Brian Wilson to release album with Capitol, tour

[Above: Wilson on the roof of Capitol Records]

Brian Wilson, titan of multi-part harmonies, king of vocal suspensions, lord of pop arranging and Paste's number seven best living songwriter, is finally releasing his next album, and has agreed to do it on his original label, Capitol Records. His forthcoming release, entitled That Lucky Old Sun, will hit stores Sept. 2 in both physical and digital formats, following up his acclaimed and long-awaited 2004 release, Smile.

It's something of a homecoming for Wilson, as Capitol Records / EMI released The Beach Boys' first hit, "Surfin' Safari/409," in 1962. Recently controversial EMI Chairman Guy Hands said this in a release: "We remember the feeling we got when we first heard The Beach Boys' music....Brian Wilson is an iconic talent with enormous musical influence all over the world and we are very proud to be representing him." This certainly reads as a victory for the beleaguered major label.

But they're not the only ones who stand to benefit. Listeners should look forward to another dose of fair weather from Mr. Wilson with That Lucky Old Sun. The record was inspired by the Louis Armstrong version of the 1949 classic song of the same name, and spurred collaborations with bandmate Scott Benett and Smile lyricist Van Dyke Parks. He produced and recorded at Capital Studios in Hollywood, the same site where he began his recording career all those years ago. Wilson debuted the album last September at London's Royal Festival Hall. Judging by the track titles, the record still contains healthy helpings of sunshine and surf fare. It's good to know some things never change.

Wilson, who will play select dates in the UK and North America leading up to the September release, has been the recipient of numerous awards in recent years, including a Kennedy Center Honor in December. (That action figure wasn't quite enough, it seems.)

That Lucky Old Sun:

1. That Lucky Old Sun
2. Morning Beat
3. That Lucky Old Sun (narrative)
4. Good Kind Of Love
5. Forever My Surfer Girl
6. That Lucky Old Sun (narrative)
7. Live Let Live
8. Mexican Girl
9. That Lucky Old Sun (narrative)
10. California Role
11. That Lucky Old Sun (narrative)
12. Oxygen
13. Can’t Wait Too Long (vocal excerpt)
14. Midnight’s Another Day
15. Going Home
16. Southern California

Surfin' Safari:

June
28 - Kenwood, Hampstead, London, UK @ English Heritage Picnic Concerts
29 - Ipswich, UK @ Ipswich Regent Theatre

July
1 - London, UK @ Royal Albert Hall
8 - Niagra Falls, Ontario @ Niagra Fallsview Casino Avalon Ballroom
9 - Ottawa, Ontario @ Ottawa Blues Fest
12 - Highmount, N.Y. @ Belleayre Mountain Ski Center
13 - Hampton Beach, N.H. @ Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom

September
12 - Los Angeles, Calif. @ Hollywood Bowl
13 - Los Angeles, Calif. @ Hollywood Bowl
14 - Los Angeles, Calif. @ Hollywood Bowl