TLOS Speculation

[Andrew G. Doe]

Um, you listened to the vocals on that ? Not the work of someone who gave a flying one.

[punkinhead]

haha, i thought they were alrite

[carl r]

Interesting thread this, really interesting. I'm still wondering what it all amounts to though.

For my part, I think TLOS is a lot more than scraps of old material laced together... whilst there certainly seems to patchwork on some of the songs.

I think Live Let Live is one of the strongest things he's written in a long time... and I can't think of a track immediately similar, though parts of it sound very "Today", with the Western theme..

MAD also seems to be a bolt out of the blue, as whilst the mantra-style could be described as being like "Till I Die" the structure's entirely different.

Without wanting to drool unnecessarily, it will be interesting to see what eventually emerges as a product from this.

[punkinhead]

I think the song Southern California is prolly the most pretty song brian has written since say: Lay Down Burden, or Melt Away.

[Ron]

I just want to point out, in my opinion (and I could be horribly wrong), this isn't Brian just recycling stuff because he can't think of anything else.  What we're seeing here is a musical genius who has thousands of melodies floating around his head, and he frankly doesn't give a sh*t if he's used a melody before or not.  This isn't anything new to music or new to Brian; he recycled "Song For Children" into part of "Good Vibrations", he stole a melody he liked from Chuck Berry when he was barely an adult and made "Surfin' U.S.A.", he praises George Gershwin's famous variations on themes, he recorded a fabled 6 or 7 versions of "Shortenin' Bread" which he himself didn't write in the first place, etc. 

So while the album has snippets of old unreleased songs, it also has snippets of stuff he released, as well as snippets of stuff somebody else wrote, as well as snippets we've never heard before.  This isn't somebody with writers block.  This is somebody who doesn't restrain himself when it comes to making the music he wants to make!  While there may be an unwritten rule that it's not creative to re-use melodies and things you've already released, Brian has always been about breaking rules with his musical compositions.  I think the fact that he's recycling some melodies and stealing some melodies without concern exhibits that maybe he's finally getting his passion for music back into his compositions, and that's a great thing for him and for us. 

[Ron]

I think the song Southern California is prolly the most pretty song brian has written since say: Lay Down Burden, or Melt Away.

Yeah!  In the same vein, definately.  Gorgeous song.   I think his half-destroyed voice actually adds a little bit to it, too... you can always count on Brian to drag out the tired, weary, whispy vocals when he does a song about reflection, or bittersweet memories.  It just sends it through the roof, in my opinion.  So half of the beauty of the song to me is the performance.  Usually, his voice kind of gets in the way of some of the things he's doing, but evvvvvery once in a while, he just perfectly meshes up with something, and this is one of those songs. 

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

That passion shows in his vocals,too.

[gsmile]

I just want to point out, in my opinion (and I could be horribly wrong), this isn't Brian just recycling stuff because he can't think of anything else.  What we're seeing here is a musical genius who has thousands of melodies floating around his head, and he frankly doesn't give a merda if he's used a melody before or not.  This isn't anything new to music or new to Brian; he recycled "Song For Children" into part of "Good Vibrations", he stole a melody he liked from Chuck Berry when he was barely an adult and made "Surfin' U.S.A.", he praises George Gershwin's famous variations on themes, he recorded a fabled 6 or 7 versions of "Shortenin' Bread" which he himself didn't write in the first place, etc. 

So while the album has snippets of old unreleased songs, it also has snippets of stuff he released, as well as snippets of stuff somebody else wrote, as well as snippets we've never heard before.  This isn't somebody with writers block.  This is somebody who doesn't restrain himself when it comes to making the music he wants to make!  While there may be an unwritten rule that it's not creative to re-use melodies and things you've already released, Brian has always been about breaking rules with his musical compositions.  I think the fact that he's recycling some melodies and stealing some melodies without concern exhibits that maybe he's finally getting his passion for music back into his compositions, and that's a great thing for him and for us. 

Hands down, post of the month.  Thanks for putting this into words Ron.

[Ron]

Thank you!

[pixletwin]

I think the song Southern California is prolly the most pretty song brian has written since say: Lay Down Burden, or Melt Away.

Yeah!  In the same vein, definately.  Gorgeous song.   I think his half-destroyed voice actually adds a little bit to it, too... you can always count on Brian to drag out the tired, weary, whispy vocals when he does a song about reflection, or bittersweet memories.  It just sends it through the roof, in my opinion.  So half of the beauty of the song to me is the performance.  Usually, his voice kind of gets in the way of some of the things he's doing, but evvvvvery once in a while, he just perfectly meshes up with something, and this is one of those songs. 

