Wouldn't It Be Nice To Live Again

[MarcellaHasDirtyFeet]

Carli Munoz(sp?)? I thought Dennis was a co-writer on that. Or maybe it was just the music side of it. Still, Dennis recorded it, and the lyrics are far from "pedestrian".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9j0vSQzWt0



Here's a song I wrote last year.  I have chops for a 21 year old doing bedroom music-making (maybe not for singing though...). This song is at least 10X as good as "Got to Know The Woman" () Yes I'm not a lady. Lady Xoc was just a cool Maya queen (I'm into Mesoamerican archaeology/art history)

I strongly disagree that this song is better than Got to know the Woman, or any other Dennis song.

Honestly, all of this Dennis bashing is killing me. I got into the BBs because of POB. You know what happened when I heard the rest of their 70s material? Disappointment. I thought most of the BBs work was shallow, juvenile crap, and although I still feel that way, I'm hooked now. But I'm of the opinion that POB is the best album to come out of the band, of any time period, of any configuration. Bold statement. But POB is better than Love You by miles and miles, and I just had to get that off my chest.

[Disney Boy (1985)]

Carli Munoz(sp?)? I thought Dennis was a co-writer on that. Or maybe it was just the music side of it. Still, Dennis recorded it, and the lyrics are far from "pedestrian".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9j0vSQzWt0



Here's a song I wrote last year.  I have chops for a 21 year old doing bedroom music-making (maybe not for singing though...). This song is at least 10X as good as "Got to Know The Woman" () Yes I'm not a lady. Lady Xoc was just a cool Maya queen (I'm into Mesoamerican archaeology/art history)

I strongly disagree that this song is better than Got to know the Woman, or any other Dennis song.

Honestly, all of this Dennis bashing is killing me. I got into the BBs because of POB. You know what happened when I heard the rest of their 70s material? Disappointment. I thought most of the BBs work was shallow, juvenile crap, and although I still feel that way, I'm hooked now. But I'm of the opinion that POB is the best album to come out of the band, of any time period, of any configuration. Bold statement. But POB is better than Love You by miles and miles, and I just had to get that off my chest.

Mate, you are extremely accurate. Dennis' song-writing was tremendous, he was by some distance the most consistently great writer during the '70's, and considering how under-rated he was by the band throughout his lifetime, it's disheartening to say the least to see him continuing to be under-appreciated by the fans.

Love You is a fine record, with some awesome moments, but mostly just fun, quirky pop. POB is so much more than that however, and I agree that it's probably the greatest Beach Boys-related release of the '70's. Only Sunflower and Holland can rival it in terms of consistent quality.

The wide dislike of Dennis' music on here was a real shock when I first joined the message board. Before joining here, I'd long held the opinion that the '60's belonged to Brian and from around '69-70 Dennis overtook him and became the best songwriter in the group. I'd assumed this would be a universal opinion because, well, look at the evidence...

And yet... Someone earlier commented re River Song: 'it sounds incomplete'. And I just found myself thinking 'What are you talking about?' River Song is easily in the top 5 of great '70's Beach Boys tracks.

But I guess his music is just one of those things that you either love or hate - or rather, you get it or you don't. I pity those who can't get into it however, as I can assure them that getting it is truly wonderful and makes for an awe-inspiring listening experience. Still, they've always got TWGMTR. Mmm, yeah. Listen to that auto-tune. Really digging that painfully slight melody. Ooh, that lacklustre guitar solo has got me dancing round the room. 

[Nicko1234]

But I guess his music is just one of those things that you either love or hate - or rather, you get it or you don't. 

Nah.

I would say that the vast majority of people on this board are positive about Dennis's music. If a few people have had critical opinions in this thread that doesn't change that and they are entitled to their thoughts.

It's not about getting it or not getting it either. The songs are not exactly impenetrable musically or lyrically.

[rab2591]

LOL some of you people need to get over the fact that some people have different opinions and tastes. I think we can share our opinions without the holier-than-thou attitude.

