In Part 5, Bryan Hall and I wrap up our track-by-track review of Summer in Paradise and try to make sense of the last half of the album. Along the way, we wrestle with eco-anthems, doo-wop detours, and some baffling production choices. Then we zoom out to ask the bigger questions: What was this album trying to be? What did it mean for The Beach Boys? And how did Mike Love end up both steering the ship and setting it on fire?

Is the album a skip or repeat? Listen to find out.

Want to rediscover The Beach Boys before this series? I made a playlist to get you all caught up. Listen on Apple Music or Spotify.

Listen to Summer in Paradise on YouTube here, or in high quality here. (It's not on any streaming service...)

Sources:

• Book: Good Vibrations: My Life As A Beach Boy (by Mike Love)
• Book: Catch a Wave (by Peter Aimes Carlin)
• Video: CNBC "The Real Story" (July '91)
• Video: Mike & Bruce on Maury Povich (June 14 '92)
• Video: The Infamous Goldmine Levitation Interview (July '92)
• Video: Mike & Bruce on MuchMusic (Aug '92)
• Video: Mike Interview in Finland (June 15 '93)
• Video: Beach Boys Reunion, Studio Session, and Interviews (1995)
• Video: John Stamos on Kelly Clarkson
• Article: The untold story of 'Kokomo,' the Beach Boys' most annoying song
• Article: Low Tide: The Beach Boys Hit Rock Bottom in 1992 with 'Summer In Paradise'
• Article: The Number Ones: The Beach Boys’ “Kokomo”
• Article: In 1992 The Beach Boys released Summer In Paradise. It was so bad it took them 20 years to put out another album
• Article: John Stamos Remembers Beach Boys Bandmate Jeff Foskett: 'I Can't Express How He Changed My Life'
• Article: The Beach Boys 1992 Flop Summer in Paradise Was All About Mike Love, Drum Machines and a Horrifying Foray into Hip Hop
• Article: John Stamos Is on Mike Love’s Side

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In part 4 we begin our track-by-track review of Summer in Paradise, breaking down the first half of the album. Bryan and I talk through lyrics, production, intentions, and what it all says about where the band was in 1992. Somehow it gets more confusing the deeper you go.

Want to rediscover The Beach Boys before this series? I made a playlist to get you all caught up. Listen on Apple Music or Spotify.

Listen to Summer in Paradise on YouTube here, or in high quality here. (It's not on any streaming service...)

Sources:

• Book: Good Vibrations: My Life As A Beach Boy (by Mike Love)
• Book: Catch a Wave (by Peter Aimes Carlin)
• Video: CNBC "The Real Story" (July '91)
• Video: Mike & Bruce on Maury Povich (June 14 '92)
• Video: The Infamous Goldmine Levitation Interview (July '92)
• Video: Mike & Bruce on MuchMusic (Aug '92)
• Video: Mike Interview in Finland (June 15 '93)
• Video: Beach Boys Reunion, Studio Session, and Interviews (1995)
• Video: John Stamos on Kelly Clarkson
• Article: The untold story of 'Kokomo,' the Beach Boys' most annoying song
• Article: Low Tide: The Beach Boys Hit Rock Bottom in 1992 with 'Summer In Paradise'
• Article: The Number Ones: The Beach Boys’ “Kokomo”
• Article: In 1992 The Beach Boys released Summer In Paradise. It was so bad it took them 20 years to put out another album
• Article: John Stamos Remembers Beach Boys Bandmate Jeff Foskett: 'I Can't Express How He Changed My Life'
• Article: The Beach Boys 1992 Flop Summer in Paradise Was All About Mike Love, Drum Machines and a Horrifying Foray into Hip Hop
• Article: John Stamos Is on Mike Love’s Side

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Follow the podcast on Instagram!

Part 3 takes us inside the making of Summer in Paradise, where we get some questionable decisions made leading up to the storm... We look at how Mike and Terry assembled a committee to write and record a “definitive soundtrack of summer,” complete with covers, hip hop beats, metal guitars, and lyrics about saving the planet. Sort of.

Want to rediscover The Beach Boys before this series? I made a playlist to get you all caught up. Listen on Apple Music or Spotify.

Listen to Summer in Paradise on YouTube here, or in high quality here. (It's not on any streaming service...)

