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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2021 22:52:53 GMT
I recently retrieved my track-by-track discography of Wondermints from the defunct PSC forum. Back then I had lobbied for a subforum and ratings feature for each album, which would probably be a little much for here. So I figured I'd start a general thread but repost my track-by-track essay, one album at a time and leave room for discussion. So I will start with the first album, and let it go for a number of days, and then go on to Wonderful World of Wondermints, depending on responses.
WONDERMINTS
Considering it is a compilation of analog 4-track recordings originally issued on cassette EP's, this Wondermints debut album is surprisingly solid and cohesive. Although the sound quality and production isn't as polished as their later albums, this surely ain't no garage band demo! Overall, I'd give it a strong rating of 9. Just a fun, uncomplicated album from start to finish. The songs are reminiscent of pop-rock in the late '60s, a time when music was just beginning to morph into a more serious medium. The lyrics, however, are pretty quirky and a bit sci-fi in some cases. Hence: 1.) Proto-Pretty--Kicks the album off with a '60s flavored pop-rocker declaring love through some pretty bizarre lyrics (my favorite line: "The jellyhead is singing..."). Fun tune all around. 2.) Fleur-De-Lis--Not as catchy as the first track, but certainly not a throwaway. 3.) Tracy Hide--Beautiful slow ballad, heavily inspired by Pet Sounds, I can actually imagine Brian or Carl singing lead on this song, had it been written back in the '60s. The multiple vocal parts on the chorus and the overall arrangement make this a wonderful tune, although the tempo is just a wee bit slow and dragging. This was remedied by a re-record of the song on the Wonderful World of Wondermints album with a slightly sped up pace. Both versions have something to offer (the break in the middle of the song is arranged differently in each version). 4.) She Opens Heavens Door--Another beautiful ballad, this one with a haunting 6/8 timing. As I mentioned in another thread, there seems to some sort of tape anomaly going on throughout the song. The drum cymbals have a swishy, phasey sound that doesn't appear to be a deliberate effect. Even so, this song is one of the highlights of the album for me. 5.) Libbyland--Catchy, bouncy tune, apparently written to someone on their high horse. Amusing lyrics are punctuated by various instances of laughter, crowd noise (gasps and exclamations of "No!", etc.), making this a very fun song! 6.) Shine--Fast paced droning throwback to the psychedelic flower-power era. Not super-memorable of a song, but still not something I would consider filler. 7.) Thought Back--Another just-okay song, but with a gritty vocal delivered by Darian, showing his versatility and talent as a singer. 8.) Time--This reflective tune almost makes it appear that the album is wrapping up. It could have made a good final track. 9.) Global Village Idiot--Love that title! Picks up the pace of the album a bit with a quirky, driving rock song. If this album is sagging just a bit in the middle, the final five tracks bring it back up to a solid finish. 10.) Playtex Aviary--Beautiful, gorgeous soulful ballad that is haunting in every way. Another version of this song is featured on Kaleidoscopin' with more aggressive guitar and drum parts, but I prefer this one. 11.) In a Haze--A very rhythmic, catchy song that continues the streak of stronger melodies. 12.) Carnival of Souls--For some odd reason, this song reminds me of something the Cars might have done back in the '80s. Perhaps the heavily processed backing vocals and synths give off that vibe. At any rate, it's a powerful song and a great way to end the album. As you can see, this album starts out strong, sags a little in the middle, but bounces right back and ends tightly. Very solid debut if you ask me. I never skip a track on this set.
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Post by Kapitan on Aug 12, 2021 23:02:11 GMT
Looking forward to this thread. I'm no Wondermints expert by any stretch, though I love their albums (and obviously contributions to Wilson's albums and the BBs C50).
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Post by Kapitan on Nov 2, 2021 17:44:31 GMT
I was looking for a different older thread and saw this. I just put on the debut album now: always a pleasure. If anyone else is interested in getting this one going again, I'm on board.
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sockit
The Surfer Moon
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Post by sockit on Nov 2, 2021 23:29:04 GMT
Hey, thanks for reviving this thread, Kapitan! I, um, sorta.....forgot about it....
If there's an interest I will eventually post my reviews of the subsequent albums, but if anyone has some discussion or questions regarding the debut album, I'll hold off awhile on going to the next one.
A few facts about this particular album that I didn't mention that may be of interest (some of which was brought up by a poster by the name of pianoOwl on the PSC forum):
The three cassettes that these songs were originally released on were referred to as "The Purple", "The Green", and "The Blue" (not particularly released in that order), but I've never actually seen them so I know very little about them. The fact that these songs were not intended to be grouped as a full album makes this release all the more amazing. As I stated in the review, it's a very cohesive set.
