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Post by B.E. on Jun 6, 2021 22:36:53 GMT
First bad: Keepin’ the Summer Alive They have had weaker albums before this, but this is definitely their first album that I would be comfortable calling bad. Had they? I'm curious which ones you think are weaker. And I'm not knocking KTSA, I actually like it. Just not as much as what came before ( MIU excepted - my choice for First Bad).
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Jun 6, 2021 23:04:02 GMT
Last Great: L.A. (Light Album) Outside of the 10 minute disco song, which I actually love I just think it goes on a couple minutes too long, this album is perfect. Absolutely everyone shines on this thing, I love the way it’s mixed and produced, and both Dennis and Carl get the spotlight for one last time, with some of their best material. It's hard for me to consider a Beach Boys' album "great" that Brian Wilson is not on (yes, I know he wrote two of the songs and offers a few, barely audible "oohs and ahhs") - and where Mike Love has only one lead vocal.
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Post by kds on Jun 7, 2021 0:14:03 GMT
Last Great - Holland - IMO, this is the last stand by The Beach Boys as a truly creative group. For the most part, they spent the rest of their career chasing ghosts. Last Good - TWGMTR - I love this album. Almost great. First Bad - Smiley Smile - Other than the two big singles, this is....not good. I was almost ready to agree with you about Smiley Smile, but then realized it has Windchimes and Wonderful on it and I love those songs! Still - you would never find me listening to that album in it’s entirety. I prefer the parts to the sum and even sometimes find Vegetables fun to listen to. I think the biggest problem is that Smiley Smile should have been Smile. It sort of clouds my judgement a bit. I think the Smiley versions of Wonderful and Wind Chimes are awful. With the possible exception of Fall Breaks, which I find progressively less interesting each time I hear it, the only two songs I care to listen to are available on comps, which actually makes Smiley Smile the most useless BB studio album for me.
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Post by kds on Jun 7, 2021 0:16:57 GMT
Last Great: L.A. (Light Album) Outside of the 10 minute disco song, which I actually love I just think it goes on a couple minutes too long, this album is perfect. Absolutely everyone shines on this thing, I love the way it’s mixed and produced, and both Dennis and Carl get the spotlight for one last time, with some of their best material. Last good: I would say Still Cruisin’, just because all of the songs are just so fun and I don’t mind the 80s overly happy feel of the album, but given that it has a song that’s not even theirs, and three older tracks on it, I’m going to consider that more of a compilation than an album, and go with… The Beach Boys They updated their sound for the 80s, and at least in my opinion, it actually works. Carl puts forward some of his best tunes, better than a lot of the stuff that made his actual solo albums, Brian is on decent form, and Al and Mike are pretty good. My real sore spot with this album are the two tracks from Boy George and Stevie wonder, which to me could have been replaced with some actual Beach Boys songs. Those two songs are definitely not bad, but they both sound like mid 80s culture club and Stevie wonder songs, just Sang by Carl. They really ruined the flow of the album in my opinion, and it would’ve been much stronger without them. Brian recorded a version of water builds up during the sessions for this album, and Al and Mike had some Great tunes they could have pulled out. They even could have rescued an old Dennis tune if they really wanted to, and just made some slight tweaks to make it sound more 80s. It’s not too late, at least the original mix that is on bootlegs, already sounds like something that could have been from the 80s. It has those huge drums and everything. First bad: Keepin’ the Summer Alive as you can probably tell by my profile name, I don’t hate MIU at all. However, KTSA their first album where they sound like they could not care less. The tunes are decent, and could have been so much better. The early mix of Santa Anna winds, the version of Oh Darlin with a Brian lead vocal, both are better than what made the album. It’s almost like they’re singing songs that they just don’t care about. Everyone sounds checked out, Carl sounds like he was intoxicated throughout the entire Album Sessions, Mike Sounds like he would rather be anywhere else, the only one who actually sounds like they’re trying is Al. But the real problem with the album, is the absolutely horrendous production. I have no idea how Bruce went from producing LA, which at least in my opinion is sonically beautiful, to just a couple months later producing this mess. The mixes are dry, the vocals are overly processed so much that it doesn’t even sound like the Beach boys harmony stack anymore, it just sounds like noise. Sunshine is mixed so poorly that for the longest time I couldn’t even tell what the lyrics were because the vocals are crushed together. There are parts of the album that are actually harsh to my ears. They give me a headache. They have had weaker albums before this, but this is definitely their first album that I would be comfortable calling bad. The only saving moments of the album are The title track, which even though it suffers from the same production issues of the rest of the album is still fun, and Goin’ On. Everything else is either just bad, could have been done so much better, or exists in better versions elsewhere I find my appreciation for BB'85 increases with each play.
