New album I just released, lots of harmonies and (as my music so often is) inspired by Beach Boys / Wilson sound; enjoy and comments appreciated!

https://jakegonnella.bandcamp.com/album/it-doesnt-hurt

Cool production. Lots of layers! Cool sound on the synth voice too, good stuff.

Thanks so much, really appreciate it!

[Forbidden Planet]

I like the wide spacing of the treated voices (very effective) and the Forbidden Planet sounds. Nice track!

Thanks so much, so glad you like!

Hi all, my latest song, "Carousel", is now available! A blend of pop, electronic and psych, with of course a little inspiration from The Boys...

Enjoy, comments appreciated!


https://soundcloud.com/jakegonnella/carousel

wow this sounds great, very much reminds me of some live jam based on Good Vibrations-era BBs! The vocals and instrumentation sound really good as well!

Thanks for Listening! I would reccomend "and i know", "without her", and "1000 miles off the ground". appreciate the suggestion, definitely something I've thought about, thanks for sharing your thoughts!

This is an album I've been working on for a while; my biggest influences here were my favorite music of the '60s: The Beatles, Van Dyke Parks, and of course The Beach Boys. Take a listen, comments appreciated!

https://jakegonnella.bandcamp.com/album/the-sea

Hi all, I've just finished up a bunch of tracks and have worked out vocal parts for each one, but my mic is not great and my vocals even less so. I was wondering if anyone on this board had any interest in laying down some vocals? I know there are some great singers here. Here's a sample track with my vocals, let me know if anyone's interested!

http://www43.zippyshare.com/v/Lh7pM5N8/file.html

Jake

Read a very interesting topic about the similarity between DYLW and Wake the World, so I decided to try and make a SMILE-esque backing track for the song, just for fun. I would add vocals but I can't imagine it would sound that good; if someone else wants to go for it!

http://www16.zippyshare.com/v/Fs3J160f/file.html

For a while now I've been trying to put together the best of BW 88 and Still Cruisin'- era tracks to make a really solid Beach Boys album from 1989. I wanted it to be similiar to SMiLE as well as Pet Sounds, but I'm having some trouble solidifying a tracklist. Here it is as it stands:

1. One For the Boys
2. Kokomo
3. Let it Shine
4. He Couldn't Get His Poor Old Body to Move
5. Baby Let Your Hair Grow Long
6. Love and Mercy
7. California Dreamin' (I've also been experimenting with putting "America" from Van Dyke Parks' 1989 album "Tokyo Rose", to create a thematic feel and to add an instrumental track)
8. Somewhere Near Japan
9. There's So Many
10. Meet Me In My Dreams Tonight
11. Melt Away
12. Rio Grande

The biggest problem I'm having is creating a unifying sound. BW 88 is tricky because some of it (There's So Many, Melt Away) sounds like Pet Sounds, and some of it sounds like SMiLE (HCGHPOBTM, Rio Grande), whereas many of the Still Cruisin' songs are not bad, they just aren't deep or introspective like so much of BW88 is, which may make a nice contrast or may be too jarring.
Am I overthinking this? Should I leave the two albums as they are, does this tracklist sound good, or should I tweak it? Would love to hear thoughts!

I think also "Let the Wind Blow"?

That is extraordinary----thank you! Those synths... And a highly original concept to boot. Top notch, Jake----it's something you can be proud of. :=)   

Thanks so much, really appreciate it! There are many parts I wish had come out better, but I am proud of it none the less

added bass and drums, see if you like em!

http://www68.zippyshare.com/v/cdXc3dbb/file.html

This album covers two very impressive artists: The first is Marianne Martinez, who composed beautiful classical pieces in the mid-1700s. The second, I doubt needs much explanation. This album focuses heavily on synthesized instrumentation, almost like an updated Love You in some ways... Hope you enjoy!

https://jakegonnella.bandcamp.com/album/marianne-brian

Random question, but I swear I recall hearing somewhere at some point Brian's isolated vocals from "I Wanna Be Around" on BWPS; fairly sure it was a fan isolation, but a very good one, maybe from Seltaeb? If anyone could tell me where to find I'd be very grateful!

I was also at the Seattle show; so happy I finally got to see him! There is something really beatuiful/haunting about seeing a large band play Our Prayer/Heroes and Villains live, there's such a spooky energy in H&V live, it was awesome. However, I couldn't help but notice some odd moments, maybe others can help shed light on them.

