The Smiley Smile Message Board

A little set-up before posing the question:

For people who are interested in reading the Bible for the first time, the Gospel of John has often been considered to be the best general recommendation.  The Gospel of John reads beautifully and it gets at some crucial doctrines in the process.  However, many have reevaluated this recommendation, opting instead for the Gospel of Mark.  This gospel reads much easier and still gets at some crucial doctrines (as do all of the gospel accounts).  Where John is lengthy in discourse, Mark is light; where John is lacking in action, Mark is in abundance; where John is confusing, Mark is often clear(er); John is lengthier overall, Mark is shorter overall.

If I've set this up clearly, you can see that lots of things needs to be considered when making a single and effective general recommendation for first-time readers: presuppositions, common knowledge, reading level, attention span, cultural differences, etc.  The goal is to give a recommendation that the first-time reader can understand, connect with, and that cultivates a desire for continued reading/exposure.


Now, thinking about people who have never heard any Beach Boys' songs, apply that thinking to this question:

Which Beach Boys' album is the best general recommendation to give to first-time listeners?
(Remember the goals: give 'em an album that they can understand, connect with, and that cultivates a desire for continued listening/exposure!)



(To further clarify: I'm looking for a single answer--so I'm not looking for multiple recommendations to fit specific types of people (e.g. "I'd pick 'Sunflower' for the musically illiterate and 'Pet Sounds' for the musically literate.").  Choose just one album that you would consider to be the best general recommendation--there's no right/wrong answer here!)

Pet Sounds
It's the most impressive, cohesive, consistent...

I'm going to respectfully disagree with the entire premise.  Nothing turns people off to music quicker than someone who's really passionate about the music trying to get them to listen to it and notice every little thing that's great about it. 

The best approach, if you were attempting to get a friend to get 'more' into the Beach Boys, is to talk to them about songs of the Beach Boys they already like.  If they claim they don't like one, ask them about Good Vibrations or Little Deuce Coupe or something. 

If you get pedantic with it, you're going to turn them off (unless you have some power over them, like it's your children... or a woman who's in love with you and willing to put up with your B.S.). 

So if they show any interest in it, give them that BAD ASS Sounds of Summer greatest hits.  Then if they find a song on there that they like, get them that particular album, they'll hear all the other stuff that they did around that time frame, etc. 

Depending on the person, too, you could play them some of their really horrible songs too, and laugh about the contrast.  I've found this could endear people to the band, how in the hell could the same guy do Wouldn't It Be Nice that did "Help is on the way" or whatever

Get them Summer In Paradise if that person annoys you.

Definitely not Pet Sounds - which takes at least a few listens to initially get into.

For me, it'd be All Summer Long. A perfect introduction to the world of the Beach Boys. Who couldn't be hooked after the opening I Get Around/All Summer Long double whammy?

I've mentioned this before, but I grew up a fan of their singles like everybody else.  I saw Mike live in concert in the 90's, and the next day bought Pet Sounds because I heard it was so great. 

I couldn't get into it!  It sounds very dreary at first listen.  I think everybody on this board would be oblivious to that because you're so familiar with the music, but I literally thought the entire album sounded depressing as hell the first time I heard it.  I put it away for a year or two, and really enjoyed it when I went back to it. 

I would have laughed The Beach Boys off if I heard All Summer Long first.

Pet Sounds all the way.

Oh.... so you're one of those snobs who doesn't like the earlier stuff?  We need a scarlet letter to put in everybody's signature that's.... that's... like "that". 

Saying "I would have laughed off the Beach Boys if the first thing I heard was All Summer Long" is like saying

"I'm stupid"

 :-D

I like the early stuff better than the "Smile fallout stuff" by and large. I just think Pet Sounds is the band's masterpiece and people would respect them/like them more if they heard that first.

A lot of people dislike precisely because of the square surf-car image. Being exposed to Pet Sounds would help dispel that image and it's not as uneven as later albums.

Either 20/20, Sunflower, Surf's Up, CATP or Holland.

In particular the rockers from this period make for an excellent introduction to the Beach Boys. And Surf's Up and CATP in particular have been received quite well with the people I've showed them to so far.

