Brian Wilson

I bought this CD in 1988 and loved it from the first listen. "There's So Many" is a beautiful pop classic, showcasing Brian's beautiful harmonies. This album is an undiscovered gem that is highly recommended for any Beach Boys fan.

Let It Shine is a masterpiece - you can't go wrong with a Jeff Lynne produced Brian Wilson song. I wish the entire album was just the two of them. Love and Mercy is another stand out fantastic song!

I have loved this song since I was a kid. Thank you Brian Wilson for all your beautiful music!!!!!!

As a disclaimer, I am 32 years old so when this came out I was busy playing Mario and listening to Disney songs (which ain't far off). I got into the Beach Boys about 12 years ago, and progressed through all things Brian Wilson in the intervening years. I kept putting this one off because I read so many off-putting comments about the production and Landy. Given what I know of Landy outside of that, I steered clear for years. Wellp… I don't know who ultimately is responsible for this thing, but it's a hell of a Brian Wilson album no matter how you slice it. Probably his best solo effort, in my opinion. I guess you never quite know who's at the helm when Brian is involved in a project (even if the man himself is at the helm), but it doesn't really matter. I read somewhere that this was "Pet Sounds '88"… I don't know about all that, but my take is that it sounds like Beach Boys Love You produced with a Pet Sounds sensibility. Clearly Brian played alot of instruments and wrote a lot of the lyrics. This album reeks of Brian. In a good way. It's way WAY better than Love You, and that album is darn good in it's own charming way. If you like (or love) Love You or Beach Boys (post 409 stuff) or B Wilson in any way, do not pass go. Click "Buy". Better yet, do what I did and pick up the vinyl. Vinyl always sounds best. I never recommend mp3/itunes downloads over vinyl. You need a nice system of course….

Who wrote the review for this masterpeice by Brian Wilson? ITunes should hire reviewers that have some (at least) conceptual knowledge of music. Who wrote this review? He/She has no business writing ANYTHING about music...ever again.

This collection of songs confirms the genius that is Brian Wilson. Great hooks, lyrics, and arrangements make this a gem. I'm suprised at how negative the "official" itunes album review is which can be read above.

The heavy use of synthesizers and electronic drums do date the album a little bit, but this is a really solid offering from Brian Wilson, and is one of my favorite pop albums from the period. I only wish he had produced the album himself; the myriad of producers here, while all talented, detract from the overall cohesiveness of the project. "Let It Shine," especially -- you know within about eight bars that it's a Jeff Lynne production (it's still a terrific song, but much more Lynne than Wilson). Highlights are "Melt Away" and "There's So Many," with their beautiful melodies and classic Wilsonian harmonies; "Little Children," which could be a companion piece, in its sheer exuberance and innocence, to the Beach Boys' "All Summer Long;" and "Rio Grande," another "pocket symphony" from Wilson's Rachmaninoff side -- it could easily fit into his "SMiLE" project. "One for the Boys" sounds, unfortunately, a little creepy; hindsight is 2020, but Wilson should've enlisted other voices, rather than do the whole thing himself. The opening track, "Love and Mercy," which has turned out to be something of a classic Wilson tune, is like a benediction from St. Brian to us huddled masses -- "love and mercy to you and your friends tonight." What a beautiful sentiment! All in all, though, this is a beautiful record. If you're a Brian Wilson fan, you of course already own this. If you're a Beach Boys fan, you *probably* already do. If you're a student of pop music, then you owe it to yourself to get this, elsewise your education will be incomplete. You can't go wrong with a Brian Wilson record!

This is one of my Favorite albums forever. Brian shines on this wonderfully. The production is great, and the lyrics are uplifting and give's us some hope day to day. The bonus tracks are super to hear, how they are shaped into the final product is very insightful. Melt away, Let it shine, Love and Mercy are just a few, I would recommend. "Baby Let Your Hair Grow Long", is my personal favorite.

For any fan of Brian Wilson or the Beach Boys, this solo effort is a must-have. "Brian Wilson" is probably the last significant effort by the rock/pop icon before he became a pathetic parody of himself. "Brian Wilson" is packed with classic Brian Wilson songs, from the underrated "Love and Mercy" to the wonderful suite of "Rio Grande" to the ultimate wall of sound of the a capella "One For The Boys," where his love for his old group is evident in every note.

A great album to cheer you up. Why do you think ears were invented? Buy "Night Time," it rocks! Oh yeah, don't forget "Love and Mercy" and "Melt Away"!