Back on topic - It worries me how some of the protagonists in BB history can so quickly be demonised here.

It seems if you have anything negative to say about a cherished key player (Brian, Dennis, Carl etc.) then attitudes towards you shift very quickly.

VDP expresses some bitterness/frustration towards Brian & his team. Rather than focusing on what the causes behind this change of attitude might be, many here now seem to be rubbishing his creative output and name-calling.

For what it's worth, I thought VDP was overrated long before he criticized Brian.

Ha! Yes god help us if all thread titles were written like newspaper headlines. I agree - less is more in most cases.

I never said I'd write them like headlines, although good headlines do share some qualities that would also benefit thread titles.  In essence, a good headline is one that conveys the gist of a piece in the shortest intelligible string of words. So less is definitely more... unless that less lacks context. "VDP on Twitter" tells me absolutely nothing about the conversation I'm clicking into, and as an editor, this annoys me. No offense.

I don't lose any sleep about Amy B's thread titles, and I don't particularly care if others don't find them annoying. I mentioned it, but in passing.  

My larger point was that I've never understood what the big deal is about VDP, which leads me to wonder what role his contributions really played in Smile's iconic status. I personally think that's overstated. While his lyrics aren't mind-numbingly inane like Mike's, I don't personally value them as absolutely integral to that masterpiece.

Finally clicked on this, another poorly named thread (sorry, I write newspaper headlines as a side gig), and once again found myself wondering what I'm missing about VDP.

Maybe it's because a song's lyrics are the last thing I appreciate or analyze. Maybe it's because I'm pretty nonplussed by the Smile lyrics and can't will myself to like Orange Crate Art. Whatever it is, I must be missing something here, because obviously there's a reason he's been deemed legendary. I suppose I should care about his tweets and spats with other artists.  I'm trying.

So long

Now look what you've done, guys.

Although I find GF's approach to discussions like this obnoxious, I'll take obnoxious nitpicking over "I'm going to take my ball and go home" any day.

Going to guess you're either in your 50s or 60s, but as someone who's 35 and was 12 in 1994 when Nirvana was at their peak (and the year Cobain died), Nirvana and Cobain's songs were a bridge between '60s music and noisy hard rock. Their songs had undeniable hooks and melodies and were completely different from anything else at the time in the mainstream. He/they inspired so many kids that they could be successful with making noisy/loud/frustrating music, if the SONGS were powerful, which they very much were. That band had ZERO gimmicks either — just a huge sound with great songs from three dudes who changed music forever. Cobain also was hugely inspired by the Beatles, which is obvious if you've ever truly given them a listen.

Boy, you assume a lot. I'm actually 39 and am quite fond of the Beatles. It's always amusing when a fan takes personally your critique of an artist they like.

I happen to believe that a lot of the hype around Cobain arose because of his suicide, not in spite of it. I fail to see how these three dudes changed music forever. Further, genuineness and lack of gimmicks does not necessarily add up to good music-- nor do they make for a legacy I'm obligated not to critique.

I'll never understand why fans and critics continue to rate Cobain so highly. 

I've never understood why Cobain was/is so popular in general. Dude does nothing for me.

To my ears, Jeff's falsetto is hit or miss. I do think there's too much of him on TWGMTR, and it tends out like a sore thumb. Maybe we're talking about two separate things, though:

1. The falsetto alone
2. The falsetto in the blend

It's tough for me to say whose falsetto I like alone, because nothing-- absolutely nothing-- compares to Brian's soaring, unabashed and overpowering falsetto in the early to mid 60's. That can never, ever be recreated or even approximated.  Speaking just about the falsetto part on its own, I judge them based on how well they fill that Brian slot.  Given those parameters, I'll take Jeff because it is more rounded. Listen to Jeff's "Through My Window" and tell me that's not Brian-esque.  Jeff's standalone falsetto is generally good, regardless of whose band he's in.

But... blending well into the vocal stack is a whole other thing. Jeff's falsetto in harmonies sticks out pretty badly in most cases. For falsetto in the vocal blend, I'll take Matt. (I never really saw or heard any of the others enough to make a judgment on them.)

Thus, if I'm putting together a fantasy Beach Boys band and 60's Brian isn't available, I'll take Jeff on the standalone falsetto vocals and Matt in harmonies.