Sources:

• Book: Good Vibrations: My Life As A Beach Boy (by Mike Love)
• Book: Catch a Wave (by Peter Aimes Carlin)
• Video: CNBC "The Real Story" (July '91)
• Video: Mike & Bruce on Maury Povich (June 14 '92)
• Video: The Infamous Goldmine Levitation Interview (July '92)
• Video: Mike & Bruce on MuchMusic (Aug '92)
• Video: Mike Interview in Finland (June 15 '93)
• Video: Beach Boys Reunion, Studio Session, and Interviews (1995)
• Video: John Stamos on Kelly Clarkson
• Article: The untold story of 'Kokomo,' the Beach Boys' most annoying song
• Article: Low Tide: The Beach Boys Hit Rock Bottom in 1992 with 'Summer In Paradise'
• Article: The Number Ones: The Beach Boys’ “Kokomo”
• Article: In 1992 The Beach Boys released Summer In Paradise. It was so bad it took them 20 years to put out another album
• Article: John Stamos Remembers Beach Boys Bandmate Jeff Foskett: 'I Can't Express How He Changed My Life'
• Article: The Beach Boys 1992 Flop Summer in Paradise Was All About Mike Love, Drum Machines and a Horrifying Foray into Hip Hop
• Article: John Stamos Is on Mike Love’s Side

Send us a text

Follow the podcast on Instagram!

In Part 2, I'm joined by Bryan Hall as we explore how The Beach Boys got here... from the success of "Kokomo" to the idea that they could maybe keep the train rolling without Brian Wilson. We talk about the state of the band in the early '90s, the missing voices, the strange optimism, and how Terry Melcher and Mike Love ended up behind the wheel.

Want to rediscover The Beach Boys before this series? I made a playlist to get you all caught up. Listen on Apple Music or Spotify. 

Listen to Summer in Paradise on YouTube here, or in high quality here. (It's not on any streaming service...)

Sources:

• Book: Good Vibrations: My Life As A Beach Boy (by Mike Love)
• Book: Catch a Wave (by Peter Aimes Carlin)
• Video: CNBC "The Real Story" (July '91)
• Video: Mike & Bruce on Maury Povich (June 14 '92)
• Video: The Infamous Goldmine Levitation Interview (July '92)
• Video: Mike & Bruce on MuchMusic (Aug '92)
• Video: Mike Interview in Finland (June 15 '93)
• Video: Beach Boys Reunion, Studio Session, and Interviews (1995)
• Video: John Stamos on Kelly Clarkson
• Article: The untold story of 'Kokomo,' the Beach Boys' most annoying song
• Article: Low Tide: The Beach Boys Hit Rock Bottom in 1992 with 'Summer In Paradise'
• Article: The Number Ones: The Beach Boys’ “Kokomo”
• Article: In 1992 The Beach Boys released Summer In Paradise. It was so bad it took them 20 years to put out another album
• Article: John Stamos Remembers Beach Boys Bandmate Jeff Foskett: 'I Can't Express How He Changed My Life'
• Article: The Beach Boys 1992 Flop Summer in Paradise Was All About Mike Love, Drum Machines and a Horrifying Foray into Hip Hop
• Article: John Stamos Is on Mike Love’s Side

Send us a text

Follow the podcast on Instagram!

In our 4th series, we're tackling The Beach Boys 1992 album Summer in Paradise with guest Bryan Hall. In Part 1, we go back to the early days of The Beach Boys to understand how one of America’s most innovative bands slowly transformed into a nostalgia act. We'll trace the group’s rise, Brian Wilson’s brilliance (and burnout), and how Mike Love managed to keep the name alive long enough to eventually... do this... thing.

Want to rediscover The Beach Boys before this series? I made a playlist to get you all caught up. Listen on Apple Music or Spotify.

Listen to Summer in Paradise on YouTube here, or in high quality here. (It's not on any streaming service...)

Sources:

• Book: Good Vibrations: My Life As A Beach Boy (by Mike Love)
• Book: Catch a Wave (by Peter Aimes Carlin)
• Video: CNBC "The Real Story" (July '91)
• Video: Mike & Bruce on Maury Povich (June 14 '92)
• Video: The Infamous Goldmine Levitation Interview (July '92)
• Video: Mike & Bruce on MuchMusic (Aug '92)
• Video: Mike Interview in Finland (June 15 '93)
• Video: Beach Boys Reunion, Studio Session, and Interviews (1995)
• Video: John Stamos on Kelly Clarkson
• Article: The untold story of 'Kokomo,' the Beach Boys' most annoying song
• Article: Low Tide: The Beach Boys Hit Rock Bottom in 1992 with 'Summer In Paradise'
• Article: The Number Ones: The Beach Boys’ “Kokomo”
• Article: In 1992 The Beach Boys released Summer In Paradise. It was so bad it took them 20 years to put out another album
• Article: John Stamos Remembers Beach Boys Bandmate Jeff Foskett: 'I Can't Express How He Changed My Life'
• Article: The Beach Boys 1992 Flop Summer in Paradise Was All About Mike Love, Drum Machines and a Horrifying Foray into Hip Hop
• Article: John Stamos Is on Mike Love’s Side

Send us a text

Follow the podcast on Instagram!

