Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2019 7:04:58 GMT
This week's album is No Pier Pressure, Brian Wilson's latest solo album released in 2015:
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Post by Kapitan on Nov 8, 2019 13:17:21 GMT
I'm starting off with a 7. This is one of the best Brian Wilson solo albums, in my opinion. And it reaches that status despite Brian Wilson's singing, which tends not to be very good. And as always I also wonder about his actual input as a songwriter and producer. Some of this sounds very unlike anything he's done before, which doesn't prove he wasn't instrumental in doing it here, but it does stick out as unusual.
But I'm an end-product kind of person most of the time, and I like the end product. If Brian's voice is weak (which I think it is), Al Jardine's is a godsend, and of course the group as a whole gives a ton of support throughout in doubling and harmonies. Then there are the guest artists handling a good amount of the lead chores, with Nate Ruess as the clear standout in my opinion on arguably the best song on the album, "Saturday Night on Hollywood Boulevard." (I swear in the mid 80s that would have been a hit.) Otherwise among the guest singers, the only one I enjoy is Kacey Musgraves (whom I like anyway). I think that tune came out remarkably well considering it's just four chords repeated the whole time.
I could do without Sebu or Peter Hollens.
If "Saturday Night" isn't the best song, "Sail Away" might be. The interplay between vocalists with so many vocal parts going on throughout helps you forget that it's kind of just another "Sloop John B" (albeit the opposite in lyrics, a goddamn self-esteem song instead of "the worst trip I've ever been on").
There are several other good ones. I like "Tell Me Why," "What Ever Happened," "One Kind of Love," the instrumental with Mark Isham, and even "The Last Song," which I know some don't. Hell, I even love "Don't Worry." I think it's fantastic. I'm less a fan of some I know others like, such as "I'm Feeling Sad" and "This Beautiful Day."
But all in all, however it got put together, it got put together to good ends. Solid album. One wonders if there will be another.
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Post by kds on Nov 8, 2019 13:40:21 GMT
I'll probably go with a seven also. I'd have probably given it an 8 back in 2015, but I think 7 is fair.
NPP is a mostly pleasant, if disjointed listen. For me, most of the guest artists who didn't used to be Beach Boys didn't work. I think the songs with Sebu and Kacey Musgraves are terrible. Runaway Dancer in particular. That's one of those songs Mike would be crucified for. The Peter Hollins and Zooey songs are OK, but I really don't listen to either too often. The Nate Ruess song Saturday Night is far and away the best song featuring a non Beach Boy. At least vocally, as I do enjoy Half Moon Bay.
The rest of the album is mostly good. This Beautiful Day, Whatever Happened, The Right Time, Don't Worry, and especially Sail Away, rank among Brian's best solo songs. One Kind of Love and I'm Feelin' Sad are quite good. Tell Me Why is a bit middling. The Last Song is a very poor attempt at another Southern California or Summer's Gone. Somewhere Quiet is pleasant, but unnecessary.
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bellbottoms
Pacific Coast Highway
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Post by bellbottoms on Nov 8, 2019 17:24:30 GMT
I think the concept of NPP is a neat one, but the way it came together, it feels like two completely different albums mashed into one. Taken as a whole I don't consider it to be one of his best solo albums. In fact, I never listen to it as a whole. I very much prefer listening to the tracks without a non-BB guest singer on them. None of those songs sound like BW songs, and the duets only highlight a clash between the strength of the vocals of the younger stars vs. Brian's life-worn vocals. On their own, Brian's vocals sound nice to me on this album, but up against the young voices, unfortunately, there is a clash that I don't enjoy.
The songs I do quite like - This Beautiful Day, The Right Time, Sail Away, Tell Me Why, One Kind of Love, Whatever Happened and the Last Song make for an enjoyable listening experience. I also quite like the deluxe edition track Don't Worry. Based on those songs, I rate this album a 7 - I don't take any points away for non BB guest songs, but I can't award any points for them either.
On it's own, I think Saturday Night is an alright song,and it's the only one I don't mind listening to.
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Post by Kapitan on Nov 8, 2019 19:39:53 GMT
I think the concept of NPP is a neat one, but the way it came together, it feels like two completely different albums mashed into one. Taken as a whole I don't consider it to be one of his best solo albums. In fact, I never listen to it as a whole. That's interesting. As obvious as it might seem now that you say so, I don't think I've ever thought about it in terms of (non-BB) guest singers v Brian-and-BBs singers. And while I don't tend to listen to it straight through, I don't separate it on those grounds.
You make a good point about the better/younger singers making Brian sound different.
