Album Review 262: Mike Love, Bruce Johnston & David Marks of the Beach Boys - Salute Nascar

[@henrygatenby9105]

Courtesy of Elora CD Intro - kzbin.info/www/bejne/oojPlXuApq2EqKM Cassette Intro - kzbin.info/www/bejne/bXi7ZqCDbrKaerc

[@Giggens]

Excellent, thanks Henry! And Elora!

[@Giggens]

I was wondering the same thing actually, I haven't heard!

[@henrygatenby9105]

"Beach lover, NASCAR lover" the evil backwards Good Vibrations bassline in that intro haunts me to this day.

[@Giggens]

Hahahah!

[@derekllewellyn6663]

@@Giggens it's looks good I love it so much it's looks like new DVD releases review history books documentary about biography and legend legends tour guide new year 60th anniversary celebration party years

[@christianmontover3527]

The sheer amount of one-liners in this video...

[@Giggens]

Hahaha!

[@spiffyflinger9174]

David Marks isn't actually on the album in any capacity. Essentially all the guitar parts are Adrian, David just showed up for the shoot since he was involved with the band at the time. There's some debate over whether or not Bruce is on the album or not - some say he's in the harmony stack but Adrian is kind of known for singing all the background vocals in his productions and I don't really recognize Bruce anywhere in there. I actually quite like Adrian's production in general - sure, it tends to be very polished and clean but I also find it kind of fun and endearing in its own way. Embrace the cheese, as it were! I do definitely recognize that this album is not exactly a shining example of his production abilities, seeing how it was probably recorded in about a week or two in his studio with Mike.

[@Giggens]

I can dig it!

[@ShaNaNa242]

That makes more sense, as "go with the flow" as Bruce seems to be, I doubt even he'd do this and David probably wouldn't either.

[@leopoldopetrieska6564]

that sigh at the beginning says it all, lmao

[@Giggens]

Hahaha!

[@lanelannan7565]

"Number 9: Fun Fun Fun, but we are not having any Fun Fun Fun" "I've seen more energy come out of pressing the button on a swiffer wet jet" Those lines had me laughing so hard

[@Giggens]

Happy to help haha!

[@monte4503]

You’re doing the lords work, such dedication to the craft Recently listened to this one again (for some bizarre reason). Absolutely dreadful and positively captivating.

[@Giggens]

That sentence totally sums this album up!

[@pikselocheck3806]

thanks for the video. I came here after the "top 100 worst music releases" video and i listened the beach boys (orig and nascar one) and i didn`t get it why its so low-rated. As i get it right that there was an original beach boys album and in 90-s a cheap copy of it with cheesy covers made on computer was released to advertise nascar car. P.S. "Sorry for bad english, i`m not from america"

[@charlieben3354]

Really wish the lead single would've been "David's Back"

[@Giggens]

And they sayyyyyyyy

[@TomQuiNEstPasLa]

"The album just makes me sad. Like, we're four songs in, and I'm sad. My brain hurts. I don't know why they made this. I think this is what they play when you go to hell." [sharp breath in] "...Number five is--"

[@Giggens]

Hahahaha

[@annb1]

This must have really hurt. You have provided exceptional reviews of their masterpieces over the years and then had to do this.......yet it was a part of who they are/were and I appreciate you documenting this piece of the Beach Boys puzzle.

[@Giggens]

Not all capes wear heroes!

[@mjfouldes6822]

This is a great review! I have always seen you try and be positive about everything, even the slightly awkward moments. This must really be REALLY dire for you to be so withering and give so many great put-downs (not shut-downs!). At first I thought I should give it a listen to see how bad it was but then I thought "Do I really hate myself THAT much when there are so many albums I still need to listen to?! I mean I think I still have the last disc of the wonderful Sunflower box to go!)" Great video as always!!

[@user-is4jf8yr4z]

I listened to it on YT and I enjoy the cheesiness. It' so 90s - I love it.

[@Giggens]

It truly is VERY 90s!

