RECORD REVIEWS

Brian Wilson

Album: “No Pier Pressure”

Grade: B-

Brian Wilson’s “No Pier Pressure” offers ample reason to celebrate the extended solo career that has followed his Beach Boys’ journey.

His 11th solo studio offering opens with “This Beautiful Day,” a short track that captures all of Wilson’s yearning and desire in the simplest, most direct way, offset by lovely harmonies and some fine trumpet work. It’s less than two minutes long, but it sums up so much about his talent and timeless appeal.

Of course the entire CD — which features country singer Kacey Musgraves and fun. lead singer Nate Ruess, among others — does not reach that level, and some of the new compositions sound tepid in places. Wilson, at times, seems to be striving for a breezy, carefree sound that, after five decades, no longer sounds fresh. But even the weaker songs bear his unmistakable stamp: complex vocal mixes that can never, ever be taken for granted, and a distinctive flair for arranging. He has come a long way from “Surfer Girl” — there is more air and space in these songs, less percussion, more of a sense of time stretching calmly, endlessly ahead.

“The Right Time” with former bandmate (and cousin) Al Jardine and David Marks shows Wilson can still come up with seductive three-minute tracks. The same applies to the evocative “Sail Away” with Jardine and another former Beach Boy, Blondie Chaplin. Most challenging is the gorgeous finale, “The Last Song,” which can be seen as both a love song to his family and as a tribute to, and desire for, the fabled band of his youth.

—Gregory Katz, Associated Press

Waters

Album: “What’s Real”

Grade: A+

Former Port O’Brien frontman Van Pierszalowski left the alt-rock outfit in 2011 and promptly formed Waters, hoping to gel with a fresh band and begin anew. They came out strong with “Out in the Light” that year.

Now, Waters’ sophomore release, “What’s Real,” is where the going gets good. Real good.

Waters bristles with energy throughout the album, with Pierszalowski poetically questioning his inner drive on the powerful “Rebel Yell” and singing about new friends and turning a positive corner on “The Avenue.” He also works himself into a fine frenzy on the lead track, “Got to My Head.”

Pierszalowski’s written and brought to life a near-perfect blend of big power pop with “What’s Real.” There’s enough straight-ahead guitar for rock purists to admire, yet it’s laced with melodic hooks to make the songs linger, thankfully, in the mind.

“What’s Real” showcases a strong up-and-coming band at top form. Waters deserves every clap it’s about to get.

—Ron Harris, Associated Press