Pacific Ocean Blue

The solo album from co-founder of the Beach Boys Dennis Wilson. Another tragic story with a tragic end. It was interesting reading about Dennis' life, connection with Charles Manson, and downward spiral. The album seems to switch between very emotional melodic pieces and upbeat funk. The drop in Time really caught me offguard. The song is two minutes of emotional wailing and then there's this really funky beat drop for the final minute with no vocals. Overall, I can't help but think this album was "critically acclaimed" because of his tragic death. If Dennis Wilson's death wasn't so tragic, how would this album be seen? While it is beautifully composed, there's almost this "cry for help i'm literally drowning" feel; which is almost ironic since he died after diving in the ocean in December while completely drunk and drowning.

neat but way too long

Pretty easy listening but this is in one ear and out the other for me.

Sounded like the lesser talented Wilson brother for sure. Weak light rock

Singer's voice wasn't great. Pretty awful lyrics. At the very least the songs were usually unique enough to remain interesting, even if they weren't all good.

Alright, not my vibe

The beach boys but worse

Very mediocre

This was a little bit of a letdown because there were ideas I liked within songs, but at no point did I feel like the album was winning me over or had a consistent theme that I could appreciate. It felt very messy and scattered.

Remember that scene in Boogie Nights when dirk diggler was making an album? Now imagine that album has a little production value and is 2 hours long

1,6/5

2/3

not really my thing can't explain why

Ok

I really feel like I should give it more of a chance but it fell so damn flat for me

This record was maybe one of the more interesting listens. Never heard of this guy before. Perhaps he’s one of the Beach Boys? I don’t know. Never looked into it. The reason why I think that he might be…. Is that this record is kind of all over the place in regards to style. It sounds nothing like the Beach Boys. But instead sounds more like Randy Newman ripping off other artists. At one point there was a song that sounded like King Crimson. The next was a ballad. Then another that could have been an Elton John song. Then a Pink Floyd song…. There is a song on this deluxe edition that had the late Taylor Hawkins covering one of the songs. But honestly… it adds no substance to the song. It’s him on drums..:. But it showcasing his skill. Maybe his singing and playing drumming? But I doubt it’s recorded that way. Cash grab if anything.

It’s just the beach boys but worse

If this is your thing, then it will be fine. Not my thing not really interested in it. I only think this album is on here because it's Dennis Wilson if it was anyone else, this would be classified as a typical basic rock album. As I listen to more and more of this I start to wonder is this Dennis Wilson trying to be John Lennon or was John Lennon trying to be Dennis Wilson on his solo work.

Not bad but way too long.

Not for me, couldn’t get into any songs

There were some really cool instrumental moments in the blues-inspired tracks like "Dreamer" and "Time," but I found most of this album boring.

I have no words for how boring this is.

It wasn't bad, I would put this on in the background if I had guests over.

5/10 - ok but waaaay too long, some decent songs but it draaags at times

Dennis Wilson always seemed like the second coolest Wilson. He surfed, he was meant to be the actual link to the California scene. Yeah, really cool. Not hard when you're with Brian Wilson (clever, very clever, but not cool) and Mike Love (villianously uncool!). Brian Wilson said some nice things about Dennis in his book (and some very unpleasant things about Mike Love. Ha! Ha! Ha!) in his book. But, apart from being a Wilson, he leaves no impact to me as a Beach Boy. He started writing songs post Pet Sounds, so I'm out. The album is inoffensive, over produced and his crooning comes across as an old uncle who has got his hands on the mic. There's nothing pretty here. Yes, a few melodies are nice. On my first listen of the first two songs, I said aloud that I'd had enough and put on some 2000s pop punk to clean out my ears. I'd like to point out that I did this while walking, so anyone nearby would have heard me talking to myself. The Farewell song was quite sweet. I didn't hate it. But I won't be listening to this album anytime soon. Welcome to the 2 club. Keep Purple Rain company! 2 Stars.

Best Song: Time. I really liked the brass section, and the way the song built to a satisfying conclusion. Worst Song: School Girl. I don't need this grown man to be longingly singing about school girls. Nobody needs that. Overall: The despair I felt when I saw that this album was two hours long. It had well made its point by the 30 minute mark, yet for some godforsaken reason felt the need to repeat itself with minor variations for another 90. There's a song called "End of the Show" that takes place fully before the halfway point. There's a whole song about how love "remembers" him, which is then immediately followed by a song about how love also "surrounds" him. When paired with the album art, this feels like an album which the artist forces you to listen to in its entirety without comment, after which he gently kills you in cold blood. It doesn't even raise his blood pressure.

Proof that while a little acid is good for creativity, a lot of acid is not. The backing tracks are groovy; early 70s LA studios produced some of my favorite sounds. The problem is that this sounds less like a collection of songs than the ramblings of a whacked-out-junky-busker.

Dennis Wilson’s lone solo effort is revered as a lost 70s classic, but it wasn’t for me. I enjoyed the brassy, gospel swell of “River Song” and the wistful title track “Pacific Ocean Blues,” but the rest drifted too far into slow, murky waters. I can respect the ambition and ragged soul, but in the end it just dragged too much to hold my attention.

Music from before music got good. Fortunately not too painful!

Too Floydish but not in the good way :(

Boring. 2 might be harsh

2 stars For some reason this one didn’t do it for me. It seemed like a simple record of rock songs that I could just absorb, but none of it would stick. It was like trying to hold onto a lump of sand, it kept slipping through. It wasn’t bad, but it didn’t stick.

