The Beach Boys Today!

just peak Beach Boys tunes. not much else to say. Nothing beats those harmonies.

Just a great collection of fun beach tunes. Plus that second verse on Help Me Rhonda goes hard as fuck, dude!

Not a fan

Enjoyed 3.9

Much slower and more boring than I was hoping for. I like their more surf-y songs and this album had only a couple. I can see why our moms liked them.

Primed to have my ratings be verrrry different than Jake's, but I love some of these songs and they are pillars of American music of the 20th century. The recording is tight and harmonies are great. Is Brian Wilson one of the five most influential American musicians - I think so. Do You Want to Dance, probably my favorite track, but several good ones

I actually enjoyed this a lot more than I was expecting - I thought this would be more of the early garage-rock/surfin' all the time vibe and actually could hear in the music where this leads into Pet Sounds and what Brian was trying to do later on. The instrumentation seemed much more ornate and you can hear the "wall of sound" influence from Phil Spector that makes it sound huge. It actually feels like more of an album rather than just a collection of songs and I actually liked the back half a lot more with the slower songs (which I think was intentional in terms of the album structure). Not in the realm of "masterpiece" like I'd consider Pet Sounds and Smile, but a lot to like about this for me.

Repetitive, stupid lyrics. Thin instrumentation. I guess it’s good at evoking a certain period of time. If you’ve heard one beach boys song you’ve heard them all. At least the harmonies are nice. Help me Rhonda was the best of the bunch. Can’t see myself listening to this again unless I’m cosplaying the golden girls.

Sounds like the Beach Boys. Not really my style, but I understand they impacted American music pretty heavily. Didn't hate it but wouldn't listen again. All the songs are the same.

I know, and all that, but this era for some reason hasn't aged well. It's not bad, it's just so cheesy now. You can taste the corporate influence like sugary breakfast cereal. It's still good in the moment, but you know you're not getting a rounded meal, and you're not going to talk to your friends about the great bowl of Cap'n Crunch you had today. Still, Cap'n Crunch is delicious, and this is still fun. I also know I'm selling it short, because the music here is clearly deeper and more interesting than, say, the Archies or the Monkees, but it still feels disposable. And yet I know many of these songs. I don't know how much of a point I have here, but the stars are not about it being important, or interesting, or even good. It's how much I want to hear it again. And, on this listen, it's fun but hollow.

All Beach Boys is good Beach Boys, but this one is probably lower ranked for me. Its early, they're young. They're wearing sweaters? I think what stands out to me is how clear Wilson's composition comes out, even in silly pop rock songs. The songs kind of how this sleigh ride boogie vibe to them. It feels like a movie soundtrack.

6/10

The Beach Boys is definitely not a typical pop rock band. They put way more effort into production than most bands in the genre, and their songs end up sounding noticeably more detailed and polished. That being said, I still find their music too safe and unimpressive. It might be a little vague, but I don't think most people would disagree if I called their output "summer music." Their music is always bright and optimistic, and I'm just not into that vibe. I mean, it's an album. I listened to it. Didn't particularly hate anything about it, but I didn’t really like it. A bit short, but it's aight.

I get their influence and the beauty of their music but it doesn't resonate with me that much.

I felt like this was a solid and enjoyable Beach Boys album. Short and nothing groundbreaking but very Beach Boys. I would listen to this album again depending on my mood!

God gammel pop. Helt ok, men helt unødvendig på denne lista.

The Beach Boys: The Beach Boys Today!: Its the Beach Boys. They have one sound, its pretty solid, but its just good and really samey. I doubt I would ever go out of my way to listen to this, but it was enjoyable and brisk, so it didn't get super repetitive. It was still a little samey, though. It just isn't all that special imo, and the last two songs are not good. The production is pretty shakey too, but not enough to really hurt the album a ton, especially given how old it is. 6.75/10

I just can't get into the Beach Boys and listening to more of them doesn't seem to be helping. I know I'm the crazy one here - there is too much evidence in favor of everyone else - but what can you do? The music is OK, I guess. The lyrics are just inane. And I like some pretty inane stuff, but this is inane in ways that annoy me. I do appreciate that this album is only 29 minutes long.

I like some of the hits. This is just too much of the same (which is odd after reading this is the 8th album). It's no wonder Brian Wilson went nuts for a spell...having to write a dozen 2:30 songs would drive me nuts too. Do You Wanna Dance is a decent cover. Dance, Dance, Dance finally drives the album somewhere.

It was okay. Pet Sounds still the best.

Iconic sound, amazingly delivered, but not an album I would reach for often

Haven't heard this Beach Boys album before. I'm starting to realize most of their songs are just one phrase repeated ad nauseam with somebody going "woooo eee woooo" in the background 2/5

I really enjoyed it it was better than pet sounds in my opinion I just loved how charming it was a great listen

słodkie skoczne i bardzo lata 60 jak na 1 piosenkę swing, podobny do elviska nie sluchalabym na codzien ale nie jest złe

Trop court et il manquait de ligne directrice dans l’album on dirait plus une playlist de toune qui rentrait pas dans les autres album.

Assez standard Beach Boys, cool skit de fin.

Un album ensolleillé. Belles harmonies tout au long mais c'est dur de pas comparer aux Beatles, que je trouve plus intéressants.

It was ok. Wouldn’t listen to again, not really my thing

Not much a fan of this type of songs. Nothing wrong with it though.

Side A is more fun, Side B is more beautiful, but overall I could take it or leave it for a lot of this. A bridge between The Beach Boys earlier surf pop rock and later orchestral sophisticated balladry. Getting more personal, vulnerable, honest, and emotional lyrically. Getting more complex and full musically. Harmonies are glorious (as always) and arrangements thoughtfully constructed (as always). Brian Wilson is on the path to a major breakthrough…but you must shed more of your past to get there.

Fun classic Beach Boys songs. Not much to complain about here, clocks in at less than a half hour. Wilson’s compositions are classics. I prefer the single version of Help Me Rhonda more than this album take, though. It’s more refined.

I can't get into the Beach Boys outside of Pet Sounds, Smile, and Surfs Up.

Look, I get why people like the Beach Boys — the sophisticated harmonies, the wall-of-sound production, the increasingly ambitious arrangements. There’s a lot to admire. They do have a lot of great songs, they are a great singles band, but their albums, even their better ones are hit and miss. They are mid. ‘The Beach Boys Today!’ is no different. It’s pleasant but uneven. My favourite tracks and highlights are “Do You Wanna Dance?”, “Help Me, Rhonda”, “Dance, Dance, Dance”, and “In the Back of My Mind.” The rest for me I can take or leave.

The Beach Boys are masters of harmony, and it’s pretty evident throughout this album. That being said, there wasn’t really anything extra here that other BB albums on the list already show. I didn’t particularly enjoy this one but it was fine, 2.5/5

Some hits, some misses, but consistently has sweet harmonies. Lyrics have not aged well though. Hard to get past that

eh ja, weniger meins. aber das war damals gute musik, und populär!