The moment of Southern California where it breaks back into the reprise of the "Glory halelujah" is huge selling point for me. It gives me chills everytime... Can we get this officially releases on CD now?

[punkinhead]

i agree pixel!

[smile-holland]

morning beat has that shortenin' bread feel to it.

and as for another Brian Wilson-favorite: when the band starts singing Rollin' Round Heaven All Day"... (just after California Roll)...I can't help thinking there's a bit of "Proud Mary" in there....

[Mr. Wilson]

Noticed people talkin about TLOS live recordings...Can anyone help out..??

[Mr. Wilson]

THX for the info..REALLY..!!!..You know who you are..!!!..

[DJ M]

sorry, mistake

[punkinhead]

Parts of Southern California have similarities to Passing By.

What parts?

Also, I've read where a couple of folks think that Passing By as at the end of The Like in I love You...where at? I don't hear it?

[37!ws]

Also, I've read where a couple of folks think that Passing By as at the end of The Like in I love You...where at? I don't hear it?

Never really thought of it before, but yeah, I can see that....the wordless vocal part sounds similar, but not exactly.

[Roger Ryan]

Also, I've read where a couple of folks think that Passing By as at the end of The Like in I love You...where at? I don't hear it?

Never really thought of it before, but yeah, I can see that....the wordless vocal part sounds similar, but not exactly.

Yeah, I heard the "Passing By" reference first time through. This was the part that confused me when early on when it was suggested erroneously that Scott Bennett had written "Southern California" entirely on his own - my first thought was, "well, he borrowed a bit of 'Passing By' for it"; it turns out, Brian himself re-purposed a bit of it instead.

[GuyOnTheBeach]

TLOS reminds me of something written in the BW88 liners about Brian never letting a good hook go to waste, very true for this album I think.

I sometimes wonder if Brian blocks certain tracks from archival releases because he has used or intends to use a part of the track.. seems unlikely but he could do I guess.

[punkinhead]

Also, I've read where a couple of folks think that Passing By as at the end of The Like in I love You...where at? I don't hear it?

Never really thought of it before, but yeah, I can see that....the wordless vocal part sounds similar, but not exactly.

Yeah, I heard the "Passing By" reference first time through. This was the part that confused me when early on when it was suggested erroneously that Scott Bennett had written "Southern California" entirely on his own - my first thought was, "well, he borrowed a bit of 'Passing By' for it"; it turns out, Brian himself re-purposed a bit of it instead.

Is it the section that sings: "woah woah woah it's magical...that it happen to me"?

[Roger Ryan]

Also, I've read where a couple of folks think that Passing By as at the end of The Like in I love You...where at? I don't hear it?

Never really thought of it before, but yeah, I can see that....the wordless vocal part sounds similar, but not exactly.

Yeah, I heard the "Passing By" reference first time through. This was the part that confused me when early on when it was suggested erroneously that Scott Bennett had written "Southern California" entirely on his own - my first thought was, "well, he borrowed a bit of 'Passing By' for it"; it turns out, Brian himself re-purposed a bit of it instead.

Is it the section that sings: "woah woah woah it's magical...that it happen to me"?

No, actually it's the chorus itself. Note the transition from the first line of the chorus into the second line - it sounds a lot like Brian's wordless vocal part on the FRIENDS track.

[Heysaboda]

I just want to point out, in my opinion (and I could be horribly wrong), this isn't Brian just recycling stuff because he can't think of anything else.  What we're seeing here is a musical genius who has thousands of melodies floating around his head, and he frankly doesn't give a sh*t if he's used a melody before or not.  This isn't anything new to music or new to Brian; he recycled "Song For Children" into part of "Good Vibrations", he stole a melody he liked from Chuck Berry when he was barely an adult and made "Surfin' U.S.A.", he praises George Gershwin's famous variations on themes, he recorded a fabled 6 or 7 versions of "Shortenin' Bread" which he himself didn't write in the first place, etc. 

So while the album has snippets of old unreleased songs, it also has snippets of stuff he released, as well as snippets of stuff somebody else wrote, as well as snippets we've never heard before.  This isn't somebody with writers block.  This is somebody who doesn't restrain himself when it comes to making the music he wants to make!  While there may be an unwritten rule that it's not creative to re-use melodies and things you've already released, Brian has always been about breaking rules with his musical compositions.  I think the fact that he's recycling some melodies and stealing some melodies without concern exhibits that maybe he's finally getting his passion for music back into his compositions, and that's a great thing for him and for us. 

I see this thread has been "revivied" but I have to say WOW this was THE post of 2007!!!  Great comments!

[Slow In Brain]

Live Let Live has that Sail On Sailor vibe... Where did Mexican Girl originate from ?