Off the cuff remark: clearly expensive big production but pretty uninspiring. Have to confess I had no idea who this was til I looked it up. All the more disappointing for that. No standout tracks and I don't plan on listening to this again

Han kunde inte bestämma vilken genre han ville köra och allt var generiskt

First impression pre listen: It's kinda difficult getting into a solo project from a member of the Beach Boys without being much into the band in the first place. Maybe that's why I've never heard of this album. This seems like the exact kind of album I'd expect to be on this list. For the sake of time I'll be sticking to the original 37 minute release version, though depending on if I like it or not I'll give the 2 hour version a go. Hoping for a new discovery. Individual track notes: River Song Was not expecting it to have such a large and developed sound. The almost spiritual choir elements are very pleasant. I like the additional deep background vocals. I'm not exactly impressed by the lyrics here, feels very basal and shallow for such an expressive sound. It has potential based on the way the song is arranged, however I feel the final product falls a bit flat. It's almost as if its two different songs mashed together. Fine. 3/5 What's Wrong Kinda obnoxious with the tooting horns. Very generic writing style, with very little to set it apart from similar songs. Fades into the background. Almost offensively average. Dislike. 2/5 Moonshine I think it opens up quite strangely. Not much a fan of his voice here, feels very forced and choked. I find the production to be quite montonous, the mix is especially disagreeable as it sounds very compressed. The track does rise in quality nearing the end, the harmonies and melodic movements of the closing segment is really satisfying. A bit of a mixed bag. Average. 2.5/5 Friday Night Quite cinematic and present sounding opening. Hate his voice. Terrible lyrics. Parts or the instrumental really drown out the vocals. I enjoyed the large opening and closing segments of the instrumental a bit. Dislike. 2/5 Dreamer An absolute mess of a track. The mix sounds like absolute shit. Everything is at a weird volume and it keeps shifting. Horrible horns. Sleazy and unlikeable vocals, luckily they're barely in focus. Awful. 1/5 Thoughts of You He sounds drunk or half asleep. The piano is kinda pleasant. Awful vocal effect. I like the contrast between the somber and quiet piano and the very abrasive synth heavy segment. Sure makes the track interesting at least. Fine. 3/5 Time Unconvincing vocals, his voice is still not something I think I'll ever be able to enjoy. He oversells it which I think makes it sound very goofy. The instrumental section is very cool. Love the interplay between the horns and guitar. The jankiness is really charming. Fine. 3/5 You and I Just kinda underwhelming. It's slow and has an okay atmosphere to its instrumental, but the vocals sort of take you out of it. Sounds rambly and overdone. Dislike. 2/5 Pacific Ocean Blues A bit of a generic blues rock song if not for some help from the additional vocals to give it a hint of originality. Not terrible, just sort of alright. Average. 2.5/5 Farewell My Friend Nice sentiment. The vocals have a decent amount of emotion behind them. The harmonies give it a contemplative atmosphere. Don't mind the simple piano. Decent. 3.5/5 Rainbows Has a good vibe to it. His vocals are still not it and the instrumental has its irritating moments. At least it sounds warm and positive. Average. 2.5/5 End of the Show He sounds like he's one foot in the grave... Aimless and boring. Beyond that not terrible. Dislike. 2/5 Final review: I struggle to see the point of it to be honest. It has the occasional impressive backing harmony and sometimes a pleasant instrumental section. Bar that the album is awfully generic, finding it lacking when it comes to original ideas. The songwriting is mostly boring and predictable, and when it isn't its aimless and all over the place. Wilson's vocals range from constipated rock and roller to deranged hollering homeless man, and on the occasional moment where they're fine they lack any presence or impact. The mixing is genuinely puzzling at times and has certain songs sound so compressed they're barely discernable as consisting of varying elements. Yes the album has moments where it's passable, however it far too often slides into mediocracy for it to be much more than a forgetable slog. I could see it having additional appeal if you're nostalgic about 1970's California, but if you're not your're likely to just be bored and confused. I'd also like to add that the album does in general sound quite personal, having moments of solid reflection. The spiritual sounding choir elements work decently well at conveying some emotions Wilson's own performance can't always produce. In conclusion: a bit unremarkable. 2/5

*1977 album. Mix of singer-songer with some extra production. *2 discs - 1:52 total run time. *I thought this would totally be in my wheelhouse, but I just wasn't digging it. Mostly boring and a bit self-indulgent. *Didn't realize this was Dennis Wilson of Beach Boys fame. Died at 39 y.o. in 1983 from drowning/drinking accident. RATING - 6/10 RATING - 6/10

I read up on this album and was excited. However, I think I'd take basically any Beach Boys release (barring Smile) over this. I found this very boring and I don't like it. 1.5/5

Meh. 2/5

Boring. Two hours of absolute nothingness.

A very big undertaking. Some interesting tracks. Probably needs more listens.

Once again, this is another album with relatively high ratings that I cannot comprehend. The production is mediocre at best, and his voice drowns most of the time in the wall of sound. The music is not bad, but nothing outstanding. It's just another '70s rock album like a thousand others released in that decade.

Meh

Kind of a cross between beach boys & bruce springsteen…….interesting

4/10

Struggle to get through this

It had moments

J - 2/5 Best Track - "River Song" F - DNL

If this album was 50% shorted it would have stood a chance. Such long albums just dilute anything that has any substance. Not even his excessively thick facial hair could save this one.

This listen was overshadowed by the knowledge of how intimidatingly long it was going to be - at nearly 2 hours long it really put me off getting into it and through it. There were some tracks that were ok (Mexico was a fave) but I was just frustrated the entire time. I would probably have enjoyed it much more if it was 2/3rds less long. Wilson is an excellent name, I enjoyed seeing it emblazoned across the album cover plus a somewhat distracting amount of hair.

