Several new reviews

[Nicko1234]

The album was discussed by two reviewers on Ireland`s RTE show last night and can be listened to here:

http://www.rte.ie/radio1/arena/

The discussion starts at around 37:00

Those who aren`t interested in what reviewers have to say obviously don`t have to 

[Mike's Beard]

Remember folks, anyone who dares post links to reviews that are anything less than glowing 5/5 writeups are bad people who hate Brian Wilson and no doubt kick stray cats when they think no one is watching. Got that?

[Nicko1234]

A lengthy and generally positive review in The Independent here:

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/brian-wilson-no-pier-pressure--album-review-a-loving-reminder-of-how-much-he-has-given-pop-and-why-we-still-cherish-him-10154468.html

And a positive review in the Telegraph:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/cdreviews/11510937/Brian-Wilson-Pier-Pressure-review-resonant-with-nostalgia-and-loss.html

[Nicko1234]

And apologies if this article has appeared in a similar form elsewhere:

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/04/04/brian-wilson-on-the-beach-boys-rivalry-with-the-beatles-and-flying-solo.html

[beatnickle]

Remember folks, anyone who dares post links to reviews that are anything less than glowing 5/5 writeups are bad people who hate Brian Wilson and no doubt kick stray cats when they think no one is watching. Got that?

That's too bad.  I am one who is a bit underwhelmed by the songs on No Pier Pressure except for a couple. I really like On an Island.
I keep holding him up to his old standards which is asking too much but no one can accuse me of not loving Brian.

[shelter]

A review in Dutch by one of the leading Dutch newspapers:
http://www.ad.nl/ad/nl/5602/Muziek/article/detail/3943285/2015/04/04/Beach-Boys-oprichter-Brian-Wilson-terug-met-matige-cd.dhtml

It's pretty negative, but then again, what can you expect from a journalist who writes things like "The world is craving for a new masterpiece by this equally brilliant as tragic pop legend, but gets dissapointed yet again" (I suppose he missed TLOS and TWGMTR) and "Maybe it's time to accept that Brian Wilson will never make another Pet Sounds or Smile" (yeah, cause that's what everyone was expecting from a 72 year old Brian Wilson... just like everyone expect a new Paul McCartney album to be another Sgt. Pepper, right?).

[job]

Yeah, thank goodness for those 3 star German reviews that helped it all go down smooth.

I think the phrase is...Don`t shoot the messenger!

Unless of course the messenger is cherry picking.  Fire away!!!

[Nicko1234]

Yeah, thank goodness for those 3 star German reviews that helped it all go down smooth.

I think the phrase is...Don`t shoot the messenger!

Unless of course the messenger is cherry picking.  Fire away!!!

These are the reviews. If you know of others then simply post them.

Interviews in the LA Times:

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-brian-wilson-20150404-story.html#page=1

[GhostyTMRS]

This seems to be a strange time with regards to the media's relationship to Brian Wilson. I think if NPP had come out the exact same way 10 years ago we would be reading nothing but overwhelmingly positive reviews.

[Nicko1234]

A brief and breezy review in The Express:

Brian Wilson: No Pier Pressure (Virgin/EMI)

The Beatles were stunned by The Beach Boys’ Surf’s Up, Bob Dylan has said that Wilson should leave his ear to The Smithsonian museum and the rest of us are probably tornbetween whether Good Vibrations or God Only Knows is the finest pop single ever.

All of this sets the bar high for any new Wilson album and though this, his 11th studio album, is chock-full of sweet tunes, too often sweet turns to saccharine (On The Island, sung by She & Him’s Zooey Deschanel) or veers into easy listening (Our Special Love).

VERDICT: 3/5

[Nicko1234]

An alternative review from The Guardian:

http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/apr/05/brian-wilson-no-pier-pressure-review

And this Babelfish utilizing effort:

http://www.bulletinstandard.com/entertainment/album-evaluation-brian-wilson-no-pier-pressure-h5975.html

[Nicko1234]

Several new reviews (apologies if already posted):

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/latest-brains-behind-beach-boys-article-1.2172783

http://www.whittierdailynews.com/arts-and-entertainment/20150406/brian-wilsons-no-pier-pressure-his-best-solo-album-yet

http://news.yahoo.com/music-review-brian-wilson-back-evocative-album-194513430.html

[coco1997]

Did the Yahoo review really refer to Al as Brian's "cousin"?

[Nicko1234]

A review that won`t be to everybody`s tastes (to say the least):

http://www.popmatters.com/review/192092-brian-wilson-no-pier-pressure/

Boston Globe review:

http://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/music/2015/04/06/wilson-rides-familiar-wave-guest-packed-new-album/ja078GQaekW5mluaYk7vVN/story.html

[D409]

A review that won`t be to everybody`s tastes (to say the least):

http://www.popmatters.com/review/192092-brian-wilson-no-pier-pressure/

Boston Globe review:

http://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/music/2015/04/06/wilson-rides-familiar-wave-guest-packed-new-album/ja078GQaekW5mluaYk7vVN/story.html

That Pop Matters review pretty much sums it up for me...

