Anti 'Middle Of The Road' thread.

[Pretty Funky]

Just wondering if I am on my own for not getting enthusiastic about Brians new projects?

I am stuck in between age groups. To old for Disney but to young for Gershwin.

While I think they are appropriate for him at his age, perfect in fact, these albums will not make my BW/ BB collection, along with TLOS that I have heard but have passed on.

Its not just Brian. The snippets of 'Postcards' don't interest either.

Can anyone help? I'm about to dust off my' GIOMH' album for some BW rock and roll. Maybe I just don't like the smell of white paint?

[Wirestone]

TLOS is actually very Brian. I urge you to try it, or at the very least listen to the bonus tracks.

But he is 67 years old. He's definitely MOR these days, and has been for much of his solo career. It's not to all tastes, and there's nothing particularly wrong with that.

[the captain]

I actually think Brian is on the right track by not trying to pretend to be relevant in the rock-pop world. He's not. BWPS sort-of was, but really only because of its influence and legend. Brian is old. Let him be old. Gershwin and tunes for the grandkids are fine. And I have a suspicion he can come up with better work in that environment than trying to figure out what he "ought to be doing" to hit the current pop demographic.

[Sheriff John Stone]

Don't interpret this post as being negative because it's not. But, I'm not that excited about these upcoming projects either.

Let's put it this way, I'm happier for Brian than I am for myself. Like Luther alluded to, it doesn't appear that Brian has too much to say anymore - musically - in the pop-rock world. These projects lower the expectations commercially (his main objective is to compose REAL music, right?), and it eliminates the need/pressure/expectation for a hit album, hit single, or something to tour. And, there's no denying that it fits a 67 year old man better than (seeking) love and exercise songs. In some ways, oddly, it also lowers expectations critically. Does anybody get the feeling that no matter Brian produces, it will be warmly received. Like I said in a previous post, how many people will know if it's good or not? And, don't forget, he's starting out with some pretty good material. It'll be tough to ruin it!

Now, for me....I always find that my favorite BB/BW songs are ones that are so "Brian", and you know the ones I mean. I'm not saying that Brian doesn't really like (or love?) the material he's going to be working on, but it has crossed my mind. I mean, Brian has rarely delved into any of that music before - not with the Beach Boy, not solo, not in concert, not even fooling around in the studio (to be heard on bootlegs). Alright, there was "Summertime" by Sharon Marie (did he choose the song?) and that brief (staged) snippet in the BWPS documentary. In some ways, this announcement has the familiar vibe, the "my wife and manager thought it was a good idea" vibe. I know, I know. Gershwin and Disney is "above" pop music and rock & roll, right? And I know what many BB/BW fans are thinking - these new projects have much better potential than Pleasure Island, a rock & roll album, or a Beach Boys' reunion project. But, with those, I had a chance at maybe hearing "Brian" again. With Gershwin and Disney, I'll ask the rhetorical question again - is it is really "Brian"?

[the captain]

Is the (more or less-)living Brian "really 'Brian'"? Pleasure Island or Speed Turtle, the next Pet Sounds, Smile, or Love You is not forthcoming. If he wants to get old fucking with grandparents' and grandkids' music, I say go for it. It's better than GIOMH.

[Sheriff John Stone]

Is the (more or less-)living Brian "really 'Brian'"? Pleasure Island or Speed Turtle, the next Pet Sounds, Smile, or Love You is not forthcoming.

Despite what you, or others may think - I'm an optimist.

[the captain]

No! Are you!? 

[The Heartical Don]

I am eagerly looking forward to the new projects. I would not like Brian to do 'contemporary rock', prodded by marketing managers. In fact, I'm not to keen on Jerry Lee, or Chuck, doing 20 minute sets with their old chestnuts either. It's not becoming.

For a 67-year old, 'rocking' is a mechanical thing. It's not from the heart. I think the only type of music in which Brian can find his muse these days is a more mellow sort, but that does not necessarily mean 'bland', or 'simple'. Gershwin is technically demanding, if you want to do right by him. And Disney offers him a great opportunity to tap into his 'childlike' qualities.

No. There won't be another 'Love You', or 'Pet Sounds', or 'All Summer Long'.

Yesterday, I had the good fortune to channel the TLOS demos, via my personal medium. I thought: that is good.