Hear the title track here: https://soundcloud.com/theendrecords/mike-love-unleash-the-love/s-t7WXN

Wow. Hate the music, hate the kitschy lyrics, hate the bluesy tone. I cannot believe this man actually thinks he's a serious artist.

Trying to "beef up" the sound is one possibility. Trying to "fix" slightly shaky leads without resorting to autotune is another possibility. Just *liking* that sound is of course another.

Gotcha. I guess the times I notice it the most are when I'm specifically listening for how Brian is going to pull off a higher range part.

If I'm understanding the "smush" correctly, it's used quite effectively on "The Private Life of Bill and Sue" where Brian becomes Jeff and then Brian again. It also might be what's happening on the BWPS "Surf's Up."

It seems to me that it's used primarily because Brian's range has diminished to the point where hitting lines like "Do-o-mi-no" alone is impossible. So I don't love it, per se, but it also doesn't bug me. If the goal is to achieve a certain sound, and the only way to do so is smushing (I think we need to come up with a more appropriate word), it's fine by me.

[I used to hear it on the piped in music at my local CVS pharmacy all the time]

I'm surprised Your Imagination wasn't included on Playback. I used to hear it on the piped in music at my local CVS pharmacy all the time, made me think it was more popular than it was.

That’s probably exactly why it wasn’t included on the set haha. I love ‘Your Imagination’ but the AC production and subject matter make it a shoe-in for constant play in department/grocery stores. I think that’s why the more serious songs from Imagination were the only ones from that album to make it on this set.

"Your Imagination" is possibly the only BW solo track I still listen to outside NPP. I like to think of myself as a Brian Wilson fan, but I'm completely non-plussed by any of his work after about 1970. It's disconcerting, frankly.

Every once in a while I go back thru the solo catalog trying to find something I'd like to listen to again.  I pause on "Your Imagination," fantasizing about a more modern production, then skip, skip, skip my way to tracks like "Sail Away" and the brilliant intro (and ONLY the intro) to "Our Special Love."

If I were ever to buy Playback, it would be for "Run James Run." But that's on Spotify, so...

But really people, I stream and download tons of stuff, but the CD is $9.89 on Amazon! Buy the CD! It sounds better than streaming or MP3 options, and you can also stream it and rip it and all of that too.

Sure, if you happen to have a CD player. I've got two turntables but not a single working CD player. Spotify should have it soon. I'm good.

I think they'd both sound good on this one, but that goes for most anything Brian cuts in the studio these days. Al sings in a similar range, and his voice is in better shape. But that doesn't mean I think Brian should just give up singing and let Al do it (though an "Al Jardine" album penned by Brian could be pretty amazing).

Right. And since they sing in similar ranges these days, and because frankly Al's voice adopted well into the sibling harmony established early on, their similar sounds would intertwine nice on this track.

I've long thought Brian should sing fewer lyrics and stick more toward nonverbal harmonies, while Al should primarily handle lyrics.

Now that it's on Spotify, I've been able to listen several more times in decent quality. I find myself wishing-- as I do with every modern Brian recording-- that the falsetto (who's providing that- matt?) were more prominent and soaring. I'm glad it's there, but I want it out front, almost overpowering.

Upon first listen, I thought the song-- particularly the chorus and most of the lyrics-- was idiotic. However, after listening over the weekend I've really warmed up to the song. Not sure why they threw in the Murry quotes, and a majority of the lyrics make little sense, but I kinda like it. Can you imagine if they'd have tapped Brian to provide a subtle harmony?

Wow! I wish this would have been released before "Some Sweet Day."

I'm not a huge fan of Brian's solo material pre BWPS, and listening to this track reminds me that it's probably that 90's voice. I'll take Brian's current voice any day over the 90's stuff. I'm kinda hoping this rip is accidentally pitched up, cause I'd really like to like it.

I was given my first Beach Boys album on my 12th birthday, which coincided with an extended family boating trip in Utah.  That album was Still Cruisin', and I played that cassette tape over and over as I sat on that beach. It's still one of my favorite Beach Boys albums, although admittedly it's because of nostalgia.  I lost the cassette long ago and it drives me insane that it's not available digitally.  

