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An unexpected but dazzling return to the top form of the later Beach Boys years.
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Q MagazineHe 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]
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UncutA valuable addition to his catalogue: the most consistent and sympathetically constructed solo album he's made. [Jul 2004, p.96]
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Los Angeles TimesToo many lyrics are more serviceable than insightful or inventive. [20 Jun 2004]
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Perhaps it's best to think of Gettin' In Over My Head as Wilson's celebrity children's record.
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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.
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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.
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His voice is rough, the melodies fall flat, and there's even a guitar solo by Eric Clapton.
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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.
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BlenderHe's labored, bombastic and pitch-challenged.... The lyrics are embarrassing. [Aug 2004, p.143]
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New Musical Express (NME)Wilson's voice is a sorry wisp of what it once was. [19 Jun 2004, p.57]
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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.
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The evidence now seems indisputable that Wilson is completely, totally, finally spent as a creative forceas it is, were treading dangerously close to How many failed collaborators does it take to produce a half-decent Brian Wilson album? territory (answer: you cant count that high).
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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.
User score distribution:
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Positive: 11 out of 17
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Mixed: 4 out of 17
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Negative: 2 out of 17
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Nov 15, 2013
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SeamusSMar 30, 2006
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VictorVictorOct 23, 2004