Brian
Wilson-Imagination
(Giant)
It's kind of sad that after decades of being an acknowledged pop musical
genius, former Beach Boys front man Brian Wilson is probably best known now
by kids as the guy that Barenaked Ladies sang about.
On Wilson's first solo album in nearly a decade, he sets about straightening
that out.
Musically, he doesn't sell out completely and try to pretend he's something
he's not. Most of these songs would have been perfectly good outtakes on
classic Beach Boys albums Pet Sounds or Smile.
His sound still feels sturdy, though, and the multi-tracked vocals of the
classic pop feel of "South American" and "Your Imagination" and the Beach
Boys remake "Let Him Run Wild" are pure pop nirvana.
While he makes a few moves that don't become a legend, (he has former
Survivor guitarist Jim Peterik playing on a few songs!) all in all
Imagination is a nice update of Wilson's signature sound.
(7/98)
Jay S. Jacobs
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Revised:
November 21, 2022.
