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[StuBurns]

Excited?

Actually it's October 31st here in the UK, but my copy is only coming first class, so I still won't get it early.

For people unaware of the album's importance, this is the post-Pet Sounds album that was shelved after various issues crippled the project back in 1967. Brian Wilson, founding member and frequent producer of the bands records went back to the project in 2004, rerecorded and completed it with his current band. Given the solo album version, and the various bootlegs, people have been able to compile various versions of Smile for years, in many ways this upcoming release won't surprise anyone who really cares about it, however even in the many bootleg recreations Smile is an exceptionally beautiful album, maybe my favorite, and after forty four years in the can, it's release is fairly significant.

It'll be available in a few different SKUs, the normal CD case, a small boxset, a bigger boxset, and on vinyl.

So, excited?

 

[butter_stick]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=asmWlyiccMI

Kind of want.

 

[GavinGT]

How is this any different from the versions that have already been released in recent years?

 

[acheron_xl]

I would be more excited if Wilson hadn't done it in '04.

It's a fucking amazing album though.

 

[evilromero]

That box set is pretty crazy. Haha. Would love to see other bands do that.

 

[StuBurns]

How is this any different from the versions that have already been released in recent years?

The only official release of Smile is a Brian Wilson solo album, it's a completely different recording. This is the 66/67 unreleased album, in it's unfinished state.

 

[GavinGT]

The only official release of Smile is a Brian Wilson solo album, it's a completely different recording. This is the 66/67 unreleased album, in it's unfinished state.

Awesome. Now that I think about it, it was a little weird not having the choir of different voices contributing to the songs on that album. Like Simon without Garfunkel.

 

[timetokill]

Awesome.

I loved Brian Wilson's version from 2004, but hearing this will also be a real treat.

Excited to hear this one, I'll definitely pick it up.

 

[alphaNoid]

The Beach Boys are so awesome.

 

[andymcc]

damn i was just gonna get the 2LP set but i think i'm going to ask for the big box for christmas.

 

[NGAMER9]

I know it's just sessions, but I doubt it'll get anywhere near how great Brian's version was. I'll still probably pick up the 2 CD version though, should definitely be an interesting listen at any rate.

 

[dallow_bg]

The bootlegs that have floated around for years sound fantastic and way different than the rerecorded release.
Dat youthful voice!


I'm buying the deluxe box.

 

[StuBurns]

I know it's just sessions, but I doubt it'll get anywhere near how great Brian's version was. I'll still probably pick up the 2 CD version though, should definitely be an interesting listen at any rate.

I disagree, even the bootlegs are much much nicer than the solo record. His voice is decrepit.

 

[andymcc]

His voice is decrepit.

that's hyperbole.

 

[Bricfa]

Awesome. Now that I think about it, it was a little weird not having the choir of different voices contributing to the songs on that album. Like Simon without Garfunkel.

You mean like this?

 

[StuBurns]

that's hyperbole.

I disagree.

 

[dallow_bg]

I disagree, even the bootlegs are much much nicer than the solo record. His voice is decrepit.

I have to agree.
I appreciate what he did and adore the man but the originals are much better.

 

[Zophar]

Love this album, I have to wonder what course popular music might have taken had it been completed in 1967. Pet Sounds and Sgt. Pepper's are widely credited as being two of the most influential and innovative records of all time but SMiLE is miles ahead of both IMO. Who knows how it could have shaped the influences of generations to follow.

 

[StuBurns]

I have to agree.
I appreciate what he did and adore the man but the originals are much better.

Yeah, that's not a criticism really, he can't be expected to perform to the standards he could forty years earlier, his solo version is great, but the bootlegs are much better.

Actually one thing I'll really miss with the official version is Fire will presumbly not have the Smiley Smile vocal sessions some of the bootlegs have.

 

[Franklinator]

I'm a casual Beach Boys fan, and I will certainly listen to this. Can't wait to see how much it differs from Wilson's solo record.

 

[NGAMER9]

I disagree, even the bootlegs are much much nicer than the solo record. His voice is decrepit.

I was under the impression that it wasn't even close to being finished? Or are these sessions close enough to being an actual album?

I do agree on his voice though, unfortunately. I had the displeasure of watching a Pet Sounds Live DVD and was shocked at how off he was, even after they changed the keys of many of the songs. At least the backing band sounded stellar.

 

[LProtag]

I liked Wilson's solo version, but I'll also be excited to hear this. Though hasn't most of this stuff been released in some (official or unofficial) capacity? Or are there takes that were locked up in the vault?

