especially on the AC charts which was his core audience at that point anyway. If the concert I saw at Vet Stadium in Philly for the Flowers In The Dirt tour was any indication, that was the AC audience and demographic who could afford those tickets in 1989-90.

Top 5 - Pretty good. #93...not so good. Not charting at all...very sad.
Let's not forget that AC radio jumped on Still Cruisin' right away, and it was top ten on that chart.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on November 07, 2017, 05:41:42 PM
"Still Cruisin'" the song was almost a shameless rip-off of "The Mountains High" by Dick & DeeDee, with Mike's nostalgia lyrics on full display. Who was the audience for this? Baby Boomers or kids watching MTV?

Let's not use this one as a diss on Mike. We've got a lot of material on the man, but songs being "shameless rip-offs" is actually something that The Beach Boys do pretty well ("Surfin' U.S.A." with "Sweet Little Sixteen", "At My Window" with "Raspberries, Strawberries", Brian's recent [at the time] "Little Children" with "Mountain of Love") and if anything "Still Cruisin'" is just another Beach Boys adaption. Plus, we can actually be pretty sure to say that Mr. Paul Simon deserves some credit (not literal legal credit, er.....maybe?) for the lyrics of "Still Cruisin'". I mean, "still crazy after all of these years..." and "still cruisin' after all of these years"? Pretty obvious where Dr. Love got the idea.

And secondly, I'm not sure I know many people who know "The Mountain's High" anyway.

Most who grew up with the Beach Boys listening to radio in the 60's knows The Mountain's High. It's the same demographic Mike's nostalgia lyrics in Still Cruisin were targeting, that was who he was singing to.

You didn't respond to my point. Are the other songs "shameless rip-offs" too? Or just "Still Cruisin'"? I don't think any of them should be classified that way, regardless of my opinions on the person who developed the song ("Little Children" and "Surfin' U.S.A." in Brian's case, "At My Window" in Al's case and "Still Cruisin'" in Mike's case).

I didn't respond? Hmm. Now I will.

Apart from Surfin USA which you'll recall the band got sued for and lost the rights to that song to Chuck Berry's publisher from then in the 60's until eternity because it was found to be a rip-off, which of the songs you mentioned had the position which "Still Cruisin'" had as an anticipated hit single with high hopes as the follow up to the number 1 smash hit Kokomo? None of them. Little Children? At My Window? Apples and oranges. And if knowing or not knowing the Dick & DeeDee record is an issue, how many less people have any idea what the tunes you referenced sound like? None of them are known outside the hardcore Beach Boys fanbase. Little Children was a throwaway album cut clocking in at under 2 minutes. None were follow up singles with high hopes being put on them after a #1 single and the band's return after 2 decades to releasing new music on thier original home label.

Did you listen to The Mountain's High? Hear the similarities with Still Cruisin? Still Cruisin was the single Mike delivered to follow up a number 1 hit, and it was a rip of an old 60's hit. The hook is the same, the melody, groove, etc.

Maybe Paul Simon should have tried to sue Mike on those lyrics too. That would have been fun.

Maybe Mike was betting that the target audience who was so into Kokomo and Tom Cruise and Stamos playing conga drums to bikini girls wouldn't know where he lifted the ideas from either, in this case an early 60's hit. I'm actually, seriously surprised Mike (and Terry) wasn't sued for that blatant of a lift. But Mike banks on ignorance among audiences pretty regularly, so it's no surprise if he thought no one would notice.

I think Capitol expected something that at least sounded original, which Kokomo did as a polishing-up of an existing John Phillips song. Instead they got something Mike nicked from an old record. Maybe that's why it stiffed.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on November 07, 2017, 05:51:00 PM
Surfin USA was inexperienced songwriting, Still Cruisin was calculated theft.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Jim V. on November 07, 2017, 07:19:40 PM
"Still Cruisin'" the song was almost a shameless rip-off of "The Mountains High" by Dick & DeeDee, with Mike's nostalgia lyrics on full display. Who was the audience for this? Baby Boomers or kids watching MTV?

Let's not use this one as a diss on Mike. We've got a lot of material on the man, but songs being "shameless rip-offs" is actually something that The Beach Boys do pretty well ("Surfin' U.S.A." with "Sweet Little Sixteen", "At My Window" with "Raspberries, Strawberries", Brian's recent [at the time] "Little Children" with "Mountain of Love") and if anything "Still Cruisin'" is just another Beach Boys adaption. Plus, we can actually be pretty sure to say that Mr. Paul Simon deserves some credit (not literal legal credit, er.....maybe?) for the lyrics of "Still Cruisin'". I mean, "still crazy after all of these years..." and "still cruisin' after all of these years"? Pretty obvious where Dr. Love got the idea.

And secondly, I'm not sure I know many people who know "The Mountain's High" anyway.

Most who grew up with the Beach Boys listening to radio in the 60's knows The Mountain's High. It's the same demographic Mike's nostalgia lyrics in Still Cruisin were targeting, that was who he was singing to.

You didn't respond to my point. Are the other songs "shameless rip-offs" too? Or just "Still Cruisin'"? I don't think any of them should be classified that way, regardless of my opinions on the person who developed the song ("Little Children" and "Surfin' U.S.A." in Brian's case, "At My Window" in Al's case and "Still Cruisin'" in Mike's case).

I didn't respond? Hmm. Now I will.

Apart from Surfin USA which you'll recall the band got sued for and lost the rights to that song to Chuck Berry's publisher from then in the 60's until eternity because it was found to be a rip-off, which of the songs you mentioned had the position which "Still Cruisin'" had as an anticipated hit single with high hopes as the follow up to the number 1 smash hit Kokomo? None of them. Little Children? At My Window? Apples and oranges. And if knowing or not knowing the Dick & DeeDee record is an issue, how many less people have any idea what the tunes you referenced sound like? None of them are known outside the hardcore Beach Boys fanbase. Little Children was a throwaway album cut clocking in at under 2 minutes. None were follow up singles with high hopes being put on them after a #1 single and the band's return after 2 decades to releasing new music on thier original home label.

Did you listen to The Mountain's High? Hear the similarities with Still Cruisin? Still Cruisin was the single Mike delivered to follow up a number 1 hit, and it was a rip of an old 60's hit. The hook is the same, the melody, groove, etc.

Maybe Paul Simon should have tried to sue Mike on those lyrics too. That would have been fun.

Maybe Mike was betting that the target audience who was so into Kokomo and Tom Cruise and Stamos playing conga drums to bikini girls wouldn't know where he lifted the ideas from either, in this case an early 60's hit. I'm actually, seriously surprised Mike (and Terry) wasn't sued for that blatant of a lift. But Mike banks on ignorance among audiences pretty regularly, so it's no surprise if he thought no one would notice.

I think Capitol expected something that at least sounded original, which Kokomo did as a polishing-up of an existing John Phillips song. Instead they got something Mike nicked from an old record. Maybe that's why it stiffed.

My point, guitarfool, was that nothing gets in the way of how much  you despise Mike. If you've paid attention to my posting, I'm not the hugest fan of the guy either. But I also think it's rich that one of the moderators on this board goes out of the way to give the man sh*t. As I've said before, Mike gives us so much material to shake our head at that we don't need to invent more reasons to dislike him.

And while we are it, who are you to call any of Brian's work "throwaway"?

And I know the Dick and Deedee song. I know it sounds similar. Whatever. Just as "whatever" on "At My Window", "Surfin' U.S.A." and "Little Children." The songs are either good or they aren't.

Surfin USA was inexperienced songwriting, Still Cruisin was calculated theft.

Then what was "Little Children"? Or a healthy chunk of Bob Dylan's entire discography? I think hatred of Mike gets in the way of things on here.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 07, 2017, 10:23:39 PM
The melody being borrowed. ..shouldn't that go on Terry Melcher since he was credited with writing the music?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Lonely Summer on November 08, 2017, 12:06:41 AM
Just an FYI for anyone not familiar with these recordings.

This is Fairy Tale Girl, the John Phillips track which got adapted and rerecorded as Somewhere Near Japan:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7AvvEDsakI (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7AvvEDsakI)

And this - of course - is Somewhere Near Japan:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAdeXsyIvE4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAdeXsyIvE4)

A song written about John's daughter and her new husband calling asking for money and to score drugs on their honeymoon.



This is John  Phillips' original Kokomo recording:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAuqngA9CuM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAuqngA9CuM)

No need to post the BB's version, everyone knows it.


And this is Dick & DeeDee "The Mountain's High":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU2rjoSXI34 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU2rjoSXI34)

And "Still Cruisin'" with the main hook which bears more than a passing resemblance to Dick & DeeDee:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZyGeH8Mfdw (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZyGeH8Mfdw)


I had never heard "the Mountain's High" before, but I don't think it was conscious theft. It's just a three chord progression, very common in pop music.

And I doubt that the average person would have recognized "Somewhere Near Japan" as being a drug song. I certainly didn't until someone pointed it out here.

One other point: it's been stated in this thread several times that the guys should have been aiming to make the type of albums that score high in the charts instead of worrying about hit singles. The thing is, though, "Kokomo" became a song that all the fans attending shows in 1989-90 expected to hear. If the band had dropped it from the sets in, say, 1990 or 91, there would have been a lot of disappointed fans. No, not you guys, the Beach Boy tastemakers that scorn anything made without Brian. The casual fans who filled up those seats at the arenas and state fairs - some of who became fans BECAUSE of "Kokomo". Mike wanted to have more hits like that. I mean, sure McCartney's albums typically chart high these days, but they also drop off quickly. The last even medium size hit he had, "My Brave Face", hasn't been played in his concerts since the tour supporting the album it was on. If he'd had a hit in 1989 of "Live and Let Die" or "Band on the Run" proportions, it would have stayed in his set list, because fans wouldn't let him leave the stage WITHOUT playing it. If the Beach Boys - or Brian on his own - had conjured up another #1 single, they would still be doing it in their shows night after night.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on November 08, 2017, 04:59:19 AM
I am late to the party of listening to Mike’s samples, finally did this morning.

The good:

- Mike sounds like he’s doing something different. As someone who usually chuckled at his work with Melcher and gets sick and tired of hearing Beach Boys references in his modern era lyrics, it’s great to see Mike expanding outward. Many, if not all of these songs are old, but it’s cool that Mike had/has the inclination to change up the sound a bit for his original work at least.

- Rim Raj was the best one I heard - there is some really different stuff happening with it. It sounds closer to Smile than it does his usual attempts to emulate the stereotypical Beach Boys sound. Curious to hear this in its entirety.

- Darlin wasn’t bad! I mean, like everything else I’ve heard from this album it sounds like it was recorded in someone’s closet...but the vocals reminded me of if Nate Ruess had covered Darlin’ as well.

- no Tim McGraw from the July 4th cringefest. And as a bonus, as of yet, there are no music videos for this album that rely on hotel bedsheets for backdrops. Looked at the tracklist on Apple Music and dammit this song is on there.

The bad:

- these songs sound like they were recorded in someone’s closet. There is zero atmosphere whenever I hear drums being played. Everything sounds plastic and not mixed well. It would be interesting to know where they recorded this, because it doesn’t sound like a normal studio to me.

- Mike had the balls to make some childish swipe at Brian for the supposed use of autotune for NPP, yet these songs are FLOODED and drowned in autotune. At one point I thought the spoken word section of ‘Only One Earth’ was autotuned. When Brian’s voice sounded a little different in a sample from NPP half the board went into full-on preschool meltdown mode because of it....even Mike joined in on the ribbing. Threads were made about that sh*t. Nary a peep from the same crowd who reside elsewhere now. But I digress.

That’s about it. My “bad” list is more just griping/bickering. It’s great to see Mike with kind of a hobby in recording now. He’s been much more positive in media interviews, I haven’t heard one cheap shot at Brian in a loooong time. Either recording has been more of a positive distraction from bad vibes, or it has really been a nice release for him - helping him mellow out a bit.

It sucks to see the Do It Again remake on here, and it sucks to hear everything heavily marinated in autotune, but it’s also great to see Mike doing some different things and it’s great to see him spending time in the studio. Wouldn’t it be nice if this recording venture got him interested in getting the real Beach Boys back together for another album and tour. My biggest hope is that nothing else on this album will be as cringeworthy as the DIA remake, and that nothing that cringeworthy ever again gets used during Beach Boys performances.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: NateRuvin on November 08, 2017, 06:23:36 AM
rab2591,  I couldn't agree with your assessment more. After listening to the song Unleash The Love a lot, I've grown to really like it. The message and the backing vocals are groovy. After listening to it a lot, I've gotten used to the autotune. Not sure if that's good or bad.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Rocker on November 08, 2017, 06:29:17 AM
My two cents: I think "Still cruisin'" is a very good album and it's new songs all sound like they could've been hits to me. I think "Somewhere near Japan" is a great song and it being about drugs is something that a band that had the status of the Beach Boys totally could've gotten away with. It's not like all succesful pop songs of that time were about fun-in-the-sun. It's beatifully produced and the vocals are very strong.
If you take "Still cruisin'" "Somewhere near Japan" "Island girl" "In my car" "Make it big" and "Kokomo" and then add some other new songs I think it would've made for a very good 80s Beach Boys album. Or maybe "California dreamin'", which didn't appear on any album before, and "Don't fight the sea" and you'd have a cool Beach Boys album that's mostly Mike-central.

I actually like Still Cruisin' as well. Is it anywhere near their best (or even their very good) stuff? No. But every song is enjoyable, though "Wipe Out" is a bit much (this coming from a huge hip-hop fan). Though I do have to say, I do like hearing Brian do the falsetto on there. But regardless, I enjoy "Still Cruisin'", "Island Girl", "Make It Big" and "In My Car" a lot. And I wonder if Brian singing "still cruisin' after all these years" on "In My Car" was merely coincidence or whether that was a purposeful tie in with Mike's song and the album title.



That's exactly something I also wondered about. But it gives the selection some kind of connection if not a theme.


Regarding "Still cruisin'" and "The mountain's high", I guess Mike certainly knew the song. I'd read that Dick&DeeDee toured with the Beach Boys and that the song was a big hit in San Francisco. But I wouldn't call it a theft. Back in the 60s cases like this were all over the music scene. You take one part of another record and build your own song around it. "Amusement Parks U.S.A." "The girl from New York City" even "Help me Ronda" and others could also fall under that description. That's the way it was back then and no one seemed to have a problem with that. So I guess that is where Mike's (or Terry Melcher; whoever came up with it) coming from. In the more modern years (probably from the 80s onwards $$) it might actually be something you would call a rip-off. But then we'd have to call Brian's "Gettin' in over my head" (Little Anthony & The Imperials' Going out of my head (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3j9bAVqt3c) ) a rip-off even more so. I guess with "Still cruisin'" - since it's mostly just the rhythm and you can't patent rhythm and chords - nowadays you would call it a "sample" maybe. There seems to be no question on my mind though that "Still cruisin'" took it's rhythm from "The mountain's high"


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 08, 2017, 07:23:40 AM
Just an FYI for anyone not familiar with these recordings.

This is Fairy Tale Girl, the John Phillips track which got adapted and rerecorded as Somewhere Near Japan:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7AvvEDsakI (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7AvvEDsakI)

And this - of course - is Somewhere Near Japan:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAdeXsyIvE4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAdeXsyIvE4)

A song written about John's daughter and her new husband calling asking for money and to score drugs on their honeymoon.



This is John  Phillips' original Kokomo recording:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAuqngA9CuM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAuqngA9CuM)

No need to post the BB's version, everyone knows it.


And this is Dick & DeeDee "The Mountain's High":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU2rjoSXI34 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU2rjoSXI34)

And "Still Cruisin'" with the main hook which bears more than a passing resemblance to Dick & DeeDee:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZyGeH8Mfdw (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZyGeH8Mfdw)


I had never heard "the Mountain's High" before, but I don't think it was conscious theft. It's just a three chord progression, very common in pop music.

And I doubt that the average person would have recognized "Somewhere Near Japan" as being a drug song. I certainly didn't until someone pointed it out here.

One other point: it's been stated in this thread several times that the guys should have been aiming to make the type of albums that score high in the charts instead of worrying about hit singles. The thing is, though, "Kokomo" became a song that all the fans attending shows in 1989-90 expected to hear. If the band had dropped it from the sets in, say, 1990 or 91, there would have been a lot of disappointed fans. No, not you guys, the Beach Boy tastemakers that scorn anything made without Brian. The casual fans who filled up those seats at the arenas and state fairs - some of who became fans BECAUSE of "Kokomo". Mike wanted to have more hits like that. I mean, sure McCartney's albums typically chart high these days, but they also drop off quickly. The last even medium size hit he had, "My Brave Face", hasn't been played in his concerts since the tour supporting the album it was on. If he'd had a hit in 1989 of "Live and Let Die" or "Band on the Run" proportions, it would have stayed in his set list, because fans wouldn't let him leave the stage WITHOUT playing it. If the Beach Boys - or Brian on his own - had conjured up another #1 single, they would still be doing it in their shows night after night.

To McCartney's credit (sort of?), he has numerous hit singles that he has *never* or rarely performed live, especially post-Wings.

Another Day (US #5, performed in '93 and sometimes in more recent years, but presented almost like a "deep cut")
Uncle Albert/Admiral Haley (US #1, never performed live)
Helen Wheels (US #10)
Junior's Farm (US #3, performed in '75, cut before the '76 US tour, and ignored until the last few years)
Listen to the What the Man Said (US #1, pretty much same story as "Junior's Farm")
Venus and Mars/Rock Show (US #12, see above)
Silly Love Songs (US #1, never played after '76)
With a Little Luck (US #1, never played live ever, though planned for Japan 1980)
Goodnight Tonight (US #5, only played on '79 UK tour)
Getting Closer (US #20, only played on '79 UK tour)
Ebony and Ivory (US #1, played in 89/90, and a one one-off performance since)
Take It Away (US #10, never performed live)
Say Say Say (US #1, never performed live)
Pipes of Peace (UK #1, never performed live)
No More Lonely Nights (UK #2, US #6, never performed live)
We All Stand Together (UK #3, never performed live)
Spies Like Us (US #7, never performed live)
Press (US #21, never performed live)
Young Boy (UK #19, never performed live)

There are a bunch of others I'm ignoring that were in the Top 20/30, etc. Yes, some of these weren't as ubiquitous in music/pop culture as others.

Obviously, this has more to do with having the *luxury* of so many hit songs and recognizable songs that he can choose not to do numerous honest-to-God "hits." He'll do "I'll Get You" or "In Spite of all the Danger" instead of a #1 single.

I think the Beach Boys eventually kept doing "Kokomo" because it was recognizable more than specifically because it was a #1 hit, though obviously those two things are quite related. They usually tended to keep any even moderate hit in the setlist for quite awhile. I think sometimes it was just laziness as far as rehearsing and setlist. I can't be the only person who by the later 80s or early 90s never needed to hear "Come Go With Me" live again. Yet Mike kept in the setlist even after Al was s**tcanned from the band.
 



Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on November 08, 2017, 08:24:55 AM
The melody being borrowed. ..shouldn't that go on Terry Melcher since he was credited with writing the music?

If the song had multiple writers, no matter what each of them contributed, they'd all be listed as defendants in any legal actions taken with the song. However the credits were registered is how any copyright claims would be named - I don't think the legal cases separate writers by contribution.

Consider that Still Cruisin' (the song) was the follow-up to Kokomo, and Mike's main contribution to Kokomo was the bass vocal melody and hook which opens the song, "Arruba, Jamaica...". Still Cruisin follows the same template. It would be easy to assume that Mike also crafted the Still Cruisin hook/melody since it not only sounds like him, but it follows the same layout as Kokomo. Open with Mike's hook, right out of the gate. That's what did make Kokomo an ear-grabber, but that hook was original, and didn't sound like an old hit from the 60's. Somewhere Near Japan takes 45 seconds before any vocals are even heard, and even more time before anything sounding like a hook is heard.

I guess with "Still cruisin'" - since it's mostly just the rhythm and you can't patent rhythm and chords - nowadays you would call it a "sample" maybe. There seems to be no question on my mind though that "Still cruisin'" took it's rhythm from "The mountain's high"

Mike's initial Still Cruisin bass vocal hook has the same phrasing and melody of "The Mountain's High" hook.

Consider the standards in terms of taking these cases to court as they exist in 2017. Marvin Gaye's estate successfully sued Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams over "Blurred Lines" sounding too much like Marvin's "Got To Give It Up", and even though the case was pretty in depth in terms of the criteria presented in court, a lot of opinions say it was because the two songs as produced and recorded sounded alike especially in the rhythmic groove...even though the criteria got into experts analyzing sheet music, notes and chord progressions.

(Side note - I called this one as soon as I heard the Thicke track. No lie. I sent a few musician friends links to both tunes and said "Did you catch this too?" Answer was, holy sh*t...yep, that's Marvin's groove. Not melody, not chords, not words...groove. And I think that's what has a lot of artists worried because of the precedent.)

Tom Petty successfully sued Sam Smith because Smith's "Stay With Me" shared a melody hook with Petty's "I Won't Back Down". It also shares most of the same chord changes under that hook.

(Side note - As a joke I'll sometimes blend these two tunes together and sing Sam Smith's hook over Tom Petty or vice versa if I'm playing or teaching using either song. It's uncanny if you believe Smith that he never heard Petty's tune.)

In both those high-profile cases the writers claimed they either did not know or were not writing their own songs with the original songs in mind, or consciously trying to nick the musical elements. But they still lost millions, and in Smith's case he chalked it up to coincidence and claims he did not consciously know the Petty tune despite the two sounding so much alike.

And one of the more high-profile examples that kind of opened the floodgates on a larger scale for this stuff was the George Harrison case in the 70's. "My Sweet Lord" versus "He's So Fine". George again claimed no intentional nicking, but George lost because the *hooks* do sound the same.

Just thinking if such a case were ever called, someone played the melody/hook of Still Cruisin next to Mountain's High on the same instrument followed by the recordings, and did it in a blind test to a group of people not invested in the music or artists at all (i.e. an impartial jury), they'd spot it too.



Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on November 08, 2017, 08:34:21 AM
"Still Cruisin'" the song was almost a shameless rip-off of "The Mountains High" by Dick & DeeDee, with Mike's nostalgia lyrics on full display. Who was the audience for this? Baby Boomers or kids watching MTV?

Let's not use this one as a diss on Mike. We've got a lot of material on the man, but songs being "shameless rip-offs" is actually something that The Beach Boys do pretty well ("Surfin' U.S.A." with "Sweet Little Sixteen", "At My Window" with "Raspberries, Strawberries", Brian's recent [at the time] "Little Children" with "Mountain of Love") and if anything "Still Cruisin'" is just another Beach Boys adaption. Plus, we can actually be pretty sure to say that Mr. Paul Simon deserves some credit (not literal legal credit, er.....maybe?) for the lyrics of "Still Cruisin'". I mean, "still crazy after all of these years..." and "still cruisin' after all of these years"? Pretty obvious where Dr. Love got the idea.

And secondly, I'm not sure I know many people who know "The Mountain's High" anyway.

Most who grew up with the Beach Boys listening to radio in the 60's knows The Mountain's High. It's the same demographic Mike's nostalgia lyrics in Still Cruisin were targeting, that was who he was singing to.

You didn't respond to my point. Are the other songs "shameless rip-offs" too? Or just "Still Cruisin'"? I don't think any of them should be classified that way, regardless of my opinions on the person who developed the song ("Little Children" and "Surfin' U.S.A." in Brian's case, "At My Window" in Al's case and "Still Cruisin'" in Mike's case).

I didn't respond? Hmm. Now I will.

Apart from Surfin USA which you'll recall the band got sued for and lost the rights to that song to Chuck Berry's publisher from then in the 60's until eternity because it was found to be a rip-off, which of the songs you mentioned had the position which "Still Cruisin'" had as an anticipated hit single with high hopes as the follow up to the number 1 smash hit Kokomo? None of them. Little Children? At My Window? Apples and oranges. And if knowing or not knowing the Dick & DeeDee record is an issue, how many less people have any idea what the tunes you referenced sound like? None of them are known outside the hardcore Beach Boys fanbase. Little Children was a throwaway album cut clocking in at under 2 minutes. None were follow up singles with high hopes being put on them after a #1 single and the band's return after 2 decades to releasing new music on thier original home label.

Did you listen to The Mountain's High? Hear the similarities with Still Cruisin? Still Cruisin was the single Mike delivered to follow up a number 1 hit, and it was a rip of an old 60's hit. The hook is the same, the melody, groove, etc.

Maybe Paul Simon should have tried to sue Mike on those lyrics too. That would have been fun.

Maybe Mike was betting that the target audience who was so into Kokomo and Tom Cruise and Stamos playing conga drums to bikini girls wouldn't know where he lifted the ideas from either, in this case an early 60's hit. I'm actually, seriously surprised Mike (and Terry) wasn't sued for that blatant of a lift. But Mike banks on ignorance among audiences pretty regularly, so it's no surprise if he thought no one would notice.

I think Capitol expected something that at least sounded original, which Kokomo did as a polishing-up of an existing John Phillips song. Instead they got something Mike nicked from an old record. Maybe that's why it stiffed.

My point, guitarfool, was that nothing gets in the way of how much  you despise Mike. If you've paid attention to my posting, I'm not the hugest fan of the guy either. But I also think it's rich that one of the moderators on this board goes out of the way to give the man sh*t. As I've said before, Mike gives us so much material to shake our head at that we don't need to invent more reasons to dislike him.

And while we are it, who are you to call any of Brian's work "throwaway"?

And I know the Dick and Deedee song. I know it sounds similar. Whatever. Just as "whatever" on "At My Window", "Surfin' U.S.A." and "Little Children." The songs are either good or they aren't.

Surfin USA was inexperienced songwriting, Still Cruisin was calculated theft.

Then what was "Little Children"? Or a healthy chunk of Bob Dylan's entire discography? I think hatred of Mike gets in the way of things on here.

Say what?

(https://thespinoff.scdn5.secure.raxcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/GettyImages-138852512.jpg)


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Jim V. on November 08, 2017, 10:00:14 AM
"Still Cruisin'" the song was almost a shameless rip-off of "The Mountains High" by Dick & DeeDee, with Mike's nostalgia lyrics on full display. Who was the audience for this? Baby Boomers or kids watching MTV?

Let's not use this one as a diss on Mike. We've got a lot of material on the man, but songs being "shameless rip-offs" is actually something that The Beach Boys do pretty well ("Surfin' U.S.A." with "Sweet Little Sixteen", "At My Window" with "Raspberries, Strawberries", Brian's recent [at the time] "Little Children" with "Mountain of Love") and if anything "Still Cruisin'" is just another Beach Boys adaption. Plus, we can actually be pretty sure to say that Mr. Paul Simon deserves some credit (not literal legal credit, er.....maybe?) for the lyrics of "Still Cruisin'". I mean, "still crazy after all of these years..." and "still cruisin' after all of these years"? Pretty obvious where Dr. Love got the idea.

And secondly, I'm not sure I know many people who know "The Mountain's High" anyway.

Most who grew up with the Beach Boys listening to radio in the 60's knows The Mountain's High. It's the same demographic Mike's nostalgia lyrics in Still Cruisin were targeting, that was who he was singing to.

You didn't respond to my point. Are the other songs "shameless rip-offs" too? Or just "Still Cruisin'"? I don't think any of them should be classified that way, regardless of my opinions on the person who developed the song ("Little Children" and "Surfin' U.S.A." in Brian's case, "At My Window" in Al's case and "Still Cruisin'" in Mike's case).

I didn't respond? Hmm. Now I will.

Apart from Surfin USA which you'll recall the band got sued for and lost the rights to that song to Chuck Berry's publisher from then in the 60's until eternity because it was found to be a rip-off, which of the songs you mentioned had the position which "Still Cruisin'" had as an anticipated hit single with high hopes as the follow up to the number 1 smash hit Kokomo? None of them. Little Children? At My Window? Apples and oranges. And if knowing or not knowing the Dick & DeeDee record is an issue, how many less people have any idea what the tunes you referenced sound like? None of them are known outside the hardcore Beach Boys fanbase. Little Children was a throwaway album cut clocking in at under 2 minutes. None were follow up singles with high hopes being put on them after a #1 single and the band's return after 2 decades to releasing new music on thier original home label.

Did you listen to The Mountain's High? Hear the similarities with Still Cruisin? Still Cruisin was the single Mike delivered to follow up a number 1 hit, and it was a rip of an old 60's hit. The hook is the same, the melody, groove, etc.

Maybe Paul Simon should have tried to sue Mike on those lyrics too. That would have been fun.

Maybe Mike was betting that the target audience who was so into Kokomo and Tom Cruise and Stamos playing conga drums to bikini girls wouldn't know where he lifted the ideas from either, in this case an early 60's hit. I'm actually, seriously surprised Mike (and Terry) wasn't sued for that blatant of a lift. But Mike banks on ignorance among audiences pretty regularly, so it's no surprise if he thought no one would notice.

I think Capitol expected something that at least sounded original, which Kokomo did as a polishing-up of an existing John Phillips song. Instead they got something Mike nicked from an old record. Maybe that's why it stiffed.

My point, guitarfool, was that nothing gets in the way of how much  you despise Mike. If you've paid attention to my posting, I'm not the hugest fan of the guy either. But I also think it's rich that one of the moderators on this board goes out of the way to give the man sh*t. As I've said before, Mike gives us so much material to shake our head at that we don't need to invent more reasons to dislike him.

And while we are it, who are you to call any of Brian's work "throwaway"?

And I know the Dick and Deedee song. I know it sounds similar. Whatever. Just as "whatever" on "At My Window", "Surfin' U.S.A." and "Little Children." The songs are either good or they aren't.

Surfin USA was inexperienced songwriting, Still Cruisin was calculated theft.

Then what was "Little Children"? Or a healthy chunk of Bob Dylan's entire discography? I think hatred of Mike gets in the way of things on here.

Say what?

(https://thespinoff.scdn5.secure.raxcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/GettyImages-138852512.jpg)

The f***'s that mean?

I was asking, if "Still Cruisin'" amounts to calculated theft, what do we make of Brian's "Little Children" or a whole lot of Bob Dylan's work, from "Song to Woody" to "Blowin' in the Wind" to Tempest? They all owe major debts to other works, but they still stand on their own.

I think the Pet Sounds Forum is a massive fraudulent piece of garbage where people get away with insinuating some bad sh*t about Brian and his wife. But on the other side I do wish we had moderators on this board who didn't think that they are playing the role Brian Wilson's PR flack, and needlessly throwing insults at Mike Love when Mike is doing nearly the same exact thing that others artists I love (Brian, Bob Dylan, Hendrix, The Specials) have done.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on November 08, 2017, 10:39:06 AM
Happy Chrimbus.... :-\
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V399tenKALA


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Peadar 'Big Dinner' O'Driscoll on November 08, 2017, 10:43:27 AM


I think the Pet Sounds Forum is a massive fraudulent piece of garbage where people get away with insinuating some bad sh*t about Brian and his wife. But on the other side I do wish we had moderators on this board who didn't think that they are playing the role Brian Wilson's PR flack, and needlessly throwing insults at Mike Love when Mike is doing nearly the same exact thing that others artists I love (Brian, Bob Dylan, Hendrix, The Specials) have done.

Time for an in-between board called "Dumb Angel"  ;D


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 08, 2017, 11:44:37 AM
"Still Cruisin'" the song was almost a shameless rip-off of "The Mountains High" by Dick & DeeDee, with Mike's nostalgia lyrics on full display. Who was the audience for this? Baby Boomers or kids watching MTV?

Let's not use this one as a diss on Mike. We've got a lot of material on the man, but songs being "shameless rip-offs" is actually something that The Beach Boys do pretty well ("Surfin' U.S.A." with "Sweet Little Sixteen", "At My Window" with "Raspberries, Strawberries", Brian's recent [at the time] "Little Children" with "Mountain of Love") and if anything "Still Cruisin'" is just another Beach Boys adaption. Plus, we can actually be pretty sure to say that Mr. Paul Simon deserves some credit (not literal legal credit, er.....maybe?) for the lyrics of "Still Cruisin'". I mean, "still crazy after all of these years..." and "still cruisin' after all of these years"? Pretty obvious where Dr. Love got the idea.

And secondly, I'm not sure I know many people who know "The Mountain's High" anyway.

Most who grew up with the Beach Boys listening to radio in the 60's knows The Mountain's High. It's the same demographic Mike's nostalgia lyrics in Still Cruisin were targeting, that was who he was singing to.

You didn't respond to my point. Are the other songs "shameless rip-offs" too? Or just "Still Cruisin'"? I don't think any of them should be classified that way, regardless of my opinions on the person who developed the song ("Little Children" and "Surfin' U.S.A." in Brian's case, "At My Window" in Al's case and "Still Cruisin'" in Mike's case).

I didn't respond? Hmm. Now I will.

Apart from Surfin USA which you'll recall the band got sued for and lost the rights to that song to Chuck Berry's publisher from then in the 60's until eternity because it was found to be a rip-off, which of the songs you mentioned had the position which "Still Cruisin'" had as an anticipated hit single with high hopes as the follow up to the number 1 smash hit Kokomo? None of them. Little Children? At My Window? Apples and oranges. And if knowing or not knowing the Dick & DeeDee record is an issue, how many less people have any idea what the tunes you referenced sound like? None of them are known outside the hardcore Beach Boys fanbase. Little Children was a throwaway album cut clocking in at under 2 minutes. None were follow up singles with high hopes being put on them after a #1 single and the band's return after 2 decades to releasing new music on thier original home label.

Did you listen to The Mountain's High? Hear the similarities with Still Cruisin? Still Cruisin was the single Mike delivered to follow up a number 1 hit, and it was a rip of an old 60's hit. The hook is the same, the melody, groove, etc.

Maybe Paul Simon should have tried to sue Mike on those lyrics too. That would have been fun.

Maybe Mike was betting that the target audience who was so into Kokomo and Tom Cruise and Stamos playing conga drums to bikini girls wouldn't know where he lifted the ideas from either, in this case an early 60's hit. I'm actually, seriously surprised Mike (and Terry) wasn't sued for that blatant of a lift. But Mike banks on ignorance among audiences pretty regularly, so it's no surprise if he thought no one would notice.

I think Capitol expected something that at least sounded original, which Kokomo did as a polishing-up of an existing John Phillips song. Instead they got something Mike nicked from an old record. Maybe that's why it stiffed.

My point, guitarfool, was that nothing gets in the way of how much  you despise Mike. If you've paid attention to my posting, I'm not the hugest fan of the guy either. But I also think it's rich that one of the moderators on this board goes out of the way to give the man sh*t. As I've said before, Mike gives us so much material to shake our head at that we don't need to invent more reasons to dislike him.

And while we are it, who are you to call any of Brian's work "throwaway"?

And I know the Dick and Deedee song. I know it sounds similar. Whatever. Just as "whatever" on "At My Window", "Surfin' U.S.A." and "Little Children." The songs are either good or they aren't.

Surfin USA was inexperienced songwriting, Still Cruisin was calculated theft.

Then what was "Little Children"? Or a healthy chunk of Bob Dylan's entire discography? I think hatred of Mike gets in the way of things on here.

Say what?

(https://thespinoff.scdn5.secure.raxcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/GettyImages-138852512.jpg)

The f***'s that mean?

I was asking, if "Still Cruisin'" amounts to calculated theft, what do we make of Brian's "Little Children" or a whole lot of Bob Dylan's work, from "Song to Woody" to "Blowin' in the Wind" to Tempest? They all owe major debts to other works, but they still stand on their own.

I think the Pet Sounds Forum is a massive fraudulent piece of garbage where people get away with insinuating some bad sh*t about Brian and his wife. But on the other side I do wish we had moderators on this board who didn't think that they are playing the role Brian Wilson's PR flack, and needlessly throwing insults at Mike Love when Mike is doing nearly the same exact thing that others artists I love (Brian, Bob Dylan, Hendrix, The Specials) have done.

Whoa...I know you are having it out with GF, but are you seriously taking a swipe at me too? Guess you've missed my comments on how I think Looking Back with Love is way better than Imagination  (which it is) , for starters. I call things how I see them, and I'm blunt as hell. Just because I'm a mod doesn't mean I'm not entitled to an opinion. Please look at my post history and show me an example of a needless sh*t at Mike. Now if you're referring to my shots at Andrew G Dumbass,  well, that is based on something personal (him slandering me is just part of it) and has nothing to do with Mike besides him being on the payroll.

But yeah, please show me an example.

Thanks in advance


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 08, 2017, 11:46:42 AM


I think the Pet Sounds Forum is a massive fraudulent piece of garbage where people get away with insinuating some bad sh*t about Brian and his wife. But on the other side I do wish we had moderators on this board who didn't think that they are playing the role Brian Wilson's PR flack, and needlessly throwing insults at Mike Love when Mike is doing nearly the same exact thing that others artists I love (Brian, Bob Dylan, Hendrix, The Specials) have done.

Time for an in-between board called "Dumb Angel"  ;D

The Wild Honey Board for Friends! :lol


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on November 08, 2017, 12:47:06 PM
*cough the vibe room....


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Jim V. on November 08, 2017, 12:56:40 PM
"Still Cruisin'" the song was almost a shameless rip-off of "The Mountains High" by Dick & DeeDee, with Mike's nostalgia lyrics on full display. Who was the audience for this? Baby Boomers or kids watching MTV?

Let's not use this one as a diss on Mike. We've got a lot of material on the man, but songs being "shameless rip-offs" is actually something that The Beach Boys do pretty well ("Surfin' U.S.A." with "Sweet Little Sixteen", "At My Window" with "Raspberries, Strawberries", Brian's recent [at the time] "Little Children" with "Mountain of Love") and if anything "Still Cruisin'" is just another Beach Boys adaption. Plus, we can actually be pretty sure to say that Mr. Paul Simon deserves some credit (not literal legal credit, er.....maybe?) for the lyrics of "Still Cruisin'". I mean, "still crazy after all of these years..." and "still cruisin' after all of these years"? Pretty obvious where Dr. Love got the idea.

And secondly, I'm not sure I know many people who know "The Mountain's High" anyway.

Most who grew up with the Beach Boys listening to radio in the 60's knows The Mountain's High. It's the same demographic Mike's nostalgia lyrics in Still Cruisin were targeting, that was who he was singing to.

You didn't respond to my point. Are the other songs "shameless rip-offs" too? Or just "Still Cruisin'"? I don't think any of them should be classified that way, regardless of my opinions on the person who developed the song ("Little Children" and "Surfin' U.S.A." in Brian's case, "At My Window" in Al's case and "Still Cruisin'" in Mike's case).

I didn't respond? Hmm. Now I will.

Apart from Surfin USA which you'll recall the band got sued for and lost the rights to that song to Chuck Berry's publisher from then in the 60's until eternity because it was found to be a rip-off, which of the songs you mentioned had the position which "Still Cruisin'" had as an anticipated hit single with high hopes as the follow up to the number 1 smash hit Kokomo? None of them. Little Children? At My Window? Apples and oranges. And if knowing or not knowing the Dick & DeeDee record is an issue, how many less people have any idea what the tunes you referenced sound like? None of them are known outside the hardcore Beach Boys fanbase. Little Children was a throwaway album cut clocking in at under 2 minutes. None were follow up singles with high hopes being put on them after a #1 single and the band's return after 2 decades to releasing new music on thier original home label.

Did you listen to The Mountain's High? Hear the similarities with Still Cruisin? Still Cruisin was the single Mike delivered to follow up a number 1 hit, and it was a rip of an old 60's hit. The hook is the same, the melody, groove, etc.

Maybe Paul Simon should have tried to sue Mike on those lyrics too. That would have been fun.

Maybe Mike was betting that the target audience who was so into Kokomo and Tom Cruise and Stamos playing conga drums to bikini girls wouldn't know where he lifted the ideas from either, in this case an early 60's hit. I'm actually, seriously surprised Mike (and Terry) wasn't sued for that blatant of a lift. But Mike banks on ignorance among audiences pretty regularly, so it's no surprise if he thought no one would notice.

I think Capitol expected something that at least sounded original, which Kokomo did as a polishing-up of an existing John Phillips song. Instead they got something Mike nicked from an old record. Maybe that's why it stiffed.

My point, guitarfool, was that nothing gets in the way of how much  you despise Mike. If you've paid attention to my posting, I'm not the hugest fan of the guy either. But I also think it's rich that one of the moderators on this board goes out of the way to give the man sh*t. As I've said before, Mike gives us so much material to shake our head at that we don't need to invent more reasons to dislike him.

And while we are it, who are you to call any of Brian's work "throwaway"?

And I know the Dick and Deedee song. I know it sounds similar. Whatever. Just as "whatever" on "At My Window", "Surfin' U.S.A." and "Little Children." The songs are either good or they aren't.

Surfin USA was inexperienced songwriting, Still Cruisin was calculated theft.

Then what was "Little Children"? Or a healthy chunk of Bob Dylan's entire discography? I think hatred of Mike gets in the way of things on here.

Say what?

(https://thespinoff.scdn5.secure.raxcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/GettyImages-138852512.jpg)

The f***'s that mean?

I was asking, if "Still Cruisin'" amounts to calculated theft, what do we make of Brian's "Little Children" or a whole lot of Bob Dylan's work, from "Song to Woody" to "Blowin' in the Wind" to Tempest? They all owe major debts to other works, but they still stand on their own.

I think the Pet Sounds Forum is a massive fraudulent piece of garbage where people get away with insinuating some bad sh*t about Brian and his wife. But on the other side I do wish we had moderators on this board who didn't think that they are playing the role Brian Wilson's PR flack, and needlessly throwing insults at Mike Love when Mike is doing nearly the same exact thing that others artists I love (Brian, Bob Dylan, Hendrix, The Specials) have done.

Whoa...I know you are having it out with GF, but are you seriously taking a swipe at me too? Guess you've missed my comments on how I think Looking Back with Love is way better than Imagination  (which it is) , for starters. I call things how I see them, and I'm blunt as hell. Just because I'm a mod doesn't mean I'm not entitled to an opinion. Please look at my post history and show me an example of a needless sh*t at Mike. Now if you're referring to my shots at Andrew G Dumbass,  well, that is based on something personal (him slandering me is just part of it) and has nothing to do with Mike besides him being on the payroll.

But yeah, please show me an example.

Thanks in advance

O sh*t. I did not mean a thing towards you Billy. You are nearly the exact example of what a moderator should be. You are fair, you have your own opinions but don't try to start sh*t, and you explain why you make the decisions you do. Sorry for writing moderators when I only meant one.

And I'm sorry for messing with the thread, but I just think something needs to be done here. I mean, you guys have seen my posts, I'm not a Mike Love apologist. For the most part, I think the man is an egotistical, ungrateful, mean-spirited asshole. But at the same time, I don't think we should have a so-called moderator on this board writing half page screeds against him because of innocuous things like swiping a melody from  the '50s duo Drang and the Ding Dong's. It has scared of people who would offer some interesting thoughts on different subjects. Now granted, I think those people should have thicker skin, but still...to have a moderator constantly going on about "correcting the record" on things where nobody has brought up falsehoods, it just strikes me as overkill, and probably has newbie's saying "the f*** is going on here? What is this guy talking about? I just like The Beach Boys and wanted to know about the songs and the band members, not secret plots to unseat Andrew G. Doe as the President of the Mike Love Fan Club."

I know that this post will go unheeded, but I feel like it needed to be said. I love posting on here, and I think posters like Billy C, CenturyDeprived, SMiLE Brian, HeyJude and a few others keep this place interesting. But I think instead of trying to "out asshole" some of the pricks on the other board, we could try not to get so crazy.

I now await a post from GF about "how I totally don't get it, man."


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: The Cincinnati Kid on November 08, 2017, 01:34:28 PM
"Still Cruisin'" the song was almost a shameless rip-off of "The Mountains High" by Dick & DeeDee, with Mike's nostalgia lyrics on full display. Who was the audience for this? Baby Boomers or kids watching MTV?

Let's not use this one as a diss on Mike. We've got a lot of material on the man, but songs being "shameless rip-offs" is actually something that The Beach Boys do pretty well ("Surfin' U.S.A." with "Sweet Little Sixteen", "At My Window" with "Raspberries, Strawberries", Brian's recent [at the time] "Little Children" with "Mountain of Love") and if anything "Still Cruisin'" is just another Beach Boys adaption. Plus, we can actually be pretty sure to say that Mr. Paul Simon deserves some credit (not literal legal credit, er.....maybe?) for the lyrics of "Still Cruisin'". I mean, "still crazy after all of these years..." and "still cruisin' after all of these years"? Pretty obvious where Dr. Love got the idea.

And secondly, I'm not sure I know many people who know "The Mountain's High" anyway.

Most who grew up with the Beach Boys listening to radio in the 60's knows The Mountain's High. It's the same demographic Mike's nostalgia lyrics in Still Cruisin were targeting, that was who he was singing to.

You didn't respond to my point. Are the other songs "shameless rip-offs" too? Or just "Still Cruisin'"? I don't think any of them should be classified that way, regardless of my opinions on the person who developed the song ("Little Children" and "Surfin' U.S.A." in Brian's case, "At My Window" in Al's case and "Still Cruisin'" in Mike's case).

I didn't respond? Hmm. Now I will.

Apart from Surfin USA which you'll recall the band got sued for and lost the rights to that song to Chuck Berry's publisher from then in the 60's until eternity because it was found to be a rip-off, which of the songs you mentioned had the position which "Still Cruisin'" had as an anticipated hit single with high hopes as the follow up to the number 1 smash hit Kokomo? None of them. Little Children? At My Window? Apples and oranges. And if knowing or not knowing the Dick & DeeDee record is an issue, how many less people have any idea what the tunes you referenced sound like? None of them are known outside the hardcore Beach Boys fanbase. Little Children was a throwaway album cut clocking in at under 2 minutes. None were follow up singles with high hopes being put on them after a #1 single and the band's return after 2 decades to releasing new music on thier original home label.

Did you listen to The Mountain's High? Hear the similarities with Still Cruisin? Still Cruisin was the single Mike delivered to follow up a number 1 hit, and it was a rip of an old 60's hit. The hook is the same, the melody, groove, etc.

Maybe Paul Simon should have tried to sue Mike on those lyrics too. That would have been fun.

Maybe Mike was betting that the target audience who was so into Kokomo and Tom Cruise and Stamos playing conga drums to bikini girls wouldn't know where he lifted the ideas from either, in this case an early 60's hit. I'm actually, seriously surprised Mike (and Terry) wasn't sued for that blatant of a lift. But Mike banks on ignorance among audiences pretty regularly, so it's no surprise if he thought no one would notice.

I think Capitol expected something that at least sounded original, which Kokomo did as a polishing-up of an existing John Phillips song. Instead they got something Mike nicked from an old record. Maybe that's why it stiffed.

My point, guitarfool, was that nothing gets in the way of how much  you despise Mike. If you've paid attention to my posting, I'm not the hugest fan of the guy either. But I also think it's rich that one of the moderators on this board goes out of the way to give the man sh*t. As I've said before, Mike gives us so much material to shake our head at that we don't need to invent more reasons to dislike him.

And while we are it, who are you to call any of Brian's work "throwaway"?

And I know the Dick and Deedee song. I know it sounds similar. Whatever. Just as "whatever" on "At My Window", "Surfin' U.S.A." and "Little Children." The songs are either good or they aren't.

Surfin USA was inexperienced songwriting, Still Cruisin was calculated theft.

Then what was "Little Children"? Or a healthy chunk of Bob Dylan's entire discography? I think hatred of Mike gets in the way of things on here.

Say what?

(https://thespinoff.scdn5.secure.raxcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/GettyImages-138852512.jpg)

The f***'s that mean?

I was asking, if "Still Cruisin'" amounts to calculated theft, what do we make of Brian's "Little Children" or a whole lot of Bob Dylan's work, from "Song to Woody" to "Blowin' in the Wind" to Tempest? They all owe major debts to other works, but they still stand on their own.

I think the Pet Sounds Forum is a massive fraudulent piece of garbage where people get away with insinuating some bad sh*t about Brian and his wife. But on the other side I do wish we had moderators on this board who didn't think that they are playing the role Brian Wilson's PR flack, and needlessly throwing insults at Mike Love when Mike is doing nearly the same exact thing that others artists I love (Brian, Bob Dylan, Hendrix, The Specials) have done.

Whoa...I know you are having it out with GF, but are you seriously taking a swipe at me too? Guess you've missed my comments on how I think Looking Back with Love is way better than Imagination  (which it is) , for starters. I call things how I see them, and I'm blunt as hell. Just because I'm a mod doesn't mean I'm not entitled to an opinion. Please look at my post history and show me an example of a needless sh*t at Mike. Now if you're referring to my shots at Andrew G Dumbass,  well, that is based on something personal (him slandering me is just part of it) and has nothing to do with Mike besides him being on the payroll.

But yeah, please show me an example.

Thanks in advance

O sh*t. I did not mean a thing towards you Billy. You are nearly the exact example of what a moderator should be. You are fair, you have your own opinions but don't try to start sh*t, and you explain why you make the decisions you do. Sorry for writing moderators when I only meant one.

And I'm sorry for messing with the thread, but I just think something needs to be done here. I mean, you guys have seen my posts, I'm not a Mike Love apologist. For the most part, I think the man is an egotistical, ungrateful, mean-spirited asshole. But at the same time, I don't think we should have a so-called moderator on this board writing half page screeds against him because of innocuous things like swiping a melody from  the '50s duo Drang and the Ding Dong's. It has scared of people who would offer some interesting thoughts on different subjects. Now granted, I think those people should have thicker skin, but still...to have a moderator constantly going on about "correcting the record" on things where nobody has brought up falsehoods, it just strikes me as overkill, and probably has newbie's saying "the f*** is going on here? What is this guy talking about? I just like The Beach Boys and wanted to know about the songs and the band members, not secret plots to unseat Andrew G. Doe as the President of the Mike Love Fan Club."

I know that this post will go unheeded, but I feel like it needed to be said. I love posting on here, and I think posters like Billy C, CenturyDeprived, SMiLE Brian, HeyJude and a few others keep this place interesting. But I think instead of trying to "out asshole" some of the pricks on the other board, we could try not to get so crazy.

I now await a post from GF about "how I totally don't get it, man."

I know you really want to get back into the Pet Sounds forum, but I don't think another post about how you dislike GF is going to do it.  :lol


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Jim V. on November 08, 2017, 01:42:01 PM
"Still Cruisin'" the song was almost a shameless rip-off of "The Mountains High" by Dick & DeeDee, with Mike's nostalgia lyrics on full display. Who was the audience for this? Baby Boomers or kids watching MTV?

Let's not use this one as a diss on Mike. We've got a lot of material on the man, but songs being "shameless rip-offs" is actually something that The Beach Boys do pretty well ("Surfin' U.S.A." with "Sweet Little Sixteen", "At My Window" with "Raspberries, Strawberries", Brian's recent [at the time] "Little Children" with "Mountain of Love") and if anything "Still Cruisin'" is just another Beach Boys adaption. Plus, we can actually be pretty sure to say that Mr. Paul Simon deserves some credit (not literal legal credit, er.....maybe?) for the lyrics of "Still Cruisin'". I mean, "still crazy after all of these years..." and "still cruisin' after all of these years"? Pretty obvious where Dr. Love got the idea.

And secondly, I'm not sure I know many people who know "The Mountain's High" anyway.

Most who grew up with the Beach Boys listening to radio in the 60's knows The Mountain's High. It's the same demographic Mike's nostalgia lyrics in Still Cruisin were targeting, that was who he was singing to.

You didn't respond to my point. Are the other songs "shameless rip-offs" too? Or just "Still Cruisin'"? I don't think any of them should be classified that way, regardless of my opinions on the person who developed the song ("Little Children" and "Surfin' U.S.A." in Brian's case, "At My Window" in Al's case and "Still Cruisin'" in Mike's case).

I didn't respond? Hmm. Now I will.

Apart from Surfin USA which you'll recall the band got sued for and lost the rights to that song to Chuck Berry's publisher from then in the 60's until eternity because it was found to be a rip-off, which of the songs you mentioned had the position which "Still Cruisin'" had as an anticipated hit single with high hopes as the follow up to the number 1 smash hit Kokomo? None of them. Little Children? At My Window? Apples and oranges. And if knowing or not knowing the Dick & DeeDee record is an issue, how many less people have any idea what the tunes you referenced sound like? None of them are known outside the hardcore Beach Boys fanbase. Little Children was a throwaway album cut clocking in at under 2 minutes. None were follow up singles with high hopes being put on them after a #1 single and the band's return after 2 decades to releasing new music on thier original home label.

Did you listen to The Mountain's High? Hear the similarities with Still Cruisin? Still Cruisin was the single Mike delivered to follow up a number 1 hit, and it was a rip of an old 60's hit. The hook is the same, the melody, groove, etc.

Maybe Paul Simon should have tried to sue Mike on those lyrics too. That would have been fun.

Maybe Mike was betting that the target audience who was so into Kokomo and Tom Cruise and Stamos playing conga drums to bikini girls wouldn't know where he lifted the ideas from either, in this case an early 60's hit. I'm actually, seriously surprised Mike (and Terry) wasn't sued for that blatant of a lift. But Mike banks on ignorance among audiences pretty regularly, so it's no surprise if he thought no one would notice.

I think Capitol expected something that at least sounded original, which Kokomo did as a polishing-up of an existing John Phillips song. Instead they got something Mike nicked from an old record. Maybe that's why it stiffed.

My point, guitarfool, was that nothing gets in the way of how much  you despise Mike. If you've paid attention to my posting, I'm not the hugest fan of the guy either. But I also think it's rich that one of the moderators on this board goes out of the way to give the man sh*t. As I've said before, Mike gives us so much material to shake our head at that we don't need to invent more reasons to dislike him.

And while we are it, who are you to call any of Brian's work "throwaway"?

And I know the Dick and Deedee song. I know it sounds similar. Whatever. Just as "whatever" on "At My Window", "Surfin' U.S.A." and "Little Children." The songs are either good or they aren't.

Surfin USA was inexperienced songwriting, Still Cruisin was calculated theft.

Then what was "Little Children"? Or a healthy chunk of Bob Dylan's entire discography? I think hatred of Mike gets in the way of things on here.

Say what?

(https://thespinoff.scdn5.secure.raxcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/GettyImages-138852512.jpg)

The f***'s that mean?

I was asking, if "Still Cruisin'" amounts to calculated theft, what do we make of Brian's "Little Children" or a whole lot of Bob Dylan's work, from "Song to Woody" to "Blowin' in the Wind" to Tempest? They all owe major debts to other works, but they still stand on their own.

I think the Pet Sounds Forum is a massive fraudulent piece of garbage where people get away with insinuating some bad sh*t about Brian and his wife. But on the other side I do wish we had moderators on this board who didn't think that they are playing the role Brian Wilson's PR flack, and needlessly throwing insults at Mike Love when Mike is doing nearly the same exact thing that others artists I love (Brian, Bob Dylan, Hendrix, The Specials) have done.

Whoa...I know you are having it out with GF, but are you seriously taking a swipe at me too? Guess you've missed my comments on how I think Looking Back with Love is way better than Imagination  (which it is) , for starters. I call things how I see them, and I'm blunt as hell. Just because I'm a mod doesn't mean I'm not entitled to an opinion. Please look at my post history and show me an example of a needless sh*t at Mike. Now if you're referring to my shots at Andrew G Dumbass,  well, that is based on something personal (him slandering me is just part of it) and has nothing to do with Mike besides him being on the payroll.

But yeah, please show me an example.

Thanks in advance

O sh*t. I did not mean a thing towards you Billy. You are nearly the exact example of what a moderator should be. You are fair, you have your own opinions but don't try to start sh*t, and you explain why you make the decisions you do. Sorry for writing moderators when I only meant one.

And I'm sorry for messing with the thread, but I just think something needs to be done here. I mean, you guys have seen my posts, I'm not a Mike Love apologist. For the most part, I think the man is an egotistical, ungrateful, mean-spirited asshole. But at the same time, I don't think we should have a so-called moderator on this board writing half page screeds against him because of innocuous things like swiping a melody from  the '50s duo Drang and the Ding Dong's. It has scared of people who would offer some interesting thoughts on different subjects. Now granted, I think those people should have thicker skin, but still...to have a moderator constantly going on about "correcting the record" on things where nobody has brought up falsehoods, it just strikes me as overkill, and probably has newbie's saying "the f*** is going on here? What is this guy talking about? I just like The Beach Boys and wanted to know about the songs and the band members, not secret plots to unseat Andrew G. Doe as the President of the Mike Love Fan Club."

I know that this post will go unheeded, but I feel like it needed to be said. I love posting on here, and I think posters like Billy C, CenturyDeprived, SMiLE Brian, HeyJude and a few others keep this place interesting. But I think instead of trying to "out asshole" some of the pricks on the other board, we could try not to get so crazy.

I now await a post from GF about "how I totally don't get it, man."

I know you really want to get back into the Pet Sounds forum, but I don't think another post about how you dislike GF is going to do it.  :lol

You're funny! ;D

Seriously though, it's interesting that my "argumentative posting" or whatever it is gets the moderators on there so upset, yet they allow somebody like the reprehensible Cam Mott continue to play the same game (just in a different direction) and it's allowed. Or for AGD to call names and get away with whatever he wants and he just skates. Sure is odd.