Zuviel 70ies

I just can't do The Beach Boys. They make me cringe

They've got better in their locker but this is still one good pop hit after another

Beach Boys are fantastic

Ótimo disco. Bem confortável. É simples, porém, é muito bem feito. As harmonias são muito agradáveis, as vozes são lindas, as letras são banais, claro, mas não vejo muito problema nisso. Ainda é gostosinho de ouvir e se imaginar nos anos 60 tomando um milk-shake com uma mulher de cabelos escuros e lindos olhos. Fica claro que Beach Boys é sobre isso, uma obsessão sobrenatural com garotas e com a curtição de prazeres simples e momentâneos. E eu apoio a causa. Gostei de todas as faixas, mas admito que o álbum falta algo. Um elemento inominável mas que está ausente aqui. Acho que anos lendo discussões a respeito de uma suposta competição entre Beatles e Beach Boys acabou por distorcer minha visão dessa banda e do trabalho deles. Uma pena! Mas um ótimo disco de qualquer maneira, e eu gostei muito da faixa final do álbum, que não é uma canção mas sim um áudio vérité da banda no estúdio, comendo hambúrgueres e discutindo sobre uma turnê, e a forma com que Brian nunca cometeu um erro na carreira. Brilhante. 4/5

This one is no Pet Sounds, but the classic Beach Boys harmonies are still there.

Listens: 2 Standout Tracks:Help Me, Rhonda I guess the Beach Boys get a point for modernizing (relatively speaking) the concept of the barbershop quartet/quintet with their harmonizing and whatnot, but otherwise, this mostly sucks. The early and mid sixties are inundated with this boy band lovey-dovey shit and it's fucking exhausting. Some other poster said it best, when talking about the Everly Brothers - A Date With The Everly Brothers (it's the top voted comment for that album), paraphrasing: "there's something to be said about the Vietnam conflict that caused 50/60s rock bands to finally shut the fuck up about girls for a bit", and he couldn't be more right. I have no idea how old these guys were when they recorded this album, but some of these songs are so cringy. When I Grow Up (To Be A Man) and So Young in particular are just mind-numbingly bad. The only redeeming song on the album is Help Me, Rhonda.

3’5

4th Beach Boys related album in my first 40 reviews. I’ll say it again, PLEASE STOP. I understand what they did, but they’re it for me.

Too sweet

Imma just copy paste my review of Pet Sounds into here Average, sounds very 60s

2/5

From slipknot one day (horrible) to The Beach Boys the next day. YEA BEACH BOYS! what a difference a day makes. Music I can listen to - and sing along!

It was ok

It's quite short but a nice beach boys album. but they got better ones.

twink album

Really really wanted this to be good and it wasn't. Just so disappointed.

The Beach Boys have some catchy tunes and a very distinct sound and harmonization. On paper I really should like them — and I do love a number of their songs. But while I'm not usually a lyrics person, there are some questionable, misogynistic, and frankly bad lyrics on this album. So much so that this got pulled down to a 3, when it could have been a 4 or even 5.

The Beach Boys music is so formulaic it's for babies (of all kinds). There's nothing special or thematic with this record. You're really better off getting a Beach Boys greatest hits instead. The Beach Boys do their thing, and do it well though. I'll give them that. But damn, they can't end a song. The Beach Boys have more fades than Lucas had wipes in Star Wars. I'm adjusting my ratings to be more conscious that these are supposed to be the best records ever released, not what I'd give them as a generic record I happened across.

Distrayant

Not my favourite beach boys album

Beach Boys captured a vibe. An era. Fun melodies from a range of beautiful voices and instruments. Music for optimists or possibly the spoonful of sugar to light up a curmudgeon.

Ok. Couple of classic tunes but is just nice background music to me not an earth shattering album.

6/10. overall, pretty decent. all kind of sounds the same, kinda boring. not mad about it though.

I do love me the Beach Boys, but this album, other than ‘Help me Rhonda’ and “…Grow up to be a man’, is a bit listless. I’m always listening for what will become ‘Pet Sounds’, but there’s little of that here.

Pretty dated listening now. Never a huge beach boys fan and this album encapsulates why.

Love the beach boys

groovy

Простенько, еще не барокко

..

harmonies were nice, didn’t mind the summer vibe

Nyt se sitten selvisi, en pidä The Beach Boysin musiikista minkään vertaa.

Estuvo ok, pero no es Pet Sounds

idk really not my thing!!

Solid album if you're into the surf-rock genre.

Probably the best beach boys album I’ve heard so far. I won’t go back to listen to it again without a real reason but I can see how this captured the zeitgeist of when it was written and the sound paints a wonderful picture

Fun Coming of age Chill Worth more listens

I’m assuming that there are more coming, but interestingly the first two Beach Boys albums I’ve encountered in this project have come within a week of Brian Wilson’s death. (I’m assuming/hoping this is coincidence as I haven’t gotten a Sly album yet - a travesty!) The first was the far superior Surf’s Up - an album that legitimately got me to reconsider my feelings about The Beach Boys. This album returns me to my prejudices. I think a lot of people start with the feelings about this band that I currently hold and then move towards a realization of Brian Wilson’s genius. I sort of go the opposite direction and can recognize the genius and his contribution to pop music and still not be all that interested in the band. Still, I’m glad that I live in a world where The Beach Boys happened and I’m ride or die for Uncle Jesse.

RIP

Nice listen in the beginning. But it gets boring, all the songs sound the same to me. Three stars

Gute Laune

While “The Beach Boys Today!” showcases the group’s signature harmonies and undeniable musical skill, its polished, upbeat style feels rooted in early ’60s pop conventions. Compared to the more experimental and emotionally nuanced sound of their later work, particularly Pet Sounds, this album lacks the depth and complexity I personally gravitate toward. An admirable effort, but ultimately not to my taste

Not really my style

Cool

Wasn’t my favorite beach boys album. I like the harmonies, but I think this one is definitely far weaker than Surfs Up and Pet Sounds.

Me niego a pensar que esto sea azar. Pongo mis certezas en decir que fue el algoritmo que, sabiendo que ayer falleció Brian Wilson, hoy me recomienda éste álbum de los Beach Boys. Disco que comienza a plantear una bisagra en el trabajo de esta banda, sobre todo con Brian Wilson y su artística tan particular. Saludo al cielo. Seguimos ya la semana que viene, persona espectral.

A classic album and a fitting tribute to Brian Wilson!

I pressed play and immediately said "well, that's definitely the Beach Boys" so points for having a distinct sound but that is unfortunately their only sound.

yay

they were building the ground for the pet sounds. awesome, but just a bit not enough for me

OK

It's a fun time, but don't think I'd revisit for a while.

trash

Nice

The Beach Boys harmonies are great and certainly a signature sound but after a handful of songs, harmony fatigue starts to set in. There are a lot of doo-wop sounds here. Overall this was OK.

I absolutely love this style of music - but, as with many good things, you can have too much. And for me, an album of bubblegum surf-pop is a little deadening to the joy of it, like binging 4 Wes Anderson movies in a row. (To be fair, the half-way shift helps this, and so does the nice addition of the final track.)

