The Beach Boys Today!

Good. I remember listening to these songs on road trips growing up.

I like the Beach Boys. Simpsons: Yes

Really enjoyed this. Was toying with a 5 but the last track killed it for me. Not The Beach Boys at there best but damn close.

It was perfect for a sunday afternoon 😌

A very Nice Beach boys moments, a Little to anoying AT the END

With signature tunes They deliver surf through sound Then rinse and repeat

The beach boys have such a crazy history for a band that seem like dorks from simpler times. Anyways, they are good and so is this record.

I'm probably rating this album a star higher than it really should be because I'm nostalgic for 60's music. I will say, though, I do not like the remastered version of Help Me, Rhonda. The original is way better. Overall, an album that makes me want to drive to the beach with the windows rolled down.

Strong start made me wish I was 80+ but it became slightly stale. Would listen again though because, hey, surf is fun.

Brian Wilson is a musical genius! I feel the music of today would not be the same without his influence. Love The Beach Boys and thoroughly enjoyed listening. No surprise this album made the list.

Pretty solid album. It's just not as good as Pet Sounds. I shouldn't hold that against it but here we are.

Somehow, the more I listen to The Beach Boys, the more I appreciate them. Great album .

4.1 beach boys are great. Not their best effort.

Immaculate vibes, and a short album. Good all around, reminds me of a relaxing day. I don't think it meets the same standards as good vibrations but it's still a good listen.

Its good. Their songs are always timeless

Really really good. In the back of my mind was doppeeee.

I love this band, and I'm glad this was part of the challenge. Good album.

Easily The Beach Boys’ best record up until Pet Sounds. “Do You Wanna Dance?” is my favorite early Beach Boys song, and most of the rest of the songs are solid as well, including the classic “Help Me Rhonda”. But what the hell is the “Bull Session with Big Daddy” even doing on the album? A 2 minute interview excerpt where it sounds like the present band members are only half-paying attention just sounds like the record studio wanted to pad the track listing. It’s a shame, since The Beach Boys had some solid non-album singles released around that time that probably could have been included. When you compare this to The Beatles’ Beatles for Sale and Help! released around the same time, it’s easy to see how the two bands were on equal footing, vying for the title of the best band in the world. Obviously that went to The Beatles only a few short years later, but the era from 1965-1966 which included the release of this album and Pet Sounds cemented The Beach Boys as one of the best ever.

Mint

This is what happens when you smoke weed.

An admittedly somewhat predictable yet quality A-side, the real show here is the entirety of the B-side, with not a single miss for a single one of the SONGS. Quite frankly, counting B6 doesn't really do that much damage, as it's short and somewhat endearing in the same way snippets of a Beatles interview is unnecessary but has its own charm. Back on track, however… The Beach Boys, especially Brian Wilson, show their dominance over their knowledge of how to warp songs around intricate melodies that may seem like the usual doo-wop shindig at first. But once you dive into the pure melancholia of the whole record, you can tell that something deeper is stewing. I don't mean to imply that this is proto-Pet Sounds, as it still has those early band stereotypes that leak out before and after the golden age of Beach Boys: The somewhat strange Don't Hurt My Little Sister or the generic Dance, Dance, Dance, but there is that glimmer of hope shining here. With a B-side as stacked with perhaps not commercial hits, but still some of the best output of 1965 lyrically and just in terms of pure mood and feel. It's not hard to see why this is considered the start of something greater. Add in Brian's always gorgeous falsetto, a cool Dennis opener, and I guess Mike Love does okay (for once) here. You could argue this is the peak of the Beach Boys as a band, rather than one leading voice, and I could see why some would prefer it that way. It certainly has its hiccups at the start, but I see this as essential listening for the whole Beach Boys experience.

Quite enjoyed that

Really solid with some fantastic tracks. Definitely shows the roadmap to Pet Sounds. Only real criticism is the last “interview” track.

Ágætis plata. Gaman að sjá þá færa sig yfir í stöffið sem þeir eru þekktastir fyrir. Ekki bara brimbretta unglingastöff heldur komnir textar með meiri merkingu og heildarverkið mun meira en fyrri plötur. Ekki alveg komnir í pet sounds gírinn en þetta er í áttina.

i love my boys so much

super

Full of classics, feels like a greatest hits album. Excellent as always.

Excellent. Truly great album

A great Beach Boys album with some truly classic songs that represent the era in which they were popular.

Makes me wanna get to the beach!

Rock viejuno. Ningún megahit. Un 4.

Smiles 🤭

- Ich bin definitiv Fan von den Beach Boys, die ich v.a. 2014/15 extrem viel gehört habe - Die haben ihren ganz eigenen Stil, den ich sehr mag und sie hatten unbestritten unfassbar großen Einfluss auf alles, was musikalisch nach ihnen kam - Umso mehr hab ich mich erst über die Auswahl dieses Albums gewundert. - Zwar kannte ich natürlich "Help Me Rhonda" und "Dance, Dance, Dance" gut, sonst war dieses Album mir aber gänzlich neu. - Kann aber nun verstehen, warum das Album hier gelandet ist. Ich würde behaupten, dass die Beach Boys mit dem Album das erste Mal eine gewisse musikalische Reife gezeigt haben, deutlich komplexere Arrangements und interessantere Harmonieren, als auf ihren vorigen Alben und auch im Vergleich zu einem Großteil der Populärmusik der Zeit. - Das Album eröffnet mit "Do You Wanna Dance?" für die Beach Boys ungewohnt orchestral. Diese orchestrale Seite zieht sich an vielen Stellen durch das Album. Finde den Track ziemlich nice. Und geht im Refrain mit den Pauken etc. richtig geil auf. - "Help Me Rhonda" und "Dance, Dance, Dance" sind einfach geile Hits und machen Laune - Insgesamt ist das Album mit einer Laufzeit von ca. 29 min. extrem kurzweilig - Hat mir super gut gefallen, auch wenn hintenraus 1-2 schwächere Tracks lauern Rating: 4-4,25/5

In the Back of My Mind, I liked this. I’m So Young so idk if I appreciated this to the fullest though.

Encapsulates all Beach boys in one album - ups and downs

Classic beach album

Awesome album!

literalmente solfamidos

Classic surf rock. Good stuff.

