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Title: Holland Post by: Charles LePage @ ComicList on December 25, 2005, 07:52:38 PM Discuss, review and rate Holland, released January 1973.
(http://www.smileysmile.net/images/albums/holland.gif) Title: Re: Holland Post by: the captain on December 25, 2005, 08:36:32 PM Probably my favorite BBs album of the '70s, slightly ahead of Surf's Up and Love You (and significantly ahead of Sunflower, which I've always thought is overrated). I love the tracks by all the guys, and think that if only the poetry could have been left out of the middle section of the California Saga, it would have been nearly perfect. I've never heard the studio version of We Got Love, but I wonder if its addition--or some other fitting, unused track--might have really made it a classic.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: I. Spaceman on December 26, 2005, 01:31:16 AM Far too serious of an album, pseudo-hip and pandering. Leaving THis Town is very overrated and Funky Pretty is horrid. The Beaks Of Eagles is pitiful. But the rest is nice at worst (Big Sur), incredible at best (Sailor, Only With You, Steamboat).
Title: Re: Holland Post by: Jason on December 26, 2005, 01:13:44 PM The band is trying too hard here. I like about half of the album (same with Summer in Paradise and Keepin' the Summer Alive). The best songs are from Brian and Dennis. Al has his shining moment here. The Trader was always better live (and I have the bootlegs to prove it).
Title: Re: Holland Post by: Wolfgang on December 27, 2005, 01:38:46 AM Holland also belongs to my Top 5.
Smile ! Wolfgang Title: Re: Holland Post by: donald on December 27, 2005, 12:23:52 PM My favorite of the 70's and in my top five BB albums.
They are NOT trying too hard here. They WERE on the previous two albums. IMHO,they finally got it right here in terms of escaping the old image and doing some genuinely good original music, from the heart, relevant, and sampling the talents of all members. And I'll be g*ddamned, lost it all and returned three years later with 15 Big Ones. I can't even understand that beyond the power of cocaine and the money that Endless Summer provided to buy it. Title: Re: Holland Post by: SurferGirl7 on December 28, 2005, 10:18:42 AM Creative. Dark. Magical. Side A is a pretty good start. Steamboat is my big favorite on here next to of course, Sail on Sailor. Loved the backing track and very much liked the vocals. The only thing that ruins some of the album for me is Mike talking in it >:( Enough talking, I want to hear the music. Why We Got Love didn't make it in is tragic. At least it got done live. The one big song that moved me out of everything was Fairy Tale Music. I hated the talking but when I heard just the music on GV boxset, WOW, WOW AND WOW!!!!!!! Such genius! I felt like it was a mini SMiLE or something. My favorite part has to be I'm The Pied Piper.
3 stars. Title: Re: Holland Post by: donald on January 04, 2006, 07:49:40 AM Mt. Vernon and Fairway should be listed as a seperate album.
More overlooked than Love You ever was. Title: Re: Holland Post by: Jeff Mason on January 05, 2006, 05:44:21 PM I like the phrase "trying too hard". That is EXACTLY what I thought when I first heard Big Sur. I still don't like the 3/4 released version (the boot is cool though). It sounds like a calculated attempt to be "hip" with an artificially created "organic" vibe. Not bad, but still not in their own forte like Sunflower was (and to some extent also Surf's Up which IMO was the beginning of struggles with forced music). Of course, forced artistic BB is still very interesting and far better than most 1973 music and definitely better than MIU and beyond.
My biggest sadness was the way that they sort of botched Sail On Sailor. I still think of it as a classic song, but the actual recording is a bit too slow and sloppy. It is screaming for either a full Brian Wilson production or else the feel that the live version has (which is why I far prefer the In Concert rendition). Title: Re: Holland Post by: the captain on January 05, 2006, 05:49:10 PM While I don't dispute the "trying too hard" label for parts of Holland, I can't imagine that the previous two or three albums escape that label, either. Sunflower was every bit as forced. Attempts at everything fill that album: cuteness (it came to my window), rock (don't get me started on the Dennis poop), etc. You're right, Jeff, but the genesis of the comment is Sunflower.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: Jeff Mason on January 05, 2006, 05:53:47 PM While I don't dispute the "trying too hard" label for parts of Holland, I can't imagine that the previous two or three albums escape that label, either. Sunflower was every bit as forced. Attempts at everything fill that album: cuteness (it came to my window), rock (don't get me started on the Dennis merda), etc. You're right, Jeff, but the genesis of the comment is Sunflower. See, to me the Dennis stuff flows naturally and is so like his personality. And I DO think that At My Window is cute. Maybe it doesn't seem as forced to me since I buy it. But I don't buy Mike Love singing songs about riots or Harvest-inspired campfire songs, nor do I think that Jack Reiley's lyrics are a comfy fit for the band (though Carl as a basic solo artist did some good stuff with them on Surf's Up -- AFAIK no other BB is heard on his two songs there). Title: Re: Holland Post by: I. Spaceman on January 05, 2006, 05:58:35 PM I agree totally, Jeff, except for the SDT snub.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: Jeff Mason on January 05, 2006, 06:01:07 PM It's not a bad song, I just don't believe that Mike Love is being sincere in his lyrics. I think he is just writing them to be cool. The track itself sounds fine. But this is one of the few times that I react to a BB song like Luther reacted to "It's About Time" -- the lyrics are so in your face that you can't look past them. And they don't work. While Mike is not singing, the track works. I adore the live version of Riot they were doing with the original lyrics and wish that they had just used them for the album with the same track.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: the captain on January 05, 2006, 06:02:01 PM I agree totally, Jeff, except for the SDT snub. Oh, Ian, fvck SDT. Hard. Title: Re: Holland Post by: I. Spaceman on January 05, 2006, 06:04:28 PM No, fvck you. Hard.
Good post, Jeff. Title: Re: Holland Post by: the captain on January 05, 2006, 06:08:14 PM No, fvck you. Hard. Good post, Jeff. OK. But ow. Not so hard... ;) Really, I think Jeff isn't wrong. But to me there is something harmless about the pretentiousness in Mike's Big Sur lyrics, and various others on the disc. They're not that bad. I'd take it over the endless cycle of rewrites that began later that decade. Title: Re: Holland Post by: I. Spaceman on January 05, 2006, 06:10:36 PM It is harmless, and it is better than the rewrites. But better to have neither, really.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: the captain on January 05, 2006, 06:12:36 PM Better to have neither? I would say that if the alternative to the harmless pretentiousness and the rewrites is the remainder of the Beach Boys' career in that era (i.e., virtually nothing at all), I have to disagree.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: Jeff Mason on January 05, 2006, 06:17:06 PM If you think I dislike the forced songs because they are forced, you misread me. I am just being critical and ranking the BB by certain criteria. "Forced" means flawed and so not as easy to love as something like the first three songs on Sunflower, which to me is one of the greatest thrills I ever had as a BB fan (that opening shot converted me as a BB fan -- totally). It jars me a bit and makes me more self-conscious about the songs, but I don't dislike them. I agree -- Holland is still far better than any non-LY BB album to come. Though I still argue that had the 95 reunion been finished it would have blown Holland away.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: I. Spaceman on January 05, 2006, 06:23:02 PM Better to have neither? I would say that if the alternative to the harmless pretentiousness and the rewrites is the remainder of the Beach Boys' career in that era (i.e., virtually nothing at all), I have to disagree. Nope, there's a LOT more. My Diane, Love You, All I Want To Do, a lot of great music. ANOTHER great post, Jeff. Title: Re: Holland Post by: the captain on January 05, 2006, 07:25:55 PM Jeff--Nope, not misreading you. Referring to Ian.
Ian--I don't know about A LOT more, but I'll give you more. Title: Re: Holland Post by: Smilin Ed H on January 06, 2006, 03:27:46 AM Holland seemed to have a purpose; something totally lacking in the subsequent albums. I don't think there's any evidence to suggest that a 95 album would've blown the others away. There are some good Paley/BW songs and there are some weak ones. You probably would've had an album with the feel of a 60s one. Maybe Sean O'Hagan could've pulled off something interesting... On the other hand, by this time, the Lovester's lyrics aren't up to much - just listen to Bummer in Paradise or the stuff off his new album - even worse than Kalinich's on GIOMH, which is saying something.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: Jeff Mason on January 06, 2006, 03:39:36 AM I only have this to say...
You're Still A Mystery Best BB song since Sail On Sailor and a peer to the 60's classics. Make an album like that and you have a classic as well. Just MO. There was enough good material to make an album whose parts would make a greater whole. Title: Re: Holland Post by: Smilin Ed H on January 06, 2006, 04:07:14 AM I agree totally about that song. I understand it was re-recorded for GIOMH. Bet it wasn't as good as the 'demo'!
Title: Re: Holland Post by: Old Rake on January 06, 2006, 06:49:04 AM I don't see "Big Sur" as being forced OR pretentious, particularly. That was just kind of the...zeitgeist of the times, that kind of "outdoorsy / nature / America" type of vibe, and the Boys, as usual, were just reflecting it back. I think the entire Califiornia Saga is frickin' brilliant, and I've said it before and I'll say it again: that INCLUDES Beaks of Eagles, thank you, which I find absolutely lovely, and "California" which is a total stone blast. I loves me some Holland in general -- I don't find "Sail On" at all ponderous, I think its a phenomenal recording and actually prefer it to something like "Till I Die" which is more crystalline but somehow less rugged and passionate. To me, the low point is the EXTREEEMELY dragging "Steamboat," which took me years to learn to even like, let alone love. And wow, "Trader" is just up there in terms of all-time favorites, certainly Carl's very best and most moving song. Really, to me, "Carl and the Passions" and 'Holland" are really one big long record that to me equals "Sunflower" as my very favorite period in the group's history. I can play those two albums over and over and over and never get remotely tired of 'em -- the organic, raw, passionate yet experimental feel is something I think is very forward-thinking for the group and its a shame it kinda dropped right there.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: the captain on January 06, 2006, 01:29:13 PM To me, the low point is the EXTREEEMELY dragging "Steamboat," I've never heard anyone say that. I don't agree, but congratulations on an original thought!Really, to me, "Carl and the Passions" and 'Holland" are really one big long record that to me equals "Sunflower" as my very favorite period in the group's history. I don't quite agree--I think that if you let me pick 10-12 songs from those two albums, I would put together something that far surpasses Sunflower for me. Title: Re: Holland Post by: Daniel S. on January 06, 2006, 07:40:32 PM 3.
That's just for effort mostly. But I do love love love Trader and Steamboat. Maybe its pretentious but I really dig Leaving This Town 'cause it's great to listen to when you're drunk and I like the synthesizer/organ solo. Title: Re: Holland Post by: Jason on January 07, 2006, 07:33:05 AM Now if the band included It's A New Day on this album, it would've merited more than a 3 from me, maybe a 4. Seriously, that track is just that good.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: Sheriff John Stone on January 07, 2006, 10:15:51 AM Holland seemed to have a purpose; something totally lacking in the subsequent albums. I don't think there's any evidence to suggest that a 95 album would've blown the others away. There are some good Paley/BW songs and there are some weak ones. You probably would've had an album with the feel of a 60s one. Maybe Sean O'Hagan could've pulled off something interesting... On the other hand, by this time, the Lovester's lyrics aren't up to much - just listen to Bummer in Paradise or the stuff off his new album - even worse than Kalinich's on GIOMH, which is saying something. You raise some interesting issues, Ed. First, I agree that Holland did appear to have a purpose. I felt they were trying to make an ARTISTIC statement with the lyrical content, specifically the poetry, and by actually composing a "suite" with California Saga. The recordings were slick, with various noises and sound effects. The group used sound effects before, but not to this extent. The album title alone, Holland, would suggest that the group was disassociating themselves from California, yet half of the album was about California. Interesting. And remember, Holland was originally rejected by the record company. I also wonder what the 1995 album would've sounded like and what Mike's role would've been. By that time, Mike was calling a lot of the shots, and he would've demanded major input. Would've he demanded to supply his own lyrics to the Paley tracks? And lastly, I'm sure Steve Kalinich is a great guy who writes lovely poetry. But with very few exceptions, HIS LYRICS TO BEACH BOYS/BRIAN WILSON SONGS ARE TERRIBLE!!!!!!!!! Title: Re: Holland Post by: Glenn Greenberg on January 08, 2006, 02:54:33 PM I give this a 3. I place it about at the same level as Surf's Up.
