Sweetdude -- how much do you really need me to delve into the 2000 election?  I'm being serious, now.  Remember energy is an expensive commodity... a commodity liberals cannot be trusted with    Har, har... But seriously... before you answer...

I'm sensing a typhoon is upon us.  You feel it?  All of us.  The entire political paradigm is shifting in ways that will require a lot of, I don't know "meditation?"  What do you think?

I played this album last night -- for the first time in a long while -- right after watching Love & Mercy for the first time.  Why this album, I thought?  Why am I gravitating towards this one?

It's the rawest Brian Wilson album.  It's him.  It's what I needed to hear.  It's ruff and raw -- it's production and oddness is Brian Wilson today.  I absolutely loved it.

It's a bumpy ride... but I found it very refreshing, and quite interesting.

Pope in... Boehner out...

I just watched the blu-ray tonight.  Been waiting for a quiet night to do just that. 

I'm busted up -- it was fantastic.  Ok, jotting down insta-thoughts here.... Brian's mind-gangster film, Brian Wilson porn, brilliantly constructed, incredible Oscar-caliber performances (because I know what those are!), Cusack is insanely good, Dano brilliant, Giamatti crushingly good as always, E Banks--astounding, sound design -- all there and genius, script, characters, screen-play 10, 10, 10!!

My God... how long have we been waiting for this!?

From the much maligned MIU Album, Al's "Winds Of Change" (which seems very "Brucian" in it's concept, but not in its execution) is a perfect little song.  Certainly not a hit or even widely liked -- but to me the production is at the top of the notch.  The arrangement is everything it needs to be.  I wouldn't change anything on it -- and don't say "besides making it" -- because that's already been factored in.  I think it's a perfect little creation, a part one or precursor to "Santa Anna Winds."

I've been listening to a lot of Keepin' The Summer Alive lately, and if "California Girls" is a 10/10 -- then one song that really leaps out at me is "Goin' On."

While they would never again (possible exception:  Kokomo) strike a chord with the general public like they did in the mid-60s, there are still a lot of those brilliant, odd, eccentric moments of pure genius from them and Brian.  Melt Away, much of Love You, etc.  But, I think "Goin' On" (which is top-of-mind for me right now) is the closest in terms of recapturing that brilliant, sparkling diamond of genius that is all over tracks like "Good Vibrations" and "California Girls" AND feels commercial (10/10) -- even though it wasn't a big hit.

Pope Francis spoke by invitation of Speaker Boehner. His views are the same that he has expressed throughout the world. I would hope that Speaker Boehner would know in advance what Francis stands for. There was nothing he said that he hasn't said before.

Boehner was visibly moved by the Holy Father, notwithstanding some of the Holy Father's positions. 

Maybe international diplomacy and lobbying is being replaced or subverted, by this new model of a leader speaking directly to the American people, via the media coverage that Congress affords.  It is a way for the world to hear leaders from far-flung regions and to get face-time with Americans via their elected representatives. 

Interesting...

She was in jail because *she broke the law*. Period. End of story.

That easy for you?  That's fine... it's your opinion -- but it's likely not how you or anyone truly feels -- for better or worse.  But what do I know.

If I may... Abortion is "legal."  But killing someone isn't.  Slavery was "legal."  But wrong.  If illegal immigrants aren't "legal" then why is the Powerful pretending it's ok?  Should we throw Obama in jail for not enforcing the border?  Supposed to.  Period, end of story, right?

Sanctuary cities legal?  I don't know.  But are they right?  Is it legal to overturn the state legislature?  Is it right to?  Depends.  Is it legal for the Supreme Court to write law from the bench?

Life is often bigger than procedure -- it's about what's right, 37!ws.  It's easier, and a lot less fuzzy if one does what they feel is right and fight for that.  I don't know the other way too well.  It sounds a lot like "do what others tell me to do."

5. Lady Lynda
-Al's finest hour as a songwriter. A perfect gem. That cembalo!

He had a little help from Bach. It's an OK record but that intro has got to go! (as it was on the single version)

To me, the Knebworth live one is THE definitive version.

