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Smiley Smile Stuff / General On Topic Discussions / Re: Sounds of Summer 6LP Announced
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on: May 03, 2022, 02:17:14 PM
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I've pre-ordered because, of course I have.
I may be over thinking this, but the biggest missed opportunity here (in my opinion) is the chance to place the tracks in chronological order and firmly set a clear narrative in the public consciousness.
While I've always been wary of comparing The Beach Boys to The Beatles (I believe it's a bit over-used in a lot of PR pieces), something I think Apple got right was managing The Beatles' legacy in such a way that multiple images of the band can co-exist and be used in marketing. The Red and Blue albums are a perfect example of how different images of the band can be used. Those compilations and the '1' album are presented pretty much chronologically - as is the track listing and scrapbook artwork of Anthology. Casual listeners have a sense of the early mop-top days, the psychedelic period, and the latter mature pop period.
The Beach Boys legacy, ever since Endless Summer, has largely doubled down on the surfing image, for obvious reasons. Compilations have then had a kaleidoscopic running order, which can be great for the flow - but for a casual listener there's little to differentiate 1968 to 1963, or 79 etc.
I've always assumed this was also because of a perceived 'quality drop' post Pet Sounds on the part of compilers. But with choice cuts, and opening things up to Smile Sessions and other vault tracks I think this myth is busted.
The disc art for the three CD set even touches on three 'eras' of the group. But this isn't reflected in the contents, and I wish it was.
I get that the decision to 'expand' Sounds of Summer meant the first disc was locked-in. But for me personally, there was an opportunity to change perceptions here and present a clear 'Surf > Pet Sounds/Smile > Late 60s/Early 70s > America's Band' narrative through the imagery and the track listing. Coupled with the upcoming feature length doc - not to mention the new music videos and lyric videos - I think this could have been powerful. Ending with a TWGMTR track (Summer's Gone?) would have meant we didn't end on Kokomo.
It's no coincidence that in 2002, after buying Pet Sounds, I bought 'Classics Selected by Brian Wilson' which was in chronological order, along with succinct liner notes from Brian. It was really the disc that blew my mind and made me buy every album, because I understood the journey. When I eventually bought the Good Vibrations box (which was amazing), I always thought those discs could have been rejigged slightly to focus on released material only and re-packaged as 'hits' comps, serving as a definitive 'Red and Blue' style collection.
Anyway - I probably think about this stuff way too much. But it's just something that intrigues me.
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Smiley Smile Stuff / General On Topic Discussions / Re: THE BEACH BOYS UNLEASH 'SUNSHINE TOMORROW'
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on: June 30, 2017, 06:22:05 AM
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Due to overwhelming and unexpected demand, the 180-gram vinyl release of Wild Honey has been pushed back to July 21st.
So I just found the new stereo 2017 mix on vinyl in a UK HMV. Got the shop assistant to check for me using the barcode and it was indeed released to day. All tracks are stereo apart from HSBI. Can't wait to get it home this evening after work. I appreciate I never post here but wanted to bring this up as not even Amazon UK had a listing for this vinyl.
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Smiley Smile Stuff / The Beach Boys Media / BBC Wouldn't It Be Nice 2004
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on: October 02, 2012, 06:45:24 AM
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Very sorry if there is a thread for this - I tried to use the search feature but didn't come up with anything.
Was just saying I'd like to hear from anyone who Probably May have any info on this doc.
I only saw it at the time - never since - and it was a big part of why I got into the Beach Boys. From my memory – it even touched on things that Endless Harmony didn’t.
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Smiley Smile Stuff / General On Topic Discussions / Re: Another UK Appearance - Later On Jools Holland BBC TV
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on: September 26, 2012, 05:26:59 AM
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Check the very end of the Barbara Ann video - Brian gets up to leave the piano and a crew member has to rush over and touch his arm to let him know he has to stay there!
I noticed this too. A little embarrassing perhaps but I love how Brian seems like a law unto himself. He looks like he genuinely enjoys playing the tune with everyone but then figures, quite logically really, 'That was cool, I'll be off now!' Little genuine appreciation for TV etiquette. A start contrast to Bruce's (superb) towing of the party line and constant confirming of the corporate positive media message. BA was the best performance of the show in my opinion - by a very long way.
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Smiley Smile Stuff / General On Topic Discussions / Re: New Beach Boys 2012 Remasters!
