Surf's Up

Weird, very uneven album, and not in a way I enjoyed.

Meh. I guess I'm in the minority here but I've never really liked The Beach Boys. Their best early stuff I can dig a couple tracks, but those famous harmonies grate more than elevate. I don't even like Pet Sounds much, so it's not that Brian Wilson (RIP) is missing here. They're trying something here, credit where it's due, looking for their place in 1971 American music. And there are a couple of good tracks. But mostly it's warmed over musically and too on the nose lyrically. It's got real "hello, fellow teenagers!" vibes, a sort of catchall attempt at zeitgeist, but from what feels like an outsider's perspective. Let's play dirty blues and sing about student protests! Environmentalism, sexual liberation, and even (shock!) a kind of world-weary resignation (Surf's ALL DONE, man). All of which could be forgiven if these were great songs, but they're not.

I had to resist the urge to just turn it off and rate it a 1 when I heard the first song The calmer parts of Long Promised Road sound decent to be fair. Yeah, good song I had to resist the urge to just turn it off and rate it a 1 when I heard the third song Fourth song was good again, 'Til I Die was also fine I get it now, they added some shitty songs so that their regular ones sound better than they usually are Oh, and the dude decided to die on the day everyone got his album. Fucking attention-seeker

Not into it

This is a weird pick for the Beach Boys. This is definitely one of their more eclectic albums. It's like Brian was let loose to do whatever he wanted after the success of Pet Sounds. It is also dripping with political and societal commentary. Definitely a departure from their earlier content. It doesn't really land for me though. Also, weird that this album popped up the day after Brian Wilson died...

This was alright. I’m not sure if the BB hype is what everyone says it is.

RIP Brian wilson but this album isn’t good

Not really crazy about this album.

Meh

I like some of the songs, but mostly just not my thing. Kind of boring and weird.

Not really taht great

This starts on the wrong foot. The first two tracks have none of the innocent fun feeling that made the Beach Boys, and none of the beauty or technical proficiency of the obvious contemporaries, like the Beatles. Even when it's not terrible, this music is all awkward and self-conscious. Feel Flows and Lookin' At Tomorrow were more of a trip. All in all, the album improved enough that it's worth a listen.

ES 12-6-25: Not my thing

Meh

still a chop… highlights: lookin at tomorrow, life of a tree,

Not for me

Nada memorable.

One or two good songs, but not peak Beach Boys. The protest songs were ridiculous.

I liked a couple songs but overall pretty lack luster not really my vibe.

not my first thought about beach boys, found it mostly a little slow. But good song writing at times

I liked Student Demonstration Time. All of the other songs made me fall asleep, since they were so boring.

I do like some of their songs but this album didnt do it for me. Good musicianship but not my taste

I was especially happy to see the Beach Boys pop up, with the passing from this world of the genius of Brian Wilson. However, while there are a couple good songs and excellent sound, most of the album is below average for a Beach Boys album. It may have been better than a good portion of the songs that came out on the year of release, it was a disappointing listen in 2025.

I enjoyed listening to this, as I hadn't heard much from this era of The Beach Boys. It wasn't for me, but it was worth the experience.

Not like any other beach boys album. Very little multi-part harmonies. Pretty boring.

Interestingly dark! Classic Beach Boys vibes, but then gothy almost? Yeah, interesting, but no real hits, and nothing I'll revisit.

ok, but nothing special...

AM sounding (of course) but it seems like they are trying to get “political” or catch up with the times (60’s counterculture). Student Demonstration Time sounds like a total Beatles ripoff.

Bit bluesier than I was expecting. Some weird lyrics. Didn't float my boat.

Who knew that the beach boys were capable of something darker than pet sounds in beach music that said I didn't care for it

Rock/Pop, 1971 -> 2-3

Sad white ppl music

That’s a side I didn’t know existed from beach boys Rip Brian Wilson according to Joey

Not the best beach boys album I’ve listened to.

De eerste keer dat ik dit hoorde vond ik het he-le-maal niks. De tweede kans dat ik het gaf heeft het wel iets verbeterd voor mij, maar ik hoor hier gewoon teveel de oude beatles invloeden in (of is het andersom idk en idc) maar kon het toch iets beter waarderen. Long promised road vind ik dan het beste nummer. De rest voelt als mekkerende oude songs.

Not the beach boys vibe I was expecting.

Tried to judge it independently of the my expectations of the bad, but I didn't really get what this one had to say. Didn't enjoy it musically either.

It was fine I guess. But there's much better Beach Boys out there. I assume there's more on the list I'll get to hear later. This album hit a little harder today, as it's the day after Brian Wilson passed away. RIP Brian. I couldn't get into the tunes on this one though. There were a couple decent ones. "Long Promised Road" and "Student Demonstration Time" (The former which will make it to the 1001 playlist). But outside those two songs, the album was a dud. ~ 2 Stars.

Was in the mood for some Beach Boys… not this album though.

A few great songs and a few horrid clunkers. I'd rather hear pet sounds and avoid this one, not sure why its on the list.

I always assumed I really knew The Beach Boys, but what the hell was this thing? Thought I might have come across some jag off fucking around on YouTube, but I double checked. Nope….this shit is just weird. I guess I should have seen that coming from the depressing Blue Period looking album cover. Might have been alright if I wasn’t expecting a fucking Beach Boys sounding album.

