New album info (as it rolls out...)

[Wirestone]

More seriously, am glad they appear to be featuring Carl on lead vocals on at least one track, hope the song is a good one too.

Not sure where you got this info. Waves of Love (which had some Carl vox recorded in the 90s) has been mentioned offhand as a possible track, but if the just-released version from Al is anything to go by, Carl isn't singing lead.

From what I've heard, Carl is on the lead for some portin of the song, I believe one article mentioned it was a bridge of the song. The Amazon clip doesn't have this section, but I think Carl does some lead lines on it, not just backing vocals.

According to the Waves of Love thread, this is not the case. Carl does not seem to sing any lead lines on the song.

[HeyJude]

More seriously, am glad they appear to be featuring Carl on lead vocals on at least one track, hope the song is a good one too.

Not sure where you got this info. Waves of Love (which had some Carl vox recorded in the 90s) has been mentioned offhand as a possible track, but if the just-released version from Al is anything to go by, Carl isn't singing lead.

From what I've heard, Carl is on the lead for some portin of the song, I believe one article mentioned it was a bridge of the song. The Amazon clip doesn't have this section, but I think Carl does some lead lines on it, not just backing vocals.

According to the Waves of Love thread, this is not the case. Carl does not seem to sing any lead lines on the song.

That's what it's looking like based on that the description in that thread. Of course, prior to that person hearing it, I don't think anybody knew if Carl was singing lead on it. I suppose if we look back, maybe nobody ever said Carl was singing lead, but simply that he sang on it. I somehow, rather justifiably or not, had the impression for the last couple of years that Carl did at least a bit of the lead.

[Wirestone]

More seriously, am glad they appear to be featuring Carl on lead vocals on at least one track, hope the song is a good one too.

Not sure where you got this info. Waves of Love (which had some Carl vox recorded in the 90s) has been mentioned offhand as a possible track, but if the just-released version from Al is anything to go by, Carl isn't singing lead.

From what I've heard, Carl is on the lead for some portin of the song, I believe one article mentioned it was a bridge of the song. The Amazon clip doesn't have this section, but I think Carl does some lead lines on it, not just backing vocals.

According to the Waves of Love thread, this is not the case. Carl does not seem to sing any lead lines on the song.

That's what it's looking like based on that the description in that thread. Of course, prior to that person hearing it, I don't think anybody knew if Carl was singing lead on it. I suppose if we look back, maybe nobody ever said Carl was singing lead, but simply that he sang on it. I somehow, rather justifiably or not, had the impression for the last couple of years that Carl did at least a bit of the lead.

I actually thought you were probably right ... I had just never seen it confirmed one way or the other. It would be odd to have Al talk about Carl being a song if he's buried in the harmony stack, no? And yet that seems what the strange Mr. Jardine has done ...

[Pretty Funky]

Heads up from BW.com.


New Rolling Stone magazine article about upcoming new Beach Boys album

(posted by Tom Tobben on March 30, 2012 at 7:29 pm)

Message:

The new April 12 issue of Rolling Stone has a capsule article about the upcoming Beach Boys album, due for release in June. I couldn't find a link to the article, so here it is the full text of the article:

Spring Music Preview section of RS Issue #1154

The Beach Boys
Title TBD -- June

"It's a sentimental thing for me," Brian Wilson says of the Beach Boys' first all-new studio LP in decades. "We've been together 50 years -- that's a long time." Since reuniting last year, the surviving members have recorded more than a dozen new tunes at L.A.'s Ocean Way studios -- where they cut "Good Vibrations" and much of Pet Sounds in the Sixties. Expect lots of big harmonies and familiar subjects on songs like the mellow rocker "Beaches in Mind" and the nonstalgic ballad "That's Why God Made the Radio."

"Conceptually, the album is not going to be anything outlandish or silly like Smiley Smile -- it will be like the Beach Boys circa '65," adds Mike Love. "I'm trying to write lyrics that fit the music without making it sound like you're writing from a hospice."

-- Patrick Doyle

[Runaways]

well now we know TWGMTR is a ballad!!  WEEEEE. and mellow rocker?  what's a mellow rocker lol.

