CD: The Beach Boys – That’s Why God Made the Radio

CD: The Beach Boys – That’s Why God Made the Radio | reviews, news & interviews

CD: The Beach Boys – That’s Why God Made the Radio

Despite its missteps, this joyless reunion yields a few gems

by Kieron TylerWednesday, 06 June 2012

The Beach Boys' "That’s Why God Made the Radio": worth persevering with to the end

“We’re back together, easy money”. For anyone feeling a wee bit cynical about The Beach Boys' reunion, that lyric – from “Spring Vacation” – is likely to push them towards full-blown contempt. Although That’s Why God Made the Radio is defined by missteps, it’s worth persevering to the end.

The album reanimates The Beach Boys’ brand to celebrate its 50th anniversary. Given that they formed and released their first single in 1961, it must be the anniversary of the first chart hit, 1962’s “Surfin’ Safari”. Reunited are three originals - Al Jardine, Mike Love and Brian Wilson - and Bruce Johnson and David Marks. All sing but only Marks plays – guitar, on about half the album. Otherwise, the musicians are drawn from Wilson’s live band or are vintage sessioneers (Skunk Baxter’s guitar solo on “Spring Vacation” is spectacularly naff). All but one song is co-written by Wilson with keyboard player Joe Thomas, also credited with “recording" the album. Wilson is credited as producer, Love as executive producer.

The dynamics at play are writ even larger by the single non-Wilson song, the trite “Daybreak Over the Ocean”. Written by Love, it was recorded at his studio with family members and associates who don’t appear elsewhere on the album. Jardine, Johnston and Wilson’s vocals were overdubbed later.

Glutinous nostalgia, both musically and lyrically veering towards parody, is what this is about. “God Made the Radio” to capture “memories from afar”. “Do you wanna turn back the pages?” asks “Isn't it Time”. Wilson probably doesn't. He was all-but destroyed by his own past.

The album opens with the beautiful “Think About the Days” and closes with a trio of gems – one co-written by Jon Bon Jovi – that allow Wilson to breath, the yearning “From There to Back Again” especially so. That’s Why God Made the Radio encapsulates all that’s good and all that’s bad about The Beach Boys. Could it have been any other way?

Visit Kieron Tyler’s blog

Watch The Beach Boys discuss their 50th anniversary reunion

It encapsulates all that’s good and all that’s bad about The Beach Boys

rating

Editor Rating:

Average: 3 (1 vote)

Buy

Explore topics

Share this article

The song quoted here, Spring

Permalink Submitted by Mark (not verified) on Wed, 04/09/2013 - 05:44

The song quoted here, Spring Vacation, was clearly also written by Love. The lyric follows his mantra of "all the bad stuff is in the past" which he repeated in interviews. His tough-guy attitude shows in the line "Hey what's it to ya." But Brian Wilson provides a little balance and illustrates the creative tension behind some of the best music they created, when he sings the next line - "Hallelujah." Now it's a year later and Love is complaining that he was not able to sit alone with Wilson and write songs again. I'm torn about whether that would be a good idea or not.

Add comment

The future of Arts Journalism

You can stop theartsdesk.com closing!

We urgently need financing to survive. Our fundraising drive has thus far raised £33,000 but we need to reach £100,000 or we will be forced to close. Please contribute here: https://gofund.me/c3f6033d

And if you can forward this information to anyone who might assist, we’d be grateful.

Subscribe to theartsdesk.com

Thank you for continuing to read our work on theartsdesk.com. For unlimited access to every article in its entirety, including our archive of more than 15,000 pieces, we're asking for £5 per month or £40 per year. We feel it's a very good deal, and hope you do too.

To take a subscription now simply click here.

And if you're looking for that extra gift for a friend or family member, why not treat them to a theartsdesk.com gift subscription?

more New music

Music Reissues Weekly: Stefan Gnyś - Horizoning Folk-inclined Canadian’s brooding album emerges 55 years after it was recorded

Album: Kim Deal - Nobody Loves You More Gems in the rough on the Pixie / Breeder's long-awaited solo debut

Hannah Scott, Worthing Pavilion Theatre Atrium review - filling an arctic venue with human warmth Singer-songwriter brings moving, autobiographical songs to the freezing south coast

Album: Joan Armatrading - How Did This Happen and What Does It Now Mean Held in love and affection

Album: FaithNYC - Love is a Wish Away Wonderfully produced off-piste music

English Teacher, Queen Margaret Union, Glasgow review - Mercury winners step up in size with style The Leeds quartet's set was varied in genre but thrilling when punchy

Album: Father John Misty - Mahashmashana The flawless union of style and substance

Kenny Barron Trio, Ronnie Scott's review - a master of the cool Eloquent story-telling from jazz giant

Album: Body Count - Merciless Ice goes on autopilot

Music Reissues Weekly: Magazine - Real Life, Secondhand Daylight, The Correct Use of Soap The first three albums from Howard Devoto’s post-punk marvels hit the shops again

Bob Dylan, Royal Albert Hall review - cracked ritual from rock elder A glorious mixture of mask and authenticity

ARK: United States V by Laurie Anderson, Aviva Studios, Manchester review - a vessel for the thoughts and imaginings of a lifetime Despite anticipating disaster, this mesmerising voyage is full of hope

Follow @theartsdesk