"All I Wanna Do" is one of the best tracks on Sunflower. The way it's produced is just fantastic and innovative. It follows the path of "Passing By" from "Friends." It could be Air, and I even heard an echo of it in Tears For Fears "Everybody Wants To Rule The World..." Gorgeous processed sounds from the keys and that guitar, ethereal vocal harmonies and a persuasive beat. They use a synthesiser to process the vocals, some kind of filtering. Very watery and translucent and deep. That's where this album really starts to work for me, all the way to Cool Cool Water. I noticed how Bob Ezrin stole that eerie acapella for segue of "The Bed" and "Sad Song" by Lou Reed on "Berlin."
Seconded re: "All I Wanna Do." It's arguably the best song on the album. Production-wise, it's notable for use of a Rocky Mount Instruments Rock-Si-Chord and a sitar, tape echo on Love's voice, and lots of reverb. (As of this writing, the closest I'm hearing to a Moog synthesizer is the muted bass sound in the left channel of "All I Wanna Do (Session Intro & Backing Vocals).") I don't know if it started any genres, but it certainly fits in with shoe-gazer pop that emerged in the 1990s. American Spring did a few _Sunflower_ songs. Their rendition of "Forever" beats the _Sunflower_ presentation, in my opinion.
@@johndavison4569 It has the quality of what you'd call ambient or dream pop. The guitar line the sort of thing you would hear 10 or more years later from Brian Eno. An earlier track, "Passing By" is another that fed into that genre. They are real gems of music. Didn't American Spring do a song called "Snowflakes"? t's not a Brian Wilson original but it comes from the same wellspring. There is a lovely minor key section which is very reminiscent of Wilson's compositional style. It's an out take I believe but it's up here. I agree on their version of "Forever." I need to get their album, as long as it has "Snowflakes" on it as an extra track. It's my favourite. Wilson was an absolute genius.
@@johndavison4569 Thanks also for the instrumental info! Brian was ahead of his time rather with his love of electronic keyboards and synthesisers. His keyboard writing was uniquely his own. I liked how he kicked off this new style with "Smiley Smile." I think it's the influence of exotica or "easy listening" which was also very popular in the 90s. I was certainly into all that. Esquivel and the like, Brazilian music. "Friends" is possibly my favourite Beach Boys record. It sounds so fresh and slightly bizarre. "Busy Doin' Nothing" and "Diamond Head..." Wow.
I'm enjoying your channel. I'm a big fan of Sunflower, but you have inspired me to give Wild Honey a fresh listen. "All I Wanna Do" is (maybe surprisingly) one of my favorite Beach Boys tracks of all time. It is one of Mike's best vocals and the production is fantastic. I've heard people say it was the first "dream pop" song ever recorded, way ahead of its time. Anyway, I have learned a lot of cool trivia watching your channel so thanks.
I'll give "All I Wanna Do" another listen with your comments in mind! (One of the great things about this channel, for me, is getting different perspectives on the songs that allow me to hear them in a new light.) Thanks very much of the comments and encouragement, rabbit!
@@thebeachboysbasementwithst6444 I have to admit, the first time I heard it, I thought it was kind of a throwaway, but it has really grown on me over the years. I do have one obscure Beach Boys question for you since you said you lived in L.A. before: Do you know the backstory of the store named "H.E.L.P."? In Wikipedia, it says it was a restaurant in L.A., but the lyrics to "Take A Load Off Your Feet" mention Pete buying a pair of sandals there. You may have already discussed it as I am still slowly watching all your videos. I'm also enjoying all the other cool music collectibles seen in the background of your videos! As a Beatles, Who, and Monkees fan too, I'm noticing a lot of interesting stuff. You have an impressive collection! Thank you for your reply.
@@recordrabbit That's a really good question on "H.E.L.P." I lived in L.A. from '85 to '01 so the store, whatever it was, was long gone by the time I got there. The Farmer's Market is at Fairfax and Third, which is mentioned in "H.E.L.P." I used to go there for coffee in the morning before work and always wondered about the song. I used to think The Radiant Radish had been there, but I understand that was a little ways away on Melrose and San Vicente. I THINK there was a "Source" health food restaurant at Fairfax and Third. (The main one was on the Sunset Strip.) Maybe they sold footwear too? (I know, back in the early 70s, the health food restaurants I knew also sold groceries, vitamins and clothing, so it's possible.) You raise a really interesting question! I'm going to research it and I'm hoping someone else will chime in with info. Thanks, rabbit and I'll let you know what I find out!
I love All I Wanna Do! To me it's not so much a throw away, but way ahead of it's time. Add some modern production aesthetics and it sounds like Tame Impala could add it to their album. It's soo smooth.
@Gabe W Interesting that you mention that, Gabe! When I was listening to "Sunflower" on the "Feel Flows" box, "All I Wanna Do" caught my attention in a way it never did before. I don't think it sounds any different from the version on the vinyl "Sunflower" but, for some reason, I enjoyed it more than ever before and can see there's much more to the track than I ever noticed. It may not be my personal all-time favorite track, but, in hindsight, is definitely not a "throwaway" by any means! (How did I listen to it over four decades and never rate it very highly until last week? Such are the vagaries of musical taste I guess!) Thanks for the feedback and perspective, Gabe! Much appreciated!
All great albums, definitely! I wasn't thinking so much of the Smile Sessions, since it's "unfinished" but it's definitely a favorite for me too! Thanks for the perspective, Bruce!
Great episode. Nice work taking time to opine on “second bests” of some other artists. Love this show. I’m forever going to call second best anything, “The Shemp Howard Award”
I love Wild Honey as well. Brian seems to still be in charge artiscally. I like “Today” better as #2, but didn’t realize how many of these tracks were already released prior to album release, thanks to your explanation.
There's a lot to love on a lot of Beach Boys albums. It's probably a credit to them that there are so many reasonable candidates for "second best." Thanks for the comments, Pete!
This is very hard but I will go with Beach Boys Today. Just brilliant music that led the way to Pet Sounds. Today was the album that forced the Beatles into Rubber Soul
@@robs5688 Good question, Rob! I listen to "Pet Sounds" pretty often too, though, I think I probably don't go to it as often now because, after so many years, I feel like I know if forwards, backwards and sideways.
My choice for number two BB album would be either Sunflower or Surfs Up, i go back and forth on which is my favorite or what I think is the better album. It is good to see Wild Honey and especially 20/20 get some love. I see 20/20 get either heavily underated or straight out maligned which ticks me off a bit. Yes, it is a collection of songs from many different sources and sessions with B sides and Smile songs all thrown together but song for song it is an impressive collection of work by a band that was about to start a magical run of albums.
I absolutely agree with you about "20/20." Even without knowing its history, it's easy to hear it's a collection of songs from different sources. but, for me, it somehow holds together and becomes more than the sum of its parts. It reminds me of the (nearly-contemporary) Beatles "White Album" in that regard. I agree it was the beginning of a magical run of albums (and my favorite Beach Boys era.) Great to hear from you, James!
If the question was split to "before" Pet Sounds and "after" Pet Sounds, My 2nd favorite album that was fully produced by Brian Wilson would be Summer Days & Summer Nights. For post Pet Sounds, probably Sunflower.
Both great albums, without a doubt! There's so much change in music and rock albums between the early and late 60s (or pre and post- Pet Sounds) that it's probably a good idea to split the question like that! Thanks for the comments and feedback, Mike!
"The Beach Boys Today." Even though a lot of it is made up of single sides from months back, it really hangs together as a great LP. I also like the fast/slow side idea, which was picked up by a number of artists later, notably the Stones. "When I Grow Up" doesn't get enough credit, but I see it as the first baroque rock song. And the Ramones most likely based their "Do You Wanna Dance" cover on the one here. I even like "Bull Session," which gives us some insight into the band's personalities.
Thanks for the thoughts and feedback, Tony! I agree that "Today" does really hang together in a way few albums did in '65. Side two gets more play here than, probably any other single album side. (I agree, too, about "When I Grow Up" being a bit overlooked. I'm considering an episode devoted to it some time.) Thanks again!
My favorite BB album is Smiley Smile but I'm aware it's far from their 'best.' It's my favorite because it helped me through hard times in my life, and listening to it still manages to utterly transport me back to a quiet place. If we're not counting SMiLE (which I don't think we should) then my pick for their 'second best' would probably be Holland. To me, it feels like their entire career post-SMiLE was leading up to that album, and shows off how mature and strong they could be as a band. The homesick Americana stuff feels like a different spin on some of the themes of SMiLE which is a neat bonus. It's bittersweet knowing what would follow. Individually I think all of the songs on Sunflower are great, but as an album it doesn't do it for me. Not because it's not 'cohesive' but... I dunno, it feels too happy and peppy for its own good and by the end of it I'm kinda just done
Thanks for the very interesting insights and feedback, daniel! I agree that, since "SMiLE" went unfinished and unreleased at the time, it can't really be counted as an "official" Beach Boys album. (I love the material though! If we're counting it, then it's easily my vote for second best!) Excellent point on the "homesick Americana" (Great phrase!) of "Holland" recalling some of the themes of "SMiLE." I had never noticed it before and it's a very interesting perspective! I see what you mean about "Sunflower" too! There IS a cumulative effect of "overboard" happiness and pep to the tracks. Maybe, in that way, it's TOO cohesive and could have benefitted from some songs that vary the emotional texture. Thanks again for the feedback, daniel! Great stuff and hope to hear more from you!
I love that album mostly for the slow, haun ting remakes of Wonderful and Windchimes. Carl really nailed those and the change of pace really did them wonders. Songs like Little Pad, With Me Tonight and Hungry and such great songs too. Heroes and Villains and Good Vibrations feel out of place on that album. I also love the version of Vega Tables.
I agree. I think the fact there are so many possible candidates for "second best album" really speaks well for the amazing and varied body of work the group created over the years. Thanks, Paul!
I'll never understand how anyone can name sergeant Pepper's the top Beatles album. i don't think it's among their best. Really have a hard time getting through it without getting bored.
Definitely a great album! I did a "deep dive" review of it last summer. (It was episodes 123 and 124, if you're interested.) I always loved the album and researching it for those episodes really sharpened my appreciation of it. Great stuff! Thanks for the feedback, Tomás!
Rolling Stone has a new top 500 - and it makes me think of this episode (I actually think of this episode quite a lot). I currently put Surf's Up as a good number 2 LP - mostly just for Surf's Up, but Til I Die and Feel Flows are very moving, and the LP has a nice feel throughout. But, in the end, like the Rolling Stone's TOP 500, these things always change - if I am hot enough for She Knows Me Too Well, or Cool Cool Water, or... Wondering: what DO you think of the new RS Top 500?
Funny you should ask, Frank! "Surf's Up" is a great album, of course. It seems to me that, for some unknown reason, its reputation has faded a little over the last 20 or 30 years while "Holland"'s reputation has grown. No idea why. Thanks for the comments!
Oooh hard topic. So hard that I don't think I've ever even thought about it. Besides Pet Sounds (unequivocally #1) the Beach Boys have some damn near perfect moments, but those moments didn't really keep within the lines of cohesive albums very well. A lot of other distracting material. And the "importance" of their work is very difficult to define, post Pet Sounds. Something that makes the music so interesting to discover over and over. I think I agree with Brian here. I really do love "Friends". I like how subdued it is. To me it feels like a beautiful continuation of the musical spirit that came pouring out in Pet Sounds & (what would have been) Smile. Brian's writing at the time was truly transcending popular music. Friends, Passing By, Little Bird, Be Still, Busy Doin Nothin, all really great songs that give the album this smooth feel that I like. Sunflower has a great feel and has great participation from all the members, but I just don't sink into the album, nor does anything jump out. Talking strictly post Pet Sounds, I think Beach Boys created their best moments when they were either going beyond pop into the ethereal or else when they were doing straight soul/R&B. So I can see why you really like Wild Honey! Apparently so did Jim Morrison!
Thanks for the fantastic thoughts and feedback, Gregory! Apart from anything else, you write eloquently and beautifully. If you aren't a record reviewer, you should be! As many times as I've listened to and enjoyed "Friends" over the decades, your description has inspired me to pull the album out and give it another listen! Great comments and excellent points! Much appreciated, Gregory!
I remember Morrison was asked who his favorite musician is,and he said Brian Wilson! I wasn't sure if he was being sarcastic or not. apparently pretty much not.
I remember as a college freshman in the fall of 1970 buying the eagerly-awaited "Sunflower" album. (I'd been a serious "Beachaholic" for 7 years, getting a late start with "I Get Around" in the summer of '64). Then playing it & realizing at the time the only track I really loved was "Deidre." Now, 50 years later, as a seasoned adult, that track isn't my favorite any more -- it's way down on the list. It's really grown on me.
SO cool that you bought "Sunflower" on its release (and that you already had a long history as a fan!) Thanks for the comments! It's really great to get the perspective of how a fan thought of the album on its initial release! Much appreciated, bill!
Sunflower had come and gone by the fall of 1970, reaching only 151 on the charts. "Add Some Music To Your Day" the single received a little airplay in the spring and I don't remember ever hearing "This Whole World" on the radio. The Beach Boys TV special Good Vibrations From Central Park aired in August 1971. On that show Dennis sang Forever. On the strength of that performance I ordered Sunflower on 8-Track, still a popular format at the time. It took weeks and weeks to arrive. Even though Sunflower had failed commercially in 1970, that little 8-Track became my favorite album. I thought I was the only person in the world who owned a copy! Among my friends I certainly was the only one. It does my heart good to see "my album" now reach iconic status after all these years. I don't know if it's the number 2 Beach Boys album of all time. There's a lot to be said for "Today", and I agree "Wild Honey" or "Surf's Up" could be there. I'm one of the few people that bought "Summer In Paradise" and I gotta say there are a few songs on that album I like Who knows how it will be viewed at 50 years?
Thanks for the memories, thoughts and feedback, Phil! I always imagined that a lot of people would have found "Sunflower" to be a really enjoyable surprise...if they had happened to hear it...in 1970. Thanks for confirming that it was true in your case! I plan to return to "Sunflower" for a more in-depth look and, actually, my thinking on some of the tracks has changed and evolved, mainly due to viewer comments, since I posted this episode. (For example, "All I Wanna Do" is a great track that I somehow overlooked for years. I'm really grateful that people pointed out that I should give it a closer listen.) I definitely agree that a case could also be made for calling "Today!" "Wild Honey" or "Surf's Up" the "second best" album. I'm beginning to think the difficulty with ranking Beach Boys albums is that every one is so different from the others. This is part of why I've resisted ever doing a "top ten" Beach Boys albums episode: much of it would be "comparing apples to oranges." Of course, the fact they've done so many great, and varied, albums over the years is what makes them interesting! Thanks again for the great feedback, Phil!
