Monday, September 22, 2008

The Beach Boys Network

The Beach Boys Network

Re: Questions about Dennis's death [Smiley Smile Message Board]

Posted: 22 Sep 2008 07:03 AM CDT

12 feet of water is a hell of a lot once you start getting some in your lungs. Drunk people have drowned in puddles.

Re: TLOS's Failure In The UK [Smiley Smile Message Board]

Posted: 22 Sep 2008 06:57 AM CDT

Yep the 'Abbey Road' show was shown on More 4 not Channel 4,  and very few people have More 4.



Isn't More 4 on Freeview?

I know I get it, but then I get something like 300 channels.

Basically there was no specific promotion for TLOS in the UK. The Abbey Road thing was NOT a promotional spot for TLOS. Brian and his band were part of an hour long special where several artists played "live" at Abbey Road studios. Brian & co did God Only Knows, Sloop John B and Southern California...Jeff talked a little about the new album but really it was not a promotional spot.

There have been newspaper reviews, but no PROMOTION...no adverts. A journo deciding to do a review is NOT the record company promoting an artist. You don't promote an album by hoping somebody reviews it. You promote a product by paying for adverts, or signings, public appearances etc. There was nothing in the UK at all, and I suspect a lot of people who might have given the album a listen don't even know it has been released.

I know SMiLE was a different kettle of red herrings, but with SMiLE we saw Brian all over the TV, several new documentaries on mainstream TV channels, a tour of course, huge full back cover adverts in the music press, even TV adverts. And guess what? SMiLE got to #7 in the UK chart. Not to mention the cool tactic of the limited edition 45rpm Wonderful single, which spent 2 weeks in the charts before SMiLE was unleashed guaranteeing Brian some airplay on all the popular music radio stations.

I don't know how much better TLOS could have done, but if there had been more awareness I do believe it would have charted around the same position as it did on Billboard...and would have stayed in the top 75 for a few weeks.

Let's face it, Imagination did better than this in the UK...but then Imagination was promoted too...

Re: Compression and Clipping on TLOS - is it that bad? [Smiley Smile Message Board]

Posted: 22 Sep 2008 06:46 AM CDT

I'm going to jump in where others have feared to tread. Brian co-mixed/produced TLOS, right?

Well, that's what the album credits say...  Roll Eyes

Which I would know, had I bought it!!  Evil

I think AGD is saying he is not 100% convinced the credits tell the truth.

Brother John...That Lucky Old CD Smiley

Re: Compression and Clipping on TLOS - is it that bad? [Smiley Smile Message Board]

Posted: 22 Sep 2008 06:44 AM CDT

I'm going to jump in where others have feared to tread. Brian co-mixed/produced TLOS, right?

Well, that's what the album credits say...  Roll Eyes

Which I would know, had I bought it!!  Evil Sorry Andrew. Maybe the LP .... some time.

Re: TLOS's Failure In The UK [Smiley Smile Message Board]

Posted: 22 Sep 2008 06:42 AM CDT

Yep the 'Abbey Road' show was shown on More 4 not Channel 4,  and very few people have More 4.



I should sincerely hope this is not the case. More 4 is available on the digital Freeview service (free-to-air, no satellite), and if you ain't got that by 2012, or satellite, you won't be watching TV.

Apropos of the original point, I would imagine that the non-fans were put off by the lukewarm reviews (and by the simple fact that Brian is really now seen as a 60s phenomenon), and long-standing fans like me by the reports of semi-listenable CD quality.

Re: Fleet Foxes??? [Smiley Smile Message Board]

Posted: 22 Sep 2008 06:16 AM CDT

I was just about to start a thread about this band, then I saw there already was one.

I heard the song "He Doesn't Know Why" ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjgkRoPLYRk ) on the radio last week and ordered the CD the same day. It's excellent. Sounds a bit like early 70s Beach Boys but a bit darker and folkier.

They mention the songs "Feel Flows" and "Surf's Up" in the liner notes, BTW.

Re: TLOS's Failure In The UK [Smiley Smile Message Board]

Posted: 22 Sep 2008 05:24 AM CDT

I respect your point John, but it's very wrong..in fact a little rude.

Brian attracted one of the biggest crowds at Glastonbury in 05, and was considered by many to be the highlight of the weekend event, Glastonbury being one of the biggest music festivals in the world (he even played SMiLE tracks). He also wasn't singing very well, but they ate him up.

He has always been loved in the UK, if the album was promoted right (it wasn't we've established that) it would of been a hit.

Obviously he's not loved by everyone who follows the charts, but to think it shouldn't of charted higher is just strange for a for a fan.




Re: TLOS: any comments from Mike, Al or Bruce yet? [Smiley Smile Message Board]

Posted: 22 Sep 2008 04:52 AM CDT

Now, this isn't scientific of course, but since these mid-elementary to tweener kids are THE demographic for everything nowadays, maybe "Good Kind of Love" is the single rather than "Surfer Girl."   And maybe Brian's version can make it.  (Unless they chicken out and give it to the Jonas Brothers or Taylor Swift or that American Idol guy, David Cook, to sing).