There have been a few cd releases of this album in countries such as Japan, England, and perhaps others. There are actually 2 different cover photos. One is the one that I posted with the band watching the launch of the rocket. The other one is a mostly black and white photo of two young ladies watching the same rocket looking...well, kind of bored. The credits in the booklet mention the "model rocket" and the "rocket models"!
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Post by lonelysummer on Nov 3, 2021 3:30:00 GMT
Since I know nothing about this group, I have to ask: are they still active as a band, or strictly just backup for Brian Wilson? Back in 2012, I saw Mark Lindsay do a concert with Explorers Club. I was impressed, despite the fact that the band had never played with Mark before. He sent them a live cd, and told them "rehearse to this". I was disappointed the collaboration didn't continue. Shortly after that concert, Explorers Club broke up. Anyway, I know next to nothing about these underground or alternative groups. My music buddy Bob keeps up on this stuff more than I know - despite the fact that he's old enough to be my father! I guess that's my failing - I've always been so busy exploring the music of the past, really don't keep up on the new stuff, other than the things that are force fed to the masses.
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Post by Kapitan on Nov 3, 2021 14:01:43 GMT
Since I know nothing about this group, I have to ask: are they still active as a band, or strictly just backup for Brian Wilson? ... I guess that's my failing - I've always been so busy exploring the music of the past, really don't keep up on the new stuff, other than the things that are force fed to the masses.
Wondermints haven't released new material since their 2002 album Mind If We Make Love To You (though there was a 2009 compilation release). While I have not heard anything about their status as a band, I think it seems fair to say that it was probably over with regardless, but the death of Nick Walusko a few years ago settled it.
It seems to me probably more reasonable to consider Darian Sahanaja, Mike D'Amico, and Probyn Gregory former Wondermints. But I would love to be proven wrong! However, I also don't think it's quite fair to say they're "just backup for Brian Wilson," in that they do other things. For example, Darian has had a role in the touring bands for Heart and the Zombies, and does (did?) music for Disney projects. Probyn has played on a number of other people's recordings and tours, as well.
Lastly, related to the last part I quoted above, it's funny to refer to Wondermints as "new stuff" considering their lifespan of an active recording band was 1992-02 (thus having ended 20 years ago)! But I do get it...a lot of bands that still strike me as current are roughly that same vintage. The years turn to decades so quickly as we age...
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Post by Kapitan on Nov 3, 2021 14:24:45 GMT
My overall comments on the first album: I don't like it quite so much as sockit does, but I do like it. For me, it falls in "promising album from obviously talented new band" territory.
The fact that it was done on 4-track and without any label or professional backing is impressive. The arrangements are impressive. The singing is really good. But I personally don't think the songs are consistently strong. "Proto Pretty" and "Tracy Hide" are the two that I think are truly high level. "Libbyland" and "In a Haze" (one of only two songs co-written by then-bassist Brian Kassan, kind of the forgotten 'mint) are not far behind.
On the whole I prefer the songs and lead vocals of Darian Sahanaja to those of Nick Walusko (which feels wrong to say since the latter's death, but it's no insult or anything, just my honest preference). Of Walusko's songs, I think "Global Village Idiot" is my favorite, with a strong second place for "Carnival of Souls," the refrain of which is fabulous in every way.
Of the four albums (three originals and one covers), this is my least favorite by a good margin. But as I said up front, I think it is really good for a first album. I'm judging as a fan; if I were them, are you kidding? I'd be over the moon with what I had done.
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Post by jk on Nov 3, 2021 20:05:14 GMT
My one encounter with The Wondermints (apart from seeing the usual suspects with Brian at Kenwood House in June 2008) is 2002's gorgeous Mind If We Make Love to You. A kind mod at the long defunct Capitol Board burnt me a copy years ago. This is "Ride" (unbeknownst to me, Brian sings backup on this and another track): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mind_If_We_Make_Love_to_You
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Post by Kapitan on Nov 3, 2021 20:11:07 GMT
Indeed, and all in due time, we're going to get there. That is a great sounding album and of course having Brian guest was fun to hear.
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sockit
The Surfer Moon
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Post by sockit on Nov 4, 2021 2:22:42 GMT
Mind if We Make Love to You was the first 'Mints album I ever purchased and it is easily their best. It was released on Smile Records, an interesting connection considering their next move merging with Brian's touring band and their involvement with Brian Wilson Presents Smile.
"Ride" was actually my first taste of the album, hearing it on an advanced cassette copy played for me by the late "Coach" Bob Hanes. I naively thought I was listening to a 1970s Beach Boys outtake led by Carl (it does have a vague "Feel Flows" sound). Bob and I had been discussing Smile boots and other (then) unreleased Beach Boys items, so what was I to think? He laughed and said, "Let me educate you on Wondermints!"
During the next year or so I bought all the other albums, back before they became rather expensive. At some point--perhaps 2004 or 2005--I asked Bob if there will ever be a follow up to Mind...and he said, "At this point it looks like Wondermints are no more. They are far too busy with Brian." He did inform me when rumors started circulating about a compilation of outtakes and rarities, which eventually came out in 2009.
