Post by lonesurf on Jan 14, 2022 1:05:55 GMT -5
I had very high hopes upon initially hearing Mikes take on the Ramones classic Rockaway Beach. I think Mike & his production team did a fantastic job updating this song to a beach boy style. Great cut.
I wish the rest of the album had a bit more of the same oomph. California Beach, while fun & catchy, sounds like something that Mike can churn out endlessly. That being said, it is a very catchy (Mike-ish) single.
It is interesting that he re-recorded a few of the songs from Looking Back With Love, as well as two early Beach Boy tracks. They are all competent versions, but nothing I would seek out over the original. The lone exception is the nicely rocking Keepin’ The Summer Alive, which chugs along nicely, though I wish Mike had used another voice for the middle eight. Someone like Bruce (or Brian?!?) would have sounded fantastic there.
Girl From Impanema sounds like Mike doing a decent karaoke to a cheap backing track …. I don’t dislike it … it just has such a casual vibe … kinda charming in a lo-fi way.
Here Comes The Sun is The album’s other standout track (for me). I simply love Scott Totten’s reimagining here. And, I think Mike pulls it off. Why do such a popular song the same old way every time? Mike & Scott certainly do change it up on this one. I like: A Cool, chill reinvention.
So, 12 Sides ended up being a pretty decent listen, with me really enjoying Rockaway Beach & the different take on Here Comes The Sun. Both would have worked for me as respectable tracks on a (constantly hoped for) new Beach Boys release.
Mike has been fairly prolific in the studio recently. I’m hoping he keeps it up.
I wish the rest of the album had a bit more of the same oomph. California Beach, while fun & catchy, sounds like something that Mike can churn out endlessly. That being said, it is a very catchy (Mike-ish) single.
It is interesting that he re-recorded a few of the songs from Looking Back With Love, as well as two early Beach Boy tracks. They are all competent versions, but nothing I would seek out over the original. The lone exception is the nicely rocking Keepin’ The Summer Alive, which chugs along nicely, though I wish Mike had used another voice for the middle eight. Someone like Bruce (or Brian?!?) would have sounded fantastic there.
Girl From Impanema sounds like Mike doing a decent karaoke to a cheap backing track …. I don’t dislike it … it just has such a casual vibe … kinda charming in a lo-fi way.
Here Comes The Sun is The album’s other standout track (for me). I simply love Scott Totten’s reimagining here. And, I think Mike pulls it off. Why do such a popular song the same old way every time? Mike & Scott certainly do change it up on this one. I like: A Cool, chill reinvention.
So, 12 Sides ended up being a pretty decent listen, with me really enjoying Rockaway Beach & the different take on Here Comes The Sun. Both would have worked for me as respectable tracks on a (constantly hoped for) new Beach Boys release.
Mike has been fairly prolific in the studio recently. I’m hoping he keeps it up.
