BRIAN’S SONG: One of rock’s loopiest myths...

BRIAN’S SONG: One of rock’s loopiest myths involves “Smile,” the great lost Beach Boys album. Reputed to be Beach Boys leader Brian Wilson’s masterwork, the concept album was destroyed--reportedly because the increasingly paranoid Wilson became disturbed when a rash of blazes broke out around L.A. immediately after he’d recorded a song called “Fire.” Though fragments of the project surfaced later (the “Sunflower” album’s “Cool Cool Water” dates back to the “Smile” sessions), the vast majority of the original tapes were thought to be lost. So imagine our surprise when one of our sources at Capitol Records revealed than Wilson has booked studio time at the label’s basement studios to (gasp) reassemble the long lost disc. We’re still waiting for more details--who discovered the tapes? Or did Wilson have them all along? But Capitol insists the album will be ready by summer. . . . If you can’t wait that long, here’s two alternatives: On March 30, Capitol will release a budget-priced CD-version of another Beach Boys gem, “Pet Sounds.” Wilson has also spiffed it up with “Hung On to Your Ego,” an outtake from the original sessions, plus original studio banter. Or watch for Wilson’s debut solo album--still untitled--which is due out in late April from Sire Records.