The Smiley Smile Message Board

I was thinking...

As is the case with most bands that release a lot of albums, the Beach Boys went through phases: surf/car rock; chamber pop; simpler, pastoral pop; sonic adventurism with heavier use of production tricks and techniques; rootsy; retro...and why don't we stop there.

Anyway, Smile seems to me as not a continuation of what came before (except GV), and not really a sign of what would follow (except Smile tracks, mostly). It seems really anomalous.

But OTHER THAN that, what album and/or song really stands out to you as unlike anything else (or much else) the Beach Boys ever did, and how/why?

How about:

Here Comes The Night (LA version): disco
Wipe Out: rap
Smart Girls (BW): rap
Cassius Love Vs. Sonny Wilson: parody
Our Favorite Recording Session: interview
He Came Down: gospel-ish
Mt. Vernon And Fairway: fairy tale


STE

Don't forget "I'm Bugged At My Old Man."  Not sure what you'd call it -- a child abuse satire/parody?

While I like The Beach Boys' Christmas album very much (I think it's one of Brian's best - vocally speaking), there are a couple of songs - "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" and "Frosty The Snowman" with brass, and a couple of songs - "We Three Kings", "White Christmas", "Blue Christmas", and "I'll Be Home For Christmas" which employ strings. I know Brian brought in Dick Reynolds to do those arrangements, but I don't really care for them. Brian rarely used that big band style again. Pet Sounds was different, as was "Transcendental Meditation". I guess the Adult Child songs had some of it. But those Christmas songs are unique.

Well from 66-73 they all had their own feel. I think they are only Anomalous if you haven't heard Pet Sounds.

Pet what? I've never heard of that.

 ;)

 ;D

I will say one thing that almost nothing from 1967-73 would sound like "THE BEACH BOYS" to the general public but the music follows a fairly natural pattern for those who know their career in full.

Nothing quite like these, before or after:

Make It Good / Cuddle Up
All This Is That
Lonely Sea
California Dreamin'

Party! album
Smiley Smile album

Acapulco Girls with Sol de Mexico ..........j/k

I'm Bugged at My Old Man.. not just because it's a "child abuse satire", but it sounds weird, too.. especially the response vocals and stuff. And it comes right after Summer Means New Love! My goodness.

"Diamond Head" is completely out of left field as is "Mt. Vernon & Fairway".

"A Day In The Life Of A Tree"

I can't think of anyone else that did something like having their business manager do the vocal on  a song.  It  was art, not a joke, and it came out great IMO.  - Well maybe John Mellancamp having his Grandma sing on his album was sort of up the same alley - and that was the best thing on a damn good album.     

Tree is kind of out there as far as the album goes. Love You had a few more kind of offbeat choices but Tree is arranged with a lot more care.