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bellbottoms
Pacific Coast Highway
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Post by bellbottoms on Nov 9, 2019 0:38:14 GMT
I think the concept of NPP is a neat one, but the way it came together, it feels like two completely different albums mashed into one. Taken as a whole I don't consider it to be one of his best solo albums. In fact, I never listen to it as a whole. That's interesting. As obvious as it might seem now that you say so, I don't think I've ever thought about it in terms of (non-BB) guest singers v Brian-and-BBs singers. And while I don't tend to listen to it straight through, I don't separate it on those grounds.
You make a good point about the better/younger singers making Brian sound different.
When listening to "just Brian", or listening to him singing with the familiar voices like Al and Blondie, it's like a self-contained world that makes sense, but his voice doesn't fit with the better/younger singers. And it's not just about the specific singers chosen - whoever the guest singers ended up being, I think it would have the same unbalanced effect, for me at least.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Nov 9, 2019 13:53:41 GMT
I really struggle(d) to like every Brian Wilson solo album. It's a combination of subpar material with vocals that, well, they just don't feel right. They make me uncomfortable. That being said, my favorite (and that doesn't mean much) BW solo album for a long time was Imagination. There were a few songs on that album - "South American", "Lay Down Burden", "Cry", "Where Has Love Been", and even the re-recording of "Keep An Eye On Summer" that I liked, and I thought Brian's vocals were about as good as could be expected under the circumstances. I thought Imagination deserved better, maybe even getting Brian that elusive semi-hit single. It wasn't to be. I think that I actually like No Pier Pressure better than Imagination. It's very close. No Pier Pressure has MORE good music.
When I first read about all of the guest vocalists and different styles of music on No Pier Pressure, I was disappointed. Brian was finally giving up, relying on others for singing, for new material, and for attention. I usually associated "duet"-type albums with artists who are out of ideas, trying to salvage their careers, and, again, seeking attention from other genres who might help in stimulating sales. Yep, Brian was selling out. When I finally heard the final results, I can't really explain it, but the guest vocalists didn't really bother me. In fact, I like most of the songs featuring the guest vocalists. The only one that I don't care for is "Guess You had To Be There", and it's not because of Kacey Musgraves. I just think it's a weak song. Could've they chosen better guest vocalists? Yes, of course. Brian couldn't pick these "guests" out of a lineup, and I'm not sure many fans of BW/BB could really connect with them. But they served their purpose.
Al Jardine is an asset, no question about that. Al is more than a guest. I almost think he should've gotten co-billing. The "reunion" of Brian and ex-Beach Boy Blondie was typical BW solo career hype/fraud. Blondie's contribution encompasses a whole 25 seconds on one song. If you blink you missed him!
I'm a Joe Thomas fan and I don't apologize for it. I think his production work on this album is great. I like the sound of this album. A lot of different sounds. I'd also bet that Joe contributed substantially to the song-writing and arrangements. And, as usual, JT made Brian sound more than respectable. I really like Brian's singing, most of his singing, on this album. Brian was older now, in his early-70's, and I was wondering if age would be catching up to him. No, not yet. Brian's vocals on "Tell Me Why" and "Whatever Happened" are flat-out great. For the first time in a long time I was moved by Brian's singing. I never thought he would sing like that again.
The highlights? "The Right Time" (even though it is a ripoff of "Lay Down Burden"), "Whatever Happened", "Tell Me Why", "Sail Away" (the best song on the album)", and "One Kind Of Love". And, even though I'm not supposed to like "Runaway Dancer" and "Saturday Night" - I still do! These songs have life. They are catchy. They sound "newish", even slick, yet contain enough "Brian". Oh, I continue to seriously question just how much Brian contributed to their writing, arranging, and production. But there's enough BW touches in there to satisfy.
What would I change? This is going to sound hypocritical coming from me, but there might be too much music, especially with the editions that feature bonus tracks. So let's get that out the way - some of the bonus tracks are a joke and a slap in the face to the NEW album. "In The Back Of Mind"? From 1975? Why? And another version of "Love And Mercy"? Another why? They were almost saying that the album wasn't strong enough to stand on its own. This was not the kind of album to be adding older songs to. I would've trimmed the album to the best 12 or 13 songs. And improved the sequence of course. I'm into nit-picking now, but I don't find the album title...funny or appropriate or whatever they were trying to get across. The album cover is OK, certainly better than most of Brian's other solo albums.
