The Smiley Smile Message Board

I picked up the LDC/All Summer Long 2-fer, and I have to say...not as bad as I was expecting.  A lot of fluff, but I really like quite a few of the songs as well, particularly Hushabye and Dont Back Down, the latter especially.  It has such an odd structure to it, but I think it's great.

Not really sure what else to pick up as far as early stuff is concerned.  I'm thinking of the Surfin' USA 2-fer.

where did you buy it?

Well, the Surfin' USA 2-fer WILL BE as bad as you are expecting..  it's about 95% fluff.

Here are the pre Today LPs from what I like best to least .
1.All Summer
2 Shut Down 2
3 Sufin USA (sorry I like this one a lot)
4 Surfer Girl
5 Concert
6 Little
7 Safari
8 Xmas

The Surfin' U.S.A. and All Summer Long LP's are both pure ground breaking classics. Without them what came later has absolutely no relevance.

It's not easy to find around where I am, so I ordered it from Borders.  I had a coupon and was able to apply it to my order when it came in.

Mostly, I just seem compilations and Pet Sounds and occassionally some 2fer stuck in there.  Meanwhile, you lift your head up and see every Beatles album they made...

Well, I have all of the late stuff worth having (save holland/catp), so I'm getting desperate for SOMETHING else.  I guess even if a couple gems stick out, it'd be worth it.

I've been so desperate for music lately though.  I just haven't come across a lot that's clicked lately.  Maybe I'll just up another Cosby comedy album instead.

Interesting - i'd say the same about The BB canon. You gotta have the context.. There's a goodly degree of Beatles fluff too.

we'll run away is great...wendy, little honda...just great...all summer long is great summer album.

Shut Down 2 is good as well...it's worth saying (and i've heard others say) that it coulda been the first great BB album, had it not contain a couple of clunkers...perhaps going up against a beatles' record? warmth, dont worry, keep an eye, why do fools...great tracks...

i think the LDC album is underrated...it's got some good stuff...my fav: no go showboat...

All Summer Long is my favourite pre-Today album. So much cool stuff on here, the vocals are great and theres little filler. A great album to stick on if you're driving to the beach.

Holy crap, YES. At this stage of the game I'd rather listen to the early stuff than anything. They are, as you say, groundbreaking classics.

Personally, I think the "Surfer Girl" album is underappreciated. There's something very spiritual about the album, as Brian might say. Maybe because it opens with the title track with its "When You Wish Upon A Star" overtones. There's something about the way "In My Room" appears in the track sequence that emphasizes the simple profundity of the song. It's also got that great Four Seasons knock "Surfers Rule". I suppose it's the first BB album where that sounds like Brian has found his footing; he knows what kind of material and arrangements make the band appealing.

yeah, surfer girl is a great album...your summer dream, our car club, catch a wave, boogie woodie; really underrated stuff

It's interesting to hear about these earlier ones.  It seems like the only discussions that take place are about 1965-

I usually get the impression that people completely disregard the first albums as hits you've heard all your life and embarassing filler, so it was interesting to actually see what they were producing at the time.  I mean, who knew such greatness as "Carl's Big Chance" was out there waiting to be discovered?  Okay, that was a joke.  But, Our Car Club and Custom Machine are pretty good.

NOT AT ALL.

That might be the party-line amongst the fly-by-night half-arsed fans. The sort of "Pet Sounds And Not Much Else" fans, but heck with them -- they're missing out on some insanely brilliant gems. "Car Crazy Cutie?" How can you possibly go wrong! "No Go Showboat?" Its all great stuff on those albums, the filler percentage is actually, to me, pretty small and even the filler's fun. I like "Carl's Big Chance."

But then again: I also rate "Party," so what do I know?

I was definitely late in coming to those early albums. I heard about and got Pet Sounds first, then the stuff that came just after (through about Surf's Up), then worked slowly backward from PS and forward from SU. I've got to say...I still don't like the early albums much. There are great, great songs here and there, but I'd take pretty much any album from Today through Holland before anything pre-Today.

That said...it's worth it to buy them if and when you have a few spare dollars. You can always find something cool, be it a chord change, a song, a harmony, a tone. Whatever.

Not to mention superb harmonies such as on "In The Parking Lot", etc. on earlier albums.

Please just get Surfin' USA.  The title track is iconic, obviously, but Farmer's Daughter, Lonely Sea, Lana...that trio of songs are just as interesting melodically as anything Brian ever wrote.  Beautiful melodies sung by Brian at his purest.

Since my move to LA, I've gone to the Beach a couple of times with my iPod and played Surfin' USA in it's entirety.  The first time I did, not long into I said aloud: "Oh."  I got it.  I could feel the zeitgeist, even in the "filler" tracks.  Maybe even especially in the filler tracks.