[@dreadfuldansdiscs2781]

You were more than fair here, far fairer than these guys deserve for creating what is patently a cynical cash-grab. To think Mike had the audacity to sue Brian over that newspaper cover-mount CD because it traded in the Beach Boys name, when that same name is loud and proud here and clearly trying to hoodwink buyers into thinking it's a proper BBs album.

[@Giggens]

The Many Moods of Mur-- Mike Love!

[@cristianyacono7678]

0:07 GOGGINS! WHO'S CARRYING THE LOGS!! Keep it up brother, GETTIN' AFTER IT!

[@michaelhiggins6762]

I laughed myself silly watching your video of this cd, giggens...As a fellow Beach Boys completist, I had no idea this cd even existed, and from your review, guess I'm the lucky one...

[@Giggens]

Hahaha!

[@dennishealy3351]

When I was a kid this was my favorite Beach Boys album because I’ve been a NASCAR fan since I was a kid, now that I’m an adult I look back at it as what was I thinking. Something tells me NASCAR themselves asked them to this for some type of advertisement gimmick.

[@Giggens]

I never thought of that, maybe Nascar asked them!

[@orbyfan]

@@Giggens I never thought of the southern California-based Beach Boys as having any connection with the southeastern-based NASCAR, but Mike and Bruce reveal this hitherto unknown detail in the intros.

[@robertzastrow4648]

Enjoyed watching this and seeing you ask "Why" what seemed like every other sentence hahaha. Agree with you that it's not very good, but I don't think, like you, that it's absolutely terrible. Here are some of my answers to your "Whys". The main answer is MONEY. The older Mike gets, the more he seems to be willing to not only rerecord the same BB songs over and over and over (Example: Fun, Fun, Fun), but he ALSO seems the most willing of the BBs to exploit the BBs "image" if it means money in his pocket. Around this time, Mike and Bruce also rerecorded a number of BB songs with a Symphonic Orchestra (the CD was called Symphonic Sounds: Music Of The Beach Boys, will you also be reviewing this?). Don't think Bruce is far behind Mike when it comes to exploiting the BBs for money, or at least their name. Those two currently tour, with a bunch of back-up musicians, under the name "Beach Boys". Think that David was pulled back into the group as Carl's guitar replacement around this time. That's one good thing to say about this, that David was finally back in the group. Also think Adrian Baker did a good job singing Brian/Carl's part on Don't Worry, Baby. Think the BBs should have asked him to join the band after Carl passed away, to sing Carl's parts or lead vocals on songs. I find the CD a good listen in the summertime, driving around in my car.

[@Giggens]

I can dig it Robert! I'm glad someone finds something good in this album!

[@jackthayer1289]

I agree, while I have heard Mike and Bruce put on a good show, it is frusterating they won't do anything new. I am glad David was back in the group, but sadly he had to leave after he got Hep C and we all know about Carl.

[@dumfriesspearhead7398]

​@@jackthayer1289Mike is very market driven, if enough people ask for newer stuff then he'll do it. A couple of years ago (on YT) he did "All I Wanna Do" because more and more people had been asking for it. I was quite impressed by his performance; it sounded as if it was in the original key.

[@lowenbad]

I am today years old when I found out about this album.

[@joelgoldenberg1100]

For more painful enjoyment: kzbin.info/www/bejne/poHLmoSwfNKDjKs and kzbin.info/www/bejne/rWa4l5mihdKapbM

[@Giggens]

Holy moly haha, forgot about those

[@joelgoldenberg1100]

@@Giggens I listened to the Spit of America one for the first time today. Oh God!

[@zauberer9687]

Wow, I always hoped for a review of that 😁 I really wonder how they ended up workin' with David Marks again after 30 yrs.

[@Giggens]

They were always buddies, and when Carl was getting sick, Mike reached out to him. David was also on the Baywatch episode

[@zauberer9687]

@@Giggens interesting

[@orbyfan]

@@Giggens I've read that Brian and Mike, especially Mike, had invited him to rejoin from time to time, but he was doing other things. He did join them for a guest appearance at this 1971 concert in Boston while he was studying at the conservatory there: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5CWnI1uZ8d5pLs

[@artiewithers6980]

Holy cow. Back in the Napster days I downloaded Little GTO. It said it was The Beach Boys and it sounded like them, but I was never really sure. I searched a little for it, but never found anything. Guess I didn’t search hard enough. Anyway, now I know where it came from after all these years.

