Other live tracks include “Wouldn’t it Be Nice” and “Good Vibrations,” but what makes Songs from Here & Back special is the three studio tracks. “The Spirit Of Rock and Roll” was penned and performed by Brian Wilson, and this is the first time the song is being made available to the public. The sound is true to the Beach Boy style - a light, fun pop song paying tribute to the music that made them famous.
“PT Cruiser” is an Al Jardine number paying tribute to the car that has become popular in recent years; only it bears a striking resemblance to “Shut Down” both musically and lyrically. Even though it has a familiar sound, it is a fun addition for someone who is a collector of the band’s music. “Cool Head, Warm Heart” is a sweet and innocent love ballad. The track is written and performed by Mike Love.
There are no surprises on this CD. No attempts at diversity, just pure and simple Beach Boy music, the signature sound of summer. Songs From Here and Back is available until July 23, 2006 at Hallmark Gold Crown Stores. Hallmark has offered music in their stores since the mid-80s. In addition to special holiday CDs, like this one, artists such as Elvis Presley, Nat King Cole, and Louis Armstrong are also available at the stores.
Article comments
1 - Gordon Hauptfleisch
Absolutely--Thanks for the review and info, Connie--I'm going down to Hallmark.
Summer and Beach Boys go together like Summer and Beach Boys. I grew up in Hawthorne not far from where they got their start (So SoCal: the Wilson house got torn down a few years back for a freeway that they could've moved a couple hundred feet to preserve Hawthorne's only claim to fame).
Anyway, I'm a huge fan, and these songs sound great on the car radio, too--especially going down PCH about sunset.
2 - Connie Phillips
Thanks Gordon. You make me want to go for a drive and blare the CD with the sunroof open...if only it would stop raining.
Though any highway I could find around here just wouldn't be the same as PCH.
3 - Michael J. West
Connie, er...I love the Beach Boys, no question about it, but I could never describe "Kokomo" using words like "treasure," gem," or any other word that doesn't rhyme with "slubomination."
4 - zingzing
at one time, the beach boys were my favorite band. they are still high up there... but this mike love thing is not the beach boys. it is a perversion. i don't know why brian wilson agreed to put a song on this album... it must be part of some court settlement, or he might have been having another episode.
to me, the beach boys died after "love you," and they had been on their death bed since "holland."
if brian and mike and al were to put on a live show together, i would be right there. but that will probably never happen.
there are two beach boys now. the mike love old-time rock n roll nostalgia-puke review and the brian wilson... hopeful return.
if you want to hear what the beach boys can do, get smile. if you want to hear what the beach boys should not be doing, get this mike love souvenier.
5 - zingzing
oh. and i don't really mind kokomo. i don't know why. i heard it recently, and it didn't bother me. i know, i know. i was surprised as well.
6 - zingzing
oh... but now i have it stuck in my head... it hurts, it hurts...
7 - Gordon Hauptfleisch
The other problem with "Kokomo" was that it became an mediocre monster-hit at the same time as the release of the more deserving and first Brian Wilson solo LP, stealing much undue thunder. Curse you, Mike Love!
8 - Mistrc
Thanks Connie,
I'm going to go right out and add that CD to my collection.
If you've been to many Beach Boys concerts you know you can count on one hand the amount of black followers they have, well I'm one of the faithful. I was also fortunate enough to have met them all personally through my Job When I worked at LAX. Oh and There is nothing like driving down any highway particularly the "405", while harmonizing with the Boys. And to the negative critics of the Boys latest effort, I say, even a bad Beach Boy song is better than some of that crap that's out there to day. God love them for the effort. PEACE!
9 - Connie Phillips
Thank you Mistric. I have to agree with you.
I also had the pleasure of meeting Mike Love last year at a charity event. He was very kind and gracious, which makes the music even more special.