Imagination by Brian Wilson - Uhune

ALBUM

As his second official solo album, Imagination is a stronger record than its predecessor. Brian Wilson is singing better and his writing is more assured, filled with gorgeous arrangements that others may replicate but never quite match. That doesn't quite erase the suspicion that it could have been better, however. Sessions with the respected power pop producer Andy Paley were hailed as Wilson's best material in years, though the collaboration didn't happen. Wilson, allegedly on the advice of his wife, decided to work with Joe Thomas, a former wrestler determined to make inroads in the music business. Thomas steered Wilson toward a slick, overly produced sound straight out of the late '80s, filled with sterile surfaces and synthesizers that hide the genuine musical attributes of the album. Listen closely and it's possible to hear a handful of songs that are startlingly beautiful. Wilson's writing may not be as magical as his '60s peak, but there are moments that soar, from the lovely "Cry" to the sunny choruses of "South America" to the affecting "Lay Down Burden" to the layered, avant- pop "Happy Days." Songs such as these, however, accentuate the weaknesses of other parts of the album -- namely the lyrics. Such lyricists as Jimmy Buffet, Carole Bayer Sager, and J.D. Souther collaborated with Wilson on these songs, contributing surpassingly banal words, perhaps in an attempt to capture the sweet naïveté of classic Beach Boys songs. They didn't need to try so hard -- Wilson can come close enough on his own. All he needs is collaborators that realize that and not force him into areas, whether it's musical or lyrical, that he needn't tread. The best parts of Imagination prove that he can spin enough magic on his own terms. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

1. Your Imagination

by Brian Wilson

Primary Artist: Brian Wilson; Main Performer
Arranger: Joe Thomas
Brian Wilson; Composer
Composer: Brian Wilson
Joe Thomas
S.r. Dahl; Composer
Engineer: Frank Pappalardo; Production
Producer: Brian Wilson
Joe Thomas; Production

2. She Says That She Needs Me

by Brian Wilson

Primary Artist: Brian Wilson; Main Performer
Vocals: Brian Wilson; Performer
Arranger: Brian Wilson
Joe Thomas; Composer
Composer: Brian Wilson
Carole Bayer Sager
Russ Titelman; Composer
Engineer: Frank Pappalardo; Production
Producer: Brian Wilson
Joe Thomas; Production

3. South American

by Brian Wilson

Primary Artist: Brian Wilson; Main Performer
Vocals: Brian Wilson; Performer
Arranger: Brian Wilson
Joe Thomas; Composer
Composer: Brian Wilson
Jimmy Buffett
Joe Thomas; Composer
Engineer: Frank Pappalardo; Production
Producer: Brian Wilson
Joe Thomas; Production

4. Where Has Love Been?

by Brian Wilson

Primary Artist: Brian Wilson; Main Performer
Vocals: Brian Wilson; Performer
Arranger: Brian Wilson
Joe Thomas; Composer
Composer: Brian Wilson
J. D. Souther
Andy Paley
Jd Souther; Composer
Engineer: Frank Pappalardo; Production
Producer: Brian Wilson
Joe Thomas; Production

5. Keep an Eye on Summer

by Brian Wilson

Primary Artist: Brian Wilson; Main Performer
Vocals: Brian Wilson; Performer
Arranger: Brian Wilson
Joe Thomas; Composer
Composer: Brian Wilson
Bob Norman; Composer
Engineer: Frank Pappalardo; Production
Producer: Brian Wilson
Joe Thomas; Production

6. Dream Angel

by Brian Wilson

Primary Artist: Brian Wilson; Main Performer
Vocals: Brian Wilson; Performer
Arranger: Brian Wilson
Joe Thomas; Composer
Composer: Brian Wilson
Jim Peterik
Joe Thomas; Composer
Engineer: Frank Pappalardo; Production
Producer: Brian Wilson
Joe Thomas; Production

7. Cry

by Brian Wilson

Lead Vocals: Brian Wilson; Performer
Primary Artist: Brian Wilson; Main Performer
Arranger: Joe Thomas
Brian Wilson; Composer
Composer: Brian Wilson; Composer
Engineer: Frank Pappalardo; Production
Producer: Brian Wilson
Joe Thomas; Production

8. Lay Down Burden

by Brian Wilson

Lead Vocals: Brian Wilson; Performer
Primary Artist: Brian Wilson; Main Performer
Arranger: Brian Wilson
Joe Thomas; Composer
Composer: Joe Thomas
J. Thomas
Brian Wilson; Composer
Engineer: Frank Pappalardo; Production
Producer: Brian Wilson
Joe Thomas; Production

9. Let Him Run Wild

by Brian Wilson

Primary Artist: Brian Wilson; Main Performer
Vocals: Brian Wilson; Performer
Arranger: Brian Wilson
Joe Thomas; Composer
Composer: Brian Wilson
Michael Love; Composer
Engineer: Frank Pappalardo; Production
Producer: Brian Wilson
Joe Thomas; Production

10. Sunshine

by Brian Wilson

Lead Vocals: Brian Wilson; Performer
Primary Artist: Brian Wilson; Main Performer
Arranger: Joe Thomas
Brian Wilson; Composer
Composer: Brian Wilson
Joe Thomas; Composer
Engineer: Frank Pappalardo; Production
Producer: Brian Wilson
Joe Thomas; Production

11. Happy Days

by Brian Wilson

Primary Artist: Brian Wilson; Main Performer
Vocals: Brian Wilson; Performer
Arranger: Brian Wilson
Joe Thomas; Composer
Composer: Brian Wilson; Composer
Engineer: Frank Pappalardo; Production
Producer: Brian Wilson
Joe Thomas; Production

Technical Specifications

Volume

1 volume only

Tracks

11 tracks available

Type

ALBUM

Format

Digital Media

Duration

39 minutes and 9 seconds

Explicit

None

Coverart

Available and up to 1410x1410 px

Booklet

Not available

Max Quality

CD Quality (Lossless)

16bit / 44.1 kHz

Stereo

Audio Extension

Lossless: FLAC, M4A, WAV, WV, AIFF

Lossy: AAC, MP3, M4A, MP4, OGA, OGG, OPUS, WMA

Archive Format

Available in these formats: ZIP, TAR, RAR

Lyrics

All tracks have lyrics

Synchronized Lyrics

5/11 tracks have synced lyrics

Genres

Pop/Rock, Adult Contemporary

Label

Giant

Music Distribution Service

Warner

Country

United States

Language

English (United States)

Popularity

Release Date

Jun 15, 1998

Track Preview

Available

Delivery Charge

Free

Delivery Method

Digital download link via Email or Personal Dashboard on this site

UPC

75992470360