The Beach Boys Today!

You could put this in a museum and say "listen kids, this is what preppy white boys did to get laid 100 years ago"

There's no denying that you only need to be listening to The Beach Boys for the time it takes you to say "oh fuck, it's The Beach Boys" to know it's them. The iconic harmonies, the voices that sound like they've trapped their bollocks in a car door, it's all very familiar. And for that - a solid 2 stars. Where I draw the line is that every song sounds the same, and every song has the same lyrics but in a different order. "There's a pretty girl, I wonder if she's into me" "If I look good, will that pretty girl notice me" "I wonder if we could get together and gang rape that woman" SING SOMETHING DIFFERENT FOR THE LOVE OF GOD Anyway, I'm sure the album was a popular classic at the time. It just aged like the crusty bed sheets of a brothel.

horro as i come to terms with the utter caucasity of my music taste

Time is an interesting thing. When I was 8 years old, the Beach Boys sounded like yesterday's music to me, but they had been cutting edge only three years before. While the vocal sound of the Beach Boys has been appropriated by everyone from Van Halen to Animal Collective, this album is bound to a very specific cultural moment. So given all that, is it still worth listening to outside of its massive influence? Well, first of all, the vocals are still as gorgeous as ever, just in terms of the sheer beauty of the timbres. The brothers Wilson and Mike Love harmonize beautifully. We could use vocalists like them today. The disadvantage of the bell-like clarity of the vocalists is that the lyrics are all too discernable. They are simplistic bordering on moronic. At first glance, the music is just as simple. Certainly, the building blocks are, basic early 60s surf-rock melodies and chord progressions. But composer Brian Wilson throws in surprising harmonic shifts here and there, which provides some interest. The production has the bombast and echo so beloved by Phil Spector, which I loathe on general principle, but it's kind of appropriate for this kind of sunny California sound. So, how do you rate this sort of thing? I found the style boring 50 years ago, and I feel about the same now. That said, it's beautifully executed, and much more sophisticated than most music of its ilk. I'll hold my nose and give it 3 stars out of 5. 3/5

Pretty terrible. "Oh but the harmonies" - yes, what about the songs? Creepy vaguely misognyist crap sung as nursery rhymes by castrati. And, hey, harpsichords! Shite

The Beach Boys have always had gorgeous, sweeping harmonies, and I feel like they truly shine here. Weirdly, I really enjoy the studio noise at the very end of the record. A lot of beautiful sounds on this record. Favorite tracks: "Help Me Rhonda", "In The Back of My Mind"

I don't get the Beach Boys...

It's a Beach Boys album, so you know what it's gonna sound like. Why this album though? There isn't even a stand out track. It feels like a collection of b-sides.

This was horrible, the only thing that ran though my mind was the question "is Brian Wilson a pevert" creepy lyrics and a clunky sound. Used to love the beach boys but now they feel more like the peeping Tom's!

Fun!

There wasn't much to like about this one. Every song sounded the same and the singing wasn't even that good. It got very boring fast.

The Beach Boys Today! is the eighth studio album by the American rock band the Beach Boys, released March 8, 1965 on Capitol Records. It signaled a departure from their previous records with its orchestral sound, intimate subject matter, and abandonment of car or surf songs. Side one features an uptempo sound, while side two consists mostly of introspective ballads. Supported by this thematic approach, the record became an early example of a rock concept album and established the group as album artists rather than just a singles band. It has since become regarded as one of the greatest albums of all time.

So many songs to enjoy on this album. I love that their music captures a very specific era and vibe and - mostly - one single adolescent obsession - girls, girls, girls. And it makes the music truthful and sincere. The songwriting will evolve on later albums but this is a sign pointing towards even greater music to come.

I was going to brush this off as an "Oh gee, we probably need a few more Beach Boys albums on the list" pick, but Brian Wilson's melodicism never deserts him, the boys don't try to make more out of material that's slight-by-design, and Help Me Rhonda buys a lot of good will. A great example of building an album around one terrific single, but probably not one of the 1001 best albums ever made.