I firmly believe that if there's one song on TLOS that could be a hit single, it's "Good Kind of Love". You can sing along with the chorus the second time you hear it and isn't that one of the main characteristics of a hit single?

Re: Questions about Dennis's death [Smiley Smile Message Board]

Posted: 22 Sep 2008 04:48 AM CDT

I once read that 69% of all drowning accidents are alcohol related. So diving when you're drunk clearly isn't a smart thing to do.

Re: TLOS's Failure In The UK [Smiley Smile Message Board]

Posted: 22 Sep 2008 04:46 AM CDT

I was looking at the UK charts today and noticed that TLOS has basically left the top 100 after about 3 weeks, (I think it left after 2 actually, but never checked).

ONE week, actually - entered chart at #37, dropped out the following week.


Frankly I'm staggered that its broken the Top 40 at all. Who on earth buys Brian Wilson records apart from the people that visit boards like this?

Its as much as I expected. To us Brian Wilson is an important guy, but to everyone else who follows the UK charts he's just some old guy who waves his hands around a lot and can't really sing. He just doesn't register with anyone except devotees like us, music journos, and the kind of geeks that are interested in all pop music.

I agree with Mr Honey (Wild, in Stereo) that its a shame that the record company and the Melinistas didn't bother to publicise TLOS at all, apart from sending out free copies of the disc (probably copies of the DVD, the 'Brian is Back' element of which may explain why a few UK hacks didn't like it). There was just nothing in the UK to promote the disc. Maybe they were relying on the fact that the suite premièred at the RFH and thought that was enough.

Re: That Lucky Old Sun - My quick, calls 'em as I sees 'em review... [Smiley Smile Message Board]

Posted: 22 Sep 2008 04:21 AM CDT

Good review, I pretty much agree with it all. To me 'Morning Beat' and 'Going Home' are two of the least interesting songs on here, add 'California Role' to that too. I think the much maligned 'Mexican Girl' is fun and has a good beat and nice bassline, of course its stupid but I like it.
'Oxygen to the Brain' didn't have to grow on me though as I always liked that one, i'd put that along with 'Good kind of love', 'Forever she'll be my surfer girl' and 'Live Let Live' as my favourites on the album. 'Midnights another day' is okay but i'm not feeling it like perhaps I should.

Re: The Wilson Brothers picture thread [Smiley Smile Message Board]

Posted: 22 Sep 2008 03:30 AM CDT

Another bunch of Brian's pics














G. W. Bush senior, Landy and Brian!








Brian destroying the SMiLE's tapes! LOL





Re: TLOS's Failure In The UK [Smiley Smile Message Board]

Posted: 22 Sep 2008 03:09 AM CDT

Marketing in the US was extensive.

You had special promo video on Amazon
You had a "win a trip to see Brian" also on Amazon
You had special editions of the album in Best Buy, Borders and iTunes
You had Brian on Leno
You had the gigantic promotion on all the Gannett newspaper websites with the streaming album
You had a minisite created for the album itself
You had Facebook and MySpace pages created for BW and the album
Prime display space in Borders and Best Buy

Virtually no albums are sold through magazine or TV ads these days. It's all about stuff like the above. And that all costs just as much -- or more -- than a print ad.

Let's try and think about the UK -

A nice one page review of the album in Mojo, Q and the UK Press in general (excluding the Guardian)
The More 4 Live at Abbey Road Show (fair point it was shown after midnight)
Erm, struggling now....

I think one major draw back is the fact that the album wasn't released sooner - or at the sametime as the tour in the UK in 2007. Both would have complemented each other nicely, people who go to the show could've bought the album and those who bought the album might have been tempted to see the show.

I don't think Jonathan Ross show would do Brian any favours as we all no Jonathan Ross is "no-holds barred" and would do anything for a cheap laugh - perhaps a Jools Holland Later Special or, dare I say it, an interview on Richard & Judy!  LOL

Re: The Wilson Brothers picture thread [Smiley Smile Message Board]

Posted: 22 Sep 2008 02:22 AM CDT

The pics with the "Help Me Rhonda" shirt &  the ones where he's skinny and Bruce is there, and Brian's eyes look like they're about to bug out of his head...date from shortly after Bruce returned to the band and Brian got out of hospital.
Quote

When did this one come out?!

Quote
This one too.
I have no idea when the first pic came out;
I think the second pic came in 1976, same year than this one, but not sure!

Re: Questions about Dennis's death [Smiley Smile Message Board]

Posted: 22 Sep 2008 02:02 AM CDT

Is it that difficult to swim while drunk?

Yes, especially in December. Alcohol speeds up body heat loss, among other effects.

