No Pier Pressure
by Brian Wilson
  • Record Label: Capitol
  • Release Date: Apr 7, 2015
Metascore
57

Mixed or average reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 23
  3. Negative: 2 out of 23
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  1. The Telegraph (UK)
    Apr 6, 2015
    80
    If it doesn’t all quite hit past heights, the gorgeous, elegiac album closer The Last Song is a reminder that Wilson set the bar particularly high.
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    Apr 3, 2015
    75
    There’s a fundamental corniness running through Pressure, from its glossy soft-rock sheen to its borderline-anodyne lyrics about seaside love. But Wilson sells it pretty well, aided by his legendary knack for effervescent melodies and the presence of dynamic young guests.
  3. Consequence
    Apr 8, 2015
    67
    The only songs that completely jell vocally are the ones featuring former Beach Boys.
  5. Paste Magazine
    Apr 7, 2015
    61
    Between hints of the past’s greatness and some head-scratching choices otherwise, Wilson’s No Pier Pressure lives in a pleasant, inoffensive middle--and that’s a quality seen nowhere across his most daring, adored works.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 10 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. rembrandtp
    May 18, 2016
    7
    xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx… Full Review »
  2. oldstuff
    Apr 11, 2015
    8
    Positives:
    This is an album of very good Brian Wilson songs which considering he's in his early 70s now is great.
    Al Jardine, Blondie    Positives:
    This is an album of very good Brian Wilson songs which considering he's in his early 70s now is great.
    Al Jardine, Blondie Chaplin, Nate Ruess and the other guest artists enhance the album in most cases.

    Negatives:
    Too much "technical wizardry" messing around with some of the vocals. Since I seriously doubt Brian knows how to start "autotune" then I will lay the blame elsewhere for that one.    … Full Review »
  3. Mcbazart
    Apr 7, 2015
    7
    Easily could've been another Wilson classic. Most of the songs are decent enough, featuring the type of harmonies and lush tunes you'd expectEasily could've been another Wilson classic. Most of the songs are decent enough, featuring the type of harmonies and lush tunes you'd expect and I even like 'Runaway Dancer' more than some. Unfortunately Joe Thomas puts a tinny saccharine rich sheen on proceedings, reminiscent of bad 80s production ( as is his style) and nearly ruins everything. Sometimes you sense JT won't be satisfied until he's ruined everything by cramming in as much dorky saxophone, electric guitar and drum machines as is humanly possible (one of the songs on this cd wouldn't be out of place on the XANADU soundtrack. Did you ever think that could be possible on a BW album?)...I've spent my life convincing others of wilsons genius and all my hard work goes out the window when I play em this album. Still despite this the album succeeds. It's no 'Pet Sounds' or 'Smile' but it's an enjoyable listen if you can ignore these issues and it's not quite as bad as previous Wilson/Thomas collaborations. Though I pray they never work together again.… Full Review »
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