Post by nater414 on Jul 13, 2023 16:45:46 GMT
My thoughts on Mike Love's "new" album 'Mike Love Not War'
It will be really interesting to me to see if this actually gets an official release beyond this or not.
It is really common for artists to include download links with tickets now. But that's usually to boost 'sales'. It's hard to tell if this even released through a label or is just self published.
Like I said, the purpose of UTL was to modernize and polish these MLNW tracks, and present them in a fashionable way. A big name producer was brought in. Bruce, Stamos, and the entire BBs band were involved. Songs were clearly overdubbed on, edited, and remixed. Lots of people were involved. Presumably the label, BMG, had a sizeable budget for this. There was a clearly a big marketing push behind UTL, because the album got to #37 on Billboard Independent chart. Is BMG intentionally releasing the same songs in demo form five years later? Or is this self released? I guess time will tell. We'll either see it be released on DSPs and promoted, or I guess it'll exist as some kind of 'gray area' release or 'gift for fans' along the lines of what was made available on BW's website. Unfinished goodies.
This makes me wonder if these recordings will at all be marketed as 'demos' or 'stripped' versions of what we got on UTL?
I wonder what the motivation behind this is. I think Mike is still in charge of his career and business savy enough to have had a reason for signing off on this. I can think of a few possible motivations... And I'm not gonna lie, I've wanted to share this first theory for a long time, but had some reservations...
Theory 1: I know this sounds far fetched, but the stark difference in the relatively autotune-less MLNW recordings and the T-Pain/KanyeWest autotune sound of UTL, makes me wonder if this was done against the wishes or knowledge of Mike, as some kind of petty retribution act... The MLNW vocals sound natural and perfectly in pitch. The UTL album takes those same vocals and autotunes them to the 11th degree! This was very shortly after Mike criticized the autotune on BW's project. How would Mike notice that and not notice the autotune on his own project? The leaks that came out in years prior and even in 2016 in the book trailer, had WAYYY less autotune. Why would I even consider this idea? Because everything else on UTL sounds pretty great and pitch perfect! The engineering on Disc 1's backing tracks are very tight, modern, and well thought out. Why are the vocals so odd sounding then? Could some malpractice or fuck up have been involved *after* Mike and his team signed off on it? Could all of that autotune been applied well after the recording sessions, when Mike would've been back on the road? And now after both criticizing autotune himself and getting heaps of critism for the autotune, is this some kind of way to salvage the material and give it another chance of approval?
Theory 2: This could in fact be Mike's fourth BMG release (I've heard it said he was on a 4 album deal) and conceiving/recording an entire new studio project, with all of his touring obligations/commitments, was just too much work and/or not of interest, when there's a whole vault of these unreleased recordings.
Theory 3: This is merely to follow the now industry standard of including a download link with concert tickets, while circumventing the bureaucracy of getting a major label involved?
As I've mentioned, this could (and should in my opinion) be marketed as an 'unplugged' or 'sessions' version of UTL that serves as a counterpart instead of replacement. Given the relative success of UTL, I don't see why it would be erased.
Some more thoughts after listening....
To my ears it sounds like the *recordings* and *mixes* are the same as what's circulated. But it sounds like the songs have gotten a fresh mastering job. They're a bit brighter and louder than the bootleg I've had on my computer for all these years. This could be simply because these are the genuine recordings and not bootleg. Or it could've been given a 'fresh coat of paint' with a remaster.
Some might think this is overkill but I'd like to go track by track with some thoughts...
MLNW - Sounds like the guitars and vocals were lifted from this version for UTL, but the drums, keyboards, guitar solo and prominent vocal double tracking are unique to this version. I think I prefer the UTL version actually. It has more powerful drums/band arrangement, and the vocals actually benefited in this case from the pitch correction. I like both versions, but UTL wins for this song.
UTL (song) - Another song were many prominent elements were used in the UTL (album) version. This one has a bridge and backing vocals that didn't make it into the 2017 version, more prominent organ/slide guitar. Another case where I think the tightened UTL version is superior, but I like hearing Mike's kids voices more distinctly on this version.
