I always thought his lyrics on Anna Lee were pretty good though

Hey,

I saw a picture of Al in the 90s with a skullet. I want to see more!!!!

For those who don't know what the word "skullet" means, consult the Urban Dictionary:

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=skullet

Really, were Mike's lyrics ever "good"?

... Curiouser and curiouser ...

Al looks super cute in this picture

More often than not the fan perspective seems to disintegrate into Brian was doing this stuff that NOBODY understands. Van Dyke added his American viewpoint to the project and Frank was just somebody they found to illustrate Van Dyke's lyrics. Frank basically did his own thing. So it was just 3 guys doing their own thing and that's why Smile is the way it is.

Didn't Brian have something to do with the lyrics in Wind Chimes? It's interestingly credited only to Wilson on Smiley Smile. Maybe VDP just disowned the Smiley Smile version, haha.

I suspect Brian was always into the lyrics of his pieces, even if he didn't always write (all) of them. Maybe the nature of Tony Asher's writing relationship with Brian was different from that of VDP?

Brian hasn't completed any songs in ages. His collaborators just take his scraps and flesh them out into complete songs. He doesn't produce the records, either. He doesn't have the attention span to pursue a song past the demo stage. He doesn't sing much on the records, either - Mr. Foskett does most of the "Brian" leads. That's why there were so many "Brian" leads on TWGMTR. Foskett said "either I get to sing most of the tunes, or I don't sing at all."

He's old and evidently brain damaged. I wouldn't doubt it.

Edit:
Not to disrespect him, or anything. Based on what I've read and the interviews I've seen, he's seemingly lost a lot of... well... who he is. He almost seems like a shell in a lot of his interviews.

We all know that Brian didn't write the title song; his name was probably just stuck on the writing credits to give it more credibility as a Beach Boys track (smart move). Were the majority of the other songs "ghostwritten?" Did he arrange the album to the extent that he did on past Beach Boys recordings? Anyone know anything about this???

I don't think you can articulate how much "heart" goes into a particular vocal performance. All the vocal performances in both eras of Beach Boys music sounds fine to me.

I think its clear Smile, even in its unfinished state, is a much better album than really anything before (or after) Pet Sounds. It has no blooper tracks and is full of great sounds and melodies without a filler in sight. Pet Sounds is more quintessential Brian Wilson but he was still at his best during the Smile sessions.

The early work is just a buncha great pop songs, but the Smile material is great art. I listen to both.

Match Point is hardly a highlight in any context...

I would probably trade all those songs for one Wouldn't It Be Nice (I'm not Bruce Johnston either)

In the pajamas section of any department store

VGPS, easily.

Girl From The North Country (Freewheelin') vs Girl From The North Country (Nashville Skyline - with Johnny Cash)

The original by far

In a 1970 interview Carl Wilson said that they had been making "progressive" music for the past five years. Does anyone believe that the music during the "democratic era" was "progressive" in any way? I'm asking this because, to me, it seemed that after Brian's departure the band just seemed to be more concerned with trying to keep up with the current musical trends (usually to mixed results) rather than innovate.

Can I ask....

How is Al Jardine no longer bald (thinking about the 90s bald-mullet days)?

Some Kinks songs:

Two Sisters
Village Green
Wonder Boy
Village Green 


Probably more

Village Green vs The Village Green Preservation Society 

What is that voice saying at 2:16 in the mono I Just Wasn't Made For These Times? Also does anyone know what that "futuristic noise" that comes in at about 0:05?

He's so clumsy and forgetful it's kind of cute.

A few of the tracks on Love You, "I'll Bet He's Nice," "The Night Was So Young," and "Let's Put Our Hearts Together." Those are three of the most touching ballads Brian ever wrote and among the best Beach Boys tracks, imo. Plus the production is pretty awesome with all the buzzing synths.

No, the organ was added during the Smiley Smile sessions plus Brian's lead. I'm not sure about maybe some other parts. I can see what Al means. The sound of Smiley Smile (and Wild Honey) are miles away from the sounds they would've gotten with the same recordings done in a proper studio like Goldstar or whatever

Yeah, but there never really was a finished Smile version of Heroes and Villains in 1966/1967, besides the "cantina mix"... I wonder what Al expected Heroes and Villains to be, the "cantina" version???

Oh, that promo!  I've had a copy of that for years.  I didn't really think much of it until I just saw this thread.  Anyway, since everyone's so interested, here's that track.  (Incidentally, if anyone from BRI sees this and thinks I really shouldn't be sharing it, just let me know and we can hopefully reach some agreement.)

http://www.spoonfeeding.org/audio/wibntla.mp3

Is this a joke???

He's always felt that way about Heroes & Villains. In this interview (like others) he's said that it sounds too muddled.

I don't understand what's wrong with the Smiley version of Heroes and Villains. It's essentially the "Smile" version of the track minus the cantina section...

Edit:
No wait. The Smile version is essentially the Smiley version plus the cantina section.

I wish instead of trying to be "relevant" they just followed Brian's muse and made great experimental music, like they almost did on Smile and "Can't Wait To Long." All the other members wanted was commercial success and to be a part of the contemporary "in-crowd" (hippies). Brian was the only one with true creative vision in the band.

A cosy little album... I like almost every track!

12. Diamond Head
11. Meant For You
10. Be Still
9. When A Man Needs A Woman
8. Little Bird
7. Passing By
6. Be Here In The Morning
5. Transcendal Meditation
4. Anna Lee The Healer
3. Wake The World - This is a gorgeous tune, but I wish it were longer.
2. Friends
1. Busy Doin' Nothin'

B+
Little Bird
Be Here In The Morning
When A Man Needs A Man

I think you mean When A Man Needs A Woman...

They make things like you my son. 

Masterpiece
California Girls
Let Him Run Wild

Great
Help Me Rhonda
You're So Good To Me
And Your Dream Comes True

Good
Then I Kissed Her
Summer Means New Love (kind of cheesy, though)

Average
Amusement Parks USA (fun melody, despite awful lyrics and banter)
The Girl From New York City
Girl Don't Tell Me (I don't like Carl's vocal on this at all)

Poor
Salt Lake City
I'm Bugged At My Ol' Man

Gettin' Hungry, released 1971

1. Don't Go Near the Water
2. Long Promised Road
3. Take a Load Off Your Feet
4. Disney Girls (1957)
5. Student Demonstration Time
6. Feel Flows
7. Lookin' at Tomorrow (A Welfare Song)
8. A Day in the Life of a Tree
9. Til I Die
10. Gettin' Hungry

One would hope that if Smile was released the band would have never embarked on their "democratic" period. I much prefer Brian's work to any of the others'.