I can remember back in 1964 wandering the halls of the local high school in my sophomore year with two other guys trying to perfect the harmonies to "In My Room" by the Beach Boys. Fortunately for the rest of the world that is as far as my singing career ever went. Also fortunately that was just the tip of the iceberg concerning the music of Brian Wilson. Although my personal taste has always run toward the more avant-garde forms of music, I've always been a sucker for a good harmony, and harmony and melody are where Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys were unsurpassed. From "Sloop John B." to "Good Vibrations" to "Caroline, No," the Beach Boys under the leadership of Brian were the kings of harmony. Just about every artist who sits down to write a harmony driven song today owes a debt in part to Brian.
Silent Planet Records in honor of Brian's 60th birthday has put together an artist's tribute to the music of Beach Boy Brian Wilson. This is without a doubt the perfect summer release of this year or any other for that matter. The majority of the music on this tribute comes from the era that gave us the Pet Sounds album and the legendary unreleased Smile project. While trying to stay true to the original recording, each of the artists involved has taken these songs and made them their own. Phil Keaggy has stated that "Good Vibrations" is some of the best singing that he has done in years. Leigh Nash along with Sixpence None The Richer is absolutely perfect on "I Just Wasn't Made For These Times". Derrick Harris is amazing on "Don't Worry Baby" and Kevin Max & Jimmy A. turn in a superb "Help Me Rhonda."
If this were just a one disc release, that would make anyone happy. If you get it through Paste Music a second nine song disc is included with cuts by such artists as Frank Lenz & Richard Swift, Lost Dogs, Kate Miner, Jeff Elbel & Ping, Jacob Lawson & Riki Michele, and the legendary Irwin Icon. The cover art for the project is by Kurt Lightner and is based on what was to be the cover for Smile. Each of the songs included contains in the booklet a quote from the artist involved. My favorite is from Frank Lenz & Richard Swift, it says in part: "Long live Brian Wilson, long live music, swift death to MTV". For me, I think that just about sums it up.
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Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Dave KerschbaumSilent Planet Records knows how to throw a good birthday party. While Hit Radio is populated with boy bands and midriff girls who are younger than your car, Brian Wilson turned 60 years old this summer. And although many young VH1-watchers may only recognize Wilson as that guy the Barenaked Ladies sang about, Wilson's innovation and influence in rock music cannot be denied. With Making God Smile,…The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Ken MuellerIn honor of tunesmith Brian Wilson's sixtieth birthday, the folks at Silent Planet records have put together a pretty decent tribute album. While most tribute albums tend to be pretty uneven affairs, this one, with few exceptions, is quite good. The large majority of the tunes are from the Beach Boys catalog, including the "lost" album Smile, while a few are from Wilson's solo work in later…The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Trilisa M. PerrineWhen a project of the magnitude of Making God Smile is undertaken, the result is often unsatisfactory to those who are fans of the originals. But alas, this two CD tribute to Brian Wilson was refreshing and well put together. The interpretations of Brian's songs ranged from fairly direct reproductions ("Good Vibrations" by Phil Keaggy) to the slightly strange and experimental ("Help Me Rhonda" by…
