Re: I have An Addiction
Posted: 08 May 2017, 9:21am
The Rodney Bingenheimer doc is really good.
He's lying. He is quite open in evaluating music based on its level of commercial success, and Pet Sounds was not commercial, especially in relation to past Beach Boys' hits. That Pet Sounds is understood to be a classic, watershed album now has forced him to toe the line lest he come off as a complete boor, but in his heart of hearts he believes "Kokomo" is superior to every on that album because it sold better.101Walterton wrote: ↑19 May 2017, 6:14pmWatched a doco on Pet Sounds last night. What is it with this board and Mike Love?
He talked about him being accused of not liking or not rating Pet Sounds but he denied that.
I've never listened to Pet Sounds does is live up to the hype?Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑19 May 2017, 6:20pmHe's lying. He is quite open in evaluating music based on its level of commercial success, and Pet Sounds was not commercial, especially in relation to past Beach Boys' hits. That Pet Sounds is understood to be a classic, watershed album now has forced him to toe the line lest he come off as a complete boor, but in his heart of hearts he believes "Kokomo" is superior to every on that album because it sold better.101Walterton wrote: ↑19 May 2017, 6:14pmWatched a doco on Pet Sounds last night. What is it with this board and Mike Love?
He talked about him being accused of not liking or not rating Pet Sounds but he denied that.
I respect it more than I like it (with the exception of the more notable tracks). But I'm not more than a casual BB listener, so there's that. But appreciating it in historical context, it was like no other pop album that had been released, let alone something by a surf pop band. Dylan and the Beatles usually get the most credit for making rock n roll serious—art, really—but PS has an equal or greater claim.revbob wrote: ↑19 May 2017, 6:40pmI've never listened to Pet Sounds does is live up to the hype?Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑19 May 2017, 6:20pmHe's lying. He is quite open in evaluating music based on its level of commercial success, and Pet Sounds was not commercial, especially in relation to past Beach Boys' hits. That Pet Sounds is understood to be a classic, watershed album now has forced him to toe the line lest he come off as a complete boor, but in his heart of hearts he believes "Kokomo" is superior to every on that album because it sold better.101Walterton wrote: ↑19 May 2017, 6:14pmWatched a doco on Pet Sounds last night. What is it with this board and Mike Love?
He talked about him being accused of not liking or not rating Pet Sounds but he denied that.
Good assessment. Probably hearing it now will not have same impact as it would at the time. I like some of the tracks in it but I am not a fan of BB although happy to hear them on the radio.Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑19 May 2017, 6:56pmI respect it more than I like it (with the exception of the more notable tracks). But I'm not more than a casual BB listener, so there's that. But appreciating it in historical context, it was like no other pop album that had been released, let alone something by a surf pop band. Dylan and the Beatles usually get the most credit for making rock n roll serious—art, really—but PS has an equal or greater claim.revbob wrote: ↑19 May 2017, 6:40pmI've never listened to Pet Sounds does is live up to the hype?Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑19 May 2017, 6:20pmHe's lying. He is quite open in evaluating music based on its level of commercial success, and Pet Sounds was not commercial, especially in relation to past Beach Boys' hits. That Pet Sounds is understood to be a classic, watershed album now has forced him to toe the line lest he come off as a complete boor, but in his heart of hearts he believes "Kokomo" is superior to every on that album because it sold better.101Walterton wrote: ↑19 May 2017, 6:14pmWatched a doco on Pet Sounds last night. What is it with this board and Mike Love?
He talked about him being accused of not liking or not rating Pet Sounds but he denied that.
(Flex, obviously, will be able to make an articulate advocation of PS.)
I can believe that he appreciates the respect in retrospect—if only because it's sold well over the years—but it's no minor point that he spends more time talking about the genius of "Kokomo" than any other album or song. PS just doesn't rank highly to him because it didn't contribute to the hit-making machine. He has an accountant's appreciation of music.101Walterton wrote: ↑19 May 2017, 7:07pmWhat Love said in the doco was that the BB had a formula that worked and they sold a lot of records. Upon hearing PS he appreciated it for what it was but was worried that it would kill the BB as it was do far off their formula. It took 15 years to go Plstinum so I gues he was right in some respect although obviously didn't harm the BB long term.
I really think Kokomo could be used to provoke rage or revulsion in any normal person (can there honestly be any other acceptable reaction?). If Clockwork Orange were made today Kokomo would be used to send Alex into fits of vomiting.Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑19 May 2017, 7:17pmI can believe that he appreciates the respect in retrospect—if only because it's sold well over the years—but it's no minor point that he spends more time talking about the genius of "Kokomo" than any other album or song. PS just doesn't rank highly to him because it didn't contribute to the hit-making machine. He has an accountant's appreciation of music.101Walterton wrote: ↑19 May 2017, 7:07pmWhat Love said in the doco was that the BB had a formula that worked and they sold a lot of records. Upon hearing PS he appreciated it for what it was but was worried that it would kill the BB as it was do far off their formula. It took 15 years to go Plstinum so I gues he was right in some respect although obviously didn't harm the BB long term.
It is a legitimate contender for worst song of the 80s (well-known songs, anyway). The only perverse quasi-redeeming quality is the insane pride that Mike Love has for it, which turns it into comedy.