Could someone explain the 'So Tough' cover?

[Magic Transistor Radio]

This was in an era that Jack Reiley was tying to change their profile. This cover looks like it was made by whoever was managing the Beach Boys in the 80s! Who's idea was it? Why? WHy? WHY?!?

[monicker]

I was just thinking about this cover last night because i was looking for an alternative for it in my itunes because i can't stand to look at it because it's so egregious. I, too, have wondered how in the world this could have happened and why. Who was responsible for this? What were they thinking? This is, in my opinion, easily their worst/ugliest album cover of their entire career. Funny that in 2012 they reveal one of their best covers. Which had me wondering...to the people who do not like the TWGMTR cover, what are your thoughts on the CATP cover?

Also, the title Carl And The Passions - So Tough is terrible. A title and cover that couldn't possibly be further removed from the music on the record.

[Runaways]

as someone who didn't like the TWGMTR cover, CATP cover/title is also super bad.  However it is still a shade above "15 big ones".  i'd like to know what the reasoning behind the CATP cover is too, just seems so detached from anything relevant at the time.

[Jon Stebbins]

Its a bad application of a concept with potential. No BB's name on the cover, Pet Sounds on the back. Is it new, is it old? Yes. Where do you file it? As uncommercial as you can get. But if anyone's point is that visually projecting a retro or oldies bag was trite in 1972 then you don't know 1972. For that time it was actually progressive. In the case of CATP it was applied badly. Something like Zappa's Cruising With Rueben And The Jets is the angle they were going for. Tongue in cheek 50's references were cutting edge in '72. But this didn't work on any level. However... don't compare it to 15 Big Ones because that cover concept is a total sell out. CATP's cover was the opposite. And yes four years made the difference.

[monicker]

Its a bad application of a concept with potential. No BB's name on the cover, Pet Sounds on the back. Is it new, is it old? Yes. Where do you file it? As uncommercial as you can get. But if anyone's point is that visually projecting a retro or oldies bag was trite in 1972 then you don't know 1972. For that time it was actually progressive. In the case of CATP it was applied badly. Something like Zappa's Cruising With Rueben And The Jets is the angle they were going for. Tongue in cheek 50's references were cutting edge in '72. But this didn't work on any level. However... don't compare it to 15 Big Ones because that cover concept is a total sell out. CATP's cover was the opposite. And yes four years made the difference.

But concept and execution of said concept aside, it's so ugly and cheap. Plus, the Rueben And The Jets cover fits that music very well. What in the world does tongue in cheek 50s nostalgia have to do with the music that is contained on the CATP album? That concept failed before it was even born. And, by the way, the BEACH BOYS name is on the cover, look again.

[Wild-Honey]

I agree, the cover does not fit the music.    There is a photo of the group from that time where they are leaning against a car, it's black and white, it would have been a perfect cover.

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

Coming off Surf's Up and some publicity in the Rolling Stone they deliver a weak album with a stupid cover and pair it with their best album so people who already have Pet Sounds might be less apt to buy it and those who do are gonna feel like the new stuff doesn't cut it compared to the old. Who was the marketing geniuses behind this move? Should have capitol-ized (ha ha) on their new found momentum. Instead let it slip away.

[Jon Stebbins]

Its a bad application of a concept with potential. No BB's name on the cover, Pet Sounds on the back. Is it new, is it old? Yes. Where do you file it? As uncommercial as you can get. But if anyone's point is that visually projecting a retro or oldies bag was trite in 1972 then you don't know 1972. For that time it was actually progressive. In the case of CATP it was applied badly. Something like Zappa's Cruising With Rueben And The Jets is the angle they were going for. Tongue in cheek 50's references were cutting edge in '72. But this didn't work on any level. However... don't compare it to 15 Big Ones because that cover concept is a total sell out. CATP's cover was the opposite. And yes four years made the difference.

But concept and execution of said concept aside, it's so ugly and cheap. Plus, the Rueben And The Jets cover fits that music very well. What in the world does tongue in cheek 50s nostalgia have to do with the music that is contained on the CATP album? That concept failed before it was even born. And, by the way, the BEACH BOYS name is on the cover, look again.

I don't have to "look again". Anyone who has a U.S. first pressing knows the name Beach Boys was NOT on the cover. If it shows their name its a later reissue or from somewhere other than the U.S.

http://www.pipeline-operaglass.moonfruit.com/#/carl-the-passions/4518036646

[coco1997]

Wasn't Carl in a band as a young teenager called Carl & The Passions? That explains the retro-style cover art just fine to me.

[Wild-Honey]

Wasn't Carl in a band as a young teenager called Carl & The Passions? That explains the retro-style cover art just fine to me.

Yes I understand why the cover was used.  Still does not suit the music though.  Probably would have been a better cover for 15 big ones with it's retro songs.

