Surf's Up

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

Started off good, went a bit meandering

Bastante bien

Nije lose, dobri su mi decki. Al nije mi nijedna stvar ostala u glavi sa ovog albuma, pa ne znam, nema odusevljenja. Trojka

Djeluje čak depresivnije/mračnije od onoga što su prije radili, i dobro je, također je i cover odličan. Sviđa mi se album. Nije mi u potpunosti odličan, ali je dobar! Prvi dio albuma iliti prva strana je jača od druge. Imo. Najdraža mi je Feel Flows, taman na tom prijelazu na drugu stranu albuma.

Nisam ih baš nikad uzeo slušat, a ovaj sad album mi je baš bio dobar, svaka pjesma na mjestu, aaaaal nije četvorka.

Esperaba encontarme algo con el sonido más original de ellos y menos de Pet Sounds pero me sorprendí gratamente.

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.

Wow, that was The Beach Boys? A very strange album. Student Demonstration Time is so out of the blue, it’s crazy. Interesting harmonies in several songs.

Disc de ressaca d'una década. Mateixos vibes en aquest sentit que 'Bridge Over Troubled Water', però radicalment diferent en quant a plantejament, filosofia i motivacions. Les harmonies vocals tracten de recuperar l'esperança dels 60, però es veuen maniatades per unes melodies i temàtiques opressives, pessimistes, apesarades. Tot plegat, però, tot i ser molt lluny de la immediatesa de les seves primeres obres, transpua una qualitat i pes artístic de primer nivell

Definitely a different sound that other Beach Boys albums. Very enjoyable. 3/5

An offbeat Beach Boys album. No hits here, but The Boys are always a good listen.

Probably the nearest the Beach Boys came to making a truly psychedelic album, this is simply masterful. The lyrics are more thoughtful than previously expected and cover some ecological and political themes. The usual vocal harmonies are there of course, plus there are some interesting musical textures. It's disappointing that no Dennis Wilson tracks were included as his songs were to the highlights on the previous Sunflower album. The mood is generally quite mellow with the raucous 'Student Demonstration Time' placed at the end of side one to wake you up after the gently nostalgic 'Disney Girls'. Highlights include 'Don't Go Near The Water', 'Feel Flows', 'Til I Die and the masterful title track. I also have soft spot for the humorous 'Take Good Care of Your Feet'.

tender, ecological, elegies for kindness and gentleness

I'm still not quite sure how I feel about by this one. There are some truly wonderful songs here and some duds as well. The sound and lyrics of this record were very surprising to me. Going to give it a 3 for now. I think it could potentially be a 4 for me with some more listens.

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

Nice album from those beach bums

Never quite managed to get the Beach Boys.

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.

It's not Pet Sounds, is it? There are some great songs on here, namely the last three tracks. The rest of the album? Not that that great. This album is marred by soupy production and a patchy song choice, especially "Student Demonstration Time" which just sounds condescending and dated rather than being the protest song it intended to be.

Politieke rock

Primera escolta d'aquest àlbum dels The Beach Boys. Amb Brian Wilson recuperant-se dels seus problemes mentals, la resta del grup aconsegueix un àlbum interessant i força entretingut, amb cançons i arranjaments inspirats.

Never listened through this one all the way through either. I enjoyed it.

I enjoyed this more then I thought i would, since it is not a beach boys album I had heard before.

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

I guess I didn't really know what happened to The Beach Boys between 1966 and 1988. There was a lot more than I imagined, and this was a really amazing experience for me. Really interesting, varied stuff! Different voices, different styles...always a hint of earlier Beach Boys there. I loved "Disney Girls (1957)" and "Feel Flows" and "'Til I Die" and "Surf's Up," maybe all for different reasons. The songs "Don't Go Near the Water" and "Student Demonstration Time" and "A Day in the Life of a Tree" are fascinating looks at 1971 through an adapting Beach Boys lens. I really enjoyed this "discovery," and feel that several of these songs will stay with me for some time.

I do love me some Beach Boys and was happy to see one of there albums pop up on the list. I was not familiar with this one. I was definitely different that the sound that I am familiar with. The music and vocals seemed to lack a richness. I don't know if that was more the production or the compositions. Overall, it was good.