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Post by carllove on Jun 7, 2021 19:18:08 GMT
I was almost ready to agree with you about Smiley Smile, but then realized it has Windchimes and Wonderful on it and I love those songs! Still - you would never find me listening to that album in it’s entirety. I prefer the parts to the sum and even sometimes find Vegetables fun to listen to. I think the biggest problem is that Smiley Smile should have been Smile. It sort of clouds my judgement a bit. I think the Smiley versions of Wonderful and Wind Chimes are awful. With the possible exception of Fall Breaks, which I find progressively less interesting each time I hear it, the only two songs I care to listen to are available on comps, which actually makes Smiley Smile the most useless BB studio album for me. MY GOD - I just listened to Smiley Smile in the first time in over a year (actually I think for only the second time) and it is all kinds of awful! Probably why my initial instinct was to agree with you, but listening to disc 2 of the GV box set, with it's beautiful Smile versions of Windchimes and Wonderful must have clouded my judgement. Other than Good Vibrations and Heroes and Villains (which is not really one of my favorite songs, but sometimes I want to hear a version or two of it), that is the biggest load of crap I have ever heard from the boys. Almost makes KTSA sound like a masterpiece! So you Sir are correct - First Bad Beach Boys album is Smiley Smile (IMHO)!
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Post by Kapitan on Jun 7, 2021 19:27:00 GMT
I find my appreciation for BB'85 increases with each play. I'd like to share that experience, but unfortunately I don't. There have been times when I've really found myself enjoying every single Beach Boys album prior to this one (with the exception of the first one), but as for 85 and the ones after it up until TWGMTR, I'm afraid I just haven't ever found much to like. I've listened back every so often to it (and them), but no dice. At least not yet. Maybe someday.
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Post by kds on Jun 7, 2021 19:49:58 GMT
I think the Smiley versions of Wonderful and Wind Chimes are awful. With the possible exception of Fall Breaks, which I find progressively less interesting each time I hear it, the only two songs I care to listen to are available on comps, which actually makes Smiley Smile the most useless BB studio album for me. MY GOD - I just listened to Smiley Smile in the first time in over a year (actually I think for only the second time) and it is all kinds of awful! Probably why my initial instinct was to agree with you, but listening to disc 2 of the GV box set, with it's beautiful Smile versions of Windchimes and Wonderful must have clouded my judgement. Other than Good Vibrations and Heroes and Villains (which is not really one of my favorite songs, but sometimes I want to hear a version or two of it), that is the biggest load of crap I have ever heard from the boys. Almost makes KTSA sound like a masterpiece! So you Sir are correct - First Bad Beach Boys album is Smiley Smile (IMHO)! In a way, I find that flawed albums like KTSA and SIP are somewhat "forgivable" considering they're later era albums after the band's creative peak. That can't be said about Smiley Smile, and it's crazy that they had such good material just on the shelf, but opted to release an inferior product.
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Post by kds on Jun 7, 2021 19:52:47 GMT
I find my appreciation for BB'85 increases with each play. I'd like to share that experience, but unfortunately I don't. There have been times when I've really found myself enjoying every single Beach Boys album prior to this one (with the exception of the first one), but as for 85 and the ones after it up until TWGMTR, I'm afraid I just haven't ever found much to like. I've listened back every so often to it (and them), but no dice. At least not yet. Maybe someday. I think for me, the sound of the album just sounds like summertime from my youth (even though I have no recollection of ever hearing any material from it as a kid). Those 80s synths sounds always remind me of summertime, so I've gone back in recent years and come to appreciate a lot of 80s pop I used to dismiss. Plus, I love the album vocally.
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Post by Kapitan on Jun 11, 2021 12:13:44 GMT
How about singles?
Last Great: I'm struggling with this. I'm not sure whether I can count "Lady Lynda" (1979) as great. If not, I'd go with "It's OK" (1976).
Last Good: "Isn't It Time" (2012)
First Bad: "Ten Little Indians" (1962)
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Post by kds on Jun 11, 2021 12:54:51 GMT
Singles - I'm with you on 2/3.
Last Great: Sail On Sailor. I was tempted to go with It's OK, Getcha Back, or even....Kokomo (ducks).