[Micha]

Did the Yahoo review really refer to Al as Brian's "cousin"?

Well, somebody's got to be Brian's cousin, it might just as well be Al!

[beatnickle]

A review that won`t be to everybody`s tastes (to say the least):

http://www.popmatters.com/review/192092-brian-wilson-no-pier-pressure/

Boston Globe review:

http://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/music/2015/04/06/wilson-rides-familiar-wave-guest-packed-new-album/ja078GQaekW5mluaYk7vVN/story.html

That Pop Matters review pretty much sums it up for me...

Yeah...... unfortunately, I have to agree,

[Nicko1234]

Review of the deluxe edition in the Calgary Herald - 3/5

http://www.pressreader.com/canada/calgary-herald/20150407/282325383487245/TextView

[Fire Wind]

I don't think much of the rather thoughtless Popmatters review.  It suggests the old Brian-as-dancing bear scenario with Joe Thomas at the helm, rather than the more believable idea that Brian is actually into this (regardless of what one thinks of the results).  As for the guests, it's clear that Brian wanted to spend time producing other artists in the past.  Here, he had the chance to do so, unencumbered by other commitments.  He may not have followed their careers beforehand, but I don't doubt he found it pleasing to be introduced to the young folk and to produce them.

[Nicko1234]

More reviews:

From Liverpool: 4/5

http://www.liverpoolsoundandvision.co.uk/2015/04/07/brian-wilson-no-pier-pressure-album-review/

From Sweden: 2/5

http://www.smp.se/kultur-noje/brian-wilson-no-pier-pressure/

Oakland Press:

http://www.theoaklandpress.com/arts-and-entertainment/20150406/listening-room-brian-wilson-kristian-bush-lord-huron-umphreys-mcgee

[18thofMay]

A review that won`t be to everybody`s tastes (to say the least):

http://www.popmatters.com/review/192092-brian-wilson-no-pier-pressure/

Boston Globe review:

http://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/music/2015/04/06/wilson-rides-familiar-wave-guest-packed-new-album/ja078GQaekW5mluaYk7vVN/story.html

That Pop Matters review pretty much sums it up for me...

Yeah...... unfortunately, I have to agree,

W + anchors

[phirnis]

A review that won`t be to everybody`s tastes (to say the least):

http://www.popmatters.com/review/192092-brian-wilson-no-pier-pressure/

Boston Globe review:

http://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/music/2015/04/06/wilson-rides-familiar-wave-guest-packed-new-album/ja078GQaekW5mluaYk7vVN/story.html

That Pop Matters review pretty much sums it up for me...

Yeah...... unfortunately, I have to agree,

As a whole the review's a bit too harsh for my personal taste but I do agree with some of the sentiments expressed, especially with regards to the guest vocalists. In a funny way the review reminds me of the time when the #1 anecdote about Joe Thomas circulating among BW fans was how he once attempted to make the band play "Caroline, No" in a way that made it sound like a "sexy, Sade-like" thing.

[mikeddonn]

A review that won`t be to everybody`s tastes (to say the least):

http://www.popmatters.com/review/192092-brian-wilson-no-pier-pressure/

Boston Globe review:

http://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/music/2015/04/06/wilson-rides-familiar-wave-guest-packed-new-album/ja078GQaekW5mluaYk7vVN/story.html

That Pop Matters review pretty much sums it up for me...

Just a pity it's factually incorrect and seems to come from someone who doesn't have a clue about Brian Wilson.

[Emdeeh]

Another semi-clueless review:

http://overmental.com/content/new-music-monday-brian-wilson-matt-and-kim-the-mountain-goats-and-more-12126

NEW MUSIC MONDAY: BRIAN WILSON, MATT AND KIM, THE MOUNTAIN GOATS, AND MORE!
by Jack
on April 6, 2015

Happy Monday music maniacs! Like new stuff? Great! You’ve come to the right place. Each week all sorts of audiolicious goodies are unleashed onto the masses and this is where they come to be judged. I’ll tell ya what’s good, what’s bad, and what’s a waste of your time. Thanks for stopping by!

The Big News!

First things first [....]

Ok, so the BIG news this week is the release of ex/current/ex/current Beach Boy, the great enigma of rock and roll, Brian Wilson’s stupidly titled new album No Pier Pressure. There was a time when this was supposed to be a collaboration with legendary legend Jeff Beck, but that all fizzled out. Instead it features guests like She and Him, Kacey Musgraves, and a few Beach Boys without the last name Wilson. Yahoo Music says the record “offers ample reason to celebrate the extended solo career that has followed his Beach Boys’ journey.” Me, I’m not buying it, haven’t been sold on any of Wilson’s stuff lately. For instance, the song below sounds half finished, like it’s missing something. These guys mail it in.

[The Right Time video link]

[Compost]

http://www.metacritic.com/music/no-pier-pressure/brian-wilson

metacritic at 58%

My personal 2 cents is that it is an album of well-done fromage.  Very little that I would publicly share but I might privately enjoy parts of it on occasion.