"Friends" discussion thread

[ghost]

Didn't someone say Desper had 'acid humor' or something like that? Maybe he and Brian should've taken a tab or two and finished Smile one night...

"Acid humor" refers to a sense of humor that is very biting; nothing to do with any kind of drug use.

so Desper wasn't tripping while coming up with the production ideas for Sunflower and Surf's Up? damn, pop every bubble of my dreams why don't you jason

[phirnis]

Throughout the past decades each and every Friends reissue should've went to the shops with a big sticker on the cover that reads "Brian Wilson's favorite album". Maybe people would have listened.

The overall sound of Sunflower is just fine to these ears. There's something plastic about it, yes, but it fits the mood of the actual song material quite well I think. Some of the songs may be a little sappy and personally I find some of the lyrics a bit over-the-top (both "Forever" and "Tears in the Morning" come to mind), but as a whole the album sounds so incredibly inspired that I wouldn't want to take off any of the individual songs. Also I wouldn't be surprised if BW's influence on the Sunflower sessions was somewhat underrated at times.

[SMiLE Brian]

Throughout the past decades each and every Friends reissue should've went to the shops with a big sticker on the cover that reads "Brian Wilson's favorite album". Maybe people would have listened.

The overall sound of Sunflower is just fine to these ears. There's something plastic about it, yes, but it fits the mood of the actual song material quite well I think. Some of the songs may be a little sappy and personally I find some of the lyrics a bit over-the-top (both "Forever" and "Tears in the Morning" come to mind), but as a whole the album sounds so incredibly inspired that I wouldn't want to take off any of the individual songs. Also I wouldn't be surprised if BW's influence on the Sunflower sessions was somewhat underrated at times.

Brian's amazing work on Sunflower was his last stand as a willing and somewhat healthy Beach Boy.

[InAnOcean]

Just in case there are some people on the board who don't have a copy of "Sunflower" with the write up on the back, here's an excerpt:

"The songs on this record were recorded in true stereophonic sound; they are not 16 monophonic signals placed somewhere between left and right speakers blended together with echo, but rather total stereo capturing the ambiance of the room and the sound in perspective as heard naturally by the ear.  Although more difficult to perfect, this type of recording is far more satisfying to hear, as will be demonstrated upon playing this album."

Just figured I'd post that, as there seems to be some discussion as to whether Pet Sounds or Sunflower sound better.  Not that I' have a particular strong opinion here, I'm just contributing some information for everybody.  But anyways, let's talk FRIENDS.

Always loved how at times they say "FULL" all together in "Be Here In The Morning," while at other times in the song they refrain from doing so.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Vbclu8ELDE&feature=related

[bossaroo]

Agreed. I definitely prefer Little Bird over Forever.

color me confused. still.

I think this is the point that I am making, if we just take these two songs as an example...

I can completely understand you preferring Little Bird and that's a perfectly valid personal opinion to have. But I presume that you wouldn't disagree that the general opinion is that Forever is the superior song and is considered to be Dennis's finest song with the group. That's why it was included on Warmth of the Sun and has been part of setlists for decades. Critics also seem to be of that opinion.

When I am rating the albums I try to separate my own personal opinion with general opinion. Now with Friends I don't think there are any songs that are generally ranked as being genuinely great. If the top 50 BB songs were being nominated by non-hardcore fans then Friends and Busy Doin' Nothing might scrape in at the bottom (might not). Little Bird wouldn't though whereas I think it's fair to say that a song like Forever certainly would...

I really doubt that either song would make the average fan's Top 50... not sure if the average fan could even name 50 Beach Boy tunes.

Any song by Dennis is pretty obscure, and the only reason "Forever" has the edge would be thanks to John Stamos I'd imagine.

If the average person were to listen to both songs and pick their favorite, I think it would be a pretty even draw.
"Forever" is a fairly standard romantic ballad which some people prefer. "Little Bird" is more interesting sonically and lyrically, which others would prefer.

Alas, the point is moot because the average person will never hear either one.

[Nicko1234]

Any song by Dennis is pretty obscure, and the only reason "Forever" has the edge would be thanks to John Stamos I'd imagine.

If the average person were to listen to both songs and pick their favorite, I think it would be a pretty even draw.
"Forever" is a fairly standard romantic ballad which some people prefer. "Little Bird" is more interesting sonically and lyrically, which others would prefer.

Alas, the point is moot because the average person will never hear either one.

I think you are letting personal feelings get in the way of the facts there...

Forever was included on Warmth of the Sun and Hawthorne because it's considered to be Dennis's strongest BB song.

For the same reason it has been performed on stage for decades by the various factions of the band.

And the critics pretty much unanimously pick this one out.

Anyway, getting off topic and I do like Friends as an album.

