Pacific Ocean Blue, Dennis Wilson
Sometimes, just being a cool guy is enough. For much of Dennis Wilson's career as the Beach Boys' charismatic drummer, this was certainly true. The only member who actually surfed, his shaggy beard and beach rat lifestyle informed much of the group's look and feel. Musically though, Dennis was overshadowed by his brothers and cousins, contributing just a few songs to the Beach Boys canon.
It's surprising then that, for a brief period, beautiful, soulful, and deeply cool music literally poured out of Dennis Wilson. His solo record, Pacific Ocean Blue, is a masterful work of soaring, psychedelic gospel and trailblazing white funk. Pieced together with unlearned chords and a sea swell of layered vocals, the album is all heart.
Sadly, personal turmoil stymied Dennis' creativity halfway into his second album Bambu. Six years later, diving off a friend boat to recover objects he'd hurled overboard during a bout of rage, he drowned. The double release of this cult classic paints an epic portrait of inspired, untrained genius. Honest, unlaboured and uninhibited, Pacific Ocean Blue is the Beach Boys record the Beach Boys never could have made.
Release: Album
To Cure: The hangover
Keywords: The Beach Boys, America
Random Entries:
Search our guide to Melbourne
Browse our guide to Melbourne by interest
Browse our guide to Melbourne by keyword
Melbourne Events Calendar
Select a date to see what's on in Melbourne
Browse our guide to Melbourne by weekly issue
Working