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That's Why God Made The Radio

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A surprisingly great comeback for The Beach Boys – working here with Brian Wilson at the production helm, in a mode that really recalls the glory of the group's post-Pet Sounds years! We'll be honest that we were initially cringing at the title – and expected the worst – but there's a compelling, charming quality here that comes not just from the group's well-crafted harmonies, or the sensitive and careful production – but also from the fact that these guys have aged a heck of a lot, and seem to bring a sense of humanity to the music they wouldn't have had before! It's almost like that early 20s moment when the Boys were starting to grow up and bringing a new sense of pain to their previous teen lyrics – but recast here in a post-middle age mode that's even more human and honest – yet somehow still served up with all the sweetness that's always made the group great! It's that mix of sweet sounds and bittersweet undercurrents that really makes the album shine – a balance that even Brian Wilson never managed to capture this well in some of his own solo projects over the past few decades. So our hat's off to the group (showing the same bald spot that most of them have too) – thanks for a nice album that includes the cuts "Shelter", "The Private Life Of Bill & Sue", "Think About The Days", "Isn't It The Time", "Pacific Coast Highway", "Summer's Gone", and "From There To Back Again".  © 1996-2013, Dusty Groove, Inc.