Not a fan of this overrated group of prima donnas. Mike Love ruins everything anyway. 1 loveless star

not my cup of tea

Spazierfahrt, Nattheim, Deutschland Joa, wie erwartet funktionieren die auf Albumlänge bei mir nicht.

Nice background music. I respect whatever influence they have but it's not something I'd seek out normally. Tracks I liked: good to my baby, she knows me too well. Would I revisit: no.

Heard of them. Nice energy on in the background, but not something I'd seek out again.

I liked this enough for a 3, in a good mood.

Quite a coincidence to get this album the day after Brian Wilson died. Good clean fun but not a lot of substance (edit - I see from the date that a lot of people got this today. I ain’t even mad). Right after this I was compelled to listen to R.E.M.'s Dead Letter Office. I had completely forgotten that the song 𝘝𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘏𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘥 also mentions a Ronda! 𝘈𝘴 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘴𝘵, 𝘙𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘢 𝘔𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘨𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘌𝘹𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘱𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘰 𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘺 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 '𝘴 𝘙𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘢 ! 𝘈𝘯 𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘴𝘵 !

Nice tribute to Brian Wilson getting this called up the day after his death. Good clean surf music. Better stuff to come.

It's alright. Upbeat. 3/5

This was really cool! Got it recommended in this site the day after Brian Wilson's passing :( Really complex and beautiful harmonies. Relatively innocent lyrics that I found poignant at times.

Dope

This can't have been random. What if I don't like it. Wall Of Sound much. Help me Rhonda bangs.. Hm idk it doesnt have their best on here the songs get kinda samey, but those songs are good . Hits it with my big inflatable 3 Stars hammer

I didn’t like this as much as I expected to, but I do understand why they were as popular as they were. It’s a very specific and nostalgic sound that is not easily replicated anymore. RIP Brian 🤍

Mwah, it was OK.5/10

Ah well, there you go - less than 24 hours after Brian Wilson's death was announced and this pops up for me. In the mixed-up Beach Boys UK release chronology, this album directly preceded Pet Sounds, with Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!) not hitting British shelves until after that release. Not that it matters too much - only California Girls and Let Him Run Wild from the latter might have clued listeners in to what was coming next. As it stands, Today! is a collection of smart rock 'n' roll surf-pop which sees Wilson still seemingly trying to emulate his hero Phil Spector for much of the first half of this record. The complex vocal arrangements and effortless key changes are, as can be said of much of The Beach Boys' pre-Pet Sounds output, wasted on such lightweight material for the most part, effective though it is. The second half - the original LP's flip side - is where the album really shines for me. Please Let Me Wonder is the album's stand-out track, and from thereon in, Today! is more mature and laid back, working as a suite of moody pieces of music rather than memorable individual tracks. While the songwriting doesn't quite match the ambition at this stage, Wilson's studio genius is still evident, as it is in the formulaic but fun tracks on the first side, albeit slightly less so. Despite all this, The Beach Boys Today! sounds incredibly clean-cut and immature in the context of everything else that was happening in 1965. A gentle step up in production values by their own standards rather than a giant leap, by the time of it's release, many of their peers were making much bolder and exciting statements with albums.

I feel like everyone this album came after the sad passing. However to be objective I have never been a big fan of the beach boys it feels to me like if the Beatles never grew out of making girl teen bobber pop. Its a real shame as I listen to the lyrics of songs like when I grow up its a great song hidden behind a style I just can't enjoy fully.

There may be some underlying technical brilliance here that’s going over my head, but to me, it’s a pedestrian pop record I won’t be listening to again.

Really enjoy the surf rock tracks, less inclined to go for the ballads, but all in all, this is pretty classic.

Whereas I view the Beatles as three-and-a-half savants practising alchemy, I've always thought the supernaturalism of The Beach Boys came more in the form of possession, or perhaps a deal to the devil made by Brian Wilson as he sat on the floor of his room listening to Revolver for the first time. His reward was 12 months and two albums (one of which wouldn't see the light of day in an office capacity for 44 years) of absolute creative dynamism. This record, unfortunately, predates the selling of his soul. This record is, at its best, a sandpit for Phil Spector, whose same wall of sound that so flattened The Beatles on Let it Be makes Wilson et al soar here, particularly on the stunning opener Do You Wanna Dance?, which is a Be My Baby-tier piece of Brill Building architecture. Unfortunately, that daring production can't overcome the teenybop qualities of this record, even when a great riff (Don't Hurt My Little Sister) or an immaculate harmony (She Knows Me So Well) try to provide some much-needed scaffolding. I think you've got to respect the inclusion of Bull Session With "Big Daddy" to cap it off. Its 2:13 runtime brings this album to a respectable, saleable 28:55.

When I was 12 I listened to a Beach Boys Greatest Hits album. For about a year I thought it was pretty great. And then its idealized America about dancing with girls and cars and surfing grew old. Enter Rage Against the Machine, Wu-Tang Clan and Pink Floyd (i can't explain that transition either). Do You Wanna Dance? Good to My Baby Don't Hurt My Little Sister - they really do harmonies better than anyone not signed to Motown. Its a strangely upbeat rhythm for the subject matter When I Grow Up (To Be a Man) Help Me Rhonda Dance, Dance, Dance Please Let Me Wonder I'm So Young Kiss Me Baby She Knows Me Too Well In the Back of My Mind Bull Session with Big Daddy Wow- this is not a rock band. This is a pop band that had the ability to play guitar. The music is solid, but overall, they don't come across as immensely talented other than their vocals.

reminds me of being a kid. almost gave it a 4, but the end is pretty bad.

i'm familiar with some of Beach Boys's discography but not this album Do You Wanna Dance? - 3/5 Good To My Baby - 4/5 Don't Hurt My Little Sister - 3/5 When I Grow Up... - 5/5 Help Me, Rhonda - 4/5 Dance, Dance, Dance - 5/5 Please Let Me Wonder - 4/5 I'm So Young - 4/5 Kiss Me, Baby - 5/5 She Knows Me Too Well - 3/5 In The Back Of My Mind - 4/5 Average score: 4/5 i don't think this is my fav of their albums, but still pretty good RIP Brian Wilson

It's ok. I guess they were "Beatles wanna be" around this time before Pet Sounds. I just don't like that this sounds like stereotype white music. RIP Brian Wilson.

I’m a certified Beach Boys hater, but this was better than most of their work that I’ve heard so far Best Song: Help Me, Rhonda Rating: 6/10 Stars: 3/5

5 stars. Love them. Hits the spot on a day like today. RIP Brian Wilson

The Beach Boys Today! is a transitional album, and you can really hear it. On one hand, you’ve got that early surf-pop charm still bubbling through songs like “Do You Wanna Dance?” and “Dance, Dance, Dance” — catchy, fun, and full of youthful bounce. But then the second half slows things right down and hints at something more thoughtful, more emotionally layered. That shift is what makes the album interesting. For me, the more introspective songs like “Please Let Me Wonder” and “She Knows Me Too Well” are where things get properly engaging. You can feel Brian Wilson beginning to explore deeper textures and arrangements, planting the seeds that would later blossom into Pet Sounds. But it doesn’t quite get there yet. The album is caught between two worlds — the sunny, simple innocence of the early 60s and the richer, more complex pop to come. I enjoyed it, even if I wouldn’t rush to call it a masterpiece. It’s like a polaroid of a band mid-transformation. Not all the songs stick, but there’s just enough here to show the potential and charm that kept The Beach Boys at the forefront. A solid listen that hints at something greater just around the corner.

ok. I liked in the back of my mind. last track was pointless.