J'ai adoré la chanson Bull Session with "Big Daddy" dont le concept est de parler angais et de s'enregistrer.

Moldin’ Oldies.

Honestly, this is really not their best album. It's full of the oooeeeooo, falsetto, saccharine-sweet fluff tracks that they became popular for but has none of the brilliant deep cuts that made them legends.

The worst of the Beach Boys, if we're being honest. Best track: She Knows Me Too Well

I don't really get why this is on the list. I'm not a huge Beach Boys fan, and never got into their albums in a big way. I just like their most famous songs, and none of them were on here. I didn't find any of the tracks particularly memorable or innovative whatsoever. Overall a miss for me, looking forward to listening to some of their other albums though.

No

Given that the Beach Boys are neck-and-neck with the Beatles for the title of my favorite band, I think it’s an absolute TRAVESTY that there isn’t another BB album on the list. Today is supposed to represent the BB’s early work, but in reality it’s a transitional record. I think that Surfer Girl or even Summer Days… And Summer Nights should have made the list as well. Anywho, I thought I was going to give this only 4 stars because on every pre-Pet Sounds BB record, there’s like 5 beautiful songs that make you want to cry, and 5 of the dumbest novelty songs you’ve ever heard. Yet even the songs on side one are amazing! I enjoyed “Do You Wanna Dance?” just as much as “Please Let Me Wonder”. Brian and the boys earned their five stars here.

Love The Beach Boys. This might not be their most mature or developed offering but it sure puts me in a good mood.

I was unfamiliar with 8 of the 12 tracks on the original disk. It's 29-minutes of Beach Boy joy. Fun, lyrical, melodious. I would have been a fan if I wasn't only 9-months old when this album was released. Added.

A stepping stone album that sounds equal parts early surf-pop Beach Boys and the later sonic experimentation Beach Boys, but just not quite as good as either.

Rubbish

Ok, this is silly. The worthy pre Pet Sounds album is Summer Days with California Girls etc etc. This is the epitome of the K Tel type of cobbled together type of record they put out back then, not worthy of consideration as a record. I'm not impressed.

There’s just something very sickly about this group. They have some decent songs, none of this album, but mostly they have a similar feeling to the smell of grandmas sofa. Just old and lacking in any dynamism. Avoid.

hmm maybe iam to young

Nope!

yllättyin kuinka paska albumi, ei voi sanoa että odotin mitään rohkelikko tyyppistä musiikkia tietenkin turvallista radio soopailua... harmoniaa huhhuh joo mutta ei sama paska joka biisinnypäkässä pelasta albumia.. ja sitten joku kolmen minuuten burgeri bloopperi kohtaus,, ette ole vittu relatable saatanan miljönöörit tiedän että keikkojen jälkeen painelette alaikäisiä tyttöjä vittu en halua tietää että syötte ruokaa,+lyrisismi taas sellasta... arvaappa mitä olin antamassa kahta tähteä koska populääri mielipiteet positiiviset mutta sydän sanoo mitä sydän sanoo jos on paska niin paska arvosana do you wanna dance

The songs were short, so you don't need to listen to them for very long...

old hits, yah. not my thing tho.

Not my jam

I weep for the people who had to listen to this album because it was popular

boring

Boring!

just way too much serotonin

Life, Love, Sun, Happyness

There is simply no denying that Brian Wilson is one of the greatest songwriters of all time and a true savant when it comes to composing harmonies. This is where the genius truly begins. Influencing everyone from The Beatles to The Ramones, Today is close to perfect and at times just as untouchable as Pet Sounds. 4.5 / 5

Love love love the beach boys. Baroquial and vibrant melodies paired with a phenomenal dancy and light rythmn. Its almost beach jazz. Imagine creating the sound of southern california on analog devices and perfecting the modern pop song. Its incredible. This album encapsulates the pivot from boy band to artist.

