Departed
Former Member
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Post by Deleted on Jan 5, 2019 14:11:55 GMT -5
Brian sounds like he has a cold or something, the arrangements are well lagging behind what both men were capable of, and it is indeed just a very BORING album. It sounds like music you'd hear listening in a Yankee Candle or Hallmark store at the mall, not an avant garde rock/pop album.
I gave it a 4.
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dumbchops
Dude/Dudette
Posts: 83
Likes: 73 
Favorite Album: Sail On Sailor
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Post by dumbchops on Jan 6, 2019 19:06:34 GMT -5
I gave it a 2 because there are only 2 songs on here that I really like. They include the title track and "San Francisco". Other than that, I'll stick with Song Cycle as far as VDP is concerned. This album can get so dreadfully boring. I really wanted to like it when I bought it 20 years ago.
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jh055
Grommet
Posts: 34
Likes: 65
Favorite Album: Sunflower. No, Friends! Um....
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Post by jh055 on Jan 9, 2019 16:46:36 GMT -5
Have to cast my vote in...FAVOR of OCA. I think it’s very musical, and Brian is just this side of brilliant. I’ll grant you, his voice was dissapointing, but, that’s kinda been his voice since 1975 hasn’t it? That said, I don’t know how much VDP might have coached him up, or just let him go, but I think many of the vocal arrangements are astounding, and not many guys or girls could concoct them. My faves: Me and my Hobo Heart, and Summer in Monterrey. If there was some guy in your neighborhood w a kinda gruff voice and a laughable falsetto, that could sing dozens of parts to fairlycomplicated 40’s style melodies, and it sounded like this you’d call him what? Some sort of psycho genius? Yes. I think you might ..I say, stop looking for the 1968 Brian and marvel at what the 1995 Brian Wilson could still muster when someone he liked asked. To me, it’s amazing..I’m not just a BW fanboy, I don’t like a LOT of his post BB material, but I love this..
and btw, I love you SM, even though I disagree w you today on this.
Jh
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Post by drbeachboy (Dirk) on Jan 9, 2019 16:52:20 GMT -5
I can't listen to it. Brian's voice is awful. I rate it 1.
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Post by Beach Boys Fan on Jan 9, 2019 16:54:30 GMT -5
I disagree with low ratings as well. 7. There's many interesting, intricate ideas in vocal & backing track arrangements. Songs may not be as catchy as people usually like but it's good music, with charm.
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Departed
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Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2019 17:51:55 GMT -5
I disagree with low ratings as well. 7. There's many interesting, intricate ideas in vocal & backing track arrangements. Songs may not be as catchy as people usually like but it's good music, with charm. I couldn't agree more, Beach Boys Fan. It's the solo BW(-related) album I listen to the most. I'll give it 9 like jh055.  |
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Departed
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Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2019 19:26:23 GMT -5
and btw, I love you SM, even though I disagree w you today on this. Jh Thanks I guess  I appreciate your posts too! |
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Departed
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Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2019 20:20:02 GMT -5
I like the nostalgic feel of the songs. The album starts off fully wound and spunky but peters out as the tracks go by, as if the album lost steam as the money ran out. The wall of Brians is a bit much in spots. Too husky. I love the title track. And I have a soft spot for Summer In Monterey because my family vacationed there twice, in nearby Pacific Grove, when I was a teenager - nice memories.
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Post by kds on Jan 10, 2019 8:25:36 GMT -5
I'll be generous here and give OCA a three. To my ears, there's just nothing memorable or overly good here, and Brian's vocals are not good.
Then again, I do think VDP is highly overrated.
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Post by Jason (The Real Beach Boy) on Apr 2, 2019 7:40:23 GMT -5
3. It just doesn't work to my ears. Brian sounds reedy and plastic and the overproduction stifles whatever potential these songs may have had.
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Post by Will/P.P. on May 9, 2020 15:39:01 GMT -5
finally, love awakes and rises its head.
19 June! the excitement will build until then...
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Post by Will/P.P. on Jun 20, 2020 16:38:30 GMT -5
Took all of one day for the clips to start showing up.
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Post by Will/P.P. on Jun 20, 2020 16:42:59 GMT -5
back to work. half the codes I find don't work.
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Post by Awesoman on Aug 22, 2023 7:36:41 GMT -5
The title track is quite charming and does suit Brian's wonky vocals well. I've never listened to the entire album though. It would not be unfair to call this a stepping stone in boosting Brian's solo career.