Regardless, I don't dislike GF. I just think his absolute obsessive hatred of Mike Love is doing our board no favors.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Peadar 'Big Dinner' O'Driscoll on November 09, 2017, 12:43:23 AM


And I'm sorry for messing with the thread, but I just think something needs to be done here. I mean, you guys have seen my posts, I'm not a Mike Love apologist. For the most part, I think the man is an egotistical, ungrateful, mean-spirited asshole. But at the same time, I don't think we should have a so-called moderator on this board writing half page screeds against him because of innocuous things like swiping a melody from  the '50s duo Drang and the Ding Dong's. It has scared of people who would offer some interesting thoughts on different subjects. Now granted, I think those people should have thicker skin, but still...to have a moderator constantly going on about "correcting the record" on things where nobody has brought up falsehoods, it just strikes me as overkill, and probably has newbie's saying "the f*** is going on here? What is this guy talking about? I just like The Beach Boys and wanted to know about the songs and the band members, not secret plots to unseat Andrew G. Doe as the President of the Mike Love Fan Club."



Some good points there.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on November 09, 2017, 02:33:32 PM
And I'm sorry for messing with the thread, but I just think something needs to be done here. I mean, you guys have seen my posts, I'm not a Mike Love apologist. For the most part, I think the man is an egotistical, ungrateful, mean-spirited asshole. But at the same time, I don't think we should have a so-called moderator on this board writing half page screeds against him because of innocuous things like swiping a melody from  the '50s duo Drang and the Ding Dong's. It has scared of people who would offer some interesting thoughts on different subjects. Now granted, I think those people should have thicker skin, but still...to have a moderator constantly going on about "correcting the record" on things where nobody has brought up falsehoods, it just strikes me as overkill, and probably has newbie's saying "the f*** is going on here? What is this guy talking about? I just like The Beach Boys and wanted to know about the songs and the band members, not secret plots to unseat Andrew G. Doe as the President of the Mike Love Fan Club."

The only thing more consistent than GF’s (on-point) opinion of Mike Love is your constant crusade to nitpick at his posts that has gone on for years. Just like Billy has the right to call out VDPs being a prick to him, GF has every right to interject not only his opinion but actual facts about things that concern this band...and that includes Mike Love. GF has brought to this forum a wealth of information about this band; from the band’s recordings to small bits of history that we all didn’t know about or forgot about. I’d say that the posts of his that you dislike concerning Mike Love are worth his presence here.

And before GF was a moderator this place had a hidden dark side to it...a side now present on the Pet Sounds forum. You called the place a massive fraudulant piece of garbage and that is 100% correct. That would still be the case HERE had Craig not become a moderator. Andrew would still be shlepping off sh*t information to gullible fans like myself, and that information would still be spreading. I was duped by this information, Billy was duped by this information. Many others were duped by this information...sadly some are seemingly masochistic about it and don’t give a sh*t that Andrew did this.

I bring the above up because of your last sentence in that quote above: frankly I’m glad that such things are still talked about because when newbie fans do venture onto this forum they’re hit with a much needed dose of reality: don’t believe the sh*t that you hear, research it for yourself. Yeah, discussing the music is all well and good, but it’s also pertinent to understand the dark sides of this fandom. Right now, on the Pet Sounds forum, newbie fans and old fans are conned into thinking that all is cool now. Even the fucking leadership of that forum won’t get rid of Andrew even after he, like the child he is, started an entire thread that not only bashed the musical tastes of a fellow fan but went after them with personal name calling...and it follows perfectly with the pattern of that crew going after women. I bring this up because it would still be happening here had Craig not stepped in...and keeping this information well engrained to new posters is pertinent if we don’t want sh*t like that to happen again (though I admit, the PS forum rolled out the red carpet for this sh*t to happen all over again...bravo guys).

I also find it rich that you’re going after Craig because of newbies supposedly asking “what the hell is going on here?” when you yourself chased off Stephen Desper (arguably the greatest eyewitness source of Beach Boys information on this website) because of some dumb f*** Trump hissy fit. More sympathetic to anti-Trumpers I couldn’t be, but talk about pointlessly burning bridges for a forum over something pitifully insignificant. Whereas your beef with Craig lies with him sharing his opinion and information about ON-TOPIC subjects...ok then. I’ll take on-topic discussion any day over tearing down a Beach Boys insider over bullshit politics.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Jim V. on November 09, 2017, 03:05:17 PM
I also find it rich that you’re going after Craig because of newbies supposedly asking “what the hell is going on here?” when you yourself chased off Stephen Desper (arguably the greatest eyewitness source of Beach Boys information on this website) because of some dumb f*** Trump hissy fit. More sympathetic to anti-Trumpers I couldn’t be, but talk about pointlessly burning bridges for a forum over something pitifully insignificant. Whereas your beef with Craig lies with him sharing his opinion and information about ON-TOPIC subjects...ok then. I’ll take on-topic discussion any day over tearing down a Beach Boys insider over bullshit politics.

Thank you for the post rab, greatly appreciate!  ;D

Anyways, since I only have a bit of time, but about Desper, I didn't run him off in an anti-Trump hissy-fit. In fact, I didn't think my post or two had anything to do with him leaving. But if you're going to ascribe such a level of importance to me, then I'll take it. But regardless, to remind you, I'll point out that the thread in question had him comparing crowds at Donald Trump events to crowds at Beach Boys events. And it came off to me as very, very tenuous way of connecting his political hero with his former employer. Cuz let's be honest, I could've connected like....umm...."Brian Wilson has full head of hair on his head and SO DOES DONALD TRUMP! ISN'T THAT CRAZY THEY BOTH HAVE A FULL HEAD OF HAIR?!?" and people would've been like, "so what, so does a billion other people."

And that was why I poked it at. It was obvious he was a Trump fan (remember the anti-Mexican/anti-immigrant "Surfin' U.S.A." parody video he had posted months earlier) and in trying to share his excitement he brought it up in a place where there was no room for it. So I gave him the business. Once again, if he's so thin-skinned that he can't understand why interjecting Donald Trump into the forum wasn't a good idea, well we don't need him here.

And to be honest, though I wish I learned a lot from him, some of his memories seem very suspect. For instance, "Good Timin'" (not "Good Time" but "Good Timin'") starting to be tracked in the Sunflower era. Dude stood by this. I very fuckin' highly doubt that. And that's just one off the top of my head. I'm not saying all his info is useless, but even eyewitnesses may not remember things exactly.

So that there is the story. Don't try to act like "ol' sweetdude Spagett hates Desper cuz he's a Republican" and forced him off the board. I don't give a sh*t about his political persuasion. I've bought Mike Love albums before and I'm gonna buy the new one. I think Clint Eastwood is one hell of an actor and director. The list could go on. So at least get the facts straight on that.

Lastly, bummed to see you don't dig me brother. Always enjoyed your posts. Likely still will.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Jim V. on November 09, 2017, 03:14:00 PM
And lastly, as I said earlier, I think Billy is the example of what a moderator should be. Highly opinionated, but still fair. I don't feel that same fairness and evenhandedness from GF. Just my opinion.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on November 09, 2017, 03:28:42 PM
As somebody targeted by AGD, both Billy and GF saved my ass more than once! Doe’s campaign was ruthless....


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on November 09, 2017, 03:51:53 PM
95% of the time I agree with what you post. I’ve just seen you go after Craig so often over nothing that it gets annoying as hell. You’ve got some sort of beef with him and half the time he posts you find something to quibble about.

As for the Desper thread. I fully remember that thread and remember what you wrote regarding him...so yeah, I will definitely attribute his hiatus from this place mostly to you and another member. His post/thread was harmless - what I saw was other people have thin skin about his comparison to a political event. Whereas most people could shrug off the comment and go straight to discussing the meat of his post, some had to pounce on him, of all fucking people, for the comparison.

As for Desper not being a valued part of this community. The videos he meticulously puts together for OUR benefit are incredible and more eye opening (ear opening) than what many other insiders have brought to the table here. He didn’t/doesn’t have to make those videos but he did/does because he loves this band and appreciates that fans are kind enough to watch and take something away from them. If he gets a few recollections wrong (not saying he does, but if), who cares? That’s why we have the ability to cross check and research ourselves. 

Billy is a FANTASTIC moderator. And between what he has gone through in his personal life, as well as what he has had to deal with on this site, he has done a damn great job helping keep this place together. That being said, Craig’s style is also welcome here, where he may be less lenient he cleaned up a lot of sh*t that now permeates other forums. I welcome both styles of moderation.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on November 09, 2017, 03:57:53 PM
rab2591,  I couldn't agree with your assessment more. After listening to the song Unleash The Love a lot, I've grown to really like it. The message and the backing vocals are groovy. After listening to it a lot, I've gotten used to the autotune. Not sure if that's good or bad.

Well if you enjoy the music then it’s good that you’re getting used to the effect. I think autotune sounds good on some modern music (a recent Julia Michael’s song comes to mind) - something about autotune and young voices seems to really click. Whereas when it’s used haphazardly with older people it really really sucks, imo...case in point the C50 live album.

But to each their own, if you’re getting used to it then keep on enjoying the tunes!


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Pretty Funky on November 09, 2017, 04:28:49 PM

 I’ll point out that the thread in question had him comparing crowds at Donald Trump events to crowds at Beach Boys events.



I remember it as comparing the two stage set-up for two appearances in different cities, the same day.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Cabinessenceking on November 09, 2017, 05:18:27 PM
I also find it rich that you’re going after Craig because of newbies supposedly asking “what the hell is going on here?” when you yourself chased off Stephen Desper (arguably the greatest eyewitness source of Beach Boys information on this website) because of some dumb f*** Trump hissy fit. More sympathetic to anti-Trumpers I couldn’t be, but talk about pointlessly burning bridges for a forum over something pitifully insignificant. Whereas your beef with Craig lies with him sharing his opinion and information about ON-TOPIC subjects...ok then. I’ll take on-topic discussion any day over tearing down a Beach Boys insider over bullshit politics.

Thank you for the post rab, greatly appreciate!  ;D

Anyways, since I only have a bit of time, but about Desper, I didn't run him off in an anti-Trump hissy-fit. In fact, I didn't think my post or two had anything to do with him leaving. But if you're going to ascribe such a level of importance to me, then I'll take it. But regardless, to remind you, I'll point out that the thread in question had him comparing crowds at Donald Trump events to crowds at Beach Boys events. And it came off to me as very, very tenuous way of connecting his political hero with his former employer. Cuz let's be honest, I could've connected like....umm...."Brian Wilson has full head of hair on his head and SO DOES DONALD TRUMP! ISN'T THAT CRAZY THEY BOTH HAVE A FULL HEAD OF HAIR?!?" and people would've been like, "so what, so does a billion other people."

And that was why I poked it at. It was obvious he was a Trump fan (remember the anti-Mexican/anti-immigrant "Surfin' U.S.A." parody video he had posted months earlier) and in trying to share his excitement he brought it up in a place where there was no room for it. So I gave him the business. Once again, if he's so thin-skinned that he can't understand why interjecting Donald Trump into the forum wasn't a good idea, well we don't need him here.

And to be honest, though I wish I learned a lot from him, some of his memories seem very suspect. For instance, "Good Timin'" (not "Good Time" but "Good Timin'") starting to be tracked in the Sunflower era. Dude stood by this. I very fuckin' highly doubt that. And that's just one off the top of my head. I'm not saying all his info is useless, but even eyewitnesses may not remember things exactly.

So that there is the story. Don't try to act like "ol' sweetdude Spagett hates Desper cuz he's a Republican" and forced him off the board. I don't give a sh*t about his political persuasion. I've bought Mike Love albums before and I'm gonna buy the new one. I think Clint Eastwood is one hell of an actor and director. The list could go on. So at least get the facts straight on that.

Lastly, bummed to see you don't dig me brother. Always enjoyed your posts. Likely still will.

Desper is a Trump fan? Well, talking about disappointing trivia for ya.
As for drawing a link between Trump related events and Beach Boys concerts? Really? Maybe Desper will reflect and regains his sensibility.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: B.E. on November 09, 2017, 05:38:55 PM
Let’s move on from this.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 09, 2017, 05:43:05 PM
If GF wasn't here, I'd have stepped down a long time ago. Besides being a friend, he has helped me out many a time and this board would not still be here if not for him.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 09, 2017, 05:44:17 PM
Let’s move on from this.

Sounds good to me


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Jim V. on November 09, 2017, 08:31:55 PM
If GF wasn't here, I'd have stepped down a long time ago. Besides being a friend, he has helped me out many a time and this board would not still be here if not for him.

So not addressing the issues I brought up. Thanks. Also, thanks for taking back the accusation that I meant anything derogatory towards you. GF may be the greatest guy ever, but if he's gonna be as nitpicky and outright unfair about segments of our favorite band, I think possibly not being in the position of moderator might be in the cards. But I understand this is falling on deaf ears, so I'll keep quiet from now on and no longer point out hypocrisy (a la the "Still Cruisin'"/Surfin' U.S.A."/"Little Children" spat that began the whole deal).


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on November 09, 2017, 08:58:21 PM
Once again, if he's so thin-skinned that he can't understand why interjecting Donald Trump into the forum wasn't a good idea, well we don't need him here.

GF may be the greatest guy ever, but if he's gonna be as nitpicky and outright unfair about segments of our favorite band, I think possibly not being in the position of moderator might be in the cards.

Thanks for visiting the Smiley Smile message board. Here are a few guidelines to help everything run smoothly:

2) Debate is fine; when it crosses into personal attacks, it becomes a different matter.   Publicly posting calls for members to be banned or for members to quit will not be tolerated. Any concerns should be addressed privately to the moderators.  Expletives or personal insults directed at other board members and/or moderators will not be allowed as signature lines, status, or as part of a poster's account profile when posting to the board. Any violations of this will result in a ban.Each case will be looked at on an individual basis.



I'm going to discuss this with Billy.

Jim, it's not your call to post that about anyone - let alone one of the best honored guests this forum has as a member who posts *amazing* firsthand information and technical knowledge to the board - no matter what you think of them or their opinions. It's either pure arrogance, or a desire to want to control things and target people who you don't like, don't agree with, or just feel like going after for the hell of it, but this behavior will not stand on this forum.

How dare you or anyone tell another board member, an honored guest in this case, that "we don't need him here"? The pure arrogance is off the charts. Whether or not you think it's "in the cards" for me to be a moderator, right now the moderators are holding an aces high straight and you just threw a pair of deuces.

For the record - If the ban of RunnersDialZero is still bugging you two years later, that was explained to you in an exchange we had off the board. Two years ago. Three strikes and several aliases later - he was out. As a person you used to interact with a few boards ago was fond of saying: "Deal with it." Get over it.

Jim, you seriously need to chill out and let this personal stuff go, whether it's Desper, me, or the next person you think you'd like to see leave or get knocked down a few pegs.

Bottom line: It's not your call. And you need to seriously consider the difference between debating opinions (which is what this place is for) and taking personal shots at people whose opinions you don't agree with or don't even care to see expressed.



Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 09, 2017, 09:29:03 PM
If GF wasn't here, I'd have stepped down a long time ago. Besides being a friend, he has helped me out many a time and this board would not still be here if not for him.

So not addressing the issues I brought up. Thanks. Also, thanks for taking back the accusation that I meant anything derogatory towards you. GF may be the greatest guy ever, but if he's gonna be as nitpicky and outright unfair about segments of our favorite band, I think possibly not being in the position of moderator might be in the cards. But I understand this is falling on deaf ears, so I'll keep quiet from now on and no longer point out hypocrisy (a la the "Still Cruisin'"/Surfin' U.S.A."/"Little Children" spat that began the whole deal).

Jesus dude. ..I'm going through this entire thread  because quite frankly there's a lot to take in and not a lot of time for me to do so. GF and I have been discussing this and I have been taking up for you, and now to see you turn on me at the drop of a dime,  well, hell...that's food for thought. I wanted to thank you for what you said earlier,  but then I saw this, and,  well, it makes me wonder how you really feel. Just..wow


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 10, 2017, 09:28:24 AM
Back to the "Unleash the Love" album, it'll be interesting to see whether it charts, and if so, where it gets on the charts.

Right now, one week out from release, it's #1,547 on the Amazon CD chart.

In comparison, the now nearly two-month old Brian "Playback" compilation is still ranked higher, at #1,274 (and keep in mind that "Playback" didn't even chart apparently).

Sounds of Summer is #665
The weird 2012 "Greatest Hits" CD is #1248

Going back to "Sunshine Tomorrow", it ranked at #22 on the CD sales chart a few days prior to release, and ended up at #145 for its debut on the Billboard chart.

So I'd guess based on these (admittedly rough and incomplete) stats, it might be hard for Mike's album to chart unless it sees a huge uptick on the Digital sales side. Not sure how likely that is considering it's currently ranked #33,839 on the "Paid Albums" digital chart on Amazon.



Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 10, 2017, 09:58:39 AM
A new Mike interview, not much new info, other than he is apparently booked for the Christmas tree lighting at the end of the month, and when asked about reuniting with Brian and Al again, seems to put the onus on them to, I guess, ask to join Mike for that? Huh? Anyway, here's the link:

http://www.post-gazette.com/ae/music/2017/11/10/Beach-Boys-Mike-Love-interview-Pittsburgh-Heinz-Hall-tickets/stories/201711100057

Worth noting is that in this interview Mike appears to be one inch away from going into his "it's the people around Brian" spiel, and then seems to stop himself. Could he actually be learning to be a tiny bit less inflammatory in these interviews?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Jim V. on November 10, 2017, 10:19:54 AM
Once again, if he's so thin-skinned that he can't understand why interjecting Donald Trump into the forum wasn't a good idea, well we don't need him here.

GF may be the greatest guy ever, but if he's gonna be as nitpicky and outright unfair about segments of our favorite band, I think possibly not being in the position of moderator might be in the cards.

Thanks for visiting the Smiley Smile message board. Here are a few guidelines to help everything run smoothly:

2) Debate is fine; when it crosses into personal attacks, it becomes a different matter.   Publicly posting calls for members to be banned or for members to quit will not be tolerated. Any concerns should be addressed privately to the moderators.  Expletives or personal insults directed at other board members and/or moderators will not be allowed as signature lines, status, or as part of a poster's account profile when posting to the board. Any violations of this will result in a ban.Each case will be looked at on an individual basis.



I'm going to discuss this with Billy.

Jim, it's not your call to post that about anyone - let alone one of the best honored guests this forum has as a member who posts *amazing* firsthand information and technical knowledge to the board - no matter what you think of them or their opinions. It's either pure arrogance, or a desire to want to control things and target people who you don't like, don't agree with, or just feel like going after for the hell of it, but this behavior will not stand on this forum.

How dare you or anyone tell another board member, an honored guest in this case, that "we don't need him here"? The pure arrogance is off the charts. Whether or not you think it's "in the cards" for me to be a moderator, right now the moderators are holding an aces high straight and you just threw a pair of deuces.

For the record - If the ban of RunnersDialZero is still bugging you two years later, that was explained to you in an exchange we had off the board. Two years ago. Three strikes and several aliases later - he was out. As a person you used to interact with a few boards ago was fond of saying: "Deal with it." Get over it.

Jim, you seriously need to chill out and let this personal stuff go, whether it's Desper, me, or the next person you think you'd like to see leave or get knocked down a few pegs.

Bottom line: It's not your call. And you need to seriously consider the difference between debating opinions (which is what this place is for) and taking personal shots at people whose opinions you don't agree with or don't even care to see expressed.



OK, Ima try to go thru this as thoroughly as possible.

First off, about Desper. Are we lucky that he's not only still alive and in good health, but that he also shares war stories with us?

(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/twluvW2C5jo/maxresdefault.jpg)

However, he did post a BLATANTLY racist and xenophobic video on this website and I don't remember a peep from the moderators. That was bothersome. He then interjected politics (mind you, at the height of the presidential election season) for some tenuous bullshit reason cuz he was excited about going to a Trump rally or something. But was I vicious? Yeah, I'm guessing you could say I was. Was I out of line? I didn't think so, but rab made a convincing argument that perhaps I was. But just as PSF overlooks past misogynist behavior by mikesbeard, racism and xenophobia from former moderator Jason,  general disrespect towards mental illness from Sheriff John Stone and all around disrespectful boorishness from AGD, this board has overlooked some pretty shitty behavior like that of Desper (and yes, probably me...a lot...and a lot of odd behavior from you GF, if you'd admit it) to make examples of someone like runnersdialzero who I thought, though he pushed a few too many buttons brought a really unique point of view to the board. Though of course his unorthodox behavior made him a casualty, people with much more nefarious agendas like Cam Mott and filledeplage skated through the years without a dent.

Now as far, as the "moderators holding a pair of deez nuts...blah blah," that's the kinda stuff that gets me. No need to boast about how you are the moderator and how what you say goes, so fuckin' deal with it, bra! Instead of that, earlier you just could have admitted that sometimes maybe you do get a little overzealous with the anti-Mike stuff and that, yeah I made a point, and that there is so much sh*t on Mike we don't need to make up stuff to hate him for. I can't stand hypocrisy and I feel that I pointed out some minor hypocrisy on your part; and just as I'm used to with, say, Cam or filledaplague, I didn't get you to move an inch, instead you move the goalposts and say, "well Brian's tune is a throwaway" (as if it's your call to say what works of Brian's are worthy or not) and Mike's was aiming for the top of the charts.

Now I'll gladly admit that as much as I can't stand hypocrisy, I myself and guilty of it a heck of a lot. But I'm also open to working on that. Witness for instance me taking what you and rab have said, and internalizing it and admitting I f***ed up. You on the other hand, have never, ever, not once ever given an inch. Hey now, maybe you've just always been right and in every single instance I've been wrong. But I doubt it, it's probably not black or white, it's more likely gray. And that's the reason I got into spats with people like Cam Mott, filldaplague and most of the PSF forum. Not because of what they believe, per se, but because nothing will convince them that maybe things might be two degrees different from what they think.

Lastly, I like you. We probably agree 90 percent of the time. I do think you have an irrational hatred for Mike Love that doesn't allow facts in, but I'm open to being corrected on that. I just want this board to be a better place than that other hunk of sh*t, and I think all of the "correcting the record" and thinking everything is nefarious needs to stop. The nefarious elements are gone, and now we can get to discussing the music, and of course the personalities behind the music, because I know we both agree that stuff like that does matter.  I think it'd just be better to hold all past participants to the same level.

If this post is considering "taking shots at GF" or whatever then so be it. Ban me. But I think I've made it clear I really enjoy this board and this band and I want it to improve. Perhaps this could be extracted to the sandbox for more dialogue.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: KDS on November 10, 2017, 10:27:33 AM



Sounds of Summer is #665



6-6-5. The neighbor of the Beast. 


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 10, 2017, 10:30:38 AM
The Desper thing is just too incendiary, no matter how much we try to let it not be. I don't think it's a bad discussion to have, but it has to be its own thread and/or "Sandbox" material.

And this is coming from someone who *did* find the comparisons to those rallies unfortunate and clearly underlined with some politics. I spoke out against it back in that original thread last year. I've defended my position on it even more recently when someone came on and started calling people names for having that position.

BUT....

It's a dead issue now and it just causes acrimony. Mr. Desper posts here now, so the main sub-plot of those debates (that Mr. Desper was "run off" unfairly, which is *not* what I believed happened) is now moot.

Seriously, there are already enough potential trashfires and heated debates in a "Mike's New Album" thread as it is, we don't need to drag an *unrelated* year-old hot-button topic into this too.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 10, 2017, 10:45:03 AM
We saw Mike's *blue* Corvette hat in the last photo, and now we have full confirmation from reliable sources: The *red* Corvette hat has made an appearance.....

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DOEV6q-UIAE73GN.jpg)


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 10, 2017, 10:46:01 AM
I'm going to respond to the rest of the post but I did say something about those videos.  And yeah this probably isn't the right place for it but the original threads are still available


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 10, 2017, 10:47:01 AM



Sounds of Summer is #665



6-6-5. The neighbor of the Beast. 


:lol


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 10, 2017, 10:52:21 AM
(https://scontent-sjc2-1.cdninstagram.com/t51.2885-15/e15/10748005_173468719490103_1797951048_n.jpg)

Mike's album cover could have been *way* better.....


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 10, 2017, 11:00:04 AM
Wtf lol


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: NateRuvin on November 10, 2017, 11:02:22 AM
The article is fine, but you know what bothers me? THE TITLE!!!!!

The Beach Boys are coming back to 'Unleash the Love'


WHAAAAT? Beach Boys aren't 'Unleashing The Love', Mike Love is. This is a wrongful use of the BBs name.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: NateRuvin on November 10, 2017, 11:04:11 AM
Also... 

“Alone together, we’re fine,” he says, “but there’s a lot of … I don’t know what to say about that. ‘Do you see a time when you might get together?’ Well, yeah. Maybe Christmas. And we’re booked to do the national Christmas tree-lighting ceremony in D.C. on the 30th of November. Something like that could be conducive to us being together, but that would depend on whether they would want to accept doing it with us.”

Is Mike suggesting the BBs might reunite for this whole Christmas thing?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Jim V. on November 10, 2017, 11:09:51 AM
We saw Mike's *blue* Corvette hat in the last photo, and now we have full confirmation from reliable sources: The *red* Corvette hat has made an appearance.....

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DOEV6q-UIAE73GN.jpg)

Gawd he's a doucher.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 10, 2017, 11:24:25 AM
Also... 

“Alone together, we’re fine,” he says, “but there’s a lot of … I don’t know what to say about that. ‘Do you see a time when you might get together?’ Well, yeah. Maybe Christmas. And we’re booked to do the national Christmas tree-lighting ceremony in D.C. on the 30th of November. Something like that could be conducive to us being together, but that would depend on whether they would want to accept doing it with us.”

Is Mike suggesting the BBs might reunite for this whole Christmas thing?

I don't think so. I think he's using that as an example of something they could reunite for, but he clearly describes it as the other guys (Brian and Al specifically) "accepting" doing it with Mike, meaning just joining Mike's band.

It's funny how Mike quitting the reunion has morphed into "we're all just doing our own thing", followed by putting the onus on Brian and Al to join whatever Mike's doing. How about Mike and Bruce join Brian and Al? Has Mike called and asked Brian if that might be possible?

More objectively, it would be really dumb to relegate another BB reunion to one TV appearance just backed by Mike's guys. If they were going to do it, even as a one-night thing, it would make more sense to hype it and do a full show, etc. Not that that'll ever happen.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 10, 2017, 12:07:24 PM
When the split happened I was very angry.  Now I have no desire to see them reunite unless it's for a one off.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: The LEGENDARY OSD on November 10, 2017, 04:36:20 PM
When the split happened I was very angry.  Now I have no desire to see them reunite unless it's for a one off.
I'll go one better, Billy and say that I not only have no desire to see them ever reunite, but hope to  never see myKe have the opportunity to share a stage or a recording session with Brian ever again.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: GoofyJeff on November 10, 2017, 04:54:44 PM
Five years later and I'm still pissed at how C50 ended.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 10, 2017, 05:06:59 PM
It's only natural.  All that goodwill pissed away that quickly


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on November 10, 2017, 07:08:39 PM
Quote
However, he did post a BLATANTLY racist and xenophobic video on this website and I don't remember a peep from the moderators. That was bothersome. He then interjected politics (mind you, at the height of the presidential election season) for some tenuous bullshit reason cuz he was excited about going to a Trump rally or something. But was I vicious? Yeah, I'm guessing you could say I was. Was I out of line? I didn't think so, but rab made a convincing argument that perhaps I was. But just as PSF overlooks past misogynist behavior by mikesbeard, racism and xenophobia from former moderator Jason,  general disrespect towards mental illness from Sheriff John Stone and all around disrespectful boorishness from AGD, this board has overlooked some pretty shitty behavior like that of Desper (and yes, probably me...a lot...and a lot of odd behavior from you GF, if you'd admit it) to make examples of someone like runnersdialzero who I thought, though he pushed a few too many buttons brought a really unique point of view to the board. Though of course his unorthodox behavior made him a casualty, people with much more nefarious agendas like Cam Mott and filledeplage skated through the years without a dent.

Jim,

The difference between Runners and The Plague/Cam was that Runners broke blatant rules...granted, only one of which rules I remember him breaking. Regardless, The Plague and Cam ‘skated by’ because they were damn good at trolling. They would walk so close to that line, but never cross it and for excruciating years they did this. I’m sure it killed the mods here to see them start bullshit arguments that would blow up and not be able to do a thing about it.

Runners was a big loss for me too. I friggin miss that guy here, and I doubt I’ll ever forget that hello kitty avatar associated with his hilarious and usually insightful posts. There have been many members here that I miss that I feel we’re booted unfairly (though hindsight and explanation from the mods usually clears up my doubts -regardless I still miss a lot of people from the past who livened this place up a bit).

Regarding Craig, consider this: many persons who have gone after Craig personally have been associated with or hugely supported Mike Love. Those who tried to tear this place apart (and continue to spread lies about it) either have connections to Mike or are huge supporters of him. One who was asked to get the personal address of a poster here by an “interested party” (gee who could that be) associated(s) with Mike. A journalist who called half of us “assholes” because we pointed out some rather tactless quotes by him regarding Brian and his mental illness are associated with Mike and others in this sphere. Those who created a damn war zone here because of idiotic trolling and opinions about Brian and his music were diehard Mike fans. There are many other examples. But my point being: I think for all those who tried to destroy this place being associated with Mike (not to mention the actions/comments by Mike himself over the years) it really doesn’t give Craig much incentive to think positively about the man. And thus I can understand why his posts are usually negative about him. I’m the same exact way.

I’ll extend an olive branch here. Should this place be more positive oriented? Yes. I admit I’m the first one who needs to partially change their attitude about how they post...as many of my posts are negative oriented these days. I would like to see excitement about the music here again. So yeah, I agree that not everything should be negative. But I also understand where a lot of the negativity comes from.

Back on topic: Mike’s 22 second preview of the re-recording of Cali Girls. (https://mobile.twitter.com/MikeLoveOFCL/status/929117283238252546/video/1)


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on November 10, 2017, 07:33:24 PM
The plague was the was the worst- SMiLE brian esq. 2017-2018.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Lonely Summer on November 10, 2017, 08:56:36 PM
Also... 

“Alone together, we’re fine,” he says, “but there’s a lot of … I don’t know what to say about that. ‘Do you see a time when you might get together?’ Well, yeah. Maybe Christmas. And we’re booked to do the national Christmas tree-lighting ceremony in D.C. on the 30th of November. Something like that could be conducive to us being together, but that would depend on whether they would want to accept doing it with us.”

Is Mike suggesting the BBs might reunite for this whole Christmas thing?

I don't think so. I think he's using that as an example of something they could reunite for, but he clearly describes it as the other guys (Brian and Al specifically) "accepting" doing it with Mike, meaning just joining Mike's band.

It's funny how Mike quitting the reunion has morphed into "we're all just doing our own thing", followed by putting the onus on Brian and Al to join whatever Mike's doing. How about Mike and Bruce join Brian and Al? Has Mike called and asked Brian if that might be possible?


Mike is the one with the license to use the Beach Boys name. If Mike Bruce were to sit in with Brian's band, that would just be "Mike and Bruce sitting in with Brian, Al and Blondie." and Joe Public would be wondering who Blondie is. "You mean Deborah Harry is singing with the ex Beach Boys?"


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 10, 2017, 09:37:59 PM
Also... 

“Alone together, we’re fine,” he says, “but there’s a lot of … I don’t know what to say about that. ‘Do you see a time when you might get together?’ Well, yeah. Maybe Christmas. And we’re booked to do the national Christmas tree-lighting ceremony in D.C. on the 30th of November. Something like that could be conducive to us being together, but that would depend on whether they would want to accept doing it with us.”

Is Mike suggesting the BBs might reunite for this whole Christmas thing?

I don't think so. I think he's using that as an example of something they could reunite for, but he clearly describes it as the other guys (Brian and Al specifically) "accepting" doing it with Mike, meaning just joining Mike's band.

It's funny how Mike quitting the reunion has morphed into "we're all just doing our own thing", followed by putting the onus on Brian and Al to join whatever Mike's doing. How about Mike and Bruce join Brian and Al? Has Mike called and asked Brian if that might be possible?


Mike is the one with the license to use the Beach Boys name. If Mike Bruce were to sit in with Brian's band, that would just be "Mike and Bruce sitting in with Brian, Al and Blondie." and Joe Public would be wondering who Blondie is. "You mean Deborah Harry is singing with the ex Beach Boys?"

They were together in 2012 and it was called "The Beach Boys" and it wasn't Brian and Al just joining Mike's band. In other words, it can be done. Indeed, 2012 was pretty close to the other four BBs sitting in with Brian's band.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Rick5150 on November 11, 2017, 03:56:29 AM
Just thinking that it is unfortunate that all the bad feelings from the last few pages are in a topic with 'Unleash the Love' in the subject line.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 11, 2017, 07:23:39 AM
Just thinking that it is unfortunate that all the bad feelings from the last few pages are in a topic with 'Unleash the Love' in the subject line.

Yeah, the irony is palpable


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Jim V. on November 11, 2017, 09:30:38 AM
Just thinking that it is unfortunate that all the bad feelings from the last few pages are in a topic with 'Unleash the Love' in the subject line.

Yeah, the irony is palpable

Yeah, cuz the guy releasing the album is just all about "unleashing the love" himself too.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: send me a picture and i'll tell you on November 11, 2017, 09:51:22 PM
I miss ghost.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: “Big Daddy” on November 12, 2017, 03:47:39 PM
Carl Wilson will be making a vocal appearance on the album… https://twitter.com/MikeLoveOFCL/status/929855756857430017


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on November 12, 2017, 04:01:17 PM
What the hell? ::)


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: B.E. on November 12, 2017, 04:54:22 PM
Carl Wilson will be making a vocal appearance on the album… https://twitter.com/MikeLoveOFCL/status/929855756857430017

Is that photo of Mike and Brian shooting hoops published elsewhere? I don't remember seeing it before. It appears near the end of the preview.

Unfortunately, Mike sounds like a robot on most of his lines. I can't imagine it being necessary to process Mike's vocals like that. It's especially jarring alongside Carl's non-robotic vocals.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Custom Machine on November 12, 2017, 05:12:31 PM

... Should this place be more positive oriented? Yes. ...


Agreed.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: NateRuvin on November 12, 2017, 06:29:57 PM
I wonder why Brian's Back doesn't say "(feat. Carl Wilson")? I feel like that would draw a lot of attention, because it's Carl singing on "new" music, especially for those who don't realize the song was written/recorded in the 70's, and released in the late 90's.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: tpesky on November 12, 2017, 07:30:29 PM
It's so weird to choose Brian's Back at this point. I mean Brian has had a solo career for nearly 20 years now.

IGA sounds good. That's a good tempo, much faster than either Mike or Brian play it live.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: CenturyDeprived on November 12, 2017, 07:51:01 PM
I wonder why Brian's Back doesn't say "(feat. Carl Wilson")? I feel like that would draw a lot of attention, because it's Carl singing on "new" music, especially for those who don't realize the song was written/recorded in the 70's, and released in the late 90's.

I know I can't be alone in saying this, but I completely, utterly do not understand the logic or the psychology behind Mike Love, in 2017, while acutely estranged from Brian for half a decade (at Mike's own hand, due to his personal actions in imploding C50... followed by Brian issuing an LA Times statement saying it felt like being fired), re-releasing this particular song.

It makes zero sense. Of the list of songs that Mike wrote, it's literally dead last in terms of logical sense for songs on that list, compared to any other song, for it to make *any* sort of sense in re-recording and re-releasing now, during this estrangement where Mike effectively took actions that made Brian anything but "back" in the Beach Boys. On the list of Mike's and the band's WTF moments, it's pretty high up there.

The only thing that I can think of:

- Is it possible that Mike somehow is doing this as attempt at a passive aggressive olive branch at Brian? Instead of actually reaching out to Brian to talk to him, this is some sort of bizarro poor communication substitute for actual communication with his cousin? Sort of like... "hey Brian, and hey world... I actually love my cousin (nevermind C50 or my actual actions, just focus on this)"

- Is this another type of thing like Pisces Brother, where it's a super awkward, yet somehow well-intended namedrop to get people to associate Mike with other beloved musicians, reminding the world yet again that Mike Knows Famous People?

Anyway, I just think it's in super odd taste, considering Mike's actions are the singular reason that Brian is Not Back. Someone around him MUST have said to Mike that this is in odd taste, right? I don't doubt Mike loves Brian, but I don't know how this is anything but a really twisted way of showing it. Brian's gone from The Beach Boys, Brian complains about how sad Mike's actions effectively kicking him out made him, and in response, Mike decides to sing a song with the lyric "I never knew that he was gone?" As in, when Mike now tours with Bruce, he doesn't even notice that Brian's gone? Is that because Mike regards Brian as someone who is worthless to the band now or something? What conclusion can one draw from this? It weirds me out. Carl being on it (the only real saving grace of the original recording) also is odd, since I cannot imagine a living Carl would actually sing on this song in 2017 given the current circumstances between Mike and Brian.

And yeah, even Mike's biggest defenders I'm SURE privately raised an eyebrow when they saw this song on the tracklist. It's just very, very weird. I'd love to sit back and eat popcorn while a Mike defender explains how this is Definitely Not Weird.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: B.E. on November 12, 2017, 11:13:19 PM
CD, I'd be more inclined to agree with you (and indeed I would) if Mike had written the song in 2017. THAT would be weird! Personally, I'd prefer Mike release new, original material and not previously released Beach Boys songs (we have two versions of Brian's Back already), but I get it...it's Mike's song, it was well-intended, he's fond of it, it's probably one of his best...so he's including it on his solo album (he only has so many songs to choose from). Not that far-fetched. I was reading an old thread and it was mentioned that Brian played piano on one of the sessions (MIU) and attempted to produce another (LA), so I don't think Brian had a problem with the song. He probably liked it (has he ever commented on it?). I realize that circumstances have changed but when I think of (or listen to) the song 'Brian's Back', I'm thinking circa-1976, not 2012. That makes sense, right? That doesn't seem weird to me. And it's not like circumstances weren't troubling then, either. A lot of sh*t went down in the '70s (and ever since)! But, the song was the song.

And now I will go back to not thinking about 'Brian's Back' for a long, long time.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Wata on November 13, 2017, 12:13:53 AM
Wow. The covers are quite pointless.

Al and Brian's cover songs on their solo albums have been criticized to be pointless very often. But most of them had something to make it worth listening to.

But, as far as I listened to the samples, there was no such thing in Mike's covers. Too similar to the original, in other words, Obviously very little efforts were made for the recordings of the covers.

I'd rather have a full live album of The current Beach Boys.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 13, 2017, 12:52:27 AM
Mike doing Brian's back is a bad idea and is akin to Brian doing that Thank You song from Sweet Insanity


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: phirnis on November 13, 2017, 02:28:29 AM
Carl Wilson will be making a vocal appearance on the album… https://twitter.com/MikeLoveOFCL/status/929855756857430017

Horrible mixing/production/arrangement.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: NateRuvin on November 13, 2017, 05:31:39 AM
Watamushi(Polly Poller)- ME TOO! I would love a proper live of album of the currrent BBs band. And no autotune!


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: KDS on November 13, 2017, 05:38:52 AM
Watamushi(Polly Poller)- ME TOO! I would love a proper live of album of the currrent BBs band. And no autotune!

As cool as that would be (especially one of their recent UK shows), under the licensing agreement, I don't think they can release any new product as The Beach Boys, including live albums.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 13, 2017, 06:25:29 AM
Watamushi(Polly Poller)- ME TOO! I would love a proper live of album of the currrent BBs band. And no autotune!

As cool as that would be (especially one of their recent UK shows), under the licensing agreement, I don't think they can release any new product as The Beach Boys, including live albums.

And as it should be. It's the only thing, even if sort of by accident, that is forward-thinking about BRI's "Wild West" set up for their licensing agreements.

It's also more a case of semantics I suppose, but there's probably nothing *in* the licensing agreement that even addresses recordings. Rather, the licensing agreement pertains solely to touring. The easiest way to look at it is that BRI owns the name, not Mike, and he pays for the right to use the name for one single purpose. As opposed to Mike having any broad-reaching rights to the name with only specific exceptions (e.g. recordings).


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Wata on November 13, 2017, 06:28:23 AM
Watamushi(Polly Poller)- ME TOO! I would love a proper live of album of the currrent BBs band. And no autotune!
That'd be pretty great!


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: KDS on November 13, 2017, 06:32:42 AM
Watamushi(Polly Poller)- ME TOO! I would love a proper live of album of the currrent BBs band. And no autotune!

As cool as that would be (especially one of their recent UK shows), under the licensing agreement, I don't think they can release any new product as The Beach Boys, including live albums.

And as it should be. It's the only thing, even if sort of my accident, that is forward-thinking about BRI's "Wild West" set up for their licensing agreements.

It's also more a case of semantics I suppose, but there's probably nothing *in* the licensing agreement that even addresses recordings. Rather, the licensing agreement pertains solely to touring. The easiest way to look at it is that BRI owns the name, not Mike, and he pays for the right to use the name for one single purpose. As opposed to Mike having any broad-reaching rights to the name with only specific exceptions (e.g. recordings).

I wonder if the BRI agreement would allow Mike and Bruce to offer free downloads of their concerts.  Since it doesn't constitute actual product on the shelves with "The Beach Boys" on the label, I think it would be cool if they offered that.  In fact, I'd love to see both Mike and Brian offer soundboard downloads of recent shows. 


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 13, 2017, 06:37:00 AM
As for "Brian's Back" and its weird continued push by Mike since 1998 and "Endless Harmony Soundtrack", I think it ceased being much about Brian to Mike eons ago.

That is, I think the song represents an idealized version of what Mike *thinks* Brian should have or could have been or done. It's Mike reminding himself that, in his mind, he was always supportive of Brian in the ways that matter.

The tonedeaf (no pun intended) continued use of the song is really just a variation on his idealized, fantasy scenario where he and Brian are "just fine" and could go write an album in a room no problem, and it's just other "around" that hinder that.

With "Brian's Back", it's Mike remembering how "others" (including Brian himself) got in the way of Brian truly being "back."

More than anything, I think it's Mike's personal, Wilson-family version of "We Are the World", where now he's patting himself on the back for the charitable song he wrote all those years ago.

The difference here is that the song was never originally released, is 40 years old, has been recorded and mixed numerous times over the years, has already been released in two different mixes on BB compilations, and I guess Mike is missing the irony that even the "Endless Harmony" documentary points out right after using the very song in the doc, which is that Brian kinda wasn't "back", and within a few years *certainly* wasn't back. Double extra super duper irony points are also awarded for the fact that Brian has actually *had* a career resurgence in the last 20 years while being mostly estranged from Mike, with Mike *walking away* from one of the only times they did work together.

On top of all of that, I think Mike has also been a bit lazy and uninspired with his new album, so that's probably part of why "Brian's Back" is being resuscitated again. A lot of artists reuse old songs here and there. But his new 2-CD album, with 25 tracks, has about *three* actual songs that we've never heard of, and only around *eight* actual songs that haven't already been released by Mike and/or the BBs in the past.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 13, 2017, 06:40:55 AM
Watamushi(Polly Poller)- ME TOO! I would love a proper live of album of the currrent BBs band. And no autotune!

As cool as that would be (especially one of their recent UK shows), under the licensing agreement, I don't think they can release any new product as The Beach Boys, including live albums.

And as it should be. It's the only thing, even if sort of my accident, that is forward-thinking about BRI's "Wild West" set up for their licensing agreements.

It's also more a case of semantics I suppose, but there's probably nothing *in* the licensing agreement that even addresses recordings. Rather, the licensing agreement pertains solely to touring. The easiest way to look at it is that BRI owns the name, not Mike, and he pays for the right to use the name for one single purpose. As opposed to Mike having any broad-reaching rights to the name with only specific exceptions (e.g. recordings).

I wonder if the BRI agreement would allow Mike and Bruce to offer free downloads of their concerts.  Since it doesn't constitute actual product on the shelves with "The Beach Boys" on the label, I think it would be cool if they offered that.  In fact, I'd love to see both Mike and Brian offer soundboard downloads of recent shows. 

Mike could release recordings of his live shows anytime he wants, on any format he wants. He could have done this at any point since 1998. He just can't use the "Beach Boys" name for it. That would certainly include free items, and downloads.

Heck, Al did shows as "Beach Boys Family & Friends" in late 1999 and recorded them, but by the time he was able to release it he had to rename the band "Al Jardine Family & Friends."

It's possibly Mike wouldn't want to draw attention to his limited-scope usage of the BB name by performing a show as "The Beach Boys" and then releasing that exact recording under a different name. More likely, I just don't think Mike has ever had strong feelings about recordings, especially in the last 25 or so years, whether we're talking new BB recordings, archival BB recordings, archival solo recordings, or new solo recordings.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 13, 2017, 06:44:33 AM
Wow. The covers are quite pointless.

Al and Brian's cover songs on their solo albums have been criticized to be pointless very often. But most of them had something to make it worth listening to.

But, as far as I listened to the samples, there was no such thing in Mike's covers. Too similar to the original, in other words, Obviously very little efforts were made for the recordings of the covers.

I'd rather have a full live album of The current Beach Boys.

Al re-recording BB songs for his "Postcards" album wasn't the most inspired choice of all time, but he did indeed do different arrangements for the songs for the most part. "Rhonda" was done in a blues arrangement (somewhat closer to the old 70s BB live arrangement), "California Dreamin'" was done in a pretty cool stripped-down arrangement, etc.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 13, 2017, 06:51:21 AM
What I'm noticing as I listen to more and more of "Unleash the Love" is that, perhaps more than any album I can recall, even modern albums from pop artists, there is zero deviation or subtlety in how autotune is used on Mike's album. It sounds like it's cranked to the exact same level/intensity on everything at every moment.

Say what you want about past uses of autotune and other forms of vocal synthesis on BB/Brian projects, but they've always had some amount of thought and work put into them. Even the C50 studio and live albums vary from song to song. "Spring Vacation" is more impacted, "Summer's Gone" for instance less so. "Don't Back Down" on the live album has noticeable autotune (perhaps the most *glaring* use prior to Mike's upcoming album), while "Getcha Back" was relatively unscathed.

"Unleash the Love" sounds like the producer found a setting on autotune, left the room, and had Mike cut all of the lead vocals in one single session in a single day. I honestly find it truly bizarre.

I've heard stories of Mike and Bruce implying they were taken aback by the sound of the C50 live album. How Mike could complain about *that* but then put *this* solo album out, I have no idea. I suppose it's unfortunately just more indication that his main issue/beef is whether *he* has control over something.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: KDS on November 13, 2017, 06:57:02 AM
Watamushi(Polly Poller)- ME TOO! I would love a proper live of album of the currrent BBs band. And no autotune!

As cool as that would be (especially one of their recent UK shows), under the licensing agreement, I don't think they can release any new product as The Beach Boys, including live albums.

And as it should be. It's the only thing, even if sort of my accident, that is forward-thinking about BRI's "Wild West" set up for their licensing agreements.

It's also more a case of semantics I suppose, but there's probably nothing *in* the licensing agreement that even addresses recordings. Rather, the licensing agreement pertains solely to touring. The easiest way to look at it is that BRI owns the name, not Mike, and he pays for the right to use the name for one single purpose. As opposed to Mike having any broad-reaching rights to the name with only specific exceptions (e.g. recordings).

I wonder if the BRI agreement would allow Mike and Bruce to offer free downloads of their concerts.  Since it doesn't constitute actual product on the shelves with "The Beach Boys" on the label, I think it would be cool if they offered that.  In fact, I'd love to see both Mike and Brian offer soundboard downloads of recent shows. 

Mike could release recordings of his live shows anytime he wants, on any format he wants. He could have done this at any point since 1998. He just can't use the "Beach Boys" name for it. That would certainly include free items, and downloads.

Heck, Al did shows as "Beach Boys Family & Friends" in late 1999 and recorded them, but by the time he was able to release it he had to rename the band "Al Jardine Family & Friends."

It's possibly Mike wouldn't want to draw attention to his limited-scope usage of the BB name by performing a show as "The Beach Boys" and then releasing that exact recording under a different name. More likely, I just don't think Mike has ever had strong feelings about recordings, especially in the last 25 or so years, whether we're talking new BB recordings, archival BB recordings, archival solo recordings, or new solo recordings.

Even if the downloads were officially put out as "Mike Love and Bruce Johnston," I personally would rather see that than a disc full of pointless re-records.   Especially since Mike's band is doing some great shows these days.  And for all the touring that's been done over the last two decades between Mike, Al, Brian, the C50 reunion, there's are surprisingly few live products, and even fewer live products that are actually worth owning outside of completists (I'd say Al's album, Live at the Roxy, and maybe Brian & Friends are the only really worthwhile ones). 


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 13, 2017, 07:27:47 AM
I don't know if Mike just has no interest in releasing live recordings (seems like the most likely or at least prevalent reason), or if there's something else behind the fact that he hasn't officially released on record a single note of his live band in the last nearly 20 years.

I do know that, in my opinion, he has on a few occasions tread closely to confusing labeling/marketing. There was a dissection in the last year or two of some of the videos/songs featured on the USB drives given away as part of ticket packages at Mike shows. In particular, one instance of his re-recording of "Sloop John B" being dubbed over the original, vintage BB promo film, was an example of blurring the line between Mike's use of the name for touring, versus his solo recordings, versus vintage BB material.

Normally, I wouldn't be so nitpicky about such things. But Mike supported a relentless and vigorous pursuit of Al and Brian separately in lawsuits in the previous decade, with Al being pursued on the absurd idea that a band with Carnie Wilson and Owen Elliott would be confused as "The Beach Boys", and Brian being pursued for simply re-recording songs *he* wrote ("Smile" 2004) and for a freebie CD that featured a few pics of the old band.

The fact that Brian nor Al, either individually or through BRI, have bothered to go after Mike for doing some very similar things that Brian and Al were sued for, tells me they're either being a bigger person about it, or they have lazy lawyers or something.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: KDS on November 13, 2017, 07:36:54 AM
I don't know if Mike just has no interest in releasing live recordings (seems like the most likely or at least prevalent reason), or if there's something else behind the fact that he hasn't officially released on record a single note of his live band in the last nearly 20 years.



Could be, as there isn't exactly a live of official tangible BB live releases as a whole. 

I wouldn't mind seeing more live releases from Brian too.  For a while there, McCartney was doing a live release to commemorate every tour, and with usually full sets.   To date, I think Live at the Roxy is the only full BW concert available (and you have to seek out the import to get every song). 


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: CenturyDeprived on November 13, 2017, 09:32:38 AM

The fact that Brian nor Al, either individually or through BRI, have bothered to go after Mike for doing some very similar things that Brian and Al were sued for, tells me they're either being a bigger person about it, or they have lazy lawyers or something.

I think they are being bigger people about it, plain and simple.

Life's too short for them to spend a bunch of time bitching, moaning, and dissecting the actions of Mike Love. That's our job.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 13, 2017, 09:56:25 AM
Having now heard the entire album, I have to say Mike should have just put out (more or less) that 2004 collection that floated around. Sonically and in terms of production, that stuff sounds much more organic and mellow and warm, and all the vocal work sounds better. Christian Love (whose voice I've always been rather ambivalent about; I don't think it often sounded as much like Carl's as some suggested, but he certainly has a fine voice) sounded better on the old "First Love" tracks, and Mike's voice sounded better without the autotune.

I don't even think Foskett (it sounds like him on most of the falsetto stuff anyway) even makes the rather anonymous-sounding backing vocal stacks sound any better than the stuff with Adrian Baker all over it from past years. Baker's solo falsetto voice was always pretty grating, but within a vocal stack it was never nearly as bad.

The vocal stacks on the 2004 stuff, similarly to the 1981 LBWL album, were one of the weaker elements of those sets because they sounded so generic and anonymous. Sadly, the backing vocal stacks on Mike's new album are by default some of the least problematic elements now, because they're not as drenched in autotune.

Apparently, instead of using Michael Lloyd, Mike should have just let *Al* produce his album, because "Postcards" sounds like a warm, fuzzy, analog dream compared to Mike's stuff.

Beyond the autotune, a lot of the stuff on "Unleash the Love" sounds very choked out and claustrophobic. I don't know if "recorded in a closet" is the best analogy, but something like that.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Rocker on November 13, 2017, 12:06:20 PM
Just in case you haven't seen it and are interested, our member The Real Barnyard just posted the following in the Pro-Shot-Concert-List thread. Mike & Bruce two days ago, professionally filmed. And they play "Unleash the love" near the end. Maybe more, but I haven't watched it




The last 90 minutes of this video include The Beach Boys performance at the American Airlines Sky Ball XV Gala in Dallas. November 11, 2017.

Amazing sound and performance!

https://skyball.play.livearena.com/Live/4e8d62f821944525fb7048a41b92f99e


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Lonely Summer on November 13, 2017, 01:40:35 PM
Wow. The covers are quite pointless.

Al and Brian's cover songs on their solo albums have been criticized to be pointless very often. But most of them had something to make it worth listening to.

But, as far as I listened to the samples, there was no such thing in Mike's covers. Too similar to the original, in other words, Obviously very little efforts were made for the recordings of the covers.

I'd rather have a full live album of The current Beach Boys.

Al re-recording BB songs for his "Postcards" album wasn't the most inspired choice of all time, but he did indeed do different arrangements for the songs for the most part. "Rhonda" was done in a blues arrangement (somewhat closer to the old 70s BB live arrangement), "California Dreamin'" was done in a pretty cool stripped-down arrangement, etc.
I thought those remakes were very good, although, yes, I wondered why Al didn't come up with more new songs. But I get it now. These are the songs the guys sing night after night in concert, so I guess it makes sense to have new studio versions of them. And maybe some casual fans will buy the cd's if they see some familiar titles on them.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Gabo on November 13, 2017, 02:04:09 PM
Watching/hearing Mike Love fall face first for 25 days in a row has been such a great pleasure. I'm eagerly anticipating the critical and commercial failure this double "album" of remake atrocities has in store. For some reason, I have no sympathy for Mike, who seemingly has no clue what a laughing stock he is making himself bringing Mark McGrath, John Stamos, and autotune into the fray. But it's somehow commendable he's so determined to DO IT! DO IT! DO IT AGAIN!!!


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: oldsurferdude on November 13, 2017, 02:35:12 PM
Watching/hearing Mike Love fall face first for 25 days in a row has been such a great pleasure. I'm eagerly anticipating the critical and commercial failure this double "album" of remake atrocities has in store. For some reason, I have no sympathy for Mike, who seemingly has no clue what a laughing stock he is making himself bringing Mark McGrath, John Stamos, and autotune into the fray. But it's somehow commendable he's so determined to DO IT! DO IT! DO IT AGAIN!!!
Gabo, you rock with that post!!

 :woot :woot :woot


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: doc smiley on November 13, 2017, 03:57:29 PM
https://skyball.play.livearena.com/Live/4e8d62f821944525fb7048a41b92f99e

at the 6hr 20minute mark perhaps the worst Kokomo performance I've ever heard...


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: RubberSoul13 on November 13, 2017, 05:51:01 PM
Just in case you haven't seen it and are interested, our member The Real Barnyard just posted the following in the Pro-Shot-Concert-List thread. Mike & Bruce two days ago, professionally filmed. And they play "Unleash the love" near the end. Maybe more, but I haven't watched it




The last 90 minutes of this video include The Beach Boys performance at the American Airlines Sky Ball XV Gala in Dallas. November 11, 2017.

Amazing sound and performance!

https://skyball.play.livearena.com/Live/4e8d62f821944525fb7048a41b92f99e

Amazing sound and performance?

It's a kick ass band, that's about the only nice thing I have to say.

Weak vocals from Mike, "Unleash The Love" is embarrassing, and Bruce looks bad. Did it ever come out as to why he was off the road for awhile? It looks like he's aged ten years since he bitched me out in August.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: NateRuvin on November 13, 2017, 06:02:14 PM
Yeah, I'm not gonna lie, Bruce's age is really starting to show. His vocals were good though.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Gabo on November 13, 2017, 09:13:03 PM
Just in case you haven't seen it and are interested, our member The Real Barnyard just posted the following in the Pro-Shot-Concert-List thread. Mike & Bruce two days ago, professionally filmed. And they play "Unleash the love" near the end. Maybe more, but I haven't watched it




The last 90 minutes of this video include The Beach Boys performance at the American Airlines Sky Ball XV Gala in Dallas. November 11, 2017.

Amazing sound and performance!

https://skyball.play.livearena.com/Live/4e8d62f821944525fb7048a41b92f99e

Amazing sound and performance?

It's a kick ass band, that's about the only nice thing I have to say.

Weak vocals from Mike, "Unleash The Love" is embarrassing, and Bruce looks bad. Did it ever come out as to why he was off the road for awhile? It looks like he's aged ten years since he bitched me out in August.

Weak vocals indeed. His rerecording of I Get Around is akin to the gasps of a dying man cut off from the ventilator.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 14, 2017, 06:48:06 AM
If anybody knows how to download that video stream, let me know. I think it would be much easier to watch this thing on an actual TV, etc. It's the first full pro-shot document of Mike's show in some time as far as I know.

Having checked out portions of this on the computer, I'm surprised that they sound rather ragged here. Musicianship-wise, I suppose it's fine. But it's not sounding so great vocally. My guess is that this is over-touring more than anything else.

The tour schedule shows they did something like 14 shows in 15 nights between October 21 and November 5, and then did the "Malt Shop Memories" gig, and then this "Skyball" event. They sound pretty beat vocally. Foskett in particular sounds like he's lagging; the falsetto is flatting in some spots and he just seems to lack energy. The entire band seems kind of tired, assuming this isn't their usual on-stage demeanor/energy level.

This was the first time I had an extended listen to Ike singing. He has a perfectly fine voice, but it's also super generic. He sings the lead on "Then I Kissed Her" like it's a job. I used to think the touring Beach Boys of the 90s were on autopilot and didn't care. They definitely *were* on autopilot, but they never seemed so "meh, whatever" while they sang.