YES!!!

This from Billy:


Just completed writing the liner notes for the recently discovered gem of a single "This Is Elvis" written and recorded in 1980 by Carl Wilson and Myrna Smith - it will be launched on iTunes in a few weeks with all proceeds benefitting The Carl Wilson Foundation (CWF) ...




On another note:

This soundtrack was recently re-released in a deluxe version by Sony's Elvis collector label "Follow that dream":

http://elvispresleyshop.com/this-is-elvis-ftd-expanded-edition-classic-album-format-2-cd-elvis-presley

Wait... what?  Carl recorded a song called This Is Elvis?  For what?  Why??


BTW -- I have the FTD of This Is Elvis -- love it!

It's fun to wonder what ifs... but this is one little album that probably doesn't need it.  It just happened.  It's all one occurrence, as far as I know.  It sure sounds it.  One complete thought.  I wish there were 50 of these.

This is as close as I'll get to having Brian Wilson (in a happy-place) alone with a four-track.  The icing on the cake is the fact he brought the Beach Boys in on it.  I want more.

This doesn't sound like 1981 to me.  It sounds later, as in mid to late 80s, after he lost some weight.

That was my problem too! I thought for sure that was from the late 80s.

I never heard of walking on water by the beach boys. is there any way I can listen to that demo??? Thanks

here's a version of it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_pZkBg0zPc

Wow, thanks... I like this one!!

During the 80s, I really thought they were at their worst, because they just couldn't seem to come out with anything cool or new.  It was very frustrating being a fan -- I just couldn't understand why they couldn't get together for a few weeks and make a cool song.  Kokomo, was actually 1/2 decent, and gave me hope, but it was still awful for some reason -- even though I sort of liked it.  If that makes sense.  It was a confusing time for a fan.

But there was more to come.  I think the worst of the Beach Boys actually happened in the earl 90s.  The one-two punch of Surfin' and Summer of Love from Summer In Paradise is a prime example of a group just imploding.  Stars and Stripes followed.  It was a total admission of the well being completely dry.  To me, they were broadcasting that they were officially done.  I mean, this was the freaking Beach Boys!!!  Yet, they seemed liked a bunch of forgotten one-hit wonders, showing up at the grand opening of a new Jiffy Lube.

However, strictly speaking, Brian's rap song might be the absolute worst moment in their history.

 Rubio: No home runs but staying on base with singles and doubles. Jeb: On base via a bunt.

Yeah, I think you're right.  Here's my take....


Trump:  I would stop going to the debates if I were him.  It's not hurting him by showing up, but they're such a relic of the "old system."  It's a stupid scripted little slow dance among the media/Party/power/elites.  I swear, I can hear Journey playing "Open Arms" while the media and Parties are swaying back 'n forth.  Knock it off... we're over it.  I still believe Trump represents a way out of this staid format.  But I wish somebody would seize on this and put this turkey out of its misery.  It's just awful.  Anyway...

Rubio:  He's passionate and does good with his time, I suppose.  As you said, Moon Dawg, he's on base.  But I don't think the Party's base voters are waving him around.

Jeb:  On life support.  From the donor money -- but more so from the liberal/media-elite/power-complex -- who want him so badly it hurts.  They're keeping him alive with a faint pulse, because they already have their script written if he faces Hillary.  So they're gonna keep placing him center stage next to The Donald.  Another reason why Donald should just stop going...

Cruz:  Slow and steady.  But too steady -- he may have to loosen up a bit.  Don't think I've ever seen that side of him, so maybe he shouldn't.  As a Conservative, though, I think he's been great of course.

Carson:  I'm surprised, I have to admit, that he's doing so well.  As much as I like him, I just thought he was walking into too much, too soon.  But again, it just shows-to-go-ya how sick of it all Americans are.  He's connecting with people.  The media machine is going to continue to ramp up their attacks.  They can't have this...