6/10/25. Solid album, somewhat deep in The Beach Boys anthology. The second half stands out a lot more than the first, and the songs are more straight up pop vs. progressive. Decent listen.

Very generic

Bustam aaaaa

This has a good few decent songs but it's almost 2 hours long. That's too long for an album

Very forgettable

Tedious and aggressively average. 1.5 stars.

If I wanted to listen to Joe Walsh, I'd listen to Joe Walsh. This is some terrible shit. The critics were right to hate this when it came out. It's only with a softened lense that this even looks halfway decent. I just get pissed when I think of the bands that get omitted for this middling bullshit.

A nice enough album but I just couldn't get into it The songs just left me feeling depressed if I'm being honest 2 ⭐️

When she gives you a 30th Anniversary Edition Disc one: Pacific Ocean Blue (bonus tracks) first track 😳

Great... easy listening. Pass for me.

Its referred to as a classic.. I find it quite ordinary though

Not for me.

Not my favorite.

I don’t think this would be on this list if Dennis wasn’t apart of The Beach Boys. The album isn’t bad but it’s not great.

Zzz

I’m a pretty big fan of The Beach Boys so I was fairly excited when I learned about this album. But the problem is that this album doesn’t really have a gem to me. I can hear the craftsmanship and talent that went into this album, however nothing really stood out as super memorable. It wasn’t bad though that’s what’s hard to get across. This album is not offensive to the ears, or patronizing, or disingenuous, it’s just completely forgettable. Not bad, nor great, not memorable. Definitely a huge disappointment though.

Ok but felt a bit derivative of all he’d ever done with the Beach Boys.

Like a blue-eyed soul Beach Boys....it is scratching some of my itches. I bet this is Billy Joel's favorite album. What's Wrong.....that title says more than it meant to when it was written. It's better than the worst Beach Boys...but not much. This album is very uneven....even some of the songs. There's a Steely Dan feel to this album that I do not like. It just got really Steely Dan on You and I. This sounds vaguely like every 70s album rolled into one, Joe Walsh now. Pacific Ocean Blues is the best song though. The one thing I'll say is this album is very short.

Very boring. Nothing to this at all.

Wilson's Pacific Ocean Blue fell flat. Had a consistent sound but I think it really pales in comparison to his work with the Beach Boys.

beachy boii

Cool album with an interesting ambience to it, nothing too stand out here but I enjoyed the sound overall

Zzzzzzzzzzzzz

Very 70s

I'm not into this style of 70's pop rock. I can't call it bad, but it isn't for me.

It’s fine. Less surprising or engaging than the ambient sounds of the overground I’ve heard for the last 3 and a half years though. Dennis Wilson said this album had no substance and who am I to disagree with a beach boy

Oh yikes. Feels like The Beach Boys Bible Revival Revue. It’s nice that they know how to play their instruments. But that’s it for me.

Just couldn't get into this at all.

joa, insgesamt etwas ruhig; technisch/musikalisch ganz schön

Another example of why punk happened. This is a bloated mess of classic middle of the road rawk, lots of studio time devoted to fleshing out tired songs.

4/10

p386. 1977. 2.5 stars. 70s Beach Boys, but with rough vocals and no standout tunes. Fabulous production though.

This was an ok album but an extremely interesting story to read about. Hard to rank it’s the highest of 2s and lowest of 3s.

Mye pen musikk her, åpenbart veldig flinke folk. Men det sier meg lite.

Zu schwermütig, irgendwie überproduziert.

It was Ok

Ok but didn't capture my attention enough

Kind of blends into the background. Kinda Jesus heavy...

Nothing bad about it but nothing memorable either. A couple of toe-tappers but not one ear-worm. A bit cookie-cutter. A totally forgettable album.

I can see how this was an influential album. That said. It's too long, and I lost interest along the way. If edited down, I think I would have appreciated it more.

One good song

background music

Never heard of Dennis Wilson before. You can hear a little bit of Beach Boys influence, but its not enough to give this album much of a boost. Not bad really, but nothing great either. Best song: Pacific Ocean Blues

There are some good songs here but it all sounds s bit derivitive. The opening song; The River,probably the catchiest on the album, sounds enough like Tiny Dancer at the opening that I found myself singing; Blue Jeans baby.... but if you're going to rip off a piano riff you could definitely do worse. It it's a good song. The next song sounds like a generic honky tonk bar band doing their best song and that theme of songs that lack a personality of their own continues throughout. So it's a pleasant album with good if unoriginal songs that does not beat repeated listens. 2.5 stars

2.5 it was alright

229/1001

Not for me sorry!

Why?

a couple of songs were good but the rest were bad bordering on cringe.

It wasn't awful but not really my cup of tea

I have mixed feelings about this album. I’m sorry he passed away. Dennis Wilson cannot sing very well. +1 because… The Beach Boys

Carefully crafted. Insipid. 5/10

This was a little disappointing. I'd assumed it was on the list for some good reason--not sure what that is right now.

I kind of had some high hopes based on the intro to the first song but it settled into an album I found grating to listen to. Not sure if it was his vocals or just the blend of 70s rock stylistic element . Or both. 2.5.

haunting, interesting, mostly fun

This is very not what I expected, and kind of reminded me of yesterday's Nick Cave. Except, like, slower and more 70's in sound and instrumentation.