I especially love "Trader," "Sail on Sailor," and "California." Title: Re: Holland Post by: Howdy Doody on January 08, 2006, 07:19:33 PM Holland is very beautiful in spots and boring sadly in others. Funky Pretty is a magical little song and trancends as well as Mt. Vernon and fairway is beautiful.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: Carl LaFong on January 23, 2006, 12:22:25 PM You must hold the sleeve upside down. Not many people know that.
Apart from that: 4 points. It is the Beach Boys attempt at a The Band album, and not unsuccessful. CLF. Title: Re: Holland Post by: Jason on January 23, 2006, 12:32:40 PM I still think this is the most overrated BBs album.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: I. Spaceman on January 23, 2006, 12:34:53 PM Me too.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: Matinee Idyll on January 27, 2006, 05:02:05 PM I don't think Holland sounds any more forced, pretentious or 'band wagon jumping' than Smiley all those years before... I think they're both great artistic statements.
EDIT: Or "Surf's Up" for gods sake... That thing sounds like it was squeezed out of Mike Love's ass. Title: Re: Holland Post by: I. Spaceman on January 27, 2006, 05:11:47 PM Quote That thing sounds like it was squeezed out of Mike Love's ass. I love when you talk like that to me. But we better keep that to PM's, my saucy Aussie. Title: Re: Holland Post by: Matinee Idyll on January 27, 2006, 05:17:09 PM Well, I meant that in the best possible way :)
I think Surf's Up is a fine album, but it's no less pretentious and wanky than Holland... That's what I like about the albums, that they sound rather forced... part of their strange, alluring charm. My dogs hate the 'whistles' in Funky Pretty... they go nuts whenever it's on (which is rare, as it's the weakest track on the album). Title: Re: Holland Post by: I. Spaceman on January 27, 2006, 05:18:47 PM Quote it's the weakest track on the album). Word. Title: Re: Holland Post by: Matinee Idyll on January 27, 2006, 05:21:19 PM Followed by "California"... aie. Everyone likes that one, it shits me.
Oh, as Ian said to Bruce Johnston ;) The crap bass, and the crap lead vocals do me head in. Title: Re: Holland Post by: I. Spaceman on January 27, 2006, 05:24:54 PM Keyboard bass rules. I love Mike's vocal there.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: jazzfascist on January 28, 2006, 09:54:45 AM Probably the second best of their records in the seventies and as others have noted the most coherent, both soundwise and conceptually, also the one with the most constant quality of songs from that era.
They head out with “Sail On Sailor“. I love this song, it has the shape of a blues, but the different chordchanges seem to be reflecting the movements of the wind and the sea, just as the pounding piano sounds like the motor of a boat, so it’s like a musical picture of a boat on the sea, one of those songs where the music and lyrics are one. “Steamboat” not as good as SOS, but still a solid track with lots of ambience. Next up is “California Saga/Beaks of Eagles” which seems to be Mike and Al’s little element suite, going from the mountains to the ocean, they even mimick the panoramic style of Brians piano intro from “Child”and “Look”, it’s a little bourgeois hippie and pretentious but it’s catchy and works as a suite. “Trader” is Carls masterpiece IMO, great song and the shift in tempo makes it very creative. “Leaving This Town” also a great song, that’s a little chordy, but without getting lost in the chords and with a beautiful outro. “Only With You” a good classically bent ballad with a funky chorus. “Funky Pretty” which is a nice funky pop song, that to some degree doesn’t sound fully realised, but still good. Ending with of course “Mount Vernon And Fairway” that creates it’s own little cosmos with some interesting music. But all in all a solid coherent album with a stone classic, don’t know why they seemingly ran out of steam at that point. Søren Title: Re: Holland Post by: BananaLouie on January 28, 2006, 05:04:02 PM Among their top three best 70s albums behind Sunflower and Love You, The Beach Boy's American gothic trip, could've been really great if it included We Got Love and Carry Me Home. Highlights are Sail On Sailor, Big Sur, California and The Trader.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: the captain on January 28, 2006, 05:15:51 PM American gothic trip... Did you steal that phrase from VDP? I think you did. Title: Re: Holland Post by: BananaLouie on January 28, 2006, 05:31:16 PM American gothic trip... Did you steal that phrase from VDP? Subconscious plagerism? Didn't Van Dyke use that term to describe Cabinessense? ??? Title: Re: Holland Post by: the captain on January 28, 2006, 05:32:22 PM Yep. The American Band dvd.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: BananaLouie on January 28, 2006, 05:38:41 PM Sorry Van Dyke...Rock On!
Title: Re: Holland Post by: the captain on January 28, 2006, 05:40:56 PM I think he forgives you as he does one of those full-on bow/curtsies, just like in the Beautiful Dreamer DVD...
Title: Re: Holland Post by: BananaLouie on January 28, 2006, 05:43:47 PM I like Van Dyke besides being a talented wordsmith he's a gentleman.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: the captain on January 28, 2006, 05:44:40 PM I love him and his work. Or his work, anyway (I don't know him, so what can I say?). But I can still play around.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: BananaLouie on January 28, 2006, 05:47:10 PM Hmmm, this discussion is taking an unusual turn but I agree a lot of his solo work is quite good, Orange Crate Art and Discover America among others.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: the captain on January 28, 2006, 05:48:28 PM Song Cycle, for me, but that's off topic of Holland, isn't it?
Title: Re: Holland Post by: BananaLouie on January 28, 2006, 05:49:24 PM Song Cycle is his first album from 68 isn't it?
Title: Re: Holland Post by: the captain on January 28, 2006, 05:51:09 PM yep.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: BananaLouie on January 28, 2006, 05:52:43 PM It's a good one.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: jazzfascist on January 29, 2006, 06:27:58 AM BTW here's a picture of Robinson Jeffers who wrote "Beaks Of Eagles".
(http://www.uspoetry.ru/poetphot/Robinson-Jeffers.gif) I wonder where Mike and Al got to know that poem. I don't know if he is a widely known american poet or if he was just hip at that point in time Søren Title: Re: Holland Post by: the captain on January 29, 2006, 07:18:39 AM I just Googled and read a few biographies, and it seems his popularity in America was in the midst of an all-time low in the two decades after his death in 1962! (On the other hand, Eastern Europeans were apparently into him at the time.)
However, here might be the answer as to why he was popular with the Beach Boys, or Al anyway: "Robinson Jeffers is frequently described as the quintessential California poet. Living for many years just south of Carmel, he set many of his long narratives at specific locations along the coast-Point Sur, Point Lobos and Pico Blanco." - Janice Albert Title: Re: Holland Post by: jazzfascist on January 29, 2006, 09:54:36 AM I just Googled and read a few cadelaies, and it seems his popularity in America was in the midst of an all-time low in the two decades after his death in 1962! (On the other hand, Eastern Europeans were apparently into him at the time.) However, here might be the answer as to why he was popular with the Beach Boys, or Al anyway: "Robinson Jeffers is frequently described as the quintessential California poet. Living for many years just south of Carmel, he set many of his long narratives at specific locations along the coast-Point Sur, Point Lobos and Pico Blanco." - Janice Albert Robinson Jeffers also subscribed to a kind of animistic philosophy called “inhumanism”, something that sounds like it was a forerunner to ecologism, which might also have attracted Al and Mike. Here’s some of Jeffers thoughts: ”The first part of The Double Axe was written during the war and finished a year before the war ended, and it bears the scars; but the poem is not primarily concerned with that grim folly. Its burden, as of some previous work of mine, is to present a certain philosophical attitude, which might be called Inhumanism, a shifting of emphasis and significance from man to not-man; the rejection of human solipsism and recognition of the transhuman magnificence. It seems time that our race began to think as an adult does, rather than like an egocentric baby or insane person. This manner of thought and feeling is neither misanthropic nor pessimist, though two or three people have said so and may again. It involves no falsehoods, and is a means of maintaining sanity in slippery times; it has objective truth and human value. It offers a reasonable detachment as rule of conduct, instead of love, hate and envy. It neutralizes fanaticism and wild hopes; but it provides magnificence for the religious instinct, and satisfies our need to admire greatness and rejoice in beauty.” Another Big Sur writer was Henry Miller but he probably didn’t supply any appropriate nature poems. Søren Title: Re: Holland Post by: the captain on January 29, 2006, 09:56:09 AM Another Big Sur writer was Henry Miller but he probably didn’t supply any appropriate nature poems. Søren All depends on your definition of appropriate, I suppose... Title: Re: Holland Post by: jazzfascist on January 29, 2006, 10:26:53 AM Another Big Sur writer was Henry Miller but he probably didn’t supply any appropriate nature poems. Søren All depends on your definition of appropriate, I suppose... Yeah, and nature. Søren Title: Re: Holland Post by: punkinhead on January 29, 2006, 08:45:36 PM i always defended brian on being so involved with this and i just thought about, and he only sang like one vocal for the album, which was the begining of California, forgive me/correct me if i'm wrong...though Funky Pretty/Sail On sailor are great songs...now aside from holland, the Mt. Vernon ep is steller....
i always hear people say this album is too serious, can somebody tell me why? Title: Re: Holland Post by: I. Spaceman on January 29, 2006, 09:27:05 PM It's a drag. No humor or lightness, except on Pretty, the worst tune of all. The lyrics and tone are extremely serious, without the lightness of touch evident on Don't Go Near The Water and Feel Flows.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: TV Forces on February 10, 2006, 08:38:42 AM "Steamboat" rules.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: phirnis on February 12, 2006, 03:01:36 AM Of course in places it lacks the lightness and humor of even Surf's Up, yet for me that's part of the fun. Personally I love the idea of the group's exerted seriousness being utterly sabotaged by the Mt. Vernon and Fairway EP. It's no wonder they didn't know what to make of that one. Only With You, Big Sur and Sailor are big favorites of mine.
By the way, I'd really love to hear the single version of "California". I've even downloaded the long deleted Ten Years of Harmony comp, but what I got to hear was nothing but the widely available Holland version. So if anyone would be so kind to provide me with any sort of 'information' about it, I'd be very, very grateful. Title: Re: Holland Post by: Mitchell on February 12, 2006, 10:51:18 AM Brian says "On my way" a couple more times during the song (you can actually hear this in the album mix at 0:52 and 1:09). There's a groovy horn part that pops up a little more prevalently after the "cypress tree" part. I think there's more banjo in there, too. Overall, it's a little bouncier and punchier, but I find the vocal mix isn't quite as good (especially at the start), but some different parts are highlighted, which is cool. The audible Brian parts are cool, too. I think I prefer the single mix, though it took some getting used to. It really picks up when the verses start.
It's available on the Greatest Hits Vol III CD (The Brother Years one). Title: Re: Holland Post by: theeponymuseudonym on February 13, 2006, 06:37:33 PM sit down kids, tis is goon be a story for ye.
1991/92 i bought the long box caribou reissue of this offering. these are my initial recollections... steamboat-psychedelic roll on my head.....i loved the close miked michael Love. the california saga- many a bus ride higher than a kite groovin' on the beakes of eagles. the craziest BB lyric released!!! about the mother deer and son mating!!!! Wild situation indeed!!! wall of voodoo look out! sail on sailor, leaving this town, only with you,sounded like they had been listening to way too much Chicago. no wonder tey eventually hooked up. speaking of tat.... the fairy tale blew my mind...i loved this with a passion uncontested. my girlfriend gave me a blow because she loved it so. when the lights are allll out i can still hear the whirling magic sounds of the pied piper thru my transistor.... domdomkingdom raditingthruthemistynightttt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!INDEED Title: Re: Holland Post by: I. Spaceman on February 13, 2006, 07:08:00 PM Take writing lessons and get a spelling dictionary.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: Evenreven on February 13, 2006, 07:12:33 PM Funny how Mike and Matt disappeared, and another poster with no capitalised lettering and wretched spelling appears.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: theeponymuseudonym on February 13, 2006, 07:34:56 PM you catch where i'm comin' from?
