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Post by Kapitan on Mar 27, 2022 11:49:06 GMT
Today is the last day for "Still Cruisin'." If you haven't revisited the single, now would be a great time to do so (and to share your thoughts and vote).
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Mar 27, 2022 12:14:01 GMT
Do you remember...that "Still Cruisin'" crept its way into the 50th Anniversary concert setlists:
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Post by B.E. on Mar 27, 2022 13:42:16 GMT
I think it's an average song for the type of song it is, but as I've said a lot through the '80s singles, the production style really does not appeal to me. At all. I would have liked to hear some Beach Boys playing instruments on the single rather than two outside musicians (one of whom was apparently programming, not playing). I know, I know, "it was the era." I get it. Doesn't mean I liked it then, and definitely doesn't mean I have to like it now! The song is OK. Actually, the most fun I've ever had with it was just now when I watched the video of the live C50 performance that SJS posted. It occurred to me that my two biggest problems were neutralized: 1) the production 2) Mike's poor vocals. The intro of the studio version combines the two to horrific effect. I can hardly get past it; I hardly ever want to listen to the track as a result. But, why is Mike virtually whispering throughout the entire (quasi-)rock song? He sounds particularly bad on the line "still cruisin' after all of these years" - which is one of the main hooks of the song. I have mixed feelings on the guitars. I like the sections earlier in the song where it sounds like a bed of 12-strings panned hard right and left, and there's some muted rhythm playing as well. But that distorted guitar solo sounds like one of those generic ones you'd hear in the mid 90s and then at the end he starts playing a modern country rock style riff or something. I don't know, I could be wrong on all that but the end result is the same: I don't really like it. Then there's the contributions of Keith Wechsler who apparently served the same role of SIP. I suppose it's a moot point at this point in their career but it really is a shame that they gave up as a band - by that I mean, instrumentally, as a self-contained band with a recognizable sound. Anyway, hey, I like the harmonies. I like Al and Bruce's parts. I especially like Carl's part. Rounding up to a 5 based on the strength of the b-side. Yes, I'd normally penalize a single for re-releasing a track (like the recent b-sides "It's OK" and "Good Vibrations (Live)") but at least these sound like they belong together. And "Kokomo" is that great.
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Post by B.E. on Mar 27, 2022 13:53:46 GMT
Now that I think about it...the intro to "Still Cruisin'" might be the worst vocal moment of their entire recording career. It's at least in the running. To be clear, the vocal production, the effects, the overall sound of it, are what really sinks it for me (but Mike's performance is highly questionable in its own right).
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Post by Kapitan on Mar 28, 2022 11:13:45 GMT
Nine voters rated "Still Cruisin" an average of 5.8.
Thanks for participating. I will update the ratings thread, and we'll continue with our next SotW shortly.
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Post by lonelysummer on Apr 2, 2022 1:28:59 GMT
Looking through 1989 issues of Billboard and Cashbox for info about Still Cruisin' - the single and the album. Haven't found much. No reviews for the single or Somewhere Near Japan; the brief album review was not enthusiastic.
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