There are some surprises, but it definitely illustrates how involved Brian Wilson has been with the project. Want to know more? Let's take a look!
The mission of this blog is to review, discuss and appreciate various music and musicians. Your contributions on these topics will be both welcome and appreciated. From major label to indie release, all music is fair game.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Credits for the new Beach Boys songs
A writer friend doing a feature on the 50th anniversary of The Beach Boys, including their upcoming new album, has provided songwriting credits for the songs on the new album!
There are some surprises, but it definitely illustrates how involved Brian Wilson has been with the project. Want to know more? Let's take a look!
There are some surprises, but it definitely illustrates how involved Brian Wilson has been with the project. Want to know more? Let's take a look!
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Radio surfing lands "Twist and Shout" gold
Some songs, you just have to listen to all the way through.
That is the case with The Beatles' version of "Twist and Shout."
But I was in the mood to be surprised.
That is the case with The Beatles' version of "Twist and Shout."
I was driving today and was running through the radio to find something to listen to. Sure, I could have turned on my iPhone (that's what I usually do).
But I was in the mood to be surprised.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Beach Boys on Jimmy Fallon
The Beach Boys appeared on Jimmy Fallon on Monday night (or early Tuesday morning, depending where you were watching).
The group performed "Wouldn't It Be Nice," "In My Room" and "That's Why God Made the Radio."
I thought "In My Room" was the best of the three, and "Radio" was really well done too.
"Wouldn't It Be Nice" is one of my all-time favorite Beach Boys songs ... and the performance wasn't bad. It just really lacked something. I don't know how to explain it. Mike's voice on his part wasn't very strong, and Al took the early lead on it when it was a Brian-led song on "Pet Sounds." Maybe this was a way to give Al some of the spotlight? Not a major grievance, especially as Al took the lead on the song in the past (when Brian wasn't touring with the group).
"In My Room" really hit the heart strings, and there was something sweet and touching to see these guys standing together and singing this song. Really kind of beautiful. This performance brought it home. Sure, Dennis and Carl aren't there ... they can't be there ... but these old men, these survivors, are still there and still singing the old songs. Very cool.
"That's Why God Made the Radio" was pretty cool. It had a good groove. Sure, The Beach Boys really rely on their backing band to fill out that sound and give it some oomph ... but that's OK. I'd rather these guys have a heck of a great song with some help than to have nothing at all! It's a catchy song, with some power. The guys all seem to dig it, lots of swaying and smiling and involvement. Sure, it's the new single and they are trying to sell it ... but they look genuinely pleased.
Anyway, the videos are available on Jimmy Fallon's website. I'll provide the links here.
Link: In My Room performance
Link: That's Why God Made the Radio performance
Link: Wouldn't It Be Nice performance
What do you folks think? Which was your favorite (or least favorite)? Think the group pulled it off?
I think for some 70-year-old guys ... they did great! (Yes, they have a big band behind them, but why slam a good sound?)
The group performed "Wouldn't It Be Nice," "In My Room" and "That's Why God Made the Radio."
I thought "In My Room" was the best of the three, and "Radio" was really well done too.
"Wouldn't It Be Nice" is one of my all-time favorite Beach Boys songs ... and the performance wasn't bad. It just really lacked something. I don't know how to explain it. Mike's voice on his part wasn't very strong, and Al took the early lead on it when it was a Brian-led song on "Pet Sounds." Maybe this was a way to give Al some of the spotlight? Not a major grievance, especially as Al took the lead on the song in the past (when Brian wasn't touring with the group).
"In My Room" really hit the heart strings, and there was something sweet and touching to see these guys standing together and singing this song. Really kind of beautiful. This performance brought it home. Sure, Dennis and Carl aren't there ... they can't be there ... but these old men, these survivors, are still there and still singing the old songs. Very cool.
"That's Why God Made the Radio" was pretty cool. It had a good groove. Sure, The Beach Boys really rely on their backing band to fill out that sound and give it some oomph ... but that's OK. I'd rather these guys have a heck of a great song with some help than to have nothing at all! It's a catchy song, with some power. The guys all seem to dig it, lots of swaying and smiling and involvement. Sure, it's the new single and they are trying to sell it ... but they look genuinely pleased.
Anyway, the videos are available on Jimmy Fallon's website. I'll provide the links here.
Link: In My Room performance
Link: That's Why God Made the Radio performance
Link: Wouldn't It Be Nice performance
What do you folks think? Which was your favorite (or least favorite)? Think the group pulled it off?
I think for some 70-year-old guys ... they did great! (Yes, they have a big band behind them, but why slam a good sound?)
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Beach Boys ZinePak
As The Beach Boys' 50th Anniversary juggernaut marches on, some cool stuff is already coming out.
A few months back, a video was leaked of the group in the studio together and tackling their 1968 hit "Do It Again." A remake? Well, there was definitely mixed feelings about it ... but my overall impression was: "ANYTHING THAT GETS THESE GUYS BACK TOGETHER IN THE STUDIO IS AWESOME."
Yeah. I really mean it. ;)
Then the first single for the new album had its video released (and the track itself is now available for download on iTunes). "That's Why God Made the Radio" is a good track, I enjoy it a lot. I can't wait for the June release of their new album!
Then, this last week, the group released a ZinePak through Walmart.
A few months back, a video was leaked of the group in the studio together and tackling their 1968 hit "Do It Again." A remake? Well, there was definitely mixed feelings about it ... but my overall impression was: "ANYTHING THAT GETS THESE GUYS BACK TOGETHER IN THE STUDIO IS AWESOME."
Yeah. I really mean it. ;)
Then the first single for the new album had its video released (and the track itself is now available for download on iTunes). "That's Why God Made the Radio" is a good track, I enjoy it a lot. I can't wait for the June release of their new album!
Then, this last week, the group released a ZinePak through Walmart.
George Harrison flick, CD delivers
This last week, I saw the George Harrison biopic "Living in the Material World" for the first time.
I was impressed, to say the least. Just the way it starts, with the flowers ... and George's face as he ducks behind them ... Damn. Seriously, from the beginning, the movie forces you to pay attention.
I was impressed, to say the least. Just the way it starts, with the flowers ... and George's face as he ducks behind them ... Damn. Seriously, from the beginning, the movie forces you to pay attention.
Friday, May 4, 2012
Goodbye, Beastie Boy
Adam Rauch died. Age 47. Cancer.
The Beastie Boys member who went by the name MCA announced in 2009 that he had cancer. He had treatment. I thought things were doing better. Heck, they even released a new album last year.
Sad news. ...
I first really became aware of The Beastie Boys in my early teens. I remember seeing the video for "Sabotage" and it grabbed my attention. It was so ... 1970s cop TV drama-esque. It was propulsive, a beat that kicked ass and vocal performances as rocking and undeniable as anything they'd done. Not as much rap as rock, perhaps, but they always were good at getting the right sounds for things ...
My best wishes to his family, and to the other guys in the band.
RIP, MCA.
The Beastie Boys member who went by the name MCA announced in 2009 that he had cancer. He had treatment. I thought things were doing better. Heck, they even released a new album last year.
Sad news. ...
I first really became aware of The Beastie Boys in my early teens. I remember seeing the video for "Sabotage" and it grabbed my attention. It was so ... 1970s cop TV drama-esque. It was propulsive, a beat that kicked ass and vocal performances as rocking and undeniable as anything they'd done. Not as much rap as rock, perhaps, but they always were good at getting the right sounds for things ...
My best wishes to his family, and to the other guys in the band.
RIP, MCA.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