Al Jardine literally sings "Then I Kissed Her" at age 75 with more energy and vigor than Ike does in that clip. Really weird.

But more than anything else, I'm guessing some of what's going on is that they're doing too many dates. I'd be kind of disappointed if I got *this* sort of show at the tail end of like 27 shows in 30 days.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: KDS on November 14, 2017, 06:59:01 AM
Right, I think it would be best if Mike scaled back the number of shows his band does.  Guys half his age don't play half the amount of shows that Mike and Bruce play in a year. 



Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 14, 2017, 07:07:20 AM
Right, I think it would be best if Mike scaled back the number of shows his band does.  Guys half his age don't play half the amount of shows that Mike and Bruce play in a year. 


And it's really going to tend to be the backing guys that suffer the most. Yes, Mike and Bruce are older, but the rest of the band does the musical heavy lifting. Mike does have to sing a lot of the leads of course, and I think his voice also sometimes suffers because of it. Bruce (who ironically talked in 2012 about the band not being able to keep up to his touring pace) adds little vocally or musically, so apart from health issues, he shouldn't have problems. But guys who have to play instruments and doing four/five-part harmony are going to start sounding ragged when they do 14 shows in 15 nights.

And, some of the guys in Mike's band aren't exactly super young. Foskett has to be nearing 60 I would guess. Cowsill is 61. I'm guessing Totten has to be in the range of 50 or so. Same with Bonhomme.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: KDS on November 14, 2017, 07:13:22 AM
Right, I think it would be best if Mike scaled back the number of shows his band does.  Guys half his age don't play half the amount of shows that Mike and Bruce play in a year. 


And it's really going to tend to be the backing guys that suffer the most. Yes, Mike and Bruce are older, but the rest of the band does the musical heavy lifting. Mike does have to sing a lot of the leads of course, and I think his voice also sometimes suffers because of it. Bruce (who ironically talked in 2012 about the band not being able to keep up to his touring pace) adds little vocally or musically, so apart from health issues, he shouldn't have problems. But guys who have to play instruments and doing four/five-part harmony are going to start sounding ragged when they do 14 shows in 15 nights.

And, some of the guys in Mike's band aren't exactly super young. Foskett has to be nearing 60 I would guess. Cowsill is 61. I'm guessing Totten has to be in the range of 50 or so. Same with Bonhomme.

Foskett is 61, turning 62 in February.  And it's not like these guys are doing short shows either.  They also do two shows in a single day sometimes in the summer (in Ocean City, MD this summer, they did two shows in one day). 

Other artists that have been touring since the 1960s taking much longer breaks, and play far fewer shows. 


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: The LEGENDARY OSD on November 14, 2017, 07:27:55 AM
If anybody knows how to download that video stream, let me know. I think it would be much easier to watch this thing on an actual TV, etc. It's the first full pro-shot document of Mike's show in some time as far as I know.

Having checked out portions of this on the computer, I'm surprised that they sound rather ragged here. Musicianship-wise, I suppose it's fine. But it's not sounding so great vocally. My guess is that this is over-touring more than anything else.

The tour schedule shows they did something like 14 shows in 15 nights between October 21 and November 5, and then did the "Malt Shop Memories" gig, and then this "Skyball" event. They sound pretty beat vocally. Foskett in particular sounds like he's lagging; the falsetto is flatting in some spots and he just seems to lack energy. The entire band seems kind of tired, assuming this isn't their usual on-stage demeanor/energy level.

This was the first time I had an extended listen to Ike singing. He has a perfectly fine voice, but it's also super generic. He sings the lead on "Then I Kissed Her" like it's a job. I used to think the touring Beach Boys of the 90s were on autopilot and didn't care. They definitely *were* on autopilot, but they never seemed so "meh, whatever" while they sang.

Al Jardine literally sings "Then I Kissed Her" at age 75 with more energy and vigor than Ike does in that clip. Really weird.

But more than anything else, I'm guessing some of what's going on is that they're doing too many dates. I'd be kind of disappointed if I got *this* sort of show at the tail end of like 27 shows in 30 days.
It's just the same old tired shtick from the King of All Insincerity, myKe luHv, trying like hell to *prove* himself in front of a world that has no or very little interest in him or what he has to say. Yes, I did listen to the clips of the irrelevant remakes and the highly uninspired new fodder which left me with the feeling that this trainwreck of an album will attend it's own funeral in little or no time. Unfortunately, it's to hell with the legacy and wherever there's a buck to be made, he'll be there front and center all the while watering down the BB name until there's nothing left. Pull the license? Nah, just let this clown keep on grinding himself and the legacy down to the bone. In all honesty, it's rather fun to watch.  


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 14, 2017, 07:35:47 AM
Right, I think it would be best if Mike scaled back the number of shows his band does.  Guys half his age don't play half the amount of shows that Mike and Bruce play in a year. 


And it's really going to tend to be the backing guys that suffer the most. Yes, Mike and Bruce are older, but the rest of the band does the musical heavy lifting. Mike does have to sing a lot of the leads of course, and I think his voice also sometimes suffers because of it. Bruce (who ironically talked in 2012 about the band not being able to keep up to his touring pace) adds little vocally or musically, so apart from health issues, he shouldn't have problems. But guys who have to play instruments and doing four/five-part harmony are going to start sounding ragged when they do 14 shows in 15 nights.

And, some of the guys in Mike's band aren't exactly super young. Foskett has to be nearing 60 I would guess. Cowsill is 61. I'm guessing Totten has to be in the range of 50 or so. Same with Bonhomme.

Foskett is 61, turning 62 in February.  And it's not like these guys are doing short shows either.  They also do two shows in a single day sometimes in the summer (in Ocean City, MD this summer, they did two shows in one day). 

Other artists that have been touring since the 1960s taking much longer breaks, and play far fewer shows. 

All the indicators I see suggest to me that Mike wants the money and other perks that go with touring, and as long as *he* can keep up, that's all that matters. He could very well continue to swap out band members for younger band members, and otherwise make changes if any members can't "keep up" the pace. This also has the fringe benefit of having more guys to hand leads off to.

Mike sings plenty of leads at his shows still, but he has the other guys singing a good hunk of the show as well.

I see Mike standing back in the backline and letting Ike take front stage for "Then I Kissed Her", and I'm thinking Mike now has no problem literally presenting the band as a tribute band.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on November 14, 2017, 07:53:54 AM
A few thoughts to add to this topic:

- the concert video posted above is pretty blah, but Jeff does sound damn good on Darlin.

- KDS mentioned on the PS forum that he’ll treat the second disc of re-recordings like the IJWMFTTs album. I have to agree that it will be similar in nature...I mean, IJWMFTTs is more genuine in its production sound imo, but it’s still nothing I play over the originals unless I’m curious about listening to it once in a while. But it got me thinking; IJWMFTTs was more like therapy for Brian, alongside OCA it was kind of a therapy to get him comfortable in the studio again. I wonder if Mike is doing the same thing with this album? Like I said in a previous post, Mike has seemed to be a lot happier in interviews lately.

- the latest re-recording samples are atrocious. Like honestly how the hell could you be in the studio booth and hear the lead vocals for IGA played back to you and think “yes, this is what we want the world to hear”?

- I can’t get over how odd it is to re-record ‘Brians Back’ but it’s the best sounding sample I’ve heard thus far.

- comparatively the first disc seems like it will be a fun listen...I’m not a fan of the production at all but at least it’ll be original songs with a new sound to offer.

- I really wonder what Mike’s intention is with recording all these songs.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 14, 2017, 09:41:25 AM
I don't think IJWMFTT and Mike's disc or remakes are particularly analogous.

Brian's collection was mostly deep cuts (including several solo songs, and one old demo), while Mike's is mostly well known songs.

Also, Brian hadn't performed many if not most of the songs on IJWFTT in decades, in most cases since they were originally recorded. Mike's remakes are largely songs he has sang literally *thousands* of times and still sings every night.

Also, Brian's CD featured moderately to severely altered arrangements compared to the originals, for better and worse. Mike's remakes are apparently purposefully mostly note-for-note copy attempts of the originals. (Sidenote: YouTube recently threw random "suggestions" at me that included some of Mike's 90s stuff with Adrian Baker, which I hadn't listened to in quite some time, and I was surprised that his new 2017 remakes actually sound somewhat similar to the Baker stuff. The new backing tracks are a bit better, but the vocals are worse due to the autotune).

I think Mike did the disc of re-records not for therapy or to reacquaint himself with the studio (he's been cutting this solo stuff on and off for a decade, and more noticeably over the last few years), but to entice and/or secure a record deal for his "new" stuff.

I'm also curious if Mike and/or his team are going to attempt to sell the re-records for use in movies, TV commercials, etc. Similar to what Jeff Lynne did with this ELO re-records from a few years ago; Lynne put the CD out, but clearly the main motivator had been to re-record stuff and directly license it out to circumvent Sony. The difference of course would be that Lynne's re-recordings were well-made (shockingly similar to the originals) even if needless, and Lynne owns the ELO name so he can still bill the new recordings as "ELO." Mike's re-records don't sound that great, with autotune are much more obviously *not* vintage recordings, and he can't use the BB name when licensing them out.

Still, I wouldn't be surprised in the coming year to hear one of these Mike re-records in some movie or trailer or commercial; some producer somewhere will need to cheap out.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on November 14, 2017, 09:41:36 AM
IJWMFTT and Mike's latest album project are apples and oranges. Don Was performed with Brian and saw what he felt was something really special hearing Brian perform and wanted to capture that and share it on film. It did turn into therapy of sorts to help reacclimate Brian to recording and playing his music after the Landy years. Brian wanted to perform with the Beach Boys - the lawsuits prevented Mike from being in that film even though Don and Brian wanted him there. Don assembled his A-List of session players and got Brian back into the game. The fact they tackled some very challenging and personal songs Brian had not touched in years was icing on the cake.

Above all it was a soundtrack to a film which tied directly into Don Was' original concept and spark of an idea for a film - To capture Brian as he saw Brian when they shared a stage at a charity concert and show whatever magic Don felt to a wider audience. It became much more than that, and the soundtrack was not an attempt to cash in on old Beach Boys tracks redone decades later as remakes. It was a *soundtrack* of performances done specifically for a film.

Why is Mike doing remakes now, in 2017? He's been doing the same thing for decades. Literally, for decades at this point. He amped it up even more after Carl died and released multiple collections of synth and drum machine laden sequenced remakes of BB classics, each of which sunk like a stone and didn't sell at all. Some couldn't because they were given away or sold with a fill-up of gas or something.

This one? I have to think again it has as much to do with ego, and a desire for Mike to have the less knowledgeable (in terms of the band history) fans who go to his shows consider Mike as The Beach Boys. I think he's been chasing that windmill for years, the notion that people think "Beach Boys" and think of Mike Love as the standard bearer in more than license fees alone. Now he has his own recordings of songs that are Beach Boys songs and stone-cold classics existing on iTunes, Pandora, and wherever else alongside the Real Beach Boys recordings.

It sure isn't a financial decision, is it?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 14, 2017, 09:47:17 AM
With the disc of BB remakes, Mike has certainly tread as *closely* as he can to recording his own "Beach Boys" album. Almost all of the ingredients are there: It's Beach Boys songs, and there's a classic "Beach Boys" logo on a sticker on the cover.

Again, I have no doubt that had Al Jardine in 1999 released a disc of Beach Boys re-recordings with a classic Torrence-designed "Beach Boys" logo on a sticker on the cover, he would have been sued into oblivion.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on November 14, 2017, 10:17:32 AM
To clarify the IJWMFTTs comparison, in terms of quality and the reasons for their genesis’ they are definitely apples and oranges. The comparison was about listening to and enjoying originals over remakes. Anyways, it was a moot point that I used to lead up to a question.
________

As for Mike using The Beach Boys name to help sell this thing...

What a damn shame. To slap them Beach Boys name onto a solo record that sounds this bad...I think the sad part is that his remakes from earlier decades sound better because back then Mike didn’t sound like C-3PO singing karaoke in the cantina bar.

Mike HAD to have known about what an atrocity autotune is, otherwise he wouldn’t have whined like a child about it when asked about Brian’s single from years back...even if he was just bitching for the sake of being an ass, he still would’ve had to know what autotune is. Which begs the question: he knows what a shitty effect it can be, so why use it in laughable amounts on your own record!? Mike’s lead vocal on IGA sounds like when you logged into AOL on dialup back in the day. How did anyone in that booth not crack up when listening to the final mix?

Anyways, given how bad the lead vocals sound, I just pray that this isn’t something that will be going arm-in-arm with The Beach Boys name over the next few years.



Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: B.E. on November 14, 2017, 10:26:12 AM
- I can’t get over how odd it is to re-record ‘Brians Back’ but it’s the best sounding sample I’ve heard thus far.

- comparatively the first disc seems like it will be a fun listen...I’m not a fan of the production at all but at least it’ll be original songs with a new sound to offer.

I know I commented on this already and alluded to this, but Brian's Back was included among the First Love songs and the Unleash The Love songs circa-2004, so in that sense, I'm not surprised (and therefore don't find it that odd) that it's included. I actually find it far more odd that Getcha Back is included on disc 1. I mean, Getcha Back is a hit Beach Boys song and probably the most popular late period Beach Boys song after Kokomo, and he's including it among the 'originals' disk and not the 'BBs re-records' disc. Bizarre.

- I really wonder what Mike’s intention is with recording all these songs.

Well, it's been mentioned that perhaps disc 2 was more-or-less a contractual obligation (ah, HeyJude beat me to it). That there could have been a tie-in with his book and that in order to release his original songs he'd have to release BBs titles as well. That's possible. But not knowing for sure, I just view it as an aging musician getting one last chance for a major release and including as much on it as possible. He's probably wanted to release some of these songs for decades and perhaps at some point also wanted to release his touring band performing BBs songs so this is what we get (and as guitarfool just said, Mike remakes BBs songs, it's what he does). I wouldn't underestimate releasing music just to release it. It's been a long time, hasn't it? It's too bad if proper care wasn't taken in the process (e.g. lazy use of autotune). Could it just be about the money? Possibly, but I don't think it's ever that simple. He sees Brian (and other '60s groups) releasing product, on some level, I'd think he'd want to prove that he can too. And, yes, of course he uses the BBs name to further his solo career as much as he possibly can. I've stated my position on those issues previously.



... Should this place be more positive oriented? Yes. ...


Agreed.

That would be pleasant.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: KDS on November 14, 2017, 10:28:38 AM
IJWMFTT and Mike's latest album project are apples and oranges. Don Was performed with Brian and saw what he felt was something really special hearing Brian perform and wanted to capture that and share it on film. It did turn into therapy of sorts to help reacclimate Brian to recording and playing his music after the Landy years. Brian wanted to perform with the Beach Boys - the lawsuits prevented Mike from being in that film even though Don and Brian wanted him there. Don assembled his A-List of session players and got Brian back into the game. The fact they tackled some very challenging and personal songs Brian had not touched in years was icing on the cake.



I do agree that the genesis of the two projects - IJMFTWW and UTL Disc 2- are apples and oranges.  

The reason I made the comparison on the PSF that Rab mentioned is because they'll both likely rest unplayed on my shelf of BB related CDs as curios filled with inferior remakes (with the exceptions of Love and Mercy, which happens to be my favorite version of the song).  

I do agree that IJMFTWW is a very important album in launching Brian's solo career though.  


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on November 14, 2017, 10:48:11 AM
One major factor for me, and maybe I'm in the minority in this opinion, is how referring back to that pesky lawsuit Mike filed in 2005, Mike seemed to spew a lot of personal bile personally directed at Brian and Al for *daring* to perform and release their own versions of Beach Boys songs under their own names. Mike's word was "bastardized" to label what he thought Al did with the Family & Friends project, and also labeled Brian's Pet Sounds and Smile tours and subsequent releases in similar ways. It was suggested Brian was even harming Mike's own name and reputation as the 'face of the Beach Boys" by doing the Pet Sounds and Smile albums live in their entirety.

The hard fact is that any artist can record, perform, or even release their own version of any existing songs or even a full album if they pay the rights and license fees to do so commercially. The audience can decide based on the quality of that product and buy or not buy accordingly. If the project is crap, it will sink like a stone and not sell tickets or albums.

It feels more than hypocritical for Mike to file such strong opinions in a lawsuit for projects Al and Brian did *under their own names* and not as "The Beach Boys", when little more than a decade after that lawsuit Mike himself puts that "Beach Boys" logo on his own remakes and re-records of Beach Boys classics and seemingly doesn't try to draw a line between the Real Beach Boys and these solo remakes.

It feels like common sense to me, and it's as obvious as night and day that Mike is doing exactly what he hammered Brian and Al for doing, and in the case of Brian's Pet Sounds/Smile projects, the issue was even more of a moot point or non-issue because none of that was billed as anything but "Brian Wilson" doing what any existing artist can do with existing songs. If Mike thought Brian and Al had tarnished his reputation and the legacy of the Beach Boys by doing solo works that happened to be very well received by the critics and fans, what is Mike doing in 2017 with these remakes being presented with those hints of "The Beach Boys" and slapping that logo on the work?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: KDS on November 14, 2017, 10:58:15 AM
I don't really see these remakes as tarnishing a legacy, so I'd have to disagree with Mike's assessment on Brian and Al's rerecordings / live releases.  But, as pointless as they are, I don't think Mike's 2017 rerecordings are tarnishing a legacy either. 

I just think it's another in the long line of BB remakes over the past 25 years when Brian, Al, and Mike have all proven that they can put out good original material.  Sure, it won't match what they did in the 1960s and early 1970s. 


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: CenturyDeprived on November 14, 2017, 10:58:33 AM
One major factor for me, and maybe I'm in the minority in this opinion, is how referring back to that pesky lawsuit Mike filed in 2005, Mike seemed to spew a lot of personal bile personally directed at Brian and Al for *daring* to perform and release their own versions of Beach Boys songs under their own names. Mike's word was "bastardized" to label what he thought Al did with the Family & Friends project, and also labeled Brian's Pet Sounds and Smile tours and subsequent releases in similar ways. It was suggested Brian was even harming Mike's own name and reputation as the 'face of the Beach Boys" by doing the Pet Sounds and Smile albums live in their entirety.

The hard fact is that any artist can record, perform, or even release their own version of any existing songs or even a full album if they pay the rights and license fees to do so commercially. The audience can decide based on the quality of that product and buy or not buy accordingly. If the project is crap, it will sink like a stone and not sell tickets or albums.

It feels more than hypocritical for Mike to file such strong opinions in a lawsuit for projects Al and Brian did *under their own names* and not as "The Beach Boys", when little more than a decade after that lawsuit Mike himself puts that "Beach Boys" logo on his own remakes and re-records of Beach Boys classics and seemingly doesn't try to draw a line between the Real Beach Boys and these solo remakes.

It feels like common sense to me, and it's as obvious as night and day that Mike is doing exactly what he hammered Brian and Al for doing, and in the case of Brian's Pet Sounds/Smile projects, the issue was even more of a moot point or non-issue because none of that was billed as anything but "Brian Wilson" doing what any existing artist can do with existing songs. If Mike thought Brian and Al had tarnished his reputation and the legacy of the Beach Boys by doing solo works that happened to be very well received by the critics and fans, what is Mike doing in 2017 with these remakes being presented with those hints of "The Beach Boys" and slapping that logo on the work?

Mike's the biggest hypocrite in the history of the music business. Or one of the biggest - he's in some elite company. That he completely purposefully omitted any mention of that lawsuit in his bio - and has the chutzpah to release this drek nowadays which is in direct "violation" of what his suit complained about - speaks volumes. I cannot believe no journalist has cornered him on it.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: B.E. on November 14, 2017, 11:05:52 AM
If Mike thought Brian and Al had tarnished his reputation and the legacy of the Beach Boys by doing solo works that happened to be very well received by the critics and fans, what is Mike doing in 2017 with these remakes being presented with those hints of "The Beach Boys" and slapping that logo on the work?

I think most fans who are aware of the 2005 lawsuit and his comments on autotune acknowledge that Mike is being hypocritical. I don't see people defending him on those points. As you expressed in your previous post, Mike probably feels like it's okay for him to do it because he IS the Beach Boys, in his mind. That he is the face of the Beach Boys, and that he has earned that by touring as the Beach Boys for decades. I can understand the rationalization (not that I agree).



Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 14, 2017, 12:00:31 PM
I dunno, I've listened to IJWMFTT quite often over the years. The arrangements and Brian's voice are so different from the originals, I don't really view it as a traditional "covers" album as such. It's more like a live album in a club featuring Brian running through some relatively deep cuts. (Yes, I know the stuff was actually cut without Brian and then he just added his leads).

I think the backing arrangement on "This Whole World" is great; I'd argue if you took that backing track and arrangement and put the BBs on backing vocals, it would be perfect.

My only beef with the IJWMFTT album has always been the backing vocals; they just don't fit.

But even in the realm of "is it better than the originals?", I think Mike's re-records are not analogous to Brian's IJWMFTT album. Brian's album features largely quite different arrangements. There's far more justification in my opinion to do a "covers" album when it's different. Mike's by default sticks out much more obviously as inferior because they all (for the most part anyway) try to replicate the originals.

Mike's covers are essentially as close as you can get to a disc of his live show, just recorded in a studio.

IJWMFTT proves that there *are* interesting things that can be done within the scope of doing an album of covers of your own stuff. I could think of ten ideas easily, yet Mike picked mostly well-worn, standard songs and did soulless (frankly evocative more and more as I listen to them of those Adrian Baker tracks) carbon copy recordings, with autotune to boot.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: wilsonart1 on November 14, 2017, 12:05:46 PM
B.E. you're correct, I "m sure back in the day ole Michael called the Wilson boys up and spun the tale of  all the song ideas he had and the gift of voice the good Lord gave him along with his gift at the piano could bring the Wilson's some good fortune some day.  Dennis wouldn't have to sit at the beach all day.  Brian no longer at the gas station. Carl just wondering what the future would bring.  Unleash the Love......Loves new album  should of been released April fool's day!!!


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: NateRuvin on November 14, 2017, 12:06:47 PM
"Mike's covers are essentially as close as you can get to a disc of his live show, just recorded in a studio. "

I agree, that's what I've said about the Summertime Cruisin' CD.

I don't think anyone has brought this up, but I'm really excited to have John Cowsill doing Wild Honey. I hope it's not autotuned to death!


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: RubberSoul13 on November 14, 2017, 12:08:57 PM
I only see one purpose for this joke of an album, and that's to con little old ladies into buying a "new" Beach Boy record with "old" favorites at the merch booth.

I would be shocked if this gets any promotion anywhere. What mainstream morning, afternoon, or late night show would host this?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: B.E. on November 14, 2017, 12:14:49 PM
B.E. you're correct

There you go. You stopped making sense after that point.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on November 14, 2017, 12:46:15 PM
I dunno, I've listened to IJWMFTT quite often over the years. The arrangements and Brian's voice are so different from the originals, I don't really view it as a traditional "covers" album as such. It's more like a live album in a club featuring Brian running through some relatively deep cuts. (Yes, I know the stuff was actually cut without Brian and then he just added his leads).

I think the backing arrangement on "This Whole World" is great; I'd argue if you took that backing track and arrangement and put the BBs on backing vocals, it would be perfect.

My only beef with the IJWMFTT album has always been the backing vocals; they just don't fit.

But even in the realm of "is it better than the originals?", I think Mike's re-records are not analogous to Brian's IJWMFTT album. Brian's album features largely quite different arrangements. There's far more justification in my opinion to do a "covers" album when it's different. Mike's by default sticks out much more obviously as inferior because they all (for the most part anyway) try to replicate the originals.

Mike's covers are essentially as close as you can get to a disc of his live show, just recorded in a studio.

IJWMFTT proves that there *are* interesting things that can be done within the scope of doing an album of covers of your own stuff. I could think of ten ideas easily, yet Mike picked mostly well-worn, standard songs and did soulless (frankly evocative more and more as I listen to them of those Adrian Baker tracks) carbon copy recordings, with autotune to boot.

Regardless how variant the covers are to their original, I’ll listen to the original version of Do It Again 20 times more than Brian’s cover. That is all KDS and I are saying. It’s not that we haven’t listened to IJWMFTTs many times (I love that version of Love and Mercy), it’s just that we listen to the originals more often than covers...that is the comparison I mentioned very clearly in my original post. No one is comparing these albums in regards to quality or genesis.
_____

I agree about the backing vocals on IJWMFTTs. It’s nice to hear something not stereotypically trying to sound like The Beach Boys, but it’s almost too unique.

One thing I love about that album is the included demo of ‘Still I Dream Of It’. Makes me want that Bedroom Tapes set every time I hear it.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: KDS on November 14, 2017, 12:52:35 PM
I dunno, I've listened to IJWMFTT quite often over the years. The arrangements and Brian's voice are so different from the originals, I don't really view it as a traditional "covers" album as such. It's more like a live album in a club featuring Brian running through some relatively deep cuts. (Yes, I know the stuff was actually cut without Brian and then he just added his leads).

I think the backing arrangement on "This Whole World" is great; I'd argue if you took that backing track and arrangement and put the BBs on backing vocals, it would be perfect.

My only beef with the IJWMFTT album has always been the backing vocals; they just don't fit.

But even in the realm of "is it better than the originals?", I think Mike's re-records are not analogous to Brian's IJWMFTT album. Brian's album features largely quite different arrangements. There's far more justification in my opinion to do a "covers" album when it's different. Mike's by default sticks out much more obviously as inferior because they all (for the most part anyway) try to replicate the originals.

Mike's covers are essentially as close as you can get to a disc of his live show, just recorded in a studio.

IJWMFTT proves that there *are* interesting things that can be done within the scope of doing an album of covers of your own stuff. I could think of ten ideas easily, yet Mike picked mostly well-worn, standard songs and did soulless (frankly evocative more and more as I listen to them of those Adrian Baker tracks) carbon copy recordings, with autotune to boot.

Regardless how variant the covers are to their original, I’ll listen to the original version of Do It Again 20 times more than Brian’s cover. That is all KDS and I are saying. It’s not that we haven’t listened to IJWMFTTs many times (I love that version of Love and Mercy), it’s just that we listen to the originals more often than covers...that is the comparison I mentioned very clearly in my original post. No one is comparing these albums in regards to quality or genesis.
_____


Exactly.  Granted, as HJ pointed out, the IJWMFTT album did feature some different arrangements, but other than L&M and maybe Melt Away, I'm still going for the originals each time. 

I honestly can't think of any examples where an artist can covered his / her / their older work and actually improved on it.  Just seems like an exercise in futility. 


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 14, 2017, 01:39:37 PM
I guess what I'm saying is "it's a nice album that I listen to sometimes, but it doesn't better the original BB recordings" is different than "uninteresting carbon copy cover versions that I'll maybe play once and then file on the shelf." Those are two *very different* sets of standards. "Not as good" as something else can still be *very good.*

I listen to tons of BB concerts, and rarely are even *those* versions of the songs better than the original. They're different. I sometimes like them more, often not. But it's not as if "not as good as the original studio version" immediately relegates them to the shelf, rarely to be listened to.

With anywhere from two to four previous albums of BB cover recordings from Mike (depending on which ones we're counting), I'm not sure why a comparison has to be drawn to one of Brian's albums. Those Mike albums have far more in common with the second disc of Mike's new album than any of Brian's projects.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on November 14, 2017, 02:15:53 PM
I guess what I'm saying is "it's a nice album that I listen to sometimes, but it doesn't better the original BB recordings" is different than "uninteresting carbon copy cover versions that I'll maybe play once and then file on the shelf." Those are two *very different* sets of standards. "Not as good" as something else can still be *very good.*

I listen to tons of BB concerts, and rarely are even *those* versions of the songs better than the original. They're different. I sometimes like them more, often not. But it's not as if "not as good as the original studio version" immediately relegates them to the shelf, rarely to be listened to.

With anywhere from two to four previous albums of BB cover recordings from Mike (depending on which ones we're counting), I'm not sure why a comparison has to be drawn to one of Brian's albums. Those Mike albums have far more in common with the second disc of Mike's new album than any of Brian's projects.

If you read my initial post and my response to the plethora of subsequent posts regarding the comparison, I brought it up because the initial comparison to IJWMFTTs (in its cover nature ONLY) made me wonder if Mike recorded this for some kind of therapy of getting back into recording. I’ve explained this multiple times now.

I think we can all agree that IJWMFTTs has an infinite amount more artistic merit and meaning than Mike’s re-recordings here. But given that I, or KDS, weren’t implying this in the first place I don’t understand why it’s even being debated.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 14, 2017, 02:33:49 PM
The "therapy" theory is certainly interesting.

I'm not even sure I'd frame IJWMFTT as a case of therapy as far as recording. Brian had already been recording plenty prior to that album/sessions, and apparently Brian did relatively minimal work on the album, with Was recording backing tracks and even having someone sing guide lead vocals (Andrew Gold I believe?), with Brian just coming in to add his leads.

I would guess Brian spent a lot more time in the studio working on "Orange Crate Art" and the Paley sessions.

It's certainly possible the IJWMFTT sessions amounted to some "anti-Landy" therapy if nothing else.

Back to Mike's album, I'm curious why he put everything in the lap of Michael Lloyd instead of just using the Paul Fauerso stuff from 2004. And why have other guest vocalists, but scrub the Christian Love leads from circa 2004?

How much other contemporary stuff does Michael Lloyd work on? I'm curious why this guy's work comes across as if he heard Joe Thomas had a thing for autotune, and he decided "Pffftt, you think *that's* autotune? Let me show you what autotune really is....."


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on November 14, 2017, 02:47:52 PM
Yeah it honestly makes no sense to me. Nearly every moment of the samples I’ve heard is ruined by the horrible use of autotune. And was it even necessary? Does Mike’s voice sound that bad these days or do they really think this is going to excite the young crowd?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Peadar 'Big Dinner' O'Driscoll on November 14, 2017, 02:57:51 PM
Mike is "getting too old for this sh*t" as Danny Glover might say. His voice is shot from overuse and he is showing every one of his 76 years in his stage moves. Should start doing 30 dates a year max and look after himself.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: CenturyDeprived on November 14, 2017, 03:45:49 PM

Back to Mike's album, I'm curious why he put everything in the lap of Michael Lloyd instead of just using the Paul Fauerso stuff from 2004. And why have other guest vocalists, but scrub the Christian Love leads from circa 2004?
 

I wonder if Mike and Christian had a falling out? Being as he not only left his dad's band, but was wiped from recordings, it would seem a bit odd for that to speak of a great, happy relationship. Could be wrong of course.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Jim V. on November 14, 2017, 04:21:58 PM

Back to Mike's album, I'm curious why he put everything in the lap of Michael Lloyd instead of just using the Paul Fauerso stuff from 2004. And why have other guest vocalists, but scrub the Christian Love leads from circa 2004?
 

I wonder if Mike and Christian had a falling out? Being as he not only left his dad's band, but was wiped from recordings, it would seem a bit odd for that to speak of a great, happy relationship. Could be wrong of course.

It is curious, especially seeing as the uber-talented internet daddy defender Ambha Love is appearing on the album doing a lead or co-lead on two tracks.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on November 14, 2017, 04:52:36 PM
Mike's album needs a secret track like 20/20's use of "workshop".

Preferably a recording of OSD holding his nose and singing! >:D


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: The LEGENDARY OSD on November 14, 2017, 06:01:06 PM
https://skyball.play.livearena.com/Live/4e8d62f821944525fb7048a41b92f99e

at the 6hr 20minute mark perhaps the worst Kokomo performance I've ever heard...
Yeah, quite pathetic and if you notice his idiotic *wheeeeeeeeeeeennnnn* intro has been considerably cut down to just a few seconds. And, as usual, he can't STFU in between songs.  ::)


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on November 14, 2017, 06:58:52 PM
One major factor for me, and maybe I'm in the minority in this opinion, is how referring back to that pesky lawsuit Mike filed in 2005, Mike seemed to spew a lot of personal bile personally directed at Brian and Al for *daring* to perform and release their own versions of Beach Boys songs under their own names. Mike's word was "bastardized" to label what he thought Al did with the Family & Friends project, and also labeled Brian's Pet Sounds and Smile tours and subsequent releases in similar ways. It was suggested Brian was even harming Mike's own name and reputation as the 'face of the Beach Boys" by doing the Pet Sounds and Smile albums live in their entirety.

The hard fact is that any artist can record, perform, or even release their own version of any existing songs or even a full album if they pay the rights and license fees to do so commercially. The audience can decide based on the quality of that product and buy or not buy accordingly. If the project is crap, it will sink like a stone and not sell tickets or albums.

It feels more than hypocritical for Mike to file such strong opinions in a lawsuit for projects Al and Brian did *under their own names* and not as "The Beach Boys", when little more than a decade after that lawsuit Mike himself puts that "Beach Boys" logo on his own remakes and re-records of Beach Boys classics and seemingly doesn't try to draw a line between the Real Beach Boys and these solo remakes.

It feels like common sense to me, and it's as obvious as night and day that Mike is doing exactly what he hammered Brian and Al for doing, and in the case of Brian's Pet Sounds/Smile projects, the issue was even more of a moot point or non-issue because none of that was billed as anything but "Brian Wilson" doing what any existing artist can do with existing songs. If Mike thought Brian and Al had tarnished his reputation and the legacy of the Beach Boys by doing solo works that happened to be very well received by the critics and fans, what is Mike doing in 2017 with these remakes being presented with those hints of "The Beach Boys" and slapping that logo on the work?

Mike's the biggest hypocrite in the history of the music business. Or one of the biggest - he's in some elite company. That he completely purposefully omitted any mention of that lawsuit in his bio - and has the chutzpah to release this drek nowadays which is in direct "violation" of what his suit complained about - speaks volumes. I cannot believe no journalist has cornered him on it.

Mike's book completely ignored the 2005 lawsuit, his co-author James Hirsch completely ignored the topic in subsequent hours of interviews plugging the book, and it feels like the topic is one which Mike fought for almost 4 years of appeals to various courts (who all rejected the appeals) that some in that camp would just as soon see whitewashed off the history books entirely.

The third rail of Mike's "setting the record straight".

I'm also pretty sure that if any writer, namely anyone close who has some kind of access to "The Beach Boys" officially or semi-officially ever brought up that lawsuit in a direct question, they'd be blackballed faster than the speed of sound.

But it is especially relevant and very much "on-topic" now that Mike has done exactly what he charged, chastised, and insulted Al and Brian with and for doing in that 2005 legal case. And those two didn't have the gall to slap a Beach Boys official logo on their solo releases.

Unbelievable.

If Mike or his co-author (or, let's just say it, his flacks) had even tried to tell Mike's side of that 2005 issue or even explain why Mike unloaded so personally on Al and Brian, when Al wasn't even a named defendant in that filing, it may have gone a long way toward healing some of the divisions. Instead, they whitewashed it off the books. And Mike is doing the same thing in 2017.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on November 14, 2017, 08:07:45 PM
When the song "Brian's Back" was mentioned, it reminded me of when Mike went on the TV show "Current Affair" (I think it was Current Affair) at the time of his 90's lawsuit, and broke down and started sobbing when he tried to sing the song to the interviewer. Seems that clip has disappeared from YouTube. I wonder if that was one of the normal copyright purges, or whether this one was targeted because it would potentially embarrass Mike when he's going to be out promoting this new album.

Either way, the song was dreadful decades ago in every incarnation I've heard it, and it's kind of baffling why Mike would put that on this new release.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Pretty Funky on November 15, 2017, 01:03:56 AM

Back to Mike's album, I'm curious why he put everything in the lap of Michael Lloyd instead of just using the Paul Fauerso stuff from 2004. And why have other guest vocalists, but scrub the Christian Love leads from circa 2004?
 

I wonder if Mike and Christian had a falling out? Being as he not only left his dad's band, but was wiped from recordings, it would seem a bit odd for that to speak of a great, happy relationship. Could be wrong of course.

Someone will remember the details but about the time he left someone apparently close to the parties wrote a scathing account here. Mentioned details like asking for a gig or two off for a personal reason and being stood down for weeks as a result. Not a happy situation.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: NateRuvin on November 15, 2017, 06:30:57 AM
Mike crying while singing Brian's Back was one of the fakest and most uncomfortable things I've ever seen.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 15, 2017, 06:40:08 AM

Back to Mike's album, I'm curious why he put everything in the lap of Michael Lloyd instead of just using the Paul Fauerso stuff from 2004. And why have other guest vocalists, but scrub the Christian Love leads from circa 2004?
 

I wonder if Mike and Christian had a falling out? Being as he not only left his dad's band, but was wiped from recordings, it would seem a bit odd for that to speak of a great, happy relationship. Could be wrong of course.

Someone will remember the details but about the time he left someone apparently close to the parties wrote a scathing account here. Mentioned details like asking for a gig or two off for a personal reason and being stood down for weeks as a result. Not a happy situation.

Here's the post with someone discussing that situation with Christian Love:

http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php/topic,19222.msg491223.html#msg491223


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on November 15, 2017, 09:03:12 AM
I'm listening as I do every morning to WXPN on my late 60's era Zenith AM/FM radio in my kitchen. They just spun two Beach Boys songs back to back, "It Takes Two" feature played each weekday morning. Don't Worry Baby and Do It Again were on tap today.

It was my own deep, cleansing breath of a realization, maybe a reaffirmation of sorts, of the bigger picture with all of this listening to those two songs on the ol' Zenith.

The current discussion topic is "Brian's Back" among others, and a forthcoming disc of remakes including Do It Again (2017) with special guests. That's about all I can say short of a face-plant reaction followed by head scratching and an appeal to the heavens with arms outstretched and a prolonged wail of "why? ".

Don't Worry Baby seems to keep inching up the list of what I think are the greatest popular songs of all time. The production and overall *sound* are enough, and Brian's soaring falsetto was among the best vocals he's ever recorded. Then back it up with the group blend, and Mike's deep, close-mic'ed bass vocals "don't you worry..." in the chorus.

But the songwriting too...it's brilliant lyrically and in its deceptive musical simplicity. Brian used the technique he heard on those Spector records like Be My Baby where he modulates up a key just before the chorus to give the chorus that added push that jumps out of the speakers...the chord progression remains constant to a degree but he's hitting higher notes due to the key change, and it's that sparkle that lights up the speakers for the hook.

He also uses the "Brian Wilson Chord" to borrow Carole King's term for his spin on the "V Chord" reharm, in this case the A chord with B in the bass, throughout the song and into the chorus with the key change. It's what stumped many a novice player like myself trying to figure out why it never sounded quite right playing a regular B along with the recording.  :)

The real genius that hit me too was how anyone listening to that song had absolutely *no clue* the song had anything to do with racing cars until a full verse, prechorus, and chorus/hook had gone by. It begins as a universal theme of a guy being more in love with his best girl because she was there to reassure him and be there for him with support and love...and how much he needs that. No mention of cars until verse 2. That to me is a great song, where the theme starts as something anyone can relate to, then develops even further to overtly state the drag racing theme and the guy's anxiety and his girl's calming words turned out to be centered around an upcoming drag race.

But...the drag race in the lyrics, thanks to that universal first verse/prechorus/chorus theme could be a metaphor for any challenge in life where sometimes that one thing you need is the support and love from someone you care about to get those nerves up to meet the challenge...whether it be a drag race or another life event. The drag race theme in verse 2 and 3 could be literal but it almost becomes metaphorical to anything in life.

THAT is songwriting of the highest caliber - simple in ways, yet compelling. The whole record is roughly two minutes showing the true craft of writing, performance, and production as done by a young guy with one good ear and beautiful falsetto voice, and a group who blended vocally as good as anyone ever could.

Do It Again...I've written so much about the merits of the original recording that it's not worth repeating. But that drum intro will forever stand as one of the coolest sounding things ever put on tape.

And we're supposed to be excited about or even talking positively with anticipation about stuff like "Brian's Back" and a remake of Do It Again with a guy randomly yelling "do it" throughout the recording?

Perspective this morning courtesy of WXPN and a vintage Zenith radio in my kitchen.  :)



Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Pretty Funky on November 15, 2017, 09:09:21 AM

Back to Mike's album, I'm curious why he put everything in the lap of Michael Lloyd instead of just using the Paul Fauerso stuff from 2004. And why have other guest vocalists, but scrub the Christian Love leads from circa 2004?
 

I wonder if Mike and Christian had a falling out? Being as he not only left his dad's band, but was wiped from recordings, it would seem a bit odd for that to speak of a great, happy relationship. Could be wrong of course.

Someone will remember the details but about the time he left someone apparently close to the parties wrote a scathing account here. Mentioned details like asking for a gig or two off for a personal reason and being stood down for weeks as a result. Not a happy situation.

Here's the post with someone discussing that situation with Christian Love:

http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php/topic,19222.msg491223.html#msg491223

That’s the one. Thanks HeyJude.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: The LEGENDARY OSD on November 15, 2017, 09:24:57 AM
GF, I thoroughly enjoyed your DWB post. Thank you for that and many others.



Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Gabo on November 15, 2017, 04:11:03 PM
Two more days. I'm finding it harder and harder to live without Love as we get closer and closer. 


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on November 15, 2017, 04:21:57 PM
GF, I thoroughly enjoyed your DWB post. Thank you for that and many others.


Agreed, we all owe BW for some great music. Hell, youngsurferdude for keeping the faith in the 1960s.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: The LEGENDARY OSD on November 15, 2017, 08:58:49 PM
GF, I thoroughly enjoyed your DWB post. Thank you for that and many others.


Agreed, we all owe BW for some great music. Hell, youngsurferdude for keeping the faith in the 1960s.
BB fandom was incredible until Smiley Smile and then the cat calls and potshots came along and all too often. YSD had to really stand up for what was a big part of his soul. Being in the minority from then to about 1971 was no cakewalk, but I took it in stride with the wounds healed and enjoyed the ride for the next few years enjoying the live shows and the glowing reviews and went all out and bought Endless Summer. Of course meeting them all a few times was the icing on the cake. And, yes, myKe luHv was, from the beginning, an annoying presence and that feeling has blossomed over the last 55 years into how I now feel and to see him being called out for who and what he's really all about is heartwarming to say the least.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Gabo on November 16, 2017, 09:49:30 PM
The album is now available for purchase (on Itunes). What does everyone think, after hearing the album?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Pretty Funky on November 16, 2017, 09:59:34 PM
Spotify in NZ.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: jiggy22 on November 16, 2017, 10:04:35 PM
Spotify in NZ.

Also free to listen to on Youtube as well.

Just got to "Daybreak Over the Ocean", and I gotta say, I think it's actually better than the BB's version. It's based more off of the original First Love recording, which I always saw as the superior version of the song. Great job so far Mike!  :)


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: wild neon sins on November 16, 2017, 11:54:15 PM
Carl Wilson will be making a vocal appearance on the album… https://twitter.com/MikeLoveOFCL/status/929855756857430017

Is that photo of Mike and Brian shooting hoops published elsewhere? I don't remember seeing it before. It appears near the end of the preview.

screenshot
(https://s20.postimg.org/i6jkg42cd/brians_back_2017_promo_brian_and_mike_shooting_hoops_pic.jpg)

Straightened & cropped
(https://s20.postimg.org/ea68jx70d/mike_brian_shooting_hoops_brians_back_2017_promo_straightened.jpg)
Google's reverse image search helpfully thinks it's a picture of a tree.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: RiC on November 17, 2017, 12:58:04 AM
Oh my god... It's not like the "new" songs are bad, but the vocals... What happened to that Mike who wants to give a new take in the KTSA sessions video when some one syllable wasn't good enough? These songs sound like Mike woke up in a huge hangover and did the whole album on one take. Then some random dude threw the autotune on everything and pumped it to 110.

This has propably been discussed already, but why the hell there isn't a Kokomo remake on the second disc!?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Pretty Funky on November 17, 2017, 01:33:14 AM
Just had a taste of a few tracks.

 ‘California Girls’ sung by Robo Mike.

Oh...My...God!  :thud


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Peadar 'Big Dinner' O'Driscoll on November 17, 2017, 03:12:44 AM
I get around and fun fun fun vocals are very poor...funny as thought those would be easier ones for him.

That song Make Love not War is a honking piece of sh*t but if he had changed the title, called it Mike Love not War and made it an answer song to all his critics over the years......well, would have been incredible.

Overall there are 5 or 6 quite pleasant listenable songs over the 2 discs as well as some absolute stinkers.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 17, 2017, 06:19:42 AM
One of the only tracks out of the 25 that isn't drenched in autotune is "Cool Head, Warm Heart", which makes total sense as it sounds like it's one of the only tracks that was lifted more or less untouched from the circa 2004 recordings. It's the same "take" released on the 2006 Hallmark CD. I can't say for sure if it's literally the same mix, as I haven't A/B'ed the two.

But it's the same version, with the same lead vocal, etc. I can't even say with 100% certainty that "Cool Head" is absolutely free of autotune, but it's the only song that doesn't sound like "robo Mike."

I'm loathe to make a sweeping statement one day in to the release of an album, but "Unleash the Love" may just have the worst-sounding lead vocals ever released on any Beach Boys-related product. The autotune really is *that* bad.

It also sounds like there has been some speed adjustment to some of the songs. He sounds a bit like an autotune chipmunk on "Too Cruel."

A lot of the actual performances, while hard to discern too deeply under all that autotune, sound rather tired and breath-ey as well. Some are better than others. Again, not surprisingly, "Cool Head" being at least 13 years old sounds better than most of the others.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 17, 2017, 06:23:42 AM
Oh my god... It's not like the "new" songs are bad, but the vocals... What happened to that Mike who wants to give a new take in the KTSA sessions video when some one syllable wasn't good enough? These songs sound like Mike woke up in a huge hangover and did the whole album on one take. Then some random dude threw the autotune on everything and pumped it to 110.

This has propably been discussed already, but why the hell there isn't a Kokomo remake on the second disc!?

I weirdly hadn't thought of that! It is a bit odd that "Kokomo" wasn't among the remakes. Who knows, he may have recorded it and not put it on the album.

Though not as glaring of an omission, I'm surprised he didn't include the 2004 remake of "Everyone's In Love With You"; I recall Mike back circa 2004 even performing that new "arrangement" of the song in concert. Assuming one can get past the kind of dippy lyrics and sing-song nature of the song, that remake was surprisingly one of the palatable moments on those 2004 recordings.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SinisterSmile on November 17, 2017, 06:45:56 AM
Far out, Help Me Rhonda is offensively bad. C'mon Mike, you can do better than this.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: marcusb on November 17, 2017, 07:46:47 AM
The vocals on I Get Around.. is it a joke? Is this real life?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: bonnevillemariner on November 17, 2017, 07:51:39 AM
-"Daybreak" is interesting. Varied instrumentation and new presentation. I like it, but I really miss the harmonies on the TWGMTR version.
-Digging "Too Cruel." It's probably the ukulele.
-"Cool Head" seems to be the same vocal, different mix. I like the Hallmark mix better.
-New mix on Pisces Brothers. I like the old better.
-The rest of the originals are garbage.
-The remakes are total garbage

Glad I Spotified this. I'll purchase "Too Cruel" and call it good.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on November 17, 2017, 08:08:48 AM
Today is the big day! Have the morning off so it’s as good a time as any to listen and write some first impressions.

1. All The Love In Paris. Knowing what robo-Mike sounds like later on in this album I gotta say, comparatively Mike sounds really good on this track. Jeff’s falsetto also sounds good.

2. Getcha Back. Ugh. I guess I’m so used to Brian’s falsetto here, but this is way too Foskett-y for me. This is a case where I really dislike covers - like why try to make it sound exactly the same as the original? Mike sounds like he’s singing underwater.

3. Daybreak Over The Ocean. That autotune just destroys whatever potential these songs have. I really like the version on TWGMTR but this seems like a very degraded remake. The string section is the only highlight of this track, well until the end where it sounds like they ripped it from the HCTN disco track.

4. I Don’t Want To Know. This reminds me of Bob Dylan from 10 years back (before I get flayed alive for that comment, I just mean the whole aura of the song, the rhythm, the raw sound of it, really reminds me of that NOLA kind of sound that Dylan used years back). I really dig it, nothing I’d really listen to again but it’s good compared to what I’ve hear thus far. It’s nice that not everything Mike does has to sound like a stereotypical beach boys track.

5. Too Cruel. I like the backing track. I could definitely hear this as something Mike would bring to the table for a beach boys album. It could really use some better vocal production, and I don’t dig the lyrics too much. But surprisingly good.

6. Crescent Moon. This is the Mike I miss...these lyrics actually paint a cool picture. Not much autotune (I mean I can hear it all over the track but someone had the decency to not put it on max like every other song on this album) which is great.

7. Cool Head, Warm Heart. Nice a cappella intro. Lyrics are kinda 🤢. No autotune, which is great.

8. Pisces’s Brothers. Mike’s vocals sound damn good and clear on this track - is this the same version he released a couple years ago? I think I remember pointing out the autotune on that version in the past, but compared to the awful autotune on the rest of this album this sounds great. The lyrics are just laughably bad. Calling yourself a brother to a man you hardly knew? Eck, that’s just kinda bad taste.

9. Unleash The Love. Only good thing I can say about this song is that it doesn’t sound like a stereotypical beach boys songs. I said before, it sounds like the terrible Vacation Bible School songs on cassette tapes I got when I was 5. Not a fan.

10. Ram Raj. I really dig this one. I think they should’ve kept it an instrumental with the chorus chant still there. Reminds me of Do You Like Worms. I hope Mike branches more in this direction if he does any future albums.

11. 10,000 Years Ago. Why is Stamos listed as a guest artist on some of these tracks? It’s not like the drumming is something overly special here. Not a fan.

12. Only One Earth. Not bad. The female leads, even with autotune, are a nice addition to the palette, nice that he’s not relying solely on Foskett for high vocals.

13. Make Love Not War. Wondering throughout this whole song if he ever pondered these lyrics while he was pointlessly suing his cousin, and appealing it for years. Like really, it’s comical that someone who wants to “unleash the love” and “make love not war” was/is so hellbent on creating turmoil in the courts, newspapers, etc with his own blood. That aside, the song itself is probably nothing I’d ever listen to again.

Overall, if you’re a fan of Mike Love then I’m sure you’re going to like this album. It does have its moments but the whole package just lacks anything that would make me come back for a listen. There is no standout hit. The autotune just flat-out kills a few songs. 2/5.

The covers album. Oh man.

1. Cali Girls. Mike’s vocals are terrible. It’s like he actually took pointers from Joe Thomas’ C50 Live album.

2. Do It Again. Enough has already been said about this drivel.

3. Help Me Rhonda. MIKE WHAT THE HELL IS WITH THE AUTOTUNE. Did no one have the balls to tell him how bad this sounds?

4. I Get Around. I Get Autotune. Listen to it for the laugh.

5. Warmth Of The Sun. Ok I actually really like this, Ambha has a really good voice. The first song in this set I will probably listen to again.

6. Brian’s Back. The first mike lead on this album that didn’t make me chuckle. So it is possible for Mike to sound good without (much) autotune. Besides TWOTS this is the best sounding song thus far in the covers section.

7. Kiss Me Baby. It’s aight. Sounds a lot better than the first few songs on the covers section. But the original is just too damn good. And the autotune on the female leads is just distracting as hell...and so unnecessary.

8. Darlin. I like this one. The lead vocal is friggin great, and the backing track is great too.

9. Wild Honey. The production is great, as is the lead vocal. These two cuts from WH are friggin great. Love that guitar solo. Can’t stress the production enough on this one, sounds like a great live track. Will be adding this to a playlist for later listening.

10. Wouldn’t It Be Nice. It aight, nothing that would make me listen to it again.

11. Good Vibrations. Same as WIBN, it’s like HeyJude said earlier, this is like Mike’s band doing a studio album of their stage performance. Nothing in this makes me want to hear it again.

12. Fun Fun Fun. Mike please stop with the autotune. It’s not attracting young hip listeners, it’s not doing your voice any favors. I just can’t believe no one in your band even subtly let you know this doesn’t sound good.

There are some standout songs on here that i’ll listen to again. But otherwise this album perfectly showcases the absurdity of autotune. Kiss Me Baby has some really great vocal moments ruined by the effect. Darlin, Wild Honey, and warmth of the sun all sound fantastic, and I’ll be listening to them again. 1.5/5.

Like Bonevillemariner, glad I had a streaming service to listen to this on (Apple Music). Though I won’t be purchasing any of these tunes.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on November 17, 2017, 08:58:17 AM
Rab needs a beer..... ;D


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: The LEGENDARY OSD on November 17, 2017, 09:02:22 AM

 :lol Maybe two.  ;D


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on November 17, 2017, 09:23:29 AM
Oh man, a beer or two is right. This version of Help Me Rhonda is the worst thing I’ve ever heard a Beach Boy release...hell, that includes the unofficial stuff like Rollin Up To Heaven. I think I understated just how bad the first four songs are on the cover album. It’s not even funny, really. It’s just sad that 5 years ago Mike was helping make an album that hit number 3 on the charts, and now he is happy making this. My thoughts on this autotune nightmare:

(https://www.pgi.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/ian-malcolm-meme.jpg)


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on November 17, 2017, 09:24:35 AM
All of the love in Jurassic Park! :lol


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on November 17, 2017, 09:29:03 AM
A beer or two? I'd say a 4 finger glass of smooth whiskey...and put the bottle on the bar.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on November 17, 2017, 09:30:01 AM
Does the CD’s physical release come with a case of Pacifico beer?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on November 17, 2017, 09:31:02 AM
Does the CD’s physical release come with a case of Pacifico beer?

I was hoping for at least a coupon to get a free can of Bud Light Lime at Club Kokomo.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on November 17, 2017, 09:32:15 AM
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eY_2apR9FU0 (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eY_2apR9FU0)

To anyone brave enough to listen to the Help Me Rhonda cover, here it is. It’s bad. Really bad.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on November 17, 2017, 09:34:16 AM
Al Jardine don’t need no autotune! :o


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: “Big Daddy” on November 17, 2017, 09:35:34 AM
The customer reviews on Amazon are already looking to be brutal. Not good publicity for people casually interested in the BBs.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on November 17, 2017, 09:35:41 AM
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eY_2apR9FU0 (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eY_2apR9FU0)

To anyone brave enough to listen to the Help Me Rhonda cover, here it is. It’s bad. Really bad.

I'm brave. Sounds like Lloyd caused at least three Autotune rack units to catch fire and melt down during the making of that track.

Again the question is "why".


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 17, 2017, 09:39:41 AM
Oh my god... It's not like the "new" songs are bad, but the vocals... What happened to that Mike who wants to give a new take in the KTSA sessions video when some one syllable wasn't good enough? These songs sound like Mike woke up in a huge hangover and did the whole album on one take. Then some random dude threw the autotune on everything and pumped it to 110.

This has propably been discussed already, but why the hell there isn't a Kokomo remake on the second disc!?

Ironically, this "article" (I use that term loosely) suggests "Kokomo" is on the album, which I'm going to assume means the "author" didn't actually listen to the album:

https://parade.com/620133/stephaniestephens/the-beach-boys-mike-love-cmon-world-and-unleash-the-love/


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on November 17, 2017, 09:42:22 AM
OK, so in the video queue "California Girls" started autoplaying after Rhonda. The amount of autotuning in use is seriously off the charts to the point of being ridiculous. I won't even go where some might think I'm going here, but focusing solely on the sound of these tracks...it's unbelievable that anyone would hear these final mixes and think they were worthy of release.

Keeping in mind the nature of Autotune and other programs for correcting pitch...the way T-Pain and Kanye get the robot effect deliberately is to sing off-key on purpose so the effect overworks itself and sounds like the original "Cher voice" from all those years ago. These programs can correct pitch transparently, like a compressor can do its thing and not be audible unless you want an audible effect on the track.

But long and short of it, the more out of tune a vocal is, the harder the pitch correction will work  in processing it, and the more audible and obvious it will be to the listeners.

This truly is a baffling decision to release remakes of what are among the best pop songs of all time with vocals that sound this way.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on November 17, 2017, 09:47:28 AM
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eY_2apR9FU0 (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eY_2apR9FU0)

To anyone brave enough to listen to the Help Me Rhonda cover, here it is. It’s bad. Really bad.

I'm brave. Sounds like Lloyd caused at least three Autotune rack units to catch fire and melt down during the making of that track.

Again the question is "why".

:lol

Crazy thing is the whole time I’m listening to this album I thought Mike was the sole producer...because it sounds like something he would produce. I forgot there’s supposedly a Grammy award winning producer with his name on this. “Why” is right. Makes me wonder if Michael Lloyd has some serious vendetta against Mike for whatever reason, and agreed to “produce” this album with the sole intention of tanking Mike Love’s career. I just can’t imagine a Grammy award winning producer being happy to release this as it is. The whole point of “producing” is to help the artist make a cohesive statement to the world, and make it sound great so the world wants to listen to it.

Ditch the autotune, make the covers acoustic (or just do anything different with them) and then you’d have an okay album.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on November 17, 2017, 09:47:39 AM
And the mixes themselves, from what I'm hearing so far, to be blunt have no balls at all. If there is any positive in this, it could be an opportunity to go back to the original 60's mixes and consider how amazing the work done by Brian and Chuck Britz using primitive 4-track and 8-track formats with tons of bounces and sub-mixes and live punch-ins and the whole lot of it really was, and how *great* the originals really do sound even 50+ years later.

All the advanced technology available to anyone with a Mac and an audio interface in 2017...and these remakes with the limp mixes are what we get from a pro studio?

(...face plant...)  :wall


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 17, 2017, 09:51:15 AM
Has anyone gone back, *after* listening to the new album, and tried the 90s stuff with Adrian Baker again? I'm thinking the "Salutes NASCAR" album might actually be easier on the ears than "Unleash the Love."