I'm so glad you did because it means a lot. In 1963 to us suburban California kids that LP was as liberating and youth-power as punk rock could ever be. It was truly a progressive record. It had an edge. It had heart. And it was good from beginning to end. A total Califonia garage band statement. Everyone in my neighborhood wanted to buy electric guitars and grow their hair out when they heard it and saw it. The Beatles were still a year away, but the BB's had it down already. To think of those early LP's as somehow unimportant is ridiculous in my opinion. Today is great, Pet Sounds sublime, but the Beach Boys were never tougher than they were on SUSA...and yeah...Farmers Daughter, Lonely Sea and Lana just ripped our raw little souls out. Brian turned us inside out and made the girls cry, and all to a reverbed Fender symphony.

Whenever I vacation on the Gulf coast, I bring 2 Beach Boys albums along for ambience..The Boys never sound as good as they do on the coast, with the waves crashing, dolphins jumping..I got it , as well..6 summers ago..now I spend my time trying to capture that feeling with my own music, writing words and melody while I'm near the Gulf of Mexico....

I love Lonely Sea and that was the main reason I wanted to pick up that album specifically.  I'm sure at some point I'll pick up everything excluding the 80s stuff.

My sister, brother-in-law, and I went out to the beach today, and all day we kept singing this cheesy Beach Boys rip off my sister made up:

Gonna get down,
Gonna boogie.
Gonna boogie on my boogie board.

Hell, the early albums were the GREATEST, especially if you lived through those times as I did. Each album release was an event, fans waited for their release. The songs were fresh and were considered ground breaking. Even the non hits like Custom Machine and No Go Showboat were loved by many.

I love all the early albums too, and probably listen to them just as much as Pet Sounds/Smile.  Its fascinating to me that I can actually hear Brian's artistic progression as its happening.  I can only imagine how cool it must've been to be around for it as it was happening.  There are, of course, early gems that hint at future greatness (Lonely Sea, Warmth of the Sun, etc), but even the supposed "filler" is fantastic to me.  Farmer's Daughter is ridiculously simple, but I love it.  That to me is why Brian is so good, he can make a simple 3 chord song (actually I think there's a minor in there but you get my point) into somthing original and interesting.  All of the early BB albums have wonderful things to offer, you pretty much can't go wrong no matter which you choose. 

Did the teenagers buying Beach Boys albums back in the 60's really consider the music ground breaking? I know the records were hits, but the release of a Beach Boys record was an event? I know they were very succesful but I didn't think they were taken terribly seriously by the general record buying public.

Here comes some blasphemy...

I prefer All Summer Long to Today.

Ditto LDC, SG and SDII. Remember the times and the audience. Totally relevant songs, totally terrific music.  Growing up in the 60's in California without these guys wouldn't have been half as much fun, and those records are just as good today. 

Yes. Yes. They were taken seriously, and were cutting edge in '63 and '64. They weren't considered fluff, or old hat until they started releasing the more progressive stuff...wierd huh? I can remember Today as being the first BB's LP that came out and people were saying the BB's were unhip. That's why evaluating in retrospect needs historical context added to the evaluation of the actual material. Otherwise you end up with people saying the first five LP's were unimportant. Actually they were more important because the ones that came after never would have happened without them. 

Did teenagers take music seriously in '63-'64?  Probably not.  Or at least not as much as later years.  Pretentiousness crept into music writing later on, and the teenage fans also reached college age.  It was more a change in audience attitudes than a change in music that caused people to reevaluate the Beach Boys.  The later '60s were harsh.  Even The Doors were considered unhip after they started selling a lot of records and having Top 40 hits.

As "music", perhaps not.  But as music, yes.  I just mean that not everyone who listens to music is concerned about the art or techniques or whatever you want to call it.  I was already into music and guitars and pianos and drums and stuff then, so, yeah, I paid more attention to it than the average kid with a transistor radio or a stack of 45's in the gym during lunch.  That doesn't make me the king of Siam, that's not my point, but merely that everyone knew this was darned good stuff even if they didn't know anythng about "music".  It was good, it was catchy, it was new, it was relevant, and you could sing along or dance to it. The Beach Boys sold millions of records because of it and good for them. That's what we wanted and they delivered.  We waited for each one. The fact that it was technically and emotionally so good - groundbreaking - was a bonus we're still benefitting from 40 years later.  I also believe that the music establishment figured out right away how groundbreaking it really was.  Listen to Hal Blaine or Carol Kaye or Don Randi or any of them. They're the ones who count on that score, pun probably intended. As for the artsy or pc pretentiousness and people turning up their noses once groups became commercially successful or whatever,  well, let's just say some people are educated beyond their intelligence, and take some things  - and themselves - far too seriously. I couldn't care less what some self-appointed critics  or self-important "generational spokesmen" think or have to say about anything, particularly ones from that era.  Sorry, didn't mean to shout. It just all gets a bit much at times.  My advice - listen to the music and enjoy it.