Thanks Steve for your feedback. I really enjoy your reviews, especially of the Beach Boys. For me, the most complete album where all the tracks are strong would be "Today" Even Pet Sounds has some less than stellar moments among it's masterpieces.
.........an often overlooked track on Pet Sounds is "Here Today", for me just a great song! And Brian's "This Whole World" still blows my mind after 50 years! I'm still amazed that any human can write songs like Good Vibrations, California Girls, This Whole World, and I could go on and on....... ...
@@phildickson9171 I know what you mean, Phil! Even as great as much of the music coming out at the time was, Brian's work stands apart. There is an almost supernatural beauty to it, and the fact that so much of it was done over such a short period is astounding. Thanks for the comments, Phil!
“This Whole World” a second rate Brian Wilson classic. I fell off the couch hearing this.. Interesting perspective though. I would go with “Love You” or even the “Adult Child” as my second favorite..
Yeah. I might have been a little hard on "This Whole World." It's not one the springs to mind when I think of my favorite Beach Boys tracks, but, when it's on, it is pretty great. I think you could make a strong case for "Love You" and, especially, "Adult Child" if we go with "what could have been." Interesting comments! Thanks, Kevin!
Hi Kevin. It had been a while since I listened to what I said about "This Whole World." I believe I called it "second tier" rather than "second rate." I meant it's not part of the pantheon of the most legendary, well-known Brian Wilson songs (eg. "Good Vibrations," "California Girls," "Don't Worry Baby" etc.) It's one of his greats, but just below the most well-known group. (I knew I couldn't have been THAT hard on a song like "This Whole World"!) Thanks again for the comments!
The Beach Boys Basement with Steve Lewis You are correct! I just rewatched and you did indeed say second tier classic. My bad.. I agree with you! It is a second tier classic. Great episode by the way. I’ve been pondering the question of what’s #2 ever since watching.
I'm in my 50's and have always been a music connoisseur but I have to confess, until very recently I had thought that the Beach Boys had broken up after the failed Smile album. I knew their early songs of course, the Beach Boys medley that was a hit in 1980 kind of put them back on the map for many but perhaps because they never got any real airplay other than oldies stations which didn't even play Pet Sounds until the 1990's apart from Kokomo in 1988, 99% of the music listening world thought they had vanished, myself included. It wasn't until I was at a water park of all places I heard "I'm Waiting For the Day" and it inspired to to seek out Pet Sounds which I bought and really heard for the first time. Still, I was ignorant about the rest of their catalogue. It wasn't until their stuff got put up on youtube that I started to explore and get to know their music. When I discovered the Smile sessions I became hooked. It surpassed anything I imagined the Beach Boys could be, it also made me resent Mike Love some because I don't think he had the vision to see what Brian was doing, that he wanted to keep making Fun Fun Fun and I Get Around. I truly think that had the album been completed it would have changed music and who knows what Brian would have followed up with. At the same time it was a blessing in disguise because then we wouldn't have been given those stripped down low-fi albums that follow. I think that if Smile had been released that everything from Smiley Smile (which I love) to Surf's Up wouldn't have existed. Having had the chance to revisit everything very thoroughly I have to do my ranking for number a different way. There's no way to compare post Surf's Up with pre Surf's Up. I have to disagree with your choice of Wild Honey as the 2nd best BB album. For me it's Friends with Smiley Smile running a very close second. I love Sunflower and 2020 but to me they're just a notch below the two aforementioned albums. Friends is just an amazing album and also sometimes referred to as Brian's second solo album after Pet Sounds. For the second era I would have to go with Carl and the Passions and number two. It's an amazing album that if no one had told me I'd never have guessed that it was The Beach Boys. Holland and Love You are very good but to me So Tough stands head and shoulders above them
Thanks for the thoughts and feedback, Ron! Thanks especially for recounting how you discovered the Beach Boys. Coincidentally, I'm going to pose that question to "the group" of commenters here in the episode that posts tomorrow, so you're ahead of the rest! I think you're absolutely right that, had SMiLE been completed, the trajectory of popular music would have been different, including the Beach Boys work that followed. I agree that it's really difficult, and maybe impossible, to compare the BB's pre-67 work to what came later. Actually, one of the things I love about the band, and what makes them interesting for me to cover on this channel, is how different all of the albums are. "Friends" is certainly an excellent album! I think it's so "low key" that it's sometimes overlooked. Great stuff and a favorite of mine! Thanks again for the thoughts and feedback, Ron!
Well put together video Steve ,i'm with you all the way on your choice of Wild Honey as the second best album By The Beach Boys , played it to death as a teenager some stellar vocals from Carl Wilson and Brians i'd Love Just Once to See You is sublime great album
Great to hear that you love that album too! I certainly agree about both Carl's great vocals and "I'd Love Just Once To See You," which seems like something that could only have come from Brian Wilson! Thanks for the thoughts and comments, Chris!
Personally?, I wouldn't put Pet Sounds as the no 1 BBs album. In 1966 The BBs were second only to the Beatles as the most important vocal groups in the world. Yet Pet Sounds has two instrumental songs on it, the sleeve was not what you would expect from a band that was progressing musically at that time, and it's sales was very disapointing. Don't get me wrong it really is a wonderful album, and when I first put it on the turntable in 1966 I thought this is different, and as the weeks and months went by I did realised that Pet Sounds was something special and it was the best album I'd ever heard., But I would put Sunflower, Surfs Up, Holland & especially Smile before Pet Sounds. It's been 55 years since I first bought Pet Sounds and I can honestly say I've played it hundreds of times, but I've played the other four albums many more times, I also play Carl & the Passions and Dennis's Pacific Ocian Blue more than PS. I still love listening to PS it's a fantastic rewarding experience every time, but for me those other 5 albums are more of a group effort and shows that The Beach Boys were much more than just Brian Wilson. I had albums by some of the great groups in my record collection in 1970, But When Sunflower was released I thought that it was the best album I'd heard by any group at that time. And it still sounds great today especially with the Feel Flows box set just been released. Another great video Steve but I have to disagree with you this time. Sunflower is a beautiful album.
Interesting perspective and excellent points, John! I see your points on "Pet Sounds" and, now that I think of it, I undoubtedly play those other BB albums more often too. As for "Sunflower," my thinking on it has evolved some since I posted this video, due, largely, to some to the comments here, which have lead me to go back and re-assess some things I had kind of passed over before. I'm hoping to revisit "Sunflower" in-depth sometime in 2022. Thanks again for the interesting perspective and comments, John! Great stuff!
Oh, I have a good question (maybe)! What is the second best post-Holland Album? Most would say "Love You" is the best, but I don't think there is a generell opinion about what the second best is.
That's an EXCELLENT question! I've actually made a note to try to pose it to the group in a future episode. (I'll be sure to mention that you came up with it!) For myself, I guess, it would be the "Light Album." It'll be really interesting to see what others come up with! Thanks for posing the question, Daisy...and how would you answer?
@@thebeachboysbasementwithst6444 At the moment, LA is also my second favourite, but MIU is very close, and TWGMTR has an amazing last four tracks. I'm happy you like the question. :D If you want to mention me, please use they/them pronouns, it would mean a lot to me.
@@DaisyIsKing I didn't think of TWGMTR for some reason. I agree about those last four tracks. Maybe I'd go with that one! (More to consider here than I thought!)
Hey dude, why don't you count The SMiLE Sessions? I think it's the 2nd best BB album. My 3rd fave one would be Today! Wild Honey, 20/20 and Friends are great albums too.
The SMiLE sessions are great and certainly some of my favorite BB music! For this, I was thinking in terms of original Beach Boys albums. The SMiLE Sessions box would certainly have a strong claim to "second best" (and, possibly, best "archival box set" for anybody, ever!) Today!, Wild Honey, 20/20 and Friends are all great too. Sounds like we both love that late 60s period! Thanks for the comments and thoughts, andres!
“SMiLE” is tied for my 3 favorite albums of all time… and when I say that, I include the remix cult, the bootlegs, Brian’s remake in 2004, I even include “smiley smile” as part of the entire ball of wax… the whole story. The fact that it will never actually be “finished” and has become a LIVING and constantly evolving piece of art plays into my love of it. It’s almost multidimensional to me. An album outside of time and space that came from a place outside of human understanding… or maybe I’m just a weirdo. 😄 (If you are curious, Songs in the key of life by Stevie Wonder and The White Album by The Beatles are my other 2) Excluding that one, Pet Sounds followed by Sunflower are my top 2.
Interesting perspective, Bradley, and I really like what you said about the unfinished aspect of "SMiLE" making it almost "multidimensional." I think that's very true. I didn't really include "SMiLE" in my thinking here, due to its "unfinished" status but its probably my favorite period of Beach Boys' work, at least partially for the reasons you mentioned. BTW, "The White Album" is probably my personal all-time favorite album by anybody and "Songs In The Key of Life" would be pretty high on the list too! (Coincidentally, I've been listening to early/mid 70s Stevie Wonder all day today!) Thanks for the great thoughts and comments, Bradley!
My #2 Elton John Album is Captain Fantastic (by a narrow margin too. This is an excellent album). My Beach Boys #2 has to be Today! (by a narrow margin as well). I agree with you about Wild Honey's cohesion, but that exists on Friends and Smiley as well which I think are equally good as Wild Honey (if not a smidge better). Sunflower and Love You are outstanding and have a regular place in my rotation for sure. But Beach Boys Today! is a masterpiece as well as a cohesive album to my ear. It is the perfect balance of Brian melancholy and Mike upbeat. Songs on subsequent albums may be more sophisticated or mature, but you cannot tell me that Please Let Me Wonder, She Knows Me Too Well, Dance Dance Dance, Kiss Me Baby, When I Grow Up, etc. are not as good as anything they've ever done. Even Good To My Baby and Little Sister are interesting in arrangement and composition. I also love hearing the boys playing instruments on the album. Thanks for the excellent episode Steve, what a great idea as there is no obvious answer to this question! Hope you're doing well!
A strong case can definitely be made for "Captain Fantastic" as the #2 Elton John album. It may be somewhat lacking in "hits" for a mid-70s Elton John album but it's strong throughout and remains one of my all-time favorites. Likewise, I agree that there's a strong case for putting "Today!" at #2 for The Beach Boys. It's really hard comparing Beach Boys albums since each one is so different from the others. (Side two of "Today!" is, unquestionably, one of my all-time favorite sides!) Thanks for your thoughtful review and input! Always great to hear from you, Scott!
20/20 is fantastic. Incredible vocal performances by Carl especially on I Can Hear Music , Do It Again ( I Just love this Song, so much groove), All I want To Do (what a rocker, Mike really rules this One)....
"20/20" is an album I've always loved too. I'm planning to revisit it in, in greater detail, on the channel this summer, along with a look at pop culture in 1969. It'll give me a chance to really dig into the album again. I can't wait! Thanks for the feedback, Marco!
@@thebeachboysbasementwithst6444 I'm speaking strictly as a whole album experience. There are other albums with better songs but they don't really hold up to the full album listening experience
@@Chicago_Podcast_Authority Absolutely! I like to use the same criteria on ranking albums. Both those albums are unique experiences and hold together very well as "albums." (I've always thought it was "apples to oranges" when lists of "best albums" includes both original albums and "greatest hits" albums. By that rationale, I've always wondered why they don't just go ahead and include "The Complete Beatles Box Set" as a "great album"!) Thanks for the excellent follow-up, WYL2K!
To me, Slip On Through has a lot of pocket, but it's easier to hear in the version that plays at the actual speed. Also All I Wanna Do has such a strong vibe, it's the first ever chillwave song. Overall I honestly feel like this review does not take into account how sunflower sounds as a whole even though it does take that into account for wild honey.
Excellent points, Shea! Based, largely, on comments and feedback from viewers, such as yourself, my opinion of "Sunflower" has evolved some since I recorded this episode; especially "All I Wanna Do" which I now recognize as a great track. (No idea why I was overlooking it for all these years but happy to have "re-discovered" it with the help of commenters!) I'm planning to re-visit "Sunflower" sometime soon. Hope you'll let me know what you think! Thanks, Shea!
Steve ?, I find this subject so interesting, Out of the 91 comments on this subject quite a few of them myself included don't refer to Pet Sounds as being their best album by The Beach Boys. What is obvious here though is the fact that back in 1966 it was without doubt the greatest rock album ever made up to that point. I would also like to point out that Little Deuce Coupe, Shut Down Vol 2 , Summer Days & Summer Nights, & BBs Today were excellent albums by The BBs. The Smile sessions is in my personal opinion the best piece of music I've ever experienced by any artist. It's faultless from start to finish, and along with the catastrophic decision to pull out of the Monterey Festival?, the failure to release the Smile album in 1967 is the reason why The BBs were considered all washed up and why the fantastic music they released after PS from Smiley Smile in 1967, right up to Holland in 1974 didn't have the impact they should have, had they not made those two disastrous decisions. For me though it's 1 Smile Sessions, 2 Sunflower, 3 Holland, 4 Surfs Up, 5 Pet Sounds. One last point though, Any band in the history of music would be happy to have just one of those five albums in their catalog but The Beach Boys have all five, plus all the other albums mentioned on this subject alone. We really are so lucky.
Great observations and great points, John! Maybe it's worth asking the question here if Pet Sounds is, in fact, most people's favorite Beach Boys album and the one they consider "best." (Of course, those can sometimes be two different things.) I assumed it was...Maybe that's not true. The decisions to abandon SMiLE and to pull out of Monterey were definitely fateful, had serious consequences for the rest of the band's career and the impact can't be overstated. I definitely agree that we're lucky that they have so many GREAT albums in their catalog! Part of what intrigues me about them, too, is that the albums are all so different. Comparing them is sometimes like apples and oranges...but very delicious apples and oranges! Thanks for the thoughts, insights and comments, John!
I can definitely see that, Chris! It's a great album and all the tracks you mentioned are among my all time favorite tracks by the group (or anybody for that matter!) Thanks for the feedback and perspective!
Excellent choices, Shawn! Great albums all and especially nice to see "Surf's Up" in the mix. I'm not sure why, but I get the feeling that one is often overlooked these days. Thanks for the thoughts and comments!
I gotta disagree with the beatles take, Abbey Road and to a lesser extend White Album are still constantly fighting for number 1 and 2, with revolver, and Sgt Pepper.