Alltså Beach Boys bästa på Pet Sounds är världsklass, men detta är mest tråkigt. Tvåa

This surprised me! I guess my perception of The Beach Boys is, y'know, oldies stuff. This was pretty weird! I liked the first two tracks a lot, but then it kind of lost steam. What was going on with Student Demonstration Time? I guess I appreciate the ambition in the album, but it didn't seem particularly skillfully or artfully done - more idea than execution.

More than anything I felt this album was evidence of a an all powerful ruling meddling in the world of us mere ants. Despite the themes being really relevant to today: 'stay away from the water' felt a bit dated to me or a bit cringe. made me think of The Who's 'save the whale'.

Wasn’t very beach boys. Dull as dishwater, went back for a slight re listen and don’t know if I’m missing something. Just didn’t hit

Better than their earlier stuff but still do t think I’m a beach boys fan, except for pet sounds.

not their usual thing but still not a fan. didn’t listen to the full thing

Not a bad listen, just nothing jumping out and grabbing my attention. Sadly, just nothing all that memorable here for me. Enjoyed the opening few tracks.

Crazy little album for the beach boys

I get that they were older and trying to go for a little more mature sound but this just feels kind of like a Beatles-experimentalism rip off. The harmony in that middle section of Disney girls is some true Brian Wilson genius but other than that was kind of bored with it. It’s interesting in the wiki article they were like “oh it’s cool listening to The Beach Boys again” but idk how cool it is singing about the day in the life of a tree….but maybe I’m just a square.

What the holy hell? How do you have an album called Surf’s Up and first song is Don’t get in the water!?! I guess that’s irony 🤷‍♂️ This was….fine. I just didn’t really get it or felt that moved by most of it. It sounded very dated for someone who wasn’t around at this time. Like I’m supposed to like it because it’s The Beach Boys. Meh. Disney Girls has a moment that sounds like Gravity by John Mayer (or rather gravity sounds like this). That’s a fun fact that my ear (probably incorrectly) picked up. And then student demonstration comes in and sounds completely out of the blue. As do the rest of the songs. 2.5 and I’m rounding down b/c I’m not a sheep.

Amazing that they decided to put the worst Beach Boys album on the list. The protest song is pretty great. The rest is depressing and boring.

Im not a beach boys fan but take a load off your feet has been a favorite song of mine for many years. It’s the best song on this album. I get they have a huge catalog of work and it’s not all bubblegum surf and they really try to hammer out the fact they were rockin experimental. This is the only Beach Boys album that I would ever consider buying but just for that one song.

Festa meg ikkje ved nåke særlig her

Highlights: Student Demonstration Time, Disney Girls Leave Em’s: Take a Load Off Your Feet, A Day In the Life of a Tree Overall Thoughts: I think the nature of The Beach Boys is just not for me. Their music feels whimsical as if it were the fantasizing of a child with an advanced vocabulary. I see the allure of the pleasant and bubbly songs the band creates, but there is an edge missing that makes me enjoy music. Even the back to back songs that I did like on the album had lyrics that made me raise an eyebrow as if to say “you can’t be serious.” Aside from those two songs there is nothing else here worth coming back to, and the bad songs really drag the whole album down in my opinion. Score Breakdown: 2.580 & 2 -> 2.290

Nice and short. Student Demonstration Time was quite good, very different, but the rest of the album did not stick. Perhaps an easier-to-listen-to album (i.e., not sickly sweet) but it was quite boring.

Not really digging this one. The lyrics seem so forced, right?

It's funny... As I'm listening, I was browsing other reviews and noticed a general disapproval of Student Demonstration Time. This was the only song that caught my ear. The lyrics are a little ham fisted, but it's got a good groove. Idk what you're all talking about.

2.2

Mostly think I dont get it

Honestly, this is probably my least favorite of the Beach Boys albums I've listened to.

It was fine. Bit tame. 2.5 stars.

I had never heard of this album. The cover art alone let me know that it wasn't going to sound like the Beach Boys that I'm familiar with. The album opens with Don't Go Near The Water, which tells you to take care of the oceans. Maybe not a surprising thing for a band that built their image on California surfing. It was a little harsh to be honest. I really liked Long Promised Road. Take A Load Off Your Feet sounded like it could be a jingle for a podiatrist. Disney Girls was just kind of meh. Student Demonstration Time is good, and being from Ohio, I wasn't aware that there was another song that mentioned the Kent State shootings of 1970. Feel Flows, Lookin' At Tomorrow, A Day in the Life of a Tree, 'Til I Die and Surf's Up kind of all blended together. Told my fiance that the album sounded like the Beach Boys but they grew up and were suffering from depression.

Listened to this all the way through 2 times. First listen it just made no sense as a Beach Boys album 2/5. Listened again as if it were an album by just any unknown band. Still terrible. Lyrics sound like a 5th grader. Vocals are weak and scattered. Music is forgettable.

This means nothing to me.

I love the Beach Boys sound, but this album was kida weird. Only real standout was Student Demonstration Time. That one was really fun. The rest of the album was forgettable. Best song: Student Demonstration Time

The best beach boys album to date but that's like calling something the best root canal. 2.

It was fine. Adult contemporary I guess?

i just dont like the Beach Boys man...