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on: September 26, 2012, 05:21:08 AM
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As I said before all fans MUST buy the 50 Big Ones set , just for Darlin' its awesome BUTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT can a fan please in future be given the job of proof reading the liner notes ! David Wild mentions that 'Be True To Your School' is on the album , NOT !!!! And I have yet to study all of it BUT the lead vocal on 'God Only Knows' is listed as Brian Shoddy work to say the least There's gotta be a line drawn somewhere for me, and it's here. I can't justify buying a 2cd set for two remixed songs. I'll gladly buy something that I feel gives me (a Beach Boys collector) substantially new product. The Beach Boys have been very good to us, and I don't fault them for putting out as much product as possible to cover each fan base. But to put those two tracks on there as bait for super mega fans to shell out more money for so little new....I just can't bring myself to go there. Hopefully the remixes will be on the new (big) box. I support The Beach Boys, when they support me I admit I didn't keep up with this thread - I just got 50 Big Ones and was astounded that these were the only two 2012 remixes. I had (foolishly) assumed the set would showcase the new remasters. This seemed to me like a) A logical step forward, and b) A good way to market the new back catalogue. I feel, just slightly, ripped off. It seems certain that the 2012 versions of the vintage back cat' will now end up on the big box. That's fine, but I am a little upset that 50 Big Ones didn't get this treatment.
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Smiley Smile Stuff / General On Topic Discussions / Re: THE ENDLESS SUMMER WILL CONTINUE AFTER THE BEACH BOYS 50TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR WRAP
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on: September 19, 2012, 05:27:29 AM
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You're right...why mention plans if there aren't any? But considering all parties have all voiced just how great the reunion has been and how they wish it would continue...why not have the press release reflect that a little? It wouldn't hurt. More basically, it might be nice to have the other boys represented in the press release, to make it clear that they're all on the same page with this. Something like: "It's been a wonderful tour, but after four months of barely seeing my wife and kids, I'd kinda like to put my feet up for a bit," says lead guitarist David Marks. "But I'm always up for sitting in with the band, next time they come out to New York." Or "This is the biggest tour I've done in fifteen years, I'm up for another one but not just yet, y'know?" says guitarist Al Jardine. Or "Mike's on tour and I'm back in LA working on stuff, it really is like the good old days," says Brian Wilson. "He's doing his thing and I'm doing my thing, and maybe we'll do another thing together and maybe we won't, but either way we'll keep doing things, y'know?" Cheers, Jon Blum The press release reads like it was kinda thrown together imho. But that's just me.
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Smiley Smile Stuff / General On Topic Discussions / Re: Brian's vocal on California Saga Single
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on: August 10, 2012, 06:48:47 AM
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I read on wikipedia that the album and single mixes are different. I have the Holland version which is the album one and I think I have the single version from the Warmth of the Sun comp. I know Brian sings the open two lines, but I cannot hear him anywhere else. Is this version just the album version "fixed" or do I not have the single version still? If not, can someone pass me a youtube link? In any case, could someone tell me where else he sings? It says that he sings in the verse verse but Mike is singing by himself. Thanks for the help.
WOTS has the album version. You'll find the single version of that song (plus the single versions of "It's ok" "Rock and roll music" and "Here comes the night (disco)" on "Best of the Brother years" (best of the Beach Boys vol. 3) Indeed - a nice little disc worth picking up for that reason.
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Smiley Smile Stuff / General On Topic Discussions / Re: Details on the new greatest hits albums and remasters
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on: August 10, 2012, 06:39:36 AM
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The problem with a chronological approach (which is what the 93 boxed set had ) for the BBs, is it makes the band's decline from the 70s through the 90s abundantly and painfully clear. In the case of the Beatles, you're dealing with far fewer albums over a much smaller time scale. The two bands just do not compare in chronological terms. The only way such an approach would work for the BBs would be if you included BW solo material, which would paint a portrait of continued creative striving, if not necessarily growth.
If we're talking a best of, though, then the decline isn't nearly as apparent as on the 93 box set. For one disc, true. Over two discs ... dicier. How a single disc, in chronological comp could work, in my opinion: Surfin' Safari Surfin' USA Surfer Girl Be True to Your School In My Room Fun, Fun, Fun I Get Around Don't Worry Baby When I Grow Up The Warmth of the Sun Help Me Ronda California Girls Barbara Ann Sloop John B Wouldn't it Be Nice God Only Knows Good Vibrations Heroes and Villains Wild Honey Darlin' Friends Do it Again Add Some Music This Whole World Long Promised Road Surf's Up Marcella Sail On Sailor Good TImin' Kokomo That's Why God Made the Radio I agree, two or three discs may make the decline more obvious.
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Smiley Smile Stuff / General On Topic Discussions / Re: Details on the new greatest hits albums and remasters
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on: August 09, 2012, 03:55:47 AM
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I think that the greatest hits packages were a bit of a wasted opportunity – and I’m not usually much of a cynic.
I saw this as chance to consolidate the Beach Boy’s career achievements in the mind of the public.
To best honest, I was hoping for two discs, in chronological order, that hit most of the milestones.
I hate to mention them in the same sentence as the BBs (again), but it’s something that Apple have done with The Beatles’ back catalogue very well.