You've definitely got a point, Carter! Abbey Road and the "white album" have definitely really gained in esteem in recent years. For decades, Sgt Pepper was usually the slam-dunk number one with Revolver somewhere jut behind. All those assessments, recently, seem to have changed in recent years. Thanks for the comments and for pointing that out, Carter!
Great analysis of the idea..what's next in succession...every lp by the beach boys I love ..have about 50 to 60 counting a box or two..every era is a must!! The beach boys are the greatest American band
Sounds like a great collection! The Beach Boys have done so much great music over so many eras that it makes it really hard to compare, let alone rank, them. (It also makes them a fun subject for a youtube channel!) Thanks for the comments, Grover! Hope to hear more from you!
Thanks for the feedback, Floodland! Since I've posted this episode, viewer comments have lead me to revisit "All I Wanna Do." I'm not sure how I overlooked what a great track it is! I'm planning to do an in-depth look at "Sunflower" sometime soon and, from the excellent feedback I've received, I know my perspective on the album will be somewhat different from what it was when I recorded this. Thanks again for the input!
Carpenters "Close To You" bubblegum?? How did you arrive at that description? Carpenters were not the 1910 Fruitgum Company for goodness sakes! Richard and Karen Carpenter were extremely gifted musicians who deserve better than that.
Hi goplad! I just rewatched this episode. (It's been a while!) I agree, "bubblegum" is an off-hand and inadequate label for the Carpenters. I shouldn't have used that description. It's not accurate. Genre labels aside, I agree: the Carpenters made some excellent records. (I certainly enjoy them!) Thanks for pointing that out, goplad!
I really like "tears in the morning" because of the backing vocals those harmonies. I agree Pet Sounds then Sunflower-probably because I love Denny music.
Thanks for the feedback, Jack! I agree that those harmonies on "Tears in The Morning" are beautiful. I did this episode quite a while ago and my thinking on some of "Sunflower" has evolved, especially due to feedback from commenters, pointing out some things I had overlooked. I'm looking forward to doing a more in-depth look at "Sunflower" sometime soon! Thanks again for the comments and thoughts, Jack!
By the way, you said prior to '66 ( I think you mean December '65 "Rubber Soul") albums were simply a collection of songs and not particularly meant to hang together.... "Today" ,particularly side 2, refutes this.....Peace and Love
I definitely agree about "Friends." (I just did a couple of episodes on it recently. They are numbers 123 and 124 if you want to check them out.) Thanks for the feedback on "It's About Time." I'll give it another play. Thanks for the thoughts and comments. Murdock!
@@thebeachboysbasementwithst6444 thanks will check them out. Don't worry about "It's about time" - not everybody can like the same thing. I get that ut is a bit 'frantic', but somehow I think it's pretty cool. Probably also as a good contrast to the rather ballad heavy side 2 of 'Sunflower'.
@@murdockreviews "It's About Time" is probably never going to be a personal favorite, but I always like to re-listen when somebody gives me a different perspective on a track. (For years, I overlooked what a great track "All I Wanna Do" is. It was viewer feedback that finally turned me on to what I'd been missing.) Thanks again for the feedback, Murdock!
If you don't count Smile, I have #2 Today #3 Surf's Up #4 Sunflower #5 Surfin USA #6 Surfer Girl #7 All Summer Long #8 Little Deuce Coupe #9 Summer Days #10 Shut Down II 11) Holland
Interesting perspective, Paladin! Definitely all great albums! (Since it wasn't completed, I've been leaving out "SMiLE" as an original Beach Boys album...I might give the "SMiLE" sessions box set the title of "greatest archival release of all time" though!) Thanks for the feedback, Paladin!
@@paladin1726 I agree about "20/20." There's a lot to great stuff there too! "Love You" is definitely a weird one. I'm fond of it, personally, but I'm not sure that that makes it a "good album." I think some people see it as a "unique, strange and rough-hewn wonder" a bit like "outsider art." Other people seem to see it as a collection of simple, quirky and often woefully under-developed tunes sounding like little more than a grab-bag of demos. I really wouldn't argue with either perspective! Thanks again for the thoughts and comments, Paladin!
That seems to be the general consensus. I won't dispute it! (I'm re-listening at the moment on the "Feel Flows" set. Undoubtedly some great stuff there!) Thanks for the comments, Michael!
Those are great and unique albums! Each of The Beach Boys albums is so different from the others that, even more than most bands, there is an "apples and oranges" aspect to comparing them. Interesting perspective and I appreciate the comments! Thanks, now!
I know what you mean, Angry! All of them are so different too...Of course, for me, that variety is a lot of what makes the group interesting. Thanks for the feedback!
Just like Revolver was the preemptive gathering of Sgt.Peppers, I find the Beach Boys album, Today, to be very similar in regards to, Pet Sounds.. Especially the entire side two of the original album... To my mind there is no doubt this would be the Beach Boys '2nd' best LP.. Thanks for sharing....music always makes for very interesting discussion.. Peace
Excellent comparison between Revolver-Pepper and Today!-Pet Sounds. I'd never thought of that and it's a very good point! I'd say that side two of "Today!" probably gets more play at my place than any other album side. Thanks for the thoughts and insights, Daniel!
I am honoured that you see the point I was making.. The album today was Brian's first all Brian Wilson production and the change in the songs are incredible. Rich harmonies and mysterious, or, haunting melodies, but, always beautiful. Full. Brian was remaking Phil Spectors, Wall of Sound, with Brian's advanced composing abilities, arranging, playing/singing while recording, mixing, and producing.. There is not a single musician that became the worlds best all by the talent and intellect of Brian Wilson. Today was recorded in 1965. If you listen to.other bands in 1965, there wasn't a lot of great stuff. The Beatles, of course, and other emerging, but, mostly smaller acts..then, woosh..this band from California...this Brian Wilson knocks the Beatles off the charts with Good Vibrstions. The Beatles, with three singer, player composer's and a producer with a ton of classical training and experience who added so much to Beatles records that helped them have 'that sound.' The Beach Boys relied heavily on Brian alone to write all their music, but the album, Today, was all Brian Wilson composed, arranged, recorded and produced perfection throughout a vast catalogue.. Later on his voice changed, but, he still had the ability.. Check out a song he did, solo, in the 1988 album just called, Brian Wilson. Check out the song, Rio Grande and there you can hear so many of the perfect elements that made that most singular sound so very inspiring to so very many.
@@MohawkOnTheBlock Thanks for the excellent thoughts and insights. I agree and have always felt that Brian had the unique ability to take Spector's "Wall of Sound" which, of course, sounded "big," and make it somehow both "big" and "intimate." Thanks for mentioning "Rio Grande" too! I'll never forget how amazing and welcomed that track was when the "Brian Wilson" came out in '88. It's a great track and, to me, served notice that Brian could still make amazing records. Thanks again, Daniel!
TODAY! is my number 1 bb album. surfin' safari is what it sounds like : a bunch of kids. the beach boys were never a garage band. they were a living room band. surfin' usa is a HUGE improvement; a giant leap forward. the lonely sea is one of my all time favorite songs. the first glimpse we get of bw's more melancholy side. to me surfer girl, little Deuce Coupe, shut down volume 2, all summer long, Christmas album, TODAY! (my all time favorite album by ANYONE), summer days/nights, pet sounds, SMiLE! sessions, smiley smile (in the 70's this album was my favorite album by anyone of the previous decade, then i heard TODAY! and the doors's debut), wild honey, friends and 20/20 are all classic albums. i don't really count party! as a studio album. i could live without it. i like most of sunflower. i like much of surf's up. i really can't get into much of carl/passions and holland. i appreciate them more than i actually enjoy them. Mount Vernon and Fairway however is amazing. 15 big ones is/was a HUGE disappointment. the bb recorded it under duress. their label was threatening to sue them for not meeting the obligations of their contract. they owed the label two more records.they went into the studio and attempted to record two albums at once. they were going to record one album of covers and one album of new material, but the clock was ticking and they were running out of time. so they presented what they had recorded thus far as one album to buy them more time. this album should have been either all covers or all new material, not a mash-up. around this time they also recorded their second Christmas album hoping that would fullfill their contract, but the label rejected it. they did not want a Christmas album. it would take decades for this material /their second Christmas album to finally be released. LOVE YOU is my favorite album of the 70's. it is their last truly great, classic album. it was the last time they attempted to move forward. originally love you was to be a solo brian album called brian loves you. special note should be made of nearly every member of the band walked out during love you's recording process not knowing what to make of what brian was doing; dennis and carl MAY have hung around the studio more than the others. after this the bb stopped even atempting to move forward. mike love seized control of the band. they then proceeded to attempt and failed to regain their former, early era glory. i wish they had retired the BB name or retiring from recording after love you. the beach boys are my all time favorite band, but i do not listen to any of their post 1977 love you albums. even bruce says they sound like old men on MIU. l.a. light album has a very few good songs, but everything else post-love you i just wish would cease to exist. still crusin' to me isn't a studio album; just a compilation with left overs. That's Why God Made the Radio is a pretty good reunion album. check out brian's unreleased albums sweet insanity and adult/child and brian and dennis's the cocaine sessions aka the hamburger sessions.
Thanks for the great info, perspective and feedback, John! I agree that the material on "Today!" is outstanding and side two is undoubtedly my "most played side" of any Beach Boys album. Reading your comments, I'm once again reminded of the depth and diversity of the Beach Boys catalog over the years. I've resisted doing any "top ten ranking" of Beach Boys albums on the channel because they're all so different. It would inevitably be a little "apples to oranges." That said, some albums are certainly MUCH better than others, as you point out. I pretty much agree with your perspective on their 70s (and post 70s) work too! Thanks again for the great overview and for the excellent perspective, John! Much appreciated!
@@thebeachboysbasementwithst6444 you are very welcome. thank you for your reply and all the effort you put into your videos. honestly i wish the band had broken up after love you. basically love you was a brian solo record, but after that most of their albums are more like the work of 2 band members each time out (a different 2 on each outing) and none of their work on those albums is as interesting as brian's + left over tracks from previous recordings (many evidentally from the 15 big ones era. even love you had a left over track! dennis's pacific ocean blue is head and shoulders above all post-love you bb albums. i also find brian's adult/child, sweet insanity and brian and dennis's the cocaine sessions aka the hamburger sessions to be much more interesting than any post-love you bb album. thanks again!
@@johnrunion5357 I agree, especially about "Pacific Ocean Blue." Great album and I only wish that Dennis had gone ahead and seriously pursued a solo career. (Actually, I think it would have been even better if he had gone solo in '71 with the unreleased work he did then.) I've always thought that the band being a "family business" really complicated things for all of them and made it harder to "call it a day" for the band, (even when they probably should have!) Thanks again for the excellent perspective, John!
@@thebeachboysbasementwithst6444 you are very welcome and thank you. yes and then there is the bambu sessions following pacific ocean blue. also i really like all of brian's solo albums except for 1998's imagination. that lucky old sun is a real highlight. his voice is really worse for wear on his solo Christmas album however.
@@johnrunion5357 Thanks for the follow-up! Your comments reminded me that I'm overdue for an episode on "That Lucky Old Sun" here on the channel. Great album!
For some reason, none of you guys on RUclips want to credit "Brian Wilson Presents: Smile" as a Beach Boys album....I will.....2. Pet Sounds 3. Beach Boys Today......
For me it's 1. Pet Sounds 2. Love you. I think Love you has ingenious melodies, if they recorded it in the 60s it would've been regarded as a classic, I think the only reason Love You is not revered as the stone-written number two Beach Boys album is because of their weaker vocal prowess, due to alcohol, cigarettes and what not..
I've given Wild Honey many listens, but there's nothing that really grabs me on that record. I'll give it another try from your perspective. My #2 Beach Boys album is a tie between Smiley Smile and Today! I actually love the songs on Smiley Smile more than Pet Sounds.
Thanks for the great feedback, JDD! "Smiley Smile" didn't grab me right away. It's an album I've "grown to love," mostly because it's so unique and unusual. (Your comments have put me in the mood to give it another listen in the next couple of days.) Side two of "Today!" probably gets more play here than any other album side. Thanks again for the great comments, JDD!
I like your choices....but....I have to admit that if we are talking about songs that fit together as a nice quilt of an album I really enjoy "The Beach Boys 1985"....please don't hate me 😄
That's very true, Michael. The 1985 album is unique and very much "hangs together" as an album. There's a lot of stuff I really like on that album including "Getcha Back" and, especially, Carl's tracks, "It's Getting Lat" and "Maybe I Don't Know." It seems like that album sometimes gets unfairly maligned or overlooked. There's a lot of great stuff there! Thanks for mentioning it, Michael!
My BB top 10 albums ranked 1. Pet Sounds 2. Today 3. Surfs up 4. Holland 5. Sunflower 6. Carl and the passions so tough 7. 20/20 8. Friends 9. Summer days 10. Smiley Smile
Excellent! I couldn't argue with that. (Amazing to look at what a varied group of great albums they produced, isn't it?) Thanks for the great feedback, Peter!
Well done. I actually have Wild Honey as their best album simply because Pet Sounds is just overkill if that's possible. For me, Im torn between Friends, Summer Days, 20/20 Smiley Smile and Beach Boys today. In the end its Smiley Smile. Heres my rationale. Pet Sounds has always been more of a Brian Wilson album with the boys as guests. Smiley Smile is more of a real band effort.
Interesting approach, Digger! It makes sense though. It's an excellent point that Pet Sounds, of all Beach Boys albums, is closest to being a "Brian Wilson solo" album with the others guesting. More and more, I'm starting to think that, with such a variety between Beach Boys albums, any comparison is, inevitably, "apples to oranges." (Of course, the fact that all the albums are so different is a large part of what makes them interesting.) Thanks for the insights and feedback, Digger!
You are really under estimating the ‘Today’ album, that is the album that Brian Wilson’s songwriting showed a big step up and it has some of the beach boys best vocal arrangements like Kiss Me Baby. It’s a myth that Pet Sounds ‘came out of nowhere’ if you closely follow the evolvement of the band their is a very organic improvement the same as the Beatles . I disagree that yo can interchange songs from Summer days summer nights that’s more of a throwback album delivered due to pressure from the record company . For me smiley smile , wild honey and friends are a great trilogy of low fi albums but far from their best You are very harsh in sunflower . ‘Slip on through’ is a fantastic song in my opinion . Surfs up album is also great . Finally if you include Smile (2011) that would be their 2nd best if not best , it flows together great imo
Thanks for the thoughts and perspective, Trevor! There's no doubt that "Today!" has some amazing work on it and, likely, side two is, for me, the "most played" side of any Beach Boys album. I agree that I was very harsh on "Sunflower" here. The feedback I've had from viewers since posting this has lead me to reassess it and I've found things that I had really overlooked. (Getting those different perspectives has been one of the great things about this channel for me.) I'm hoping to have a chance to revisit "Sunflower" for a "deep dive" on the channel sometime soon, and to update my thoughts on that album. Once again, thanks for the thoughtful and excellent feedback, Trevor!