62/100.

First half was almost hard to get through, it got better after "Please Let Me Wonder", but altogether nothing special.

Beautiful, especially the ballads.

This is probably sacrilege, especially two days after Brian Wilson passed away, but I don't really care for the Beach Boys. To me they're the musical equivalent of cotton candy. Sure a bite or two is fun, but if you keep on eating that stuff your teeth are going to hurt from the cloying sweetness. Not to say they don't have some wonderful songs. They do! But not on this album, unfortunately.

Tuvieron una aceptación importante, eso recuerdo

PLEASE let me wonder

Disappointing at first as it sounds like a lot of other Brit pop this list is full of , as the album progresses the songs become more layered while maintaining their accessibility

They're iconic.

Getting this the day after Brian Wilson died, is this random or planned? Not going to lie... this is kinda dreary.

Some great songs and some lesser ones but even the lesser Beach Bous songs are still pretty good. Nothing in their catalog stands up to Pet Sounds but this is still pretty decent. The last track is a throwaway though.

Not as good as Pet Sounds.

Fav: Good To My Baby Least Fav: When I Grow Up (To Be A Man) It’s a one trick pony album, but the trick is…decent. The harmonising is pretty nice but some variety would’ve made it incredible

Is this it? Is this really it? America's answer to the Beatles? It's not even an answer to the Silver Beatles. Pack up, go home, your wasting you time. And a cover? Do you wanna Dance? The worst version ever. But the real laugh? It's still the best track on the album! Help them Rhonda, they need it!

I'm sure The Beach Boys Today! In 1965 Sounded a lot fresher than The Beach Boys actually Today! It's not bad, but it smells like my grandma's attic

No es Pet sounds, No es Surf´s up, No es Surfing USA.. pero es una gran coleccion de temas

Good vibes only, I guess. It’s like a carefully curated beach picnic. The songs are technically great, but I just didn’t connect with them the way I thought I would. Maybe I just wasn’t in the right mood, but it didn’t sweep me away. RIP Brian Wilson. Spins: 2 Playlist Additions: - Do You Wanna Dance? - Help Me, Rhonda - Dance, Dance, Dance

Some more Beach Boys. Good stuff.

Boring '60s pop rock, every song sounds the same, every song is about the same thing - girls. And often the lyrics are sad or creepy as fuck. I still don't get The Beach Boys but maybe the later weirder stuff will speak to me more? This definitely didn't.

Didn't enjoy the Album, but... RIP Brian Wilson.

I know other people love them. But I don’t. And this is early on where they really don’t stray from the formula. So it’s alot of the same. Oh shoot, just saw we all got The Beach Boys today because Brian Wilson died. Sorry my man, RIP.

Old as hell

How can you not like The Beach Boys, they just play happy music.

Crazy that I got this album a day after Brian Wilson died. It’s a 5. Easy.

Help me ronda

More Beach Boys so soon? This is great work, and so wholesome. Pet Sounds certainly felt more enjoyable to me, so I'm gonna notch this one star lower.

Old beach boys makes it palatable

I understand the significance and the history....I just never embraced the Beach Boy sound

Great music. RIP Brian Wilson.

RIP Brian Wilson. Felt extra special today, but not one of my favorite beach boys records. Still 4 stars

This album turned up on the list for me on the day following Brian Wilson's death in 2025. I'd thought he'd died before this, but I think that was his retirement. I'm not a huge Beach Boys fan. I do have Pet Sounds in my collection, and I kind of think this short album falls a bit short of that masterpiece of studio composition.

Ok

"Do You Wanna Dance" gets a point here; everything else is pretty crap. Hard to believe only a year after this they release "Pet Sounds." What a world of difference.

4- Stars (10/15)

Very nice touch for the admin to nudge the Beach Boys into our daily albums today, clearly not a coincidence judging by Reddit! RIP Brian Wilson I tried to be objective even given the timings, but I do love the band. This has a nice mixture between what first made them big with the punchy and catchy rock 'n' roll songs and soaring harmonies with Frankie Valli style falsetto. Clearly the songwriting was starting to evolve beyond surfing and girls to some extent.. tracks like When I Grow Up were starting to explore different lyrical themes, and they were starting to introduce more variety of instruments. Not quite the baroque pop masterpiece of Pet Sounds but I loved this as well

The Beach Boys never miss.

Wow for timing, RIP Brian Wilson. I enjoy their vocals, but their lyrics are basic. Highlights: do you wanna dance, dance dance dance

RIP Brian Wilson he passed away yesterday, nice this album coming up today

Obviously a timely album. I've never been a hige fan of the beach boys and I really didn't find this one all that special. But I feel the same about the Beatles so maybe I just don't get that time.

RIP Brian Wilson. This album doesn't have many of my favorite Beach Boys songs, but still a great listen. Hard not to have a smile on your face and imagine yourself in surfing in SoCal when listening. Standouts: Do You Wanna Dance?, Help Me, Rhonda, Rating: 4.25/5

The straightest of the straight forwards surf rock there is! Nothing wrong with it, but got it is boring.

Sorry for brian wilson. I didn't really listen to them before this album. My friend suggested Pet Sounds and it was cool. This one for me didn't pass the "Marco's memories 12 hours later".

If this crap is on the list, I imagine the good Beach Boys album is on the list somewhere.

Un álbum decisivo en la historia de los Beach Boys, que marca la transición entre los sonidos clásicos del surf y doo-wop de sus primeros LPs y el wall of sound orquestal y exuberante del legendario Pet Sounds. Además, fue muy influyente en el pop en general, siendo uno de los primeros álbumes propiamente dichos, formado por una unión cohesiva de temas propios, y posiblemente el primer álbum de lo que se podría considerar "pop barroco". Musicalmente, destaca la combinación de instrumentos más allá del triunvirato rockero clásico, con la inclusión de timbales, clavecín, vibráfono y otros instrumentos más propios de la música clásica. Las armonías vocales siguen siendo extremadamente agudas y estando inspiradas por el doo-wop de su época, pero encajan muy bien con los arreglos musicales. Por su parte, las letras son en su mayoría las típicas de las baladas románticas de los 60, nada que destacar. En definitiva, un álbum que, aunque personalmente no me emocione demasiado, merece un puesto en esta lista y una buena nota por su influencia en la música popular y su excelente producción.

a band i can't really be unbiased about. i grew up on the beach boys and brian wilson's music and i will always have a soft spot for the pre-pet sounds era of the beach boys, and this album in particular. for me, this is really the first big step towards the complexity of pet sounds in terms of songwriting and production for brian and the beach boys. the added complexities here over songs like "fun fun fun" are great, but still below where brian wilson would take the group in the upcoming years. that's not to say that there aren't more "poppy" pop songs here - "do you wanna dance" and "dance, dance, dance" are beach boys classics in their own right - but what i always come to this album for are tracks like "when i grow up to be a man," "she knows me too well," "in the back of my mind," and especially the constantly criminally underrated "please let me wonder." the only dings i will give this album are the inferior version of "help me, r(h)onda" and "bull session with the big daddy" which is a skit track that is sort of an expected "feature" of their previous albums. but the harmonies here are as good as ever and the production is, of course, fantastic. to me, this is the pinnacle of the first "era" of the beach boys. better things to come, for sure, but a great album in its own right.

