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glabour's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars.
While this is an entertaining, tabloid-sequel read. I think something really missing is a discussion of The Beach Boys’ music. If there was more discussion of what made the music great or awful and less discussion of real estate deals, I would’ve enjoyed this book much more.
While this is an entertaining, tabloid-sequel read. I think something really missing is a discussion of The Beach Boys’ music. If there was more discussion of what made the music great or awful and less discussion of real estate deals, I would’ve enjoyed this book much more.
steveinfact's review against another edition
4.0
You'll need to go elsewhere for analysis of the music (especially the Smile period, which was still considered as something of a curiosity at the time it was written) but for the grim, intimate details of the individual and collective destruction wrought then I doubt you could want much more. The opening two chapters alone - dealing with the chaos of Dennis's final days - are pretty astonishing.
rebabregs's review against another edition
3.0
Very depressing, but very interesting. Ending in mid-80's so no mention of Mr. John Stamos.
uti_survivor's review against another edition
5.0
Great, impossible-to-put-down history of the Beach Boys which covers the early 60's up until the mid 80's, when it was written. Sort of weird that it concludes with Brian in Landy's care, and doesn't end in the smoothest way, but the rest of the ride is a delight. Is it messy and tabloidy and trashy? YES. But the story is fascinating, and it's obvious that Gaines is fixated on the darkness that enshrouds, and later consumes, a band often thought as good-time innocent California music. Heavily recommended -- and be sure to have the band's discography at hand.
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