I love the twofers.  You can tell that there was some love and dedication put into the overall production.  The packaging is excellent.  The liner notes are excellent.  The sound is excellent.  Compare the twofers to the current batch of remasters.  I hate to say it...but those seem like shameless cash-ins.  The overall production is shoddy.  The packaging is cheap and clumsy.  The liner notes are virtually non-existent.  They may have tinkered with the sound a bit...but it's hard to tell a major difference to my ears.  I bought a couple...but instead of buying the rest I'm actually thinking about buying a second set of the twofers to keep as back-ups!

Seems like your trying to talk yourself out of buying the rest.  For me, however, each time I run to the shelve before leaving for work and want a BB's LP, I choose the single new 2012 remasters over the same album on the twofer.  I'm pleased with the solid low end and the clarity, I now prefer the mono early albums vs the twofer's stereo representations (just like I prefer my Beatles mono box vs the stereo) and MOST importantly, having both, I do prefer to have just the album to listen to as the more accurate representation of what it felt like to play the vinyl record when it first came out.  SOMETIMES, I even play the 2012 remasters over the original vinyl I have when I'm listening at home.  I still have the album/vinyl feeling with the single releases that isn't there as much when playing the twofers w/ bonus tracks.  It is nice to be able to choose, though. 

I'd maybe pay around $100-120 for the bundle but no way is it worth $500.

Especially when for $100, we were able to get ten copies of the new album with one of them signed by all. 

Now how to explain to my wife that I own Pet Sounds 12 times…

This. We need some kind of help group for this very issue. Nathan and I can't be the only ones who have to justify this kind of behaviour, especially when times are hard.  Any therapists/counsellors among our throng?

Step One:  I open her closet door and show her the vast collection of bags and shoes.  Cloth bags, vinyl bags, leather, felt, shiney, dull, colorful, compact, large bags, totes, purses, baskets, cases, on and on and on.  High heels, shoes, sneakers, slip ons, boots, flats, etc, etc, etc.  Women love bags.  Women love shoes.  Can't get enough of them.  Women buy bags to put things in bags in and those objects within that bags are in nice compact cases.  I'm fine with it and we're both happy. 

Just wanted to add my two cents regarding these releases.  I don’t throw the ‘audiophile’ term around lightly, so I won’t go there, but I can say that sound is of the utmost importance to me.  I’m one of the geeks that cares about file formats (aiff vs wav vs flac & ALAC….even though they’re all lossless, differences in the encoding/decoding, etc.) and CD players and speakers/headphones. (I use sony v6’s, the studio standard and Grado SR-80’s) ANYWAYS……….Posts and reviews and comments on this board and MORESO Steve Hoffman’s website really deterred me from buying these 12 new remasters along with Fifty Big Ones.  I’d like to say that my Beach Boys CD/vinyl collection is pretty complete so this was a departure for me not buying them all on release date, but with money tight I just couldn’t justify buying everything I already have especially with lots of talk of severe brightness, washed out instrumentation for exaggerated vocals, better stereo versions on past complications, flimsy crappy packages, poor cover art scans…..you get the point.  I few days ago, I was pulled into my old ways and bought the entire group.  You know, you learn in life that comments like, “unlistenable”, “totally unacceptable” are foolish to believe just like the kid that told you that teacher is the worst and it turns out to be your favorite.  Case in point, these releases are great.  I’m super happy with each one for various reasons.  I love the sound, I don’t adjust my treble knob, the clarity is great, the mono albums are fantastic, the stereo versions are their own category of beautiful, the new compilation is exciting and I’m already RE-appreciating each album in its own sense more so than when I had to click up to track 13 just to start half their catalog with the twofers.  The packaging is cool, bright, has all the info I need and looks nice.  Sunflower and Surf’s Up are worthy upgrades and I do hear some differences in clarity.  That’s really all I have to say.  I’m not discounting the opinions of others, but I do wish to let those on the fence know that you might as well buy ‘em and prepare to enjoy this great music again!  Now how to explain to my wife that I own Pet Sounds 12 times……..

Glad to hear the re-did Dance, Dance, Dance.  I was so excited when the remix came out, but it turned out to be so incredibly shrill to my ears.

On what, Sounds of Summer or Hawthorne?  I thought the stereo Hawthorne version was decent.

I must admit, as a full time lurker of this board for the 'newest' news and rumors regarding the band.....this board can be a shifting tidal wave soap opera emotional roller coaster.  Mike Love is a hero and villain. 

sometimes being a hardcore fan has its disadvantages....  yes, we all know the real scoop, but now since this news headline has wondered into American websites, I'm getting bombarded with emails from friends/coworkers/family to 'fill me in' on the shocking news and ask for my reaction.  Yawn.