The "Looking Back with Love" album from 1981 sounds like a warm, organic festival of sound in comparison at this point.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on November 17, 2017, 09:54:42 AM
Guitarfool, if you really want an autotune doozy, check out I Get Around (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rsZoIkZvo4c).

And yeah, I was gonna mention that I’ve gotten better sounding autotune experimenting on my Mac with Logic. I can’t fathom what they had to screw up to make his voice sound this bad.

As for instrumental production, the only song that wow-ed me regarding that was ‘Wild Honey’ - sounds completely different from the production on the rest of the album. I think it’s mostly because they added some reverb to the tracks.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on November 17, 2017, 09:54:58 AM
The audio mix of Mike's "Q&A" with Wink Martindale sounds more ballsy than these remakes.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on November 17, 2017, 09:57:53 AM
Has anyone gone back, *after* listening to the new album, and tried the 90s stuff with Adrian Baker again? I'm thinking the "Salutes NASCAR" album might actually be easier on the ears than "Unleash the Love."

The "Looking Back with Love" album from 1981 sounds like a warm, organic festival of sound in comparison at this point.

It’s funny, because when I heard the version of ‘Pisces’s Brothers’ on this album I kinda had this same thought in mind: “the lead vocal sounds pretty good...actually that’s probably because the lead vocals on the previous songs sounded so bad”

It’s funny how good something can sound (no matter how bad it is) when you compare it to something really bad.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 17, 2017, 09:59:33 AM
The audio mix of Mike's "Q&A" with Wink Martindale sounds more ballsy than these remakes.

So does this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RryIroTqs-k


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on November 17, 2017, 10:01:58 AM
I had to listen to the “SMiLE sessions” while driving to work to keep my sanity....


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: CenturyDeprived on November 17, 2017, 10:02:02 AM
I made it through bits and pieces on Spotify.

There are a few of the "new" tunes that have their moments, and I've always been a fan of Cool Head, Warm Heart.

Other than that, the Autotune is the WORST thing I've ever heard by the band. Absolutely terrible, terrible, terrible, terrible. Did I mention terrible? I Get Around is simply atrocious. Yeah, I'm not a fan of most remakes, including for instance the remakes that Brian did on Imagination (although the remakes on Brian's Christmas album were surprisingly good). But these are SO, SO much worse.

Why is Ambha caked in Autotune? She shouldn't have an overused and overtoured voice like her pops. No excuse. Honestly I cannot fathom how this got released.

Probably will be the 1st actual BB release that I don't listen to all the way through.

As mentioned previously, this makes the Looking Back With Love album look SUPER GREAT by comparison. Mike was visibly embarrassed about the mere mention of Looking Back With Love when Brian mentioned it on TV in 1989. How can the same guy think that this is not an utter embarrassment?  


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on November 17, 2017, 10:02:31 AM
Guitarfool, if you really want an autotune doozy, check out I Get Around (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rsZoIkZvo4c).

And yeah, I was gonna mention that I’ve gotten better sounding autotune experimenting on my Mac with Logic. I can’t fathom what they had to screw up to make his voice sound this bad.

As for instrumental production, the only song that wow-ed me regarding that was ‘Wild Honey’ - sounds completely different from the production on the rest of the album. I think it’s mostly because they added some reverb to the tracks.

Just listened to IGA. In all fairness to Mike, I cannot understand why something like this was allowed to be released. Mike's lead vocal minus the Autotune even, it just isn't there. It sounds like he's running out of breath after each phrase. I can't imagine the amount of editing and punch-ins which were done on something like this...and it still sounds this way! Unreal.

And the backing vocals - What the hell happened to the concept of a vocal blend? It sounds like you can hear multiple individual parts being stacked rather than that full blend where they all come together and create that mysterious and beautiful swirling and sweeping blend effect. I mean...that's THE SOUND of the Beach Boys, and we get this instead?

Instrumentally...again, IGA just has no balls to the overall sound of the mix. It sounds like someone doing a tribute cover on YouTube using Garage Band...and some of the tributes recorded and done by members of this board have more punch and more balls to the mixes than this...and they're not running a pro studio setup! Holy cow.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 17, 2017, 10:06:47 AM
Even this is a pallet cleanser (even with Mike miming the "gun shot" gesture on the "assassinations" line):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tRmBD1UnrA


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on November 17, 2017, 10:10:26 AM
Least we are “honest” unlike Filleplage would be right now....


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on November 17, 2017, 10:13:18 AM
Guitarfool, in regards to vocal blend, I think the only song that comes close to a good vocal blend is ‘Brian’s Back’, and that is overshadowed by the question “why the hell is this even on the album?”

HeyJude, :lol, you’re so right that even Lookin Back With Love is far better than the album that dropped today. Again, it’s just insane to me that 5 years ago this guy was helping make TWGMTR, a critically acclaimed album that hit billboard #3. And now he’s happy releasing this.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on November 17, 2017, 10:18:09 AM
“Happy Friday”   :beer


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: CenturyDeprived on November 17, 2017, 10:18:12 AM
Guitarfool, in regards to vocal blend, I think the only song that comes close to a good vocal blend is ‘Brian’s Back’, and that is overshadowed by the question “why the hell is this even on the album?”

HeyJude, :lol, you’re so right that even Lookin Back With Love is far better than the album that dropped today. Again, it’s just insane to me that 5 years ago this guy was helping make TWGMTR, a critically acclaimed album that hit billboard #3. And now he’s happy releasing this.

With the dove being unleashed as the album cover too, no less. If someone wanted to jokingly dream up the most laughable album that Mike could have made, it would approximate this release.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Gabo on November 17, 2017, 10:23:06 AM
Guitarfool, if you really want an autotune doozy, check out I Get Around (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rsZoIkZvo4c).

And yeah, I was gonna mention that I’ve gotten better sounding autotune experimenting on my Mac with Logic. I can’t fathom what they had to screw up to make his voice sound this bad.

As for instrumental production, the only song that wow-ed me regarding that was ‘Wild Honey’ - sounds completely different from the production on the rest of the album. I think it’s mostly because they added some reverb to the tracks.

Just listened to IGA. In all fairness to Mike, I cannot understand why something like this was allowed to be released. Mike's lead vocal minus the Autotune even, it just isn't there. It sounds like he's running out of breath after each phrase. I can't imagine the amount of editing and punch-ins which were done on something like this...and it still sounds this way! Unreal.

I can imagine him puffing his inhaler between phrases on I Get Around. Embarassing. I also think he must have forgotten to wear his dentures that day.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on November 17, 2017, 10:23:10 AM
This is my honest and earnest opinion, I'm not out to bash Mike for the sake of bashing or anything.

What I really like is hearing his daughter Ambha contribute vocals to the album. I wish she had done more, and it would have been cool to hear her and her dad sharing more leads on the original (new) songs rather than the covers.

I think the decision to piggyback a full album of remakes onto Mike's original album is a mistake, and one which will unfortunately for Mike potentially sink the album overall, and overshadow anything good on his new songs. I've been very critical in the past of Mike for not "putting up or shutting up" in terms of getting his own original songs out there for the fans who want to hear his solo songwriting on an album rather than bootlegs and 'Pisces Brothers' done at every Beach Boys show.

So it really, really is baffling why the decision was made to put these limp remakes on the back of Mike's original album. Putting aside the sonics and overall quality of those remakes, just doing that alone seems to be coming from a mindset other than where the goal may have been in releasing Mike's original music (finally) for his fans to hear, and to hear what Mike can do on his own as a solo artist and songwriter.

It's one thing to release remakes or updates of classic songs, but the quality of these recordings and the mix and performance issues might just overshadow what most fans thought Mike's goal would have been, and that is to release his original music officially and with full mixes and recordings done in professional studios.

It's kind of sad, really. Because the potential for Mike putting out a quality album especially with a talented vocalist like his daughter contributing more than she did was there...and instead the remakes are going to be the focus for many listeners who wanted to give the music a listen and hear what Mike could bring to the table.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on November 17, 2017, 10:25:14 AM
Least we are “honest” unlike Filleplage would be right now....

Just visited BBB for such a review. That place is a dead zone these days. Between the pop-ups and retina searing interface, I think someone needs to pull the plug on that server for good.

Guitarfool, in regards to vocal blend, I think the only song that comes close to a good vocal blend is ‘Brian’s Back’, and that is overshadowed by the question “why the hell is this even on the album?”

HeyJude, :lol, you’re so right that even Lookin Back With Love is far better than the album that dropped today. Again, it’s just insane to me that 5 years ago this guy was helping make TWGMTR, a critically acclaimed album that hit billboard #3. And now he’s happy releasing this.

With the dove being unleashed as the album cover too, no less. If someone wanted to jokingly dream up the most laughable album that Mike could have made, it would approximate this release.

Maybe Michael Lloyd did intentionally want to tank Mike’s career.

Thing is, there are some good moments on this album, Wild Honey for starters and Ambha’s lead on Warmth of the Sun is pretty darn good. So it’s sad that any sense of quality control got thrown into the garbage can and seemingly no one questioned the obviously horrendous production decisions that now permanently scar the album.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: KDS on November 17, 2017, 10:26:37 AM
This is my honest and earnest opinion, I'm not out to bash Mike for the sake of bashing or anything.

What I really like is hearing his daughter Ambha contribute vocals to the album. I wish she had done more, and it would have been cool to hear her and her dad sharing more leads on the original (new) songs rather than the covers.

I think the decision to piggyback a full album of remakes onto Mike's original album is a mistake, and one which will unfortunately for Mike potentially sink the album overall, and overshadow anything good on his new songs. I've been very critical in the past of Mike for not "putting up or shutting up" in terms of getting his own original songs out there for the fans who want to hear his solo songwriting on an album rather than bootlegs and 'Pisces Brothers' done at every Beach Boys show.

So it really, really is baffling why the decision was made to put these limp remakes on the back of Mike's original album. Putting aside the sonics and overall quality of those remakes, just doing that alone seems to be coming from a mindset other than where the goal may have been in releasing Mike's original music (finally) for his fans to hear, and to hear what Mike can do on his own as a solo artist and songwriter.

It's one thing to release remakes or updates of classic songs, but the quality of these recordings and the mix and performance issues might just overshadow what most fans thought Mike's goal would have been, and that is to release his original music officially and with full mixes and recordings done in professional studios.

It's kind of sad, really. Because the potential for Mike putting out a quality album especially with a talented vocalist like his daughter contributing more than she did was there...and instead the remakes are going to be the focus for many listeners who wanted to give the music a listen and hear what Mike could bring to the table.

Other than the autotune, I liked the clips I heard of many of the originals.  I might get it out on Spotify this evening.  

And I agree 100% about the remake disc.  It's a head scratcher as to why he would record a disc of mostly iconic songs, and such poor versions.  

I've been saying it for awhile, Mike Love is in dire need of either a PR team, or a better one than he has now.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on November 17, 2017, 10:26:50 AM
This is just sad that Mike thinks he can do music alone without actual BW creativity and vision.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on November 17, 2017, 10:28:17 AM
Guitarfool, in regards to vocal blend, I think the only song that comes close to a good vocal blend is ‘Brian’s Back’, and that is overshadowed by the question “why the hell is this even on the album?”

HeyJude, :lol, you’re so right that even Lookin Back With Love is far better than the album that dropped today. Again, it’s just insane to me that 5 years ago this guy was helping make TWGMTR, a critically acclaimed album that hit billboard #3. And now he’s happy releasing this.

And Mike was critical of TWGMTR because he wasn't as involved as he thought he would be in making it, he was upset it didn't have a slam-bang hit single, yet is listed as "executive producer" in the credits.

Now fans can hear, perhaps with a bit of surprise mixed in with melancholy and a general WTF? kind of reaction, what Mike's own idea of making a hit record sounds like, since TWGMTR going top-5 wasn't up to Mike's standards for cutting hit material.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on November 17, 2017, 10:36:19 AM
This is my honest and earnest opinion, I'm not out to bash Mike for the sake of bashing or anything.

What I really like is hearing his daughter Ambha contribute vocals to the album. I wish she had done more, and it would have been cool to hear her and her dad sharing more leads on the original (new) songs rather than the covers.

I think the decision to piggyback a full album of remakes onto Mike's original album is a mistake, and one which will unfortunately for Mike potentially sink the album overall, and overshadow anything good on his new songs. I've been very critical in the past of Mike for not "putting up or shutting up" in terms of getting his own original songs out there for the fans who want to hear his solo songwriting on an album rather than bootlegs and 'Pisces Brothers' done at every Beach Boys show.

So it really, really is baffling why the decision was made to put these limp remakes on the back of Mike's original album. Putting aside the sonics and overall quality of those remakes, just doing that alone seems to be coming from a mindset other than where the goal may have been in releasing Mike's original music (finally) for his fans to hear, and to hear what Mike can do on his own as a solo artist and songwriter.

It's one thing to release remakes or updates of classic songs, but the quality of these recordings and the mix and performance issues might just overshadow what most fans thought Mike's goal would have been, and that is to release his original music officially and with full mixes and recordings done in professional studios.

It's kind of sad, really. Because the potential for Mike putting out a quality album especially with a talented vocalist like his daughter contributing more than she did was there...and instead the remakes are going to be the focus for many listeners who wanted to give the music a listen and hear what Mike could bring to the table.

Other than the autotune, I liked the clips I heard of many of the originals.  I might get it out on Spotify this evening.  

And I agree 100% about the remake disc.  It's a head scratcher as to why he would record a disc of mostly iconic songs, and such poor versions.  

I've been saying it for awhile, Mike Love is in dire need of either a PR team, or a better one than he has now.

You should definitely give it whirl. A lot of the originals surprised me, I liked more of them than I thought I would. And Ambha’s vocals on the album are really great (though of course they pointlessly autotuned them in Kiss Me Baby ugh). Darlin and Wild Honey are worth listening to.

Guitarfool, in regards to vocal blend, I think the only song that comes close to a good vocal blend is ‘Brian’s Back’, and that is overshadowed by the question “why the hell is this even on the album?”

HeyJude, :lol, you’re so right that even Lookin Back With Love is far better than the album that dropped today. Again, it’s just insane to me that 5 years ago this guy was helping make TWGMTR, a critically acclaimed album that hit billboard #3. And now he’s happy releasing this.

And Mike was critical of TWGMTR because he wasn't as involved as he thought he would be in making it, he was upset it didn't have a slam-bang hit single, yet is listed as "executive producer" in the credits.

Now fans can hear, perhaps with a bit of surprise mixed in with melancholy and a general WTF? kind of reaction, what Mike's own idea of making a hit record sounds like, since TWGMTR going top-5 wasn't up to Mike's standards for cutting hit material.

THIS. And also I love his passive aggressive negativity about Brian’s potential autotune on The Right Time and then he makes this!? The hypocrisy is mindblowing to me.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: KDS on November 17, 2017, 10:40:18 AM
This is my honest and earnest opinion, I'm not out to bash Mike for the sake of bashing or anything.

What I really like is hearing his daughter Ambha contribute vocals to the album. I wish she had done more, and it would have been cool to hear her and her dad sharing more leads on the original (new) songs rather than the covers.

I think the decision to piggyback a full album of remakes onto Mike's original album is a mistake, and one which will unfortunately for Mike potentially sink the album overall, and overshadow anything good on his new songs. I've been very critical in the past of Mike for not "putting up or shutting up" in terms of getting his own original songs out there for the fans who want to hear his solo songwriting on an album rather than bootlegs and 'Pisces Brothers' done at every Beach Boys show.

So it really, really is baffling why the decision was made to put these limp remakes on the back of Mike's original album. Putting aside the sonics and overall quality of those remakes, just doing that alone seems to be coming from a mindset other than where the goal may have been in releasing Mike's original music (finally) for his fans to hear, and to hear what Mike can do on his own as a solo artist and songwriter.

It's one thing to release remakes or updates of classic songs, but the quality of these recordings and the mix and performance issues might just overshadow what most fans thought Mike's goal would have been, and that is to release his original music officially and with full mixes and recordings done in professional studios.

It's kind of sad, really. Because the potential for Mike putting out a quality album especially with a talented vocalist like his daughter contributing more than she did was there...and instead the remakes are going to be the focus for many listeners who wanted to give the music a listen and hear what Mike could bring to the table.

Other than the autotune, I liked the clips I heard of many of the originals.  I might get it out on Spotify this evening.  

And I agree 100% about the remake disc.  It's a head scratcher as to why he would record a disc of mostly iconic songs, and such poor versions.  

I've been saying it for awhile, Mike Love is in dire need of either a PR team, or a better one than he has now.

You should definitely give it whirl. A lot of the originals surprised me, I liked more of them than I thought I would. And Ambha’s vocals on the album are really great (though of course they pointlessly autotuned them in Kiss Me Baby ugh). Darlin and Wild Honey are worth listening to.



I might give it a go this evening since the new album is the main topic of conversation right now.   I suppose it'll be nice to have a version of WH with Coswill's vocals.  Are his heavily treated too?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on November 17, 2017, 10:44:49 AM
Not to my ears, I thought it was the best song on the whole set (well maybe a tie with Warmth of the Sun). The guitar solo on Wild Honey was really good too. It sounds out of place on the covers disc because it sounds that good.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: KDS on November 17, 2017, 10:46:42 AM
Not to my ears, I thought it was the best song on the whole set (well maybe a tie with Warmth of the Sun). The guitar solo on Wild Honey was really good too. It sounds out of place on the covers disc because it sounds that good.

That's pretty cool.   

Speaking of guitar solos, I'm really not a fan of the song, but each time I've seen Mike and Bruce (and once David) do Pisces Brothers, Scott Totten played a really good guitar solo.  Is there anything like that on the album version? 


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 17, 2017, 10:46:59 AM
THIS. And also I love his passive aggressive negativity about Brian’s potential autotune on The Right Time and then he makes this!? The hypocrisy is mindblowing to me.

I'm *sure* David Beard will do a follow-up interview with Mike regarding the new album where he takes Mike to task for his comments about autotune back in that 2015 interview. Right?.....


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on November 17, 2017, 10:47:18 AM

Guitarfool, in regards to vocal blend, I think the only song that comes close to a good vocal blend is ‘Brian’s Back’, and that is overshadowed by the question “why the hell is this even on the album?”

HeyJude, :lol, you’re so right that even Lookin Back With Love is far better than the album that dropped today. Again, it’s just insane to me that 5 years ago this guy was helping make TWGMTR, a critically acclaimed album that hit billboard #3. And now he’s happy releasing this.

And Mike was critical of TWGMTR because he wasn't as involved as he thought he would be in making it, he was upset it didn't have a slam-bang hit single, yet is listed as "executive producer" in the credits.

Now fans can hear, perhaps with a bit of surprise mixed in with melancholy and a general WTF? kind of reaction, what Mike's own idea of making a hit record sounds like, since TWGMTR going top-5 wasn't up to Mike's standards for cutting hit material.

THIS. And also I love his passive aggressive negativity about Brian’s potential autotune on The Right Time and then he makes this!? The hypocrisy is mindblowing to me.

The hypocrisy on that point and others too is mindblowing and off the charts. But, fans can now hear what Mike brings to the table musically and creatively in terms of the points he was critical about regarding TWGMTR lacking a hit, versus a full album of Mike's own making, under his control and ultimate yay or nay decision to release it...and what he considers hit material. It's now on the table for fans to decide.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: CenturyDeprived on November 17, 2017, 10:49:38 AM
Mike's favorite Nintendo NES game is Mike "Tyson" Love's Vocal Punch-In® (Now With Autotune!)

(http://i66.tinypic.com/2uhxsp2.png)


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on November 17, 2017, 10:54:12 AM
Not to my ears, I thought it was the best song on the whole set (well maybe a tie with Warmth of the Sun). The guitar solo on Wild Honey was really good too. It sounds out of place on the covers disc because it sounds that good.

That's pretty cool.   

Speaking of guitar solos, I'm really not a fan of the song, but each time I've seen Mike and Bruce (and once David) do Pisces Brothers, Scott Totten played a really good guitar solo.  Is there anything like that on the album version? 

Yeah, not sure if it’s the same as what you’ve heard in concert, but it’s a tasteful solo during the middle eight.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on November 17, 2017, 10:54:49 AM
Just want to add a last comment for the afternoon about Mike's daughter's participation in the album. I think she is a very talented singer and has the potential to continue making good music with her talent. I hope she does - I would absolutely listen to anything she releases or does musically.

What I like also is the notion of these fathers passing down the legacy and the creative talent to their kids, and allowing them to make music and create art alongside their dads. It's a joy seeing Al and Matt Jardine playing and harmonizing together on stage. It was great that Brian was able to make music with Carnie and Wendy when he did, and also have his daughter Daria do the photography and contribute to the cover design for his NPP album. And I like seeing Mike give his daughter Ambha a chance to sing and make music with him, on stage and on this album.

Again I'll say I wish she had done more on Mike's original songs rather than the remakes, and it seems a shame that the remakes might end up overshadowing the original material because of the reasons we're discussing. But if there are opportunities in the future for Mike to make original music and feature his daughter on the songs, I think that would be a really nice project and one which I'd be into 100%. I would also love to get a more organic, even acoustic based project where the songs can breathe more and be free of the autotune and other production touches that are all but scuppering the songs on both discs of this release.

Maybe I'm just a sentimental guy that way... :)


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Gabo on November 17, 2017, 11:03:10 AM
Hmmmmm... there seem to be no reviews of the album in the press. Maybe they can't even be bothered to listen to it.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: KDS on November 17, 2017, 11:04:13 AM
Not to my ears, I thought it was the best song on the whole set (well maybe a tie with Warmth of the Sun). The guitar solo on Wild Honey was really good too. It sounds out of place on the covers disc because it sounds that good.

That's pretty cool.   

Speaking of guitar solos, I'm really not a fan of the song, but each time I've seen Mike and Bruce (and once David) do Pisces Brothers, Scott Totten played a really good guitar solo.  Is there anything like that on the album version? 

Yeah, not sure if it’s the same as what you’ve heard in concert, but it’s a tasteful solo during the middle eight.

Cool.   I'll definitely be interested to hear that.  For me the solo, in concert anyway, redeems the song.   Plus as a big fan of guitar based rock, there are relatively few moments in the BB universe for a nice solo.  


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on November 17, 2017, 11:08:01 AM
Not to my ears, I thought it was the best song on the whole set (well maybe a tie with Warmth of the Sun). The guitar solo on Wild Honey was really good too. It sounds out of place on the covers disc because it sounds that good.

That's pretty cool.   

Speaking of guitar solos, I'm really not a fan of the song, but each time I've seen Mike and Bruce (and once David) do Pisces Brothers, Scott Totten played a really good guitar solo.  Is there anything like that on the album version? 

Yeah, not sure if it’s the same as what you’ve heard in concert, but it’s a tasteful solo during the middle eight.

Cool.   I'll definitely be interested to hear that.  For me the solo, in concert anyway, redeems the song.   Plus as a big fan of guitar based rock, there are relatively few moments in the BB universe for a nice solo. 

Not to get too off-topic, but what are your thoughts on Carl and the Passions? The main songs on there seem to be as rocking as those guys got (besides the amazing live at Knebworth album which feeds my ac/dc musical tastes).


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on November 17, 2017, 11:11:05 AM
Guitarfool, great post on the handing down of the torch, so to speak. In a decade or two it would be great to see the talented offspring get together in tribute to record an album of beach boys covers (perhaps done acoustically or just completely different from the originals). There is a lot of talent with these guys and gals, hope to keep hearing it in the years to come.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 17, 2017, 11:11:16 AM
Not to my ears, I thought it was the best song on the whole set (well maybe a tie with Warmth of the Sun). The guitar solo on Wild Honey was really good too. It sounds out of place on the covers disc because it sounds that good.

That's pretty cool.   

Speaking of guitar solos, I'm really not a fan of the song, but each time I've seen Mike and Bruce (and once David) do Pisces Brothers, Scott Totten played a really good guitar solo.  Is there anything like that on the album version? 

Yeah, not sure if it’s the same as what you’ve heard in concert, but it’s a tasteful solo during the middle eight.

Cool.   I'll definitely be interested to hear that.  For me the solo, in concert anyway, redeems the song.   Plus as a big fan of guitar based rock, there are relatively few moments in the BB universe for a nice solo. 

Not to get too off-topic, but what are your thoughts on Carl and the Passions? The main songs on there seem to be as rocking as those guys got (besides the amazing live at Knebworth album which feeds my ac/dc musical tastes).

"Lookin' at Tomorrow" from the 1983 tour is pretty hot; would love to have a soundboard of this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bv77kR-l5mc


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: KDS on November 17, 2017, 11:14:09 AM
Not to my ears, I thought it was the best song on the whole set (well maybe a tie with Warmth of the Sun). The guitar solo on Wild Honey was really good too. It sounds out of place on the covers disc because it sounds that good.

That's pretty cool.   

Speaking of guitar solos, I'm really not a fan of the song, but each time I've seen Mike and Bruce (and once David) do Pisces Brothers, Scott Totten played a really good guitar solo.  Is there anything like that on the album version? 

Yeah, not sure if it’s the same as what you’ve heard in concert, but it’s a tasteful solo during the middle eight.

Cool.   I'll definitely be interested to hear that.  For me the solo, in concert anyway, redeems the song.   Plus as a big fan of guitar based rock, there are relatively few moments in the BB universe for a nice solo. 

Not to get too off-topic, but what are your thoughts on Carl and the Passions? The main songs on there seem to be as rocking as those guys got (besides the amazing live at Knebworth album which feeds my ac/dc musical tastes).

I'm not sure if this makes sense, but I like the sound of CATP more than the album itself.  I think Hold On Dear Brother, Marcella, Cuddle Up, and All This is That are great, while the other four tracks range from decent to good.  When it comes to that short lived lineup, I much prefer Holland (Steamboat has a great guitar solo that reminds me of 1969-72 era David Gilmour). 


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 17, 2017, 11:15:45 AM
A sort-of review of a recent show and the new album:

https://dailygazette.com/article/2017/11/15/proctors-filled-with-good-vibrations

The writer gets stuff wrong (Foskett is an official Beach Boys, and joined in 1972?). The title track from Mike's new album is deemed "sappy."


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on November 17, 2017, 11:19:43 AM
Not to my ears, I thought it was the best song on the whole set (well maybe a tie with Warmth of the Sun). The guitar solo on Wild Honey was really good too. It sounds out of place on the covers disc because it sounds that good.

That's pretty cool.   

Speaking of guitar solos, I'm really not a fan of the song, but each time I've seen Mike and Bruce (and once David) do Pisces Brothers, Scott Totten played a really good guitar solo.  Is there anything like that on the album version? 

Yeah, not sure if it’s the same as what you’ve heard in concert, but it’s a tasteful solo during the middle eight.

Cool.   I'll definitely be interested to hear that.  For me the solo, in concert anyway, redeems the song.   Plus as a big fan of guitar based rock, there are relatively few moments in the BB universe for a nice solo. 

Not to get too off-topic, but what are your thoughts on Carl and the Passions? The main songs on there seem to be as rocking as those guys got (besides the amazing live at Knebworth album which feeds my ac/dc musical tastes).

"Lookin' at Tomorrow" from the 1983 tour is pretty hot; would love to have a soundboard of this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bv77kR-l5mc

Whoa, that sounds phenomenal and so unexpected considering how chill the original is.

@KDS, I totally agree with you. I think had they shortened some songs, ditched some others that it would’ve made a really powerful, but short, album. That guitar opening on a Mess Of Help is killer though, one of the coolest rock tunes I’ve heard.

I too prefer Holland, much more cohesive, and Steamboat is one of my favorites.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: KDS on November 17, 2017, 11:20:13 AM
A sort-of review of a recent show and the new album:

https://dailygazette.com/article/2017/11/15/proctors-filled-with-good-vibrations

The writers gets stuff wrong (Foskett is an official Beach Boys, and joined in 1972?). The title track from Mike's new album is deemed "sappy."

Yeah, didn't Foskett sing You Still Believe in Me on the In Concert album........oh wait.  


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: B.E. on November 17, 2017, 11:21:16 AM
"Lookin' at Tomorrow" from the 1983 tour is pretty hot; would love to have a soundboard of this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bv77kR-l5mc

Wow, that was cool! Impressive.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: KDS on November 17, 2017, 11:21:40 AM
Not to my ears, I thought it was the best song on the whole set (well maybe a tie with Warmth of the Sun). The guitar solo on Wild Honey was really good too. It sounds out of place on the covers disc because it sounds that good.

That's pretty cool.   

Speaking of guitar solos, I'm really not a fan of the song, but each time I've seen Mike and Bruce (and once David) do Pisces Brothers, Scott Totten played a really good guitar solo.  Is there anything like that on the album version? 

Yeah, not sure if it’s the same as what you’ve heard in concert, but it’s a tasteful solo during the middle eight.

Cool.   I'll definitely be interested to hear that.  For me the solo, in concert anyway, redeems the song.   Plus as a big fan of guitar based rock, there are relatively few moments in the BB universe for a nice solo. 

Not to get too off-topic, but what are your thoughts on Carl and the Passions? The main songs on there seem to be as rocking as those guys got (besides the amazing live at Knebworth album which feeds my ac/dc musical tastes).

"Lookin' at Tomorrow" from the 1983 tour is pretty hot; would love to have a soundboard of this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bv77kR-l5mc

Whoa, that sounds phenomenal and so unexpected considering how chill the original is.

@KDS, I totally agree with you. I think had they shortened some songs, ditched some others that it would’ve made a really powerful, but short, album. That guitar opening on a Mess Of Help is killer though, one of the coolest rock tunes I’ve heard.

I too prefer Holland, much more cohesive, and Steamboat is one of my favorites.

Yeah, I like the intro to You Need a Mess, but I think the song kinda meanders, and I'm not really a fan of that vocal style from Carl.  


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 17, 2017, 11:22:26 AM
Not to my ears, I thought it was the best song on the whole set (well maybe a tie with Warmth of the Sun). The guitar solo on Wild Honey was really good too. It sounds out of place on the covers disc because it sounds that good.

That's pretty cool.   

Speaking of guitar solos, I'm really not a fan of the song, but each time I've seen Mike and Bruce (and once David) do Pisces Brothers, Scott Totten played a really good guitar solo.  Is there anything like that on the album version? 

Yeah, not sure if it’s the same as what you’ve heard in concert, but it’s a tasteful solo during the middle eight.

Cool.   I'll definitely be interested to hear that.  For me the solo, in concert anyway, redeems the song.   Plus as a big fan of guitar based rock, there are relatively few moments in the BB universe for a nice solo. 

Not to get too off-topic, but what are your thoughts on Carl and the Passions? The main songs on there seem to be as rocking as those guys got (besides the amazing live at Knebworth album which feeds my ac/dc musical tastes).

"Lookin' at Tomorrow" from the 1983 tour is pretty hot; would love to have a soundboard of this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bv77kR-l5mc

Whoa, that sounds phenomenal and so unexpected considering how chill the original is.

@KDS, I totally agree with you. I think had they shortened some songs, ditched some others that it would’ve made a really powerful, but short, album. That guitar opening on a Mess Of Help is killer though, one of the coolest rock tunes I’ve heard.

I too prefer Holland, much more cohesive, and Steamboat is one of my favorites.

That "Lookin' at Tomorrow" performance is even more surprising considering the 1983 touring band wasn't exactly hard-rockin' or bluesy to begin with. I wish they would have done more 70s stuff with some nice organ work, because Mike Meros rarely got to show his chops.

For some reason, they were toying with a little hunk of the "Surf's Up" album during the 1983 tour, as "Disney Girls", "Lookin' at Tomorrow", and "Long Promised Road" all briefly dipped in and out of the setlist.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: NateRuvin on November 17, 2017, 11:53:51 AM
After listening to Unleash The Love straight through, I actually enjoyed it a lot. Once you get past the autotune and shitty production, the music is really good. The first CD shows off some of Mike's alltime best solo songs, and who couldn't love the BBs classics? They don't compare to the originals, but they're fun to listen to. I LOVE Wild Honey with Cowsill. I expected to give this album a 2/10, but once I got past the production I'd give it maybe  a 6/10. Good stuff. Genius or groundbreaking? No. But fun? Sure.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: NateRuvin on November 17, 2017, 12:06:56 PM
And I love Ram Raj!!!! The hook reminds me of something that would be on SMiLE!!!!  :smokin :smokin :smokin :smokin :smokin


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Peadar 'Big Dinner' O'Driscoll on November 17, 2017, 12:07:11 PM
Couple of questions if anyone knows....

1) Is that one of Mikes younger kids at the end of "Crescent Moon" ?

2) Whats with that "now its time to run out for some curry" line at the end of Ram Raj?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on November 17, 2017, 12:26:28 PM
After listening to Unleash The Love straight through, I actually enjoyed it a lot. Once you get past the autotune and shitty production, the music is really good. The first CD shows off some of Mike's alltime best solo songs, and who couldn't love the BBs classics? They don't compare to the originals, but they're fun to listen to. I LOVE Wild Honey with Cowsill. I expected to give this album a 2/10, but once I got past the production I'd give it maybe  a 6/10. Good stuff. Genius or groundbreaking? No. But fun? Sure.

I just can’t get into the remakes other than a few (which are really good). But I agree with you about Ram Raj, that was a really pleasant surprise. I would love for Mike to build on that sound if he plans on continuing recording.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: CenturyDeprived on November 17, 2017, 12:36:35 PM
 Whats with that "now its time to run out for some curry" line at the end of Ram Raj?

I can't believe this is part of the song.

I literally cannot believe it. That it took several pages of this thread for anyone to post about it tells me that so few people even listened to the songs all the way through to notice this (including myself).  

The verse vocals on Ram Raj are at least okay and not decimated by robo Autotune. But the curry line??!


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on November 17, 2017, 12:42:50 PM
 Whats with that "now its time to run out for some curry" line at the end of Ram Raj?

I can't believe this is part of the song.

I literally cannot believe it. That it took several pages of this thread for anyone to post about it tells me that so few people even listened to the songs all the way through to notice this (including myself).  

The verse vocals on Ram Raj are at least okay and not decimated by robo Autotune. But the curry line??!

Guilty. I did listen to most of the song all the way through on the originals album (skipped unleash the love because I had heard it before) but skipped some when they became monotonous. I skipped most of the covers halfway through though listened fully to the ones I liked.

That curry line throws me for a loop...I just don’t know what’s going on in this album anymore :lol


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on November 17, 2017, 12:44:49 PM
I am seriously questioning Mike’s writing credits on BBs songs....


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 17, 2017, 01:16:56 PM
Once you get past the autotune and shitty production, the music is really good.

I'm not sure this is exactly the type of review Mike was hoping for.

I do feel like it's too easy to just dogpile on this new album. But even the most effusively positive reviews of this thing around the internet have like 27 qualifiers.

"I expected the worst, so I'm pleasantly slightly surprised...."

"Apart from the awful autotune....."

"Other than the poor production...."

"The cover versions (e.g. HALF the album) are pointless, but....."

"Mike sounds awful, but the guest vocalists are good...."


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: jiggy22 on November 17, 2017, 01:30:29 PM
lol @ HeyJude, your post just hit a bunch of points I just made in my little review!

Like a lot of other people on this forum, I had pretty low expectations for this album. Listening all the way through last night, however, I was certainly taken back by a few tracks actually. Auto-tune aside, disc one is certainly an improvement over the earlier 2007 Make Love Not War bootleg. If I had to rank the tracks, it'd go something like:

13. Only One Earth (WAY too preachy for me)
12. Getcha Back (Unnecessary)
11. Unleash the Love
10. Make Love Not War
9. All the Love in Paris
8. Pisces Brothers
7. Crescent Moon
6. Too Cruel ("Too cruel for these lonelEEEEEEY nights")
5. I Don't Want to Know
4. Cool Head, Warm Heart
3. Daybreak Over the Ocean
2. 10,000 Years Ago (This has always been a personal favorite of mine, though shouldn't Dennis have gotten a songwriting credit as well?)
1. Ram Raj (Mike's composition of the past 30 years or so)

Ranking the second disc would go something like:
8. Do it Again
7. California Girls
6. Help Me Rhonda, I Get Around
5. Kiss Me Baby, Wouldn't it Be Nice, Good Vibrations, Fun, Fun, Fun
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
4. Brian's Back
3. Darlin'
2. The Warmth of the Sun
1. Wild Honey

So overall, I'd have to give the first disc a solid 6/10. The autotune does NO favors for Mike, and, as discussed previously by other members, it's quite hypocritical for Mike to use it after his criticisms of Brian two years back. However, you can tell Mike certainly put a lot of heart into this new material, however much of a hypocrite he may or may not be. The second disc is another beast altogether. Aside from the top four, there's really nothing good to say at all, so I'll leave it at this: The second disc gets a big ole' 2/10 from me.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Tony S on November 17, 2017, 01:34:49 PM
The one thing I will give him credit for on the new stuff...at least the songs and the arrangements sound like he's trying to be somewhat contemporary.....and I don't think I heard a lot of his typical Beach Boys song names within the lyrics of the new stuff. As far as the old songs....OMG....Rhonda is the absolute worst cover version I have ever heard of that classic. Al Jardine must be laughing hysterically! Second CD totally useless and uncalled for IMHO.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Peadar 'Big Dinner' O'Driscoll on November 17, 2017, 01:51:29 PM
The one thing I will give him credit for on the new stuff...at least the songs and the arrangements sound like he's trying to be somewhat contemporary.....and I don't think I heard a lot of his typical Beach Boys song names within the lyrics of the new stuff. As far as the old songs....OMG....Rhonda is the absolute worst cover version I have ever heard of that classic. Al Jardine must be laughing hysterically! Second CD totally useless and uncalled for IMHO.

That's true. Really not a fan of that bland soul pop sound he has gone for on 3 or 4 songs but at least he is not cramming old song titles into lyrics.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Gabo on November 17, 2017, 02:21:04 PM
https://www.allmusic.com/album/unleash-the-love-mw0003118014

As of yet, the only published review of Unleash the Love.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 17, 2017, 02:25:51 PM
https://www.allmusic.com/album/unleash-the-love-mw0003118014

As of yet, the only published review of Unleash the Love.

I'm surprised such a relatively scathing review still resulted in even 2 1/2 out of five stars.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Gabo on November 17, 2017, 02:29:11 PM
https://www.allmusic.com/album/unleash-the-love-mw0003118014

As of yet, the only published review of Unleash the Love.

I'm surprised such a relatively scathing review still resulted in even 2 1/2 out of five stars.

They gave Looking Back with Love out of 4, so it seems like they're certainly grading it on a curve.  ;D


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Peadar 'Big Dinner' O'Driscoll on November 17, 2017, 02:34:22 PM
Re: Autotune...I know this has been done to death at this stage but is it not the case that the effect used is more a product of pop music today?

Obviously Mike is 76 and can't hit a lot of notes anymore so it helps but I would imagine the producer is happy to work with it in the confines of how a lot of popular acts sound today.

Listen to any reality tv show and the way people sing now is actually imitating software effects as that has become what is expected in popular music.

So in asking how does the producer of Unleash the Love let this out? cos most people don't care or notice. Just my opinion.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on November 17, 2017, 03:40:13 PM
On a Kanye West album it sounds great. On a Julia Michael’s album it sounds great.

When you’re 76 years old and your guy at the booth doesn’t know how to use autotune it sounds dreadfully bad. I mean it sounds horrendous when autotune is applied to Brian in copious amounts. I guess a producers job is to listen to the music and steer it in the right direction. It shouldn’t matter what is hip these days, what should matter is how it sounds when it’s being heard on the monitor.

And if Mike wants autotune, totally fine! Paul McCartney has it on his Live in New York album and it sounds tasteful and great. But also keep in mind the rest of your mix has to match that effect...So when plastic/stale instrumentals are the backdrop for Mike attempting to sound hip it is going to fail hard. And it did. So in my opinion the producer did a real awful job and Mike shouldn’t have released this as it is...especially when there are moments of actual beauty on this record.

That’s another thing, if the producer wanted the whole album to sound modern, then why only apply autotune in copious amounts to some of the tracks? I agree with you that that’s probably why the autotune was done. But I feel like the producer was completely lazy, like this record was more of an annoyance than a real project. I mean, none of this sounds cohesive. Wild Honey is a grand slam, as is Warmth of the Sun, and they sound so out of place on here because they sound nothing like the rest of the garbage on the second disc. I think it’s a producers main job to make sure a record sounds cohesive, and none of this does. I’m mostly referring to the second disc. The first disc, minus the autotune, was a pleasant surprise for me.

But anywho, I’m just thinking out loud.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: CenturyDeprived on November 17, 2017, 03:48:17 PM
On a Kanye West album it sounds great. On a Julia Michael’s album it sounds great.

When you’re 76 years old and your guy at the booth doesn’t know how to use autotune it sounds dreadfully bad. I mean it sounds horrendous when autotune is applied to Brian in copious amounts. I guess a producers job is to listen to the music and steer it in the right direction. It shouldn’t matter what is hip these days, what should matter is how it sounds when it’s being heard on the monitor.

And if Mike wants autotune, totally fine! Paul McCartney has it on his Live in New York album and it sounds tasteful and great. But also keep in mind the rest of your mix has to match that effect...So when plastic/stale instrumentals are the backdrop for Mike attempting to sound hip it is going to fail hard. And it did. So in my opinion the producer did a real awful job and Mike shouldn’t have released this as it is...especially when there are moments of actual beauty on this record.

That’s another thing, if the producer wanted the whole album to sound modern, then why only apply autotune in copious amounts to some of the tracks? I agree with you that that’s probably why the autotune was done. But I feel like the producer was completely lazy, like this record was more of an annoyance than a real project. I mean, none of this sounds cohesive. Wild Honey is a grand slam, as is Warmth of the Sun, and they sound so out of place on here because they sound nothing like the rest of the garbage on the second disc. I think it’s a producers main job to make sure a record sounds cohesive, and none of this does. I’m mostly referring to the second disc. The first disc, minus the autotune, was a pleasant surprise for me.

But anywho, I’m just thinking out loud.

I honestly wonder how much time Mike spent in the studio on vocals on some of these songs. Yes, songs like Cool Head sound good, that's probably because it was recorded a decade + ago, when Mike's voice was in better shape, and didn't try to sing out of his range.

The cover songs with AWFUL Autotune sound like Mike took one or two takes and then left. Mike always made no secret that he hated spending too much time in the studio, after all.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on November 17, 2017, 04:03:29 PM
Unleash the autotune! >:D

Least he didn't do BTTYS on the album....


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Pretty Funky on November 17, 2017, 04:09:59 PM
Considering the target market is us, the use of AT was always going to be a sore point. With Mikes criticism of Brian using it, he deserves to be mocked.

Sorry, but there are tracks on this, just as there are those on the C50 live album I just can’t finish.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: The LEGENDARY OSD on November 17, 2017, 04:25:13 PM
 A fine review from Allmusic indeed! Hope to read more like this.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on November 17, 2017, 05:20:58 PM
Billy C. could have mixed a better album on his playstation 2! ;)


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on November 17, 2017, 06:58:30 PM
https://www.allmusic.com/album/unleash-the-love-mw0003118014

As of yet, the only published review of Unleash the Love.

>>>>>>AllMusic Review by Mark Deming  [-]

In some bands, somebody has to be the tough guy who gets stuff done, even if other folks don't like it. While Mike Love was the frontman and frequent lead vocalist in the Beach Boys from the beginning, the group's creative soul belonged to Brian Wilson, their main songwriter, producer, arranger, and harmony enthusiast. As brilliant as Wilson was (and still is), someone needed to be the guy who cracked the whip and saw to it that they delivered a saleable product, both on-stage and in the studio, and that was where Love excelled. Consequently, there is a wide divide of opinions about Mike Love; casual fans see him as the cheery guy who delivers a well-oiled entertainment machine that plays the sheds every summer, while those who revere the Beach Boys' more ambitious work, such as Pet Sounds and Smile, revile Love as the guy who lacked an understanding of Brian's vision and turned the band into a hollow oldies act. Love is also something of an enigma musically, having released only one solo album (1981's Looking Back with Love) in a career that's spanned six decades. He's doubled his solo output with the arrival of 2017's Unleash the Love, a two-disc set that features a batch of new tunes along with remakes of venerable Beach Boys hits. If this album gives us a clearer picture of Love's own musical world view, it's one troublingly lacking in depth. Most of disc one is devoted to bland pop numbers that sound numbingly formulaic in both concept and execution ("All the Love in Paris" is built around a sax solo from Dave Koz that makes Kenny G sound like Albert Ayler), and his numbers about environmentalism and world peace boast all the sincerity of a TV public service announcement. Disc two features new recordings of old Beach Boys hits (most of which feature lyrics by Love and music by Wilson), and while the songs are much better, the arrangements sound like the work of a Beach Boys tribute band struggling to work up the enthusiasm to play the fourth set of the night. At his best, Love's voice had a tendency to sound nasal, but on these recordings (released when he was 76 years old), his instrument sounds brittle and his range has narrowed enough that he hands the lead vocals over to others on two tracks. One wonders who the intended market is for a version of "Do It Again" that features no one named Wilson but does include Mark McGrath. And the presence of a new recording of "Brian's Back," Love's '70s tribute to a guy he has since chosen not to work with, is nothing short of confounding. Lackluster as music and downright puzzling as a cultural artifact, Unleash the Love confirms that whatever you think of Mike Love's 21st century edition of the Beach Boys, he's better off doing that than trying to make music by himself.<<<<<<


Here I was ready to call out Mr. Deming's portrayal of Mike as the guy who "cracked the whip" both on stage and in the studio...because the only thing Mike cracked on stage or in studio was corny jokes alternating with sh*t-eating grins while two brothers named "Wilson" respectively saw to the studio business and the live band issues when the band was at its peak musically.

But...I like Mr. Deming's review. It's a little harsh at times but on point just the same. I share some of his opinions verbatim.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: jeffh on November 17, 2017, 08:04:58 PM
I really like Darlin with AJR


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: The Lovester on November 17, 2017, 09:49:22 PM
The autotune is especially baffling because on the songs where there is less of it, Mike's voice doesn't sounds too bad. There's a note at the end of 'I Don't Wanna Know' that he hits that sounded pretty good, and I couldn't detect much autotune or anything on it. If he can still hit notes like that, why was so much used on this album? Overall though, the strength of some of the songs surprised me, and there are some that I could definitely see myself listening to again. Listening to how good some of these songs are makes me wish they would've taken a more democratic or Sunflower-esque approach to TWGMTR. Take some of the best off this album, the best off the released album, and a song from Al and Bruce each and C50 might've lasted a lot longer. I feel the album would be better as well, with these songs benefiting from Joe Thomas/Brian Wilson production. Just a thought.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: B.E. on November 17, 2017, 10:06:07 PM
I want to hear what Brian and Al have to say about the album.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Zargo on November 17, 2017, 10:50:38 PM
It's interesting but perhaps unsurprising that the amazon reviews are either 5 stars or one. With how horrible the autotune is on some tracks you'd have to be pretty one-eyed to give it a five, and I suspect some personal bias against Mike in a few of the one-star reviews (the insulting of Ambha in one such example being particularly unnecessary).

I'm listening to a few of the remakes on youtube before my CD arrives and it's definitely Bruce on California Girls, which is a plus. The chorus and coda sound pretty good but the verses are beyond diabolical.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Pretty Funky on November 18, 2017, 01:08:14 AM
I want to hear what Brian and Al have to say about the album.

http://s.newsweek.com/sites/www.newsweek.com/files/styles/embed-lg/public/2012/05/27/1338301061994.cached.jpg


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Tony S on November 18, 2017, 04:21:08 AM
Scathing review that someone posted....but sadly, I would agree. No need to trash his daughter Ambha.....she was ok...I'm not loving her voice, and she clearly needs some formal training, but she was pleasant enough. Frankly, I preferred listening to her than to Love!


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Tony S on November 18, 2017, 04:32:16 AM
One other note...I remember being at a 1983 Beach Boys concert in April of that year at the old Meadowlands in New Jersey, when the Beach Boys still played and filled arenas. They broke into Looking at Tomorrow, and did a great job on it....I believe one of the condiions of Carl coming back into the band was more practice, and the addition of different songs from the cannon into the set lists, with new arrangements. Clearly this was one. What struck me most about this show, it was the last time I saw Dennis Wilson perform....he was in attendance, performed solo YASB at the end barely being able to speak much less sing...he was in bad shape. The next day in the papers the review of the show said "Joe Cocker showed up and sang YASB"...that's how bad he sounded.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Peadar 'Big Dinner' O'Driscoll on November 18, 2017, 06:11:56 AM
This amazon review reminds me a little of an old poster on here -  :lol - https://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/amzn1.account.AF5PMLNG443THPXSN2IAW4QMWFWA/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_pdp?ie=UTF8


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on November 18, 2017, 06:26:40 AM
“Familiar” for “sure”....


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on November 18, 2017, 06:31:39 AM
This amazon review reminds me a little of an old poster on here -  :lol - https://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/amzn1.account.AF5PMLNG443THPXSN2IAW4QMWFWA/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_pdp?ie=UTF8

Totally “agree”. Even the quotations aside, the blind adulation to the point where you’re saying the covers maintain “the essence of The Beach Boys sound” makes it obvious who is writing this. Point me in the direction of any Beach Boys release that made the lead singer sound like Jed Clampett being voiced through Megatron and then I’ll believe this “essence” line.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on November 18, 2017, 07:01:21 AM
This amazon review reminds me a little of an old poster on here -  :lol - https://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/amzn1.account.AF5PMLNG443THPXSN2IAW4QMWFWA/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_pdp?ie=UTF8

Totally “agree”. Even the quotations aside, the blind adulation to the point where you’re saying the covers maintain “the essence of The Beach Boys sound” makes it obvious who is writing this. Point me in the direction of any Beach Boys release that made the lead singer sound like Jed Clampett being voiced through Megatron and then I’ll believe this “essence” line.

 :beer  Happy Friday! I mean...Happy Saturday! The "essence" of the "Beach Boys Sound" is "purely subjective", however logic would dictate the "frontman" of any "band" would be the one most logically "carrying the torch" and "rolling up his sleeves" to do the "heavy lifting" to maintain the "essence" of the "sound" for fans young and old, such is the heavy burden of being the official "torch bearer" and "face" of the Beach Boys for decades around the world. I'm sure I'm not alone in confessing I sat listening in rapt attention with the lights dimmed low on a chilly November night listening to the sheer beauty of the heartwarming tribute to an old friend and dearly departed fellow "music traveler" in the form of "Pisces Brothers" filling the room, and then dancing around the same room as the pure "fun fun fun" of "I Get Around" and "Help Me Rhonda" in the form of brand new and very refreshing "updates" of those classics came "bursting through" the speakers.

For pure "Fun Fun Fun" this album cannot be topped. A hearty "five stars" out of five review from this dedicated fan. Kudos to Mr. Love, Mr. Foskett, and all involved in bringing all the "fun in the sun" to us mere mortal fans for so many years!



Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Seaside Woman on November 18, 2017, 07:56:09 AM
I want to hear what Brian and Al have to say about the album.

http://s.newsweek.com/sites/www.newsweek.com/files/styles/embed-lg/public/2012/05/27/1338301061994.cached.jpg

One of those times I'm grateful not to be drinking beverage. Thanks for the laff ...


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 18, 2017, 10:04:26 AM
This amazon review reminds me a little of an old poster on here -  :lol - https://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/amzn1.account.AF5PMLNG443THPXSN2IAW4QMWFWA/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_pdp?ie=UTF8

Totally “agree”. Even the quotations aside, the blind adulation to the point where you’re saying the covers maintain “the essence of The Beach Boys sound” makes it obvious who is writing this. Point me in the direction of any Beach Boys release that made the lead singer sound like Jed Clampett being voiced through Megatron and then I’ll believe this “essence” line.


Maybe herbal essence. And that last sentence has to be one if the funniest things I've ever read on the board


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on November 18, 2017, 10:12:10 AM
“Correct” righteous bald dude!


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: feelintheflows on November 18, 2017, 12:59:52 PM
What stores are selling it??


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on November 18, 2017, 01:07:27 PM
AGD’s front yard....


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on November 18, 2017, 01:14:06 PM
:lol


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Gabo on November 18, 2017, 01:21:44 PM
What stores are selling it??

https://m.barnesandnoble.com/w/unleash-the-love/31840115?ean=0190296941245&st=PLA&sid=BNB_DRS_Core+Shopping+Media_00000000&2sid=Google_&sourceId=PLGoP973&k_clickid=3x973&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIz7_95IbJ1wIVkONkCh2pfwhLEAQYASABEgJRcfD_BwE

Barnes and Noble starting December 15


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 18, 2017, 03:25:17 PM
AGD’s front yard....

He has a yard?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on November 18, 2017, 03:35:17 PM
Its proverbial for the folding table outside a gas station....


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Cabinessenceking on November 18, 2017, 04:25:16 PM
It's bloody awful. People who enjoy this shite are optimistic to a fault or just insane. The sooner this man gives up on music the better imo.


Also did Mike Love drag Carl Wilsons legacy through the dirt by having his vocals hijacket from Brian's Back? Brian's Back was never much of a tune, but reusing his vocal like that borders on unethical in its poor taste.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: CenturyDeprived on November 18, 2017, 09:42:21 PM
This amazon review reminds me a little of an old poster on here -  :lol - https://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/amzn1.account.AF5PMLNG443THPXSN2IAW4QMWFWA/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_pdp?ie=UTF8

Totally “agree”. Even the quotations aside, the blind adulation to the point where you’re saying the covers maintain “the essence of The Beach Boys sound” makes it obvious who is writing this. Point me in the direction of any Beach Boys release that made the lead singer sound like Jed Clampett being voiced through Megatron and then I’ll believe this “essence” line.


Maybe herbal essence. And that last sentence has to be one if the funniest things I've ever read on the board

+1, spit take worthy


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Gabo on November 18, 2017, 11:15:56 PM
Just wondering if "Blew It Again" might have been a better title for this collection, rather than Unleash the Love, which you all agree doesn't suit Mike Love?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Lonely Summer on November 18, 2017, 11:40:02 PM
One other note...I remember being at a 1983 Beach Boys concert in April of that year at the old Meadowlands in New Jersey, when the Beach Boys still played and filled arenas. They broke into Looking at Tomorrow, and did a great job on it....I believe one of the condiions of Carl coming back into the band was more practice, and the addition of different songs from the cannon into the set lists, with new arrangements. Clearly this was one. What struck me most about this show, it was the last time I saw Dennis Wilson perform....he was in attendance, performed solo YASB at the end barely being able to speak much less sing...he was in bad shape. The next day in the papers the review of the show said "Joe Cocker showed up and sang YASB"...that's how bad he sounded.
Those were good times, other than Dennis deteriorating before our eyes. Carl was back, and the guys actually appeared to be enjoying playing again. Never got to hear them play Looking at Tomorrow, but I was impressed that they had worked a couple songs from Youngblood into the show, along with somewhat lesser known songs like You're So Good to Me and Warmth of the Sun.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: feelintheflows on November 19, 2017, 04:25:55 AM
It's bloody awful. People who enjoy this shite are optimistic to a fault or just insane. The sooner this man gives up on music the better imo.


Also did Mike Love drag Carl Wilsons legacy through the dirt by having his vocals hijacket from Brian's Back? Brian's Back was never much of a tune, but reusing his vocal like that borders on unethical in its poor taste.

The 70s brians back is a really fine tune..due in part to Carl's gorgeous vocal.   But to have it now when hes been gone for about to be 20 years is creepy. Really creepy. And enough of the video of carl at the Mike shows. They did it over the 50th and that was perfect, that should have been it. Now it's to the point where it's weird. Really weird.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on November 19, 2017, 07:12:07 AM
Seems that Amazon changed reviewing to “verified purchasers only” - shame, listened to it on Apple Music and I was going to even out the reviews with a three star rating and my honest opinion of the album.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on November 19, 2017, 07:23:25 AM
Unleash the censorship... ::)


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: The LEGENDARY OSD on November 19, 2017, 10:21:18 AM
Yeah, that was due to a call from The Vibester directly from The Vibe Room. It's a similar situation over there on YouTube in which quite a few of his vids will not allow comments. Wonder why.  :lol :lol :lol


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: NateRuvin on November 19, 2017, 02:36:13 PM
I wanted to love this CD- no pun intended. I tried really hard. For me, the autotune just screws it up. The re-recordings could have been badass if they were just Mike's band plugged into a soundboard- not all the autotune and sweetening.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Pretty Funky on November 19, 2017, 05:56:00 PM
The big gripe, just like the C50 live album, comes back to the auto tune. I can not for the life of me understand why a professional studio can not hear what we rank amateurs hear first of all. Second, the artist itself. Why the group in 2013 with the live album, or Mike this year can not listen and just say ‘enough...No!’ Those close to them such as friends or family. Are they deaf or just yes men (or woman)?

These are people who have been known mainly as a vocal group, whether they like it or not, for 56 years. What has gone wrong to allow some of their last product as a group or individually to be tainted like this? Does anyone actually listen? Does a label just rubber stamp these things without a little quality control?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Jim V. on November 19, 2017, 07:13:41 PM
I'm gonna give my take in a bit (as if anybody cares) but first...

It's bloody awful. People who enjoy this shite are optimistic to a fault or just insane. The sooner this man gives up on music the better imo.


Also did Mike Love drag Carl Wilsons legacy through the dirt by having his vocals hijacket from Brian's Back? Brian's Back was never much of a tune, but reusing his vocal like that borders on unethical in its poor taste.

