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No Pier Pressure
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No Pier Pressure Image
Metascore
57

Mixed or average reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 10 Ratings

  • Summary: The latest solo studio release for the Beach Boy was produced with Joe Thomas and features guest appearances from Blondie Chaplin, Peter Hollens, Mark Isham, Al Jardine, David Marks, Kacey Musgraves, Nate Ruess, Sebu Simonian, and She & Him.
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Sail Away
Once upon a time, we had a lot to fight for We had a dream, we had a plan Sparks in the air, we spread a lot of envy Didn't have to care, once upon a... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 23
  3. Negative: 2 out of 23
  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. Consequence
    Apr 8, 2015
    67
    The only songs that completely jell vocally are the ones featuring former Beach Boys.
  3. AllMusic
    Apr 2, 2015
    60
    No Pier Pressure seems genuinely weird, as it's perilously perched between the best and worst of Wilson's pop talent and Thomas' showbiz instincts.
  4. Uncut
    Apr 2, 2015
    60
    Wilson's chord changes are as heart-wrenching as ever, and bathed in heavenly harmonies. [May 2015, p.84]
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  5. The Independent (UK)
    Apr 6, 2015
    60
    On the gorgeous Jardine/Wilson weeper “Tell Me Why”, the doleful nostalgia is surprisingly clear-eyed.... Sadly, “that thing” goes missing on Kacey Musgraves’ kite-weight offering and electro throwaway “Runaway Dancer”, fronted by Capital Cities’ Sebu Simonian, with synths via McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmastime”.
  6. Record Collector
    Apr 24, 2015
    60
    No Pier Pressure is another patchy collection that includes some of his best recent work alongside his most risible.
  7. PopMatters
    Apr 7, 2015
    20
    The aforementioned [producer Joe] Thomas does know who those people [guest singers] are, and he brings them on here basically to bring some media attention to a collection of limp, lifeless songs.

See all 23 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. vicyamusicgreat
    Apr 7, 2015
    9
    If patience were a virtue, few of the reviewers left of me on the page would be virtuous, as, yes, the album is weird, and it continues toIf patience were a virtue, few of the reviewers left of me on the page would be virtuous, as, yes, the album is weird, and it continues to appear weird unless one is willing to listen to it without the sometimes intrusive influence of the songwriter's past, and lets its magic seep into you; as though it were an exotic tea one is not accustomed to, the album may seem outrageous and even awkward, but a full gestation, nay, a full consideration, is more than enough to let it yield its subtle though diverse threads of luminousness.… Expand
  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.    … Expand
  4. 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.… Collapse
  5. rembrandtp
    May 18, 2016
    7
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