A$# 018 Brian Wilson | Smile

Among many serious pop fans, Brian Wilson's Smile was one of the most anxiously awaited albums of all time; and the consensus is that we were not disappointed by the 2004 release. After all, this is the complete version of the legendary lost Beach Boys album Smile, the unreleased "teenage symphony to God".

Having suffered one of the most public mental health breakdowns of a popular artist, Brian has demonstrated the fine line between genius and madness. This could have, would have, should have been his - and the Beach Boys' - seminal work, following the Pet Sounds sensation.

And though we have heard Beach Boys versions of some of the album's high points - Heroes And Villains, Surf's Up and the megahit Good Vibrations - it is revealing and pleasing to hear new versions, together with the other pieces of Brian's ode to Americana.

His backing band, the Wondermints, bring an enthusiasm to the recordings that encouraged Brian to give it his all, despite the ravages of four decades of demons. That he had the courage to face those demons again, to complete the album, and show us the results of his muse, is great indeed.

The album might not have moved the Earth in 2004 the way it would have had it come out in the era of Sgt. Pepper, but we can be glad we have the complete document, the complete suite.

Track listing:
1. Our Prayer/Gee
2. Heroes And Villians
3. Roll Plymouth Rock
4. Barnyard
5. Old Master Painter/You Are My Sunshine
6. Cabin Essence
7. Wonderful
8. Song For Children
9. Child is Father Of The Man
10. Surf's Up
11. I'm In Great Shape/I Wanna Be Around/Workshop
12. Vega-Tables
13. On A Holiday
14. Wind Chimes
15. Mrs. O'Leary's Cow
16. In Blue Hawaii
17. Good Vibrations