It's interesting seeing all the different viewpoints. From my experience, most Americans seem to regard Today! as the second best while the British like Sunflower. My personal 2nd favorite is Love You, believe it or not. In 1976, Dennis Wilson said the only album he was embarrassed with is 20/20 because of its disjointed nature. As far as other bands go, the Byrds' Younger than Yesterday is widely regarded as #1 and Notorious Byrd Brothers is usually seen as #2.
Interesting points, Martin! I know I'm in the minority, but, to me, "20/20" has always seemed to hang together as an album (despite its fractured history) while "Sunflower," with its many high points, has always seemed more a collection of tracks by individuals; more like The Beatles "white album." Though, I have to admit, my perspective on "Sunflower" has been evolving (largely due to great feedback in viewer comments) since I recorded this episode. Great point about The Byrds too! I'm not sure how I'd rank their albums myself. I'll have to give that one some thought! Thanks for perspective and insight, Martin! Much appreciated!
@@thebeachboysbasementwithst6444 Absolutely. I personally think 20/20 is very good despite its patchiness and is a clear step toward the teamwork of Sunflower, which I love. I really enjoy the more basic, harder edge of Love You. As for the Byrds, I strongly recommend those two albums. Younger than Yesterday was released 5 months before Sgt. Pepper and clearly influenced its use of electronic effects and tape looping. Just listen to "C.T.A.-102" for an example.
@@filmcuts178 I definitely love those Byrds albums. (I love them all through "Sweetheart of The Rodeo" actually.) I can understand "Younger Than Yesterday" and "Notorious" being ranked 1 and 2, though, to me, there doesn't seem to be a "slam-dunk" "best" Byrds album the way there are with some other artists. Good points about "Younger Than Yesterday" pre-dating "Pepper"! Hadn't thought of that and it makes a lot of sense, especially in ranking it as The Byrds' "best." Very interesting stuff! Thanks, Martin!
@@filmcuts178 I'm familiar with that album and the other Byrds albums. (There's something good to be said about all of them, which makes it hard for me decide how I'd rank them.) I agree with your recommendation on "(Untitled)!" The album often gets panned but there's a lot of great stuff there! Thanks, Martin!
Music is so personal. I only agree that Pet Sounds is THE best BBs album. But very close to that is a totally underrated album from 64....Shut Down Vol 2. For me, it's the epitome of classic 60s American rock and roll.. But, it came out just when the Beatles were taking over everything. Fun, Fun, Fun....Don't Worry Baby...Warmth of the Sun...Why Do Fools Fall in Love...In the Parking Lot...Keep an Eye on Summer. Don't underrate the BBs earlier and younger creations. As far as Brian Wilson's "best" albums...I say he's crazy....b/c he is.
I agree...Some of my absolute favorite tracks by anyone, ever, are on "Shut Down Vol. 2." I'm realizing that one of the great things about The Beach Boys is that there are so many very different and very worthy candidates for "second best album." Thanks for the comments!
Thanks for the perspective, Al! With this episode having been up for nearly three years, you're the second comment today citing "Smiley Smile" as a favorite. Now that it's on my mind, I'm going to be pulling that one out for another listen soon! Thanks again!
You're not the first person to point that out, Alex! Somehow, I never reckoned that track very highly until I began getting viewer feedback like yours. I can't believe I overlooked what an excellent track it is! In the years since recording this, it's become a favorite. I'm planning to review the album "in-depth" soon and my assessment of "All I Wanna Do" will be quite different! Thanks for the feedback, Alex, and for pointing out a great track!
Hello Steve in my opinion the first & second best would be the All Summer Long Lp even with lots of Loves hokey lyrics one can hear Brain starting to stretch his musical legs getting away from that three cord stuff and using his wizardry to produce a record chock - full of music magic... thanks ... Michael.
Great and really interesting perspective! It's a great album and one that often gets overlooked as purely "transitional." I'm hoping to do a really "in-depth" look at "All Summer Long" early next year. Your comments have really put me in the mood for it. Hope you'll let me know what you think! Thanks, blueticecho!
Good calls, Daniel! There a some unforgettable and indispensable tracks on "Surfer Girl" and "Holland" is a personal favorite of mine. Thanks for the comments!
Yes! Those two-fer albums were amazing and really set a high standard for Beach Boys re-issues to come. (Fortunately, with some of the recent box sets, they've lived up to that standard!) "Friends/20/20" was probably my favorite of the bunch too. Thanks, Paul!
A legit question is why there is such an unbridgeable gap between "Pet Sounds" and anything else. (Don't mention "Love You" ... and I'm with you on "Wild Honey"!)
That's an excellent point and, probably, the reason "second best" is so debatable. (And, whatever "charms" it may, or may not, have, I won't mention "Love You"!) Thanks for the feedback, RL!
Thanks for the feedback, Charles! I agree that a lot of those 70s albums work better as compilations. In fact, now that so many good "previously unreleased" tracks are available, I think it's easy, and enjoyable, to compile better "albums" than those that were released! Thanks again for the comments, Charles!
Agree with your analysis of Sunflower, except At My Window which I don't like. I really think you are spot on with the Dennis material though. Slip on Through is dated and both that and Got to know the Woman are just horn dog Dennis 🐕 doing his thing lyrically with tired music. I agree the album overall doesn't hang together and Surfs Up is even worse. To start an album with Don't Go Near the Water, which shouldn't have made the album to begin with. Yuck. To think tracks like San Miguel, Celebrate the News, Big Sur, etc where left off these albums in favor of tracks like Student Demonstration Time and a song about washing your feet is truly baffling.
Thanks for the thoughts and feedback, GuitarsZnuff! I definitely want to revisit "Sunflower" in more detail sometime soon. I feel like I gave it a very "cursory" discussion here and, due in part to viewer feedback, my thoughts on a few of the tracks have changed. (Still not much of a fan of the Dennis "rockers" though!) I definitely agree that there were many tracks left off of "Surf's Up" that are superior to tracks that made it on to the album. It could have been an incredible album! Thanks again for the comments, GuitarsZnuff! Much appreciated!
I'm not sure why I overlooked that track for so long...Maybe it was the title. In any case, viewer comments have lead me to revisit it. It's a great track and I can't believe I missed the beauty of it for so long! Eventually, I'm going to revisit "Sunflower" in-depth on the channel and I will certainly offer a very different assessment of that particular track! Thanks for the feedback, jhun!
You know, of all the comments I've made in all the episodes here, that's, maybe, the one I have changed my mind about the most. For some reason, I never reckoned it very highly for years. Fortunately, after I posted this video, viewer comments made me revisit the tracking it's become a favorite. I'm planning to revisit "Sunflower" in much great detail, and with a new appreciation of that track, soon. Thanks for the comment, chris!
I'd go with "Surf's Up" as second best. Even love the way it's recorded. No album that I heard sounds like that. "Astral Weeks" I listen to once a year then it goes back on the shelf. I'm missing what lot of people hear on it. Agree with Brian Wilson, "Friends" and "Love You" are excellent. Whenever I play "Sunflower," I skip "Slip On Through." Might have been better in the middle of the album but not the first song on the album. In fact, I think it's the weakest song on the album.
"Surf's Up" is a fantastic album that seems strangely overlooked in recent years. ("Holland"'s reputation seems to have grown and "Surf's Up"'s seems to have diminished over the last couple of decades. No idea why.) I agree that it's got a great sound. Love that album! Good point about "Slip On Through" opening "Sunflower." That does seem like weird placement. It's a track I enjoy when it's on, but, once it's off, I couldn't begin to remember how it goes or hum it. Thanks for the comments, Zapple!
I like SURF'S UP as well. While 'TIL I DIE and SURFS UP are iconic songs and Carl's LONG PROMISED ROAD is cool, it is c dragged down by A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A TREE and the insipid STUDENT DEMONSTRATION TIME.
I liked your video but I have one complaint. Referring to ‘all i wanna do’ as a throwaway is one of the worst takes I’ve ever heard. Wow. That song is critically acclaimed across the board and it’s commonly a fan favorite. It’s considered Mike Love’s best vocal performance of his career. With that out of the way, here’s my ranking 10. 20/20 9. Surfer girl 8. Surf’s up 7. Wild honey 6. Holland 5. Sunflower 4. Friends 3. All summer long 2. Today 1. Pet sounds
In retrospect, I completely agree with you about "All I Wanna Do." For some reason, that track never got through to me until I started getting feedback on this episode. I revisited it based on viewer comments and, I agree, it's an outstanding track. I have no idea why I overlooked it before and, actually, one of the great things about this channel is viewers, like yourself, pointing out excellent things that I might have missed. I'm planning to revisit 20/20 "in depth" this summer and provide an updated take on the whole album. Thanks for the feedback, and the album ranking, Austin! Interesting take and much appreciated!
Honestly there isn't a true album from Today to Holland that I wouldn't consider as a contender for second best. Party is the only weak spot and that's its own thing, not a true album.
I can understand that! I think it's especially tough to choose because each album is also so unique that comparing them is very much "apples to oranges." All great stuff, for sure! Thanks for the feedback, R6!
You can definitely make a case for that! Some people say it's a disjointed series of tracks. I can understand that, but, somehow, to me, "20/20" holds together very well as an album..and some of those tracks are phenomenal!
Thanks for the comment, Gary. As you've probably noticed, the channel often takes in wider pop culture to add perspective on the Beach Boys (and, sometimes, just to change things up a little bit.)
I agree with you about Sunflower. There's a couple of nice tracks but it's a lightweight, forgettable album, similar to Friends actually. My pick would be Surf's Up and I don't think it's even close. Wild Honey is great, though.
I do love Surf's Up but it's a "different Beach Boys.. I prefer the albums pre Pet Sounds. I'm not even a huge fan of Pet Sounds. Brian's No Pier Pressure is better IMO
Thanks for the thoughts a feedback, tom tom! One of the great things about the group for me is all the very different periods of their work and how different all the albums are from one another. Those early 60s records are pretty hard to beat! Thanks too for mentioning "No Pier Pressure!" I love that album!
The Beach Boys TODAY and SUNFLOWER are My 2 choices for album number 2.. TODAY is the forerunner to PET SOUNDS especially the B side,, while SUNFLOWER Is is probably the 2nd best produced beach boy album after PET SOUNDS. TODAY has one terrible "song" on it, the Earl leaf interview. That certainly was filler, and Brian had many songs stashed away and any one could have been used instead of that tripe. SUNFLOWER has 2 weak songs , both Bruce Johnston's sappy contributions, DEIDRE and TEARS IN THE MORNING.
Thanks for the feedback and insights, yanks Fan! I certainly agree about the "Bull Session" on "Today!" I recently listened to the entire interview with Earl Leaf. Not only was it an unnecessary and annoying way to end the album, they seemed to have included one of the least interesting and most chaotic parts of the whole interview. (I'd LOVE to know what the thinking was on that!) Thanks again for the comments, yanks Fan!
"Sunflower" is clearly the popular favorite! As you might expect, I've been listening to it quite a bit lately since the "Feel Flows" box was released. Some of the songs that failed to "grab me" in the past are, for some reason, really registering with me now (particularly, "All I Wanna Do.") Thanks for the comments, bill!
"All I Wanna Do" is one of the best tracks on Sunflower. The way it's produced is just fantastic and innovative. It follows the path of "Passing By" from "Friends." It could be Air, and I even heard an echo of it in Tears For Fears "Everybody Wants To Rule The World..." Gorgeous processed sounds from the keys and that guitar, ethereal vocal harmonies and a persuasive beat. They use a synthesiser to process the vocals, some kind of filtering. Very watery and translucent and deep. That's where this album really starts to work for me, all the way to Cool Cool Water. I noticed how Bob Ezrin stole that eerie acapella for segue of "The Bed" and "Sad Song" by Lou Reed on "Berlin."
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Seconded re: "All I Wanna Do." It's arguably the best song on the album. Production-wise, it's notable for use of a Rocky Mount Instruments Rock-Si-Chord and a sitar, tape echo on Love's voice, and lots of reverb. (As of this writing, the closest I'm hearing to a Moog synthesizer is the muted bass sound in the left channel of "All I Wanna Do (Session Intro & Backing Vocals).")
I don't know if it started any genres, but it certainly fits in with shoe-gazer pop that emerged in the 1990s.
American Spring did a few _Sunflower_ songs. Their rendition of "Forever" beats the _Sunflower_ presentation, in my opinion.
@@johndavison4569 It has the quality of what you'd call ambient or dream pop. The guitar line the sort of thing you would hear 10 or more years later from Brian Eno. An earlier track, "Passing By" is another that fed into that genre. They are real gems of music. Didn't American Spring do a song called "Snowflakes"? t's not a Brian Wilson original but it comes from the same wellspring. There is a lovely minor key section which is very reminiscent of Wilson's compositional style. It's an out take I believe but it's up here. I agree on their version of "Forever." I need to get their album, as long as it has "Snowflakes" on it as an extra track. It's my favourite. Wilson was an absolute genius.
@@johndavison4569 Thanks also for the instrumental info! Brian was ahead of his time rather with his love of electronic keyboards and synthesisers. His keyboard writing was uniquely his own. I liked how he kicked off this new style with "Smiley Smile." I think it's the influence of exotica or "easy listening" which was also very popular in the 90s. I was certainly into all that. Esquivel and the like, Brazilian music. "Friends" is possibly my favourite Beach Boys record. It sounds so fresh and slightly bizarre. "Busy Doin' Nothing" and "Diamond Head..." Wow.
@@johndavison4569 I would add Air (French Band) to the list of bands taken with this music.
I'm enjoying your channel. I'm a big fan of Sunflower, but you have inspired me to give Wild Honey a fresh listen.
"All I Wanna Do" is (maybe surprisingly) one of my favorite Beach Boys tracks of all time. It is one of Mike's best vocals and the production is fantastic. I've heard people say it was the first "dream pop" song ever recorded, way ahead of its time. Anyway, I have learned a lot of cool trivia watching your channel so thanks.
