Brian Wilson’s new album No Pier Pressure, which will be released April 6, features some well known names including former Beach Boys as well as Zooey Deschanel of She & Him and M. Ward. The collaborations were met with a mixed reaction when first announced earlier in 2014 leading him to respond on his facebook page:
To my fans: it kind of bums me out to see some of the negativity here about the album I’ve been working so hard on. In my life in music, I’ve been told too many times not to fuck with the formula, but as an artist it’s my job to do that – and I think I’ve earned that right.
I’m really proud of these new songs and to hear these great artists sing on them just blows me away. I love what we’ve done.
I would think that after making music for more than fifty years, my fans would understand that I’ll always do what’s in my heart – and I think that’s why you are my fans. So let’s just wait until the album comes out because I think you just might dig it as much as I do.
Love and Mercy, Brian
Wilson started work on the album back in 2012 with American producer Joe Thomas who is credited with a long list of of both music and TV productions including the 2012 hour-long documentary The Beach Boys: Doin’ It Again a behind the scenes look at their 50th Anniversary reunion and tour which ended in them parting ways again under a shadow of confusion, accusations and rumours.
Wilson intended for all the new songs to be recorded with the Beach Boys but this just wasn’t to be although Al Jardine, David Marks and Blondie Chaplin do feature on several tracks. According to his website he was “Wanting to find the right voices to complete his vision, Wilson saw an opportunity to finally become hip with his kids and recruited some amazing young vocalists who have been inspired by his music to do the job.”
Talking about the recording process they add “Camped out at Ocean Way, Wilson took a fluid, woodshedding approach to the recording process, deftly tailoring the vocal and instrumental parts and arrangements to each participant. Wilson worked to hone the arrangements, often assembling pieces from various takes, a signature style of recording he has enjoyed since his earliest sessions with The Beach Boys. In fact, several of the songs were written during the recording process.”
The album features 13 standard tracks as well as a deluxe 16-track edition (CD / Digital) and a 16-track double Vinyl LP.
Tracklisting
BRIAN WILSON: No Pier Pressure [CD, digital]
01. This Beautiful Day
02. Runaway Dancer [featuring Sebu Simonian]
03. What Ever Happened [featuring Al Jardine and David Marks]
04. On The Island [featuring She & Him]
05. Our Special Love [featuring Peter Hollens]
06. The Right Time [featuring Al Jardine and David Marks]
07. Guess You Had To Be There [featuring Kacey Musgraves]
08. Tell Me Why [featuring Al Jardine]
09. Sail Away [featuring Blondie Chaplin and Al Jardine]
10. One Kind Of Love
11. Saturday Night [featuring Nate Ruess]
12. The Last Song
13. Half Moon Bay
BRIAN WILSON: No Pier Pressure (Deluxe Edition) [CD, digital]
(added tracks in bold)
01. This Beautiful Day
02. Runaway Dancer [featuring Sebu Simonian]
03. What Ever Happened [featuring Al Jardine and David Marks]
04. On The Island [featuring She & Him]
05. Our Special Love [featuring Peter Hollens]
06. The Right Time [featuring Al Jardine and David Marks]
07. Guess You Had To Be There [featuring Kacey Musgraves]
08. Don’t Worry
09. Somewhere Quiet
10. I’m Feeling Sad
11. Tell Me Why [featuring Al Jardine]
12. Sail Away [featuring Blondie Chaplin and Al Jardine]
13. One Kind Of Love
14. Saturday Night [featuring Nate Ruess]
15. The Last Song
16. Half Moon Bay
BRIAN WILSON: No Pier Pressure [2LP 180g vinyl]
Side A
1. This Beautiful Day
2. Runaway Dancer [featuring Sebu Simonian]
3. What Ever Happened [featuring Al Jardine and David Marks]
4. On The Island [featuring She & Him]
Side B
1. Our Special Love [featuring Peter Hollens]
2. The Right Time [featuring Al Jardine and David Marks]
3. Guess You Had To Be There [featuring Kacey Musgraves]
4. Tell Me Why [featuring Al Jardine]
Side C
1. Sail Away [featuring Blondie Chaplin and Al Jardine]
2. One Kind Of Love
3. Saturday Night [featuring Nate Ruess]
4. The Last Song
Side D
1. Half Moon Bay
2. Don’t Worry
3. I’m Feeling Sad
4. Somewhere Quiet