It cannot be a coincidence that this album arose in the stack on the day Brian Wilson died. If it was or if it wasn’t, that’s pretty fucking sick either way. You start to hear Brian moving the band toward more sophisticated and complex songs and leaving the surfer fluff behind. More introspective and layered. Anyway I’ve been playing Brian all day, so thanks for an excuse to just keep on lisrening.

Archaic and awful in equal measures.

Good surf rock. Yeah!

It's definitely a Beach Boys album. Not as remarkable or musically interesting as Pet Sounds, but still pretty good.

The Beach Boys departed from their previous albums with Today!, released in 1965, it has more orchestral sound and the subject of the songs and arrangements made it to be one of the first concept albums. The first side consists of uptempo songs while the second side consists of ballads which remind me quite a bit of Pet Sounds. The vocal harmonies and the production are top notch. It's not quite there as some of their later albums but it's a great listen.

Not available yo stream.

Instantly recognizable. Iconic. Unfortunately a little repetitive.

How fitting that this album should come up next on my list after the announcement that Brian Wilson passed away yesterday. I've always liked the beach boys, especially the goated Pet Sounds album. However, I never really ventured to listen to much outside of this. This album has some very fun, 60s poppy songs. "When I grow up" is genuinely a great song, and I'll be listening to that one frequently. "Do you wanna dance" is fun, and "Help me, Rhonda" is one of my favourite beach boys songs, though I confess to preferring to the single version. Overall, this is a fun, catchy album. Easy, short listening, and rarely got bored throughout. What let the album down for me was the totally unnesscary outtake included at the end.

Lots of Phil sector influences via Brian Wilson, however it's still early Beach boys so the lyrics are a bit juvenile.

Got this the day after Brian Wilson died--great album, even if it doesn't have the same power as what they were able to do on Pet Sounds.

Tender songs, about confusion and uncertainty, with backing and arrangements that became the new LA Standard - timpanis, glockenspiels, layers of harmonies. The maestro of vulnerability - RIP Brian Wilson. This LP was presented for my listening on the day after the news came that Brian had moved on from this plane, making this even more of a bittersweet listen than it would have been.

What a great album & how timely with the loss if the great Brian Wilson

RIP Brian. I got this on the day the great man died. Feels wrong to say anything bad about him, however it's still fine to slag Mike Love off so that's good. Pop melodies are becoming more complex and hints at the staggering works of genius Brian was to write are beginning to appear. We also have the elements of misery and darkness juxtaposing with the catchy ear-worms, again hints that there was something deeper going with Brian than what others may have noticed at the time. But really, that's what this album is. Hints. I'm not sure it should be here as they were really a singles band at this point. Best Tracks: Do You Want To Dance?; Help Me, Rhonda; Please Let Me Wonder

I thought it was good but a lot of basic teen beach, happy, go-getter music. The mature topics did make it more relatable to listen to then other music in this genre.

Its the beach boys. Þough quite forgettable, but you'd definitely know it's þem just from the sound. Þat Mini-Podcast about burgers or whatever—boo! Did not need þat

5/10, klassischer Beach Boys Sound aber bis auf „In the Back of My Mind“ nichts soooo besonderes.

4th album and 4th album I’m gonna lazily give a 4 to. The first part of the album is really catchy and fun, I really like the songs “don’t hurt my little sister” and “dance dance dance”, but often it felt a bit clean for my taste, and some of the vocals feel over enunciated to me, not a real criticism. Although I prefer the moodier ballads on the second half, like “please let me wonder”, and “in the back of my mind” which sound more emotional. Overall I think I preferred listening to it than Slim Shady LP, not to dunk on slim shady lp, I think it’s probably the better album. But this album being shorter and once again, more refreshing than what I am used to, worked in its favor. I’d probably give it a 7/10 for me. But I don’t wanna put 3/5 hahahhahahahaha

Nä, alldeles för vintage. Föredrar Pet Sounds.

Understandably not the listen it probably was back in the 60s. Scoring based off enjoyment and likelihood I’ll listen to it again.

RIP Brian. Not my favorite Beach Boys LP, but “She Knows Me Too Well” is an underappreciated track in their catalog.

Oh, Today!? The day after Brian Wilson’s death? That's convenient. I have as much passing familiarity with The Beach Boys as any active music fan my age. That's to say: I am aware of their hits, saw the cameos on Full House, have heard them praised countless times for their influence, and only partially blame them for the Tate-LaBianca murders. To me, The Beach Boys have always been the quintessential "We have The Beatles at home" band. The waspy goody two-shoes appearance and falsetto harmonies quickly get cloying, and somehow make The Beatles’ Ed Sullivan performance feel edgy. I’m sure Pet Sounds will be on this list because that's always cited as their most influential album, so knowing this is (at most) their 2nd most influential album doesn't help my opinion of it. If I'm apathetic about side 1, I'm actively disinterested in side 2. (Sorry Brian, Rest In Peace)

Première écoute au lendemain du décès de Brian Wilson. Pas de hit (du moins que je connaissais) mais des pièces au son classique BB. La page wiki dit : " (The album) 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 established the group as album artists rather than just a singles band. Considéré comme un avant goût de Pet Sounds (1966)

*RIP Brian Wilson *Yup, sounds like The Beach Boys... Old timey harmonies about beaches and women. *Fave track - Help Me Rhonda. *Super short at 28 mins. That’s about as long as it takes to get really tired of the this sound. *Wouldn’t be mad if someone were playing this. Would not actively seek it out though. RATING - 6/10

Nice album, but not really the style I like

No le presté muchísima atención, la verdad Pero bueno, muchas voces modo coral y armónico Rock de los 60 Le doy un 5/10

Increasingly sophisticated production and songwriting. Early hints of where Brian Wilson was heading as a composer. Still retains the exuberance of the early recordings. Transitional.

I was going to listen to them anyways for bw.

Simon!

Haven’t finished it yet but it’s just proto pet sounds in a good way. Catchy songs you can’t go wrong with

Nice record, safe and from the production line. The 8th record? I think about how far the Beatles had come in the same time. A bit rinse and repeat for me.

1001 ALBUMS YOU MUST HEAR BEFORE YOU DIE #10 For the new 1001 Albums Generator album, I honestly don't think I have that much to say about The Beach Boys album "The Beach Boys Today!", it's a good album, there isn't really anything I dislike about it, but there is nothing I loved. The harmony's we're great, and the band played well, the songs are catchy, but that is about all I have to say. Overall, not that noteworthy, to me at least. It works, I don't hate it, I enjoyed it. Overall Score: 80 / 100 Favorite Tracks: Do You Wanna Dance?, Dance, Dance, Dance, Please Let Me Wonder, She Knows Me Too Well.

