Ok, maybe somebody here can give some insight. I was listening to forever just a minute ago, and for some odd reason began to think about how Brian acted around that time. I picture jim going into the studio, getting it done, and then leaving, kind of "ho hum". I picture him really depressed and really out of it. But when I listen to the music he created during this time, I think joy and happiness, but how could that be?
Talent and delivery. The wrecking crew practically hated working on pop music, but listen how into it they sound on every record.