With most of the dialogue falling into the “Mike Love=Satan incarnate, this is terrible travesty and insult the BB legacy” camp, I wanted to write a real review without the side banter – and this board of all places deserves one.
I am sure most of us have heard the music, but I wanted a fresh listen to Mike new album . . .
Let me just say, at this point, I feel getting any new material from Mike or Brian or Al is a bonus! (Though some may disagree)
Anyway, here goes my song-by-song review – but first, the album cover: The album cover is god awful, cringe worthy, strange and borderline embarrassing. If Mike were wearing a while robe and there was a cross in the background, it could not be stranger. . .
Now the music: The music is all over the place, and there is a lot of music, so I grouped the songs into 3 categories:
Group 1: New solo stuff
Group 2: Reworked old stuff
Group 3: Note for note recreation of old stuff
Group 1: New stuff . . .
1 -All the Love in Paris: Great song! The album’s first cut is enjoyable and pleasant. Nice vibe and good vocal from Mike. This is in contention for the best track on album, and features a great sax work by Dave Koz.
2 - Crescent Glow: Who is Morpheus? The Greek God of Dreams . . . I had to look that up.
I like Mike’s vocal on the previously leaked YouTube version much better. Yet basically the song is harmless - and another easy going soft rock song. The strange thing is, as IO write this, I can’t get the chorus out of my head . . . “ glow crescent glow . . “
3 - Too Cruel: Nice mid-tempo rocker, very catchy and fun – that being said, I like the YouTube version with ML son on lead vocal a better, but this is a good song.
4 - Cool Head, Warm Heart: Great song – with a BB vibe and powerful message!
5 - Pisces Brother: Another easy going soft rock tune – I know some may not agree with me, but I think Mike pulls this off. A nice tribute to George Harrison, without coming across as sappy or corny. I really don’t know how close George and Mike were, or if there was a relationship, but the song is believable.
6 - Unleash the Love: Title track is up-tempo and catchy! Acoustic guitar, horns, piano and kitchen sink work together with energy - well produced. Lyrically, a good message, with the exception of the line about Temples and Churches. And Mike would have done better to leave out the “God” reference IMO.
7 -Ram Raj: A departure from anything else on the album, and a departure from anything I would expect to hear from Mike. If you told me Dennis or Brian, yes, but not Mike. A pleasant surprise though. Reminds a little of Cool, Cool Water. I immediately had to listen a couple more times after I first heard it. I wonder if Mike could write an entire album of Ram Raj type of music? Would be epic!
8 - 10,000 Years: Similar in vibe to Ram Raj, but with some nice guitar and blues piano work and an edgy rock-n-roll vibe. For some reason, reminds me a little of the old John Stewart song, Gold.
9 - Only One Earth: Gospel flavor mixed with Mike doing a duet. Catchy, but I find any spoken words in any song to be awkward.
10 – Make Love Not War – I didn’t like this at first, if felt forced, and Mike’s live acoustic version YouTube is great, but when I listened with my head phones the song popped. Good vocal by Mike!
Summary: First a note regarding auto tune: I know all music has been subject to vocal processing for many years, and “auto tune” is part of our lives, so I am ignoring that for the moment. Those that have heard early version of these songs on YouTube, sans vocal processing, I understand your beef.
I would be happy and comfortable to have this have playing the in backgrounds at my next BBQ!
Group 2: Reworked old stuff . . .
First, let me say many artists rework old songs with new arrangements, new vocals, etc and I totally get that. “Lyla” by Clapton may be the most notable. I take no issue with Mike reworking old songs. (Keyword: “reworking.” More on that later.)
1 -Daybreak Over the Ocean: IMO a little better version than what was on TWGMTR - at 5 + minutes though, the song seems repetitive to me, but its ok.
2-I Don’t Want to Know: This song has been around for a long time. Organically sung by Doc Robinson with Mike’s Celebration band - Mike does a nice job on the lead vocal.
3-The Warmth of the Sun: Nice vocal by Ambha Love! Fresh arrangement works well IMO.
4-Kiss Me Baby: I really like this one too. The vocals are good and I assume that is Ambha Love as well singing with Mike?
5--Getcha Back: New and improved lyrics that tell a better story. Maybe because I can relate to these lyrics, having share of "getcha back moments" I was surprised how much I am liking this one! I Miss Carl’s great vocal, but this updated arrangement sounds fresh and new.
6- Brian’s Back. Good song, and Carl’s vocal is still stunning to me, and works well with the new arrangement. But why is this song on here? Brian has been back for a long time.
- - - - - - -
7-Darlin’: Nice version with fresh production, AJR does a nice job and the song has a ton of energy, but nothing will ever compare to Carl’s live vocal, and this pales in comparison. Why this is on Mike’s solo album, I am not sure??
8 - Do It Again: I like the Youtube video, I admit. The song is just a great song, so I would probably like most any version, and of all the versions Do It Again, this one is probably my least favorite. But I still like it. While this does not live up to the original, like Darlin’ this has a lot of energy.
9- Wild Honey: I appreciate John Cowsill revisiting this underrated tune, but just doesn’t do it for me compared to the original.
10-Help Me Rhonda: Lead vocal by Mike. Cringe worthy alertz!! The song starts out ok, but when Mike sings, “She was gonna be my wife and I was gonna be her man . . “ I hear finger nails on the chalk board, and Mike’s lead just can’t hold a candle to Al. Mike sounds like a Karaoke’ singer here . . . cringe worthy.
Summary: Getcha Back is the highlight, and I also like “I Don’t Want to Know.” “Daybreak” fits well with the first group of songs. Mike should have stopped betweem 12 or 16 songs . . . . . but I guess he just could not help himself . . . . so on to the next group of songs.
Group 3: Sometime less is more.
If you enjoy the occasional adult beverage, start drinking heavily before listening to the next group of tunes . .
As I mentioned, many artists rework old material and make new arrangements of old songs, or add new vocalists. I totally get that! However, recreating note-for-note new versions of some of the greatest music of all time is simply bastardizing your own legacy!!
Why Mike why! For the love of God, why?
? Why rerecord BB music?
It is not that the songs are all terrible – though IGA is (casual listeners may not notice this is not the Beach Boys . . . but why??) Hearing these classic songs drenched in auto tune - NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! It hurts my ears. I think I purchased a few K-tel albums back in the day before I knew better, but hey, I was 12 years old.
Please explain to me, why did Mike cut these songs, does anyone know? Was this a contractual thing?
Summary: Get the album and enjoy! One of the best BB solo efforts - there is a lot of good music and Mike’s new stuff is good! I was not sure what I was expecting, but this album is much better than I was expecting. Some awkward moments sure. Isn’t that trademark of all BB music? Yet this is a good album, good vocals, and great musicians (does anyone know who?)
However, . . . . Do yourself a HUGE favor and spend the extra money and buy the INDIVIDUAL tracks from Group 1, and songs 1-5 from Group 2. Sure, you will spend $15 or so rather than $12, but do not buy:
California Girls, Help Me Rhonda, I Get Around, Wouldn’t It Be Nice, Good Vibrations, or Fun Fun Fun . . . . . . trust me, you will be glad you did . . . .
BTW, I wanted to post this on Amazon, but Amazon won’t let me post review since I am not a verified purchase. (I purchased the album on Itunes)
Thank you . . . welcome your comments . . .