Also: one thing that irks me here is that people assume that if you're a Beach Boy fan you should automatically love POB. It's unlike any music The Beach Boys ever released (for the mostpart). It's raw, unhinged rock and roll, some of it is completely out of left field - and it's all beautiful. But it's a totally different style of music from the days of Fun Fun Fun. God forbid a Beach Boys fan who loves harmony and songs about cars/surf likes TWGMTR over POB or any other Dennis track from that period.

[MarcellaHasDirtyFeet]

Right on, Disney Boy! Well said.

As far as "harmony" goes, Not every song that Dennis did had harmonies, yes, and that was incongruent with the BB template. I wish that he had added harmony to those tunes, but only if the harmonies made sense and improved the song. I guess they weren't always necessary.

But when Dennis did add harmony, it was always beautiful. It wasn't the freewheeling, complex and baroque vocal arrangement style as Brian (tough to compare), but he definitely learned from Brian, as evidenced by his love for deep bass vocal harmonies. And Dennis' harmonies always hit the "sweet" spot, IMO.

I've also found Dennis' double tracking (on POB and Bambu) to be expert. You'd think that there would be no way to match up two takes with that ruined voice, but he almost seemed to "harmonize" with himself, albeit on the se pitch. His two leads wouldn't match up perfectly, but the one would complement the other and lead to an excellent double tracked lead vocal. He really had become a monster in the studio for a couple years in the 70s.

[The Shift]

I can still remember hearing POB for the first time. Bought it in a bargain bin in (I think) Sheffield in 1982, while sniffing out the Uni there for possible media degree (turned out you needed A-levels to get in… how inconvenient!).

I was just recently back from a trip to Canada during which we'd been taken by coach to a basketball game in Seattle. Somehow the music on POB summoned up images of the vast landscape we'd journeyed through, and I was awestruck by the scope of the music – it seemed as endless and open as BC and Washington State's landscape.  Far, far superior to much of the Beach Boys' output I'd heard at that stage in my fandom.

Can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to hearing any fresh Dennis material on MIC, and would relish any future release of solo Dennis material, as unlikely as that might sound.  His music is pure soul, pure smouldering emotion, yet inspired, innovative at the same time.  The only artist I can compare him alongside (I've said this before here) is the UK folk/blues/hiphop/uncategorisable singer/guitarist john Martyn. Two guys with huge hearts, mischief makers, self-abusers, who put so much of themselves into their music, and who both left us before their time was up, leaving huge holes in my life.

[Jon Stebbins]

Carli Munoz(sp?)? I thought Dennis was a co-writer on that. Or maybe it was just the music side of it. Still, Dennis recorded it, and the lyrics are far from "pedestrian".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9j0vSQzWt0



Here's a song I wrote last year.  I have chops for a 21 year old doing bedroom music-making (maybe not for singing though...). This song is at least 10X as good as "Got to Know The Woman" () Yes I'm not a lady. Lady Xoc was just a cool Maya queen (I'm into Mesoamerican archaeology/art history)

I strongly disagree that this song is better than Got to know the Woman, or any other Dennis song.

Honestly, all of this Dennis bashing is killing me. I got into the BBs because of POB. You know what happened when I heard the rest of their 70s material? Disappointment. I thought most of the BBs work was shallow, juvenile crap, and although I still feel that way, I'm hooked now. But I'm of the opinion that POB is the best album to come out of the band, of any time period, of any configuration. Bold statement. But POB is better than Love You by miles and miles, and I just had to get that off my chest.

Mate, you are extremely accurate. Dennis' song-writing was tremendous, he was by some distance the most consistently great writer during the '70's, and considering how under-rated he was by the band throughout his lifetime, it's disheartening to say the least to see him continuing to be under-appreciated by the fans.

Love You is a fine record, with some awesome moments, but mostly just fun, quirky pop. POB is so much more than that however, and I agree that it's probably the greatest Beach Boys-related release of the '70's. Only Sunflower and Holland can rival it in terms of consistent quality.

The wide dislike of Dennis' music on here was a real shock when I first joined the message board. Before joining here, I'd long held the opinion that the '60's belonged to Brian and from around '69-70 Dennis overtook him and became the best songwriter in the group. I'd assumed this would be a universal opinion because, well, look at the evidence...

