That Lucky Old Sun

The founder of The Beach Boys is again in the center of attention

Brian Wilson, who founded the popular collective The Beach Boys in 1961, started his solo career in 1988. By that moment, he managed to struggle the strongest drug addiction and even win a serious mental illness. It is hard to believe, but one of the best America's singer-songwriters spent about three years in the self-initiated isolation in his bedroom, taking cocaine. The talented composer and lyricist was then treated by therapist Eugene Landy, whose treatment caused the other illness for Wilson - schizophrenia on the surface of a long-term use of strong medicines. Afterwards, Brian's therapist even wrote a book, in which he claimed to play the role of a messiah in Wilson's life, who gave him the idea of the solo career. However, the artist courted him and got the statement of the book's confiscation from sail. Unluckily, the talented musician's career was not cloudless; his self-titled debut was moderately acclaimed due to his transition from rock to pop. Nevertheless, the following recordings by the singer brought back his fame - especially after the artist managed to cope with his fear of the scene and renewed to give life performances. Characteristic of Brian Wilson's creativity complicated harmonies, his excellent texts and the memorable voice, that have been cheering the listeners for about five decades, became the basis for his new album That Lucky Old Sun.

That Lucky Old Sun: the dedication to California

Firstly, one should notice that all the wonderful work That Lucky Old Sun is dedicated to the native state of the artist, California, and to the center of entertainments Las Vegas in Nevada. In the texts of the album, one is sure to find many references to the colorful buildings of the city and its tourists' attractions. The disc opens with the titling rocky track That Lucky Old Sun, in which the Californian sun is wittily compared to the bum, wandering around the sky and looking at other people working. This song is borrowed by Wilson from the legacy of Louis Armstrong and serves as the original overture to the album. The tracks on the disc interchange with the excellent interludes about the beauties and sightseeing places of the Southern California - Room With A View, Venice Beach, Cinco De Mayo and Between Pictures. The poppy tune Morning Beat perfectly feats for the joyful and filled with promises beginning of the day. On the track Good Kind Of Love, the voice of the singer sparkles with the youthful jolliness and good mood, while the following romantic ballad Forever She'll Be My Surfer Girl sends us back to 1962 with its hit Surfer Girl by The Beach Boys. Touching the theme of religion, the swirling melody Live Let Live became one of the most beautiful parts of the album. The song Mexican Girl is elaborated in the retro slant of the 60's, when the music by The Beach Boys could be heard all over the USA. Tracks California Role and Southern California are also devoted to the native place of the singer, which is obvious from their titles. The bluesy ballad Midnight's Another Day is sure to amuse the listeners with the magnificent piano arrangement and Wilson's revelations.

Brian Wilson's bright stripe of life

After the sunny and joyful album That Lucky Old Sun, one would definitely realize that Brian Wilson successfully struggled with the long-time depression and stepped into the bright stripe in his life. The whole disc is united with the same topic - the theme of his love to the place of his birth. Although Wilson sings about his beloved state for many years, he cutely manages to avoid repetitions. Besides, the singer noticeably grew up as the lyricist and composer and on the long-play That Lucky Old Sun, he made a new step forward as the singer-songwriter. His talent of a soloist got its brightest incarnation on the disc Smile (2004), and a few people expected ant other gorgeous creation by the artist like this, by Wilson is never tired to astonish the listeners. In spit of the fact that the artist was appreciated for his ability to express any shades of sadness and grief with his vocals, That Lucky Old Sun proves that the searching soul of the singer finally found its happiness - and his songs about the eternal having fun are the same good and infectious. Although his's sunrise for Brian Wilson, then the solo career and especially the disc Smile can be considered as the midnight of his fame. Continuing the analogy, the full-length That Lucky Old Sun can be called the magnificent sundown of his career, colored with the noble tints of purple and gold - like the gorgeous sun rolling over the sea, which can be delighted endlessly from one of the Californian beaches.