[@GamerNRetro]

Probably one of my favorite albums. Lol jk. Just discovered your channel and love the content.

[@Giggens]

Thank you so much!!

[@paulharvey7223]

👏🏻👏🏻😂😂 love that review. I’ve not been able to buy it (find it ) yet ..err perhaps I won’t bother 🤣🤣🤟🏻👍🏻

[@Giggens]

You're not missing much!

[@pobbard]

Great review - I laughed outloud a few times! I've always wondered if this was ANYBODY'S introduction to the Beach Boys... and if it was, was it their last stop?

[@Giggens]

Guess they'd run out of gas!

[@chrisrainbow2393]

Hi Giggens, You know how much i like the Beach Boys and how i enjoyed finding each one of my cherished albums ....? Well, i didnt know about this one and happily i have managed to avoid it and i thought Summer in Paradise was bad enough....WOW....and you have two copies. ....???? Were you having a bad day when you bought them or was it a punishment ....?

[@Giggens]

Hahahahaha!

[@jasonotoole1982]

Full album for those who dare: kzbin.info/www/bejne/boq5XquVbLeNnqM

[@Giggens]

Oh man!

[@AndysRambles]

Epic review Giggens! I hadn't heard of this until I discovered RateYourMusic a decade ago and it blew my mind and made me sad at the same time. Oh, have I heard it though? No!! I think it's the only Beach Boys thing I have actively avoided. I can find a couple songs/ a few moments on Summer in Paradise I like but this just seems so bad... I think I'll just take your word for it. You know how they say don't knock it 'til you try it? Well, there's some things like shooting yourself in the foot that you can actually knock before trying it and this falls into that category.

[@Giggens]

Oh yeah, you are not missing anything here haha!

[@ronfowlermusic]

Your review actually got me interested in listening to this POS. Fortunately it's on youtube so I don't have to pay for it. BTW, loved your review of Orange Crate Art. Wore that tape out back in 1995. Got the vinyl just recently.

[@Giggens]

Oh man awesome!

[@sugarcookie3596]

You should review more albums you don’t like, your zingers are hilarious!

[@Giggens]

Hahaha thank you!

[@andygaines9686]

This review made me laugh! I've not heard this but it does emphasise the pain one does have to go through as a collector! Seriously I do think that it is these sort of releases in the latter years that colour some people's view of the Beach Boys as being tacky and not worth listening to.

[@Giggens]

Exactly man!

[@mattmcnulty8363]

Giggens what’s your thoughts on their title track to Problem Child?

[@theretrogamer14]

This will be forever known as an album that nearly broke Giggens

[@Giggens]

Hahahaha!

[@williamthompson5504]

I got that CD signed by all 3 of them in 2016. They announced David would be performing at that show. Get I got VIP tickets. The guys were a little surprised about my autograph choice. True story

[@Giggens]

That's incredible!!

[@JenkinsCrossing]

Now THIS is The Beach Boys! 😂 🏎

[@Giggens]

Hahaha!

[@morrits3969]

Hi Giggens, i was wondering if you have the SMiLE Deluxe boxset. I would love to hear your opinion on it. It is truly the Beach Boys Magnum Opus in my opinion. It is the only album that i constantly think about in an interactive way, because it really makes you think about what this album was supposed to be, what it is now and what it can be in the future.

[@Giggens]

I will totally do a whole big Smile project someday for sure!

[@TheJoshandFriendsPodcast]

This was hilarious... and spot on.

[@curlessmania4708]

Makes the Association sound like Led Zeppelin!! 😂😂😂😂 You we’re trying so hard to be civil but it was so hard. Ha

[@Giggens]

Hahaha very true!

[@milestrotter6844]

Love the review, and your hair. Blonde and luscious.

