The Pros of The Beach Boys' Summer in Paradise (1992): {It's Not That Bad!}
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 21 авг 2024
- What is your least favorite album of all time?
Many Beach Boys fans would answer that question with the much-hated 1992 release "Summer in Paradise," a collection of classic warm-weather covers, older song reboots, and "Kokomo" cash-ins.
But is it really that bad? Not really! In fact, "Summer in Paradise" has a few strengths that will hopefully help some doubtful fans to reevaluate it.
1. The cool artwork adapted from the works of Robert Lyn Nelson
2. An attempt to be cutting edge with new instrumentation and recording technology
3. A cohesive and planned selection of songs (this is actually one of the few Beach Boys albums that does this really well)
4. It's good simple fun (I compare it to junk food)
There are some foibles that I can't argue with (questionable production, a lack of Brian Wilson, some misguided choices on covers) but overall, this album is a fun casual listen for any summer.
If you don't like it or have sought to avoid it, do give it a first second chance. Taken for what it is, with an open mind and a cool head/warm heart, I think you can find some sun, surf, and summer fun inside!
Sorry for some of those awful edits LOL
![THE BEACH BOYS - Summer in Paradise [1992] Album Review | States & Kingdoms](/img/1.gif)
For me, the last really good BB album was 1979's LA. None of their subsequent albums had as many worthy songs as that one. If all (or even MOST) of the songs included on SIP had been as spectacular as that incredible cover illustration, you would've had a truly amazing record, rather than the weak sauce it ended up being. Having said that, however, I will admit that Lahaina Aloha is a pretty decent piece of work and, along with Soul Searchin' (which took almost a full decade to get released....a prime example, among many others, of bad judgment on the part of both Brian and the BBs), is probably my favorite post-1979 BB song. Even though I don't like SIP nearly as much as you do, I think you did a nice job defending it and making a case for it. 👍
Thanks so much! I will always admit that it isn't a work of art but it accomplishes its goal. I will do a video on L.A. in the future as that is a great album with lots of fun stuff to talk about. Love Soul Seachin' as well! Thanks for the great comment!
For me, Summer In Paradise is a Beach Boys album that I try not to take so seriously and just enjoy it. The production is not great, songs like “Summer Of Love” can just be really stupid, but it’s still a pretty fun album. I think most Beach Boys fans need to understand that Mike Love isn’t trying to make his own Pet Sounds with Summer In Paradise, it’s supposed to be just a fun summer album and nothing more to it.
Agree 100% It's a fun summer listen with a good theme. Not an artistic statement, just a relaxing (and kind of corny) summer listen.
I bought bought this album when it was first released and absolutely fell in love with the artwork, the music was certainly not the best I'd heard from the Beach Boys?, but it did have some decent tracks on it. "Summer in Paradise" is not the worst album by the band. For my money that honour goes to "15 Big Once".
Robert Lyn Nelson outdid himself with the artwork! Again, it's an album that accomplishes what it set out to do. I have a strong nostalgic attachment to "15 Big Ones," but I agree that it is certainly not a top tier record either.
a great review, i kind of like it but it has been a while since i last listened so its ready to go in the car, i must of liked it i can still sing most of the songs in my head, but i also like still cruisin so you know, i have the us version even though im from the uk, the packaging is epic so cool,, summer in paradise is on made in california live from wembley 93 , being live i guess how they got around the copyright, see what i think after a relisten, cheers
Still Cruisin' is definitely a good companion to this one. The live version is great and is one of my favorite live tracks on Made in California. Let us know how your relisten goes! It still makes for a fun summer soundtrack!
still loved it i cant see what the hate is for just great summer fun all the way, then listened to mike loves summer cd again and the same for me love great fun
I like the album cover, but that's it.
Robert Lyn Nelson outdid himself!
@@betamaxblocker I like that tropical theme seeing the ocean from underneath with that whale and all. I can muster to say that the song Strange Things Happen sounds OK. But that drum sound is awful. Sounds like something from a Baywatch episode.
Hey now! Well it's a Love thing
It's gonna be a summer of love!
@@betamaxblocker, Not been rude. But don't compare 20/20 beachboys album to Summer in paradise. 20/20 was a great album.
At last ! someone with a constructive view, instead of the usual worst album of all time rubbish !
I honestly find the American version o.k. and the U.K. one a big improvement.
I agree with you ,there isn't much difference between this album and the previous few.
o.k. it;s got an Eighties feel and drum machines etc, but as you correctly pointed out, it was never intended to be another pet sounds.
But it's fine for what it is.
Glad you concur! I prefer the UK version as well but I has the US one for a long time before I got one of those. It's a product of its time for sure, but it definitely delivers on what it promises. Thanks for commenting!
8:50 Good point about some people hating on this album due to Brian's lack of involvement.
But I wonder how well, let's say, a Beatles album would go over if Lennon or McCartney were not involved.
Especially if they labeled it as "The Beatles".
Awesome vid!
There were some Beatles songs (I.e. Yesterday, She's Leaving Home) that had input from only John and Paul but still were marketed as Beatles songs. I guess it's all in how you look at it. But Brian is the only Beach Boy absent on this album, the rest of the group is all very present. I think that's an unfair strike against it. Glad you liked the video! Thanks for your great comment!
Island fever!
"Hey doc, I need a pain reliever. Oooh, I got it bad..."
I have REALLY enjoyed your Beach Boys series......but I have to respectfully hard-core disagree with you on Summer in Paradise. Calling SIP a dumpster fire is an insult to the fine infernos that illuminate from within large metal trash bins. As you mentioned, the production on this album is inexcusably bad. There isn't a single cover version here that comes close to competing with the original......I'm looking at you "Remember Walking in the Sand." Don't get me started on the cheesiness of the "Surfin'" remake or the laugh-out-loud-bad Stamos-led "Forever."
The lack of Brian doesn't help matters, but it isn't the sole reason the album is a drag. Every Beach Boys album, even sub-standard ones, has at least a few good-or-great songs. Summer in Paradise, in my opinion, is the exception to the rule.
Great video once again!
Thanks for the fun comment! The only cover I like on the album is "Under the Boardwalk" by the group did a much better job live than they did on this CD. I see where you're coming from, but I can find at least a few kernels of enjoyment with this one. It's a good album if you're just looking for light summer fun music.
I like Strange things happen & Lahaina Aloha,the rest is rubbish.
Strange Things Happen is easily the highlight of the album. I enjoy Lahaina Aloha as well along with the title track, Still Surfin', and Slow Summer Dancin'. Most of the covers are really bad, except I don't mind their version of Under the Boardwalk.
I would if release fot the die hard beachboys fans ,even doe is worse album . Just like Keeping the summer alive another worse beachboys album. Summer in paradise album , one or two songs featured on Baywatch.
I think Baywatch is one of the main reasons people remember this album. I think it deserves to at least be accessible to fans. I'll bet it could sell a few copies in the summertime.
It upsets me to no end when the Beach Boys Fandom trashes this album. I think Bruce has one of the best tracks on the album. If you don't mind gunshots as drums, it worth revisiting. Terry Melcher is the Jeff Lynne (and Joe Thomas) as bad producers for the band.
Bruce told me back in 2021 they were going to add some of these songs back into their live set but that didn't seem to happen barring a couple random performances of the eponymous song. A shame too, because there is quite a bit to like here. It has its flaws but I concur that too many people unfairly trash it.