[Sheriff John Stone]

In fact, I'm not to keen on Jerry Lee, or Chuck, doing 20 minute sets with their old chestnuts either. It's not becoming.

For a 67-year old, 'rocking' is a mechanical thing. It's not from the heart.

As long as Chuck, Jerry, Little Richard, etc. want to do it, CAN do it, and people want to see/hear them, I say go for it. I'm proud of 'em. I celebrate them. They're still breaking new ground, paving the way for those quickly following them like The Beach Boys, Dylan, Rolling Stones, Leonard Cohen, Clapton, et al.

And, Brian isn't your typical 67-year old. He just had/got a baby! Seriously, he has a rock & roll heart. I think Lou Reed said that....

[Dr. Tim]

I'm with the Sheriff here - goodness knows there are some other oldsters who hold their own, no matter what, you may not think their new stuff matches their old classics, but they keep pounding away.  Dylan and Neil Young come to mind.   Or Bonnie Raitt, or Victoria Williams.  Hell even Wanda Jackson is still going and she's what, 77?  They could just go out and fill boomer theaters with their greatestshits shows, like the Police, but they don't.

[Mr. Wilson]

Little Richard + Chuck Berry recently played at San Manuel Casino in Highland Ca,..While the reviews were pretty good it was mentioned a few times they played short sets..Especially Chuck Berry..Goin thru the motions for $$..?....Autopilot..??

[Cam Mott]

I actually think Brian is on the right track by not trying to pretend to be relevant in the rock-pop world. He's not. BWPS sort-of was, but really only because of its influence and legend. Brian is old. Let him be old. Gershwin and tunes for the grandkids are fine. And I have a suspicion he can come up with better work in that environment than trying to figure out what he "ought to be doing" to hit the current pop demographic.

Exactly. How would he be relevant? Songs about how he can't sleep on his side anymore, what the grandkids said, what's up with Medicare? I'm a boomer and I wouldn't buy it.

[Amy B.]

Jeez, you all talk as if 67 is inches away from grim death. I don't think 67 is what it used to be, and I'm guessing that today's 67-year-olds would probably agree with me. They are from the rock and roll generation, and I'm sure a lot of them have NOT forgotten how to rock.

But as for Brian, I don't think his age necessarily has to do with his music choices anyway. He is not only about rock and roll. He's not only about Smile, he's not only about Love You, he's not only about surfing music, and he's not only about Gershwin or Spector. He has always been a little bit of all of these things. It doesn't surprise me now that he's excited about working on Gershwin stuff, but it wouldn't have surprised me if this had happened when he was 24, either. I think anything's possible with Brian. Who knows what he'll do next? That's part of what's so fascinating about the guy.

[Wirestone]

Heck, when he was in his 20s he was obsessed with a song from the musical "Show Boat" (Old Man River). So there you go.

[buddhahat]

Just wondering if I am on my own for not getting enthusiastic about Brians new projects?

I am stuck in between age groups. To old for Disney but to young for Gershwin.

While I think they are appropriate for him at his age, perfect in fact, these albums will not make my BW/ BB collection, along with TLOS that I have heard but have passed on.

Its not just Brian. The snippets of 'Postcards' don't interest either.

Can anyone help? I'm about to dust off my' GIOMH' album for some BW rock and roll. Maybe I just don't like the smell of white paint?

I can relate to you on this. I often feel my Beach Boys fandom has carried me into m.o.r. realms that my rational self wouldn't touch with a bargepole! Much of TLOS, initial hype now subsided, leaves me cold. That said, the highpoints, namely MAD, and a couple of the bonus cuts (Message Man in particular) are vintage Brian and evidence imo that he still has some sparks of the creativity that he had 20 years ago. It is for this reason that I still get excited at any news of a new project. I doubt that either of the albums will be great from start to finish, but I dare to dream that there will be the occasional brilliant Brian moment!

[The Heartical Don]

Just wondering if I am on my own for not getting enthusiastic about Brians new projects?

I am stuck in between age groups. To old for Disney but to young for Gershwin.

While I think they are appropriate for him at his age, perfect in fact, these albums will not make my BW/ BB collection, along with TLOS that I have heard but have passed on.

