Brian Wilson was the creative force within the Beach Boys. He devised their sublime harmonies, producing or writing seventeen top ten hits and eight gold albums in just four years. Artistically, he peaked with 1966's 'Pet Sounds', described by Paul McCartney as a major influence on 'Sgt Pepper'. During the Nineties, NME and Mojo have again ranked 'Pet Sounds' as the greatest album of all time.

However, he never completed the intended follow-up, due to his deteriorating schizophrenia, aggravated by drugs and the pressures of competing with the Beatles. After 'Good Vibrations', he would never again write another top ten hit. Brian was a has-been at the age of 24.

The subsequent years saw sporadic sparks of his former talent and the pathos of the disoriented 140kg Brian going to clubs dressed in his bathrobe. Therapy eventually enabled his re-adaptation to reality, although his controversial therapist was later banned from contacting Brian.

Wilson's first date with his wife was even arranged by his therapist, as Brian was too shy. The couple's adoption of two infant sisters inspired 'Dream Angel', one of nine new songs plus two Beach Boys remakes on 'Imagination', his first album of (mostly) new material in ten years.

'Imagination' was slickly co-produced to a glossy sheen by Joe Thomas (who was responsible for the abysmal 'Stars and Stripes' album, a flop tribute to the Beach Boys by a variety of country music stars). The results are generally bland, even dire as on 'Where Has Love Been?' 'Cry', 'Your Imagination' and 'South American' are the stronger songs, catchy but lightweight. 'Lay Down Burden' is dedicated to his brother Carl, who died in February of lung cancer. The track features beautiful multi-tracked harmonies from Brian in an ultimately boring song. Unhappily, the best track is a re-recorded 1965 Beach Boys B-side, 'Let Him Run Wild'.

'Imagination' suffered a lower US chart placing than even the new album from Ringo! Wilson's fans constantly hope for new material demonstrating his genius. Sadly, this album is not it.

Farell Russak

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