Brian Wilson's 11th solo album announced today

[Wirestone]

Exciting news. Fingers crossed.

[SMiLE Brian]

recall that Mike said he was not allowed to be alone with Brian to write. Why in hell would he want to submit to that sort of control. I am sad, but I do not blame Mike, whose heart has been open. Sad sad sad. I am "BB only," please.  But I'll get it to hear the Al and Dave parts if Jeff does not quadruple track them out of existence.

Mike's statements of "I can't write with Brian" are really a red-herring in this situation, Mike just wanted to go back to M&B after the C50 mega-tour presented problems for him. (IMO)

[Bean Bag]

Woohoo!!  Awesome, awesome news!

By the way, for the record, I recognize that it is likely that Mike is mostly to blame for the BB record not happening, and I certainly don't blame Brian for carrying on and am glad that people are excited, but for some of us, it's just another depressing reminder that the 50th anniversary was a one and done deal.

Without searching and reading through a million posts with opinion/bashing/rumors -- what happened with the BB record not happening?

I'm just being Donnie Downer right now - I'll keep crossing my fingers and hope it still happens - maybe next year. I think it's cool that Al and David are on Brian's new record, but it's just not the news I most wanted to hear. Again, wah.

I hear ya.  Going to the store last summer to buy a NEW BEACH BOY RECORD!!! that had BRIAN WILSON!!! on it... actually gave me "pause," shall we say, as I reached for it on the shelf.

I remember trying to process what was going on.  Staring at the CD in the shrink wrap.  Making sure I "fully understood" what I was doing!   

That was simply a big f-cking deal in my musical life.  It didn't happen everyday -- and wasn't sure if it would again.  The SMiLE Sessions, was an equally perplexing and surreal moment.  Unable to process with my tiny brain the full breadth of the reality I was seemingly sleep-walking through.

BW solo albums are really cool, though.  But I think were just used to them?

[The Heartical Don]

Woohoo!!  Awesome, awesome news!

By the way, for the record, I recognize that it is likely that Mike is mostly to blame for the BB record not happening, and I certainly don't blame Brian for carrying on and am glad that people are excited, but for some of us, it's just another depressing reminder that the 50th anniversary was a one and done deal.

Without searching and reading through a million posts with opinion/bashing/rumors -- what happened with the BB record not happening?

I'm just being Donnie Downer right now - I'll keep crossing my fingers and hope it still happens - maybe next year. I think it's cool that Al and David are on Brian's new record, but it's just not the news I most wanted to hear. Again, wah.

I hear ya.  Going to the store last summer to buy a NEW BEACH BOY RECORD!!! that had BRIAN WILSON!!! on it... actually gave me "pause," shall we say, as I reached for it on the shelf.

I remember trying to process what was going on.  Staring at the CD in the shrink wrap.  Making sure I "fully understood" what I was doing!  

That was simply a big f-cking deal in my musical life.  It didn't happen everyday -- and wasn't sure if it would again.  The SMiLE Sessions, was an equally perplexing and surreal moment.  Unable to process with my tiny brain the full breadth of the reality I was seemingly sleep-walking through.

BW solo albums are really cool, though.  But I think were just used to them?

We're used to getting BW albums on a pretty frequent basis for 25 years now. I find that breathtaking...  

[mathen_]

Interesting that there's no indication of who, if anybody, Brian's working with on the production side of things. Yeah, Don Was is mentioned, but from the reference it seems he's more a guest than a production presence.

So I assume that means no Joe Thomas. What does that say about our chances of seeing the remainder of "Life's Suite" in the near future? Are we going to have wait until the next Beach Boys reunion?

The original press release at brianwilson.com/news says "Installed at Ocean Way, Wilson and his hand-picked band of friends have taken a fluid, woodshedding approach to the recording process, letting collaborative creativity drive the sessions.  Wilson is working with longtime collaborator Joe Thomas to hone the arrangements, often assembling pieces from various takes.  Details about the album and its release will be shared soon."

http://www.brianwilson.com/news/ just read the title

[SloopJohnnyB]

Maybe we'll hear a few new songs on Brian, Al, and David's summer tour dates?

Capitol is glad to have Brian back but I'm sure they wanted a new Beach Boy's album. Maybe next year.

Go Brian, go Brian, go Brian go!

[Summertime Blooz]

I'd REALLY be happy if Brian let Al sing lead on  2 or 3 tracks. Now THAT would be the next best thing to a new Beach Boys album. Anyway, I'm looking forward to hearing this to see if he can top what he did for TWGMTR. I get the feeling he's trying.

[Bean Bag]

We're used to getting BW albums on a pretty frequent basis for 25 years now. I find that breathtaking...  

When you step back and think about the whole story -- it's pretty amazing to think we're still getting new BW solo albums in 2013.  And thank God for that!  I remember when Imagination came out in 1998 -- thinking it would certainly be his last.  Or when '88 came out -- that would be his only!