[ghost]

If every fart I made
could make you laugh
I'd fart forever


 

[Jason]

Any song by Dennis is pretty obscure, and the only reason "Forever" has the edge would be thanks to John Stamos I'd imagine.

If the average person were to listen to both songs and pick their favorite, I think it would be a pretty even draw.
"Forever" is a fairly standard romantic ballad which some people prefer. "Little Bird" is more interesting sonically and lyrically, which others would prefer.

Alas, the point is moot because the average person will never hear either one.

I think you are letting personal feelings get in the way of the facts there...

Forever was included on Warmth of the Sun and Hawthorne because it's considered to be Dennis's strongest BB song.

For the same reason it has been performed on stage for decades by the various factions of the band.

And the critics pretty much unanimously pick this one out.

Anyway, getting off topic and I do like Friends as an album.

I'd also think that the fact that Little Bird didn't survive past mid-1968 in the band's setlists while Forever kept coming back every so often is indicative of something.

[ghost]

Lots of amazing songs didn't even ever make the setlists. Or Brian's now. I Know There's An Answer should've been a live staple since 1966.

[Justin]

It seems I am the minority when I say that "Friends" isn't one of my favorites.  I rather prefer "Sunflower" or "Carl and The Passions, So Tough" over it. 

[drbeachboy]

It seems I am the minority when I say that "Friends" isn't one of my favorites.  I rather prefer "Sunflower" or "Carl and The Passions, So Tough" over it. 

They're all good, but I'm with you to the point that like Pet Sounds, I have to be in a certain type of mood to enjoy the Friends album. It is a great album to de-stress with.

[Newguy562]

the whole first side except 4 passing by is horrible smh

[Newguy562]

"Passing By","Anna Lee The Healer","Busy Doin' Nothin'","diamond head"...those are the only 4 good songs on that album ..so outta 1-10 it gets a 5.

[runnersdialzero]

the whole first side except 4 passing by is horrible smh

"Wake the World", "Friends", and especially "Meant For You" are, uh, "horrible"?

*cries*

[Dunderhead]

I don't think I like newguy562

[Newguy562]

I don't think I like newguy562

nobody on this site likes me..it's ok tho ..at the end of the day everybody is a beach boys fan so i dnt hate anyone.

[Dunderhead]

I don't think I like newguy562

nobody on this site likes me..it's ok tho ..at the end of the day everybody is a beach boys fan so i dnt hate anyone.

Friends is the best Beach Boys album, are you blind man?

[bossaroo]

just deaf apparently

[mammy blue]

Friends is a masterpiece. It's my 3rd fave after Smile and Pet Sounds, but I love it just as much as those two. That recent charity single with the acapella friends vocals is just amazing. Those backing vocals!

[Dunderhead]

Friends is a masterpiece. It's my 3rd fave after Smile and Pet Sounds, but I love it just as much as those two.

This guy...this guy is alright by me

[Newguy562]

Friends is a masterpiece. It's my 3rd fave after Smile and Pet Sounds, but I love it just as much as those two.

This guy...this guy is alright by me

the best is pet sounds, wild honey and smile sessions ..friends is at the bottom with holland and so tough lol

[Dunderhead]

Friends is a masterpiece. It's my 3rd fave after Smile and Pet Sounds, but I love it just as much as those two.

This guy...this guy is alright by me

the best is pet sounds, wild honey and smile sessions ..friends is at the bottom with holland and so tough lol

ugh

[mammy blue]

That's cool man, I can dig Wild Honey's appeal. I just feel like Friends was Brian letting his guard down again a bit after his post-Smile retreat. I love the laid back vibe and unusual chords and arrangements. Only one other BB album would have such a strong Brian imprint on it after this one, Love You. But here we still get to hear his sweet voice.

[Newguy562]

Friends is a masterpiece. It's my 3rd fave after Smile and Pet Sounds, but I love it just as much as those two.

This guy...this guy is alright by me

the best is pet sounds, wild honey and smile sessions ..friends is at the bottom with holland and so tough lol

ugh

bro it's just one opinion..there will be alot of others agreeing with u....personally i think wild honey..even 20/20 is better.

[Heysaboda]

Every summer when I go back to the Midwest to visit family and friends I take the Friends CD along.  It's definitely one of my top 3 favorites in the BB's canon.

Thing is, FRIENDS actually BETTER than most people realize.  It's a masterpiece of "pop".  Glorious in every way.  Its genius is that it underwhelms you; but it slowly insinuates itself into your unconscious, until you are hypnotized by it.  I was, and I'm a lifelong Beatles fan.  But it truly is a masterpiece.  Well worth study.

I actually prefer the Beach Boys AFTER Pet Sounds.  Wild Honey, 20/20, Sunflower, Friends, man, THAT'S incredible music.