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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2020 9:34:14 GMT
This week's album is Still Cruisin', a Beach Boys album released in 1989.
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Post by kds on Jan 4, 2020 15:10:51 GMT
I'll go 7. I actually like the new material that doesn't feature rap groups. In particular, the title track, Kokomo, and Somewhere Near Japan. I think its a continuation of the breezy summer 80s pop rock of BB85. Sure its a far cry from their heyday, but a vast improvement over some of the bull plop they were putting out in the last half of the 70s.
It would've made more sense to flesh out the album with more 80s non album tracks than three 60s classics obviously.
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Post by Kapitan on Jan 4, 2020 16:29:04 GMT
Less generous here: 3. It's not quite the no-value trash heap it was long mocked as being by the brianistas of an earlier era ... but let's not get too deep in revisionist history, here! It's pretty bad.
The inclusion of some classics was and is befuddling. I know it had something to do with this album being a "concept" album of movie soundtrack songs (which is kind of stupid to begin with for reasons we can discuss if necessary), but it mostly just highlights the qualitative difference in the material.
The production is pretty terrible for my tastes. And I hate the tropical cliches and Japanese music cliches in the songs relevant to those topics: to me, those are cheap tricks that are just lame. It's like adding a guitar lick when a lyric says "guitar": a sixth-grader could think of it.
And some of the songs are pretty awful. "In My Car," I'm looking at your verses. Others barely exist. "Still Cruisin," you could not be less substantial.
All that said, it's the Beach Boys. They're not without--or even shorting--talent. Their dumb songs still have moments. Their singing is still really good, for the most part.
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Post by B.E. on Jan 4, 2020 16:35:46 GMT
Still Cruisin': 5/10
I ranked these songs 18 months ago and I wouldn't make any changes today. IGA/CG and SC/SNJ are virtual ties, though.
1. Wouldn't It Be Nice 2. I Get Around 3. California Girls
4. Kokomo
5. Island Girl 6. In My Car 7. Still Cruisin' 8. Somewhere Near Japan
9. Make It Big 10. Wipe Out
Bottom line, this album was poorly thought-out and executed. Most of the new songs are mediocre, the production is severely dated, and the vocal performances are hit or miss. WIBN, IGA, and CG detract from the album. I think SNJ is overrated and MIB/WO are two of my least favorite Beach Boys songs. All things considered, my rating of "5" is generous.
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Post by B.E. on Jan 4, 2020 16:47:56 GMT
Other "album of the week" threads inspire me to revisit the album. Not so much this one. I'm currently revisiting George Harrison's "lesser" solo albums. I think I'll stick with those. I say that just to underscore where I place this album in the grand scheme of things. If the Beach Boys hadn't released an album between BB85 and TWGMTR, I'd be fine with that. I don't say that lightly. A few of these songs are worth hearing, but they could have come out as singles or on compilations.
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Post by Kapitan on Jan 4, 2020 17:18:35 GMT
Other "album of the week" threads inspire me to revisit the album. Not so much this one. I'm currently revisiting George Harrison's "lesser" solo albums. I think I'll stick with those. I say that just to underscore where I place this album in the grand scheme of things. If the Beach Boys hadn't released an album between BB85 and TWGMTR, I'd be fine with that. I don't say that lightly. A few of these songs are worth hearing, but they could have come out as singles or on compilations. I'd actually go back further and be fine with 85 not existing ... and I even thought for a moment about KTSA. I think I'd be much happier, in fact, if I "discovered" some of those songs as unreleased gems rather than released dreck. (Funny how context influences those things.)
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Jan 4, 2020 18:46:43 GMT
I know I sound like a broken record, but the Beach Boys never learned from their mistakes. They needed a manager who had a clue and who they would respect and listen to. And, the group had no idea how to assemble and release the strongest possible album. Still Cruisin' is further proof of all of the above.
You would've thought after the 15 Big Ones debacle, the guys would've learned their lesson. They had a huge opportunity, a rare second chance at being back on top, and they blew it. Simple as that. Coming off the unexpected success (gift!) of Endless Summer/Spirit Of America, all the group had to do was release the strongest possible album with the strongest possible songs. The songs were there, it was just a matter of assembling them and recording them. But, nooooooooo. It was ultimately decided to release an album of part oldies and part newies. A further problem was, they weren't the best available oldies and they weren't the best available newies. But, going back to the ultimate decision in the first place, what in the hell were they thinking? And the rest is history.