Not really any evidence of "wide dislike" of Dennis' music on this board...there was a recent poll here about best Beach Boys solo LP and POB won it easily. I think the contrary opinion tends to stand out a bit because it seems so shockingly wrong to the majority of us who love and appreciate all the great Dennis music. But ya know there's a lot of people who can't stand the Beach Boys too...or people who say all their stuff sounds alike and its shallow, predictable etc...

[Loaf]

Carli Munoz(sp?)? I thought Dennis was a co-writer on that. Or maybe it was just the music side of it. Still, Dennis recorded it, and the lyrics are far from "pedestrian".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9j0vSQzWt0



Here's a song I wrote last year.  I have chops for a 21 year old doing bedroom music-making (maybe not for singing though...). This song is at least 10X as good as "Got to Know The Woman" () Yes I'm not a lady. Lady Xoc was just a cool Maya queen (I'm into Mesoamerican archaeology/art history)

I strongly disagree that this song is better than Got to know the Woman, or any other Dennis song.

Honestly, all of this Dennis bashing is killing me. I got into the BBs because of POB. You know what happened when I heard the rest of their 70s material? Disappointment. I thought most of the BBs work was shallow, juvenile crap, and although I still feel that way, I'm hooked now. But I'm of the opinion that POB is the best album to come out of the band, of any time period, of any configuration. Bold statement. But POB is better than Love You by miles and miles, and I just had to get that off my chest.

Mate, you are extremely accurate. Dennis' song-writing was tremendous, he was by some distance the most consistently great writer during the '70's, and considering how under-rated he was by the band throughout his lifetime, it's disheartening to say the least to see him continuing to be under-appreciated by the fans.

Love You is a fine record, with some awesome moments, but mostly just fun, quirky pop. POB is so much more than that however, and I agree that it's probably the greatest Beach Boys-related release of the '70's. Only Sunflower and Holland can rival it in terms of consistent quality.

The wide dislike of Dennis' music on here was a real shock when I first joined the message board. Before joining here, I'd long held the opinion that the '60's belonged to Brian and from around '69-70 Dennis overtook him and became the best songwriter in the group. I'd assumed this would be a universal opinion because, well, look at the evidence...

Not really any evidence of "wide dislike" of Dennis' music on this board...there was a recent poll here about best Beach Boys solo LP and POB won it easily. I think the contrary opinion tends to stand out a bit because it seems so shockingly wrong to the majority of us who love and appreciate all the great Dennis music. But ya know there's a lot of people who can't stand the Beach Boys too.

And many of them seem to post on this board 

[pmugghc]

Re opinions of River Song being incomplete: if anything I think the released version was overproduced. I much prefer the earlier BB version with heavier guitars. Just my opinion. Hope it gets out on MIC.

[Mikie]

But I guess his music is just one of those things that you either love or hate - or rather, you get it or you don't. 

Nah.

I would say that the vast majority of people on this board are positive about Dennis's music. If a few people have had critical opinions in this thread that doesn't change that and they are entitled to their thoughts.

It's not about getting it or not getting it either. The songs are not exactly impenetrable musically or lyrically.

Yep!  Well stated, Nick!

[theCOD]

(song kicks into sappy ballad mode)
IIIIIII
LLLOOOOOOOOOOVVVVEEEE
YOOOUUUUUUU
IIIIIIIII
DOOOOOOOOOOO

That's what every Dennis Wilson song sounds like to me. I think the only good song he ever wrote was "Little Bird."

Every one huh? Slip On Through? River Song? Holy Man? Celebrate The News? San Miguel? Sound Of Free? Rainbows? You and I? They all sound like that? Reminds me of the people who say every Brian Wilson song has that same annoying WHOOO-OOOO falsetto thing, like at the end of Fun Fun Fun...every one, they're all the same. Not.

I forgot "Slip on Through" - that's a pretty good one, although I can't remember the last time I listened to it. The rest are boring. I've avoided this thread because I wouldn't spend a dollar on the song being discussed, but Murry's comment was too funny to ignore.