Title: Re: Holland Post by: Bubba Ho-Tep on February 14, 2006, 01:17:35 PM Holland is, in my book, one of the Beach Boys’ better albums. I like it particularly because it sounds like a band that is still growing. It sounds very current and not nostalgic like a lot of their other work. And, unlike So Tough, the Flame contributions fit in a little better this time around. I like “Leaving this Town” a lot. “Sail on Sailor” is a great cut. My wife and I are quite fond of “Only With You”, which we requested for our wedding but were denied (for that price they should play anything I say, don’t you think?). Big Sur shows Mike’s writing talent, as he did it all by himself. I was hoping his upcoming solo album would be more in this vein. I skip “The Beaks of Eagles” and get right to California; I don’t like hearing them talking about birds mating. Jardine delivers an original (for once), this time a mutation of “California Girls”. I would have liked to hear a Dennis vocal on the album, but I guess he was too busy. His “Steamboat”, is okay. I tend to zone out on it. Funky Pretty is cool but the outro goes on forever. So, in conclusion, I name Holland the Beach Boy’s third best effort of the 70’s (after Sunflower and Love You).
Title: Re: Holland Post by: I. Spaceman on February 14, 2006, 01:20:18 PM Quote I don’t like hearing them talking about birds mating. I don't like Sex And The City either. I am diggin' your reviews. Continue. Title: Re: Holland Post by: Reverend Joshua Sloane on April 09, 2006, 12:03:37 AM Did ML really write Big Sur all by himself? Music and lyrics right?
That's impressive. It's one of my favorite songs of theirs. What instrument did he write on? Surely not a sax :D Title: Re: Holland Post by: beachboyphil on April 10, 2006, 01:23:54 PM Sail On Sailor, California Saga, Leaving This Town.......all classics, but my real winner on Holland is Only With You, beautiful from start to finish.
4 Title: Re: Holland Post by: punkinhead on April 14, 2006, 08:46:18 AM so many say leaving this town is overrated, i love it myself and it isnt overrated in my book
Title: Re: Holland Post by: Jonas on April 24, 2006, 11:24:23 PM Funky Pretty itself makes this album 5/5 regardless of what the haters say.
this album has hit for hit. sailor, steamboat, big sur, trader, and only with you. but for me, its all about funky pretty. why cant you tell me why? Title: Re: Holland Post by: punkinhead on April 29, 2006, 09:54:06 AM for once, someone gives Funky Pretty some credit! i love it, it's such agreat predessor to Mt. Vernon and Fairway
Title: Re: Holland Post by: Jason Penick on May 18, 2006, 11:41:42 AM I'm really starting to re-evaluate Holland lately. Here's a couple of my posts from the Smile Shop that summarize my feelings on this unique album:
Quote Interesting the mixed responses here. Seems that some view the Beach Boys as being far ahead of the curve on Holland, while others see it as a futile attempt to play catch-up. FWIW, I used to hate parts 1&2 of the Cal Saga, until I fell asleep listening to it one night. That's when it all started to come together for me, and I had one of those "ohhh!!" moments. There's a concept at play here-- "SOS" conjures images of European explorers searching for the new world. (Odd, I guess, in that it's sung by a South African black man.) We arrive in America, and start to revisited some of the same themes as SMiLE. "Steamboat" is kind of the template-- it slows things down to a crawl and guides (Ian would proabably say forces) the listener into this American pastiche the Beach Boys are shaping. It's effective musically, in that it words and sounds actually take us back to a particular place in time. For me at least, when I close my eyes and listen, I see the Beach Boys in 19th centrury garb, standing on the deck of the marvelous steamboat, watching the shore slowly fade away in the horizon. For some reason I picture this being a voyage from New Orleans to Northern California, where they arrive in "Big Sur" naturally enough. When that song commences I see Mike, wearing one of those old straw farmer's hats and peasant garb, walking around the countryside, playing with his kids, staring at the night sky. "Beaks of Eagles" of course brings to mind images of those majestic creatures, their struggles and their might. This is highly evocative music! The suite resolves nicely with a catchy song about modern day California, featuring the moog and lyrics about Country Joe and the Big Sur congregation. Side two is where the concept breaks down. "Trader" is a great song but chronologically out of sequence-- I would have placed it as track #2 following "SOS", but I guess that would have had to split up the suite in the days of the LP. Thankfully we now live in the age of programmable CD players and iTunes playlists. The final three songs, "Leaving This Town", "Only With You" and "Funky Pretty" really have nothing to do with the Americana concept, and were probably added simply because they were the strongest new songs the band had left at the time. There is also an outtake from the Holland sessions called "Out in the Country" that would have been more in place with the concept of side 1, but the existing tapes sound unfinished. It's almost ironic that the band would retreat to Holland to record an album so squarely focused on American themes-- and then title the album Holland! Quote Thanks Brian! This thread has got me listening to Holland and its outtakes again, and hearing things in a whole new way. It's almost two seperate albums here. Bear with me... Holland #1/ Americana Suite: Sail On Sailor -- We are sailing to the new world The Trader -- We have arrived in the new world and are converting these heathens in the name of the Queen Steamboat -- We have taken over this place, and are now building fantastic machines to better society Big Sur/ Beaks of Eagles -- The trimph of nature vs. the folly of man; society has "improved", but at what cost? California/ Out in the Country -- Even in modern times, there are places we can go to get back in touch with nature and the roots of this great land Holland #2/ One Man's Challenge: We Got Love -- message of optimism; one man's struggle vs. cultural adversity Only With You/ Funky Pretty -- protaginist experiences love for his soul mate in both the direct and metaphysical senses Hard Times -- the relationship has ended, things begin to go south Leaving This Town -- spiritual soul quest represented by moog solo; should he stay in the same place where he is forced to deal with the negative emotions of a failed romance, or escape those bitter memories by going somewhere else? Carry Me Home -- the culmination of the journey; protaginist enlists for battle and is killed during combat. his dying wish is to return to his hometown that he had tried so hard to escape from. Okay, maybe i'm reaching here conceptually, but try this line-up out at home and let me know what you think... Title: Re: Holland Post by: punkinhead on May 19, 2006, 10:09:32 PM those are good
Title: Re: Holland Post by: Mooger Fooger on May 22, 2006, 06:35:20 PM I find the original sequencing of Holland using Steamboat as the opening track, and We Got Love as the closer for side 1 is a more flowing record. Admittedly I didn't like Sail On Sailor at all until the backing track came out. Something struck me about it, and I now find it one hell of a classic tune. Full of power and energy that the BBs rarely seemed to have in the later years.
Holland is my favourite 70's BB record. Is has a dark feel that Sunflower doesn't have, and I actually like that aspect. Additionally Blondie and Ricky influenced the other guys in a way that the BBs themselves would never have arrived at on their own. The give Holland a bit of funk spice. Not alot, but enough to be noticeable at least to my ears. Anytime I drive in Holland, I have Holland playing on the CD player. I still kick myself everytime when I think how close I came several times to Baambrugge without even realising it. Furthermore, I shudder to think what kind of LP the guys could have made using songs of the calibre of River Song. _That_ would be one hell of a follow-up to Holland. Instead they chose the way that ultimately lead to 15 Big Ones. cheers Dwight Title: Re: Holland Post by: punkinhead on May 22, 2006, 09:17:01 PM no kidding, using some of the 1974 material:
California Feeling (more california saga) Hard Times (blondie/ricky) Perhaps use Carry Me Home, Out in the Country, & We Got Love from Holland Outtakes im sure some shortenin bread riffs would have come up, this was the year brian started getting fasinated with it, Ding Dang,and Rollin up to heaven... Maybe the Jan Berry/Brian Wilson song: dontcha just know it Battle Hymn of the Republic (jsut kidding, but would give an american feel to the album) theres a nice little album right there Title: Re: Holland Post by: Jason Penick on May 22, 2006, 10:23:52 PM no kidding, using some of the 1974 material: ... Hard Times (blondie/ricky) ... "Hard Times" is a legit Holland outtake from late '72. Title: Re: Holland Post by: MBE on May 24, 2006, 04:29:39 AM If Brian sang more and Dennis sang any leads I would LOVE it but it is still a really good LP. Steamboat is a fave listen for Brian and Dennis.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on June 18, 2006, 01:01:13 AM Hard Times? Any info on this track?
Title: Re: Holland Post by: Bas Möllenkramer on June 18, 2006, 04:02:51 AM To me, the low point is the EXTREEEMELY dragging "Steamboat," I've never heard anyone say that. I don't agree, but congratulations on an original thought!Really, to me, "Carl and the Passions" and 'Holland" are really one big long record that to me equals "Sunflower" as my very favorite period in the group's history. I don't quite agree--I think that if you let me pick 10-12 songs from those two albums, I would put together something that far surpasses Sunflower for me. Hi there. I love what you guys wrote about Steamboat. I adore that tune and I like to think of it as the Beach Boys doing their Pink Floyd act. Please also recall that in the original group-intended running order of Holland, Steamboat was the OPENING TUNE!!!!! Not many bands have ever had the nerve to kick an album off with a slow tune. Again Pink Floyd spring to mind. May I make a recommendation ?????? Play Steamboat on a real hot-shot HiFi system, off a mint USA Brother promo vinyl pressing and crank it up as loud as it will go. Then listen to the myriad of stuff going on in the background, like the stunning held chords during the breaks and the awesome timing on the start of the guitar solo. Now that solo is damn close to Dave Gilmour, except his sound would have been a touch cleaner. So there you have it. I adore Steamboat as much as Trader and the rest. For me the only tune on Holland that doesnt meet the standard is FUnky Pretty. Although it is interesting, quirky, intelligent, complex, challenging, multi-layered, clever etc, it is alas neither funky nor pretty. That review is not original. Someone else wrote a short review of Funky Pretty saying briefly that it was neither. I agree. I did once make a spectral analysis of the very high frequency bird bleeps on Funky Pretty. In fact I isolated them, then reduced the frequency 8 or 10 times. Then you can really hear they are synth notes played in time to the beat, more or less. But if you dont agree with me, I am happy to listen! I have recently attempted to get We Got Love to sound a little better. I have a near mint German pressing with We Got Love on it. I used my new Ortofon MC10 moving coil cartridge to get it into the PC at 24 bit resolution and 96 kHz sampling. On other discs this gives gorgeous results. But We Got Love remains quite scratchy and with very little stereo width. The only time the stereo width opens up is when all the harmony vocals are added in. I tried using Adobe Audition to widen the sound stage. The effect really works except alas more distortion is introduced. Its really hard to get a good transfer of this track. I also have a UK test pressing with the same tune on it. That too sounds stressed and it appears to originate from the same cutting. So we must assume the original tape to acetate transfer wasnt dont with the maximume of care. Bas Möllenkramer webmaster www.the-flames.com Title: Re: Holland Post by: The Trader on June 18, 2006, 04:21:49 AM It only takes one look at my BBS name to know that i love 'Holland' and " The Trader".
Although my favourite part of the album has to be the moog solo in 'leaving this town'! nothing better than cranking it up and getting lost within that floatin' solo! Although, my one main gripe with Holland is thats it to short! It could of stood up next to Pet Sounds and Sunflower if it had one or two more really strong tracks..(atleast in my book) Title: Re: Holland Post by: Daniel S. on November 03, 2006, 06:12:20 PM Far too serious of an album, pseudo-hip and pandering. Leaving THis Town is very overrated and Funky Pretty is horrid. The Beaks Of Eagles is pitiful. But the rest is nice at worst (Big Sur), incredible at best (Sailor, Only With You, Steamboat). How can you say Funky Pretty is horrid? You don't know how much that hurts me. :'( Title: Re: Holland Post by: Zander on November 07, 2006, 06:19:01 AM I LOVE this album, just the overall sound and the quality of the songs is phenomenal.
Sail on Sailor - I NEVER tire of hearing this track, I would have loved to hear a Dennis / Carl lead vocal on it. The California Saga - Mike and Al's best collaborative work The Trader - Carl Wilson's best song?? Man I could ramble on all day about it. Even the OUTAKES! They should have put We Got Love as an additional track with Sail On Sailor, without replacing one for the other. We Got Love has a fantastic piano riff. Out In the Country is excellent, Hard Times is great! And **THEN** |Carry me Home, somebody stop me, I'm on a roll! Hard Times? Any info on this track? Can be found on "Get The Boot - Volume 2", I think it's the second track. Search for it on www.bootlegzone.com Title: Re: Holland Post by: Jonas on November 07, 2006, 06:57:24 AM We Got Love and Hard Times would have made PERFECT additions to the album, making it a lot more eclectic...