Still Cruisin'? Deja vu all over again. The Beach Boys were given another gift, "Kokomo", and all they had to do was follow that up - in a timely manner - with the best possible album. But, no, again. They couldn't do that. They wanted to release an album of movie soundtrack songs. Um, OK. No, scratch that. How about an album of movie soundtrack songs and new material? Um, OK again. Wait. Stop the presses. How about an album of movie soundtrack songs, some new material, and a couple of 25 year-old Beach Boys' songs which have nothing to do with the state of the current band in 1989? WTF!
Another woulda/coulda/shoulda album from our favorite band. The new stuff wasn't bad. It had its moments. It was enough to build an entire album around. But where was the rest of it? Brian Wilson couldn't possibly contribute one or two more songs, especially after being so prolific in 1987-88? No other Carl Wilson songs? No other songs in the can? I hate to say it but not even a cover? Hey, let's throw in "California Girls", "I Get Around", and "Wouldn't It Be Nice". I am glad they included "Wipe Out", but the CD era was really taking off and they should've filled this baby up with 13 or 14 new Beach Boys' recordings.
We know the guys were at least communicating. They were filming a nationally syndicated TV show. Dr. Landy was allowing Brian to record and appear in videos with the band. Brian was actually touring with the group, albeit with a strange three-song solo set right in the middle of the concert. The sad thing is that, again, The Beach Boys were primed to be very popular again - and they blew it again. Sure, maybe they would've released an album of entirely new material and maybe it would've bombed. Actually, there's always the chance of that happening. But I wish they would've gone for it. Instead, the people making the decisions - whoever they were - didn't have a clue and we got this half-baked album. Oh, did I mention that Still Cruisin' went gold? Isn't that all the guys cared about anyway? A 4.
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bellbottoms
Pacific Coast Highway
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Post by bellbottoms on Jan 4, 2020 18:50:52 GMT
I'm giving Still Cruisin' a 4. I'm glad they gave Kokomo a home on a Beach Boys album, but as it has been pointed out, the songs-from-movies concept is weak, and so are the other new songs. But the thing that bothers me the most about is isn't the disappointing new songs, but the inclusion of the golden oldies. I actually think I might like the album better if they hadn't done that - I'd respect it a bit more. Ironically, I feel like the inclusion of those classic songs was a cheap move. So it's pretty weird to say that the reason I dislike this album is because of its best songs, but there you have it.
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Post by Kapitan on Jan 4, 2020 20:33:24 GMT
Another woulda/coulda/shoulda album from our favorite band. The new stuff wasn't bad. It had its moments. It was enough to build an entire album around. But where was the rest of it? Brian Wilson couldn't possibly contribute one or two more songs, especially after being so prolific in 1987-88? No other Carl Wilson songs? No other songs in the can? I hate to say it but not even a cover? Hey, let's throw in "California Girls", "I Get Around", and "Wouldn't It Be Nice". I am glad they included "Wipe Out", but the CD era was really taking off and they should've filled this baby up with 13 or 14 new Beach Boys' recordings. On the Brian Wilson front, we know there was other music in the works in this period: Sweet Insanity material. Granted, some of that wasn't recorded until after Still Cruisin'...but some was. I don't know which was which, making this speculative but you could take even some of the worse songs on Sweet Insanity and, with some lyrical and arrangement work and the voices of the rest of the Beach Boys, improve upon them greatly.
"Do You Have Any Regrets," "Don't Let Her Know She's an Angel," "Rainbow Eyes," and "Love Ya" can all be pretty easily considered candidates, in my opinion. What's more, even some lesser ones (for their lyrical or vocal performances) can be imagined as somewhat easily improved upon, like "Brian" and "Hotter."
Hell, even "The Spirit of Rock and Roll," which I hate, could have been a strong addition to Still Cruisin'.
That's seven songs to choose from. Even if half of them weren't in a place to have been included, that leaves half that were.
