Still making great music.

Jun 9, 2012

by drifter51
posted in Music Matters

Exclusive to the Lunch Network

Rating:

Who'd a thunk it? After years of infighting the remaining founding members of The Beach Boys, namely Brian Wilson, Mike Love and Al Jardine along with Bruce Johnston and David Marks have embarked on a 50th anniversary tour and recorded a terrific new studio album dubbed "That's Why God Made The Radio". Although I am always a bit leery of new albums by aging rockers I found this one to be an absolute delight. For me it was kind of like stumbling into "The Time Tunnel". But I must tell you that I enjoyed every minute of it.

In my view "That's Why God Made The Radio" proves to be something of a hybrid. My ears tell me that this disc is kind of a blend of the hit-making, singles-oriented Beach Boys of the 1960's with the much more serious incarnation of the group that gave us such memorable albums as "Sunflower", "Surf's Up" and "Holland" a decade or so later. Although I loved the Top 40 stuff I think I enjoyed those albums even more. "That's Why God Made The Radio" offers up a dozen freshly-minted Beach Boys classics. Brian Wilson had a hand in writing all but one of these songs, the only exception being "Daybreak Over The Ocean" which was penned by Mike Love. Brian Wilson has certainly not lost his knack for writing catchy tunes and The Beach Boys remain one of the tightest vocal groups on the scene today.

Just imagine how cool it would be this summer to enjoy a Beach Boys tune while messing around on the beach with your grandkids on a radio station that they normally listen to. Although that might sound like a long shot there are certainly a few tunes on this disc that have the potential to become a hit single. "Spring Vacation", "The Private Life of Bill and Sue" and "Beaches in Mind" immediately came to mind for me. I understand that Capitol has already released the title tune as a single. While I am at it I would also like to recommend a couple of other songs including "Strange World" and "Isn't It Time" that I really enjoyed. As far as I am concerned there really is not a bad track on this album.

Now my head is telling me that "That's Why God Made The Radio" is a solid four star offering. However, my heart is telling me to give this album five stars which I have decided to do. I guess I am just a sentimental fool at heart. "That's Why God Made The Radio" is a well-conceived and highly entertaining album that will be enjoyed at beaches and cookouts throughout the summer of 2012 and beyond. Long live The Beach Boys! Good to see them back in the game. Very highly recommended!

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peterww June 09, 2012

Cool. Thank you for the spirited recommendation.

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review by RobertYokoyama. June 05, 2012

posted in Music Matters

I love the songs on the new album by the Beach Boys.

"That's Why God Made The Radio" is an excellent new album from The Beach Boys. I love listening to the radio in the car. The title track reminds me of all the reasons why I love music. Listening to music is a celebration of life. Music creates memories of happy times that I will remember forever. Nothing beats listening to a great song on the radio with a girl or someone else. "Think About The Days" is ninety seconds of perfect harmonizing by … more

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About the reviewer

Paul Tognetti (drifter51)
Ranked #1

I guess I would qualify as a frustrated writer. My work requires very little writing and so since 1999 I have been writing reviews on non-fiction books and anthology CD's on amazon.com. I never could … more

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