I’ve been on a real Beach Boys kick lately. Maybe it’s because I recently saw them live, maybe it’s the warm summer weather, or maybe it’s some good vibrations. This week celebrates what many music critics consider to be a “lost classic”. Making little impact upon it’s release, this album saw a rise in popularity in later decades. The album is Pacific Ocean Blue and it’s the debut album from Beach Boy drummer Dennis Wilson. Arguably the best Beach Boys related album since Pet Sounds, Pacific Ocean Blue is an album of raw power and serene beauty.

The middle child of the Wilson family, Dennis was considered the dark horse of The Beach Boys clan. His bad boy persona, addictions, and connections to Charles Manson made him a compelling if not controversial figure. His presence within the group grew in the seventies as group leader Brian Wilson battled personal demons and soon enough Dennis emerged as a talented singer/songwriter. In 1977 Dennis took his growing catalog of songs and recorded Pacific Ocean Blue, a soulful and strikingly affectionate record. Far more ambitious or compelling than anything The Beach Boys had done in years. Pacific Ocean Blue is a bright pearl in an otherwise dark era for the band.

The first surprise of Pacific Ocean Blue is how unlike The Beach Boys it sounds. With the exception of the upbeat “What’s Wrong” the songs on Pacific Ocean Blue are pure unadulterated Dennis Wilson. Wilson is soulful, emotional, and even at times sorrowful. There’s always been a certain sadness to Dennis Wilson’s gravelly voice. This could be partly attributed to his damaging addiction to alcohol and drugs. Though in way it’s that grittiness that makes Dennis’ voice so memorable.

What’s astounding is that such a dark and mature songwriter was hiding among an otherwise upbeat pop group. The opening track “River Song” is a gospel-like epic, while songs like “Thoughts of You” and “Time” carry a haunting sadness. In addition to vocal, piano, and drumming duties, Wilson co-produces alongside friend Gregg Jakobson to create a a complex listening experience. Like his older brother, Dennis is a fan of unconventional arrangements and uses a wide array of instruments and ideas. A song like “Thoughts of You” stands out in my mind for it’s reverbed soaked vocals during the song’s bridge. It sounds like something Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters could have dreamed up while recording The Wall.

Dennis Wilson is my favorite Beach Boy. Not only for his appealing rebel persona, but for his ability as a mighty musical force. Unfortunately, this was the only full album that Wilson finished before his tragic death by drowning in 1983. It’s interesting to think where Wilson’s career could have went, but that would have conflicted with his “live fast, die young” lifestyle. Either way we were fortunate to have received such a complex album from such a complex man.

Favorite Tracks: “River Song”, “Thoughts of You”, “Time”

It would of been easy to go with the soundtrack to Saturday Night Fever in remembrance of Bee Gee Robin Gibb. Instead I decided to go with the Bee Gees more affectionate and sweeping album Bee Gees’ 1st (though technically their third release). I often get the feeling that many people are unaware that the Bee Gees were already a notable Brit Pop band before their rise to Disco prominence. Perhaps better known in their native Britain, the Bee Gees in their early days were primarily known for their psychedelic brand of folk and tender pop ballads. Highlights on this album include such early Bee Gees’ classics as; “Holiday”, “To Love Somebody”, and “New York Mining Disaster 1941”.

Though it’s always been clear that Barry Gibb was the driving force of the Bee Gees, I’ve always felt that in the early years Robin was the most engaging vocalist of the group. Robin Gibb’s tender and very English delivery was always pitch perfect for the group’s ballads. “Holiday” is his crowning achievement on this album, finding an impeccable balance between beautiful and bittersweet. Of course all three of the Brothers Gibb are consummate vocalists resulting in some of the best harmonies you’d be likely to find in pop, or any genre for that matter. Though that wouldn’t mean anything if wasn’t for the fine songwriting credited to Barry and Robin (though I’ll assume that’s mostly Barry).

I’m gonna go on record and say that “To Love Somebody” is the best pre-1977 Bee Gees’ track. “To Love Somebody” might even be my favorite Bee Gees song period. It’s a lushly produced, catchy, pop ballad that could stand toe-to-toe with the best of any other British Invasion band of the time. Aside from the three most popular tracks I’ve already mentioned the rest of the album is just as enjoyable. The Bee Gees really excelled in the psychedelic pop department. It’s actually puzzling it took them as long as it did to become big in the U.S. Bee Gees’ 1st is an album I’d recommend to both fans of 60s pop and 70s Disco fans. The albums gives some intriguing insight into a band that was probably better than most people gave them credit for. R.I.P Robin Gibb.