Love Foundation - Wow. Just wow. Can't believe this is real. The rap verse in the middle is icing on the cake. Summer Of Love pt ii about a nonprofit anyone?
Cool Head Warm Heart - Same track that's been released on the Hallmark CD and UTL. A great arrangement. Definitely the most fleshed out arrangement on an otherwise 'stripped back' feeling album. This song has a lush sound I would compare to Sunflower and LA that is absent from most of these other recordings.
Everyone's In Love With You - The DX7 keyboard sound genuinely makes me think Bruce is on this one haha. I dig this version. Very pretty song.
Pisces Brothers - This is the same version that was released as a single in 2014. Very George Martin influenced arrangement with the prominent strings. Drums are much more subtle on this version, giving it a more somber feel. This is a case where I prefer the MLNW version. Same guitar solo, note for note, that Scott played for all these years at shows.
World Is My Family - The lyrics make me laugh and at first I didn't love this, but I must say it's growing on me in a weird BBs/ML kinda way. I was humming this when doing chores around the house today and was trying to remember where I heard it! Standard ML in his hippie vibe kinda song.
Ram Raj - HOLY SHIT THIS VERSION IS ETHEREAL! Another song where most of the arrangement is lifted for the UTL version, with noticeable 'rock band' overdubs. This version is WAY more sparse and psychedelic. It's actually *so vocal-centric and sparsely arranged* that it feels like a sequel to SMiLE/Smiley material. This version, that focuses on the winding musical play between various indian string instruments and guitars is *very* cool, and to me feels like a successor to CabinEssence "crow cries" section because of the absence of chords, and having voices sing to string instruments essentially riffing on scales. This shit is beautiful and a great throwback to the stripped back 'psychedelic doo wop' of Smiley Smile. As much as I love the 'rock' version on UTL, this 'Indian' version is outta sight. MLNW version wins on this song too.
10,000 Years - Another song where elements were lifted into UTL version. The guitar work is very cool on this song, and given a bit more creative freedom on this version. But the drum machine sound, and lack of real driving drums, makes me prefer the UTL version on this one. But I like the sound effects and reverse guitar on this one. Makes me very curious about what the 70's version sounds like.
Only One Earth - (Last time I'll say it) but finally, this is one more song that was heavily used in its 2017 version. But this version is much warmer and sincere sounding to me.
So is one version of the album better than the other? I can't decide. It puts me in a similar line of thought of Smile Sessions vs BWPS, with the first iteration sounding much more 'human' and 'natural' with the latter sounding much more 'polished' and 'commercial' if I had to describe it. The sound on UTL pretty much follows suit with Brian's NPP and Al's 'Postcards' with what I'd describe as "Surf/California Inspired Adult Contemporary". Whereas the MLNW versions sound almost intentionally reserved and sparse. I think UTL would appeal to fans of LA and BB85, whereas these MLNW recordings might appeal more to a CATP/Holland kinda fan. Hope that makes sense.
At least Brian's last two digital releases were written about quite a bit. Even UTL, "Reason", and "12Sides" received way more promo and writeups compared to this, which has seemingly flown completely under most people's radars (I don't even see threads about it on the other forums) and wonder if we'd even had a thread on here if I hadn't started it haha.
I actually enjoy this album quite a lot. I loved UTL too. I see them as complimentary. I'll listen to both. And probably make my own version of the album that takes the best from each version.
Hope other people get the same kick out of it that I do! Even if it is largely recordings most of us have had access to for some time. I'm still really happy about any new BBs releases we get at this stage. I guess this counts as an 'archival' release huh?
If Mike was comfortable with these recordings coming out, as well as LBWL being on DPS, I think there is a significant chance that First Love and Country Love might see release now. This is just a perplexing release schedule haha. Three original albums, then a demo version of the first album, followed by 70's releases?
You guys think this is a counterpart for UTL or a 'replacement' of sorts?
Excited to hear everyone's thoughts. It's been a while since we discussed these recordings.
I'd like to add that Paul F did a nice job with the production on these original versions. They're more sparse, and definitely have a early 2000's quality with the drum and guitar sounds.