And then we've still got things like "Don't Fight the Sea" that could have been finalized at the time and made into perfectly good additions. I've never said so before, but there's actually a pretty good album to be made by the band instead of Still Cruisin. Sadly two thirds of it isn't on Still Cruisin.
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Post by jk on Jan 4, 2020 21:58:43 GMT
I'm giving Still Cruisin' a 4. I'm glad they gave Kokomo a home on a Beach Boys album, but as it has been pointed out, the songs-from-movies concept is weak, and so are the other new songs. But the thing that bothers me the most about is isn't the disappointing new songs, but the inclusion of the golden oldies. I actually think I might like the album better if they hadn't done that - I'd respect it a bit more. Ironically, I feel like the inclusion of those classic songs was a cheap move. So it's pretty weird to say that the reason I dislike this album is because of its best songs, but there you have it. Agreed about the trio of oldies. A kind poster from a long departed forum sent me some of the new tracks and for a long time I thought they were by a tribute band! Okay, the lyrics are a bit iffy at times but the new songs sound pretty strong to these ears. I've always loved the title track. Normally I give everything 10, unless I don't like it and then I give it 9. This time I'll deduct three points for the three unnecessary inclusions.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Jan 5, 2020 5:13:47 GMT
Another woulda/coulda/shoulda album from our favorite band. The new stuff wasn't bad. It had its moments. It was enough to build an entire album around. But where was the rest of it? Brian Wilson couldn't possibly contribute one or two more songs, especially after being so prolific in 1987-88? No other Carl Wilson songs? No other songs in the can? I hate to say it but not even a cover? Hey, let's throw in "California Girls", "I Get Around", and "Wouldn't It Be Nice". I am glad they included "Wipe Out", but the CD era was really taking off and they should've filled this baby up with 13 or 14 new Beach Boys' recordings. On the Brian Wilson front, we know there was other music in the works in this period: Sweet Insanity material. Granted, some of that wasn't recorded until after Still Cruisin'...but some was. I don't know which was which, making this speculative but you could take even some of the worse songs on Sweet Insanity and, with some lyrical and arrangement work and the voices of the rest of the Beach Boys, improve upon them greatly.
"Do You Have Any Regrets," "Don't Let Her Know She's an Angel," "Rainbow Eyes," and "Love Ya" can all be pretty easily considered candidates, in my opinion. What's more, even some lesser ones (for their lyrical or vocal performances) can be imagined as somewhat easily improved upon, like "Brian" and "Hotter."
Hell, even "The Spirit of Rock and Roll," which I hate, could have been a strong addition to Still Cruisin'.
That's seven songs to choose from. Even if half of them weren't in a place to have been included, that leaves half that were.
And then we've still got things like "Don't Fight the Sea" that could have been finalized at the time and made into perfectly good additions. I've never said so before, but there's actually a pretty good album to be made by the band instead of Still Cruisin. Sadly two thirds of it isn't on Still Cruisin.
Oh, yes, definitely. The potential was there for a Still Cruisin' album comprised of mostly new material, or at least recently new material. The status of Brian's solo career and specifically Sweet Insanity would've been the keys. I really don't know if Brian was still shopping Sweet Insanity at the time of the recording of Still Cruisin'. And, I'm sure if Brian and Landy would've been willing to hand Sweet Insanity over to The Beach Boys, then they would've demanded some kind of producer/executive producer credit. Anyway, how about this for a very Brianesque album to capitalize on the recent success of "Kokomo":
The Beach Boys - Still Cruisin' (1989)
Side 1 1. Wipe Out 2. Island Girl 3. Love Ya 4. Rainbow Eyes 5. Hotter 6. Still Cruisin' 7. In My Car
Side 2 1. Kokomo 2. Don't Let Her Know She's An Angel 3. Do You Have Any Regrets 4. Make It Big 5. Somewhere Near Japan 6. California Dreamin' 7. The Spirit Of Rock And Roll
- Produced By Brian Wilson and Terry Melcher
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Post by lonelysummer on Jan 5, 2020 7:31:45 GMT