Holy holy, what an absolute gem of an album. Can't believe I've never heard it. The album starts with The Beach Boys telling me NOT to go near the water. What? This was unexpected. To be honest, this song is a little cheeseball and a bit too on the nose. It could've been (maybe was) a TV ad for water conservation. But other than the surprising message, this sounds like a Beach Boys song. Long Promised Road is a beautiful, beautiful pop song. I just love it. Can't believe it wasn't a bigger hit. Take a Load Off Your Feet is catchy and ridiculous. I knew Captain & Tennille's cover of Disney Girls but had no idea it was a cover of a Beach Boys song. This is another really lovely pop song with an achingly exquisite melody sung so beautifully by Bruce Johnston. When he sings "oh" in the chorus, it goes straight to my heart. I love this one. From that we go straight to a heavy blues riff and some sirens for Student Demonstration Time. This has some of the best lyrics including, "The pen is mightier than the sword, but no match for a gun." Fuck. Feel Flows definitely sounds like the Beach Boys singing but doesn't sound like a Beach Boys song. The instrumental section is prog rock with flutes and all. This is another one that I love. I don't know what to say about Lookin' At Tomorrow. I just don't. A Day in the Life of a Tree is from the p.o.v. of said tree accompanied by a sad carnival calliope. Again, Til I Die and Surf's Up sure sound like the Beach Boys singing but they are eerie and haunting and the opposite of the carefree surfing songs I've come to expect from these guys. They're stunning. I am so grateful to have been introduced to this precious piece of work. We've only been together, this album and I, for about 24 hours but already we are in a pretty serious relationship that I think is going to last for quite some time.

I’ve been waiting for some Beach Boys music, as I have only been exposed to their greatest hits and was pretty sure I was missing out on something. I had no idea how true that was... “Don’t Go Near The Water” seemed like a strange opening for an album entitled SURF’S UP by The Beach Boys. But I loved the song. It is heartbreaking how applicable it is 50 years later. I instantly loved “Long Promised Road” with its quiet verses and rocking choruses. The bridge was so beautiful. Couple that with the deep and complex lyrics... such an impressive song. “Take a Load Off Your Feet” is really wild! Strange as it starts off talking about wrinkly feet. “Take good care of your feet, Pete”. Bizarre sound effects abound in this song, including car horns, clanking plates. I loved it! I also loved this version of “Disney Girls (1957)”. Really like the three-syllable treatment of ‘Disney’. I have always loved this song but did a disservice to myself by not seeking out this original. There is so much more dimension in this performance than the covers I've heard. “Student Demonstration Time” has a unique feel but is very well done and catchy - a bit surprising since it is documenting student riots and police shootings. The synthesizer siren is pretty cool - quite a song. "Feel Flows" is so unique and beautiful. "Unfolding enveloping missiles of soul recall senses sadly". The complicated lyrics along with the sort of weird backward overdubbing makes for a really psychedelic while still unmistakably The Beach Boys. I love this song. "Lookin' At Tomorrow (A Welfare Song)" is so applicable today it disturbs me to think of how little progress our world has made despite the technical revolutions of the last 5 decades. Really incredible. "A Day in The Life of a Tree" contrasts dramatically to something like "Feel Flows." This elegiac song starts off an you might not suspect it was The Beach Boys. But as the organ swells those unmistakable harmonies join in and the song begins to soar. Another really incredible song. "'Til I Die" is really a beautiful and haunting song that is such a prime example of the happy/sad currents underlying the Beach Boys music. "Surf's Up" is an epic ending to the album that left me stunned. Haunting. The song craft on SURF'S UP is beyond belief. The songs' deep environmental, personal and sociological themes are still sharp and even more pertinent today. I've already listened to this 5 times and every time I get more out of each song. This is one incredible album that has completely changed how I think about The Beach Boys.

This is very disorienting. Nothing like what I know of the Beach Boys, and I respect that they just kinda did what they wanted and flipped a bird to their expectations. It's a strange mix of songs: socially conscious (DGNTW and Student Demonstration Time), nostalgic and tropey but lush (Disney Girls), whimsical (TALOYF). Another one of those "glad i listened," but what mood do you need to be in to return to it as a whole? Solid 3.

Really interested and tight. The Beach Boys is an excellent group.

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?

Honestly don't remember much of it other than "Feel Flows". Wasn't what I was expecting and on reading about the history realized it was a band trying to reconnect with fans after some disappointing albums.

different from what i’d expected from the beach boys. kinda gave eels vibes and i enjoyed it

This was completely unexpected. The album feels much darker than their upbeat more popular songs, but it showcases their voices and talents just as well. Really enjoyed it.

A good one but not for the playlist

Interesting garage blues song reminded me of The White Stripes

Was expecting girls and surfing. Was pleasantly surprised

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.