Yeah this was enjoyable.

The Beach Boys on the verge of genius.

Rating: 7/10 Best songs: Do you wanna dance?, Help me, Rhonda

A true classic. Such rich harmonies. Love it.

Classic Beach Boys as we know them. An unmistakable sound that no other band has ever come close to matching. Themed lyrics, amazing harmonies, and solid sing-along melodies. Nothing to amaze, but solid fun.

Beach Boys are always appropriate on a snowy winter day

Man that was pleasant, it just rolled along, some delightful moments of optimism and smiles of an amazing optimistic America full of delight and entertainment. Listened to it twice back-to-back so easily. Thanks for the discovery.

pretty solid beach boys album, the reviews are right that this one feels whiter though lol. not sure why it's loved over all summer long or summer days, but it's still brian wilson. help me Ronda outro is funny

I remember reading that Brian Wilson is known for creating exceptional harmonies, and I think this album really showcases that. I don’t think any of the songs really stood out to me like in some of their other albums, but it was pleasant to listen to. I could see how it could be interpreted as a bit generic and background music, but I wonder how it went over in the 60s, if it felt revolutionary. I do think the songs and their style has a tendency to blend together in this album, making it not quite as iconic for me as other albums.

Those harmonies! Brian is a genius.

There are a few songs I had trouble connecting with but overall a decent album, good for easy listening. The Beach Boys are iconic in their own right and their story as a group as well as their surreal side adventures (see: Dennis Wilson) make them all the more legendary.

this album effectively captured a moment of transition for The Beach Boys, showcasing their ability to evolve while maintaining the essence of their sound. it remains a pivotal album in the band's discography, marking a shift toward more sophisticated musical landscapes. i enjoyed this album a lot. it’s getting an 8/10 out of me :) rest of the review on ig @musicwithnessa

7.5/10 Thank goodness, was getting a bit tired after slugging through 3 bad rock albums in a row… A group that I love and the first album of their golden period You can really hear the sound evolving here, both musically and lyrically Production and vocals as on pint as you’d expect, Brian Wilson really knocking it up a gear on this album 2 completely different vibes in the 2 halves, prefer the second one - foreshadowing Pet Sounds - but the sunshine of side 1 was like a blast of warm air on a snowy Thursday in January Best: When I Grow Up (To Be a Man)

Growing up on several versions of Beach Boys Greatest Hits, this was a treat. Hearing familiar songs mixed in with dynamic new-to-me tracks made me smile. Definitely worthy of a replay. High 4

I love the Beach Boys. This album is not quite a 5 compared with others. Grew up with this music and it brings back many good joyful memories.

Good fun - dinner party music, mum would love ths.

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. And then PET SOUNDS came to life!

4/5 The more I listened the more I liked it.

solid side b - especially closing track, nice harmonies, pet sounds better tho!

Objectively this is a three, especially when compared to what The Beach Boys accomplish later with Pet Sounds, but gosh darn it! This is my list and I like The Beach Boys and I’m giving this a 4. And there’s nothing you can do to stop me :)

Favorite Songs: Help Me, Rhonda Do You Wanna Dance Please Let Me Wonder

-YESS THE BEACH BOYS -theres something about the beach boys i just really love -and these songs are so fun -and their voices sound so nice and satisfying -ESPECIALLY when they all sing together -help me rhonda is one of my parents favorite songs -and they used to sing it when i was younger so i have a soft spot for it -its also my favorite beach boys songs -and now please let me wonder is my new fav! -omg theres talking in this song?????? -that was SUCH a delightful experience that is getting 5 stars from me

Not my favorite Beach Boys but pretty good non-the-less

superb

Gut hörbares Surfrock album. Kein song, der super überrascht und beeindruckt, aber solides Album.

love beach boys

Old school feel good Americana.

Loved it, genuinely such a bop, totally fit the vibe of the day and gave a much-needed energy boost. Fave song that's still stuck in my head has gotta be Do you Wanna Dance cause it was just so uplifting and totally tubular :)

Nice

Classic but serviceable Beach Boys.

HEHE 12 songs for a total of 28 min. I do love me some Beach Boys. How cool would it have been to grow up on the coast in California? This album came out in 65 hm. I don't see any of their big hits on this one. Oh I guess Help Me Rhonda is on here. Love & Mercy was sure a good movie. I had no idea Brian Wilson went through so much shit because of his agent dude. That last track was cool. Hearing them talking and eating burgers & fries drinking shakes.

Not my favorite Beach Boys album by a long shot, but I can’t deny my love for their nostalgic and excellently mixed harmonies. It just feels like an echo of a simpler time, even though in many ways it wasn’t. I know my parents grew up around this time in Southern California, so albums like this almost allow me to put myself in their teenage shoes.

Батя очень талантливого сына. По правде, не с первого прослушивания я врубился. Но оценив творческий путь Бич Бойз до этой пластинки, хочется сказать, что скакнули они будь здоров за 2 года. Прям кайфы. И лирика уже не про тачку и тёлку, а о чём-то более высоком... В общем, ребята готовы совершить переворот в поп-музыке.

sounds like christmas

This was an excellent slice of fun. Basically nostalgia for the summer special episodes of Mork and Mindy and the like.

This album didn’t hold a candle to pet sounds but it was still a solid beach boys album that goes into more of a doowop, love ballad direction. I don’t have much else to say about it honestly.

Avis biaisé

More harmonies! MORE HARMONIES !!

The Beach Boys are great, but a lot of the lyrics describe unhealthy relationships

This album from The Beach Boys, released a year before their big masterpiece Pet Sounds, show a lot of the same promise and quality. This is a sonic feast for the ears. The exploration of more introspective and introspective lyrical themes is a standout feature of the album. Songs like \"Please Let Me Wonder\" and \"She Knows Me Too Well\" delve into the complexities of love and relationships, showcasing the band's growth as songwriters. Their ability to capture genuine emotion through their music is a very special attribute of The Beach Boys. This is well shown in the deeper cuts on Beach Boys Today! that truly showcase the band's artistic prowess. Songs like \"In the Back of My Mind\" and \"When I Grow Up (To Be a Man)\" display their ability to tackle more introspective themes, reflecting on the bittersweet realities of growing up and the longing for a sense of belonging. The production on this album is expectedly amazing, with Brian Wilson's meticulous attention to detail shining through in every track. The lush vocal harmonies, intricate instrumental arrangements, and innovative use of studio techniques create a rich sonic tapestry that elevates the songs to another level. Whilst ”Pet Sounds” was their big masterpiece, this album is not far behind in it’s sonic tendencies.

