Product Review

In 1966, Brian Wilson entered the studio to compose Smile, a Beach Boys album that he believed would change the band, and perhaps the face of popular music, forever. What happened next became legend, as captured by journalist Jules Siegel, who had been given entry into Wilson’s inner circle. “Goodbye Surfing, Hello God” ran in Cheetah magazine, helping to create the legend and mystery of Wilson’s madcap genius. Then the story, like the album, disappeared. Now The Atavist has brought to life Siegel’s 1967 classic. It’s the tale of a musician’s struggle against his own demons to capture greatness on tape, and to top the Beatles in the process.