I don't think it's unethical. Was what Paul, George and Ringo did with John's recordings for "Free As A Bird" and "Real Love" unethical? I don't so. They wanted to record new material with John again and that was the best way it could be done. Also, it's fair to point out that Brian and Al also used Carl Wilson vocals on their projects which, when recorded, probably weren't intended for the project they ended up a part of. In Brian's case, you have "Soul Searchin'" which Carl obviously recorded under the impression that it was a Beach Boys tune, probably having no idea it would end up (sans Mike, Al, Bruce and Matt's vocals) on a Brian solo album. And while I'll give Al a pass on "Don't Fight the Sea", I think it's arguable whether Carl woulda been cool with the vocal that Al used on the three released versions of "Waves of Love". The vocal kinda seems demo-like, and I'm pretty sure it was recorded at a Beach Boys soundcheck.

In Mike's case, Carl did indeed record his vocal for the release of "Brian's Back" on what I presume to be the First Love album. And now that Mike is getting the song out on a solo album, he used Carl's vocal. Not anything wrong with that, right? Now the thing that does kinda confuse me is the fact that the 1978 (I think?) solo recording was already released on the Endless Harmony Soundtrack with an alternate mix appearing on Made In California. With the same Carl vocal every time as far as I know.

Personally I kinda thought the version with Christian Love instead doing Carl's part was kinda nice, and I think that would have been a better choice for Mike's album. However, apparently Mike has some kinda beef with his son which lead him to remove his lead vocal from two songs ("I Don't Wanna Know" and "Too Cruel"), so perhaps the lack of Christian on "Brian's Back" is caused by the same.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Jim V. on November 20, 2017, 09:13:15 AM
So I lived with the album long enough that I'd like to give a few thoughts...

I actually think the first seven songs are actually pretty solid. Mike's vocals aren't his best but they aren't horrible. He sounds raspy and a little pinched at time, but then again, he is 76 years old now. Overall, I'd have to say the best tunes are "Cool Head, Warm Heart", "All The Love In Paris", "I Don't Wanna Know" and "Too Cruel." All of them are pretty much just pure pop and all the better for it. And I'll even say that while "Cool Head, Warm Heart" and "All The Love In Paris" work within a Beach Boys framework, I don't think "Too Cruel" or "I Don't Wanna Know" really would fit in on a Beach Boys album, which is testament to Mike for using this solo album to do things he wouldn't do with the band.

The second half of the album is where things really hit the shitter in my opinion. For a while I thought I could deal with "Pisces Brothers", but now it's finally just gotten to me, Mike calling George Harrison his "brother".....yuck. The title track, "Unleash The Love", I just can't. This is the kinda crap you hear on some cheaply made "inspirational" video to join some creepy cult. The lyric is just so bland and the sentiment is just tough to buy coming from a massive litigious sh*t-talker. I think "Ram Raj" has been incredibly overrated even on this board. I get that it's different than what you'd expect of Mike, but that still don't mean it's good. The lyric is stilted and the melody boring. The other few final songs on the album all the follow the formula of some shitty forgotten adult contemporary album released by some asshole in 1992 and forgotten.

The second disc, I'm not as rough on as some, but I will say that even as a person who doesn't freak out the second he hears autotune, I couldn't believe how much autotune some of the songs on this disc were slathered in. I will also say that I was surprised that the instrumentation on everything on disc two besides "Do It Again" and "Brian's Back" was exactly as you'd expect it to sound. I kinda thought after hearing Mike's "update" of "Do It Again" that at least there would be certain production flourishes that would differentiate the Unleash The Love recordings of these songs from The Beach Boys versions, but alas they are just...there.

Also, yeah "Wild Honey", it's good. John Cowsill does sound great on it. But as with most of the second disc and "Daybreak Over The Ocean" and "Getcha Back" from the first disc, what's the point? Who cares? Who needs John Cowsill doing a Blondie Chaplin impression on a Mike Love solo album? He's just a touring musician.

Lastly, the overall sound and presentation and everything: amateurish. The production is a big sticking point. Supposedly produced by the guy who did the soundtrack to a big '80s movie I couldn't believe who demo-like the recordings sound, and how off the vocals sound. Say what you will about Joe Thomas, but even if he does like autotune, it's used smoothly. On this stuff, it is not. And let's also say it's pretty obvious that Mike doesn't have much new material. Without even touching the second disc, we know that from disc one you have "Daybreak Over The Ocean", "I Don't Wanna Know", "Too Cruel" and  "Crescent Moon" which all originate from the '70s while "Getcha Back" hails from the '80s and I'm pretty sure "Unleash The Love" comes from the '90s. And unsurprisingly, most of these are the best songs on the disc, except "Cool Head, Warm Heart" which I admit is one of Mike's best songs and recordings.

If anything this is just more proof Mike works best within a band framework, having to only provide lyrics here and there and sometimes a wholly original tune. But....we know he passed a chance for that by...


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 20, 2017, 10:14:06 AM
Interesting if nothing else that Amazon is locking down the reviews. They've done this on other products, usually things that have quickly sold out and thus see a bunch of reviews from people complaining that they didn't get it.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 20, 2017, 10:20:12 AM
The big gripe, just like the C50 live album, comes back to the auto tune. I can not for the life of me understand why a professional studio can not hear what we rank amateurs hear first of all.

I'm pretty sure both Michael Lloyd and Mike Love are well aware this new album is soaked in autotune. They've made a deliberate decision to use it.

I'm guessing it's just a "Oh, that's what they do on albums now? Okay." sort of situation.

I could give Mike at least five very simple things he could have done to make both fan and media reviews a million times better for this album. Despite all my criticisms, I can easily see a solidly-produced and solidly-reviewed album buried in there somewhere, especially working from the circa 2004 recordings.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: NateRuvin on November 20, 2017, 11:02:18 AM
Yeah, it makes me really bummed because I listened to the album again this morning, and the songs are so damn catchy! If this album was well produced it would stand nicely with Brian and Al's solo efforts. I Don't Wanna Know, Cool Head Warm Heart, Unleash The Love are all really cool songs. Even The Beach Boys covers would have been really great without autotune. I get this from listening to "The Beach Boys Medley" on Mike's website. It's the current band covering BBs songs, but without all the autotune, and they sound pretty good! I have a hard time believing that Mike and his producer thought "This is what everyone does so we're gonna do it now", because crazy autotune is primarily a Hip Hop and EDM effect.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: MyDrKnowsItKeepsMeCalm on November 20, 2017, 11:14:28 AM
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eY_2apR9FU0 (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eY_2apR9FU0)

To anyone brave enough to listen to the Help Me Rhonda cover, here it is. It’s bad. Really bad.
Wow.  :o


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: MyDrKnowsItKeepsMeCalm on November 20, 2017, 11:27:59 AM
Now I'm listening to I Get Around. Mike's vocals sound incredibly weird. Didn't he used to tease Brian about having a Mickey Mouse voice?

I can't believe how some of these vocals sound. Heck, I just saw Mike's Beach Boys in concert in August, and even live and in the middle of a long tour he sounded much better than this.



Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on November 20, 2017, 12:04:12 PM
If it was a deliberate decision I just don’t see why they’d use it on some tracks and not others. I mean, I believe they did it on purpose for marketing/“artistic” reasons, but it blows my mind how inconsistent the effect is. And that’s why the reason why I’m blown away that a Grammy award winning producer produced this thing. The product has zero consistency. There is barely a cohesive sound (and that’s not knocking the different song styles; I love that Mike did different things like gospel and abstract SMiLE-like chants. But there is no cohesiveness with the production - which is HUGE for a record).

Someone said earlier, it sounds like he was hungover and did these lead vocals in one take. TBH I can’t even tell what the quality of the original vocals sound like because the autotune makes it impossible to hear anything organic in the mix. It’s funny that someone like Johnny Cash, with his deep and gravely voice, was able to go to the end of his career without using autotune but The Beach Boys have to use this on certain releases like their lives depend on it.

Its just sad that during the final listen before sending this to a record company, Mike had to have said “yeah, this is the sound I want the world to hear. I want people paying their hard earned money to listen to this album.” Literally how could you listen to ‘I Get Around’ and be proud to make people shell out $1.29 to hear that?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Gabo on November 20, 2017, 12:10:10 PM
Why aren't there any professional reviews of this album (besides Allmusic)?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: KDS on November 20, 2017, 12:16:41 PM
Why aren't there any professional reviews of this album (besides Allmusic)?

If it wasn't professionally recorded / produced, it might be hard to get professionally reviewed. 


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Gabo on November 20, 2017, 12:22:53 PM
Why aren't there any professional reviews of this album (besides Allmusic)?

If it wasn't professionally recorded / produced, it might be hard to get professionally reviewed. 
:lol


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: tpesky on November 20, 2017, 01:15:14 PM
Whoever told Mike he should suddenly to begin to sing lead on Rhonda in the original key no less!, circa 2016 should be fired immediately.  Seriously! It doesn't sound good  live and it sounds even worse without the live arrangement to hide his voice. That's the worst song on this effort.  The originals are much better than I expected.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Tony S on November 20, 2017, 01:20:02 PM
Agree with the Rhonda comments....it's the worst song on the entire CD.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: CenturyDeprived on November 20, 2017, 01:28:43 PM
Agree with the Rhonda comments....it's the worst song on the entire CD.

Each of those super duper heavily-Autotuned “help, help” chorus lyrics is like a vomit dagger plunged into my soul.

I played it at my work, and a coworker heard it from across the hall, and came in to inquire what was with this Autotuned atrocity. True story.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: GhostyTMRS on November 20, 2017, 03:23:18 PM
Interesting if nothing else that Amazon is locking down the reviews. They've done this on other products, usually things that have quickly sold out and thus see a bunch of reviews from people complaining that they didn't get it.

Amazon did this with the Megyn Kelly book when Trump supporters organized an online campaign to bombard it 1 star reviews on its first day of release.

I'm loathe to order again on Amazon but this CD appears to be of the mail order only variety. No brick and mortar store in my area is carrying it.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on November 20, 2017, 04:01:32 PM
Interesting if nothing else that Amazon is locking down the reviews. They've done this on other products, usually things that have quickly sold out and thus see a bunch of reviews from people complaining that they didn't get it.

Amazon did this with the Megyn Kelly book when Trump supporters organized an online campaign to bombard it 1 star reviews on its first day of release.

I'm loathe to order again on Amazon but this CD appears to be of the mail order only variety. No brick and mortar store in my area is carrying it.

They also bombarded Hillary Clinton’s book as well. Though, keeping in mind this happens on both sides of the spectrum: Mike Love fans are giving this this thing 5 stars without actually reviewing the damn album, just complaining about the 1 star reviews.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Cabinessenceking on November 20, 2017, 04:33:44 PM
Interesting if nothing else that Amazon is locking down the reviews. They've done this on other products, usually things that have quickly sold out and thus see a bunch of reviews from people complaining that they didn't get it.

Amazon did this with the Megyn Kelly book when Trump supporters organized an online campaign to bombard it 1 star reviews on its first day of release.

I'm loathe to order again on Amazon but this CD appears to be of the mail order only variety. No brick and mortar store in my area is carrying it.

They also bombarded Hillary Clinton’s book as well. Though, keeping in mind this happens on both sides of the spectrum: Mike Love fans are giving this this thing 5 stars without actually reviewing the damn album, just complaining about the 1 star reviews.

There are Mike Love fans?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on November 20, 2017, 05:08:46 PM
I mean, that can only explain these reviews haha

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/cr/B07667GM1W/ref=mw_dp_cr (https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/cr/B07667GM1W/ref=mw_dp_cr)

Looks like Amazon deleted all the 1 star reviews.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: The LEGENDARY OSD on November 20, 2017, 05:35:25 PM
I mean, that can only explain these reviews haha

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/cr/B07667GM1W/ref=mw_dp_cr (https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/cr/B07667GM1W/ref=mw_dp_cr)

Looks like Amazon deleted all the 1 star reviews.
Myke probably threatened litigation if they didn't take down those reviews and that, if it's true, is pathetic. Besides, it was good reading.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Seagull Merlin on November 20, 2017, 05:38:37 PM
okay I was holding off on listening to the covers of the bb tracks but jeez, just starting with california girls it sounds like Mike is trapped in a computer his voice is so digitized. Albeit the chorus doesn't sound too bad


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Gabo on November 20, 2017, 05:42:01 PM
I mean, that can only explain these reviews haha

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/cr/B07667GM1W/ref=mw_dp_cr (https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/cr/B07667GM1W/ref=mw_dp_cr)

Looks like Amazon deleted all the 1 star reviews.
Myke probably threatened litigation if they didn't take down those reviews and that, if it's true, is pathetic. Besides, it was good reading.

That or threatened to "unleash" a rabid Jeffrey Foskett on them.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on November 20, 2017, 07:10:46 PM
I mean, that can only explain these reviews haha

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/cr/B07667GM1W/ref=mw_dp_cr (https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/cr/B07667GM1W/ref=mw_dp_cr)

Looks like Amazon deleted all the 1 star reviews.

This Amazon review at that link:
>>>>>
Solid solo release from Mike Love. New songs are a departure from The Beach ...
Customer rating 5.0/5.0
November 18, 2017 By Patricia Ferrelli
Amazon Verified Purchase
3 out of 8 found this helpful

Solid solo release from Mike Love. New songs are a departure from The Beach Boys' sound and the cover songs showcase the many talents of the touring band.
<<<<<

Ms. Ferrelli, the reviewer, is the president of the Mike Love Fan Club, literally, and has been since 1990 as posted on the Mike Love Fan Club's website homepage linked below. For a time in the early 1990's there was a classified ad in nearly every issue of Goldmine to join the fan club by contacting Ms. Ferrelli by mail in the days before email. I recognized it instantly.

https://mikelovefanclub.com/ (https://mikelovefanclub.com/)

Just pointing it out, that's all.



Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 20, 2017, 09:11:12 PM
Nice.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: mikeddonn on November 21, 2017, 02:36:56 AM
I mean, that can only explain these reviews haha

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/cr/B07667GM1W/ref=mw_dp_cr (https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/cr/B07667GM1W/ref=mw_dp_cr)

Looks like Amazon deleted all the 1 star reviews.

This Amazon review at that link:
>>>>>
Solid solo release from Mike Love. New songs are a departure from The Beach ...
Customer rating 5.0/5.0
November 18, 2017 By Patricia Ferrelli
Amazon Verified Purchase
3 out of 8 found this helpful

Solid solo release from Mike Love. New songs are a departure from The Beach Boys' sound and the cover songs showcase the many talents of the touring band.
<<<<<

Ms. Ferrelli, the reviewer, is the president of the Mike Love Fan Club, literally, and has been since 1990 as posted on the Mike Love Fan Club's website homepage linked below. For a time in the early 1990's there was a classified ad in nearly every issue of Goldmine to join the fan club by contacting Ms. Ferrelli by mail in the days before email. I recognized it instantly.

https://mikelovefanclub.com/ (https://mikelovefanclub.com/)

Just pointing it out, that's all.



Are you still moderating at brianwilson.com?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 21, 2017, 07:05:31 AM
That's a surprisingly bland, unenthusiastic, brief "5 star" review coming from the head of the Mike Love Fan Club.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 21, 2017, 07:13:12 AM
Amazon only allowing "Verified Purchase" reviews reminds me of Roger Ebert's response to Kevin Smith from several years back.

Smith was upset about mounting poor reviews of his latest movie at the time, and seemed to feel that professional reviewers seeing the movie for free were more easily just bashing the film. He went on to suggest he might start charging reviewers to see the movie. Roger Ebert's response was: "Kevin Smith thinks critics should have had to pay to see "Cop Out." But Kev, then they would REALLY have hated it."


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: The LEGENDARY OSD on November 21, 2017, 08:30:42 AM

 :lol :lol :lol :lol Amazon, at the moment, has UTL at the same rating as TWGMTR. What a farce :o!! I just rated Amazon -10 for caving on that piece of garbage.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on November 21, 2017, 08:36:17 AM
I mean, that can only explain these reviews haha

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/cr/B07667GM1W/ref=mw_dp_cr (https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/cr/B07667GM1W/ref=mw_dp_cr)

Looks like Amazon deleted all the 1 star reviews.

This Amazon review at that link:
>>>>>
Solid solo release from Mike Love. New songs are a departure from The Beach ...
Customer rating 5.0/5.0
November 18, 2017 By Patricia Ferrelli
Amazon Verified Purchase
3 out of 8 found this helpful

Solid solo release from Mike Love. New songs are a departure from The Beach Boys' sound and the cover songs showcase the many talents of the touring band.
<<<<<

Ms. Ferrelli, the reviewer, is the president of the Mike Love Fan Club, literally, and has been since 1990 as posted on the Mike Love Fan Club's website homepage linked below. For a time in the early 1990's there was a classified ad in nearly every issue of Goldmine to join the fan club by contacting Ms. Ferrelli by mail in the days before email. I recognized it instantly.

https://mikelovefanclub.com/ (https://mikelovefanclub.com/)

Just pointing it out, that's all.



Are you still moderating at brianwilson.com?

Yes. Drop in for a visit sometime!


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: CenturyDeprived on November 21, 2017, 08:37:29 AM
Amazon only allowing "Verified Purchase" reviews reminds me of Roger Ebert's response to Kevin Smith from several years back.

Smith was upset about mounting poor reviews of his latest movie at the time, and seemed to feel that professional reviewers seeing the movie for free were more easily just bashing the film. He went on to suggest he might start charging reviewers to see the movie. Roger Ebert's response was: "Kevin Smith thinks critics should have had to pay to see "Cop Out." But Kev, then they would REALLY have hated it."

 It’s also ridiculous because one can formulate a perfectly valid opinion by listening to this entire album on Spotify, as I have. How is my opinion  less valid than somebody who purchased it on Amazon?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on November 21, 2017, 08:50:27 AM
Is Amazon also filtering out member reviews from those who purchased the item(s) or just those from non-members? If someone buys the album from Amazon in this case, and declares it a turkey with a 1 star rating, I wonder if that review will be removed even if it's coming from a buyer.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 21, 2017, 09:04:50 AM
Typically, anybody (with an Amazon account) can review any item, regardless of where they've bought it (or indeed *if* they bought it at all). If someone has purchased the item in question on their account, the review is labled as a "Verified Purchase."

You don't even have to put your name on a review, you can just use a nickname/handle.

I think they may push verified purchase reviews and also reviews posted under someone's actual name higher up on the reviews (their algorithm for how the reviews are initially ordered seems to be kind of like Yelp, seemingly but probably not actually random).

But typically as long as something doesn't have foul language, etc., it gets posted. I've seem some pretty scathing reviews on there.

I'm not sure how something is put in this special category where they start curtailing who can review an item. I would imagine the distributor of a product could request it, and also Amazon's own internal tracking may flag an item if it receives a ton of overwhelmingly bad reviews in a very short span of time (and/or it receives a ton of 1-star and 5-star ratings an little in between). 

I think it's pretty rare for Amazon to remove "Verified Purchase" reviews unless it breaks rules (foul language, etc.). The only exception I can think of is cases where a whole bunch of people give an item a negative review because they purchased it but the item is delayed/backordered/discontinued, etc. And that does make sense, the fulfillment of an item has nothing to do with the actual item. But then, they only remove even *those* types of reviews when there's a ton of them. So I've seen a ton of 1-star reviews on Amazon that complain that an item was damaged in shipping, or that they never received it, or received it late, etc.

I'm guessing someone said something to Amazon about the "Unleash..." reviews; there actually weren't *that* many reviews up there. A few dozen. It's not like some hot-button political book where there are like thousands of reviews on day one.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: B.E. on November 21, 2017, 10:25:20 AM
If amazon is removing negative reviews indiscriminately, then I have a major problem with that. If they're simply removing all non-verified reviews, then I'm not convinced that it's the wrong thing to do (theoretically, though I'd like consistency across the board).

Just for the fun of it, I checked out some recent releases...

Playback (22 of 25 customer reviews were verified purchases)
Sunshine Tomorrow (71 of 81 customer reviews were verified purchases)
BW and Friends (59 of 66 customer reviews were verified purchases)

and then there was Unleash The Love (5 of 26 customer reviews were verified purchases)

I also checked out Brian and Mike's books and found that a higher percentage of Mike's reviews were non-verified, including, 24 of 30 reviews between 1-2 stars. Obviously, Mike is a polarizing guy and not all non-verified reviews represent people who didn't otherwise have access to the product, but I couldn't help but notice the discrepancy. I also wouldn't be too concerned that an inflated 4 1/2 star UTL rating will trick many buyers. How many of you would have great confidence in buying a product with only 5 reviews? And all positive? I'm not 'buying' that. And this only applies to those potential buyers who factor in the reviews at all. Anyway, I'm just throwing those numbers out there, partly because I wonder what we'd lose if Amazon did away with non-verified reviews entirely. It's a balancing act, for sure.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on November 21, 2017, 10:48:07 AM
I kinda get the reasoning for Amazon to trash the unverified reviews...in fact I wouldn’t doubt if they had some sort of algorithm that did this automatically for obviously polarizing products. With a product that has 30 second samples for each song people will easily be able to understand what they’re getting into.

Anyone who listens to the samples will quickly deduce that either the 5 star reviewers have incredibly bad taste or they are being insanely biased. And I notice that filledeplage is, as usual, bringing up the lawsuit aspect of writing 1 star reviews...tbh I would guarantee that ANY judge would take one listen to this album and throw the case out :lol


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on November 21, 2017, 11:12:53 AM
What a joke, Filleplage must work “pro-bono” for Mike.... ::)


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 21, 2017, 11:22:44 AM
The idea of bad reviews (outside of cases of libel, and even then it would be difficult) resulting in successful lawsuits is ridiculous.

I guess if people could prove that Amazon was manipulating the reviews to make something look bad, there might be a case against Amazon. But, Amazon would usually only have a vested interest in making most everything look *good*, because *they're* selling it!

This isn't like Yelp, where they call you up and offer to sell services that, wink-wink, result in good reviews of your business coasting ahead of bad (and conversely, if you *don't* pay for their services, a lot of bad reviews seem prevalent).

And the suggestion that Amazon would "unmask" individuals, and that those individuals would be successfully sued for writing a bad review, is laughable. Again, with obvious exceptions (libel, proof of collusion, etc.).


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 21, 2017, 11:28:27 AM
If amazon is removing negative reviews indiscriminately, then I have a major problem with that. If they're simply removing all non-verified reviews, then I'm not convinced that it's the wrong thing to do (theoretically, though I'd like consistency across the board).

Just for the fun of it, I checked out some recent releases...

Playback (22 of 25 customer reviews were verified purchases)
Sunshine Tomorrow (71 of 81 customer reviews were verified purchases)
BW and Friends (59 of 66 customer reviews were verified purchases)

and then there was Unleash The Love (5 of 26 customer reviews were verified purchases)

I also checked out Brian and Mike's books and found that a higher percentage of Mike's reviews were non-verified, including, 24 of 30 reviews between 1-2 stars. Obviously, Mike is a polarizing guy and not all non-verified reviews represent people who didn't otherwise have access to the product, but I couldn't help but notice the discrepancy. I also wouldn't be too concerned that an inflated 4 1/2 star UTL rating will trick many buyers. How many of you would have great confidence in buying a product with only 5 reviews? And all positive? I'm not 'buying' that. And this only applies to those potential buyers who factor in the reviews at all. Anyway, I'm just throwing those numbers out there, partly because I wonder what we'd lose if Amazon did away with non-verified reviews entirely. It's a balancing act, for sure.

To the extent that Amazon customer reviews are helpful, it would be hugely problematic to lose non-verified purchase reviews.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 21, 2017, 11:32:19 AM
They've removed *all* negative reviews on the album's Amazon page, including the substantive, non-trolling reviews.

The album now has only five reviews, four of which are five-star and one of which is four-star.

At this stage, it would be much more fair to simply remove all reviews.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: B.E. on November 21, 2017, 11:38:58 AM
They've removed *all* negative reviews on the album's Amazon page, including the substantive, non-trolling reviews.

Yes, indirectly.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 21, 2017, 11:41:12 AM
That's not cool


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 21, 2017, 11:45:52 AM
They've removed *all* negative reviews on the album's Amazon page, including the substantive, non-trolling reviews.

Yes, indirectly.

I didn't say they removed them because the reviews were negative. I honestly don't know if any "verified purchase" reviews (negative or positive) have also been removed (or not approved); there would be no way to know for sure.

But assuming they simply removed all non-verified purchase reviews and kept *all* verified purchase reviews, then the reason for the "clean up" is obvious.

The *source* or impetus for this to take place remains unclear. It's easy to report reviews to Amazon. Considering BRI apparently employs someone full-time simply to troll around eBay and YouTube and submit copyright claims on a daily basis, I wouldn't be surprised if someone literally "on the payroll" in Mike's camp put in the request to Amazon to look at the reviews. It would of course be quite debatable as to whether such a request would be warranted.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 21, 2017, 11:47:13 AM
Okay, who is going to volunteer to buy a *second* copy (or first!) on Amazon so that they can post an honest, polite negative review and see if it stays up?  :lol

Let's also remember that a "verified purchase" obviously doesn't guarantee an informed review either. Someone can buy the thing and not listen to it, but still review it. Heck, I *think* one can even *return* an item and still post a "verified purchase" review!


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 21, 2017, 11:48:18 AM
Hell no.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 21, 2017, 11:49:24 AM
Hell no.

Not even the deluxe vinyl with extra big 12 inch cover art? C'mon!  :lol


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 21, 2017, 11:50:58 AM
In all seriousness, I think Amazon particularly is treading in weird territory by locking down reviews on music. There are a *ton* of legitimate, legal ways to stream the music (Spotify, Pandora, YouTube) that would allow people to still offer a legit review.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 21, 2017, 11:53:47 AM
In all seriousness, I think Amazon particularly is treading in weird territory by locking down reviews on music. There are a *ton* of legitimate, legal ways to stream the music (Spotify, Pandora, YouTube) that would allow people to still offer a legit review.

Yeah, I don't like this one bit. What they NEED to do is remove those one sentence reviews, the ones that read "I lyke THiS mOVie a bunch it was goOd"


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on November 21, 2017, 12:01:14 PM
Hell no.

Not even the deluxe vinyl with extra big 12 inch cover art? C'mon!  :lol
Billy ain’t bout that life....


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: KDS on November 21, 2017, 12:05:33 PM
Amazon would also do well to clean up the one star reviews on their site for shipping issues. 

Gotham666 gives The Dark Knight DVD one star

"Ordered, but DVD won't play in my player." 

I tried to Google the article to no avail.   Back in the spring or summer, some website (I think it was MTV) pulled negative comments off their cite for a new song by the rock bland Imagine Dragons.   So, that, coupled with taking down legit non trollish negative reviews of Mike's album, could be part of a disturbing trend in music. 


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 21, 2017, 12:14:40 PM
Hell no.

Not even the deluxe vinyl with extra big 12 inch cover art? C'mon!  :lol
Billy ain’t bout that life....

Yup yup


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on November 21, 2017, 12:15:31 PM
In all seriousness, I think Amazon particularly is treading in weird territory by locking down reviews on music. There are a *ton* of legitimate, legal ways to stream the music (Spotify, Pandora, YouTube) that would allow people to still offer a legit review.

I agree it’s weird territory. But perhaps it’s a way for Amazon to help retain some business without just becoming a place where people who listen on Spotify come to do reviews. As much as I dislike the policy of verified only reviews I understand it. Heck, I briefly floated the idea of buying the Mike Love album just to leave a sensible review...but I can’t in good conscience pay actual money for this thing.

I used to buy albums from Amazon all the time, in fact it’s primarily where I bought my Beach Boys discography. But streaming has completely changed that for me, and Amazon probably feels the financial sting from millions of other music listeners doing the same.

Frankly I think there is a market open for a good music review app that would allow people from Spotify and Apple Music to write their opinions on albums without being chased off with “verified reviews only” policies (quite like the book review site ‘Goodreads’). When I was an early fan of The Beach Boys one of my favorite things to do was to listen to an album while reading the reviews - you can hear certain things that you otherwise would’ve missed had a reviewer not pointed it out, or you get a better understand of the making of the album from a knowledgeable reviewer. Would be great to see an app or site like that.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 21, 2017, 12:16:04 PM
Amazon would also do well to clean up the one star reviews on their site for shipping issues.  

Gotham666 gives The Dark Knight DVD one star

"Ordered, but DVD won't play in my player."  

I tried to Google the article to no avail.   Back in the spring or summer, some website (I think it was MTV) pulled negative comments off their cite for a new song by the rock bland Imagine Dragons.   So, that, coupled with taking down legit non trollish negative reviews of Mike's album, could be part of a disturbing trend in music.  
I remember reading something along those lines. I don't like it one bit.

And yes, those needless one star reviews like the example you cited really bring my sh*t to a crisp.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 21, 2017, 12:17:09 PM
Quote
Frankly I think there is a market open for a good music review app that would allow people from Spotify and Apple Music to write their opinions on albums without being chased off with “verified reviews only” policies (quite like the book review site ‘Goodreads’)

I like that idea a lot...

I think the verified purchase thing is ok, but it should just carry more weight than a non-verified purchase.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 21, 2017, 12:19:36 PM
It appears as though the website still allows one to submit a review for "Unleash the Love" without an Amazon verified purchase. I don't know if that means they did a big clean-out but haven't literally instituted a policy of only verified purchase reviews, or if they have locked all non-verified purchases out and simply left the "review" button up, in which case that would suck to write a nice, long, thoughtful review only to have Amazon ignore it.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on November 21, 2017, 12:21:16 PM
Quote
Frankly I think there is a market open for a good music review app that would allow people from Spotify and Apple Music to write their opinions on albums without being chased off with “verified reviews only” policies (quite like the book review site ‘Goodreads’)

I like that idea a lot...

I think the verified purchase thing is ok, but it should just carry more weight than a non-verified purchase.

I actually almost edited this idea into my above post. I can see Amazon making two simple sections in their review section for verified and unverified reviews. Let the consumer judge what is a BS review and what isn’t.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 21, 2017, 12:23:01 PM
I would of course like it to be known that I don't weigh heavily Amazon reviews. I doubt that many folks really leave their purchase of music or movies (as opposed to, say, a consumer product like a vacuum cleaner or something) up in the air until they read Amazon reviews.

There are indeed plenty of awful, YouTube-level reviews on Amazon. Lots of awful writing. Grammar nightmares, etc.

Also, I see in some cases seemingly "regular" Amazon customers are sent free copies of books and other things and asked to review them. Are non-journalist, non-professional "reviewers" that are just "regular" customers really super likely to give a freebie item a horrible review, or will they hope they'll continue to be sent freebies?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on November 21, 2017, 12:24:34 PM
It appears as though the website still allows one to submit a review for "Unleash the Love" without an Amazon verified purchase. I don't know if that means they did a big clean-out but haven't literally instituted a policy of only verified purchase reviews, or if they have locked all non-verified purchases out and simply left the "review" button up, in which case that would suck to write a nice, long, thoughtful review only to have Amazon ignore it.

When you click on “write a review” you are sent to a page to select your star rating and to write your review. But once you select your star rating the page immediately pops up an alert:

Sorry, we are unable to accept your review of this product for either one or both of the following reasons:
This item is currently only eligible for Amazon Verified Purchase reviews. Please visit our Customer Reviews Guidelines and About Amazon Verified Purchase Reviews for more details.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: KDS on November 21, 2017, 12:24:48 PM
Amazon would also do well to clean up the one star reviews on their site for shipping issues.  

Gotham666 gives The Dark Knight DVD one star

"Ordered, but DVD won't play in my player."  

I tried to Google the article to no avail.   Back in the spring or summer, some website (I think it was MTV) pulled negative comments off their cite for a new song by the rock bland Imagine Dragons.   So, that, coupled with taking down legit non trollish negative reviews of Mike's album, could be part of a disturbing trend in music.  
I remember reading something along those lines. I don't like it one bit.

And yes, those needless one star reviews like the example you cited really bring my sh*t to a crisp.

I wish I could find the article because I can't remember who initiated the taking down of negative comments.   I'm about 99% sure it was about a new song by Imagine Dragons, but I can't recall if the removal was initiated by the band, their label, or who/what.  


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 21, 2017, 12:24:59 PM
Quote
Frankly I think there is a market open for a good music review app that would allow people from Spotify and Apple Music to write their opinions on albums without being chased off with “verified reviews only” policies (quite like the book review site ‘Goodreads’)

I like that idea a lot...

I think the verified purchase thing is ok, but it should just carry more weight than a non-verified purchase.

I actually almost edited this idea into my above post. I can see Amazon making two simple sections in their review section for verified and unverified reviews. Let the consumer judge what is a BS review and what isn’t.

You can already filter customer reviews in a number of ways, including filtering by viewing only "verified purchase" reviews. I think in some cases you have to first click on "see all reviews", and then you get this:

https://www.amazon.com/Unleash-Love-2-CD-Mike/product-reviews/B07667GM1W/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_show_all_top?ie=UTF8&reviewerType=all_reviews


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 21, 2017, 12:28:03 PM
It appears as though the website still allows one to submit a review for "Unleash the Love" without an Amazon verified purchase. I don't know if that means they did a big clean-out but haven't literally instituted a policy of only verified purchase reviews, or if they have locked all non-verified purchases out and simply left the "review" button up, in which case that would suck to write a nice, long, thoughtful review only to have Amazon ignore it.

When you click on “write a review” you are sent to a page to select your star rating and to write your review. But once you select your star rating the page immediately pops up an alert:

Sorry, we are unable to accept your review of this product for either one or both of the following reasons:
This item is currently only eligible for Amazon Verified Purchase reviews. Please visit our Customer Reviews Guidelines and About Amazon Verified Purchase Reviews for more details.


Ahhhh. That makes sense. At least they're not wasting a potential reviewer's time.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 21, 2017, 12:30:37 PM
I would of course like it to be known that I don't weigh heavily Amazon reviews. I doubt that many folks really leave their purchase of music or movies (as opposed to, say, a consumer product like a vacuum cleaner or something) up in the air until they read Amazon reviews.

There are indeed plenty of awful, YouTube-level reviews on Amazon. Lots of awful writing. Grammar nightmares, etc.

Also, I see in some cases seemingly "regular" Amazon customers are sent free copies of books and other things and asked to review them. Are non-journalist, non-professional "reviewers" that are just "regular" customers really super likely to give a freebie item a horrible review, or will they hope they'll continue to be sent freebies?

Like this?
https://www.amazon.com/Hutzler-571-Banana-Slicer/dp/B0047E0EII/ref=sr_1_3?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1511296188&sr=1-3&keywords=banana+slicer#customerReviews


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 21, 2017, 12:31:24 PM
It appears they may still be allowing all reviewers to post reviews on the "digital" version of the album at Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076L1X31M/ref=cm_cr_ryp_prd_ttl_sol_0

At least for now....  :3d


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on November 21, 2017, 12:32:04 PM
I would of course like it to be known that I don't weigh heavily Amazon reviews. I doubt that many folks really leave their purchase of music or movies (as opposed to, say, a consumer product like a vacuum cleaner or something) up in the air until they read Amazon reviews.

There are indeed plenty of awful, YouTube-level reviews on Amazon. Lots of awful writing. Grammar nightmares, etc.

Also, I see in some cases seemingly "regular" Amazon customers are sent free copies of books and other things and asked to review them. Are non-journalist, non-professional "reviewers" that are just "regular" customers really super likely to give a freebie item a horrible review, or will they hope they'll continue to be sent freebies?

I actually used to be in their “freebie” Vine program. It didn’t depend on good reviews (not sure if that has changed in the last 5 years though). It depended that you wrote up an honest review (in an allotted amount of time) of a product you selected to be sent to you. Amazon would send out an email with like 100 items that ranged from 60” televisions to books that wouldn’t be available to the public for months down the road. You’d select one or two items you wanted sent to you and you were given a certain amount of time to review it.

Also, thanks for the tip on the filter for verified purchases. Haven’t used Amazon much since the last holiday season!


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 21, 2017, 12:34:25 PM
I would of course like it to be known that I don't weigh heavily Amazon reviews. I doubt that many folks really leave their purchase of music or movies (as opposed to, say, a consumer product like a vacuum cleaner or something) up in the air until they read Amazon reviews.

There are indeed plenty of awful, YouTube-level reviews on Amazon. Lots of awful writing. Grammar nightmares, etc.

Also, I see in some cases seemingly "regular" Amazon customers are sent free copies of books and other things and asked to review them. Are non-journalist, non-professional "reviewers" that are just "regular" customers really super likely to give a freebie item a horrible review, or will they hope they'll continue to be sent freebies?

Like this?
https://www.amazon.com/Hutzler-571-Banana-Slicer/dp/B0047E0EII/ref=sr_1_3?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1511296188&sr=1-3&keywords=banana+slicer#customerReviews

There is also the infamous sugar-free gummy bears listing:

https://www.amazon.com/Albanese-Candy-Sugar-Assorted-5-pound/product-reviews/B00DE4GWWY/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_show_all_top?ie=UTF8&reviewerType=all_reviews


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Gabo on November 21, 2017, 12:37:49 PM
I would of course like it to be known that I don't weigh heavily Amazon reviews. I doubt that many folks really leave their purchase of music or movies (as opposed to, say, a consumer product like a vacuum cleaner or something) up in the air until they read Amazon reviews.

There are indeed plenty of awful, YouTube-level reviews on Amazon. Lots of awful writing. Grammar nightmares, etc.

Also, I see in some cases seemingly "regular" Amazon customers are sent free copies of books and other things and asked to review them. Are non-journalist, non-professional "reviewers" that are just "regular" customers really super likely to give a freebie item a horrible review, or will they hope they'll continue to be sent freebies?

Like this?
https://www.amazon.com/Hutzler-571-Banana-Slicer/dp/B0047E0EII/ref=sr_1_3?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1511296188&sr=1-3&keywords=banana+slicer#customerReviews

There is also the infamous sugar-free gummy bears listing:

https://www.amazon.com/Albanese-Candy-Sugar-Assorted-5-pound/product-reviews/B00DE4GWWY/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_show_all_top?ie=UTF8&reviewerType=all_reviews


The reviews for these gummy bears are more positive than Unleash the Love, at least until a couple days ago


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 21, 2017, 12:48:57 PM
I would of course like it to be known that I don't weigh heavily Amazon reviews. I doubt that many folks really leave their purchase of music or movies (as opposed to, say, a consumer product like a vacuum cleaner or something) up in the air until they read Amazon reviews.

There are indeed plenty of awful, YouTube-level reviews on Amazon. Lots of awful writing. Grammar nightmares, etc.

Also, I see in some cases seemingly "regular" Amazon customers are sent free copies of books and other things and asked to review them. Are non-journalist, non-professional "reviewers" that are just "regular" customers really super likely to give a freebie item a horrible review, or will they hope they'll continue to be sent freebies?

Like this?
https://www.amazon.com/Hutzler-571-Banana-Slicer/dp/B0047E0EII/ref=sr_1_3?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1511296188&sr=1-3&keywords=banana+slicer#customerReviews

There is also the infamous sugar-free gummy bears listing:

https://www.amazon.com/Albanese-Candy-Sugar-Assorted-5-pound/product-reviews/B00DE4GWWY/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_show_all_top?ie=UTF8&reviewerType=all_reviews


The reviews for these gummy bears are more positive than Unleash the Love, at least until a couple days ago


And probably less auto-tune on the gummy bears, too...


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Pretty Funky on November 21, 2017, 01:51:33 PM
If you click on the ‘comment’ under each reviewer there is still the ability to add your opinion.

Example:

Robert N. Gould 3 days ago

Are you deaf? I listened to the entire album before writing my comments. It is truly awful. The cover songs are pathetic autotuned covers of the originals. Beach Boys tribute bands do a better job interpreting them than Mike Love and Company. The "new" material, such as it is, is wretched. The project is a classic Mike Love moneygrab. Light your money on fire rather than spend it on this aural sewage.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: RubberSoul13 on November 21, 2017, 08:35:33 PM
The Beach Boys played new Mike Love alongside classic hits at the "Unleash The Love" listening party last night. This is not okay.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 21, 2017, 08:44:24 PM
Ok, something needs to be done. I mean, Mike sued Brian for far far less in 2005, and this is actually something actionable.  Can you imagine something from TLOS being performed during the C50 tour? No, of course not.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on November 21, 2017, 08:47:43 PM
Ok, something needs to be done. I mean, Mike sued Brian for far far less in 2005, and this is actually something actionable.  Can you imagine something from TLOS being performed during the C50 tour? No, of course not.

I got hammered when I raised that issue after Mike played his Christmas single for the Hollywood parade. Same deal. It's not The Beach Boys, period.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 21, 2017, 08:50:58 PM
Well, looks like we're nails, cause I'm ready for a hammerin'.

Wonder if someone can convince Brian to open a show with a minute of Pisces Brother, then immediately stop the song and say "Nah, I'm just fucking with you"


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on November 21, 2017, 08:57:56 PM
Well, looks like we're nails, cause I'm ready for a hammerin'.

Wonder if someone can convince Brian to open a show with a minute of Pisces Brother, then immediately stop the song and say "Nah, I'm just fucking with you"

Haha, I can hear Brian saying that!  :lol

Another possibility - he opens with Brian's Back...stops it after singing a verse...says "Back? Where the f*** did I go?". Then launches into I Get Around.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 21, 2017, 09:19:14 PM
:lol


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Pretty Funky on November 21, 2017, 09:56:16 PM
Brian could update his “hold my nose” joke with Al. Set a autotune system to 11 and sing some Mike leads.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 21, 2017, 09:57:36 PM
:lol

Hell, I got some vocal only Mike leads from through the years..I'm gonna autotune the holy hell out of it and put a beat behind it


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Lonely Summer on November 21, 2017, 11:43:41 PM
The Beach Boys played new Mike Love alongside classic hits at the "Unleash The Love" listening party last night. This is not okay.
Sure it is. Glad they are playing some of the new songs. Wonder if any of them will make it into the regular setlist? And for how long?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Pretty Funky on November 21, 2017, 11:48:55 PM
:lol

Hell, I got some vocal only Mike leads from through the years..I'm gonna autotune the holy hell out of it and put a beat behind it



To late....



(https://i2.wp.com/www.iconvsicon.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/MikeLove_UTL-1-2017.jpg?resize=590%2C587)


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 21, 2017, 11:49:43 PM
:lol

I'd like to see a outtake where the bird shits on his hand


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: CenturyDeprived on November 22, 2017, 12:03:16 AM
:lol

I'd like to see a outtake where the bird shits on his hand

I legitimately keep wondering if turds were involved in the bird shoot, like in Mel Brooks’ Silent Movie. Unlike with Amazon, turds can’t be censored (unless bird diapers are a thing).


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 22, 2017, 12:18:22 AM
:lol Bird diapers :lol


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on November 22, 2017, 05:35:20 AM
The Beach Boys played new Mike Love alongside classic hits at the "Unleash The Love" listening party last night. This is not okay.
Sure it is. Glad they are playing some of the new songs. Wonder if any of them will make it into the regular setlist? And for how long?

:lol right?? [err at first thought you were being sarcastic there, Lonely Summer. I guess that was a serious post? Pardon for the confusion] And on top of how ridiculous this is, I read this on Facebook a minute ago:

I saw the Beach Boys a few days ago. The whole concert was basically a sales pitch for the album. The video screen kept displaying the cover image, along with a number to text to save 50% for the duration of the concert.

I really hope this person was joking. A number to text for 50% off the album? If that’s true then he’s turning Beach Boys concerts into the QVC channel. I can see it now, Mike Love finishes up Be True To Your School then invites John Stamos out to help pitch the album. “Oh it’s a great value, Mike. 25 songs for $9.99. That’s right, 25 songs for $9.99. Dial #409 on your cell phones to receive this phenomenal set for 50% off the retail price!”


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: The LEGENDARY OSD on November 22, 2017, 06:14:40 AM
The Beach Boys played new Mike Love alongside classic hits at the "Unleash The Love" listening party last night. This is not okay.
Sure it is. Glad they are playing some of the new songs. Wonder if any of them will make it into the regular setlist? And for how long?

:lol right?? [err at first thought you were being sarcastic there, Lonely Summer. I guess that was a serious post? Pardon for the confusion] And on top of how ridiculous this is, I read this on Facebook a minute ago:

I saw the Beach Boys a few days ago. The whole concert was basically a sales pitch for the album. The video screen kept displaying the cover image, along with a number to text to save 50% for the duration of the concert.

I really hope this person was joking. A number to text for 50% off the album? If that’s true then he’s turning Beach Boys concerts into the QVC channel. I can see it now, Mike Love finishes up Be True To Your School then invites John Stamos out to help pitch the album. “Oh it’s a great value, Mike. 25 songs for $9.99. That’s right, 25 songs for $9.99. Dial #409 on your cell phones to receive this phenomenal set for 50% off the retail price!”
"...and that's not all! Call in the next 15 minutes and we'll send you a 2nd copy! Just pay a separate handling and autotune processing fee! Call now!!


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 22, 2017, 06:16:12 AM
As far as Mike doing solo songs during his "Beach Boys" shows, for better or worse he has been doing this for years and years. He was doing "Cool Head, Warm Heart" back as early as 2006. I think he has also done a few other solo tracks in years past. "Pisces Brothers" most obviously. I think he also did "Unleash the Love" several years ago at the Ella Awards show.

At a few shows he even let Christian Love do one of his own compositions (titled "My Remote" as I recall).

It was clear several years ago when he did the Christmas song and "Pisces Brothers" that he has no problem and in fact relishes cross-fertilizing (no pun intended) the solo and "Beach Boys" stuff.

I'm not a fan of it (and indeed BRI lawyers were quick to go after Al in 1999 for doing "deep cuts", and those were from the actual Beach Boys catalog!), because indeed Mike is using the BB trademark to piggyback and promote his solo stuff.

More problematic, though, in my mind is sticking a BB logo on his CD. Live acts can perform basically any song they want to, as long as it's published/copyrighted. Mike could do an hour of AC/DC songs if he wanted to. But a "Mike Love" CD shouldn't be able to use the BB logo. Mentioning that he's a Beach Boy is fine; all of the guys have done that (though Brian and Al have also been harangued for the verbiage of how they bill their shows of recent years).

But I again submit that had Al released a CD in 1999 of his solo show, but used the Dean Torrence classic "Beach Boys" logo on the cover, he would have been sued into oblivion and there would have been an injunction to keep the CD from shipping out.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 22, 2017, 06:19:32 AM
The Beach Boys played new Mike Love alongside classic hits at the "Unleash The Love" listening party last night. This is not okay.
Sure it is. Glad they are playing some of the new songs. Wonder if any of them will make it into the regular setlist? And for how long?

:lol right?? [err at first thought you were being sarcastic there, Lonely Summer. I guess that was a serious post? Pardon for the confusion] And on top of how ridiculous this is, I read this on Facebook a minute ago:

I saw the Beach Boys a few days ago. The whole concert was basically a sales pitch for the album. The video screen kept displaying the cover image, along with a number to text to save 50% for the duration of the concert.

I really hope this person was joking. A number to text for 50% off the album? If that’s true then he’s turning Beach Boys concerts into the QVC channel. I can see it now, Mike Love finishes up Be True To Your School then invites John Stamos out to help pitch the album. “Oh it’s a great value, Mike. 25 songs for $9.99. That’s right, 25 songs for $9.99. Dial #409 on your cell phones to receive this phenomenal set for 50% off the retail price!”

I think Mike actually appeared way back circa 1993 on either QVC or Home Shopping Network to sell the "Good Vibrations" boxed set (that may have been the one where they gave away copies of SIP alongside it?).

(Yes, I know Brian did QVC in 2000 and the Beach Boys did it in 2012, but at least they played live in studio in those cases).

I'm actually curious where the 50% discount applies as far as Mike's album. I would presume only on Mike's website store or something? Amazon has already had the 2-CD set for $11.99 to $12.99; how much cheaper can they make it?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Tony S on November 22, 2017, 06:20:56 AM
I agree wholeheartedly....apparrently to Love seems there are 2 sets of legal rules and regs.....those for Love and those for the rest.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on November 22, 2017, 06:33:46 AM
#NotTheRealBeachBoys


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Tony S on November 22, 2017, 06:35:21 AM
Just watched a couple of videos on You Tube, with the Beach Boys Band performing both Unleash the Love and Help Me Rhonda. Mike's lead on Rhonda is simply awful....worst performance I've ever heard of that classic. Destroys the Al Jardine signature song. As far as Unleash the Love, I give him credit that at least it tries to be somewhat contemporary.....just not that god a tune. IMHO.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on November 22, 2017, 06:45:42 AM
Unleash The Love...what Beach Boys album is that on?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on November 22, 2017, 06:52:14 AM
There is live video:

"Unleash The Love" performed by the "Beach Boys":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_LEAM248sc (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_LEAM248sc)

"Cool Head Warm Heart" performed by the "Beach Boys":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekGMPJ37Y1U (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekGMPJ37Y1U)

"All The Love In Paris" performed by the "Beach Boys"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9e81cKFiAs (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9e81cKFiAs)


Looks like The Beach Boys name has now been co-opted by Mike to promote his solo album. So has the video screen Mike takes to the shows.

Does BRI even exist at this point?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: KDS on November 22, 2017, 07:00:45 AM
I've never been a fan of musicians performing solo material at band concerts. 

I want to hear the songs by the band name on the ticket stub.  The obvious exception is if you're seeing a supergroup, or a newly formed band from a musician who had his hey day with somebody else. 

I saw Van Halen with Sammy Hagar twice in 2004, and didn't care for his solo acoustic part of the set which featured two of Sammy's solo songs. 

I know Phil Collins and Don Henley have put solo songs in Genesis and Eagles setlists. 

This is one of the reasons I wasn't a fan of seeing Pisces Brothers and the two Beach Boys shows I attended in 2015 and 2016.   Granted, I like some of the clips I've heard of some of the new original tunes (minus the awful autotune), I'd rather not hear them at shows billed as The Beach Boys.

I know the chances are slim to none, but I'd love to see Mike do a small venue solo tour.   He could put a band together, or use some of the musicians from the current BB band, play some small venues, showcase his new album, sell copies at the merch tables, do meet and greets, and maybe even be a little daring with the setlists and include some BB songs that don't crack BB sets.  Maybe Belles of Paris, Sumahama, California: Big Sur, etc. 


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 22, 2017, 07:10:31 AM
What Mike chooses to do with his concerts wouldn't be so grating if he didn't flout just about every complaint made *against* Al Jardine in 1999.

From a December 1999 Rolling Stone piece:

Jardine has worked some of the more
artistically heralded, yet less commercially successful material from Pet Sounds
to Holland into the set with the surf/car/fun songs. In doing this, Jardine has run
afoul of the corporation. From the complaint: “Much of Jardine’s repertoire with
Beach Boys Family and Friends include many songs that the Beach Boys do not
regularly play in concert, songs [that] are about many issues that are not traditionally
associated with the Beach Boys, i.e. cars, surf, girls and fun.” Here, Love may be
flouting his own rules, as some of the songs on his set list -- “In My Room,”
“God Only Knows” -- don’t exactly fit the criteria. Love has also turned much of
the set into an all-purpose oldies show, including such classics as “Duke of Earl”
and “Why Do Fools Fall In Love?”


If the Beach Boys were "whole", if they were all together, I wouldn't mind if they did solo stuff. A fully constituted Beach Boys doing respective solo material seems more on point than many of the covers of other artists they do.

But the problem here is that Mike licensing the BB name to tour, so the "group" and "solo" brands are being blurred, and the only person capitalizing on it is Mike. Unfortunately, unless the license has specific restrictions on what songs he could play (and it clearly doesn't; he's done everything from "Duke of Earl" to "Fire Brigade" to Christian Love songs to Mike solo songs, and everything in between), then any touring outfit can perform anything they want. So yeah, technically Mike could do *nothing but* solo songs at his "Beach Boys" shows.

Let's just see if, a year from now, Mike is still taking up FOUR song slots or more with his new original solo material.

And yeah, does anybody think Mike "Gatekeeper of the Setlist" Love would have let Al do FOUR songs from "A Postcard from California" during the C50 tour? Remember when Al mentioned before the C50 tour that he's like to do "Don't Fight the Sea?" Al didn't get *song one* in the setlist. Indeed, I'm pretty sure Al got ZERO picks of any kind during that tour apart from "California Saga."


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Cabinessenceking on November 22, 2017, 07:15:53 AM
:lol

Hell, I got some vocal only Mike leads from through the years..I'm gonna autotune the holy hell out of it and put a beat behind it



To late....



(https://i2.wp.com/www.iconvsicon.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/MikeLove_UTL-1-2017.jpg?resize=590%2C587)


The image on the album cover must be the image Mike Love has of himself.
He must really want to convince everyone that he's not what people believe him to be.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: RubberSoul13 on November 22, 2017, 07:19:27 AM
My problem is not with these songs appearing in the touring setlist. BUT I have a serious problem with THE BEACH BOYS serving as the promotional band at a listening party for a new MIKE LOVE record. Solo and side-project tracks have popped up in The Beach Boys' setlist all the way back to the 70's...usually the tunes fit right in. My problem is that an event that is solely to promote MIKE LOVE's release, was led by The Beach Boys. That has never happened before and should never happen....even if Bruce stays home and the rest of the band comes and he calls it Mike Love and Band, that is FINE. But not a "The Beach Boys" event solely for promotion of this album.

I wish I could've heard "Aren't You Glad" in Hagerstown last week, but I don't regret not going. This bullshit would've killed it AGAIN for me.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 22, 2017, 07:33:42 AM
The weirdness of the "touring license" is such that the line can always easily be blurred. Mike can obviously do shows under his own name whenever he wants.

So he can do a show on Monday as "The Beach Boys", and then take the *exact some show with the exact same band* to a show the next night and perform as "Mike Love."

He doesn't do this much (if at all), primarily because the "BB" gigs are what bring in the money. But I also think that if he started booking "solo" shows with the same band, prominently mentioning that he is "of the Beach Boys", he would run the risk of BRI coming to him and saying he's trying to avoid paying the license fees for those shows by "technically" doing them as solo shows.

Ironically, in terms of revenue, BRI's best move in a license agreement would be to forbid Mike from doing any "non-Beach Boys" shows, so that BRI gets their cut of every show he does.

Mike did pretty much the same thing, using some or all of the touring band for a short "non-Beach Boys" promotional appearance, last year promoting his autobiography.

He has done a few short shows, or short sets within other multi-artist shows, where I'm not even clear on whether he's using the "Beach Boys" name. For instance, the "Ella Awards" in 2014. Was that billed as "The Beach Boys?" His touring band was there, and at one point they backed Mike and Al singing "Help Me Rhonda."

I'm not sure if the little club gig Mike did the other night was billed as "The Beach Boys." But again, as long as any revenue is properly paid to BRI according to the licensing agreement, Mike can do a little club show as "The Beach Boys" and do all or mostly "solo" songs.

But again, if he does shows as "Mike Love", but it's kind of vaguely also being touted as sort of a "Beach Boys" show, it would be up to BRI to pursue such things. I doubt they'd do so for literally one-off gigs.

If Mike was doing dozen of technically "solo" gigs per year with the same band, wearing "Beach Boys" baseball caps and showing pics of the BBs on the video screen and prominently using the BB name in ads, then maybe BRI would take issue. Maybe.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: CenturyDeprived on November 22, 2017, 07:51:29 AM
What Mike chooses to do with his concerts wouldn't be so grating if he didn't flout just about every complaint made *against* Al Jardine in 1999.

From a December 1999 Rolling Stone piece:

Jardine has worked some of the more
artistically heralded, yet less commercially successful material from Pet Sounds
to Holland into the set with the surf/car/fun songs. In doing this, Jardine has run
afoul of the corporation. From the complaint: “Much of Jardine’s repertoire with
Beach Boys Family and Friends include many songs that the Beach Boys do not
regularly play in concert, songs [that] are about many issues that are not traditionally
associated with the Beach Boys, i.e. cars, surf, girls and fun.” Here, Love may be
flouting his own rules, as some of the songs on his set list -- “In My Room,”
“God Only Knows” -- don’t exactly fit the criteria. Love has also turned much of
the set into an all-purpose oldies show, including such classics as “Duke of Earl”
and “Why Do Fools Fall In Love?”


If the Beach Boys were "whole", if they were all together, I wouldn't mind if they did solo stuff. A fully constituted Beach Boys doing respective solo material seems more on point than many of the covers of other artists they do.

But the problem here is that Mike licensing the BB name to tour, so the "group" and "solo" brands are being blurred, and the only person capitalizing on it is Mike. Unfortunately, unless the license has specific restrictions on what songs he could play (and it clearly doesn't; he's done everything from "Duke of Earl" to "Fire Brigade" to Christian Love songs to Mike solo songs, and everything in between), then any touring outfit can perform anything they want. So yeah, technically Mike could do *nothing but* solo songs at his "Beach Boys" shows.

Let's just see if, a year from now, Mike is still taking up FOUR song slots or more with his new original solo material.

And yeah, does anybody think Mike "Gatekeeper of the Setlist" Love would have let Al do FOUR songs from "A Postcard from California" during the C50 tour? Remember when Al mentioned before the C50 tour that he's like to do "Don't Fight the Sea?" Al didn't get *song one* in the setlist. Indeed, I'm pretty sure Al got ZERO picks of any kind during that tour apart from "California Saga."

I don’t know why Mike doesn’t just come out and flat out say that these rules don’t apply to him.  I mean his actions clearly prove that is his mindset, but he should just be explicitly say it. He could have “hypocrite“ baseball caps printed up that he could wear on the tour.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: KDS on November 22, 2017, 07:58:04 AM

If Mike was doing dozen of technically "solo" gigs per year with the same band, wearing "Beach Boys" baseball caps and showing pics of the BBs on the video screen and prominently using the BB name in ads, then maybe BRI would take issue. Maybe.

I doubt it.  At BW shows, Al Jardine is regularly introduced as "original Beach Boy."  Brian's tours the last few years has used the iconic Pet Sounds font for merch, programs, and the BB name is used in some advertising. 

