Brian Wilson, Pet Sounds Live

By Nathalie Kobie

Most people buy a car, get laid or quit their jobs when they have a mid-life crisis. Instead, Brian Wilson of Beach Boys fame performed the entire classic Pet Sounds album for a live audience and recorded his efforts. Sadly, Brian Wilson sounds old. To our non-baby-boomer, nostalgia-less ears, it sounds like a cash grab or a really bad mid-life crisis.

Back in the day, the original Pet Sounds was an album that revolutionized music. It even influenced the Beatles. Now, we’re not sure what to make of it. The ten-piece band offers a new sound and helps fill the abscence of the other members of Wilson’s old band.

But, this is surf music and it’s better kept simple. All it needs is a voice, drums and guitar. This revistation is like going to the beach–would you rather go with four young, tanned Beach Boys, or with old wrinkled Brian Wilson?

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