Imagination

Brian Wilson, the name of the world's most famous Beach Boy, evokes so many different things -- musical genius, drug-addled schizoid, orchestral pop producer, recluse (and please, let's not forget surfing, hot rods, and fun, fun, fun!). While many good vibrations have endured for both Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys over the last 35 years, the band has not been without controversy and loss. With the recent death of his brother Carl, Brian Wilson was left to pick up the many broken pieces of his strange California saga. Now, with his new disc, Imagination, we can happily add the word ""survivor"" to the list of terms describing Brian Wilson.

With Imagination, Brian Wilson reclaims the musical magic that invigorated so many of the classic Beach Boys recordings. For his first solo studio recording in ten years, Wilson opens optimistically with the song ""Your Imagination,"" where lush harmonies flutter around his lead vocal like a chorus of angels. (Apparently, Wilson used as many as 96 different vocal tracks when recording this album.) Echoes of the Beach Boys' finest moments (like the Pet Sounds album) immediately come to mind as Wilson's record unfolds. Wilson even chooses to reprise two songs from the old Beach Boys songbook: both ""Keep An Eye On Summer"" and ""Let Him Run Wild"" show Wilson able to look back with nostalgic pleasure while adding a lifetime of experience to the patented Beach Boys sound.

Many of the songs on Imagination were collaborative in nature, as Wilson received lyrical contributions from folks like Carole Bayer Sager, Jimmy Buffett, Jim Peterik, J.D.Souther, and the album's co-producer, Joe Thomas. And while instrumental contributions on Imagination are top-notch, thanks to guitarist Greg Leisz, horn player Paul Mertens, and percussionist Jackie Berttoni, it is Wilson's wonderful musical and vocal arrangements that make this album shine. On the song ""Cry,"" Wilson's multi-tracked harmonies float suspended over a mournful, bluesy coda, while ""Lay Down Burden"" is a poignant ballad for Brian's late brother Carl. It's a moving ode to the man whose vibrant voice brought so many of Brian's Beach Boys songs to life.

Wilson also benefits greatly from the modern production values that he and Joe Thomas employed on this album. The recording sounds great, and Wilson is positively rejuvenated as he puts nearly four decades of music-making experience into these performances.

The album closes with a strangely orchestrated tune called ""Happy Days."" Taking a gloomy introduction and gradually transforming it into a joyous celebration, Wilson makes an autobiographical statement both verbally and musically. Like the man says, ""Oh my gosh, happy days are here again, the sky is blue and clear again."" Amen, brother. Amen.