Title: Re: Holland Post by: Magic Transistor Radio on January 05, 2007, 10:11:16 PM This album has really grown on me. I think it is the most mature album the BBs ever did. Not the best, just the most mature. I think the Fairy Tale is what puts the frosting on the cake for me.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: pixletwin on April 25, 2007, 10:32:41 AM Question about Leaving This Town: Is the piano back drop during the instrumental solos from a SMiLE session? It sure sounds like the piano part from Child Is The Father.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: phirnis on July 07, 2007, 01:43:59 PM I found myself wondering about Randy Newman's Sail Away being an influence on the fairy tale, as BW has stated several times. Sail Away is in fact a very dark, at times even bleak yet always outstandingly humorous album. Even many fans tend to think of Mt Vernon and Fairway as the bland statement of a bewildered mind, while in fact it might be one of BW's most amazingly inspired post-Pet Sounds achievements. Just imagine the man listening to things like Lonely At The Top or Old Man and writing a fairy tale about his childhood days and his early success at being a composer afterwards. Not that lightweight at all, is it?
Title: Re: Holland Post by: thomasogg on July 12, 2007, 11:04:27 PM 5/5.
An extremely under-rated record. It's heartbreaking to think that they would descend from the mature, emotional work and incredible song-writing feature on 'Holland' to the likes of 15 Big Ones and Love You. 'Leaving This Town' is nice but doesn't exactly set me on fire, but everything else on the record I adore! Steamboat, Trader, Only With You, Funky Pretty (what's with people not liking this track? Best fade-out EVER!!) - all brilliant, brilliant tunes! Sure the california saga is pretencious - so what? Would you rather they were singing about getting the hots for roller-skating children, as would soon be the case..? Al's 'California' is harmonic perfection! For this track alone he is forgiven for siding with Love all those years.. A great album, better than Sunflower, more coherent than Surf's Up, bettered only by Pacific Ocean Blue in terms of BB related 70's output. (Oh yeh, and Mt Vernon is a masterpiece! And they should've stuck 'Carry Me Home', another masterpiece, in between 'Trader' and 'Leaving..') Title: Re: Holland Post by: Compost on July 13, 2007, 08:02:12 AM Would you rather they were singing about getting the hots for roller-skating children, as would soon be the case..? Quite frankly...Yes, yes I would. Despite some great songs, Love You owns Holland.Title: Re: Holland Post by: pixletwin on July 13, 2007, 11:35:43 AM I completely agree. It felt like on Holland the BB were finally arriving somewhere again artistically. Not that I don't love Love You and 15 Big Ones. Heck, I even like Keepin the Summer Alive. But they were actually going to a new level on Holland. Too bad.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: MBE on July 13, 2007, 09:45:46 PM Got to agree Love You cannot shine Holland's shoes.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: NightHider on August 29, 2007, 08:26:33 PM Some interesting views on Holland. I find it an interesting diversion from their normal sound and would like to have seen them continue on this track for another album or two. This was definately a distinctive time period for many top bands with this same kinda sound.
A couple of questions for any experts reading: Were the following the only rejected tracks from the Holland sessions? Carry Me Home Out in the Country We Got Love Hard Times Did the BB help write/sing/play on Hard Times or was this strictly a Chaplin/Fataar song? I have heard all of the above tracks except Out in the Country. Who sang lead on this? What was the sound/style and level of completeion on this track? What was the original track order upon the first submission of the album? Thanks! Title: Re: Holland Post by: smile-holland on August 30, 2007, 12:15:52 AM Were the following the only rejected tracks from the Holland sessions? Carry Me Home Out in the Country We Got Love Hard Times Carry Me Home was an outtake. What I've read about it that it didn't fit with the image of the group. Out In The Country was nothing more than a demo. Little is known about it. I don't think it was ever considered for the Holland album. We Got Love was on the original line-up of the Holland but was replaced for Sail On Sailor. And I think Hard Times was copyrighted and recorded after the group released Holland. Did the BB help write/sing/play on Hard Times or was this strictly a Chaplin/Fataar song? I doubt they played on it, but I think I can hear Carl on the verses...Writers credits are Chaplin/Fataar I have heard all of the above tracks except Out in the Country. Who sang lead on this? What was the sound/style and level of completeion on this track? As mentioned before. Little is known. It sounds like nothin more than a demo recording (a few takes). Al sings lead, my guess is he wrote it too. Very mellow-sounding, nothing more than an organ. It ends with some harmony-singing by the group which reminisces of some of the Mt.Vernon & Fairway musical-snippets. What was the original track order upon the first submission of the album? Original line-up: A: Steamboat, California Saga (Big Sur - Beaks Of Eagles, California), We Got Love B: Trader, Leaving This Town, Only With You, Funky Pretty Check the Holland-section on www.the-flames.com. It has lots of information on this record. Title: Re: Holland Post by: NightHider on August 31, 2007, 02:43:15 AM Thanks for the info and the link...appreciate it!!
Title: Re: Holland Post by: kshane on August 31, 2007, 12:26:41 PM Count me among those who doesn't think that "Leaving This Town" is overrated. It is one of my favorite BB songs, and Blondie's vocal is one of the better lead vocals that ever appeared on a BB album.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: donald on September 07, 2007, 08:22:44 AM Overall, I think Holland is the best single studio album of Beachboys music to follow 20/20. Period. Unlike the other albums that followed, I can listen to the whole thing with relish.
I spend time in Big Sur at least once a year and as soon as I hit highway one south of the Monterey Peninsula I plug in Holland. Mike and Al were never better. Title: Re: Holland Post by: Daniel S. on September 07, 2007, 09:01:32 PM Leaving This Town and Trader are two of the best Beach Boys post Good Vibrations songs. The organ break on Leaving This Town is killer and the tag at the end is right up there with the tag of God Only Knows.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: pixletwin on September 07, 2007, 09:20:28 PM Steamboat is also one of their best post-GV songs IMO.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: Jonas on September 08, 2007, 02:06:53 PM An extended cut of the tag of LEaving this Town would be wonderful
Title: Re: Holland Post by: Jay on September 09, 2007, 02:46:42 AM I think Holland is a really good album. The whole California saga is great from start to finish. Although I like the outtake version of "Big Sur" better. Mike "narrating" the Beaks Of Eagles section might be his shining moment. The (what I call) "lonely vacant desert" music underneath the poem works GREAT. I agree totally with donald. This album is about as far away from their surf image that they would ever get. This is also just about their post Brian creative "peak". The Trader is a great overlooked song. I think that Sail On Sailor would have been better with Carl singing lead. I LOVE the entire Mt. Vernon and Fairway EP. I think it should be considered a seperate album. The "main theme" is the most beautiful melody I've ever heard in my life. Magic Transistor Radio is really good. It would have been better extended. Actually, all of the songs would have been better as full three minute songs. It would be great if Brian could re-work it with his band and play it on tour. It amazes me that something as elaborate and complex as the "Pied Piper, bow bow" part would be so short. I think that the whole Mt. Vernon and Fairway "narrative" is a "last gasp" in a way for Brian. But that deserves a discussion all on it's own.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: Mahalo on November 22, 2007, 06:15:11 PM If only they would've stayed in this direction.....I LOVE this album, Perfect 5.........Cal Saga has grown exponentially on me......especially Mike's contributions.......beautiful imagery..........................is this the same band that recorded Here Comes The Night disco version???
Holland rules................... :rock Title: Re: Holland Post by: 8o8o on November 23, 2007, 03:43:57 AM If only they would've stayed in this direction.....I LOVE this album, Perfect 5.........Cal Saga has grown exponentially on me......especially Mike's contributions.......beautiful imagery..........................is this the same band that recorded Here Comes The Night disco version??? Indeed. It has such a unique sound. It's wonderful. Holland rules................... :rock Did it all come down to the change of environment (the move to the Netherlands)? A breath of fresh air? New ideas? No pressure? Curious cows 'visiting' the 'studio'? I know Carl certainly had a good time there (though he probably was the only one!). Title: Re: Holland Post by: Smilin Ed H on November 24, 2007, 11:25:49 AM I'm not sure Hard Times was intended for Holland, but I think it was recorded before the final Sail on Sailor sessions. And yes, this and the other 'outtakes' would've made this fantastic album even better.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: TimeToGetAlone on March 12, 2008, 09:16:06 AM Holland is a very consistent work without really a song I consider particularly weak (obviously I prefer some to others). Side 2 is my favorite, as I love every minute of those 4 songs. Sail On, Sailor is decent although I really don't consider it to be the best song of the era as I've often heard it called. I hardly realize how much I enjoy the album as a whole because of how cohesive it is.
Sail On, Sailor - 4.5/5 Steamboat - 5/5 California Saga: Big Sur - 4/5 California Saga: The Beaks of Eagles - 4/5 California Saga: California - 5/5 The Trader - 5/5 Leaving This Town - 4.5/5 Only With You - 5/5 Funky Pretty - 5/5 That'll round to a 5. Title: Re: Holland Post by: Jonas on March 12, 2008, 01:09:01 PM I can go with that!
Title: Re: Holland Post by: Alex on March 12, 2008, 05:49:08 PM Sail On Sailor-4/5
Steamboat-5/5 Big Sur-5/5 Beaks of Eagles-4/5 Sunny Californ-i-a-4/5 Trader-5/5 Leaving This Town-3/5 Only With You-5/5 Funky Pretty-4/5 Mt. Vernon and Fairway (A Fairy Tale)-5/5 We Got Love-4/5 Carry Me Home-5/5 Its a great listen. This is the album to use to convert Beach Boy haters! :ohyeah Title: Re: Holland Post by: Dr. Byrds on March 23, 2008, 12:09:19 AM Before I start...I just want to ask...Why isn't 'the Trader' known as the greatest Beach Boys song of the seventies? That song absolutely blows me away. So full of soul and melody, such punchy instrumentation and ethereal harmonies. I love how they cut it into two separate 'suites', it gives it such a sweeping feel. Its a gripping song, Carl's finest moment, IMO.
The rest of the album is also fantastic. The California Saga, for me, is wonderful in its entirety. I love the contrast in instrument use, Pedal Steel fleshed out with synthesizer bass lines! Its got such an Americana feel to it. Great stuff. I love the stoned soul of Leaving this Town, a very loose feel for a BB song (well, sort of a BB song). Steamboat also has a cool, hazy vibe. Now, I know I'll be ran out of town for saying this, but to my ears (and I record music myself), Holland is the best produced Beach Boys album. I much prefer the 'band' sound Carl goes for here instead of the symphonic thing Brian was all about. I just love the clarity and aforementioned 'punchiness' of the rhythm section on this record, that sounds like no BB record before or since. Blondie and Ricky really made these songs groove. Carl focuses the backing track mixes on the drums, bass and keyboards (pretty minimal for the BBs) and then just showers everything in vocals and harmonies. You can definitely tell Carl (and Al) learned how to arrange vocal harmonies from watching Brian, especially if you listen to 'the Trader' or 'Californ-i-a'. The harmony vocals contrast the melody rhythmically, and are pushed back and loaded with reverb. Just think this album doesn't get nearly as much love as it deserves. My favorite Beach Boys album. 5 stars. Title: Re: Holland Post by: the captain on March 23, 2008, 09:17:17 AM Why isn't 'the Trader' known as the greatest Beach Boys song of the seventies? That song absolutely blows me away. Because your personal taste isn't the world's consensus. Title: Re: Holland Post by: TimeToGetAlone on March 23, 2008, 10:13:57 AM I love the Trader, but I'd still put something like, say, 'Til I Die or Forever ahead of it in terms of 70's BB songs go.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: Dr. Byrds on March 23, 2008, 10:23:28 AM Why isn't 'the Trader' known as the greatest Beach Boys song of the seventies? That song absolutely blows me away. Because your personal taste isn't the world's consensus. was merely stressing the point of how much I love the song Title: Re: Holland Post by: Alex on April 10, 2008, 07:37:45 PM I absolutely love this album. The BBs strongest release of the 70s.
