News

We Are The Sand

Peter Lacey

Amazingly, this is the eighth album from Peter – I know that because it says so on the flyer that came with the CD – but its hard to believe. This makes him even more prolific than the Crowther/Greene partnership in its various guises – and that’s saying something!

So, hot on the heels of Peter’s last work, the atmospheric “South Downs Way” comes “We Are The Sand” co-written again with Stephen Kalinich plus, this time, with Endless Summer Quarterly editor, David Beard.

First off, you need to know that there is a “theme” running through the album – the concept of a radio programme on LACFM so we start with a DJ intro, then kick off with the title track, a jaunty number with some very welcome, though laid back, backing vocals with a summery, jazzy feel. The sparse track is really effective with added tasteful lead guitar but, before you can catch your breath we’re into the second track, “Drinkin’ In The Sunshine”, an upbeat, song with easy vocals and Leslie speaker effect (remember those?). It’s got a really commercial feel (in a good way) and once would have been considered … er…psychedelic?

Hard on its heels comes “Notes From Cornwall Pt. 1” – sounds like Stevie doing his stuff against a very nice moody backtrack. Number three is “There’s a Feeling” which, as with the first two has a strong off beat and with neat “answering” vocals to the lead. (Why does this one remind me of Seany Mac?)

“Part Of The Rock” is an oddity - a short, almost heavy, instrumental which segues into more (very convincing) DJ spiel before the fade on another instrumental – which sounds like it deserves more time to develop – its too short, Peter.

“She’s A Rainbow” is a pleasing, sometimes acoustic piece with nice vocals, which flows into “Come What May” – this time almost solely on acoustic guitar and vocal phrases alternating between left & right channels – a nice effect.

I’m not sure the fizzy bridge fits twixt this and the spoken “A Pool Of Thought” – but maybe I’m being picky. There’s a real heavy bass on the rather downbeat “Why?” cross-fading into a very brief “Full Circle” which has some sweet sounding harmonies.

Another contemplative number, “Time, Less Reason” follows with a sparse verse but delicious chorus that somehow echoes “All I Wanna Do” from Sunflower – nice extended fade too.

“An Open Heart” has Beatle-ish overtones in a classy kind of way, lifted by subdued backing vocals – again, they are gone before you know it – a shame because this is a standout track. See, here it gets weird again with the poem, “Notes From Cornwall Pt 2” but then here’s another saucy little instrumental that is a potential song not fully realised – melodius interruptus I reckon.

Acoustic guitar takes centre stage for “Naomi’s Song” – a little sparse for my taste but well performed nonetheless. “Call It A Day” is, appropriately, the final track – solid off beats again with harmony chorus, more DJ stuff, studio noises, waves and I guess is a fitting end to the album.

There are no specific credits, (all songs are credited to the three writers) so I don’t know who did what, wrote what or played what, but as usual the instrumental backing is top drawer stuff and the vocals are also spot on. Peter promised some “Brianisms” and I agree they are there, but once again I would have loved to hear more harmonies. However, I’ll be honest and say that I prefer this collection to “South Downs Way” and with 13 tracks plus bits and pieces its great VFM.

The jury is out on the “LACFM” theme running through the album – maybe it would wear a bit thin after repeated plays but it hangs together in a quirky kind of way.

Peter’s work is always hard to categorise, so we shouldn’t try, but there is a lot of work and talent in this offering and it is more than a splendid stocking filler for all to enjoy.

“We Are The Sand” is released on 6^th December so make your way to www.pinkhedgehog.com for details

Chris White

On December 16^th last year, possibly the worst-kept secret in the contemporary rock world was officially confirmed when it was announced that the surviving members of the The Beach Boys – Brian, Mike, Alan, Bruce & David – will reunite on stage, and on record, for a 50^th anniversary celebration project that encompasses not only an extensive tour but also a new studio album, a reissue programme and (probably) a new live album and some form of DVD project. A taster for the new album was revealed in the shape of a re-recording of the 1968 classic “Do It Again”, featuring the Boys, most of Brian’s band and Jon Cowsill and Scott Totten from Mike & Bruce’s band (official video here. As a taster to the tour, all five performed together for the first time ever at the Grammy awards show: it was also the first time Brian had shared a stage with David since 1963, Mike since 1996, Bruce since 1998 and Alan since 2006. Check out our Tours page for the dates.

