Uncanny

RTT NEWS "The Beach Boys have been added to the 2011 class of the California Hall of Fame. The announcement came last week after their selection thereto was made by Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. and First Lady Anne Brown."

SHIELDS GAZETTE "Former Beach Boy Brian Wilson recreated the classic American songbook of George Gershwin for his adoring Tyneside fans. The first half saw Wilson and his brilliant, multi-instrumental band – plus a string section – performing songs from last year’s album, Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin. When the approach worked, evergreen numbers like They Can’t Take That Away From Me were reminted as bouncy pop music, overlaid with the kind of lush vocal harmonies which made the Beach Boys famous. But there were highs and lows, with the short first half feeling like a rather unsatisfying musical hors-d’oeuvre."

AQUARIUM DRUNKARD "We all knew this day would eventually come, it was only a matter of time. Earlier this month it was announced the sessions from the Beach Boys fabled Smile sessions would finally see an official release — and in grand fashion. Next month Capitol is releasing Smile via a variety of formats to satisfy all manner of Beach Boys fandom — from the simply curious to the obsessive. The former can pick up a two-CD version (itself boasting 40 tracks) while the latter can dig into the box set comprised of 5 CDs, vinyl, 7″ singles, etc. Sounds like fun."

GUARDIAN "Haven't we been here before? News that the the Beach Boys' Smile is to be released later this year is both confusing and something I really wish they wouldn't do ... Here's my problem: it's never been difficult for anyone interested to track down bootlegs of those sessions. I've got the two-disc Vigotone set that, if memory serves, I bought via mailorder, although I've often seen it on market stalls ... Then there's the problem of any release that claims to be definitive. Wilson never did finish the record in 1967 as his mental health deteriorated ... [T]he best version of Smile, a really happy record but also one of numinous beauty, a record that did make Pepper sound 'meh', is the one that will always exist in our imaginations."

EXAMINER "The nice thing about this 'in store only' release is mom and dads who shop at Bed, Bath & Beyond might see the cover, grab the CD, glimpse at the song titles on the back and decide to purchase it; spontaneous buying at its best. This 15-track collection from EMI Music Special Marketing / Somerset Entertainment, mostly caters to the adult contemporary crowd with its (fairly) standard lineup..."

ROLLING STONE
NME
BBC
GUARDIAN

GUARDIAN "Brian Wilson has announced an album interpreting songs from the films of Walt Disney. For In the Key of Disney, tracks about seducing lions, kissing mermaids and motivating dwarves will be given 'the Beach Boys sound.'"

Although announced before the official announcement of the Beach Boys' SMiLE Sessions album release date, Brian Wilson's "Disney" album will likely get lost in the shuffle with all of the (likely) forthcoming SMiLE hoopla. However, any new Brian Wilson music is a treat, so don't forget this release.

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PITCHFORK

PITCHFORK "The Beach Boys' lost 1966-67 SMiLE sessions are finally seeing the light of day. And how. On October 31 internationally and November 1 in the US, Capitol/EMI will release The SMiLE Sessions in several formats: 2xCD and 2xLP, digital album, iTunes LP, and a giant box set. Brian Wilson, Al Jardine, and Mike Love all participated in the release.The SMiLE Sessions contain 'an approximation of what was intended to be the completed SMiLE album, compiled from the Beach Boys’ original session masters,' according to a press release, plus bonus tracks, demos, and stereo mixes. The box set consists of five CDs, two LPs, two 7"s, a 60-page book, and 'three-dimensional shadowbox lid.' The SMiLE Sessions' artwork is based on the sleeve and booklet art Frank Holmes made for the original, shelved album."

PRESS RELEASE
BRIANWILSON.COM

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LIVE4EVER "Beach Boys legend Brian Wilson ... was given the Hall Of Fame award."

TELEGRAPH "Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys ... thanked his British fans with a line from one of his songs: 'God only knows what I’d be without you.'"

BL00MBERG "A $46.4 million loan backed by Los Angeles’ Capitol Records building, where Frank Sinatra, the Beach Boys, Nat King Cole and Judy Garland recorded, was sent to a special servicer today, Fitch Ratings said. The master servicer is Midland Loan Services and the special servicer is CT Investment Management, according to the debt-rating company. The loan, sponsored by Millennium Partners and Argent Ventures, is scheduled to mature on Oct. 15, Fitch said in a June 23 report. Mortgage servicers specialize in restructuring troubled debt."

The American Horse by Nina Akamu. The bronze sculpture is 24 feet (7.3 m) tall.

MLIVE "On July 29, the influential Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys performs as part of the 22-concert series this summer at Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park."

FLIP COLLECTIVE "This was my first real experience with the Beach Boys. The first time I threw myself into their music, the individuals, the group, their story. I spent three days in a cabin consuming their work, hallucinogens, gummy bears, and whiskey, and it culminated in me lying on the floor."

LANCASTER EAGLE GAZETTE "Expect to hear some great songs and relive some cherished memories when the Beach Boys hit the Lancaster Festival stage, original member Mike Love said. 'Our songs successfully relate to several generations,' he said. 'Who doesn't dream of having a girlfriend or boyfriend and who wouldn't like to go on a surfin' safari? We were able to combine some catchy hooks and lyrics that were easy to understand and relate to people all around the world.' The Beach Boys will play at Ohio University-Lancaster at 8:15 p.m. on July 30."