Carly:  Once she got noticed in the first debate, the media went to work.  They have to.  They don't have a reliable script for Hillary vs Another Woman.  They do, but it's a thin one -- and it requires a lot of prep work.  So their strategy was to prop her up as a "battered woman" -- so they can yank the rug out from under her.  So she's wisely pivoted from that track and is showing a softer side.  So we'll see if she can continue to out run the hounds in the media.  Because -- write this down:  they WILL NOT allow a woman to run against Hillary.


And then there's the rest...

YAAAAWN.  Sorry.... the last debate was a big snoozer to me.  Anyone else?  I may have to check out till February.   

Perhaps being a conservative (aka: thinking human being) -- these debates and their questions aren't for me?  I have to assume that's their goal -- to make stupid people watch and hate the candidates.  Because it was really, really stupid.  I felt like Albert Einstein, by comparison -- and that's not good!  It was waaaay too John Stewart, waaaay too HuffPo tabloid for me.

You can see the turds coming before they axe 'em.  As long as the "media"  (aka liberal quacks masquerading as "journalists") continue to pretend to be "moderators" in these phony "debates" we're just gonna be stuck on stupid, America.  Someone really needs to slap them around.  They're really holding the country back.


"Mr Trump would you like to turn and face Ms. Fiorina -- and address the comments you made regarding what you said about her face."
"Ah... not really."

"Why --"
"Because you're a $%^&$ moron."

"But you said Ms Fiorina has a --"
"Ah... no, Jake.  I just said -- if you roll back the tape -- I just said you were a %^$%@$# moron. M'kay?"

"But the American people have the right to know how much you hate women."
"They have a right to know that you're a shthead and a fcking moron."

"Ok. Mr. Carson.  Why do you hate Muslims?  Just how much of a bigot are you?"
"Slightly less of bigot than you, Jake."

"Alrighty then.  Mr. Cruz.  Everyone in the Newsroom hates Christians -- so why do you exist?  Can you just get out of the race, please?  You bigot."

"Rubio.  Want some water?"
"Sure.

"Gotchya!!  See... America, he drinks water... and he has a boat."
"hillary has more money than I do..."

"Why do you hate women."


zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

To this day, still the worst Beach Boys album of all time. It barely gets a 1 for Goin' On.

It's lame, but no where near as lame and tacky as The Beach Boys ('85) or Summer In Hell (Paradise) or Stars & Stripes.

I think I would play Keeping the Summer Alive for a non-fan before I played those 3.  They actually sound like the Beach Boys on KTSA... they actually sound like a rock band.  They sound like a culture club nightmare on '85, total dorks on SIP and... I don't think they're even on Stars & Stripes.

For non-fans, or the genital public -- 2 stars is fair, if not overly generous.

For a fan, like me -- 2.75 maybe 3 stars if I'm feeling really generous, like I am today.  3.5 stars on it's very best of days and I'm drunk.  But more than 4 stars it could never be.

Nonsense. Efforts to act as part of the world community rather than being a bully-state bumbling where we don't belong--whether successful or not*--are not remotely the same as efforts to be a third world country.


*I don't think he has been good on foreign policy. Neither was his predecessor.

It's not really nonsense though.  Only because Obama doesn't see lowering America's status in the world as a negative.  We won't agree, but Americans -- no longer just Conservatives -- do believe we're on the wrong track.  I won't bore you with examples.

But "acting a part of the world community" is now seen as PC marketing --- all to make this sinking dissent feel savvy.  It feeds on the seed that Bush was a "bully."  But that seed ain't sprouting.  Our international relations were much better then -- and the world was much safer.  This is important -- it's part of Trump's appeal.  People are wise to the PC spin.

Yes, "third-world" creates a lot images in the mind -- but it doesn't have to go quite that far.  Leftist have never liked America's super power status.  Liberalism has never really raised people up.  But it does succeed by lowering people and things that are successful.  Get even-ism.  There's a precedent there.