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Post by boogieboarder on Aug 22, 2023 12:34:27 GMT -5
I like the nostalgic feel of the songs. The album starts off fully wound and spunky but peters out as the tracks go by, as if the album lost steam as the money ran out. The wall of Brians is a bit much in spots. Too husky. I love the title track. And I have a soft spot for Summer In Monterey because my family vacationed there twice, in nearby Pacific Grove, when I was a teenager - nice memories. When I was living in Redondo Beach, I vacationed quite often in Big Sur, Monterey, and Pacific Grove. I even got married in Big Sur (as I mentioned in another thread, the one about Penny). Then, when I lived in Santa Cruz for 10 years, I could go to Monterey and Pacific Grove whenever I wanted to. Just a lovely area, and safe. Although Washington State, where I live now is nice, I really miss Santa Cruz, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Carmel-By-the-Sea and Big Sur. |
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Post by jk on Aug 22, 2023 14:17:37 GMT -5
The title track is quite charming and does suit Brian's wonky vocals well. I've never listened to the entire album though. It would not be unfair to call this a stepping stone in boosting Brian's solo career. I've listened to the whole thing a number of times and find it utterly heart-warming. I'm not a great fan of Van Dyke's albums -- Song Cycle invariably leaves me with a headache -- but this joint effort is a beauty! (I see now I gave it a 9.) It can easily vie in my book with any of Brian's solo albums.  |
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Post by Rick Bartlett on Feb 16, 2024 11:05:34 GMT -5
Ahh....
I had a day this afternoon where I was just spinning some various artists on the turntable.
It had been a while since listening to 'OCA', and I thoroughly enjoyed it after some time not listening to it.
It can be a harsh record if you really listen hard, especially Brian's vocals, they are strained here and there and even
sound weird in places....
That aside, it's has some charming vocal parts, and Brian's range is quite superb, if only they took a little more time....
Still, it kind of has this down home, warts and all majestic quality to it.
It's great hearing Brian challenged vocally, especially with some younger years on his side and his voice overall in workable shape.
If only we could have had his 'Imagination' vocals a couple years earlier, I think people would re-evaluate the album a lot differently.
It's not everybody's cup of tea, and I get that.
It was a beautiful sunny day here this afternoon, and listening to this with the sun shining down and through my place,
really put me in a zone....
Gazing at the cover really took me there.
It certainly is not a regular spin for me, but every few years or so, when I give it a run, I always seem to find something to praise
and enjoy about it.
It's not a 9 or an 8, but a good solid 7 from me.
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Post by jk on Feb 25, 2024 13:49:07 GMT -5
Ahh.... I had a day this afternoon where I was just spinning some various artists on the turntable. It had been a while since listening to 'OCA', and I thoroughly enjoyed it after some time not listening to it. It can be a harsh record if you really listen hard, especially Brian's vocals, they are strained here and there and even sound weird in places.... That aside, it's has some charming vocal parts, and Brian's range is quite superb, if only they took a little more time.... Still, it kind of has this down home, warts and all majestic quality to it.It's great hearing Brian challenged vocally, especially with some younger years on his side and his voice overall in workable shape. If only we could have had his 'Imagination' vocals a couple years earlier, I think people would re-evaluate the album a lot differently. It's not everybody's cup of tea, and I get that. It was a beautiful sunny day here this afternoon, and listening to this with the sun shining down and through my place, really put me in a zone.... Gazing at the cover really took me there. It certainly is not a regular spin for me, but every few years or so, when I give it a run, I always seem to find something to praise and enjoy about it. It's not a 9 or an 8, but a good solid 7 from me. Now that is what it's all about. Nail on the head, Rick. Brian's voice sounds great to me. |
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Post by drbeachboy (Dirk) on Mar 3, 2024 8:22:06 GMT -5
This thread totally amazes me. As awful as Brian sounds to my ears, there is at least 1 vote for each rating from 1 to 10. It just goes to show how differently we all hear things. This type of thing is the main reason why I rarely trust anyone’s opinion on music.😁
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Post by jk on Mar 3, 2024 15:56:44 GMT -5
This thread totally amazes me. As awful as Brian sounds to my ears, there is at least 1 vote for each rating from 1 to 10. It just goes to show how differently we all hear things. This type of thing is the main reason why I rarely trust anyone’s opinion on music.😁 Ah yes! Foolishly, I often used to buy albums on the strength of newspaper reviews. My success rate was predictably low, with some real dogs among the spoils. That was before I discovered YouTube. |
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You're a great person BBF.'' - iluvleniloud about me and I.
I appreciate your posts too!
