New album info (as it rolls out...)

[pixletwin]

I heard my 10 year old singing "Shelter" while he was playing yesterday. 

[Heysaboda]

I am loving LOVING that bass-and-ukulele groove on Isn't It Time.  Love the falsetto vocals.  Boy, that is one outstanding song, brilliantly arranged.  Major ear worm!  Love it!

A fun song in every way!

Ukulele!  YAY!

[Danimalist]

I am loving LOVING that bass-and-ukulele groove on Isn't It Time.  Love the falsetto vocals.  Boy, that is one outstanding song, brilliantly arranged.  Major ear worm!  Love it!

A fun song in every way!

Ukulele!  YAY!

Finally got the disc for Father's Day yesterday (don't worry, I found a site streaming it since ten days prior to release). The instrumentation and arrangement on this one are actually COOL! Who woulda thunk?

[lance]

Yeah, that song is shaping up to be one of my favorites

[Eireannach]

My 5-year-old was singing "That's Why God Was the Radio" over the weekend.   

[dumbangel76]

Both my son and my daughter 8 and 10 years old love the new album! There favorite song is Isn't it Time!

[Letsgoawayforawhile]

You guy's are makin' we want kids now.
Stop it!

[Dave in KC]

Having children is the most wonderful part of life. And if you raise them well, the rewards cannot be calculated. I know children aren't for everybody, but for for the general masses who purposely avoid that possibility, well, you're missing out on a major part of the meaning of life. This theme can be found in many Beach Boy songs. They all had children and know what I mean.

[hypehat]

A slight over-reaction, perhaps?

[Outtasight!]

I am loving LOVING that bass-and-ukulele groove on Isn't It Time.  Love the falsetto vocals.  Boy, that is one outstanding song, brilliantly arranged.  Major ear worm!  Love it!

A fun song in every way!

Ukulele!  YAY!

Outstanding song and recording. I hear a lot of Love You influence on this one. The whole album is ridiculously catchy. I have not yet played any other music since the album was released. I've got to get to the new Neil Young/Crazy Horse album this week. Break the cycle!

[Rocker]

I am loving LOVING that bass-and-ukulele groove on Isn't It Time.  Love the falsetto vocals.  Boy, that is one outstanding song, brilliantly arranged.  Major ear worm!  Love it!

A fun song in every way!

Ukulele!  YAY!

Outstanding song and recording. I hear a lot of Love You influence on this one.

I agree ! It just sounds more polished than a imaginative Love You version probably would've






Vote for the Beach Boys:
http://www.billboard.com/features/poll-billboard-com-s-2012-mid-year-music-1007363352.story#/features/poll-billboard-com-s-2012-mid-year-music-1007363352.story

[cwalter]

Woke up this morning with 'Beaches in Mind' playing in my head. So I shuffled down the hall to my office and put it on at once

"...man it's been too much time"

Lol. It's so cheezy/goofy that it's awesome if you ask me. 

[Micha]

I am loving LOVING that bass-and-ukulele groove on Isn't It Time.  Love the falsetto vocals.  Boy, that is one outstanding song, brilliantly arranged.  Major ear worm!  Love it!

A fun song in every way!

Ukulele!  YAY!

Outstanding song and recording. I hear a lot of Love You influence on this one.

I agree ! It just sounds more polished than a imaginative Love You version probably would've

Isn't it rhythmically and in terms of percussion too complex to be on Love You? Personally, I like Isn't It Time more than any recording on Love You, but that's subjective of course.

[Autotune]

So what are the chances for a GRAMMY Award for best album?

[Rocker]

So what are the chances for a GRAMMY Award for best album?

Next to none I'd imagine. But I want The Smile Sessions to get one !

[Outtasight!]

I am loving LOVING that bass-and-ukulele groove on Isn't It Time.  Love the falsetto vocals.  Boy, that is one outstanding song, brilliantly arranged.  Major ear worm!  Love it!

A fun song in every way!

Ukulele!  YAY!

Outstanding song and recording. I hear a lot of Love You influence on this one.

I agree ! It just sounds more polished than a imaginative Love You version probably would've

Isn't it rhythmically and in terms of percussion too complex to be on Love You? Personally, I like Isn't It Time more than any recording on Love You, but that's subjective of course.

Yeh, it is a more accomplished recording and a more complex arrangement than Love You but they seem to be related, probably the prominent bass and the ultra catchy repetitive melody. I can hear it this one done with farty synths and rough voices.