Really enjoyed it

musikalisch nice, die lyrics.. naja

HL: "Help Me Ronda", "When I Grow Up (To Be a Man)", "Do You Wanna Dance?", "Kiss Me Baby", "In The Back Of My Mind" It's not annoying like I thought it would be I don't know why I expected it to be annoying though, I really like Pet Sounds & the other B.B. album from the generator, Surf's Up Guess I thought it would be more like "Surfin USA"

This album felt like the Beach Boys' "Hard Day's Night". What I mean by that is that it's not their absolute best work but it forshadows the greatness that would come only a year or two later on "Pet Sounds". All of the ingredients used later are present and you can hear the band beginning to experiment with different instrumentation. Since it's the Beach Boys I knew the harmonies would be great but damn were they gorgeous ("Please Let Me Wonder" and "She Knows Me Too Well" being the best examples here). I also thought that here, Brian Wilson took Phil Spector's wall of sound concept and improved upon it largely due to the vocal harmonies. This is most obvious on "So Young". There are a couple of songs I could do without, and the album definitely feels more like a collection of singles, but it does give you a good sense of who the Beach Boys are and why they are great. Would do a 3.5 if possible.

Nice

Fun little beach boys record. Not as substantial as I'd like though.

Highlights: "I'm So Young," "She Knows Me Too Well," "Please Let Me Wonder" The breakthrough album where the boy band discovered the songwriting power of Being Sad. Jokes aside, Side A is more bearable than the stereotypical Beach Boys record, with the shrill falsetto kept to a minimum, but the downbeat Side B is where this album really shines. As easy as is it to parody them, as much fame and influence as they've enjoyed, you can still find something you've never heard before.

Strong album by the Beach Boys. In my book it is just as good as the legendary Pet Sounds album

the beach boys are pretty great but on the other hand should anyone really be spending this much time and effort on pop music? it’s never going to be bach no matter how much you tinker with it

4.5

- Great vibes - Very easy to listen to, great for a summer day outside - 3.5-4

Love the Beach Boys. Crazy when this came out it was their 8th album in 3 years...amazing! This album was a pivotal move between their first, more basic albums and their more ambitious albums such at Pet Sounds and Smile.

I think my rating of this album is driven by two things. First, my own impressions and second, what I read about it. Both get me to the same place. On my own, I love the vocal harmonies and orchestra backing. Some recent albums on this list from UK acts of the 2000's resurrected that sound, and I didn't realize it could be traced to the Beach Boys. I always liked them for their doo-wop but this album had that and more complex arrangements. And in fact, side one was more the fun style I mostly remember them for (including Help Me Rhonda, an oft-played and sung song in my family) while side two was deeper. Cool. Once I read the background, I realized how intentional side one vs. side two was, but also how much more mature the lyrics were on both sides. Also, I love albums and loathe singles (or at least artists who just try to produce one-off songs and can't put a whole album together). So now knowing that this was an early example of a concept album and that this was an attempt for them to break away from their more juvenile stuff, I have a lot of respect for their effort. It just goes to show how hard it is to rate an album out of context and makes me wonder how many albums I've not properly appreciated because I'm just rating on how it sounds to me at the time and not how it represents a sound of what came before it and what will come after it.

60/70’er pop, simpelt, flerstemmigt, catchy

Cheesy high school lyrics and rhythms. But I couldn't stop grinning all the way through. I had Fun, fun, fun till the album stopped.

Eternal summer.

Reading the track list, the only song I know for sure is "Help Me, Rhonda". All the songs have a very similar sound, but that's expected with surf rock. I very much like their harmonies! There's nothing offensive or off-putting about the instruments, vocals and melodies. but there's nothing very deep about the lyrics either. Now that I'm listening to the B-side, I'm enjoying it a lot more. This seems to be their ballads. The harmonies sound better and are probably more appealing to the larger population. I was going to give it 3 until I got to the B-side. A-side: straight surfer music. B-side: softer pop. I'm not a big fan of pop ballads, but it gave the album a nice balance. That balance pushes it to a pretty solid 4.5. I would willingly listen to this again with no complaints.

Really like it. Such great love tracks on here. Definite precursor to Pet Sounds, but not quite as pulled together.

Very beach boys, what can I say. Very comfortable to listen to.

Am Anfang dachte ich, dass das so ein gute Laune Album ist, was irgendwann zu anstrengend wird. Aber ich möchte diesen Verlauf vom Album richtig, es wurde ruhiger gegen Ende. Und das Ende vom Album mit der Konversation war irgendwie richtig wholesome. Mochte diese Gemeinschaft

Falls a bit shy of a 5-star album for me. You'd think being only 29 minutes long, there wouldn't be room for a useless interview at the end. I found the songs I didn't already know (pretty much all of side two) to be somewhat boring, but the rest is great. I've never heard this version of Help Me, Ronda before. It's a bit rougher than the single version, but I dig it.

