What is their strongest post-Pet Sounds album? (1967-1977)

[Mike's Beard]

I admire pretty much everything Bruce has ever done. Very overlooked and underated composer in the BB universe.

[cablegeddon]

It's interesting to note that with all the crap 20/20 gets, it peaked at #3 in UK, on of the few top 5 albums for the group in UK (PS #2, party #3). So they must have done something right with 20/20.

Yea Deidre must be Bruce Johnstons best song? I can't believe "I write the songs" went no.1. Awful song. 

Deidre has a lot of BW in the background giving it a pretty hefty lift - Disney Girls is probably the best of Bruce as Bruce  (if not Hey Little Cobra  )

Oh yeah I didn't realize BW co-wrote Deidre, that explain alot of it.

[smile-holland]

It's interesting to note that with all the crap 20/20 gets, it peaked at #3 in UK, on of the few top 5 albums for the group in UK (PS #2, party #3). So they must have done something right with 20/20.

Well, go figure. 3 singles appear on this album:
Do It Again: #1
Bluebirds: #33
I Can Hear Music: #10

In Europe the group's popularity was at his height in 1969. These three songs were big hits in most countries here, especially DIA and ICHM. So logically 20/20 did well on the charts as well.

[MBE]

In order+major solo works and productions
Sunflower
Wild Honey
Pacific Ocean Blue
Spring
20/20
Friends
Holland
Surf's Up
The Flame
Smiley
So Tough
Live In London
In Concert
15 Big Ones-The worst is worse than much of Love You but it by default has more songs I like.
Love You-Not without value but I still don't enjoy much of it after 23 years of hearing it. I think the best of it and the best of Adult Child would have been cool.
Beached-Ricci Martin LP produced by Carl. Not terrific but it is better than Carl's solo LP's.

[Aegir]

Oh yeah I didn't realize BW co-wrote Deidre, that explain alot of it.

Brian wrote like five words of lyrics for Deirdre to get the co-writer credit.

[mammy blue]

Oh yeah I didn't realize BW co-wrote Deidre, that explain alot of it.

Brian wrote like five words of lyrics for Deirdre to get the co-writer credit.

Listen to "We're Together Again".... again.

[schiaffino]

Surf's up  all the way, any album that has Till I Die followed by SU is top on my list...although I also have a soft spot for Friends, like most people here.

[sockittome]

No surprise that Sunflower stands out so much on the poll.  It's the most cohesive, satisfying album after PS.  I can never understand how it charted so badly.

If the rest of their 70s albums coulda stacked up to the content of Sunflower.....all I could say is wow!

[Mike's Beard]

What's so annoying is the hot streak could have continued after Holland. Consider the material they had lying around in 1976 if you will,

River Song
Rainbows
Angel Come Home
Don't Fight The Sea
California Feeling
Good Timin'
Pacific Ocean Blues

That's nearly an albums worth of cracking tunes right there, instead they put out the schlockfest that was 15 Big Ones.

[DonnyL]

I think '20/20' actually contains some of the group's best work ... but the problem with this album (and 'So Tough') is that it doesn't feel very 'united' as an album. 

[Magic Transistor Radio]

Although Friends and Love You are my two favorite albums, Friends is too short, and Love You's lyrics are very weak. Wild Honey, 20/20 and Surfs Up are all full of great songs, but all contain a cover song or 3. Smiley is unique, but perhaps a bit lazy to be the best. So Tough and Sunflower are full of good songs, but nothing great. 15 Big One's sucks!!

So that leaves Holland. It rocks as much as So Tough (Sail On Sailor, Funky Pretty), it has some nice Smile - ish moments (California Saga), Proggressive classic rock like you hear on Surfs Up (Steam Boat, Leaving this Town, Trader), a beautiful ballad (Only With You) along with some Brian etcentric Friends/Love You type stuff (Funky Pretty, Mt Vernon).

[FatherOfTheMan Sr101]

I've gotta say my top 5 would be...

1. Surf's Up (LPR, ADITLOAT, TID and Surf's Up are amazing.)
2. Sunflower ( If only for "Tears")
3. 20/20 (I went to sleep is incredible)
4. SMiLEY SMiLE (H&V AND GV!?!? COUNT ME IN!)
5. Friends (Little Bird and BDN)

[NHC]

I think '20/20' actually contains some of the group's best work ... but the problem with this album (and 'So Tough') is that it doesn't feel very 'united' as an album. 

That's how I feel in a way, which sort of makes my vote for it as my favorite "album" a little odd. When it's all said and done, I really like (almost) all the songs, and some of them stand out for me more than the individual cuts I like on the other albums on the list. Unfortunately, for me, it all sort of fell apart album-wise after Pet Sounds.  Lots of good songs, that for me would comprise about 1/3 as many albums as were issued.

[Peter Reum]

I'd vote for Sunflower

[Reverend Rock]

I'd vote for Sunflower

As would I, without hesitation or qualification.

[Alan Smith]

Oh yeah I didn't realize BW co-wrote Deidre, that explain alot of it.

Brian wrote like five words of lyrics for Deirdre to get the co-writer credit.

Hi Aegir - what about the vox and the arrangement;  Brian's involved in the backing vocals, did he also provide some bedroom pointers re the track?

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

Oh yeah I didn't realize BW co-wrote Deidre, that explain alot of it.

Brian wrote like five words of lyrics for Deirdre to get the co-writer credit.

Listen to "We're Together Again".... again.

Seriously?

This is where Brian worship gets ridiculous!

