Smile - Beach Boys reunion

[cloughie]

Looks like Mike Love and Brian Wilson have settled their differences for a reunion 50 years on from their formation. No doubt there will be another Compilation, but plans for a brand new album are interesting. How strong will new material be? Will it cap Pet Sounds? How good will the harmony in the group be, both sonically and spiritually. Is the reunion about Love of music or Love of $s?

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I hope I'm wrong, but remembering Brian Wilson's singing of a few years ago, I don't hold much hope for the success of this. And with three members of the original band dead, it won't be much of a "reunion". A shame: Pet Sounds is such a good album.

[MrGongGong]

Don't do it Brian , please

[Paul Sherratt]

Sounds like a near death experience

[cloughie]

I hope I'm wrong, but remembering Brian Wilson's singing of a few years ago, I don't hold much hope for the success of this. And with three members of the original band dead, it won't be much of a "reunion". A shame: Pet Sounds is such a good album.

Only two (Carl and Dennis Wilson) - I think and Mike Love, Bruce Johnston and Al Jardine can still deliver the harmonies, but Brian's intonation has suffered a little over the years. It'll be interesting to see how much outside help they get, there's someone lined up for the surfing guitar licks.

[johncorrigan]

Only two (Carl and Dennis Wilson) - I think and Mike Love, Bruce Johnston and Al Jardine can still deliver the harmonies, but Brian's intonation has suffered a little over the years. It'll be interesting to see how much outside help they get, there's someone lined up for the surfing guitar licks.

The Pet Sounds tour and Smile record that Brian did in the last few years were very good - essentially he had a brilliant tribute band behind him - but they weren't the Beach Boys and nor will any reunion be - their harmonies from the sixties, singles and LPs remain some of the best ever by anyone - for me it can't be recreated and certainly not without Carl - But glad they're going to be friends again now Mike's decided to grow up if only for commercial reasons.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWSMdcpgJsw

[Lateralthinking1]

If they have Walusco, Gregory and the other Wondermints on board, they might just carry it off. Otherwise no chance. Brian's voice has sadly deteriorated since the Smile tour nearly a decade ago. It wasn't terrific then but it was a wonderful experience to be there because of the occasion and the Wondermints' fabulous - in fact often awesome - involvement.

Solo or solo-ish Wilson is an odd affair. Much attention was paid to his first "comeback" with the "help" of dubious psychologist Eugene Landy. That cd was fairly strong. What is often missed is the fact that there was considerable other output after the seventies and before the completion of Smile. Some of it is a bit naff but some of it is much better than is generally said.

Since Smile, there have been several releases. Good luck to him - a true genius and a man who is easy to like - for having enjoyed these years. I really like "That Lucky Old Sun" and bought it even though the critics were far from wild. With hindsight, it too was a turning point release, combining some fantastic songs - "Midnight's Another Day" is brilliant, there is no other word for it - and lame semi-pastiche that was only just the right side of corny.

Unfortunately, it has been a bit corny ever since - ie "In the Key of Disney", marvellous though some of those songs have always been - so he does need another new direction now. On balance, the proposed collaboration probably comes at the right time.

[Donnie Essen]

Well, I'm totally there. I think Brian's voice has gotten better, though, since the Smile tour. Softer and sweeter, more controlled, less shouty. It's like he's had lessons.

It'll be interesting to see how much outside help they get, there's someone lined up for the surfing guitar licks.

I gather that David Marks, the guy who originally played some of those licks, will be there. I saw him tour with Mike n' Bruce around 2008. I heard too that Blondie Chaplin is also on board, for the first show, anyway. I ain't much into 'Sail on, Sailor', but if Blondie's there singing it, that's another matter.

It's really about time that Brian hung up the touring. Not for quality issues, 'cause most folk going there know what to expect on that front, but for the fact that there just ain't much to offer at this point. His comeback had a natural peak with the Smile tour. You can't top that. Now, the 'hits' part of the setlists have been way streamlined in recent years. Back in the early 2000s, the setlists delved so deep into the back catalogue and its a shame that doesn't happen any more. If Brian finally hangs up the touring, what with the reunion and the recent Smile box, it's a hell of a happy ending.

[cloughie]

The recorded result of the reunion is out with 'That's why God made the radio'. What is the verdict? For what it's worth my view is a very creditable album. I was prepared for someting of a 'has-been' nature. It is not. Pet sounds it is not, but it is a very good representation of the Beach Boys - nice harmonies - a good Summer album. My only quibble - less than 40 minutes music! The voice blend is excellent.

[johncorrigan]

The recorded result of the reunion is out with 'That's why God made the radio'. What is the verdict? For what it's worth my view is a very creditable album. I was prepared for someting of a 'has-been' nature. It is not. Pet sounds it is not, but it is a very good representation of the Beach Boys - nice harmonies - a good Summer album. My only quibble - less than 40 minutes music! The voice blend is excellent.

Brian certainly sounds pretty good - the songs are nothing special for the most part, but the harmonies are great, as even after this time you would expect. I really liked the last couple of tracks in particular. Pacific Coast Highway caught me out a bit with its rather sombre subject which is continued in the final track. Yep cloughie, there's some things to enjoy in there.

On the topic of album length, I remember buying the Friends LP when it came out in the late 60s and being horrified that it was less than twenty five minutes long. You spent your 32 shillings of hard earned paperboy money and felt the pound to second ratio didn't come up to scratch - still one of my favourites of theirs mind you.

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

an exercise in the denial of death all round innit .... just score the seminal albums and get on with it eh?

nostalgia rots the mind .............

[cloughie]

Calum, nostalgia isn't what it was!

[BBMmk2]

It wont be the same. None of these reunion type things are? Their voiceswon't be the same. Sure they be knackered, because were'nt they on drugs, etc?

[cloughie]

It wont be the same. None of these reunion type things are? Their voiceswon't be the same. Sure they be knackered, because were'nt they on drugs, etc?

Listen and be surprised - voices good, strength of songs may not be but I was pleasantly surprised!

[johncorrigan]

Listen and be surprised - voices good, strength of songs may not be but I was pleasantly surprised!

I would agree about the voices though Carl is seriously missed - but some of the sentiments in the songs while OK for a Californian teenager feel a bit less comfortable coming from a bunch of 60 somethings. I did think Brian was in very good voice though and as I said previously I thought the last couple of tracks were really pretty strong.