Beach Boys Today! is so underrated

[Mr. Cohen]

I know people here respect Today!, but I still don't think it gets the praise it deserves. This is probably my favorite era of Brian Wilson's music.  There's a growing sophistication to the music, yet it still has all of the innocence and soaring, exuberant harmonies of the earliest Beach Boys songs. Brian hadn't taken acid yet, but he was starting to stay home more and smoke pot, grooving out to Phil Spector 45s and hanging out with his new hipster friends.

"When I Grow Up (To Be a Man)" sounds like it was written after Brian's hipster friends put some Indian music on his turntable for the first time. The bass line keeps to that boogie woogie style he grew up playing, but now there's a harmonica part that sounds like a sitar, and a harpsichord because his hipster friends had convinced him that same night that Bach was the greatest ever. "Do You Wanna Dance?" was probably dreamed up after Brian had spent three hours listening to The Crystals and dancing with Marilyn. Where maybe Brian's melancholy and avant-garde balladeering almost got the better of him on Pet Sounds (I stress the word almost), here he could still flat out rock if he wanted to (see "Good To My Baby", "Dance, Dance, Dance", et al).

And look at how creative he was started to get with the back-up vocals. There's that "kiss a little bit, fight a little bit" part during the chorus of "Kiss Me Baby" that adds a fascinating sense of underlying tension to the song, and those cool "15, 16" parts during "When I Grow Up".

"Please Let Me Wonder" probably has some of the greatest vocal harmonies he ever came up with. There's a mix out there that takes out the lead vocals, and it's breathtaking. It's almost better that way, even without the tender melody and shockingly honest, introspective lyrics. It's beauty in its purest form. Check out the instrumental bridge, too with it shades of Pet Sounds. Nobody used delay in their arrangements better than Brian.

"She Knows Me Too Well" and "In the Back of My Mind"? How much tender caressing can two songs do to your ears? There's something particularly, almost indefinably peculiar about "In the Back of My Mind". Peculiar, not in a horrible way, but in the way you might say a solar eclipse is. To combine that instrumental arrangement, which is almost too beautiful and serene to believe - like the soundtrack to one of those perfect, completely fictitious '50s suburban marriages - with those doubt-ridden lyrics? That's just genius.

Who needed Pet Sounds, anyway? We already had Today!

[Dunderhead]

Good To My Baby is so freaking great. I remember not really listening to it ever, and then last summer I had on Today and I flipped my whig at that song. Been one of my favorites ever since.

[rab2591]

'Do You Wanna Dance' was the first Beach Boys song I heard where I said "wow, that lead voice is so much different than the other ones I've heard" - I was probably 8 at the time. This song reminds me everything good about my childhood. Those harmonies. The way Dennis sings 'Moonlight' and the imagery....gah it's great.

The whole album is spectacular. 'When I Grow Up' is one of my favorite songs by Brian. 'She Knows Me Too Well' rivals 'Don't Worry Baby' for its incredible beauty.

'In The Back Of My Mind' is probably the greatest song I've ever heard. Definitely in my top 5 favorite songs.

Great post. This album is underrated and deserves its due - it has nothing to do with surf and sun - it's a dark but beautiful album.

[homeontherange]

I think it was mixed or produced in a way that takes away some of the magnificent beauty of the instrumental arrangements (some of Brian's best work), even if the vocal harmonies are some of the finest they've done. Great album though.

[rab2591]

I think it was mixed or produced in a way that takes away some of the magnificent beauty of the instrumental arrangements (some of Brian's best work), even if the vocal harmonies are some of the finest they've done. Great album though.

Kinda agree - though I think the muddy/phil Spector sound is what he wanted....could a stellar cleaned-up stereo version be made? Would Linett do that? Would BRI approve? That'd be great...

[Roger Ryan]

..."Do You Wanna Dance?" was probably dreamed up after Brian had spent three hours listening to The Crystals and dancing with Marilyn...

