Smile

[tsakshaug]

Sitting here at work listening to Smile. bought it Friday and have listened to it daily.

thanks Brian W.

[HughBeaumont]

1. Initially, I was prepared for the worst.

Five years ago, my interest in "Smile" started to peak again when I listened to mock-"Smile"s online; or speculative song lists in the supposed order Brian would have had on the original. Those versions piqued my curiosity and led me to explore it's production, creation and eventual shelving. So when I heard that "Smile" was going to be re-released, my joy turned to apprehension when it was also said that it would be a re-recorded version by Brian and the Wondermints, not the originals remastered.

"Great", I thought. Let's face it: when older artists re-make their past songs, either live or in the studio, the result is almost always disastrous and fraudulent-sounding. All I had going through my head was visions of glitzy, Vegas-like ersatz-sounding overproduced versions of "Cabin Essence" and "Wonderful", complete with Fisher-Price MIDI, valiumized vocals and chintzy, ClearChannel sound. Its like when Elton John performs his old songs live now, they're completely unlistenable thanks to flatulent arrangement being favored over the stripped and subtle.

But once I heard the new "Smile", all my doubts flew clean out the window.

As far as the music goes, the sound, instrument tonality, timbre and flow on "Smile" contains very little modernization to it and lots of retro authenticity, and that's what I praise Brian for above anything: that he was true to the original SOUND. The arrangements sound as haunting as the original, as does the instrumentation. There's no fakery to this re-creation; rather, it's like hearing a remastered version of the original, and in some places more vibrant and beautiful. Even the vocals of the Beach Boys are captured with some respect by the Wondermints without straying too far or drowning in over-embelishment. "Cabin Essence", "Child is the Father of Man" and "Heroes and Villains" are just as brilliant as I remember hearing them from the bootleg versions, only with far better production.

[tsakshaug]

2. the vocals

in the harmonies always get me with his work. It sounds so simple, until you try to follow one of the voices, it goes all around the place.

I too was worried about how it would be produced, but I am very pleased

[emulatorloo]

3. I was lucky enough to see Brian perform Smile live. . .

if the tour is coming near you it is well worth going.

The music, the lighting effects, and seeing the sheer JOY on Brian's face were terrific. . .

Anybody hesitating still on buying the CD, don't. . .it is great.

[Ivan Sputnik]

4. I bought the CD

on the strength of all the rapturous reviews it's been getting. I've never been a Brian Wilson or Beach Boys fan, but this is something quite extraordinary. Great, great album. :)