Recording for the new album is well underway in LA, and known titles are “Do It Again”, “Why God Invented The Radio” and “Waves Of Love”, with a 1994 Carl lead vocal. No release date has been announced but it’s reasonable to assume it will coincide with some point of the tour. Of the reissue programme, beyond Capitol/EMI announcing “a 50th Anniversary campaign spotlighting the band's entire catalog, with several new commemorative releases planned for 2012, including a new hits collection and a career-spanning box set”, no further details have been released. The physical release of Alan’s Postcard From California has been pushed back to March 20^th, although it’s unsure if “Waves Of love” will still be a bonus track.

Speaking of reissues (kinda), the long-awaited release of The Smile Sessions exceeded almost everyone’s expectations (including Capitol) by not only garnering outstanding reviews across the board and being generally regarded as the reissue of the year, but also charting at #27 & #25 in the US and UK respectively. Released a week earlier, Brian’s latest solo album, In The Key Of Disney, charted at #83, by no means his worst placing.

AGD, February 27th

m_thebeachboys50th630_121611 Finally, the worst-kept secret of the rock world is officially out - in mid-December it was announced that The Beach Boys will reunite for a 50-date tour in 2012 to mark their 50th anniversary. Kicking off in late April in New Orleans, Brian, Mike, Alan, Bruce and David will tour the US and the rest of the world, accompanied by most of Brian's band and Scott Totten & John Cowsill from Mike & Bruce's band (making for about 16 bodies on stage). While the complete schedule is yet to be announced, confirmed dates are (aside from the opening show), two August dates in Germany. Other semi-official dates are Japan in August (three shows), a summer date in Ocean City, Maryland and (according to Brian) some UK dates. The band will also appear at the Grammy Awards ceremony in February.

The 50th anniversary summer will also see the release of not only a new career-spanning box set, a new compilation and other as yet unnamed archival projects, but also the first new Beach Boys studio album since 1992's "Summer In Paradise". Sessions for the untitled album, which will contain new Wilson/Love tracks and an already leaked re-recording of "Do It Again", have been underway since late last year. The full press release concerning the 50th anniversary events can be found here: http://www.thebeachboys.com/reunion/index.html

An outstanding preview of the 50th anniversary was the release of "The Smile Sessions", containing the original tapes from what is generally acknowledged to be the greatest unreleased album in rock music history. Issued in a 2CD, deluxe 5CD/2LP/2 singles box set and as a digital download, the project charted in the US at #27 and in the UK at #25 and garnered glowing reviews from the media. Somewhat overshadowed by the fuss surrounding "TSS" was the release of Brian's latest solo album, "In The Key Of Disney": a collection of covers of classic Disney movie songs from the 1930s to the present, it nonetheless managed to chart inside the Billboard Top 100 albums

Just in from Bob Mastin the Beach Boys New Years Eve Concert

For the second time in 4 months, I had the good fortune to see Mike, Bruce and family in concert. Last night's show was fun, fun, fun. (Not to be cliche', but it was!) Consider the fact that it was New Year's Eve and they were playing past midnight, throw in balloons and party favors.... a great time was had by all in attendance.

They threw in some unexpected songs (Summertime Blues and Little Old Lady From Pasadena and Getcha Back) but there were plenty of the famous and familiar(God Only Knows, Good Vibrations and plenty of surf and car tunes) It truly was a fun time and it was the 50th anniversary of the Beach Boys first live gig.(according to some one from the stage!)

I saw a young man get an autograph from Bruce during the show on his SMILE LP. It made me sad to think how woefully unprepared I was for the evening, not realizing the opportunity I too could've had. Although not from last night's show(which I did snap a few photos and 2 videos) here's a picture of Mike, from Thunder Valley, in July. I was seated in the front row and also caught a bottle of water that Bruce had thrown to me. Still have the bottle. Thanks for your timeBob Mastin, Roseville, Ca