A new discovery for me and one that I really enjoyed. You can hear the growth that reached it's zenith with Pet Sounds, buty this one has a similar feel and dare I say may be a little more accessible. 4 stars

Not their best album, but still enjoyable.

Enough high points to make it interesting and enjoyable.

3.5 fun

A bit darker than the beach boys I’m used… enjoyed this though. No one can say they don’t know their way around a good tune!

Had a very Beatles sound, wouldn't have guessed any of the tracks on this album were the Beach Boys. A bit political. Fun listen. Not their best though.

not your "classic" Beach Boys album, a lot more politically aware and less "young and fun"

Pretty fun album. Would never have recognized it as a Beach Boys album if I hadn't known!

I enjoyed this. Even though I have heard my fair share of Beach Boys songs, I didn't know any of the ones on this album. I also feel these songs are quite different from their usual vibe. Enjoyable, though!

This is my first "deep cut" Beach Boys, and I'm not super impressed. There are some callbacks to the surf-rock harmonies, and some Jethro Tull-like explorations (and flute).

Lijkt een beetje op everly brothers maar ik vind die toch beter

Nice 6/10

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

Much as I like the close harmonies and the jangly upbeat tempo of the better-known hits of the Beach Boys, this album could only be described as "pleasing". There are some lovely melodies and catchy hooks, but it rarely raises the pulse while listening. Californian background music at best, in my view.

Not your typical Beach Boys sound, but this is really nice. I really enjoyed the songs. I think after hearing it more the rating will go up quite a bit. Right now I'll give it a 3/5 for first listen. Stand Outs: Disney Girls (I always loved the Art Garfunkel version, and didn't know it was originally a Beach Boys song).

There really is not anything significant that the Beach Boys aim to convey on Surf's Up. If you are up against Pet Sounds, I can't blame you for sounding worse. But this record is just too weird and too confusing in its message. Sure, Brian's voice sounds beautiful as ever, though the psychedelic elements and melancholy do not produce a work of true quality. 3/5.

I had never heard this side of The Beach Boys and wow, I am impressed!

Ya vi que no les gustaron tanto los beach boys así que me voy a moderar.

no malo pero tampoco nada más

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.

Bahnbrechend und erhellend, weshalb sich so viele auf die Beach Boys berufen. Ihr Sound ist großartig doch die Songs leiden etwas an der selbstauferlegten Ideologie eines Aufbaus basierend auf einfach angeschlagenen Piano Tönen, die mal wieder eine Ableitung gefundenes bei den stets verehrten Super Furry Animals (listen to „Atomik Lust“) Deswegen 3.4

Wow! Hatte ich überhaupt nicht auf dem Zettel, dieses psychedelisiert müde, angenehm gebrochene und dann ganz erwachsen wieder zusammengesetzt endlich aus Brians riesigem Schatten getretene Spätwerk der frühen Beach Boys. Trifft heute einen ganz weichen Soft Spot bei mir, muss mich bisschen zügeln, nicht die (vielleicht doch diskutable? Ich weiß es schlicht nicht und bleibe vorsichtig!) Höchstnote zu vergeben für diese großartig aufgebaute Reihe von Hits, die spätestens ab Student Demonstration Time so richtig ins Bewusstsein tritt, nur um jenes dann mit Feel Flows direkt wieder aufs angenehmste zu vernebeln. Leute/Leut: vielleicht hab ich seit jetzt gerade eine neue Lieblingsplatte von den Beach Boys. Ziemlich gut möglich sogar. 4,5 - und vielleicht werden es noch mehr!

Much better than I was expecting considering the album didn't have any of their well known songs.

It's The Beach Boys. You either like them or you don't, but this isn't their strongest effort.

Steering a long way from the beach here into much deeper water. An interesting move that results in a lyrical win though not always a musical one.

My fav Beach Boys album, I know this is a controvercial take but something about these batch of songs just resonate so hard with me.

There is a sophisticated beauty in songs like Surf's Up and Feel Flows. Disney Girls (1957) and 'Til I Die have gorgeous melodies. A grower of a 'listening' album. Not quite 4, but I think it will get there after a few more listens.

Agree with comments that this can seem a bit disjointed in places but for me thats its charm. The first 4 songs are all great but could be from 4 different bands, not something you always say about TBB. Long Promised Road an absolute classic.

An extremely unique, interesting entry by the Beach Boys. I haven't heard them sound this morose before, it's actually a really sweet sound.

