A fun late-period trifle
Written: May 31 '03
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Product Rating:
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Pros: A light, poppy, happy time.
Cons: Kind of sad that the Beach Boys have sunk so low.
The Bottom Line: It's very much not a Brian Wilson production, but Terry Melcher gives the Boys a solid imitation of the classic sound.
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| cosmicben's Full Review: Summer in Paradise by The Beach Boys |
At a 1992 concert in Bayfront Park, Mike Love said that the Beach Boys were releasing a new album soon, joking that it was something they tried to do every decade or so. To me, it made perfect sense: they were a band, and they released albums. Who knew it would be their last?
I scooped it up, and to my young ears, it was the coolest thing in the world. Nine years on, they haven't yet made good on their promise, but the album is still enjoyable, and I suspect producer/songwriter Terry Melcher has a lot to do with it. These melodies flow quite nicely, making for a guilty pleasure imitation of the band's sixties triumphs.
Mike tries to steal the show, and it's mostly grating, because his nasal cool is now a lot more nasal than cool, and he's somehow convinced that people still want to hear about surfing and his eco-ranting. He even relegates some of the best singers in popular music to glossy background vocals -- when Carl slips through every once in a while, it's as classy and breathtaking as ever.
There's a schmaltzy Bruce number ("Slow Summer Dancin' (One Summer Night)"), an awful cover with "trendy" instrumentation ("Remember Walking In The Sand"), and a completely pointless remake of their primitive hit "Surfin'".
But almost everything else is dumb, tuneful nostalgia-pop with well-placed harmonies and a cool feel-good vibe. Plus, diehard fan John Stamos respectfully updates Dennis' "Forever", complete with a heart-stopping spot from Carl. I don't begrudge the group for making a Brian-less album once every decade, and I'm glad I bought this in my drooling youthful naivete.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
cosmicben
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Member: Ben Marlin
Location: Gainesville, Florida (Home is Miami, though)
Reviews written: 70
Trusted by: 12 members
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