 

[coco1997]

Can't believe no one's mentioned this yet--It looks like we're finally getting that "rock 'n roll" album we've been hearing about for so many years!

[Bean Bag]

Can't believe no one's mentioned this yet--It looks like we're finally getting that "rock 'n roll" album we've been hearing about for so many years!

That's what I was thinking too!  Jeff Beck?  Sounds like some guitar solos!!  

[Rocker]

Capitol is glad to have Brian back but I'm sure they wanted a new Beach Boy's album.

I think they offered them that last year. But when they parted Capitol must've known that there wasn't another BBs album gonna happen.

[bonnevillemariner]

Can't believe no one's mentioned this yet--It looks like we're finally getting that "rock 'n roll" album we've been hearing about for so many years!

That's what I was thinking too!  Jeck Beck?  Sounds like some guitar solos!!  

Who listens to Brian Wilson albums for the guitar solos?

[Bean Bag]

I like this quote...

“I was really moved by the fans’ excitement about The Beach Boys’ album and tour last year,” says Wilson.  “It charged me up and my head was full of music - I just couldn’t wait to get back into the studio to let it out.”

I know he says that kind of stuff a lot... but it just feels sincere to me.

  

[Bean Bag]

Who listens to Brian Wilson albums for the guitar solos?

That's about to change, my friend  

[Justin]

Great news.

So Mike working in the same studio...that's for something else?...or is it a surprise appearance on Brian's solo album?

[Dave Modny]

Great news.

So Mike working in the same studio...that's for something else?...or is it a surprise appearance on Brian's solo album?

Hi Justin,

I think the general consensus here has been that it's most likely Mike working on an archival, MIC track. Particularly with Alan Boyd in that photo as well.

[Sound of Free]

I'd REALLY be happy if Brian let Al sing lead on  2 or 3 tracks. Now THAT would be the next best thing to a new Beach Boys album. Anyway, I'm looking forward to hearing this to see if he can top what he did for TWGMTR. I get the feeling he's trying.

Yes, I'd love to have a couple of Al leads and have Al in the background vocals on ALL tracks.

[Justin]

Great news.

So Mike working in the same studio...that's for something else?...or is it a surprise appearance on Brian's solo album?

Hi Justin,

I think the general consensus here has been that it's most likely Mike working on an archival, MIC track. Particularly with Alan Boyd in that photo as well.

Okeydokes---thanks Dave!

[Cam Mott]

I hope it is great and does great. I'm not a particular fan of any of their solo work so far.

[Paulos]

Question, I think it was mentioned that the remainder of the 'My Life' suite wasn't going to be on MiC - possibility of it being on Brian's new album instead?

[joshferrell]

"The new album is being described as a fluid, woodshedding approach to the recording process, letting collaborative creativity drive the sessions."

This quote makes me think it's the Rock n roll album that Brian has been hinting at, does that means these came out of jam sessions? if so then maybe the songs from 98 won't be on here unless they are re-recorded the same with the "Life Suite" but maybe it's a little of both part jam sessions part 98/suite..

[Rocky Raccoon]

Who listens to Brian Wilson albums for the guitar solos?

That's about to change, my friend  

Imagine Jeff Beck and Dave Marks dueling.  Oh man.

[Les P]

I'm cautiously optimistic about this. I'm always going to get pumped about brand new Brian Wilson songs, and I'm really interested to see what this turns out like with super talented Jeff Beck. The caution comes in with Joe Thomas and what this thing might sound like. I'm hoping for the best, because this could nd great, but the realist in me is tempering my expectations. We might finally be getting Pleasure Island, or we could be getting Imagination with better guitar solos.

I share your cautious optimism (or optimistic caution), for the same reason.  I assume Joe Thomas is more or less ghost-producing this, as he did TWGMTR.  Dare I hope he won't sterilize and autotune the life out of this?  My vote would have been for Scott Bennett as Brian's production collaborator, but this is where we are, so I'll hope for the best.

[Summertime Blooz]

We're all just idly speculating here since that press release was missing any details on the album's contents, but I would be somewhat surprised if any more of the My Life Suite EVER surfaces. I have a hunch that it was raided for material for TWGMTR because Joe and Brian realize that the rest of it just isn't very good and isn't worth recording/releasing. Why else would you release a portion of a larger work? It's all part of the editing and creative process. You work on something, step back and look at what you've done, and ultimately a lot of stuff is left on the cutting room floor. I don't look at this My Life Suite as the next great white whale for Beach Boys fans to obsess over- merely an idea and some work done 15 years ago  for a project that didn't really pan out.

This new album does sound like  the rock album that BW has been talking about for quite a long time now. What exactly a Brain Wilson rock album even is and what it will sound like  does give me pause. I'm hoping it's a retro approach. I'm thinking it could be kind a Chuck Berry and Rockabilly kind of thing which Jeff Beck would be good for. Some nice short punchy songs would be welcome.

[DMBeard_13]

I have all along said, "There will be a studio album."  Nothing more, nothing less.