Being born in '73, I didn't get to experience the early BBs as many of you described.  Still, how were those weird studio "humour" tracks received?  I mean Cassius Love vs Sonny Wilson, Our favourite studio sessions, and Bull session with big daddy.  I have to say I don't really get them.

In the moment they were thought of as really wacky, irreverent...to hear the band casually goofing off was so totally unexpected. Of course within a couple of years those things sounded dumb as all hell, But at the time they were nearly revolutionary...like Mad magazine or something.

Thanks.  Good to know I'm not the only one...

The thing that was appealing about those tracks was that we got to hear the guys as regular people, goofing off, talking back and forth, working in the studio (or so we thought), etc.  They were big music stars, we were a bunch of high school fans who never met a star in our lives.  It made them real, a little more accessible if you will.  Wow, they even ate burgers and fries like we did (well, of course they did - remember the Foster's Freeze? Man, we ate at a Foster's Freeze too!)! Brian or whoever it was hitting that note at the piano at the end of OFRS before Don't Back Down starts is classic.  Again, included for a teen-age audience wanting a little closer connection to the guys, not oh-so-serious music critics.  A little archival history of the Boys being boys, not big shot Capitol Record artists. Fun then, fun now.

I've listened to all of the BB catalogue, make that own, and Ive heard it all.  A lot.

But sometimes an album slips out of rotation for months, occasionally years go by before I listen to one of the older studio lps in its entirety.

As it happens, I did this with All Summer Long.  The other day I put it on while I was engaged in a project in the garage..  I listened to it straight through without interuption, without skipping a single track.    I was FLOORED.  I had previously had this in my mind as one of those early lps with too much filler and sily stuff.  Not the case.  I might even prefer this in many ways to Today and SDSN.    Thats the beauty of being a BB fan.  Constant rediscovery.

I had the same reaction to it. I can see why Brian loves performing "Drive-In" so much. The album is pure unadulterated FUN. I too prefer it to Today. I am probably the one person on the face of the planet who feels that way, but...Today is overrated. It's a very good album, but to me it doesn't flow very well, and the filler tracks are bad. Plus, I personally HATE "In the Back of My Mind"; possibly the only Dennis vocal I cannot actively stand.

Hey, some of there early stuff is great and i'd advise buying the lot coz even an album like 'Surfin' Safari' has a few great tracks on it. 'Surfer Girl/Shut Down 2' is definately worth picking up! Shut Down 2 in particular has some really great, largely unknown tracks, namely In The Parkin' Lot and Keep An Eye On Summer. 'Surfin' USA' likewise has some brilliant tunes on it, favourites being 'Lonely Sea' (why the hell was this missed off the GV box set?) and 'Noble Surfer'! So yeh, buy the lot (and while you're at it pick up CATP/Holland - you don't know what you're missing!!) Cheers

You should seriously stop responding to really old threads. That's a big message board faux pas.

Well then come up with an interesting subject to talk about.. It's good to get things going again, esp if a topic was interesting. However i will 'seriously stop'. 'Seriously'? Do the FBI disapprove?

Don't be a smart ass.

Hushabye is amazing. Especially the build up (starting at 1:05) to Mike's "Lullaby.... and goodnight - in your dreams I held you tight" - goosebumps everytime I hear that. The whole ASL album is fab, the only thing I hate about those early albums is that they're all so damn short!

I think the "Surfer Girl" album was a great one... I bought it in a bin at a place that had it on clearance for I believe 3 bucks.  I couldn't believe what a great album it was (along with Shut Down vol 2.)