[Jon Stebbins]

(song kicks into sappy ballad mode)
IIIIIII
LLLOOOOOOOOOOVVVVEEEE
YOOOUUUUUUU
IIIIIIIII
DOOOOOOOOOOO

That's what every Dennis Wilson song sounds like to me. I think the only good song he ever wrote was "Little Bird."

Every one huh? Slip On Through? River Song? Holy Man? Celebrate The News? San Miguel? Sound Of Free? Rainbows? You and I? They all sound like that? Reminds me of the people who say every Brian Wilson song has that same annoying WHOOO-OOOO falsetto thing, like at the end of Fun Fun Fun...every one, they're all the same. Not.

I've avoided this thread because I wouldn't spend a dollar on the song being discussed, but Murry's comment was too funny to ignore.

Multiple posts and citing comments in a thread you are "avoiding" eh? I'd say you're curiously engaged for an avoider.

[The Shift]

Closet Dennis admirer! 

[theCOD]

(song kicks into sappy ballad mode)
IIIIIII
LLLOOOOOOOOOOVVVVEEEE
YOOOUUUUUUU
IIIIIIIII
DOOOOOOOOOOO

That's what every Dennis Wilson song sounds like to me. I think the only good song he ever wrote was "Little Bird."

Every one huh? Slip On Through? River Song? Holy Man? Celebrate The News? San Miguel? Sound Of Free? Rainbows? You and I? They all sound like that? Reminds me of the people who say every Brian Wilson song has that same annoying WHOOO-OOOO falsetto thing, like at the end of Fun Fun Fun...every one, they're all the same. Not.

I've avoided this thread because I wouldn't spend a dollar on the song being discussed, but Murry's comment was too funny to ignore.

Multiple posts and citing comments in a thread you are "avoiding" eh? I'd say you're curiously engaged for an avoider.

I'll read just about any thread if I'm bored enough. I only intended to post once, but wanted to correct myself after you mentioned "Slip on Through". It's definitely one of the best on Sunflower. I appreciate Dennis as a singer, but not as a songwriter. No offense to those that do.

[Mikie]

He's already made a decision not to spend a buck on the song (Wouldn't It Be Nice To Live Again) even though he hasn't heard it yet.

But he agrees that Slip On Through is "a good one".......

[theCOD]

He's already made a decision not to spend a buck on the song (Wouldn't It Be Nice To Live Again) even though he hasn't heard it yet.

But he agrees that Slip On Through is "a good one".......

I've heard the covers. All I have to do is imagine Dennis wheezing over it and it's almost like I'm listening to the real thing.

[bonnevillemariner]

I have a problem with the need to "get" certain music in order to like it.  I realize that an appreciation for music increases the more you get it (i.e., the more you understand the interlacing of context, style, personality, circumstance, etc.), but I take issue when somebody tells me that I don't like something because I don't get it.  I get the Dennis stuff, at least to an extent.  And I don't like most of it.  I probably wouldn't pay a dollar for any released Dennis song (individually), with the exception of Morning Christmas.  Of course I'm interested to hear WIBNTLA, but I certainly don't expect to be blown away by it.

[Paulos]

I don’t think i’m trying to sell any idea, just offering my opinion on the matter. I don’t think River Song is anything special. I’m not gonna do backflips because it has a choir on it. However, you just reminded me of something i definitely should have included in my list above: Mexico. That’s a good one, how come no one around here ever mentions it? That melody and those chord changes are evocative and interesting and it’s a great arrangement. 

I absolutely adore Mexico and I'm also surprised that no-one else seems to ever mention it. It has a very epic feel, I think it would be perfect music for an Attenborough style documentary.

[Jon Stebbins]

I have a problem with the need to "get" certain music in order to like it.  I realize that an appreciation for music increases the more you get it (i.e., the more you understand the interlacing of context, style, personality, circumstance, etc.), but I take issue when somebody tells me that I don't like something because I don't get it.  I get the Dennis stuff, at least to an extent.  And I don't like most of it.  

