That's Why God Made the Radio
by The Beach Boys
  • Record Label: Capitol
  • Release Date: Jun 5, 2012
Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 27
  3. Negative: 1 out of 27
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  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Jun 7, 2012
    83
    The recently rebooted 
 pop legends' most engaged, least cripplingly nostalgic album since 1977's Love You.
  2. Mojo
    Jul 19, 2012
    80
    Though no Pet Sound, this album, at its best so wistfully reliving out golden yesterdays, ranks up there with Today! [Aug 2012, p.92]
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  3. Beats Per Minute
    Jul 19, 2012
    75
    The album as a whole isn't flawless, yet by sounding utterly enchanting during its climax it leaves a listener feeling genuinely touched. From a such legendary band, you could ask for nothing more.
  5. Los Angeles Times
    Jun 5, 2012
    75
    Though uneven, the group's 29th studio work (including 2011's "The Smile Sessions") contains a number of elegant, shockingly beautiful moments that not only do justice to and expand on the sound of Southern California in the 1960s but serve as a bittersweet and at times heartbreakingly brilliant coda to five decades in music.
  6. The Wire
    Aug 2, 2012
    70
    They most definitely lack a soloist. Yet the way in which these sunkissed survivors pull together is touching. [Jun 2012, p.42]
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  7. DIY Magazine
    Jun 5, 2012
    70
    If we're honest, the first half of the album, title track aside, is slightly cringeworthy, both in terms of music and the production. But the whole record is redeemed, beautifully, by the last three tracks.
  8. Consequence
    Jun 5, 2012
    70
    While That's Why God Made The Radio may not be in the same league as SMiLE or Pet Sounds, it's an immensely satisfying and interesting outing.
  9. The New York Times
    Jun 4, 2012
    70
    Vocal harmonies abound, burnished to modern studio precision.
  10. PopMatters
    Jun 4, 2012
    70
    As a whole, That's Why God Made the Radio is not a top-tier Beach Boys album. But it's neither a reach nor hyperbole to say this final suite is among the strongest, most affecting music Wilson has ever recorded.
  11. AllMusic
    Jun 4, 2012
    70
    These may not be the songs that will ever light up their live sets, but together they form what is easily the best Beach Boys record in 35 years -- and a surprisingly cohesive, reflective, listenable one at that.
  12. Austin Chronicle
    Jul 19, 2012
    67
    If only all legacy-burnishing attempts could be this effective.
  13. Exclaim
    Jul 11, 2012
    60
    That's Why God Made the Radio is the dad-rock album of the year.
  14. musicOMH.com
    Jun 6, 2012
    60
    Even if you weren't expecting much from everyone's favourite four part harmony-peddling pension queue, this record would be something of a mixed bag.
  15. New Musical Express (NME)
    Jun 6, 2012
    60
    It's good to have them back--but only just.
  16. BBC Music
    Jun 6, 2012
    60
    The sterility and cleanliness of [the album's engineering and production] affords these 12 songs all the warmth and personality of a motorway hotel's car park.
  17. The Independent on Sunday (UK)
    Jun 5, 2012
    60
    A cloudless orgy of nostalgia.
  18. Paste Magazine
    Jun 5, 2012
    60
    While all members sound terrific behind the microphone, particularly when the harmonies are at their thickest, Love's lead turns on the god-awful "Daybreak Over the Ocean" and "Beaches in Mind" are excruciatingly over-played in their winky retro-ness and, quite frankly, an embarrassment.
  19. Rolling Stone
    Jun 5, 2012
    60
    The album is an un- even but deeply touching work by a clearly flawed Great Band – one that, at its best, always aimed for the heavens, even if it didn't always reach them.
  20. The Guardian
    May 31, 2012
    60
    Just as you're about to dismiss the album entirely, something extraordinary happens. The final three tracks – From There to Back Again, Pacific Coast Highway and Summer's Gone – form a kind of suite that is easily the best thing Brian Wilson has put his name to in the last 30 years.
  21. The A.V. Club
    Jun 5, 2012
    58
    The best bits of Radio sound like a fan finally getting to play with all the toys. It's a respectful approach, let down too often by sub-par material.
  22. Under The Radar
    Aug 9, 2012
    50
    That's Why God Made the Radio isn't a bad album. It's just not the album everyone wanted.
  23. Boston Globe
    Jun 26, 2012
    50
    Not unlistenable, but simply not special.
  24. Uncut
    Jun 1, 2012
    50
    Ruthless schmaltz is, predictably, the order of the day. [Jul 2012, p.69]
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  25. Drowned In Sound
    May 31, 2012
    50
    That's Why God Made The Radio isn't terrible or embarrassing, it is just is a bit safe.
  26. NOW Magazine
    Jun 7, 2012
    40
    Most of the album is moronic Mike Love nostalgia that makes Kokomo sound good in retrospect.
  27. The Independent (UK)
    Jun 4, 2012
    40
    [TWGMTR] is pitifully thin stuff, with far too many nostalgic hankerings.
  28. Blurt Magazine
    Jun 19, 2012
    20
    No, that's why God made the CD player's "skip" and "program" buttons.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 22 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 22
  3. Negative: 1 out of 22
  1. the_carr
    Jun 5, 2012
    8
    Despite a serious mid-album cheese-lull, the album begins and ends very strongly. From There To Back Again is the best track on here, harkingDespite a serious mid-album cheese-lull, the album begins and ends very strongly. From There To Back Again is the best track on here, harking back to a Sunflower-like production and reminding me of that album's At My Window. Al Jardine is in especially fine voice throughout. Certainly well worth checking out.… Full Review »
  2. paste52
    Jul 6, 2012
    8
    After hearing the title track on youtube, I found myself humming the song for the next few days. I was impressed how great the harmonies wereAfter hearing the title track on youtube, I found myself humming the song for the next few days. I was impressed how great the harmonies were from the band. My wife surprised me on Father's Day and bought the CD or me. I didn't expect much. After all, the group are in their late sixties and early 70's. But I was surprised how much I enjoyed the CD. The harmonies are excellent. Highlights on the CD for me are the title track, the catchy "Isn't It Time" "The Private Life Of Bill And Sue" echoes how I feel about all the crummy reality TV there is on today, "Beaches In Mind" "From There And Back Again" Yes I also like "Daybreak Over The Ocean" and the haunting "Summer's Gone" All in all, an enjoyable CD to listen to on a summer's day. Yes, it may not be their best ever, but it makes me want them to record more music… Full Review »
  3. KinnArchimedes
    Jul 1, 2012
    5
    On first listen I thought it wasn't too good. Now I think its okay. They'll do better next time though. My favourite tracks are Isn't It Time,On first listen I thought it wasn't too good. Now I think its okay. They'll do better next time though. My favourite tracks are Isn't It Time, From There To Back Again(feels most like a Pet Sounds track), Pacific Coast Highway, and Summer's Gone. I think I would've liked the album much more if it was filled with tracks like the final three...… Full Review »
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