Its not just Brian. The snippets of 'Postcards' don't interest either.

Can anyone help? I'm about to dust off my' GIOMH' album for some BW rock and roll. Maybe I just don't like the smell of white paint?

I can relate to you on this. I often feel my Beach Boys fandom has carried me into m.o.r. realms that my rational self wouldn't touch with a bargepole! Much of TLOS, initial hype now subsided, leaves me cold. That said, the highpoints, namely MAD, and a couple of the bonus cuts (Message Man in particular) are vintage Brian and evidence imo that he still has some sparks of the creativity that he had 20 years ago. It is for this reason that I still get excited at any news of a new project. I doubt that either of the albums will be great from start to finish, but I dare to dream that there will be the occasional brilliant Brian moment!

Well said that man. I hope that the new sets will represent either:

1. a magnificent last hurrah from one of the true greats of the 20th century (which means that after that he may retire or issue average albums); or:

2. at least good albums with some true peaks on each of them.

[Runaways]

too old for disney but too young for gershwin.

am i the only one who said "what?" to this?

i'm 22. i suppose that's just right for the 90's disney.  but i must be way too young for gershwin. but i enjoy his music.  and heck i must be WAY too young for the beach boys.  i was born 20 years after SMiLE went belly up. 

[Aegir]

Most people alive today are not too old for Disney. Disney existed at the same time as everyone's childhood.

[Bean Bag]

Hmmm.  I'm not up on this "Disney" angle.  I'll have to search around to see what that's all about...  anyway...


...I understand the "less-than-enthused response" around what tends to get released in these "golden years" of Brian...or any artist.  How often do the sunset years produce an artist's best?  It happens...but seldom in Pop music.  Anything that requires spunk, pep, emotion outside of nostalgia.  Johnny Cash hit a lot out of the park.  Sinatra had some great shows/moments as the "Chairman."

I would add...these later releases need to age.  I like GIOMH much more now than I did when it was released.  And that's been just a few years!  I'm sure many were confused about Love You thirty years ago...but now it's seen for what it is...or what is was.  A valuable snap-shot of an artist "at that time."  Warts and all.  It's not so much the topic and title that gets admired, but the conviction and truth in the work -- two things Brian typically exudes in excess.  His stoic persona of late is what probably confuses or leaves a bad taste.  Does he believe this stuff?  Is there conviction?  Time will tell.

I suspect TLOS and any future/pending releases, will be given their proper context over time.  They really need to properly age.  I would only caution an artist to avoid "reliving past glories" too much.  Try new stuff.  I think Brian does this.  Johnny Cash did this.  BWPS was both new and old -- that was a major, major challenge.  TLOS , while it had moments of reliving the past, was new and challenging.

Whatever this Disney thing is...it sounds new, I think.  Thoughts??

[GLarson432]

Runaways:  too old for disney but too young for gershwin.


Good music is good music regardless of when it was written/created.  Look forward to it.

[DonnaK]

Runaways:  too old for disney but too young for gershwin.


Good music is good music regardless of when it was written/created.  Look forward to it.

Amen to that Greg!!

[Alex]

Runaways:  too old for disney but too young for gershwin.


Good music is good music regardless of when it was written/created.  Look forward to it.

Amen to that Greg!!

I'm hoping the new albums will be at least as good as TLOS...but I'm still disappointed that the R&R album idea has been sidetracked yet again.

[Sheriff John Stone]

I would only caution an artist to avoid "reliving past glories" too much.  Try new stuff.  I think Brian does this.

What? This Brian?

[Sheriff John Stone]

...but I'm still disappointed that the R&R album idea has been sidetracked yet again.

Me too. However, it's still on the table for a possible Beach Boys' project. There's still time.

These two projects shouldn't take too much time. First, Brian works fast. Second, like BWPS, the songs are already written. All Brian has to do is record them.

[Alex]

...but I'm still disappointed that the R&R album idea has been sidetracked yet again.

Me too. However, it's still on the table for a possible Beach Boys' project. There's still time.

Sheriff, everything involving any of the surviving members is a "potential BBs project" to you!
Just kidding! But if a reunion really does happpen, it better be more like the Reiley era (or at least the '93 tour and aborted Paley/Was sessions) and less like the Kokomo/SIP era.