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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2019 11:46:35 GMT
California Beach sounds like Mike trying to make a rock song sound like "Kokomo" and unsurprisingly failing. I don't like huge presense of vocal edits, either - it's a pity as I think the song itself is pretty decent, and I actually dig "Skatetown USA".
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Post by The Cincinnati Kid on Jul 19, 2019 4:07:57 GMT
The whole album has been released. My early thoughts are that Scott should have produced the entire album.
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Post by Kapitan on Jul 19, 2019 13:02:29 GMT
I noticed it among the new releases of the day, clicked it to preview, and realized, "I just do not care. Not one bit."
Covers, self-covers, ad nauseum, from somebody who is at his best as a role player on a greater team, not as a starring-role solo artist.
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Post by kds on Jul 19, 2019 13:56:25 GMT
From what I've heard, I imagine its the summer equivalent of Mike's Christmas album, enjoyable, but ultimately forgettable.
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Post by Kapitan on Jul 19, 2019 14:35:30 GMT
I'm sure that's true. My more cynical response would be, especially in these days of simple streaming, it's easier to assemble a playlist of better versions of those same songs, making it a more enjoyable and less forgettable experience.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Jul 20, 2019 4:04:28 GMT
I just listened to the album.
One of the most intriguing aspects of The Beach Boys' history is the backstory behind many of the albums. What was the motivation behind the recording of the album? What were they trying to accomplish? Who was their target audience? Why choose those particular songs (as opposed to the ones left in the can)? And on and on. This is especially true with albums like Pet Sounds, SMiLE, 15 Big Ones, Love You, and several of Brian's solo albums. And then there's this new Mike Love solo album. Mike, what in the hell are you doing and why are you doing it? I could speculate but let's get right to the nuts and bolts.
Do you wanna start with some praise? Some positive things? OK, some of the tracks rock; I really like some of the guitar work. Mike picked some good songs; it's hard to fail with some of these (I could make a joke but I won't). The production isn't a disaster (I guess that's a positive). And, the album does have a summer-y, frisky, outdoorish, dare I say fun vibe to it. Unfortunately, all of that praise, all of those positives, isn't enough to save this album.
The biggest problem is with Mike himself, specifically his vocals. Michael Edward Love was a great singer in the 60's. He was good singer in the 70's. And while he continued to lose something on his fastball, he had his moments in the 80's and 90's. But, now, in 2019 (and on his previous two solo albums) he sounds weak. It's almost like the tracks overpower his vocals. And I say that sadly because I am truly a fan of his vocal work. When I listen to Mike sing on his recent solo albums, I get this uneasy feeling. I hear someone who sounds raspy, someone who is struggling to get the words out, someone, frankly, who sounds too old for the subject matter he is singing about. It comes across very awkwardly, and it makes me uncomfortable. It takes away from my enjoyment of the album, similar to the way I feel about some of Brian Wilson's solo works.
But, that's what Mike Love, the solo artist, has to offer - his singing. People don't listen to Mike Love for his songwriting. Mike isn't an instrumentalist. And I mean this with all due respect, but other than the early Beach Boys' classics - and that was 55 years ago - Mike's lyrics aren't a selling point either. I really do give Mike credit and appreciate the fact that he's "still doin' it", still recording, still being active, and still trying at his age to be relevant. But it's also kind of perplexing. I find myself wanting to say, "Mike, why did you wait until you were pushing 80 to record songs like "Rockaway Beach"? Yep, more questions.
And then there's the re-recordings...I'm sorry but you lose me with them. I don't have to say much about this issue. That ground's been covered ad nauseam. But it's still frustrating, because along with these pointless re-recordings comes criticism in the press, disappointing sales, boring live performances, and more raw meat for The Haters. On a personal level, it just becomes another Beach Boys' solo album that will be listened to a couple of times and then gets filed away, only to be pulled out again...whenever.
But I'm sure Mike will be unfazed. He'll promote this album in the press, he'll perform a few selections live, and I wouldn't be surprised if he records yet another solo album before he calls it a day. Hey Brian, are you still interested in recording that rock and roll album?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 21, 2019 10:29:08 GMT
Repost from EH/SS: I started listening to the album as soon as it was released on iTunes at midnight. I might well be among the first to listen to it (outside of the insiders) Overall, while I don't prefer it to Unleash The Love (Disc 1) or Reason for The Season (first seven songs), the album is a cooling, fun listen. It's refreshing to listen to Mike rocks hard on tracks like "Summertime Blues" and "Rockaway Beach", and croon in his mellow voice on "Here Comes The Sun" and "The Girl from Ipanema". The covers of BB songs are weaker in comparison, but they're still listenable unlike some of Mike's past output (i.e. Unleash the Love Disc 2 & Summer In Paradise). I thought the arrangement of "Surfin' Safari" was very novel. "Here Comes The Sun" and "Rockaway Beach" are easily the highlights, with the former noted for its bossa nova arrangement. It's no That Lucky Old Sun, but I appreciate Mike's overall efforts here.
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