I've read lots of other reviews, and I'm not sure what I'm missing! For me, it's a collection of mainly pleasant, but rather dreary songs, arranged and produced in an uninteresting way. Apparently it's their 17th album, which might explain why it sounds like they're going through the motions; I can't imagine them racing to the studio to capture this stuff. I know they have a complex history and a deserved place in the annals, but this seemed quite insipid, especially if you consider what else was exploding around them in 1971. Some nice harmonies and melodic moments, as you'd expect, but ultimately, it did nowt for me.

uninteresting to me

lowkey boring not a fan. its not bad but j wasn't feeling it

Do not know much about late Beach Boys work. Have a soft spot for the early surf pop - but not quite sure what to make of this album. Really liked Feel Flows and wish the album had been more like this. Student Demonstrations is embarrassingly awful - with take a load of your feet not much better. Lyrically a lot of the album is pretty trite "I'm a cork on the ocean". etc. Not sure if its my hifi set up but I thought production was poor with it sounding pretty flat/ muffled. I like the idea of a darker beach boys and wanted to like this more - but apart from Feel flows and long promised road I thought this was disappointing.

First impression was pure amusement by the cover, I guess they wanted something not surfer at all? Which I found cool. Also, the record is nice, but on a single listen didn't leave a mark on me. I may or may not come back to it.

This almost sounds like... the Beach Boys trying to be serious? But they're missing the hypnotic close harmonies that make them endlessly listenable.

Not for me

I love you beach boys but this was not too enjoyable

Never heard this album. Not the energy I would have expected. Rather disappointed. 4/10

Kinda weird

Not my thing.

Groupe connu par quelques tubes, en particulier 'good vibrations' que j'apprécie. Cet album est plus récent, je suis impressionné par le nombre d'albums à l'actif du groupe (c'est déjà le 17eme !). Par contre je suis beaucoup moins impressionné par la musique, pas désagréable mais plutôt quelconque et peu entrainante. Rien à retenir de cet album. =>2/5

Aside from one or two standouts, mostly a downtrodden album - very downbeat, even on songs called things like surfs up

Ehhh, I didn't mind a track or two, but, I guess it was more impressive in its day.

It sounds like if a bunch of the Muppets ate some shrooms and made a record. That’s not a bad thing. This is certainly their most tolerable record. But it’s still too cutesy for me. It’s nice that they got socially conscious, though. Lookin’ at Tomorrow was pretty good until that guy started making noises. Was this when they were hanging out with Charles Manson?

Kind of a weird one to be on the list.

Not the Beach Boys I know. Slow and harmonic 2/5

Not what I expected. None of the California surfers music. Lot more hippie laid back music. Not bad but too slow for me.

Se nota la calidad y la novedad, la búsqueda. Pero no es para nada lo mío. Muy coral, rozando el pop y aburre un poco.

Beach Boys: The PSA album

I really like The Beach Boys. Somehow didn’t recognize any of those songs. It was okay

This may bear some more looking into, but I just couldn't connect with this album.

Although there is a lot of complexity in the composition and harmonies this record did little for me. The first track (Don’t Go Near the Water) lyrics are silly and ham fisted and it doesn’t get much better from there. Highlight (if there is one): Disney Girls (1957)

This was quite weird and I'm not sure in a way that I particularly like. Feel Flows is a fine song that I knew before listening to this album (but I don't know if I knew it was The Beach Boys) but other than that, not a ton here I really enjoyed.

I wanted to like this as seeing more of the Beach Boy's other than their hits really interested me but I just don't like it. Idk what it is about them. I think it's their vocal production mixed with the keys, I get it's GOOD I just don't like it. Standout was Student Demonstration Time for me. I actually think it followed a pretty formulaic rock and roll formula and I'm not actually sure what they were trying to say, I think I was just happy from a break from actual Beach Boy's stuff

Not great.

2.5

One of the weirder Beach Boys records I've heard. As usual, the vocals harmonies are impeccable. There just aren't any earworms here. I generally enjoy the Beach Boys, but this one left me feeling a little disappointed. "Feel Flows" is a high. "Student Demonstration Time" is a low

Songs about trees and feet? lol

I like the Pet Sounds vibe, but this is a poor effort. Also, what the hell is 'Student Demonstration Time'?

This sounds like a band that's a few albums past its prime.

Uninspiring, a shadow of the glory Beach Boy albums of the mid to late 1960s.

Maso

achei meio chato pra caralho de escutar, pra ser bem honesto

Utterly bizarre. I can see why the U.S. market wasn’t feeling this in 1971. I’m not feeling it either.

Could hear traces of that great harmony but overall a disappointing album. Odd tracks/subjects to sing about. Liked the tree one though

I really wanted to like this. But yikes.

I'm shocked at the number of 5 star ratings for this. I thought it wavered between truly terrible and boring hippy drivel. At least it was short.

Boring.

I don't see it. Why is this one of the 1001 greatest albums of all time? I have never heard anything of these before, and they don't seem special in any way.

California music - relaxing and yet, not as well-known as their hits from earlier, it was ok as easy listening goes but probably not something I'll pick up again.

Slow paced and overall unexciting.

Mercifully short. Odd, but still vaguely Beach Boys

I tried two times to get through this and I couldn't. Not bad, but not good enough to try any harder.

Not for me

Really like ‘feel flows’ boss flute

I'm sure if you're a Beach Boys fan you will like it, unfortunately I'm not!

I think there were some interesting ideas on this album that if fleshed out could make a really good album but otherwise were sparse. Also, I understand that this was the 70's but some of the tracks here have some of the worst mixing I have ever heard. 1.5/5

nur die Masse an Liedern bringt's halt auch nicht

Uh um

Did not really click for me. The more “serious” themes - compared to “pet sounds” etc - seemed a bit tacked on to me. Interestingly, I learned that I most enjoyed the two contributions by Carl Wilson: feel flows & long promised road.