Re: The Official BB You Tube Thread [Smiley Smile Message Board]

Posted: 22 Sep 2008 01:08 AM CDT

Behind The Sounds: Let's Go Away For Awhile:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qytcPopEalE&fmt=18

Re: TLOS's Failure In The UK [Smiley Smile Message Board]

Posted: 22 Sep 2008 12:49 AM CDT

Marketing in the US was extensive.

You had special promo video on Amazon
You had a "win a trip to see Brian" also on Amazon
You had special editions of the album in Best Buy, Borders and iTunes
You had Brian on Leno
You had the gigantic promotion on all the Gannett newspaper websites with the streaming album
You had a minisite created for the album itself
You had Facebook and MySpace pages created for BW and the album
Prime display space in Borders and Best Buy

Virtually no albums are sold through magazine or TV ads these days. It's all about stuff like the above. And that all costs just as much -- or more -- than a print ad.

Questions about Dennis's death [Smiley Smile Message Board]

Posted: 22 Sep 2008 12:24 AM CDT

I've been reading about the circumstances of Dennis's death, and something doesn't seem right. From the time that he last dove in to the water, to when his body was found was a total of forty minutes. Don't you think that that's quite a long time? Also, everybody who was there seems to have gone off to check all the local bars. Why didn't somebody immediately jump into the water after a minute or so of waiting for Dennis to resurface? The thing that gets me is, what happened that last time Dennis went under? Is it that difficult to swim while drunk? I've never tried it(and don't plan to), but drowning in only twelve feet of water(according to a news broadcast) seems pretty hard to do, even if you're drunk. When Dennis's body was found, did he have any head wounds? I could understand it if he hit his head and was knocked unconscious.

Re: TLOS's Failure In The UK [Smiley Smile Message Board]

Posted: 21 Sep 2008 11:49 PM CDT

I was looking at the UK charts today and noticed that TLOS has basically left the top 100 after about 3 weeks, (I think it left after 2 actually, but never checked).

ONE week, actually - entered chart at #37, dropped out the following week.

That Lucky Old Sun by Brian Wilson [CD] FREE Shipping ["brian wilson"]

Posted: 21 Sep 2008 11:03 PM CDT

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Re: TLOS: any comments from Mike, Al or Bruce yet? [Smiley Smile Message Board]

Posted: 21 Sep 2008 10:27 PM CDT

^ I don't at all mean it's impossible for an older person to have some success. In fact, I am trying to say almost the opposite. No, the market isn't geared toward older artists. It never was and never will be. And younger markets tend not to like older people playing backward-looking music. But that doesn't diminish that music and sure, somebody older can have a hit, just like a musical soundtrack or country album or metal album can chart well. My point: it's less likely to have a hit and not something to be expected, and more importantly, the charts aren't filled with the negative stereotype of a genre of music Awesoman doesn't like.

It's not that the charts are filled with misogynistic hip-hop...its that the "hit music" radio stations like to play nothing but that stuff and don't bother with anything else that's on the charts, maybe with the exception of tweenie bubblegum groups.

Re: TLOS's Failure In The UK [Smiley Smile Message Board]

Posted: 21 Sep 2008 10:26 PM CDT

Is there a possibility of having a promotion budget and spending the bulk of it in the US, leaving not much for the UK?

Re: What was #1 on the day you were born [Smiley Smile Message Board]

Posted: 21 Sep 2008 10:24 PM CDT

Well, when my wife was born (on Carl Wilson's 25th birthday), "Family Affair" by Sly & The Family Stone was #1.

However, when I was born, "Rock Me Gently" by Andy Kim was the #1 song. My wife loves to remind me that she had a much cooler #1 hit.

Brian Wilson - That Lucky Old Sun (CD 2008) ["brian wilson"]

Posted: 21 Sep 2008 10:08 PM CDT

US $4.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Sep-24-2008 20:08:47 PDT
Bid now | Add to watch list

Re: TLOS's Failure In The UK [Smiley Smile Message Board]

Posted: 21 Sep 2008 09:37 PM CDT

The only REAL promotion, besides the TV and radio appearances, that I know of that was officially sanctioned by Brian's people was the huge banner on top of the Capitol tower.

BUT -- for the past few weeks the vinyl version has been in the window of Dave's Records in Chicago....and judging by the price tag, I paid a LOT less for it at Reckless!

Re: Brian at The Hollywood Bowl Sept 12, 2008 [Smiley Smile Message Board]

Posted: 21 Sep 2008 09:36 PM CDT

What a rip.

Re: Brian at The Hollywood Bowl Sept 12, 2008 [Smiley Smile Message Board]

Posted: 21 Sep 2008 09:32 PM CDT

Yeah, the Hollywood Bowl shows were advertised on brianwilson.com as a "hits" show with "selections" from TLOS, wheareas the other shows on this tour are advertised as "Full TLOS performances".

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