[Wirestone]

the surviving members have recorded more than a dozen new tunes at L.A.'s Ocean Way studios -- where they cut "Good Vibrations" and much of Pet Sounds in the Sixties.

As I've written before, this is not true. Rolling Stone should know better. The current Ocean Way studios in LA is the former United Studios. Brian recorded Pet Sounds at Western Studios, which was sold off in the 90s and briefly renamed Cello Studios before being purchased again and renamed EastWest Studios.

Both studios were originally owned by Bill Putnam and known collectively as United Western, which is the source of all this confusion. But they are in fact two different buildings.

[Rocker]

WEEEEE. and mellow rocker?  what's a mellow rocker lol.

Do It Again is a mellow rocker. I heard/read Brian describing it as such. "Beaches in mind" might be a DIA part 2. Even the title sounds like that imo

[The Heartical Don]

I rather like the 'hospice' remark...

[c-man]

the surviving members have recorded more than a dozen new tunes at L.A.'s Ocean Way studios -- where they cut "Good Vibrations" and much of Pet Sounds in the Sixties.

As I've written before, this is not true. Rolling Stone should know better. The current Ocean Way studios in LA is the former United Studios. Brian recorded Pet Sounds at Western Studios, which was sold off in the 90s and briefly renamed Cello Studios before being purchased again and renamed EastWest Studios.

Both studios were originally owned by Bill Putnam and known collectively as United Western, which is the source of all this confusion. But they are in fact two different buildings.

Yeah, that bugs me too.  At least Brian did use United Studio A a few times in the '60s..."The Surfer Moon" track, the late '65 orchestral session ("Three Blind Mice", "How Deep Is The Ocean", "Stella By Starlight"), one SMiLE-era session (for "Vegetables"/"With Me Tonight"), and the late '68 Honeys session ("Goodnight My Love" and "Tonight You Belong To Me").  Then in the 2000s he used Studio B there for "Desert Drive", and I'm not sure which studio but he did record his 2005 Christmas album and I think both Disney albums at Ocean Way.

[Wirestone]

the surviving members have recorded more than a dozen new tunes at L.A.'s Ocean Way studios -- where they cut "Good Vibrations" and much of Pet Sounds in the Sixties.

As I've written before, this is not true. Rolling Stone should know better. The current Ocean Way studios in LA is the former United Studios. Brian recorded Pet Sounds at Western Studios, which was sold off in the 90s and briefly renamed Cello Studios before being purchased again and renamed EastWest Studios.

Both studios were originally owned by Bill Putnam and known collectively as United Western, which is the source of all this confusion. But they are in fact two different buildings.

Yeah, that bugs me too.  At least Brian did use United Studio A a few times in the '60s..."The Surfer Moon" track, the late '65 orchestral session ("Three Blind Mice", "How Deep Is The Ocean", "Stella By Starlight"), one SMiLE-era session (for "Vegetables"/"With Me Tonight"), and the late '68 Honeys session ("Goodnight My Love" and "Tonight You Belong To Me").  Then in the 2000s he used Studio B there for "Desert Drive", and I'm not sure which studio but he did record his 2005 Christmas album and I think both Disney albums at Ocean Way.

Thanks for the specifics. I figured he must have recorded at United at some point in the 60s, but it certainly wasn't for the legendary sessions. (And a lot of his recent studio work has been there, too, as you point out.)

It's my understanding that the two buildings -- United and Western -- are basically identical in terms of the studios within. Is that right?

[Melt Away]

I knew Joe Thomas would ruin this record. I'm probably speaking a little too soon but it's not looking good..

[southbay]

sorry, wrong thread

[Andrew G. Doe]

the surviving members have recorded more than a dozen new tunes at L.A.'s Ocean Way studios -- where they cut "Good Vibrations" and much of Pet Sounds in the Sixties.

As I've written before, this is not true. Rolling Stone should know better. The current Ocean Way studios in LA is the former United Studios. Brian recorded Pet Sounds at Western Studios, which was sold off in the 90s and briefly renamed Cello Studios before being purchased again and renamed EastWest Studios.

Both studios were originally owned by Bill Putnam and known collectively as United Western, which is the source of all this confusion. But they are in fact two different buildings.