Boring. I can’t get super into The Beach Boys, and I’ve tried with Pet Sounds.

Not what I expected from the Beach Boys but then again, if I had thought about the title, I would have maybe been more prepared.

2.5

What an odd album. It's got: Environmental songs that sound like they were written by someone who just learned about the issue impress some hippie girl. A heavy metal inspired blues song about protesting that asks the question, ”maybe don't?" And some left overs from pet sounds at the end to make wish you were listening to a better album. A curiosity but not much more.

Seminal but not for me. Couldn't believe it was the 17th studio album but it sounds like it

Not what I was expecting at all. Surf's Up means Surf's time is up. Much looser, darker, and weirder than the classic Beach Boys stuff, this album still has the signature emphasis on thick harmonies and lush production, but it doesn't come at you with the big hooks and 2 minute concentrated blasts of pure pop. Instead, it has a washed out acid hangover feel to it, woozily easing you into a slightly formless psychedelic daze punctuated by fuzzy guitar leads, some bleeps and bloops that sound like kraut-rock before it had been invented, and all sorts of different random instruments sounds. Favorites: Disney Girls, Feel Flows

This just did not land for me at all. I went in knowing this was a very different version of The Beach Boys to the sun soaked 60s hits I was familiar with, but I was still hoping something would grab me. Instead, I found it a fairly dull listen from start to finish. It is moodier, more introspective and far removed from the surf pop harmonies most people associate with the band. I can respect that they were trying to evolve and move into more serious, reflective territory, but for me it lacks energy and memorable hooks. The songs drift by without ever really demanding attention. There may be depth here that rewards repeated listens, but on this occasion nothing pulled me back in or made me want to revisit it. Favourite song: I could not really pick one that stood out Least favourite song: Disney Girls Album artwork: I am still not entirely sure what it is meant to represent

Did not realize they did things after Pet Sounds. Thought it was fine but the album wasn’t cohesive and there was no single that grabbed me

Yawn.

Interesting start, not what I expected, but fell apart towards the end for me. 2 completely flat oceans out of 5

Pretty boring.

Meh

I expected something totally different. For me, it underdelivered.

Not their best

I thought I'd enjoy this more, but I was bored

don't get why this is on here

Ei onneksi niin happoista menoa kuin luulin. Ei myöskään synkkä kuten kansi. Alan keksiä, mikä Beach boysissa vetoaa, yksi on monipuolisuus, jota tässäkin levyssä on. Kieltämättä tosi taitavaa musaa. Ei vaan herätä mussa mitään tunteita. Kiinnostuksen sentään herätti tällä kertaa, eli yksi piste siitä.

For Beach Boys fans.. who love the hopping beats of the sand and fun,,, move on. I never head of this album, and now I know why. Heavy, deep, and political. Not that the message is bad, it actually still rings through 50 years later - it's just...not The Beach Boys. Like listening to Black Sabbath singing Silly Love Songs.

girl they sound as tired as that horse looks. get off the beach boys go have some sandwiches reapply some sunblock.

17test Studioalbum - krass! Beach Boys on Blues (:o)

It seems like the beach boys followed the Beatles into more experimental albums in the 70s, but less successfully. Favorite track was student demonstration time.

Not my type of music for a full album. Always thought of the beach boys as a "one (or two) hit wonder" and this album confirms it

I’m just amazed there’s an album from The Beach Boys for which I know NONE of the tracks. Not a single one. Brian Wilson kept performing long enough to see himself become the villain. I’m torn on how to rate this. It’s a solid performance, but nothing stuck with me. It’s mostly a downer, but Student Demonstration Time’s sound does not match the content in the slightest.

Long Promised Road Surf's Up

Remember when The Beach Boys were on full house? That was crazy, anyway this album was trash.

Festa meg ikkje ved nåke særlig her

Not sure about this one

Not a big fan. Sounds like all the non-Brian Wilson Beach Boys are trying to make Brian Wilson music and I prefer the real deal, even if at this time Brian wasn't really capable of making anything.

Ei uponnut tämä. En oikein tiedä mitä tässä haettiin. Ei ollut rentoa ranta-menoa, mutta ei kuitenkaan ole ihan päästy irti niistä vanhoista viboista. Tyylit törmäävät yhteen omituisesti.

So cheesy! They ran out of good ideas many albums ago.

It was really weird and not my style

One exceptional song, Surfs up, the others are average and dated. Pet sounds is infinitely better.

I didn't really connect with it. Certainly seems innovative for the early 70s.

it's tough when you have to compare your albums to Pet Sounds, but you have to know when to fold em. felt overproduced to me with thin vocal arrangements compared to their past.

Скучно

Sounds like budget beatles

An odd journey of an album, so interesting stuff, but doesn’t really grab you for the whole thing.

Not your classic Beach Boys, and I wasn't particularly fond of it

One good song. Just kinda weird other than that

I’ve listened to and liked The Beach Boys before, but really not a fan of this album as a whole. The recording quality is dubious at best, the writing is, the best I can describe it at least, weird, the lyrics are rather simple rhyming scenes most of the time. So yeah, I might find myself enjoying a song here or there, but as an album I don’t think I’d listen to this again.

please note that i don't really like the beach boys, so i already went into this having the expectation i wasn't going to enjoy it. i didn't really enjoy it, the only song i cared for was "long promised road" but everything else just did nothing for me. i think i get what other people like in this group but it isn't for me at all.