 

[Tron 2.0]

The 2004 solo record was interesting to hear, but it was no Beach Boys album.

I'm really excited for this.

 

[StuBurns]

I was under the impression that it wasn't even close to being finished? Or are these sessions close enough to being an actual album?

I do agree on his voice though, unfortunately. I had the displeasure of watching a Pet Sounds Live DVD and was shocked at how off he was, even after they changed the keys of many of the songs. At least the backing band sounded stellar.

It wasn't close to being finished at the time, but the 2004 album wasn't so much him finishing the project as much as wrapping it up based on what was there, not what was originally intended. It's missing some vocal work, but musically virtually everything from his album was also recorded in 66/67.

While it's being labelled 'sessions' in places, it would appear it's all compiled and edited in the same way the solo album is.

 

[Lionheart1827]

Awesome.

I loved Brian Wilson's version from 2004, but hearing this will also be a real treat.

Excited to hear this one, I'll definitely pick it up.

Same here, yeah his voice obviously isn't the same as it was from the late 60s, but that was like like 40 years ago. I think the 2004 version of Smile is awesome.

Anyway, what exactly is this boxset? Is it a re-recording of the songs with the surviving members, a remastering of the old tracks(which had various levels of quality), or a combination of both?

BTW, I find it funny that Mike Love agreed to this release especially since he was a major proponent of it not originally coming out back then, along with Wilson's breakdown.

 

[StuBurns]

Anyway, what exactly is this boxset? Is it a re-recording of the songs with the surviving members, a remastering of the old tracks(which had various levels of quality), or a combination of both?

The boxset is five discs, some vinyl records, a little book, some other junk.

The release is seemingly just the original work from the time, nothing new, but some tracks were worked on by the band post-Smile, I can't see anything suggesting that work is being included, but it's possible I guess.

 

[PotatoeMasher]

Based on things like the length of the songs, I suspect this is going to sound close to Purple Chick's SMiLE release, which is based around taking the original studio recordings and piecing them together just as Brian did on BWPS.

Just saw Brian a month or two ago and had a blast at the show. He's clearly been a troubled dude, but it's great to see him with everything back together again. Shame Carl didn't get to hear all of the great stuff he's been able to do since '98.

 

[Atlagev]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=asmWlyiccMI

Kind of want.

Wow, I'm not even a huge Beach Boys fan, but that is a *sweet* design. Might get it to just have as decoration around the house.

 

[Lionheart1827]

The boxset is five discs, some vinyl records, a little book, some other junk.

The release is seemingly just the original work from the time, nothing new, but some tracks were worked on by the band post-Smile, I can't see anything suggesting that work is being included, but it's possible I guess.

Ahh indeed. I just checked amazon and that full boxset is so tempting, just I have no use for the vinyls since I dont listen to them. Bah.

 

[Shurs]

I enjoyed the Brian Wilson version, but I'll definitely give this a listen when it comes out.

 

[Lionheart1827]

So for anyone that has the bootlegs or the 2004 version, you have any favorite songs?

I would have to say Our Prayer, Song For Children/Child is Father of the Man/Surf's Up, and In Blue Hawaii are my faves. The album is awesome to listen through in one shot though. I wonder how much different the Beach Boys would've turned out if Smile was actually released back then.

Here's a home demo from back then of him singing Surf's Up with just the piano and him.

http://youtu.be/e-ZjIdyWu-U

 

[StuBurns]

The day he was filmed doing that performance he recorded a version not intended for Smile with two pianos, it's my favorite recording. You can find it in lots of places, including the upcoming release, but it was first released in the good vibrations boxset I believe.

The words to the central songs of Smile (minus Good Vibrations) were written by Van Dyke Parks, his first album, Song Cycle is stunning, I highly recommend it.

Oddly, if Purple Chick's Smile isn't my favorite album, Joanna Newsom's Ys is, which was co-produced by Van Dyke Parks, and he wrote all the orchestral arrangements too.

 

[Lionheart1827]

The day he was filmed doing that performance he recorded a version not intended for Smile with two pianos, it's my favorite recording. You can find it in lots of places, including the upcoming release, but it was first released in the good vibrations boxset I believe.

The words to the central songs of Smile (minus Good Vibrations) were written by Van Dyke Parks, his first album, Song Cycle is stunning, I highly recommend it.