Plus, I'd think if Mike did a solo tour, it would likely be in intimate venues that wouldn't accommodate his video screen. 


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: B.E. on November 22, 2017, 08:15:51 AM
Unfortunately, unless the license has specific restrictions on what songs he could play (and it clearly doesn't; he's done everything from "Duke of Earl" to "Fire Brigade" to Christian Love songs to Mike solo songs, and everything in between), then any touring outfit can perform anything they want. So yeah, technically Mike could do *nothing but* solo songs at his "Beach Boys" shows.

I'm not sure if the little club gig Mike did the other night was billed as "The Beach Boys." But again, as long as any revenue is properly paid to BRI according to the licensing agreement, Mike can do a little club show as "The Beach Boys" and do all or mostly "solo" songs.

Sorry, but this is very hard to believe. What isn't so hard to believe is that BRI simply allows it to happen - not that they don't have any recourse under the licensing agreement. BRI owns the trademark. They have a say in how it is used. Where do you think this complaint came from?

From a December 1999 Rolling Stone piece:
complaint: “Much of Jardine’s repertoire with
Beach Boys Family and Friends include many songs that the Beach Boys do not
regularly play in concert, songs [that] are about many issues that are not traditionally
associated with the Beach Boys, i.e. cars, surf, girls and fun.”

I don’t know why Mike doesn’t just come out and flat out say that these rules don’t apply to him.  I mean his actions clearly prove that is his mindset, but he should just be explicitly say it. He could have “hypocrite“ baseball caps printed up that he could wear on the tour.

Maybe because they do apply to him? BRI just lets him off the hook.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Matt H on November 22, 2017, 08:29:19 AM
Why is Darlin' on here?  According to the liner notes Mike isn't on the track at all. 


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 22, 2017, 09:24:52 AM

If Mike was doing dozen of technically "solo" gigs per year with the same band, wearing "Beach Boys" baseball caps and showing pics of the BBs on the video screen and prominently using the BB name in ads, then maybe BRI would take issue. Maybe.

I doubt it.  At BW shows, Al Jardine is regularly introduced as "original Beach Boy."  Brian's tours the last few years has used the iconic Pet Sounds font for merch, programs, and the BB name is used in some advertising.  

Plus, I'd think if Mike did a solo tour, it would likely be in intimate venues that wouldn't accommodate his video screen.  

Brian Wilson isn't licensing the Beach Boys name to tour. That's the big difference. It always is *every time* someone tries to compare what Brian does to what Mike does. They aren't in the same boat contractually/legally.

In the hypothetical scenario I described, BRI would only consider taking action because their *exclusive* licensee would be attempting to circumvent the license by doing everything but putting the "Beach Boys" name on the marquee and ticket. It would be essentially a case of BRI saying "If you want the license, then you have to at least generate revenue for us; so if you start using extensive elements of the trademark without paying us, then we're losing out on the only thing we get out of issuing you the exclusive license."

Also, Al Jardine has said in interviews that his *current* tour with Brian Wilson has received friendly "reminders" about how they bill themselves as "original Beach Boys." It has also been said that is not only the licensor (BRI), but also the *licensee* that is involved in taking action, or issuing "friendly reminders" via attorneys regarding use of the name. So the other shareholders might be a *bit* more likely to finally take action, or at least issue some "friendly reminders" of their own, if Mike (the *exclusive* licensee of the BB trademark) did the same thing Brian and Al have been warned off doing.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: KDS on November 22, 2017, 09:29:56 AM

If Mike was doing dozen of technically "solo" gigs per year with the same band, wearing "Beach Boys" baseball caps and showing pics of the BBs on the video screen and prominently using the BB name in ads, then maybe BRI would take issue. Maybe.

I doubt it.  At BW shows, Al Jardine is regularly introduced as "original Beach Boy."  Brian's tours the last few years has used the iconic Pet Sounds font for merch, programs, and the BB name is used in some advertising.  

Plus, I'd think if Mike did a solo tour, it would likely be in intimate venues that wouldn't accommodate his video screen.  

Brian Wilson isn't licensing the Beach Boys name to tour. That's the big difference. It always is *every time* someone tries to compare what Brian does to what Mike does. They aren't in the same boat contractually/legally.

In the hypothetical scenario I described, BRI would only consider taking action because their *exclusive* licensee would be attempting to circumvent the license by doing everything but putting the "Beach Boys" name on the marquee and ticket. It would be essentially a case of BRI saying "If you want the license, then you have to at least generate revenue for us; so if you start using extensive elements of the trademark without paying us, then we're losing out on the only thing we get out of issuing you the exclusive license."

Also, Al Jardine has said in interviews that his *current* tour with Brian Wilson has received friendly "reminders" about how they bill themselves as "original Beach Boys." It has also been said that is not only the licensor (BRI), but also the *licensee* that is involved in taking action, or issuing "friendly reminders" via attorneys regarding use of the name. So the other shareholders might be a *bit* more likely to finally take action, or at least issue some "friendly reminders" of their own, if Mike (the *exclusive* licensee of the BB trademark) did the same thing Brian and Al have been warned off doing.

That's fine.  But, I'm just failing to see why BRI would take issue if Mike did a solo tour (which we all know won't happen anyway) with images of The Beach Boys behind him while wearing a Beach Boys cap.

As long as the ticket doesn't say "The Beach Boys" or the show is preceded with "Ladies and Gentlemen.....THE BEACH BOYS," I fail to see why BRI would have an issue. 


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 22, 2017, 09:38:54 AM

Sorry, but this is very hard to believe. What isn't so hard to believe is that BRI simply allows it to happen - not that they don't have any recourse under the licensing agreement. BRI owns the trademark. They have a say in how it is used. Where do you think this complaint came from?

Yes, of course it's all down to what action BRI chooses to take. But I also don't believe the license specifically lays out specific songs that are to be played or not to be played. If there is some generic proviso in the license that states the "type" of songs that are to be performed, I don't think anybody would ever win a judgment if Mike does a half dozen obscure songs. There would be a ton of precedent going back 50 years, with and without Mike and the other BBs in the band, of not abiding by nor enforcing any setlist rules.

So yes, BRI allows it to happen. But they don't fail to take action necessarily solely because they don't care. They may well also choose not to take action because they wouldn't win.

I don't think BRI would take any action against Mike and his license unless something *extreme* happened. If he started performing zero Beach Boys songs and went on stage and did a two hour Maharishi routine, and ticket sales plummeted, then BRI would probably take action. But apart from that, barring some extreme like Mike being accused of and/or convicted of a serious crime or something like that, there's no benefit to BRI shareholders to harangue Mike.

What makes less sense is that Brian and Al don't tell Mike to f**k off when they're issued "friendly reminders" about calling themselves "original Beach Boys" in promotional materials. But I dunno, an e-mail saying "f**k off" isn't public record, so maybe they have figuratively or literally done that.

Maybe because they do apply to him? BRI just lets him off the hook.

It's difficult to assume too much about the BRI license. Even looking at the action taken against Al in 1999 isn't necessarily greatly instructive, because there were other mitigating circumstances, first and foremost the assertion that Al had *no* license. BRI was essentially, in part trying to argue that Al had no valid license, and then *also* kind of say "but if he did have a license, here's how he's flouting the terms of the license."

I have no reason to doubt the strong likelihood that there are various terms of the BB license that BRI doesn't strongly enforce. It's surely in part a case of not wanting to bother wasting time and money to pursue any legal matters regarding the license. But I also think it's a case where BRI would have trouble winning a case where the terms of the license are open to some degree of interpretation.

Remember this as well: It is often said that if the other three BRI board members voted to take Mike's license away, then it would be done. Nope. I would be willing to wager strongly that even if all three of the others agreed to revoke Mike's license (which is unlikely to happen anyway), Mike would tie it up in litigation for the rest of their lives. As someone once pointed out, the estates/heirs would inherit that lawsuit.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: RubberSoul13 on November 22, 2017, 09:41:34 AM
So with my day off, I've taken a little time to listen to this thing on YouTube...needless to say, I won't be spending money on it.

Since there is so much bad to be said, I'll focus on the good...

Getcha Back actually sounds pretty great. I've liked what they do with this live and that's pretty much what this is. The new lyrics are nice and honestly a little more interesting than the original.

Too Cruel isn't a bad tune. This would go over well in the live show.

Cool Head, Warm Heart is a highlight...since nothing has changed to it.

If Mike's name weren't Mike Love, Unleash The Love wouldn't be so bad.

As for the remakes....Warmth of the Sun with Aambha is nice (she did a great job on it with the NSO live). And WILD HONEY! I'd actually like to own this track. I may just download this track beacuse John Cowsill, that's why.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 22, 2017, 09:45:26 AM

If Mike was doing dozen of technically "solo" gigs per year with the same band, wearing "Beach Boys" baseball caps and showing pics of the BBs on the video screen and prominently using the BB name in ads, then maybe BRI would take issue. Maybe.

I doubt it.  At BW shows, Al Jardine is regularly introduced as "original Beach Boy."  Brian's tours the last few years has used the iconic Pet Sounds font for merch, programs, and the BB name is used in some advertising.  

Plus, I'd think if Mike did a solo tour, it would likely be in intimate venues that wouldn't accommodate his video screen.  

Brian Wilson isn't licensing the Beach Boys name to tour. That's the big difference. It always is *every time* someone tries to compare what Brian does to what Mike does. They aren't in the same boat contractually/legally.

In the hypothetical scenario I described, BRI would only consider taking action because their *exclusive* licensee would be attempting to circumvent the license by doing everything but putting the "Beach Boys" name on the marquee and ticket. It would be essentially a case of BRI saying "If you want the license, then you have to at least generate revenue for us; so if you start using extensive elements of the trademark without paying us, then we're losing out on the only thing we get out of issuing you the exclusive license."

Also, Al Jardine has said in interviews that his *current* tour with Brian Wilson has received friendly "reminders" about how they bill themselves as "original Beach Boys." It has also been said that is not only the licensor (BRI), but also the *licensee* that is involved in taking action, or issuing "friendly reminders" via attorneys regarding use of the name. So the other shareholders might be a *bit* more likely to finally take action, or at least issue some "friendly reminders" of their own, if Mike (the *exclusive* licensee of the BB trademark) did the same thing Brian and Al have been warned off doing.

That's fine.  But, I'm just failing to see why BRI would take issue if Mike did a solo tour (which we all know won't happen anyway) with images of The Beach Boys behind him while wearing a Beach Boys cap.

As long as the ticket doesn't say "The Beach Boys" or the show is preceded with "Ladies and Gentlemen.....THE BEACH BOYS," I fail to see why BRI would have an issue. 

Because BRI wouldn't be getting their cut as they would be for Mike's BB tours. Simple.

I think, apart from Carl's estate, the other two board members probably wouldn't cite Mike having the license as their favorite thing in the world. But it brings in revenue. For all the devaluing of the trademark and brand that Mike has done, for all the BS and lawsuits (both pertaining to touring and other issues), for all the cases of being fired/ditched, etc., the ONE thing that Brian and Al get out of Mike having the license is their cut of the licensing fee.

If Mike decided to do substantial amounts of solo shows, BRI would have a much stronger motivation to enforce elements of the license (or revisit the terms of the license) that they've previously let slide. Essentially, it would be a case of "Dude, if you're not bringing in as much revenue, then there's no reason to let you keep using the name."

For all we know, there *are* provisions in the license limiting the amount of non-Beach Boys shows Mike can do. Mike has said (although lamely mainly to defend continuing to book BB shows for after the C50 tour) there is some sort of specified fiduciary duty to BRI for him to book Beach Boys shows. So there may be a minimum number of shows he has to book, or a minimum amount of revenue he has to bring in, etc.

This is all largely moot of course, because I see no reason why Mike would book any substantial amount of non-private/corporate shows under any name other than the BBs. The "Beach Boys" tour is his personal bailiwick. I'd wager that even if by some fluke he all of a sudden built a huge following under his own name, he's *still* lay claim to the Beach Boys name.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 22, 2017, 09:49:50 AM
So with my day off, I've taken a little time to listen to this thing on YouTube...needless to say, I won't be spending money on it.

Since there is so much bad to be said, I'll focus on the good...

Getcha Back actually sounds pretty great. I've liked what they do with this live and that's pretty much what this is. The new lyrics are nice and honestly a little more interesting than the original.

Too Cruel isn't a bad tune. This would go over well in the live show.

Cool Head, Warm Heart is a highlight...since nothing has changed to it.

If Mike's name weren't Mike Love, Unleash The Love wouldn't be so bad.

As for the remakes....Warmth of the Sun with Aambha is nice (she did a great job on it with the NSO live). And WILD HONEY! I'd actually like to own this track. I may just download this track beacuse John Cowsill, that's why.


I always thought a better pick for Mike to fly into the TWGMTR album than "Daybreak" would have been "Too Cruel" (the 2004 version in a different key) with Al singing the lead.

"Cool Head..." and "Too Cruel" from the 2004 unreleased compilation are two of the best pieces. As I've already said, I'm kind of neutral about Christian Love's voice, but I much prefer his 2004 take on "Too Cruel" to the 2017 Mike version. But that goes for pretty much everything on the 2004 collection.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on November 22, 2017, 09:55:35 AM
So with my day off, I've taken a little time to listen to this thing on YouTube...needless to say, I won't be spending money on it.

Since there is so much bad to be said, I'll focus on the good...

Getcha Back actually sounds pretty great. I've liked what they do with this live and that's pretty much what this is. The new lyrics are nice and honestly a little more interesting than the original.

Too Cruel isn't a bad tune. This would go over well in the live show.

Cool Head, Warm Heart is a highlight...since nothing has changed to it.

If Mike's name weren't Mike Love, Unleash The Love wouldn't be so bad.

As for the remakes....Warmth of the Sun with Aambha is nice (she did a great job on it with the NSO live). And WILD HONEY! I'd actually like to own this track. I may just download this track beacuse John Cowsill, that's why.


To piggyback this, I like the new lyrics to Getcha Back, but the whole track is so different from what I’m used to on the ‘85 album. But I guess if you’re used to their live version then this wouldn’t be such a problem.

Agreed about Too Cruel. I can really see this on a modern Beach Boys album. It kinda reminds me of ‘Isnt It Time’ from the 2012 album. What kills it for me is the autotune.

Warmth of the Sun and Wild Honey are my favorites from this set.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on November 22, 2017, 10:07:48 AM
I am about to go on winter break and need something to do.

Could somebody kickstarter OSD and I to protest these shows with "#notthebeachboys" signs?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on November 22, 2017, 12:53:09 PM
Or a righteous bald dude review?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 22, 2017, 01:33:00 PM
Or a righteous bald dude review?


There's one coming, actually!


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on November 22, 2017, 01:36:37 PM
Or a righteous bald dude review?


There's one coming, actually!

Eagerly awaiting this.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 22, 2017, 01:40:56 PM
Yeah, going to do a track by track review sometime over the next few days, most likely this weekend


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: CenturyDeprived on November 22, 2017, 02:57:47 PM
Mike’s team is doing sponsored Instagram posts. Somehow according to Love math, two remakes of previously released BBs songs (Getcha Back and Daybreak) count as “all new original” songs.

(http://i68.tinypic.com/2j5j53o.jpg)


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on November 22, 2017, 02:59:37 PM
Glad to see OSD and I can rest on our laurels tonight....


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: NateRuvin on November 22, 2017, 03:27:18 PM
After living with this album for a while, I really can't stand the BBs re-recordings with the exception of Wild Honey (maybe WIBN if I'm feeling generous). The first CD has grown on me, despite the autotune. I still wish it wasn't there. I really like Ram Raj though. i think it's a quite ambitious song for Mike to tackle. It might be my all-time favorite Mike solo song, and my second favorite just Mike composition behind Big Sur.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: The LEGENDARY OSD on November 22, 2017, 03:35:06 PM
I am about to go on winter break and need something to do.

Could somebody kickstarter OSD and I to protest these shows with "#notthebeachboys" signs?

 :woot :woot :woot :woot  Count me in!!


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 22, 2017, 03:40:07 PM
After living with this album for a while, I really can't stand the BBs re-recordings with the exception of Wild Honey (maybe WIBN if I'm feeling generous). The first CD has grown on me, despite the autotune. I still wish it wasn't there. I really like Ram Raj though. i think it's a quite ambitious song for Mike to tackle. It might be my all-time favorite Mike solo song, and my second favorite just Mike composition behind Big Sur.

You know what? I agree with you. I was surprised when I heard it, and wasn't expecting it to be as good as it was.  Can't believe it's on the same album as the horrible K-Tel cover version-sounding re-recording of Getcha Back. Actually I can't believe it's on the same album as the rest of the songs. It's actually good, the melody is nice, the vocals sound cool, and best of all, it doesn't sound like a cheap recording. It sounds...gasp...professional.  What happened on this one? Did someone drop a molly in his Heineken or something?

And the horrible auto-tuned version of Help Me Rhonda may just be the worst thing ever recorded..oh wait, I just heard the opening part of Make Love, not War.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: CenturyDeprived on November 22, 2017, 03:43:00 PM
After living with this album for a while, I really can't stand the BBs re-recordings with the exception of Wild Honey (maybe WIBN if I'm feeling generous). The first CD has grown on me, despite the autotune. I still wish it wasn't there. I really like Ram Raj though. i think it's a quite ambitious song for Mike to tackle. It might be my all-time favorite Mike solo song, and my second favorite just Mike composition behind Big Sur.

I agree that some of the originals have grown on me a little. Mostly the better ones are just bland and inoffensive. Some are baddd. The remakes are mostly so, so, so off-the-charts bad, it soils the whole damn thing, especially after his previous Autotune comments. Some interviewer has to ask him about that, right? Or is Autotune hypocrisy on the list of un-askable questions?

Why did Mike not put Big Sur on here? Baffling.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 22, 2017, 04:00:25 PM
After living with this album for a while, I really can't stand the BBs re-recordings with the exception of Wild Honey (maybe WIBN if I'm feeling generous). The first CD has grown on me, despite the autotune. I still wish it wasn't there. I really like Ram Raj though. i think it's a quite ambitious song for Mike to tackle. It might be my all-time favorite Mike solo song, and my second favorite just Mike composition behind Big Sur.

I agree that some of the originals have grown on me a little. Mostly the better ones are just bland and inoffensive. Some are baddd. The remakes are mostly so, so, so off-the-charts bad, it soils the whole damn thing, especially after his previous Autotune comments. Some interviewer has to ask him about that, right? Or is Autotune hypocrisy on the list of un-askable questions?

Why did Mike not put Big Sur on here? Baffling.

The big problem with disc one is that, Ram Raj aside (seriously, why is that track so so much better), the production sounds HORRIBLE and makes the album sound cheap. I made a K-Tel reference earlier, and it was not meant as a joke. It really does sound like something somebody recorded in a karaoke studio at a mall and then dubbed it 3 generations.

If not for Ram Raj, and Ambha Love's vocals (seriously, she impressed me big time), this would be in my bottom 3 of worst albums I have ever heard. Not just by professional artists. I mean by *anybody*, and this is coming from someone who has been producing for about 20 years. I've heard some pure sh*t, I mean REAL bad. This ranks down there.

And the freaking NERVE of putting Daybreak over the Ocean on disc one and billing it as an ALL NEW ORIGINAL, when not only it was originally written in the 70s, it was RELEASED AS A BB TRACK FIVE YEARS AGO.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: NateRuvin on November 22, 2017, 04:02:51 PM
Does anyone remember the BBs re-recordings from Mike's book trailer? I would have been thrilled if those were the covers released, because those actually sounded really good. Not as good as the original recordings obviously, but better than the Adrian Baker stuff imo.

These recordings---- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OutWymKjErk


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: NateRuvin on November 22, 2017, 04:04:20 PM
If the production was decent, I would have LOVED this album. I mean, there's a lot of really great songs! But the shitty production just sucked the life out of the music.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 22, 2017, 05:03:26 PM
If the production was decent, I would have LOVED this album. I mean, there's a lot of really great songs! But the shitty production just sucked the life out of the music.
Agreed.  The production, and the cheap ass sound that sounds like it was the microphones had soft pillows placed in front of them during the recording process.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on November 22, 2017, 05:04:35 PM
And Billy taking a nap....


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 22, 2017, 05:06:04 PM
I wish! I have bad insomnia any way...with most of this, I might end up with night terrors!


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on November 22, 2017, 05:06:58 PM
 :( listen to some classic BW....


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 22, 2017, 05:08:38 PM
:( listen to some classic BW....
  Like I ever stop 8)


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on November 22, 2017, 05:09:59 PM
Watching Washington Capitals hockey on my end!


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 22, 2017, 05:13:08 PM
They got NBA on the TV here at work. *snore* Been listening to UTL on headphones....if I have another stroke I'm suing Mike, f*** it. :lol


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on November 22, 2017, 05:16:09 PM
Lovely Billy! ;D


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: The LEGENDARY OSD on November 22, 2017, 06:27:44 PM
Glad to see OSD and I can rest on our laurels tonight....
Basking in the amazing Captainfantastic610 comment. My thoughts to the letter. BTW, has this piece of fertilizer charted?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 22, 2017, 08:01:10 PM
Quote
BTW, has this piece of fertilizer charted?

(https://static1.fjcdn.com/thumbnails/comments/Pictureperfectt+rolled+image+mfw+_c7c122e31487811f5ec21b7e952f29be.gif)


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: CenturyDeprived on November 22, 2017, 08:07:17 PM
(http://i67.tinypic.com/98bp8w.jpg)


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 22, 2017, 08:11:24 PM
:lol

It's the aural equivalent of masturbating with sandpaper.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: RangeRoverA1 on November 22, 2017, 09:00:53 PM
In the great "Police Avademy", Film 4, birds throw manure into Capt. Harris whilst he tries to make serious statement.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: CenturyDeprived on November 22, 2017, 09:14:58 PM
In the great "Police Avademy", Film 4, birds throw manure into Capt. Harris whilst he tries to make serious statement.

And there’s this...

“Fowl play: Thieves use bird poop ruse to distract and pickpocket victims in Hollywood”

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-bird-poop-pickpocket-thefts-20170907-story,amp.html


I could imagine fans who might feel hoodwinked after buying an album (that unbeknownst to them, had bad reviews scrubbed from Amazon) might feel a bit like Mike pickpocketed them too.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Zargo on November 22, 2017, 10:27:40 PM
Just got the CD today, and reading the liner notes, it seems Christian (and Brian) is all over the album. It certainly doesn't sound like Mike (robo or otherwise) on the verses of "Kiss me Baby" so it might be them on co-lead there. Perhaps Christian simply didn't want to be singing lead on "I Don't Wanna Know" and "Too Cruel" this time around, and wanted to be more subtle in his involvement?

Brian Eichenberger and Jacqueline Love designed the booklet, and it's pretty nice.

There's a photo of Brian and Mike on the "Brian's Back" page, with a hat-less Mike playing basketball with Brian. Looks like late 70's. Presumably the latter and/or his management must have approved for the photo to be in there.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 22, 2017, 10:49:14 PM
Just got the CD today, and reading the liner notes, it seems Christian (and Brian) is all over the album.
Well, considering the 2012 version of DIA was used as the basis for this one...


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 22, 2017, 10:54:37 PM
Just got the CD today, and reading the liner notes, it seems Christian (and Brian) is all over the album. It certainly doesn't sound like Mike (robo or otherwise) on the verses of "Kiss me Baby" so it might be them on co-lead there. Perhaps Christian simply didn't want to be singing lead on "I Don't Wanna Know" and "Too Cruel" this time around, and wanted to be more subtle in his involvement?

Brian Eichenberger and Jacqueline Love designed the booklet, and it's pretty nice.

There's a photo of Brian and Mike on the "Brian's Back" page, with a hat-less Mike playing basketball with Brian. Looks like late 70's. Presumably the latter and/or his management must have approved for the photo to be in there.

Assuming Mike owns the photo or obtained permission from the copyright holder, I don't believe he'd need Brian's permission to use a photo of Brian.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Zargo on November 22, 2017, 11:20:39 PM
Just got the CD today, and reading the liner notes, it seems Christian (and Brian) is all over the album.
Well, considering the 2012 version of DIA was used as the basis for this one...

Apologies, I meant Brian Love, Mike's other son. I'd be surprised if Brian Wilson was all over the album.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Lonely Summer on November 22, 2017, 11:39:49 PM
I find it ironic that Mike's Beach Boys are playing his new solo tunes, while Brian's band just plays the same old songs night after night. My opinion - i'm glad Mike is playing the new songs. I've been listening to some of the songs on youtube, and am enjoying what I've heard so far. Yeah, the autotune is not the best thing in the world, but that's how records are made these days. I will write more when I've had time to listen more. But it's not the trainwreck I was expecting.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 22, 2017, 11:40:45 PM
Just got the CD today, and reading the liner notes, it seems Christian (and Brian) is all over the album.
Well, considering the 2012 version of DIA was used as the basis for this one...

Apologies, I meant Brian Love, Mike's other son. I'd be surprised if Brian Wilson was all over the album.

Gotcha. Thought you were referring to Do it again!


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 22, 2017, 11:55:49 PM
I find it ironic that Mike's Beach Boys are playing his new solo tunes, while Brian's band just plays the same old songs night after night. My opinion - i'm glad Mike is playing the new songs. I've been listening to some of the songs on youtube, and am enjoying what I've heard so far. Yeah, the autotune is not the best thing in the world, but that's how records are made these days. I will write more when I've had time to listen more. But it's not the trainwreck I was expecting.

The good songs are great...ram Raj quite frankly is badass. The fact that I've had it stuck in my head all day says something,  and it had the best production on the album by far. As for the rest, well...Ambha Love sounds like she could have a good career on her own merits,  and the version of warmth of the sun sounds like it could be a hit today.

The problem is, the bad stuff is so bad that it ruins the good stuff. Like, awful. It'd be like if there was a BB compilation with two songs from pet sounds,  one from Friends, and the rest from SIP.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Michael Edward Osbourne on November 23, 2017, 08:26:32 AM
My quick 2 cents on Unleash The Love...

I'm not crazy about the majority of this album. The remakes are pointless to me, although I do like hearing John Cowsill on Wild Honey. And I think Ambha Love is a good singer. As far as the originals on Disc One go...I always liked Cool Head, Warm Heart (in fact I thought it was the best of the solo songs featured on 2006's Songs From Here & Back). Ram Raj is the best thing I ever hear from Mike as a solo artist. I actually love the song. I'm very impressed by it. A++.  But the rest of the album doesn't really work for me. I'm not gonna rag too hard on him for this release. I've heard worse. That is all from me on this topic....


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: CenturyDeprived on November 23, 2017, 08:46:43 AM
I find it ironic that Mike's Beach Boys are playing his new solo tunes, while Brian's band just plays the same old songs night after night. My opinion - i'm glad Mike is playing the new songs. I've been listening to some of the songs on youtube, and am enjoying what I've heard so far. Yeah, the autotune is not the best thing in the world, but that's how records are made these days. I will write more when I've had time to listen more. But it's not the trainwreck I was expecting.

The good songs are great...ram Raj quite frankly is badass. The fact that I've had it stuck in my head all day says something,  and it had the best production on the album by far. As for the rest, well...Ambha Love sounds like she could have a good career on her own merits,  and the version of warmth of the sun sounds like it could be a hit today.

The problem is, the bad stuff is so bad that it ruins the good stuff. Like, awful. It'd be like if there was a BB compilation with two songs from pet sounds,  one from Friends, and the rest from SIP.

Ram Raj has its moments, but is ruined by the pointless “curry” remark at the end. There’s a documentary that was just made that talks about how the Apu character is offensive to a number of Indians; I imagine the filmmakers wouldn’t dig this “curry” bit either. I cannot wrap my head around why it is on there.

Imagine the band adding sushi or watermelon food references spoken in racial characterizations at the end of Sumahama or Johnny B Goode. Why is this any different?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 23, 2017, 08:48:53 AM
Missed it aa I rarely pay attention to lyrics.  Wow...that's just...yeah.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on November 23, 2017, 08:49:31 AM
Yeah..... :-\


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 23, 2017, 10:16:30 AM
Indefensible. ...


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: joshferrell on November 23, 2017, 10:19:38 AM
I'm glad someone brought up K-tell because that was something I was thinking too.. K-tell was a record label that used to sign "has been" oldies bands and singers to re-record their hit songs in usually crappy rearrangements on cheap studio equipment sometimes with synths, the reason for this is because they couldn't actually use the original masters because the original record companies who originally signed them owned the masters. So we get people like Little Richard, Herman's Hermits, The Classics 4, Jerry Lee Lewis and Jan and Dean rerecording their songs so they can get them released through K-tell (and other smaller labels) also can anyone say "Mike and Dean" lol...not only that but it seems Love is pulling a Ray Stevens, if you notice Stevens has rerecorded ALL of his hits but not only that but he keeps on rereleasing his newer songs from the 80's and 90's on ALL of his new albums mixed in with brand new songs...


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on November 23, 2017, 10:20:04 AM
Insert Filleplage rant here about curry....


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: CenturyDeprived on November 23, 2017, 10:28:58 AM
Insert Filleplage rant here about curry....

In an attempt to curry favor and get upgraded “BBs” tickets  :lol

Seriously, in 2017 I don’t know how Mike okayed the curry line.  I played it for my coworkers, who sat slack-jawed in disbelief. One of them suggested that perhaps it was somebody who worked in production on the album slipping it in intentionally as a goof at the eleventh hour, to make Mike look bad. Troll on the staff perhaps?

Isn’t that also the theory on how the song “can’t stop talking about American girls” is vocally in the wrong key?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on November 23, 2017, 10:35:08 AM
CD, its "currying" favor.... :lol


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on November 23, 2017, 01:24:56 PM
Insert Filleplage rant here about curry....

In an attempt to curry favor and get upgraded “BBs” tickets  :lol

Seriously, in 2017 I don’t know how Mike okayed the curry line.  I played it for my coworkers, who sat slack-jawed in disbelief. One of them suggested that perhaps it was somebody who worked in production on the album slipping it in intentionally as a goof at the eleventh hour, to make Mike look bad. Troll on the staff perhaps?

Isn’t that also the theory on how the song “can’t stop talking about American girls” is vocally in the wrong key?

85% of this album feels like the producers/mixers were out to make Mike look bad. It’s a shame because Mike has a talented band, he’s got a good voice (at times, and considering his age it’s pretty good considering how many shows he does), and he had a bit of good material for this album.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 23, 2017, 02:00:43 PM
Insert Filleplage rant here about curry....

In an attempt to curry favor and get upgraded “BBs” tickets  :lol

Seriously, in 2017 I don’t know how Mike okayed the curry line.  I played it for my coworkers, who sat slack-jawed in disbelief. One of them suggested that perhaps it was somebody who worked in production on the album slipping it in intentionally as a goof at the eleventh hour, to make Mike look bad. Troll on the staff perhaps?

Isn’t that also the theory on how the song “can’t stop talking about American girls” is vocally in the wrong key?

85% of this album feels like the producers/mixers were out to make Mike look bad. It’s a shame because Mike has a talented band, he’s got a good voice (at times, and considering his age it’s pretty good considering how many shows he does), and he had a bit of good material for this album.


That's the way I'm feeling about the album. The more I hear it, the angrier I get.  I HATE poorly mixed stuff when the material is decent.  I mean, 3/4 of this is sounds like diarrhea in my ears, but the handful of stuff that is good is SO good that it deserved better


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: NateRuvin on November 23, 2017, 02:01:15 PM
I agree, rab2591.   It must have been hard work to make Mike, Bruce, and his band sound bad. He accomplished it though  :(


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: swinkhouse on November 24, 2017, 07:49:01 AM
Just skimmed my way through some of the album, mostly listening to the BB remakes and I gotta say (and I know it's been said), but the production is awful and honestly unprofessional. There are obvious editing mistakes that shouldn't have been in the released album. In the intro harmonies of Kiss Me Baby you can clearly hear a pop where they spliced two takes together; in Good Vibes theres a weird digital sound that plays at when he sings "gentle word"; Warmth of The Sun has background noise/coughing before the harmonies come in, which isn't a big deal but it doesn't fit the production style on the rest of the album. These are what I've noticed when briefly listening for the first time; I'm sure there's others, too. I didn't expect much but I can't see being a musician and releasing an album full of easily fixed production mistakes.



Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: phirnis on November 24, 2017, 09:30:10 AM
Browsing through this album on Spotify. The only song on disc 1 that's remotely interesting is Ram Raj. This may well be the worst BB solo album I've heard - what a surprise...

Not much to say about the remakes except that some of them are unintentionally funny. Love's vocals on I Get Around sound incredibly weird.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Gabo on November 24, 2017, 02:05:39 PM
Summer In Paradise vs Unleash The Love? Does anyone have an opinion? 


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: CenturyDeprived on November 24, 2017, 02:09:27 PM
Summer In Paradise vs Unleash The Love? Does anyone have an opinion?  

SIP is better by a mile. Carl and Al elevate the material, and as lame as Summer of Love (for instance) is, it isn’t literally nauseating in the manner that the UTL Autotune atrocities are.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Tony S on November 24, 2017, 02:31:02 PM
So I just listened to both of the CD's having actually found the double CD at Jack's in Red Bank. First, the Beach Boy covers on Disc 2......frankly, they are AWFUL! In particularly, Rhonda is absolutely atrocious. Vocals are terrible. Amber Love is the best singer on WOTS.....that's about it. Now as for the originals on Dis 1, I 'd say the best one is All the Love in Paris, the CD opener. Pleasant enough. I actually liked the Original Daybreak from the BB Reunion......the version here is dragged out and slowed down, not nearly as good. He tries to contemporize the sound, w/o all those typical "Beach Boys song names in the lyrics", so I give him credit for that. But unfortunately, the sOngs are really bad, his vocals not good, even with the auto tune...just plain bad. I tried to give it an honest listen, and I think I did, but this is by far easily the worst solo release f any of the Boys since, well.....Looking back With Love......that one may actually be better than this drivel.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: wild neon sins on November 24, 2017, 04:54:33 PM
My problem is not with these songs appearing in the touring setlist. BUT I have a serious problem with THE BEACH BOYS serving as the promotional band at a listening party for a new MIKE LOVE record. Solo and side-project tracks have popped up in The Beach Boys' setlist all the way back to the 70's...usually the tunes fit right in. My problem is that an event that is solely to promote MIKE LOVE's release, was led by The Beach Boys. That has never happened before and should never happen....even if Bruce stays home and the rest of the band comes and he calls it Mike Love and Band, that is FINE. But not a "The Beach Boys" event solely for promotion of this album.

I wish I could've heard "Aren't You Glad" in Hagerstown last week, but I don't regret not going. This bullshit would've killed it AGAIN for me.

There's a brief report + pics of an offical release party here: he's wearing his "Mike Love" baseball cap in the pics and they don't mention it as being a Beach Boys performance, jut describe it as "Love’s backing band" even though the band includes Bruce.
https://www.thehypemagazine.com/2017/11/mike-love-hosts-an-unleash-the-love-album-release-event-at-new-yorks-the-wooly/ (some content in that mag seems to be paid for).

"On November 20, 2017 at upscale New York City cocktail lounge The Wooly, BMG hosted a party for Mike Love in celebration of the November 17, 2017 release of Unleash The Love. Unlike your average album release event, Love — who recently announced a Beach Boys winter tour of theaters across the United States — brought along a full band to play for more than a half-hour. In addition to long-time Beach Boys vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Bruce Johnston, Love’s backing band included guitarist Jeffrey Foskett, sons Brian and Christian, and drummer John Cowsill. The aforementioned John Stamos was also present for most of Love’s set, alternating between guitar and drum duties, also commending Love on-mic for Unleash The Love being Love’s most creative project in many years."


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: The Cincinnati Kid on November 24, 2017, 05:16:40 PM
I was debating whether or not to do this, but I'm going to copy over my review from PSF.  After digesting it some more, my opinions have changed slightly on certain songs, but not more than 0.5 points.  Feel free to Unleash the Wrath!


Ok, I'm finally giving this a thorough listen. I'll give my thoughts as I listen to each track.

1. All The Love In Paris: Clearly influenced by Don't Worry Baby. Obviously that helps the song and the lyrics are pretty good. The autotune is minimal. I really love the verses, especially the little build up at the end of them. I can see this one making it to my main playlist I use in the car.
4.5/5

2. Getcha Back: We all know this one. The lyric changes are interesting, but I wouldn't say they're better or worse than the original. Real drums were used here unlike the original. I think I like this backing track better than the original, but I'd probably include the saxophone that's in the background of the original. The autotune is more noticeable, but not distracting. Overall, it's basically an interesting alternate version, but it doesn't improve upon the original
3/5

3. Daybreak Over The Ocean: The intro is great! It's based on some doo-wop song, but I can't recall which one at the moment. The bulk of the song is familiar, but it's closer to his First Love version than TWGMTR. His voice seems slightly less nasally than the TWGMTR version. Again, the autotune is not distracting here.
3.5/5

4. I Don't Want To Know: I'm really enjoying this one! I'm not sure how I feel about the woman doing those vocals. I could probably do without them. Mike's voice sounds really nice here.
4.5/5

5. Too Cruel: This song is so frustrating! It would by far be my favorite song on the album, but Mike's vocals are so distracting! I'm not even sure if it's the autotune as it sounds like his voice is sped up. Everything else is great. Maybe I should record my own vocal??
2.5/5

6. Crescent Moon: This is a really nice song. The lyrics are great. I imagine this is the type of song a lot of people wish Mike would write more of. He is in fine vocal form as well.
5/5

7. Cool Head, Warm Heart: It's probably his most well known solo recording and most consider it his best as well. I've always like the intro, but it doesn't really fit the song. Christian's part is really cool and he sounds so much like Carl.
4.5/5

8. Pisces Brothers: I've never been super in to this song. I still maintain that it's more enjoyable in concert, but the female backing vocals are really good.
2.5/5

9. Unleash The Love: There's a pretty good song lurking under here, but I don't care for the instruments used in certain spots where all of it sudden the song goes takes a stripped down approach. The intro is a good example of what I'm talking about. Mike's vocal is decent and the background vocals are very enjoyable.
3/5

10. Ram Raj: Wow, I wasn't expecting this! I'm almost at a loss for words. That Ram Raj chant is an earworm that's not going to away for a while. The guitar solos are so cool as are the vocals toward the end of the song. What is with the curry comment at the end of the song?? That was so weird haha. Well done, Mike.
5/5

11. 10,000 Years Ago: I wish there were more guitar driven Beach Boys songs in the world. The outro goes on a bit too long, but otherwise this is one of those songs I'll never get tired of.
4.5/5


12. Only One Earth: I rarely like spoken bits is songs and I don't like this one either. My favorite part is Ambha's vocal, I could listen to that over and over. The rest of the song is decent, but northing spectacular.
3/5

13. Make Love Not War: The intro starts off great, but I don't care for the crowd chants that appear here and throughout the song. Most of the lyrics are pretty good. Mike's voice is pretty cool aside from the "Make love, not war. Give peace, a chance" part.
3.5/5

Average: ~3.75/5 or 7.5/10

Now onto the remakes. I consider this a bonus disk more than anything.

California Girls: The autotune kills any redeemable quality the song may have.
1.5/5

2. Do It Again: The best thing I can say is that the backing track is really good. This song could actually be very enjoyable if not for the terrible use of autotune and stupid Do It chant and whoops.
1/5

3. Help Me, Rhonda: Again, the autotune makes the song unlistenable. I will say that I like how Bruce's vocal is more prominent in the chorus.
1.5/5

4. I Get Around: Ugh, who did this to Mike's voice?? It's so bad lol. It sounds like sandpaper is being rubbed on the microphone as he sings.
1/5

5. Warmth of The Sun: Ahh, this is so refreshing after the last few songs. Ambha does a great job on this one. I'm surprised she hasn't started a recording career, considering the connections Mike has. Maybe she doesn't have a real interest in it.
5/5

6. Brian's Back: There's a touch of autotune, but it's not nearly as bad as the first four songs. Of course Carl's voice is great. Overall this is a decent song, but if I want to listen to it, I'll just listen to the version on MiC.
3.5/5

7. Kiss Me Baby: If you ever wondered what a wall of Mikes sound like, you now have your answer. It's actually kind of amusing, but I wouldn't say it's particularly bad. It actually sounds like someone else's voice might be slipped in there, though. Another great vocal from Ambha. I'll be generous and give it a
4/5

8. Darlin': I was vaguely familiar with AJR before hearing this. They had a minor hit last year or the year before. I really like his voice, but checking out some of their songs, I'm not really a fan of their work. He sounds a lot like Nate Reuss from fun. (he sang Saturday Night on NPP). Overall, this is pretty enjoyable.
4/5

9. Wild Honey: This really rocks! As others have mentioned this mix is lot like how it was played in the early '70s (and now). John's vocal is amazing as always. It sort of reminds me of Blondie's. Too bad Mike didn't do his "sweeter" call back in the build up.
5/5

10. Wouldn't It Be Nice: I and others have said that Jeff really excels in this vocal range. The autotune is a bit heavy handed on Mike's vocal, but nothing too distracting.
3/5

11. Good Vibrations: Again, Jeff turns in a great vocal here. Also again, the autotune is a bit heavy handed on Mike's vocal in the chorus.
3/5

12. Fun Fun Fun: Just when you were starting to forget about the awful autotune in the first few songs, it returns one final time! I will say that it's not *quite* as bad here, but it's still pretty blatant. Mike's prominent bass vocal is pretty cool though.
2/5

Average: ~2.8/5 or 5.6/10

When I first gave this a quick listen, I gave it a 7/10 and I'm going to stick with that after listening to it thoroughly. I don't give as much weight to the remakes because they're just that; remakes. Like I've said before, the record company probably demanded they be included. However, based on the reviews I've read from people who hate anything Mike does and the honest negative reviews, the remakes are a negative distraction from the originals. I'm curious to know why Big Sur wasn't included. So many people love that version of the song. I assume ESQ will do an interview with Mike regarding the album. Hopefully they ask him about that!





Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Zargo on November 24, 2017, 09:07:37 PM
I was debating whether or not to do this, but I'm going to copy over my review from PSF.  After digesting it some more, my opinions have changed slightly on certain songs, but not more than 0.5 points.  Feel free to Unleash the Wrath!


Ok, I'm finally giving this a thorough listen. I'll give my thoughts as I listen to each track.

Great review and I agree with most of it! I miss the "gettin' sweeter" Mike vocals on Wild Honey also, the only thing missing from a great cut.

Am I the only one who loves "Only one Earth?" I usually tear up during the gorgeous coda of the 2003ish version (Guess I'm just a sentimental sap  :P) and was not disappointed by this new one - agreed that Ambha's contributions are a stand-out. Makes one wish only more that the "California Saga" band was doing more.



Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 24, 2017, 09:24:35 PM
I was debating whether or not to do this, but I'm going to copy over my review from PSF.  After digesting it some more, my opinions have changed slightly on certain songs, but not more than 0.5 points.  Feel free to Unleash the Wrath!


Ok, I'm finally giving this a thorough listen. I'll give my thoughts as I listen to each track.

Great review and I agree with most of it! I miss the "gettin' sweeter" Mike vocals on Wild Honey also, the only thing missing from a great cut.

Am I the only one who loves "Only one Earth?" I usually tear up during the gorgeous coda of the 2003ish version (Guess I'm just a sentimental sap  :P) and was not disappointed by this new one - agreed that Ambha's contributions are a stand-out. Makes one wish only more that the "California Saga" band was doing more.



I like it until Mike's vocal starts. It's not the vocal itself but the tuning makes it he's shaky , and the backup vocals are mixed way too low.  Makes me think of Beaks of Eagles structurally. A remix  would make things much better (hey, I work cheap!) The key change though kind of brings things down to a screeching halt, because from there it gets too busy.

And yeah, her vocal works for me great


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 24, 2017, 09:33:21 PM
I was debating whether or not to do this, but I'm going to copy over my review from PSF.  After digesting it some more, my opinions have changed slightly on certain songs, but not more than 0.5 points.  Feel free to Unleash the Wrath!


Ok, I'm finally giving this a thorough listen. I'll give my thoughts as I listen to each track.

1. All The Love In Paris: Clearly influenced by Don't Worry Baby. Obviously that helps the song and the lyrics are pretty good. The autotune is minimal. I really love the verses, especially the little build up at the end of them. I can see this one making it to my main playlist I use in the car.
4.5/5

2. Getcha Back: We all know this one. The lyric changes are interesting, but I wouldn't say they're better or worse than the original. Real drums were used here unlike the original. I think I like this backing track better than the original, but I'd probably include the saxophone that's in the background of the original. The autotune is more noticeable, but not distracting. Overall, it's basically an interesting alternate version, but it doesn't improve upon the original
3/5

3. Daybreak Over The Ocean: The intro is great! It's based on some doo-wop song, but I can't recall which one at the moment. The bulk of the song is familiar, but it's closer to his First Love version than TWGMTR. His voice seems slightly less nasally than the TWGMTR version. Again, the autotune is not distracting here.
3.5/5

4. I Don't Want To Know: I'm really enjoying this one! I'm not sure how I feel about the woman doing those vocals. I could probably do without them. Mike's voice sounds really nice here.
4.5/5

5. Too Cruel: This song is so frustrating! It would by far be my favorite song on the album, but Mike's vocals are so distracting! I'm not even sure if it's the autotune as it sounds like his voice is sped up. Everything else is great. Maybe I should record my own vocal??
2.5/5

6. Crescent Moon: This is a really nice song. The lyrics are great. I imagine this is the type of song a lot of people wish Mike would write more of. He is in fine vocal form as well.
5/5

7. Cool Head, Warm Heart: It's probably his most well known solo recording and most consider it his best as well. I've always like the intro, but it doesn't really fit the song. Christian's part is really cool and he sounds so much like Carl.
4.5/5

8. Pisces Brothers: I've never been super in to this song. I still maintain that it's more enjoyable in concert, but the female backing vocals are really good.
2.5/5

9. Unleash The Love: There's a pretty good song lurking under here, but I don't care for the instruments used in certain spots where all of it sudden the song goes takes a stripped down approach. The intro is a good example of what I'm talking about. Mike's vocal is decent and the background vocals are very enjoyable.
3/5

10. Ram Raj: Wow, I wasn't expecting this! I'm almost at a loss for words. That Ram Raj chant is an earworm that's not going to away for a while. The guitar solos are so cool as are the vocals toward the end of the song. What is with the curry comment at the end of the song?? That was so weird haha. Well done, Mike.
5/5

11. 10,000 Years Ago: I wish there were more guitar driven Beach Boys songs in the world. The outro goes on a bit too long, but otherwise this is one of those songs I'll never get tired of.
4.5/5


12. Only One Earth: I rarely like spoken bits is songs and I don't like this one either. My favorite part is Ambha's vocal, I could listen to that over and over. The rest of the song is decent, but northing spectacular.
3/5

13. Make Love Not War: The intro starts off great, but I don't care for the crowd chants that appear here and throughout the song. Most of the lyrics are pretty good. Mike's voice is pretty cool aside from the "Make love, not war. Give peace, a chance" part.
3.5/5

Average: ~3.75/5 or 7.5/10

Now onto the remakes. I consider this a bonus disk more than anything.

California Girls: The autotune kills any redeemable quality the song may have.
1.5/5

2. Do It Again: The best thing I can say is that the backing track is really good. This song could actually be very enjoyable if not for the terrible use of autotune and stupid Do It chant and whoops.
1/5

3. Help Me, Rhonda: Again, the autotune makes the song unlistenable. I will say that I like how Bruce's vocal is more prominent in the chorus.
1.5/5

4. I Get Around: Ugh, who did this to Mike's voice?? It's so bad lol. It sounds like sandpaper is being rubbed on the microphone as he sings.
1/5

5. Warmth of The Sun: Ahh, this is so refreshing after the last few songs. Ambha does a great job on this one. I'm surprised she hasn't started a recording career, considering the connections Mike has. Maybe she doesn't have a real interest in it.
5/5

6. Brian's Back: There's a touch of autotune, but it's not nearly as bad as the first four songs. Of course Carl's voice is great. Overall this is a decent song, but if I want to listen to it, I'll just listen to the version on MiC.
3.5/5

7. Kiss Me Baby: If you ever wondered what a wall of Mikes sound like, you now have your answer. It's actually kind of amusing, but I wouldn't say it's particularly bad. It actually sounds like someone else's voice might be slipped in there, though. Another great vocal from Ambha. I'll be generous and give it a
4/5

8. Darlin': I was vaguely familiar with AJR before hearing this. They had a minor hit last year or the year before. I really like his voice, but checking out some of their songs, I'm not really a fan of their work. He sounds a lot like Nate Reuss from fun. (he sang Saturday Night on NPP). Overall, this is pretty enjoyable.
4/5

9. Wild Honey: This really rocks! As others have mentioned this mix is lot like how it was played in the early '70s (and now). John's vocal is amazing as always. It sort of reminds me of Blondie's. Too bad Mike didn't do his "sweeter" call back in the build up.
5/5

10. Wouldn't It Be Nice: I and others have said that Jeff really excels in this vocal range. The autotune is a bit heavy handed on Mike's vocal, but nothing too distracting.
3/5

11. Good Vibrations: Again, Jeff turns in a great vocal here. Also again, the autotune is a bit heavy handed on Mike's vocal in the chorus.
3/5

12. Fun Fun Fun: Just when you were starting to forget about the awful autotune in the first few songs, it returns one final time! I will say that it's not *quite* as bad here, but it's still pretty blatant. Mike's prominent bass vocal is pretty cool though.
2/5

Average: ~2.8/5 or 5.6/10

When I first gave this a quick listen, I gave it a 7/10 and I'm going to stick with that after listening to it thoroughly. I don't give as much weight to the remakes because they're just that; remakes. Like I've said before, the record company probably demanded they be included. However, based on the reviews I've read from people who hate anything Mike does and the honest negative reviews, the remakes are a negative distraction from the originals. I'm curious to know why Big Sur wasn't included. So many people love that version of the song. I assume ESQ will do an interview with Mike regarding the album. Hopefully they ask him about that!





Good review...I agree with many of your points. I'm amazed at how good the good tracks are. I was expecting a whole lot worse. For me, the overall grade is much lower because the weak spots really are terrible, and the pitch tuning is downright amateurish. It was bad on TWGMTR too, but it fit the rest of the sound. The remakes of Daybreak over the Ocean and Getcha Back are awful and I much prefer the original versions. (I know many hate the production of GB on BB 85, but it had life,...here, it sounds lifeless).

10,000 Years Ago and Ram Raj though are top notch, A+ songs. Regardless of how I feel about the rest (video review coming this weekend) , I will sing the praises of those two .


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: kreen on November 24, 2017, 10:09:25 PM
Missed it aa I rarely pay attention to lyrics.  Wow...that's just...yeah.

"I'm outraged by this racial slur I hadn't even noticed until somebody pointed it out to me."

I'm French Canadian and I sure get offended when people refer to us as liking maple syrup. Even though, you know, we do...


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 24, 2017, 10:49:36 PM
That's like saying because I'm from Texas,  I like cowboy hats and country music. Nope


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: kreen on November 24, 2017, 11:24:52 PM
That's like saying because I'm from Texas,  I like cowboy hats and country music. Nope

No, it's like saying Texans are known generally for cowboy hats and country music -- which they are. It's not saying every Texan wears a cowboy hat.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 24, 2017, 11:35:55 PM
It's a stereotype,  and not entirely accurate. In houston,  for example, this city is much more urban. Same with Dallas, Austin,  and San Antonio.  Head to west texas, though, and you'll see more of that.

I'm not so much offended as I'm more like WTF, could've done without it as it is out of place with the rest of the song


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on November 25, 2017, 12:13:00 AM
Missed it aa I rarely pay attention to lyrics.  Wow...that's just...yeah.

"I'm outraged by this racial slur I hadn't even noticed until somebody pointed it out to me."

I'm French Canadian and I sure get offended when people refer to us as liking maple syrup. Even though, you know, we do...

Hey guys, let’s unleash the love, because we only have one Earth, and we need to make love not war...But let’s reinforce the idea that making sweeping generalizations about cultures is totally fine and it’s gonna promote peace and love on earth.

It’s also one of those things that leaves you scratching your head...it’s like if some recording artist from India were to emulate an American hymn song, do a great job of it, then at the end of the recording adopt a poor attempt at an American accent and say “I love hamburgers and French fries!” - would we find it offensive? Depends on the person I guess. But you’re all left thinking “why is that closing out the song? That’s just weird.”


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Peadar 'Big Dinner' O'Driscoll on November 25, 2017, 03:01:41 AM
Not getting the love for Ram Raj after several listens  :-\


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on November 25, 2017, 07:32:02 AM
Not getting the love for Ram Raj after several listens  :-\

For me, it’s refreshing to hear something so far from the norm from him. Is it Sgt Pepper level creativity? Probably not, but it’s a nice new direction for an artist who has spent the majority of the last three decades rhyming the words “vibrations” and “fun” in nearly every song they’ve released.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on November 25, 2017, 07:56:26 AM
Summer In Paradise vs Unleash The Love? Does anyone have an opinion? 

Unleash the Love. I can see myself listening to Unleash the Love again - and I enjoy some songs from it. SIP, everything about it makes me cringe, especially with The Beach Boys name directly attached to every song. Even with Carl’s gorgeous voice, the lyrics and production are so bad, not to mention the songs themselves. Unleash the Love has a little depth to it, SIP is just cringeworthy pandering to a Kokomo loving market that died years before SIP was released.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on November 25, 2017, 09:40:19 AM
Billy needs a profile picture of him wearing a cowboy hat! >:D


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: The LEGENDARY OSD on November 25, 2017, 09:56:41 AM
Billy needs a profile picture of him wearing a cowboy hat! >:D
:lol :lol  I want to see the whole shebang featuring cowboy boots, studded belt, and chaps all the while singing "Long Tall Texan".  ;D


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on November 25, 2017, 10:09:06 AM
Electronic remix.... :lol


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 25, 2017, 10:13:41 AM
Billy needs a profile picture of him wearing a cowboy hat! >:D
:lol :lol  I want to see the whole shebang featuring cowboy boots, studded belt, and chaps all the while singing "Long Tall Texan".  ;D

Lol that's about as likely as me sprouting  wings


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on November 25, 2017, 10:16:23 AM
Fear to stop being a cowboy.... :lol


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 25, 2017, 10:16:59 AM
Lol



Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on November 25, 2017, 10:19:25 AM
Kreen started it.... ;D


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: CenturyDeprived on November 25, 2017, 10:39:27 AM
Missed it aa I rarely pay attention to lyrics.  Wow...that's just...yeah.

"I'm outraged by this racial slur I hadn't even noticed until somebody pointed it out to me."

I'm French Canadian and I sure get offended when people refer to us as liking maple syrup. Even though, you know, we do...

It’s not a slur, just a mind-bogglingly pointless characterization. How would you feel if Mike covered a song originally made famous by a black singer, with Mike then miming the voice of stereotypical 1930s black butler talking about grits and watermelons? I suppose that would be perfectly fine and not the least bit cringeworthy either?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: tpesky on November 25, 2017, 05:09:10 PM
It's almost like a joke that should have been edited out that never was.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Pretty Funky on November 25, 2017, 05:40:14 PM
Interesting reading the Goldmine story in another thread where Mike makes comment about not being a studio guy, hasn’t been involved in various releases, never read Brian’s book but had sections read to him, never listened to Brian’s album. He has said similar over the years for various later projects. Skimming over them basically. The C50 live album, TWGMTR etc. Happy to get a credit as executive producer or the like, but is there in title only.

So here is a theory out of left field. He didn’t realise that was on there out of pure ignorance.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Pretty Funky on November 25, 2017, 05:45:44 PM
Oh, and for the record. When it comes to the mystic east vibe he is trying to get on Ram Raj? His Pisces brother George Harrison did it so much better.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on November 25, 2017, 05:47:37 PM
The whole mystic “eastern” vibe is honestly just to pick up women....


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: kreen on November 25, 2017, 08:43:54 PM
It's pretty miraculous that Mike Love got a record deal in the first place to release an album of new material. Old-timers from the Sixties are usually told by the industry these days, "either rerecord the old hits as duets or make an album where you cover famous songs from other artists". It's obvious the second disc had to be included in order for the company to agree to release the new material, but we can just disregard it and at least we got a whole LP of new material!

It's ok of course to not like the CD but I do wonder: will those who wish the CD didn't even exist be happy when ML and all of the other BBs are dead -- which will be the case in just a few years -- and there can never be ANY new material from any of them, including Mike? I think it's great that there even IS new solo BB material being released; even if it's not grade-A music, it's better than what awaits all of us as fans, which is no new material, ever, when they finally pass away.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Jim V. on November 25, 2017, 09:32:17 PM
It's pretty miraculous that Mike Love got a record deal in the first place to release an album of new material. Old-timers from the Sixties are usually told by the industry these days, "either rerecord the old hits as duets or make an album where you cover famous songs from other artists". It's obvious the second disc had to be included in order for the company to agree to release the new material, but we can just disregard it and at least we got a whole LP of new material!

It's ok of course to not like the CD but I do wonder: will those who wish the CD didn't even exist be happy when ML and all of the other BBs are dead -- which will be the case in just a few years -- and there can never be ANY new material from any of them, including Mike? I think it's great that there even IS new solo BB material being released; even if it's not grade-A music, it's better than what awaits all of us as fans, which is no new material, ever, when they finally pass away.

Sure sound pretty thoughtful about this whole issue.

