Brian Wilson: Gettin' In Over My Head : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone

Album Reviews

For the Brian Wilson faithful, the hard part is over when the wizard of SoCal releases an album. For those who need more than cheery, expert melodies and arrangements from on high to be satisfied, for skeptics not satisfied with agreeable guest spots from Eric Clapton, Elton John and Paul McCartney, and for hardheads who need to overcome Wilson's frightening detachment from our moment, there is an answer. Perhaps it's best to think of Gettin' In Over My Head as Wilson's celebrity children's record. "Make a Wish," "Rainbow Eyes" and "Fairy Tale" are right in the pocket already. On a couple of vigorous tracks, such as "Soul Searchin'," which inserts a lead vocal from departed brother Carl and deserves to appear on a future best-of, grown-ups can sneak in their enjoyment sideways.