The Beach Boys - That's Why God Made The Radio (Album Review)
Tuesday, 29 May 2012
Written by Gemma-Louise Johnson
It was back in spring ’63 when The Beach Boys sampled the taste of chart success, reaching number two on the US Billboard chart with sophomore disc 'Surfin’ USA'. On paper, this looked like the ultimate rock n’ roll dream, a band who were well on their way to achieving stardom. But it didn’t take long for the apparent bromance between members of one of the world’s biggest band to fall apart.
Half a century has passed since The Beach Boys formed in 1961. Over the years, they’ve slipped in and out of reunions, amidst the fame, fortune, bitter feuds, lawsuits (and some truly marvellous music along the way). But in one of 2012’s most questionable career moves, The Beach Boys have re-emerged putting their differences aside for a full-scale reunion tour, and their twenty-ninth studio album 'That’s Why God Made The Radio', currently scheduled for an early June release.
Clearly indicating their ability to take bold leaps into the 21st century, 'That’s Why God Made The Radio' encapsulates The Beach Boys at their most risky and experimental yet. The good news is, having co-wrote 11 out of the 12 tracks on this album, Brian Wilson rightfully reassumes his leadership in the studio as producer and songwriter. The bad news?... although The Beach Boys’ collaborative approach to recording is evident, there’s still definitely something missing and after 50 golden years, if I’m being honest, I was expecting a bit more from them.
With roots firmly intact, 'Think About The Days', the opener, is a charming piano ballad capturing the a cappella fashion of 1967’s 'Our Prayer' (also opener to the world’s ‘most famous unreleased album’ of all time 'Smile').
Title track and lead single 'That’s Why God Made The Radio', beams in from a parallel universe where the calendar most likely stopped somewhere around 1965... But here we are in the 21st century, and the radio is about the last place rock n roll exists.
'Spring Vacation' is an ode to themselves, and showcases soaring harmonies as Wilson and Love share lead vocals, lyrically expressing their happiness of being back together, and needless to say, it’s been decades since the Beach Boys distributed a “happy” song.
'The Private Life Of Bill And Sue' features Wilson’s plaintive lead vocal gliding along to a refreshing ska/reggae beat, while sentimental doo-wop ballad 'Isn’t It Time', reels in memorable surf-drenched hooks that espouse the shimmying beats and disco rhythms of the ‘60s. Some of the then-topical lyrical references seem dated, particularly on goofy title 'Summer’s Gone', but that’s not a bad thing, because underneath the disco, soft rock production gloss, a welcome feeling of nostalgia beckons.
Various instruments weave in and out of each other on the harmoniously beautiful 'From There To Back Again', completing a tapestry of pure skill proving half a century of craftsmanship has paid off for the famous five.
Though it’s not all plain sailing, stormy moments are forecast, as with 'Day Break Over The Ocean', which appears to capsize spectacularly in man-overboard modus operandi.
The only fault on this record is its modest ambition, its subtle flavours - but then The Beach Boys have nothing to prove and it’s that innocent charm that potentially makes this a gold-plated release. Whether 'That’s Why God Made The Radio' will prove The Beach Boys are best remembered for what they once put out remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure, this record is the sound of a band entering their sixth decade more confident and ready to kick gluteus maximus than ever before.
‘That’s Why God Made The Radio’ the single, is available to buy now from all good music outlets. The album is available to pre-order now from HMV and will be released on 5th June. The band and EMI have also partnered for 50th Anniversary commemorative releases celebrating the band’s entire catalogue, with a new hits collection and a career spanning box set planned for later this year.
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Half a century has passed since The Beach Boys formed in 1961. Over the years, they’ve slipped in and out of reunions, amidst the fame, fortune, bitter feuds, lawsuits (and some truly marvellous music along the way). But in one of 2012’s most questionable career moves, The Beach Boys have re-emerged putting their differences aside for a full-scale reunion tour, and their twenty-ninth studio album 'That’s Why God Made The Radio', currently scheduled for an early June release.
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