SMiLE!

[D. Phillips]

Well, I am a big fan of some of the Beach Boys' work. I love Pet Sounds and Surf's Up best and the original boots of SMiLE. Part of that was the rock element that the band maintained while singing these Teenage Symphonies. Mike Love may be a complete bastard, but that attitude came through in his vocals and kept the songs from going too far over that showtune cliff.

Is that element gone now and replaced by trained "vocalists?" I hope not.

[booker]

It's definitely a rock album, but still has that "showtunes" vibe you noticed. But that's nothing new in rock music. The Beatles did it all the time.

[Jake]

Christgau:

...though I considered the legend of Smile hot air back then, this re-creation proves he had plenty more to make of it. The five titles played for minimalist whimsy on Smiley Smile mean even more orchestrated, and the newly released fragments are as strong as the whole songs they tie together. Smile's post-adolescent utopia isn't disfigured by Brian's thickened, soured 62-year-old voice. It's ennobled—the material limitations of its sunny artifice and pretentious tomfoolery acknowledged and joyfully engaged. This can only be tonic for Americans long since browbeaten into lowering their expectations by the rich men who are stealing their money.

[booker]

Christgau:

...though I considered the legend of Smile hot air back then, this re-creation proves he had plenty more to make of it. The five titles played for minimalist whimsy on Smiley Smile mean even more orchestrated, and the newly released fragments are as strong as the whole songs they tie together. Smile's post-adolescent utopia isn't disfigured by Brian's thickened, soured 62-year-old voice. It's ennobled—the material limitations of its sunny artifice and pretentious tomfoolery acknowledged and joyfully engaged. This can only be tonic for Americans long since browbeaten into lowering their expectations by the rich men who are stealing their money.

Christgau's a genius. Couldn't be said better.

[Barabajagal]

I have to say, I listened again last night on some big speakers with some beers and really enjoyed it.

Then again I'm a sucker for anything that has harpsichord in it.

[Batchy]

Then again I'm a sucker for anything that has harpsichord in it.

Like "Peach, Plum Pear" from Joanna Newsom. Did i say i was in love with her?

[Barabajagal]

Like "Peach, Plum Pear" from Joanna Newsom. Did i say i was in love with her?

You may just have done so. Thanks for the head's up!

harpsichord + rock = :-)

[booker]

Speaking of Joanna Newsom and her harp, isn't that "piano" song "Inflammatory Writ" kinda cool?

[vitas]

i just haven't been able to bring myself to pick this album up. is that wrong?

i really want to say that it's because the thought of reworking or re-interpreting past creative output is an abomination. though, i picked up the collection of "greatest palace music" by bonnie prince billy (aka will oldham) and absolutely love the stuff.

there's something about it that's causing me to shun it. should i?

why not just put out an official release of the original material?

[trainwreck2]

isnt a lot of the original destroyed?