Review: Brian Wilson – No Pier Pressure

If you consider the epic body of work that Brian Wilson, mastermind of the celebrated surf rock group The Beach Boys, has contributed to the canon of American popular music, then you can’t help but feel a twinge of dissatisfaction when listening to his latest solo record No Pier Pressure. Known for clever song lyrics hallmarked by distinguishable angelic vocal arrangements drenched with psychedelic Southern Cali mystique, The Beach Boys harmonized their way into the hearts of fans all over the world throughout the last fifty years. Rivaling the likes of contemporaries including The Beatles, by all accounts The Beach Boys’ musical soundscape is founded solely on Brian Wilson’s tortured yet inspired virtuosity. As a boy in the 1940s, George Gershwin’s imaginative “Rhapsody in Blue” became an emotional refuge within the physically abusive household in which Brian and his brothers, group members Dennis and Carl Wilson, were raised. Partial deafness did little to hamper his ear for composing and arranging songs lauded to be among some of the greatest ever written. Factor in that he suffers from auditory hallucination, manic depression and schizoaffective disorder triggered by substance abuse, and you have the makings of the most intriguing tale of a mad musical genius who lives to tell his story.

Yet, somehow he seems to have missed the mark with his eleventh studio album. All of the elements are there: the signature Beach Boys harmonies, the majestic sounds of Pacific Coast Highway and Santa Monica in the arrangement of the strings, youthful relatable lyrics. However, the overall production quality of the album as a whole leaves you wondering if these are the MIDI karaoke versions of songs with great potential. Sure, some of the compositions feel incredibly dated or sound like mediocre outtakes from albums past. However, I don’t want to give the impression that there is nothing to appreciate about the album, especially for true Brian Wilson fans. The album hosts a parade of guests including Sebu Simonian, Kacey Musgraves, Peter Hollens and Nate Ruess. Brian Wilson also collaborates with current and former Beach Boys members Al Jardine, David Marks, and Blondie Chaplin.

While the album is far from Wilson’s best work, there is something to be said about finding a creative burst of energy at age 72. He credits his wife with helping him get straight and resume recording and touring. On No Pier Pressure, the few but far between delightful moments are found in songs like the opener “This Beautiful Day”, a short ballad that sets you up for an album’s worth of beautiful introspective compositions. Then there’s “Half Moon Bay”, a cinematic instrumental featuring trumpeter and film score composer Mark Isham. A duet with Zooey Deschanel of She & Him entitled “On The Island” runs the risk of sounding a bit corny, but has a vintage bossa nova style and fun chorus that adds distinct charm. “Whatever Happened” featuring David Marks is simply a follow up to the song “Surf’s Up” from The Beach Boys’ lost album Smile. And while there is an authentic youthfulness that will always characterize Brian Wilson’s music, you may be inclined to simply download classics like “Don’t Worry Baby”, “God Only Knows”, or “California Girls”, to really settle into and appreciate the greatness of the artist.

 
Written by Mai Perkins

Originally from Los Angeles, Mai Perkins is living a genuine bona fide love affair with NYC and the music that keeps its spirit moving. While spending the majority of the last decade in Brooklyn, many of her adventures around the globe are documented on her blog: Mai On The Move! www.MaiOnTheMove.com

 
Author’s rating for No Pier Pressure

Pop Magazine’s official rating for No Pier Pressure

Rating key
MASTERPIECE a must-have
SUPERB for heavy rotation
EXCELLENT a great achievement
VERY GOOD a respectable result
GOOD worth checking out
FAIR an average outcome
WEAK not convincing stuff
BAD an underwhelming effort
VERY BAD quite a waste
FAIL a total failure