One was Rodriguez; he either seemed very drunk or perhaps he's just getting a bit old and rambly. He said he was turning 75 at least twice, as well as saying"I'm as happy as a Beach Boy" and "Brian should have a Vegas show" twice. There was also a weird moment where he kept muttering about how the sound was off and he would strum his guitar and mutter to himself again, doing this for a solid minute. Maybe he was just joking around and I wasn't reading it?

Brian sounded great, his voice reminded me a little bit of "Orange Crate Art" music, but I never had a problem with that album anyway, and he seemed to be enjoying himself, making banter in between songs. However, when intriducing "Darlin'" as being sung by Carl, saying, "Carl died of... He died in 1998." Is it possible he forgot what his brother died of...? Also, I noticed that when he introduced "Surf's Up", he didn't say the name of the song, and then during the song, when Matt Jardine started to sing, "Surf's up, mmm...", Brian just hummed through it and then sang the next set of lyrics. Does he maybe have a weird association with the name of the song? Totally possible I'm looking way too much into everything, curious if anyone else had noticed any of this. Also, don't get me wrong, still an amazing, powerful show, and so glad I finally got an opportunity to see him.

I don’t want to make any assumptions, but your observations of a few of Brian’s tics tells me you would be more acclimated to it if you had seen him in concert in the past. Nothing you’re noting is really particularly out of the ordinary for him. I’ve seen Brian do some weird (in comparison to a “typical” concert) stuff on stage. I won’t go into all the same stories I’ve told over the ten or so times I’ve seen Brian live, but what you’re describing is just how he is. Some of it may be stage fright, some of it may be due to being either too tired or too amped up. Some of it is just because that’s his personality.

I’d say the same thing about Rodriguez. The guy is, I believe, the exact same age as Brian, and that guy apparently has been though some interesting stuff in his life too. He’s also apparently going blind/nearly blind at this stage, so that may account for some of his on-stage persona. On opening night, he also did the mumbly in-between-song thing. I think that’s just how he is. Seriously, having seen Brian so many times, I’ve seen Brian act weirder on stage that anything Rodriguez did.

And that’s not to be negative about Brian. I’ve known his deal since the first time I saw him in 1999; I knew it would be a little weird, a little awkward from time to time. His shows have always still been amazing, and I’d say his 2015 energy and persona are among his most upbeat/energetic I’ve *ever* seen him on stage. That’s saying something considering he’s 73 now and more upbeat than the first time I saw him when he was 57.

Awesome, thanks for some clarification, sorta had that feeling; still an awesome show!

I was also at the Seattle show; so happy I finally got to see him! There is something really beatuiful/haunting about seeing a large band play Our Prayer/Heroes and Villains live, there's such a spooky energy in H&V live, it was awesome. However, I couldn't help but notice some odd moments, maybe others can help shed light on them.

One was Rodriguez; he either seemed very drunk or perhaps he's just getting a bit old and rambly. He said he was turning 75 at least twice, as well as saying"I'm as happy as a Beach Boy" and "Brian should have a Vegas show" twice. There was also a weird moment where he kept muttering about how the sound was off and he would strum his guitar and mutter to himself again, doing this for a solid minute. Maybe he was just joking around and I wasn't reading it?

Brian sounded great, his voice reminded me a little bit of "Orange Crate Art" music, but I never had a problem with that album anyway, and he seemed to be enjoying himself, making banter in between songs. However, when intriducing "Darlin'" as being sung by Carl, saying, "Carl died of... He died in 1998." Is it possible he forgot what his brother died of...? Also, I noticed that when he introduced "Surf's Up", he didn't say the name of the song, and then during the song, when Matt Jardine started to sing, "Surf's up, mmm...", Brian just hummed through it and then sang the next set of lyrics. Does he maybe have a weird association with the name of the song? Totally possible I'm looking way too much into everything, curious if anyone else had noticed any of this. Also, don't get me wrong, still an amazing, powerful show, and so glad I finally got an opportunity to see him.