Yeah, that bugs me too.  At least Brian did use United Studio A a few times in the '60s..."The Surfer Moon" track, the late '65 orchestral session ("Three Blind Mice", "How Deep Is The Ocean", "Stella By Starlight"), one SMiLE-era session (for "Vegetables"/"With Me Tonight"), and the late '68 Honeys session ("Goodnight My Love" and "Tonight You Belong To Me").  Then in the 2000s he used Studio B there for "Desert Drive", and I'm not sure which studio but he did record his 2005 Christmas album and I think both Disney albums at Ocean Way.

Thanks for the specifics. I figured he must have recorded at United at some point in the 60s, but it certainly wasn't for the legendary sessions. (And a lot of his recent studio work has been there, too, as you point out.)

It's my understanding that the two buildings -- United and Western -- are basically identical in terms of the studios within. Is that right?

No - the studios at United were much bigger, as the big bands tended to record there. Sinatra recorded at United. Western was the rock department, so to speak.

[Autotune]

I knew Joe Thomas would ruin this record. I'm probably speaking a little too soon but it's not looking good..

Beach Boys fans: album is not out yet. But we know it sucks.

[Wirestone]

the surviving members have recorded more than a dozen new tunes at L.A.'s Ocean Way studios -- where they cut "Good Vibrations" and much of Pet Sounds in the Sixties.

As I've written before, this is not true. Rolling Stone should know better. The current Ocean Way studios in LA is the former United Studios. Brian recorded Pet Sounds at Western Studios, which was sold off in the 90s and briefly renamed Cello Studios before being purchased again and renamed EastWest Studios.

Both studios were originally owned by Bill Putnam and known collectively as United Western, which is the source of all this confusion. But they are in fact two different buildings.

Yeah, that bugs me too.  At least Brian did use United Studio A a few times in the '60s..."The Surfer Moon" track, the late '65 orchestral session ("Three Blind Mice", "How Deep Is The Ocean", "Stella By Starlight"), one SMiLE-era session (for "Vegetables"/"With Me Tonight"), and the late '68 Honeys session ("Goodnight My Love" and "Tonight You Belong To Me").  Then in the 2000s he used Studio B there for "Desert Drive", and I'm not sure which studio but he did record his 2005 Christmas album and I think both Disney albums at Ocean Way.

Thanks for the specifics. I figured he must have recorded at United at some point in the 60s, but it certainly wasn't for the legendary sessions. (And a lot of his recent studio work has been there, too, as you point out.)

It's my understanding that the two buildings -- United and Western -- are basically identical in terms of the studios within. Is that right?

No - the studios at United were much bigger, as the big bands tended to record there. Sinatra recorded at United. Western was the rock department, so to speak.

Not sure that this is true ... at least looking at the room dimensions for the studios listed at their websites.

http://www.oceanwayrecording.com/studios-hollywood.php
http://www.eastwest-studios.com/home

[Wirestone]

I knew Joe Thomas would ruin this record. I'm probably speaking a little too soon but it's not looking good..

Beach Boys fans: album is not out yet. But we know it sucks.

At least we won't be disappointed if it's good.

[Mikie]

Beach Boys fans: album is not out yet. But we know it sucks.

Thanks Phil!

[Outtasight!]

I knew Joe Thomas would ruin this record. I'm probably speaking a little too soon but it's not looking good..

C'mon man that is one ridiculous statement, I've feared many an album only to be very fuckin' surprised. Case in point BW Presents SMiLE.

[Alan Smith]

C'mon man that is one ridiculous statement, I've feared many an album only to be very f*ckin' surprised. Case in point BW Presents SMiLE.

I think that record surprised everyone, dude 

[c-man]

the surviving members have recorded more than a dozen new tunes at L.A.'s Ocean Way studios -- where they cut "Good Vibrations" and much of Pet Sounds in the Sixties.

As I've written before, this is not true. Rolling Stone should know better. The current Ocean Way studios in LA is the former United Studios. Brian recorded Pet Sounds at Western Studios, which was sold off in the 90s and briefly renamed Cello Studios before being purchased again and renamed EastWest Studios.

Both studios were originally owned by Bill Putnam and known collectively as United Western, which is the source of all this confusion. But they are in fact two different buildings.

