Brian Wilson Releases the Album "Smile"
| Published 12/10/04

 


Graphic by: Doni Neel
In the year 1966, Brian Wilson, front man for one of the most popular groups in the mid 60s, The Beach Boys, entered the studio and began work on what was to become the greatest album up to that point, "Smile." About a year and 85 recording sessions later, Brian Wilson finally realized that the album ever being completed and released was just a pipe dream. Years have passed, and songs like "Heroes and Villains" and "Surf's Up" that were originally supposed to appear on the album “Smile” have popped up in odd Beach Boy releases like "Smiley Smile" and "Surf's Up." Up until this point, however, the album “Smile” existed in bootleg form only. That is until the year 2003 when Brian Wilson and lyric collaborator Van Dyke Parks finally decided that they had truly completed the album that was never to be.

Having just been released on Nonesuch records is Brian Wilson's masterpiece "Smile." The question remains of how the songs will sound; will they stand the test of time? Much, it seems, to the shock of a lot of people, Brian Wilson has decided to re-record the whole album. So no, you are not getting the harmonies of the original Beach Boys, and Mr. Wilson's voice is perhaps not as good as it was when he was younger. The fact is, he still sounds pretty good. Sure, he can't hit the harmonies like he could, but really, if you compare him to most contemporary singers (and even singers from his day), he sounds just as good, if not better.

The Beach Boys always stood out as great singers, and those magic harmonies are missing. Brian Wilson was really first and foremost a music writer, and the music is exceptional. The thing that is really noticeable is that the missing vocals don't distract you from the music; it's still as great now as it would have been 35 years ago. It doesn't matter when a great artist exists; a great artist who writes great songs is still a great artist who writes great songs.

If you are just looking to check out some great music, pick this up. If you know these songs and want to hear them in their "complete" form, pick this up. If you are angry at Brian Wilson for delaying this album for so long, pick this up. After hearing it, you will not be angry anymore.

 

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