The choice to do it and the production style maybe, but Brian didn't write this song - it's a cover.

[Chris Brown]

One of my absolute favorite albums (by anyone, not just the Beach Boys), for all the reasons everyone has stated.  When Brian said after hearing Rubber Soul that he wanted to do an album of all great songs with no filler, someone should have told him that he already had ("Bull Session" aside, of course).  Side One rocks out like only Brian could, and Side Two is one classic and innovative ballad after another. Brian just reels them off like it's nothing, and the Boys do some of their best vocal work ever. Unbelieveable stuff.

[Micha]

My favorite Beach Boys album. The freshness of the early songs combined with the sophistication of the later works. Best track order of all BBs albums. Even the least good song of it, IMHO "She knows me too well", would have been a standout track on the All Summer Long album.

[stack-o-tracks]

Agreed, it's a great album. The second half is the best evar. ESPECIALLY BULL SESSION.

She Knows Me Too Well is probably one of my top 3 Beach Boys songs. The melodies and harmonies are the tits! The intramentals aren't too shabby either.

[SMiLE Brian]

The album where Brian tested out ideas that led to Pet Sounds. Side 2 of Today was the set of music where Brian really left all musical competitors behind and really created Pet Sounds Vol. 1 because those ballads are as deep as anything on Pet Sounds.

[ghost]

Good To My Baby has one of the greatest, catchiest, coolest choruses ever. Sing along. SHE'S MY GIRL AND I'M GOOD TO MY BABY!

[Mr. Cohen]

I also want to go on the record saying that I support the placement of "Bull Sessions" on the album. It's nice to get to hear the band chit-chat (I know you guys have listened to boots of the complete recording sessions for all of the Beach Boys albums, so it bores you to hear more aimless chatting... but I assure, you are all exceptions to the norm!), and you're crazy if you think it replaced a real song. Brian didn't put "Guess I'm Dumb"  on the album because he gave the song to Glen Campbell, not because he thought "Bull Sessions" was too funny to pass up. If there was no "Bull Sessions", it's vacated spot would've been replaced with pure nothingness. Brian didn't have any other songs prepared for the album, and one gets the impression that at this stage in the game, Brian was only going into the studio when he was truly inspired, and you can't force inspiration.

It's just a little bonus for the fan club or whatever. Get over it. "Guess I'm Dumb" NEVER would've gone on the album. The only way it happens is if you go back in time and kidnap Glen Campbell before he goes on tour with the Beach Boys.

[ghost]

I also want to go on the record saying that I support the placement of "Bull Sessions" on the album. It's nice to get to hear the band chit-chat (I know you guys have listened to boots of the complete recording sessions for all of the Beach Boys albums, so it bores you to hear more aimless chatting... but I assure, you are all exceptions to the norm!), and you're crazy if you think it replaced a real song. Brian didn't put "Guess I'm Dumb"  on the album because he gave the song to Glen Campbell, not because he thought "Bull Sessions" was too funny to pass up. If there was no "Bull Sessions", it's vacated spot would've been replaced with pure nothingness. Brian didn't have any other songs prepared for the album, and one gets the impression that at this stage in the game, Brian was only going into the studio when he was truly inspired, and you can't force inspiration.

It's just a little bonus for the fan club or whatever. Get over it. "Guess I'm Dumb" NEVER would've gone on the album. The only way it happens is if you go back in time and kidnap Glen Campbell before he goes on tour with the Beach Boys.

If Bull Sessions did not exist, would it still be a vacated spot? How could pure nothingness fill a non-existent spot? Hence the world is god and there is nothing except that.

[SMiLE Brian]

Today is nearly perfect as it is, its just "guess I'm dumb" is so awesome and if put on the album, it could have elevated Today to near Pet Sounds levels. I see Brian made the song as either a showcase of the new Beach Boys member or a "thank you for touring in my place"  solo song as it turned out.