Yeah, that bugs me too.  At least Brian did use United Studio A a few times in the '60s..."The Surfer Moon" track, the late '65 orchestral session ("Three Blind Mice", "How Deep Is The Ocean", "Stella By Starlight"), one SMiLE-era session (for "Vegetables"/"With Me Tonight"), and the late '68 Honeys session ("Goodnight My Love" and "Tonight You Belong To Me").  Then in the 2000s he used Studio B there for "Desert Drive", and I'm not sure which studio but he did record his 2005 Christmas album and I think both Disney albums at Ocean Way.

Thanks for the specifics. I figured he must have recorded at United at some point in the 60s, but it certainly wasn't for the legendary sessions. (And a lot of his recent studio work has been there, too, as you point out.)

It's my understanding that the two buildings -- United and Western -- are basically identical in terms of the studios within. Is that right?

No - the studios at United were much bigger, as the big bands tended to record there. Sinatra recorded at United. Western was the rock department, so to speak.

Not sure that this is true ... at least looking at the room dimensions for the studios listed at their websites.

http://www.oceanwayrecording.com/studios-hollywood.php
http://www.eastwest-studios.com/home

It's true in terms of Studio Three at Western, where most of Brian's work in the '60s with the BBs was done.  It's signifcantly smaller than Studios One and Two.  It could be considered their "rock room".

[stack-o-tracks]

I knew Joe Thomas would ruin this record. I'm probably speaking a little too soon but it's not looking good..

Beach Boys fans: album is not out yet. But we know it sucks.

The Beach Boys haven't released a good album in 35 years. Aside from the SMiLE album, Brian's solo work has been hit & miss.

I have a feeling it's gonna be all adult contemporary with sugar coated production. I hope they toned down the autotune because in my book Do It Again really suffers from that. Needs more feel, less gloss. We'll see.

[Dunderhead]

To what extent does Brian produce his records these days anyway? I hear pretty mixed reports on this, but I've generally gotten the impression that he's more of an honorary producer at this point than anything else. Before Love You there's a clear line running through Brian's work, you can hear him evolving towards 15 Big Ones and Love You on some of his Sunflower era songs and on Funky Pretty. After Love You it's hard to discern any definite thread in his songs in terms of production, and it always sounds to me like other people started taking over for him. He just doesn't really seem to have a 'voice' as a producer anymore like he used to.

[The Heartical Don]

To what extent does Brian produce his records these days anyway? I hear pretty mixed reports on this, but I've generally gotten the impression that he's more of an honorary producer at this point than anything else. Before Love You there's a clear line running through Brian's work, you can hear him evolving towards 15 Big Ones and Love You on some of his Sunflower era songs and on Funky Pretty. After Love You it's hard to discern any definite thread in his songs in terms of production, and it always sounds to me like other people started taking over for him. He just doesn't really seem to have a 'voice' as a producer anymore like he used to.

Agree. From M.I.U. onwards (bad production, as is KTSA), he's not really in charge IMHO. L.A. Album is so smoothed over (Boettcher, Johnston), then there is the 1986 album with Stewart Levine, and so on and so forth. Love You is totally Brian in some adventurous minimalist 'punk' mood... and there it stops.

[seltaeb1012002]

He definitely produced "On Christmas Day"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuptvX3xYlg

Hard to guess outside of that, but I'd imagine on certain songs, he probably still does something like this.

[southbay]

To what extent does Brian produce his records these days anyway? I hear pretty mixed reports on this, but I've generally gotten the impression that he's more of an honorary producer at this point than anything else. Before Love You there's a clear line running through Brian's work, you can hear him evolving towards 15 Big Ones and Love You on some of his Sunflower era songs and on Funky Pretty. After Love You it's hard to discern any definite thread in his songs in terms of production, and it always sounds to me like other people started taking over for him. He just doesn't really seem to have a 'voice' as a producer anymore like he used to.

Agree. From M.I.U. onwards (bad production, as is KTSA), he's not really in charge IMHO. L.A. Album is so smoothed over (Boettcher, Johnston), then there is the 1986 album with Stewart Levine, and so on and so forth. Love You is totally Brian in some adventurous minimalist 'punk' mood... and there it stops.

Steve Levine, 1985