Yeah, and Don't Worry Baby sure sounds like the 2009 Summer Love Songs version, not the original stereo mix.

Why would they use the old one?

Well, I mean, I guess they wouldn't.  Agreed the 2009 remix does sound nice.  It's just...sometimes my head spins trying to follow album mono vs stereo versions vs single versions and remasters vs remixes of their catalogue.  With the album reissues, I thought the trend was to use accurate/historical mixes of mono/stereo where available and I guess the compilations stray from this thought process and just shoot for the best sounding versions in the eyes of the producers of the set.  I guess the 2012 reissue of Shut Down Vol. 2 will use the same Don't Worry Baby stereo as the twofer and original stereo LP where Brian's vocal is firmly in left channel. 

Wrong mix of "California". 

What?  LP version and not the up'd single version?  Well, they used this version on Warmth of the Sun comp, so I'm not surprised.  Am I missing something else?

Yeah, and Don't Worry Baby sure sounds like the 2009 Summer Love Songs version, not the original stereo mix.

Vinyl sounds great.  Happy with the purchase.  However….let me get this straight…

25 years ago, I can buy a vinyl record under $10 and get the LP, double gatefold, lyric sheet, large nice/bright album art and possibly other goodies like a mini artist catalog.   (The Kenny Rogers LP’s had the FUNNIEST promo catalogs….a Kenny Belt buckle, how about a Kenny nightgown or sculpt of his face..)  You also had the option of buying the dandy new compact disc format for a heavy premium..$17.99 which usually had a sucky digital mastering job (format was new) or the same vinyl master job which didn’t quite work sound wise on the CD format.  The extra’s were gone and the album art was a low resolution shrunken image. 

2012 and I bought the Beach Boys new LP on CD for $7.99 with nice album art, band pics, lyrics.  Of course, I also could purchase the vinyl record now for $17.99 with a barebones thin slipcase, no photos, no ‘goodies’ and so on. 

I’m not exactly dissatisfied with my purchase.  I knew what I was getting going in.  But, still, somehow this all seems wrong.  Many people predict vinyl will never fully take off again.  Quite possibly correct, but in a lot of cases, record companies aren’t doing anything to help the cause.   I probably buy a vinyl record for every 2-3 CD’s I get.  TWGMTR vinyl is my go to for the most enjoyable listen, but sometimes, I do wonder…why am I bothering with this.  Ha. 

The tracklisting will be released shortly after the 2 CD GH comp comes out.  They want to make sure we buy the deluxe hits comp to get the single version of "Isn't It Time" BEFORE they tell us that it will be on the box set, naturally.   

I actually took it down and showed it to my 2.5 year old son the other day and told him it was going to be his someday (he's been listening to the Beach Boys since he was born...so I'm praying it's soaking in)!  He even went to a Brian Wilson concert in utero!  I hope he inherits my love for the band!

Funny story!  Same here, actually.   My almost two year old son's favorite song (besides Jake and the Neverland Pirates Soundtrack/Mickey Mouse Clubhouse) is "Nothing But Love" from the Gershwin LP.  Boy does that make him dance and shake.   Of course kids tend to like upbeat music, but even at an early age, I think the harmonies and changing chords keep him interested more. 

Earlier this year, I received Sunflower on vinyl, the one Capitol re-released with Surf's Up. Well, I've had it in the package since December and just opened it up recently and the hole in the center of the vinyl had a hard time fitting on the played. Then I played it and it sounded warped! I could see the horizontal part move up and down playing. Does anyone else have that problem?

I paid $18.99 for a sealed copy and was also disappointed to find mine warped to the point of bouncing on Side B.  Sad, because Side A sounded oh so good.  To agree with others comments, I recently found a original VG copy at an antique shop for $6.00 that sounds equally impressive.  In all honesty, I've had more issues with those dang 180g new releases in general than the majority of flimsy old records.   And let me give a awesome shout out to the only real record shop I blow my money at... Record Connection in Ephrata, PA.  I do drive a solid hour from Harrisburg to get there, but it's always worth it.  If you live anywhere near central PA, go there with a wad of cash and enjoy a couple hours. 

Sort of strange to spread a >40 minute album on two vinyls.

Vinyls isn't a word.

When did people start saying this? It bugs the f*** out of me.

Apologies for wrecking your day.  "on two vinyl records."  Better?  Anyways, if they took the time to input their feelings on the track order, I wonder if this record will have any reworked songs (ie: Isn't It Time)?