[drbeachboy]

I'm not sure why underrated is used, as most critics even rate it very high after Pet Sounds. It is my favorite album and has been since I've thought of such things back in the 70s. It's mono, it's got the Brian Wall of Sound, fast side-slow side, every song is good, and the vocals are terrific. After hearing the new remixes, though good, I still prefer the original mono; the songs sound punchier, especially Side 1.

[Jeff]

I also want to go on the record saying that I support the placement of "Bull Sessions" on the album. It's nice to get to hear the band chit-chat (I know you guys have listened to boots of the complete recording sessions for all of the Beach Boys albums, so it bores you to hear more aimless chatting... but I assure, you are all exceptions to the norm!), and you're crazy if you think it replaced a real song. Brian didn't put "Guess I'm Dumb"  on the album because he gave the song to Glen Campbell, not because he thought "Bull Sessions" was too funny to pass up. If there was no "Bull Sessions", it's vacated spot would've been replaced with pure nothingness. Brian didn't have any other songs prepared for the album, and one gets the impression that at this stage in the game, Brian was only going into the studio when he was truly inspired, and you can't force inspiration.

It's just a little bonus for the fan club or whatever. Get over it. "Guess I'm Dumb" NEVER would've gone on the album. The only way it happens is if you go back in time and kidnap Glen Campbell before he goes on tour with the Beach Boys.

Well, there was also All Dressed Up for School, which was recorded during the Today sessions.

The nice thing about Bull Sessions is that it comes at the end (unlike Cassius and Favorite Recording Sessions) so it doesn't disrupt the album and is easy to ignore.

[c-man]

I totally agree, which is why I chose the Today! album for the first of my essays on the BBs recordings at www.beachboysarchives.com.

Long Live Today!

[Rocker]

I totally agree, which is why I chose the Today! album for the first of my essays on the BBs recordings at www.beachboysarchives.com.

Long Live Today!

What will be the next one ?

[dmcguire70]

Today is underrated by some,but not me. It's probably my second favourite BB'S album (Pet sounds No 1,Summer Days number 3)
In The Back of My Mind is one of the most moving tunes Brian ever wrote imo ,in the same league as Don't talk(Put Your Head On My Shoulder)
Just like The Beatles,1965-66 were Brian and The Beach Boys most productive years, when Brian was at his musical peak and his confidence,in and out of the studio,was at an all time high.

[Chris Brown]

I also want to go on the record saying that I support the placement of "Bull Sessions" on the album. It's nice to get to hear the band chit-chat (I know you guys have listened to boots of the complete recording sessions for all of the Beach Boys albums, so it bores you to hear more aimless chatting... but I assure, you are all exceptions to the norm!), and you're crazy if you think it replaced a real song. Brian didn't put "Guess I'm Dumb"  on the album because he gave the song to Glen Campbell, not because he thought "Bull Sessions" was too funny to pass up. If there was no "Bull Sessions", it's vacated spot would've been replaced with pure nothingness. Brian didn't have any other songs prepared for the album, and one gets the impression that at this stage in the game, Brian was only going into the studio when he was truly inspired, and you can't force inspiration.

It's just a little bonus for the fan club or whatever. Get over it. "Guess I'm Dumb" NEVER would've gone on the album. The only way it happens is if you go back in time and kidnap Glen Campbell before he goes on tour with the Beach Boys.

I appreciate the placement of "Bull Session" in that it shows Brian's sense of humor, but I think ending the album with "In The Back of My Mind" would have been an awesome way to go.  No unnecessary levity, just that brilliant meandering ending that leaves you feeling uneasy and wanting more. 