Found it mostly alright. Was expecting something more "up" when I saw it was the beach boys. YTMusic's tidbit about it being album number 17 should maybe have given away a little more about why that wasn't gonna be the case.

Unremarkable

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

Weird for what I think The Beach Boys are, not weird in a way that does it for me.

You see "Beach Boys," you see "Surf's Up," and you think you know what you're getting into, only for Brian Wilson to treat the title drop at the tail end of the record like some sort of cruel punchline playing on your expectations. On one hand, it feels like they're punching above their weight class with the heavier subject matter—a lot of the songs have a message, but lack nuance ("I know we're all fed up with useless wars and racial strife / but next time there's a riot, well, you best stay out of sight"). On the other, I kind of appreciate the effort, since it's a bit more interesting than the album I pictured in my head, and the sounds are often pleasant, even borderline beautiful on side two. I can definitely see why the Beach Boys have the reputation they do amongst music critics, but I had to push past cheesy environmentalism and songs about washing your feet to get there. Key Tracks: Disney Girls (1957), Feel Flows, 'Til I Die

captures the beach boys at just about the exact moment they teetered over the cliff but it ain't bad at all. brian wilson's songs are all stacked at the end of the album so at least it goes out on the high mark. the songs composed by other members have a real store-brand beatles feel to them, which is odd considering the two bands' rivalry.

Geniaal

Donkerdere muziek dan wat ik ken van The Beach Boys, al deed de hoes dat ook al vermoeden. Het is af en toe wel een traag album, maar de 40 jaar oude teksten zijn nog altijd brandend actueel

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

A different sound from Beach Boys

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.

You gotta feel sorry for these guys. They had that snappy, surfy early sixties sound that defined them and brought California to the world. Then the music scene changed and they tried to be more experimental and serious, but I think their original fans wanted to hear Surfin' US and other fans in the 70s, like me, refused to listen to this because it's the Beach Boys and are asking "what's the point?"

T'was awful

4.5

It's not Pet Sounds, that's for sure. I thought it was fine, but nothing spectacular.

-Pretty solid album overall, but the second half was kind of boring -"Student Demonstration Time" was by far the best song

A weirdly, subtly sinister Beach Boys record. The songs are, I hesitate to use the word but, solid, just weird in certain spots ("Student Demonstration Day" sticks out the most, super cheery but very, very dark). Not a record I plan on really revisiting. Favorite track: "Disney Girls"

"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 bad at all

never gone out of my way to listen to the beach boys, definitely was not expecting this album to be so dark/introspective. 3/5

good

No hay mucha playa, pero está chulísimo! Me ha sorprendido bastante, no se parece en nada a otras cosas que he escuchado de ellos

Fun, but most of the songs are "happy-ish old music that I've heard somewhere before" type, without standing out too much. Rating: 42/69 Fav song after first listen: A Day In The Life Of A Tree

Kind of a mixed bag overall, but there are some gems in here.

fine as background music for LoL wouldnt listen otherwise

Kinda boring ngl, need to be in a specific mood for this. Too many boys, not enough beach. 3/5.

Some good psychedelic pop. "Student Demonstration Time" was really good.

Yes but no

I must admit to have never even heard of this album. The tone of the album artwork seemed like such a departure from the beach boys I’m familiar with. I had to double check and see whether the website was using the right image. I can report this album is fantastic. How it’s been hidden from me for so long remains a mystery.

Not very "Beach Boys" like.

Outdated sounds.

I have never been a special fan of the Beach Boys. although this album definitely shows that their talents extend beyond beach party music, I was not won over

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.

This album was alright and contains social commentary. I don't think it is their best work.

Nei

a bit too happy

Decent

not a fan

3/5

L'album avait été écouté il y a trois ans par crisdusseld qui a depuis vécu bien des mésaventures.

The explicit social commentary the Beach Boys tried on this album feels really clumsy and forced, while "Take a Load Off Your Feet", a song literally about looking after your feet, sounds like an advertising jingle. I can't work out whether they are being sincere or taking the piss. That's kind of the problem I have with this record. In parts it's amazing, in other parts it's decidedly "meh" and feels like the group were running on fumes creatively.

Was not expecting these type of darker songs from The Beach Boys. Very enjoyable.

The A side and B side feel weirdly disconnected.

8. The riot and jaws tracks were the best. Weirdly sounds a bit dated tho

Brian Wilson at his quirkiest.

Meh.

