Cited on all of the credible ‘lost album’ lists, Pacific Ocean Blue is the sole studio album from The Beach Boys co-founder, Dennis Wilson.
Dennis, the middle Wilson brother, lived a full-life before drowning at just 39 years old in late 1983. Famously the only actual surfer in the family, his influence on The Beach Boys for that alone really can’t be overlooked. A capable drummer and singer, his contributions are always overshadowed by those of his older brother Brian, but as Pacific Ocean Blue testifies, with the space and time, he genuinely could channel high emotional intensity and orchestrate songs that are both gripping and chest-poundingly soulful.
Brian’s struggles are perhaps the most widely documented in musical history, but Dennis sure didn’t have it easy either, and achieving his solo debut wasn’t a straightforward accomplishment. Against a backdrop of numerous wives, girlfriends and a lot of hard living (including a short but infamous association with the Manson Family), Pacific Ocean Blue was recorded in the March of 1977 and released that summer, but the process had been ruminating in various attempts since the early seventies.
Besides the exceptional 1971 LP Surf's Up, The Beach Boys were in a period of vast decline, especially with the ever further controlling reaches of Mike Love (one of the biggest asses in human history). Disenfranchised, Dennis’ attention went briefly to Hollywood, appearing as the lead in Two-Lane Blacktop (co-starring James Taylor) which, much like Pacific Ocean Blue has become a cult classic, but his film career was also short. Contributing erratically to The Beach Boys, he finally worked with Gregg Jakobson to record what was ultimately his magnum opus.
The finished Pacific Ocean Blue is a raw, abundant and genuinely psychedelic soul record of ocean-worship. Wilson’s rich baritone had become ravaged by the drinking and smoking, but it perfectly suited the themes and tone of the album. His candour is genuinely heartbreaking, it’s never clear who he is necessarily singing to or about, but the spirit is real.
"Brian had shown him chords on the piano, but as he'd become more proficient the music that came forth was not derivative of that. Having his own studio helped tremendously. With a little encouragement, and the right tools, Dennis took off."
- Gregg Jakobson
River Song is an absolute classic album opener; majestic, swooning and encapturing the high vibes of the 33 minutes that follow it. The balladry is often heartbreaking, but some of the album’s simple gestures like Rainbows and Time show a songwriter who was as adept at melancholy as any of the songs across the esteemed Beach Boys discography. The title track is a proper belter too, with scorching Southern funk to light up any party.
Although it doesn’t ever necessarily compare to the compositional complexities of The Beach Boys, it has sublime moments and his ability to convey emotion is almost a bit too much at times.
Sad laments, grizzled honesty and the biggest feelings; these are the Pacific Ocean Blues.
