Spring Break
Wilson's latest fails to shine
by Daniel Orkin
Staff Writer
Arts | 9/9/08
Posted online at 11:11 PM EST on 9/8/08
/ Last updated at 2:14 AM EST on 9/8/08
The apparent narrative tie-in is a series of passages, each celebrating a different aspect of his beloved Los Angeles. The downright, if unintentionally, hilarious "Mexican Girl" is, of course, filled with flamenco guitar and mariachi horns. Later he cuts to the real center of So Cal life with a description of cars in traffic heading to LAX and even references his own work with a kitschy number called "Forever She'll be my Surfer Girl"
Mostly, this album sounds less like Brian Wilson and more like a mocking Brian Wilson impersonator given an unlimited recording budget with pre-murder Phil Spector at the sound board. As much I'd love to believe the story of recovery, rebirth and reawakening the SMiLE-devotees preach, That Lucky Old Sun is fairly resounding proof that the post-nervous breakdown Brian Wilson of today is not the same as the doe-eyed dreamer of 1965.
This is not to say that matured artists are without merit. Just last month, longtime collaborators David Byrne and Brian Eno released a new album that only harkens to the good ol' days in terms of ingenuity and sheer excellence. Eno and especially Byrne are men whose careers have never really hit a peak, but rather a plateau that has lasted for 30-plus years. As for Brian Wilson, I guess the old sun, lucky or not, has finally set.
Mostly, this album sounds less like Brian Wilson and more like a mocking Brian Wilson impersonator given an unlimited recording budget with pre-murder Phil Spector at the sound board. As much I'd love to believe the story of recovery, rebirth and reawakening the SMiLE-devotees preach, That Lucky Old Sun is fairly resounding proof that the post-nervous breakdown Brian Wilson of today is not the same as the doe-eyed dreamer of 1965.
This is not to say that matured artists are without merit. Just last month, longtime collaborators David Byrne and Brian Eno released a new album that only harkens to the good ol' days in terms of ingenuity and sheer excellence. Eno and especially Byrne are men whose careers have never really hit a peak, but rather a plateau that has lasted for 30-plus years. As for Brian Wilson, I guess the old sun, lucky or not, has finally set.
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Joe Abate
posted 9/09/08 @ 8:54 PM EST
Shame on you. Brian Wilson is a courageous and creative, mature songwriter. He writes and sings about a real life with both ups and downs. What more do you want from a recording artist. (Continued…)
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