Sail on Sailor-rocking track, always gets me pumped up Steamboat-backing track sounds about 20 years ahead of its time-totally psychedelic California Saga: Big Sur-one of the few good songs the Lovester ever wrote Beaks of Eagles-Thought it was awkward when I first heard it, but its grown on me Sunny Californ-i-a-a full Brian Wilson return to form, except that its actually an Al Jardine song The Trader-excellent vocal by Carl and perhaps Jack Reiley's finest lyrical work Leaving This Town-drags on a little bit but Blondie puts a lot of heart into his lead vocal Only With You-excellent Dennis love song, only thing missing is Daryl Dragon's orchestration Funky Pretty-this song is "pretty funky", Brian cites it as one of his favorites-love how the group keeps alternating lead vocalists Mt. Vernon and Fairway (A Fairy Tale)-some call it weird, but I think its some of Brian's best work, he wasn't feeding off the past quite yet like he did on 15 Big Ones songs that didn't make it: We Got Love-kinda twangy, fits right in with the rest of the album Hard Times-cool Ricky/Blondie rocker Carry Me Home-anti-Vietnam war song written by Dennis, its a shame this didn't make the album, its by far the best song they recorded in Holland Title: Re: Holland Post by: lance on May 01, 2008, 03:34:52 AM Nice album, in some way their most "seventies" album. I'll give it a five. The poem thing is cheesey, but the music behind it is great and somehow there's nothing that captures the time(as I remember it) better than that track. I just wish the poet had had a slightly better grasp on narrative tenses, but that's the pedant in me.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: Wrightfan on May 16, 2008, 05:51:37 PM I really had a tough time on deciding whether this was a 3 or a 4 in my eyes. I gave it a 3 but consider it a high 3 (like 3.5)
Best to worst: Sail on, Sailor California Saga (California) The Trader Steamboat California Saga (Big Sur) (The 1970 version is so much better though. Give this an official release...please?) California Saga (The Beaks of Eagles) Leaving this Town Funky Pretty Only with You Title: Re: Holland Post by: Don't Back Down on July 01, 2008, 10:33:03 PM I just got around to listening to this all the way through. What a great cut. Of course we have Sail On Sailor and Califorina Pt. 3 but we have the lovely "Steamboat" (a new personal fav. I think), Trader, Funky Pretty, and more. I give this one a 4 out of 5 easily. Does anyone think that the Wondermints lifted the melody from "Steamboat" for their song "Ride"? Maybe this has been mentioned before, not that it matters.. My ears caught that while listening to "Steamboat" just now. My only regret is not listening to this album sooner!
Although I did have to make my own "Holland" mix which replaces "The Trader", "Leaving This Town, and "Funky Pretty" with the "In Concert" versions which are killer. Plus, I added Denny's "Only With You" from the POB release just to see how it fit, and it fits pretty well. Title: Re: Holland Post by: NightHider on July 23, 2008, 10:51:19 PM I'm not sure Hard Times was intended for Holland, but I think it was recorded before the final Sail on Sailor sessions. And yes, this and the other 'outtakes' would've made this fantastic album even better. Regarding Hard Times: I'm assuming Ricky and/or Blondie wrote this but who played on the track in circulation? Is that Carl on the background harmony and the background "'...easier to give" parts? Is that Dennis or Dragon on keyboards? Wondering if this is a BB track or is it maybe something off of the The Flame's unreleased follow-up album? Title: Re: Holland Post by: MBE on July 24, 2008, 01:04:57 AM Andrew's site has this as a Beach Boys cut. Great song.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: Andrew G. Doe on July 24, 2008, 12:03:25 PM October 4th 1972, at Village Recorders in LA. So, technically, a Holland outtake.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: brianc on July 31, 2008, 01:01:35 PM All the stuff about this album being overrated, pretentious and forced... I can hardly believe it.
First of all, besides Beach Boys fans, who rates this album high? Who overrates it? I hardly ever hear anyone talk about it. Second, without Brian leading the band, almost everything, sans the songs of Dennis Wilson, seems forced. They just didn't have a lot of songs in them. But this album holds together really well, in that it sounds languid and cohesive, like the brown hues of the LP sleeve. Third, I'm not sure what is pretentious about the album. I listened to it all the to and from Big Sur a few years ago, and it really hit the spot. The Beach Boys were clearly inspired to make something as transcendent and big a Smile. In the same year that gave us Band on the Run, this album reminds me of my dad and his friend's having neck-beards, faded blue jeans, wearing mustard-colour tank tops as they barbeque some burgers and hot dogs on the grill... latter the pot will come out, everyone will run through the sprinklers and have deep conversations. Holland is like a beautiful artifact, and it couldn't be re-created by the band in a million years. Title: Re: Holland Post by: the captain on July 31, 2008, 01:15:57 PM I just went back to see if I called it pretentious (something that, while I don't remember saying, sounds as though it could have been). Sure enough. My guess is that on that cold January night, two and a half years ago, I was drunk off my ass and ranting because of Moog solos and spoken word poetry breaks. And yeah, that still strikes me as pretentious. But then I'm an admitted fan of concise pop songs, so meandering solos and (to me) unnecessary repetition just pisses me off, striking me as an artist trying too hard to be "an Artist." There are exceptions to every rule, but not on this album. That said, I did and do like it a lot. Just not all of it.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: brianc on July 31, 2008, 01:41:01 PM All the stuff that made Holland not pop and concise is exactly what made it their closest thing to a prog-rock album. But it's not British, it's Southern California. The guitars, the Moogs, organs, extended solos and spoken word. That's kind of exactly what I like about it. I never mind it too much when an artist or band goes off the deep-end. I appreciate brevity and those concise masterpieces, but I also like the sprawling mess that tries so hard and comes up slightly clumsy. Like Tusk by Fleetwood Mac. This big old package, with all these short little tracks that all sound the same. But somehow it works for me. Holland is exactly the same. It keeps me in that mood for as long as I'm listening to it, and it's not timeless. It's totally of it's time and place, which is always what makes the best Beach Boys stuff. Surfin' U.S.A. couldn't have been made in any other era. It's brilliance is that it's a snapshop of the period.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: the captain on July 31, 2008, 01:56:29 PM All the stuff that made Holland not pop and concise is exactly what made it their closest thing to a prog-rock album. I know. But to some of us, that's no compliment.Title: Re: Holland Post by: lance on July 31, 2008, 02:13:14 PM Well said, brian c. No record I have ever heard captures the early seventies, as they actually were, better than this record.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: the captain on July 31, 2008, 02:31:10 PM I'll say this: I don't (and can't) argue that it doesn't capture the period well. Having not been there, though, I can only guess. And for me that makes it an irrelevant point. I can only go by the quality of the songs (mostly good) and the quality of the performances (good) and my taste (brilliant, if I do say so myself!). Among my favorite 4-5 BBs albums, probably. But that doesn't equal classic album for me.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: brianc on July 31, 2008, 02:39:45 PM I know. But to some of us, that's no compliment.
It's not meant to be complimentory, nor pajorative in nature. Just a general statement. Title: Re: Holland Post by: lance on July 31, 2008, 03:24:50 PM I dont find it pretentious myself--in fact, I think it seems surprisingly unpretentious. I also dont really see it as "prog-rock". For me, Smile is much more prog-rock, maybe my definition of prog rock is different. Maybe Steamboat is kind of prog-rocky.
I can see the poem on the Beaks of Eagles not being everyone's cup of tea, but when I open up my heart it kind of works for me--and the backing music makes it sound even better. Title: Re: Holland Post by: Music Machine on March 17, 2009, 10:11:26 PM Trader really makes this album for me, I think it's one of the best 70's Beach Boys tracks. I also like the overall sound/ production of this album, it very much reminds me of the Beatles' Abbey Road and '72 - '75 Pink Floyd.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: Marty77 on March 18, 2009, 05:50:16 AM I would really love to hear an instrumental + backing vocals version of "beaks of eagles". The background vocals are especially intriguing.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: the captain on March 18, 2009, 04:40:15 PM I would really love to hear an instrumental + backing vocals version of "beaks of eagles". The background vocals are especially intriguing. So would I. The poetry doesn't ruin it for me ... but it doesn't help.Title: Re: Holland Post by: Marty77 on March 19, 2009, 03:24:31 AM I would really love to hear an instrumental + backing vocals version of "beaks of eagles". The background vocals are especially intriguing. So would I. The poetry doesn't ruin it for me ... but it doesn't help.Yeah. I like the poetry. It's just Al's delivery that kind of puts me off listening to it all that often. Sounds like it was done in one take. Title: Re: Holland Post by: wallabie on August 26, 2009, 06:19:08 AM Well, I´d say that "Holland" is my favorite Beach Boys Album. I really love the California Saga... it´s a good tribute to California from grown up musicians.... So if you´d ask me... "If you have to go on an uninhabitat island, which Album would you take with you" my respond would be: "I´ve been to an uninhabitate Island and I took Holland with me" :)
Title: Re: Holland Post by: sleeptalk on October 03, 2009, 11:59:04 PM sorry, but this one really hasn't clicked for me yet. the only song that i really dig here is "big sur," and there's a much superior alternate version of it floating around. so-called classics like "sail on sailor" and "only with you" sound off to me, for whatever reason. and brian's suite of BS at the end is the worst thing he's ever done.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: sleeptalk on October 04, 2009, 12:04:44 AM ooh, "steamboat" is pretty dope, too.
and why oh why do they have to do that stupid, stupid poetry in "the beaks of eagles?" other than that, it could have been a great song! lovely lead vocal melody, and backing vocals... Title: Re: Holland Post by: Aegir on October 04, 2009, 09:12:08 PM It's a poem, that's why.
I think Beaks of Eagles is one of the coolest songs in the Beach Boys catalogue. Title: Re: Holland Post by: TheLazenby on February 22, 2010, 06:16:32 AM I listened to the "California Saga" recently, and I didn't see what was so bad about 'Beaks Of Eagles'... I just heard "Hard Times" as well; fantastic song. I've loving all that I'm hearing of Blondie and Rikki's BB's output.
As for "Mount Vernon and Fairway" - brilliant. Brian's childish side at its best - take that, second movement of Smile! :-) Title: Re: Holland Post by: Mr. Cohen on February 24, 2010, 01:42:28 PM I must be one of the only people in the word who doesn't mind Al reading poetry (I'm also thinking of "Santa Ana Winds", which isn't poetry, but the spoken intro is still reviled by most BB fans - I find it endearing in a dorky way).
Title: Re: Holland Post by: phirnis on February 24, 2010, 03:08:28 PM I like the spoken word bits in "California Saga" a lot, in fact I think they really add to the overall feel of Holland. That record wouldn't be the same without "The Beaks of Eagles".
Title: Re: Holland Post by: Aegir on February 26, 2010, 03:28:54 PM You ever see those videos of teenage girls lipsyncing and dancing to Barbara Ann or Fun Fun Fun or something? Imagine that with Beaks of Eagles.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: slothrop on March 11, 2010, 12:56:56 PM I like the spoken word bits in "California Saga" a lot, in fact I think they really add to the overall feel of Holland. That record wouldn't be the same without "The Beaks of Eagles". Agreed. Mike always sounds so damn peaceful for how much people rag on him. Title: Re: Holland Post by: Don_Zabu on March 26, 2010, 04:55:02 PM I like to pretend that "Only With You" is the last track. "Funky Pretty" is just way to weird for me to stomach.
Aside from that, though, Holland was definitely The Beach Boys's last true masterpiece (Love You being the last good album). I love the atmosphere, I love the singing, I love Blondie and Ricky's contributions, and I love how much it proves Mike and Al's wasted aptitude as songwriters and lyricists. Title: Re: Holland Post by: LetHimRun on April 02, 2010, 05:35:57 PM This, along with CATP, has grown on me over the times I keep listening. I really like Leaving this Town and Steamboat. The rest are great, too. I gave it a 5, a notch above CATP.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: rab2591 on April 13, 2010, 01:26:19 PM I love 'Holland'.
It is the perfect album to take camping. Sitting next to a fire listening to 'Steamboat' or 'Big Sur' is surreal. I skip 'Beaks of Eagles' because I cannot listen to that poem over and over again (though the chorus' are great). The only song I don't enjoy that much is 'Funky Pretty' - it isn't a bad song, but just like 'TM' with 'Friends', it ruins the chill vibe of the entire record. Plus I can hardly understand the vocals. It is a short but worthwhile album. It's far from my favorite BBs album but far from the worst. Title: Re: Holland Post by: hypehat on April 16, 2010, 05:38:13 AM I got this on vinyl for £2 and i love it even more. although my copy didn't have the EP >:(
It's WAY too short though. A revised tracklisting could probably have 'Out In The Country' at the start, then as normal sticking 'Hard Times' after the Trader, and a finished Carry Me Home at the end.... I'll give it a 4. Really good, but could be much better. Title: Re: Holland Post by: Don_Zabu on May 09, 2010, 10:17:08 AM When it comes to Mount Vernon and Fairway, the music is quite nice, but the story itself doesn't make a whole lot of sense, and it probably would've ended up better in the hands of another writer.