This is the bottom line for me. No Pier Pressure will always bring a sigh or a feeling of loss. More than any other BW solo album - and you can say this about EVERY BW solo album - this album should've been a Beach Boys' album. And it would've been a very, very good one. The perfect follow-up to That's Why God Made The Radio. Plug Mike and Bruce right into the vocal mix. You even had "The Last Song" perfectly aligned as...the last song. But, alas, it wasn't to be. They blew it again. What was left? What was created out of that messy situation? An album that was better than it had every right to be. Something for everybody. A lot of Al. A Blondie spotting. Brian at the top of his game vocally. Some sand, ocean, and driftwood. Joe Thomas making everything sound presentable. No wince-inducing moments. Am I getting carried away? How about an 8? Is that too high? A strong 7? OK, a 7.5. No, today I'm giving it an 8. Today.
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Post by kds on Nov 9, 2019 22:40:03 GMT
Wait, no 10's? We're all insulting Brian. At least that was the narrative four years ago.
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Post by B.E. on Nov 9, 2019 22:49:24 GMT
I think there was a lot of BS four years ago - on both sides. SSMB was in the midst of an implosion.
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Post by kds on Nov 9, 2019 23:03:32 GMT
I think there was a lot of BS four years ago - on both sides. SSMB was in the midst of an implosion. Yep, its hard to believe a middle of tbe road, late career release could so divide a fanbase.
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Post by Kapitan on Nov 9, 2019 23:39:11 GMT
I don't think the album had all that much to do with the issues at the time, it just happened to be what was there.
Most of all I think it was an inability of people to tolerate one another's differences in approach. To me it almost seems like participating in the BBs online fan community isn't one thing, but several. It's like groups of people simultaneously playing six different sports getting mad at one another for cheating.
There are the collectors whose interest is in that: minutiae of what was released when and where, identifying every picture or outtake or version.
There are the musicians whose interest is more along those lines
There are the disciples for whom for whatever reason it's a serious, personal loyalty.
There are the professionals and/or insiders who have financial or other interests in some points of view or other.
There are contrarians and trolls who seem to truly like the music, yes, but also get off on playing devil's advocate.
And I'm sure there are plenty of other types as well, and different people can be blends of several types.
Making matters worse, it was all happening during a particularly ugly period in which civility and social decency were tested, a political campaign when people were forcing themselves and others to truly take sides as if it were war. Remember how often the discussions there devolved into Trump this or Hillary that? Not just in the Sandbox, but on the BBs main discussion forum. (Desper compared the Beach Boys' tour schedules to Trump's rally schedule and was crucified for it.) Young v old, right v left, it just was gross.
And then there seemed to be all kinds of old feuds from god-knows-when about god-knows-what. I never quite knew and don't quite care. But I sure got sick of hearing about them without quite hearing about them. All that "certain people know what they did and they pretend not to know but they know and we all know the truth" or whatever.
Anyway, that's more babbling than necessary just to say, I think No Pier Pressure just happened to be the product out at the time. It could just as easily have been That's Why God Made the Radio or Songs in the Key of Disney or "Speed Turtle."
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Post by kds on Nov 9, 2019 23:58:19 GMT
That's true. Perhaps, NPP was just a tipping point. I recall two posters did a Beavis and Butthead skewering of NPP, and predictably, considering the lack of humor in the BB online world, it did not go over well. I got shit on for singing the praises of NPP while criticizing two songs. God forbid, you don't compare every Brian release to Pet Sounds. But, BB fans tend to be a very sensitive bunch.
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Post by Kapitan on Nov 10, 2019 0:11:18 GMT
I thought the NPP skewering was funny, and I like the album! It's just so odd that people take such offense at how a second person approaches a third person's music. As if we all must be in lockstep on everything.
Really it's unfortunate because I always enjoyed more than a few people at each board, and frankly disliked only a few at each. I'd love to have more people here participating, no doubt about that. But I don't miss the drama at all.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Nov 10, 2019 0:54:32 GMT
No Pier Pressure was just an example, a microcosm of what was wrong with that forum. Simply put, there were double standards. There was one standard allowed for the treatment of Brian Wilson and for the posters who wrote about him, and another standard for anybody that wasn't Brian Wilson and for those posters who wrote about them. What compounded the problem was that the moderators didn't just accept the double standards, they actively participated in and enforced the double standards. No message board can claim any integrity with "rules" like that, and they ultimately lose all credibility among similar forums.
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Post by kds on Nov 10, 2019 3:35:59 GMT
I thought the NPP skewering was funny, and I like the album! It's just so odd that people take such offense at how a second person approaches a third person's music. As if we all must be in lockstep on everything.
Really it's unfortunate because I always enjoyed more than a few people at each board, and frankly disliked only a few at each. I'd love to have more people here participating, no doubt about that. But I don't miss the drama at all.
The fact that an obvious parody review was met with such venom is proof of the lack of sense of humor by a very vocal few. I tend to enjoy a good laugh, even at the expense of something I like or love. That's why I love Honest Trailers.
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