SIP is produced, played and sung by fools. Don't blame the software. People made bad music on your beloved analog tape too.

That's a pretty harsh statement. 

You could have worded that differently - I thought this was a fan forum for The Beach Boys? 

About the analog, yes you are right in principle. But in practice, analog will always sound more 'live' and substantial, which means less inclination to mess around with the sound. And the fact that you can't do on it what PT can means that you HAVE to really push yourself to get a good take.

 

Just listened to it, and its all garbage with lame backing tracks and the BBs sounding uninspired. People forget this album came out during the alternative music boom of the 1990s.

Considering your username I am hardly surprised by your comments!

Yeah, The Beach Boys should've really done a nihilistic Nirvana/Metallica kind of album 

Nice upload. 

btw when was the last time this song was played live, and are there recordings kicking around?

btw someone on YouTube has posted the single mix:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGVK9zTYIlU

The CD must be worth a bit - a couple of days ago the cassette single went for nearly 20 bucks!!

Throw in "Kokomo", "Under The Boardwalk",  and "Wipeout" and you have a nice, fun 11 song album there! What'd ya think?

1. Still Cruisin'
2. Strange Things Happen
3. Slow Summer Dancin' (One Summer Night)
4. Kokomo
5. Hot Fun In The Summertime
6. Still Surfin'
7. Wipeout
8. Under The Boardwalk
9. Lahaina Aloha
10. Somewhere Near Japan
11. Summer In Paradise

I think this would make a cool cheaply priced compilation CD, and be realistically all most people would want/need from this era.
I would throw in 'Rock'n'Roll To The Rescue' in there too

Guys, don't blame this on ProTools.

The Protools recording system would have had a profound effect on both the sound and production values of SIP.

It's how you use it that makes it sound like sh*t or sound good. I've heard plenty of good-sounding digital recordings. "Warm" sounding, if you really must put it that way. It doesn't all have to be Summer In Paradise or T-Pain or whatever.

[Personally I think the best digital recordings are before the ProTools era, probably because a) the converters on those Sony/Mitsubishi DASH recorders were much better/more musical sounding as they were being recorded 'straight' (without 3,000,000 ITB plug-ins) and going through a high end analog console.

I agree there are plenty of 'warm' ProTools recordings - lame, grey, washed out, over cooked, brickwalled, zero bandwith/presence/intimacy.

Before this, BBs recording were most probably made on a Sony DASH recorder that was routed through a high end analog console like SSL or Neve.

So BB85 and Still Cruisin' didn't sound like flaming piles of sh*t.

BB85 - I didn't care too much for Steve Levine's production. It was their first 'DDD' effort. Levine didn't even let the Boys sing together around one mic, so that killed a vibe right there. It's still a record I enjoy though.
  
But on SC I think Terry Melcher pulled off the super bright/clear digi thing pretty good. The fine details such as 'breathiness' in the vocals on SNJ, the sharp chime of the Rickenbacker guitars on SC and SNJ, the crisp accordian/steel drum interplay on Kokomo helped made these records memorable for me.

The other major issue with PT as the band themselves have stated is all the extra editing/processing that you end up doing simply because 'you can' [it's all ITB - in the box - so it's hassle free].

Again, just because it's there doesn't mean you use it, nor does it mean everything recorded to tape was worthwhile. Blame the asshole behind the computer screen or the boards, not said computer or boards. Anyone making use of something new and gimmicky "because it's there" is gonna horribly date their work.

You'd be far more likely to fiddle with something in order to get something that will 'sit in a mix' if the sound quality of your recording is seriously lacking vitality. That computer did not record the performances well.
 

This in it self has almost completely destroyed the art of making records as we know them over the last 12-14 years (when PT really took off).

Welp, that's a lame way of looking at things.

It's true though isn't it? Even 50s and 60s recordings pee over today's digital garbage.
Listening to the Pet Sounds remixes, the sound quality is pretty darn good, no?
'Blonde On Blonde' remixed sounds like it was recorded last week.
Buddy Holly 'Down The Line' and "That Makes It Sound So Much Better', I could go on and on.
 

Imagine if the guys had decided to record the album on a Studer analog recorder with say, Dolby SR noise reduction. Wouldn't that have been nice........  

The songwriting is still total ass regardless. Again, just because it was done on analog doesn't mean it's good, just as something being done on digital doesn't mean it's automatically bad.

