After years of seclusion, ex-Beach Boy Brian Wilson surprised his fans at the turn of the new millennium by going on a world tour. Thirty years later, the symphonic pop music of Pet Sounds and the never-released album Smile proved to be well received by fans and critics alike. Wilson thus created the perfect climate for the release of his third solo album, his first since the failed Imagination
… (1998). On Gettin In Over My Head, accompanied by his excellent live band The Wondermints, he harks back to the pre-Pet Sounds sound of heavily Phil Spector-influenced surf rock hits like California Girls, Then I Kissed Her and Help Me Rhonda. The song material may not have the emotional depth of his best work, a few exceptions such as the beautiful title track aside, but it is provided with the familiar catchy melodies and is fortunately released from the slippery synthesizer sounds that marred his two previous albums so much. Prominent guest appearances include Elton John, Eric Clapton and Paul McCartney. A special bonus for fans of The Beach Boys is the singing part of brother Carl Wilson, who died in 1998, who may well sing together with his brother on Soul Searchin 'for the last time. (MS) A special bonus for fans of The Beach Boys is the singing part of brother Carl Wilson, who died in 1998, who may well sing together with his brother on Soul Searchin 'for the last time. (MS) A special bonus for fans of The Beach Boys is the singing part of brother Carl Wilson, who died in 1998, who may well sing together with his brother on Soul Searchin 'for the last time. (MS)more