Oh yeah, I need to check that out. I also wanted to try the Van Dyke Parks/Wilson collaboration album, Orange Crate Art, but haven't gotten around to it.

 

[StuBurns]

Orange Crate Art is awesome, but Brian is just the singer, he didn't have any writing or production influence.

 

[timetokill]

So for anyone that has the bootlegs or the 2004 version, you have any favorite songs?

Tons, and you mentioned some great ones (especially Surf's Up), but I really loved Heroes and Villains as well as Roll Plymouth Rock.

 

[Lionheart1827]

Orange Crate Art is awesome, but Brian is just the singer, he didn't have any writing or production influence.

Ohh, alright. Gonna check that out as well. Have you heard Wilson's "Imagination" solo album? Seems to have pretty high reviews so I was thinking of checking that one out as well.

Tons, and you mentioned some great ones (especially Surf's Up), but I really loved Heroes and Villains as well as Roll Plymouth Rock.

Yeah those are great as well, Cabinessence, too. Its one of those albums I can just sit down and turn my brain off to relax.

 

[Ezduo]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=asmWlyiccMI

Kind of want.

Hmm, may have to look into this. I've only ever listened to a few songs from the original sessions and from Brian's solo release but the older ones always sounded much better chiefly because Brian simply got older and his voice wasn't as good. Looking at this on Wikipedia though and holy shit, the fifth CD is just 24 different versions of Good Vibrations. This maybe a little hardcore for me. Guess I'll stick with the simpler 2 CD one.

 

[StuBurns]

Ohh, alright. Gonna check that out as well. Have you heard Wilson's "Imagination" solo album? Seems to have pretty high reviews so I was thinking of checking that one out as well.

I think of his post-Smile albums, 15 Big Ones, Love You, and all his solo stuff, Imagination is the best with the exception of his version of Smile, but even with that, it's still a pretty significant step down from his Today!-Smile period.

 

[bsb]

Ohh, alright. Gonna check that out as well. Have you heard Wilson's "Imagination" solo album? Seems to have pretty high reviews so I was thinking of checking that one out as well.

Imagination has a few pretty schlocky songs that drag it down, but it's worth getting for the good stuff. The title track in particular has one of those great complex yet effortless-seeming chord progressions that he's the king of. He also does every vocal part on the album himself and sounds pretty strong.

 

[dream]

You know, there are days when I think I prefer That Lucky Old Sun to Smile.

 

[StuBurns]

I was crazy excited for Lucky Old Sun at the time, I'd only heard Midnight's Another Day, which was awesome, so I was pretty hyped, but ultimately there was really nothing else on there I really even liked. Very disappointing.

 

[Forgotten_Taco]

I actually think Lucky Old Sun is the best of Wilson since Pet Sounds.

 

[PotatoeMasher]

I actually think Lucky Old Sun is the best of Wilson since Pet Sounds.

It's great. Midnight's Another Day is one of my favorite Brian Wilson songs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SBfgPdxeIU

 

[StuBurns]

I'm listening to an interview with the project's co-producer:

http://www.iconfetch.com/great-musi...nett-beach-boys-smile-part-two-interview.html

He says the version of Surf's Up on the new release does include the Surf's Up vocal tracking done by the band in 1971, which is reassuring, hopefully Fire will have the Fall Breaks vocals from the Smiley Smile sessions.

 

[Lionheart1827]

I'm listening to an interview with the project's co-producer:

http://www.iconfetch.com/great-musi...nett-beach-boys-smile-part-two-interview.html

He says the version of Surf's Up on the new release does include the Surf's Up vocal tracking done by the band in 1971, which is reassuring, hopefully Fire will have the Fall Breaks vocals from the Smiley Smile sessions.

Thats good, thanks for the link.

 

[StuBurns]

At the end he does suggest it'll make the November 1st date, but I'm still concerned. It's been delayed a couple of times already, it hasn't leaked, and really very little of it is available to listen to as far as I can tell. The first review did come out a few days ago though, so finger's crossed.

 

[dallow_bg]

For some reason, the Canadian version of the box set is like $33ish cheaper. Not sure if you can import but I don't see why not.

http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B004RFYEEC/

 

[DGRE]

To get people pumped, an extended cut of Brian singing Surf's Up for a TV show in the 60's:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tPs5f3kkFY

 

[StuBurns]

A pretty cool little radio thing about Smile, features interviews from Brian and a few others.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UDOD_8wb-Q&feature=player_embedded

 

[Bloodbeard]

Beach Boys > The Beatles