ISN'T IT TIME SINGLE VERSION (BBC Radio 2) LISTEN NOW

[EgoHanger1966]

There are some things I like about this new version. The harmony bit at the beginning is cool, and the added things in the opening verse, despite how digital and cold they are, help Brian's vocal to sound better. There are cool new, slight organ parts. The rest, though...yikes. We thought the autotune was bad on the album - that was like nothing compared to the slathering of it on the new single.

-The bridge is pretty much ruined. The autotune on Mike's part is laughable and frankly, cringeworthy. When you use that stuff to the point where the singer doesn't sound human, as a producer of The Beach Boys, you know you should back it off and try again. Parts of this sound like a parody of the current Top 40 pop scene, and everything that is wrong with it.
-I miss the falsetto.
-Did I mention the autotune?
-The new lyrics aren't an improvement over the originals.

(IMO).

[runnersdialzero]

I'm not sure what the thinking was behind the new bridge. Not a fan of Jeff's voice and was interested to hear someone else sing it, but they took it down on octave and totally altered the melody. It's not so much a matter of "It's changed and I don't like it", I just really feel it's inferior to the original melody for that part.

Mike sounds like he's underwater during that part, too. teh heck.

[puni puni]

I think the reason why they use autotune so indiscriminately is because they take the term "current Top 40" literally.

[Paulos]

The new bridge is utter balls, massive dangling balls with rivers of sweat running down them. To recap, I do not like the bridge.

[the professor]

Like all of you I am listening over and over; have to agree with the trend of the criticism, such as Ecohanger's good analysis.

But, trying to find some positives (some have been noted):

The group harmony at the top, which is more fantastic with every listen.

Al's harmony with Brian on the opening verses "all been" said, "in my head" etc.

Still hearing Bruce on the chorus lead.

Added guitar track, which must be Dave strumming in a classic BB way that I just love to hear.

Organ, as noted.

The clock ticking!!

Mike's new melody on the bridge grows on you after 2-4 listens, less jarring obviously that at first listen.

Al on "lovers" at the end of new bridge.

Is it a bit more like Bananrama than it ought to be? Perhaps, but it's the BB new single , and I love it. How do I know? Can't stop listening.

New Lyrics:  first time gives us "used to do," which them becomes "want to do" so we could argue for some coherence. . . .

[Rocker]

I'm not sure what the thinking was behind the new bridge. Not a fan of Jeff's voice and was interested to hear someone else sing it, but they took it down on octave and totally altered the melody.

I like how it sounded when in some shows Mike and Jeff sang the bridge together

[Dutchie]

i really like the new version !

[Mr. Cohen]

Isn't it time, isn't it time, isn't time WE CUT SOME CHEESE AGAIN?!?!

What a mess. Mike Love should have as little input as possible when it comes to recording something that is supposed to commercially viable. He's lost his way, hey, hey, hey...

[runnersdialzero]

Isn't it time, isn't it time, isn't time WE CUT SOME CHEESE AGAIN?!?!

What a mess. Mike Love should have as little input as possible when it comes to recording something that is supposed to commercially viable. He's lost his way, hey, hey, hey...

It's all Mike's fault, guys. ;(

[Freddie French-Pounce]

Like all of you I am listening over and over; have to agree with the trend of the criticism, such as Ecohanger's good analysis.

But, trying to find some positives (some have been noted):

The group harmony at the top, which is more fantastic with every listen.

Al's harmony with Brian on the opening verses "all been" said, "in my head" etc.

Thats more Brian isn't it?

[the professor]

Adding a strong negative: is it Brian's voice that is so tweaked on the "isn't it time" refrain that is sounds frighteningly electronic, like that singer, who was it t-pain? That part is no good for sure.

[runnersdialzero]

Adding a strong negative: is it Brian's voice that is so tweaked on the "isn't it time" refrain that is sounds frighteningly electronic, like that singer, who was it t-pain? That part is no good for sure.

teh return of B-Pain ';'

[Runaways]

why is this sped up too.  I can't take it.  

this SUUUUCKS compared to the album version.