A great, somber, thoughtful, well-produced beautiful album...with fucking “Student Demonstration Time” right in the middle of it 🙄

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

Boring.

Very different than usual beach boys albums, darker and more depressing tone

The album's title and cover artwork (a painting based on the 19th-century sculpture "End of the Trail") are an ironic, self-aware nod to the band's early surfing image. Lyrically, Surf's Up addresses environmental, social, and health concerns more than the group's previous releases.

Decent (3/5)

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

Sonne forcément vieillot, mais de belles surprises. Album court, ce qui joue en sa faveur etant donné que je commençais à me lasser. 2 saves sur 10.

I was not expecting this from the Beach Boys at all. It's complex, deals with themes of global pollution and protest, and dips into genres I would have never thought they would go for. I like this a lot. Favorite song: Long Promised Road

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 nice stuff from the boys, consistent theming and excellent sound, but whoever thought that "Take a Load Off Your Feet" should make the final cut needs to be fired lol

It’s just brilliant in places. Will still come back to this but will probably skip too many tracks to warrant more than a 3/5

Very old Beach Boys.

A chill classic. Look after your feet.

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

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

I like several songs by Beach boys, but none of them is on that album. I wasn't very impressed, so I am deciding between 2 and 3. Maybe because of melody and some lyrics I am gonna give it a 3, but maaan.

Surprised that this was the Beach Boys! Liked it!

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

A move away from what I’m used to with The Beach Boys but liked it for the most part nonetheless. Am guessing that Wilson’s eccentricity informed some of less conventional songs. All in all an enjoyable listen

Great album. Great songwriting and harmonies. One that I own.

Nice ironic mix of counterculture and the poppier motifs at the time. Short and sweet listen.

Very melodic and different from earlier Beach Boys albums.

This was not the Beach Boys sound I was expecting because their hits were fun, upbeat songs which I love. However, having seen a biopic of Brian Wilson, I just think he was an amazing talent. Disney Girls was from the year I was born and was probably my favourite. *** or **** ?

Was this *THE* Beach Boys??

I was sceptical of 70s beach boys but this is excellent.

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

Thoroughly enjoyed it. My bias for chill music is showing but I liked this way better than their more upbeat stuff. High 8.

What on earth is this album supposed to be

On the whole very enjoyable although I thought the quality between songs was varied.

No i plazowe chlopaki sie wylosowaly, dosc troche ich albumikow przesluchalem i sa dla mnie jak hamerykanski brat blizniak beatelsow, ktory caly czas pozostaje w ich cieniu, podobna ewolucja bojsbendowego grania popowego do powazniejszych plyt juz bardziej typowo rokowych, ciekawa sprawa jest takze to, ze banda byla zalozona przez 3 braci Wilsonowych, ich kuzyna Mika i niepowiazanych krwia Ala i Brucea, wiec dosc rodzinne granie, surfs up, siedemnasty albumik studyjny, jest juz jednym z tego okresu tworczosci, gdzie cukrowe tracki ustepuja temata majacym na celu uswiadomienie sluchacza w konkretnej sprawie, a nie tylko cieszyc ucho, wiec uslyszymy tutaj songi z perspektywy fabryki tlenu, o akwenach, dziury w ziemi, biedaka bezdrobtnego, a to wszystko w rozbudowanych kompozycjach lirycznych, ktore potrafia zamienic song o drzewie w prawdziwy dramat, drwic z wlasnych korzeni surfowego popu, prawiac o poszanowaniu wody, czy o tak prozaicznych rzeczach jak zeby nie byc grubasem i dbac o zdrowie, ale nie sama strona liryczna stoi albumik, bo jednak beach boye sa znane przedewszystkim z tego co jak wygladala produkcja ich materialu, bo sami byli sobie panami produkcji, wiec albumiki wygladly tak jaki mieli koncept, wiec pisanie tutaj o instrumentalach nie ma calkowicie sensu, gdzie tak jak w tracku long promised road cala kompozycja zostala stworzona w calosci przez Carla Wilsona, liryka, instrumenty produkcja, az ciezko w to wierzyc, ze w taki sposob moglby powstawac tak zlozone kawalki, kolejnym punktem wartym uwagi jest uzycie syntezatorow w dosc innowacyjny sposob na feel flows, ostatnim elementem ktory stanowi o tym ze chlopaki z plazy to chlopaki z plazy jest wykorzystanie chorkowania i overduba do tworzenia melodii, taki poziom zgrania bandowego, to cos rzadkiego do uslyszenia, ciezko wybrac cos na dodanie plejkowe, bo takie albumy staram sie sluchac od poczatku do konca, ale gdybym mial cos dodac to chyba tytulowy surfs up, ktory swoja kompozycja przypomina mini opere z tymi ultra wysokimi wokalami i podzialem na trzy czesci 4 minutowego kawalka, bo sam albumik ma tylko 33 minuty, to ciezko znalezc tam jakiekolwiek miejsce ktore mialoby byc zapychaczem, wiec zakonczyc epicka operowa ballada jest jak najbardziej na miejscu, zazwyczaj taki kawalek bylby raczej openingiem