[Keepin' The Summer Alive]

The Stephen Gaines book "Heroes and Villains" doesn't talk much about this album.  But in it he says that Brian Wilson was back and charged up to make it -- like he hadn't been in years -- and he was ready to get to work and record.  But it didn't last long.  3 days.  And after that, he was done with it.

He also mentions that something like 3 DOZEN tracks were recorded for this album.  Hello!  What are those tracks?  I want a box set.  I do.  I want every morsel from this era -- it'll never happen, but I want it.

So, Keepin' The Summer Alive the album.  Well.  In some ways it's a return to the energized "Brian is back" 76/77 period -- and an improvement on the impoverished spirits of the L.A. Light Album.  But it is also the full-blown bottoming out of once GREAT band.  Captured on tape, fumbling around in a state of disarray, searching half-heartedly for some sort of relevance.  And in a way, it is also the LAST real Beach Boys album.  So take it for what it is.

In this world, we often get what we get, and nothing else.  So I'm forced to love it for several reasons.  1.  Denny died 3 years later -- and would never again appear on a Beach Boys album, even though he was largely absent here.  2.  Brian showed up.  3.  Carl sings some leads like the band still mattered to the world (they soon wouldn't).  4.  There's a few nice hooks and melodies scattered throughout.  5.  80s Synth cheeze hadn't showed up yet.  6.  The Beach Boys had a renewed, muscular sound during the late 70s/early 80s, and they use it.  7.  There's only one Bruce moment.  8.  It's from 1980... and not 1990.  9.  I'm running out of ideas...  10.  It's got some fun and some genius.

Ok... here we go!!!  




1.  Keepin' The Summer Alive
I don't like this song.  But I like the spirit of it.  I know it plays to the stereotypes of the Beach Boys image -- but it was 1980 and there needed to be a fun, bouncy Beach Boys album and song.  So I give them a pass.  In a perfect world, with a contributing Brian Wilson, stuff like this wouldn't have made it through the door.  

It would have also been better to have had Denny share some of the lead.  Maybe some Al?  Mike on the bridge?  "Lay down... in sun..."  As it stands, it winds up feeling like one of Carl Wilson's "rocker" solo attempts, which I don't care much for.  Maybe with a different production/performance/etc there's something to be salvaged here.  But the song's message of "we're just trying to keep the summer alive" -- is just too painfully auto-biographical of their current situation.

I know it's "ice cream weather" and they're "getting the band back together" but they shouldn't need to tell us that.  It would have been better to just leave the notion of metaphors aside, and be totally honest.  "We're struggling along.  But Brian is here.  He's smokin' a bong.  And he's drinkin' a beer.  Wee're just trying to keep the summer alive!!"

Better, right?  I think so.




2.  Oh Darlin'
Not bad... not in any way great, but it has some of the album's nicer moments on it.  Again, another Carl lead, which is fine.  But it's starting to feel like a Carl Wilson solo album.  Where's Al?  I would have put Mike on the "it's like the missing piece of the puzzle has appeared" line -- to break it up and provide some levity and dryness to the wet, syrupy proceedings.  And I would have had Brian sing the line -- "and since you came into my life my love, perfection has never been so near..."  Brian's damaged voice would have given the "perfection" line some much needed depth, purpose and irony.

The melody is pretty and the song comes off as sincere -- which is probably one of the reasons Carl sings it.  He could carry the sincerity.  Anyway.  The closing tag is sweet.  But I don't know if I completely endorse the "God Only Knows" reference -- it's a bit too obvious in this album's "stereotype" setting as an attempt to remind fans of their worth.  But I'll give it a pass.  I'll be giving a lot of things a pass on this album...




3.  Some Of Your Love
Ok, this is unmistakably the Beach Boys right here.  It also gets stuck in your head.  "Some, some, some of your love."  There's almost a great summer Beach Boys song here -- yet it falls short of being that classic track that it wants to be -- it's just too mundane and doesn't rise above.  It feels like it could have been more and better.  But isn't.  And is somewhat forgotten, assuming it doesn't get stuck in your head, once the next track starts.