Someone was just saying this to me about Pet Sounds and Smile. They said it all sounds the same, they get it, but they don't like it. I guess its possible to not like something that is great...but it feels so bad to hear about it.

[Sheriff John Stone]

I don’t think i’m trying to sell any idea, just offering my opinion on the matter. I don’t think River Song is anything special. I’m not gonna do backflips because it has a choir on it. However, you just reminded me of something i definitely should have included in my list above: Mexico. That’s a good one, how come no one around here ever mentions it? That melody and those chord changes are evocative and interesting and it’s a great arrangement. 

I absolutely adore Mexico and I'm also surprised that no-one else seems to ever mention it. It has a very epic feel, I think it would be perfect music for an Attenborough style documentary.

Love "Mexico". It kind of reminds me of an early Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass piece. "Mexico" is the kind of Dennis music I was trying to describe above; it's very deep, visual, emotional, expressive - even though it's an instrumental! To address monicker's comment as to why nobody mentions it, I'm assuming as one of Dennis's best, maybe it's because of the repetitiveness of the track; it almost has an experimental, not quite finished feel to it. But, yeah, I truly love it.

[TimmyC]

Not a huge Dennis as songwriter fan, but Slip on Through is absolutely phenomenal. Love, love,  LOVE IT. River Song is also excellent. Little Bird and Be With Me are great on Friends. Celebrate the News and Never Learn Not to Love are interesting. But that's probably about it for me... having said that I still haven't fully listened to POB. I definitely will at some point.... and who knows, maybe I'll convert!

[Dave Modny]

I have a problem with the need to "get" certain music in order to like it.  I realize that an appreciation for music increases the more you get it (i.e., the more you understand the interlacing of context, style, personality, circumstance, etc.), but I take issue when somebody tells me that I don't like something because I don't get it.  I get the Dennis stuff, at least to an extent.  And I don't like most of it.  

Someone was just saying this to me about Pet Sounds and Smile. They said it all sounds the same, they get it, but they don't like it. I guess its possible to not like something that is great...but it feels so bad to hear about it.

That's can often be a heartbreaking thing for me to hear, as well, when I hold a recording in high reverence.

For me, music is the most visceral and emotional aural experience I can think of: A harmony or chord progression; The way a singer phrases/turns a note or the unique *sound* of their voice; The organic way the instruments all mesh together and the related production values; The way the lyrics *compliment* the melody and mood, trumping any literal meaning; An unexpected moment. In summation, the parts over any sum. Yes, having an understanding of the artist's mindset and the technical/structural aspects of the recording can certainly enhance that experience, but it's never been the primary or driving force for me in terms of enjoyment. When I hear so much detail, beauty and micro-diversity in something, only to hear someone say "it all sounds the same," I can't help but admit that it stings a bit. Unfortunately, that's the Catch-22: Music is also one of the most personal experiences I can think of.

I guess that's why I've always enjoyed the Beach Boys best music (e.g. Pet Sounds). It's that tapestry of sounds and how it can make the hair on the back of by neck stand up at times. For me, there's never been anything I've needed to "get" as far as that goes. It's not, or is only rarely an intellectual experience for me [and that's NOT saying that music, both in structure and execution, can't be an intellectual process]. The music just flows over me.

[chris.metcalfe]

I've now heard the worst music that exists on Youtube.

 

[Mikie]

I get the Dennis stuff, at least to an extent.  And I don't like most of it.  I probably wouldn't pay a dollar for any released Dennis song (individually), with the exception of Morning Christmas.  Of course I'm interested to hear WIBNTLA, but I certainly don't expect to be blown away by it.

Wow.


WOW!!

[MarcellaHasDirtyFeet]

As a hardcore Dennis fan, I am ashamed to admit that "Mexico" isn't one of my favorites. It sounds like a soundtrack to a visual piece, in that it doesn't stand on its own IMO. Beautiful for the first few iterations, but it loses me after a couple "verses."

Back on topic... I've not heard the WIBNTLA covers. I'm saving myself for the original. Sorry Adam!