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Post by sebevedomy on Mar 20, 2019 13:11:20 GMT
Well, he wasn't fat when he wrote it, and it is possible to like all three sides...and let's not to forget the crass odes to baby boomer nostalgia. I'll take it all.
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Post by Kapitan on Mar 20, 2019 13:19:38 GMT
it is possible to like all three sides... Absolutely
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Mar 21, 2019 23:04:55 GMT
I remember back in 1987 playing "Too Much Sugar" over and over and over. I actually thought/think it's better than the A-side, "Let's Go To Heaven In My Car". I was itching for any new BB/BW material. It was exciting that the solo Brian Wilson was actually coming to fruition, but at the same time, I knew that "Too Much Sugar" - and numerous BW solo songs after that - weren't going anywhere and desperately needed the Beach Boys' voices.
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Post by Kapitan on Mar 21, 2019 23:10:21 GMT
When I read contemporaneous articles from '88 (and again from '95ish, around the IJWMFTT and Paley sessions), I'm always amazed at how gushingly positive they are. Because I listen as someone who came to all of this after the fact, more or less, and just don't hear it.
But on the other hand, I can see where I'd have done the same thing. After all, when I bought the nearly new Imagination in '99 or so, I was trying to find the brilliance anywhere I could "He's still got it (somewhere in here...)!" I insisted to friends who somehow didn't abandon me on the spot.
I realize that's not entirely relevant. But something in SJS's mention of his thinking at the time just got me thinking what I'd be thinking, which OFFICIALLY marks the most times I've said "thinking" in a single sentence.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Mar 21, 2019 23:26:06 GMT
I think that "trying to find the brilliance" and "he's still got it" attitude is a given for any Brian Wilson fan, with The Beach Boys (post 1975) or as a solo artist. Again going back to 1986 and 1987, Brian hadn't really released anything solo yet, but articles were starting to circulate that he was getting closer. Actual song titles were being mentioned. And you couldn't help but be positive. Remember, he looked like a million bucks back then and, well, you just hoped he sounded as good as he looked.
I went out and bought the Police Academy 4 soundtrack album for that one damn song, "Let's Go To Heaven In My Car". I also played that song a hundred times, and, honestly, it just didn't get to me, didn't feel right, didn't have the BW magic. I remember thinking that something was not quite right.
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Post by sebevedomy on Mar 22, 2019 9:08:22 GMT
The verse of "Let's Go To Heaven..." is pretty good, but the chorus is kind of awful -- or, well, it just doesn't fit. I think the "Water Builds Up" chorus suits the verses slightly better, though still doesn't feel right. Reading the Usher book really cleared things Up...they labored for months on that thrack and everyone from Usher, to Andy Paley to some bassist to Lenny Waronker to Landy put their mark on the record. It is very much produced by committee, with Brian taking a back seat role.
As far as the sounds go, the production is dated, but at the time, that kind of thing sounded totally natural and all right, even preferable. I think that things have come full circle and that sound is acceptable to my ears again after many years of it not sounding acceptable.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Mar 22, 2019 9:43:27 GMT
Even though "Let's Go To Heaven In My Car" didn't quite hit the mark for me, I still wish it would've been included on the first solo album. BW 1988 desperately needed more rock and roll/fast pop.
How would've this "Night Time" grouping sounded:
- Love And Mercy - Night Time - There's So Many - Meet Me In My Dreams Tonight - Let's Go To Heaven In My Car - Let It Shine - Rio Grande (w/ Night Blooming Jasmine)
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Post by sebevedomy on Mar 22, 2019 10:12:31 GMT
Personally, I can't stand "Let It Shine"-- well I can stand it, it's pretty good;, but I just don't think it fits on the album; though in that context I see the sense thematically.
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Post by Kapitan on Mar 22, 2019 14:31:43 GMT
I'm not a fan of "Let It Shine" either. It does at least sound like a legitimate late '80s pop song, though. I'll give it that. It's professionally done. Definitely not my style, though.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Mar 22, 2019 19:45:54 GMT
After "Love And Mercy", "Let It Shine" is my favorite song on the album. I do prefer Jeff Lynne's contribution to the song, but Brian's lead vocal ain't bad.
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