Meh. Nice but unmemorable

Geht so

First of all, I love the name of this album. However, that was the best thing about the album for me. It's not bad and I didn't hate it, but I found it a bit dull and bland. I felt like most of the songs just didn't go anywhere. I did like the last part of "Time" and how upbeat "Pacific Ocean Blues" was. The rest, though, was perhaps a bit too chill for my liking.

This album may have gotten a 3 if it was a normal length, but the fact that it's 33 songs and nearly 2 hours long just makes it annoying.

Can only imagine this guy had the chance to make an album because he was the drummer for the Beach Boys. Otherwise, this sounds like it could be any other mid-to-late 70s asshat, throwing spaghetti at the wall (Soulful? Sure. Honky tonk? I guess. Bluesy funk and some balladeering? Why not!) Bonus - it's with a less than stellar voice. But props to anyone whose wiki mentions having to buy rafts of penicillin for Manson family cult members due to the persistent gonorrhoea. Way to shoot for the moon, I guess.

Um, not a great voice. Music was fine, but not very inspired. A bit boring tbh.

It's ok but I can't help thinking of Brian Wilson's solo work in comparison and this doesn't hold up well. Low 2.

Boring yet inoffensive

Yawn

A raspy, ethereal, orchestral rock album with a highly original sound. That original sound did not really click with me, but it’s certainly a fascinating one. RIP Dennis. Best song: Rainbows

A bit bland honestly. His voice isn't very strong at all, feels like it's in the background for a lot of the album. Songs don't really stick out either, it's just plain folk by the numbers. Meh.

Grand arrangements, tame blues rock, piano ballads and faux-pink-floydisms. In a word: booooooring. Some nice horns and a general inoffensive chill vibe saves it from one star oblivion.

Beach Boys were not my scene. Too clean cut, overly melodic, boring. They just never broke thru my need for long hair, bell bottoms, and that free lovin vibe. Dennis was a mess, but at least he could surf.

I’m a fan of a lot of the Beach Boys stuff. At least I think so. Most of this was pleasant but repetitive after a while. Wouldn’t complain if someone turned this on in the background but I’d never seek this out to listen to again. 2.5/5

Meh

Fairly boring. Did enjoy the title track, but overall the album was missing standout songs. 2/5 Probably won’t listen again

Reading the history of Dennis Wilson was ten times more interesting than this album was.

Double albums have to go so fucking hard. This is flaccid as it comes.

No.

This was my second two-hour long album in a row, so it may be the bias and fatigue talking, but I was happy when it finished. Nothing offensively bad about it, it's just a bit dull.

Some okay late 70s sounds, but WAY TOO LONG!! The decent songs just drown in a sea of samey blandness.

I’m not convinced that nominating 17-disc, 5 hour-long compilations of single artist’s work as examples of “albums you must listen to before you die” is really doing great work. I mean, there’s gonna be some stuff in there that’s good with that playtime, but is it all something I need to listen to before I die, or is it just going to take me that length of time to complete the task? This album seems to be made by a tortured soul. Pretty and disturbing and pretty disturbing at points. It triggered me to read about Dennis Wilson’s death - pretty disturbing given that the name of this album was the murder weapon.

Meh, kind of boring. This didn't do much for me and I've never been much of a Beach Boys fan so I'm not looking at this through those rose colored glasses. 2.5/5

Not to be a dick or anything, but I think Brian Wilson may have been pretty darn important to the Beach Boys.

It’s good but goes on forever and is totally overstated

I don't get him. 2/5

a little too jazzy without being funky?

Probably on here more for the artists and his story than the music itself because the music itself is super generic. 4/10

I think this was quite boring album

Songwriting is good, but just felt like almost beach boy songs.

2.5

It didn't leave much of an impression upon me. It was just okay.

2.5

Rock, Pop, Folk, 1977 -> 2

Solid production and performance, but I didn't care for the songwriting much.

Got 75% through volume 1. It was alright, the first song and the ocean blues were the best of what I listened to. Wasn’t terrible but I wasn't a fan. Might finish it later and see if it gets better further in the album

Pretty egregious for this to be 2 hours

Deluxe double album. No thanks

Hmm 50-50

Fuck me! I’m suffering through this 2 hour snooze fest before I realize I’m not listening to the original release but the 30th Anniversary edition which includes extra bad music. At least The Beach Boys were uptempo- happy- joyful music. Made you feel good. This takes the worst of The Beach Boys and sings bad lounge music. This was a punishment.

Too much Dennis Wilson. Sorry Dennis

I really tried ... paid attention to each song, listened for the melodies and the chord progressions, tried to get the gist of the lyrics. But in the end, I ended up feeling the way the guy on the album cover (Dennis) looks - somber and seemingly dissatisfied with the whole thing.

This was too long.

I think we've had enough beach boys on this list now, there was nothing here that was better than pet sounds, and that album was passable at best. Trying to be experimental after your harmony vocal band doesn't seem to lead to good results. Not a painful listen but wouldn't recommend.

Not as bad as I initially thought, but playing the first three songs without O5 approval should be prohibited

meh

Grappig album met een vleugje 70's Beach Boys sound. Het mag mij allemaal wel iets meer up-tempo. **

Not for me, thanks. The best thing I can say about it is that it doesn’t sound like The Beach Boys. I’ll give him a bit of credit for that.

Actually, Wilson was the ball. The guy's name was Tom Hanks. Opens with a great song and then quickly devolves into generic 70s rock. Very interesting read though. The Beach Boys are a rabbit hole.

Not for me

Disappointing. It feels like Dennis didn't play his best game on this Album.

Beach Boys co-founder performing his only solo album. Rock / pop from the 70's.

Is this Kurt Russell. It runs either good or background.