But dang I loved Wipe Out! Not a fan of that really echoey splash at the end, but nothing quite brings me back to my teenage days like hearing that album and that song.  I've never sought out the Fat Boys version, so I'm champing at the bit for this meeting to end.

Speaking of things/connections/events that may or may not hurt the Beach Boys legacy, while I was reading this thread-- the very page with the Manson comments, no less-- the latest episode of The Way I Heard It, Mike Rowe's podcast came up on my podcast playlist.  I won't spoil it, but the title of the episode is "Charlie's Big Break," and it's not necessarily too kind to Melcher and Dennis.  Funny coincidence.

Darn it!  Just raced over to a great news stand here in Los Angeles to pick this up and the guy said, "Just got the new issue in yesterday!"  But it was the August issue...

Gonna be a long month waiting for this, (unless they get it quicker at Amoeba Records), but I'm curious if there are any photos with the article?

Wow. News stands are still a thing?

Realistically? No one makes money from record sales anymore. Many thousands of people are willing to pay the equivalent of a couple of MIC boxed sets to see BW live. They're not willing to spend a tiny fraction of that on original music.

So it's all about the money? Not Brian's muse? Not creating? In the end, dude's just like Mike? Gotta make that money.

I don't buy it. Maybe Brian has overcome his aversion/fear of touring. Somehow, contrary to pretty much everything we know and read about the man, he's found happiness in touring. I guess that's fine. I'm happy for him, and it's awesome for the fraction of his overall current and future fandom that is able to see him perform. But it kinda sucks for the rest of us. I'd take one. Just ONE-- even mediocre-- studio album over three great tours.  My kids won't give a rat's butt about some concert in 2017, just as this uber-fan couldn't care less about any Beach Boys tour over the past 55 years.

I hope this too. I mean, if Brian is happy then he should tour to his heart's content. But I really wish he would relax for a bit and also get in the studio and record some. A concert creates unforgettable memories, but albums certainly have their place too. I can see Brian recording a rock and roll covers album and going out and touring a few of those songs alongside the usual Beach Boy hits...it would all around be something special.

I'm a regular concert-goer, so I understand the magic and memories the experience can create, but:

Those memories are for a select few, and even with recordings that are eventually released, they cannot effectively transfer those memories or experiences on the majority of fans who weren't present, because there's so much visceral context missing. (While I find live releases interesting to a degree, I don't care for them on the whole.)

If Brian quit touring today I wouldn't shed a tear, as long as it meant more studio output from him. It might sound brash, but clock's a' ticking. Why not take a little time to create something timeless for the masses?

And who wears their own name on their hat?

I find the hat absolutely hilarious. It brilliantly encapsulates Mike's inordinate arrogance overall. I kind of want that hat-- if only to smirk at the irony.

I'm torn on this track. On one hand, I love the idea of Mike penning something a) new (novel freaking idea!), and b) sincere. He and the band played that live at a show I attended in SLC a few years ago and it was a touching performance.

On the other hand, the one aspect of Beach Boys/Mike Love history that I couldn't possibly care less about is TM and the Maharishi connection. I just don't care, and am thus quite nonplussed by a track about it.

I can't comment on the lyrics overall, as I can't understand most of them. The English lines are simplistic as always. The music and instrumentation are likewise simplistic and boring. It's not a great song.

And yet I bought the track yesterday when I heard this news. Probably because Mike's concert performance of the song seemed so genuine to me, and I've been longing to see something genuine from Mike for decades.

I guess where we differ is the idea of whether or not it's a truly disgraceful embarrassment or not.  And if you *don't* think it's a disgraceful embarrassment to both him and the brand, I'd like to know specifically what type of BBs or Mike release would qualify as such for you.

What would it take, if not this?  Honestly.  

Still waiting for kreen's reply on this...  

I'm not kreen, and I do think Mike remaking DIA over and over is definitely an embarrassment to everybody involved, but I'll go ahead and say something that amounts to utter blasphemy here:

I think almost the entire Love You album is an absolute embarrassment to the band, the brand, and all involved.

Mind you, I realized that Love You was creative, new work, etc. Not trying to compare apples to oranges. But I almost wish it didn't exist.