[stack-o-tracks]

Jesus, they fuckin' SLAUGHTERED the bridge of the song. A truly awful "remix" of this song.

[Rocky Raccoon]

I hate how the "Isn't it time we get ready again, isn't it time we go steady again?" has been changed to "Isn't it time, isn't it time, isn't it time to be blubblyaafhgiug," and no, I can't understand what that word was supposed to be.

The album version was fine, they should have just released that as a single and paired it with an previously unreleased B-side to make it marketable.  But I think I'll skip out on buying this version.

[EgoHanger1966]

Isn't it time, isn't it time, isn't time WE CUT SOME CHEESE AGAIN?!?!

What a mess. Mike Love should have as little input as possible when it comes to recording something that is supposed to commercially viable. He's lost his way, hey, hey, hey...

It's all Mike's fault, guys. ;(

Riiight. Mike bashing is fun (like Jeff Foskett bashing or Joe Thomas bashing, or Bruce Johnston bashing, or Dick Reynolds bashing), but we don't know that these additions were Mike's idea, so it's not fair to go 'there' just yet. Not that I would be surprised, but hey, give the guy a shot.

Wonder if this thing will get some airplay.

[Freddie French-Pounce]

Wonder if this thing will get some airplay.

Well, this is airplay...

[EgoHanger1966]

I hate how the "Isn't it time we get ready again, isn't it time we go steady again?" has been changed to "Isn't it time, isn't it time, isn't it time to be blubblyaafhgiug," and no, I can't understand what that word was supposed to be.

"Isn't it time to be lovers?".

[Shady]

I've actually changed my opinion..

I like the original better

[shakcohen]

It sounds 'commercial' and 'radio-friendly' which was it's purpose. I like it!

It's exciting for me that the BBs have a new single out in 2012 that is played on radio.
This mix will also sound good on smart phones and laptop speakers, which is important for today's market - class and subtlety don't always cut it these days, ya know, the LP version is great but I think this is right for it's intended format.

[Rocky Raccoon]

I hate how the "Isn't it time we get ready again, isn't it time we go steady again?" has been changed to "Isn't it time, isn't it time, isn't it time to be blubblyaafhgiug," and no, I can't understand what that word was supposed to be.

"Isn't it time to be lovers?".

Ah, that makes sense hehe.  The sound is just so muddled, I really couldn't make it out.

[Catbirdman]

My reactions are mixed.

I love the a capella intro, and the extra harmonies against Brian's lead. The whole first verse is better.

The chorus is where it starts to go off for me, with the unnessecary delay on Al's vocal and the taming of the slappy percussion (which Bruce described as "drums spilling off shelves").

There are a few organ parts in the verses that pop out more - me like.

I don't think the bridge is a disaster but then again it's not a slam-dunk improvement either. I miss the harmonies leading into it, and Mike's vocal isn't near strong enough. I actually always thought Jeff's part was performed fine, but like most people I wasn't overly comfortable with the idea of it. So I'm glad that there's now an original Beach Boy singing on the bridge.

[Cabinessenceking]

Calm down, it's obvious that they want to make this one chart and will do what the market demands in order to do so, nothing wrong with that, appart from the dent in artistic integrity...

nah, it's just fine, autotunes flying in your face all the time but it sounds more 'dance worthy' which I guess is the point.
To put it this way, it is done by others than the group itself, its not like BW actually produced it himself. This is just another attempt to draw some last cash from the album + get fans to buy 50BO.

[GhostyTMRS]

Seems rather unnecessary to me. The tour is pretty much over so I doubt there's any chance of a new single charting or getting traction without the band constantly on TV plugging it.
I'm not a fan of this. I'm perfectly happy with the album version. This "remix" reminds me of when The Monkees overdubbed synths on "Daydream Believer" in 1986 to try and get a modern day sound out of it. A waste of time.

[jeffcdo]

I think you nailed it Cabinessenceking.  I don't like the sound of this as I don't like the sound of a lot of modern music, but it does sound contemporary.  I don't blame them at all for trying to make a hit single, at least we still have the original version.  

My fear is that if this does become a hit, some of the unused tunes will be mixed in a similar fashion for that follow up album.