Sort of strange to spread a >40 minute album on two vinyls.  And FYI to the music industry....make more albums under 40 minutes....they tend to be better.  I can think of more than a handful of modern albums that would be remembered much more fondly IF the artist sliced more of the fat off. 

TO ADD...CHECK OUT AMAZON.COM....Confirms that it is indeed ONE vinyl record, but they altered the tracklist!!  Have to say, I like the change.  I'll be buying!! 

Sort of strange to spread a >40 minute album on two vinyls.  And FYI to the music industry....make more albums under 40 minutes....they tend to be better.  I can think of more than a handful of modern albums that would be remembered much more fondly IF the artist sliced more of the fat off. 

I'm a visual/tangible person when it comes to music.  I like to hold and look at the record when I'm listening to vinyl.  Still, the twofers are the most played between the home theater and the car and every so many months I flip the booklet in each CD to reveal the second album's album art.  I've only done this a couple times so far and it some weird way, it feels like a new CD collection each time I do.  Maybe this is my inner self wanting separate album releases or just the fact that that its undeniable that the twofers do in some way discount the second album esp. on the store shelves.  Anyways, I recommend doing this as a easy/fast way to see your collection in a new way. 

Just got back from Target.  Yep, we're all cheapskates.  Couldn't stop smiling.  I'm so grateful for this music and I'm happy for the Beach Boys.   Noticed Bob Ludwig did the mastering and it shows.  Very crisp and lots of dynamics.  Loving it!  On Spring Vacation, sounds like they did the Beach Boys special trick with Mike's vocal ala "I Get Around".  Awesome.  

BTW speaking of Pet Sounds , the new MOFI SACD/CD of the stereo mix is the best mastering of it imo.

Mark

Do you still favor the mono release of your 2006 40th anniversary fuzzy package?  I know you said at the time it was from a newly discovered digital copy from the 80's rather than the 1966 copy that was being used. 

Funny you should mention this song.  I just listened to this CD when reconditioning my brain of the bands early history between when Alan was there/left, when Dave started to record with them, when Al came back, the overlapping time and when Dave was gone.  It had been foggy for me.  ANYWAYS, yes, really nice performance, IMHO.  And dang are those some high notes he hits!  Obviously, he was already singing for some time and had control over the falsetto that early on.  Amazing.  Also, it had been so long since I had listened to this disc that for some reason hearing the demo of Surfer Girl surprised me.  Like, oh yeah, it actually WAS the first song Brian had wrote.  Of course, I prefer the studio version from Capitol, but I kind of prefer the bass line on this early version, atleast during the lyrics "heart come all undone" part.

[Los Lonely Boys]

02.   Beach Boys (Mike/Bruce) – July 2002 in Salsbury, MD – Front row, I clearly remember our ears were SHOT after this show, right in front of a loud speaker.  My fault, I know.  Also, a man threw a stuffed bear on stage for Mike to sign.  Mike looked at it to sign it and saw he already had signed it 20 years earlier.  The man acknowledged this and wanted a 2nd signature.  Mike threw it back and said no way, already did it.

Well, if it was at the Civic Center - there are no good seats for concerts there so it's either blow out your ears or nothing.  To put it mildly, it's not  a good performance space.

Still, considering I was living about 3/4 of a mile from the place in '02, I'm surprised I can't remember this show!  I must have been in my ignore-anything-outside-of-Brian-touring mindset to pass up a show I could walk to.

It was a the Salsbury minor leagues baseball arena.  Can't remember the name of the baseball team (maybe the shorebirds?), but I think it was a big deal that they got the Beach Boys to show up.  Stage was small and not very elaborate.  I remember I got a free beach towel with their name on it and after the game, they had fireworks.  Didn't stay.

Also, regarding this venue tomorrow, my wife and I went to a venue just blocks from this casino called the Musikfest cafe that had just recently opened last June.  Very nice dinner theater atmosphere, good food and beer (sponsored by Yuengling Lagar), FANTASTIC performance by Los Lonely Boys and the stage sits against an entire glass wall with the old steel factory towers right outside the window illuminated with colorful lights.  Really nice place.  I don't think they normally get very well known acts, though. 

Avex Network in Japan has just (5/9/12) re-released the CD including the two bonus tracks "A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes" and "Peace On Earth" which both so far has only been available as MP3 downloads.
Source: http://avexnet.jp/id/brwil/discography/product/AVCW-12890.html
Already ordered a copy for myself - but it'll take a few weeks before arrival.

My physical CD from amazon included A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes.  Agreed its a crime all cds didn't have this on....its one of my favs on the album.  Also agreed with others sentiments.  Love this album.  With all the current talk of autotune, listening to this album slaps you in the face with what Brian and band can sound like more left alone. 