5. I can't take the beach boys seriously enough to listen to them talk about the current events of the past

Intriguing. Listen again

Un par de temazos, el resto demasiado lentos y melódicos. No es malo, pero...

Cool and fun different sounds than I expected, Great cruising music.

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.

I had never wondered what The Beach Boys did between Pet Sounds and Kokomo and yet here is this album. It’s a bit heavy-handed and strange but I like Disney Girls and it’s short. 7

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...

Pretty boring and forgettable. "17th studio album by American rock band the Beach Boys released in 1971 (band was formed in 1961) ... It received largely favorable reviews and reached number 29 on the US record charts, becoming their highest-charting LP of new music in the US since 1967"

8/10 bonito uwu. PD. Su portada metalera me dio miedo

Mi favorita fue "Student Demonstration Time". Un sonido muy de su época, como de drogas y puro chill. Me gustó escucharlo y disfruté los cambios de voces. Sin embargo, no me quedaría escuchándolo constantemente. 7/10

A little too slow, but recording sounded really modern for 1971

A bit of a departure from their previous albums, not as cohesive as I would like but some solid gems throughout

Only having heard their hits I didnt know that they did a bit more folkish stuff as well.

Wow, nothing at all like I expected when I saw that the album of the day was a Beach Boys album. Melancholy and socially critical. These songs "slap", as the kids say. Gone are the days of goofy surfing lyrics and "Rah rah rah be true to your school". I like the double meaning of the album title.

Concept album? Not yet! But soon...

Not the normal Beach Boys songs I was used to, I enjoyed this one.

Rock suave.

It's definitely a Beach Boys album.

Enjoyable Beach Boys with a cool eco message

not bad but kinda boring

I like the fact that it is short and sweet. Three stars because it's a good album. No more than that because I'm quite sure it's highly likely I won't listen to it again... *shrugs*

I was pleasantly surprised by this album. It was more subdued than I expected from The Beach Boys, and had interesting melodies and lyrics.

Nada memorable

Awesome mix, some of the best of the beach boys

Bängeri Skön classical rock. Jännä att jag inte har hört de här låtarna då många av dem är bättre än deras andra kända biisin

eh

A deliberately weird Beach Boys album - yeah, I liked it! Fave track - well, "Surf's Up" sounded most classically Beach Boys, but I think I'm gonna go with "Student Demonstration Time" as being the most unexpected!

Meh.