I came. I saw. I tried. I can't do it. Not a Beach Boys fan, including independent splinter projects.

Inspiring music production, though I’m not particularly moved by the vocal performance. “Mexico” felt like punishment.

Wasn't a huge fan of this.

Its not for me.

I’m guessing Dennis Wilson wanted to branch out creatively, and this is definitely a departure from The Beach Boys, albeit a strange one.

Ugh this was so long. Any redeeming qualities were unredeemed at like 50 minutes. Also was not matching the Texas vibe. Maybe I should start tomorrrow w some country.

This album was way longer than I would have liked, the songs were mostly ok but a lot were pretty boring 4.5/10

Fine, but repetitive and boring 4/10

I really could have died without listening to this album and been fine. It's really boring. Mostly the same all the way through and never goes anywhere or does anything remotely interesting. Country is already one of if not my least favourite genre, so this album was already on thin ice the second I saw it. I still went in with as much of an open mind as I could, but I was immensely underwhelmed.

Swanky and swaggery at times. It has a hint of the Beach Boys but different enough to stand on its own feet. Heavy threads of sadness throughout, especially the songs "Home," "Farewell My Friend," and "End of the Show" which hit hard knowing he is struggling so much with substance abuse at the time of recording. Actually forget it the whole gd album is acutely sad.

I didn’t think this was very good. A couple of songs weren’t bad but overall mediocre at best.

Kinda long, homie

I can see why he didn’t reach beach boys levels

Good musicianship but I just couldn’t get into it

Meh, slow and uninteresting

I actually really liked it. But everything can't be a 3 and I need to draw a line somewhere.

The first 7 tracks or so were too experimental for me to consider this even a good album as I don't believe they were successful experiments for the most part. The last few tracks started to build something more listenable but there wasn't enough there. This one is not for me. track by track: 1 - Well this is pleasant. It does get a little overwhelming almost with the amount of layers going on. Decent track to start us out. 2 - This feels like a throw-back. It's fine but not really my jam. 3 - I can be down for a ballad but this just feels like it is being played on 75% speed. I cannot get into it. 4 - Intro makes me feel like we are in a western movie. Now we've transitioned into some sort of blues? I don't mind it. 5 - What IS this album? I mean... this is fine. There's a jazzy feel and the rhythm is catchy. Is that a digeridoo? 6 - This is pretty. It isn't catchy or memorable but it seemed very earnest. 7 - Another song that feels experimental. I'm sensing a pattern. 8 - OK... I like the way the backup vocals come in on this one. 9 - Feels like the best song so far. I wouldn't seek it out but it delivers on what it promised. 10 - This song feels a little familiar but I'm not sure. It's just fine. 11 - Another decent track. I'm glad we have put together a few listenable tracks in a row. 12 - Certainly sounds like an ending track. I'm ready for this to be over too. I do like the gentle build though.

Some nice moments but overall did not wow me.

Genre: Pop, Folk Rock Instruments: 3/5 Modern Translation: 2/5 Dance Potential: 1/5 Listening Location: Flying home from Sydney Heard it before: No Favourite Song: Thoughts of You, Common Made me feel: Two hours is too long for an album. I appreciated that it entertained me the whole flight home and that there were some instrumental songs. The album actually had variety, but the length worked against my rating of this.

Meh.

Slightly on the boring side.

This was okay. 2.5 stars.

Not for me

There's a track on here with a killer saxophone solo other than that the rest of this is just kind of dull and lifeless. Some interesting instrumental sections but nothing too stand out. Also incredibly long she doesn't help with the dullness.

Music for when you’re sad, drunk and at the beach.

Didn't care for this one. The title track was alright. Will I listen to again: 0%

Not sure why this album is considered such a cult classic...nothing special about it at all. Probably the 3rd time I have given it a go in my life. 2/5

Not really my jam. Friday Night is a banger. The rest is too much rich white rock star living in California whining because he did way too much cocaine and befriended Charles Manson.

Meh

Wow, that's a lot of songs. Overall, I can hear how skilled he is as a composer and musician. Admittedly, I wasn't very interested in most of the tracks -- nothing wrong with them, just not my thing -- but there are some good musical moments sprinkled throughout.

Sja. Dit is er vast weer zo een die je aandachtiger moet luisteren, of vaker. Maar voor nu vind ik er niet bijzonder veel aan. Maar het is ook niet slecht. Toch blijf ik bij de eerste ingeving: 2 sterren.

Not for me

Eh

5 star wiki; 2 star album.

An interesting album in that I can hear a mix of 60s, 70s, and 80s influences, which would make sense given how long Dennis Wilson had been in the biz when he recorded this. I actually like his voice, even if drugs and alcohol supposedly ruined it. I don't dislike this, but I doubt I'll listen to it again.

Some of this is kinda interesting but overall impression is boring. 2.5

Hey - it's my third favorite Beach Boy! So, the band breaks up and Dennis decides he wants to cut out on his own and do like a Pink Floyd meets Joe Walsh kinda album. Spoiler alert - it didn't work.

If this album was only 40 mins, it would have been 4 stars, but this thing overstayed it's welcome twice.

This is an okay record. There are some good moments but it is pretty much the dad rockification of the beach boys. He has musical talent and good arrangements/production but there is something that is missing for me that lets me connect to it. There is almost too much going on. Layers that sound pleasant but just every instrument/random piece he can think of thrown in.

Dad rock: very polished, soft rock which features treats of blues, funk, etc, has tons of instrumentation that goes nowhere and makes you feel nothing. See Pacific Ocean Blue 4.0/10

Nebola to zhoda :D Samozrejme, 33 skladieb :DDD

Some familiar sounds and well crafted instrumental mastery. Maybe if I spent more time with the lyrics I would want to revisit this but it just isn't compelling to me and I doubt I would ever listen to this again.

