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Post by kds on May 20, 2021 12:47:39 GMT
Again from that same ESQ interview I referenced in the Feels Flow thread:
New album? I didn't--and still am not sure I do--expect that. But a few shows, a tribute show...nothing surprising there.
Considering Brian has said he hasn't written a song in 20 years, and that the 1998 Brian / Joe writing sessions seem to have been mined across three albums now, I'd be shocked if we get a new BB album. A show, a tour, getting together to promote some sort of Beach Boys wine or craft beer, a doc, sure. But, an album is the one thing that would truly shock me.
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Post by kds on May 20, 2021 12:48:59 GMT
A new song from Al! Which means, of course... Hey, it's less than 25 years old, which for Al's work counts as current.
I'd actually be interested to hear that version of A Pirate Looks at 40. That might be my favorite Buffett song
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Post by Kapitan on May 20, 2021 12:55:21 GMT
Considering Brian has said he hasn't written a song in 20 years, and that the 1998 Brian / Joe writing sessions seem to have been mined across three albums now, I'd be shocked if we get a new BB album. A show, a tour, getting together to promote some sort of Beach Boys wine or craft beer, a doc, sure. But, an album is the one thing that would truly shock me. But let's remember, whether he's written new songs or not, there are still many unreleased songs out there that could be used. Several of the Wilson/Paley songs would be good fits. It's too bad he "wasted" a few--"Some Sweet Day" and "Run James Run," specifically--as new tracks on a compilation album when they would have been much better used as Beach Boys songs.
Of course, the Beach Boys have never been shy about remakes, so they could just reuse them anyway.
Also, Brian saying he hasn't written a song in 20 years isn't the same as Brian not having written a song in 20 years. At least according to Joe Thomas, a few of those on TWGMTR were brand new; and according to Ray Lawlor, at least a few of those on NPP were brand new. (Though in both cases we know a lot of the material was older, too.)
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Post by kds on May 20, 2021 12:58:13 GMT
Considering Brian has said he hasn't written a song in 20 years, and that the 1998 Brian / Joe writing sessions seem to have been mined across three albums now, I'd be shocked if we get a new BB album. A show, a tour, getting together to promote some sort of Beach Boys wine or craft beer, a doc, sure. But, an album is the one thing that would truly shock me. But let's remember, whether he's written new songs or not, there are still many unreleased songs out there that could be used. Several of the Wilson/Paley songs would be good fits. It's too bad he "wasted" a few--"Some Sweet Day" and "Run James Run," specifically--as new tracks on a compilation album when they would have been much better used as Beach Boys songs.
Of course, the Beach Boys have never been shy about remakes, so they could just reuse them anyway.
I'm actually pretty lukewarm on the Paley material. But, reusing some of that stuff with BB vocals wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.
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Post by The Cincinnati Kid on May 20, 2021 13:02:08 GMT
I'd give anything to have a fully fleshed out Chain Reaction of Love and Dancin' the Night Away, but it seems the Paley stuff has been left to the dustbin of history.
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Post by Kapitan on May 20, 2021 13:03:24 GMT
I don't love the Paley material, but I do like some of it. And adding Beach Boys voices can only help. Plus, if it's a question of nothing "new" or using that? No question, roll out the Paley.
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Post by kds on May 20, 2021 14:22:37 GMT
As great a finale at I truly believe TWGMTR was, if they did dust off some Paley tunes, and maybe even a song or two that's already appeared on Postcard or Unleash the Love, and added some warm BB vocals (ala the intro the PCH), I'd be the first in line to buy a copy.....well, I'd place an order an Amazon, because God only knows where to go to buy a new CD anymore.
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Post by Kapitan on May 20, 2021 15:04:21 GMT
There's so much that could go wrong with another album: I'm almost afraid enough about it to hope against it at all.
That's ridiculous, I know, because how does it hurt me if they screw up royally rather than just do nothing? I can always just ignore whatever comes out. It's not my name, my career, my reputation.
But for example, it seems reasonable to expect a new album (if one were to appear for '22) would not be entirely new. Why? Because Al isn't even aware of there being an album, he's talking "maybe." And considering how non-prolific these guys have been in recent decades with respect to songwriting, it's highly unlikely they're going to "get back in a room and do it like they used to do." (Although they barely ever even did it that way...)
It's far more likely they will do what we've been discussing: compile the best material they've got around right now, and either starting from existing tracks or recreating them from demos, just polishing them up with Beach Boys' voices and finishing touches. More "Daybreak Over the Ocean," in other words.
But considering they did that 10 years ago and both Brian and Mike have released new albums since then, how much more good material are they sitting on?
What other relatively easy pathways are there? Well, there's always covers. And that's where I think things could also go horribly awry. I can't imagine much more embarrassing a finale for an iconic band than some (probably neutered) covers of rock and roll oldies. "You liked 'From There to Back Again/Pacific Coast Highway/Summer's Gone'? You're going to LOVE these re-recordings of 'Seasons in the Sun' and 'Johnny B. Goode'!"
