Brian Wilson's Smile !

[roughly]

Hey Gang -

Just writing to say how much i'm enjoying Brian Wilson's "Smile"! It is a thoroughly enjoyable, wonderful album. It's so rare when i put on a CD and think, "YES, YES! RIGHT ON, MAN!" This is one of thoughts albums.

I know it's not for everyone, but if you think you might like it, please go buy it!

I must confess that i hope it gets wildly popular and changes the face of music. Well, perhaps it won't, but it's still a great listen.

jeffrey

[stealthbalance]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by roughly

I must confess that i hope it gets wildly popular and changes the face of music.

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me too. this album has just changed my life. im just spinning.

s

[TriTone Digital]

Yeah, great album! Someone just sent me a live concert where Wilson was doing Smile (apparently). Can't wait to check it out! Wonder if it's been released? Haven't heard if it has...

[Sharp11]

I have to admit, after one listen, it's not doing it for me.

However, I'm certainly willing to give it a few tries.

My beef, thus far, is many things that would make it a charming record circa 1967, just seem jarring and out of place today.

For instance, the hard edits. So effective back in the day, so annoying here. Back then, the hard edits were done with a razor blade, there's something visceral about them.

But today it's too obvious and out of place in our current Pro Tools world. It just seems like a gimmick, paying homage in this way.

And what happened to "Good Vibrations"? This version is positively anemic. The famous held sus chord has been sapped of its resonance and body and has been given a not-so-flattering reverb tail. Also, the rhythm section just sounds too clean. The original smokes it.

Mostly, though, as a work, it seems self-indulgent and meandering; I was bored. Unlike Pet Sounds, which has tremendous musical content, this is more a novelty work.

There are some wonderful moments, though; I'll be searching back for those.

But, a song called "Vege Tables" ??? featuring lead celery, isn't one of them.

Yuk.

[picksail]

I have been waiting years to hear this album, yet I never knew anything about it until all the recent press.

This is what I've been hoping for.........music that just 'floors' me. That's my only criteria.

Absolutely brilliant!!!!!!!!!!

[roughly]

Well he's up to #5 on CMJ charts ! Perhaps "the revolution starts now",



jeffrey