[guitarfool2002]

Just curious, when looking back on this thread as it unfolded before the official release, if folks think the numerous advance reviews were accurate, semi-accurate, or missed the mark. Or, if some may have set up an image in your mind about the sounds of the album that may or may not be how you hear it now, or whether those opinions shaped the actual listening experience. Just out of curiosity.

I'm thinking of discussions about Jimmy Buffett, the sound of Brian's "Imagination" album, etc. that were mentioned in reviews. I was expecting to hear more of that stuff, but it really wasn't as prominent as others may have heard it. I guess it's all in what the individual hears and perceives.

[onkster]

I'd say most reviews were pretty on-target.

That said, I'd say the album--despite whatever little flaws--has become way much more enjoyable than I thought it would be from any review.

[mabewa]

I think that initial reviews tended to underrate the album--it's kind of a grower, and I think that reviewers who have spent more time with it have picked up on that. 

As for the things about kids singing along--my 2.5 year old daughter, who understands English but speaks mostly Japanese, does a lot of singing along with it, especially to the title track.  The album has its faults, but in terms of melodies and harmonies, it's great throughout, and I think that kids pick up on that. 

[Micha]

I am loving LOVING that bass-and-ukulele groove on Isn't It Time.  Love the falsetto vocals.  Boy, that is one outstanding song, brilliantly arranged.  Major ear worm!  Love it!

A fun song in every way!

Ukulele!  YAY!

Outstanding song and recording. I hear a lot of Love You influence on this one.

I agree ! It just sounds more polished than a imaginative Love You version probably would've

Isn't it rhythmically and in terms of percussion too complex to be on Love You? Personally, I like Isn't It Time more than any recording on Love You, but that's subjective of course.

Yeh, it is a more accomplished recording and a more complex arrangement than Love You but they seem to be related, probably the prominent bass and the ultra catchy repetitive melody. I can hear it this one done with farty synths and rough voices.

Isn't It Time reminds me way more of the so-called "Landlocked" tape than of Love You. One track of that tape however was included in Love You.

[Rocker]

On another note, why wasn't Mark Linett involved with this album ? He's done such good work before

[guitarfool2002]

I'd say most reviews were pretty on-target.

That said, I'd say the album--despite whatever little flaws--has become way much more enjoyable than I thought it would be from any review.

The first part I disagree with, I think certain elements were amplified way too much among certain reviewers and it gave an impression of a sound or texture that I don't think is there on the album.

The second part, I agree 110%. It was far better than I had thought it would be, and I mean that expectation I had in my head for what the album would be and not what reviews suggested it was.

It is a very enjoyable album, and even though some disagree I think the sound quality of the individual instruments on the tracks is sparkling. The detail is really, really good to these ears, and the guitars especially sounded better and more separated than I had expected.

And I'm glad there were far less traces of "Jimmy Buffett" sounds or vibes on this album...because I really can't stand most of his sh*t. His beer is decent on a really hot day, though.

[Aegir]

Everyone was saying that the last three songs were so much better than the rest of the album. I disagree, I think the album is consistently good. Sure, the last three are more "serious" but that doesn't make them better.

[Zach95]

Just curious, when looking back on this thread as it unfolded before the official release, if folks think the numerous advance reviews were accurate, semi-accurate, or missed the mark. Or, if some may have set up an image in your mind about the sounds of the album that may or may not be how you hear it now, or whether those opinions shaped the actual listening experience. Just out of curiosity.

I'm thinking of discussions about Jimmy Buffett, the sound of Brian's "Imagination" album, etc. that were mentioned in reviews. I was expecting to hear more of that stuff, but it really wasn't as prominent as others may have heard it. I guess it's all in what the individual hears and perceives.

For me, the Rolling Stone review describing the album as "sugary" or whatever really ingrained that image in my mind.  I was afraid of a "sugary" album, though I was pleasantly and extraordinarily surprised.  The album is not sugary at all, it's thoughtful, nostalgic (in the most tasteful and delightful way), and introspective.  It's beautiful, fun, and all together more than I could have ever hoped. A fantastic album in lieu of the previous studio albums the band has given us, and incredible by its own independent merit.

[EgoHanger1966]

Everyone was saying that the last three songs were so much better than the rest of the album. I disagree, I think the album is consistently good. Sure, the last three are more "serious" but that doesn't make them better.

It would be interesing to take a poll about this subject - I would say the last three tracks are head and shoulders above the rest of the album. (Not that the rest of the album is poor by any means).