In 1966-67, Brian Wilson began work on his follow-up to Pet Sounds, which was to be called SMiLE. For the lyrics, he collaberated with a songwriter named Van Dyke Parks. Unfortunately, due to his rapidly deteriorating mental condition and because of resistance from other members of the Beach Boys, the project was abandoned, although a few songs were released in a watered down version called Smiley Smile, which only hinted at what SMilLE could have been.
    This year, Brian Wilson finally decided he was ready to complete the album, and he got back with Van Dyke Parks to finish the remaining songs. He toured England with his new band and played the newly completed songs to sold out audiences who gave the show rave reviews. He then returned to the original studio where work had begun 40 years ago and rerecorded the entire album. He used a lot of the same recording equipment and instruments that he used back in the Sixties, although none of the original master tapes were actually used on the finished album, mainly due to potential legal wranglings from the other surviving Beach Boys (Mike Love, anyone?)
      The album sounds great. (When it was released in the last part of September, it debuted at #13 on the Billboard chart.)Wilson did a good job in giving the new album an authentic 1960's sound to it. And the songs are beautifully melodic, and only prove further what a great composer Brian Wilson is. For anyone who is a fan of the Beach Boys (particularly their later work), I give this album my highest recommendation.