I like the Beach Boys a lot and this was just more of a good thing really. Solid tracks front to back but nothing that compares to what they would do later in their careers. My favourite tracks were "Help me, Rhonda" and "Please Let Me Wonder". Personal Enjoyment - 9 Songwriting - 7.5 Lyrics - 7 Originality - 7 Production Value - 9 Artwork - 9 Overall - 7.9

Ietwat gewoon, maar wel leuke muziek

Nice album

In a nutshell: first time ever paying attention and listening ot them - soothing, easy to listen to and very catchy indeed, so yeah, Surprisingly good, tight and varied. I understand (form reading) its poppy energetic on sideA and quiet introspective on side B - a real concept album, they say. They have a mature and artful sound here for sure. So educative. AND also, kind of loved the album for social curiosity/etymological reasons too; hearing the language of the YOUTH era used (without self consciousness? Not sure) terms and content like Groovy, Square, “put me down” , “turn me on” all with layered connotations today of course. MORE: Surprising myself by giving it 4-5 stars, thus demonstrating the Simultaneous GENIUS and JOY of discovering critically acclaimed albums you would never otherwise listen to. Th Beach Boys “today!” is catchy, happy and evoking care free, dreamy youth / surf vibes for me more than most bands... I admit never having sat down to actually "intently listen to Beach Boys“ but generally i see them as “easy listening defined”, it provides a cushy wall to lean against and it doesn’t intrude on the one hand, but then jump in /throws up a richly happy sound with its twangy guitar anthems…. (still a bit “tin can sound” for me overall, but thats maybe an aside). they are so enticing and woven into American cinema and TV, then when Beach Bosy summer anthems come on, it is like i have them as implanted memories of driving to the beach in my parents’ station wagon to meet my friends and surf followed by a coke while watching the sunset. Maybe its something relatable, form growing up on the West Coast of Western Australia. (but) Being a kids of 80s Perth, I doubt I got much Beach Boys on FM radio - so my beach boys memories are probably due to overexposure to flashback/fantasy sequences in The Wonder Years or <cringe> ALF (h, no, its coming backt o me now… TV commercials doing covers, and “Help me Rhonda” on Alf…, got done a few times, and our brains love repetition, so I accept zero blame!) .

The Beach Boys were probably my first popular music love. Amazing stuff. Brian Wilson's harmonys were incredible...such a savant. This album has some great tunes, but is just kept off the highest marks line. 4.5/5

good early beach boys

Whiny '60s rock which is a bit of a hit-and-miss. But its The Beach Boys so the hits are spot-on and the misses are at least inoffensive. A fun and easy listen overall.

8/10 - Solid album

los amo son tan siulis 8/10

A developing Beach Boy album. Harmonies are there and, in retrospect, you see where they are going.

I'll treat this album as the older brother of "Pet Sounds". And it makes sense, as "The Beach Boys Today!" Is a much rougher and less experimental version of the latter album. Every song is just very good, but safe in a way of composing and writing. We can see potential of Brian Wilson in here, but the full release of his abilities are visible on "Pet Sounds". As a result, we have pretty vibes and relaxing tunes, but no special spark. Just a strong and solid album.

Enjoyed the jump in complexity, although still not where it would get to later.

Surprisingly sophisticated

always an enjoyable listen, made me feel like i was at the beach! favorite was oh rhonda.

Lots of great hits on this album

Big love for the beach boys...not their best hear, but some good time tracks. Also some dodgy lyrics brian ... looking at you She Knows Me Too Well...the bonus track of them messing about and talking about food is wonderful...

Not their best album, and definitely sounds a little dated. But this album is really well made and sounds so good. Vocals and arrangements are spectacular.

Toddlers love beach boys

I like Beach Boys

A bit scrappy and scruffy but gee there's some great tracks on here. Loved hearing the original release of Help Me Rhonda (re-recorded a few months later for a single release). What's most amazing is that Pet Sounds came out just a year and a bit later.

Some classic songs here and overall enjoyed it.

79/100: This album, from here on out, will be the album I point to as an example when I describe an album as "a cute little album." I realize that might come across as an incredibly dismissive, maybe even patronizing phrase to use in describing an album as historically significant as this one, which is partly why I've decided to use this album as the example for that phrase. When I say an album is "a cute little album," I don't mean it in a dismissive way. I recognize how important this album was for development of The Beach Boys, eventually paving the way for "Pet Sounds" and thus a myriad of ground-breaking rock albums. To me, this album is both that and cute. It's fun and easy to listen to, and I'm sure the "ease" is a product of the time in which I'm listening to it. Maybe when it was first released it felt like an entirely new sound, forcing listeners to pay attention to every artistic decision made throughout; however, nowadays, to me, this sound doesn't feel new. It feels familiar and easy. This is why I think it's a cute little album, but I do think there are many albums better than this (it's not even The Beach Boys' best).

Surprisingly, the only song on this album I was already familiar with was Help Me, Ronda. I liked this album. It feels like the transition point for them that Rubber Soul was for The Beatles - their move toward more complex songs and more complex subject matter. 4 stars.

Sometimes simple is better

hey this isn't the one i like the beach boys pre-pet sounds are silly and fun, but there's still a musical complexity there to admire. the harmonies are crunchy, there's some cool experimentation in the instrumentals. it's still brian, and all those kids are still really talented! there's just something about those high, wailing harmonies that makes this stuff really click. even if it's cheesy-ass surf music, there's an effort and sincerity that makes this stuff stand the test of time. i know i'm biased, but i just fucking love the beach boys man. i really do. except for mike love. fuck mike love.

Solid Album! "Do You Wanna Dance" is probably a top 100 song of all time for me. I love the timpani- such an unexpected instrument to add in rock music, and it itself adds so much power to the song. "Help Me, Rhonda" slays. It's overall very good. Not the best Beach Boys record ever, but really solid.

When I listened to the first few songs, I was worried this album might be a bit boring. The second half of the album is pretty great though. The instrumentation really comes through in this half, and it does more interesting things. I liked everything on this second half. Also, it's insane that The Beach Boys were already on their eighth studio album by 1965, when their debut was only in 1962. My favourite songs were Please Let Me Wonder and She Knows Me Too Well.

This album bridges the Beach Boys' early and later stages. The first half is youthful and upbeat, while the second is slow, anxious, and contemplative, foreshadowing the loss of innocence depicted on Pet Sounds. Overall, the individual songs don't feel like the band's strongest, but the album shows Brian Wilson moving in a more introspective, experimental direction.

poppy nostalgic california beach vibes. some wistful, nostalgic road trip energy

As a fan of the Beach Boys I very much enjoyed listening to this album and hearing a good number of songs I'd never heard before. It is interesting to consider as a transitional album away from their famed early teen pop sound towards Brian Wilson's more creative experiments.

