Post by kds on Dec 5, 2019 13:26:59 GMT
I think we can all agree that Brian Wilson's output as a solo artist is a mixed bag. There are plenty of Red Ryder BB Guns under the tree to be found, but there are also plenty of lumps of coal in the stockings.
And, I'm being fully honest here, I think Brian's 2005 Christmas album is the solo album that I enjoy the most. I think TLOS is probably a better overall album, but I don't play it nearly as much as I do WIRWFC this time of year.
I think this is the first of a trio of albums with TLOS and BWRG that represents the peak of BW albums soundwise.
And, on the Christmas album, I get the feeling that the band was actually having fun doing it. There's a certain looseness, in particular on The Man With All the Toys, God Rest Ye, and We Wish You a Merry Christmas, that's rarely heard on BW albums.
Elephant in the room, yeah there are two BB remakes. I don't mind The Man With All the Toys as it's a more fleshed out version than the BB (still superior) original. Little Saint Nick is just....well,it's there, and there's nothing we can do about it. But, while it's the album's weak link, it doesn't detract from it.
I'm glad (Team) Brian chose Christmas standards that didn't already appear on the BB album. O Holy Night, which would've been an absolute joy by 1964 Brian, still sounds great with the harmonies. I think the little nod to You're So Good to Me at the beginning of The First Noel. Are there better versions of these songs? Sure. But, still fun.
I love all three original songs. Even if the chorus of Christmasey is probably a little too wordy for Brian. And On Christmas Day is a bit of a rewrite of Bells of Christmas.
The one change I'd make is putting We Wish You a Merry Christmas at the end. It sounds out of place as the fifth track.
And, I'm being fully honest here, I think Brian's 2005 Christmas album is the solo album that I enjoy the most. I think TLOS is probably a better overall album, but I don't play it nearly as much as I do WIRWFC this time of year.
I think this is the first of a trio of albums with TLOS and BWRG that represents the peak of BW albums soundwise.
And, on the Christmas album, I get the feeling that the band was actually having fun doing it. There's a certain looseness, in particular on The Man With All the Toys, God Rest Ye, and We Wish You a Merry Christmas, that's rarely heard on BW albums.
Elephant in the room, yeah there are two BB remakes. I don't mind The Man With All the Toys as it's a more fleshed out version than the BB (still superior) original. Little Saint Nick is just....well,it's there, and there's nothing we can do about it. But, while it's the album's weak link, it doesn't detract from it.
I'm glad (Team) Brian chose Christmas standards that didn't already appear on the BB album. O Holy Night, which would've been an absolute joy by 1964 Brian, still sounds great with the harmonies. I think the little nod to You're So Good to Me at the beginning of The First Noel. Are there better versions of these songs? Sure. But, still fun.
I love all three original songs. Even if the chorus of Christmasey is probably a little too wordy for Brian. And On Christmas Day is a bit of a rewrite of Bells of Christmas.
The one change I'd make is putting We Wish You a Merry Christmas at the end. It sounds out of place as the fifth track.