Uncanny

LAIST "It’s nice to report that on That Lucky Old Sun (Capitol), he’s started staring at the sun again, and delivered a heartfelt love letter to his homeland. It’s not hard to imagine that digging LA would continue to inspire the elder Wilson, and with co-writer Scott Bennett and his highly qualified backing band, including several members of local retro-pop heroes the Wondermints, he’s finally made the album we've long known he was capable of."

VERNON MORNING STAR

NME
CONTACT MUSIC
DOT MUSIC

SEATTLE WEEKLY "The question then is whether the Beach Boys' influence is being projected onto the music by critics or truly being put forth by the artists. In this case, it just may be more the former. This year has already seen three Beach Boys–related releases: the 16-disc boxed-set rerelease of the Boys' U.S. Singles Collection: The Capitol Years, the reissue of Dennis Wilson's Pacific Ocean Blue, and the release of Brian Wilson's That Lucky Old Sun. So, yes, the Beach Boys are no doubt prevalent in the public consciousness this year."

EL PASO TIMES

CONTRA COSTA TIMES "The biggest disappointment of the night...was told by the amazing number of empty seats in the house. "

HERALD SUN 1
HERALD SUN 2

SF GATE

DAILY BREEZE

CHICAGO TRIBUNE BLOG

CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER

ROLLING STONE "This was US concert premiere of Wilson’s brand new Southern California-themed symphonic pop suite "That Lucky Old Sun,' and the prerecorded narration wasn’t accompanying the projected whimsical animation like it should’ve. But soon Wilson, his masterful 11-member band and a local string section went back to the beginning of this intricate 38-minute composition and performed its heart-melting melodies without another glitch or pause."

PITCHFORK

SF GATE "This love letter to Los Angeles - wrapped around Wilson's dreamy version of the old Frankie Laine chestnut 'That Lucky Old Sun' - is the final step in the great songwriter's miracle rehabilitation, a new recording worthy of his stature in every way. His lyrics can be stilted, but the exultant harmonies and great glee with which the musicians attack the rich melodies is immediately contagious. Few records contain this much joy and wonder."

AUDIOPHILE AUDITION "A great deal of care went into Pacific Ocean Blue: Legacy Edition—everything from an elaborate and beautiful package, to carefully remastering, which greatly enhances the original lush and highly structured sound image. But the real discovery here is the previously unheard Bambu (or Bamboo), a never-released follow-up recording to Pacific Ocean Blue, which got caught up in the blowback of Dennis Wilson’s personal life and unfortunate financial difficulties. Five short years after recording Bambu he died in 1983 from an alcohol-related drowning."