Even Brian Wilson's most devoted fans would have to accept that his post-Beach Boys output has been, to put it kindly, a bit erratic. So while everyone's glad that the childlike Californian has put his mental traumas behind him and returned to the recording studio, no-one should expect him to produce anything even remotely as good as Pet Sounds. In fact, there's some truly awful stuff on Wilson's third solo album, particularly the MOR collaborations with his friends Elton John, Eric Clapton and the hopelessly saccharine Paul McCartney. Every now and then, there are glimpses of the glory days - grand orchestral arrangements, a cappella harmonies and childlike songs about girls and cars. But if you really want to hear Wilson at his godlike best, wait for the legendary lost album Smile, due to get its first proper release later this year.

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