Disappointingly mediocre, which kind of annoyed me, as I would have rated the Beach Boys for producing some quality sounds. It was an OK album for playing in the background of a shopping market, but sadly that's where it ends, I wouldn't choose to listen to it again.

I'm not a huge fan of psychadelic rock, not even when the Beach Boys are doing it. A few of the songs on this album were good - the ones that weren't trying to be overly psychadelic and hippie

Very patchy - some have that swell of sadness that the Beach Boys do so well, some are just tacky shit (student protests one is awful)

actually don't really like it, they're trying to be too political maybe

Disappointing

I dunno why people like the Beach Boys so much, I got nothing from this music 🤷‍♂️

This was a strange album. It kind of threw me for a loop, as I've never quite heard The Beach Boys in this form. I ended up having to give it a second listen because I just didn't quite know what to make of it after the first listen. The title "Surf's Up" definitely feels like a play on words, as if to say "our surf music image is over, this is who we are now". They know what they're known for, they are acknowledging it, and then asking the audience to give up those preconceived notions. Brian Wilson's relative absense here is definitely a loud silence; I had a Brian Wilson album sans-Beach Boys not too long ago, and thought it felt lacking. Well, Beach Boys that is mostly sans-Brian Wilson also feels anemic in a different way. All of them together is really the most winning formula. The title song, "Surf's Up", comes the closes to having this winning sound and formula while still pushing the newer, more progressive Beach Boys sound, and it contains a prominent Brian Wilson part, but I digress. Don't get me wrong, there are elements of what The Beach Boys are known for, but the final product is certainly more off the wall. It's psychedelic folk-y, it's progressive, and it's overall pretty esoteric and mystical. Needless to say, a genre is hard to pin down here because each song is kind of genre-defying and unique in its own right. But what this album seems to lack for me is any kind of magic. Not a bad listen, but not really one I enjoyed all that much, either.

On one hand, I like the sound of the Beach Boys and find an environmentally conscious album from them in this time to be fascinating. There are also catchy asides like Disney Girls. On the other hand, Student Demonstration Time feels like a terrible message that head-assedly victim blames protestors for assembly. Then outside of these highs and lows, some of the tracks are just there, like Kick Your Feet Up. Overall, not my favorite.

Easily the best part of this is the edgier beach boys on show; rather than bright and bubbly the sounds here are a lot "grungier" (not actually grungy). however the whole is less than the sum of its parts. best tracks: long promised road, till I die, a day in the life of a tree

You can really tell Brian Wilson was not involved much by this time. I kinda remember this album, but with no real great tracks it’s no wonder I didn’t remember much.

Heard it before?: No Enjoy it?: Not really, I’m just a fan of their warmer sound though Favourite song: Track 4 - Disney Girls

Listening to this reminded me of the movie ‘Love and Mercy’ which shows Brian Wilson struggling with his mental issues. Apparently those struggles started with Pet Sounds but seem audibly obvious here. But it’s actually the confluence of styles and people that contribute to this auditory mess. Each song felt like it was 15 minutes long, but that was probably because I was just desperate for it to end. Not even the prescient ecological messages could save this. And the cover just seems to epitomise how downtrodden and beaten this record is. A day in the life of a tree was ill-judged at best. I would’ve forgiven it if it was a song on Sesame Street, maybe a duet between Big Bird and Elmo but here it was just irritating. Akin to going to a hair salon two weeks after lockdown and the hairdresser asking if you’ve been anywhere nice on holiday. Harrumph I say!

Well, I'm no longer feeling obligated to dance around it. I just don't dig the Beach Boys. For some reason, I kept feeling like it was on me to unlock the key to this band, but after these last few spins, I've come to the realization that I just don't enjoy the music. Throughout the entirety of this listen, I had one thought running through my head... "seriously, wtf?"

Not my bag

Not what I was expecting for a beach boys album. First listen didn’t really care for it

Surf's Up isn't for me, The Beach Boys aren't in general but a more sober and retrospective album of theirs appeals even less. 2, because I liked Disney Girls.

Surf’s dead.

pretty good, really, but I am not a BB fan, so...

Algo mediocre, no tiene temazos.

So different than what I was expecting. Didn’t enjoy except maybe Student Demonstration Time.

This felt a bit 'washed-out'. A kind of 'morning-after-the-night' before feeling. Not a bad set of songs, and the idea of the band reinventing themselves is interesting, However, the material that works best (Don't Go Near and the title track) sounds pretty much like the Beach Boys of 'old'. The arrangement of Surf's Up itself feels a bit more thought-out than some of the other tracks, and works as a consequence. One to investigate again at a later date?

This is a very sad album. The 60's dream is over, Dude. It's almost as if the Beach Boys are twisting the surfing myth and culture. They're pissing on their own grave. There's some decent stories buried away in the lyrics. The music struggles to bring them to the surface. Please tell me Student Demonstration Time is a piss take?

This album is disturbing for me. I grew up with my father listening to oldies stations, exposing me to their shallow bubblegumsurf pop hits from the 60’s. Oh, then there was Kokomo in 1988. I suppose it’s my fault for being ignorant of the two decades between surfing’ safari and Kokomo. This album has some weird and some unusual, with light sprinkles of their sugary sweet surfing topping. Not much sweet in this darkness.

Aside from being extremely ahead of its time on the issue of climate change, this album didn’t do it for me. Some songs had super corny lyrics, and honestly as soon as the song about feet (????) came on I was too confused to take it seriously.