[dmcguire70]

I also want to go on the record saying that I support the placement of "Bull Sessions" on the album. It's nice to get to hear the band chit-chat (I know you guys have listened to boots of the complete recording sessions for all of the Beach Boys albums, so it bores you to hear more aimless chatting... but I assure, you are all exceptions to the norm!), and you're crazy if you think it replaced a real song. Brian didn't put "Guess I'm Dumb"  on the album because he gave the song to Glen Campbell, not because he thought "Bull Sessions" was too funny to pass up. If there was no "Bull Sessions", it's vacated spot would've been replaced with pure nothingness. Brian didn't have any other songs prepared for the album, and one gets the impression that at this stage in the game, Brian was only going into the studio when he was truly inspired, and you can't force inspiration.

It's just a little bonus for the fan club or whatever. Get over it. "Guess I'm Dumb" NEVER would've gone on the album. The only way it happens is if you go back in time and kidnap Glen Campbell before he goes on tour with the Beach Boys.

I appreciate the placement of "Bull Session" in that it shows Brian's sense of humor, but I think ending the album with "In The Back of My Mind" would have been an awesome way to go.  No unnecessary levity, just that brilliant meandering ending that leaves you feeling uneasy and wanting more. 

I agree. The ending of ITBOMM with the descending chord progression is of one of the most brilliant pieces of music I've ever had the pleasure of listening to. Like A Day in The Life off Sergeant Pepper, it would of been a fitting end to a great album.

[Curtis Leon]

I think it was mixed or produced in a way that takes away some of the magnificent beauty of the instrumental arrangements (some of Brian's best work), even if the vocal harmonies are some of the finest they've done. Great album though.

Kinda agree - though I think the muddy/phil Spector sound is what he wanted....could a stellar cleaned-up stereo version be made? Would Linett do that? Would BRI approve? That'd be great...

There already have been stereo mixes of Today! songs officially released, so I can't see why a full album wouldn't be allowed. I think everyone's focusing on the Smile sessions too much at the moment for that, though.

[rab2591]

I also want to go on the record saying that I support the placement of "Bull Sessions" on the album. It's nice to get to hear the band chit-chat (I know you guys have listened to boots of the complete recording sessions for all of the Beach Boys albums, so it bores you to hear more aimless chatting... but I assure, you are all exceptions to the norm!), and you're crazy if you think it replaced a real song. Brian didn't put "Guess I'm Dumb"  on the album because he gave the song to Glen Campbell, not because he thought "Bull Sessions" was too funny to pass up. If there was no "Bull Sessions", it's vacated spot would've been replaced with pure nothingness. Brian didn't have any other songs prepared for the album, and one gets the impression that at this stage in the game, Brian was only going into the studio when he was truly inspired, and you can't force inspiration.

It's just a little bonus for the fan club or whatever. Get over it. "Guess I'm Dumb" NEVER would've gone on the album. The only way it happens is if you go back in time and kidnap Glen Campbell before he goes on tour with the Beach Boys.

I appreciate the placement of "Bull Session" in that it shows Brian's sense of humor, but I think ending the album with "In The Back of My Mind" would have been an awesome way to go.  No unnecessary levity, just that brilliant meandering ending that leaves you feeling uneasy and wanting more. 

Eh, I see ITBOMM as the end of album, the bull sessions are like a bonus and not a track - that's how I see it anyway.

Also, not that I dislike the lyrics or Dennis' singing, but I really wish Brian would have left that song as an instrumental track.

[dmcguire70]

 I don't think Brian should have double tracked Dennis' voice either.I don't think Dennis' voice is particularly suited to double tracking ,unlike Carl or Brian who have near perfect pitch.Dennis voice is soulful/raw and imo should been just the one vocal track. One of the best voices for double tracking was Freddy Mercury.I remember  hearing Brian May say that Freddy's double tracking was so good his vocals sounded like they were being phased.

[AllIWannaDo]

Please let me wonder
she knows me too well
kiss me baby

3 of my fav songs,
She Knows Me Too Well (Take 16, Stereo Chorus Over Dub Session) - Archaeology (Lost Recording Sessions 1963-1968) = my FAV version, no lead vocal - sounds great & i get to sing the lead