What a great album. I've always been a fan of the beachboys since my mum used to play their records when I was a kid. Some very good tracks on here such as When I Grow Up, Do you Wanna Dance and the cherry on top Help me Ronda! Brian Wilson at his best putting together experimental sounds and clever harmonies and melodies. It's all too easy to listen to Greatest Hits albums but we really need to listen to the original albums and hear the tracks we wouldn't normally get to hear. 5

There is nothing wrong with the Beach Boys.

I love the Beach Boys, they are my favorite 60s band. This is an interesting album for us to get first. It has none of their most famous hits, and scant reference to boats or surfing. They still reference "my baby" a whole lot, so at least that hasn't gone anywhere. The lyrics on this album are more substantive than their previous outings. "Don't Hurt My Little Sister" is a banger. "When I Grow Up To Be A Man" is funny. They don't want their kids to view them as squares. Unfortunately, some number of the Beach Boys are now weird Trump-heads, so their kids almost certainly think they're squares. "Bull Session with 'Big Daddy'" is a hell of a name for a track. Despite it's pornhub-worthy name, it's just a fun conversation between the band members. European bread is FAR better than American bread, and I thank the Beach Boys for spreading the word. I love everything about the Beach Boys. The songs & albums are nice iPad kid lengths. The sound is awesome. This record shows a different side of them than their top played hits may. Not that different though, they're still on their same shit. 9/10

One side of surf-rock hits or near-hits with the trademark harmonies from the Californian band, plus one side of even more sophisticated arrangements and chord sequences for slower, more "intimate" cuts, foretelling *Pet Sounds*. The whole thing equals... two sides of Beach Boys happiness. Critics have always loved this one. Out of the band"s classic early period, album *Surfin' USA* is probably even more iconic for the fans. But it would be a shame not to select a second album from that early period, and *The Beach Boys Today!* is the most likely candidate for that. Then add those albums from the band's two subsequent "eras": *Pet Sounds*, *Smile*, *Sunflower*, *Surf's Up*, and maybe *Carl And The Passions* if you have room left. But I guess all that is a story for another time, kiddies... 4.5/5 for the purposes of this list of essential albums. 9.5 for more general purposes (5 + 4.5) Number of albums left to review: 65 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 405 (including this one) Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 232 Albums from the list I won't include in mine: 299

This album is an excellent bridge from early breezy Beach Boys to the more complex and mature later Beach Boys with the complex lush arrangements. This song is recorded perfectly and works together. An excellent snapshot of the band growing as artists.

The band the Beatles wish they’d been. 4.5

Anything by the Beach Boys is good.

I really really enjoyed listening to this. Some songs I knew, a bunch I didn't, but all with that signature Beach Boys sound and what harmonies. I'll be gladly listening to this one many times.

Simply incredible. There is still some of the simpler, less significant Beach Boys sound here, but the arrangements are complex and gorgeous. There is a real Wall of Sound vibe and much more lyrical sophistication. I listened to this twice in a row.

This was a fun album! I really love the sound of the Beach Boys, even if I didn't love some of the lyrics (the poor girlfriend in "She Knows Me Too Well"). I especially liked "When I Grow Up (To Be a Man)" and "Help Me, Ronda".

I mean, I do remember being a teenager and I probably would have connected with these songs.

This album is the best!! It put me in such a good mood, and there are so many bangers on it. Made me feel like I was chilling on the beach mid-summer with absolutely no care in the world!

Not being married is HARD

Absolutely brilliant. What's not to like about The Beach Boys. Brilliant harmonies. They are the sound of summer. Makes me want to put on a pair of Vans and grab my surfboard. Great stuff. 👍

The beginning of the beach boys musical revolution. I love it

Gute-Laune-Musik! Das Leben ist oft grau und öde genug. Eigener, unverwechselbarer Stil. 5/5

One of the best Beach Boys albums. So pure and sad and fun.

I grew up on surf rock. I love it

brilliant

such a laidback and carefree album. Beautiful harmonies, and the remastered nature adds some tasteful adjustments to leveling and mixing.

