RIP Brian Wilson

Absolutely devastated by the news that Beach Boys founder Brian Wilson passed away today.  When i was a kid the first three cassettes i ever bought were a collection of James Bond theme songs, a pop compilation called "Rock '85," and a greatest hits tape by The Beach Boys.  Wilson's music has been a part of my life for as far back as i can remember, and "God Only Knows" might just be the best pop song ever recorded.  Here's a quote from Bob Dylan about Wilson:

He made all his records with four tracks, but you couldn't make his records if you had a hundred tracks today.

Damn right.  I'm going to have to listen to some surf vibrations this evening, but i may as well begin with the aforementioned "God Only Knows."  RIP Brian Wilson.

Levitation Pet Sounds Tribute

Thanks to my wonderful wife, i will be fortunate enough to see Brian Wilson perform the monumental "Pet Sounds" in its entirety next weekend at Levitation (formerly the Austin Psych Fest).  To celebrate the occasion, the festival and its offshoot record label, the Reverberation Appreciation Society, have put together a tribute album featuring a slew of reverby psych rock bands contributing their takes on these classic cuts.  The record features The Black Angels, Shannon and The Clams, Cosmonauts, and more.  Listen to Night Beats' version of "Sloop John B" below, look for the record in stores later in May, and/or grab a copy at the fest if you're going to be there...and then share a beer with me.