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Post by Kapitan on Jun 21, 2020 21:23:11 GMT
I go SDSN, but not by much. Theses are two very, very good albums. Neither is quite the peak of the band's output--which would be Pet Sounds--but both are not far below it.
While Brian has talked about Rubber Soul influencing him on Pet Sounds to make an album that was strong from start to finish, both of these albums seem to belie that line of reasoning. Yes, they each have at least one piece of filler ("Bull Sessions with Big Daddy" and "I'm Bugged at My Old Man," respectively), both are otherwise at the very least examples of the group doing exactly what Brian said he began attempting later: using good songs and nothing but good songs.
It's in my evaluation of their success in that effort that leads me to prefer SDSN. I don't love the rock-side, ballad-side of Today. I really don't like the version of "Help Me, Ronda" that it includes. I'm not thrilled with the sound--though I love the energy--of "Do You Wanna Dance." And (I say from under cover from the tomatoes and rotten apples likely to be tossed my way) I really don't like "In the Back of My Mind" at all.
Conversely, once the obvious filler is pulled from SDSN, I have no serious complaints. I'd rate every single remaining song above those three I mentioned above. The variety runs from undeniable classics like "California Girls" and "Help Me, Rhonda" to underrated gems like "Let Him Run Wild," "The Girl From NYC," and "Girl Don't Tell Me." Not a bad song in the bunch. Everyone is singing brilliantly, the tracks pop ... it's just an example of a great band very, very near its peak.
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Post by The Cincinnati Kid on Jun 21, 2020 23:47:49 GMT
Your post reminds me why I used to go with SD/SN. The highs are just so high that it's hard to ignore them. Another reason I ultimately went with Today is I listen to it more often all the way through.
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Post by kds on Jun 22, 2020 13:12:55 GMT
This is a tough one. Each album is very strong, both boasting some all timers. Each album has one obvious filler track. And each album has a song that the fanbase seems to love, but I think is just OK (In the Back of My Mind and Girl Don't Tell Me).
I'm going with Today by the slimmest of margins. Probably because I find myself listening to Please Let Me Wonder and Kiss Me Baby slightly more than CA Girls and Help Me Rhonda.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Jun 22, 2020 14:34:36 GMT
Yes, another tough one. We've had this debate before (and on other message boards) and it doesn't get any easier.
OK, Today! is just so darn consistent right up to Tracks 11 and 12. One great song after another. The B-sides ("She Knows Me Too Well", "Please Let me Wonder", and "Kiss Me, Baby") are almost as good or better as the A-sides ("When I Grow Up (To Be A Man)", "Do You Wanna Dance", and "Help Me, Rhonda"). Even the other songs ("Good To My Baby", "Don't Hurt My Little Sister", and "I'm So Young") are excellent. You can't ignore the album ending with "In The Back Of My Mind" and "Bull Session". It leaves a bad taste in your mouth going out. If they would've taken those last two songs out and added "All Dressed Up For School" and a finished "Guess I'm Dumb", we're talking about a No. 2 or No. 3 best BB album. Today! is still up there anyway.
SD&SN is a great one, too. I suppose "California Girls' and "Help Me, Rhonda" present higher highs than Today! And, the next tier ("Let Him Run Wild", You're So Good To Me", "Girl Don't Tell Me", and "Salt Lake City") has some excellent songs, too. You even have a third tier ("Then I Kissed Her", The Girl From New York City" and the vastly underrated "Amusement Parks U.S.A.") that ain't too shabby. What is it with Brian and ending his early-period albums? SD&SN goes out with a wimper, not a disaster, just a little disappointing.
I have wavered back and forth on these two through the years. Right now I'm going with Summer Days (And Summer Nights), but just barely.
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Post by Kapitan on Jun 22, 2020 14:37:28 GMT
You even have a third tier ("Then I Kissed Her", The Girl From New City" and the vastly underrated "Amusement Parks U.S.A.") that ain't too shabby. I'd put "The Girl From New York City" higher than third tier without question. I LOVE that song! I know a lot of fans would do the same with "Then I Kissed Her," though that one doesn't rank as highly with me. (I always found the rewrite clunky. I think KISS was a lot smarter about it, just saying "Then She Kissed Me.")
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Post by kds on Jun 22, 2020 14:42:04 GMT
You even have a third tier ("Then I Kissed Her", The Girl From New City" and the vastly underrated "Amusement Parks U.S.A.") that ain't too shabby. I'd put "The Girl From New York City" higher than third tier without question. I LOVE that song! I know a lot of fans would do the same with "Then I Kissed Her," though that one doesn't rank as highly with me. (I always found the rewrite clunky. I think KISS was a lot smarter about it, just saying "Then She Kissed Me.") A woman in 1965 would be a tramp if she made the first move. Well, not really, but that likely factored in the reasoning. Plus, The BB version sort of acts as a companion to The Crystals' version.
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Post by Kapitan on Jun 22, 2020 14:43:25 GMT
Yeah, I get why they did it. I just wish they'd done it differently.
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Post by kds on Jun 22, 2020 14:46:50 GMT
The KISS reworking is definitely less clunky, I'll agree with that.
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bellbottoms
Pacific Coast Highway
Posts: 727
Likes: 201
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Post by bellbottoms on Jun 22, 2020 15:03:24 GMT
This one was a bit easier for me - I'm on team SDSN. Today is of course a wonderful album, but I'm not a fan of the fast Side A/slow Side B sequencing, and whenever "Ronda" comes on, I just wish I was listening to "Rhonda". The jewels on SDSN just seem to outshine the jewels on Today, just a little bit. I even like "Bugged" - it's a nice window into Brian's personality and sense of humour. Maybe not the greatest way to end the album, but I'm glad it's there.
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Post by The Cincinnati Kid on Jun 22, 2020 15:13:17 GMT
You guys are tempting me to change my vote...
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Post by Kapitan on Jun 22, 2020 15:22:00 GMT
You guys are tempting me to change my vote... Victory is ours!
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Jun 22, 2020 17:26:52 GMT
You guys are tempting me to change my vote... Are you a Dennis Wilson fan? He's pretty prominent on Today! and I don't think I even hear him on Summer Days (And Summer Nights). Between the two albums, Carl has one lead vocal ("Girl Don't Tell Me") on SD&SN.
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zinczag
The Surfer Moon
Posts: 151
Likes: 90
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Post by zinczag on Jun 23, 2020 3:31:26 GMT
Summer Days.
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Post by jk on Jun 23, 2020 12:03:40 GMT
Today!
Blame Joshilyn's tutorials! ("Kiss Me, Baby" coming soon.)
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Post by The Cincinnati Kid on Jun 27, 2020 17:02:11 GMT
Looks like Today will win with a narrow 4-3 victory.
Next up, we have Brian's first solo album, Brian Wilson, up against his last (to this date), No Pier Pressure. This is an easy choice for me. No Pier Pressure sounds contemporary and has contemporary artists that I've actually heard of. Lots of just plain good music. Brian's first album is solid, but relies too heavily on the 80s production and his vocals are too shouty in places.
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