Another thing I do is completely avoid their surf/car stuff. It's bad enough the Boys have been typecast as a Surf/Car band even though less than 10% of their entire discography is actually that stuff. 

I don't care if it's someone I hate with a passion, I would never reccomend them something awful that would make them hate the Beach Boys.


For the most part I actually agree with you. But as much as I find All Summer Long overrated, I wouldn't go so far as to say something like I'd laugh it off. It's still a very good album, and it's got excellent songs such as the title track, Wendy, I Get Around, We'll Run Away, etc.

Don't get them to listen to any particular album necessarily. If it has to be an album, it depends what they're into (e.g. if they like druggy stuff or straight stuff).

Make them a compilation or playlist. And if you only have a single song to win them over with- "Surf's Up".

If it can't be a compilation then I think Pet Sounds IS a good suggestion. It has 4 very well known and accessible hits but also has deeper stuff too. I can't think of a better album to showcase everything that's brilliant about the group.

It all depends on who that person is. (So I agree with Ron's first post on that count.) It's impossible to plan a general "strategy".   

Summer Days and Summer Nights (With The Little Girl I Once Knew at the top of Side 2 {where it belongs} and California Girls moved
to the closing track {where it belongs}

20/20 was the album that got me hooked on The Beach Boys. It may be the least cohesive but it has a little bit of everything and I think all the songs are top notch.

Start with a 1/2 disc/s compilation that incorporates some neat 70s stuff. Or create one. Then inquire which stuff that person liked best or found most interesting. Go with original studio albums from there. At least, that's how I usually operate. ;)

Isn't it obvious? For a first-time listener: SOUNDS OF SUMMER.
:-p

Surfin' Safari and Surfin' USA.

Beach Boys Today/Summer Days & Summer Nights twofer.

Yeah, man, Michaelangelo.  He was the MAN!  What a fantastic artist, he was so hip man.  Now... now you've probably seen the Pieta, ignore that, ignore that man!

(http://www.artbible.info/images/michelangelo_pieta_grt.jpg)

That's not really representative of what his work was like, man... he's been typecast by the media.  If you REALLY Want to get into the good Michaelangelo stuff, check out the Pieta he was working on when he died!!!! It took him 14 years to get it to this point, he was so misunderstood, man.


(http://uploads5.wikipaintings.org/images/michelangelo/pieta-rondanini-unfinished-1564.jpg)

Agreed. In the old days of mix tapes, when I wanted someone to hear certain music I'd make them a mix tape. And yes, it depends on what they're into. But I would put a bunch of eclectic stuff in there--avoid cars and surfing, which they've probably heard before. Put in some accessible stuff plus a few more obscure (to most people) songs, like "With Me Tonight" or "Steamboat." Throw it against the wall and see if anything sticks. But avoid preaching. People hate that.

(http://mlblogsredstatebluestate.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/thumbs20up20jesus.jpg)

I agree that the recommendation should be based on the listener's tastes. The Beach Boys have a deep and wide enough catalog, with plenty to chose from.

Example: I'm another one of those fans who find Pet Sounds to be a depressing listen. The difference is that I've come to like half of the songs on the album, but not the entire album. But I love the majority of the BB's catalog.

Yeah I think a greatest hits comp would be best that way it covers most of their albums and they'll be blown away how many songs they would recognize from the radio/movies etc...

Agreed. I got interested because of the 20 Good Vibrations comp...I became obsessed because of Pet Sounds.

The Platinum Collection - 61 songs on three CDs, 1961-1996.