Best Song: Help Me, Rhonda This is my first experience with The Beach Boys from beginning to end. Of course, I have heard some of their songs over the years. As a 50-year-old, my child's mind associated The Beach Boys with, "old people music" when I was young and it kind of stuck with me which is a damn shame, this album was great and a lot of fun to listen to. A couple of filler songs which brought it down to a 4 but good nonetheless!

It’s nice

Classic!

I understand their importance in music. But other than their most famous songs, the rest of their catalog has always been very repetitive to me

Classic beach boys sound. Rip Brian Wilson (just yesterday). 4/5

Everyone says it's awesome but I struggle to get over the easy listening vibes. Maybe it will click with me some day.

Wonderful and very apt it came up on June 12th 2025 RIP Brian Wilson This album 28 minutes of magnificence

Not for me.

This was my listen the day after Brian Wilson passed. As far as I can tell, he was 99% of The Beach Boys, and their lasting influence would be little to nothing without him at the helm. I listened to the mono cut of this record for him. I don't know much Beach Boys beyond Pet Sounds, Smile Sessions, and their early singles. This album seems to sit somewhere in a transition from the surfy hits to the lush arrangements of Pet Sounds. Almost like an appetizer to Brian Wilson's masterpiece. For that, it was more of a historical intrigue rather than an inspiring listen for me. It was good, but not something I'd probably seek out again. The stand out track is definitely "She Knows Me Too Well" which feels like it could've been on Pet Sounds. The final track "Bull Session With 'Big Daddy' #1" seems to serve no purpose except maybe to hit a time quota. Even then, the album is under 30 minutes. It is also one of the ugliest album covers I've seen. Nothing like a solid brown block taking up a third of the art to really draw the eye in.

This was just the ramp up to their real 5 star album. It's still great nonetheless, vocal harmonies are unmatched. This music pairs great with reorganizing and decorating your house.

Love The Beach Boys harmonies, but if you’ve heard one record, you’ve kind of heard all of them (Pet Sounds probably being the exception). Their hits are fun, the rest feel a little filler-y.

Pas mauvais, un autre groupe dont je connais la réputation mais que j’ai très peu écouté. Ce disque ne contenait qu’un seul de leurs succès, mais les pièces étaient solides. Je m’attendais à quelque chose de mièvre et de réchauffé, mais ce n’était pas ça du tout. Mais, encore là, pas pour moi.

There’s something to be said about tye 30 minute album. Kinda like it. Not the best Beach Boy album but it has its moments including Help Me Rhonda. Still very doo woppy.

I've always been kind of indifferent to The Beach Boys, like I don't mind them but their music has always sounded more like something you'd throw on in the background at a party than something I'd actively sit down and jam out to, and this album didn't really change that opinion too much.

Like it was for many, this was served to me the day after Wilson's death, so it resonated more than it might have otherwise. While this album was significant made a significant contribution to music, it is not my favorite Beach Boys album who is a band on infrequent listening rotation. So lots of respect from me, if not love.

El grupo sobrevalorado de Estados Unidos para no sentirse inferiores ante la invasión británica. Me da mucha grima sus voces y su aspecto. Y para colmo justo hoy ha muerto Brian Wilson y se llenará el mundo de elogios desmedidos.

Brian Wilson passed yesterday and while I haven’t listened to a lot of Beach Boy’s music I have listened to Pet Sounds a lot an undeniable masterpiece. So I was excited to listen to another album by the band. While not as great as Pet Sounds Today! Does have the sparks that would eventually start that fire. The final track was my favorite as it’s the band just eating and messing around a captured moment of happiness and companionship between three brothers. May they rest in piece

RIP Brian Wilson Great album. Nothing else to say.

Summer Baby.

This album sounds like a bridge between the Surfin' Usa Beach Boys, which were a fun sounding, but formulaic band and the Pet Sounds Beach Boys which were a revolutionary musical and recording boundary breakers at the time rivaled only by The Beatles. You can hear the genius of Brian Wilson here that would make Pet Sounds ehat it is and I think this is a great introduction point for them. On the other hand, the negative aspect is that sometimes the songs sound the same and the lyrics are very similar, which is a detriment. All in all, this is a good album. It's not perfect and I'd rate 3.5/5 (so basically 4/5)

Meh. RIP Brian Wilson tho

Too poppy

Really not for me

how fitting that this is my album of the day on the day of brian wilson's passing. like many, i'm only familiar with pet sounds; a deep dive into their legendary discography is long due. the album is impressive, especially for its harmonic complexity, but it's sadly standing in the shadow of pet sounds, which is the fully realized version of the sound brian wilson was going for in this record. (also, what's with that unnecessary last track?) absolutely mad that this was recorded on a 4 track. RIP Brian Wilson - your legacy will be forever bright.

Rest in peace, Brian Wilson. 10/10

Totally great! That's all

Rip Brian Wilson, decent fun album.

meh, but don't remember much

RIP Brian Wilson. Thank you.

what the hell I literally got this album the day Brian Wilson died 😭 rip goat

I love it

Brian ❤️

Gezellig, beetje outdated

Very enjoyable. Not as good as their big singles but I still liked this - even an average Beach Boys album is still very good. Came at a very timely point as well with Brian Wilson’s passing and nice to appreciate his musical genius.

Some of the beach boys music is really good, but this doo-wop stuff is not

Old goldies

This album is interesting. Clearly inspired by Phil Spector, but an awkward middle point between their original surf rock stuff and Pet Sounds. I liked this, but didn't love it.

This was not for me. I can take the Beach Boys in small doses, and I can recognize just how transformative a songwriter Brian Wilson was, but these songs are just SO old-fashioned and quaint. I get that it's the era they were produced in, but this is overwhelmingly "aw, shucks" and broadly insincere. Looking forward to "Pet Sounds" coming up, though. This is just not a great record.

C’est sympa mais c’est pas la même magie que Pet Sounds

Ontem li a notícia de que Brian Wilson tinha morrido. O nome não era estranho, mas, quando procurei saber quem é, percebi que realmente não o conhecia. No dia seguinte (hoje, 13 de junho de 2025), o álbum recomendado é este do Beach Boys. Acaso ou não, isso me fez pesquisar mais sobre o Brian e tentar entender o motivo de ele ter sido tão querido por tantos. De qualquer maneira, descanse em paz.

Enjoyable enough but nowhere near as good as Pet Sounds.

Easy to see why they were so popular. Very easy to listen to.

Before the acid, before the breakdowns, before Mike Love turned into Mike Evol. Early Wilson magic: sun-soaked harmonies, teenage heartbreak and hooks that basically invented the Ramones. Simple, catchy, irresistible.

Extraordinarily tough listen, it's like it's covered in molasses, it's so sweet and slow moving. Makes the achievements of Pet Sounds only a year later even more stratospheric. Help Me Rhonda and Do You Wanna Dance are enjoyable. Some flashes of enjoyment elsewhere, but subpar for me. I'd rather listen to Phil Spector production than an attempt at it.