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sockit
The Surfer Moon
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Post by sockit on Nov 5, 2021 22:28:47 GMT
After all the gabbing I did about this fine debut album, if anyone is interested in actually listening to it....here it is! And there's that other cover I was talking about. Enjoy!
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Post by Kapitan on Nov 5, 2021 22:53:43 GMT
btw that's the cover that my CD copy has. Until your post, I didn't know the other one was a cover. On mine, that other one is on the other side of the package, on the interior, where the disc is placed (and so under hard plastic).
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sockit
The Surfer Moon
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Post by sockit on Nov 5, 2021 23:05:29 GMT
btw that's the cover that my CD copy has. Until your post, I didn't know the other one was a cover. On mine, that other one is on the other side of the package, on the interior, where the disc is placed (and so under hard plastic). Same on mine (Castle Music, made in England). Some CD websites have displayed the band photo as the cover. Note the "Wondermints" text over their heads; that's not on my tray insert photo.
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sockit
The Surfer Moon
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Post by sockit on Nov 6, 2021 16:51:37 GMT
Moving on to the next album: WONDERFUL WORLD OF WONDERMINTS This is a relatively weak album for me in the Wondermints catalog, or to use one of my pet phrases, half an excellent album. It's a lineup of '60s and '70s covers, plus a rerecording of their best song from their previous album. My one minor issue with this set is not with the performances or the sound quality (which are excellent throughout), but the selection of songs and the sequencing. Most of them were not big hits, which is actually quite refreshing to some extent, but a few of the tracks are very strange (to me) and I find myself skipping them. Some of the songs inspired me to seek out the original versions and listen to them for the first time. This album is in no way a loser, but to be honest I can only rate it a 7. 1.) Porpoise Song--One thing Wondermints has done consistently is start each album off with a strong track. This dreamy cover of the 1967 Monkees tune pulls you right in, yet assures you that this is no ordinary covers album. They could have chose any number of Monkees songs, but they did this one. 2.) Guess I'm Dumb--Continuing the '60s vibe with another winner, their arrangement on this tune gives you somewhat of a taste of what this song would have sounded like had the Beach Boys put their vocals on it. 3.) Louise--This high speed punked out cover of the Paul Revere & the Raiders tune is pretty jarring following the first two tracks. This is one I usually skip, as it causes me to want to listen to PR&R's version instead. 4.) Don't Go Breaking My Heart--No, this isn't the '70s Elton John/Kiki Dee hit! This is a loungey sounding '60s Bacharach tune. This track brings the tone of the album back down a bit and works a little better for me following Guess I'm Dumb. 5.) My Friend Jack--Is this a drug song? No, we can't have that!! But seriously, this updated arrangement of a song originally done by the Smoke is not terrible, but just seems out of place in this sequence. This is another one I tend to pass over..... 6.) Barbarella--.....along with this one. This semi-instrumental is one of those instances of strangeness that I referred to earlier. 7.) Ooh Child--Very faithful cover of the Five Stairsteps' 1970 hit. Even the styling of the vocals is very close to the original. 8.) Arnold Layne--Strikes me as an odd choice for Wondermints to cover this early Pink Floyd single. Well done, but doesn't quite have the dark feel of the original. Not a favorite, but not a skipper. 9.) Darling--Faithful, yet different interpretation of the version put out by the Stories in the early '70s. Gone is the big echoey sound, especially in the vocals, and the instrumental break is arranged quite differently. But it works. 10.) So You Are a Star--Linked to the previous song by a keyboard line, this Hudson Brothers tune continues a nice easy going rock vibe. 11.) Skyman--I.....really don't know what to say on this one! Maybe I'm missing something here? Just don't get it. 12.) Knowing Me, Knowing You--Great cover of the old ABBA tune, with a few liberties taken. For one thing, it rocks! And the bassline is very similar to the Beatles' Rain. One of my favorites on this set. 13.) Love in the City--Here again they could have chosen any of the more popular hits, but they covered this one which happens to be my favorite Turtles song. And what a great job they did on it! 14.) Tracy Hide--Improving one of their earlier standouts, the 'Mints boosted the tempo and polished the arrangement quite a bit. Excellent album closer. Well there it is. Not an all out mind-blowing set, but certainly a vital part of the collection. And of course, your mileage may vary.....
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Post by Kapitan on Nov 6, 2021 22:25:31 GMT
My first comment is, totally contrary to your thinking, I look at this as a significant improvement over the debut! I've enjoyed it much more, and much more often. And really it fits with my thinking as to Wondermints: better performers, arrangers, and producers than songwriters (though certainly not without gifts in that area either).
I'll give more comments after re-listening to this album in the coming days.
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