I'll give "All I Wanna Do" another listen with your comments in mind! (One of the great things about this channel, for me, is getting different perspectives on the songs that allow me to hear them in a new light.)
Thanks very much of the comments and encouragement, rabbit!
@@thebeachboysbasementwithst6444 I have to admit, the first time I heard it, I thought it was kind of a throwaway, but it has really grown on me over the years. I do have one obscure Beach Boys question for you since you said you lived in L.A. before: Do you know the backstory of the store named "H.E.L.P."? In Wikipedia, it says it was a restaurant in L.A., but the lyrics to "Take A Load Off Your Feet" mention Pete buying a pair of sandals there. You may have already discussed it as I am still slowly watching all your videos.
I'm also enjoying all the other cool music collectibles seen in the background of your videos! As a Beatles, Who, and Monkees fan too, I'm noticing a lot of interesting stuff. You have an impressive collection! Thank you for your reply.
@@recordrabbit That's a really good question on "H.E.L.P." I lived in L.A. from '85 to '01 so the store, whatever it was, was long gone by the time I got there. The Farmer's Market is at Fairfax and Third, which is mentioned in "H.E.L.P." I used to go there for coffee in the morning before work and always wondered about the song.
I used to think The Radiant Radish had been there, but I understand that was a little ways away on Melrose and San Vicente.
I THINK there was a "Source" health food restaurant at Fairfax and Third. (The main one was on the Sunset Strip.) Maybe they sold footwear too? (I know, back in the early 70s, the health food restaurants I knew also sold groceries, vitamins and clothing, so it's possible.)
You raise a really interesting question! I'm going to research it and I'm hoping someone else will chime in with info. Thanks, rabbit and I'll let you know what I find out!
Some have called the first "Shoegaze" song ever...
I love All I Wanna Do! To me it's not so much a throw away, but way ahead of it's time. Add some modern production aesthetics and it sounds like Tame Impala could add it to their album. It's soo smooth.
Interesting perspective, especially the comparison to Tame Impala. Thanks for the comments, bighurt!
@Gabe W Interesting that you mention that, Gabe! When I was listening to "Sunflower" on the "Feel Flows" box, "All I Wanna Do" caught my attention in a way it never did before. I don't think it sounds any different from the version on the vinyl "Sunflower" but, for some reason, I enjoyed it more than ever before and can see there's much more to the track than I ever noticed. It may not be my personal all-time favorite track, but, in hindsight, is definitely not a "throwaway" by any means! (How did I listen to it over four decades and never rate it very highly until last week? Such are the vagaries of musical taste I guess!) Thanks for the feedback and perspective, Gabe! Much appreciated!
Amen, bro !
@G Walker see I dont care for it
In my opinion, The Smile Sessions > Pet Sounds
Runner ups are Today, Summer Days (And Summer Nights), and Sunflower
All great albums, definitely! I wasn't thinking so much of the Smile Sessions, since it's "unfinished" but it's definitely a favorite for me too! Thanks for the perspective, Bruce!
Great episode. Nice work taking time to opine on “second bests” of some other artists. Love this show. I’m forever going to call second best anything, “The Shemp Howard Award”
Thanks, Brian!
I love Wild Honey as well. Brian seems to still be in charge artiscally. I like “Today” better as #2, but didn’t realize how many of these tracks were already released prior to album release, thanks to your explanation.
There's a lot to love on a lot of Beach Boys albums. It's probably a credit to them that there are so many reasonable candidates for "second best." Thanks for the comments, Pete!
This is very hard but I will go with Beach Boys Today. Just brilliant music that led the way to Pet Sounds. Today was the album that forced the Beatles into Rubber Soul
"Today!" is definitely a great album! I get more play out of it than practically any other. Thanks, Mike!
@@thebeachboysbasementwithst6444 If you "get more play" out of 'Today!', why do you say that 'Pet Sounds' is their best?
@@robs5688 Good question, Rob! I listen to "Pet Sounds" pretty often too, though, I think I probably don't go to it as often now because, after so many years, I feel like I know if forwards, backwards and sideways.
My choice for number two BB album would be either Sunflower or Surfs Up, i go back and forth on which is my favorite or what I think is the better album. It is good to see Wild Honey and especially 20/20 get some love. I see 20/20 get either heavily underated or straight out maligned which ticks me off a bit. Yes, it is a collection of songs from many different sources and sessions with B sides and Smile songs all thrown together but song for song it is an impressive collection of work by a band that was about to start a magical run of albums.
I absolutely agree with you about "20/20." Even without knowing its history, it's easy to hear it's a collection of songs from different sources. but, for me, it somehow holds together and becomes more than the sum of its parts. It reminds me of the (nearly-contemporary) Beatles "White Album" in that regard. I agree it was the beginning of a magical run of albums (and my favorite Beach Boys era.) Great to hear from you, James!
If the question was split to "before" Pet Sounds and "after" Pet Sounds, My 2nd favorite album that was fully produced by Brian Wilson would be Summer Days & Summer Nights. For post Pet Sounds, probably Sunflower.
Both great albums, without a doubt! There's so much change in music and rock albums between the early and late 60s (or pre and post- Pet Sounds) that it's probably a good idea to split the question like that! Thanks for the comments and feedback, Mike!
"The Beach Boys Today." Even though a lot of it is made up of single sides from months back, it really hangs together as a great LP. I also like the fast/slow side idea, which was picked up by a number of artists later, notably the Stones. "When I Grow Up" doesn't get enough credit, but I see it as the first baroque rock song. And the Ramones most likely based their "Do You Wanna Dance" cover on the one here. I even like "Bull Session," which gives us some insight into the band's personalities.
Thanks for the thoughts and feedback, Tony! I agree that "Today" does really hang together in a way few albums did in '65. Side two gets more play here than, probably any other single album side. (I agree, too, about "When I Grow Up" being a bit overlooked. I'm considering an episode devoted to it some time.) Thanks again!
My favorite BB album is Smiley Smile but I'm aware it's far from their 'best.' It's my favorite because it helped me through hard times in my life, and listening to it still manages to utterly transport me back to a quiet place.
If we're not counting SMiLE (which I don't think we should) then my pick for their 'second best' would probably be Holland. To me, it feels like their entire career post-SMiLE was leading up to that album, and shows off how mature and strong they could be as a band. The homesick Americana stuff feels like a different spin on some of the themes of SMiLE which is a neat bonus. It's bittersweet knowing what would follow.
Individually I think all of the songs on Sunflower are great, but as an album it doesn't do it for me. Not because it's not 'cohesive' but... I dunno, it feels too happy and peppy for its own good and by the end of it I'm kinda just done
Thanks for the very interesting insights and feedback, daniel! I agree that, since "SMiLE" went unfinished and unreleased at the time, it can't really be counted as an "official" Beach Boys album. (I love the material though! If we're counting it, then it's easily my vote for second best!)
Excellent point on the "homesick Americana" (Great phrase!) of "Holland" recalling some of the themes of "SMiLE." I had never noticed it before and it's a very interesting perspective!
I see what you mean about "Sunflower" too! There IS a cumulative effect of "overboard" happiness and pep to the tracks. Maybe, in that way, it's TOO cohesive and could have benefitted from some songs that vary the emotional texture.
Thanks again for the feedback, daniel! Great stuff and hope to hear more from you!
I love that album mostly for the slow, haun ting remakes of Wonderful and Windchimes. Carl really nailed those and the change of pace really did them wonders. Songs like Little Pad, With Me Tonight and Hungry and such great songs too. Heroes and Villains and Good Vibrations feel out of place on that album. I also love the version of Vega Tables.
I enjoyed this video a lot; it was another reminder of how much I like the Beach Boys & how good they are & how much stuff they’ve made
I agree. I think the fact there are so many possible candidates for "second best album" really speaks well for the amazing and varied body of work the group created over the years. Thanks, Paul!
I'll never understand how anyone can name sergeant Pepper's the top Beatles album. i don't think it's among their best. Really have a hard time getting through it without getting bored.
Friends is #2 for me, it is incredible!
Definitely a great album! I did a "deep dive" review of it last summer. (It was episodes 123 and 124, if you're interested.) I always loved the album and researching it for those episodes really sharpened my appreciation of it. Great stuff! Thanks for the feedback, Tomás!
Rolling Stone has a new top 500 - and it makes me think of this episode (I actually think of this episode quite a lot). I currently put Surf's Up as a good number 2 LP - mostly just for Surf's Up, but Til I Die and Feel Flows are very moving, and the LP has a nice feel throughout. But, in the end, like the Rolling Stone's TOP 500, these things always change - if I am hot enough for She Knows Me Too Well, or Cool Cool Water, or...
Wondering: what DO you think of the new RS Top 500?
Funny you should ask, Frank! "Surf's Up" is a great album, of course. It seems to me that, for some unknown reason, its reputation has faded a little over the last 20 or 30 years while "Holland"'s reputation has grown. No idea why. Thanks for the comments!
Oooh hard topic.
So hard that I don't think I've ever even thought about it. Besides Pet Sounds (unequivocally #1) the Beach Boys have some damn near perfect moments, but those moments didn't really keep within the lines of cohesive albums very well. A lot of other distracting material. And the "importance" of their work is very difficult to define, post Pet Sounds. Something that makes the music so interesting to discover over and over.
I think I agree with Brian here. I really do love "Friends". I like how subdued it is.
To me it feels like a beautiful continuation of the musical spirit that came pouring out in Pet Sounds & (what would have been) Smile. Brian's writing at the time was truly transcending popular music. Friends, Passing By, Little Bird, Be Still, Busy Doin Nothin, all really great songs that give the album this smooth feel that I like. Sunflower has a great feel and has great participation from all the members, but I just don't sink into the album, nor does anything jump out.
Talking strictly post Pet Sounds, I think Beach Boys created their best moments when they were either going beyond pop into the ethereal or else when they were doing straight soul/R&B. So I can see why you really like Wild Honey!
Apparently so did Jim Morrison!
Thanks for the fantastic thoughts and feedback, Gregory! Apart from anything else, you write eloquently and beautifully. If you aren't a record reviewer, you should be! As many times as I've listened to and enjoyed "Friends" over the decades, your description has inspired me to pull the album out and give it another listen! Great comments and excellent points! Much appreciated, Gregory!
I remember Morrison was asked who his favorite musician is,and he said Brian Wilson! I wasn't sure if he was being sarcastic or not. apparently pretty much not.
I remember as a college freshman in the fall of 1970 buying the eagerly-awaited "Sunflower" album. (I'd been a serious "Beachaholic" for 7 years, getting a late start with "I Get Around" in the summer of '64). Then playing it & realizing at the time the only track I really loved was "Deidre." Now, 50 years later, as a seasoned adult, that track isn't my favorite any more -- it's way down on the list. It's really grown on me.
SO cool that you bought "Sunflower" on its release (and that you already had a long history as a fan!) Thanks for the comments! It's really great to get the perspective of how a fan thought of the album on its initial release! Much appreciated, bill!
Sunflower had come and gone by the fall of 1970, reaching only 151 on the charts.
"Add Some Music To Your Day" the single received a little airplay in the spring and I don't remember ever hearing "This Whole World" on the radio.
The Beach Boys TV special Good Vibrations From Central Park aired in August 1971. On that show Dennis sang Forever. On the strength of that performance I ordered Sunflower on 8-Track, still a popular format at the time.
It took weeks and weeks to arrive. Even though Sunflower had failed commercially in 1970, that little 8-Track became my favorite album. I thought I was the only person in the world who owned a copy! Among my friends I certainly was the only one.
It does my heart good to see "my album"
now reach iconic status after all these years. I don't know if it's the number 2 Beach Boys album of all time. There's a lot to be said for "Today", and I agree
"Wild Honey" or "Surf's Up" could be there.
I'm one of the few people that bought "Summer In Paradise" and I gotta say there are a few songs on that album I like
Who knows how it will be viewed at 50 years?
Thanks for the memories, thoughts and feedback, Phil! I always imagined that a lot of people would have found "Sunflower" to be a really enjoyable surprise...if they had happened to hear it...in 1970. Thanks for confirming that it was true in your case!
I plan to return to "Sunflower" for a more in-depth look and, actually, my thinking on some of the tracks has changed and evolved, mainly due to viewer comments, since I posted this episode. (For example, "All I Wanna Do" is a great track that I somehow overlooked for years. I'm really grateful that people pointed out that I should give it a closer listen.)
I definitely agree that a case could also be made for calling "Today!" "Wild Honey" or "Surf's Up" the "second best" album. I'm beginning to think the difficulty with ranking Beach Boys albums is that every one is so different from the others. This is part of why I've resisted ever doing a "top ten" Beach Boys albums episode: much of it would be "comparing apples to oranges." Of course, the fact they've done so many great, and varied, albums over the years is what makes them interesting!
Thanks again for the great feedback, Phil!
Thanks Steve for your feedback. I really enjoy your reviews, especially of the Beach Boys.
For me, the most complete album where all the tracks are strong would be "Today"
Even Pet Sounds has some less than stellar moments among it's masterpieces.
.........an often overlooked track on Pet Sounds is "Here Today", for me just a great song! And Brian's "This Whole World" still blows my mind after 50 years!
I'm still amazed that any human can write songs like Good Vibrations, California Girls, This Whole World, and I could go on and on.......
...
@@phildickson9171 I definitely love "Today!" Over the years, side two has probably gotten more play here than any other Beach Boys side. Thanks, Phil!
@@phildickson9171 I know what you mean, Phil! Even as great as much of the music coming out at the time was, Brian's work stands apart. There is an almost supernatural beauty to it, and the fact that so much of it was done over such a short period is astounding. Thanks for the comments, Phil!
“This Whole World” a second rate Brian Wilson classic. I fell off the couch hearing this.. Interesting perspective though. I would go with “Love You” or even the “Adult Child” as my second favorite..
Yeah. I might have been a little hard on "This Whole World." It's not one the springs to mind when I think of my favorite Beach Boys tracks, but, when it's on, it is pretty great. I think you could make a strong case for "Love You" and, especially, "Adult Child" if we go with "what could have been." Interesting comments! Thanks, Kevin!
Hi Kevin. It had been a while since I listened to what I said about "This Whole World." I believe I called it "second tier" rather than "second rate." I meant it's not part of the pantheon of the most legendary, well-known Brian Wilson songs (eg. "Good Vibrations," "California Girls," "Don't Worry Baby" etc.) It's one of his greats, but just below the most well-known group. (I knew I couldn't have been THAT hard on a song like "This Whole World"!) Thanks again for the comments!
