Redux: That's Why God Made The Radio

[pixletwin]

If there is one thing unique in Beach Boys Fandom it is our obsession with second guessing track lists and coming up with our own "alternate reality".

It should surprise no one then that I have come up with my own fantasy That's Why God Made The Radio. I took out what I perceived as the weakest songs and replaced them with songs that, to me, made the album seem more cohesive and feeling like a true reunion/farewell (however you choose to look at it) album.

Without further ado, I give you Pixletwin's "That's Why God Made The Radio".

Side One
1. Think About The Days
2. That's Why God Made The Radio
3. isn't It Time? (J-Jam remix)
4. Spring Vacation
5. Soul Searchin' (MiC version)
6. Daybreak Over The Ocean
7. Waves of Love

Side Two
1. Shelter
2. You're Still A Mystery (MiC)
3. Strange World
4. My Love Lives One (MiC)
5. From There To Back Again
6. Pacific Coast Highway
7. Summer's Gone

I feel bringing Carl and Dennis into the lineup and a bit more emphasis on Al really lets the album take on a whole new dimension.

Am I the only one who obsesses about this? Anyone else have a TWGMTR track list they created? I would like to hear about it.

[bluesno1fann]

To be honest, I find that the released album is fine as it is.

I probably would have added Waves Of Love, but other than that I wouldn't change a thing

[Gabo]

I'm glad Waves Of Love was left off. It's not a very good song, and Al already released it on his solo album.

[bluesno1fann]

I'm glad Waves Of Love was left off. It's not a very good song, and Al already released it on his solo album.

It was put on Postcard from California on a reissue after TWGMTR was released. It wasn't on the original album

[Mr. Wilson]

Well im certainly glad you took off Beaches + Bill and Sue.. Weak songs.. Spring Vacation is close to an exit stage left also.. You did a good job tho.. Just remember there is another bunch of songs in the can that we haven't heard.. According to Rolling Stone they recorded 28 songs.. How many they finished they didn't say..

[Jim V.]

I'm glad Waves Of Love was left off. It's not a very good song, and Al already released it on his solo album.

It was put on Postcard from California on a reissue after TWGMTR was released. It wasn't on the original album

Nope, not true. It was put out on the reissue of Postcard in early '12, but TWGMTR was not yet released when the new version of Al's album came out.

[lostbeachboy]

This album was bad. Period.

Having deceased members on a new album would just be creepy...

[Shady]

Over time I'm starting to understand this album had zero of The Beach Boys soul.

It's decent but it's not a Beach Boys record.

[Gabo]

Over time I'm starting to understand this album had zero of The Beach Boys soul.

It's decent but it's not a Beach Boys record.

you know me too well Shady xoxoxo

[pixletwin]

I'll take that as a resounding "NO!" then. 

[alf wiedersehen]

I can see what you were trying to do with the "My Love Lives On" and the two 90's Beach Boy tracks, but they kinda seem like odd inclusions.

[pixletwin]

I thought so too, initially. But sonically they aren't that different from the 2012 tracks.

As for the creepiness factor, I understand that angle but, hey, I liked Free as a Bird and Real Love.

[Dudd]

If there is one thing unique in Beach Boys Fandom it is our obsession with second guessing track lists and coming up with our own "alternate reality."

Hit the nail on the head with that one.

Decent tracklist, I think. Still a very flawed album, but I think it would have benefitted from those 90s tracks. Maybe some of the TLOS outtakes too?

[The Heartical Don]

Over time I'm starting to understand this album had zero of The Beach Boys soul.

It's decent but it's not a Beach Boys record.

Agree only partially. Main objection: context. The title track is pure, unadulterated Beach Boys, it might as well have been on All Summer Long, with a few minor production changes. There are other fine tracks.

My problem: it has a couple of clunkers, Mike Love stylee, and Private Life is simply, eh, too simple for me.

[kwan_dk]

3. isn't It Time? (J-Jam remix)

Erhm,... maybe I've missed something. What's this? The faster single mix?

[shelter]

TWGMTR is probably still somewhere in my top 10 of most enjoyable BB albums.

[Sheriff John Stone]

If there is one thing unique in Beach Boys Fandom it is our obsession with second guessing track lists and coming up with our own "alternate reality".

It should surprise no one then that I have come up with my own fantasy That's Why God Made The Radio. I took out what I perceived as the weakest songs and replaced them with songs that, to me, made the album seem more cohesive and feeling like a true reunion/farewell (however you choose to look at it) album.