[@Giggens]

Thanks Miles! I try haha

[@milestrotter6844]

Lol 😂

[@chrisfreeman4457]

As somebody who loves the Beach Boys at a deep level, and thinks about their music in one form or another every day, I can't help but recognize it with you. So when you honestly say how unpleasant this cd is, I can't doubt you. I'd heard somewhere that this cd was sold strictly in Union 76 gas stations in the '90's, as an idea of Mike Love's. I tried (and actually succeeded) in forgetting that I'd ever heard that. The idea that the Beach Boys could be brought down to that level was just too unpleasant to think of. I'd forgotten it, until I was somehow reminded of it a few years ago... I think I've been pretty good about staying out of the Mike Love controversy. But the idea that he would arrange an agreement to sell slapdash recordings of their work through gas stations, just to make a few bucks, is so abhorrent, when you think of the greatness of their original work. Thanks for sitting through something so appalling. I really had no desire to listen to it. I've pretty much avoided criticizing Mike Love, but when he drags the group down to this level (cd's sold only in a particular gas station, and a horrible recording at that), it just seems to prove he'll do anything for quick money.. Anyway, to end on a lighter note, and for historical reasons, somehow I'd heard that this cd was the first time that David Marks was reunited with Mike Love on recording, since way back in 1963, when he left the group. Do you know if that's true?

[@matthintz9468]

If I had to name a positive for the album, it’d be the Union ‘76 pressing on the actual CD. I’ve always loved that logo.

[@chrisfreeman4457]

@@matthintz9468 I will agree about the Union 76 logo. Years ago, those gas stations gave out small orange styrofoam balls, with the Union 76 logo imprinted on it, with a hole in the middle, so people could put them through their car antennas. You used to see those little orange balls on car antennas everywhere

[@Giggens]

As far as I know, this was the first time David recorded with Mike since the 60s!

[@orbyfan]

@@chrisfreeman4457 A&W did the same thing in Canada, with the same colours; we had one in 1968.

[@cazgerald9471]

wow, a NASCAR album? That's noose to me, er I mean news 8-P

[@Giggens]

Haha!

[@carlrudd1858]

I bought 5..... I love it. GTO ~~~~

[@Giggens]

Awesome!

[@derekbeauchamp2409]

I think this album came free with a news paper .

[@milestrotter6844]

Hey Giggens! Will you be able to do a review of: "Alive and well in Argentina" by Zal Yanovsky any time soon? I'd love to see you review it and hear your opinion.

[@Giggens]

I'd love to do that one!

[@ronfowlermusic]

Bought it today for 3 $$. Enjoyable for what it is.

[@Giggens]

$3 is the perfect price!

[@ronfowlermusic]

@@Giggens yes it is.

[@marcofalzone6469]

What about that Symphonic sounds CD with the cartoon cover?

[@Giggens]

Haha!

[@matthintz9468]

Giggens, for the Holiday season/Christmas, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the 1984 special "Scrooge's Rock N' Roll Christmas" starring Mike Love! It's as good as it sounds! Mike performs in four or five of the songs, and even makes a "special" appearance near the end where he walks through time into Scrooge's office and sings an odd, uptempo version of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas to Scrooge and a young girl (who creepily ogles him through the whole song). Really worth checking out. 2020 needs a Giggens review of this. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4PPi3qAbahor68&ab_channel=ComedyShotgun

[@Giggens]

Man these comments are bringing out the absolute best of the Beach Boys haha!

[@matthintz9468]

@@Giggens You're gonna love it.

[@terryowen1308]

The genius of this album is that it's so painfully abysmal you actually want to hear it just so you can hate it over and over. And the cover art is beyond sickening. Love, Johson and Marks have proved they despise the world and everyone within it.

[@Giggens]

Hahahaha!

[@ShaNaNa242]

Well Marks and Johnston may not have actually been in the album.

[@mortmaz]

Another fantastic review. I recently unearthed this one from the archives and listened to it for the first time since I purchased it. Yeah, it's awful. It is nice to have studio recordings of "Little Old Lady" and "GTO," but the production value is just too bland and lifeless. Oh well, it's back on the shelf to collect another decade of dust.