The Beach Boys Basement with Steve Lewis You are correct! I just rewatched and you did indeed say second tier classic. My bad.. I agree with you! It is a second tier classic.
Great episode by the way. I’ve been pondering the question of what’s #2 ever since watching.
@@kevinmack22 Thanks for keeping me on my toes, Kevin! Good to hear from you!
I'm in my 50's and have always been a music connoisseur but I have to confess, until very recently I had thought that the Beach Boys had broken up after the failed Smile album. I knew their early songs of course, the Beach Boys medley that was a hit in 1980 kind of put them back on the map for many but perhaps because they never got any real airplay other than oldies stations which didn't even play Pet Sounds until the 1990's apart from Kokomo in 1988, 99% of the music listening world thought they had vanished, myself included. It wasn't until I was at a water park of all places I heard "I'm Waiting For the Day" and it inspired to to seek out Pet Sounds which I bought and really heard for the first time. Still, I was ignorant about the rest of their catalogue. It wasn't until their stuff got put up on youtube that I started to explore and get to know their music. When I discovered the Smile sessions I became hooked. It surpassed anything I imagined the Beach Boys could be, it also made me resent Mike Love some because I don't think he had the vision to see what Brian was doing, that he wanted to keep making Fun Fun Fun and I Get Around. I truly think that had the album been completed it would have changed music and who knows what Brian would have followed up with. At the same time it was a blessing in disguise because then we wouldn't have been given those stripped down low-fi albums that follow. I think that if Smile had been released that everything from Smiley Smile (which I love) to Surf's Up wouldn't have existed. Having had the chance to revisit everything very thoroughly I have to do my ranking for number a different way. There's no way to compare post Surf's Up with pre Surf's Up. I have to disagree with your choice of Wild Honey as the 2nd best BB album. For me it's Friends with Smiley Smile running a very close second. I love Sunflower and 2020 but to me they're just a notch below the two aforementioned albums. Friends is just an amazing album and also sometimes referred to as Brian's second solo album after Pet Sounds. For the second era I would have to go with Carl and the Passions and number two. It's an amazing album that if no one had told me I'd never have guessed that it was The Beach Boys. Holland and Love You are very good but to me So Tough stands head and shoulders above them
Thanks for the thoughts and feedback, Ron! Thanks especially for recounting how you discovered the Beach Boys. Coincidentally, I'm going to pose that question to "the group" of commenters here in the episode that posts tomorrow, so you're ahead of the rest! I think you're absolutely right that, had SMiLE been completed, the trajectory of popular music would have been different, including the Beach Boys work that followed. I agree that it's really difficult, and maybe impossible, to compare the BB's pre-67 work to what came later. Actually, one of the things I love about the band, and what makes them interesting for me to cover on this channel, is how different all of the albums are. "Friends" is certainly an excellent album! I think it's so "low key" that it's sometimes overlooked. Great stuff and a favorite of mine! Thanks again for the thoughts and feedback, Ron!
Well put together video Steve ,i'm with you all the way on your choice of Wild Honey as the second best album By The Beach Boys , played it to death as a teenager some stellar vocals from Carl Wilson and Brians i'd Love Just Once to See You is sublime great album
Great to hear that you love that album too! I certainly agree about both Carl's great vocals and "I'd Love Just Once To See You," which seems like something that could only have come from Brian Wilson! Thanks for the thoughts and comments, Chris!
Personally?, I wouldn't put Pet Sounds as the no 1 BBs album. In 1966 The BBs were second only to the Beatles as the most important vocal groups in the world. Yet Pet Sounds has two instrumental songs on it, the sleeve was not what you would expect from a band that was progressing musically at that time, and it's sales was very disapointing. Don't get me wrong it really is a wonderful album, and when I first put it on the turntable in 1966 I thought this is different, and as the weeks and months went by I did realised that Pet Sounds was something special and it was the best album I'd ever heard., But I would put Sunflower, Surfs Up, Holland & especially Smile before Pet Sounds. It's been 55 years since I first bought Pet Sounds and I can honestly say I've played it hundreds of times, but I've played the other four albums many more times, I also play Carl & the Passions and Dennis's Pacific Ocian Blue more than PS. I still love listening to PS it's a fantastic rewarding experience every time, but for me those other 5 albums are more of a group effort and shows that The Beach Boys were much more than just Brian Wilson. I had albums by some of the great groups in my record collection in 1970, But When Sunflower was released I thought that it was the best album I'd heard by any group at that time. And it still sounds great today especially with the Feel Flows box set just been released. Another great video Steve but I have to disagree with you this time. Sunflower is a beautiful album.
Interesting perspective and excellent points, John! I see your points on "Pet Sounds" and, now that I think of it, I undoubtedly play those other BB albums more often too. As for "Sunflower," my thinking on it has evolved some since I posted this video, due, largely, to some to the comments here, which have lead me to go back and re-assess some things I had kind of passed over before. I'm hoping to revisit "Sunflower" in-depth sometime in 2022. Thanks again for the interesting perspective and comments, John! Great stuff!
Oh, I have a good question (maybe)! What is the second best post-Holland Album?
Most would say "Love You" is the best, but I don't think there is a generell opinion about what the second best is.
That's an EXCELLENT question! I've actually made a note to try to pose it to the group in a future episode. (I'll be sure to mention that you came up with it!) For myself, I guess, it would be the "Light Album." It'll be really interesting to see what others come up with! Thanks for posing the question, Daisy...and how would you answer?
@@thebeachboysbasementwithst6444 At the moment, LA is also my second favourite, but MIU is very close, and TWGMTR has an amazing last four tracks.
I'm happy you like the question. :D
If you want to mention me, please use they/them pronouns, it would mean a lot to me.
@@DaisyIsKing I didn't think of TWGMTR for some reason. I agree about those last four tracks. Maybe I'd go with that one! (More to consider here than I thought!)
Hey dude, why don't you count The SMiLE Sessions? I think it's the 2nd best BB album. My 3rd fave one would be Today! Wild Honey, 20/20 and Friends are great albums too.
The SMiLE sessions are great and certainly some of my favorite BB music! For this, I was thinking in terms of original Beach Boys albums. The SMiLE Sessions box would certainly have a strong claim to "second best" (and, possibly, best "archival box set" for anybody, ever!)
Today!, Wild Honey, 20/20 and Friends are all great too. Sounds like we both love that late 60s period!
Thanks for the comments and thoughts, andres!
“SMiLE” is tied for my 3 favorite albums of all time… and when I say that, I include the remix cult, the bootlegs, Brian’s remake in 2004, I even include “smiley smile” as part of the entire ball of wax… the whole story. The fact that it will never actually be “finished” and has become a LIVING and constantly evolving piece of art plays into my love of it. It’s almost multidimensional to me. An album outside of time and space that came from a place outside of human understanding… or maybe I’m just a weirdo. 😄
(If you are curious, Songs in the key of life by Stevie Wonder and The White Album by The Beatles are my other 2)
Excluding that one, Pet Sounds followed by Sunflower are my top 2.
Interesting perspective, Bradley, and I really like what you said about the unfinished aspect of "SMiLE" making it almost "multidimensional." I think that's very true.
I didn't really include "SMiLE" in my thinking here, due to its "unfinished" status but its probably my favorite period of Beach Boys' work, at least partially for the reasons you mentioned.
BTW, "The White Album" is probably my personal all-time favorite album by anybody and "Songs In The Key of Life" would be pretty high on the list too! (Coincidentally, I've been listening to early/mid 70s Stevie Wonder all day today!)
Thanks for the great thoughts and comments, Bradley!
My #2 Elton John Album is Captain Fantastic (by a narrow margin too. This is an excellent album). My Beach Boys #2 has to be Today! (by a narrow margin as well). I agree with you about Wild Honey's cohesion, but that exists on Friends and Smiley as well which I think are equally good as Wild Honey (if not a smidge better). Sunflower and Love You are outstanding and have a regular place in my rotation for sure. But Beach Boys Today! is a masterpiece as well as a cohesive album to my ear. It is the perfect balance of Brian melancholy and Mike upbeat. Songs on subsequent albums may be more sophisticated or mature, but you cannot tell me that Please Let Me Wonder, She Knows Me Too Well, Dance Dance Dance, Kiss Me Baby, When I Grow Up, etc. are not as good as anything they've ever done. Even Good To My Baby and Little Sister are interesting in arrangement and composition. I also love hearing the boys playing instruments on the album. Thanks for the excellent episode Steve, what a great idea as there is no obvious answer to this question! Hope you're doing well!
A strong case can definitely be made for "Captain Fantastic" as the #2 Elton John album. It may be somewhat lacking in "hits" for a mid-70s Elton John album but it's strong throughout and remains one of my all-time favorites.
Likewise, I agree that there's a strong case for putting "Today!" at #2 for The Beach Boys. It's really hard comparing Beach Boys albums since each one is so different from the others. (Side two of "Today!" is, unquestionably, one of my all-time favorite sides!)
Thanks for your thoughtful review and input! Always great to hear from you, Scott!
20/20 is fantastic. Incredible vocal performances by Carl especially on I Can Hear Music , Do It Again ( I Just love this Song, so much groove), All I want To Do (what a rocker, Mike really rules this One)....
"20/20" is an album I've always loved too. I'm planning to revisit it in, in greater detail, on the channel this summer, along with a look at pop culture in 1969. It'll give me a chance to really dig into the album again. I can't wait! Thanks for the feedback, Marco!
Pet Sounds is their second best album because Love You is #1
Interesting take! Thanks for the feedback, Danny!
Smiley Smile or Holland no contest
Interesting choices, WYL2K! Both, certainly, unique albums. Thanks for the feedback!
@@thebeachboysbasementwithst6444 I'm speaking strictly as a whole album experience. There are other albums with better songs but they don't really hold up to the full album listening experience
@@Chicago_Podcast_Authority Absolutely! I like to use the same criteria on ranking albums. Both those albums are unique experiences and hold together very well as "albums." (I've always thought it was "apples to oranges" when lists of "best albums" includes both original albums and "greatest hits" albums. By that rationale, I've always wondered why they don't just go ahead and include "The Complete Beatles Box Set" as a "great album"!) Thanks for the excellent follow-up, WYL2K!
To me, Slip On Through has a lot of pocket, but it's easier to hear in the version that plays at the actual speed. Also All I Wanna Do has such a strong vibe, it's the first ever chillwave song. Overall I honestly feel like this review does not take into account how sunflower sounds as a whole even though it does take that into account for wild honey.
Excellent points, Shea! Based, largely, on comments and feedback from viewers, such as yourself, my opinion of "Sunflower" has evolved some since I recorded this episode; especially "All I Wanna Do" which I now recognize as a great track. (No idea why I was overlooking it for all these years but happy to have "re-discovered" it with the help of commenters!) I'm planning to re-visit "Sunflower" sometime soon. Hope you'll let me know what you think! Thanks, Shea!
Yes. Sunflower #2. Amen.
Steve ?, I find this subject so interesting, Out of the 91 comments on this subject quite a few of them myself included don't refer to Pet Sounds as being their best album by The Beach Boys. What is obvious here though is the fact that back in 1966 it was without doubt the greatest rock album ever made up to that point. I would also like to point out that Little Deuce Coupe, Shut Down Vol 2 , Summer Days & Summer Nights, & BBs Today were excellent albums by The BBs. The Smile sessions is in my personal opinion the best piece of music I've ever experienced by any artist. It's faultless from start to finish, and along with the catastrophic decision to pull out of the Monterey Festival?, the failure to release the Smile album in 1967 is the reason why The BBs were considered all washed up and why the fantastic music they released after PS from Smiley Smile in 1967, right up to Holland in 1974 didn't have the impact they should have, had they not made those two disastrous decisions. For me though it's 1 Smile Sessions, 2 Sunflower, 3 Holland, 4 Surfs Up, 5 Pet Sounds. One last point though, Any band in the history of music would be happy to have just one of those five albums in their catalog but The Beach Boys have all five, plus all the other albums mentioned on this subject alone. We really are so lucky.
Great observations and great points, John! Maybe it's worth asking the question here if Pet Sounds is, in fact, most people's favorite Beach Boys album and the one they consider "best." (Of course, those can sometimes be two different things.) I assumed it was...Maybe that's not true. The decisions to abandon SMiLE and to pull out of Monterey were definitely fateful, had serious consequences for the rest of the band's career and the impact can't be overstated. I definitely agree that we're lucky that they have so many GREAT albums in their catalog! Part of what intrigues me about them, too, is that the albums are all so different. Comparing them is sometimes like apples and oranges...but very delicious apples and oranges! Thanks for the thoughts, insights and comments, John!
No Steve, thank you for this wonderful channel.
I consider Surf‘s Up to be their second greatest album. Til I Die, Surf‘s Up, Feel Flows, and Long Promised Road are are masterpieces.
I can definitely see that, Chris! It's a great album and all the tracks you mentioned are among my all time favorite tracks by the group (or anybody for that matter!) Thanks for the feedback and perspective!
Whoa, to me it would be 1. Smile Sessions (first 19 tracks), then 2. Pet Sounds, honorable mention to Surf's Up, Adult/Child and Love You
Excellent choices, Shawn! Great albums all and especially nice to see "Surf's Up" in the mix. I'm not sure why, but I get the feeling that one is often overlooked these days. Thanks for the thoughts and comments!
Wild Honey #1.
Pet Sounds #2 or even #3.
Interesting perspective, 0! What album might you put ahead of "Pet Sounds" at #2? Thanks for the feedback!
I gotta disagree with the beatles take, Abbey Road and to a lesser extend White Album are still constantly fighting for number 1 and 2, with revolver, and Sgt Pepper.
You've definitely got a point, Carter! Abbey Road and the "white album" have definitely really gained in esteem in recent years. For decades, Sgt Pepper was usually the slam-dunk number one with Revolver somewhere jut behind. All those assessments, recently, seem to have changed in recent years. Thanks for the comments and for pointing that out, Carter!
@@thebeachboysbasementwithst6444 love your content, thanks for the reply!
Great analysis of the idea..what's next in succession...every lp by the beach boys I love ..have about 50 to 60 counting a box or two..every era is a must!! The beach boys are the greatest American band
Sounds like a great collection! The Beach Boys have done so much great music over so many eras that it makes it really hard to compare, let alone rank, them. (It also makes them a fun subject for a youtube channel!) Thanks for the comments, Grover! Hope to hear more from you!
I love the hypnotic vibe of All I Wanna Do and really like Deirdre and Tears In The Morning has some heavy lyrics from Bruce.
