Yes, RR, the Spike Jones album is one I grew up with, way back in the late '50's.  Brings back lots of good memories, my kids (who are all now grown) all love it, too.

I'm surprised that nobody has pointed out the fact that Christine's "desert island" pick of "Angel Come Home" wasn't written by Dennis...

The "Popeye" soundtrack by Harry Nilsson.  Featuring a second CD of Harry's demos for the movie, including a great 9-minute track of him coaching Shelley Duvall through his song "He Needs Me", which is very sweet.

From "Everything is Food":
  Everything is meat meat meat,
  Careful what you put on your feet!
  Once it lived on an ani-mule,
  Now it walks around with you!
  Everything is food!
 
And the music is arranged and conducted by some guy named Van Dyke Parks! 

That Carpenters Christmas stuff is spectacular.  Possibly the most beautiful Christmas album I've heard.  And, IIRC, it was somewhat patterned after a lesser-known LP by Spike Jones, which mixes sentiment with humor. That is also a favorite of mine.

Ringo has a great Christmas album as well, I Want to be Santa Claus.

I think they're called The Fab Four, they have a couple of Christmas CD's that sing Beatle songs as Christmas songs.  Pretty funny!

GF - you nailed it, "I Think I Love You" is an amazing little single, an all-time great.

"Cruise to Harlem" is a little-known gem as well... and his The Higher They Climb album is pretty solid and has some great self-deprecating humor.

RIP

Things that I don't understand...
  - how does a jet that weights half a million pounds actually fly
  - what do VDP's lyrics mean
  - how can anyone prefer Mike Love to Brian Wilson

I think there should be some discussion of the other on-stage players over the years, such as their various horn sections. I remember (vaguely) some shows in the '70's that featured some amazing horn contributions, but don't recall any names.

I think we should all keep in mind that it's virtually impossible for us  to know what makes people like Van Dyke Parks, or Brian Wilson, or Mike Love, do the things they do, say the things they say, act the way they act.  After all, most of us only know these people as public figures.  Just think how hard it is to fully understand the actions/thoughts/words of people that are actually close to each of us?  Why does my sister stay in a job she hates, why do my parents seem to love their possessions more than their children, why does my co-worker get into such destructive relationships?  So I don't have the faintest clue as to why VDP says/tweets what he says/tweets.  Maybe he's bitter.  Perhaps he's being clever.  Possibly it's both.  Or maybe it's something else. 

And, Discover America is a great album... As far as I can tell...

Rab - the Carpenters did that same type thing on side two of their Then and Now album.

I'd like to see Brian do an album along the lines of the Beach Boys Party album.  He could pick 25 or 30 oldies/rock and roll songs that he likes, rehearse them a bit with his band, and then record them quickly, like the Party album.  Very informal, let the band have fun with it, and get the "rock and roll" album out of his system.  I'm sure Brian could have some fun doing some of the lesser-known Spector songs, and it would be great to hear him do songs he loves, without having to slave over them. 

Mike releasing this album could only be topped by Rocky Pamplin getting his book released...

This release will serve as inspiration for numerous untalented aspiring musicians the world over - "if MIKE can do it, SO CAN I!!!"

Just wanted to say, Mike Love makes me sick...

Lets just agree that things are f-ed up...

Geez... all I'm saying is that the "liberal vs. conservative" gap is ever-widening.  And that the news media contributes to the widening of this gap by taking sides, usually blatently.  There is very little that could be considered "common middle ground".

But "Good Vibrations" is better than anything on my prior 35 lists.

As others have said, it's tough to pick only 5...

"A Day in the Life of a Tree" actually is my favorite song.  Ever...

And "Love Is A Woman" (Brian's live version on Saturday Night Live) occasionally is in my head from the moment I arise...

Though there are times when I think the version of "Don't ya Just Know It" by Jan Berry and Brian beats them all!

There is little doubt that there are no greater recordings in the history of mankind than the following...
   Sail On, Sailor
   You Need A Mess of Help to Stand Alone (I'm serious)
   Wouldn't It Be Nice
   Little Bird
   This Whole World

That is all...
   

It's like both sides think that they have to "never give an inch" to the other side, for fear that they'll look weak.  So the right acts like everything their side does is 100% right, and the left acts like everything their side does is 100% right. 

And the news media is largely responsible.  The news used to be presented factually, unbiased, which allowed the consumer to form their own opinion.  Now, the news media has a biased slant on every story.

And the left certainly does have a voice in the news media.

America has not been this politically polarized ever before in my memory.  The left is WAY left and the right is WAY right.  I fear for the future. 

I don't post often anymore, but I have to say thanks to everyone involved in getting this package out in such a gorgeous way!  I'm thankful for living long enough to see the band's vast unreleased vaults finally being properly harvested.  And the cover art is PERFECT!

The article that I read indicated doubts as to who bombed the mosque, perhaps the U.S., possibly Russia.  But, if there's any doubt, blame Trump!

Here's why Trump won the election:

1) People are sick of "politics as usual" and "politicians as usual".  Clinton represents both. 

2) People are sick of the news media, which is predominantly liberal, pushing them to share their views - the news media no longer "reports what is happening" and now "reports what we, the news media, think about what's happening". 

3) People view Clinton as a criminal.

Labeling Trump supporters as racists, Emily?  It must be nice to be so open-minded...