It's funny cuz the rest of the time it seems you're dedicated to trashing Brian. I wonder why you weren't typing that last paragraph when constantly talking sh*t about recent Brian material and accusing him of not even writing his own stuff.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Lonely Summer on November 25, 2017, 10:08:12 PM
It's pretty miraculous that Mike Love got a record deal in the first place to release an album of new material. Old-timers from the Sixties are usually told by the industry these days, "either rerecord the old hits as duets or make an album where you cover famous songs from other artists". It's obvious the second disc had to be included in order for the company to agree to release the new material, but we can just disregard it and at least we got a whole LP of new material!

It's ok of course to not like the CD but I do wonder: will those who wish the CD didn't even exist be happy when ML and all of the other BBs are dead -- which will be the case in just a few years -- and there can never be ANY new material from any of them, including Mike? I think it's great that there even IS new solo BB material being released; even if it's not grade-A music, it's better than what awaits all of us as fans, which is no new material, ever, when they finally pass away.
Well, i'm glad to have new music from Mike. Glad Al finally got his solo album out a few years ago. We're lucky these guys are still with us.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: CenturyDeprived on November 27, 2017, 08:20:03 AM
It's pretty miraculous that Mike Love got a record deal in the first place to release an album of new material. Old-timers from the Sixties are usually told by the industry these days, "either rerecord the old hits as duets or make an album where you cover famous songs from other artists". It's obvious the second disc had to be included in order for the company to agree to release the new material, but we can just disregard it and at least we got a whole LP of new material!

It's ok of course to not like the CD but I do wonder: will those who wish the CD didn't even exist be happy when ML and all of the other BBs are dead -- which will be the case in just a few years -- and there can never be ANY new material from any of them, including Mike? I think it's great that there even IS new solo BB material being released; even if it's not grade-A music, it's better than what awaits all of us as fans, which is no new material, ever, when they finally pass away.

I am glad Mike is trying to release new music, I just wish he would avoid Autotune and not be a gigantic hypocrite about the issue. And the curry line is beyond embarrassing.

Any response to my comparison of the curry line and a watermelon/chitlin comment? That type of reference done in a stereotypical black butler 1930s type voice would be perfectly fine in your eyes too at the end of a song by Mike?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Michael Edward Osbourne on November 27, 2017, 09:25:53 AM
I have some good neighbor friends who are middle eastern and sometimes we play music for each other. So naturally I was curious how they'd feel about Ram Raj so I somewhat reluctantly played it for them and to my surprise they loved it and they thought the curry thing at the end was funny. Considering that Ram Raj is one of the only songs I like on Unleash, I felt better about it when my friend Fuwaad was cool with it (because yes I questioned the curry thing after reading some of the posters opinions on it). So I just wanted to share that with everyone. I can't stand most of Unleash but I'm still digging Ram Raj.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: The LEGENDARY OSD on November 27, 2017, 09:52:42 AM
Quote
BTW, has this piece of fertilizer charted?

(https://static1.fjcdn.com/thumbnails/comments/Pictureperfectt+rolled+image+mfw+_c7c122e31487811f5ec21b7e952f29be.gif)
Seriously, though, does anyone know if this *thing* has charted yet?  ???


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 27, 2017, 10:01:20 AM
While there are some articles mentioned the new albums chart results (e.g. the top performers) today, it looks like the actual "Top 200" chart on the Billboard website still refers to the previous week's charts. So I don't think the full Top 200 for the week Mike's album premiered is viewable yet.

But I would still guess it's unlikely to chart given its performance on Amazon's charts in relation to how other Amazon chart performances have resulted in corresponding performances on the Billboard chart.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on November 27, 2017, 10:03:22 AM
I mean, the Middle East doesn’t include people from India (which is the culture being stereotyped in the line in question), unless my knowledge of geography is very flawed. In your defense, I wouldn’t expect too many people, from India, to get offended by this line either. If anything they’d probably be left scratching their heads. Like I don’t get offended when I hear the term “cracker” in a movie or like how Kreen doesn’t get offended when he’s constantly reminded of maple syrup.

What’s odd is the absurdity of the line being left in the album. Imagine Brian Wilson throwing something like this in one of his albums. You can’t. It just wreaks unprofessional...if the autotune didn’t already give off that vibe the curry line will.

@Kreen, what’s hilarious about your recent post is that you crap all over Brian Wilson in nearly every one of your posts but as soon as your boy Mike Love takes some deserved flack it becomes “all about the music!” It’s always the same thing with you Mike apologists. I think people have been more than fair about Mike’s album given the quality of the content. Perhaps you can adopt this newfound positive attitude next time you decide to write some snide post about Brian Wilson.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: B.E. on November 27, 2017, 10:19:29 AM
Seriously, though, does anyone know if this *thing* has charted yet?  ???

Yet? You're expecting it to chart? ;D

Here's some background recently posted by HeyJude (I wonder what Playback's highest position on Amazon was?)...

Back to the "Unleash the Love" album, it'll be interesting to see whether it charts, and if so, where it gets on the charts.

Right now, one week out from release, it's #1,547 on the Amazon CD chart.

In comparison, the now nearly two-month old Brian "Playback" compilation is still ranked higher, at #1,274 (and keep in mind that "Playback" didn't even chart apparently).

Sounds of Summer is #665
The weird 2012 "Greatest Hits" CD is #1248

Going back to "Sunshine Tomorrow", it ranked at #22 on the CD sales chart a few days prior to release, and ended up at #145 for its debut on the Billboard chart.

So I'd guess based on these (admittedly rough and incomplete) stats, it might be hard for Mike's album to chart unless it sees a huge uptick on the Digital sales side. Not sure how likely that is considering it's currently ranked #33,839 on the "Paid Albums" digital chart on Amazon.

Unleash The Love is currently at #830 on Amazon's CD/Vinyl chart (#397 on the Rock CD/Vinyl chart).


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Gabo on November 27, 2017, 10:22:46 AM
What’s odd is the absurdity of the line being left in the album. Imagine Brian Wilson throwing something like this in one of his albums. You can’t. It just wreaks unprofessional...if the autotune didn’t already give off that vibe the curry line will.
Well, the curry guy was once in the band that put out "Bull Session for Big Daddy" on one of their albums...


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: CenturyDeprived on November 27, 2017, 10:32:37 AM
I have some good neighbor friends who are middle eastern and sometimes we play music for each other. So naturally I was curious how they'd feel about Ram Raj so I somewhat reluctantly played it for them and to my surprise they loved it and they thought the curry thing at the end was funny. Considering that Ram Raj is one of the only songs I like on Unleash, I felt better about it when my friend Fuwaad was cool with it (because yes I questioned the curry thing after reading some of the posters opinions on it). So I just wanted to share that with everyone. I can't stand most of Unleash but I'm still digging Ram Raj.

That's good that he wasn't bugged by it, and I am not trying to say that every person who hears it will be offended. Not every person of Indian descent is offended by Apu either.

But it's perplexing that it was put on there nonetheless, and I also don't feel that anyone has the right (not referring to you, by the way Mike Garneau) to tell a person they don't have the right to be offended by a stereotype. It's just really, really inane, and it's inviting problems.

Like if Bruce did a version of Barry Manilow's I Write the Songs, and added a spoken gay impersonation at the end of the song. It's just a big "why on earth would you do that" type of situation.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on November 27, 2017, 10:34:21 AM
What’s odd is the absurdity of the line being left in the album. Imagine Brian Wilson throwing something like this in one of his albums. You can’t. It just wreaks unprofessional...if the autotune didn’t already give off that vibe the curry line will.
Well, the curry guy was once in the band that put out "Bull Session for Big Daddy" on one of their albums...

I thought of that as I wrote it (More specifically the skit from Shut Down Vol II). The difference, for me, being that their skits from the 60s don’t include cultural stereotypes that could offend some people. Brian recently did “Yo-Ho, Pirates Life” for his Disney album which was all around incredibly quirky (which I would compare more to the skits from the 60s). Long story short, it’s the cultural faux pas that makes the curry line unprofessional.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Lonely Summer on November 27, 2017, 12:53:55 PM
Seriously, though, does anyone know if this *thing* has charted yet?  ???

Yet? You're expecting it to chart? ;D

Here's some background recently posted by HeyJude (I wonder what Playback's highest position on Amazon was?)...

Back to the "Unleash the Love" album, it'll be interesting to see whether it charts, and if so, where it gets on the charts.

Right now, one week out from release, it's #1,547 on the Amazon CD chart.

In comparison, the now nearly two-month old Brian "Playback" compilation is still ranked higher, at #1,274 (and keep in mind that "Playback" didn't even chart apparently).

Sounds of Summer is #665
The weird 2012 "Greatest Hits" CD is #1248

Going back to "Sunshine Tomorrow", it ranked at #22 on the CD sales chart a few days prior to release, and ended up at #145 for its debut on the Billboard chart.

So I'd guess based on these (admittedly rough and incomplete) stats, it might be hard for Mike's album to chart unless it sees a huge uptick on the Digital sales side. Not sure how likely that is considering it's currently ranked #33,839 on the "Paid Albums" digital chart on Amazon.

Unleash The Love is currently at #830 on Amazon's CD/Vinyl chart (#397 on the Rock CD/Vinyl chart).
If Mike's cd is sold at his concerts, that's where most of the business will be.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: B.E. on November 27, 2017, 01:17:14 PM
If Mike's cd is sold at his concerts, that's where most of the business will be.

Sure, but that's a lot of ground to make up.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 27, 2017, 01:44:25 PM
CD sales at concert merch stands *can* be submitted, but there are a bunch of guidelines that must be followed. (Heavily discounted CDs and ticket/CD bundles for instance can't be counted).

I'm not sure Mike's operation would jump through all those hoops, and I'm also not sure the sales would be enough to jump them that high up the chart.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 27, 2017, 01:47:22 PM
If Mike's cd is sold at his concerts, that's where most of the business will be.

I would guess not. He's been selling this on Amazon (and other outlets) for a month going back to when it went up for pre-order. I think everybody in the country buying online (especially downloading/streaming) would outnumber the amount of people that bought the CD at the only three shows that took place during the album's first week:

•Nov. 17 — Hagerstown, MD (Maryland Theatre)*
•Nov. 18 — Pittsburgh, PA (Heinz Hall for the Performing Arts)*
•Nov. 19 — North Tonawanda, NY (Riviera Theatre, 2 p.m.)*

I'm always shocked by how many people at concerts don't care about the albums/music and just buy shirts. I'm not sure how many of the folks in a typical Mike crowd would hear "Pisces Brothers" and "All the Love in Paris" and rush over to buy the CD.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on November 27, 2017, 01:48:22 PM
CD sales at concert merch stands *can* be submitted, but there are a bunch of guidelines that must be followed.

I'm not sure Mike's operation would jump through all those hoops, and I'm also not sure the sales would be enough to jump them that high up the chart.

I don’t know, texting a phone number flashed on a screen behind the band to get 50% off the CD at a concert seems like a great sales tactic.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 27, 2017, 01:50:29 PM
CD sales at concert merch stands *can* be submitted, but there are a bunch of guidelines that must be followed.

I'm not sure Mike's operation would jump through all those hoops, and I'm also not sure the sales would be enough to jump them that high up the chart.

I don’t know, texting a phone number flashed on a screen behind the band to get 50% off the CD at a concert seems like a great sales tactic.

If it's a 50% off code for purchasing online, then it *might* be able to be counted.

If it's sold for 50% off at the merch stand, Neilsen Soundscan states it can't be counted.

Every link on Mike's website to purchase the album points to Amazon, so I'm not sure where the 50% discount code would be applicable.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: B.E. on November 27, 2017, 01:59:22 PM
Interesting info about what counts and what doesn't... still it's the same for all artists. It's not like other artists aren't selling copies at concerts, in stores, online, and digitally. At the end of the day, hovering around #800 on Amazon is not gonna cut it (especially if the album isn't as widely available in stores as other albums are). Look at the numbers for Sunshine Tomorrow (which probably cracked the top 20 on Amazon at its peak!)...


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Matt H on November 27, 2017, 03:23:12 PM
When does the billboard album chart come out?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: B.E. on November 28, 2017, 07:36:43 AM
While there are some articles mentioned the new albums chart results (e.g. the top performers) today, it looks like the actual "Top 200" chart on the Billboard website still refers to the previous week's charts. So I don't think the full Top 200 for the week Mike's album premiered is viewable yet.

It appears to have updated. When I checked the website yesterday Abbey Road was #194, now it's #174. Unsurprisingly, the various Christmas albums have all jumped up the charts. Also, unsurprisingly, no Unleash the Love.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: joshferrell on November 28, 2017, 10:43:04 AM
Unleash the love has now beaten the Eagles greatest hits as the biggest selling album of all times....  :lol


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: CenturyDeprived on November 28, 2017, 10:45:00 AM
It's pretty miraculous that Mike Love got a record deal in the first place to release an album of new material. Old-timers from the Sixties are usually told by the industry these days, "either rerecord the old hits as duets or make an album where you cover famous songs from other artists". It's obvious the second disc had to be included in order for the company to agree to release the new material, but we can just disregard it and at least we got a whole LP of new material!

It's ok of course to not like the CD but I do wonder: will those who wish the CD didn't even exist be happy when ML and all of the other BBs are dead -- which will be the case in just a few years -- and there can never be ANY new material from any of them, including Mike? I think it's great that there even IS new solo BB material being released; even if it's not grade-A music, it's better than what awaits all of us as fans, which is no new material, ever, when they finally pass away.

I am glad Mike is trying to release new music, I just wish he would avoid Autotune and not be a gigantic hypocrite about the issue. And the curry line is beyond embarrassing.

Any response to my comparison of the curry line and a watermelon/chitlin comment? That type of reference done in a stereotypical black butler 1930s type voice would be perfectly fine in your eyes too at the end of a song by Mike?

Tumbleweeds from kreen...


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 28, 2017, 10:52:51 AM
While there are some articles mentioned the new albums chart results (e.g. the top performers) today, it looks like the actual "Top 200" chart on the Billboard website still refers to the previous week's charts. So I don't think the full Top 200 for the week Mike's album premiered is viewable yet.

It appears to have updated. When I checked the website yesterday Abbey Road was #194, now it's #174. Unsurprisingly, the various Christmas albums have all jumped up the charts. Also, unsurprisingly, no Unleash the Love.

Great, so we'll get a "Santa's Gonna Unleash the Love" remix next year....


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Pretty Funky on November 28, 2017, 11:08:49 AM
While there are some articles mentioned the new albums chart results (e.g. the top performers) today, it looks like the actual "Top 200" chart on the Billboard website still refers to the previous week's charts. So I don't think the full Top 200 for the week Mike's album premiered is viewable yet.

It appears to have updated. When I checked the website yesterday Abbey Road was #194, now it's #174. Unsurprisingly, the various Christmas albums have all jumped up the charts. Also, unsurprisingly, no Unleash the Love.

Great, so we'll get a "Santa's Gonna Unleash the Love" remix next year....

‘....in Kokomo’.  :lol


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Jim V. on November 28, 2017, 12:13:16 PM
It's pretty miraculous that Mike Love got a record deal in the first place to release an album of new material. Old-timers from the Sixties are usually told by the industry these days, "either rerecord the old hits as duets or make an album where you cover famous songs from other artists". It's obvious the second disc had to be included in order for the company to agree to release the new material, but we can just disregard it and at least we got a whole LP of new material!

It's ok of course to not like the CD but I do wonder: will those who wish the CD didn't even exist be happy when ML and all of the other BBs are dead -- which will be the case in just a few years -- and there can never be ANY new material from any of them, including Mike? I think it's great that there even IS new solo BB material being released; even if it's not grade-A music, it's better than what awaits all of us as fans, which is no new material, ever, when they finally pass away.

I am glad Mike is trying to release new music, I just wish he would avoid Autotune and not be a gigantic hypocrite about the issue. And the curry line is beyond embarrassing.

Any response to my comparison of the curry line and a watermelon/chitlin comment? That type of reference done in a stereotypical black butler 1930s type voice would be perfectly fine in your eyes too at the end of a song by Mike?

Tumbleweeds from kreen...

He/she also never answered why he would constantly slag off Brian and his newer music while saying, "we should be happy the guys are still around making music!"

Sure is odd.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on November 28, 2017, 12:54:40 PM
It's pretty miraculous that Mike Love got a record deal in the first place to release an album of new material. Old-timers from the Sixties are usually told by the industry these days, "either rerecord the old hits as duets or make an album where you cover famous songs from other artists". It's obvious the second disc had to be included in order for the company to agree to release the new material, but we can just disregard it and at least we got a whole LP of new material!

It's ok of course to not like the CD but I do wonder: will those who wish the CD didn't even exist be happy when ML and all of the other BBs are dead -- which will be the case in just a few years -- and there can never be ANY new material from any of them, including Mike? I think it's great that there even IS new solo BB material being released; even if it's not grade-A music, it's better than what awaits all of us as fans, which is no new material, ever, when they finally pass away.

I am glad Mike is trying to release new music, I just wish he would avoid Autotune and not be a gigantic hypocrite about the issue. And the curry line is beyond embarrassing.

Any response to my comparison of the curry line and a watermelon/chitlin comment? That type of reference done in a stereotypical black butler 1930s type voice would be perfectly fine in your eyes too at the end of a song by Mike?

Tumbleweeds from kreen...

He/she also never answered why he would constantly slag off Brian and his newer music while saying, "we should be happy the guys are still around making music!"

Sure is odd.

Kreen is a troll, just like Mike’sTheGreatest and all the other apologists unable to join in rational discourse regarding firestorms they start with their inane posts.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: CenturyDeprived on November 28, 2017, 01:19:14 PM
It's pretty miraculous that Mike Love got a record deal in the first place to release an album of new material. Old-timers from the Sixties are usually told by the industry these days, "either rerecord the old hits as duets or make an album where you cover famous songs from other artists". It's obvious the second disc had to be included in order for the company to agree to release the new material, but we can just disregard it and at least we got a whole LP of new material!

It's ok of course to not like the CD but I do wonder: will those who wish the CD didn't even exist be happy when ML and all of the other BBs are dead -- which will be the case in just a few years -- and there can never be ANY new material from any of them, including Mike? I think it's great that there even IS new solo BB material being released; even if it's not grade-A music, it's better than what awaits all of us as fans, which is no new material, ever, when they finally pass away.

I am glad Mike is trying to release new music, I just wish he would avoid Autotune and not be a gigantic hypocrite about the issue. And the curry line is beyond embarrassing.

Any response to my comparison of the curry line and a watermelon/chitlin comment? That type of reference done in a stereotypical black butler 1930s type voice would be perfectly fine in your eyes too at the end of a song by Mike?

Tumbleweeds from kreen...

He/she also never answered why he would constantly slag off Brian and his newer music while saying, "we should be happy the guys are still around making music!"

Sure is odd.

Kreen is a troll, just like Mike’sTheGreatest and all the other apologists unable to join in rational discourse regarding firestorms they start with their inane posts.

I agree with kreen's stance that "we should be happy the guys are still around making music!"... that's not a bad thought to have as a general statement. I just don't know how one can make the leap from wanting new music from the guys, to defending the curry comment when it's as cringeworthy as a watermelon/chitlin comment, or perhaps a mimed gay voice. I just want to hear kreen say that all of those things are okay with them if they're fine with Ram Raj as is. Own it. Not sure how there's any wiggle room on this, but I welcome any defenders to try to explain why it's defensible.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on November 28, 2017, 01:20:15 PM
Mike’s beard move to Canada? ::)


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on November 28, 2017, 01:38:11 PM
It's pretty miraculous that Mike Love got a record deal in the first place to release an album of new material. Old-timers from the Sixties are usually told by the industry these days, "either rerecord the old hits as duets or make an album where you cover famous songs from other artists". It's obvious the second disc had to be included in order for the company to agree to release the new material, but we can just disregard it and at least we got a whole LP of new material!

It's ok of course to not like the CD but I do wonder: will those who wish the CD didn't even exist be happy when ML and all of the other BBs are dead -- which will be the case in just a few years -- and there can never be ANY new material from any of them, including Mike? I think it's great that there even IS new solo BB material being released; even if it's not grade-A music, it's better than what awaits all of us as fans, which is no new material, ever, when they finally pass away.

I am glad Mike is trying to release new music, I just wish he would avoid Autotune and not be a gigantic hypocrite about the issue. And the curry line is beyond embarrassing.

Any response to my comparison of the curry line and a watermelon/chitlin comment? That type of reference done in a stereotypical black butler 1930s type voice would be perfectly fine in your eyes too at the end of a song by Mike?

Tumbleweeds from kreen...

He/she also never answered why he would constantly slag off Brian and his newer music while saying, "we should be happy the guys are still around making music!"

Sure is odd.

Kreen is a troll, just like Mike’sTheGreatest and all the other apologists unable to join in rational discourse regarding firestorms they start with their inane posts.

I agree with kreen's stance that "we should be happy the guys are still around making music!"... that's not a bad thought to have as a general statement. I just don't know how one can make the leap from wanting new music from the guys, to defending the curry comment when it's as cringeworthy as a watermelon/chitlin comment, or perhaps a mimed gay voice. I just want to hear kreen say that all of those things are okay with them if they're fine with Ram Raj as is. Own it. Not sure how there's any wiggle room on this, but I welcome any defenders to try to explain why it's defensible.

Yeah, I agree with his stance on Mike and the guys, which is why I tried to be more positive than usual when reviewing Mike’s album. Just wish there was more consistensy on Kreen’s part when it comes to Brian. Try another board and I’m sure the usual players will be glad to defend this crap.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: “Big Daddy” on November 28, 2017, 05:19:55 PM
Do Jeff’s vocals at the end of the “Daybreak” choruses remind anyone else of Jimmy Jones’s “Handyman”?

https://youtu.be/ljmFZ6b0g5w?t=1m44s
https://youtu.be/uVyBRdBVCiU?t=45s


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: B.E. on November 28, 2017, 05:23:31 PM
Do Jeff’s vocals at the end of the “Daybreak” choruses remind anyone else of Jimmy Jones’s “Handyman”?

https://youtu.be/ljmFZ6b0g5w?t=1m44s
https://youtu.be/uVyBRdBVCiU?t=45s

YES!!! You stole my thunder  :lol I was saving that for my UTL review, that was all I had...

Seriously, my mind goes right to, "here is the main thing..."

I've heard James Taylor's version a lot.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Matt H on November 28, 2017, 05:23:56 PM
Mike just tweeted it is on the charts.  37 on the independent chart.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: “Big Daddy” on November 28, 2017, 05:28:49 PM
Do Jeff’s vocals at the end of the “Daybreak” choruses remind anyone else of Jimmy Jones’s “Handyman”?

https://youtu.be/ljmFZ6b0g5w?t=1m44s
https://youtu.be/uVyBRdBVCiU?t=45s

YES!!! You stole my thunder  :lol I was saving that for my UTL review, that was all I had...

Sorry, B.E.  :lol


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Pretty Funky on November 28, 2017, 05:39:29 PM
Mike just tweeted it is on the charts.  37 on the independent chart.

So it is. Billboard has made no effort on the cover though.

https://www.billboard.com/charts/independent-albums


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: B.E. on November 28, 2017, 05:40:34 PM
Mike just tweeted it is on the charts.  37 on the independent chart.

So it is. Billboard has made no effort on the cover though.

https://www.billboard.com/charts/independent-albums

It's also #2 on the Heatseekers album chart.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Matt H on November 28, 2017, 06:27:09 PM
Mike just tweeted it is on the charts.  37 on the independent chart.

So it is. Billboard has made no effort on the cover though.

https://www.billboard.com/charts/independent-albums

They just went with a classic picture of Mike and Dean.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Awesoman on November 28, 2017, 10:24:05 PM
So has anyone here actually bought the album and listened to it yet?  What do you think of it? 


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Lonely Summer on November 28, 2017, 11:04:01 PM
So has anyone here actually bought the album and listened to it yet?  What do you think of it? 
I've been listening to tracks on youtube; when I make it up to Seattle in the next couple weeks, I will see if one of the 2 remaining new music shops has it. Then I will sit down and give it a serious listen. But listening on youtube, I have liked what I have heard so far, especially Ambha singing "Warmth of the Sun".


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on November 29, 2017, 06:24:58 AM
So has anyone here actually bought the album and listened to it yet?  What do you think of it? 

http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php/topic,25517.msg623668.html#msg623668 (http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php/topic,25517.msg623668.html#msg623668)

That is where many of the reviews and discussion of the album starts.

And contrary to another ridiculous thread started by “BubbaFide” where he says people on this board are calling Mike “Satan incarnate” and have a ton of side-banter in our reviews, the reviews are pretty honest and fair...and the evidence is all in the link above.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Jim V. on November 29, 2017, 06:26:39 AM
I bought a physical copy.

And I've been meaning to say, when looking through the liner notes there is a quite a bit of guitar playing credit for one Laurence Juber, former guitarist of Wings, most notably for their hit single "Goodnight Tonight" and the album Back to the Egg.

I'm surprised Mike hasn't been harping upon how awesome it is that he and Sir Paul have used the same guitarist.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 29, 2017, 06:36:32 AM
I bought a physical copy.

And I've been meaning to say, when looking through the liner notes there is a quite a bit of guitar playing credit for one Laurence Juber, former guitarist of Wings, most notably for their hit single "Goodnight Tonight" and the album Back to the Egg.

I'm surprised Mike hasn't been harping upon how awesome it is that he and Sir Paul have used the same guitarist.

My guess, and it's a total guess, is that the session musicians were chosen by the producer (presumably Michael Lloyd), and I wouldn't even be surprised, considering Mike's extensive touring schedule, that some of the backing track work was done without Mike present.

But yeah, Laurence Juber is an excellent guitarist (I've caught him several times at local record shops doing solo shows, usually promoting his Beatles/Wings solo acoustic albums; his solo version of "Strawberry Fields Forever" is still one of the best "Beatles covers" ever, and that's saying something), and Mike might well indeed have picked up a few extra guitar nerds by mentioning at some point that Juber was on the album.

It may or may not be a coincidence that Laurence Juber's brother-in-law is Ross Schwartz (son of Sherwood), who was up until recently one of the "Business Affairs" guys at BRI (you can see his name on a number of BB releases representing BRI).


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: The LEGENDARY OSD on November 29, 2017, 06:44:59 AM
I bought a physical copy.

And I've been meaning to say, when looking through the liner notes there is a quite a bit of guitar playing credit for one Laurence Juber, former guitarist of Wings, most notably for their hit single "Goodnight Tonight" and the album Back to the Egg.

I'm surprised Mike hasn't been harping upon how awesome it is that he and Sir Paul have used the same guitarist.
Give the King of All Namedroppers time. And don't be surprised if he slides into the I helped write "Back In The USSR" fable.  ::)


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: CenturyDeprived on November 29, 2017, 08:34:33 AM
I bought a physical copy.

And I've been meaning to say, when looking through the liner notes there is a quite a bit of guitar playing credit for one Laurence Juber, former guitarist of Wings, most notably for their hit single "Goodnight Tonight" and the album Back to the Egg.

I'm surprised Mike hasn't been harping upon how awesome it is that he and Sir Paul have used the same guitarist.

My guess, and it's a total guess, is that the session musicians were chosen by the producer (presumably Michael Lloyd), and I wouldn't even be surprised, considering Mike's extensive touring schedule, that some of the backing track work was done without Mike present.

But yeah, Laurence Juber is an excellent guitarist (I've caught him several times at local record shops doing solo shows, usually promoting his Beatles/Wings solo acoustic albums; his solo version of "Strawberry Fields Forever" is still one of the best "Beatles covers" ever, and that's saying something), and Mike might well indeed have picked up a few extra guitar nerds by mentioning at some point that Juber was on the album.

It may or may not be a coincidence that Laurence Juber's brother-in-law is Ross Schwartz (son of Sherwood), who was up until recently one of the "Business Affairs" guys at BRI (you can see his name on a number of BB releases representing BRI).

Laurence Juber is also married to Hope (Schwartz) Juber, Sherwood’s daughter who played Greg Brady’s girlfriend on some Brady Bunch episodes. Plus, I just read that the aforementioned Ross Schwartz co-wrote the film Bottle Shock with Jody Savin and Randall Miller, the filmmakers who almost made the aborted Dennis Wilson biopic. Small world.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on November 29, 2017, 08:55:50 AM
I bought a physical copy.

And I've been meaning to say, when looking through the liner notes there is a quite a bit of guitar playing credit for one Laurence Juber, former guitarist of Wings, most notably for their hit single "Goodnight Tonight" and the album Back to the Egg.

I'm surprised Mike hasn't been harping upon how awesome it is that he and Sir Paul have used the same guitarist.

My guess, and it's a total guess, is that the session musicians were chosen by the producer (presumably Michael Lloyd), and I wouldn't even be surprised, considering Mike's extensive touring schedule, that some of the backing track work was done without Mike present.

But yeah, Laurence Juber is an excellent guitarist (I've caught him several times at local record shops doing solo shows, usually promoting his Beatles/Wings solo acoustic albums; his solo version of "Strawberry Fields Forever" is still one of the best "Beatles covers" ever, and that's saying something), and Mike might well indeed have picked up a few extra guitar nerds by mentioning at some point that Juber was on the album.

It may or may not be a coincidence that Laurence Juber's brother-in-law is Ross Schwartz (son of Sherwood), who was up until recently one of the "Business Affairs" guys at BRI (you can see his name on a number of BB releases representing BRI).

Laurence Juber is also married to Hope (Schwartz) Juber, Sherwood’s daughter who played Greg Brady’s girlfriend on some Brady Bunch episodes. Plus, I just read that the aforementioned Ross Schwartz co-wrote the film Bottle Shock with Jody Savin and Randall Miller, the filmmakers who almost made the aborted Dennis Wilson biopic. Small world.

Oh wow


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on November 29, 2017, 09:02:33 AM
Based on various BB liner notes, Ross Schwartz was kind of the de facto guy running BRI in between Elliott Lott and the current President, Jerry Schilling.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: CenturyDeprived on November 29, 2017, 10:37:49 AM
I bought a physical copy.

And I've been meaning to say, when looking through the liner notes there is a quite a bit of guitar playing credit for one Laurence Juber, former guitarist of Wings, most notably for their hit single "Goodnight Tonight" and the album Back to the Egg.

I'm surprised Mike hasn't been harping upon how awesome it is that he and Sir Paul have used the same guitarist.

My guess, and it's a total guess, is that the session musicians were chosen by the producer (presumably Michael Lloyd), and I wouldn't even be surprised, considering Mike's extensive touring schedule, that some of the backing track work was done without Mike present.

But yeah, Laurence Juber is an excellent guitarist (I've caught him several times at local record shops doing solo shows, usually promoting his Beatles/Wings solo acoustic albums; his solo version of "Strawberry Fields Forever" is still one of the best "Beatles covers" ever, and that's saying something), and Mike might well indeed have picked up a few extra guitar nerds by mentioning at some point that Juber was on the album.

It may or may not be a coincidence that Laurence Juber's brother-in-law is Ross Schwartz (son of Sherwood), who was up until recently one of the "Business Affairs" guys at BRI (you can see his name on a number of BB releases representing BRI).

Laurence Juber is also married to Hope (Schwartz) Juber, Sherwood’s daughter who played Greg Brady’s girlfriend on some Brady Bunch episodes. Plus, I just read that the aforementioned Ross Schwartz co-wrote the film Bottle Shock with Jody Savin and Randall Miller, the filmmakers who almost made the aborted Dennis Wilson biopic. Small world.

Oh wow

It's fascinating how The Brady Bunch, Gilligan's Island, and I Love Lucy (via Desi Jr./Billy Hinsche) are all just a couple of degrees connected from The BBs. And then of course, separately, there's also Maureen "Marcia Brady" McCormick being a client of Dr. Landy.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on November 29, 2017, 08:19:36 PM
It's pretty miraculous that Mike Love got a record deal in the first place to release an album of new material. Old-timers from the Sixties are usually told by the industry these days, "either rerecord the old hits as duets or make an album where you cover famous songs from other artists". It's obvious the second disc had to be included in order for the company to agree to release the new material, but we can just disregard it and at least we got a whole LP of new material!

It's ok of course to not like the CD but I do wonder: will those who wish the CD didn't even exist be happy when ML and all of the other BBs are dead -- which will be the case in just a few years -- and there can never be ANY new material from any of them, including Mike? I think it's great that there even IS new solo BB material being released; even if it's not grade-A music, it's better than what awaits all of us as fans, which is no new material, ever, when they finally pass away.

I am glad Mike is trying to release new music, I just wish he would avoid Autotune and not be a gigantic hypocrite about the issue. And the curry line is beyond embarrassing.

Any response to my comparison of the curry line and a watermelon/chitlin comment? That type of reference done in a stereotypical black butler 1930s type voice would be perfectly fine in your eyes too at the end of a song by Mike?

Tumbleweeds from kreen...

He/she also never answered why he would constantly slag off Brian and his newer music while saying, "we should be happy the guys are still around making music!"

Sure is odd.

It may be odd but isn't surprising at all. It's been happening for years. It's called hypocrisy.

Spot on comment by the way.

Whenever confronted with fact, truth, or common sense, some posters have a habit of either playing the card of taking personal shots at others, or simply disappearing and never responding. Oh, and filibustering by spewing inane circular logic that goes nowhere instead of addressing the issues. Just like politicians. Who I also have no time for.

At least politicians don't use the "It's all about the music!...We love all the guys!" talking point.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Lonely Summer on November 29, 2017, 09:16:45 PM
I bought a physical copy.

And I've been meaning to say, when looking through the liner notes there is a quite a bit of guitar playing credit for one Laurence Juber, former guitarist of Wings, most notably for their hit single "Goodnight Tonight" and the album Back to the Egg.

I'm surprised Mike hasn't been harping upon how awesome it is that he and Sir Paul have used the same guitarist.
Give the King of All Namedroppers time. And don't be surprised if he slides into the I helped write "Back In The USSR" fable.  ::)
Mike gave McCartney the idea that Wings should do a disco single. Paul said "you gotta be kidding me!" and Mike responded "not at all, in fact, we just cut one ourselves, it's called Here Comes the Night".
Well, that did it! Paul immediately rung up Denny, Laurence and Steve, and said "we're cutting a disco track - tonight!" Denny replied "Tonight? Goodnight!" and hung up the phone.
And there was the song title.
 :lol :lol :lol


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Pablo. on December 01, 2017, 11:31:19 AM

Congartulations Mike, you've forced the Uncut magazine staff to explore the seldom-visited lower grades of their grading system:

Mike Love
Unleash The Love
BMG
3/10

Pickin’ up bad vibrations

Mike Love has been perhaps unfairly cast as a villain in The Beach Boys’ story, but lately he seems to be embracing that role. First was the preening memoir that gave him too much credit for the band’s accomplishments, and now comes an unctuous solo album mixing flaccid new songs with slick retreads of classics. The harmonies can still be moving, as on “Getcha Back”, but Love’s vocals are so heavily Auto-Tuned that he often sounds like a cyborg rusting in the surf. Worst is “Ram Raj”, a vaguely Eastern number that ends with an offensive stereotype inviting us all out for curry. STEPHEN DEUSNER


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Pablo. on December 01, 2017, 11:43:06 AM
Some stray notes from myself. I was listening to some Van Morrison when I decided to finally hear the whole 2 discs, starting with the 2nd disc: must be a masochist. I never write a professional review before at least three plays; this will not be the case since I don't see any reason to listen to that 2nd disc again, except in a forensic way.

Haven't listened to the bootleged Unleash The Love / Mike Love not War in 10000 years (pun intended). This version: nothing too embarassing and some really nice moments (Ram Raj, really, in spite of the silly "curry" tag), despite some poor judgement choices during mixing.

But the second record, oh, man...It's not only the ridiculous autotune (more subtle on disc 1), it's also that damn overcompression so pervasive in today's music (and, worringly, on today's remasters of classic records): EVERYTHING IS LOUDER THAN EVERYTHING ELSE.


If you bear in mind that one of the keys of Cal Girls beign a perfect production is Brian making Mike triplicate his voice, it's terribly cheap what Mike and his producer made on this remake. It's not even good old ADT, more like an obnoxious autotune trying to make you not notice the decay on Mike's voice. Even the background vocals at the coda have the autotune shrill. Do they really think that this  is gonna make them sell more records / get more airplay?

The RoboLove/RoboMcGrath/RoboStamos on DIA is a bloody disgrace. More than think he Mike is shooting his own foot, I find this an insult to Brian's work. (something that he's been doing at least since he remade Surfin for SIP)

IGA: Did someone -by someone I mean a professional musician/record maker with a sense of dignity, now I'm reading that Lloyd has a Grammy???- really OK'ed that lead vocal track?

Brian's back: despite the not-so-autentic feelings, this song always had for me some kind of charm. Of course, the best part always was was Carl's. But the lowered Cal Girls quote on the intro, just four tracks after starting the disc with that song? Gee, what a sense of pacing. Over gated/reverbered snare on the Spector-like drum beat, another production crime.

Darlín: K-Tel for the 21st century.

GV: I get embarassed with the popping and hissing in some of my bedroom recordings. But hey, they are not recorded/mixed on a professional enviroment. What's Lloyd's excuse for this excruciating intro?


Oh, by the way: Why no friggin Kokomo? Does he feel that he can improve over Brian's originals but the Melcher production of Kokomo is perfect as it is? (in a certain way he'd be right: Carl was by a mile the saving grace of that song)

Let's face it: The Beach Boys may be the band where the lead singer (ie: the one who doens't play any instrument) is the least atractive voice of the bunch (exception made of his baritone/bass parts on the harmony stack). Really, for the last 40 he has done very, very, few lead singing of value (All I wanna do might be his all-time peak) but he has a bunch of fine leads on disc one (Pisces brothers - but what about all that digital reverb on the backgrounds?). Sometimes he still pulls off a powerful bass (Daybreak over the ocean, but of course that wasn't a recent performance).  But one thing is  having to deal with than unpleasent, nasal voice, and other thing is the rest of production crimes perpetrated on this record. Add to this  the moral questions raised (that sticker, the malpractise he acussed Brimel of doing with the Mail on  Sunday cd, the atrocious autotune since badmouthing Brian for using it on NPP), and I can't help but remember Dennis' opinion of the MIU Album.



Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Jim V. on December 02, 2017, 08:39:40 AM
You know, after a few weeks of listening to the album, I must admit...

It's just not that good. I really did want to like it. And don't get me wrong. There are a few songs I kinda liked. "Cool Head, Warm Heart", "I Don't Wanna Know", "Too Cruel", "Daybreak Over The Ocean", maybe even "Getcha Back." There's even a tune or two on the second disc that I really like, but I ain't gonna say the title, cuz I'll lose what little credibility I have left in this community if I do.

But besides that stuff, the rest is mostly fuckin' dire. And I realized it after listening to some really classic material by great artists. Most of the stuff on Mike's album is just not good music and sometimes you need a refresher to remember what good music really is. Indeed the same thing happens to me when I get a little too deep into listening to an artist's outtakes collections. Usually there are good reasons why artists choose to release something and leave other things unfinished or on the cutting room floor. Now obviously, SMiLE and a heck of a lot of Bob Dylan prove that thesis wrong, but a lot of the time, it's true.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: NateRuvin on December 02, 2017, 09:56:44 AM
I'll say it---- I don't mind disc one. After living with it, I like it. (except for Only One Earth). Once I got past the autotune, I started to really enjoy it. It's a nice batch of songs.

I like a couple of the songs of disc two (Brian's Back, Kiss Me Baby, Wild Honey, WIBN) but the rest of them are sh*t.


If the production was better, (let's say Paul Fauerso, hell, even Joe Thomas) this would have been a great album.

I wonder how the album would have sounded if Bruce produced it? We all know he's one hell of a producer (listen to Bruce & Terry if you need proof). I bet if Bruce really put his all into producing Mike's record, he could have done a great job.

But we all know that Bruce is happy just singing and playing keys in Mike's band, and doesn't have much other ambition, so that would never happen.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Lonely Summer on December 03, 2017, 11:23:57 PM
I'll say it---- I don't mind disc one. After living with it, I like it. (except for Only One Earth). Once I got past the autotune, I started to really enjoy it. It's a nice batch of songs.

I like a couple of the songs of disc two (Brian's Back, Kiss Me Baby, Wild Honey, WIBN) but the rest of them are sh*t.


If the production was better, (let's say Paul Fauerso, hell, even Joe Thomas) this would have been a great album.

I wonder how the album would have sounded if Bruce produced it? We all know he's one hell of a producer (listen to Bruce & Terry if you need proof). I bet if Bruce really put his all into producing Mike's record, he could have done a great job.

But we all know that Bruce is happy just singing and playing keys in Mike's band, and doesn't have much other ambition, so that would never happen.
Bruce is a great producer? Have you heard Keepin'  the Summer Alive?  :lol


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on December 04, 2017, 06:38:19 AM
I'll say it---- I don't mind disc one. After living with it, I like it. (except for Only One Earth). Once I got past the autotune, I started to really enjoy it. It's a nice batch of songs.

I like a couple of the songs of disc two (Brian's Back, Kiss Me Baby, Wild Honey, WIBN) but the rest of them are sh*t.


If the production was better, (let's say Paul Fauerso, hell, even Joe Thomas) this would have been a great album.

I wonder how the album would have sounded if Bruce produced it? We all know he's one hell of a producer (listen to Bruce & Terry if you need proof). I bet if Bruce really put his all into producing Mike's record, he could have done a great job.

But we all know that Bruce is happy just singing and playing keys in Mike's band, and doesn't have much other ambition, so that would never happen.

I suspect one of the reasons Michael Lloyd's production work on "Unleash" is kind of "meh" at best is that he's not exactly an A-list, super-active producer in tune with what would work in a "modern" setting for a legacy artist. All of that applies even more to Bruce, who hasn't been an active, industry producer in probably 40 years, and whose latter-day production work on BB albums is questionable at best.

Compare his limp, zero-balls production and mix of the title track "Keepin' the Summer Alive" to how it sounded on the 1980 tour. The band still could have used more of a hard edge on the true rock numbers like that during their tours, but the song sounded a million times better live.

I dig some of Bruce's work in that era; love his backing vocals on "Full Sail." But by that point in time he wasn't a great producer, and certainly wasn't in tune with what fans wanted *or* what could be a hit. His sensibilities in later years don't display any improvement in any of these regards. He didn't like the 90s Brian/Andy Paley material.

I'm not even 100% sure Bruce would know his way around a studio anymore. Has he done any significant production work in the modern, digital, Pro-Tools era? Yes, I know an engineer can handle most of that stuff while the producer does his thing, but it's another thing worth thinking about.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: B.E. on December 04, 2017, 07:03:45 AM
I'm not even 100% sure Bruce would know his way around a studio anymore. Has he done any significant production work in the modern, digital, Pro-Tools era? Yes, I know an engineer can handle most of that stuff while the producer does his thing, but it's another thing worth thinking about.

This might also contribute to Brian’s use of co-producers at times during his solo career. I don’t think it’s a significant factor, though.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: NateRuvin on December 04, 2017, 11:29:03 AM
I don't think Brian knows how to work Pro Tools or which mic to use in a certain situation, but that's what he has engineers for. He was given sole producer's credit on TLOS, Gershwin, Disney, and TWGMTR even though we all know he wasn't sitting at the computer futzing with plugins. But, that's not what a producer is. A producer is like a coach or director of a film. I'm a producer, and the way I describe it, I try to get my artist to be the best they can be.

I know Bruce has had many questionable production moments (LA, KTSA, for example), but I think for every bad moment he's had as a producer, he's had a good one too (Bruce & Terry, Surfin' Round The World, his contributions to Sunflower). I'm not saying Bruce would have been my number one choice to produce Unleash The Love, but it was just an idea that floated into my head. I think if Brian and Joe Thomas gave this album the Imagination/TWGMTR/NPP treatment, the album would be much better.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on December 04, 2017, 12:05:46 PM
I don't think Brian knows how to work Pro Tools or which mic to use in a certain situation, but that's what he has engineers for.

While I wouldn't doubt that Brian doesn't get hands-on with Pro-Tools down to the editing, etc., I'm pretty sure he would still have knowledge and opinions about which mics to use. In many cases, they're using the same Neumann and other mics (and their various derivatives) that they were using in the 60s.

Producer roles vary from project to project and artist to artist. Sometimes a producer is very nuts-and-bolts and is used/needed more for the functional side of recording, almost a "Head Engineer." On the complete other side, some producers veer into A&R territory and help the artist in vetting material, etc. A guy like George Martin with the Beatles morphed. He started out telling them what to do, helping in vetting material, and within a few years was being used to facilitate what McCartney and the other Beatles wanted to do. He wasn't telling Lennon not to put "Revolution 9" on the White Album, etc.

Nigel Godrich and George Martin told McCartney which tracks stunk and which were good. Jeff Lynne probably not so much.

Some producers become a near adjunct member of the band. See Jeff Lynne on Tom Petty's "Full Moon Fever", and then how the other Heartbreakers felt when Petty attempted to integrate Lynne into the full band. Other producers can't or don't even play or sing anything and just oversee. And so on. 


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on December 04, 2017, 12:15:11 PM
The way Brian recorded a lot of Smiley Smile and Wild Honey was the way ProTools and any number of DAW digital recording programs are designed and used today. I won't say he invented it, the working method of recording and editing that way, that would be wrong, but the way he recorded in sections, reused tracks across multiple verses and choruses, and edited all of that into a song is how most users of DAW programs make music on those programs.

I think the guy also knows the difference between a U47, a C12, and an RCA 44 or 78 mic.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: BeachBoysCovers on December 04, 2017, 12:55:22 PM
Amazon has pushed the UK CD release back to February.  :-\


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: The LEGENDARY OSD on December 05, 2017, 06:32:54 AM

Just checked the Billboard charts. That pile of dove dung is nowhere to be found.  :lol :lol :lol


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: B.E. on December 05, 2017, 06:43:18 AM
...and the board can now rejoice - a verified purchaser has left a 1 star review!


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on December 05, 2017, 09:19:34 AM
Those "reviews"...one of the 5-star posts sounds as if it came direct from Mike's PR offices, but I'll leave it at that. Easy to see which one.

Just a tip: Anyone can comment on the reviews. Look for the blue "comment" icon at the bottom left of each review that gets posted, and you'll be able to reply to the reviews and also read the unfiltered replies. People have been replying.

At least until Amazon also removes that feature if it gets too negative for Mike.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on December 05, 2017, 09:36:12 AM
I love the Five-Star review that's written to sound like Butthead from "Beavis and Butthead":

"Unfortunately some people who know very very little about the Beach Boys have a vague notion that Mike Love is a demonic figure who, like sued Brian Wilson or something like that....."


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: CenturyDeprived on December 05, 2017, 09:53:59 AM
I love the Five-Star review that's written to sound like Butthead from "Beavis and Butthead":

"Unfortunately some people who know very very little about the Beach Boys have a vague notion that Mike Love is a demonic figure who, like sued Brian Wilson or something like that....."

The reviewer forgot to mention the part where Mike omitted the lawsuit's existence from his autobio.

Cool Butthead, Warm Fart


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on December 05, 2017, 10:03:11 AM
Many people who are committed to loving Brian Wilson in particular and considering him to be the sole inspirational source of the Beach Boys will willingly but recklessly disparage Mike Love.

Man this reviewer covers all the bases.

He also thinks, from his review of Mike’s book, that Mike “is one of the most demonized figures in music history for very weak reasons.” and thinks that Mike only sued Brian once (probably because Mike never mentions the 2005 lawsuit in his book).

He gives Brian’s Gershwin album 2 stars but Unleash the Love 5. Definitely listen to this man for an honest review :lol


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on December 05, 2017, 10:46:35 AM
There it is, right? It's such a defined pattern you can recognize it as soon as you know what the pattern is. I guess giving Mike Love a positive review should include taking a shot at either Brian Wilson or his fanbase instead of judging anything Mike does on its own merit...according to the pattern. Because, obviously according to the pattern, any fans who don't see the genius and greatness in Mike Love are either blind BW worshipers or simply have not been properly educated on the real history of the band and Mike Love, and therefore are not real fans until they get their heads straight...courtesy the real fans and historians, I guess.

 :lol

What a farce.

#MottLogic


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: CenturyDeprived on December 05, 2017, 10:53:23 AM
There it is, right? It's such a defined pattern you can recognize it as soon as you know what the pattern is. I guess giving Mike Love a positive review should include taking a shot at either Brian Wilson or his fanbase instead of judging anything Mike does on its own merit...according to the pattern. Because, obviously according to the pattern, any fans who don't see the genius and greatness in Mike Love are either blind BW worshipers or simply have not been properly educated on the real history of the band and Mike Love, and therefore are not real fans until they get their heads straight...courtesy the real fans and historians, I guess.

 :lol

What a farce.

#MottLogic


Let's face it: pretty safe bet that some of these positive reviews are coming from inside his own organization. Plants. Team Mike has a history of that, such as the 2005 lawsuit where a planted guy on his legal team tried to pretend to be a "wronged" eBay purchaser, but got caught. You can't make this stuff up, it actually happened.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: KDS on January 28, 2018, 01:46:36 PM
It took me a few months, but I finally listened to Unleash the Love.

I thought the first disc was surprisingly good.  Ram Raj, 10,000 Years, Crescent Moon, and All the Love in Paris were all pretty good.  Most surprising was the presence of some good guitar solos, not present on much BB related material.

The 2nd disc is pretty awful though. 


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: NateRuvin on January 29, 2018, 10:14:31 AM
Yeah, the first CD has some great songs and good arrangements. It could have been an amazing album, but its overall quality was lowered by the vocal production.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: KDS on January 29, 2018, 10:19:36 AM
Yeah, the first CD has some great songs and good arrangements. It could have been an amazing album, but its overall quality was lowered by the vocal production.

To be honest, I didn't find the vocal production on the first disc to be too bad.   It's sort of like TWGMTR, where it's not bad enough to affect my enjoyment of the songs.  But, the autotune button is turned up to 11 for the second disc. 


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: NateRuvin on January 29, 2018, 11:53:01 AM
I can see that. The only song on disc one where the autotune really distracts me is Too Cruel, which is an otherwise great song. Hell, I would have really enjoyed disc two minus the autotune. I still listen to those recordings because I love how tight Mike's band is (largely thanks to Scott Totten and John Cowsill).


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: KDS on January 29, 2018, 11:55:17 AM
I can see that. The only song on disc one where the autotune really distracts me is Too Cruel, which is an otherwise great song. Hell, I would have really enjoyed disc two minus the autotune. I still listen to those recordings because I love how tight Mike's band is (largely thanks to Scott Totten and John Cowsill).

I agree Mike's got a great band, which is another reason I found the 2nd disc to be disappointing, as even some of the backing tracks sound a bit dull to me.  Oddly enough, one of the songs with a really good backing track is that dreadful take on Do It Again with Mark McGrath. 

But, even if the arrangements were better without autotune, I wouldn't view that disc as anything more than a curio.   


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on January 29, 2018, 01:42:07 PM
Thanks for reviving this thread, I wanted to ask if anyone had any sales figures or numbers from Mike's album and the single release(s) as of this week. As in, how is Mike's solo material selling?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on January 29, 2018, 03:00:09 PM
Yeah, the first CD has some great songs and good arrangements. It could have been an amazing album, but its overall quality was lowered by the vocal production.

To be honest, I didn't find the vocal production on the first disc to be too bad.   It's sort of like TWGMTR, where it's not bad enough to affect my enjoyment of the songs.  But, the autotune button is turned up to 11 for the second disc. 

The vocal production is terrible on Getcha Back (and a plethora of other songs on the new album first disc) and not even close to the sound of TWGMTR. Mike’s ‘Daybreak Over The Ocean’ is a sonic symphony of clarity comparatively, even that horribly autotuned section of ‘Isn’t It Time’ is an audiophiles dream compared to the unprofessional turd of autotune that Mike slathered on both discs.

Don’t get me wrong, disc one is so much more tasteful regarding the vocals compared to disc 2. But TWGMTR is leagues ahead of this very unprofessional solo venture.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: KDS on January 29, 2018, 06:52:02 PM
Yeah, the first CD has some great songs and good arrangements. It could have been an amazing album, but its overall quality was lowered by the vocal production.

To be honest, I didn't find the vocal production on the first disc to be too bad.   It's sort of like TWGMTR, where it's not bad enough to affect my enjoyment of the songs.  But, the autotune button is turned up to 11 for the second disc. 

The vocal production is terrible on Getcha Back (and a plethora of other songs on the new album first disc) and not even close to the sound of TWGMTR. Mike’s ‘Daybreak Over The Ocean’ is a sonic symphony of clarity comparatively, even that horribly autotuned section of ‘Isn’t It Time’ is an audiophiles dream compared to the unprofessional turd of autotune that Mike slathered on both discs.

Don’t get me wrong, disc one is so much more tasteful regarding the vocals compared to disc 2. But TWGMTR is leagues ahead of this very unprofessional solo venture.

I think Mike should have put Getcha Back on Disc 2.  It really doesnt fit with the songs on the first disc.

I have to disagree that I dont find the vocals to be that bad on disc 1. 


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on January 29, 2018, 07:21:42 PM
How has the album and various singles been selling? Any numbers?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: KDS on January 29, 2018, 07:30:28 PM
How has the album and various singles been selling? Any numbers?

Cant say I've looked at any numbers.  I cant imagine too well.

But, I think chart success is to be taken with a grain of salt.  After all, Iggy Azalea had her first three singles hit #1 in 2014, either breaking or tying a record by The Beatles. 


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on January 29, 2018, 07:39:41 PM
I'm just curious to see some sales figures, surely something has to be published as a reference, somewhere.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on January 30, 2018, 06:50:27 AM
How has the album and various singles been selling? Any numbers?

Cant say I've looked at any numbers.  I cant imagine too well.

But, I think chart success is to be taken with a grain of salt.  After all, Iggy Azalea had her first three singles hit #1 in 2014, either breaking or tying a record by The Beatles. 

Across the board, albums can sell far *less* copies in 2017/2018 than hey had to even 10 or 20 years ago in order to get a high chart placement.

So Mike's album would need to sell far fewer copies in 2017 in order to chart than it would have 10 or 20 years ago.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: KDS on January 30, 2018, 06:54:17 AM
How has the album and various singles been selling? Any numbers?

Cant say I've looked at any numbers.  I cant imagine too well.

But, I think chart success is to be taken with a grain of salt.  After all, Iggy Azalea had her first three singles hit #1 in 2014, either breaking or tying a record by The Beatles. 

Across the board, albums can sell far *less* copies in 2017/2018 than hey had to even 10 or 20 years ago in order to get a high chart placement.

So Mike's album would need to sell far fewer copies in 2017 in order to chart than it would have 10 or 20 years ago.

Right, and I think in his heart of hearts, Mike knows the album's not likely to sell a lot of copies.   Even if it was well produced and contained songs on par with All I Wanna Do or All This is That. 


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Nathan Snyder on January 30, 2018, 09:26:21 AM
Like several other's sentiments, I can enjoy much of disc 1 and even some of disc 2.  I try to stay away from the politics of the band and just enjoy the music and overall heritage of the band. 

But, I am also equally confused over the use of autotune to the point of disc 2 sounding so friggin' weird and dreadful.  I mean, I've been left scratching my head numerous times in the past when artists many times allow certain albums to be mixed and mastered so poorly that they sound more fuzzy, distorted or more amateurish than their prior releases.  It's amazing how often it happens....  Sometimes, you really start to doubt today's technology versus the clean rock albums of the 70's and then you get a batch of albums with a quality studio engineer using today's tools and realize that clean production with all of the best qualities are still available no matter your taste of musical genres.  Weezer's latest album sounds good, Red Hot Chili Peppers latest is very musical, but they always compress too much.   I'm a fan of the early 90's Bruno Mars style and production on his latest album. 

Yeah, we know Mike Love's comments on the autotune in the past....but beyond that....who thinks this sounds okay?  Like I Get Around, for example....I would love to hear that track with the autotune removed and see how bad his natural vocal was.  It probably sound decent and very much like a 76 year old Mike Love which is to say much quieter and much more raspier, but still a vocal that knows how to sing that song time and time again.   Like the 2002-2003 version of Brian's Back.  I enjoyed it because it showed where he was vocally at that time and age.   We can all appreciate things in musical art when provided in a natural way to us.   But this autotune is really screwing things up to an alien/robotic like form and I just can't get over no one inside the crew commenting on it....   Take Jeffrey Foskett's Wouldn't It be nice vocal.  It's pretty good.  He sang the lead on the 1980's disc, California Project by Papa Do Run Run and while the production was meant to be very clean and sterile as a way to show how digital can sound, his vocal was very very nice.   I thought, hey, for 30 days older, his new vocal still sounds very similar.   Anyways, I was hoping to have Steve Desper weight in on the autotune of disc 2 and voice his sentiment on why why why!!



Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: KDS on January 30, 2018, 09:32:23 AM
Like several other's sentiments, I can enjoy much of disc 1 and even some of disc 2.  I try to stay away from the politics of the band and just enjoy the music and overall heritage of the band. 


The music will always been more enjoyable than the politics. 

The whole autotune thing is a mystery to me.   I last saw Mike in concert about two years ago.  I thought he sounded decent for a guy in his 70s, far better than the robot Mike singing those BB classics on disc 2 of UTL. 



Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on January 30, 2018, 09:36:31 AM
I always welcome and love to read Steve Desper's insights. But I don't think it takes an engineer or producer to figure out why Mike's album is drenched in autotune. It's because that's what people do now. Today, both young, fully capable vocalists as well as mediocre vocalists as well as aging struggling vocalists *all* use it.

Mike has given many interviews where he has expressed, both directly and indirectly, a lack of interest in the detailed nuts-and-bolts side of studio production/engineering/mixing, etc. I doubt he went into the studio and instructed Michael Lloyd to use autotune (especially considering how HUGE of an issue Mike makes the C50 "autotune incident" in his autobiography). I'm guessing Lloyd instigated its use, hopefully/presumably in collaboration with Mike.