1. "Surfer Girl" one of the greatest songs of all time. 
2. "Catch a Wave" one of my favorite BB songs of all time.  I love the "everybody grab a boaaaaarddd" or whatever Mike says before the falsetto parts.  I think it's an interesting 'philosophy' almost too, about how surfers wait around all day for the big wave/ people wait around all their lives for the high spots, etc.
3. "Surfer Moon" beauuuutiful song.  Double tracked lead, sounds incredible. 
4. "South Bay Surfer" Loooooook out! Here come the souuuuuth bayyyy surfers! In my opinion, great song.
5. "The Rocking Surfer" pretty cool instrumental, I usually skip it, though.
6. "Little Deuce Coupe" I think this is the lesser version though, it doesn't have all the vocals of the later or something.
7. "In My Room" ANOTHER of the greatest songs of all time.
8. "Hawaii" Come on.  Classic!
9. "Sufers Rule".  He disses the 4 seasons, then even steals one of Frankie Vali's falsetto bits.  I love the swagger on this song.
10. "Our Car Club" The BB's on cruise control, they could almost write a song about anything at this point.  Love the background vocals, and the "you can bet that we'll have our jackets on, whenever we crrrruuuiissse!"  The sax? throughout the song is just crazy too.
11. "Your Summer Dream" ANOTHER great Brian lead on a ballad, most casual fans haven't heard how great "your summer dream" and "Surfer Moon" are.  Two outstanding tracks in my opinion.
12. "Boogie Woodie" another instrumental, I usually skip this.
13. "Fun Fun Fun" classic.  I always thought the title was brilliant.  That would be like me writing a song called "Women, Women, Women" or "Love, Love, Love" or "Drive, Drive, Drive" or something.  Completely inspired on Brian's part, in my opinion.
14. "Don't Worry Baby" again, in my opinion one of the greatest songs of all time by any band.  Brilliant song, the "when sheee says" is a stroke of genius, allowing Brian to sing a song he wrote for a woman to sing.... to himself!  BRILLIANT the man was incredible.
15. "In The Parking Lot" different.  I think the slow, harmonic parts are meant to represent the guy and girl taking time to make out, it's pretty funny in that regard. 
16. "Cassius Love Vs. Sonny Liston" - Fluff but interesting to see the BB's love for each other
17. "The Warmth Of the Sun" - Again, great song.  Brilliant lyrics by Mike, beautiful, borderline insane falsetto by Brian.  I love how he somehow brings some notes down into his head voice, then back up into falsetto.  Gorgeous song.  "The Love of my life... she left me one day.  I cried when she said, 'I don't feel the same way' "  WOW.  It does not get any better than that, folks. 
18. "This Car Of Mine" GREAT little known BB's song.  I like the little fallaway vocal each time he gets to the "Olllld and bustedddd" or whatever he says towards the beginning of each verse.  The "DAH DAH DA DUP! DUP! DAH DAH DA DUP! DUP!" harmonies at the end of the song are worth the 10 bucks the entire album costs. 
19.  "Why Do Fools Fall In Love" I sometimes skip this one because it's a pretty straight forward cover, it's different than the original but I'm not sure the original needed another version.
20.  "Pom Pom Play Girl" I usually skip this track as well.
21.  "Keep An Eye On Summer" Another beautiful song, kind of basic for me though, I skip this one sometimes for the goodness to follow.
22.  "Shut Down Part 2" I usually skip.  Features Mike on a saxaphone.  Kind of brutal, lol.
23. "Louie Louie" I love the BB's straightened up version of this, how you can actually tell what he's saying, lol.
24. "Denny's Drums" drum solo by Dennis, I think it's a variation of that "Land of a 1000 drums" song by the famous drummer, I've misplaced his name in my skull somewhere. 

Then there's a few bonus tracks on that.  One of my favorite albums I've heard from the 60's, much less the Beach Boys!  GREAT 2fer. 

See Ageir, it's an interesting topic and people still wanna talk about it! I don't see any harm in re-discussing an old topic, particuarly for people such as myself who are new to the board. If you don't wanna talk about it again, then don't bother replying, but don't stop other people from doing so.. And as regards the above message: Yeh, that is one great two-fer album. 'In The Parkin' Lot' is one of my fave of there early tracks though. 

I was duped, I didn't realize this was an old thread.  Nevertheless, I do wonder if our friend has found any new music?!?

Depending on what you are all into, you might want to check out a band called The Explorers Club.  They are a new band with a serious Beach Boys vibe.  IMO, the songs are so good you'd swear you stumbled across a long lost gem from the 60's.  From their myspace page (www.myspace.com/explorersclub) you can listen to one song, Last Kiss.  If you go to www.hypem.com you should be able to find the others.  Their best songs are: I Lost My Head (PS/SMiLE era BW/BB), Forever, Don't Forget the Sun, and Last Kiss are all Today/SDSN era BW/BB (and there is lots of Phil Spector in Forever).  The music is derivative, it sounds a lot like the Beach Boys, but not in a Flash Cadillac sort of way.  More in a Gary Zeckley/Curt B./long lost BB tracks sort of way.  I love 'em, and I make no apologies - my favorite new band in the last 5 years.

One of these days someone is going to think I work for the band, I don't - in fact I have a hard time getting replies from them when I email...just a great band making great music - and it's not filthy like so much of what is out there today.

The Explorer's Club are a bunch of really great guys, and they put on a really fun live show.  I wouldn't be caught dead...er...borrowing as heavily from the Beach Boys as they do, but they do indeed do it well.  I mean, they wear matching clothes and tell Mike Love jokes between songs.  Haha.  Good on you, guys.

Great post and critique, Ron. You feel almost exactly the same way I feel about those classic tunes. Nice read. Next time, don't skip "Pom Pom Play girl", if just for the joyous harmonies and the nice key changes near the end.