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

[Reverend Rock]

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.

 

Oh yes, they did several things right.  Let me list them for ya:

Do It Again
I Can Hear Music
Be With Me
The Nearest Faraway Place
I Went To Sleep
Time To Get Alone
Never Learn Not To Love

and especially...

Our Prayer
Cabinessence

With all those things done right, I can easily forgive a few mistakes...

[phirnis]

1 Friends
2 Love You
3 Wild Honey
4 Smiley Smile

These first four I could easily put in a different order, they're all great albums, full of charm and originality, rich in character. They all pick me up and take me to a good place. These album show a Beach Boys that weren't competing with anyone but were effortlessly making music that was really different, full of quirky twists. Brian had given up the production race but in doing so he seemed to have invented a new art that was more personal.
...

I couldn't agree more! Incidentally, Friends and Love You are the two records that have been played the most around here.

[Newguy562]

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.

 

Oh yes, they did several things right.  Let me list them for ya:

Do It Again
I Can Hear Music
Be With Me
The Nearest Faraway Place
I Went To Sleep
Time To Get Alone
Never Learn Not To Love

and especially...

Our Prayer
Cabinessence

With all those things done right, I can easily forgive a few mistakes...

i agree

[oldsurferdude]

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!

I swear, every time Brian gets interviewed, he has to mention how HE wrote Dierdre. I for one am getting tired of him trying to hone in on Bruce's song. 

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

Brian's never made any such claim

[Jim V.]

Brian's never made any such claim

I would surmise that he was referring to how a certain self proclaimed "Doctor" Love always seems to mention how he wrote the lyrics to "Good Vibrations" or what have you.

[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.

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!

Wow, I don't know what you're going on about. I seem to have touched a nerve with you and I'm not sure why. I'm not trying to make a value judgment here or denigrate the relative contributions of any group members... I'm just pointing out that.... "together again" and "tomorrow at ten".... that repeated melodic phrase, clearly is heard in both songs and there is one person listed as a contributor for both tracks. You're free to draw your own conclusions if you wish.

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

A nerve has indeed been touched! As both a Brianista and a Boyista, it's annoying when people try and split hairs to prove that anything good must be somehow due to Brian's magic touch.

Brian is a musical genius but the Beach Boys were awesome and talented too! Big deal!

"So young" .... from the line "The night was so young" is the same melody as the  "write their names" part of the line "who couldn't even write their names" from The Trader. Should we suggest Carl get's co-writer credit on The Night Was So Young???

Such analogies in music would be bottomless if one cared to sniff around.

I really hope Mike isn't reading this or there will be a flurry of new lawsuits for songwriting credit!

[Aegir]

"together again" and "tomorrow at ten".... that repeated melodic phrase, clearly is heard in both songs and there is one person listed as a contributor for both tracks.

Ron Wilson wrote We're Together Again, not Brian.

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

Well, then Ron deserves the credit on Deirdre!

[MBE]

Marilyn remembered Ron when we talked. Brian simply liked his music and thought he was a nice guy. It's funny how he has never turned up.

[oldsurferdude]

Brian's never made any such claim

I would surmise that he was referring to how a certain self proclaimed "Doctor" Love always seems to mention how he wrote the lyrics to "Good Vibrations" or what have you.

Your summation is correct.

[Justin]

Thanks for all the votes everyone--definitely cured my curiosity.

Looks like we all feel the same about "15 Big Ones"! 

[cablegeddon]

Thanks for all the votes everyone--definitely cured my curiosity.

Looks like we all feel the same about "15 Big Ones"! 

but Rock n roll music peaked at #5 in the US? ;

[NatureShowInStereo]

For me, it's gotta be a tie between Surf's Up and Holland. I've never understood the overwhelming love that Sunflower and Friends get. I suppose my time for those albums hasn't come yet.

Edit: This IS aside from SMiLE, of course.

[phirnis]

Thanks for all the votes everyone--definitely cured my curiosity.

Looks like we all feel the same about "15 Big Ones"! 

Of course only very few (if any) hardcore fans are going to select it as their favorite record but personally I think it's underrated. BW did some amazing things on the Moog for 15BO and I really don't mind most of the cover songs. "It's OK", "Had to Phone Ya", "Just Once in My Life", "In the Still of the Night", "Back Home" - all great stuff as far as I'm concerned! Alan and Mike's contributions, however... ugh.

[Newguy562]

Thanks for all the votes everyone--definitely cured my curiosity.

Looks like we all feel the same about "15 Big Ones"! 

Of course only very few (if any) hardcore fans are going to select it as their favorite record but personally I think it's underrated. BW did some amazing things on the Moog for 15BO and I really don't mind most of the cover songs. "It's OK", "Had to Phone Ya", "Just Once in My Life", "In the Still of the Night", "Back Home" - all great stuff as far as I'm concerned! Alan and Mike's contributions, however... ugh.

I did enjoy "had to phone ya", "it's o.k." & "just once in my life".

[sockittome]

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

This could be it's own thread.  I've wondered this a number of times myself.  It's not a favorite of mine, but I certainly don't dislike it.  Yeah, it's kind of a goofy arrangement.  The lead guitar riffs have not dated well and they seem really out of place against an old classic standard type song.  But the vocals are top notch and the whole thing somehow works.  There are worse songs (IMO) on 20/20.

[Newguy562]

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

This could be it's own thread.  I've wondered this a number of times myself.  It's not a favorite of mine, but I certainly don't dislike it.  Yeah, it's kind of a goofy arrangement.  The lead guitar riffs have not dated well and they seem really out of place against an old classic standard type song.  But the vocals are top notch and the whole thing somehow works.  There are worse songs (IMO) on 20/20.

