When
I interviewed Beach Boys mastermind Brian Wilson 20 years ago, he
told me that for him, music is spiritual. Taking that perspective
into consideration, from Wilson’s lips to my ears (both by
telephone and through this album), this solo career retrospective is
full of spirit.
Covering
three decades of Wilson’s music from 1988 onward, this recording
abounds with hope, joy, inspiration, aspiration, and a positive
outlook on life, even and especially in the face of challenges and
turmoil. In this respect, this really is a feel-good record.
Adding
to the eternal, effusive optimism on display here are the patented
Beach Boy-style vocal harmonies that are the foundation and hallmark
of Wilson’s musical persona, regardless of whether he’s with the
Boys or on his own. But Wilson’s individual sonic explorations
stretch further than that and are just as rich and resplendent.
When
you get right down to it, Wilson is a fantastic singer-songwriter and
one of the most acclaimed and beloved of the last 50 years, and as
this album proves in spades, justifiably so.
--Raj
Manoharan
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