Hi all, I recently posted a new album, all covers, as part of a new project I'm working on, the composer series (based on a concept by The Residents). Whie this one does not feature Brian, I plan to have on soon! This one focuses on the work of Charles Mingus and Ray Davies with experimental orchestral music. The vocals are crap because I have no good recorder, but hope you like and please let me know what you think!

https://jakegonnella.bandcamp.com/album/charles-ray

Since there seems to be a lack of people commenting down here, I love this! It's got some really cool "sounds", and I mean, you take these strange things and make them work and mold into what really is it's own "sound"

Very good! You should look into doing some Video Game soundtracks, this would work really well!

Thanks so much, appreciate it! Haha that's not a bad idea, thanks for the suggestion!

I just finished and uploaded an orchestral album I've been working on for a while; while not really Beach Boys-related, I learned a lot of orchestration and wall of sounds techniques from Brian's Pet Sounds/SMiLE work. Hope you enjoy!

https://jakegonnella.bandcamp.com/releases

I've got a 1993 box set that's got "4th of July" on it. 

haha yes of course! I suppose I meant more of unreleased at the time, if I may retroactively make excuses 

Not better than what we got but a very nice concept.  Well thought and well done.

Thanks, appreciate it! Yeah I don't think it's necessarily better but I certainly feel it works.

Hi all, I just uploaded something I've been working on for a bit, hope you enjoy!

http://albumsreconstructed.blogspot.com/2015/04/america-beach-boys-america-actually.html (download link at bottom of page)

America is actually an amalgam of recordings made by The Beach Boys from 1970-1974. I noticed many of the songs they made during this prolific and impressive period had a strong thematic connection. This was not the first time The Beach Boys had recorded songs with an American theme, but it was the first time we see a different picture of America: gone is the surfing and the girls on the beach, here we see a heavy, forlorn look at the country, as the band reexamines the concept of America with new experiences since the early sixties.
This albums uses many tracks from Holland, but also uses outtakes and a track from Surf's Up. Sound effects have been added and crossfades to create a true progressive feel. I'm very proud of how this turned out, sort of a look into what a truly progressive and conceptual album would have looked like from the band.
"Sail on Sailor" opens with the intro from "Fourth of July", the album's closer, creating a cyclical feeling. On this album, "Sail on Sailor" tells the story of the earliest explorers, who would travel farther than any one ever had to conquer and establish new lands. This segues into...
"Trader", a song that really is about imperialism, tells of the early settlers and their conquest of the native populations.
"Big Sur" shows us a lighter side of America's birth, as the settlers come to know and enjoy the land. Here the bootleg version is used, as I like it much better than the released version.
"Beaks of Eagles/California" finish off the California Cycle found on Holland.
"Barnyard Blues" is an unreleased Dennis track, that tells of the beginnings of a disenchantment and disrespect for the land, as the simple farmers wish to leave and create cities and industry.
"Steamboat" represents the arrival of industry, and the accelerated spread of the population across the continent. The song is slow and heavy, which represents both the boat and the increased burden of technology on the land.
"Out in The Country" is an unreleased Al Jardine track, showing the remorse felt at having left the simple life, and a desire to return to it.
"Lookin' at Tomorrow" represents the Great Depression, and the death of the American dream to many people. And where desperation is, war is never far off...
"Battle Hymn of the Republic is an unreleased idea of Brian's. A lot of people hate this track and while I agree it's not exactly Surf's Up, it fits incredibly well in the story and the almost silliness the song is treated with seems to fit the idea of war many people have.
"Carry Me Home" is another unreleased Dennis song, and shows a soldier on the battlefield, having been gravely wounded. The long, complicated, and often sad history of America ends here.
"Fourth of July" is yet another unreleased Dennis song, and acts as an epilogue of sorts to close the album. A heavy examination of our country, where it is, and where it is going seems a fitting closer, ending with the same water sound effects that we hear before "Sail on Sailor". The album comes off as a bit of a downer, but the story is a powerful one and the music, though at times sad, is wonderful.

Enjoy, comments appreciated!

It's funny, I also associate the Beach Boys with a relationship. The same time I really fell in love for the first time was just when I started to really get into Pet Sounds, and now the album always just reminds of laying around and talking with her as it played in the background...

A Very weird trip. It's certainly it's own thing. I'd take Bag of Tricks and put it at the beginning of H&V instead of Fall Breaks, but whatever floats your boat if you prefer it this way. Thanks for sharing your efforts.

Haha thank you! I like that idea, may try it out... thanks for the feedback!