Rank the Tracks #26- Still Cruisin'

[SonicVolcano]

I don't even own this album...

[jawilsh]

Was Brian on this song or not? Did they add his voice later? Did he write that song for his solo album or The Beach Boys? Did they re-record the song to include Brian? Is Brian the only Beach Boy on the track? Is Brian a Beach Boy or not?

That's what it became. They still wanted him. Did he want them? It must've driven the guys nuts. It sold a lot. Mike never forgot that.

1. Somewhere Near Japan



2. Kokomo


3. Make It Big



The rest somewhere below....

Exactly my top 3 in that order.

The rest just kind of melds together in a pile of slop.

[SMiLE Brian]

1. Wouldn't It Be Nice
2. California Girls
3. I Get Around

Somebody already used that joke.

I am glad Aegir agrees with me.

[Quzi]

1. Somewhere Near Japan (I especially love the single mix)
2. Kokomo
3. In My Car (Way too many people are ragging on this. At least this song has personality.)
4. Island Girl
5. Still Cruisin' (OP was spot on in calling the production "brittle". Out of all the songs on this album, this probably suffers most from the 80's production. I love Carl's vocals on this, it's a lot of fun to belt out.)
6. Wipe Out
7. Make it Big

[TimmyC]

Love this album. It's super 80s sounding in a good way, where BB 85 was super 80s sounding in mostly a bad way.

1) SNJ - one of their best, ever
Tied for 2nd) Kokomo, In my car, Still cruisin, make it big
6) Wipe Out
7) Island girl - I like it, but even more derivative than the others, and, although written by Al, a harbinger of what was to come with summer in paradise (although for the record, being a beach boys maniac, I actually like SIP)

QUESTION THOUGH - was brian really the only beach boy on wipe out? That can't possibly be true - the bass vocals are very clearly Mike. But the fact that he was even on it?? Brian "Wipe Out" Wilson - I love it!!! Take that Brianistas.

[Catbirdman]

A
Somewhere Near Japan

B-
Still Cruisin'
Kokomo

C
In My Car
Island Girl
Make It Big

C-
Wipe Out

[RangeRoverA1]

When I 1st heard SC in 2011, I already liked all the songs on there minus Make It Big. But gradually even MIB had grown on me. So to me it's an enjoyable music time in its entirety. One note: unlike some of the fellow Smiley Smilers, I won't do the 3-4-2-songs only ranking, since the album has no less than 10 tracks. That's what I got by now:

1. California Girls (I just love that intro! One of the most magical BBs moments. Thumbs up to Mike's performance too! All in all, great song! The record where it's featured is great as well!)
2. Wouldn't It Be Nice (I love the intro here too, only it cannot beat CG's IMO. But anyway, the subject is one of my favorites on Pet Sounds, excellent lead vocs (especially Brian's) & harmonies. What I also like about this song is that it'll be forever associated with that cute video where The Boys goof around on the water & land, because that's how I got acquainted with the song, i.e. via that video)
3. Island Girl (this song pretty much sums up for what I like Al - optimism & joyfulness. Whoever arranged all the vocals is genius! Even Bruce sounds good doing his high-pitched girlish falsetto. Great to hear Brian in the stack of harmonies as well. Fine steel drumming. In short, it's my favorite 80s BBs song. So catchy & so many so-called little hooks, it's not repetitive at all! Just listen to it attentively. And btw, I disagree with Billy that it is similar to Blondie's "Tide Is High", simply because the latter is downright dull, lacks creativity, so to speak. Plus, that's what I'd call "repetitive")
4. I Get Around (jolly cool & extremely contagious! Never out-of-fashion, sounds fresh even now, in computerized century)
5. Wipe Out (awesome collaboration! The video is somewhat cool (and funny) too. Especially the "We're retired DJs & we know the real deal" episode. Also, dare I say that this v-n is better than The Surfaris' original)
6. In My Car (I actually dig Brian's vocals, though at the same time I recognize that his voice sounds weak. Nevertheless, I like it for what it is. Terrific performances from both Carl & Al. Cheesy drumming, cheesy guitars - yet it all surprisingly works together on this song. Final verdict: IMC rules!)
7. Kokomo (never had anything against this #1 hit. Liked & still like it. Although I can't stand the saxophone here)
8. Make It Big (the ending with Brian & Mike's duo is beautiful! Especially Brian's wailing! I often play only this segment, like 10 times in a row. Btw, I'm a fan of Back To The Future (the 2nd is my fave) & its soundtrack)
9. Still Cruisin' (I like the guitar playing (cracking & in!), all the vocals (fab!), the drumbeat - in short, it's good on all sides. Well, except for the text)
10. Somewhere Near Japan (the intro is boring & I'm not fond of the long guitar solos. Aside from that, the song is good; Carl did amazing vocals! Really beautiful. Though my favorite bit is when Al starts to sing. It has more upbeat feel to it than the rest of the song)