Favorite Tracks: “Holiday”, “To Love Somebody”, “Turn of the Century”

I almost did this album for a Classic Album Tuesday a few weeks ago, so it was quite a shock when drummer/vocalist Levon Helm’s ailing health came up in the news not long after. Rock has lost a powerful figure with Levon’s passing, but at least I can come back to this album for comfort. The Band’s eponymous second album has always been my favorite from the group. It’s hard to believe any band could follow up a debut like Music from Big Pink with an album that in many ways is just as good. For one, this album has four of my favorite Band songs in a row; “Rag Mama Rag”, “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down”, “When You Awake”, and “Up On Cripple Creek”. All together it’s like a rootsy history lesson, rich with stories about the American landscape.

I’ve always found it surprising that The Band (with the exception of Arkansas native Levon Helm) were from Canada. Maybe it’s because guitarist Robbie Robertson’s songs captured the beauty of American culture better than most American musicians could. “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” is a fine example of Robertson’s fascination with old time America. The song is such a hauntingly beautiful story of the hardships of the Civil War, and one of the most affecting songs I’ve ever heard. Of course it helps when you have an extraordinary voice like Levon Helm belting out the lyrics with such sincerity. Though you can’t overlook the other voices in The Band. Bassist Rick Danko and pianist Richard Manuel both brought a great deal of heart and soul into their performances.

The musicianship harkens back to turn of the century folk with hints of modern rock and blues. This is convincing due to the fact that every member is so versatile. Take into account a song like “Rag Mama Rag”. Here we have Robbie Robertson on guitar, Garth Hudson on piano, Richard Manuel on drums, Rick Danko on fiddle, Levon Helm on vocals/mandolin, and producer John Simon playing the bass line on sousaphone. How many bands can so seamlessly switch around the lineup and still be so cohesive? Everyone here brings so much, it’s no wonder they were known simply as “The Band.”

There’s so much to say about this album that I can’t even express with the words. So I’m going to take the easy way out and wrap this up. I’ll always love both Band albums, but this one was my introduction to the group, so it will always have a place in my heart. This album is simply one of the best of it’s era and one of my all-time favorites.

Favorite Tracks: “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down”, “Rag Mama Rag”, “Up on Cripple Creek”

It can be difficult to find relevant albums week by week, so when I found out this album recently celebrated it’s 35th anniversary I jumped at the opportunity to review it. The Damned were a London based punk group most prominent in the punk boom of the late 70s. Led by the charismatic Dave Vanian (like Transylvanian), Damned Damned Damned was everything you could want in a lively and to-the-point punk debut. The songs here are energetic, enthusiastic, and even at times somewhat humorous. I mean what can you expect when a band has members with names like “Captain Sensible” and “Rat Scabies”. Produced by pop musician/frequent Elvis Costello producer Nick Lowe and released in that golden year of 1977, Damned Damned Damned is a must listen for any old school punk fan.

What separates The Damned from other punk groups of the time? That’s a good question and I’m not sure I know the answer. The closest thing they remind me of is The Stooges, if they were goofier and from England. They even cover The Stooges’ song “1970” under it’s original name “I Feel Alright”. Of course Dave Vanian is no Iggy Pop but he certainly has his own appeal. Vanian was well known for donning gothic vampire-like garb on stage that somehow only enhanced his crooner-like singing style. Alongside Bassist (later guitarist) Captain Sensible, known for his trademark red beret, The Damned were quite a spectacle on stage and still are as they continue to play live.

If you really want to label The Damned I suppose you could call them one of the originators of “Gothic Punk” if you want to get that specific with genres. Personally I just enjoy the songs and the energy behind them. Guitarist Brian James wrote the bulk of the material on the album and brings an edge by incorporating more traditional rock riffs but played at quick punk tempos. “Neat Neat Neat” and “New Rose” are both punk classics in their own right and pretty much speak for themselves. There’s also a video on YouTube of The Damned playing on The Craig Ferguson Show of all places from 2008 and I’m glad to say they sound just as good if not better then they ever have. How do these guys still do it? I don’t know, maybe they sold their souls.

Favorite Tracks: “Fan Club”, “Neat Neat Neat”, “New Rose”