In this 4 part series, we dive into Joni Mitchell's 1985 album "Dog Eat Dog," a polarizing departure from her iconic 1960s folk roots. Embracing the digital soundscapes of the time, Joni channeled her frustration with the era's religious, political, and social controversies into a blunt political statement. Joining us to dissect this controversial chapter in Jon''s career is Jacob Ketcham.

In this episode (Part 4) I'll explain the background of each track and Jacob and I will give our thoughts and reviews for each one. Afterwards we'll assess the album as a whole and answer the question, skip or repeat?

Listen to the Primer Playlist on Apple Music or Spotify

Listen to Dog Eat Dog on Apple Music or Spotify

Sources (linked on Google Doc because it wouldn't let me list them all here)

• 3 Books
• 24 Articles
• 12 Youtube Videos
• 11 Podcast Episodes

The original Dog Eat Dog painting, The Shiny Toys single art, and my attempt at what could have been the original album art (Google Drive).

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In this 4 part series, we dive into Joni Mitchell's 1985 album "Dog Eat Dog," a polarizing departure from her iconic 1960s folk roots. Embracing the digital soundscapes of the time, Joni channeled her frustration with the era's religious, political, and social controversies into a blunt political statement. Joining us to dissect this controversial chapter in Jon''s career is Jacob Ketcham.

In this episode (Part 3) we will discuss the tense recording sessions and the release of Dog Eat Dog, what songs were popular in 1985, the reception of the album, and why we think it failed.

Listen to the Primer Playlist on Apple Music or Spotify

Listen to Dog Eat Dog on Apple Music or Spotify

Sources (linked on Google Doc because it wouldn't let me list them all here)

• 3 Books
• 24 Articles
• 12 Youtube Videos
• 11 Podcast Episodes

The original Dog Eat Dog painting, The Shiny Toys single art, and my attempt at what could have been the original album art (Google Drive).

Send us a text

Follow the podcast on Instagram!

In this 4 part series, we dive into Joni Mitchell's 1985 album "Dog Eat Dog," a polarizing departure from her iconic 1960s folk roots. Embracing the digital soundscapes of the time, Joni channeled her frustration with the era's religious, political, and social controversies into a blunt political statement. Joining us to dissect this controversial chapter in Jon''s career is Jacob Ketcham.

In this episode (Part 2) we are continuing to talk about the controversial 80's and why they made Joni so angry. There's plenty of political content here, so buckle up.

Listen to the Primer Playlist on Apple Music or Spotify

Listen to Dog Eat Dog on Apple Music or Spotify

Sources (linked on Google Doc because it wouldn't let me list them all here)

• 3 Books
• 24 Articles
• 12 Youtube Videos
• 11 Podcast Episodes

The original Dog Eat Dog painting, The Shiny Toys single art, and my attempt at what could have been the original album art (Google Drive).

Send us a text

Follow the podcast on Instagram!

In this 4 part series, we dive into Joni Mitchell's 1985 album "Dog Eat Dog," a polarizing departure from her iconic 1960s folk roots. Embracing the digital soundscapes of the time, Joni channeled her frustration with the era's religious, political, and social controversies into a blunt political statement. Joining us to dissect this controversial chapter in Joni's career is Jacob Ketcham.

In this episode (Part 1) we'll give an overview of Joni's early life and career up until 1984, and we'll talk about the rise of the conservative movement and how that affected Joni.

Primer Playlist on Apple Music or Spotify

“Dog Eat Dog” on Apple Music or Spotify

Sources (linked on Google Doc because it wouldn't let me list them all here)

• 3 Books
• 24 Articles
• 12 Youtube Videos
• 11 Podcast Episodes

The original Dog Eat Dog painting, The Shiny Toys single art, and my attempt at what could have been the original album art (Google Drive).

Send us a text

Follow the podcast on Instagram!

I'm joined by Gregg Adams as we look at Roland Orzabal's 2001 solo album Tomcats Screaming Outside. Haven't heard of the album or Roland Orzabal? Tomcats was nearly the 6th Tears for Fears album. Learn who Roland is and why you've never heard of Tomcats Screaming Outside.

Primer Playlist on Spotify and Apple Music

Listen to Tomcats Screaming Outside tracks here or on Youtube

Sources
Roland Orzabal website from 2001
September 2000 interview by Katherine Kelly
"Low Life" EPK video and interview
Interview with Roland & Curt from 2004
Comment on a short video interview with Roland in 2001
Interviews with Roland archived on fan site from 2002
Tomcats Screaming Outside info from TFF fan site from 2002
Italian interview with Roland from March 2001
Billboard review of Tomcats from October 2001
Niklas Forsberg review of Tomcats from April 2001

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Follow the podcast on Instagram!