That Lucky Old Sun

Some perspective on my review: I am 52 years old. I enjoy the old Beach Boys music, but I'n not a fanatic. I don't swoon over Pet Sounds. So, I approached this with modest expectations. I have about 43 bajillion tunes on my PC, and I never have enough time to listen to them all. But I find myself playing this one over and over and over and over again. First, and most simply, it makes me happy. It is bouncy, catchy, well-crafted, fun music. It touches me, too. I know that Brian had a lot of pain, and you can hear the pure joy in this. It is a Beach Boys album for a Sunday morning. All the joy of youth, all the wistful knowing of middle age. Brian invites us into his world and it's a great place to spend time.

I am a great fan of Brian's and was thrilled with his return in the music world. I think he did an exemplary job on Smile and his other live recordings. I am not sure this work really holds up to any of his greats. There is no killer song, no knock-out punch, and ultimately no excitement. I am sorry to say this because I respect this man so much - and I truly love his music. I cannot say in all honesty that this holds up to his peak work. It is interesting - but I will not be playing this that often. I'm glad for his loyal and forgiving fan base - he's done it all. Just one fans view.

MORE POP SOUNDING THAN "SMILE", THIS IS WHAT THE BEACH BOYS WOULD SOUND LIKE IF THEY WERE STILL MAKING NEW MUSIC AND ALBUMS WITH BRIAN WILSON TODAY. IF TOP 40 RADIO WAS STILL AROUND, THIS ALBUM WOULD HAVE SEVERAL ENTRIES INTO THE GENRE. THESE SONGS COULD HAVE BEEN WRITTEN AND RECORDED FORTY YEARS AGO. NO NEW GROUND BROKEN HERE, BUT IT STILL SOUNDS GREAT. COULD HAVE LIVED WITHOUT THE NARRATIVES, THO'.

Let's face it, at age 60-something, Brian Wilson isn't going to break any new musical ground at this point. And he doesn't with his new CD "That Lucky Old Sun". But it's still an enjoyable CD filled with feel-good latter-day Beach Boys music. And there's nothing wrong with that. His voice is in fine form (better than his most recent CDs), his readings are energetic, and the arrangements & playing are typically top-notch. So if you're in the mood for a pleasant, upbeat, almost instantly-forgettable sonic experience, this is the CD for you.

Kudos to Brian Wilson for a terrific follow-up to Smile. It isn't as good as Smile but it wasn't 30+ years in the making with classic songs like Good Vibrations, Heroes and Villians, Surfs Up that just can't be topped by anyone.

That being said, I think it is more ambitious than anything any of his contemporaries are doing these days (I do love Ray Davies Workingman's Cafe). There is so much boring music on the radio these days and at the core of so much of it is simply boring songs that all sound the same (no melody writing at all). The writing here is original and memorable especially on the stronger songs.

This is a fully realized concept piece like Smile with personal lyrics reflecting on personal struggles over several decades. It isn't depressing at all but bright and life affirming. The arrangements, performances and harmonies are great. BTW his band is super and should be seen live if at all possible.

The song Southern California is a thing of beauty along with Midnight's Another Day. I like the spoken word interludes and think they add to the piece but I can see if someone wouldn't. The only throwaway on the album is Mexican Girl.

Thanks Brian for touching my heart again!