Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin
by Brian Wilson
Metascore
66

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 20
  3. Negative: 1 out of 20
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  1. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    On Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin, easy-listening Brian shows up more than weirdo Wilson.
  2. Billboard.com
    83
    The Beach Boys mastermind's dip into the world of George & Ira Gershwin is a love's labor that makes plenty of sense and opens up at least a few of the tunes to illuminating interpretations.
  3. BBC Music
    80
    The imaginative artwork, of a black and white keyboard splintering into different colours, emphasises the feel-good factor of this winning collection of songs and arrangements done with great style.
  5. Slant Magazine
    80
    It's the rare, grin-inducing Wilson indulgence that doesn't involve some drug-inspired nonsense about enchanted transistor radios. The entirety of Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin reeks of a newfound arrogance that lifts this Beach Boys aficionado's spirits.
  6. Spin
    80
    Wilson is clearly energized, and it's delightful to hear one virtuoso finally meet up with another.
  7. AllMusic
    80
    Nearly everything else here is loving, sincere, and worthy of hearing by fans of the Beach Boys or Broadway.
  8. Los Angeles Times
    75
    This album finds Wilson clearly invigorated by material he feels an affinity with; thankfully, he's not so precious that he can't flood it with sea salt, sunshine and all the qualities that make his music individual.
  9. Rolling Stone
    70
    You can't help but ask: Is Brian Wilson the baby-boomer George Gershwin? Or was Gershwin the first Beach Boy?
  10. The New York Times
    70
    With varying degrees of success he turns the melodies into post-Beach Boys pop with stacked harmonies performed in a barbershop tradition that erases vocal individuality for the sake of a creamy harmonic blend.
  11. The A.V. Club
    67
    The results rarely shed new light on either composer, but they make for a pleasant-enough marriage.
  12. The Boston Phoenix
    63
    Wilson may be most famous for his own good-time rock-and-roll hits, but in underselling the Gershwins he's neglected his own very sophisticated and currently under-utilized capabilities.
  13. Q Magazine
    60
    It won't dethrone his great works, but there's heart in abundance. [Nove. 2010, p. 117]
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  14. Mojo
    60
    Despite a few bright spots--a Beach boys-style makeover of I Got Rhythm and a swooning I Loves You Porgy--the album falls short of either artist's legacy. [Sep 2010, p.93]
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  15. PopMatters
    60
    Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin isn't quite the triumph one would have hoped, with a few awkward missteps and some vocal performances that don't honor the past as much as they make it seem like an awfully long time ago.
  16. Uncut
    60
    There are moments where the strings and backing vocals lurch into sickly sweet. But at least half of this album successfully unites two of America's greatest songwriters. [Oct 2010, p.109]
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  17. Tiny Mix Tapes
    60
    It's a joy to hear him in such audibly great spirits, even if his most cognizant album effort in decades isn't some kind of miraculous knockout
  18. musicOMH.com
    60
    The result of the flawless playing and polished production, however, is ultimately a too-perfect sound, lacking drama and grit. With his darkest years behind him, Wilson seems willing to use only the brightest colours in the paintbox.
  19. NOW Magazine
    60
    Overall this is a testament to Wilson's endless creativity.
  20. Austin Chronicle
    40
    Hearing Gershwin done in the style of Wilson's groundbreaking works is pleasant enough, but the middle-of-the-road veneer of this prestige project is the stuff of PBS pledge gifts.
  21. The Guardian
    20
    Gershwin and Wilson are among the 20th century's greatest writers of popular music; no one wishing to learn more about either should start here.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 6 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 1 out of 6
  1. 6969420blazing
    Apr 13, 2018
    10
    Reimagines Gershwin is the perfect description of what has happened on this album. I don't know what I was expecting but I have never heardReimagines Gershwin is the perfect description of what has happened on this album. I don't know what I was expecting but I have never heard versions of these songs like this. Its like the beach boys met frank Sinatra and its awesome… Full Review »
  2. Social
    Oct 31, 2010
    3
    I was very happy to see Brian Wilson had a new album out after loving every bit of "That Lucky Old Son". I loved the more musical kind ofI was very happy to see Brian Wilson had a new album out after loving every bit of "That Lucky Old Son". I loved the more musical kind of approach he used on it so I was interested to hear his new album would be based on George Gershwin who wrote a lot of musical music in his life.

    I don't know what happened! I guess somewhere during the recordings nobody had the guts to step up to Wilson and tell him his "Reimagines" were really forced and boring. Most of the tracks on the album have good arrangements and could be very nice instrumentals, but his voice is really not up to the task. It sounds all wrong and very forced. Some parts of his singing also sound very heavily modified. Like you're listening to a robot Wilson.

    No, I won't be listening to this album anymore, it's a really bad one.    … Full Review »
  3. Sander
    Oct 4, 2010
    8
    Of course not his best work ever, but is a work of love. This shines through most of this album. Despite some shortcomings, it is anOf course not his best work ever, but is a work of love. This shines through most of this album. Despite some shortcomings, it is an educational piece of work. A look into the great musicial minds of George Gershwin an Brian Wilson.… Full Review »
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