The song (Deirdre) is Bruce's: Bruce sat down at the piano and wrote the damn thing and Brian contributed a few words and Bruce gave him co-writing credit just because. We're Together Again is Brian's song: HE sat down at the piano and wrote it, and it has a chorus and a verse: more than just a few words. When is it OK in The Beach Boys world to give a guy a damn pat on the back for doing something great without having to convince oneself that Brian just HAD to be responsible in some way?

A few words from Brian means it must be genius? Mike wrote tons of words, ALL the words for many songs and he still sucks, right?

It's sooooooooooo silly!

[Alan Smith]

Oh yeah I didn't realize BW co-wrote Deidre, that explain alot of it.

Brian wrote like five words of lyrics for Deirdre to get the co-writer credit.

Listen to "We're Together Again".... again.

Seriously?

This is where Brian worship gets ridiculous!

The song (Deirdre) is Bruce's: Bruce sat down at the piano and wrote the damn thing and Brian contributed a few words and Bruce gave him co-writing credit just because. We're Together Again is Brian's song: HE sat down at the piano and wrote it, and it has a chorus and a verse: more than just a few words. When is it OK in The Beach Boys world to give a guy a damn pat on the back for doing something great without having to convince oneself that Brian just HAD to be responsible in some way?

A few words from Brian means it must be genius? Mike wrote tons of words, ALL the words for many songs and he still sucks, right?

It's sooooooooooo silly!

Cool, an interesting comment, Erik H, I find it to be a bit of a grey area.  

Doe and Tobler's '04 - Complete guide says "Deirdre (Johnston/B. Wilson) - Developed from a musical theme first used in 'We're Togerther Again', Bruce Johnston delivers his first fully realised Beach Boys song..." and Timothy White says "Brian and Bruce Johnston penned the dazzling "Deirdre" (liner notes and book) - Timohty White also recounts (book) "Brian was a recommitted participant, working happily during 1969 to help the band amass approximately four dozen tracks"

Then the SF/SU liners quote Brian with "Loved it...One of my very favourites.  I thought Bruce's harmonies were beautiful - harmonic genius."

Perhaps we do need to give Bruce his dues for nailing it and pull back on the Brian thing.  And then ask what the heck was goin' on with the version of Deirdre on Going Public  

[Newguy562]

WHY DO SO MANY BB FANS HATE "BLUEBIRDS OVER THE MOUNTAIN" ? :/

[Mike's Beard]

Oh yeah I didn't realize BW co-wrote Deidre, that explain alot of it.

Brian wrote like five words of lyrics for Deirdre to get the co-writer credit.

Listen to "We're Together Again".... again.

Seriously?

This is where Brian worship gets ridiculous!

The song (Deirdre) is Bruce's: Bruce sat down at the piano and wrote the damn thing and Brian contributed a few words and Bruce gave him co-writing credit just because. We're Together Again is Brian's song: HE sat down at the piano and wrote it, and it has a chorus and a verse: more than just a few words. When is it OK in The Beach Boys world to give a guy a damn pat on the back for doing something great without having to convince oneself that Brian just HAD to be responsible in some way?

A few words from Brian means it must be genius? Mike wrote tons of words, ALL the words for many songs and he still sucks, right?

It's sooooooooooo silly!

Cool, an interesting comment, Erik H, I find it to be a bit of a grey area. 

Doe and Tobler's '04 - Complete guide says "Deirdre (Johnston/B. Wilson) - Developed from a musical theme first used in 'We're Togerther Again', Bruce Johnston delivers his first fully realised Beach Boys song..." and Timothy White says "Brian and Bruce Johnston penned the dazzling "Deirdre" (liner notes and book) - Timohty White also recounts (book) "Brian was a recommitted participant, working happily during 1969 to help the band amass approximately four dozen tracks"

Then the SF/SU liners quote Brian with "Loved it...One of my very favourites.  I thought Bruce's harmonies were beautiful - harmonic genius."

Perhaps we do need to give Bruce his dues for nailing it and pull back on the Brian thing. And then ask what the heck was goin' on with the version of Deirdre on Going Public 

That's obvious, he didn't have Brian's golden touch to guide him second time 'round.  

WHY DO SO MANY BB FANS HATE "BLUEBIRDS OVER THE MOUNTAIN" ? :/

Mainly because it's sh*t.

[MBE]

Ron Wilson not Brian Wilson wrote We're Together Again. For what it's worth I surmise the parts Brian sings co-lead on are what he wrote. Not half but not 5 percent either. Bruce was exaggerating.

[Paulos]

WHY DO SO MANY BB FANS HATE "BLUEBIRDS OVER THE MOUNTAIN" ? :/

Speaking for myself I find it jarring and annoying, not Bruce's fault as I don't like any version of the song. The coda, however is great.

[shelter]

WHY DO SO MANY BB FANS HATE "BLUEBIRDS OVER THE MOUNTAIN" ? :/

I don't hate it. But IMO, it's a childish song, and although I usually love loud distorted guitars I just don't think they belong on Beach Boys records.

[Newguy562]

WHY DO SO MANY BB FANS HATE "BLUEBIRDS OVER THE MOUNTAIN" ? :/

I don't hate it. But IMO, it's a childish song, and although I usually love loud distorted guitars I just don't think they belong on Beach Boys records.

:/ i'm the only that likes it.

[MBE]

It's not bad but they were so good at the time that it just wasn't quite up to par. I do like it quite a bit compared to say anything after 1979