Last Good: Isn't It Time
First Bad: Ten Little Indians
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Jun 11, 2021 14:44:21 GMT
Singles:
LAST GREAT: It's interesting, but if you polled general music fans, you would probably get mostly "Kokomo", maybe "Getcha Back", and maybe even "Good Vibratons". With Beach Boys' nuts like us...no. Keeping in mind this is the last GREAT single, I'm going with "Good Timin'". "Good Timin'" has been discussed before on this board; I know that it isn't the most appreciated song. I think it IS a great song. I like everything about it, especially Carl's vocal and the background vocals. I also have to give Bruce some credit for the production. It's outstanding, right up his alley. I also think it is one of the last great Brian Wilson songs, maybe THE LAST Brian Wilson song that possesses the old BW magic. Oh, and they didn't go with a goofy choice for the B-Side either, choosing a DW song ("Love Surrounds Me").
LAST GOOD: Now I'll vote for "Kokomo". It IS a good song, well-performed and well-produced. "Isn't It Time" is OK; it doesn't do much for me. And, I do prefer the single version because Jeff Foskett isn't as prominent.
FIRST BAD: Yes, "Ten Little Indians" is the obvious choice, a head-scratcher. But, just for the fun of it, I'll vote for the next bad one - "Bluebirds Over The Mountain". This song shouldn't have been on 20/20 much less being released as a single. Who made that decision to release it as a single? And then they compounded that bad choice by putting it on Live In London. They should've followed "Do It Again" with "I Can Hear Music", and if they really needed a third single from 20/20, go with "Time To Get Alone".
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Post by Kapitan on Jun 11, 2021 14:49:22 GMT
FIRST BAD: Yes, "Ten Little Indians" is the obvious choice, a head-scratcher. But, just for the fun of it, I'll vote for the next bad one - "Bluebirds Over The Mountain". This song shouldn't have been on 20/20 much less being released as a single. Who made that decision to release it as a single? And then they compounded that bad choice by putting it on Live In London. They should've followed "Do It Again" with "I Can Hear Music", and if they really needed a third single, go with "Time To Get Alone". I was going to argue "Bluebirds" as the next bad one after "Ten Little," but as I look back ... yep, that's the one. But I don't agree that it shouldn't have been on 20/20. I think it's a fine little song. Not a terrible recording. Not a single, in my opinion. But fine as an album track.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Jun 11, 2021 14:55:57 GMT
FIRST BAD: Yes, "Ten Little Indians" is the obvious choice, a head-scratcher. But, just for the fun of it, I'll vote for the next bad one - "Bluebirds Over The Mountain". This song shouldn't have been on 20/20 much less being released as a single. Who made that decision to release it as a single? And then they compounded that bad choice by putting it on Live In London. They should've followed "Do It Again" with "I Can Hear Music", and if they really needed a third single, go with "Time To Get Alone". I was going to argue "Bluebirds" as the next bad one after "Ten Little," but as I look back ... yep, that's the one. But I don't agree that it shouldn't have been on 20/20. I think it's a fine little song. Not a terrible recording. Not a single, in my opinion. But fine as an album track. I find "Bluebirds" boring. I think it was a poor choice of a cover (of all the covers to choose from!), and after listening to Sunshine Tomorrow - and I guess soon Feel Flows - they certainly had other original songs that could've taken its place on the album.
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Post by bellesofparisstan on Jun 11, 2021 16:30:16 GMT
Last Great: L.A. (Light Album) Outside of the 10 minute disco song, which I actually love I just think it goes on a couple minutes too long, this album is perfect. Absolutely everyone shines on this thing, I love the way it’s mixed and produced, and both Dennis and Carl get the spotlight for one last time, with some of their best material. It's hard for me to consider a Beach Boys' album "great" that Brian Wilson is not on (yes, I know he wrote two of the songs and offers a few, barely audible "oohs and ahhs") - and where Mike Love has only one lead vocal. Brian is on LA just as much as he’s on Holland, not counting the EP. On Holland, Brian sings one line in California Saga, is somewhere hidden in the vocal stack of Trader, and is somewhere in the Bridge/Tag of Funky Pretty. That’s it
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Post by Kapitan on Jun 11, 2021 16:54:29 GMT
I purchased Holland a little later in my BB album collecting. I never really warmed up to it ... Maybe the problem was/is that Brian and Dennis are barely audible on the album...again. ... Brian hardly wrote anything.
... Speaking of Brian, where was he? He contributed only one song while over in Holland. As I mentioned above, he sings, what, a line or two. Again, why? And that's probably the main reason, along with very little Dennis, why Holland isn't a favorite of mine. I can appreciate that they left the country for atmosphere, that they lost a fortune, and that they "forced" Brian and Dennis to go along, but the end results? Holland is a good album. I can't give it more credit than that. ... I'll go with a 7.
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