4/5

The good tracks outweigh the bad.

County Fair, though dismissed as filler by most, is my favorite track on the album.

[desire]

When I first listened to Smiley Smile, I thought it was really cool because most of the songs sounded really off; it was a favorite to play in front of my friends and say, "This is the Beach Boys". Now, I really have no desire to listen to it, and when I do, I get bored towards the end, even though I like all the songs.

3/5, but still my least favorite Beach Boys album (keep in mind, I haven't heard any of their 70s stuff yet)

4/5

Lots of awesome tracks; Our Car Club has got to be one of my favorite early BB songs, I love the Brian's falsetto on Hawaii, and In My Room calls out to the loser that lives in all of our hearts.

South Bay Surfer is pretty cheesey, and Brian had even done that schtick before (Surfin' Down the Swanee River by the Honeys); if I didn't like the original melody I probably wouldn't like it.

The over-the-top strings on The Surfer Moon ruin the song for me, though.

Damn.

I liked the album until I read SJS's review.

Old Folks at Home/Ol' Man River
Holidays
Seasons in the Sun
Their Hearts Were Full of Spring (Hawaii rehearsal take; on Smiley Smile/Wild Honey two-fer)
Walk On By
Can't Wait Too Long/Been Way Too Long

My favorite Beach Boys album, and the least favorite of anyone that's been in the room/car when I've been listening to it.

The vocals are amazing, the lyrics are peaceful, and the entire album gives me a nice, soothing feeling... until Transcendental Meditation, a rocking tune that sends you back to the real world.

I was watching the Beach Boys - An American Band DVD, and during the Good Vibrations section there's some instrument you rub with your finger playing the theremin part.

What is this instrument?