 Disc One
1    I Get Around    
2    Don't Worry Baby    
3    Surfin' USA    
4    In My Room    
5    Little Deuce Coupe    
6    Surfer Girl    
7    Fun, Fun, Fun    
8    When I Grow Up (To Be A Man)    
9    Girls On The Beach    
10    All Summer Long    
11    Wendy    
12    Dance, Dance, Dance    
13    Be True To Your School    
14    The Warmth Of The Sun    
15    Little Honda    
16    Surfin'    
17    Surfin' Safari    
18    Do You Wanna Dance    
19    Please Let Me Wonder    
20    Then I Kissed Her    

Disc Two
1   Good Vibrations    
2   California Girls    
3    Sloop John B    
4    Barbara Ann    
5    God Only Knows    
6    Wouldn't It Be Nice    
7    You Still Believe In Me    
8    The Little Girl I Once Knew    
9    Caroline No    
10    You're So Good To Me    
11    Girl Don't Tell Me    
12    Help Me, Rhonda (Single Version)    
13    Heroes And Villains    
14    Wild Honey    
15    Darlin'    
16    Friends    
17    Bluebirds Over The Mountian    
18    Breakaway    
19    Beach Boys Medley    

Disc Three
1    Do It Again    
2    Cottonfields (The Cotton Song)    
3    I Can Hear Music    
4    Tears In The Morning    
5    Sail On Sailor    
6    Disney Girls (1957)    
7    Long Promised Road    
8    Forever    
9    Surf's Up    
10    'Til I Die    
11    Marcella    
12    Student Demonstration Time    
13    Lady Lynda    
14    California Saga / California    
15    Sumahama    
16    Rock'n'Roll Music    
17    Here Comes The Night    
18    Kokomo    
19    Wipe Out (With The Fat Boys)    
20    California Dreaming    
21    Fun, Fun, Fun (With Status Quo)

Me. All Summer Long isn't exactly my favorite early song. IGA is a spectacular one of course.



The people I played CATP to said it lacked punch and is boring.



I doubt it is a casual listener's favorite...



Either that, or Today! on its own.

I'd go with this, too. They're both a compromise between the BB's surf 'n sun work, and their more progressive later work.

If I had to pick a single song, however, I'd play them The Warmth of the Sun.

less is more to begin with:

'20 Golden Greats' ...

RickB

I started with 20 Golden Greats, but the Platinum Collection is a superb collection if you can turn a blind eye to Status Quo and the Fat Boys.

It depends on the person. Most folks here posted about what they consider to be the most immediately accessible songs/albums, but that's not always the case. Some people (sometimes myself included) like challenging, more out-there stuff and it's that aspect that attracts them to new bands. So I'd say things like Smile, Smiley Smile or Love You are not out of the question. The listener will at least be intrigued, for better or for worse.

Endless Summer

20 Golden Greats did it for me.  Andrew's suggestion of the Platinum Collection would get me hooked now and has stuff from their whole career (almost).

I would agree with those saying Today/Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!!). I think they're a pretty good mid-ground for the band's output.
I would probably disagree with Pet Sounds, even though (most of) all of us love the album dearly. I liked the album okay, but it didn't really make a fan out of me.

What did make a fan of me was Sounds of Summer. I remember listening to it and falling deeply in love with "Wild Honey" and "Darlin'," and I haven't looked back since.
The Platinum Collection is nice and all, but it's a bit of a commitment for someone who isn't even a fan yet.

So, I would just figure out if they would prefer to listen to an album, or to a compilation.

Actually it's not your post I want to comment on but the wonderful quote down below it. :=)

completely agree  :)  and I would pick the Today album or Sunflower.  those are the two albums that first got me hooked

Today. It's got a helping of the 'hits' but the amazing emotion of the 2nd half gives a great snapshot of the deep deep soul of this band. It really is a milepost in the band's career me thinks.

Maybe it's subjective. I've played CATP to several people and they've all really liked it.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I generally wouldn't recommend Today! or Summer Days. All great albums though. Nor would I recommend Pet Sounds. Admittedly the first time I ever listened to it I literally fell asleep. But it very quickly grew on me.

Still say I'd recommend any album from 20/20 to Holland. Can't go wrong with those choices!  :rock

I don't get it. Why would you have 'laughed off' All Summer Long? What's 'laughable' about expertly crafted summer pop?

Or, oh God, are you one of those people who worries about being cool or being seen to be cool? Dry heave.

Generally I wouldn't laugh off All Summer Long, only it's a very overrated album.