The main thing that doesn't make sense is that I've heard/read that not only did Mike dislike the use of autotune during C50 live show rehearsals (described in his book), but he also supposedly/reportedly told an observer that he was *not* a fan of the autotune on the C50 live 2-CD album.

Yet, the autotune on BOTH discs of Mike's new album (the first disc is drenched in it too, with the apparent exception of "Cool Head, Warm Heart", one of the songs left relatively untouched from its 2004 incarnation helmed by Paul Fauerso) has *much more* prevalent use of autotune, top-to-bottom.

Either Mike has changed his mind (in which case he should maybe walk back some of his comments concerning the C50 live album), or, I think more likely, Mike's gripes about autotune during C50 in 2012 (as well as his backhanded comments concerning "The Right Time" by Brian and Al in 2015) had less to do with the autotune and more to with backbiting and sniping and politics.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on January 30, 2018, 09:46:23 AM
I always welcome and love to read Steve Desper's insights. But I don't think it takes an engineer or producer to figure out why Mike's album is drenched in autotune. It's because that's what people do now. Today, both young, fully capable vocalists as well as mediocre vocalists as well as aging struggling vocalists *all* use it.

Mike has given many interviews where he has expressed, both directly and indirectly, a lack of interest in the detailed nuts-and-bolts side of studio production/engineering/mixing, etc. I doubt he went into the studio and instructed Michael Lloyd to use autotune (especially considering how HUGE of an issue Mike makes the C50 "autotune incident" in his autobiography). I'm guessing Lloyd instigated its use, hopefully/presumably in collaboration with Mike.

The main thing that doesn't make sense is that I've heard/read that not only did Mike dislike the use of autotune during C50 live show rehearsals (described in his book), but he also supposedly/reportedly told an observer that he was *not* a fan of the autotune on the C50 live 2-CD album.

Yet, the autotune on BOTH discs of Mike's new album (the first disc is drenched in it too, with the apparent exception of "Cool Head, Warm Heart", one of the songs left relatively untouched from its 2004 incarnation helmed by Paul Fauerso) has *much more* prevalent use of autotune, top-to-bottom.

Either Mike has changed his mind (in which case he should maybe walk back some of his comments concerning the C50 live album), or, I think more likely, Mike's gripes about autotune during C50 in 2012 (as well as his backhanded comments concerning "The Right Time" by Brian and Al in 2015) had less to do with the autotune and more to with backbiting and sniping and politics.

The last sentence, yes I think that's it. Autotune wasn't as much of an issue itself as it was a convenient arrow in Mike's quiver which he could set aflame and launch at whatever targets he had in sight. It was also "evidence" of the gripes he had. Whether it was an issue in and of itself, or just a convenient arrow to launch.

But I think the ultimate question I have is did anyone involved in the process step up and say anything about the way some (no, most) of this material sounds before it got the final master and went to press? We're told how Mike is in full control over his career, from financial decisions to the touring to exec producing the music he makes and releases...

So I wonder why there is any doubt about Mike's involvement in the decision to use that much of any effect on an album like this, when there has to be final approval given to such an album project, and that final approval would be squarely on Mike, unless he's really not the one calling the shots.

Unless it's a scenario where credit is given only if something is a success, and blame assigned to others when something falls short.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Peadar 'Big Dinner' O'Driscoll on February 07, 2018, 01:37:53 PM
Wonder will the vinyl release of this album ever happen? Date seems to move back all the time.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on February 09, 2018, 09:05:08 AM
Wonder will the vinyl release of this album ever happen? Date seems to move back all the time.

Vinyl? What would be the point?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on February 09, 2018, 09:06:23 AM
Those in the area, get the inside scoop on the album from Mike himself:

"Mike Love will autograph your new Robert Graham tribute shirt at The Mall at UTC in Sarasota this Monday from 5:30-7:00pm!
Get the behind the scenes scoop on his new album 'Unleash The Love' and experience the new collection."

(https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/27545729_10156126195814140_3912517747324871887_n.jpg?oh=4ae5b912284f3023c1efd19be977a302&oe=5B1D9A52)


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: The LEGENDARY OSD on February 09, 2018, 09:13:18 AM

legendary???  ???  :thud :whatever :whatever :shrug :old


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Peadar 'Big Dinner' O'Driscoll on February 09, 2018, 09:17:43 AM
Wonder will the vinyl release of this album ever happen? Date seems to move back all the time.

Vinyl? What would be the point?

Dunno but it's been talked about from the start. 23rd Feb now on Amazon.com....2nd March in UK.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on February 09, 2018, 09:27:54 AM
Come for the shirt, stay for the scoop on Mike's new album!

Will light refreshments be served?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on February 09, 2018, 09:31:19 AM
Will Mike be appearing with any live ostriches to promote his upcoming ostrich farmer festival gig? Will Mike autograph a live ostrich if someone brings one to the meet n greet?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on February 09, 2018, 09:51:21 AM
Will “the legendary AGD” be serving bud lights? >:D


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Debbie KL on February 09, 2018, 10:14:09 AM
There it is, right? It's such a defined pattern you can recognize it as soon as you know what the pattern is. I guess giving Mike Love a positive review should include taking a shot at either Brian Wilson or his fanbase instead of judging anything Mike does on its own merit...according to the pattern. Because, obviously according to the pattern, any fans who don't see the genius and greatness in Mike Love are either blind BW worshipers or simply have not been properly educated on the real history of the band and Mike Love, and therefore are not real fans until they get their heads straight...courtesy the real fans and historians, I guess.

 :lolU
"


I'm really heartbroken that several of you didn't enjoy my Amazon reviews of "Unleash the Love" posted above.  ;D :lol  I guess I'd need to listen to it to review it? I think I sort of heard 2 songs on Mike Grant's show. One sounded like several of those BBs tribute bands - pleasant enough, but some pretty obvious production "vocal corrections." The other must have been from the 2nd disc as it was an old BBs cover.  I left the room after a bit of that one.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: marcella27 on February 09, 2018, 10:22:37 AM
Those in the area, get the inside scoop on the album from Mike himself:

"Mike Love will autograph your new Robert Graham tribute shirt at The Mall at UTC in Sarasota this Monday from 5:30-7:00pm!
Get the behind the scenes scoop on his new album 'Unleash The Love' and experience the new collection."

(https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/27545729_10156126195814140_3912517747324871887_n.jpg?oh=4ae5b912284f3023c1efd19be977a302&oe=5B1D9A52)

Is this real?  I can't even tell.  And I mean that about all aspects.  Is it real that Mike is doing a shirt-signing?  And do said shirts actually have a picture of Mike Love...not on them but IN them?  There is something very subversive about that. 


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: BeachBoysCovers on February 09, 2018, 10:24:43 AM
Wonder will the vinyl release of this album ever happen? Date seems to move back all the time.

Vinyl? What would be the point?

Dunno but it's been talked about from the start. 23rd Feb now on Amazon.com....2nd March in UK.

I seem to recall someone at the PSF reporting seeing a vinyl copy on the shelves in a HMV in the UK.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on February 09, 2018, 10:40:14 AM
Those in the area, get the inside scoop on the album from Mike himself:

"Mike Love will autograph your new Robert Graham tribute shirt at The Mall at UTC in Sarasota this Monday from 5:30-7:00pm!
Get the behind the scenes scoop on his new album 'Unleash The Love' and experience the new collection."

(https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/27545729_10156126195814140_3912517747324871887_n.jpg?oh=4ae5b912284f3023c1efd19be977a302&oe=5B1D9A52)

Is this real?  I can't even tell.  And I mean that about all aspects.  Is it real that Mike is doing a shirt-signing?  And do said shirts actually have a picture of Mike Love...not on them but IN them?  There is something very subversive about that. 

There had better be an exclusive hat collection offered with all of this.

Ya know, a hat with built in speakers with a TM mantra “Ram raj rim job bak en ussr” constantly repeating itself. A state of the art baldness detection system that immediately notifies the wearer of any pattern of unwanted follicle removal. A female recognition radar network that alerts the user of immediate opportunity to find quick companionship.

This shirt line is just the beginning of a new era of total Mike Love dominance in the fashion world. Look out Gucci, Mike Love has entered your domain.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on February 09, 2018, 10:52:57 AM
I've heard of every type of memorabilia. I've never heard someone refer to something as a "tribute shirt."

I checked the Robert Graham store website, and they don't appear to sell the "Mike Love Tribute Shirt" on their website so far.

You can get a pseudo-Beach Boys replica striped shirt for...... $248.00.......



Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on February 09, 2018, 10:55:36 AM
Those in the area, get the inside scoop on the album from Mike himself:

"Mike Love will autograph your new Robert Graham tribute shirt at The Mall at UTC in Sarasota this Monday from 5:30-7:00pm!
Get the behind the scenes scoop on his new album 'Unleash The Love' and experience the new collection."

(https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/27545729_10156126195814140_3912517747324871887_n.jpg?oh=4ae5b912284f3023c1efd19be977a302&oe=5B1D9A52)

Is this real?  I can't even tell.  And I mean that about all aspects.  Is it real that Mike is doing a shirt-signing?  And do said shirts actually have a picture of Mike Love...not on them but IN them?  There is something very subversive about that. 

There had better be an exclusive hat collection offered with all of this.

Ya know, a hat with built in speakers with a TM mantra “Ram raj rim job bak en ussr” constantly repeating itself. A state of the art baldness detection system that immediately notifies the wearer of any pattern of unwanted follicle removal. A female recognition radar network that alerts the user of immediate opportunity to find quick companionship.

This shirt line is just the beginning of a new era of total Mike Love dominance in the fashion world. Look out Gucci, Mike Love has entered your domain.
Don't forget the spanx-like underwear to hide the wine gut.... ;)


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on February 09, 2018, 10:56:06 AM
Apparently Robert Graham is the company that has been making the overpriced shirts Mike has been bundling on his website with his book, etc. for some time:

I'm trying to think of something uglier than this:

(https://mikelove.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/GVshirt.png)


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on February 09, 2018, 10:57:13 AM
Lets get a kickstarter for OSD to get one..... 8)


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on February 09, 2018, 10:58:49 AM
Apparently Robert Graham's thing on many shirts (do a Google image search) is to make the shirts look like your great grandma's old wallpaper, but on acid.

The shirts look like a wax version of the "Gettin' in Over My Head" album cover melting.  


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on February 09, 2018, 11:03:54 AM
Apparently Robert Graham is the company that has been making the overpriced shirts Mike has been bundling on his website with his book, etc. for some time:

I'm trying to think of something uglier than this:

(https://mikelove.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/GVshirt.png)

Good lord :o

Is this from the Formal Clown Collection? Who would wear this shirt in public?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Gabo on February 09, 2018, 11:05:36 AM
Is this from the Formal Clown Collection? Who would wear this shirt in public?

Mike Love


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: CenturyDeprived on February 09, 2018, 11:47:54 AM
Apparently Robert Graham is the company that has been making the overpriced shirts Mike has been bundling on his website with his book, etc. for some time:

I'm trying to think of something uglier than this:

(https://mikelove.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/GVshirt.png)

Good lord :o

Is this from the Formal Clown Collection? Who would wear this shirt in public?

Wouldn't it have been great if someone at the t-shirt design factory snuck in an "Over and over the crow cries uncover the cornfield" lyric into the design somewhere as an easter egg?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on February 09, 2018, 11:55:44 AM
Or a VDP picture! :lol


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: CenturyDeprived on February 09, 2018, 12:03:08 PM
Or a VDP picture! :lol

It's just funny because the shirt is SO 1966-1967-centric, and seems to romanticize that time period, which of course is the time period that the majority of people who take issue with Mr. Love believe he acted particularly abhorrently, or at least in a manner that perhaps most negatively impacted the band's career (arguably of course, because there are so many time periods to choose from regarding terrible actions - and yes I know he cowrote Good Vibrations in this time period too).  

Other than the obvious positives that Mike contributed to the song Good Vibrations, I think that only in Mike's own mind is that era any kind of era that people would largely associate him with in any sort of "positive" way.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Pretty Funky on February 09, 2018, 12:20:38 PM
Those in the area, get the inside scoop on the album from Mike himself:

"Mike Love will autograph your new Robert Graham tribute shirt at The Mall at UTC in Sarasota this Monday from 5:30-7:00pm!
Get the behind the scenes scoop on his new album 'Unleash The Love' and experience the new collection."

(https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/27545729_10156126195814140_3912517747324871887_n.jpg?oh=4ae5b912284f3023c1efd19be977a302&oe=5B1D9A52)

Is this real?  I can't even tell.  And I mean that about all aspects.  Is it real that Mike is doing a shirt-signing?  And do said shirts actually have a picture of Mike Love...not on them but IN them?  There is something very subversive about that. 

Seems to be real. Ad is on his Facebook page.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: marcella27 on February 09, 2018, 12:43:43 PM
It's real.  Look closely at the pictures on the Robert Graham website.  There are smaller photos that show the details of the shirt.  The cuff folds over to reveal a young Mike Love.  So you can wear this on your business casual Friday and flip over the cuff when you're feeling particularly wild. 



http://www.robertgraham.us/mens-sport-shirt-beach-boys-2017-rp171056cf.html



Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on February 09, 2018, 01:19:38 PM
Or a VDP picture! :lol

It's just funny because the shirt is SO 1966-1967-centric, and seems to romanticize that time period, which of course is the time period that the majority of people who take issue with Mr. Love believe he acted particularly abhorrently, or at least in a manner that perhaps most negatively impacted the band's career (arguably of course, because there are so many time periods to choose from regarding terrible actions - and yes I know he cowrote Good Vibrations in this time period too).  

Other than the obvious positives that Mike contributed to the song Good Vibrations, I think that only in Mike's own mind is that era any kind of era that people would largely associate him with in any sort of "positive" way.

Time/era aside, that shirt HeyJude posted above is completely influenced by the acid culture of the 1960s in both style and reference (Haight/Ashbury street). And for a man whose biggest regret in life is the drugs that other people took, you’d think he’d be less inclined to support such a cultural style that was directly influenced by the drugs he supposedly hates.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: CenturyDeprived on February 09, 2018, 01:34:34 PM
Or a VDP picture! :lol

It's just funny because the shirt is SO 1966-1967-centric, and seems to romanticize that time period, which of course is the time period that the majority of people who take issue with Mr. Love believe he acted particularly abhorrently, or at least in a manner that perhaps most negatively impacted the band's career (arguably of course, because there are so many time periods to choose from regarding terrible actions - and yes I know he cowrote Good Vibrations in this time period too).  

Other than the obvious positives that Mike contributed to the song Good Vibrations, I think that only in Mike's own mind is that era any kind of era that people would largely associate him with in any sort of "positive" way.

Time/era aside, that shirt HeyJude posted above is completely influenced by the acid culture of the 1960s in both style and reference (Haight/Ashbury street). And for a man whose biggest regret in life is the drugs that other people took, you’d think he’d be less inclined to support such a cultural style that was directly influenced by the drugs he supposedly hates.

Yep, my thoughts exactly. It's really, really weird. Mike's the last guy to be promoting an "association" with him and the Haight/Ashbury scene... and he'd also probably be literally the last person from famous bands of that era to be welcomed with open arms to the remnants of that scene today. Laughable in every way. It's like Vanilla Ice marketing a shirt today that has a bunch of hardcore Compton gangsta rap 1990s imagery.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on February 09, 2018, 01:50:58 PM
Or a VDP picture! :lol

It's just funny because the shirt is SO 1966-1967-centric, and seems to romanticize that time period, which of course is the time period that the majority of people who take issue with Mr. Love believe he acted particularly abhorrently, or at least in a manner that perhaps most negatively impacted the band's career (arguably of course, because there are so many time periods to choose from regarding terrible actions - and yes I know he cowrote Good Vibrations in this time period too).  

Other than the obvious positives that Mike contributed to the song Good Vibrations, I think that only in Mike's own mind is that era any kind of era that people would largely associate him with in any sort of "positive" way.

Time/era aside, that shirt HeyJude posted above is completely influenced by the acid culture of the 1960s in both style and reference (Haight/Ashbury street). And for a man whose biggest regret in life is the drugs that other people took, you’d think he’d be less inclined to support such a cultural style that was directly influenced by the drugs he supposedly hates.

Yep, my thoughts exactly. It's really, really weird. Mike's the last guy to be promoting an "association" with him and the Haight/Ashbury scene... and he'd also probably be literally the last person from famous bands of that era to be welcomed with open arms to the remnants of that scene today. Laughable in every way. It's like Vanilla Ice marketing a shirt today that has a bunch of hardcore Compton gangsta rap 1990s imagery.

And it makes you wonder who the hell this is marketed toward. Like Gabo said, Mike Love would wear this, and I think that’s about the only person who would wear this. Reminds me of...

(http://s1.storage.akamai.coub.com/get/b10/p/coub/simple/cw_image/f5ad2cfeaff/96bc3b3925ac43df2fd4b/timeline_1466104029_00032.jpg)

“Oh, this is the worst-looking hat I ever saw. What, when you buy a hat like this I bet you get a free bowl of soup, huh?  Oh, it looks good on you though”


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: CenturyDeprived on February 09, 2018, 01:57:13 PM
Or a VDP picture! :lol

It's just funny because the shirt is SO 1966-1967-centric, and seems to romanticize that time period, which of course is the time period that the majority of people who take issue with Mr. Love believe he acted particularly abhorrently, or at least in a manner that perhaps most negatively impacted the band's career (arguably of course, because there are so many time periods to choose from regarding terrible actions - and yes I know he cowrote Good Vibrations in this time period too).  

Other than the obvious positives that Mike contributed to the song Good Vibrations, I think that only in Mike's own mind is that era any kind of era that people would largely associate him with in any sort of "positive" way.

Time/era aside, that shirt HeyJude posted above is completely influenced by the acid culture of the 1960s in both style and reference (Haight/Ashbury street). And for a man whose biggest regret in life is the drugs that other people took, you’d think he’d be less inclined to support such a cultural style that was directly influenced by the drugs he supposedly hates.

Yep, my thoughts exactly. It's really, really weird. Mike's the last guy to be promoting an "association" with him and the Haight/Ashbury scene... and he'd also probably be literally the last person from famous bands of that era to be welcomed with open arms to the remnants of that scene today. Laughable in every way. It's like Vanilla Ice marketing a shirt today that has a bunch of hardcore Compton gangsta rap 1990s imagery.

And it makes you wonder who the hell this is marketed toward. Like Gabo said, Mike Love would wear this, and I think that’s about the only person who would wear this. Reminds me of...

(http://s1.storage.akamai.coub.com/get/b10/p/coub/simple/cw_image/f5ad2cfeaff/96bc3b3925ac43df2fd4b/timeline_1466104029_00032.jpg)

“Oh, this is the worst-looking hat I ever saw. What, when you buy a hat like this I bet you get a free bowl of soup, huh?  Oh, it looks good on you though”

The only people who would wear this shirt (made "famous" by a waaaaaaaay out of touch rich old guy) are other rich old guys who are similarly waaaaay out of touch, because they'll be the only people who can afford said shirts, and also the only people who won't realize the unbelievable ironies that make for unintentional hilarity that we have spoken about.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on February 09, 2018, 02:00:45 PM
That makes sense. So sad some people get to a point where they piss away money on obviously bad styled shirts with Mike Love painted on them. Talk about a low point.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on February 09, 2018, 02:21:58 PM
That shirt looks like something Pennywise vomited up


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Jay on February 09, 2018, 02:37:30 PM
I love how Billy can win the entire thread with one comment.  :lol


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: All Summer Long on February 09, 2018, 03:29:45 PM
Will Mike be appearing with any live ostriches to promote his upcoming ostrich farmer festival gig? Will Mike autograph a live ostrich if someone brings one to the meet n greet?

Dancing cheerleader ostriches for "Be True to Your School"

"Whhhheennnnnn..."


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: guitarfool2002 on February 09, 2018, 03:56:00 PM
 :lol

I wouldn't be surprised at all.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on February 09, 2018, 04:19:17 PM
Will Scott T. do the guitar trick with an oshrich....


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Wirestone on February 09, 2018, 04:20:26 PM
I think it’s important for us all to note that Mike is doing the first promotional event for his solo album at a mall shirt store.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on February 09, 2018, 04:51:50 PM
Me too...


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: “Big Daddy” on February 10, 2018, 03:33:43 PM
Forgive me if this has already been noted, but Newbury Comics has been selling signed UTL CDs for those interested: https://www.newburycomics.com/collections/autographed-cds/products/mike_love-unleash_the_love_2_cd_with_autographed_booklet?variant=47758590540


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: The LEGENDARY OSD on February 11, 2018, 06:49:36 PM
I think it’s important for us all to note that Mike is doing the first promotional event for his solo alum at a mall shirt store.

Absolutely important! And myKe luHv may as well start at the bottom for an album that's gonna stay at the bottom like SIP did.  :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Jay on February 12, 2018, 01:18:02 PM
I think Mike's album could get some attention if it were promoted better, like with a promotional tv commercial.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Wirestone on February 12, 2018, 01:31:16 PM
And we've got a picture ...

(https://www.thegardensmall.com/images/malls/2/stores/photos/robertgraham.png)


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on February 12, 2018, 02:50:18 PM
I think Mike's album could get some attention if it were promoted better, like with a promotional tv commercial.

Too bad MiC didn’t come out this year, Mike could’ve given away copies of Unleash on another QVC gig.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Jay on February 13, 2018, 07:45:08 PM
I wonder, would Mike's album get this much flack if it didn't include a bonus disc of BB's remakes?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Rocky Raccoon on February 13, 2018, 08:50:33 PM
I wonder, would Mike's album get this much flack if it didn't include a bonus disc of BB's remakes?

Probably not as much, though there are even inferior remakes on the first disc of “Getcha Back” and “Daybreak Over the Ocean”.  And I think people might be less upset about the disc two remakes if any hint of effort was put into it.  If he had to do a disc of remakes, he should have just recorded it live.  Would have at least sounded a lot better than the slick auto-tuned garbage he put out.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Jay on February 13, 2018, 08:56:22 PM
I wonder, would Mike's album get this much flack if it didn't include a bonus disc of BB's remakes?

Probably not as much, though there are even inferior remakes on the first disc of “Getcha Back” and “Daybreak Over the Ocean”.  And I think people might be less upset about the disc two remakes if any hint of effort was put into it.  If he had to do a disc of remakes, he should have just recorded it live.  Would have at least sounded a lot better than the slick auto-tuned garbage he put out.
That's an interesting point. I think Mike and Bruce could probably improve their reputation if they issued a live album of the current live group. Or even a live version of Mike's new stuff


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on February 13, 2018, 09:16:57 PM
I wonder, would Mike's album get this much flack if it didn't include a bonus disc of BB's remakes?

Probably not. But I think the first disc would be far more scrutinized than it currently is if the second didn’t exist. That second disc takes the brunt of the criticism (and it makes the first disc look like Pet Sounds in comparison), but frankly the same poor vocal processing and the same plastic-feeling production on the second disc occurs on the first too - just in smaller amounts.

Still, that first disc is surprising in that most of it doesn’t try to rehash that cliched Beach Boys sound and subject. It’s its own unique solo album that probably would’ve gone over a bit better if you take away ‘Getcha Back’, the second disc, and the horrible vocal processing. Also, after the lawsuits and constant media bitching about the Wilsons, Mike singing about unleashing the love is ironic to say the least.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: KDS on February 14, 2018, 04:46:49 AM
I wonder, would Mike's album get this much flack if it didn't include a bonus disc of BB's remakes?

I dont think so.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: NateRuvin on February 14, 2018, 07:30:52 AM
I think Mike's solo release would face controversy and criticism, regardless of the re-records or not, just due to his personality and actions over the years. I do think the album would have gotten better reception among fans if it didn't have the re recordings. I actually like the new version of Getcha Back more than the old one, despite the vocal processing. New words and arrangement are really cool. I also really love Wild Honey, Warmth Of The Sun, Brian's Back, Wouldn't It Be Nice, and the chorus of California Girls (not the verses!) from the re-record disc. I could go the rest of my life without listening to the rest of the re-recordings.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: KDS on February 14, 2018, 08:05:05 AM
I think Mike's solo release would face controversy and criticism, regardless of the re-records or not, just due to his personality and actions over the years. I do think the album would have gotten better reception among fans if it didn't have the re recordings. I actually like the new version of Getcha Back more than the old one, despite the vocal processing. New words and arrangement are really cool. I also really love Wild Honey, Warmth Of The Sun, Brian's Back, Wouldn't It Be Nice, and the chorus of California Girls (not the verses!) from the re-record disc. I could go the rest of my life without listening to the rest of the re-recordings.

I think even some of Mike's detractors might have been more receptive to the album had it not featured so much autotune also. 

As a one disc release with no autotune, its a pretty good MOR late career release.   


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Cabinessenceking on February 14, 2018, 10:05:28 AM
I think us detractors wouldn't give a damn about his solo output. He's a free individual who can do as he likes with his lacking solo career.

When he does tasteless (shite) re-recordings of classical tracks by the Beach Boys, while pretending to be the Beach Boys, which he is not as he didn't write a fraction of the songs and contributed lyrics only in the beginning, then we'll berate him, and justifiably so I might add.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: KDS on February 14, 2018, 10:11:52 AM
I think us detractors wouldn't give a damn about his solo output. He's a free individual who can do as he likes with his lacking solo career.

When he does tasteless (shite) re-recordings of classical tracks by the Beach Boys, while pretending to be the Beach Boys, which he is not as he didn't write a fraction of the songs and contributed lyrics only in the beginning, then we'll berate him, and justifiably so I might add.

I said before that the album would fare far better without the covers disc. 


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Cabinessenceking on February 15, 2018, 04:50:41 AM
I think us detractors wouldn't give a damn about his solo output. He's a free individual who can do as he likes with his lacking solo career.

When he does tasteless (shite) re-recordings of classical tracks by the Beach Boys, while pretending to be the Beach Boys, which he is not as he didn't write a fraction of the songs and contributed lyrics only in the beginning, then we'll berate him, and justifiably so I might add.

I said before that the album would fare far better without the covers disc. 

In terms of sales? I don't think this artist garners any significant number of sales  ;D


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on February 15, 2018, 06:51:48 AM
Mike should have just taken that circa 2004 circulating album's worth of songs and put *that* out. It sounds far better, features less remakes (and the remakes he *did* do on that one included stuff like his remake of "Everyone's In Love With You" which, while far from a masterpiece, is much better than his new remake of "Getcha Back"), and I think it would have garnered him better reviews from the few publications who *did* bother to review it.

But, as was confirmed by Mike in his recent Mojo interview (and something I suspected and mentioned several months back before the album came out), it was the record label who asked for the "classic" remakes. I tend to doubt they just thought it would be an interesting thing to do, but rather they probably felt putting a bunch of classic song titles on the package (and slapping a BB logo on the sticker on the cover) was the only way the album would be worth granting a record deal to Mike. As it is, even with a cheap price tag for a 2-disc set and an album's worth of "classics", the album predictably pretty much sank and didn't even chart on the main Top 200 albums chart.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: KDS on February 15, 2018, 08:22:43 AM
I think us detractors wouldn't give a damn about his solo output. He's a free individual who can do as he likes with his lacking solo career.

When he does tasteless (shite) re-recordings of classical tracks by the Beach Boys, while pretending to be the Beach Boys, which he is not as he didn't write a fraction of the songs and contributed lyrics only in the beginning, then we'll berate him, and justifiably so I might add.

I said before that the album would fare far better without the covers disc. 

In terms of sales? I don't think this artist garners any significant number of sales  ;D

No, in terms of quality. 

I don't judge music by sales.  If so, Ed Sheeran was the "best" artist of 2017


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: KDS on February 15, 2018, 08:25:09 AM
Mike should have just taken that circa 2004 circulating album's worth of songs and put *that* out. It sounds far better, features less remakes (and the remakes he *did* do on that one included stuff like his remake of "Everyone's In Love With You" which, while far from a masterpiece, is much better than his new remake of "Getcha Back"), and I think it would have garnered him better reviews from the few publications who *did* bother to review it.

But, as was confirmed by Mike in his recent Mojo interview (and something I suspected and mentioned several months back before the album came out), it was the record label who asked for the "classic" remakes. I tend to doubt they just thought it would be an interesting thing to do, but rather they probably felt putting a bunch of classic song titles on the package (and slapping a BB logo on the sticker on the cover) was the only way the album would be worth granting a record deal to Mike. As it is, even with a cheap price tag for a 2-disc set and an album's worth of "classics", the album predictably pretty much sank and didn't even chart on the main Top 200 albums chart.

In recent years, legacy acts such as KISS and Journey have done distribution deals with Wal Mart, and part of the deal was a 2nd disc of re-recorded classics from the back catalog.   It's all part of the short sighted view of legacy artists in general. 


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on February 15, 2018, 09:15:13 AM
Mike should have just taken that circa 2004 circulating album's worth of songs and put *that* out. It sounds far better, features less remakes (and the remakes he *did* do on that one included stuff like his remake of "Everyone's In Love With You" which, while far from a masterpiece, is much better than his new remake of "Getcha Back"), and I think it would have garnered him better reviews from the few publications who *did* bother to review it.

But, as was confirmed by Mike in his recent Mojo interview (and something I suspected and mentioned several months back before the album came out), it was the record label who asked for the "classic" remakes. I tend to doubt they just thought it would be an interesting thing to do, but rather they probably felt putting a bunch of classic song titles on the package (and slapping a BB logo on the sticker on the cover) was the only way the album would be worth granting a record deal to Mike. As it is, even with a cheap price tag for a 2-disc set and an album's worth of "classics", the album predictably pretty much sank and didn't even chart on the main Top 200 albums chart.

In recent years, legacy acts such as KISS and Journey have done distribution deals with Wal Mart, and part of the deal was a 2nd disc of re-recorded classics from the back catalog.   It's all part of the short sighted view of legacy artists in general. 

But it's not particularly analogous, as those bands would have been trying to go from a "regular" record deal to a huge deal with Walmart. I'd venture to guess both of those bands could have gotten a less lucrative but still mainstream record deal (perhaps with Eagle or Frontiers or something like that as other older bands with solid core fan bases have) without having to bundle a second disc of re-recorded "classics."

In Mike's case, to score a deal *at all* he apparently had to bundle a disc of re-recordings, and re-recordings of *another* band rather than a disc of "Mike Love" re-recordings.

Those other bands are guaranteed to shift hundreds of thousands if not millions of units on day one by cutting those deals with Walmart.

Mike did the re-records and all it really accomplished was that he got a distributor instead of just selling the album himself on CD Baby or Amazon-On-Demand or something.

Let us also remember that the label that put Mike's album out is part of the same big conglomerate as the publisher of his book, so I wouldn't be surprised if both of those projects were somehow bundled together in one deal.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: KDS on February 15, 2018, 09:21:23 AM
Mike should have just taken that circa 2004 circulating album's worth of songs and put *that* out. It sounds far better, features less remakes (and the remakes he *did* do on that one included stuff like his remake of "Everyone's In Love With You" which, while far from a masterpiece, is much better than his new remake of "Getcha Back"), and I think it would have garnered him better reviews from the few publications who *did* bother to review it.

But, as was confirmed by Mike in his recent Mojo interview (and something I suspected and mentioned several months back before the album came out), it was the record label who asked for the "classic" remakes. I tend to doubt they just thought it would be an interesting thing to do, but rather they probably felt putting a bunch of classic song titles on the package (and slapping a BB logo on the sticker on the cover) was the only way the album would be worth granting a record deal to Mike. As it is, even with a cheap price tag for a 2-disc set and an album's worth of "classics", the album predictably pretty much sank and didn't even chart on the main Top 200 albums chart.

In recent years, legacy acts such as KISS and Journey have done distribution deals with Wal Mart, and part of the deal was a 2nd disc of re-recorded classics from the back catalog.   It's all part of the short sighted view of legacy artists in general. 

But it's not particularly analogous, as those bands would have been trying to go from a "regular" record deal to a huge deal with Walmart. I'd venture to guess both of those bands could have gotten a less lucrative but still mainstream record deal (perhaps with Eagle or Frontiers or something like that as other older bands with solid core fan bases have) without having to bundle a second disc of re-recorded "classics."

In Mike's case, to score a deal *at all* he apparently had to bundle a disc of re-recordings, and re-recordings of *another* band rather than a disc of "Mike Love" re-recordings.

Those other bands are guaranteed to shift hundreds of thousands if not millions of units on day one by cutting those deals with Walmart.

Mike did the re-records and all it really accomplished was that he got a distributor instead of just selling the album himself on CD Baby or Amazon-On-Demand or something.

Let us also remember that the label that put Mike's album out is part of the same big conglomerate as the publisher of his book, so I wouldn't be surprised if both of those projects were somehow bundled together in one deal.

I agree, in part. 

But, I don't see how the label would logically think the album would shift more copies with a disc of Beach Boys remakes.   


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on February 15, 2018, 09:33:37 AM
Mike should have just taken that circa 2004 circulating album's worth of songs and put *that* out. It sounds far better, features less remakes (and the remakes he *did* do on that one included stuff like his remake of "Everyone's In Love With You" which, while far from a masterpiece, is much better than his new remake of "Getcha Back"), and I think it would have garnered him better reviews from the few publications who *did* bother to review it.

But, as was confirmed by Mike in his recent Mojo interview (and something I suspected and mentioned several months back before the album came out), it was the record label who asked for the "classic" remakes. I tend to doubt they just thought it would be an interesting thing to do, but rather they probably felt putting a bunch of classic song titles on the package (and slapping a BB logo on the sticker on the cover) was the only way the album would be worth granting a record deal to Mike. As it is, even with a cheap price tag for a 2-disc set and an album's worth of "classics", the album predictably pretty much sank and didn't even chart on the main Top 200 albums chart.

In recent years, legacy acts such as KISS and Journey have done distribution deals with Wal Mart, and part of the deal was a 2nd disc of re-recorded classics from the back catalog.   It's all part of the short sighted view of legacy artists in general. 

But it's not particularly analogous, as those bands would have been trying to go from a "regular" record deal to a huge deal with Walmart. I'd venture to guess both of those bands could have gotten a less lucrative but still mainstream record deal (perhaps with Eagle or Frontiers or something like that as other older bands with solid core fan bases have) without having to bundle a second disc of re-recorded "classics."

In Mike's case, to score a deal *at all* he apparently had to bundle a disc of re-recordings, and re-recordings of *another* band rather than a disc of "Mike Love" re-recordings.

Those other bands are guaranteed to shift hundreds of thousands if not millions of units on day one by cutting those deals with Walmart.

Mike did the re-records and all it really accomplished was that he got a distributor instead of just selling the album himself on CD Baby or Amazon-On-Demand or something.

Let us also remember that the label that put Mike's album out is part of the same big conglomerate as the publisher of his book, so I wouldn't be surprised if both of those projects were somehow bundled together in one deal.

I agree, in part. 

But, I don't see how the label would logically think the album would shift more copies with a disc of Beach Boys remakes.   

You don't understand why a label would think "California Girls" and "Good Vibrations" (etc.) would garner more attention than song titles like  "All the Love in Paris" and "Ram Raj?"

They priced it essentially the same as a one-disc album, and put a bunch of recognizable song titles on it. I have little doubt it *has* moved more copies due to that second disc. It's just probably in the hundreds of copies rather than thousands.

"Mike Love" does not have a ton of name recognition. But if you put an "of the Beach Boys" sticker on the cover and put a *full album* worth of recognizable Beach Boys songs in the package, a casual fan is much more likely to buy it.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: KDS on February 15, 2018, 09:38:12 AM
Mike should have just taken that circa 2004 circulating album's worth of songs and put *that* out. It sounds far better, features less remakes (and the remakes he *did* do on that one included stuff like his remake of "Everyone's In Love With You" which, while far from a masterpiece, is much better than his new remake of "Getcha Back"), and I think it would have garnered him better reviews from the few publications who *did* bother to review it.

But, as was confirmed by Mike in his recent Mojo interview (and something I suspected and mentioned several months back before the album came out), it was the record label who asked for the "classic" remakes. I tend to doubt they just thought it would be an interesting thing to do, but rather they probably felt putting a bunch of classic song titles on the package (and slapping a BB logo on the sticker on the cover) was the only way the album would be worth granting a record deal to Mike. As it is, even with a cheap price tag for a 2-disc set and an album's worth of "classics", the album predictably pretty much sank and didn't even chart on the main Top 200 albums chart.

In recent years, legacy acts such as KISS and Journey have done distribution deals with Wal Mart, and part of the deal was a 2nd disc of re-recorded classics from the back catalog.   It's all part of the short sighted view of legacy artists in general. 

But it's not particularly analogous, as those bands would have been trying to go from a "regular" record deal to a huge deal with Walmart. I'd venture to guess both of those bands could have gotten a less lucrative but still mainstream record deal (perhaps with Eagle or Frontiers or something like that as other older bands with solid core fan bases have) without having to bundle a second disc of re-recorded "classics."

In Mike's case, to score a deal *at all* he apparently had to bundle a disc of re-recordings, and re-recordings of *another* band rather than a disc of "Mike Love" re-recordings.

Those other bands are guaranteed to shift hundreds of thousands if not millions of units on day one by cutting those deals with Walmart.

Mike did the re-records and all it really accomplished was that he got a distributor instead of just selling the album himself on CD Baby or Amazon-On-Demand or something.

Let us also remember that the label that put Mike's album out is part of the same big conglomerate as the publisher of his book, so I wouldn't be surprised if both of those projects were somehow bundled together in one deal.

I agree, in part. 

But, I don't see how the label would logically think the album would shift more copies with a disc of Beach Boys remakes.   

You don't understand why a label would think "California Girls" and "Good Vibrations" (etc.) would garner more attention than song titles like  "All the Love in Paris" and "Ram Raj?"

They priced it essentially the same as a one-disc album, and put a bunch of recognizable song titles on it. I have little doubt it *has* moved more copies due to that second disc. It's just probably in the hundreds of copies rather than thousands.

"Mike Love" does not have a ton of name recognition. But if you put an "of the Beach Boys" sticker on the cover and put a *full album* worth of recognizable Beach Boys songs in the package, a casual fan is much more likely to buy it.

What I don't understand is why the label would think a 2017 version of a 50+ year old classic would garner attention. 

Maybe I need to take off my "music geek" glasses to see their logic. 


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: MyDrKnowsItKeepsMeCalm on February 15, 2018, 10:00:32 AM
What I don't understand is why the label would think a 2017 version of a 50+ year old classic would garner attention. 

Maybe I need to take off my "music geek" glasses to see their logic. 
I imagine it's kind of a tipping point thing, where the casual fan looks at the CD's song titles and thinks "eh, I guess I'll pick one up... even if I hate most of the new stuff I still get all the classics!" I don't love the logic but it does make sense.



Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Jim V. on February 15, 2018, 10:10:20 AM
I can understand the label wanting the familiar song titles on there in a way.....

.....if, say, it was 1995 and you can find this album in any store. Now, Best Buy soon won't be carrying CDs, while I'm pretty sure places like Wal Mart and Target don't carry half as many CDs as they used to. So I'm gonna say that the whole "impulse buy" thing has mostly went out the window with the way things work now. Now, granted somebody may decide to buy a copy on Amazon due to the tracklisting, but one might also assume the person would sample some of the remakes and hear how horrible those versions are and be turned off to the entire project.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on February 15, 2018, 10:15:05 AM
Exactly


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Zesterz on February 15, 2018, 10:16:41 AM
And the blurring of the soloist /BB  guy is useful to sales , especially at shows such as  2.14.18 where "The Beach Boys"  performed Unleash the Love to a huge backdrop of its cover.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: rab2591 on February 15, 2018, 10:23:14 AM
I’m sure the label Mike used does have the mentality that it is 1995. However, even in an age of samples and streaming, having those names of BBs tunes on there makes the odds of this album selling more much greater than if people just saw Ram Raj and 10,000 years.

For those of us who sample the songs, and understand the making of this album - that second disc is not for us. That second disc is for the the casuals at the concert who see the names of those Beach Boys songs and are more tempted to buy them if they can hear those classics...not realizing they are about to take a brass knuckle sucker punch to the eardrums when Mike’s auto-tuned nasal phalanx comes ripping through the stereo system.

That second disc is likely for impulse buy concert goers.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on February 15, 2018, 11:38:06 AM
When it comes to marketing Mike's disc of remakes, I think maybe what we all feel *should* be the case is being conflated with what is *actually* the case.

The label *absolutely* asked Mike to do the disc because it was a marketable angle/would grab some additional sales, etc. There's NO other reason to ask for it.

We can argue *how much* such a disc might impact sales. But I don't understand in the incredulity about the idea that a label would see that a disc of "Mike Love Original Songs" would garner X amount of interest, while attaching a second disc of recognizable, classic songs (which also held to remind you that Mike Love is "of the Beach Boys!") would attract some degree MORE attention/sales, etc.

At it's core, it's the same reason "Sounds of Summer" sells more than a new album from any of these guys.

It's the same reason K-Tel asked Badfinger to re-record "Come and Get It" in the early 80s.

It's the same reason Mike did that "Salutes NASCAR" CD.

It's the same reason that Hallmark "Songs from Here and Back" wasn't filled with live rare deep cuts.

These are all artists that aren't relevant musically in present day. So if they're inclined to do new product, a label isn't crazy for thinking if the whole thing is wrapped up in some well-known songs, it'll probably sell at least a little bit more.

The only potential drawback is that "new" material will be unfavorably compared to the old stuff, or in the case of re-recordings, the new recordings are compared unfavorably to the originals. I guess Mike accomplished that *too*, but I have little doubt that he probably moved another 1,000 or so units by sticking that hits CD in the package.

Some artists have enough clout/reputation, that they don't have to latch on to the old stuff, at least when it comes to making new music. Brian Wilson can score a record deal without bundling his album with a disc of BB greatest hits. McCartney can score a deal without bundling old hits.

Mike Love, as a solo artist, apparently can't. Or he didn't shop around.

Also keep in mind that one possible reason Mike recorded the oldies again that we may not find out about for awhile is the possibility that he'll try to shop the re-recordings for use in commercials, movie trailers, movies, etc. This has been one of the main reasons many older artists have done re-recordings. They then can license their recordings directly, cutting out the copyright holder of the old recordings.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: barsone on February 18, 2018, 10:13:26 PM
HJ     great post (again).....I am focusing on your last two points.....

"Mike Love as a solo artist...Obviously should replace Apparently...or he did not shop around....because.....there was NO ONE to shop around to....

last paragraph.....Alas, why did Mike do all the remake/re-recordings (with the labels blessing) of all the Beach Boy favs last year......EAXACTLY...to shop these new songs for commercials for the revenue flow into eternity.  Mike's not stupid.....

So....I say.....Brian....go back and re-record these songs over the top of Mikes.  Make your own re-recording of Getcha Back .etc... and go ahead and use your name "Brain Wilson" pushing for the revenue flow and lets see who wins this battle.   

I will admit I've had a few too many glasses of Chardonnay this evening but HJ's post really set me off.....Mike is becoming cagier as he sees his touring life coming to a close and he wants to keep the revenue flow for "his Love" family.....not the Wilson family....

So going forward after these guys are done touring.....Mike and Brian both "may" have revenue streams from actions they can take now......what about Carl's heirs and Al  from the point of view of BRI ???????

Deep down, my gut thinks Carl's sons have been able to make life easier for themselves current day (and I don't begrudge them one bit) post 1998, however with the supposed decision of backing Mike with the BB's naming rights.....down the road, revenue will drop off appreciably for both Carl's heirs and Al when the touring stops.....and then what.......Someone out there fill in what happens down the road ten years from now......
 
And HJ......great thought provoking post...and one last glass of Chard !!!


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Zesterz on February 19, 2018, 01:59:06 AM
The BB are becoming /have become the 'pop' version of the New Christy Minstrels. A version of the show continues......line ups will change...as they have.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: “Big Daddy” on April 06, 2018, 02:12:34 PM
Picked up the vinyl edition of UTL which came out a while after the CD. The sticker is different from the CD edition. I wonder if Mike got in trouble for using the Beach Boys logo?

Also noticing that the sticker now says *a* lyricist.

(https://i.imgur.com/xZP1ofF.jpg)


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: CenturyDeprived on April 06, 2018, 03:38:25 PM
Picked up the vinyl edition of UTL which came out a while after the CD. The sticker is different from the CD edition. I wonder if Mike got in trouble for using the Beach Boys logo?

Also noticing that the sticker now says *a* lyricist.

(https://i.imgur.com/xZP1ofF.jpg)

I'm sure it was changed grudgingly; I'm surprised they didn't try to hide the word "a" by shrinking it down to size 1 font.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Lonely Summer on April 07, 2018, 09:00:10 PM
Is the album being sold at the concession stand on Mike's...I mean, the Beach Boys' tour this year?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: The LEGENDARY OSD on April 07, 2018, 09:33:04 PM
Is the album being sold at the concession stand on Mike's...I mean, the Beach Boys' tour this year?

 No, but you'll get a coupon for $2.00 toward a botox injection if you mention myKe luHv.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Pretty Funky on April 07, 2018, 10:37:07 PM
What a joke. I don't have any further grievances than those that have been listed but this is just ridiculous.

Someone in the inner circle should be making a stink about the Beach Boys name on the cover, since normally Mike would be the one to do that...and I'm not saying he wasn't justified in the past, but this is a prime example of what he has constantly bitched about with the other guys...and don't get me started on Brian's Back. All the hundreds of songs he could've recorded, and that makes the cut? He has to know what he's doing.

What store is actually going to carry this? I don't see physical copies of this existing anywhere beyond his website and Amazon.

Credit to RubberSoul if his post on page 1 instigated BRI to take action on the label.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: wilsonart1 on April 08, 2018, 05:46:34 AM
When is the OSD Unleash the  Dove listening party this summer?


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on April 08, 2018, 05:57:23 AM
We need an OSD rifftrax of the album! >:D


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: The LEGENDARY OSD on April 08, 2018, 06:30:44 AM
When is the OSD Unleash the  Dove listening party this summer?
Stay tuned. And just to be clear, it's Uhnleesh thu Duhv.  :hat


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: SMiLE Brian on April 08, 2018, 06:52:10 AM
Unleash the dud! ;)


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: The LEGENDARY OSD on April 08, 2018, 07:30:27 AM
Unleash the dud! ;)

 :woot :woot :woot


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Debbie KL on April 08, 2018, 08:08:10 AM
Is the album being sold at the concession stand on Mike's...I mean, the Beach Boys' tour this year?

 No, but you'll get a coupon for $2.00 toward a botox injection if you mention myKe luHv.

Finally he's ofering a real deal!  >:D  OSD, I want to be invited to the Unleash the Dove party. 

I think we should include this bird's (Pebble's) commentary on life and this music:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YorErWWnpug

\P)ebble is geting me through the Trump presidency.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: The LEGENDARY OSD on April 08, 2018, 12:44:31 PM
Is the album being sold at the concession stand on Mike's...I mean, the Beach Boys' tour this year?

 No, but you'll get a coupon for $2.00 toward a botox injection if you mention myKe luHv.

Finally he's ofering a real deal!  >:D  OSD, I want to be invited to the Unleash the Dove party. 

I think we should include this bird's (Pebble's) commentary on life and this music:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YorErWWnpug

\P)ebble is geting me through the Trump presidency.


Of course you're invited, however there is somewhat of a roadblock ahead. No one I know has the damn CD!! Perhaps we can stream it though my laptop and listen to it via my 1960 transistor radio that I bought with my lawn cutting money.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on April 08, 2018, 02:18:19 PM
Just dawned on my that I never did do my video review. Oops.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: wilsonart1 on April 08, 2018, 04:58:26 PM
Now OSD, Wouldn't it be nice!  That be nice. 


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: HeyJude on April 09, 2018, 06:16:58 AM
Picked up the vinyl edition of UTL which came out a while after the CD. The sticker is different from the CD edition. I wonder if Mike got in trouble for using the Beach Boys logo?

Also noticing that the sticker now says *a* lyricist.


Thanks for the heads-up on this and taking the time to snap the pic.

I recall from the outset noting that it was absolutely inappropriate for Mike to use the actual BB logo; a few scoffed at this and didn't see a problem. He (and the others) can *absolutely* advertise that they are "of the Beach Boys", etc. But using the logo implies endorsement from BRI. As I said when I first saw the pic, I can GUARANTEE that if Al had put the actual Torrence-designed BB logo on his "Live in Las Vegas" CD (or any other for that matter), he would have been sued into oblivion.

I'm glad someone at BRI is looking at this stuff and hopefully taking appropriate action. I mean, who knows, maybe the manufacturer of the vinly sticker just got lazy. We don't know anything for sure. But dropping the logo *and* changing the misleading verbiage implying Mike was *the* lyricist for the band seems to indicate a strong likelihood of someone having said something.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: “Big Daddy” on April 09, 2018, 01:51:43 PM
PSA: The vinyl edition is now less than $13 on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07667WK1G/


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Lonely Summer on April 10, 2018, 11:16:04 PM
PSA: The vinyl edition is now less than $13 on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07667WK1G/
I got the cd for $8 yesterday at Silver Platters in Seattle.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Pretty Funky on April 11, 2018, 12:28:08 AM
Their website said that is the used price. I guess ‘played once’ is close enough to new.  :lol


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Custom Machine on October 24, 2018, 03:16:56 PM
In the modern day equivalent of the LP cut-out bin, Amazon is now selling the Unleash the Love 2 disc vinyl album for $5.06 with free Prime shipping. Adjusting back for inflation, that's like selling a double album for 70 cents 50 years ago in 1968.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Lonely Summer on October 24, 2018, 11:30:21 PM
In the modern day equivalent of the LP cut-out bin, Amazon is now selling the Unleash the Love 2 disc vinyl album for $5.06 with free Prime shipping. Adjusting back for inflation, that's like selling a double album for 70 cents 50 years ago in 1968.

Wow, maybe I should go ahead and get it! Although the second disc won't get much play around here.
But my most desired piece of BB-related vinyl would be...no, not Summer in Paradise....
Orange Crate Art.
Well, I guess I can dream.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Cabinessenceking on October 25, 2018, 08:04:12 AM
"Unleash The Love" ...while openly supporting a man whose flammable rhetoric have now manifested itself in attempted assassinations of his critics and opponents.

I suppose the album title always was more of a casual pun on words as opposed to any actual values of love held or professed by Mr Love.
One may be forgiven for placing deeper meaning than that which was intended.

Good luck, my American friends.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: CenturyDeprived on October 25, 2018, 10:59:42 AM
"Unleash The Love" ...while openly supporting a man whose flammable rhetoric have now manifested itself in attempted assassinations of his critics and opponents.

I suppose the album title always was more of a casual pun on words as opposed to any actual values of love held or professed by Mr Love.
One may be forgiven for placing deeper meaning than that which was intended.

Good luck, my American friends.

Truth. History will be no more on Mike's side than Trump's.

The fact that Mike has gone out of his way to be overtly political, posing with Trump, and hanging out whenever possible repeatedly "buddying-up" with Trump unfortunately makes this an "on topic" subject when discussing the band. The optics have been burned into the public's minds over and over again. Let's not forget that Mike Love trended on Twitter just recently, which is quite a feat for a guy who has been anything but Mr. Popularity within his own industry.  He trended because he tied in himself (and unfortunately the brand) with Trump. Anything for free publicity I guess.

(Side note: while I despise Trump, I cannot find fault with Trump's particular action of signing that music bill into law, although it still seems shocking that he'd do an action for any reason other than self-serving purposes).

But Mike continually going out of his way in a seemingly star-struck manner to visually remind the public of his (Mike's) support of Trump will have an impact on this band; many people will continue to lump in the whole band (Mike, after all, "is" The Beach Boys, right?) with support of Trump's policies, anti-LGBT agenda, etc. Mike can't just say that he "doesn't support all of Trump's policies" and expect this to be a get-out-of-jail-free card, "allowing" him to repeatedly support and align himself with someone who promotes hate.

Mike should be asked by reporters in all his future interviews "what do you say to LGBT Beach Boys fans who question your repeated support and posing with a president who is stripping them of all sorts of rights?" This should be something Mike should consider,  but he's seemingly too far in a bubble in the Naked Room on his tour to even think about this stuff. It doesn't friggin' matter to him. The LGBT community must not be lining Mike's pockets enough for him to care. That's a fact. If he thought it'd truly hurt his bottom line, he would not be posing with Trump repeatedly.

There will be a sizeable amount of people who will never want anything to do with Mike Love or the band due to this. Maybe not enough to hurt his tour numbers of fans wanting to see a band named The Beach Boys regardless of who's in it... but it just cements many people who miiiiiiiight have been willing to turn the corner and appreciate Mike's genuine talent for his work on, say, Wild Honey as revealed on Sunshine Tomorrow, but will now just dismiss him entirely for all times. It's just ironic to the max for a guy who doubly ironically is named Love and triply ironically is unleashing the bird of peace on his album cover.

I wish this was off topic, but it sadly isn't.

That is some chutzpah of Mike having a US flag with a peace symbol on his album cover. Peace and Love goes reeeal nice with Anti-LGBT rights. Mike's album cover is like the prequel to Mel Brooks' High Anxiety.

(http://i66.tinypic.com/35a4oqr.jpg)


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Lee Marshall on October 25, 2018, 12:47:33 PM
In the modern day equivalent of the LP cut-out bin, Amazon is now selling the Unleash the Love 2 disc vinyl album for $5.06 with free Prime shipping. Adjusting back for inflation, that's like selling a double album for 70 cents 50 years ago in 1968.


Seems to me that I was paying $2.99 for a NEW mono LP and $3.99 for a NEW stereo LP back in 1968.  I would also head up to the 3rd floor at Sam the Record Man in downtown Toronto/Yonge Street where I could buy an assortment of album choices for either a buck...for 50 cents...or for a quarter...ie: 25 cents.  Love's little bit of poop would have been in the quarter bin right next door to the expansive and open space they're setting aside for his xmas album.  Back then the "naked room" was the shower.  [and he still had a little sample of noggin hair.]  One thing hasn't changed though.  He's still a 'dick'.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: mtaber on October 25, 2018, 03:09:48 PM
The board would be better served if political agendas were left out, in my opinion.  Unleash the Love is a bad enough idea, without dragging politics into the mix.


Title: Re: Mike Love - Unleash the Love - Due November 17 - w/ 2nd Disc of BB Remakes
Post by: Lonely Summer on October 27, 2018, 12:07:28 AM
"Unleash The Love" ...while openly supporting a man whose flammable rhetoric have now manifested itself in attempted assassinations of his critics and opponents.

I suppose the album title always was more of a casual pun on words as opposed to any actual values of love held or professed by Mr Love.
One may be forgiven for placing deeper meaning than that which was intended.

Good luck, my American friends.

Truth. History will be no more on Mike's side than Trump's.

The fact that Mike has gone out of his way to be overtly political, posing with Trump, and hanging out whenever possible repeatedly "buddying-up" with Trump unfortunately makes this an "on topic" subject when discussing the band. The optics have been burned into the public's minds over and over again. Let's not forget that Mike Love trended on Twitter just recently, which is quite a feat for a guy who has been anything but Mr. Popularity within his own industry.  He trended because he tied in himself (and unfortunately the brand) with Trump. Anything for free publicity I guess.

(Side note: while I despise Trump, I cannot find fault with Trump's particular action of signing that music bill into law, although it still seems shocking that he'd do an action for any reason other than self-serving purposes).

But Mike continually going out of his way in a seemingly star-struck manner to visually remind the public of his (Mike's) support of Trump will have an impact on this band; many people will continue to lump in the whole band (Mike, after all, "is" The Beach Boys, right?) with support of Trump's policies, anti-LGBT agenda, etc. Mike can't just say that he "doesn't support all of Trump's policies" and expect this to be a get-out-of-jail-free card, "allowing" him to repeatedly support and align himself with someone who promotes hate.

Mike should be asked by reporters in all his future interviews "what do you say to LGBT Beach Boys fans who question your repeated support and posing with a president who is stripping them of all sorts of rights?" This should be something Mike should consider,  but he's seemingly too far in a bubble in the Naked Room on his tour to even think about this stuff. It doesn't friggin' matter to him. The LGBT community must not be lining Mike's pockets enough for him to care. That's a fact. If he thought it'd truly hurt his bottom line, he would not be posing with Trump repeatedly.

There will be a sizeable amount of people who will never want anything to do with Mike Love or the band due to this. Maybe not enough to hurt his tour numbers of fans wanting to see a band named The Beach Boys regardless of who's in it... but it just cements many people who miiiiiiiight have been willing to turn the corner and appreciate Mike's genuine talent for his work on, say, Wild Honey as revealed on Sunshine Tomorrow, but will now just dismiss him entirely for all times. It's just ironic to the max for a guy who doubly ironically is named Love and triply ironically is unleashing the bird of peace on his album cover.

I wish this was off topic, but it sadly isn't.

That is some chutzpah of Mike having a US flag with a peace symbol on his album cover. Peace and Love goes reeeal nice with Anti-LGBT rights. Mike's album cover is like the prequel to Mel Brooks' High Anxiety.

(http://i66.tinypic.com/35a4oqr.jpg)
Well, you know, it's quite possible that LGBTQ rights isn't the #1 on Mike's radar. There are many, many other issues in the forefront right now. And let's not forget how Mike tried to buddy up with Ronald Reagan when he was in office. This, despite Mike's oft stated concern for environmental issues. Maybe, just maybe, by buddying up with these guys, Mike hopes to have the opportunity to discuss some of the issues he cares about with them. Or maybe not. I don't claim to be able to read Mike's mind.

Now please, somebody please go get me a hamburger. Then we'll have world peace.