M.I.U vs L.A.

[bluesno1fann]

sh*t vs vomit

M.I.U. may be sh*t for the most part, but L.A. is in no way vomit! (Except for Sumahama, of course)
In fact, I'd dare say it's their last near-classic album, just as Holland is their last classic album, The Beach Boys 85 is their last great album, and TWGMTR the last good album

[Joel Goldenberg]

My view of MIU sometimes depends on context. When I listen to it on its own, it's OK (pun not intended) but very slight except for My Diane. When I listened to it on my USB compilation of Beach Boys and solo tracks in (approximate) chronological order, and Dennis's Mexico is immediately followed by MIU's Won'tcha Come Out Tonight., I cringe.

[Bean Bag]

Always been a fan of the slight MIU - from the second I first put it on when the 2000 twofers came out.  It was just fun and easy to listen to.  And still retains that "Brian is back" 15 Big Ones/Love You-era feel for me -- which is a personal favorite.


LA always seemed a little more distant.  Unfocused, perhaps lethargic.  Overall, fairly uneven and not very Beach Boys-y.  Totally phoned in feel.  The 35 minute disco romp?  Most importantly there was no Brian.

But time has been kind to LA.  I like Dennis' stuff, and Lady Lynda and Full Sail and Goin' South.  I love these songs.  It's a much deeper album than MIU and I wish there was more late 70s polished gems like these from the Beach Boys.  In many ways -- more than the any other 70s album -- it hints at what they could have been in this decade.

If I read about MIU -- and the relations between the Wilson Bros and the rest of the band -- it makes me mot like MIU.  It maybe the single worst recording experience they ever had.  Just an awful location -- cold, middle of nowhere.  Bored.  It started out as an Xmas album??  Then was retooled.  Or was it the other way around.  No Carl.  No Dennis.  A lot of Mike.  A lot of Al.  If I think about this dreadful, dismal experience -- it makes me not like MIU.  So... I just hit myself in the head with a hammer.