Friends

[lostbeachboy]

This is a very "summer" album.

Just saying.

[kookadams]

Friends was the one weak BBs album in the 60s and their last official lp of the decade, Little bird was THE song on it in my opinion.

[CenturyDeprived]

Friends was the one weak BBs album in the 60s and their last official lp of the decade, Little bird was THE song on it in my opinion.

Everyone's entitled to their opinions, but for the life of me, I do not understand when people say this is a weak album. And I've heard that opinion from others, too. I think it's quite cohesive overall, and a super rad album to chill out to. It's imperfect, but still a mini-masterpiece IMO.

[rogerlancelot]

To me, it sounds like an early spring album and 20/20 sounds like a fall/winter album (especially "Time To Get Alone" and "The Nearest Far Away Place"). Looking Back With Love sounds like a really bad hangover.

[bossaroo]

a total classic and one of Brian's favorites, if not his absolute favorite.

nothing weak about it, in my opinion. on the contrary, it's one of the most "Brian" albums they made and it inhabits a very unique and special place in all of recorded music. Brian took all of his know-how in the studio and crafting song and harmony and created a completely personal yet universal gem of a record (with the help of his bandmates), without trying to compete or be #1. just honest uplifting music. there really aren't words for how much the album means to me.

the Friends medley on Brian's current tour was the highlight for me and makes me wish he would perform the entire album at some point.

[lee]

If Brian performed this in it's entirety, I'd probably use vacation time to follow the entire tour.

Friends and 20/20 are the two albums that got me into The Beach Boys. Friends may not be everyone's cup of tea but I think it is a very strong album.

[Summertime Blooz]

It's a great album. I even like Anna Lee the Healer and Transcendental Meditation which get seems to get a lot of hate. It was one of the first BBs albums I heard (as part of the 70s LP twofer). Not a Summer album to me, but it does have a very warm cozy feel to it.

[undercover-m]

Little bird was THE song on it in my opinion.

I dunno. I thought it had 11 other songs on it, too?
I'm teasin' ;P

also, this album gets +1 for ukulele usage. I love Diamond Head.

[halblaineisgood]

This is a very "summer" album.

Just saying.

Thanks for the tip! 

[halblaineisgood]

Little bird was THE song on it in my opinion.

I dunno. I thought it had 11 other songs on it, too?
I'm teasin' ;P

also, this album gets +1 for ukulele usage. I love Diamond Head.

Hello everyrone,
It is so wonderful. during this time, that there them purdy songs on this here disc which exist ....that the production in this album, an album that has been in the can for many, many, months--with warmth......12 songs designed for you, and with solely you- in mind .

Sincerely avuncular,

"Friends"

[ppk700]

I like to listen to "Friends" very early in the morning, shortly after sunrise. I'm hardly ever up that early, mind you... but when I am, I find it to be the perfect album to start the day with. And yes, it is better during the summer, but anytime of year is fine with me, even during the insanely harsh Syracuse winters! I love that album, from start to finish.

 

[ppk700]

the Friends medley on Brian's current tour was the highlight for me and makes me wish he would perform the entire album at some point.

I'd pay any amount of money to see such a show, even if it meant flying halfway around the world.

[Douchepool]

Everyone's entitled to their opinions, but for the life of me, I do not understand when people say this is a weak album. And I've heard that opinion from others, too. I think it's quite cohesive overall, and a super rad album to chill out to. It's imperfect, but still a mini-masterpiece IMO.

Just because people have opinions doesn't mean they're right. In my opinion, of course.

Friends is an awesome record. So much great stuff on there.

[halblaineisgood]

When my records were still alphabetized (If only...)I"be listening to it now". 
I could go to the record cabinet and thumb around blind.

[halblaineisgood]

I agree that the nearer to sunrise one is though
so, I'll take thatlong to to find  .  there it is.

[ppk700]

I agree that the nearer to sunrise one is though
so, I'll take thatlong to to find  .  there it is.

The sun rises earlier in the summer, I don't like it, makes me feel like poop when I'm still awake at 5 AM and it's light out.

Let's be friends

[halblaineisgood]

The sun rises earlier in the summer, I don't like it, makes me feel like poop when I'm still awake at 5 AM and it's light out.

Let's be friends

We can meet up at the home depot...I'll buy you some curtains. We'll hang 'em up. Then we'll hang out  We're gonna be buddies.

[halblaineisgood]

I'll be Robbie Robertson, if you'll be my Martin Scorsese. Window duties. repertory cinema, etc.   

[Ron]

Friends was the one weak BBs album in the 60s and their last official lp of the decade, Little bird was THE song on it in my opinion.

Everyone's entitled to their opinions, but for the life of me, I do not understand when people say this is a weak album. And I've heard that opinion from others, too. I think it's quite cohesive overall, and a super rad album to chill out to. It's imperfect, but still a mini-masterpiece IMO.

I don't get it either, it seems to me that it's another one of Brian's eccentric masterpieces... hell it was recorded in his living room, right?  Doesn't get much cooler than that....

[Mike's Beard]

Friends is a great mellow out album. Side one is solid, the second half a tad inconsistent - I think the two Dennis songs are the weakest things on the album. Still, a wonderful entry in the BB canyon.

[Lonely Summer]

I love side one - perfection. Side two falls off quite a bit.

[Ron]

How can you say Little Bird is the only good song, when everybody from toddlers to grandmothers absolutely loves the title track?  

[Andrew G. Doe]

I don't get it either, it seems to me that it's another one of Brian's eccentric masterpieces... hell it was recorded in his living room, right?  Doesn't get much cooler than that....

Partly... maybe half of it, or a tad more.

[JK]

My one-that-hasn't-sunk-in-yet-but-surely-will-in-the-fullness-of-time Beach Boys album.

[ash]

Friends is a great mellow out album. Side one is solid, the second half a tad inconsistent - I think the two Dennis songs are the weakest things on the album. Still, a wonderful entry in the BB canyon.

I agree. I like Dennis' songs but they just don't fit to my ears. I'd rather they'd put in something like Sail Plane Song/Time To Get Alone and I Went To Sleep instead.
Busy Doing Nothing and Diamond Head are brilliant and i even love Transcendental Meditation - i'm sure Brian's having a laugh there writing one of the hardest rocking BB's tracks with discordant jazz chords to celebrate the extremely mellow practice of TM.
Friends itself, is a brilliantly written song. Top five BB's album as far as i'm concerned.