Alright, I've admitted it: \

[elchriso]

"Somewhere Near Japan" is the best song ever recorded.

I'm listening to it for the fourth time in a row, and as much as I adore "Pet Sounds", "SMiLE" and the rest of the greatness that is 60s and early 70s Beach Boys, I think this is the best thing I've ever heard.

Just listen to it, it's the PERFECT guitar pop song. The achingly beautiful melodic guitar lines, Carl Wilson's absolutely soaring vocals, the perfect mixing and production, Mike Love's great performance, this should have been the #1 hit, not bleepin' "Kokomo." I could burn a CD that just plays this song over and over again until space runs out and play it the whole way through every time. Sure Brian was way more innovative and consistently brilliant, but for 4 minutes and 53 seconds Bruce Johnston and Terry Melcher have him beat. In fact they beat everyone in my books. I'll be amazed if I ever find a better song.

But that raises the question, if "Somewhere Near Japan" is so perfect, why do all the other 80's BB songs suck so hard? Well "Living With A Heartache" is pretty nice but that's about it.

[Dunderhead]

That's the thing about the Beach Boys, no matter how many tracks you hear, there always seems to be at least one more out there waiting to blow your socks off.

[Reggie Dunbar]

Admitting you have a problem is the first step to recovery, LOL.

Favorites are subjective, glad you are enjoying the B.B.'s, no matter the era.

[tpesky]

IMO, the last great Beach Boys song, very underrated. Mike and Carl in good form, but that tag is one of Al Jardine's best vocals ever.

[Jason]

Make It Big gets a reaction out of me similar to Somewhere Near Japan. Carl in sterling form, Michael and Al sounding great, and, the capper which makes the song - Brian's wailing vocals during the end. Sure, the lyrics are totally dumb, but this is one that the band saves vocally. Carl unfortunately can't save Problem Child (there's your all-time worst Beach Boys song) or Remember (Walking In The Sand).

[Wirestone]

Yes, Somewhere Near Japan is stellar. It comes close to drowning in cheese but never actually succumbs.

And Al -- he really adds something to those late-period recordings, doesn't he?

[Jason]

Al and Carl were the secret weapons of the Beach Boys during the 1980s as far as vocals are concerned. They both saved the '85 album, and they both make Still Cruisin' a lot better on the whole. And the best parts of Summer In Paradise are their vocals.

And besides...who else but Al Jardine could make the words "totally rad" work so well in California Calling?

[jimmyboy]

Once again a beg forgiveness for my ignorance but how can I hear this"..Japan" song?

[elchriso]

Well after watching the music video, it's alot easier to see how this song didn't become a hit. Christ, it's awful! That shot where all the band members are posed together is cringe worthy. That and the single edit messes up the beginning

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LE3dpoTOvA

Here's the full song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4TcSzPIWiU

[Shady]

Amazing song

[Mike's Beard]

Once again a beg forgiveness for my ignorance but how can I hear this"..Japan" song?

Get on E Bay and pick up a copy of "Still Crusin'" on CD for about the price of what you'd pay for a beer. Song number two.

[phirnis]

Great song.

Nice and highly effective 80s production (for once), stellar vocal performances by everyone involved... and last but not least you can't beat Al Jardine singing about "tripping on some Chinese junk". I can't think of a better 80s-era BB song, though "Getcha Back", "Where I Belong" and "Rock'n'Roll to the Rescue" might probably be just as good.

[willy]

I like 'Somewhere Near Japan' too. Corniness is not necessarily a bad thing   Have always been a huge fan of 'Sumahama' too which I think sounds *very* Van Dyke in arrangement.

[cwalter]

That video rocks!  It's corny, yes...but it's better than anything I've seen lately from this 'modern' era....

P.S. Going to see Dean Torrence & The Surf City All Stars + Papa Doo Run Run in concert tomorrow night as part of our local Modesto, California 'American Graffiti Festival'.  Lots of classic Hot Rods in town tonight for the parade. Custom (pre-73) Car Show tommorow and Sunday.

And oh yeah, Mike & Bruce will be appearing at our local Stanislaus County Fair on July 20---An Endless Summer Indeed!!!