I thought one Wilson was enough

So i’m not sure how I feel about this album honestly. I think it’s exactly what I was expecting, nothing more or less, just there. Neither over nor underwhelmed, just yeah.

Kedeligt

based on the original 12 song album, not bad - nothing special -- 2 star. Continued through 2-disc edition of Pacific Ocean Blue & Bambu - CD Deluxe Legacy Edition (3 extra tracks for disc one, and another disc).

Mikä tätä albumin pituutta vaivaa, oikeestiko sulla on näin paljon asiaa, Dennis? Parempaa kuin Beach boys ainakin aluksi, mutta puuduttaa sitten nopeasti. Vaikkei ole lahjaton tyyppi, hänelle on tässä annettu vähän liikaa aikaa.

Not a bad sound but expecting people to listen to it for 30+ songs is taking the piss.

The context of an ex-Beach Boy finding his own way gave this some intrigue, but the music itself made little impression on me. It threatened to get interesting every now and then but never really got beyond 'somewhat pleasant.'

So-so. Surprisingly gruff voice for a Beach Boy. Songs were varied mix of 70s rock and pop - nothing cheesy, but nothing amazing either.

This album had next to no affect on me, positive or negative. Just ok which given the ton of nonsense that makes up this 1001 list, is a nice compromise. 5/10.

So derivative, no hooks, nothing.

Ho-hum 70s MOR

Wasn’t a huge fan of it. His voice wasn’t great for me, and a lot of songs were boring musically. I did like “under the moonlight” though.

I'm sure this is full of talent and musical ability and yes, it is well produced, but holy hell this is boring. I mean, it's Taylor Swift level beige. And dear gods, it's long. Well, actually not. Only look at the original pressing and you're on 12 tracks. It just feels like several decades of your life you won't get back.

Not my favorite, to be honest. This feels like the kind of music I'm only going to enjoy when I turn 45 years old.

Inget vidare faktiskt.

I didn't get this. Like I don't get Pet Sounds. It's just too safe. Too FM radio. It feels old. And not in a good way.

BL: know zilch about Dennis Wilson, he looks cool though, so I will see how it pans out. AL: Apparently Dennis Wilson was a Beach Boy. Album was pretty OK. The type of music you'd see your disillusioned uncle put on in his car, blues and light rock tracks you could imagine a beach boy in his latter years making. Can't say any tracks really stood out at all, maybe I will give it a relisten and see if it changes though. FT: didn't stand out whatsoever rip 2/5

tarttee kyylää. alku oli huono, sitten tuli semmonen 10-15min stintti täyttä kultaa... ajatus oli nelosenmpuolelle, mutta taisin vahingossa seuraava tunti ja vartti laittaa saman biisin uudelleentoistoon...sanat oli vähän erilaiset mutta kuulosti niin vitun samalta.. harmi että ei voi ykköstä laittaa kun rupesi vituttaa sitä tahtia JAAHAS sama pianon plömpytys ALKO TAASKIN.. aivan sama ja ktösdlfgmasgsfköjsdgdflgk scaeröocjdifgva seuraava päivä vittu dreamer

I don't need 33 mediocre folk songs to fill 2 hours of my life.

The opening song is great and got me very excited for this, but unfortunately the rest is pretty mid. There’s some nice instrumental sections here and there (Dreamer was another highlight) but most of it is very generic with naff lyrics

not a great record IMHO Interesting as a 'solo record by one of the Beach Boys' he's got a nice singing voice really nothing else special about this really though it wasn't offensive

Started off promisingly but then disappeared up its own arse.

its like they let some hippie in the studio for a couple hours

Didn't listen to it all the way through, kinda got bored

Meh, I found this album pretty boring, maybe you had to experience it at the time.

Nothing interesting to me here. Favorite track: Time

Not for me

This started off pretty good but got very very whiny in the middle! Was about to stop it but got slightly better again at You and I, but not great.

Hmm. I was not really feeling this.

Yawn

No thank you

It's... fine, I guess? People worked hard on making this album, and it sounds great. But I will never seek it out again.

It was OK.

This album is ok. A couple of the songs are good, but overall a bit boring. Not much else to say about this album. Favorite song: River song, this song has pretty good energy to it Worst song: Farewell My Friend, was gonna fall asleep listening to this song

Pleasant enough, just didn't really do much for me. Favorite track: "Pacific Ocean Blue"

boring and uninspired. 2.

Too long and same-y. Enjoyed a few early tracks but got bored with it

Mislila sam da ce biti neki lijepi country album po coveru. NOPE. Ovo je dad rock.

Dosadan album, jebiga. Sve šta ima da Beach Boysima mi očito ne paše. Ne znam.

Tsja, weet niet zo goed wat ik hier mee moet. De meeste nummers zijn niet echt uit elkaar te houden, zeker op de tweede disc. Ik vind de paar wat meer funky nummers best aardig.

Didn’t love this. Pretty mediocre and enormous length too but all sounded the same

Not my cup of tea

Not a fan of The Beach Boys so the same here.

Not terrible, but nothing grabbed me.

Meh

I love The Beach Boys. At least three of the songs on this album sound like The Eagles. I hate the fuckin' Eagles, man. "Thoughts of You" kind of reminds me of Eels which was interesting at least.

bland. I didn't enjoy. He needs his brothers!

