Corporate line:
This conceptual album is one in a thread of projects from Brian Wilson that connects from Pet Sounds, to Brian Wilson Presents “SMiLE” and now to “That Lucky Old Sun.” The album is an intimate and personal work from a living musical legend.
The good:
“Morning Beat” – A sweet song–just not as great as those that used to be sweeter when he was a Beach Boy.
“Can’t Wait Too Long” – A fragment left over from the good old days–too bad it wasn’t expanded on.
The rest:
“Good Kind of Love” and “Forever She’ll Be My Surfer Girl” – There are the moments when you cringe and wonder what happened to the genius of Brian Wilson. It’s nice to hear some early Beach Boys influence and yet its lacking vocally.
“Live Let Live” – If this wasn’t Brian Wilson the vocals would never pass muster–let alone make it onto a national album release.
“Mexican Girl” – This isn’t a great song however it has one of the album’s best lines: “Can you picture me in your family tree?”
Finally:
I still believe Pet Sounds might be the greatest album ever–but Brian Wilson might as well be anyone but Brian Wilson. There doesn’t appear to be much left of the same genius who wrote “Pet Sounds.” “That Lucky Old Sun” is whimsical and cute and you have to give it to Wilson for trying to write another epic. Its a shame he doesn’t have it in him to pull it off.
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