Even though I'm a huge Brian Wilson fan, I never really liked his solo albums that much, apart from "Smile" (which, of course, consisted of re-recording of old Beach Boys material) and some songs on "Imagination". The songs on his last regular album, "Gettin' In Over My Head", were all medicro at best. There are some nasty rumors about how his management almost forced Brian to make that album, and I must say that it sounds like that could be true. But I was absolutely stunned by his new album, "That Lucky Old Sun". I never hoped, let alone expected, that he was still able to make an album this good. I really think it's the best album he's had anything to do with since the IMO last great Beach Boys album, 1971's "Surf's Up"'...
When Brian released "Smile" in 2004, people said that he was relieved of a heavy burden that had cast a shadow on his life for 37 years. That seemed like an awfully heavy statement, but "That Lucky Old Sun" seems to prove to it was really true. The songs no longer sound uninspired, the vocals no longer forced. Quite the contrary, actually. The album's songs can pretty much be seperated in two groups: sunny, energetic, upbeat odes to life in California, and the truely chilling, almost painfully personal reflections on Brian's life and especially his wasted years. All the songs are linked together by short reprises of the title track (a standard fromt the 1940s) and narratives written by Van Dyke Parks (Brian's lyricist for "Smile"), which gives the album a nice flow. "Midnight's Another Day" just might be the best song Brian's written in 40 years, and "I had this dream / Singing with my brothers / (...) / Surfin' on the AM, heard those voices again" (from "Southern California") might be the most touching lines he's ever sung. I even like the only not-so-good-song, "Mexican Girl", just because it's such a typical, dorky song that only a eccentric genius who never really lost his childlike naivity could get away with...
I've read that its pretty incredible. From the reviews i've seen, this one measures up to 'Smile' and 'Pet Sounds' and Brians voice is really strong on the recordings. I'll have it soon.
One listen and I like it.My favourite at the moment is Gong Home.
Yeah, it definately is a very accessible album... My favorite is either "Good Kind of Love" or "Midnight's Another Day".
Oh, and some advice for anyone who wants to get the CD: there are three versions available. One without bonus material, one with a bonus DVD and one with three extra songs (two of which are duets with Carole King - another version of "Good Kind of Love" and a cover of "I'm Into Something Good"). The one with the extra songs is exclusively available at Best Buy (which means it's not available outside the US... ).
Yeah, it definately is a very accessible album... My favorite is either "Good Kind of Love" or "Midnight's Another Day".
Oh, and some advice for anyone who wants to get the CD: there are three versions available. One without bonus material, one with a bonus DVD and one with three extra songs (two of which are duets with Carole King - another version of "Good Kind of Love" and a cover of "I'm Into Something Good"). The one with the extra songs is exclusively available at Best Buy (which means it's not available outside the US... ).
You mean this,right?
Track listing 1. That Lucky Old Sun 2. Morning Beat 3. Narrative: Room With a View 4. Good Kind of Love 5. Forever My Surfer Girl 6. Narrative: Venice Beach 7. Live Let Live 8. Mexican Girl 9. Narrative: Cinco De Mayo 10. California Role 11. Narrative: Between Pictures 12. Oxygen 13. Can’t Wait Too Long 14. Midnight’s Another Day 15. Lucky Old Sun [Reprise] 16. Going Home 17. Southern California 18. Roll-Around Heaven [Reprise]
19. Oh Mi Amor (iTunes Bonus Track) 20. Message Man (iTunes Bonus Track) 21. Good Kind of Love (With Carole King) (Best Buy Bonus Track) 22. I'm Into Something Good (With Carole King) (Best Buy Bonus Track) 23. Just Like Me and You (Best Buy Bonus Track)
Really accessible,yes, that is the word!
And in the end the love you take is equal to the love you make
19 and 20 are only available through iTunes, so they're not on any of the CD versions. 21, 22 and 23 are on the Best Buy CD. The DVD has a "Making Of" documentary and a video of Brian and his band performing two tracks from the album live in the recording studio.
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DM's Beatles forums › Other music forums › Various Artists, Lyrics, Discographies, URLs › Brian Wilson - That Lucky Old Sun