Actually, I wish Mike Love had written the fairy tale proper. If "Big Sur" is anything to go on, he obviously had some poetic beauty in him at that timeframe, so it would've at the very least been an interesting combination. Title: Re: Holland Post by: Amazing Larry on October 16, 2011, 05:59:47 PM 1. Sail On Sailor 10/10
2. Steamboat 9.5/10 3. Big Sur 8.5/10 4. Beaks Of Eagles 7.5/10 5. California 9.5/10 6. Leaving This Town 9/10 7. Only With You 9/10 8. Funky Pretty 10/10 9. Mt. Vernon And Fairway 10/10 Album Rating: 9.22 Title: Re: Holland Post by: Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again on October 31, 2011, 07:57:29 PM Just got done listening to Holland front to back with headphones (first time actually) and either I'm nuts or I can suddenly hear Brian in the fade singing "someone say why" in a somewhat "smokey Brian" voice!
Am I crazy??? Title: Re: Holland Post by: rab2591 on October 31, 2011, 08:14:27 PM is it in the right speaker? Because I hear a semi-raspy voice singing something, but I can't make out what is being sung....
______ The more I listen to Funky Pretty, the more I love it. I've put it up there with 'A Day In The Life' and 'Across The Universe' - it's such a cosmically beautiful song. How I wish I could've been a fly on the wall during the composition/recording of this. Title: Re: Holland Post by: Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again on October 31, 2011, 08:32:28 PM Yes, it is in the right speaker.
I was listening to somewhat absentmindedly while at work and when that line came in it was as if Brian walked into the room and said something. It just rang loud and clear as Brian. Now when I listen again, it could be anybody, but I still suspect it's him. Funky Pretty is indeed epic and a perfect album closer. I LOVE the version on In Concert, but the tag on the album version is just sublime and Brian's drums really ground the track in a great simple way. Title: Re: Holland Post by: Dunderhead on November 10, 2011, 01:39:47 AM Beaks of Eagles is a really nice song. Clearly some serious effort went into it. The poem was a really nice choice, I don't think it's an overly pretentious choice for recitation, it's a rock solid poem, but rustic and straightforward enough to not feel out of place, especially after the wonderful lyrics on Big Sur. The juxtaposition between the recitation and song parts is excellent, and gives the song a really dynamic character. Personally I love that track.
I really believe Mike was a natural born poet. It seems he often got hung up on writing songs for his audience instead of himself though. On Big Sur you can really hear what he was capable of, it's his best effort lyrically, and a song he was clearly proud of. Of the trilogy I still think California is the weakest song, and is my least favorite track on Holland. But maybe that's just me. Title: Re: Holland Post by: wokka on November 14, 2011, 01:52:08 PM from an album i never played to one i truly love.....stop typing now and go put it on.....back....yep..just awesome....
trader in particular...yet another of carls incredible songs from this period...... not as great as SUFS UP...but still a must have album..... i love everything from TODAY TO CARL AND THE PASSIONS..warts and all.... Title: Re: Holland Post by: Zach95 on February 04, 2012, 04:05:58 PM I'm not sure if this has been mentioned in this thread, after a quick search of the board I noticed it had been given brief discussion on some other threads so I'd thought I'd mention it here. For all the crappy reviews Holland has received aside from this board (at least most of the one's I have read have been negative) Rolling Stone nominated it for album of the year in 1973 and what not. So I thought I'd go and read their original 1973 review of the album, and I was really happy to see how positive their review was! They rave about the album, and while I disagree with their assessment of Steamboat, I think this review really captures the essence of the album, and what I would want people to read before listening to Holland.
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/holland-19730301 Title: Re: Holland Post by: Puggal on March 16, 2012, 10:35:56 AM I got this on vinyl for £2 and i love it even more. although my copy didn't have the EP >:( It's WAY too short though. A revised tracklisting could probably have 'Out In The Country' at the start, then as normal sticking 'Hard Times' after the Trader, and a finished Carry Me Home at the end.... I'll give it a 4. Really good, but could be much better. Just how could it be much better? Provide clear and irrefutable evidence to support your argument. Title: Re: Holland Post by: hypehat on March 17, 2012, 06:48:24 AM Nice one. Going through my old posts in another thread and posting nonsensical arguments doesn't make you look like an ass at all. No sir.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: Ovi on June 26, 2012, 04:21:14 AM I'm a big fan of the Blondie & Ricky era and I love both studio albums from that period. Even though I think the songs here are inferior to the ones on Carl and The Passions (none of Dennis' compositions stands up to 'Cuddle Up', same with Brian and 'You Need A Mass Of Help' and with Al/Mike and 'All This is That'), the band seems to be working here as a whole, and the album's got a better flow. But it's a great album and if it wasn't for 'The Beaks of Eagles' with its boring poetry, I'd say it's perfect. A few other minor complains would be that I think 'Only With You' should've been sung by Dennis in his soulful manner and 'Leaving This Town' could've been less lengthy.
For me, one the best moments is Brian's lead on the first two verses of 'CS : California'. I don't worship everything the man does, but that sweet, innocent and childlike voice coming through and breaking that serious atmosphere formed through the past tracks reminds me that this is still The Beach Boys. 4.5 points. Title: Re: Holland Post by: TheLazenby on July 04, 2012, 09:07:25 PM "We Got Love" is actually a really fantastic song that should've been added to the CD or something. (The two Flames were screwed twice by the Boys at large - once with this song, and once again with the completely unreleased "Hard Times", which by any other band could've been an easy radio hit.)
Having finally listened to the whole 'California Saga' trilogy, I really like The Beaks of Eagles. A lot more than Californ-I-A, even. Title: Re: Holland Post by: Banana on July 05, 2012, 10:55:48 AM Maybe the most underrated LP in their entire catalog? I think so. Seems to have sunk without a trace in 1973...and it really deserved a far better fate. What else can one say about "Sail On, Sailor" that has not already been said. It's simply breathtaking with an absolutely awesome lead from Blondie. I've always found it interesting that you could add in a "new" lead voice to the mix...but it still SOUNDS like a Beach Boys song. "Steamboat" took a few listens before I really got into it...but once it gets under you skin it's hard to shake. Carl's lead on this track is "interesting". They've got some interesting harmonies going on later on in the song (the whole Mr. Fulton part). It's such an odd song...full of weird sounds. I'll admit to being a big sucker for the California Saga. Great piece of work by Mike and Al...perhaps their best ever. I actually like this version of "Big Sur" versus the earlier version...the harmonica is nice. "The Beaks of Eagles" is interesting. Somehow the poem works. Al's musical interludes are simply awesome...as is the ominous music/voices playing behind the narration. "California" is just one of those songs you cannot help but like...almost childlike. Wonderful harmonies. I love Mike's lead on this track. "The Trader" I used to like this song more than I do now. Carl's singing is absolutely sublime as is the music...but Jack Rieley had really worn out his welcome by this point. The backround harmonies are also awesome. I guess in the end I could care less whatever Rieley penned tripe Carl is singing because it simply sounds so great! "Leaving This Town" is the worst song on the LP. Way too boring...way too long...especially when they had "We Got Love" which at least in my opinion is far better song. "Only With You" is a wonderful Dennis track...wonderfully sung by Carl. "Funky Pretty" is what it is...another looking into the weirdness of Mr. Wilson. Not a bad track...but still kind of a throwaway. This LP deserves to be heard by more people. I've always felt that this was the last time they were actually trying to move foreward artisically. After this...it was just King Mike Love and his Endless Attempt to Recreate the Summer of 1963. Brian went to la-la land...Dennis started forging out on his own and I think Carl found himself the odd man out until he just kind of stopped caring too much.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: Zargo on July 05, 2012, 07:59:14 PM A few comments:
'Sail on Sailor' is the most overrated Beach Boys song to me... aside from the hook of the three word chorus, it's a dreary mess. 'Only with You' is my favourite Dennis composition, other than River Song. Gorgeous! I just wish they could've retained the beautiful tag from his solo version. Maybe I should edit together the two versions. 'Funky Pretty" wasn't much on first listen but as mentioned by a few on this thread, the tag is one of the most fabulous pieces of music/vocal work ever! It's up there with those of 'Till I Die' and 'It's OK.' The band knows it's good too, because they are happy to have it continue for a good long time. The rest of the album is pleasant (particularly the saga) without being stuff I play too often. I'm not generally a big fan of 5 minute plus songs unless they really need to be that long (and I don't feel any of the songs here do). Title: Re: Holland Post by: Disney Boy (1985) on July 25, 2012, 01:51:08 PM Holland - one of their best, period. Those who think it's pretencious? Go listen to some Pink Floyd and you'll hear some genuine pretenciousness. Yes there's poertry and moog solos but as always with the pre-76 Beach Boys, everything is used tastefully, in moderation and with tact. They get it just right. Anyway, here's how i rate this incredible album:
SAIL ON SAILOR: 5/5 STEAMBOAT: 5/5 BIG SUR: 4/5 BEAKS OF EAGLES: 4/5 CALIFORNIA: 5/5 TRADER: 5/5 LEAVING THIS TOWN: 4/5 ONLY WITH YOU: 4/5 FUNKY PRETTY: 5/5 MOUNT VERNON & FAIRWAY: 5/5 Overall: 5 out of 5. Classic! Title: Re: Holland Post by: Banana on July 25, 2012, 06:41:59 PM I appreciate the fact that they were still trying at this point to move forward. They were not rehashing old memories...but trying to remain a relevent musical group. I truly feel "Holland" was the end of an era...the last LP that was well put together from beginning to end.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: punkinhead on July 26, 2012, 11:44:21 AM This is truly the Beach Boys at their peak of the 70s, this is def a 70s rock album. It's so good, it needs more recognition. I think some of the songs could get spiced up by their live versions like Funky Pretty, with the addition of the drums on the live track, it would only help this song get even better.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: Banana on July 26, 2012, 06:59:51 PM Agreed. They were really hitting their stride at this point...which makes it all the more sad that internal strife essentially shut down the creative process for several years. When "15 Big Ones" finally emerged it wasn't so much a continuation of the artistic progress of "Holland" as it was a step back.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: SgtTimBob on January 15, 2013, 02:24:05 AM I've been getting into this one for the first time, recently. I've not gone near too much 70s BBs stuff because I know that Brian became less and less involved at this point, and the big BB's draw for me was always his imaginative compositions and arrangements. However, there is a lot to like on Holland, I've discovered. The various members of the group bring some delightful tunes, and I really like the production; it doesn't draw too much attention to itself and is simply easy to listen to.
I'm not particularly taken with Sail On Sailor, it seems like pretty standard fare and therefore is the least interesting thing on the album to me. It's perfectly good song writing and well executed, but it's just a little bit too ordinary (as if it's the obligatory verse bridge chorus affair before we move on to more interesting stuff). I love the California Saga stuff, the way the poetry effortlessly bumps into the songs and harmonies is really quite marvellous. The Trader is just pure brilliance. However... for all the amazing stuff that the other members bring, it's those rare glimpses of Brian peeping over the edge that somehow pop out at me. Funky Pretty is downright hypnotic, the way that synthesizer pulls you in is amazing and the fade tag with Mike's descending bass part is sheer genius. For all it's flawed silliness there is something truly haunting and heartbreakingly beautiful about Mt Vernon and Fairway. Title: Post by: zachrwolfe on February 18, 2013, 05:22:07 PM
Title: Re: Holland Post by: Disney Boy (1985) on February 18, 2013, 11:45:23 PM Hey, I've recently started to expand my horizons of BBs music and as part of this, I downloaded Holland, of which I previously had heard only Sail On Sailor. I was just wondering who it is that is singing the very low part on Steam Boat. It sounds lower than Mike usually explores, and reminds me very much of a choir-type bass way of singing, contrasting The BBs non-formally trained way of singing I am used to. I am not terribly familiar with Ricky Fataar's voice, so is this him? Or maybe Mike recorded faster and slowed down? Or Mike singing unaltered? Downloaded??!! Go buy the album already! One of the best album covers (and thebest back cover) the group ever released, plus great liner notes on the 2-fer. Title: Post by: zachrwolfe on February 19, 2013, 12:10:03 AM
Title: Re: Holland Post by: Les Garçons de la plage on March 01, 2013, 10:35:07 AM A return to form after Surf's Up and Carl and the Passions (not to say neither was that bad really - both have their moments) and another one I have overlooked. Could be their last meaningful collective effort.
