Would you like a free CD copy of Brian Wilson's SMILE?

[NightTrain]

I've decided not to keep my copy. So, if you'd like the CD free of charge, be the first one to reply to this message!

[LisaM]

1. Sorry, but I heard one clip off it and don't want it in my house

good luck finding a taker.

[NightTrain]

3. When I first got the CD, I posted a scathing review of it to DU and...

...took a lot of flak for it. Seems a lot of folks around here really liked SMILE! Go figure. :shrug:

[NightTrain]

4. In fact, here's my review of the disc!

Having listened carefully from start to finish, my reaction to SMILE is, "Brian Wilson's fans waited 38 years for THIS?!"

I should've know that SMILE wouldn't impress me, both from reading the track titles ("Roll Plymouth Rock," "Cabin Essence," and "Old Master Painter/You Are My Sunshine," for example) and from knowing that Wilson's writing partner on this project was the pretentious pseudo-intellectual poet Van Dyke Parks, whose SONG CYCLE is the unintentionally silliest album I've ever heard. But I got a $20 gift card from Best Buy for Christmas, so I decided to give Wilson the benefit of the doubt.

I should've known better.

Perhaps I just don't "get it," but SMILE strikes me as just an overly ambitious collection of carnival music and children's songs. I can't make head or tail of the lyrics, the production makes Phil Spector sound minimalist, and the instrumentation has more in common with Aaron Copeland than it does with great rock 'n' roll--or even bad rock 'n' roll, for that matter.

On the plus side, Wilson is in fine voice and the harmonies are tight throughout. If only somebody had been around to act as his bullshit detector!

Say what you will about Wilson's musical genius and I wouldn't be inclined to disagree. However, if SMILE is what folks use as the measure of Brian Wilson's genius, then I can just sigh audibly and raise my eyeballs toward the ceiling.

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to wash SMILE out of my cerebral cortex. I think "Surfin' U.S.A," "I Get Around," "Fun Fun Fun," and "California Girls" ought to do it!

[LisaM]

5. LOL, it was "You Are My Sunshine" that did it for me

it was one of the most excrutiating pieces of music it has ever been my misfortune to hear.

Maybe you can auction it off on eBay and give the money to tsunami relief - you know, using one disaster to help with another.

[leftofthedial]

2. i'm all about the music, NightTrain

Always enjoy your posts.

[brentspeak]

6. I like it, just don't think it's a masterpiece

It was getting five star reviews from critics -- I don't see that at all.

I'd give it letter-grade of B+. Brian's true metier was always producing hit singles.

[tilsammans]

7. Well, hey . . .

. . . I'd take a copy, just out of curiosity.