Music / That's Why God Made the Radio

That's Why God Made the Radio is The Beach Boys' twenty-ninth album. It was released in 2012 and marks the return of the band after 1996's Stars and Stripes Vol. 1.

Many things happened between those two albums. Carl Wilson passed away in 1998 due to lung cancer and his death marked a rise in tension between band members. The Beach Boys were split in terms of touring (Mike Love and Bruce Johnston still used The Beach Boys name while Brian Wilson and Al Jardine continued to tour under their own name; former member David Marks would occasionally join either side on stage) and the only albums recorded during that period were solo efforts (mainly Brian who went on to finish SMiLE on his own and release a handful of albums across the 2000s).

Even though this album coincides with the 50th anniversary of the band's career in 2011, a new Beach Boys album was first thought back when Brian Wilson and his co-producer Joe Thomas finished the album Imagination. Brian had other ideas which were more fit for the band instead of another solo project, and Mike agreed to collaborate with his cousin again. Other members were called back (including David Marks who didn't appear on a Beach Boys album since 1963's Little Deuce Coupe) with the exception of Blondie Chaplin and Ricki Fataar.

Much of the album's material is reminiscent of The Beach Boys' legacy as a summer band. The entire album features Brian as a co-writer, but the new songs feature Mike Love (as well as "Daybreak Over the Ocean" which was originally conceived as a Mike Love solo track) while the old songs originating from the Imagination sessions feature Joe Thomas. A particular part of the album is its 4-part suite which closes the album, starting with "Strange World" and ending with "Summer's Gone" (this closing track supposedly being the last song in The Beach Boys' discography, although a follow-up album has been mentioned since). Due to the band's old age which has affected their vocal range, touring member Jeffrey Foskett provided the falsettos on the album and sang on all of the tracks.

That's Why God Made The Radio was released to moderate critical reception but was the band's first major commercial success since 1989's Still Cruisin'. It reached the US Top 10 album charts, a feat The Beach Boys hadn't accomplished since 15 Big Ones back in 1976. The world touring associated with the album's release was also a major success, although there was controversy over its short run which may have been caused by Mike Love who didn't want this anniversary tour to last forever. A live album recorded during a Colorado show was released in 2013 and has been criticized for its extensive use of autotune.

A documentary about the world tour and the making of the album called Doin' It Again was released and can be viewed here.

Tracklist:

Side One

1. "Think About the Days" (1:27)
2. "That's Why God Made the Radio" (3:19)
3. "Isn't It Time" (3:45)
4. "Spring Vacation" (3:06)
5. "Beaches in Mind" (2:38)
6. "Daybreak Over the Ocean'" (4:20)

Side Two

1. "Shelter" (3:02)
2. "The Private Life of Bill and Sue" (4:17)
3. "Strange World" (3:03)
4. "From There to Back Again" (3:23)
5. "Pacific Coast Highway" (1:47)
6. "Summer's Gone" (4:41)

The Japanese edition of the album includes a 2012 rerecorded version of "Do It Again".

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Principal Members:

• Al Jardine - lead vocals
• Bruce Johnston - lead vocals
• Mike Love - lead vocals
• David Marks - guitar, backing vocals
• Brian Wilson - lead vocals,

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That's Why God Made the Tropes:

• Album Title Drop: On the title track's chorus.
• Character Title: "The Private Life of Bill and Sue".
• "Groundhog Day" Loop: "Summer's Gone":
  One day begins
  Another ends
  I live them all and back again
• Grow Old with Me: "Isn't It Time":
  Isn't it time we danced the night away
  How about doing it just like yesterday?
  Every time I think of you
  And all of those things we used to do
  Remember those nights we spent just you and I
  Little did we know how the time would fly
• The Hermit: "Pacific Coast Highway":
  My life, I'm better off alone
  My life, I'm better on my own
• Location Song: "Pacific Coast Highway", located on the coastline of California.
• One-Word Title: "Shelter".
• Scatting: "Think About the Days" is a wordless instrumental opener which consists of The Beach Boys harmonizing.
• Special Guest: Jeffrey Foskett, who is more known as a touring member and occasional session player for the band, has provided falsetto vocals on all of the album's songs, even having a lead vocal spot on a few songs.
• The Power of Love: "Daybreak Over The Ocean":
  Baby always knew my love and devotion
  Will bright up the night
  Because I love you
• The Power of Rock: "That's Why God Made the Radio":
  He waved his hand, gave us rock'n'roll
  The soundtrack of falling in love
  That's why God made the radio
• Radio Song: According to Jim Peterik, who co-wrote the title track with Brian Wilson, said song was inspired by a conversation the two had at a restaurant about radio and how songs sounded over car speakers. The lines preceding the chorus excerpt in "The Power of Rock" listing illustrate this concept:
  That's why God made the radio
  So tune right in, everywhere you go
• Shout-Out: In a similar fashion to Summer in Paradise, this album sometimes references lyrics to classic Beach Boys songs.
  • The chorus of Spring Vacation:
  Spring vacation, good vibrations
  • Beaches In Mind:
  We'll find the place in the sun
  Where everyone can have fun, fun fun
• Title Track
• Step Up to the Microphone: As usual, Bruce gets a lead vocal on a single song, "Isn't It Time".
• There's No Place Like Home: "Pacific Coast Highway":
  Sometimes I realize my days are getting on
  Sometimes I realize it's time to move along
  And I wanna go home
• Vocal Dissonance: Mike's voice somehow gets high-pitched on the chorus following the guitar solo of "Daybreak Over The Ocean".
• Vocal Tag Team: "Isn't It Time" features Brian, Bruce, Al and Mike on lead vocals.

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