[Aegir]

1. Wouldn't It Be Nice
2. California Girls
3. I Get Around

Somebody already used that joke.

I am glad Aegir agrees with me.

I actually skimmed the thread to make sure someone didn't post this, oh well! Exact same ranking, too!

[phirnis]

I'll have to strike a blow for "The Tide Is High". Personally I think Blondie's version is great and every bit as good as the Paragons' mid-60s rendition:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrIP3DpYOV0

[bonnevillemariner]

4. Wipeout- I actually like this. It helps that I was a fan of the Fat Boys, although by this point they were at their sell-by date...their earlier work was groundbreaking, but by this point they were too commercial and had lost their edge. Kind of like the Beach Boys at this point! Controversy time...it has been said that BW is the only Beach Boy on this cut, but...I hear Mike as well. Despite what Gary Usher had claimed, I hear NO other Beach Boys on this cut.  The version on the Fat Boys Crushin' album is better, as there are a few differences in the mix, and the beat box section is cut down to nothing here.

Couldn't find the Fat Boys Crushin' on Spotify but I could find a greatest hits that includes Wipe Out.  In the first couple listens (and admittedly not having the Still Cruisin' to compare with (SC is not on Spotify or iTunes)), I don't detect any significant difference.  Can you point out where the two versions are different?

[RangeRoverA1]

I'll have to strike a blow for "The Tide Is High". Personally I think Blondie's version is great and every bit as good as the Paragons' mid-60s rendition:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrIP3DpYOV0

Had no idea that Blondie's v-n was cover, thanks for clarifying it, phirnis. After listening to that Jamaican original I can say that it miles better than the former. Great harmonies & instrumental arrangement. That's IMO, of course. I respect that you like both.

[Heisenberg]

4. Wipeout- I actually like this. It helps that I was a fan of the Fat Boys, although by this point they were at their sell-by date...their earlier work was groundbreaking, but by this point they were too commercial and had lost their edge. Kind of like the Beach Boys at this point! Controversy time...it has been said that BW is the only Beach Boy on this cut, but...I hear Mike as well. Despite what Gary Usher had claimed, I hear NO other Beach Boys on this cut.  The version on the Fat Boys Crushin' album is better, as there are a few differences in the mix, and the beat box section is cut down to nothing here.

Couldn't find the Fat Boys Crushin' on Spotify but I could find a greatest hits that includes Wipe Out.  In the first couple listens (and admittedly not having the Still Cruisin' to compare with (SC is not on Spotify or iTunes)), I don't detect any significant difference.  Can you point out where the two versions are different?

The beat boxing segment is longer( the SC version has a rather clumsy edit) . The other differences are rather minor... its been a few years since I've heard the album version so will track it down and post later.

[phirnis]

I'll have to strike a blow for "The Tide Is High". Personally I think Blondie's version is great and every bit as good as the Paragons' mid-60s rendition:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrIP3DpYOV0

Had no idea that Blondie's v-n was cover, thanks for clarifying it, phirnis. After listening to that Jamaican original I can say that it miles better than the former. Great harmonies & instrumental arrangement. That's IMO, of course. I respect that you like both.

Glad you enjoyed it! Absolutely love the overall arrangement of the Paragons' version.

[Paulos]

Discounting the classic tracks I hate the whole album with Make It Big being particularly offensive to my ears. The only tracks I actually like is Wipe Out - I even have the shaped picture disc.

[mrmoustachioto]

Discounting the classic tracks I hate the whole album with Make It Big being particularly offensive to my ears. The only tracks I actually like is Wipe Out - I even have the shaped picture disc.

