Post by Pete70s on Oct 13, 2004 11:17:40 GMT -5
After 37 years, Brian Wilson has finally completed and released the "Smile" album. This album was the most legendary and most infamous unreleased album of all time. This album was supposed to be the most revolutionary album ever. It was scheduled for release in January of 1967, but was never released. The pressures of making music that was WAY too ahead of it's time (and dealing with the negative criticism of his bandmates) caused Brian to scrap the album, and thus began his downfall into years of mental abuse and denial.
Even as songs from the project would get released on subsequent Beach Boys albums, Brian denied their existance. Even as bootleg after bootleg of unfinished "Smile" sessions would circulate, Brian insisted the album would NEVER come out. Even when the Beach Boys box set came out in 1993, containing 30+ minutes of "Smile" material, Brian insisted the tapes had been destroyed.
The legacy of "Smile" is enormous.. Fans have wondered for years what vision Brian really had for the project. Books have been written about it. Fans have compiled their own "pseudo Smile" from bootlegs and from the songs that did get released. "Smile" remains the Beach Boys most famous album, yet it was never released.
Until now.. NOW fans get to hear Brian's true vision. Now the "Smile" legacy has come full circle. Three weeks ago, "Smile" was released (and debuted at #13 on Billboard album chart!) After years of mental illness, obesity, brainwashing, and being left for dead more times than any normal person can endure, Brian Wilson has confronted his biggest fear. He is a true survivor, and a musical genius!
THIS is the reason why Brian Wilson is my ultimate hero!
I've heard the album, I haven't bought it yet but I plan to ASAP. What I've heard is mind-blowing! The album was entirely re-recorded with Brians new backing band, The Wondermints, but remains remarkably true to the original recordings.
As usual, I don't expect Mike Love to be very supportive of the project coming out, but I can just imagine Dennis and Carl "Smiling" down on Brian from above...
Even as songs from the project would get released on subsequent Beach Boys albums, Brian denied their existance. Even as bootleg after bootleg of unfinished "Smile" sessions would circulate, Brian insisted the album would NEVER come out. Even when the Beach Boys box set came out in 1993, containing 30+ minutes of "Smile" material, Brian insisted the tapes had been destroyed.
The legacy of "Smile" is enormous.. Fans have wondered for years what vision Brian really had for the project. Books have been written about it. Fans have compiled their own "pseudo Smile" from bootlegs and from the songs that did get released. "Smile" remains the Beach Boys most famous album, yet it was never released.
Until now.. NOW fans get to hear Brian's true vision. Now the "Smile" legacy has come full circle. Three weeks ago, "Smile" was released (and debuted at #13 on Billboard album chart!) After years of mental illness, obesity, brainwashing, and being left for dead more times than any normal person can endure, Brian Wilson has confronted his biggest fear. He is a true survivor, and a musical genius!
THIS is the reason why Brian Wilson is my ultimate hero!
I've heard the album, I haven't bought it yet but I plan to ASAP. What I've heard is mind-blowing! The album was entirely re-recorded with Brians new backing band, The Wondermints, but remains remarkably true to the original recordings.
As usual, I don't expect Mike Love to be very supportive of the project coming out, but I can just imagine Dennis and Carl "Smiling" down on Brian from above...
