Maybe Brian did put the idea out there then but was talked out of it for the reasons stated above?

Oh that and the rapping pirate!!

Yep in that respect i guess there's just no getting round it - everything sounds better when it has the full backwash of vocals from Carl & Co.  One of the biggest problems I had/have with BWPS is whenever i hear the backing vocals of pretty much any song on it i immediately compare them to the BBs backing vocals on the orig sessions and they just can't compete in my mind.

I tend to find Love You runs from one extreme to the next in that it contains some of the best BBs songs post Holland era but also by far some of the worst. Love is a Woman and Solar System are my 2 least favourite Beach Boys songs of the 70's! Yet they are placed alongside The Night was so Young & I Bet he's Nice which to me are probs the last 2 truly great Brian Wilson songs.

Bw88 I have always considered patchy but I must admit it has grown considerably on me over time esp Night Time and Melt Away.  I just wish Landy had been locked out of the studio more often during the making of it!!

I've always wondered why when Mike and perhaps one or two other BBs voiced objections over the Smile material Brian didn' t seek to put it out under his own name?  If people around him felt that the songs were too far forward for the Beach Boys audience maybe he could have thought something  like "Right- Wild Honey as a group project, Smile as a solo artist".  Wouldn't this have solved alot of problems within the group at the time?

Hi all!! As my first ever post I just wish to add to this topic by saying I really dig The Battle Hymm of the Republic!!!  I think as the song progresses it builds very well, with unique instrumentaion (banjo, piffe and cheesy 70's synth) and that Mike does a good job of singing it considering the ammont of lyrics he has to get his tongue around!!  Is there a different recording other than the Get The Boot version thats much worse or something? I only ask as EVERYBODY seems to hate this song but me!!