Review Summary: Garbage... Pure, radioactive garbage.
hroughout the late 70’s and 80’s The Beach Boys had reached a nadir in their career. Singer Mike Love had effectively taken control of the band after 1977’s ‘Love You’, and believing that the public wanted the happy-go-lucky sound of their youths, attempted to emulate that sound on their subsequent albums. The problem is, they weren’t kids anymore…
This was a problem for the group. Brothers Carl and Dennis Wilson had recognized this fact, and rejected the idea, opting for the more creative approach of their previous efforts. But eventually it all came down to Brian Wilson thought of the idea. Brian at the time, had been essentially pulled out of his bed after 2 years of seclusion. He was in no state to make this decision, and, hoping to avoid conflict sided with Mike and Al Jardine. The result of this clear step backwards is audible on their subsequent releases: ‘MIU Album’ (1978), ‘L.A. (Light Album)’ (1979), ‘Keeping the Summer Alive’ (1980). By the 80’s the Beach Boys were dubbed ‘America’s Band’, effectively signifying that their journey towards an oldies act was complete. They continued throughout the 80’s, despite the death of Dennis in 1983. Releasing two more albums ‘The Beach Boys’ (1985) and ‘Still Cruisin’’ (1989).
The Latter of the two featured a giant hit for the Beach Boys… ‘Kokomo’.
‘Kokomo’ was their first number one single since ‘Good Vibrations’ in 1966. Bringing the Beach Boys seemingly back into the public eye again. Though it was only number one for a short time, Mike Love, the co-writer and co-lead-singer of the song saw it as a breakthrough, and in 1992, Love decided to try and re-create that sound on what would become ‘Summer in Paradise’. With the help of producer Terry Melcher (producer of ‘Kokomo’) and a Beta version of Pro-tools. Mike Love was determined to make what he has been quoted to have called “the quintessential soundtrack of summer…”
The result of this, is a despicable collection of half baked originals (some of which are shameless remakes) and some lifeless covers all of which sound nothing like anything the Beach Boys ever recorded.
Mike even brings in some guests. Van-Dyke Parks (from SMiLE) plays accordion on two songs and Roger McGuinn (yes, that’s right) is dragged in to play guitar and even sing (on the UK version) on the title track. The worst of the guests comes with the inclusion of Jon Stamos, who not only plays drums, but actually sings lead vocals on the late Dennis’ ‘Forever’. Stamos, turns the once beautiful track into a ***ty mess, yeah it’s not the worst vocal, but one has to wonder why Love decided that the song should be included on the album.
‘Summer in Paradise’ is the Beach Boy’s worst album, none of the tracks are passable, drowned of all life by the production and bland instrumentation. Hell, Love even attempts rap in the laughably bad “Summer of Love”, and it is probably the most memorable track on the album. Due to tacky lyrics “It’s a Love thing” (Get it, cause he’s Mike ‘Love’), awful vocal and hilariously bad video (See bottom for link).
On its release, ‘Summer in Paradise’ was the first Beach Boys album without any contribution from Brian Wilson, and their first ever album to fail to chart on Billboard (selling supposedly less than 10 000 copies altogether). As of 2017, it has never been re-issued, and hopefully… It never will.
(Link)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBFsJk6PWu0