Some of the top surf rock of the era, but it really wears on you after a while

It's strange. I generally hate sappy late 50s/early 60s doo-wop style albums, but The Beach Boys are pretty good. This album, though, isn't their best. The harmonies are there, but the album is just uneven and didn't really catch my interest other than Help Me, Rhonda. RIP Brian Wilson

Favorites: Do You Wanna Dance?; Help Me, Ronda; Please Let Me Wonder Oh so wonderful. A great precursor to The Beach Boys's opus, Pet Sounds. It's quite lovely and very underrated! Rest in peace, Brian. Your legacy will live on forever.

Wonderful. Can’t give it 5 because it’s not Pet Sounds. However it’s a great listen

Æ vet ikke om Help Me, Rhonda egentlig e en bra sang om man e feminist, men den e catchy, og sannsynligvis min favoritt fra albumet, som ellers høres akkurat ut som man forvente at et Beach Boys-album skal høres ut. Ikke dårlig, men ikke veldig interessant.

J - 4/5 Best Track - "Help Me, Rhonda" F - 3/5

This is the first Beach Boys album I've listened to. I've been hearing Beach Boys songs my entire life - I was 1 when this was released, but never listened to an album, not even 'Pet Sounds'. The 'American Beatles'? I'm sure someone has called them that before now, but that’s where I'm at with this. Their music is almost as much a part of the fabric of life from the 60s on as the Beatles and this has some of the threads of that fabric recorded right on it.

Rip Brian Wilson. This is just a fun 29 minute album. Great melody's as to be expected.

Brian Wilson is truly a genius, and you can hear the roots of Pet Sounds in this album. I don’t get why they put the last track on the album though.

Probably peak pre-Pet Sounds Beach Boys, this a catchy collection of simple, hummable summer beach songs, a few of which add minor elements of sophistication that hint at what’s to come. This is not high art and the lyrics can tend toward the sophomoric. But in the right mood this can pair well with a Corona and a sunny day.

Was half expecting a Beach Boys album today, after the passing of Brian Wilson yesterday. This is probably my favourite incarnation of the Beach Boys. It’s likeable, feel good, sunshine rock and roll. A bit of Spector-esque wall of sound orchestration and a lot of layers, so you see how that developed into their future sound. The songs are bit samey, and relentlessness of side one’s uptempo tracks gets a bit wearing. The ballads on side two get a bit wearing too. It would have been nice if there had been more balance between uptempo songs and ballads. Overall a nice summer time vibe.

Features some great classics. Quieter songs aren't as good but show potential.

9/10!! This was just a really pleasant listen and put me in such a good mood. Rest in peace Brian Wilson

Me parece admirable el trabajo de grabación para la época, y sobre todo el trabajo de voces. No puedo decir que me guste el estilo, sobre todo de músicas "alegres" como las que hay en la primera parte del disco. Sin embargo, tomaron la interesante decisión de separar el álbum en dos, colocando baladas en la segunda mitad del mismo, que es al menos más de mi agrado, así que pude disfrutar de esa segunda parte, aunque no sea mi estilo de música.

I liked this album!!

This was their 8th album and it was only 1965. Prolific. Great album

Immature

I really enjoyed this. I don't know if it's just because there's so much attention following Brian's death... but I've also been paying a bit more attention to them in recently after watching the Disney+ doc... either way, I'm much more appreciative of the Beach Boys in recent years than I ever have been. Today's record has a small handful of recognizable songs (Help Me Rhonda, Do You Wanna Dance, When I grow Up)... it's not Pet Sounds, but knowing what we know now, you can totally see something like Pet Sounds coming. I, for one, am enjoying this record today. When I was a kid, when their music was only like 20 years old, I only thought of them as the "Fun Fun Fun" band that played on the oldies station. Generationally, I had no awareness of their impact. Now I know better. I can only imagine what it was like to hear this music when it was brand new... like hearing the Beatles or Stones or Led Zeppelin for the first time... nothing else like it. My generation had a similar thing with Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and STP... that's all I can equate it to. Many reviewers have come down pretty hard on this record, but I for one enjoyed it. Five stars all day.

Very apt I got this in the day of Brian Wilson’s passing. A beautiful record reminds me of chasing that endless summer

5* What am I, fucking stupid?

Rip

8/10 Well, what a coincidence that this album comes up today, the day Brian Wilson passed away. The Beach Boys are a core pillar of pop music and when the songs on this album are good, they are very, very good. The music and harmonies are immaculate - you can feel it defining what pop is and what it can do. At times, it is a bit weak and a bit wet, they feel like they are so desperate for girlfriends that they are a bit pathetic. And it is so short - the last track is nonsense, so it is 11 songs long at about 25mins! But it didn't need to be any longer. Hats off to Brian Wilson, a true legend.

Got this the day after the unfortunate passing of Brian Wilson, so it is all the more poignant. But Beach Boys always packed a massive emotional wallop. Soaring harmonies (the best ever produced by man, surely) and dramatic wall of sound production disguised as wholesome little pop songs. Don't be fooled - this is some of the best stuff ever produced in any art form and came right from the depths of the human soul.

I just can’t listen to this. The vocals on The Beach Boys albums hit my ears wrong- grating and intolerable. I like some songs on Pet Sounds, and the instrumentals on the Smile reconstruction are good- and that’s it. This band just sucks. And I stand by that while acknowledging that Brian Wilson was a genius, and that he had a way rougher life than he deserved. RIP.

I know people like them...I don't get it.

No, it was yesterday.

Весёлый бит.

2.5 stars

Started strong but I lost interest about 3/4 of the way in Nice melodies and harmonies but was a bit bland after 6-7 songs

non come l'altro

So it's the day after Brian Wilson's passing and it seems like everyone got assigned a project he worked on as a tribute to his contributions to music. RIP to a legend. I've never been that into The Beach Boys myself, though I wouldn't say I've ever disliked a song from them. They've always struck my as one of the typical "massively influential for their time, but not quite for me" bands. I'm 100% certain this will be a pleasant time though. Hoping for some catchy hooks and some solid harmonies. Do You Wanna Dance? A cute, likeable song with a simple premise and a catchy chorus. Has some great harmonies and a chipper atmosphere that puts you in a good mood. Decent. 3.5/5 Good To My Baby More of the same. Pleasant and likeable with a lot of great melodic moments. Very charismatic and bright. Decent. 3.5/5 Don't Hurt My Little Sister Strange title. Love the vocal arrangement of the chorus. Sweet concept. Fun guitar playing. Decent. 3.5/5 When I Grow Up (To Be A Man) Great high notes. Pretty lyrics. Love the nostalgia of it. Good. 4/5 Help Me, Rhonda Classic chorus melody. Really catchy. The instrumental trucks along nicely, love the addition of the harmonica. Another fun and likeable track. Good. 4/5 Dance, Dance, Dance Don't got much to say. It's a solid execution of what they're going for. Fine. 3/5 Please Let Me Wonder Impressive vocals. The lyrics are kinda touching. Great keyboard break. Decent. 3.5/5 I'm So Young Idealistic. Decent concept. Well executed harmonies. Fine. 3/5 Kiss Me, Baby Amazingly arranged. The chorus is very powerful. Sweet lyrics. Good. 4/5 She Knows Me Too Well Doesn't really have much setting it apart from previous songs. Not exactly unimpressive, just a bit forgetable compared to other songs on here. Fine. 3/5 In The Back Of My Mind Kinda depressing. Feels very personal and real. Great lyrics. Love the way it ends. Good. 4/5 Bull Session With "Big Daddy" A fun way to end the album. Feels very informal and unserious. Shows a different side of the band. Unrated/5 Pretty much what you'd expect from The Beach Boys. Simplistic love songs, sometimes about yearning, sometimes about loving who you got, and sometimes about getting over someone you lost. It's perfectly inoffensive and pleasant, but doesn't really stretch beyond that. Of course the vocal arrangements are stunning with beautiful harmonies and solid buildups. It's simple, it's pretty, but also very samey. The individual quality of each song is pretty consistently good, but they do feel like variations on the same few ideas. This makes the album lack depth causing it to be a bit predictable and sterile. It's fine for what it is, and for 60s pop it's certainly charming at times. 3.5/5 rounded down to 3/5.

