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

[Wirestone]

I guess I just don't get it, but I don't understand all the love for "Midnight's Another Day" or TLOS as a whole. Especially "Midnight's..."

Because the album and that song in particular are very well done. And the song affects a lot of folks on a very deep level -- including Brian.

...To be fair, the other boys have said the record label got to choose which songs would make the album.

I think this should be taken with a gigantic grain of salt. Over at the Record Room, a poster who interviewed Mike, Bruce and Brian has said the other guys actually know very little about the album or its creation, besides adding their voices.

I suspect that all of the Brian Wilson-written songs available were used, and I suspect that was part of the deal made between Brian's team and Mike to make this whole situation happen. Brian gets to run the record, and Mike gets to run the tour. Everyone's happy.

[monicker]

I guess I just don't get it, but I don't understand all the love for "Midnight's Another Day" or TLOS as a whole. Especially "Midnight's..."

I also don't get it. I can't even listen to MAD, i find it insipid and unbearably corny. I think it's an ugly melody and chord progression, and leaves a lot to be desired. The whole arrangement bores me, and the backing vocals sound so cheap. Though i do like the short section with glockenspiel and sleigh bells, i think that's pretty. But not enough to listen to the whole song. 

I wonder if the people who are drawing comparisons to MAD are referring more to a general tone rather than anything concretely musical?

[Runaways]

MAD is the best brian tune since the 70s easy.  It's the one song on TLOS that you can tell Brian pushed him on.  That song and live let die are by far the highlights.  calling it "insipid" and "corny", is laughable to me, especially with all the music that's come out that IS like that (see every other brian wilson solo album. especially imagination *groan*)

[coco1997]

MAD is the best brian tune since the 70s easy.  It's the one song on TLOS that you can tell Brian pushed him on.  That song and live let die are by far the highlights.  calling it "insipid" and "corny", is laughable to me, especially with all the music that's come out that IS like that (see every other brian wilson solo album. especially imagination *groan*)

I sometimes wonder why the beautiful and poignant "Southern California" off the same album doesn't receive as much praise as the aforementioned "MAD".

[monicker]

MAD is the best brian tune since the 70s easy.  It's the one song on TLOS that you can tell Brian pushed him on.  That song and live let die are by far the highlights.  calling it "insipid" and "corny", is laughable to me, especially with all the music that's come out that IS like that (see every other brian wilson solo album. especially imagination *groan*)

Do you think MAD is better than Melt Away?

[Wirestone]

MAD is the best brian tune since the 70s easy.  It's the one song on TLOS that you can tell Brian pushed him on.  That song and live let die are by far the highlights.  calling it "insipid" and "corny", is laughable to me, especially with all the music that's come out that IS like that (see every other brian wilson solo album. especially imagination *groan*)

I sometimes wonder why the beautiful and poignant "Southern California" off the same album doesn't receive as much praise as the aforementioned "MAD".

"Southern California" is too much of a "Love and Mercy" rewrite for me.

MAD is the best brian tune since the 70s easy.  It's the one song on TLOS that you can tell Brian pushed him on.  That song and live let die are by far the highlights.  calling it "insipid" and "corny", is laughable to me, especially with all the music that's come out that IS like that (see every other brian wilson solo album. especially imagination *groan*)

Do you think MAD is better than Melt Away?

I've always found Melt Away insipid and unbearably corny. I think it's an ugly melody and chord progression, and leaves a lot to be desired. The whole arrangement bores me, and the backing vocals sound so cheap. Though i do like the tag section, i think that's pretty. But not enough to listen to the whole song.  

[Runaways]

MAD is the best brian tune since the 70s easy.  It's the one song on TLOS that you can tell Brian pushed him on.  That song and live let die are by far the highlights.  calling it "insipid" and "corny", is laughable to me, especially with all the music that's come out that IS like that (see every other brian wilson solo album. especially imagination *groan*)

Do you think MAD is better than Melt Away?

ooooo that's a tough one.  You've picked the one tune from the other solos I really like  . *chomps crow* but, i think MAD is more genuine if that makes sense.  Well I guess it won't since we're on opposite ends of the song.  I prefer the melody and structure of MAD, and there's a lot of production aspects that hold Melt Away back for me.  If the Brian of today rearranged it (and re-recorded vocals), I may have a different answer, but I doubt it. 

[monicker]

MAD is the best brian tune since the 70s easy.  It's the one song on TLOS that you can tell Brian pushed him on.  That song and live let die are by far the highlights.  calling it "insipid" and "corny", is laughable to me, especially with all the music that's come out that IS like that (see every other brian wilson solo album. especially imagination *groan*)

Do you think MAD is better than Melt Away?

ooooo that's a tough one.  You've picked the one tune from the other solos I really like  . *chomps crow* but, i think MAD is more genuine if that makes sense.  Well I guess it won't since we're on opposite ends of the song.  I prefer the melody and structure of MAD, and there's a lot of production aspects that hold Melt Away back for me.  If the Brian of today rearranged it (and re-recorded vocals), I may have a different answer, but I doubt it. 

So how do you feel about the version of Melt Away on IJWMFTT? See, that one does nothing for me.

[The Shift]

I guess I just don't get it, but I don't understand all the love for "Midnight's Another Day" or TLOS as a whole. Especially "Midnight's..."

I also don't get it. I can't even listen to MAD, i find it insipid and unbearably corny. I think it's an ugly melody and chord progression, and leaves a lot to be desired. The whole arrangement bores me, and the backing vocals sound so cheap. Though i do like the short section with glockenspiel and sleigh bells, i think that's pretty. But not enough to listen to the whole song. 

