Brian Wilson Summary

Critical Essay by Barry Fantoni I think "Pet Sounds" is probably one of the best produced albums out, but it suffers because of it. I managed to listen to one side of it, and I heard ju... Read more

Critical Essay by Peter Fornatale There are vast differences between the 1966 and 1972 Beach Boys. This fact becomes painfully apparent with the release of their new double set Carl and the Passions&... Read more

Critical Essay by Greg Shaw [Except] for Dick Dale's, no surf music came out on major labels before the Beach Boys proved it could be more commercial than anyone had dreamed. They did it by bl... Read more

Critical Essay by Bill Gubbins Does Brian make that big a difference [in 15 Big Ones]? Not really. There is no question that Brian Wilson is a genuine talent in American music (mind you, we'... Read more

Critical Essay by Richard Williams The dilemma facing the Beach Boys today is created simply by their audience's expectations. Those who throng to their concerts do so in anticipation of swoon... Read more

Critical Essay by Billy Altman The Beach Boys Love You is a truly wonderful album, and it is Brian's show from beginning to end. He wrote 11 of the 14 songs and coauthored the others. In light... Read more

Critical Essay by Mitch Cohen There is no TM song, no music-is-swell song, or "unfolding enveloping missiles of soul," or political/ecological commentary [in The Beach Boys Love You]. I... Read more

Critical Essay by Tom Carson You go to a rock and roll show in the hope of being moved by the unexpected; you go to see an institution, like the Lincoln Memorial, or the Grand Canyon, or the Beach Bo... Read more

Critical Essay by Dave Marsh The Beach Boys are easily the most overrated group in rock & roll history—which presents the reviewer with a problem: simply stating the facts invites an overr... Read more

Critical Essay by Paul Williams [The Beach Boys] are moving forward all the time. Each Beach Boys album since Pet Sounds has been (or seemed) a little less sophisticated. Retrogression? Not at all... Read more

Critical Essay by Jim Miller After a long period of recovery, mediocrity, and general disaster, the Beach Boys have finally produced an album [Sunflower] that can stand with Pet Sounds: the old vocal... Read more

Critical Essay by Michele Hush Most people seem to love [Surf's Up]. They say the harmonies, production and instrumentation are perfect; they like the way it flows, its smoothness and sweetnes... Read more