Without further ado, I give you Pixletwin's "That's Why God Made The Radio".

Side One
1. Think About The Days
2. That's Why God Made The Radio
3. isn't It Time? (J-Jam remix)
4. Spring Vacation
5. Soul Searchin' (MiC version)
6. Daybreak Over The Ocean
7. Waves of Love

Side Two
1. Shelter
2. You're Still A Mystery (MiC)
3. Strange World
4. My Love Lives One (MiC)
5. From There To Back Again
6. Pacific Coast Highway
7. Summer's Gone

I feel bringing Carl and Dennis into the lineup and a bit more emphasis on Al really lets the album take on a whole new dimension.

Am I the only one who obsesses about this? Anyone else have a TWGMTR track list they created? I would like to hear about it.

Your proposed tracklist is an improvement; I like it. However, I think I would substitute "Don't Fight The Sea" for "Waves Of Love" (which is too generic and the lyrics are horrible), and I would not have minded a Bruce Johnston song instead of "My Love Lives On" (one Al song is enough).

A little off topic but I will always wish they would've released "Spring Vacation" in, well, the spring of 2012, a few weeks before the album was released. I think it's one of the best songs on the album, it sounds like a commercial single, it sounds like The Beach Boys.

[the professor]

anyone who does not enjoy SV has formulated a concept about hating it without ever having actually "heard" the song or cruised down PCH with it blaring.

[Mendota Heights]

TWGMTR is probably still somewhere in my top 10 of most enjoyable BB albums.

It's in my Top 30.

[Justin]

The album still works for me as it did when it was first released.  The Life Suite still tugs on the old heartstrings and I still haven't heard it without tearing up just a little.  I mostly ignore the middle section and pretend like those songs don't exist but they are what they are...nothing I can do about it.  If it turns out to be the final Beach Boys record (and it definitely looks to be the case)...it's very fitting...a mix of corny and heartfelt music covered in exquisite vocals.  Fine by me.

[Emdeeh]

The one change I make to the playlist lineup for TWGMTR is to move "Strange World" to the end of the album. That way, it closes on a more upbeat note than on "Summer's Gone" (which, tho pretty, leaves me feeling quite depressed).

[rab2591]

Really like it, especially the inclusion of My Love Lives On. However, I would've made it the last song on side 1 (and make Soul Searchin the last song on side 2). Also, I would keep off You're Still A Mystery and Waves of Love - make it a 12 song album.

Side One
1. Think About The Days
2. That's Why God Made The Radio
3. isn't It Time?
4. Daybreak Over The Ocean
5. Strange World
6. My Love Lives One (MiC)

Side Two
1. Spring Vacation
2. Shelter
3. From There To Back Again
4. Pacific Coast Highway
5. Summer's Gone
6. Soul Searchin' (MiC)

Ps, I too am curious about this J-Jam mix of Isn't It Time...

[Mr. Wilson]

OOPS I forgot Don't fight the sea.. Yea that works well on the lp.. TWGMTR is a excellent lp something to be proud of.. Oh I have cruised PCH hundreds of time and I still find SV.. OK at best right now anyway..  I wish they had recorded something really up tempo like SUSA.. That fast Chuck Berry style song  with harmonies and letting David rip on guitar.. Maybe its in the can awaiting a release.. Something pure R+R would have been icing on the cake..

[pixletwin]

I like Dont' FIght The Sea - especially because it features discernible vocals from Al, Brian, Carl, Bruce, and Mike.... I actually do have it on my playlist as a bonus track... The reason why I don't include it is because it reminds me too much of California Dreamin'. It's almost a rewrite of CaliDream. It's kind of kitschy in that way to me.

J-Jam is a member here  believe. I don't remember. But the link to download his mix is likely buried somewhere. It basically marries the LP and single version of Isn't It Time. It is a bit over long, but I like having both Mike and Jeff sing that little bit about the sun going down. Jeff's tremolo when he sings the "ness" in "kindness" is starting to bug me though. 

[Smilin Ed H]

I don't particularly like Spring Vacation, Isn't It Time, Daybreak or Beaches in Mind.
I don't mind Bill and Sue, Shelter and the title track.
The remaining tracks are the best things they've done since LA, with the exception of From There To Back Again, which is just a great track full stop. Overall, their most satisfying album since Love You, but the Dennis sung/Dennis written tracks on LA are better than most of TWGMTR.
My dark horse track is Strange World. It sounds like it could have come from TLOS and would have been better than most of that album.