Sure, it's got All Summer Long, Wendy, I Get Around, We'll Run Away. Then you get total crap like Girls On The Beach and Carl's Big Chance.

It's still quite a good album, only I just don't see the appeal to it. Give me Shut Down Volume 2 anyday!

lolz. i looove All Summer Long.

buuut Pet Sounds is the album that "sold me" on the Beach Boys. Most people don't understand why I like the Beach Boys so much because of the whole surf stigma. Pet Sounds is a good choice because:

A) it's BY FAR their best album. Seriously 20/20, Sunflower, even Today! et al. don't come close. The Smile Sessions is too unfinished. My fave is Love You, but that's too weird for many people.
B) not surfing related (which bothers other people -- not me)


But A), A), A). It's their easiest album to just put on and enjoy. No filler or mediocre songs.

Other than Pet Sounds I would recommend Endless Summer.

Why on earth is Student Demonstration Time on the platinum collection?

Mike Love.

Wait... wait, I think somebody just said "Girls on the Beach" is "Total Crap".  I must actually be in a film discussion forum, because there's no way in HELL somebody said that in a music related forum...

Today! It cover all bases, more poppy than Pet Sounds, more arty than the stuff that preceded it while still carrying the same kind of vibe.

Great song. Love Denny on the bridge!

You should buy and read a copy of Philip Lambert's 'Inside The Music Of Brian Wilson' - he wrote 2-3 pages on this song alone - the basis of it being that this song was the first sign of Brian's "new focus on innovation and structural cohesion."

You may not like it, but it's definitely not crap.

He also said the perfectly pleasant 'Carl's Big Chance' was total crap as well... I'd hate to think what adjectives he uses to describe, say, Barbie Girl by Aqua or anything by Robbie Williams.

:lol

Why, of course it's subjective! And both of us played CATP to totally different people. AND we both are right in our tastes although we disagree completely!



You can go wrong! :wink

The problem with Holland and CATP is that they sound nothing like The Beach Boys. Some nice cuts, but not representative of the other 99.9% of their music.

I really don't care for the song. For once the singing is not up to the Beach Boys standard; Surfer Girl, In My Room, Lonely Sea, Little Girl, Warmth Of The Sun, Don't Worry Baby and Keep An Eye On Summer are much better songs, and the Denny part is actually the worst part.

All IMHO of course. For a lot of people, such as yourself, Ron and Rab, it's a great song. For me, it really brings down All Summer Long.
I would never consider it to be one of the Beach Boy's worst, but I still generally dislike the song.

Same with their early Surf/Car stuff. But though they may be different to the usual BB's sound due to Blondie and Ricky, it was still an excellent time. Awesome music, brilliant live performances!
I'd rather show CATP and Holland to non-Beach Boy fans than the early Surf/Car stuff


I don't see how. All great albums!

All Summer Long

Total crap? "A modest instrumental ... It may be filler material but the Boys deserved a break, and Carl Wilson fans deserved a treat." (p. 156)

"Girls On The Beach" is awesome. Robbie ain't bad either.

Count me in the crowd that dislikes Girls On The Beach.

I dislike Surfer Girl sometimes too.

They're essentially the same some afterall

I like "Girls On The Beach". It was essential on Endless Summer, but on an overall greatest hits comp, I could see it getting bumped.

"Girls On The Beach" is a borderline great song, but I always thought the mix was a little off. It's a little shouty, Brian sounds slightly sharp (maybe?), and I don't think Dennis exactly nails his part. I would've preferred Mike or Brian singing Dennis' part; I assumed Brian was trying to get Dennis more involved. But, I really like the song. It makes me feel good.

To each his own, but 'Girls On The Beach' would easily make my top 5 Beach Boys songs ever. I can't even begin to say how much I love it.

'girls on the beach' is musically clever and exciting too.... great use of chords and the key changes..... just 'outta sight'

RickB

I love Denny's out-of-sync double-tracking on the bridge. Totally charming.
I also love when the song transposes in the middle of the last verse. Awesome songwriting.