I like quite a few of the songs on SIP - Lahaina Aloha, Still Surfin' the version of the title track with Roger McGuinn.....okay it's not 'Sunflower' but it's fun, it's enjoyable, it's still The Beach Boys.

For the reasons I have stated above, I think it would have been a much better sounding record had it been done without the 'tools...think about a multi-track that had - no 'flying in' of  parts, no quantization of drums and other instruments, no rinky-dink EQs, compressors and processors, just the best 'real' performances in vivid, deep, transparent, clean sound that you could then mix on a Neve console or similar, and print to 1/2" 30ips tape

Maybe a new mix of the album, and a bounce to analog tape would help? I'd remix BB'85 too.

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Guys, don't blame this on ProTools.

The Protools recording system would have had a profound effect on both the sound and production values of SIP.

Before this, BBs recording were most probably made on a Sony DASH recorder that was routed through a high end analog console like SSL or Neve.

The digital recorder would still have imparted a hard, 'glassy' sound, but at least with this recording method a lot of details remained intact - the mids in the vocals and guitars, for example [although bass and drums never really sounded good on it]
In terms of sound quality, there is a lot detail missing in SIP, it sounds very sterile and airbrushed. Compare the sound of it to that of SIJ - you should get my drift.

The other major issue with PT as the band themselves have stated is all the extra editing/processing that you end up doing simply because 'you can' [it's all ITB - in the box - so it's hassle free].
This in it self has almost completely destroyed the art of making records as we know them over the last 12-14 years (when PT really took off).

The truth of the matter is that the recording quality of ProTools is comparatively poor, and needs all the rinky-dink VSTs and ITB processors you can throw at it to emulate the sound of a good recording.

Imagine if the guys had decided to record the album on a Studer analog recorder with say, Dolby SR noise reduction. Wouldn't that have been nice........ 

Cool

Done like it was from the "Love You" album with the synth bass and the mono synth

Interesting and creative, well done.

Wouldn't be that out of place on a Beach Boys album like "Friends" or "Holland"

Hey there Smilers

Just thought I'd write a post about my band Blue Svengalis.

Influences are the Beach Boys (of course), Chuck Berry, The Byrds, Buddy Holly, garage rock bands as well as new wave bands such as Ramones and The Go-Go's, and Tom Petty.

To hear my music, you can click on the internet symbol under my name, or try this link:

http://www.youtube.com/user/analogueaddict

There are a lot of uploads to choose from, my recommendation would be to try the "She's The One (New Remixes...)" if you like ol' fashioned r'n'r production, and "Californ.i.a (Full Version)" if you like more 70s/80s sounds (I'm not influenced by anything later than that!)

Hope you find something interesting.....

Hi there smilers,

A hello from me. I've been "surfin'" this site for some time without actually joining, now I got my login confirmed I'm ready to go

I can't overestimate the impact the Beach Boys music has had on me, both as a musician and a person.

That includes ALL eras of the band btw! 

shak

It sounds 'commercial' and 'radio-friendly' which was it's purpose. I like it!

It's exciting for me that the BBs have a new single out in 2012 that is played on radio.
This mix will also sound good on smart phones and laptop speakers, which is important for today's market - class and subtlety don't always cut it these days, ya know, the LP version is great but I think this is right for it's intended format.

Probably the only 'BBs' album I can live without, maybe something good can be done with a remix - replace the guests with new vocals by the band? That would perhaps provide useful modern sounding versions of these classics. Having Carl in there somewhere is obviously a bonus.

Personally I enjoyed the re-make of "Fun Fun Fun" with Status Quo which was made around the same time better.

Perfect classic album. Great cover too.
I got a sealed 70s vinyl of it recently which has a lot of presence and warmth to it.

SNJ is just fantastic to me - here the clean crisp digital production really is just justified. Fabulous vocals, pleasant melodies, and a classy beat - and who is playing those wonderful guitars especially on the coda?

The title track is fine too - I can't say no to the chiming Rickenbacker guitars and that Carl "when we go cruisin'...' bit

IG and IMC are fun atypical BB songs and Kokomo is fab. As a musician/producer I marvel at those swift accordian/steel drum arpeggio bits in the verses....Maybe I am alone in my view but I think Terry Melcher as a co-writer and producer did some fine and classy stuff in late 80's/90's for the Beach Boys.

