PREVIEW: The Beach Boys - That's Why God Made The Radio

'That's Why God Made the Radio' is the new single from THE BEACH BOYS, the band's first new material in 20 years, and the first to feature Brian Wilson since 1989's 'Still Crusin''.


The group have recorded a full album of original material, their 29th as a band, and will release it to commemorate their 50th anniversary this June. 'That's Why God Made The Radio' is also the name of the album as well as being its lead single. The album will be released in the States on June 5th.


Fans will immedately recognise the unmistakable melodic sound of Brian Wilson et al in full flow as well as the gloriously Summer-centric tune.

Lead singer and album producer Brian Wilson says of the album, “Radio was my whole education. Chuck Berry, Rosemary Clooney, The Four Freshmen, Phil Spector, Little Richard... To hear That’s Why God Made The Radio on the radio would be a thrill beyond belief, it really would.” 
“I got a lot of my appreciation for all of the creativity in the world, in terms of music, through the radio,” adds Mike Love.  “For all of us who grew up in the ‘50s, ‘60s, ‘70s and beyond, the radio has played such a huge, important part in our lives.  When we were kids, we’d sneak out of the house and go and sit in Brian’s car and listen to the local radio stations on his car radio.”

Wilson and Love discussed the upcoming album and tour in a interview on February 16, 2012. The duo said the album was halfway done with Wilson doing the writing and stating that all of the songs will flow into each other. The album will end with a Pet Sounds- and Smile-inspired suite. One track titled, "That's Why God Made the Radio" is filled with classic Beach Boys harmonies and one of their best songs ever according to Wilson.

According to Bruce Johnston, all of the songs are originals, no cover songs, no guest musicians on the album. Each band member sings lead on at least one of the songs while Johnston contributed one song titled, "She Believes in Love Again", a song he wrote in 1985 however he said he was unsure if the song would make the final cut since the label picks the album's tracks, not the band. Johnston compares the album to one of the band's least-successful albums but fan favorite, Sunflower while Al Jardine said the album is "very lush, very PetSound-ing".

Track listing

"That's Why God Made the Radio"

"Think About the Days"

"Isn't It Time"

"Spring Vacation"

"Private Life of Bill and Sue"

"Shelter"

"Daybreak Over the Ocean"

"Beaches in Mind"

"Strange World"

"My Life Suite"

"Summer's Gone"