Boy we went a little environmentalist on this one my dude

Sun, surf, phantastic vocal arrangements. Wilson quality work.

Such a fun listen!

Beautiful, listened to both mono and stereo. Brian Wilson is the 👑

Solid

I don’t think I’d heard this particular album before. It’s interesting to hear the period between classic surf Beach Boys and Pet Sounds Beach Boys.

All catchy songs, no skips.

Another classic!

Very good! Singing in Falsetto before it was cool.

Actually very down for this today. Lessgooooo. This shit goes undeniably hard. Beach boys can be easily labeled as corny old school music but you listen and its just amazing. Every track is so beautiful. I loved this. I think I have it on vinyl, i hope so.

So great to re listen to this seminal release.

cool

Iconic and happy as hell. Always great production and perfect vocals and harmonies.

Just sit back and let these delicious vocal harmonies surf over you. Maybe just don’t pay so much attention to the lyrics. I don’t think this will be everyone’s cup of tea, but man, I’m just a sucker for the 60s surf sound. This album gives off the best kind of feeling I get from listening to music; a sense of nostalgia and longing for a time I was never even a part of.

вау!очень коротенький..

Classic. I've been listening to these songs for basically my entire life, so this shit is part of my DNA at this point.

If Pet Sounds often gets compared to The Beatles' Sgt Pepper, then I would say this parallels their Rubber Soul. It is an album that is mid-emergence of their previous style, and transitionary sound that blends their past and their future. And god damn is it good. The songs are all so fun and catchy, it explores unique and interesting ideas, the intentional sequencing of the songs really pushing forward the album format, and it's orchestration and instrumentation pushed the boundaries of what rock could do.

Superb - the Beach Boys are tops!

I had a great mate at my last workplace (where I worked for 20 years) named Dermot. A music nut, he was always burning cd’s & leaving them on my desk to surprise me. One day I lobbed at work to find a cd with the title : The Godlike Genius That Is…..BRIAN WILSON. If the house I live in ever catches alight & I only have time to grab one cd, that’s the one I’m grasping for. For years I thought it was some rare compilation, but turns out it was a collection put together by a friend of Dermot’s. It is a joy, and it celebrates the eloquence of Wilson’s lyrics, music, production,etc. Not a bunch of hit singles. There were 5 tracks from Pet Sounds & 4 tracks from the Today album & I knew none of those 4 tracks - the glorious I’m So Young ( a cover version of a 1958 release by The Students); Please Let Me Wonder; She Knows Me Too Well; & Kiss Me Baby. These are the first 4 tracks on Side 2, & are widely regarded as a precursor to the majesty of Pet Sounds, although, for me, I don’t think The Beachboys ever sounded any better than this. As for Side 1, it opens with a cover of Bobby Freeman’s Do You Wanna Dance that’s pretty good, if unnecessary, and closes with the great Dance, Dance, Dance. In between is a version of Help Me R(h)onda that is not as good as the single version they subsequently recorded. But if you are not familiar with this album, it’s a revelation. Godlike.

Today! Is where we really begin to see Brian Wilson’s production and songwriting style ramp up to its experimental apex which would come on 1966-1967. Having stepped down from touring after a panic attack en route to Houston, Brian Wilson began spending more time in the studio. The result is a wall of sound style production with more introspective songwriting tinged with melancholy. The results are undeniable.

Classic! Love that Brian Wilson sound!

Woohoo boys!

I hadn't previously considered the lyrics much when listening to the Beach Boys. That was a mistake. Another excellent album. 4.5/5

If you’ve heard the Beach Boys before you know precisely what you’re getting into. Smooth vocals by Love and Wilson, great songwriting and the feeling that summer might never end and the only thing that could stop it are the gray clouds in your mind,

Excelentes los arreglos vocales y la música. Gran álbum

Fantastic.