Not a typical Beach Boys album… and I think that’s for the worse. I miss Brian Wilson’s vocals, as whoever is singing on this album has a shaky voice. It’s kinda cool that they were addressing environmentalism in the early 70s, as that is way ahead of the times. But the song about feet was ridiculous. Is this a podiatry propaganda album?! 2/5

Two stars for the great lyrics. Besides that, not my thing. I enjoy some of their earlier works, this record isn’t for me.

Some was ok, some was terrible

Lo siento otra vez, pero me he aburrido. Excepto "Long promised road" nada me ha llamado la atención. Entiendo que después de 16 discos anteriores no quedaba mucha magia por vender.

I want to like this. I really do. But I don't. It is dull. It is not fun. Yes, it's a different direction for The Beach Boys and I'm sure it was considered groundbreaking at the time, but do I enjoy it? No. I do not.

I didn't exactly get good vibrations from this one but it also wasn't the worst I've heard from the list. Seemed like they were trying to shed the whole surf city thing and do something edgy but nothing about their efforts made me feel anything, good or bad.

It’s fine. It just didn’t really elicit any strong feelings. Don’t know what’s special about it exactly.

Normally this would be a no brainer... Beach boys are awesome. But I did not really enjoy this one.

Some decent songs

Not classic Beach Boys. Rating: 2/5 Playlist track: Don't Go Near The Water Date listened: 20/11/22

Interesting album. It does not sound like the Beach Boys as they became later on.

Dan gaat het nummer "Disney girls" over het drugsgebruik onder jongeren. En dan maken ze vervolgens een nummer over een dag uit het leven van een boom. Een boom! Met takken!

Fine but fairly uninteresting Beach Boys music.

This is not the Beach Boys I have grown accustomed to. This was a much much sadder version. Even starting with the cover of this album, I knew this was different. By the way this might be my favorite cover of an album of every record I've reviewed on here. The songs on here are not so happy go lucky like previous albums. Some are happier like student demonstration time but the majority are chill, sad vibes. I like the switch up but the songs are meh. 4/10 respect for trying something different

Boring bluesy, an Beatles like

Huh, I didn't know the Beach Boys had even gone into the progressive/psychedelic scene. In any case, I have to say that at no point listening to this album did it "grab" me. A lot of random sounds, a lot of random lyrics; nothing super bad but nothing particularly good.

By this point in their career, it was no longer sunny days and nights and driving about in you car. It's all gone a bit strange and dark. Issues, family fall outs, tons and tons of drugs all work together to make an odd album. Best Tracks: Long Promised Road; Feel Flows; Surf's Up

What the fuck kind of nightmare fucking album art is this holy shit. This was super forgettable to me. It's possible I was just extra busy and distracted, but nothing from this was memorable. Not that it was a bad album, just very plain.

Meh. This kind of thing is not my bag, baby.

Weird and unremarkable

Veri gooz

Don't go near the water - this is so on the nose, could be sung to kids Long promised road- musically strong, lyrics quite simple👍 Take a load of your feet- nursery rhyme core Disney Girls (1957) - people are always wishing for simpler times, musically simple Student demonstration time - musically a cover, this doesn't do anything for me Feel Flows - instrumental is pretty cool👍 Lookin' at tomorrow (a welfare song) - almost an interlude, sonically interesting A day in the life of a tree- Classic beach boys harmonies👍 'Til I die - this is a very tight song, incredible harmonies👍 Surfs up- sections don't link together organically for me I think the overly political songs on this album are lacking all subtlety. Just wasn't my fave, I like the bait and switch with the title tho. 2/5

ok

I'm surprised to see this album in the 1001. Sure, The Beach Boys are great, but this isn't a particularly interesting or innovative album. Very pleasant to listen to, but not one I would pick. Perhaps because I'm not American I don't appreciate the significance of it?

Pretty boring music nothing special

Don’t think I have ever heard this before - I was 4 when it was first released

Ooh, 70s Beach Boys. Intriguing. I found the attempts to push their sound and their lyrical themes forward interesting, and I feel like there’s a mystery quality to it that might reveal itself over time. But equally I’ve given it a few spins now and there still aren’t any tracks that have burrowed their way into my psyche. Maybe a bit harsh, but 2.5 stars.

Fucking Beach Boys....

Meh. I don't get The Beach Boys. The best part is that kickass album cover and the contrast it creates with the simple "Surf's Up" title, and their previous work. The title track was pretty cool though.

Some weird 60s bullshit

I've never heard a single song from this album. Based on the wiki, this was the Beach Boys attempt to rebrand themselves and be more relevant to the times. At times that feels really forced and ham fisted. At other times the songs are just ok.

really enjoyed the first 4 songs but couldn’t stand the last 6. effectively giving it a 2 but wish it was higher as the beginning of the album was quite pleasant.

Uhhhhh

Not my jam

J’entends la tentative de dé-juvéniliser la proposition. Ce que ça donne, c’est un album moins énergique et plus sombre. Trop sombre pour un album qui s’appelle « Surf’s Up » d’un band qui s’appelle « Beach Boys ».

Not good. I LOVE earlier Beach Boys, but really feel they were lacking after BW's breakdown. 2/5

weird album - they must have been on a lot of drugs making this one

Maybe the worst Beach Boys album I’ve ever heard? “Let’s write a song about water pollution!” “Let’s write a song about student protests!” “Let’s try and be relatable and relevant to todays youth!” It just comes across as pandering and inauthentic. Furthermore it’s obvious Brian Wilson had little to do with this, and it’s just overall a downward slide from Pet Sounds and the early Beach Boys.