This is certainly not my favorite Beach Boys record, but it's got a lot of great songs on it. Adding more orchestral instruments definitely does a lot to make the Beach Boys' sound more interesting, and it did a lot to showcase what Brian Wilson could do as a songwriter 4/5

Really liked it. Would be 4.5 stars if that was possible … not an all-time classic, but definitely on my list now to pick up for the collection

Dance and Depress

antidepressivo Favs: - help me, rhonda - she knows me too well

8/10

I thought this was really good. I haven’t actually ever sat down and listened to a whole beach boys album but i’ve heard enough songs to know what they sound like. every time i hear it it does remind me of 50 first dates though

The first thing I did when I found the complete list of songs for this thing, was to see what Beach Boys albums they chose. And I can't say they got it wrong. Pet Sounds, of course, but they chose the best pre-PS album (this one) and the best post-PS, too (Sunflower). So good on them. I get that some people will just never love the BB's sound, but I do. That combo of Mike singing the verse and Brian's soaring falsetto on the chorus is just magic to my ears. Side one has lots of great BB party songs, but it's side two where things really come together and point the way towards Pet Sounds with his chords and arrangements. Those harmonies and jazz chords just do it for me. But I grew up listening to doo-wop music (because my parents did) and so the BB were just the logical extension of that. If you grew up listening to literally anything else, I can see why the BBs might seem dorky and old-fashioned. Of course, it wouldn't be a BB's album if it didn't have some duds (except Pet sounds). Help Me Rhonda isn't a dud per se, but I never want to hear it again (and the damn thing just keeps going an fading in and out, psyching me out every time). And then there's "Bull Sessions with Big Daddy." Oh, Brian. Why.

Beach Boys in Bubble Gum mode.

The Beach Boys are always such a good time. I love the Phil specter/wrecking crew vibe on this record, the vocals are incredible and the arrangements/instrumentation are so cool.

The Beach Boys are so fun to listen to. It’s sounds wholesome even when songs are about some unwholesome topics.

Disco de cuando están en su apogeo. Ya tienen bien pulido su sonido y aunque ninguna de las canciones sobresale dramáticamente, es un disco cortito que se puede escuchar completo y al menos a mi me puso muy de buenas. I'm So Young se me hace la que más se sale de lo convencional y Help Me, Rhonda se me hace la mejor.

first listen not a style of music i'm drawn to...but the harmonies and revolutionary chord changes keep me interested

great album

Un bon album, c'est tres beach boys et c'est tres bien. 4.25

Brian Wilson's falsetto cuts through this album like a crystal sword through cheesecake.

Tres bon, C'est les beach boys, ça fait du beach boys un peu comme beaucoup des giga classiques ça fait ce qu'on expect mais c'est peu surprenant. J'ai passé un bon moment en sah et c'est du classique mais rien de particulièrement transcendant, allez bisous

Not sure about the last bit

Groovy

I have tried, I can't get it

The joys of surf core music. Overall for the time it’s quite clear why the beach bits were such a breakout hit . The vocal delivery from the band , and tongue and cheek lyrics were infectious to keep your feet tapping away.

only knew their most known songs, Good vibrations, God only knows, Wouldn't it be nice and Surfin' USA it's nice to listen to one of the older ones

I love that they took their music style and heightened it with this album’s orchestration and harmonies. I also like that they did something different from their usual surfing and sunshine songs and wrote a young love album.

Barbershop. Has heresy chord progressions and harmonies

Just a really fun album all the way through. The first half is much stronger than the second but the whole thing was a joy to listen to.

It's not pet sounds, but hey.

Love it, love the beach boys, makes me feel all summery and happy

I guess you can only write so many songs about surfing, but the switch to more lyrical themes didn't entirely work out for the Beach Boys (at least not in this album). The upbeat songs are still great and make me happy, but the more contemplative tracks just arent's as catchy, although they are stylistically interesting.

4.0 - A breezy and fun listen with that classic early Beach Boys sound. Amazing vocal harmonies and interesting chord progressions.

Absolutely of it's time, but still a great album that a solid 3.5 deserves to be rounded up.

Groovy tunes man

Listened Before? N Concise and tight, well written and classic sounding. I loved this album. It's not my style enough to add it to my library but it was a pleasure to hear. MUCH better than their later works. I preferred the stereo version to the original mono version. I realize this won't be the case for everyone. Added to Library? N Songs added to Playlist: Dance, Dance, Dance

It's the Beach Boys, which is great, don't get me wrong. The Wikipedia page says that this was the album that solidified them as "album artists" instead of just a singles band. Maybe for the time that meant something but, I mean, it's just more Beach Boys. If you were expecting something more than love songs and harmonizing, you'd be sorely disappointed. Luckily they do both of these things very well.

Exactly what you would expect. Brian Wilson's song writing is phenomenal.

Still has the strong classic Beach Boys vibe but with less cars and more girls. I will listen again.

Groovy~

Great album, classic songs

8/10. This was a really fun little Beach Boys album

Some fun tunes but. 7/10

Pretty solid beach boys albums, you can really hear the evolution of their sound with this one. Not quite Pet Sounds, yet

I thought it was quite nice and interesting. The songs are super quick and their topics are quite simple, but the backing vocals and switch-up’s in instrumentation keep it from getting stale. 8/10

I love harmonies. The end.

Dem Beachy Bois really took a massive step forward here. They still had the heights of Pet Sounds in front of them, but it's clear that on this album they were already moving towards that Wall of Sound production style. Very strong 4 from me. "Kiss Me Baby" is probably the highlight here. Ignore the last track, you can skip it and miss nothing.

More gold from The Beach Boys. I like the two halves approach of the album.

Good album, had never heard these Beach Boy songs, but enjoyed the laid back vibe of the tracks

Very uplifting'n'fun sound and energy in this one. Some nice pictures of summer nostalgia comes to mind while listening it.

I don't know about this being one of their most essential releases, but it's still great. I feel that giving it a 4 is a bit much, but since there's no half stars I feel that it's closer to my appreciation than a 3.

Classic Beach Boys ! Not in the top 5 of the bands, but still really enjoyable.

The Beach Boys and Brian Wilson were nearing the peak of their genius, but still churning out a few more naive songs. Regardless, every Beach Boys song is charming, always cleverly arranged, with divine backing vocals. The harpsichord on When I Grow Up or the organ on Please Let Me Wonder... beautiful!

dig it

Listened to on 3/10/22 4/5 Favorite song: Please let me wonder, she knows me too well Not quite the beach album I was expecting but genuinely so well done and would listen to again and again - makes me wish I was in a 60s prom scene

Awesome, had that 'wall of sound' feeling, and the harmonies and progressions are all there.