[@panelsandplatters]

This seems like the argument against being a Beach Boys completist. Haha. Oof.

[@Giggens]

Yeah, you can all skip this one!

[@christianlemelin]

Ha ha ha! This was funny (Whyyyyy!) I love the beach boys too but i think Mike Love is responsible for most of the bad moves of the band by taking too much place as a front man and being so pretentious! This is sad for Brian and the rest of the band. Anyway, the Beach boys are one of the biggest band in music history, and every one knows who is the real genius behind all the songs! How I wish they could have finisned the Smile album and go to Woodstock! I will conclude by saying that the Beach boys have so much of wonderful songs but for me, Good vibrations is the best one!

[@Giggens]

Yeah this was not their best moment haha

[@NateRuvin414]

I genuinely dig the album. I can get past the annoying production because I think it serves well as a document of what the Mike band would sound like in the late 90s. These versions aren’t better than the originals but I still like the singing and songs

[@Giggens]

I can dig that for sure!

[@orbyfan]

Was it for legal purposes that it was billed as Mike Love, Bruce Johnston & David Marks of the Beach Boys instead of as the Beach Boys? They were essentially the Beach Boys at the time, with Carl in his last few months. Did he not want anything to do with this, or was he just too ill? I've seen January 1, 1998 listed as the release date for this album, and he was still alive. The 76 label isn't quite as prestigious as Capitol. How many copies were made, and how many were sold? It's ironic that the commercial failures of albums such as this and "Summer in Paradise" have had the effect of making them now highly collectible.

[@Giggens]

You'll see alot of "January 1" release dates when the actual date is unknown, but rumour has it that it came out in early February. I don't think it's credited to the Beach Boys because only one of them is basically there haha. No idea how many were sold or printed up, guessing 5000 got made, that's a modest CD amount for the cheapo bin

[@orbyfan]

@@Giggens Thanks. They should have numbered the copies, and then we'd have a better idea.

[@dumfriesspearhead7398]

Since Carl died on early February 1998, then he was too ill to take part. Mike Love only got the rights to tour as the Beach Boys in 2008.

[@elliotmann9787]

I'm sure glad I don't own that one.

[@matthintz9468]

My critique is not as harsh as yours, it’s just blah. Maybe the rage is on a delay. I’m more perplexed by the NASCAR angle. Can you see any of these guys watching NASCAR? They’re from California! This should be a salute to drag racing and open wheel racing!

[@Giggens]

Hahaha!

[@michaeldaley5831]

This has ML all over it,yes he has contributed a lot to the band,but also some rubbish,he’s solo albums are awful,& he’s songs on that’s why god are the worst on it,without them it would have been a great album,he’s happy to play state fairs,on stage Ive always found him embarrassing,& I don’t think he was happy with the 50th anniversary tour,being that he wasn’t the centre of attention,in fact when they played London that year, & the band were introduced he got the least cheers,thankfully I’ve never heard of this album.& a couple of decisions he’s made recently hasn’t helped there great legacy.

[@Giggens]

I hear that!

[@redvine1105]

Ima guess the 76 corporation had something to do with this “album”

[@marcofalzone6469]

WHY??!!

[@dignafelicisima]

LOL

[@Giggens]

LOL indeed!

[@lewandoutdoors7383]

What did he say about Led Zeppelin? Nothing there?

[@cardboardheadguy7814]

This was just a cash grab. They should of made a Star And Stripes Vol 2 or Another album like Summer In Paradise

[@Giggens]

I can see that!

[@orbyfan]

If this was just a cash grab, it would have been Mike grabbing the cash from NASCAR in advance. The album itself couldn't have grabbed very much cash, since it was available only in one type of store, with not many copies made, and very few people aware of its existence. Maybe Mike was just so farsighted that he figured in 25 years it would be as rare and collectible as the Honus Wagner Sweet Caporal card. Mike's timing was at least right--NASCAR's popularity was much greater then than now.

[@jhpbeachboy]

Adrian’s falsetto doesn’t help

[@Giggens]

Agreed!