Website Comments and Review

While the headline billing of Brian on this album is a bit generous - this is essentially a Van Dyke Parks record with Brian doing guest local vocals- it doesn't detract from two essential facts. Firstly, this record was part of Brian's gradual re-entry into the recording world after the Landy era (the I Just Wasn't Made For These Times soundtrack had been released two months earlier); and secondly, this is a great record that hearkens back to the ostensibly innocent Southern Californian childhood of Brian and Van Dyke Parks. It may not have a lot to do with rock music, or even the harmonic brilliance that Brian brought to the music world, but it is a very pleasant album of simple pop tunes. There does seem to be a definite contrast to SMiLE in the simplicity and lack of tension in the music and themes. There are no standout tracks, but there is a solid quality throughout that makes this well worth seeking out for fans of both Brian and Parks.

RATING: 8 out of 10