It was time to put away the surfboards, for the time being anyway. Today! was Brian Wilson fleshing out ideas and soundscapes that would soon engulf his psyche and end up changing the course of music forever. Despite the songs being taut, it is packed with intent for a different kind of listening experience; songs for the interior space as opposed to the beaches that were once roamed and eternally romanticized. Today! is the blueprint for what was to come. Do not skip out.

5/5. There are just a few songs that prevent the 5/5 score but it is so close that I thought I’d give it anyway. 4.8/5 to be exact.

There's magic in The Beach Boys' music -- the way their vocal harmonies float in the air, the way bass drums and timpani add drama with a buh-dum-dum. I can't believe I've never listened to this particular album before. I'm loving it. "Do You Wanna Dance" is one of my favorite songs and The Beach Boys' version is one of the definitive takes on it that all other versions get judged against. Something that struck me after listening to the album a few times is how many songs are about male insecurity. On "Good to My Baby," a guy swears that he treats his girl right and that she loves him but it's pretty clear that's not really the case. "Don't Hurt My Little Sister" takes the opposite perspective. An older brother is worried his sister's boyfriend isn't good enough for her. On "Help Me, Rhonda," (a classic) the guy is just using Rhonda as a rebound hookup after getting dumped by his fiancee. The music makes it sound like an upbeat love song but he's really just hurt. Rhonda looks good but he doesn't seem to care about her at all. "She Knows Me Too Well" is a song from the perspective of a jealous man and on "In the Back of My Mind," a man is paranoid his happy relationship will eventually crumble. There are a lot of insecure and unhappy men in these songs. You can put this on in the background and jam out to the music (which I did a few times and loved) but a closer look gives you a deeper (and sadder) experience.

Beautiful harmonies in timeless pop music. Great stuff from the Beach Boys as always.

I've been a fan of The Beach Boys my entire life. I was more of a fan of the later orchestral sounds than the early surf songs, but I liked them all. How fun to be able to explore the evolution of their sound.

I'm really loving all of the exposure I'm getting to The Beach Boys with this project. And it's fun to read about the goings-on around the recording and the release of this record. Do You Wanna Dance hits you with the Phil Spector-ish wall of sound, making it clear why Wikipedia classifies this as Orchestrated Rock. I love the complexity of the lyrics on side 2 of the album hinting at where Brian Wilson is headed. A gem!

The Beach Boys were a group that I thought I understood in my youth. Then sometime in my 30s all those songs I started getting an inkling there was a lot more to them than I thought. So I have really loved having their albums come up on this project. The songs I am familiar with are so much more meaningful, and I’m discovering brilliant new songs that often surpass those greatest hits. I enjoyed the fun side one and the much more wistful side two. There’s a lot of everything I love about The Beach Boys here. I’m constantly surprised how the melodies will often go off in an unexpected direction - just one of the many ways this album transcends its genre. I listened to this three times in a row and just floated away on those beautiful harmonies over a glorious wall of sound. What a perfect album!

Oh man the harmony in these songs is so great. Love the all the vocals and the arranging. I never really heard most of these songs but now I feel like I’ve been really missing out on The Beach Boys. They are kind of perfect recordings (except the tambourine is super loud) I love the echoey hi hat sound in I’m so young.

Fun, fun, fun until daddy takes the t-bird away

Nah I’m not in the mood. How about The Beach Boys Tomorrow

50% solid gold 60s teenybop bangers Beach Boys, 45% Pet Sounds gold Beach Boys (plus 5% withering Beach Boys recorded for all time for some reason at the end) What's not to like? Apart from that last bit.

Really likes it

Classic Beach Boys

A masterpiece! This is one of their best albums. Love this direction in subject matter away from surfing and cars and more inward-looking lyrics. I always loved the band I have big nostalgia and memories from a childhood California road trip where we had their greatest hits on repeat for three weeks!! I also love the harmonies and find their music in general incredibly impressive mainly because it's SO difficult to sing, play, recreate! Also it might be partly nostalgia but all the songs give me such a happy upbeat mood, love love love.