I totally agree with you. ..that song is listenable. to be honest i actually like the guitar on it and the vocals and the outro.

[NHC]

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.

Nope.  Not the only one.

[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.

Nope.  Not the only one.

u do too?

[filledeplage]

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.

Nope.  Not the only one.

u do too?

Bluebirds is an awesome song!  Upbeat!  Great vocals...I just downloaded 20/20 (Friends) for cheapo  $4.99, today.  (I wish it had been paired with Stack-O-Tracks!)

With (sure-to-go-deaf earbuds) I heard it, differently, for the first time today! the guitar parts are fabulous...(Ed Carter) and what sounds like a marimba (xylophone) - the album rocks!  It was a weird time, (post-psychedelic lasting about the same length as disco) music and in the middle of the Woodstock social consciousness, post MLK and RFK murders.  Sort of a transition period...

Do It Again!  The summers of '68 (the single) and '69 (20/20) Charting is irrelevant to me.  But, weird that some songs were hits abroad. 

The impossible poll - Best since Pet Sounds...(one is not enough) 

1. Surfs Up - tie with Holland etal (So Tough)
2. 20/20 (a gem!)
3. Wild Honey (Get a breath of that Country Air, Darlin'!)



   

[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.

Nope.  Not the only one.

u do too?

Bluebirds is an awesome song!  Upbeat!  Great vocals...I just downloaded 20/20 (Friends) for cheapo  $4.99, today.  (I wish it had been paired with Stack-O-Tracks!)

With (sure-to-go-deaf earbuds) I heard it, differently, for the first time today! the guitar parts are fabulous...(Ed Carter) and what sounds like a marimba (xylophone) - the album rocks!  It was a weird time, (post-psychedelic lasting about the same length as disco) music and in the middle of the Woodstock social consciousness, post MLK and RFK murders.  Sort of a transition period...

Do It Again!  The summers of '68 (the single) and '69 (20/20) Charting is irrelevant to me.  But, weird that some songs were hits abroad. 

The impossible poll - Best since Pet Sounds...(one is not enough) 

1. Surfs Up - tie with Holland etal (So Tough)
2. 20/20 (a gem!)
3. Wild Honey (Get a breath of that Country Air, Darlin'!)



   

i agree with everything you just said except "1. surf's up" c'mon now, There aren't any good songs on there besides surf's up and til i die. everything else is ughhhhh :/

[filledeplage]

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.

Nope.  Not the only one.

u do too?

Bluebirds is an awesome song!  Upbeat!  Great vocals...I just downloaded 20/20 (Friends) for cheapo  $4.99, today.  (I wish it had been paired with Stack-O-Tracks!)

With (sure-to-go-deaf earbuds) I heard it, differently, for the first time today! the guitar parts are fabulous...(Ed Carter) and what sounds like a marimba (xylophone) - the album rocks!  It was a weird time, (post-psychedelic lasting about the same length as disco) music and in the middle of the Woodstock social consciousness, post MLK and RFK murders.  Sort of a transition period...

Do It Again!  The summers of '68 (the single) and '69 (20/20) Charting is irrelevant to me.  But, weird that some songs were hits abroad. 

The impossible poll - Best since Pet Sounds...(one is not enough) 

1. Surfs Up - tie with Holland etal (So Tough)
2. 20/20 (a gem!)
3. Wild Honey (Get a breath of that Country Air, Darlin'!)



   

i agree with everything you just said except "1. surf's up" c'mon now, There aren't any good songs on there besides surf's up and til i die. everything else is ughhhhh :/

Oh, well...if we all agreed on everything. t'would be a boring existence...Surf's Up and Til I Die are very fine work...But, I also love Student Demonstration Time (I was a college student at the time) Disney Girls - 1957, a BB concert classic..."darkness goes, and softness shows a changing style..." - the proverbial look in the rear view mirror...

Long Promised Road, Feel Flows...the prophetic Don't Go Near the Water...

Listen to the guitar on "Lookin' at Tomorrow" (never mind the lyrics)  and completely goofy, but also prophetic, Take a load of your Feet...wrinkled like a raisin, if you stay too long in the tub of life! 



 

[hypehat]

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.

Nope.  Not the only one.

u do too?

Bluebirds is an awesome song!  Upbeat!  Great vocals...I just downloaded 20/20 (Friends) for cheapo  $4.99, today.  (I wish it had been paired with Stack-O-Tracks!)

With (sure-to-go-deaf earbuds) I heard it, differently, for the first time today! the guitar parts are fabulous...(Ed Carter) and what sounds like a marimba (xylophone) - the album rocks!  It was a weird time, (post-psychedelic lasting about the same length as disco) music and in the middle of the Woodstock social consciousness, post MLK and RFK murders.  Sort of a transition period...

Do It Again!  The summers of '68 (the single) and '69 (20/20) Charting is irrelevant to me.  But, weird that some songs were hits abroad. 

The impossible poll - Best since Pet Sounds...(one is not enough) 

1. Surfs Up - tie with Holland etal (So Tough)
2. 20/20 (a gem!)
3. Wild Honey (Get a breath of that Country Air, Darlin'!)



   

i agree with everything you just said except "1. surf's up" c'mon now, There aren't any good songs on there besides surf's up and til i die. everything else is ughhhhh :/

Now, c'mon, you whippersnapper, listen to Day In The Life (a stunning production and song) Carl songs (Ditto), Disney Girls, and try and be kind to Feet. Lookin' At Tomorrow is in exactly the right place, but doesn't hoe my row, and Don't Go Near The Water is redeemed from boredom by the godly tag and generally fantastic production. Student Demonstration Time can piss off, I don't care how good it sounds.