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Gettin' In Over My Head
Mixed or average reviews
Based on 14 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 16 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: Rhino
Release Date: 22 June 2004
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Rock, Pop
Summary
These thirteen tracks mark just the third solo disc for the former Beach Boys songwriter, and include songs that Wilson has written over the past two decades. Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton and Elton John guest. (Sorry, no Snoop Dogg or Missy Elliott.)
Also By This Artist: SMiLE That Lucky Old Sun
Also On The Web: Official Artist Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Billboard
An unexpected but dazzling return to the top form of the later Beach Boys years.
Read Full Review >Q Magazine
He has rediscovered the knack of making Beach Boys records again. And make no mistake, in sound if not personnel, this is a Beach Boys record. [Aug 2004, p.119]
Uncut
A valuable addition to his catalogue: the most consistent and sympathetically constructed solo album he's made. [Jul 2004, p.96]
Los Angeles Times
Too many lyrics are more serviceable than insightful or inventive. [20 Jun 2004]
Rolling Stone
Perhaps it's best to think of Gettin' In Over My Head as Wilson's celebrity children's record.
Read Full Review >All Music Guide
Although the musicians here understand how to convey complex emotions in a pop song, Wilson and his co-songwriters obviously don't, and it's with them that the blame for this record lies.
Read Full Review >Dot Music
It's probably safer to view "Gettin In..." as the sound of an old man lying back in the ocean with well-deserved drink. A straight-up collection of rock n roll songs that he probably enjoyed playing on as much as anything else in his bizarre life.
Read Full Review >E! Online
His voice is rough, the melodies fall flat, and there's even a guitar solo by Eric Clapton.
Read Full Review >Austin Chronicle
If you've followed Wilson's treacherous saga, it's heartening how upbeat Getting' in Over My Head sounds, even with a fair number of tracks misfiring.
Read Full Review >Blender
He's labored, bombastic and pitch-challenged.... The lyrics are embarrassing. [Aug 2004, p.143]
cokemachineglow
It's not so much that he's over his head as much as just past his prime, and though his love of creating music that aims to communicate a very simple and honest message is respectable, he's ultimately unconvincing and awkward with tepid melodies, gimmicky guest spots and subpar lead vocals.
Read Full Review >New Musical Express
Wilson's voice is a sorry wisp of what it once was. [19 Jun 2004, p.57]
Stylus Magazine
The evidence now seems indisputable that Wilson is completely, totally, finally spent as a creative force—as it is, we’re treading dangerously close to “How many failed collaborators does it take to produce a half-decent Brian Wilson album?” territory (answer: you can’t count that high).
Read Full Review >The Guardian
Everyone wants Brian Wilson's story to have a happy ending. The worst thing about Gettin' In Over My Head - far worse than the mediocre songs and the MOR guest appearances - is that it doesn't sound terribly happy.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 7.2 (out of 10) based on 16 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Seamus S gave it a6:
I, as many die hard Brian Wilson fans, can recognize his genius from his fun stuff. This is fun stuff, straight up. There's not alot of depth to it. It's got a nice feeling and gives you (somewhat) of an Idea as to what he's going to do on smile. There's some humor and some beauty. Not enough beauty to be a masterpeice though.
Victor Victor gave it a 4:
I am one of the longest Brian Wilson Fans- I grew up around the corner from Brian, and loved each and every work he produced. I am 53 and follow him from my youth. He is a genius- things happen and this album sucks. I think it should be renamed, "Get Those Other Folks Outa My Life" I could not even finish listening too it. Brian is still there and one one wonderful, but this is not him- odd, I kind of knew it before I got the album, really odd, it sent off a vibe- I am just listening to the album now, and it took me a long time to come to it. Some wrong management seems to be around Brian- Smile, while having nice pieces was released(i got it too!- my son sent to to me for my birthday- he a Marine in Iraq-and you can listen to it- and it was never complete, which was why brian never released it. The fact that is was released now, tell us more about people who want money than who is controlling the art- gets me to wondering. Yes, the album sucks, if left alone Brain can produce wonderful works still, he just needs the time, place and peace.
sally l gave it a 10:
a really good album dont care that much for the freind like you song
jim ray s gave it a 10:
one othe best of the year
al k gave it a 10:
i really love this album!!
Jim A gave it an 8:
These songs that people are calling weak are better than 90% of music that has been released by anyone in the last 10 years. Shame on all of you for thinking that the 24yr old Brian Wilson still exists, he's still tremendously gifted and still can produce beautiful music. Lyrically its obviously simple, but so what... he's one of the all time greats, when is the last time Paul McCartney or the Rolling Stones had a good album?? He's still incredible.
Adam G gave it a 2:
As a die-hard Wilson/Beach Boys fan for over 25 years, it tears me up to realize that this is one of the five single-worst Beach Boys-related albums ever released. That makes two (1998's 'Imagination') bad albums in a row. The ONLY saving grace is the duet with Carl on "Soul Searchin'" and even THAT was better on bootlegs with The Beach Boys' backing vocals.