4.5/5. This album is a classic. I put this on whenever I am not sure what to play. It has such a fun feel to it while also being very good music.

This is where Brian Wilson truly started to shine in his songwriting/arranging and studio alchemy. I used to have a nice copy of this on vinyl that I picked up from a thrift store back when you could still find decent records in thrift stores for a steal. I really like that they play with the album format and had different moods for each side of the record. The inclusion of "Bull Session with Big Daddy" at the end is sort of baffling but oh well - ah youth... Favorite tracks are "When I Grow Up" and "She Knows Me Too Well."

Alright, cool... no Pet Sounds, but it's classic beach boys sound.

not a concept album but still good.

Not The Beach Boys best but also not bad! I've been listening to Help Me Rhonda non stop :)

3.75

Gee golly, sure was swell

First time listen. I can remember only hearing "Rhonda" and "Dance, Dance, Dance" more than once before. Obviously, great harmonies and fantastic music. Nothing about cars or surfing. Reading the substantial history of this, their 8th album took me way longer than the 28 minute album length. Considered one of the first "concept" albums (not just singles) and a precursor to "Pet Sounds." Entirely written by Brian Wilson. 25 musicians used. Influenced by Phil Spector and Burt Bacharach. Prior to the recording, Brian had a nervous breakdown, married a 16 teen year old, stop touring, started smoking pot and drinking and had just written and recorded 4 albums in 12 months. Woah! Besides the two mentioned above, other top forty singles included "When I Grow Up (To Be a Man)" and " Do you Wanna Dance?"

Pre-Pet Sounds Prefs: Do You Wanna Dance?, When I Grow Up (To Be a Man), Help Me, Ronda, Please Let Me Wonder, She Knows Me Too Well, In The Back of My Mind Moins Pref: Bull Session With 'Big Daddy'

Позитивный :)

Poppy, easy listening

5 stars if pet sounds didn't exist

Una banda en plena evolució, conservant el pop fresc i juvenil dels primers discos i a la vegada introduint nous sons i conceptes melòdics que acabarien d'explotar a 'Pet Sounds'. Al final, un dels seus millors discos dels '60, irresistiblament estiuenc

I don’t think I’ve heard a beach boys album I didn’t like - this is not their best obviously but love the more surf-iness sounds of early beach boys - enjoyed every bit of it

It’s a nice beach boys album. Doesn’t touch pet sounds but has a few hits that I really enjoy. A bit different from the surfer hits and more about love and a little bit slower tempo. Overall it’s still a good listen. 7.8/10

Great harmonies, fun chord proggressions, boring themes, not the best of The Beach Boys, but not a bad listen at all. Though these lovesongs are so thematically dry I just can't help but love it, probably because it's from the 60s. A high 3 3.5/5 This might be the whitest album ever, but obviously I really enjoyed it. Also inspired me to begin making a Fallout vibe playlist. 4

Not their best, but still good.

I just love the wholesomeness. Help Me Rhonda is timeless, some of the deeper tracks maybe not so much. Maybe a little generous but definitely worth a listen. I could go back to it for a pick-me-up

Please Let Me Wonder is such a perfect song omg. The first half of this record is good pop but the second half is just on another level.

Really good, never listened to more of the Beach Boys besides the hits

The original vinyl album was arranged so that side one was uptempo and side two had ballads, which is quite nice if you are only in the mood for one or the other. It's short (under 30 mins) and definitely music of its time. The uptempo songs are catchy, "Do you wanna dance" is especially powerful, amazing. The ballads are emotional but maybe a touch to twee overal. This has the original non hit version of "Help me Ronda", which has some cool harmonica licks. I do hate the last track of speech, utterly pointless filler. It's hard to choose stand out tracks as I kind of like them all, special mention goes to the jazzy "In the back of my mind" which has an orchestral backing similar to several Pet Sounds tracks. Not quite a classic but nonetheless a very good album.

Enjoyed this, the arrangements, the harmonies, some of the lyrics are a bit suspect, but still classic album.

beach boys allways good

The album transitions out of the Beach Boys' surf rock with more complex pop songs on the A-side and ballads on the B-side. Lyrics like, "When I grow up to be a man Will I dig the same things that turn me on as a kid?" And "Will I look for the same things in a woman that I dig in a girl? (Fourteen, fifteen)" didn't age well.

Not really a fan of the Beach Boys, but I recognise there's genius in this album.

Good… contained a few hits and more. I always enjoy listening to the BB!

-It was The Beach Boys. Nothing really remarkable about it.

Rock viejuno. Ningún megahit.

Começa bem e mantém o clima. Fundamental para conhecer as bases do pop qualificado

Ace, early doo-wop rock n roll.

Didn't know any of these songs before but really liked the album

Really solid music, fun beach songs!! Kinda got repetitive and found myself wanting to listen to something else after a while

This is really the point at Which Brian’s creative juices really began to flow and arrangements started to become more dense and complex. Great album.

A big hit single and another great song (Good To My Baby) on Side 1 and several 5 star songs (Please Let Me Wonder, Kiss Me Baby) on Side 2.

An innocent and sunny batch of tunes from Brian Wilson and his brothers, with tagalong douchebag Mike Love (who'd later claim credit for much of Brian's genius). This album catches them after the surfing infatuation, and well on their way to the pop masterpiece of Pet Sounds. Their vocal harmonies are in fine form here, and elevate even the corniest tune (and there's plenty of corn here). Sweetness in song form.

Made me want a milkshake.

the beach boys have such a distinctive sound that gets a bit repetitive but still a solid good album

Great lyrics and composition. A precursor to "Pet Sounds."

All sound similar. Favs: Rhonda, Grow up, So young

For my first beach boys album this was an incredible bite size joy to listen to. I'm so young and Do you wanna dance? really stuck out to me and I would say those were my favorite tracks, I get so caught up in trying to find strange and unique bands to listen to that I often forget about these well respected musicians. I'll use this album as gateway into my research into more popular and widely respected groups.

