WIBNTLA Reviews

[pixletwin]

It's strange to hear a song you know but have never heard before (having heard Adam's and Alan's version). I was of the firm opinion to reorder Surf's Up with this as the conclusion... but now actually hearing it, I am not so sure. It's definitely among Dennis' best work, but coming on the heels of A Day in the Life of a Tree and 'Til I Die I'm not sure does it justice.

Still, the hype about Dennis' vocal was more than just hype. You can tell he really worked hard on it. Spot on. Love it.

[Dunderhead]

Despite my only moderate gushing of the tune I do not feel the slightest bit let down in finally hearing it; I realised a long time ago that there is nothing on this earth that can live up to the hype this song has had put on it.

Agreed, it's a perfectly lovely song

[Iron Horse-Apples]

Let me guess what is about to happen. The few dissenters, those who dare to say they don't know what all the fuss was about, are about to be labelled whiners, or haters. Their hackles suitably up, they will retaliate, and the latest set of rows will begin.  

Well let me add my voice to those dissenters.

I think it's .........alright. Good points. I Like the instrumentation at the beginning, and as usual for this period, Dennis's voice sounds wonderful. The song itself though. Really not brilliant by Dennis's standards. Much prefer the chord pattern in songs like Barbara, or 4th Of July. Melody rather uninspired.  VERY glad I didn't swap any CD's for that guy's 30 sec sample.

Certain amount of disappointment? Yes. I'd probably like it a lot more if it hadn't been so hyped up. This track ending the Surfs Up LP? No thanks.

[Wrightfan]

Really nice and pretty song. I kinda like Adam's arrangement better though  

[pixletwin]

Really nice and pretty song. I kinda like Adam's arrangement better though  

Yeah there some things Evie did which I think added more to the song and I was missing them in Dennis' delivery.

[grillo]

Perfect! As Good as I imagined.

[Cliff1000uk]

Gosh Darn it, how are you guys hearing WIBNTLA, before the box is scheduled for release?!?  

Favors of a dubious nature to the first one who puts it up on YouTube.  

It is released today.

Gosh Darn it, how are you guys hearing WIBNTLA, before the box is scheduled for release?!?  

Favors of a dubious nature to the first one who puts it up on YouTube.  

Edit: deleted!

Probably not a good idea.

I've taken the link down-sorry again!

[Jay]

Oh. My. God.  It was everything Andrew said, and more. Quite possibly the best vocal performance Dennis gave in his life. The version Evie Sands did was incredible(I caved and listened to the song a few weeks ago), but the original is just...other worldly. That build up to the "Who ever said..." verses, the backing vocals and the flute(or was it a keyboard?) during the solo...and those high notes on *I* know I/you can cry! Then those awesome Brian and Carl vocals at the end! Simply magical. Magic is probably the best word to describe it. I'm pretty sure that this is the kind of music you hear in Heaven.

My God, to have heard this in the control room as it was being recorded.  

[Mike's Beard]

Now here comes the fun part - revising the Surf's Up album to accommodate the 3 missing Dennis songs.

[Dunderhead]

WIBNTLA feels like a natural A-Side closer to me

[Amazing Larry]

WIBNTLA feels like a natural A-Side closer to me

I was JUST gonna post this.

[pixletwin]

WIBNTLA feels like a natural A-Side closer to me

Yup. Me too. I can't believe I am saying that after advocating it album close for so long.

[Lowbacca]

It simply adds to the weirdness of the Beach Boys' career and story that a gem like WIBNTLA remained unreleased for so long. Great track.

[FatherOfTheMan Sr101]

Wow. Haha. Wow....
Everything is better than expected! THAT ENDING IS A JAM!!!
The vocal.... some parts are INCREDIBLE while some parts are just alright.
Brian and Carl are there!!! That's always fantastic!!!
IT ROCKS HARDER TOO!!! ESPECIALLY COMPARED TO THE AMCB VERSION!!!!

I love the "music box" sound!!! Man.... this is fantastic.... more than expected, very very good!

[FatherOfTheMan Sr101]

1:19
Listen to this... seriously... okay.... if that doesn't give you a classic Beach Boys "Woodie" than damn... you're stronger than me!

[Mike's Beard]

WIBNTLA feels like a natural A-Side closer to me

True but then 4th of July has side closer written all over it too. Decisions, decisions.

[Lowbacca]

WIBNTLA feels like a natural A-Side closer to me

True but then 4th of July has side closer written all over it too. Decisions, decisions.

Better leave 'em both off the album then, just to be sure, and lazily rewrite a 50s tune instead.

[Mike's Beard]

WIBNTLA feels like a natural A-Side closer to me

True but then 4th of July has side closer written all over it too. Decisions, decisions.

Better leave 'em both off the album then, just to be sure, and lazily rewrite a 50s tune instead.

Excellent idea!

[Jay]

You know what? A song like this is almost to good for the Surf's Up album.  

They can release Student Demonstration Time, but put something like WIBNTLA back in the vaults? I'm sorry, but The Beach Boys are possibly the most clueless band in history. It just had to be said.  

[seltaeb1012002]

Damn, this is awesome! I can totally hear this being on Surf's Up.

That said, I can see why some people might not be impressed. Lyrically it doesn't stand up to "Forever", for instance.

But if you just let the music take you away...

Amazing production.

[Dunderhead]

It feels like it's lacking something, the outro doesn't really work, I wish the mix emphasized the moog a big more, etc. But still, it is a rock solid track.

[Fire Wind]

Well, that was fabulous.  I'd never heard the Adam Marsland version, though I knew Alan's version.  Dennis' one was much less raw and overly emotional than I had expected.  It kinda chamber-poppy, even.  Felt more like Dierdre than Cuddle Up.

[MBE]

Perfect music as far as my ears go.

[Mike's Beard]

Ok, here's to my ears how the 1971 Surf's Up album should have been. The addition of the 3 missing Dennis songs and the subtraction of 'the feet song' turn it from a flawed masterpiece into THE masterpiece of their careers for me.
I tried to jumble stuff around a bit more but couldn't for the life of me figure out how to split the final 3 Brian songs up in a way that worked. Also after hearing WIBNTLA for the 5th or 6th time I feel it could have quietly ended at the 3:46 min mark without losing any impact, it also then flows well into Lookin' At Tomorrow.

PS, anyone who complains about STD being included will be pistol whipped.

Dont Go Near the Water
Long promised road
Lady
Disney Girls
Student Demonstration Time
4th of July

Feel Flows
WIBNTLA (with a tasteful fade at the 3:45-3:47 minute mark)
Lookin' At Tomorrow
A Day in the Life of a Tree
'Till I Die
Surf's Up

[Dunderhead]

I actually like to include the live version of Riot from the Big Sur Folk Festival instead of SDT