You have the ‘1’ standard hits package, and then the red and blue compilations that hit most of the key career beats in – and this is key – chronological order.
In my opinion this creates a clear narrative of the band for the collective public consciousness. People have a general idea of each ‘era’ and pick up ANY Beatles comp, you can roughly follow that path along with the music.
In my opinion, BB comps have been packaged and re-packaged so many times, in so many different ways, it confuses the narrative of the band and leans too heavily on a particular audience, usually the surfer/hits side of things.
It was wishful thinking, but I thought these hits packages could be the final word on The Beach Boys wonderful career, sending a clear message to the record-buying public as to how the BB story unfolds.
To go from ‘Kokomo’ to ‘Kiss Me Baby’, for me, just doesn’t sit right and I strongly feel that it makes the band’s overall output to the uninitiated feel like a strange mess. I truly believe this mismanagement of the band’s hits albums is why I’ve spent some time over the years making mix tapes and convincing people of the true legacy of the BBs.
Or maybe I’m just obsessive compulsive or something!
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Smiley Smile Stuff / General On Topic Discussions / Re: The Artwork is out (oh no)
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on: April 27, 2012, 03:35:22 AM
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I keep looking at this and i am seriously stunned. I have no idea how this got through all the way to be the final cover but it’s remarkable that it happened, that this is the face of a BEACH BOYS product in the year 2012. I predict that the cover will be the biggest risk regarding the album and reunion, the unsafest thing they do (though i hope to be proven wrong with the 7 minute suite, which is the only thing to which i am looking forward). Hell, this is probably the biggest risk they’ve taken since 1977. It’s so reminiscent of the old, classic Beach Boys, when they were a relevant, artistic act! I gotta say, this cover alone has piqued my first real interest in this whole Beach Boys reunion thing, wow.
I agree. I was stunned when I saw this art. It's bold, it's exciting and yes, it's very contemporary. It tastefully harkens back to the 60s while not looking out of date, or even nostalgic. I've never been a fan of the 15 Big Ones logo - and it looks terribly out of place on this. This is a Beach Boys cover though - and I'm used to having to make regular compromises with my personal tastes! If this is any indication of what could possibly be inside, we could be in for a treat. As a footnote - I was surprised there was no Capitol logo front and centre too.
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Smiley Smile Stuff / General On Topic Discussions / Re: \
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on: April 26, 2012, 05:55:43 AM
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I see absolutely no mention of the fact the song is available for download on the beach boys facebook page, no promotion on the itunes front page, it just dropped out of nowhere..
Typical BS from Capitol
technically the facebook page posted the video which tells you it's available for download. they did so 18 hours ago It hardly does.. And it's not that hard to post the itunes link, make it easy as possible for people.. And the no promotion on itunes is inexcusable Agreed. I was searching on my iPhone at work. It took me longer than I'd have like to find it on itunes. A poor show I feel. There should have been a huge splash - AT LEAST on the BB artist page. Have been listening to it non-stop though. It has it's flaws but I think it's the perfect reunion record. Pretty much all of the boxes, for everyone, have been ticked. Can't wait to listen to it in the car on the way home. BBC 6 Music here in the UK gave it a mention and a bit of a lukewarm response to be honest. They also joked that they didn't have much hope the boys would even finish the tour due to the turbulent relationships of some band members. They said the single is "exactly what you'd expect". I do know what they mean, but I honestly don't think that's a bad thing. I've been trying to request the station to spin it ever since but haven't heard anything yet.
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Non Smiley Smile Stuff / General Music Discussion / Re: Weezer - Red Album
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on: June 07, 2008, 06:41:33 PM
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I always thought that Maladroit sounded like a bunch of 'snippets' of songs - small musical experiments such as ideas for riffs and hooks all flying around that were unfocused and in the end led to a messy record.
Green is an odd one. It's very sterile and lacks emotion, as if it's a direct reaction to the criticism Rivers' met with over the raw feeling he expressed on Pinkerton. However, those tunes are catchy as hell. It's 'pop by numbers' but a truly excellent experiment in that direction.
Make Believe, in my opinion is near impossible to listen to. Someone already mentioned the vile mastering job and I have to agree with them. It seems like a venture into the emo genre they helped create a decade earlier with Pinkerton, and it's very misguided. Funnily enough, Weezer fans seem to despise 'Beverly Hills' but I believe it's the only worthwhile track on the record. Quirky, catchy and very funny. If anyone can inform me as to why the song is despised so - I would be very glad.
I've heard those first 8 tunes from Red (it isn't out in the UK yet) but I've really enjoyed it. A very tongue in cheek 'I don't care about the fans' record. I've had Dreaming stuck in my head for weeks. I had high hopes for 'Pig', so I'm hoping some of the criticism here doesn't ring true for myself later on.
It comes out on the same day as Pacific Ocean Blue over here...it'll be a fine day!
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