Dumb Angel: The Life and Music of Dennis Wilson by Adam Webb

[Creation Books, 2000] ISBN: 1–84068-051-2

AMG Rating = 6

Despite good looks and a lifestyle that exemplified the Beach Boys’ image, Dennis Wilson was part of the group only at his mother’s insistence. He was a rudimentary drummer who played on only a few of the group’s records and his vocal contributions were overshadowed by brother Brian Wilson’s soaring falsetto and by front man, and cousin, Mike Love. And yet, it was Dennis’ emergence as a songwriter that helped the group craft some of its best work, like 1970’s Sunflower, an album critics have compared favorably to the Beatles’ Sargent Pepper’s.

Adam Webb attempts to make a case for Dennis Wilson as the “Surf City Soul” of the Beach Boys, their initial inspiration and the champion of their integrity after Brian’s retreat from the band. Dumb Angel, however, is biographically sketchy and more enthusiastic than insightful in examining often transcendent music. Webb devotes too much space to material that has been better presented elsewhere—such as the lengthy chapter on Wilson’s relationship with Charles Manson—and making specious comparisons between Wilson’s music and that of Lou Reed and Big Star. (In fact, Alex Chilton’s name is dropped as often as Carl Wilson’s, Dennis’ brother and fellow Beach Boy.) Even Steven Gaines’ much maligned =Heroes and Villains= offers a better overview of Dennis Wilson’s life and career.

Webb’s statement that “Dennis Wilson had dreamt the Beach Boys into existence” is a nice sentiment, but one that overlooks the fact that Dennis was part of the band only as an afterthought. Good intentioned as Webb may be, his, admiration for Wilson’s music doesn’t translate into a worthwhile addition to the Beach Boy’s history. Overall, Dumb Angel has the feel of liner notes barely expanded to book length. — James A. Gardner, All Music Guide