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By Bernie Bernard
After a wait of nearly 40 years, founding Beach Boys member Brian Wilson has released Smile, an album he refers to as his masterpiece. Since the late-1960s, Brian has battled depression, disillusionment with the music business and his unfulfilled vision for Smile.
(Music)
Beach Boys member and songwriter Brian Wilson has always been known for his pioneering techniques as an arranger and recording studio genius. He wanted to help the band evolve from their mid-1960s surf sound into a more sophisticated vocal group. In 1967, when The Beatles released their ground-breaking album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Brian was disheartened. He was working on an album called Smile, the sequel to the Beach Boys' million-selling Pet Sounds. Smile made use of special effects, arrangements and harmonies, but The Beatles beat Brian to the marketplace with their own concept album. He also had to battle factions within his band, including his own brothers, who wanted to stay with the musical formula that made them millions of dollars. Brian went into a deep depression that lasted for decades, and took extended time away from The Beach Boys. After years of controversial therapy and a renewed solo career, Brian was ready to finish his masterpiece.
A few of the songs that were intended for Smile, such as Surf's Up, Good Vibrations and Heroes And Villains have appeared on Beach Boys albums over the years. Brian decided to start all over again, and replace the group's vocals with his own.
(Music)
Brian Wilson says the concept of Smile is a "teenage symphony to God," and an avant-garde, symphonic pop collection that explores American mythology. It was written when he was 24-years-old, and was conceived as a celebration of innocence. Now 62, Brian is revisiting the songs as a man of experience who has dealt with drug addiction, emotional problems, and the death of his two bandmates and brothers, Carl and Dennis. The surviving Beach Boys have met each other more times in the courtroom than onstage.
Brian called upon original lyricist Van Dyke Parks to help him finish the songs on Smile, and asked Los Angeles band The Wondermints to join him in the studio. The music builds on the distinctive Beach Boys sound, with multiple harmonies, dreamy arrangements, counter-rhythms and touches of 1960s' psychedelia.
Brian Wilson is on a tour of the U.S., highlighting songs from Smile and treating fans to tunes from his solo career as well as his days with the legendary Beach Boys.
I am Bernie Bernard.
(Music)
注释：
dishearten 沮丧，气馁
formula 规则，方式
masterpiece 杰作
symphonic 和声的
mythology 神话
psychedelia 幻觉，迷幻世界
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