Erstmals empfinde ich eine Platte, an der Brian Wilson beteiligt ist, nicht komplett scheußlich. Gute 2.

Meh

Meh. Just fellike a dowber

Interesting album, and a little different - but I just don't like the Beach Boys. I can understand why others do - but I don't

No. Well, I listened to a couple of these songs. It's a lot different than Pet Sounds that everyone talks about and seems to love but which I hate. Buy I still don't like the Beach Boys.

Like Pet Sounds without the couple of great songs to save it.

Massively uninspiring.

Poor

Don’t get the fuss and nothing on this album changed my mind

Soft. Soft ass shit

Pretty boring. 2

104. Surfs up - The Beach Boys 10 tracks Was looking forward to this but was seriously underwhelmed. Just pretty bang average. Nothing stood out in a good way and this really wasn't for me at all. 2/5

"Hey guys, you know, this world is facing a lot of problems, ya know?" "Yeah, some pretty bad problems." "Agreed. Let's make up some songs about 'em right now and record 'em." "Record 'em right now?" "Yeah. Strike while the iron's hot, ya know? Don't overthink it." "Sure, sure. But maybe if you took a day or two, and kind of worked the songs out before you recorded 'em --" "We're the fucking Beach Boys, Jerry. Roll tape!"

Strange stuff here. I don't actually like the 'classic' Beach Boys harmony sound; comes across as a mess of whooping and hooting. That material sounds tired on this album; and elsewhere, the 'lighter' stuff about feet and trees and whatnot is embarrassing. But there are hints of more interesting horizons here 'n' there, and 'Disney Girls' is a great tune whichever way you fold it.

I'm not gonna top Craig's review, but will agree with y'all about the mixed bag nature of this one. First of all, how many Beach Boys records do we even need on this list? And yet we still haven't had a single Black Sabbath album. Satan's not gonna be too happy about this and neither am I. But I do like "Feel Flows." And that artwork! There's a Don Quixote vibe to that painting. Cool image.

Listened Before? N Drugs. There's not enough of them to make me like this album. I don't get it. Pros: Student Demonstration Time is a decent political song. Cons: After reading the history of the record, I understand that it was a comeback of sorts for the band, and that's fantastic for them. I don't understand why is consistenly ranked in the top albums of all time though. It really feels like they were attempting to become the "American Beatles" here. The vocals are not what I expect from the Beach Boys, and the instrumentation seems intentionally experimental. Added to Library? (Yes/No/Partial) - P Added: Student Demonstration Time

5/10

This album is the 17th from the Beach Boys. It received favorable reviews at release and sold a lot better than their previous albums, although none of the singles from this album ever hit the charts. To me, I like the older Beach Boys material better, but this album was fine to listen to as well. Not the same spunky, beach vibes as older music, but that's what makes this album unique for the band. Definitely worth a listen at the very least.

Boring. Listened to it twice through and the standout tracks from the first listen were worse the second time.

Never come across this and preferred it to Pet Sounds, but still nothing special

Why would you do a Beach Boys album without Brian Wilson? It's like The Jackson 3, NSYNC without Timberlake or Destiny's Twins. It's like a poor photocopy of Harry Nilsson on a bad day.

I like the Beach Boys, but found this album odd. I ended up putting Pet Sounds on afterwards to recalibrate myself.

Surf’s Up by The Beach Boys (1971) The Beach Boys are loved for their signature style of ‘surfer rock’: hot rods, surfboards, summertime, pretty girls. But that’s not what we get on this album. Indeed the only mention of surfing is in the single, unnecessary, and mournfully obscure line in the closing title track: “Surf’s up, mm-mm”. Unconnected. Embarrassingly ironic (as in ‘Surf may be up, but we’ve run out of daffy things to say about it, so here are some daffy things about more important stuff’). The phrase is awkwardly out of place in an expressionistic pastiche about everything but the joys of catching a wave. Indeed the only track that remotely touches the subject of surfing is the environmentalist alarum “Don’t Go Near the Water”. What’s going on here? We get plenty of their simple and pretty (if sophomoric) melodies, goofy effects and a decent dose of their beautiful vocal harmonies. And we even have some very nice, dreamy chamber choir/jazz fusion (“Surf’s Up”). But this album qua album takes The Beach Boys in a new direction, and I don’t think I want to follow. We get student protest (“Student Protest Time”) which, like everything emanating from students, clearly reveals that they aren’t finished learning. Those of us who were students at the time quickly came to the realization that Revolution is for professionals. In this song, The Beach Boys reduce protest to farce. Listen to MC5 and grow up, dudes. We get tree-hugging (A Day in the Life of a Tree”), in spades. They’re trying so hard to be sincere. We get proletarian lament “Lookin’ at Tomorrow (A Welfare Song)” that is waiting till next semester for Econ 101. This record is self iconoclasm, if not self loathing. 2/5

Not my thing

This album was a surprise. I had never heard any of these songs and they are not like their other songs. And the album cover is not one I would expect Beach Boys to have. Still not my cup of tea though.

Today has made me realise that at some point 'Pet Sounds', aka the world's most overrated album, is going to pop up for me to listen to. I can never quite put my finger on why I struggle to like it. Nice harmonies for sure, but the actual songs were never that good. It always seems that the people who praise it are doing so for the technicalities but the same people always seem to hate technical ability in other music. This is more of the same, but with some terrible lyrics and sounding very muzak at times. This album could only have come out in the very early 70s. The title track is ok in a bunch of harmonies tacked together to form a song way.