But it's one of the tracks that really feels like it belongs on this album.  It feels like a Beach Boys song that would appear on an album, circa 1980, about keeping the summer alive.  Doesn't it?  So in its own way, it's the perfect song for this album, and could have made a perfect opener to the album.  But since the record already has a pretty solid and sensible opener -- it probably should have been the second song on the album.



4.  Livin' With A Heartache
"You left me alone... livin' with a hard on."  Am I right?  

Ok, this really is a Carl Wilson solo album... I knew it.  At the last minute, they slapped a new "Beach Boy" cover on it.  They thought we wouldn't notice -- but nothing gets by us.  That reminds me, where are those 3 dozen tracks recorded for this album?

Anyway... I don't mind this song.  It's pleasant enough.  And I do find myself singing along (with aforementioned lyrical substitutions, of course).  I don't mind it.  But really.  I don't know.  It's not the Beach Boys.  And we know it.




5.  School Days
You know what?  Yes.  If they're truly trying to keep the "summer alive" then fck'ya'll.  This song is good.  I mean it's not "good" in a classical sense of the meaning of the word "good."  But, for the Beach Boys 1980 Summer Bummer album -- fck yeah it is.  Bring it!!!!!

It's a cover.  It's Al Jardine and another fcking cover for a group that doesn't need to do fcking covers.  I get it.  And I'm with you.  But I'm going to cite the case of So Versus What -- and rule that this cover track actually delivers on what it promises to do.

It's one of the better covers they've done anyway.  Listen to it by itself.  It does work.  It does rock.  The arrangement all works.  It's 1980 and the Beach Boys manage eek out an album -- and this certainly fits.  They really are trying to keep the summer alive after all.  The track stays.




6.  Goin' On
WOAH!!!  Where's this been?  FCKING Genius.  This is the sh-t we wait around to catch a fleeting glimpse of.  BAM!  There it is!!  Quick, take a picture!!! There it is!! Holy sht!!!  A shooting star -- a comet!!

This gives me chills the whole time it's on.  I'm awestruck.  Tears would be streaming down my face right now, if I didn't have all that botox surgery.  But this is the stuff that just proves Beach Boy fans AREN'T crazy to be wading through albums with songs about "living with hard ons" looking for gold -- and talking about all this genius stuff like a bunch of religious fanatics.  I mean, there's diamonds shooting out of my speakers right now.  You gotta see this sh-t.  It's freaky good.






7.  Sunshine
Most anything after Goin' On from this "period" of the Beach Boys is going to shrivel.  But this buoyant little number stays afloat.  It's a transition song.  It doesn't call attention to itself, other than being too "tropical."  But it allows us to cool out for a moment until the next brilliant moment.




8.  When Girls Get Together
Wow.  What is this? Another moment of brilliance?  Yes it is.  Yes it is!  By the way -- I see a lot of people HATE this song, but they're mentally unstable people, I've conferred.  And they likely have no women in their lives.  Too much?  Sorry... I take it back.

I did not know this song's origins when I heard it -- and fell in love with it.  But it's gorgeous.  And is another moment that makes you realize just how paltry, uninspired, mundane and pedestrian most songs are -- including some of the songs on this album.

I'm sort of haunted by this song.  At least while it's playing.  I'm like, lost in it.  Floating, heavenly.  Above and around some lady sitting in a park.  I'm in a bubble, thoughts drifting.  Thinking about women, and their ways.  It's so Brian Wilson and glad it was saved for a later-period album.  It fits his "gone" personality better during this period than it did 1970 when he wasn't yet "all gone."  Anyway, I just love this song.  




9.  Santa Anna Winds
Gotta admit, when this song starts, it's like the party's over.  Which is true -- "Oh no," I think, "Al's gonna recite some poetry about Eagle sex again."  But it quickly becomes a nice little Californian sunny day.  It's the best song Al (and the Boys) have done of this sort.  The folk thing.  The Northern California thing.  I can see why people like this one -- the production is spot on.  The acoustic guitars are splendid -- may I say, some of the best acoustic guitars in a Beach Boy song.  The melody reminds me of something pleasant.  It's actually a cool little tune.  I suppose it sort of fits with keeping the summer alive, maybe... as a closer of sorts?  It's nice.  It's a different flavor.