Good

Gotta love the beach boys

Nice

Those high pitched voices are definitely from another era, aren't they? Some timeless jams in here regardless. Such a summer, classic car show vibe. Makes me wonder if there's a cache of bangin Beach Boys covers somewhere that I should be listening to. Also love the shag rug sweaters these boys are wearing on the album cover. And they list a billion songs "+ three more". Classic.

Love me some Beach Boys!

Varied moods in songs, kinda typical old school sound. Frankie valli style. Nice to listen to but not spectacular captivating

Never listened to it before. It's good but very very short

Considerado su álbum más político, su temática se centra en aspectos de la historia de Inglaterra como la guerra y el imperialismo.[3]The Words That Maketh Murder» Publicado: 6 de febrero de 2011 «The Glorious Land» Publicado: 18 de abril de 2011 «Written on the Forehead»

Casi 5

It’s not Pet Sounds but still awesome.

I dislike Mike Love a whole lot

Highlights: Do You Wanna Dance, Help Me Rhonda, Dance Dance Dance. 3.3

If I never had to listen to another Beach Boys record, I think I would be okay. To me, this style of music is as vanilla as it comes; just flour and tap water, told in musical binary. I will say, Do You Wanna Dance? is a very enjoyable listen, landing almost immediately in my liked songs playlist, and I massively prefer when Dennis Wilson does the lead vocals. But otherwise, this is a very whatever-and-whathaveyou album.

Снова мимо и необязательно

не лучший альбом beach boys - 3

This Beach Boys album had a few of what I would call classic BB songs, Do You Wanna Dance, Help Me Rhonda etc but unfortunately the rest of it is just a bit mediocre, tuneful yes but not stand out. I think I like their later experimental stuff a bit better.

⭐⭐⭐ Krävs två takter för varje Beach Boys spår för att man ska höra att det är dem. Tycker inte illa om dem men det blir lätt tjatigt att lyssna på ett helt album med dem då varje spår låter på samma sätt, samma produktion, samma stämsång, samma textinnehåll. Blir en 3a. Bäst är Do you wanna dance, Help me Rhonda och Please let me wonder.

Well done album and not too long. 3.0/5.0: Good

A couple of good songs, a lot of filler.

Comparably to its other albums, not a fan. Iconic voices but just nothing special from here

This is a step in the direction they would go on later releases. I liked it. The first half are upbeat and fun songs with great melodies and the second half, while slower, shows off some great vocals and we get to hear them eat lunch. Favorites were Do You Wanna Dance, Help Me Rhonda, Dance, Dance, Dance, and She Knows Me Too Well.

Pleasant, clearly something unique for its time, but it doesn't save the album from also lacking a little excitement. It's very one-note and mushy even with its fresh, one-of-a-kind ingredients

Beach

I remember when I was a kid, a friend of mine who was a couple years older burned me a CD for my birthday. He knew my parents were pretty strict about what I listened to, so it wound up being a lot of Beach Boys songs. Spent a lot of long car rides listening to them on my Discman player.

Man, surf rock. I have a soft spot for the Beach Boys in particular because I grew up listening to them. At the same time it's so... Boring? I think that's the word. Very little interesting or complex or even unique happening. But I can't pretend I didn't really enjoy it.

A solid album that needs more production help. I've heard this version of Help Me Rhonda, but the volume control reminds me of what I did as a schoolboy. Sure, you want to get married, but Wouldnt it be Nice is so much more charming. Some of these songs are on my BB playlist, but the album as a whole isn't great. 2.5/5

The beach boys spend this entire album thoughtedging you; that is to say, they consistently begin each song with the pretense that it will have a fully formed idea underpinning it, and then BAM they hit you with the fourth chorus in a two minute track. Pretty groovy tho I’ll give them that

Like the songs, like the vibe, though one needs to be in the mood, but the production is DOGSHIT. Three flat.

Um… I like the Beach Boys here? But… I just can’t go 4. It’s just to treble in its harmonies. It’s too… sanitary. I would never listen to this. I mean I would never want to. It’s fun for a moment. Then I start wanting to stab something. 3 Boolean: yes, I suppose it is important to know

Note for posterity: I listened to the stereo mixes of these songs. It’s catchy ear candy all the way down. Pleasant, sunny 60s surf pop that holds up from sheer quality of melody and the stacked, tight harmonies. It’s also less than half an hour long, wrapping up before I could get annoyed with the brightness. Beach Boys (Brian Wilson in particular) will go on to make actually transcendent work, however, so I feel like I have to rate this accordingly. Fun to listen to, but nothing that stuck to my ribs. And the cutesy writing about love from this era sometimes rubs me the wrong way. There’s sweet, and then there’s condescension.

Harmonies are gorgeous but the songs were very uneven. 3/5

Gave me pretty nice vibes, I danced to the first few songs.

Let the boys play

I don't think I'll ever relate to the obsessive love some folk have for the Beach Boys. I like the ones with the most memorable melodies and while I can appreciate the cleverness and ingenuity of some of the arrangements it just doesn't excite me. Nice to be prompted to think of The Ramones.

Some good songs on here and then a few that were just okay to me.

I love listening to the Beach Boys eating burgers

6/10 Buen album, no me volvió loco pero no es malo, al ser corto no se hizo denso pero tampoco nada me llamó la atencion

i do like the beached boys

As I approach the last quarter of this list, one of the many discoveries I’ve made is that understanding The Beach Boys in full is to understand the broader sounds of the 60’s at the time. Ive slogged through so many ultra-macho psychedelic records. The way The Beach Boys used their voices as harmonic instruments as truly unique. The way Brian Wilson wrote music and challenged the framework of pop/rock music was truly unique. Much of that uniqueness can be heard here. Some really good ideas flower in between some less memorable songs. I’m not sure if it’s just the means of recording, or if it was intentionally performed in such a way, but the ending chorus of “Do You Wanna Dance” is both harmonic and slightly discordant to my ears. Did they mean this? Was this a reflection of some of the anxiety Brian Wilson was feeling at the time? Or am I just hearing things. “Help Me Rhonda” is the other hit that deserves the attention it got. The “help me rhonda help help me rhonda” is sung in such a way that it could become a verbal tick. Most everything else is alright. What’s noticeable is a few funny instrumentation choices. A lot of lines about hoping a girl they like will sleep with them. Standard 60’s rock sentiments. 3/5

This needs some help from musical prodigy Charles Manson

301/1001 The Beach Boys - The Beach Boys Today! Heard before? ❎ Revisit? ❓ It's without a doubt that the Beach Boys know their way around a melodic hook and harmonisation, however this record lacks the emotional heft or the experimentation of the more well known records. It's a fun 30 minutes, but nothing more than that.