4/5 it is. Title: Re: Holland Post by: rab2591 on March 01, 2013, 11:05:07 AM I would like to (eventually) get a turntable and build a record collection, though I don't have a terrible amount of money and the money I do accumulate ends up going to recording equipment. Until then, iTunes it is. I download, buy the CD, get the vinyl, whatever. Nothing wrong with downloads in my opinion. If you eventually want a record collection: Get down to Goodwill at this moment and start buying records! Their vinyls cost 50 cents a piece, at least where I live. Their record collection usually sucks, but you find gold sometimes: My father surprised me with a gift a few weeks ago: an entire box of Beach Boys vinyls from Goodwill (also included was a pristine Pacific Ocean Blue and some Jan and Dean albums). He got like 20 some mint condition Beach Boy albums for nine dollars :o Title: Re: Holland Post by: SMiLE Brian on March 01, 2013, 11:08:11 AM I would like to (eventually) get a turntable and build a record collection, though I don't have a terrible amount of money and the money I do accumulate ends up going to recording equipment. Until then, iTunes it is. I download, buy the CD, get the vinyl, whatever. Nothing wrong with downloads in my opinion. If you eventually want a record collection: Get down to Goodwill at this moment and start buying records! Their vinyls cost 50 cents a piece, at least where I live. Their record collection usually sucks, but you find gold sometimes: My father surprised me with a gift a few weeks ago: an entire box of Beach Boys vinyls from Goodwill (also included was a pristine Pacific Ocean Blue and some Jan and Dean albums). He got like 20 some mint condition Beach Boy albums for nine dollars :o Title: Re: Holland Post by: the captain on March 05, 2013, 06:56:26 PM Hey, I've recently started to expand my horizons of BBs music and as part of this, I downloaded Holland, of which I previously had heard only Sail On Sailor. I was just wondering who it is that is singing the very low part on Steam Boat. It sounds lower than Mike usually explores, and reminds me very much of a choir-type bass way of singing, contrasting The BBs non-formally trained way of singing I am used to. I am not terribly familiar with Ricky Fataar's voice, so is this him? Or maybe Mike recorded faster and slowed down? Or Mike singing unaltered? Assuming you mean the bass vocals in the verses in the left channel (and then near the end in the refrain), I think it's unaltered Mike. He's just not using any of his personae that we've come to associate with him. Title: Re: Holland Post by: Dudd on March 14, 2013, 01:40:07 PM Not bad, not bad. Sail On Sailor and Funky Pretty both kick ass and the stuff in between is mostly just okay. Weaklink for me was Leaving This Town... was just a bit too strained.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: Gabo on June 12, 2013, 08:13:17 PM I'm going to give this a 1. All the songs besides Sail On Sailor and Funky Pretty are bad to mediocre. The poetry reading track is absolutely ridiculous.
Sunflower and Surf's Up were great albums, elevated by the inclusion of several Brian tracks. Here, however, only one song can be considered a true Brian track (Funky Pretty), and all the other members' songs are simply not up to par. The songs on this record are actually quite boring, lacking good hooks and melodies. That is, after all, what I want from The Beach Boys, and indeed all the music I listen to. Title: Post by: zachrwolfe on June 12, 2013, 08:14:53 PM
Title: Re: Holland Post by: Dudd on June 13, 2013, 10:40:54 AM Had a relisten recently and I like it a lot more now. Everything from "Sail on Sailor" to "Trader" is very good (though "Leaving This Town" still doesn't do much for me). And Mt. Vernon and Fairway kicks ass. :P
Title: Re: Holland Post by: Disney Boy (1985) on July 07, 2013, 02:27:56 AM Holland is a tremendous album from start to finish (and Funky Pretty is amazing btw), although admittedly it is a little short (aren't almost all of their records??)
Anyway, I think this would've made for a damn good track-listing (no We Got Love coz it's lame): 1. Sail On Sailor 2. Steamboat 3. Big Sur 4. Beaks Of Eagles 5. California 6. Hard Times 7. Trader 8. Carry Me Home 9. Leaving This Town 10. Only With You 11. It's A New Day 12. Funky Pretty 12. Mt Vernon & Fairway EP Title: Re: Holland Post by: Ovi on July 07, 2013, 02:58:54 AM I agree with that, except for the fact that I think 'Carry Me Home' is a definite album closer, if there ever was one.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: Disney Boy (1985) on July 07, 2013, 01:35:56 PM I agree with that, except for the fact that I think 'Carry Me Home' is a definite album closer, if there ever was one. Hmm, I think Carry Me Home is a bit too intense and hard-hitting to end an album on. Second to last track would probably be better, with Funky Pretty to round the album off and lighten the tone. Title: Re: Holland Post by: Gabo on August 22, 2013, 12:19:45 AM i gave this record a 1 but I really love Sail On Sailor. That song is one of The Boys' greatest accomplishments.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: punkinhead on August 22, 2013, 07:14:45 AM i gave this record a 1 but I really love Sail On Sailor. That song is one of The Boys' greatest accomplishments. What? A one? Have you listened to this whole album? It's one of the most creative output the band has ever released and one of the last great albums! Track by track, there's something here for everyone. If you've only listened a couple of times, perhaps it grows on you? All I know is that the beach boys accomplish something amazing without that much help from Brian…please don't ream me for saying that, but with Brian only involved in the writing of the first and last songs and the EP, it seems the rest of the guys took up the gauntlet on this one. Title: Re: Holland Post by: Gabo on August 22, 2013, 04:37:59 PM i gave this record a 1 but I really love Sail On Sailor. That song is one of The Boys' greatest accomplishments. What? A one? Have you listened to this whole album? It's one of the most creative output the band has ever released and one of the last great albums! Track by track, there's something here for everyone. If you've only listened a couple of times, perhaps it grows on you? All I know is that the beach boys accomplish something amazing without that much help from Brian…please don't ream me for saying that, but with Brian only involved in the writing of the first and last songs and the EP, it seems the rest of the guys took up the gauntlet on this one. I just don't like the self conscious roots rock style they adopted with Ricky and Blondie... I also find the songwriting very lacking both on this album and CATP... some of the songs, particularly those by Dennis and Blondie, are absolutely dreadful. The terrible tag on Only With You always makes me crack up "All I want to do - OOOO is spend my life with you - OOOO." Dennis wrote some great songs from 1968-1969 but, who knows, Daryl Dragon must have corrupted him into writing absolute pap. Only With You, Barbara, and Make It Good are some of the worst songs I've ever heard, lyrically and musically,and they all came from Dennis during this period. Title: Re: Holland Post by: Gabo on August 23, 2013, 05:13:12 PM it just needed to be done.
Sunflower and Surf's Up 4 life Title: Re: Holland Post by: Myk Luhv on August 24, 2013, 12:41:07 PM I think "Steamboat" is pretty cool. Dennis should've written more songs like that and "Celebrate The News".
Title: Re: Holland Post by: bluesno1fann on August 31, 2013, 10:36:07 PM I find this album to be slightly overrated. Still great but admittedly I prefer "Carl and the Passions".
"Sail on Sailor" is the standout, one of the best tracks off this album. "Steamboat" is pretty good, although it can get a bit boring. The California saga could have been a lot better, especially "Big Sur". I prefer the "Landlocked" version of "Big Sur". After that the album goes up with "The Trader". The next three tracks are also pretty good, especially "Leaving this Town". "Mount Vernon and Fairway" is a bit too silly in my opinion, but still highly interesting. Love Jack Rieley's narration! Overall, I give this album a 3.5 out of 5. The album is a near-classic, no doubt about that. But if they gave this album a little bit more time and work on it, better production, make it less boring, replace "Big Sur" with the "Landlocked" version, and add "We Got Love", "Hard Times" and possibly "Carry Me Home", the album would have been one of the best the Beach Boys ever made. Oh well... Title: Re: Holland Post by: RiC on October 16, 2013, 02:14:19 AM Definetely in my top-5 all time favorite albums ever. Maybe in top-3 even. This could have been their
best album, easily, if they'd just chosen the album tracks more wisely. Such a shame they left off stuff like Carry me home, Hard times and We got love. Those should've been on this record. I love the sound and production of this album, just perfect. Sail on sailor: 4/5 Perfect opener. Blondie's vocals are awesome, lyrics are good. I love the sound of the whole thing, nothing they ever made before or after sounds the same. It's so unique. Steambot: 3/5 Dullest track of the album. I hated it first. Only Dennis track I haven't liked straight on from first listen. And it kinda kills the flow right after Sail on sailor. This should've been moved somewhere else in my opinion. Not a bad song though. Big sur: 4/5 Best thing Mike ever wrote, that's enough said. Beaks of eagles: 3/5 Spoken parts are bit dull. But I still love it. And this really makes the last part "California" for what it is, one of the best "fun songs" ever. But it doesn't work so well if it's taken out of it's context, meaning the album. California: 5/5 Like I just said, incredible! Best part is the opening and the first lines by Brian of course. But it isn't as great if you listen it separately. Even though the single mix is better than the album one. This is just pure gold. Trader: 4/5 Love this, maybe best Carl track after Long promised road. Not pefect, but not far away. Really, really great track. Leaving this town: 4/5 That synth solo! And the fade-out with Mike is amazing. Classic. Only with you: 4/5 I wish Dennis would've had the lead on this, even though I like Carl's vocals too. It just would've been a 5/5 song with Dennis. Though the version he recorded later isn't as good as this one. It goes on for too long, the ending of this version is a lot better. Funky pretty: 5/5 Perfect end for an almost perfect album. I love every part of this, but especially the synths and all the weid sounds in the background. It's just so funky! Mount Vernon & Fairway: 5/5 Don't really think this as a piece of music, even though the music parts are fantastic. Once again: the synths! So great. They did the right thing when they didn't put this on the album itself. It's perfect on its own. Oh and the Pied piper! Makes me laugh every time :D So for the album I give 4/5. Even though it's more like 4.6 or something. It just could have been better. But still I love it. It's the best album to listen when you're depressed. It makes you feel a lot better. Title: Re: Holland Post by: slippingonthrough on February 20, 2014, 09:15:28 PM Holland is probably one of my favorite Beach Boys Albums. Sail On Sailor is one of the best songs they made in 1970s shame it wasn't a hit. Steamboat actually makes me feel like I'm on a steamboat, a great Dennis song. The California Saga is probably my favourite part of the album. Big Sur is beautiful and features Mike's best singing and lyrics. The Beaks of Eagles may not be everyone's cup of tea but I love it. I like how the minor key poem readings contrast with the major key choruses. And California is just a fun, country-like beach boys song which anyone can enjoy. I also love the flutes that connect each song. The Trader is probably Carl's best song and another highlight. Leaving This Town didn't catch on me at first but now I think it's great (That keyboard solo is awesome). Only with you is probably the only song where i think they could have done better after hearing the live version (I don't really like the you-oo bits). Funky Pretty lives up to it's name (it does sounds like Mt. Vernon).
5/5. Great, enjoyable album. I don't think the Mt. Vernon should count as part of my score, It really isn't part of the album. Title: Re: Holland Post by: Mr. Wilson on March 03, 2014, 04:16:01 PM Another Lp that attracted the hippie//stoner crowd.. This Lp + Surfs Up LP went beyond the core BB audience .. This LP was VERY popular in its day.. Cover art OK /// music 4/5 .. The only song here that bothers me is Fairytale // Mt Vernon.. Yea I know im in the minority here.. BUT.. I like the back ground music a lot but the rest of it is a children's record which doesn't interest me one bit.. I find a full grown adult recording + writing this then throwing a fit when it wasn't going to be included on the lp alarming.. The rest of the LP is very good and my only other criticism is Steamboat a little to long for my taste..
