Friday 22 March 2019

Vocal Pop, Baroque/Psychedelic: American Spring - Spring...Plus 1972 (1989 See For Miles)


This 1971 album by Brian Wilson's then wife Marilyn and her sister Diane Rovell (both ex-The Honeys) is a neglected pure pop masterpiece, somewhere between the country pop of Bobbie Gentry and a less polished Carpenters.

 And, of course, there's a generous hint of The Beach Boys, as it was co-produced by - and many of the songs were co-written with - Brian. Other band members also lend a hand here and there. Featured here is one of Brian's most brilliantly strange songs, the atmospheric and Moog-heavy "Sweet Mountain", and there's also a gorgeous version of Dennis Wilson's "Forever". On this edition there are also bonus tracks in the form of a great post-LP single and two excellent out-takes (but sadly not the still unreleased "Snowflakes").(silver-plane, reader rateyourmusic.com)


The two ladies are certainly not the biggest voices in the world and I don't find the production extraordinary (not even for that time), but good music is not characterized by glossy productions and four octave voices. Music should always convey a feeling and in my opinion the ladies do this excellently here.  The album radiates a lot of fun and the songs are interpreted expressively. Did Brian and the Boys have a stronger album outside at the time of this release?.... Recommendable.


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5 comments:

  1. An excellent album which is in my music library.

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  2. This album is amazing, thank you for introducing it to me!

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  3. Anything with the Beach Boys touch belongs in my collection.
    Thanks.

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  4. Just wondered if there's a p-word for the rar? Always enjoyed the alternatives to the BB's takes. THX

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