Yep, it's The Beach Boys. Very much so The Beach Boys. One of the most important bands who I don't really a give a shit about. This is definitely The Beach Boys, and it's pretty bloody good pop. Fair play Brian, over and out. Favourite tracks: Don't Hurt My Little Sister, Please Let Me Wonder, I'm So Young

I don’t love the beach boys as much as I could, but there is something very beautiful and almost chilling about the contrast between Brian Wilson’s Faceto and his brothers deeper tenor. I didn’t love this album, but they do have a few very beautiful songs

Simple but effective. Great harmonic pop.

145/1089 - RIP. This album is kind of a proto-Pet Sounds. There's something missing from this and I'm not sure what exactly. The interview at the end was unnecessary. Overall a good album.

I enjoyed this! The B-side felt like a departure from traditional beach boys but I loved it! This was also my album the day after Brian Wilson had died.. so it was a good listen and felt more meaningful

Lot of lovely slow ones I hadn't heard before: Please Let Me Wonder I'm So Young Kiss Me, Baby She Knows Me Too Well LOVED the BTS insight in the final track! Such a cool thing to include

A step towards Pet Sounds, but not as essential. 3 stars.

As a Beach Boys fan I can say this album isn’t perfect but it is overlooked for sure. There’s a few “hits” on this album but there is also a lot of filler. I would say that the first half of the album is infinitely better than the second half but I still think this is essential listening if you are a beach boys fan or are interested in getting into them.

This is so good, showcasing how great The Beach Boys were even before pet sounds. Impeccable vocal harmonies, beautiful arrangements. It all just sounds so timeless.

I feel like I'm supposed to be respectful as I've been given this album on the day that Brian Wilson died, but... ...I can't. I've never understood the appeal of The Beach Boys. The whole vocal harmonies schtick leaves me cold. The US college boy surf thing feels like it's designed to appeal to a tiny slither of the population that I'm not part of.

Kolejna przeciętna płyta. Tak, jest to przyjemny zespół, jak sama nazwa wskazuje ma letni vibe i kojarzy się ze słonecznymi dniami. Ale kojarzy się też z tymi facetami w dziwnych kapeluszach, którzy muszą śpiewać a capella bo wybuchną. Kiedyś to może było innowacyjne, teraz bywa wkurzające. 6/10

A very uplifting and charming collection of short songs, specially the first half of the album, as the second one takes a slower pace approach, having the songs almost feel like ballads (one even could considere them as such).

Not sure I really get the BB’s

The was a solid album overall and you can head where Brian Wilson was evolving.

Lovely harmonies

I really just don't like the Beach Boys' sound, but as their talent cannot be denied, I will give the album three stars.

I enjoyed this it, an album with quite a few songs I recognised

nice enough. rip brian wilson

RIP Brian Wilson

RIP Brian Wilson. As soon as I heard the news, I put on Pet Sounds, then Surf's Up, then Sunflower, then Love You, then my 100ish song "Best of the Beach Boys" playlist: Do You Wanna Dance, When I Grow Up (To Be a Man), Help Me Rhonda, Please Let Me Wonder and In the Back of My Mind from this album are on it. A lot of people discount pre-Pet Sounds Beach Boys music as juvenile and underdeveloped, but there are already so many great songs with both the incredible arrangements and harmonies, and the lyrics which elevate being a teenager in mid 20th century America into universal truths about love, life and death which everyone loves about Pet Sounds. I got the Phil Spector Christmas album on Christmas and a Beach Boys album the day after Brian Wilson died, I wonder if the site owner manipulates the generator or if those are both coincidences. Anyway, I already got Pet Sounds a while ago, I obviously gave it 5 stars, with a one word review: "Masterpiece". The BB albums I mentioned above deserve 5 stars (despite Student Demonstration Time), this album isn't one I listen to front to back that often, mostly just the songs I mentioned. I am quite generous with my ratings, and I like this album a lot more than some of the albums I've given 4 stars. Fuck it, I'll give it a 5, the Beach Boys made so much great music that this isn't even my favourite pre-Pet Sounds album (that's All Summer Long), but it's still a 5 star album.

I received this as my pick on the day after Brian Wilson passed away (June 11, 2025). Not sure if that’s a very odd coincidence or the pick was de-randomized…. In any case, I’ve tried to listen to this album without all that influencing my review. A stepping stone album that sounds equal parts early surf-pop Beach Boys (which is fun but bubblegum) and the sonic experimentation of Pet Sounds, which I think is a marvel and deserves a place scoring very high on this list. Because it’s not really either, it’s just OK. 3⭐️

Not their best album

"I haven't made a mistake yet in my whole career" "Brian, we keep waitin for ya to make a mistake" RIP Brian Wilson, you were a real one.

I will never cease to be amazed by these harmonies sung by young dudes with no formal training.

Ok

6/10…surfer rock-pop

Help Me, Rhonda Please Let Me Wonder

# Album Name: The Beach Boys Today! # Artist: The Beach Boys # Rating: 4/5 # Comments: Has the iconic BB sounds but there’s something missing to take it to the highest levels. Few cracking tracks. # Top Tunes: When i grow up / Do you wanna dance / Help me rhonda # Would I listen to it again? Maybe

Great use of harmonies but the lyrics are a little too cheesy for my tastes

This album still carries that sunshine pop feel, but it steps away from the surf style the Beach Boys were known for up to this point. It leans heavily into baroque pop, with orchestral arrangements and harpsichords adding depth to the mix. Overall, I enjoyed the album, even though I’ve never been the biggest Beach Boys fan and probably never will be. That said, it’s clear they were evolving, and this record marks an important step in the right direction that would lead to albums like Pet Sounds.

Interesting listen. Most of the A side is pretty skippable summer teeny-bob songs, but the B side does have some more mature and intricate moments that help make the album more engaging. Doesn't hurt that the runtime is short and sweet. Top tracks: Help Me, Rhonda; Please Let Me Wonder, In The Back Of My Mind