[Andrew G. Doe]

The first time the name "Beach Boys" appeared on the cover was, I think, on the 1990 single CD reissue. In packing crate stencil.

[Magic Transistor Radio]

Personally, I think the album is full of great songs. It reminds me of 20/20 in that it has a lot of great songs that don't fit together well. From Pet Sounds to Love You, there seems to be a musical concept in all but 20/20 and So Tough. Although, I will say that So Tough doesn't have a week song.

As for covers, I love Wild Honey, Surfs Up and Love You the best. Although, I understand the 50s retro thing was hip at the time, perhaps it was not a good idea for the Beach Boys.

[Bean Bag]

Personally, I think the album is full of great songs.

I agree, CATP -- although abbreviated -- is full of great stuff.  I would really appreciate a remix of it.

[MBE]

My original German pressing has their name on the front.

[Mike Lovechild]

I love CATP but it's threes songs too short...much prefer it to Holland, but with an extra song or two it could have been an excellent album.

I have a programme for Mike's band gig where CATP was left off the discography (which included SIP) - that made me angry!

[Disney Boy (1985)]

It's a good - but not great - album, although not a patch on either Holland or Surf's Up, both of which had fantastic cover artwork. Smiley Smile and Wild Honey also have brilliant album sleeves. (As does Stack-o-Tracks funnily enough...)

[TonyW]

FYI: '72 Australian release has "T H E    B E A C H   B O Y S" in small print across the top of the album cover.

Love the album ... and love the cover ... spray art was so cool in '72!

[Wild-Honey]

Yes it is too short, but it is what it is and I love it, and I don't think the cover is cheap and nasty.

[MBE]

FYI: '72 Australian release has "T H E    B E A C H   B O Y S" in small print across the top of the album cover.

Love the album ... and love the cover ... spray art was so cool in '72!

Same place as it is the German copy. I bet the original UK one has it too.

[The Heartical Don]

'Marcella' and 'All This Is That' are wonderful.

The rest plods along.



My two cents.

[Quzi]

I love the tack piano on the intro tack. Marcella has a lot going for it, though for what should have been a focused pop song, it outstays its welcome by quite a bit. I find that All This is That is trying to go for the same sort of vibe as Feel Flows and I have to say, it's not as perfect, but it's still sublime. Dennis' ballads are pretty, but are practically nothing compared to what he had already penned and what he would go on to write.

Here She Comes, He Come Down and Hold On Dear Brother do nothing for me, sorry  .

[The Shift]

CATP is one of my favourites, by far. Dennis's contributions are to me great moving symphonies; Here She Comes has some of the best drumming on any BBs track; Marcella just rocks, Mess of Help even more so – check out the video of it being performed on (I think) Whistle Test back in the day – what a groove... see how Carl's totally into it! All This Is That possibly the best non-BW track the band made between the years of 1961 and 2012 (I think AGD's with me on that; great to hear them add it to the set now).

Hold On Dear Brother is dirge-like, easily the weakest track on the album, but has redeeming features, particularly that wonderful steel guitar. He Come Down is jubilant.

As someone mentions above, it has that 20/20 pathwork feel, though the production ties it all together better.

There are some great vocal performances on there also, not necessarily the harmonics we expect (and demand) of the band, just a bunch of guys singing cos they love it, and love making great sounds with their voices.

The sleeve… well, I bought the album in about 1979 when I was about 15, and the fact that it told me nothing about the band or what to expect allowed me to listen to the music with completely open ears. Wasn't even sure it was the Beach Boys, just the guy behind the counter in the store assured me it was (he also sold me a copy of Holland without the EP… grr). It was so utterly different to anything that I'd heard from them before that I took it on its own merits – Cuddle Up became a life-long favourite (one of many, admittedly!).

I hear new (then) influences in the sound – Neil Young, The Band… – and a sound that could have given the Beach Boys a wonderful new, creative direction to follow. This was recorded at a time when they were doing great tours, hanging with cool rock (rather than pop) peers, and was maybe the last time it seemed they didn't give a sh*t what anyone thought.

Then the sun came out, the surf rose, and the Endless Summer returned. hum…

[The Heartical Don]

BTW I can write up a Zen interpretation of the CATP cover.

If you want me to.

[MBE]

I think the LP itself is a really nice collection of stuff. Brian's work on it goes into some cool areas he rarely explored like country rock and gospel. I personally feel the Dennis songs are a tad over produced but Cuddle Up is an amazing performance and composition. I don't like Hold On much but I think Here She Comes is an excellent slice of early seventies rock. It's not as well made as the first two WB LP's as a whole, but I find it's a lot of fun for casual listening and I return to it a lot.

[D409]

Very fond of CATP, to the point I'm actively seeking out an original CATP/PS vinyl twofer (for the apparently excellent Warner Reprise pressing of PS)