It's quite brilliant: After two verses of classic Beach Boys harmony, Denny alone gives a mournful/heartbreaking lead vocal, then all the guys come back in with their pitch-perfect vocals. It's a great example of how talented these guys were.

actually my favorite part of the Girls on the Beach movie was the intro  :-D (actually all the musical numbers were except for the Crickets  :P)  too bad YouTube snatched it, the movie was starting to grow on me

Yeah,... I'm in the mood tonight to let other people have their asine, completely wrong, stupid opinions :)  So I'll humour that somebody doesnt' like the song.  I just can't understand why. 

Now is it my favorite?  No.  ... but I don't see how the guy above said that vocally it isn't there.  It sounds amazing!  Just the intro is incredible, and it's that super thick, over the top, syrupy Beach Boys harmony that although they did SO well, they really only did this thick on just a few tracks.  it's a full song, with FULL 4 or 5 part harmony, all the way through.  Fairly rare for the Boys, and shows off just how great they could sing in my opinion.

To each his own.  Live and let live.  Cest La Vie

Not familiar with Robbie Williams at all, so I can't comment on that.

Girls On The Beach and Carl's Big Chance are bad. But Barbie Girl is one of the most wretched, horrid, and downright asinine songs I have ever heard in my entire life. Even when I was little, I fucking hated it. Oh, and DAMN YOU FOR REMINDING ME OF THAT GOD-FORSAKEN "SONG"!!!

Agreed with Freddie on Girls On The Beach. Disagree with what he said about Surfer Girl  :-D

Oh, and as I said earlier the Denny part is the worst part of Girls On The Beach. Cringe-worthy to the extreme. All IMHO though

Here's an alternate version of Girls On The Beach, sans Denny's contribution ;D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpXYO6KdY0s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpXYO6KdY0s)

Oh come on! Anyone who isn't genuinely moved when Ken sings "Come on Barbie let's go party" must have a heart of stone.  

Wonderful to see "GOTB" getting some kudos and not just crap thrown at it.  

The question wasn't posed as the "best way to get a friend into the Beach Boys"--it's about sifting through the Beach Boys' massive canon to come up with a single album that has the best chance at playing out well to a general pool of  first-time listeners.
A scenario where this "methodology" might be useful (albeit, an entirely unlikely scenario): you have a room with 100 people who have never listened to the Beach Boys and who are picked at random (so you don't know their ages, genders, personalities, etc.); you get to play for the whole room one Beach Boys album--which do you pick?  That's more what I'm thinking for this question.  :)  Just like how there are good reasons to point a first-time reader of the Bible to the Gospel of Mark than to Judges (even while both are of great value, and even admitting that Judges might be a better read for a few of these people than the Gospel of Mark), so there are good reasons to point a first-time listener of the Beach Boys to Album X instead of Album Y.

With that said, my answer is...

this guy's answer:

I couldn't agree more.  If the goal of a general recommendation is to provide something most people can connect with, I can't think of a better Beach Boys' album that people can connect to lyrically because the lyrics are timeless (being about relationships...and dancing...as opposed to cars or surfboards).  If the goal is to cultivate a desire for continued listening/exposure, then Today! makes sense as it is, IMHO, the bridge of the Beach Boys' canon: if the listener likes the "oldies" feel of Today!, they may want to go backwards in the discography; if they like the "artsy" feel, they may want to go forwards.

Although Pet Sounds reigns over Today! for most of us, in short, I think it would probably go over many people's heads.  Maybe this is just my personal experience though, for I connected immediately with Today! whereas Pet Sounds took me awhile...

What do you mean by, Pet Sounds would "Go over many people's heads" ?

It was the album that got me into them, I thought it was the album that got most people into them as well (that is if thy weren't already fans in the 60s and 70s).  It's not a complicated album, yeah it's sophisticated for its time but it's still very much a pop album and a very accessible one at that.  I'd say it's more accessible than some of their early albums which while good are certainly dated.  One of the strengths of Pet Sounds is that it stands the test of time.

In Concert

Cocaine Sessions!

Denny's Drums.

Well said.

Not bad. One big flaw though: the lack of Dennis.

The best general recommendation must be one where Dennis is well-represented!