I sympathise with the guy on the horse. Trees and feet, hey?

Don't get it, sounds like the worst of early 2000s indie bands with way too much production and vocal harmonies. Some of the songs were decent "Don't go near the water", "Feel flows" but the rest are just blah.

Альбом не в привычном стиле. Мне больше по душе их треки в стиле сёрф рок.

Not really my cup of tea. Few good songs though.

Way more laid back and low key then expected.

etwas mehr dringlichkeit und schmalz steht ihnen ja ganz gut, aber warum das auf dieser liste sein muss… keine ahnung.

They warned me to not go near the water. I should've listened.

Doesn't sound like the beach boys. Doesn't sound great

I'm struggling a bit to find positive things to say but I'll try. Given how pathetic I am at whistling I always like songs with a whistling solo. So Disney Girls works for me. I guess the lack of CSNY style harmonies is also a nice change. On Feel Flows, was that a guitar solo? Some might think that a guitar solo is a little out of the ordinary on a Beach Boys tune. In theory it was a good idea but it's too bad the solo sucked. Didn't any of these guys have Clapton's or Page's phone number? It's unfortunate that so many bands have a pride of workmanship that gets in the way of bringing in hired guns. Clapton's solo on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" tremendously improved the song. Hats off to George et al for being open to the "outsider". On this album it seems the B Boys were trying to throw out their "apple pie" image. The should've replaced the apple pie with a slice of humble pie and brought in a hot shot.

T'was awful

"TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOUR FEET" - a love letter to podiatry and orthopedics. Otherwise, not the usual sound I associate with the Beach Boys.

Not very "Beach Boys" like.

Outdated sounds.

Better than Pet Sounds in my opinion. One thing that strikes me is most of what I hear from the BB doesn't sound like the BB I expect to hear.

a bit too happy

Meh.

Much more dark than the typical Beach Boys album. It was okay...

Boring.

Not your father's Beach Boys. Pretty creative and different for a 17th album. Breaks the Beach Boys pop mold. Hmmm. Interesting.

Está ok, no suena a nada novedoso hoy en día pero entiendo como puedo haber influenciado a muchos grupos indies. Tiene más en común con música de los 60s o de los 80s que con música de su misma época. Pero en general me dan medio pereza los Beach Boys

Very old Beach Boys.

Don’t get the fuss and nothing on this album changed my mind

Wasn't keen and more political than I was expecting.

The decline of the boys. 5 years after pet sounds and it's noticable. Weaker, not all that out there. A mediocre beach boys album.

Wasn’t keen. One song sounded like an advert aimed at kids promoting good health and looking after the planet. Something you could imagine the wiggles doing…

Sei la, nao eh ruim mas nao vi a pira.

I think I was expecting better. Found it a bit aggravating at times but might just need to give it another listen

Too progressive

not very good. I honestly hate Brian Wilson’s songwriting. it’s fine when it’s catchy songs about surfing or whatever but the lyrics on this album just come off sounding asinine when they try to deal with serious subjects. there are nice harmonies but they can't really save it, especially on slower songs. Also the production is pretty bad. 4

There was perhaps some potential there but not much, and most of the enjoyable bits were overshadowed by the annoying ones such as ambulance sounds and strange vocalizations.

Feels a lot like some Weezer albums, so now I know where they get their inspiration. Probably not the first time that anyone has used organ music and a choir, but still interesting to hear...

Nada memorable

Meh.

One star for sonic variety (though that is probably a result of having to listen to a Nick Drake album recently). One star for Disney girls. The rest seems held back by laughably clumsy and heavy handed lyrics. Definitely one strange album.

Disco más bien aburridón. Interesantes sus arreglos vocales y es música agradable pero nada qué recordar. En general puedo ver la mayor parte del tiempo por qué los discos de esta lista están incluidos, pero éste en particular se me hizo flojito. 2.5 que bajo a 2.

Not sure I liked this one. Sounds like more songs of that moment. Not the typical Beach Boy sound I know so was a bit turned off

Definitely not my cup of tea

Meh

Seulement 5 chansons dispo sur Spotify. Une chance, parce que ce n'est pas très bon.

I never was a BB fan

surprisingly meh

It was alright

Tried to hard to sound topical. Some of it sounded like traditional Beach Boys. Other parts sounded like they were trying to keep up with the early 70s Joneses.

-very durgy

Ei lähtenyt lentoon. Tylsä.

Ingen höjdare direkt. Fortfarande bättre än både Pet Shop Boys och Back Street Boys iaf.

I put this very much in the same category as The Beatles, who I think are overrated

This.... isn't very good? The jingles are gone, it's all serious, heaps of introspective meandering shit. I guess the success of the Beatles got to them? Apparently it was a hit. I think it's lame. 2/5.

Gave up on this. Not enjoyable listening.

Absolutely not. If you asked me to come up with songs that the Beach Boys would be doing in 1971, I wouldn't have the comedy chops to come up with a song that makes fun of student protestors getting shot, a song about taking care of your feet, a sickly sweet nostalgic song about Disney girls, and a song from the perspective of a tree. All with sugary sweet falsettos and harmonies. I did not add any of these songs to my library. ⭐️

This was more subdued than the previous Beach Boys album I had recently. Not bad, mellow.