Thanks for the feedback, Floodland! Since I've posted this episode, viewer comments have lead me to revisit "All I Wanna Do." I'm not sure how I overlooked what a great track it is! I'm planning to do an in-depth look at "Sunflower" sometime soon and, from the excellent feedback I've received, I know my perspective on the album will be somewhat different from what it was when I recorded this. Thanks again for the input!
@@thebeachboysbasementwithst6444 very cool...I look forward to it
Carpenters "Close To You" bubblegum?? How did you arrive at that description? Carpenters were not the 1910 Fruitgum Company for goodness sakes! Richard and Karen Carpenter were extremely gifted musicians who deserve better than that.
Hi goplad! I just rewatched this episode. (It's been a while!) I agree, "bubblegum" is an off-hand and inadequate label for the Carpenters. I shouldn't have used that description. It's not accurate. Genre labels aside, I agree: the Carpenters made some excellent records. (I certainly enjoy them!) Thanks for pointing that out, goplad!
I really like "tears in the morning" because of the backing vocals those harmonies. I agree Pet Sounds then Sunflower-probably because I love Denny music.
Thanks for the feedback, Jack! I agree that those harmonies on "Tears in The Morning" are beautiful. I did this episode quite a while ago and my thinking on some of "Sunflower" has evolved, especially due to feedback from commenters, pointing out some things I had overlooked. I'm looking forward to doing a more in-depth look at "Sunflower" sometime soon! Thanks again for the comments and thoughts, Jack!
Second best is 2011's SMiLE Sessions. Undisputed.
I definitely would not argue with that!
By the way, you said prior to '66 ( I think you mean December '65 "Rubber Soul")
albums were simply a collection of songs and not particularly meant to hang together.... "Today" ,particularly side 2, refutes this.....Peace and Love
Good point, Julia! There was definitely some very good thought given to the song sequencing on "Today." (Great album too!) Thanks for the feedback!
'Friends' is a fantastic album.
"It's about time" is one of my Dennis faves to be honest 😄
I definitely agree about "Friends." (I just did a couple of episodes on it recently. They are numbers 123 and 124 if you want to check them out.) Thanks for the feedback on "It's About Time." I'll give it another play. Thanks for the thoughts and comments. Murdock!
@@thebeachboysbasementwithst6444 thanks will check them out. Don't worry about "It's about time" - not everybody can like the same thing. I get that ut is a bit 'frantic', but somehow I think it's pretty cool. Probably also as a good contrast to the rather ballad heavy side 2 of 'Sunflower'.
@@murdockreviews "It's About Time" is probably never going to be a personal favorite, but I always like to re-listen when somebody gives me a different perspective on a track. (For years, I overlooked what a great track "All I Wanna Do" is. It was viewer feedback that finally turned me on to what I'd been missing.) Thanks again for the feedback, Murdock!
If you don't count Smile, I have #2 Today #3 Surf's Up #4 Sunflower #5 Surfin USA #6 Surfer Girl #7 All Summer Long #8 Little Deuce Coupe #9 Summer Days #10 Shut Down II 11) Holland
Interesting perspective, Paladin! Definitely all great albums! (Since it wasn't completed, I've been leaving out "SMiLE" as an original Beach Boys album...I might give the "SMiLE" sessions box set the title of "greatest archival release of all time" though!) Thanks for the feedback, Paladin!
@@thebeachboysbasementwithst6444 very difficult to put 20/20 at 12. You inspired me to give Love You another listen. Still can’t move it higher
@@paladin1726 I agree about "20/20." There's a lot to great stuff there too! "Love You" is definitely a weird one. I'm fond of it, personally, but I'm not sure that that makes it a "good album." I think some people see it as a "unique, strange and rough-hewn wonder" a bit like "outsider art." Other people seem to see it as a collection of simple, quirky and often woefully under-developed tunes sounding like little more than a grab-bag of demos. I really wouldn't argue with either perspective! Thanks again for the thoughts and comments, Paladin!
2nd best is " SUNFLOWER " ------------" SUNFLOWER " IS BRILLIANT, ALL THE WAY.
That seems to be the general consensus. I won't dispute it! (I'm re-listening at the moment on the "Feel Flows" set. Undoubtedly some great stuff there!) Thanks for the comments, Michael!
Yes
For me the first and second best BB LP's switch between Love You and Friends (or Smiley Smile).
Pet Sounds would be third or fourth for me.
:-)
Those are great and unique albums! Each of The Beach Boys albums is so different from the others that, even more than most bands, there is an "apples and oranges" aspect to comparing them. Interesting perspective and I appreciate the comments! Thanks, now!
@@thebeachboysbasementwithst6444 - I totally agree.
The differences amongst fans keeps it interesting.
:-)
Too hard. Wild honey, sunflower, today! 20/20 and surfs up all battle that one.
I know what you mean, Angry! All of them are so different too...Of course, for me, that variety is a lot of what makes the group interesting. Thanks for the feedback!
Just like Revolver was the preemptive gathering of Sgt.Peppers, I find the Beach Boys album, Today, to be very similar in regards to, Pet Sounds..
Especially the entire side two of the original album...
To my mind there is no doubt this would be the Beach Boys '2nd' best LP..
Thanks for sharing....music always makes for very interesting discussion.. Peace
Excellent comparison between Revolver-Pepper and Today!-Pet Sounds. I'd never thought of that and it's a very good point! I'd say that side two of "Today!" probably gets more play at my place than any other album side. Thanks for the thoughts and insights, Daniel!
I am honoured that you see the point I was making..
The album today was Brian's first all Brian Wilson production and the change in the songs are incredible.
Rich harmonies and mysterious, or, haunting melodies, but, always beautiful.
Full. Brian was remaking Phil Spectors, Wall of Sound, with Brian's advanced composing abilities, arranging, playing/singing while recording, mixing, and producing..
There is not a single musician that became the worlds best all by the talent and intellect of Brian Wilson.
Today was recorded in 1965.
If you listen to.other bands in 1965, there wasn't a lot of great stuff.
The Beatles, of course, and other emerging, but, mostly smaller acts..then, woosh..this band from California...this Brian Wilson knocks the Beatles off the charts with Good Vibrstions.
The Beatles, with three singer, player composer's and a producer with a ton of classical training and experience who added so much to Beatles records that helped them have 'that sound.'
The Beach Boys relied heavily on Brian alone to write all their music, but the album, Today, was all Brian Wilson composed, arranged, recorded and produced perfection throughout a vast catalogue..
Later on his voice changed, but, he still had the ability..
Check out a song he did, solo, in the 1988 album just called, Brian Wilson.
Check out the song, Rio Grande and there you can hear so many of the perfect elements that made that most singular sound so very inspiring to so very many.
@@MohawkOnTheBlock Thanks for the excellent thoughts and insights. I agree and have always felt that Brian had the unique ability to take Spector's "Wall of Sound" which, of course, sounded "big," and make it somehow both "big" and "intimate." Thanks for mentioning "Rio Grande" too! I'll never forget how amazing and welcomed that track was when the "Brian Wilson" came out in '88. It's a great track and, to me, served notice that Brian could still make amazing records. Thanks again, Daniel!
TODAY! is my number 1 bb album. surfin' safari is what it sounds like : a bunch of kids. the beach boys were never a garage band. they were a living room band. surfin' usa is a HUGE improvement; a giant leap forward. the lonely sea is one of my all time favorite songs. the first glimpse we get of bw's more melancholy side. to me surfer girl, little Deuce Coupe, shut down volume 2, all summer long, Christmas album, TODAY! (my all time favorite album by ANYONE), summer days/nights, pet sounds, SMiLE! sessions, smiley smile (in the 70's this album was my favorite album by anyone of the previous decade, then i heard TODAY! and the doors's debut), wild honey, friends and 20/20 are all classic albums. i don't really count party! as a studio album. i could live without it. i like most of sunflower. i like much of surf's up. i really can't get into much of carl/passions and holland. i appreciate them more than i actually enjoy them. Mount Vernon and Fairway however is amazing. 15 big ones is/was a HUGE disappointment. the bb recorded it under duress. their label was threatening to sue them for not meeting the obligations of their contract. they owed the label two more records.they went into the studio and attempted to record two albums at once. they were going to record one album of covers and one album of new material, but the clock was ticking and they were running out of time. so they presented what they had recorded thus far as one album to buy them more time. this album should have been either all covers or all new material, not a mash-up. around this time they also recorded their second Christmas album hoping that would fullfill their contract, but the label rejected it. they did not want a Christmas album. it would take decades for this material /their second Christmas album to finally be released. LOVE YOU is my favorite album of the 70's. it is their last truly great, classic album. it was the last time they attempted to move forward. originally love you was to be a solo brian album called brian loves you. special note should be made of nearly every member of the band walked out during love you's recording process not knowing what to make of what brian was doing; dennis and carl MAY have hung around the studio more than the others. after this the bb stopped even atempting to move forward. mike love seized control of the band. they then proceeded to attempt and failed to regain their former, early era glory. i wish they had retired the BB name or retiring from recording after love you. the beach boys are my all time favorite band, but i do not listen to any of their post 1977 love you albums. even bruce says they sound like old men on MIU. l.a. light album has a very few good songs, but everything else post-love you i just wish would cease to exist. still crusin' to me isn't a studio album; just a compilation with left overs. That's Why God Made the Radio is a pretty good reunion album. check out brian's unreleased albums sweet insanity and adult/child and brian and dennis's the cocaine sessions aka the hamburger sessions.
Thanks for the great info, perspective and feedback, John! I agree that the material on "Today!" is outstanding and side two is undoubtedly my "most played side" of any Beach Boys album. Reading your comments, I'm once again reminded of the depth and diversity of the Beach Boys catalog over the years. I've resisted doing any "top ten ranking" of Beach Boys albums on the channel because they're all so different. It would inevitably be a little "apples to oranges." That said, some albums are certainly MUCH better than others, as you point out. I pretty much agree with your perspective on their 70s (and post 70s) work too! Thanks again for the great overview and for the excellent perspective, John! Much appreciated!
@@thebeachboysbasementwithst6444 you are very welcome. thank you for your reply and all the effort you put into your videos. honestly i wish the band had broken up after love you. basically love you was a brian solo record, but after that most of their albums are more like the work of 2 band members each time out (a different 2 on each outing) and none of their work on those albums is as interesting as brian's + left over tracks from previous recordings (many evidentally from the 15 big ones era. even love you had a left over track! dennis's pacific ocean blue is head and shoulders above all post-love you bb albums. i also find brian's adult/child, sweet insanity and brian and dennis's the cocaine sessions aka the hamburger sessions to be much more interesting than any post-love you bb album. thanks again!
@@johnrunion5357 I agree, especially about "Pacific Ocean Blue." Great album and I only wish that Dennis had gone ahead and seriously pursued a solo career. (Actually, I think it would have been even better if he had gone solo in '71 with the unreleased work he did then.) I've always thought that the band being a "family business" really complicated things for all of them and made it harder to "call it a day" for the band, (even when they probably should have!) Thanks again for the excellent perspective, John!
@@thebeachboysbasementwithst6444 you are very welcome and thank you. yes and then there is the bambu sessions following pacific ocean blue. also i really like all of brian's solo albums except for 1998's imagination. that lucky old sun is a real highlight. his voice is really worse for wear on his solo Christmas album however.
@@johnrunion5357 Thanks for the follow-up! Your comments reminded me that I'm overdue for an episode on "That Lucky Old Sun" here on the channel. Great album!
For some reason, none of you guys on RUclips want to credit "Brian Wilson Presents: Smile" as a Beach Boys album....I will.....2. Pet Sounds 3. Beach Boys Today......
I absolutely love "Brian Wilson Presents SMiLE." If you count that as a Beach Boys album, I could definitely understand that ranking. Thanks, Julia!
For me it's 1. Pet Sounds 2. Love you. I think Love you has ingenious melodies, if they recorded it in the 60s it would've been regarded as a classic, I think the only reason Love You is not revered as the stone-written number two Beach Boys album is because of their weaker vocal prowess, due to alcohol, cigarettes and what not..
I've given Wild Honey many listens, but there's nothing that really grabs me on that record. I'll give it another try from your perspective. My #2 Beach Boys album is a tie between Smiley Smile and Today! I actually love the songs on Smiley Smile more than Pet Sounds.
Thanks for the great feedback, JDD! "Smiley Smile" didn't grab me right away. It's an album I've "grown to love," mostly because it's so unique and unusual. (Your comments have put me in the mood to give it another listen in the next couple of days.) Side two of "Today!" probably gets more play here than any other album side. Thanks again for the great comments, JDD!
I like your choices....but....I have to admit that if we are talking about songs that fit together as a nice quilt of an album I really enjoy "The Beach Boys 1985"....please don't hate me 😄
That's very true, Michael. The 1985 album is unique and very much "hangs together" as an album. There's a lot of stuff I really like on that album including "Getcha Back" and, especially, Carl's tracks, "It's Getting Lat" and "Maybe I Don't Know." It seems like that album sometimes gets unfairly maligned or overlooked. There's a lot of great stuff there! Thanks for mentioning it, Michael!
My BB top 10 albums ranked
1. Pet Sounds
2. Today
3. Surfs up
4. Holland
5. Sunflower
6. Carl and the passions so tough
7. 20/20
8. Friends
9. Summer days
10. Smiley Smile
Excellent! I couldn't argue with that. (Amazing to look at what a varied group of great albums they produced, isn't it?) Thanks for the great feedback, Peter!
Well done. I actually have Wild Honey as their best album simply because Pet Sounds is just overkill if that's possible. For me, Im torn between Friends, Summer Days, 20/20 Smiley Smile and Beach Boys today. In the end its Smiley Smile. Heres my rationale. Pet Sounds has always been more of a Brian Wilson album with the boys as guests. Smiley Smile is more of a real band effort.
Interesting approach, Digger! It makes sense though. It's an excellent point that Pet Sounds, of all Beach Boys albums, is closest to being a "Brian Wilson solo" album with the others guesting. More and more, I'm starting to think that, with such a variety between Beach Boys albums, any comparison is, inevitably, "apples to oranges." (Of course, the fact that all the albums are so different is a large part of what makes them interesting.) Thanks for the insights and feedback, Digger!
You are really under estimating the ‘Today’ album, that is the album that Brian Wilson’s songwriting showed a big step up and it has some of the beach boys best vocal arrangements like Kiss Me Baby. It’s a myth that Pet Sounds ‘came out of nowhere’ if you closely follow the evolvement of the band their is a very organic improvement the same as the Beatles . I disagree that yo can interchange songs from Summer days summer nights that’s more of a throwback album delivered due to pressure from the record company .