I wonder if the people who are drawing comparisons to MAD are referring more to a general tone rather than anything concretely musical?

I quite like MAD musically; lyrically though it wore off early - too many, far too many metaphors... I mean, are you a flag without a wind that took a dive but couldn't swim (a swimming flag?) but with a diamond for a soul? Hmm...

[Aegir]

I'm also in the camp that thinks Midnight's Another Day is extremely overrated. the version of Live Let Live on the Arctic Tale soundtrack is probably Brian's best recent song. the TLOS version just plods slowly though.

[runnersdialzero]

[Iron Horse-Apples]

Goodbye Beach Boys, Hello Rent Boys

[buddhahat]

I guess I just don't get it, but I don't understand all the love for "Midnight's Another Day" or TLOS as a whole. Especially "Midnight's..."

I also don't get it. I can't even listen to MAD, i find it insipid and unbearably corny. I think it's an ugly melody and chord progression, and leaves a lot to be desired. The whole arrangement bores me, and the backing vocals sound so cheap. Though i do like the short section with glockenspiel and sleigh bells, i think that's pretty. But not enough to listen to the whole song. 

I wonder if the people who are drawing comparisons to MAD are referring more to a general tone rather than anything concretely musical?

I quite like MAD musically; lyrically though it wore off early - too many, far too many metaphors... I mean, are you a flag without a wind that took a dive but couldn't swim (a swimming flag?) but with a diamond for a soul? Hmm...

Yeah the lyrics are pretty terrible but this is true of so many of my favourite BB/BW tunes that I can easily excuse them.

The melody though and the way it soars on the chorus is uplifting in the way that only a BW classic can be. I don't care for much of TLOS, but this song in particular (and Message Man) proved to me that he still had a lot of the skills in tact.

I'm really excited to see the best song from this upcoming album compared to MAD, but with BB vocals, and that AGD is claiming the album to be the best since Holland. I don't believe for a minute that I'll agree, but it has certainly raised my expectations!

[FatherOfTheMan Sr101]

Song writing wise, MAD is the best BW song since "Melt Away" and with no doubt is the most effort he's put into a song in a LONG time.

[FatherOfTheMan Sr101]

"Less desolation, more resignation. And a poppy tag. :-)"

Oh Andrew... He's watching you all complain about MAD

[Autotune]

I guess I just don't get it, but I don't understand all the love for "Midnight's Another Day" or TLOS as a whole. Especially "Midnight's..."

Because the album and that song in particular are very well done. And the song affects a lot of folks on a very deep level -- including Brian.

...To be fair, the other boys have said the record label got to choose which songs would make the album.

I think this should be taken with a gigantic grain of salt. Over at the Record Room, a poster who interviewed Mike, Bruce and Brian has said the other guys actually know very little about the album or its creation, besides adding their voices.

I suspect that all of the Brian Wilson-written songs available were used, and I suspect that was part of the deal made between Brian's team and Mike to make this whole situation happen. Brian gets to run the record, and Mike gets to run the tour. Everyone's happy.

I find it odd that the guys would go around letting people see they don't know much about the songs. Not even Mike has plugged Daybreak so far. Dontcha think they know they have just finished a great one? My guess is that they will hype this album like crazy in due time.

[Jim V.]

Yeah, I think most of you guys nailed it. It's really the lyrics that bother me. To me, its a second-rate "'Til I Die" lyrically. Scott's lyrics on TLOS generally just suck. Musically, maybe I should re-listen.

[Runaways]

I think think the lyrics on TLOS are far and away the best of Brian's solo career.  There's some dud's on it, but nothing on it was distractingly bad (well maybe mexican girl) like on a lot of Brian's music.

[Runaways]

Mr. Carlin chimed in

Peter Ames Carlin ‏ @peteramescarlin
Still thinking about that new Beach Boys album. It's really a fascinating work, in a lot of ways. Unexpected. To me. More soon.

[EgoHanger1966]

I think think the lyrics on TLOS are far and away the best of Brian's solo career.  There's some dud's on it, but nothing on it was distractingly bad (well maybe mexican girl) like on a lot of Brian's music.

I know it's not the right thread, but (imo) too many people dislike Mexican Girl. I love everything about that track!

[Andrew G. Doe]

"Less desolation, more resignation. And a poppy tag. :-)"

Oh Andrew... He's watching you all complain about MAD

Not complaining - to these ears "MAD" is one of the best things Brian's done since "Sail On, Sailor", but it's very dark and desolate. "From There To Back Again" is more reflective, mellow, wistful and resigned. And yes, it is up there with "MAD". Well, I think so, anyway.

[Andrew G. Doe]

Chance to hear a couple of previews:

http://avro.nl/audioplayer/?p=schiffersfm&d=2012/05/13&h=1

In the 13-5-2012 box click on "11.00 - 12.00" and they're after about 5.30

[hypehat]

Holy sh*t!

From There To Back Again Think About The Days kicks ass.

I think I like Spring Vacation. This is a pleasant surprise. Terrible lyrics in places, mind.

Are there any more?

[Runaways]

heard 2 seconds and decided to wait. GAAAH.   thanks though Sir AGD.  so everyone else start talking about it so i can read lol

[Andrew G. Doe]

Holy sh*t!

From There To Back Again kicks ass.

I think I like Spring Vacation. This is a pleasant surprise. Terrible lyrics in places, mind.

Are there any more?

Eloquently stated, sir. Er... except the first one is "Think About The Days".

And yes, there are 10 more. On the album.