Dreamer is a cool song. Thoughts Of You follows up and is also really stretches its dyanmic muscles. Decent album but im not really into the Wilson brothers mystique

Genre: Pop Rock 2/5 Dennis certainly ain’t Brian. One of the Wilson's of Beach Boys fame, this one named Dennis, decided one day to make the most boring album he could. He had a little too much money, so he over produced it a bit, rendering it not quite as boring as it could've been, but god damn this is still pretty boring. A lot of strings, a lot of ballads, and one good song (River Song). This hits a lot of the right buttons that you might generally expect from a pop rock album, but with none of the pizzazz. Dennis Wilson did all of this as robotically as one could, with nothing sounding original, genuine, or interesting. Very low energy and another album that exists in this book purely becuase of the fame of the man behind it, and because some editor listened to it way too much. Go hang out with Manson some more, you weirdo.

Enjoyed fair

Not really my style

I thought this would be more interesting / more fun. It’s very much regular 70s rock.

Just bit boring. It's fine. Just meh

Pacific Ocean Blue is the debut solo album from Dennis Wilson, co-founder of the Beach Boys. This rock/pop album was released six years before his death and he had also been working on a second solo album. The reissue of this album in 2008 included a lot of bonus tracks, many of them pulled from Wilson's potential second album. At release this album received mixed reviews, but in retrospect it is seen as a classic, and some even view it as a cult classic. I enjoyed the main tracks of this album, but the bonus tracks were obviously not completed in the way I assume Dennis Wilson wanted them to be. The album was relaxing and beautiful, but I don't think I'd listen to it again.

Har aldrig riktigt fattat storheten i Beach Boys, så varför skulle den minst kända Wilsonbroderns soloalbum göra det för mig? Tyvärr faller det ganska platt. Det är väldigt lugnt, rockig, och rätt tråkigt. Ibland blir det lite groovigare, som i Pacific Ocean Blues, en helt ok låt. Albumet handlar till stor del om en frihetslängtan, en längtan till naturen, bort från stadens stress. Texterna är dock ofta rätt dåliga, och känns ibland lite för grabbigt amerikanskt "hillbilly". Som här, i Friday Night: "Shirts off you motorcycle rider Night hider and people who pray I believe my Jesus is in my soul Come on my brother, let's a-rock and roll" Gillar det lite mer experimentella partiet i tredje versen i Thoughts of You. Time är bra, speciellt andra halvan, som inleds med en fantastisk trumpet(?)brygga som accelererar feelingen i låten och bygger upp det aggressiva outrot. Avslutningslåten Only With You är en fin kärleksballad. Pluspoäng för den maffiga skägg-frilla-kombon på omslaget. Bästa låt: Time.

geen hoogvlieger. Eerder achtergrondmuziek

Definitivement pas de la mauvaise musique Pacific Ocean Blue Dreamer River Song

Ok no, nunca ha sido lo mio. Lo siento pero el otro hermano es el que tiene talento real. No es que sea un disco malo pero mucho tiempo he visto que alaban este disco como si hubiera sido una revelación y a mi parecer es un disco bastante normalito. Música decente sin los dotes de Brian que realmente le dan esos toques de genialidad a los Beach Boys. Les gusta defenderlo diciendo que es que el sí era un surfer y cosas similares. También es cierto que era absolutamente indisciplinado, no le interesaba la música y se preocupó más por la fama que obtuvo que por un verdadero trabajo creativo; dejandolo patente al punto que no logró terminar ningún otro disco.

Leí la biografía de Dennis mientras escuchaba la primera canción y eso puso mis expectativas un poco arriba, pues dice que era el único Beach Boy que en verdad era surfer, fue amigo de Manson, y su final fue de esos trágicos de rockero. Sin embargo el disco, salvo algunos pequeños chispazos, es bastante soso y nunca llego a atraparme. Incluso a ratos la voz me cayó mal.

Some tracks are enjoyable here and there, but overall the LP left little to no impression on me after the fact.

A bit slow and wussy for my taste

Pretty uninteresting. 5/10

Can’t Sea What The Fuss Is About

While I strongly believe that Dennis Wilson's solo effort never reaches the heights of almost anything the Beach Boys ever did, Pacific Ocean Blue definitely has its moments, such as the terrific jazz elements on Dreamer and the engaging and personal lyrics on tracks like Rainbows. However, I find myself thinking that most tracks on hear sound like a more gruffy sounding Elvis Costello trying his best to make some sleazy yacht rock about a bunch of nonsense just to escape a sound that he knew worked. For Dennis, it does not. 2/5.

Saved Prior: None Off Rip: River Song, Time, Pacific Ocean Blues Cutting Edge: You and I Overall Notes: This guy probably had a legitimate all-time album in him, too bad he had a little run-in with one of the worst people ever to grace the Earth. River Song, Pacific Ocean Blues, and the second half of Time are great at least.

"Dreamer" was ok I guess. The rest of the album was pretty forgettable. Reminds me of "Eels" in some places.

This is the type of album I could only tolerate at a free outdoor summer festival, with a good amount of snacks and the polite-est of friends. Each song starts off promising, until the absolute cacophony of instruments takes over, overpowering Wilson’s less than unique voice. I mean, he has a good voice I guess but I don’t think it stands out amidst these slow... weird… dramatic … almost psychedelic arrangements. Overall, the lyrics were unmemorable, maybe because I couldn't actually discern most of them from the unnecessarily epic violin playing. Seriously, why does the first half of Friday Night have an underlying THX intro? You know, that one suspenseful intro before a movie starts playing? LOL Some, like River Song, were a bit too gospel-y for my taste. And OK maybe throwing the trumpet here and there is interesting but like in Dreamer and Thoughts of You I think the way the instruments are being introduced is so arbitrary and abrupt. Too much! Headache inducing, almost. You and I & Pacific Ocean Blues were better than the previously mentioned, because of some consistent beat, but maintained the bland lyrics. My favourite was Only With You. Steady, no swell of random instruments… it was nice to actually hear the lyrics (mostly, “All I wanna do, is spend my life with you...”) but yeah still no lasting impression on me. As someone who doesn't listen to much rock I realize I don't quite have legs to stand on when critiquing this. But Wilson's meh singing makes this objectively less than mediocre. 2 stars for the effort tho, bc clearly there was a ton of effort instrument wise, despite it being over the top.