I get why there weren't more new BW songs on the album - Landy wanted to limit Brian's time with the band; and probably wanted to save his best songs for the second solo album. Carl did an interview around this time where he said he - Carl - had recorded a song for the album, but wasn't satisfied with how it turned out. Okay, then at least round out the album with a few recent selections like "Happy Endings" (not a big fan of that one, but at least it hadn't been on an album yet), "California Dreamin", "Rock 'N' Roll to the Rescue", or some live recordings like "Runaway". The cover is also very weak. There's nothing about it that screams "Beach Boys". Why not a recent shot of the guys? I do like the new songs a lot. "Still Cruisin" is an okay song, but obviously not nearly as catchy as "Kokomo". I think "Make it Big" is probably the one that had the most hit potential - more strong vocals from Carl, strong hooks. "Somewhere Near Japan" is a good one - good group vocals, and a lyric that avoids the sun, surf, and bikinis theme. "In My Car" sounded much better on the Endless Summer tv series. This version is so overproduced - drums way too loud in the mix, burying the vocals of Brian, Carl and Al (maybe to hide Landy's lame lyrics?). "Island Girl" has some strong vocals to open it - one of the few spots on the new songs where I can hear Brian. If this album had been what it should have been, I think the guys would have had a couple more top 40 hits, and maybe a bit more critical respect.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Jan 5, 2020 13:41:39 GMT
I get why there weren't more new BW songs on the album - Landy wanted to limit Brian's time with the band; and probably wanted to save his best songs for the second solo album. Carl did an interview around this time where he said he - Carl - had recorded a song for the album, but wasn't satisfied with how it turned out. Okay, then at least round out the album with a few recent selections like "Happy Endings" (not a big fan of that one, but at least it hadn't been on an album yet), "California Dreamin", "Rock 'N' Roll to the Rescue", or some live recordings like "Runaway". The cover is also very weak. There's nothing about it that screams "Beach Boys". Why not a recent shot of the guys? I do like the new songs a lot. "Still Cruisin" is an okay song, but obviously not nearly as catchy as "Kokomo". I think "Make it Big" is probably the one that had the most hit potential - more strong vocals from Carl, strong hooks. "Somewhere Near Japan" is a good one - good group vocals, and a lyric that avoids the sun, surf, and bikinis theme. "In My Car" sounded much better on the Endless Summer tv series. This version is so overproduced - drums way too loud in the mix, burying the vocals of Brian, Carl and Al (maybe to hide Landy's lame lyrics?). "Island Girl" has some strong vocals to open it - one of the few spots on the new songs where I can hear Brian. If this album had been what it should have been, I think the guys would have had a couple more top 40 hits, and maybe a bit more critical respect. Good points. I agree with you.
Carl mentioned ONE song. Bruce usually contributed one or no songs. Same with Al. What happened to these guys as songwriters? You would've thought it would've been easier to write or craft new songs as they got older and hopefully became better musicians. Did they already (in 1989 when they were in their mid/late 40's) feel like easing into songwriting or artistic retirement? Their last group album was recorded mostly in 1984, almost five years earlier.
And, yes, that very generic album cover is weak.
Here's a photo of the guys in 1988-89:
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Post by Kapitan on Jan 5, 2020 14:28:25 GMT
I don't think putting a photo featuring them on the cover would have been an industry consensus choice if you're looking for pop sales. They weren't old men by reasonable standards, but at (almost) Year 30 in the pop world, they were dinosaurs. And this, the MTV era still going strong, was not the time to be middle aged. If anything, they'd probably have wanted (and been wise) to go with a picture of Stamos on the cover.
That said, the cover IS atrocious. They could have done almost anything else and it would have been an improvement. (I think the title is terrible, too. I know it's meant to seem cool, but "cruisin" to me implies they're just taking it easy ... Still Coastin' is how I read and understand it. If you're trying to tell the public, "hey, we're back with exciting, updated sounds that you're all going to love!" then your title shouldn't imply you're just hanging out doing the same old thing. Still.)
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Jan 5, 2020 21:38:50 GMT
I was just channel surfing and stopped at Lethal Weapon 2. Mel Gibson was in his trailer putting the moves on some young, attractive lady when what song comes on? "Still Cruisin"! I had forgotten that the song was part of the soundtrack (shows how much I paid/pay attention to the Still Cruisin' album). Anyway, the song was played for about a minute, and had absolutely zero effect on the movie whatsoever.
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