Reviews (page 5 of 13)
How appropriate with Brian Wilson's death making the news yesterday.
First Beach Boys I’ve really listened to and yea, I get it now Highlights: - Student Demonstration Time - A Day in the Life of a Tree - Surfs Up
Great album!
First of all, rust in vrede Brian Wilson, zonder jou waren The Beach Boys niks. Nu naar de review: Het "vergeten" Beach Boys album, maar eentje die absoluut niet onder doet aan de absolute klassiekers. Natuurlijk is het geen 'Pet Sounds', maar dat hoeft ook helemaal niet. 'Long Promised Road' is lekker, 'Feel Flows' is een heerlijk psychedelisch uitstapje & 'Surf's Up' is een sublieme afsluiter; al met al een zeer vermakelijk halfuurtje. Eigenlijk het enige wat me tegenhoudt dit album hoger te scoren is 'Student Demonstration Time', een nummer geschreven door de oerconservatieve Mike Love, waarin hij basically de slachtoffers van de Kent State shootings victim blamed. Ansich klinkt het nummer niet verkeerd, maar de message is zo walgelijk dat ik het niet kan luisteren. 8+/10.
Don't Go Near The Water: Een waarschuwing / call to action, een waardige album opener. Aankondiging van het einde van de surf-sound/ethos van The Beach Boys. Long Promised Road begint zo mooi, en is prachtig in de rustigere stukken, voor 1971 zijn dit vrij lijpe synth arps. Moderne productie. Wel van type dat je zachter zet tijdens de refreinen ipv harder. Kinderlijke stemmetjes en een goeie dosis humor + sound effects in 'Take A Load Off Your Feet'. Ook hier weer allerlei experimentatie met het pannen van vocals en andere gekkigheid. Disney Girls: Nog nooit Dinsey gehoord met drie lettergrepen en zeer spacey vocal harmonies in de break op 2/3 van de track. Student Demonstration Time: Dope. Denk de hardste kickdrum van alle albums tot nu toe. Heel vette synth sirenes. Nog altijd relevant. Het swingt eigenlijk te hard voor het onderwerp. Feel Flows: "There is a point in the song where you hear a synth and then there’s a "swoosh" sound. Carl and I have been told by a number of girls that that was the closest they’d heard to the sound that would go with an orgasm." Jack Rieley (manager, co-producer). Oke. Lookin' At Tomorrow: Crosby Stills & Nash hadden de 'tu du duuhs', Beach Boys hadden de 'pa pa paaahs'. Door de vocal effects toch nog best dope. A Day In The Life Of A Tree: Intens, ietwat knullig, prachtig :( 'Til I Die: zeer fan van de volume jump bij de eind mantra. Surf's Up: Ergens spannend, maar wordt niet echt ingelost. Toch vet. Flarden van trompet, glockenspiel en sitar worden geïntroduceerd om nooit meer terug te komen. Nice. Allerhande 'early' studio experimenten en goede songs / ideeën komen samen op een best wel samenhangend geheel. Beste: Feel Flows / A Day In The Life Of A Tree Minste: - Albumhoes: Best wel depressing maar mooi. Knoopt het 'einde van de surf era' aan mekaar. Blijkbaar gebaseerd op een sculptuur genaamd: End Of The Trail. "The art historian Carol Clark said that the work has been interpreted from multiple perspectives. Some have seen it as a statement that Native Americans were destined to die out as part of the progress of America, and others have seen it as an indictment of the government destroying an entire culture" Dark. Wat een move. 4/5
Ik had dit nooit eerder geluisterd, maar vond het hele album heel erg nice. Vette melodieën en harmonieën en het voortkabbelende tempo werkt best wel goed voor mij
Wat een heerlijk geluid heeft dit hele album. De enige domper voor mij is Student Demonstration Time. Er is zoveel gaande op dit album zonder dat het chaotisch of onsamenhangend wordt. Een plotse fluit solo op Feel Flows die ik meer gewend ben van prog rock albums past om een of andere reden perfect en is een aangename verrassing. Zo komt elk nummer wel met unieke dingen die mn aandacht continu weten te pakken.
Voor mij is Beach Boys naast album Pet Sounds vrij onbekend. Voelt gek om dit album voor het eerst te horen nu Brian Wilson net dood is. Vooral het nummer 'Til i die... Echt een mega divers album met geniale songwriting. Toptijd gehad tijdens het luisteren. Was alleen lichtelijk afgeknapt op sommige zangeffecten. Bijvoorbeeld in 'Feel Flows' zit er een soort backing vocal die klinkt alsof de basilisk mee aan het hissen is vanuit the Chamber of Secrets. Alles wat daarna komt is weer erg tof gelukkig.
