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Music review: Brian Wilson – ‘No Pier Pressure’

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Having been a huge fan of the Beach Boys since the age of 10 and owning the entire discographies of both the Beach Boys and Brian Wilson, it’s difficult for me to listen to the latest release from Wilson with an unbiased ear.

Building on the success of his band’s “That’s Why God Made the Radio” from 2012, Wilson releases his 11th solo studio effort and still shows plenty of flashes of the musical brilliance he displayed over the last 53 years. The 72-year-old icon delivers a deliciously appealing collection featuring touches of inspiration from some very special guests. Zooey Deschanel of She & Him performs a dreamy, relaxing version of “On the Island” with a smooth mixture of island sound meets bossa nova on the ultra-cool number.

Not to be outdone, Kacey Musgraves adds her pop sensibility with a pinch of country sass to the charming “Guess You Had to Be There,” sounding surprising like the beach beauties Wilson wrote about on classic songs like “Surfer Girl,” “Wendy” and “California Girls.”

Fun’s Nate Ruess joins Wilson for a delightful collaboration on the soft-sounding “Saturday Night.”

As good as these arrangements come off sounding, the finest music is produced when Wilson is joined by fellow Beach Boys Al Jardine, David Marks and Blondie Chaplin on “Whatever Happened,” “Sail Away” and “Tell Me Why.” As a Beach Boy, Jardine’s voice was often overshadowed by the engaging vocals of Mike Love and Carl Wilson, but Jardine’s voice still sounds eternally youthful and innocent as he delivers a nostalgic vocal performance on the endearing “The Right Time.”

“The Last Song” tenderly brings the album to a close with Wilson softly singing, “I wish that I could give you so much more.” For an artist that has provided me with a lifetime of significant, sun-kissed memories, Wilson adds yet another treasured piece to a catalogue that has lovingly placed the warmth and comfort of the California sun in my heart to cherish and share each and every day.

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