Brian Wilson Looks In The Mirror

Brian Wilson's That Lucky Old Sun is as much about California's past as it is about Brian Wilson's past. If you're looking for songs about the Sunshine state that reference the seedier sides of Los Angeles or Southern California life than this isn't for you. But Brian Wilson was never about that anyway. Besides the best moments on this album are when he looks back with a clarity that's been missing in his solo work, save Smile. Van Dyke Parks' spoken interludes are meant to represent something more serious, but the Beach Boy era music, coupled with Wilson's optimistic yet at times heartbreaking lyrics make for his best solo album since his first.