The Smiley Smile Message Board

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M_a2MNNirww/UvzXiMZ2_wI/AAAAAAAAAhA/JFwhrWOAqZw/s1600/Surfintwofer.jpg)

From what I can tell #15 was the last twofer poll so this must be 16. Can't believe I overlooked this one originally.

To be honest I don't listen to these early albums that much these days. That said, Surfin USA has a cool, punky attitude and Brian showed his potential pretty early on with Lonely Sea so that's the album that gets my vote.

USA. A nice improvement, on many levels.

Surfin' USA is a million miles better, actually it's in my top 5 BB albums but then I don't view surf instrumentals as 'filler' like many people seem to.

Surfin USA is such a great album. One of those that can seem a bit hit/miss when you think back on it, but then when you give it a spin you're reminded that it's amazing!

Surfin' Safari has a terrific cover though...

Surfin' USA may be obviously a superior album, but for Surfin' Safari, Cuckoo Clock, Country Fair, and Little Girl (You're My Miss America), I choose Surfin' Safari. I just find myself listening to Safari more.

There is a lot of good stuff on Surfin' Safari, despite the obvious (the singles). Little Miss America is lovely - Dennis and Mike are both terrific on it - and I really like Chug-a-Lug, especially the fairground-style organ. Moon Dawg is great too.

Surprised at the lack of posts here.

Could it be because this once-popular poll series is no longer as popular as it was, or could it be that Pixletwin's Survivor threads have overshadowed this.

Who knows? But it's a damned shame as I'd love to see more Twofer polls, but at this rate it ain't gonna happen  :(

Little Bird - These polls were a mixed bag. Some ran for multiple pages, others for just a few posts. It also occurred to me in retrospect that with all the cool survivor threads running at the moment the last thing the board needs is more polls so apologies for that - I guess I got swept away by your boundless, giant puppy-like enthusiasm, Little Bird!  ;)

I planned to do a few more but might wait until there's less activity on the board. In truth all the exciting ones are done now anyway so it would only be still cruisin/SIP (saving the best 'til last, right?) and then some combinations of BW solo albums, TWGMTR, Al's solo maybe. I wouldn't hold your breath is what I'm saying!

Surfin' Safari

Both are extremely raw and I think the rawness on the first one is more "sincere".  The second album in a transition.  The production is a bit slicker but the songs (aside from the obvious exceptions) just aren't there yet.  The first album is the ultimate garage band album; just a bunch of kids living the dream.

I agree with those who like the surf instrumentals on SUSA. Can't beat the Carl--Dave machine. And you can feel that Brian is moving forward in leaps and bounds. (Love the perfect Four Seasons imitation in "Finders Keepers".) That said, i had to choose Surfin' Safari, if only because of "The Shift", whose structure is a true sign of things to come.

I like the 2fer polls----they encourage constructive criticism. The Survivor thingies are not for me----too negative.