It taunts me at the record fair every month, but I can't bring myself to buy it! Darn that vinyl Burger, Containing fat Boys!

[Paulos]

Discounting the classic tracks I hate the whole album with Make It Big being particularly offensive to my ears. The only tracks I actually like is Wipe Out - I even have the shaped picture disc.

It taunts me at the record fair every month, but I can't bring myself to buy it! Darn that vinyl Burger, Containing fat Boys!

When I first saw it I could not resist, it's a burger shaped single!

[mrmoustachioto]

Discounting the classic tracks I hate the whole album with Make It Big being particularly offensive to my ears. The only tracks I actually like is Wipe Out - I even have the shaped picture disc.

It taunts me at the record fair every month, but I can't bring myself to buy it! Darn that vinyl Burger, Containing fat Boys!

When I first saw it I could not resist, it's a burger shaped single!

This is very true. But does it contain horse? 

[Heisenberg]

Discounting the classic tracks I hate the whole album with Make It Big being particularly offensive to my ears. The only tracks I actually like is Wipe Out - I even have the shaped picture disc.

It taunts me at the record fair every month, but I can't bring myself to buy it! Darn that vinyl Burger, Containing fat Boys!

When I first saw it I could not resist, it's a burger shaped single!

This is very true. But does it contain horse? 

of course, of course

[Wrightfan]

Kokomo
Somewhere Near Japan
Still Crusin'
Wipeout
Island Girl (I'm Gonna Make Her Mine)
In My Car
Make it Big

Ugh. It's a fun party album but that's it.

[southbay]

Oretty much too late to capitolize on Kokomo, and in the wake of such a huge hit they couldn't even make a real album. Only like SNJ the rest can rot.
1.Somewhere Near Japan
2 Island Girl
3 Still Cruisin'
4 Kokomo
5.Make It Big
6 Wipeout
7 In My Car (along with SI and his 1985 LP cuts this ranks among Brian's very worst songs.)

Hmm, regarding comment #7, how about Country Feelins? I'll take In My car and It's Just aMatter of Time over that thing any day.

[Moon Dawg]

 1. Kokomo
 2. Somewhere Near Japan
 3. In My Car
 4. Island Girl
 5. Make It Big
 6. Still Cruisin'
 7. Wipe Out

 This album might not have been the  near abomination it is had other recent movie tracks such as "Let's Go to Heaven in My Car" and "Chasin' the Sky" been used instead of the three oldies. (But NOT Bruce/Little Richard's "Happy Endings" which was in some forgotten film.). Probably wouldn't have affected sales much and would have made STILL CRUISIN' something akin to a legit new Beach Boys' record.

 Historical note- I believe STILL CRUISIN' and STEEL WHEELS were released right about the same time.  August _ 1989, more or less.

[ArtVandalay]

1. Somewhere Near Japan
2. Kokomo
3. Island Girl
4. In My Car
5. Still Cruisin'
6. Make It Big

7. Wipeout

A lot of people say it's "thin," but I really like Carl's voice on this record.

[Eric Aniversario]

1. Still Cruisin' - I LOVE this song!  The studio recording is a staple on my homemade comps that I play in the car.

2. Kokomo

3. Island Girl - I love the steel drums, but this one can grow a little tiresome on repeated listens.

4. Somewhere Near Japan - The 45 version is better, the album version runs a bit long...
5. Wipeout - Nice fun track.

6. In My Car - Very weird-sounding Brian production, sounds very cluttered.
7. Make It Big - This song sounds like it took all of 25 minutes to write, and I don't mean that in a good way.  But Carl's vocal is fine, and Mike's part is pretty cool.

[joshferrell]

1. Somewhere near japan (the best song on here)
2.In my car (the Brian Wilson song from the cd, the lyrics aen't great and it's over produced, but the synths are some of the best he ever did, it reminds me of Love You)
3.kokomo(ok  this is what it was, a decent song that became a huge hit and then became annoyinng after awhile, but it's not a bad song if it wasn't so overated)
4.Still cruisin (good openinng to the cd)
5.island girl (not great not bad just average, great harmonies)
6.make it big (good positive lyrics, ok melody)
7.wipeout (not great not bad just ok, and was meant to help bring the younger kids to their music)