Title: Re: Holland Post by: drbeachboy on March 03, 2014, 04:36:01 PM Another Lp that attracted the hippie//stoner crowd.. This Lp + Surfs Up LP went beyond the core BB audience .. This LP was VERY popular in its day.. Cover art OK /// music 4/5 .. The only song here that bothers me is Fairytale // Mt Vernon.. Yea I know im in the minority here.. BUT.. I like the back ground music a lot but the rest of it is a children's record which doesn't interest me one bit.. I find a full grown adult recording + writing this then throwing a fit when it wasn't going to be included on the lp alarming.. The rest of the LP is very good and my only other criticism is Steamboat a little to long for my taste.. Thank god for Fairy Tale Music. I always use this as a replacement in my playlist.Title: Re: Holland Post by: Mr. Wilson on March 03, 2014, 05:06:20 PM Yea when they compiled the fairytale music and put it on the 93 box set I was overjoyed.. Great music.. Dare I say a little Smile ish..? Maybe it reminds me of the music box Bicycle Rider refrain..? I always wondered what Reprise reps said when Carl forced the fairytale onto a separate bonus record.. And Brian must have been very fragile to write that .. Which now makes me think of Child of Winter for some reason..
Title: Re: Holland Post by: clinikillz on March 12, 2014, 05:34:55 AM 1. Sail On, Sailor
2. The Trader 3. California Saga: Big Sur 4. Leaving This Town 5.. Funky Pretty 6. California Saga: California 7. Steamboat 8. Only With You 9. California Saga: The Beaks of Eagles 10. Mt. Vernon and Fairway (A Fairy Tale) Title: Re: Holland Post by: Sangheon on November 19, 2014, 04:11:39 AM 1 Sail on Sailor
2 Trader 3 Leaving This Town 4 Carry Me Home 5 Only With You 6 Funky Pretty 7 Steamboat 8 Big sur 9 The Beaks of Eagles 10 California 11 We Got Love 12 Mt. veron and fairway Title: Re: Holland Post by: Lee Marshall on November 30, 2014, 07:58:44 PM My wife and I have been together for a long, LONG time. We only got officially married 3 years ago this coming February in Jamaica. The three main songs played at our ceremony...
1. The Wedding Song...Paul Stookey :serenade 2. Only With You...Beach Boys :kiss 3. Turn Your Lights Down Low...Bob Marley :hat So Holland is a pretty important album for us...although Lucy like Dennis's version on Pacific Ocean Blue a lot as well. :pirate Title: Re: Holland Post by: Mujan, 8@$+@Rc| of a Blue Wizard on February 02, 2015, 10:34:47 PM This sounds like a much more natural and worthy follow-up from Sunflower than Surfs Up. I haven't heard CATP:ST. It has that same cohesive flow of sounds and ideas. It's the perfect blend of gritty 70s sound and the old 60s harmonies, of progressive ideas and throwbacks to their noble roots. It also just plain sounds good. Definitely their best '70s release by far.
The best track is Sail on Sailor, which is probably the best song the band made in the 70s, and what I would most imagine a hit single from the band in the new decade to sound like. The worst is Only With You, which is so monotonous it put me to sleep and so syrupy sweet it could cause diabetes. I love the cover art. Along with Smiley, Wild Honey and SMiLE it's probably the best to ever grace a Beach Boys cover. Now, regarding the EP... What the actual fuc|< did I just listen to? I mean, it's not bad...But it's certainly not good either. I do love what Brian was trying to do, but it's all so weird and flawed in its execution that it's hard to really enjoy. It's too bizarre and, kinda boring, to be funny. There's something vaguely creepy about it that keeps it from being serene or sweet. The story itself is nonsensical and meandering which keeps it from being compelling or imagination-inspiring. I really do appreciate the general idea, but I agree that it could have greatly benefited from more work, a better writer collaborating on it, and perhaps more material to flesh it out into a truly satisfying story. I have mixed feelings about Jack Reilly's narration too. It has a warmth to it. Like your dad, or a soothing audio book reading you a bedtime story. But it's also pretty monotonous and unexpressive which keeps me from getting truly engaged with the whole thing. So, as it exists now, it's definitely a curio. A WTF recording to perplex yourself with or spring on your friends with no context to weird them out. But little more. I also felt a connection to SMiLE with this that others seemed to pick up on. In that sense, there's a whole other dimension of interest with this surreal recording. Overall, I give the whole thing a 4. I wonder how the fairytale would have been if Brian stayed engaged throughout. Title: Re: Holland Post by: Please delete my account on February 03, 2015, 01:40:41 AM Have you heard the music (edited) without the narration? Some people can take it better that way.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJ0hrRM4B4Q (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJ0hrRM4B4Q) Title: Re: Holland Post by: Mujan, 8@$+@Rc| of a Blue Wizard on February 03, 2015, 09:34:43 AM Have you heard the music (edited) without the narration? Some people can take it better that way. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJ0hrRM4B4Q (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJ0hrRM4B4Q) Sounds very nice, but very unfinished and bare in that context. I just wish the concept had been fleshed out properly back in the day. Very ironic and maddening that the band was so dismissive of Brian's last really creative idea for them, and caused him to completely lose interest in it, and the three years later they're dragging him into the studio out of greed and desperation, and gladly accepting the crap* he shovels out. Really really sad story. Almost poetic justice in a way, except that we the listeners got cheated out of some really great music (a fully realized musical fairy tale and another great collaboration album in '76) *No offense to Brian, but 15BOs is pure junk. Not his fault though--he wasn't ready to be shoved back into the studio. When he got his bearings again, he made love you, which is a classic. Title: Re: Holland Post by: KDS on April 16, 2015, 10:49:22 AM After some of the missteps of CATPST, the new Beach Boys lineup hit the ground running with this 70s classic - a FIVE.
The album kicks off with the excellent Sail On Sailor. Then, you have the mini-epic, Steamboat. Carl brings more great vocals on a wonderful Dennis song. Next is perhaps Mike Love's finest hour - the three part California Saga. On this song, The Beach Boys found their 1970s sound. Its a shame they didn't stick with it. The Trader is another good Carl song. Leaving This Town is one of the most underrated songs in the history of TBB. It almost sounds like the music Pink Floyd was doing at the time. Only With You, another beautiful Dennis song. The album closes with Funky Pretty, a fun song. If not for Endless Summer, we might've got more albums like this. Sadly, that's not the case, and quality control went down the tubes pretty quickly. It would be almost 40 years before The Beach Boys put out an album this good (no offense, Love You fans). PS------When I rate this album, I don't include the Mt. Vernon Fairytale. Quite frankly, I'm glad its a separate EP. Just my opinion, but I don't think its one of Brian Wilson's finer moments, and completely doesn't fit with Holland at all. I know a lot of people here like this EP, but I'm not a fan. Title: Re: Holland Post by: Mike's Beard on September 25, 2015, 09:45:31 AM 1. Sail On Sailor 5/5
2. Steamboat 4/5 3. Big Sur 5/5 4. Beaks Of Eagles 5/5 5. California 4/5 6. Leaving This Town 5/5 7. Only With You 4/5 8. Funky Pretty 4/5 9. Mt. Vernon And Fairway 5/5 The last truly great album from The 'Boys. Easily 5/5. Title: Re: Holland Post by: KDS on September 25, 2015, 09:48:20 AM 1. Sail On Sailor 5/5 2. Steamboat 4/5 3. Big Sur 5/5 4. Beaks Of Eagles 5/5 5. California 4/5 6. Leaving This Town 5/5 7. Only With You 4/5 8. Funky Pretty 4/5 9. Mt. Vernon And Fairway 5/5 The last truly great album from The 'Boys. Easily 5/5. The Trader? Title: Re: Holland Post by: You Kane, You Commanded, You Conquered on March 26, 2016, 09:57:22 AM Their second best album after Pet Sounds, lots of atmosphere on tracks like Steamboat and The Trader.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: Lonely Summer on May 07, 2016, 03:06:42 PM This is such a strong album, mostly minus Brian, it kind of boggles the mind that they couldn't continue to make quality albums like this. All of the guys were writing, and it's nice to hear Mike able to do something other than sun/fun/cars/girls lyrics. I would call this the best group oriented effort after Sunflower.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: wingsoveramerica on October 21, 2016, 11:49:12 AM I think the complete California Saga is one of the best things the group recorded!
Title: Re: Holland Post by: JK on October 26, 2016, 04:05:37 AM On the album proper, not a bad track in sight. 5/5.
As for "MV&F": the compilation that is "Fairy Tale Music" from the GV 30 Years box set is a masterpiece. Title: Re: Holland Post by: The Loud Braggart on January 01, 2017, 04:56:51 AM Sail On, Sailor 4.5/5 = Great song, should have been one of the BBs last hits. And it could have been if they brought in Ray Charles to do it for them, it’s the perfect song for him to sing. Blondie sounds good, but this song only comes to its full right if it were sung by an even way more soulful voice. Blondie’s voice gets more and more soulful the older he gets, but back then it didn’t differ enough from the others to bring him in the group for that.
Steamboat 4.5/5 = Authentic, Dennis at his best. Competes with the raw title track from his (first) solo album for my all-time favorite Dennis Wilson song. Big Sur 3.5/5 = Good to see Mike doing something else than surf/girls/cars stuff and bring it to a good end. The Beaks of Eagles 3.5/5 = The narration doesn’t bother me at all, even if it's about birds pairing... The music is quite good, but not good enough to make me regret that it gets interrupted all the time. Especially not when Mike is talking with his relaxing and (might I add) sexy voice. California 4/5 = The Mike/Al collaboration comes to an end with the best track of the California Saga musically. The Trader 4.5/5 = Carl shines most on the album, vocally speaking. Leaving this Town 3/5 = Overrated, it’s nothing more than okay to me. Only with You 2.5/5 = I don’t even really like the oo-ooh’s that much, but it’s still the most interesting thing that happens in the song. The ending of the song sounds like it wants to go somewhere better, but it can’t, because it would sound too similar to another song. Funky Pretty 4/5 = Quite funky and quite pretty. The outro is almost half the song, maybe a bit long, but maybe therefore it serves as a good “album closer”. The fairy tale = The strange thing is not that a grown man writes a fairy tale, but that the fairy tale is on an otherwise quite dark and mature album. It contrasts with the rest of Holland in some way. Starts off promising as a fun addition to the album with spoken word alternated with some music, but fails to hold the attention till the end. All in all a fun little album, and consistent, with all members adding something good to it. This sounds more like the follow-up album of Sunflower than the actual follow-up album of Sunflower, which was good but in its own right. The strange thing is that the album has a quite dark feel, but it seems only because of Steamboat and the album cover. They should have stayed longer in Holland, or at least continued in this style for another album or two. This is in my top 5 BB albums and I rate it a high 4.5. Title: Re: Holland Post by: Decarlo on January 17, 2017, 06:52:44 PM I love this album.It seems to flow nicely.I just have a problem with Funky Pretty.just don't like it.not sure why... would rather we got love..I Love Steamboat.. On the whole Holland captures a nice groove..
Title: Re: Holland Post by: KDS on March 17, 2017, 10:46:03 AM I love this album.It seems to flow nicely.I just have a problem with Funky Pretty.just don't like it.not sure why... would rather we got love..I Love Steamboat.. On the whole Holland captures a nice groove.. It's pretty popular, but frankly, I think it's by far the weak link on the album. Title: Re: Holland Post by: KDS on March 17, 2017, 09:03:29 PM 2KDS: Do you dislike "Funky Pretty" because it's synthesized? LY is not your bag either - would it be right to say you don't like synths in pop unless it's heavy metal/ glam? Its not really synths that I dont like. I just think the song itself is weak. Title: Re: Holland Post by: KDS on March 18, 2017, 03:00:24 PM I'm curious to know what in "Funky Pretty" makes it weak. Will you tell? Hard to describe. I just think, when compared to the first 8 songs on the album, there's a drop in quality. Just doesnt do it for me. Title: Re: Holland Post by: the captain on March 18, 2017, 03:06:26 PM I agree. I think at best "Funky Pretty" is kind of interesting, with its weird little meandering synth lines or different vocal bits intertwining. But it lacks any musical punch, and the lyrics are so fucking dumb.
Title: Re: Holland Post by: Adult Child on March 18, 2017, 03:15:35 PM Blondie's vocal in the last minute and 30 seconds of 'Funky Pretty' is just so haunting though.
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