The Beach Boys

Amazotheamazing

Considering the weather surely it's time for a Beach Boys thread, probably one of the most misunderstood and misguided pop bands of the 1960's. I've always wondered if Wilson hadn't rushed out album after album but had rather consolidated all the strong songs from every 2 albums into one album would their earlier stuff be more recognised? Too often a great few songs on the early work is marred by some throw away piece, or worse, a conversation between the band.

And then, after Pet Sounds, how did it all go so badly wrong? I'm probably one of a very small minority who thinks Smile might have sounded just as good if Mike Love and Tony Asher were allowed do the lyrics, not with standing the sometimes greatness of Parks work.

Anyone else out there a big fan of the Beach Boys, and what is your favourite album? personally I love Smiley Smile and Wild Honey, esp the 2fer disc, though nothing beats Pet Sounds.

Andy-Pandy

My favourite would be Pet Sounds. I saw him in Cork last year with Rufus wainright very enjoyable night.

Andrew

loyatemu

part of their charm is the ramshackle nature of some of their albums - Friends and Surf's Up are both brilliant albums despite having lots of slight or whimsical material on them.

Amazotheamazing

loyatemu wrote:

part of their charm is the ramshackle nature of some of their albums - Friends and Surf's Up are both brilliant albums despite having lots of slight or whimsical material on them.

Very good point, indeed, those albums work really well almost despite themselves. The Beach Boys have an astounding ability to mix the very very good with the very poor, even within songs. They lacked the influence of the George Martin type to tell them honestly which bits weren't working.

So anyone going to explain all the hidden meanngs of Surf's Up?

Miguel_Sanchez

I love Pet Sounds.

Although 'Til I Die is a great track - what album is that off?

nlgbbbblth

I own every Beach Boys LP from the Surfin' Safari debut to The Beach Boys (1985)

plus a number of compilations and box sets so yeah, I'm a pretty big fan.;)

They are misunderstood and depressingly written off by many people who should know better.

The early records are definitely rushed but gradually evolve into something great. The first five LPs are hit and miss but #6 - All Summer Song is that little more consistent. Beach Boys Today is a classic - especially side 2.

Pet Sounds is rightly amazing but sometimes I feel that after 18 years I know it too well.

My favourite post-1966 output

1 Sunflower
2 Holland + spoken word 7"
3 Wild Honey
4 Surf's Up
5 Beach Boys Love You
6 Friends
7 Smiley Smile
8 L.A. Light

Carl & The Passions - So Tough and 20/20 have their moments but the remaining LPs are mediocre with few highlights.

The Good Vibrations box is excellently sequenced and the Ten Years Of Harmony double LP comp covering 1970 - 1980 is a fascinating listen.

Live albums - the 1973 Concert LP is ace.

Brian Wilson's Smile is good but I prefer the two bootlegs I own from the Smile sessions.

Carl Wilson's two solo records are dull, dull, dull.

Dennis Wilson's Pacific Ocean Blue is an amazing record and does not deserve to languish in obscurity. His unreleased sessions for Bamboo Shoot are quite good too. Sadly the CDR of those is now unplayable. :mad:

Amazotheamazing

I know few guys who rave about Sunflower but there's something about the first half I don't like, though the second half is brillaint. It's a pity they didn't continue in the vein of Wild Honey for another album, really think that's their most underrated work.

til I die is on Surf's Up.

loyatemu

nlgbbbblth wrote:

My favourite post-1966 output

1 Sunflower
2 Holland + spoken word 7"
3 Wild Honey
4 Surf's Up
5 Beach Boys Love You
6 Friends
7 Smiley Smile
8 L.A. Light

Carl & The Passions - So Tough and 20/20 have their moments but the remaining LPs are mediocre with few highlights.

I have L.A. on ancient vinyl and it is pants! Only "Good Timing" and "Baby Blue" are even worth listening to. 20/20 is much better. If the other late-70s and 80s albums are worse than L.A. then i hope I never hear them (I've heard the final album Summer in Paradise is terrifyingly bad).

nlgbbbblth

loyatemu wrote:

I have L.A. on ancient vinyl and it is pants! Only "Good Timing" and "Baby Blue" are even worth listening to. 20/20 is much better. If the other late-70s and 80s albums are worse than L.A. then i hope I never hear them (I've heard the final album Summer in Paradise is terrifyingly bad).

L.A. Light is a fun listen especially the disco version of Here Comes The Night.
It certain beats the dull 15 Big Ones, the insipid M.I.U. Album and the pretty mediocre pair that are Keepin The Summer Alive and The Beach Boys (1985).

Summer In Paradise is shocking - the worst ever.

Latchy

Time to inject some new life into this thread with the news that the original members of the BB ,Brian Wilson ,Mike Love ,Al Jardine and Bruce Johnson are to reform .

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2075557/Beach-Boys-reform-years-bitter-arguments-legal-wrangling-celebrate-50th-anniversary.html

nlgbbbblth

I know it's not The Eagles but has hell frozen over?

Nolanger

Never liked them much until I saw this movie.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDIBMaCTwFw

cranks

Dennis Wilson's Pacific Ocean Blue is an amazing record and does not deserve to languish in obscurity.

Definitely