Finally, I wonder how sympathetic and generous critics will be this time around. In '12, I was surprised how positive they were, and think the quality of that album (and those shows) as the last hurrah had a lot to do with it. So will they just laugh off the latest, greatest last hurrah? I wouldn't be surprised to see a more cynical reception this time calling out an album of touched-up leftovers, remakes, and covers.
If they do it, they better do it good.
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Post by kds on May 20, 2021 15:35:32 GMT
I have absolutely zero expectations that a possible new Beach Boys album would even come close to TWGMTR.
But, they wouldn't be the first band to release somewhat lackluster albums after albums that, by all accounts, should've been their swan song (Queen and Pink Floyd immediately come to mind).
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Post by Kapitan on May 20, 2021 15:51:24 GMT
I have absolutely zero expectations that a possible new Beach Boys album would even come close to TWGMTR. But, they wouldn't be the first band to release somewhat lackluster albums after albums that, by all accounts, should've been their swan song (Queen and Pink Floyd immediately come to mind). Agreed ... but wouldn't it be nice if they pulled it together and did it right (like they did with their previous swan song)? A graceful exit would be really wonderful. A clunky, snafu-ridden one would be a shame, though typical of this group, unfortunately.
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Post by kds on May 20, 2021 16:06:35 GMT
I have absolutely zero expectations that a possible new Beach Boys album would even come close to TWGMTR. But, they wouldn't be the first band to release somewhat lackluster albums after albums that, by all accounts, should've been their swan song (Queen and Pink Floyd immediately come to mind). Agreed ... but wouldn't it be nice if they pulled it together and did it right (like they did with their previous swan song)? A graceful exit would be really wonderful. A clunky, snafu-ridden one would be a shame, though typical of this group, unfortunately. That would be nothing short of a miracle if they had one more really solid album left in them. In theory, you'd think the collective efforts of Mike, Brian, Al, Bruce, Blondie, David, and maybe Totten, Thomas, Darian, etc etc could must a respectable ten song collection.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on May 20, 2021 17:15:41 GMT
I have two fairly strong thoughts, opinions, hopes, whatever...
First, and I'm not trying to be funny or controversial, but I believe in Joe Thomas. To me, after the quality of the songs, the most important thing is having the guys do them justice by singing well. Joe Thomas has a proven track record (pun intended) that he can pull that off, especially with Brian Wilson. I don't know what Joe does or how he does it, but his BB/BW albums ALWAYS have surprisingly good-sounding vocals, and I mean surprisingly. I thought all of the guys sounded very good - and sometimes great - on TWGMTR. Yes, I know it is now ten years removed, but I still think he/they could pull it off again this year/next year. Joe could salvage Mike's voice, Al is not a problem, Bruce'll probably only get one lead vocal, and Brian, as usual, is the wild card. Maybe Brian really has been working with a voice coach. Again, I believe in the Joe-Brian team when it comes to getting quality vocals.
Second, I will have to concede that, if they do record another album, it will probably consist largely of tracks that are...not new. For 59 years that would've bothered me. Now, beggars can't be choosers, and I want one final album badly. I don't know who to put my faith and trust in with this situation. There have been some not so good choices in the past. However, if they went with the "group approach", that is, allowing each member to contribute songs, that would eliminate the need for Brian to come up with as many new songs. Hey, that approach worked on 20/20, Sunflower, Surf's Up, Holland, and (cough) L.A. (Light Album). Come on, let Al, Bruce, and David contribute their best song(s). You know they have to have at least one good song stored somewhere. Add to that two oldies, maybe an instrumental, and you only need a handful of BW songs - or B. Wilson/M. Love songs.
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Post by Kapitan on May 20, 2021 17:19:48 GMT
Take a look at my new "Finale" thread, SJS. I jotted down a batch of candidates for songs. And I agree, they'd be wise to cast a broader net than they did on TWGMTR's Brian/Mike batch of songs. I'm fine with Brian and Mike songs, believe me, but if David, Bruce, Al, or Blondie (if he's included) have material that's superior, use it!
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Post by The Cincinnati Kid on May 28, 2021 15:28:48 GMT
I received an email the other day about the Beach Boys coming to Dayton (an hour north of here) on July 18th. Despite me wanting to save money, I couldn't help myself and bought tickets when they went on sale this morning. The good news is it's the second show of the tour (not counting San Diego tomorrow), so everyone should be in fine vocal form and I'll probably hear some deeper tracks since Feels Flows should be out that week. Bad news is the set may be a couple or three songs shorter as they usually are at the beginning of the tour. It's been a while since I've actually seen them or Brian in the summer, so that'll be fun, too.
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Post by kds on May 28, 2021 15:56:47 GMT
I received an email the other day about the Beach Boys coming to Dayton (an hour north of here) on July 18th. Despite me wanting to save money, I couldn't help myself and bought tickets when they went on sale this morning. The good news is it's the second show of the tour (not counting San Diego tomorrow), so everyone should be in fine vocal form and I'll probably hear some deeper tracks since Feels Flows should be out that week. Bad news is the set may be a couple or three songs shorter as they usually are at the beginning of the tour. It's been a while since I've actually seen them or Brian in the summer, so that'll be fun, too. Very cool. I saw the closest show to be is in Delaware, near Ocean City, MD, in late August. Tempting to see them that close to the beach.
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