I’ll be there with my wife and a friend.  First time for my friend to see them.  He’s funny because he’s a casual fan, but knows the Love You album by heart because as a child in the 70’s, it was one of his first purchases.   He keeps saying, hope they play Johnny Carson.  I said, no way, buddy.  He says, maybe they’ll play ding dang…it will only take a minute…  I laugh.

This show got me thinking of my own history of BB’s concerts.  I’ve only become a fan since the mid 90’s.  

01.    Brian Wilson w/ Paul Simon – summer 2001 at Hershey – Met Brian and Melinda and got an autograph.  Pretty much, I thanked him for everything and he said thank you back.  Melinda sat beside him and there was hardly any security.  My wife says that I was totally star struck and after getting the autograph, stood behind the line and simply stared at him for 5 minutes.  I remember thinking how tall he was when he walked to the table in front of me, how much hair he had and when I shook his hand, it jolted through my body that THIS was the hand that wrote Pet Sounds/Smile.  Yeah, I was obsessed.

02.   Beach Boys (Mike/Bruce) – July 2002 in Salsbury, MD – Front row, I clearly remember our ears were SHOT after this show, right in front of a loud speaker.  My fault, I know.  Also, a man threw a stuffed bear on stage for Mike to sign.  Mike looked at it to sign it and saw he already had signed it 20 years earlier.  The man acknowledged this and wanted a 2nd signature.  Mike threw it back and said no way, already did it.

03.   Brian Wilson – Summer 2002 – Philly, PA – Pet Sounds Tour – Standing room only, better sound than Mike/Bruce’s show and better band but Brian seemed very sleepy.  Good performance but he was yawning and rubbing his eyes the entire show.  Paid $20 for ANOTHER copy of Pet Sounds live just so I could get his autograph again.  This was less personable, BUT the band mingled through the line and I ended up talking to Jeff and getting his autograph.  He was still very ‘big’ at that time.  Also, I remember the line ran in front of the stage and I thought it was cool that Brian was using old speakers from the old Beach Boys touring days with the white Beach Boys logo sprayed on them.  

04.   Beach Boys (Mike/Bruce) – August 2003 in Bethlehem, PA – Musikfest.  I remember getting a BB’s license plate at this show.  John Stamos performed with them.  It was pretty cool or at least different.  Although I may think differently now, at the time, it did add some excitement.  The crowd cheered and ooh/ahh every time John was shown on the jumbotron.  

05.   Al Jardine – July 2005 – Hersheypark – This show was awesome.  Al’s younger son was great, but since Matt was not available, a singer from the CA band, Tripsitter, joined them onstage and was great.  He wore a smile shirt and I liked it.  ALSO, on top of steady Ed Carter on bass and the great Richie Cannata on sax, Mike Meros came and played with them as he lived nearby.  I believe he died not long after this performance, such a shame.  Anyways, I hung around afterwards as the show was loose and no security.  The back doors opened and everyone came out and I fulfilled my dream of talking to everyone about their music.  I remember discussing the various touring entities with Adam Jardine and Billy Hinche and when I told Billy that Al’s band is the most accurate version of the true live Beach Boys sound, he thanked me and told me to tell Al that and that he would appreciate hearing it.  Also, I was star struck meeting Richie Cannata because I’m a huge Billy Joel fan.  Lastly, I spoke one on one to Al for a couple minutes and when he was walking away, I mentioned that I enjoyed his (at the time) new song, California Energy Blues, from his live album bonus cut.  He turned back around to thank me and said he was surprised because at times it feels like no one is out there listening to this stuff.  I ensured him, we were.

06.   Brian Wilson – August 2005 – Philly, PA – Smile Tour  - I remember I had just had hernia surgery days earlier and could barely walk yet.  I was off work, mandatory sick leave and told my wife come hell or high water, I’m not missing this concert.  She drove, I limped in and plopped down and had a great time.  Great show and they encored with Walking Down the Path of Life.  

07.   Beach Boys (Mike/Bruce) – July 2006 – Basically a July 4th concert with fireworks afterwards.  This was a music festival in Harrisburg and they played for free to about 15K people.  I had great seats and dragged my parents along who also had a great time.  Basically, they were friends of the governor and played a long and varied setlist.  I was a happy man.

My gosh…well, I was thinking there was more but I guess it has been nearly SIX years since I’ve seen them.   Bring on tomorrow!!

I could be exaggerating, but it seems an overwhelming amount of people on this board are overly critical of their favorite band.

I tend to agree with you.  I lurk for the news/updates and sometimes get caught in the muck of opinions that are many times depressing.