What *Beach Boys* Are You Listening To Right Now?

[I. Spaceman]

Friends has grown on me as well. The first time I heard it, I thought it was amazing. Now, I think it is one of the most amazing albums ever made.

[Johnston65]

I downloaded it recently and it's turning into one of my favorites. I also downloaded Friends but I'm having mixed reactions on it.

Your first exposure to Friends?  Or are you referencing the quality of the download?

I'm assuming it's the former.

Friends is a little weird.  From a "dark period" which began with Smiley and ended (sorta) with the more dynamic Sunflower.  I place the albums: Smiley Smile, Wild Honey, Friends and 20/20 in this period.  Very small, dark sounding albums.  If I may say, they're among the favorites of many fans.  Honest, low-key and natural.  To me, they're very sublime.  The work of a starving artist or recluse -- introducing an aesthetic of creative suffering -- which had not been associated with the Beach Boys.

They also became essential and dear to fans because, sans-SMiLE, they were all we had to go on and scour through for clues regarding Brian's lost masterpiece.

No it's a CD quality download, just the songs are not really resonating with me on Friends. I love all the other albums from this "dark period" on the other hand.

Not surprised. You didn't have that much to do on "Friends", did you Bruce?

 

Haha! I just realized my nickname is coincidentally connected to The Beach Boys. 

I guess you all can just call me Bruce from now on. 

[Bean Bag]

Friends has grown on me as well. The first time I hard it, I thought it was amazing. Now, I think it is one of the most amazing albums ever made.

Hmmm....  It's been a looong time...but I think Friends hit me pretty quickly.  The one/two punch opening -- Meant for You/Friends.  Something spiritual there.  A wave.  A sermon.  Washes me clean.  The album goes around, but never loses it's vibe.  Strong stuff.

Listening to it now! 


Smiley Smile took me for a ride though.  Freaked me out, made me mad!    I thought they were punking me!  Now it's very important to me.

[punkinhead]

Brian- Friends & Love You
Al-MIU (lovin his production) & Holland)
Bruce-Goin' Pubic & BB 85
Mike- Country Love (contemplating)
Dave- Surfin' USA (appreciate his guitar licks)

[I. Spaceman]

Bruce-Goin' Pubic

Totally.

[EgoHanger1966]

Bruce-Goin' Pubic

Totally.

That's the album with "I Write The Songs That Make The Whole World Itch", right?

[blank]

Friends is my favorite Beach boys album at this point, it's fun to hear of somebody just beginning to explore it!

Lately I've been digging through everything pre-Pet Sounds... man, I used to just write off all of this stuff, but now listening to quality files with my new Grados, I'm stunned at how much classic music there is.   

I think it's also kind of a matter of letting go of the "cool factor" that used to blur my musical taste.  The best of this stuff, like any of the BB's best music, is just Brian and the guys being themselves!

[Banana]

I've really be into re-examining their post-Smile output.  Holland has gotten some heavy rotation as has BB85.

[punkinhead]

Bruce-Goin' Pubic

Totally.

That's the album with "I Write The Songs That Make The Whole World Itch", right?

GOOD CALL!

[Bean Bag]

Friends is my favorite Beach boys album at this point, it's fun to hear of somebody just beginning to explore it!

Lately I've been digging through everything pre-Pet Sounds... man, I used to just write off all of this stuff, but now listening to quality files with my new Grados, I'm stunned at how much classic music there is.   

I think it's also kind of a matter of letting go of the "cool factor" that used to blur my musical taste.  The best of this stuff, like any of the BB's best music, is just Brian and the guys being themselves!

Well said!  I've spent many a nice saturday morning cranking albums like little deuce coupe, all summer long.  Pure clean fun.  The boys just being themselves,...that's exactly right!

[punkinhead]

Didn't Bruce once say he's listened to the Bruce Johnston Story (parts 1&2) before? It's quite a collection, wish it was released in some way.

[BB Universe]

1. TWGMTR - as its still "fresh" and I find something new each listen.
2. Greatest hits Vol. 3, Best of the Brother Years - like the mix at the moment
3. Warmth of the Sun/Sounds of Summer - I always have these in my car to listen to some BB tunes when the urge strikes (and I don't mind if these get dinged at all, unlike my "stay at home collection").
At the moment, other than TWGMTR, not listening to albums but rather the compilations for the mix.

[halblaineisgood]

2 spins of Wild Honey (unfortunately simply vinyl, can't wait to get one cut from analog) followed by friends. I'm no longer in a bad mood. The six beers don't hurt, either..
Damn that original friends Capitol vinyl sounds good!

[TonyW]

Munich '72 - what a set list and so much energy. The live Beach Boys at their best.

[Freddie French-Pounce]

Summer In Paradise...

Feel free to attack me 

[The Shift]

Have had TWGMTR (CD & vinyl) on heavy rotation since release, recently punctuated by the new Pet Sounds & Smiley mono/stereo mixes. Also had the Lost & Found set from a few years back – love the fresh and raw feel of many of those tracks. also Sunflower and Surf's Up on vinyl.

[donald]

Love You, Smiley Smile, and Friends.  Put those on a playlist and hit Random Play.  Sweet insanity indeed.

This is a good antidote to having heard too much of the new album.  Like having something a little salty after eating a dish of ice cream.

[thatjacob]

Holland LP

[Gertie J.]

Summer In Paradise...

Feel free to attack me 

 

[Phoenix]

A slightly altered TWGMTR

[Michael Edwards Love]

Heavy Rotation Right Now:

1.  "In Concert"  (Solid collection, though I prefer boots from that era.)
2.  "Summer Love Songs"  (I really enjoy this mix of songs an the sound is pretty sharp too.)
3.  "Concert/Live in London 69" 2-fer  ("Concert" is energetic enough, but I much prefer "London 69")
4.  "Made in U.S.A."  (Just picked up my first copy of this one to get R&R to the Rescue.  Decent collection.)
5.  "Isn't It Time"  (the iTunes single.  Really like SOS and California Girls.  I'm less keen on DIA- way too much post-production.)

[Jason Penick]

Listening to Summer Days and Summer Nights on repeat as I read C-Man's excellent session notes for that album.

[Alex]

Mike, Bruce, and Dave (and Adrian Baker ) Salute Nascar!!! 

[Letsgoawayforawhile]

Today! 2012 Remaster

[Vega-Table Man]

Summer Days 2012 Remaster