Surf guitar riffs and doowop vocal harmonies and some jangly chords - it's sunny and bright, deeply corny and exuding a backwards looking dinners and maltshops 50s nostalgia sexuality.

pretty good as far as beach boys goes. definetly not on the level of pet sounds or surfs up. dont know wht theres 2 minutes of the band just talking about nothing at the end 6/10 Favourite: Do You Wanna Dance Least Favourite: Bull Session With 'Big Daddy'

This is way too clean to enjoy. 2.8/5

Always been a big fan of the Beach Boys. 'When I Grow Up' and 'Help Me Ronda' are two classics, but the rest are so-so

Decent 3,5

Good

Pleasant listen. They pioneered many things that are commonplace now in pop music. Unfortunately, the lyrics are kind of lame and overly straightforward by today's standards. A piece of history for sure, but not something I would listen to on a regular basis in 2026.

Very Easy listening, but not as substantial as their best work.

My rating 3.0 Moving on from the surf life but not that impressive.

The Beach Boys doing Beach Boy things, sounding like the normally do.

Niet veel speciaals maar toch een beetje nostalgie door mijn moeder die ze wel eens speelde

Pet Sounds is an amazing album. Everything else I've heard from the Beach Boys is not that great, to be honest.

Have I listened to this album before? No How familiar am I with this album? Somewhat familiar, I know a lot of the songs How do I feel about this artist? I like The Beach Boys Favorite song(s)? Help Me Rhonda Overall Thoughts: As far as Beach Boys go it was pretty mid. Sort of curious as to why this is the early Beach Boys album on this list. That being said, it’s never a bad listen with The Beach Boys, I just know they’re capable of so much more

Estuvo mono para escucharlo de fondo, pero este estilo de música me suena a una larga canción; pero creo que con escucharla una vez tuve tbh. Pero pues no lo odie así que mínimo supongo que se merece las 3 estrellas; no tengo tanto conocimiento para darle menos o mas tbh hahaa

A pretty happy, poppy album.

3.5 stars. Lots of quick hitters on sub-half hour record. Standouts are "Help Me, Rhonda" and "Please Let Me Wonder"

es litera loq uno se imagina cuando ve la portada

Hard to dislike this album. Also really hard to love it.

I don’t know if this was a must listen over other Beach Boys albums, but I did like it. Many of the songs on here I was familiar with, such as Dance, Dance, Dance, Help Me Rhonda! and Do You Want To Dance. There were a few on here I that were new to me, such as the somewhat hypocritical but honest She Knows Me Too Well, and I’m So Young. I think my favorite track was Bull Session because it felt the most authentically Beach Boys, minus the behind the scenes drama. Please Let Me Wonder was also a good newbie that, with its harmonies and easy flow, I am surprised never became a bigger hit. Overall, good but it feels like a transitional album between their classic surf and their psychedelic stage. Is this album the Rubber Soul? Hmmmm…🤔

Tällä levyllä oli tuttuja biisejä kokoelmilta. Bändillä on aina ollut hyviä harmonioita. Levyllä oli kuitenkin huonompia, ”täyte” biisejä. Tämä stereomiksaus oli vähän hassu, ainakin ”Help me, Rhonda” osalta, kun äänenvoimakkuus vaihteli. Näin lienee tarkoituskin, kun en laittanut tätä merkille muissa biiseissä.

pretty standard Beach Boys. Pet Sounds was recorded a few months after this came out, so it definitely seems that this was an afterthought, or an obligation to a label.

Couple big hits and the harmonies are great. Not yet Pet Sounds but they are going from simple to more complex music

Pleasant enough but a little one dimensional. Favorite song: Help Me Ronda

Kinda wild that they would start recording “Pet Sounds” four months after this was released.

I recognize a few of these songs by title, but haven't ever listened to this album start-to-finish. This was alright, but a bunch of the songs really blur together.

This album sounds exactly like you'd think it would! Beach boys in full swing, high harmonies, I can picture the guitars

Not too shabby.

funny and sunny. i feel a lot of these albums are "remarkable" to someone that never heard much music before. But if you have listened to some Beach Boys, it's somewhat redundant to listen to this and not Pet Sounds. At least that one has some technical importance

I don't have a particularly nuanced take on the (relatively) early Beach Boys albums. To me they're enjoyable, summer pop music, made special largely by their incredible harmonies. And, while I thoroughly enjoyed The Beach Boys Today! It doesn't do a whole ton to challenge this perception. The biggest surprise is really just in how consistent it is, The Beach Boys deliver 11 consecutive, pleasant pop songs, and one behind the curtain field recording of the band and their team chatting. Anyhow, I don't want to downplay the songwriting here, it is honestly among thd best I've heard from this era, and there were a couple of moments that sounded sharply modern in a way that reminded me that thd Beach Boys are nearly as lodged into the DNA of modern pop music as The Beatles. If you like the Beach Boys' hits or consider yourself an aficionado of well-written harmonies, this is worth your time.

Sabrosito, sabrosito.

me gustó bastante, la vibra me hizo acordar mucho a los beatles, si no se inspiraron en esta banda le pega al palo

Best song: Do you wanna dance

5 - AVERAGE

short nice pop album. only real stand out is Help Me Rhonda

This was…ok! Nothing grabbed me too much, though I like the sounds and harmonies. Help me Rhonda is the only one I had heard on this album.

Every time I visit the Rhondda Valley in Wales, I sing Help Me, Rhonda to myself. Even though they're spelt differently. Interesting fact. This Beach Boys album was pleasant enough. I appreciated the wall of sound and the harmonies, etc. It also had a few toetappers. Nice!

Pet Sounds it ain't.

This album made me wonder how many times the Ramones listened to it.