righteous

4.5 | Sobre los Beach Boys se podría decir mucho, basta decir que son mucho más de lo que la gente piensa como música surf de fiesta playera y 5 monitos con camisas iguales cantando con sonrisota. Este disco al parecer es el último de ese periodo de muchísima creatividad y propuesta, tras la apatía de Brian Wilson la banda seguiría intentando lograr recuperar terreno pero es un hecho que la mente creativa y gran parte del talento siempre fue él. Así queda un disco medio raro pero bueno, muy bueno he de decir pero con puntos muy extraños. Puedo empezar por los puntos bajos, la canción Student Demonstration Time es, a mi parecer el punto más bajo del disco, un rocanrol realmente básico tal cual copiado y pegado de lo que ya para ese entonces era un estándar del género, sin cambiarle nada, metiendo unos ruidos mal hechos y una sirena que parece de patrulla de juguete, distorsión mal nivelada y una letra tremendamente patética que parece parodia de sí misma diciendo "muchachos estudiantes mejor no se rebelen no hagan demostraciones," pareciera que como en este disco todos tuvieron chance de hacer una canción el primo sin talento pues también debe de tener chance y aquí esta su contribución (no es exageración Mike Love es primo de sangre y la verdad es que su contribución normal era básicamente tocar el pandero y estar de bulto), quizá su mensaje era tratar de hablar sobre lo peligroso de la época para un estudiante, no se si se creía Neil Young pero falló catastróficamente en el intento, la letra es burda y nomas mal escribir letras sobre una canción de hace 15 años para mí no cuenta. Vamos al segundo tope, Al Jardin quien cree que tiene todo el sentido hacer una canción sobre los pies, musicalmente no es terrible, solo siento que para el disco termina sintiéndose como música infantil; si bien musicalmente no ofende, hasta podría decir a mí me suena como a algo de Dr. Demento que me gusta mucho, pero aquí cae como balde de agua sin sentido con su sonido tipo naif y su exageración en efectos graciosos que estorban, líricamente es... sobre pies, hizo una canción sobre los pies porque la canción Hair estaba de moda... Hair... que habla sobre todo un movimiento social y lo que fue volcar estructuras sociales a través de el estilo propio y romper estereotipos de género y actitud que tenían cientos de años... y Al Jardin lo que toma de eso es "Bueno... si hicieron sobre el cabello yo hago sobre... ¡los pies!." El resto del disco en general muchísimo mejor, se siente como si fuera sobre una nostalgia de algo que se te está escapando de entre los dedos, desde la ironía de variedad de lecturas que le puede dar uno al título, la manera en que la primera canción puede sonar medio chistosa y sin sentido pero cuando se reflexiona la letra de ella y la última canción se vuelve mucho más sombría. La dulzura y clásico de Disney Girls. La psicodelia y letra sin sentido de Feel Flows pero con una producción y orquestación espectacular termina como quizá de las mejores canciones de pop progresivo que he escuchado. El cierre del disco, es lo que lo eleva a clásico, esas tres canciones de Brian Wilson son espectaculares (incluso si una es sobre un arbolito), el órgano de iglesia, el melotrón y la caja de mono cilindrero, el fraseo simple y los coros punteados... nadie hacía música así, es de esas composiciones que equiparan y en varios sentidos superan cualquiera de los experimentos sonoros de los Beatles. Till I Die como si trajera de vuelta la base del sonido surf de inicios del grupo y la deshiciera por completo, reacomodara en algo totalmente depresivo añorante con una de sus mejores letras mostrando como el surf rock puede dar todas esas emociones y sensaciones extrañas que te puede dar el solo escuchar las olas y como si dijera "aquí ya acabó la fiesta solo está el mar pegando en las rocas." Surfs Up cerrando de nuevo con arreglos y música únicos en una canción que de cierto modo tardó cinco años en terminar. Nada más que decir, excelente disco con una canción mala y otra demasiado extraña, a ratos se nota demasiado la variedad de escritores y lo fragmentado de la banda, pero es bastante disfrutable y termina en un cierre grande. Parece que este fue el último "gran" disco de los Beach Boys y si así fuera, se fueron con un excelente destello antes de su decadencia.

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.

I really enjoyed listening to this album. It was very moving. Besides Surf's Up, the best realized song on this album is Disney Girls (1957).

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

This album really surprised me. Maybe better than Pet Sounds. It's got a variety of sounds and themes, but they somehow all flow. Not repetitive. Quick and to the point. Definitely heavier than Pet Sounds and early Beach Boys.

This is really good. Haven't listened to much Beach Boys post-60s, but this is interesting. 3.5 stars.

Some BB 70's weirdness. Not bad, but not for me.

Definitely not my cup of tea

If I had this album when I was a pre-teen I would have devoured it. Great American stuff, glad to have realized I really only know Pet Sounds.

Meh

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

I mean. It’s ok?

I never was a BB fan

deece to put in background

Pet Sounds it is not. There are some fine tunes here but overall nothing super impressive.

¿Los Beach Boys cantando blues, y además de protesta? Woaooo Leí que este disco fue un intento de los BB para “reinventarse” y tratar de salir del estereotipo en el que se encontraban, y al menos musicalmente lo lograron. Creo que les hubiera ido mejor si hubieran cambiado de nombre o creado otra banda, pero entiendo que deshacerte de tu “marca” no es tan fácil, y seguro era más difícil hace 40 años. Desde el punto de vista musical, si bien me gustaron las canciones, ninguna me atrapó. Aparte del blues me llamó la atención que algunas canciones le dan un aire los Arctic Monkeys o Jet; así que fue un disco bastante vanguardista, pero a la vez un tanto gris. Como que este disco no envejeció tan bien. De todas formas fue interesante escuchar algo diferente de estos muchachos, y probablemente lo volvería a escuchar.

