We’ve been following the developments on Brian’s latest album closely because, well, he is Brian Wilson. Thanks to reader Paul we know there’s a full album stream up today over at USA Today, which seems to confirm our suspicious that it would contain moments of sheer brilliance (ala “Midnight’s Another Day“) and others of pure hoke (although not quite ala Smart Girls“). The latter come compliments of the interstitial “Narrative” tracks, mostly, but you can pick and choose what to listen to pretty easily with the streaming player. Just pick anything that doesn’t have a “Narrative” prefix — or at the very least, do “Midnight’s Another Day”>”That Lucky Old Sun (Reprise).” Repeatedly.
That Lucky Old Sun is out 9/2 via Capitol/EMI. Brian’s got three more dates on the calendar for this year, all at the Hollywood Bowl. The Hollywood Bowl gets namechecked in “California Role.” I predict lots of self-satisfied applause.
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Wow, I didn’t know what interstitial meant until today. Thanks ‘gum!
Those narrations are written by long time collaborator Van Dyke Parks. They grow on you.
love it except for the tedium that is “Good Kind Of Love”
This is far, far better than I expected it to be. After one listen, I’m almost inclined to say this is miraculous.
very classic. I can’t believe you would advocate jumping around and skipping tracks – I think all the narratives and reprises indicate that the album is meant to be listened to as a complete piece. I can’t remember the last time I sat at my computer and streamed an entire album…. this is some beautiful work from BW. Stunning that he’s still got it and writing at this caliber, 43 years after Pet Sounds.
amrit, you might want to fix the article if it’s not too late. I spent like three minutes staring at Brian’s playlist to find a song called Midnight Girls before I finally realized you had effed up.
Good album!
you have indeed done good, thanks. tis fixed.
Isn’t the vinyl already out? I saw the LP at Silver Platters in Seattle last week…Hm..
whoa. surfer girl, midnight’s another day and southern california is amazingly good. sounds like vintage stuff. great.