10.  Endless Harmony
Ok, now the party's over.

This song has all the hallmarks of a truly awful experience.  It's as if, all of the sudden the lights just went out... completely unannounced.  And someone, who likely wasn't invited, starts singing a sappy ballad he wrote about the prom king and queen (who are just as shocked as everyone else) -- and right in the middle of what was, up until that point, a fun little party.   Did someone just die?  Did the album die?  Yes it did.  This is the album's funeral.

Ironically it has the best vocal moment on it -- with the ending "woooo-oooo-ooo-ooooooooooo."  But it's not worth sitting through the song to get to it.  There is nothing redeeming about this song, it's production, arrangement and sentiment to warrant it's inclusion on a real Beach Boys album.  It should be a forgotten moment from some clumsy "Salute to the Beach Boys" TV special that would have aired in the early 80s, and likely cut short by something better like a football game.

Awkward.





Ok, there you have it.

Overall, this is a clumsy album.  It shouldn't have been released -- not in this configuration.  A bunch of professionals with the talent they had, should not have been releasing such mediocre material.  They should have tried a little more.  And I'm sure they did -- which only highlights the extent of their problems during this period.  It's a patched together box of leftovers and doesn't include a lot of good songs.

But it's likable -- if you listen to it a enough times.  But you have to really approach it with an open mind and able to enjoy things for what they are.  I really enjoy this period of the band for some reason and want the band to release anything and everything they have from this period.  I believe their albums become massive compromises and with a more sympathetic person in charge at the time (like me) -- a far better album could have been compiled.

I do like Keepin' The Summer Alive a lot.  But it's rough ride.

Oh, we could do a whole thread on the latest health/diet fads.  Coffee's gonna kill ya.  Coffee's gonna make you live longer.  Bacon is evil -- bacon is not evil.  Eggs will kill you.  Eggs are good for you.  Fiber.  Vitamins.  antioxidants.  Blueberries. 

Kale.

 

 

The third-world image is false, perpetuated by a hungry GOP.

Obama would be deeply offended if you credited a phantom GOP for his proudest (in his mind) accomplishment.  Seriously.  Third World Status for America, Lead From the Behind.  And all the rest.  If there's one thing you/I should agree on regarding this turd of a president -- it's this.

He hasn't achieved it.  But he HOPES this will be his legacy Captain.  Turning a self-reliant, God-fearing, gun-toting America into a third-world land of government-dependence, gov't-run healthcare, weak military, weak dollar -- sans Constitution, sans liberty, sans protections of any kind for the people -- this is Barrack Hussein's fantasy, wet dream, legacy -- whatever you want to call it.

It's not only perpetuated by him -- it's highlighted, trumpeted, exalted by him.  I'm not being political at all here.  He might word it differently to avoid the headline, sure -- but my God, I think you would deeply, deeply insult him if you credited a bunch of useless boobs like Mitchy McConnell and John Boner with this.   

[jail]

Mr. Bag,

I have a quick simple question for you.

How exactly does a man marrying a man, or a woman marrying a woman, affect you? 

That seems to be a question that nobody who is against same sex marriage can answer. 

It doesn't.

Exactly. 

No, not exactly. It's not about me. What if i said it does affect me?

It shouldn't and it doesn't.  So why are we talking about this?

We're talking about it because someone was put in jail.  Exactly as predicted.  http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php/topic,22227.msg526609.html#msg526609

Mr. Bag,

I have a quick simple question for you.

How exactly does a man marrying a man, or a woman marrying a woman, affect you? 

That seems to be a question that nobody who is against same sex marriage can answer. 

It doesn't.

Exactly. 

No, not exactly. It's not about me. What if i said it does affect me?