For me smiley smile , wild honey and friends are a great trilogy of low fi albums but far from their best
You are very harsh in sunflower . ‘Slip on through’ is a fantastic song in my opinion .
Surfs up album is also great .
Finally if you include Smile (2011) that would be their 2nd best if not best , it flows together great imo
Thanks for the thoughts and perspective, Trevor! There's no doubt that "Today!" has some amazing work on it and, likely, side two is, for me, the "most played" side of any Beach Boys album. I agree that I was very harsh on "Sunflower" here. The feedback I've had from viewers since posting this has lead me to reassess it and I've found things that I had really overlooked. (Getting those different perspectives has been one of the great things about this channel for me.) I'm hoping to have a chance to revisit "Sunflower" for a "deep dive" on the channel sometime soon, and to update my thoughts on that album. Once again, thanks for the thoughtful and excellent feedback, Trevor!
It's interesting seeing all the different viewpoints. From my experience, most Americans seem to regard Today! as the second best while the British like Sunflower. My personal 2nd favorite is Love You, believe it or not. In 1976, Dennis Wilson said the only album he was embarrassed with is 20/20 because of its disjointed nature. As far as other bands go, the Byrds' Younger than Yesterday is widely regarded as #1 and Notorious Byrd Brothers is usually seen as #2.
Interesting points, Martin! I know I'm in the minority, but, to me, "20/20" has always seemed to hang together as an album (despite its fractured history) while "Sunflower," with its many high points, has always seemed more a collection of tracks by individuals; more like The Beatles "white album." Though, I have to admit, my perspective on "Sunflower" has been evolving (largely due to great feedback in viewer comments) since I recorded this episode. Great point about The Byrds too! I'm not sure how I'd rank their albums myself. I'll have to give that one some thought! Thanks for perspective and insight, Martin! Much appreciated!
@@thebeachboysbasementwithst6444 Absolutely. I personally think 20/20 is very good despite its patchiness and is a clear step toward the teamwork of Sunflower, which I love. I really enjoy the more basic, harder edge of Love You. As for the Byrds, I strongly recommend those two albums. Younger than Yesterday was released 5 months before Sgt. Pepper and clearly influenced its use of electronic effects and tape looping. Just listen to "C.T.A.-102" for an example.
@@filmcuts178 I definitely love those Byrds albums. (I love them all through "Sweetheart of The Rodeo" actually.) I can understand "Younger Than Yesterday" and "Notorious" being ranked 1 and 2, though, to me, there doesn't seem to be a "slam-dunk" "best" Byrds album the way there are with some other artists. Good points about "Younger Than Yesterday" pre-dating "Pepper"! Hadn't thought of that and it makes a lot of sense, especially in ranking it as The Byrds' "best." Very interesting stuff! Thanks, Martin!
@@thebeachboysbasementwithst6444 I also recommend "(Untitled)" if you have not gone up to 1970 yet with the Byrds.
@@filmcuts178 I'm familiar with that album and the other Byrds albums. (There's something good to be said about all of them, which makes it hard for me decide how I'd rank them.) I agree with your recommendation on "(Untitled)!" The album often gets panned but there's a lot of great stuff there! Thanks, Martin!
Music is so personal. I only agree that Pet Sounds is THE best BBs album. But very close to that is a totally underrated album from 64....Shut Down Vol 2. For me, it's the epitome of classic 60s American rock and roll.. But, it came out just when the Beatles were taking over everything. Fun, Fun, Fun....Don't Worry Baby...Warmth of the Sun...Why Do Fools Fall in Love...In the Parking Lot...Keep an Eye on Summer. Don't underrate the BBs earlier and younger creations. As far as Brian Wilson's "best" albums...I say he's crazy....b/c he is.
I agree...Some of my absolute favorite tracks by anyone, ever, are on "Shut Down Vol. 2." I'm realizing that one of the great things about The Beach Boys is that there are so many very different and very worthy candidates for "second best album." Thanks for the comments!
My favourite is Smiley Smile, I consider it a masterpiece just like SMiLE and Pet Sounds honestly.
Thanks for the perspective, Al! With this episode having been up for nearly three years, you're the second comment today citing "Smiley Smile" as a favorite. Now that it's on my mind, I'm going to be pulling that one out for another listen soon! Thanks again!
How you gonna call All I Wanna Do a throwaway track lmao
You're not the first person to point that out, Alex! Somehow, I never reckoned that track very highly until I began getting viewer feedback like yours. I can't believe I overlooked what an excellent track it is! In the years since recording this, it's become a favorite. I'm planning to review the album "in-depth" soon and my assessment of "All I Wanna Do" will be quite different! Thanks for the feedback, Alex, and for pointing out a great track!
Hello Steve in my opinion the first & second best would be the All Summer Long Lp even with lots of Loves hokey lyrics one can hear Brain starting to stretch his musical legs getting away from that three cord stuff and using his wizardry to produce a record chock - full of music magic... thanks ... Michael.
Great and really interesting perspective! It's a great album and one that often gets overlooked as purely "transitional." I'm hoping to do a really "in-depth" look at "All Summer Long" early next year. Your comments have really put me in the mood for it. Hope you'll let me know what you think! Thanks, blueticecho!
Today best early lp.sunflower best later lp .x
I wouldn't argue with that! Thanks, Trevor!
I’m inclined to go with Surfer Girl. Lots of iconic songs, great harmonies and not too much filler. Otherwise, Holland (minus Mt Vernon and Fairway).
Good calls, Daniel! There a some unforgettable and indispensable tracks on "Surfer Girl" and "Holland" is a personal favorite of mine. Thanks for the comments!
friends is the second album
I could see that. Great album! Thanks, chopin!
the twofer albums that were released in the 90’s probably don’t count, but if they did it would make my choice fairly easy- ‘Friends / 20/20’
Yes! Those two-fer albums were amazing and really set a high standard for Beach Boys re-issues to come. (Fortunately, with some of the recent box sets, they've lived up to that standard!) "Friends/20/20" was probably my favorite of the bunch too. Thanks, Paul!
A legit question is why there is such an unbridgeable gap between "Pet Sounds" and anything else. (Don't mention "Love You" ... and I'm with you on "Wild Honey"!)
That's an excellent point and, probably, the reason "second best" is so debatable. (And, whatever "charms" it may, or may not, have, I won't mention "Love You"!) Thanks for the feedback, RL!
M I.U...LOL... Love the Beach Boys.
Many 1970's B.B.albums were not complete albums for me- so I make compilations...
Thanks for the feedback, Charles! I agree that a lot of those 70s albums work better as compilations. In fact, now that so many good "previously unreleased" tracks are available, I think it's easy, and enjoyable, to compile better "albums" than those that were released! Thanks again for the comments, Charles!
Agree with your analysis of Sunflower, except At My Window which I don't like. I really think you are spot on with the Dennis material though. Slip on Through is dated and both that and Got to know the Woman are just horn dog Dennis 🐕 doing his thing lyrically with tired music. I agree the album overall doesn't hang together and Surfs Up is even worse. To start an album with Don't Go Near the Water, which shouldn't have made the album to begin with. Yuck. To think tracks like San Miguel, Celebrate the News, Big Sur, etc where left off these albums in favor of tracks like Student Demonstration Time and a song about washing your feet is truly baffling.
Thanks for the thoughts and feedback, GuitarsZnuff! I definitely want to revisit "Sunflower" in more detail sometime soon. I feel like I gave it a very "cursory" discussion here and, due in part to viewer feedback, my thoughts on a few of the tracks have changed. (Still not much of a fan of the Dennis "rockers" though!) I definitely agree that there were many tracks left off of "Surf's Up" that are superior to tracks that made it on to the album. It could have been an incredible album! Thanks again for the comments, GuitarsZnuff! Much appreciated!
All I wanna do…..throwaway track?
I'm not sure why I overlooked that track for so long...Maybe it was the title. In any case, viewer comments have lead me to revisit it. It's a great track and I can't believe I missed the beauty of it for so long! Eventually, I'm going to revisit "Sunflower" in-depth on the channel and I will certainly offer a very different assessment of that particular track! Thanks for the feedback, jhun!
Brian Wilson's Smile is the best beach boys album and Pet Sounds is #2 followed by Today.
I wouldn't argue with that! Great albums, all! Thanks, James!
All I want to do a throwaway? Wow
You know, of all the comments I've made in all the episodes here, that's, maybe, the one I have changed my mind about the most. For some reason, I never reckoned it very highly for years. Fortunately, after I posted this video, viewer comments made me revisit the tracking it's become a favorite. I'm planning to revisit "Sunflower" in much great detail, and with a new appreciation of that track, soon. Thanks for the comment, chris!
@@thebeachboysbasementwithst6444 Enjoying the channel. Thanks Steve
Pet sounds is the second best Beach boys album... Summer in Paradise is obviously the best Beach boys album hands down
Always nice to hear a unique perspective....and that one is certainly unique! Thanks William!
Dennis Wilson's Forever is an awesome song, but Cuddle Up is his best in my opinion.
I love "Cuddle Up" too. It also made a fantastic "closer" track for "Carl & The Passions." Thanks for the feedback, bb67!
For me, Holland is a great album and number 2.
I wouldn't argue with that! Great album! Thanks, Bill!
I'd go with "Surf's Up" as second best. Even love the way it's recorded. No album that I heard sounds like that.
"Astral Weeks" I listen to once a year then it goes back on the shelf. I'm missing what lot of people hear on it.
Agree with Brian Wilson, "Friends" and "Love You" are excellent.
Whenever I play "Sunflower," I skip "Slip On Through." Might have been better in the middle of the album but not the first song on the album. In fact, I think it's the weakest song on the album.
"Surf's Up" is a fantastic album that seems strangely overlooked in recent years. ("Holland"'s reputation seems to have grown and "Surf's Up"'s seems to have diminished over the last couple of decades. No idea why.) I agree that it's got a great sound. Love that album!
Good point about "Slip On Through" opening "Sunflower." That does seem like weird placement. It's a track I enjoy when it's on, but, once it's off, I couldn't begin to remember how it goes or hum it.
Thanks for the comments, Zapple!
I like SURF'S UP as well. While 'TIL I DIE and SURFS UP are iconic songs and Carl's LONG PROMISED ROAD is cool, it is c dragged down by A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A TREE and the insipid STUDENT DEMONSTRATION TIME.
I liked your video but I have one complaint. Referring to ‘all i wanna do’ as a throwaway is one of the worst takes I’ve ever heard. Wow. That song is critically acclaimed across the board and it’s commonly a fan favorite. It’s considered Mike Love’s best vocal performance of his career. With that out of the way, here’s my ranking
10. 20/20
9. Surfer girl
8. Surf’s up
7. Wild honey
6. Holland
5. Sunflower
4. Friends
3. All summer long
2. Today
1. Pet sounds
In retrospect, I completely agree with you about "All I Wanna Do." For some reason, that track never got through to me until I started getting feedback on this episode. I revisited it based on viewer comments and, I agree, it's an outstanding track. I have no idea why I overlooked it before and, actually, one of the great things about this channel is viewers, like yourself, pointing out excellent things that I might have missed.
I'm planning to revisit 20/20 "in depth" this summer and provide an updated take on the whole album. Thanks for the feedback, and the album ranking, Austin! Interesting take and much appreciated!
What about love you? Definitely #2 if not number1
Definitely an album I love! I could see it at #2 possibly. Thanks for the perspective, Timothy!
Honestly there isn't a true album from Today to Holland that I wouldn't consider as a contender for second best. Party is the only weak spot and that's its own thing, not a true album.
I can understand that! I think it's especially tough to choose because each album is also so unique that comparing them is very much "apples to oranges." All great stuff, for sure! Thanks for the feedback, R6!
It has to be Beach Boys Today, better songs, tighter musically and before it's time. Also quite possibly better than Pet Sounds.
Definitely a great album! Thanks for the feedback, Peter!
I would put 20/20 at number 2.
You can definitely make a case for that! Some people say it's a disjointed series of tracks. I can understand that, but, somehow, to me, "20/20" holds together very well as an album..and some of those tracks are phenomenal!
Is this still about the Beach Boys or a walk down memory lane who put you in charge anyway?😂
Thanks for the comment, Gary. As you've probably noticed, the channel often takes in wider pop culture to add perspective on the Beach Boys (and, sometimes, just to change things up a little bit.)
I agree with you about Sunflower. There's a couple of nice tracks but it's a lightweight, forgettable album, similar to Friends actually. My pick would be Surf's Up and I don't think it's even close. Wild Honey is great, though.
Thanks for the thoughts and comments, Valentine! "Surf's Up" is a great album and a great choice! Another of my favorites too!
@@thebeachboysbasementwithst6444 thanks for the videos Steve!
I do love Surf's Up but it's a "different Beach Boys.. I prefer the albums pre Pet Sounds. I'm not even a huge fan of Pet Sounds. Brian's No Pier Pressure is better IMO
Thanks for the thoughts a feedback, tom tom! One of the great things about the group for me is all the very different periods of their work and how different all the albums are from one another. Those early 60s records are pretty hard to beat! Thanks too for mentioning "No Pier Pressure!" I love that album!
The Beach Boys TODAY and SUNFLOWER are My 2 choices for album number 2.. TODAY is the forerunner to PET SOUNDS especially the B side,, while SUNFLOWER Is is probably the 2nd best produced beach boy album after PET SOUNDS.
TODAY has one terrible "song" on it, the Earl leaf interview. That certainly was filler, and Brian had many songs stashed away and any one could have been used instead of that tripe.
SUNFLOWER has 2 weak songs , both Bruce Johnston's sappy contributions, DEIDRE and TEARS IN THE MORNING.
Thanks for the feedback and insights, yanks Fan! I certainly agree about the "Bull Session" on "Today!" I recently listened to the entire interview with Earl Leaf. Not only was it an unnecessary and annoying way to end the album, they seemed to have included one of the least interesting and most chaotic parts of the whole interview. (I'd LOVE to know what the thinking was on that!) Thanks again for the comments, yanks Fan!
Sunflower, hands down ! [I like "20/20" but not THAT much. I can't stand "Love You;" sorry BW.]
"Sunflower" is clearly the popular favorite! As you might expect, I've been listening to it quite a bit lately since the "Feel Flows" box was released. Some of the songs that failed to "grab me" in the past are, for some reason, really registering with me now (particularly, "All I Wanna Do.") Thanks for the comments, bill!