No me esperaba algo tan diferente. Es único y bastante experimental a mi parecer pero me agradó mucho Realmente pensé que solo se habían dedicado a hacer música sobre olas, arena, sol y malteadas

Qué buen disco. Sabía poco o casi nada acerca de los Beach Boys; ubicaba las rolas obvias con tono surf y sus tristes intentos en épocas más recientes de explotar esa nostalgia, pero no tenía noción de todo lo que pasó en medio y de todos los cambios musicales que tuvieron. De este disco en especial me gusta que ahondan de hecho casi nada en esa onda surf (sin dejarla de lado) y tampoco sobreproducen sus vocales. Por lo que leí, esto viene por la ausencia de Brian Wilson en la producción, y de hecho veo que las rolas que más me gustaron (Long Promised Road y Student Demonstration) no son de él.

7.5

Faktisk fin nok, igen lidt hilly billy

This was a weird album compared to the rest of their stuff. Didn't finish the album also.

The cover looks like depression but the music says "have mercy"

surprisingly meh

A lot of missing songs on Spotify, so I couldn’t listen to it all. I liked it though.

Interesting variety, not as strong as Pet sounds or smiley smile. Still like the album though

Meh. Definitely not typical beach boys tho

It was alright

Beach boys fare

Perfect.

Expected all the over played Beach Boy stuff. Got something that I would listen to again if I were in the mood. Very pleasant.

good album, is it a concept album tho?

Far from my best album from the beach boys... but not bad

I was surprised how much I loved this album!

Nice, I really liked it. It sound so dark and sweet at the same time

Enjoyed a lot. Environmentalist, forward-thinking rock. I love the whole album top to bottom, only thing that I found weird was the song Take a Load Off Your Feet, but other than that everything was top notch. Disney Girls, Student Demonstration Time, and Long Promised Road are my favorite, Will revisit, and other than Take A load off your Feet I loved it top to bottom, even with weird songs like A Day in the life of a tree, 8/8.

Thought this was great. Not the Beach Boys I'm used to. Harder edged, more sombre, very cool. 3.4

Not what i was expecting from a beach boys album

surprised me, interesting listen all the way through. Have never heard this side of the beach boys but i like it a lot.

Wasn't really feeling this. It was my first time hearing every song on this album, or at least the first time actively listening to it. I only really liked student demonstration time, especially since this this track can still relate to how social issues are demonstrated against nearly 50 years later. Overall, the album is too mellow for me... Lol @ "The pen is mightier than the sword, but no match for a gun!" - Student Demonstration Time

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.

Still not my thing. Day in the life of a tree was a doozy.

-very durgy

This was not surfin USA. Man they were special.

nice first exposure to beach boys ever, album anyway i have heard like,,, god only knows and wouldn't it be nice, i'm not a complete moron

börjar bra med avslutar kass

Ei lähtenyt lentoon. Tylsä.

Yeah I mean it’s the fucking beach boys. You get what you pay for.

not as fancy as pet sounds

very different fr9m their earlier works

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

Classic

Not a Beach Boys fan. Album didn't resonate with me. Watched the Trainrecords on the 90's Beach Boys album that was garbage instead of getting through this entire album.

01/10/2020 Sat in room listening in the morning, WiFi in the block was down. Excellent album and showed me a side of The Beach Boys I was unaware of. Grew up listening to them in the car but had no idea they had such a strong 'non-commercial' side to them. Almost a 5.

Dejlig pop, nice kor, kort, konceptuelt

A tale of two sides. They stuck the experiments that didn't work on Side 1 and the ones that did on Side 2. It's almost as if you can hear them maturing as the album goes on. I doubt that was the intent, but it's my headcanon. Best track: Feel Flows

Relaxing listen. Feel Flows is definitely the stand out track here

1971. Key Songs: Don't Go Near The Water, 'Til I Die, Lookin' At Tomorrow

Washed up along the shore were the hopes and dreams of a generation who had the whole world lain out in front of them. There can only be so many outlets to channel that feeling and there was music. The Beach Boys, masters of that medium, were feeling astray and washed up as well. Once preppy and cheery, basking in the glow of the sun and stylish motor vehicles they had now inhabited the listeners glaring indifference towards them as they aged. It was best depicted in what was perhaps their finest album of the 70s, Surf's Up. In a little over thirty minutes, every whimsy and eccentricity was put on display with references to passing trends and earnest attempts to commentate on society's ills. But what remains, and what would define it, is a glimpse of promise that guaranteed hope on their long road. It isn't pretty up close, yet it was never meant to be.

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

Closer to a 3.7

Love it

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.

Obviously bangers