QPAC Lyric Theatre - Tue Feb 2

OK, so the debate is a valid one among diehards of California’s most evocative soundtrackers – can any combo without the presence of sonic architect Brian Wilson call itself The Beach Boys? But to the audiences who pack out the Lyric Theatre over two nights, this is a minor-to-non-existent point. As long as Mike Love, Bruce Johnston and hired musos pull off the harmonies, as long as the marriage of surf hits and strings is successful, and as long as they play Barbara Ann, it’s all good to the man and woman in the street.

The controversial Mike Love helms this incarnation of the Boys and reading the accompanying tour program, you’d think he was the group’s real visionary. That said, as a pure entertainer, he’s not a bad guy to spend two hours with – Love has a deadpan sense of humour and can’t resist good natured pokes at Bruce Johnston’s Grammy win for Barry Manilow hit I Write The Songs.

In addition, the line-up pay tribute to Brian Wilson’s harmonic forefathers The Four Freshman in a spine-tingling a cappella version of the near-Gregorian Their Hearts Were Full Of Spring. The orchestra add gravitas to grandiose anthems Heroes And Villains and Good Vibrations, while surf ‘n car hits Don’t Worry Baby, I Get Around, Fun Fun Fun and Surfin’ USA are as clap-along catchy as ever.

The orchestral augmentation also allows the traditionally hits-heavy Mike Love to let through some lesser known gems, such as Disney Girls, The Ballad Of Ol’ Betsy and Pet Sounds album track Here Today. So while this doesn’t come close to the genius that was Brian Wilson and band playing the Smile album, it still proves a darn entertaining night out.

MATT THROWER 

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