H.E.L.P. is on the Way

"Stark naked in front of the mirror, an ugly person did appear."
-Brian Wilson

Hey Pat Nistler, new local celebrity extraordinaire, and all you other aspiring writers, singers, performers, artists out there- I've got a question for you: What makes you do it'? What is the purpose behind your creativity'?

One of our favorite rock stars once said, "We got in it for the girls and money." Another said, "I did it because no one told me I couldn't." Those are as good of explanations as I've heard, but I still want to know what drives so many people to put their insides, their neurosis, on display for all to dissect and judge.

I ask this question after having submerged myself these past few weeks in the new Beach Boys' box set, "Good Vibrations." The most intriguing thing about the collection is being able to hear and understand how one man has used his talents, his unequaled voice, as a release from some of his darker demons.

One aspect of the beach Boys' appeal is the contradiction, the duality, between their music and their image. The vast majority of the public probably sees the group as the fun loving, surf crazy, conservative, California crew with those sunny harmonies. But as you delve deeper into Brian's music (for he was the creative force, the genius behind the music), you begin to see a different, darker picture.

As simple as some of the songs seem, the melodies and song structures are almost always complex. One could argue there has never been as ambitious a group. As infectious as the harmonies are, the lyrics more often than not are brooding and self searching. Much has been written about Brian's decline from being eccentric to being emotionally disturbed. As the box set proves, it isn't as simple as that.

Many artists collapse under the weight of their own achievements, from F. Scott Fitzgerald to Orson Welles, from Wendell Anderson to Tiffany-but Brian's obsession with creating the ultimate song is as entertaining as it is disturbing. What is impressive is the amount of brilliant work he has achieved. His contributions as chronicled in the set, are truly remarkable.

My favorite disc out of the five, is number three which contains some of the group's lesser known work. In "Ti1 I Die" from Surf's Up, the writer questions his direction, comparing his condition with a cork on the ocean, a rolling stone, a blowing leaf, and comes up with the affirmation that being adrift and full of uncertainty is what makes life so intriguing and rich.

In "Busy Doin' Nothing" from Friends Brian's wit is in full force-"I wrote her number down, but I lost it so I searched through my pockets but I couldn't find it, so I sat and concentrated on the number, and slowly it came to me so I dialed it, and I let it ring a few times but there was no answer, so I let it ring a little more, still no answer so I hung up the telephone. got some paper and sharpened up my pencil and wrote a letter to my friend." OK on the surface those are rather mundane lyrics, hardly stuff for a classic song, yet the way they are presented is brilliant; both funny and uncomfortable. Quintessential Brian Wilson. Is this guy for real?

From start to finish, "Good Vibrations" is an outstanding collection. Although it doesn't contain my favorite two Beach Boy songs, "Solar System" from Love You and "Here Today" from Pet Sounds, I've already listened to this set more than any other I have purchased. The music is deep and rich, simple and inspiring; and it makes one want to go out and create something. Or at the very least, go to the beach.

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What does it mean when I don't even understand the graffiti spray painted on our walls? Am I totally out of the loop?

BOB'S Quote of the Week: "Bill Monroe once said he got his best thinking done while other people were talking. I always liked that. "