Quote:
Originally Posted by Electrophonic Tonic
If anyone knows the story of Brian Wilson as he was trying to write SMiLE, it's hard to justify that the music justified what Brain went through. A combination of depression and a complete mental breakdown was due to medical history and drug use, but the pressure he felt he was under to try and out do the Beatles was a major factor. Obviously, SMiLE was never released and it pretty much ended Brian Wilson's career with the Beach Boys. Probably the only reason their late 60's-early 70's albums have any credence is because each one features 2-3 tracks from SMiLE that Wilson never finished and the rest of the band touched up. So, if the grief Brian Wilson went through justified the music... I'm gonna say no because it figuratively, and almost literally, killed him. And his masterpiece lives on as a scattered mess, as it was pulled apart and recycled on albums he had little to do with.
But, this demo of 'Surf's Up' was recorded near the tail end of the sessions and when Brian was on the verge of his full mental breakdown. If someone asked me what the most beautiful piece of music I ever heard was... I'd say this. If it means anything, Elvis Costello said it was like discovering a lost piece of Mozart.
If you have 15 minutes, the Wikipedia article is very accurate with the book I read about the SMiLE sessions. Smile (The Beach Boys album) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |
They actually just released a compilation of the Smile sessions. It's supposed to represent Brian Wilson's ultimate vision of the project. I haven't listened to it yet, but it's been received pretty well.
Anyway, I agree with this. I've always been fascinated that the Beach Boys produced very upbeat music while behind the scenes, their creative genius was really hurting. Some of my favorite albums have been made in the same way. The Smashing Pumpkins album Siamese Dream is one of those. Billy Corgan was on the verge of a nervous breakdown, James and D'arcy just broke up after a tumultuous relationship, and Jimmy was spiraling out of control with drugs. The result is one of my favorite albums of all time.
In the end, I don't think it's about justifying anything. I feel this is just a result of the human urge to express exactly how we feel to others. When you are really hurting, words don't always convey the feeling. Music can get us a little closer. This is probably why we can relate to this kind of music so much more than your everyday methodical music. We hear stuff like Smile and go..."Man, this guy was really in a bad place. I've been there before..."