You are correct.  I had a chance to listen to the original CBS vinyl and it sounded great.  For way too long I've been dismissive of this LP...but I gave it another chance following a discussion on this forum and it really is not a bad record.  If you can get past the 80's production you'll find some good songs and some impressive singing.  Carl, in particular, kicks butt on this LP.  I love his vocal on "It's Getting Late".  Bruce's lead on "She Believes In Love Again" has a somewhat grittier tone than normal and it sounds good.  I've actually found myself spinning this LP on my iPod in the car on a regular basis these past couple of weeks.  It sounds great turned up loud and played with the windows down on a hot day.  An overlooked effort.

Yes a pleasant album overall. Chill out people!

I'm a fan of KTSA and I'm not ashamed to admit it! The title track is a good solid rocker -- should've been a single -- and "Goin' On' and "Santa Ana Winds" are classics. All imho, of course.

I still remember when the Beach Boys appeared on the *Fridays* TV show to promote KTSA. It was one of their best showings (imho). Carl rocked out on the title track, with the guys singing punchy harmonies behind him, for their first number. The second part was the best by far. They started with "Good Vibes" and segued into "Goin' On." Carl was truly on fire for GO, and the whole group came alive in those delicious harmonies.

Yes I am fond of this album too! There probably aren't any BB albums that I dislike or refuse to have in my collection. Plenty of nice music here!

Hi everyone, its been a while since I don't post, although I read the board every single day...clearly an obsession 

And speaking of current obsessions, I cant seem to get enough of Love You! And the funny thing, I don't know how to explain it.

Its an awful, awful album. Everything from the lousy cover art, to the cheesy photos, moron lyrics, off-tune singing and simplistic production...it as all the required elements to be a complete disaster, the epitome of what a pop-rock production should never, ever be. If someone ever wants to write down the manual of how to produce an album that will never be a commercial success, voila, this would be Exhibit A.

Now, having said this, I completely and absolutely love it 

Someone said before this is Brian unfiltered, uncensored and I couldn't agree more. Every single song has such a raw approach, from the opener even to my least favorite (LIAW), that only early punk bands were able to transmit in a recording. The difference is that there's no anger, social awareness or rebellion in this record (as opposed to anything from Sex Pystols or Clash), but it's in-your-face as much as a song can get.

Honesty in music making is rare and even more rare is to actually get a message delivered once you attempt doing it. Brian and the Boys accomplished it with Love You. A song like Night is so Young can't be understood completely without the context of where Brian was back then, but at the same time has such an innocence and openness that's painfully raw and doesn't allow the listener to escape from it.

I would love to hear the early demo on I Bet He's Nice, that's one beautiful song that in a simpler arrangement (piano & voice) would be a classic. I read the review from Andrew Doe on how the group was so impressed from this song when the sessions started, I can totally understand why. Gosh, need to find that demo 

In any case, all songs are perfect. Even Love is a Woman, makes perfect sense sang by Brian in those harsh vocals. Same goes for the chorus in Solar System, the lyrics I couldn't care less, but that's a beautifully dark melody there. Same as with the bridge in Johnny Carson, man, there's a couple of bars that sustain this minor chord that's just amazing, amazing...even in the context of again beyond-any-understanding stupid lyrics.

I actually have a question (before I stop boring everyone with this post). Is it really Brian doing the falsetto in Airplane? Like all the high vocals in that song? Its very impressive, you wouldnt think he would be able to reach that register back then...or am I wrong and its Carl or someone singing this? It has to be Brian, its a great falsetto done by a heavy smoker, I'm sure of it! But then again, Carl was a smoker then...

Anyways, this is a great album and I thank you all for starting this post. It made me discover something very beautiful, a treasure that you need to dig and clean. It requires a lot of effort, but damn that it pays off 

See yaa

Good post.
The album is an embarrassment for 'sensible' people, it can only appreciated by someone who is open to something really unexpected and wacky.
I actually found it very very easy to get into. As soon as I heard the first chord of LGOTW I kinda knew this was an album chosen for me.

I gave it a 4!
I like the live version of Summer In Paradise more than the album version, it has a not this overproduced sound and Bruce make a good job singing his part
I also like Island Fever, Lahaina Aloha, Under The Boardwalk a lot.
Strange Things Happen and Still Surfin' are great tunes as well, what I don't like is that overproduced Pro Tools sound. It would have been much better with real drums and the Beach Boys playing the instruments.

I agree, and enjoy the album overall quite a lot, sorry haters! I don't like the nasty ProTools recording quality though.