Solid 2, was ok lots of water and rain but couldn't tell you much more didnt draw me in at all.

This probably deserves more than a 2 but I'm honestly never going to listen to it again so I can't give it 3. The second song "what's wrong" is just terrible and it was hard to recover from that. Terrible. The album highlight for me was halfway through "thoughts of you" when it reminded me of the M*A*S*H theme song for 2 seconds.

I procrastinated listening to this because it just sounded so badly produced in my opinion. The vocals are way too far away. The lyrics are oK I guess on some tracks, but they kinda don’t feel genuine when paired with the music sometimes. Like in Moonshine, it’s like this epic movie strings section for a not-so-epic ballad. And the voice was just... I don’t want to be mean but it kinda sounded like a dude imitating 90s Michael Jackson but not quite pulling it off. I dunno. Just didn’t click, at all, for me. The cheesy, overblown instrumentals paired with the minimalist pals-out-for-karaoke singing. Feels like the guy had like 100 big investors throwing money at him and he was like ”what am I gonna do wit dis” and then like he just employs every musician in LA to make a huge production outta some medium songs that totally didn’t need a huge brass 40s Big Band. (”Dreamer”) ”Thoughts of you” could’ve been really good, and it is alright, but look at the lyrics: All things that live one day must die you know Even love and the things we hold close Look at love look at love look at love they’re too direct. Like I get it, it’s not a pop science book, you don’t have to be so direct about it. It feels like he’s trying to do something poetic and beautiful but the songwriting doesn’t hit you in the emotional soft spot at all, personally at least. And then any impact is totally neutralised by trashy lyrics like: I'm going home To where she waits To share love with me, yeah I'm the kind of guy Who loves to mess around Know a lot of women which is... alright... but... like come on decide on your tone!!🙄 it’s like something taken from the Alan Parsons Project but lacking the edge. That being said, I would respect the opinion of people who like this just for its chill roadtrip vibe energy and I could jam to it. I also might be a bit overly critical because I’ve never heard any of the songs before and because he looks so bored and uninspired in the album art... I think it would be interesting to compare why this doesn't work for me, while both "Eye in the Sky" (Alan Parsons Project) and "Rain Dogs" (Tom Waits) DO. The former has a super elaborate epic production style, like Pacific Ocean Blue, but paired with polished and poppy vocals. Rain dogs has lo-fi, minimalist, eccentric production and backing tracks paired with an equally outlandish vocal performance (I'm not saying Wilson sounds like Waits but you get the point - it's kinda gritty). The style of Wilson's album and its blend of high-end music with gritty singing is anticlimactic and sort of underwhelming whether you were hoping for yacht rock or Cemetery Polka. In Wilson's defense, I respect he may have been trying to drive home the message that even a person who has been fully swept up by the Hollywood fame factory, such as himself, can be a normal, disillusioned karaoke-loving fella. In that case I would give it maybe like an extra half star or so. Good lyrics: ”They couldn't get to heaven in their car”

It sounded nice but even the non extended version was a chore to sit through. Just kept waiting for each song to end hoping the next would strike a chord

This album felt like a drugged out has been beach boy. Not a fan.

not really my thing...

Its alright, didn't feel strongly about it

Hated it. 2 albums as well jesus christ.

Listened to a few songs, I didn't really enjoy them, just not my style, and it was too long so I didn't finish. I also feel like his voice was mixed a bit weird.

dad rock. not for me.

What is this album doing on this list?

Iets te zoet allemaal

Je comprends que cela a pu être considéré comme de la bonne musique, mais c’est pas dans mes cordes. Les années 1970 avec des sons disco funk pop jazz, je n’aime pas.

Paar aardige nummers, maar over het geheel genomen te traag en saai voor mij.

Did not dig

They snuck a Beach Boys song into this album on Youtube music! Sets the mood if you're into it. But a little more downbeat that I would have expected.

Running out of ways to say 'Fine'

les harmonies vocal des beach boy étaient géniales et leur musique orginale mais c'est vraiment pas son cas

strange

Tiene momentos a lo Pink Floyd que me han gustado, pero en general se me ha hecho aburrido. Una pena, tenía muchas esperanzas en que me gustara.

Please i would very much like to just listen to the Beach Boys instead of Beach Boy

A little confused why this is rated so well. Probably grows on you.

listenable

Meh.

@@. Some good tracks, pretty downtempo and piano-heavy.

Tylsä ja mitäänsanomaton levy. Pari kertaa kuuntelin ja ei herättänyt oikein mitään tunteita. Kyllä taitaa tämä Dennis Wilson ratsastaa veljensä Brianin maineella!

Forgettable

Tolkuttoman pitkä! Hienoja fiiliksiä mahtui mukaan, mutta kokonaisuutena puuduttava.

Rock (chill), 2,5/10

boring

Schlocky and uninteresting

No idea why this was released. Completely forgettable.

Even he looks disappointed with the album.