Komponeringa æ vilt bra. Sommarvibes
Digga dt! Mye bedre enn ka eg forventa av et 70-talls album. Sangene e lignande i sjanger men fortsatt distinkte nok te å holda albumet spennande. Bruken av "eksotiske" instrumenter hjelpe på sangoppbygningå og gir nogen av sangene en merkverdig quirk🤩 Kanskje isje musikk eg komme te å hørra så mye på videre men utrolig kult!
Quite the change
Damn. I didn’t know The Beach Boys were like that. The only Black ppl I ever heard mention them are Hanif and our beloved JT. Favorite Track: A Day In The Life Of A Tree
Wow, fucking wild coincidence. Good robot. This is a later-day Beach Boys classic, and features my favorite Beach Boy's song of all time, "Surf's Up". Side A of this record is a little odd at times, especially “Student Demonstration Time”. “Take a Load Off Your Feet” borders on too goofy. However, Side B is perfect. From “Feel Flows”, to “Til I Die”, and “Surf’s Up”; it’s such a pleasure, you forget about any weird mis-steps from the first half. “Surf’s Up” fits best in the context of “SMiLE”, the never-released record that Brian Wilson started after Pet Sounds, but was aborted by the band. Brian later re-recorded “SMiLE” with a backing band, and a box set of the SMiLE sessions was released as well. I highly recommend them both. I guess what Brian Wilson taught me is don’t be afraid to be weird, and don’t let insecurity cause you to shrink inside yourself. Go with your gut, follow your wild muse. Also, take good care of yourself. Rest easy buddy.
RIP Wilson
Soaked up the sun with this
Really didn't know any of these songs, really didn't know The Beach Boys ever got this political. I still liked it and would spin it again.
Classic
Yes this was wonderful. Even the much hated student demonstration came through well. How much is that because Brian died? Funny to have picked an album where he didn't have so much to do with. RIP Brian
RIP Brian Wilson. It’s amazing that he only had a hand in a few of these songs and you can hear it instantly, lush harmonies and layered orchestration clearly outdoing the other tracks. He truly was a genius and it’s clear that his influence made the rest of the band better for having him nearby, if not hands on.
Insane catalogue choice but I actually liked it. A couple duds but some really cool stuff happening
how fitting seeing that BW just passed. after i saw the movie about Brian's life Love&Mercy (aweeeesome!!! a must see) I had a whole new perspective - when your 1st impact w rock and roll is zeppelin the who the doors the stones these guys seemed like the CHEESIEST. then i learned.. and saw and LISTENED. Genius. don't know if i love this record but i do madly appreciate them and his struggle - all geniuses are a bit crazy (they have to be) i hope he is at peace now!
And then things start to get weird...not on the quasi psychedelic mid 60s "Good Vibrations" way but in the quaalude and cocaine 70s"Student Demonstration" way - just look at the cover. Endless Summer this is not. This is really the last hurrah before they started the suck before losing the thread completely. Plenty of studio frippery and sonic textures. As is always the case with the Beach Boys - if you're on board with these then Surfs Up. If not then is may be a wipeout. I'm 3.5 on this but rounding up to 4 cause.... Thanks for the good times.
Poignant (maybe even purposeful?) that this album came up for me on the day of Brian's passing. I've never really listened to the Beach Boys before, other than hits on the radio. I found this album really enjoyable though, quite a bit of variety and a little weird at times. But I like weird.
Ecological and Social themes. Beautiful melodies, interesting sounds. I knew the Beach Boys had depths and richness in their pop but this still took me by surprise, having never heard it before. I really got into the atmosphere of the second side with headphones on. I love the little known Lightning Seeds album 'Four Winds' and it's sound is clearly influenced by this. All in all this was an unexpected treat :)
RIP Brian Wilson.
When you think of Beach Boys, you don't really think of this kind of album but this is the real legacy that they left. Gone are the barbershop quartet harmonies and 50's happiness, and what we're left with is still the vocal harmonies and talent that the beach boys have, but much more mature. The songwriting very much evolved to take elements from rock, soul, jazz, and other genres. While some of the subjects are still classic, they're no longer so saccharine that they sound dated. Not everything is in a major key, not everything is 4/4. I particularly liked "Student Demonstration Time" and "Disney Girls", though all of it is good to great. Some of the more weird stuff like "Day in the Life of a Tree" (complete with the midi sounding woodpipes and blocks) sound nothing like the old stuff but contain all the interesting vocal elements that they're famous for. Really all three of the final tracks showcase some of the songwriting and arrangement skills the band has, and it's a great way to close it all out. It's not something I'm going to listen to a ton, but I'm glad I got to hear it. I'm not enough of a fan to see where Brian Wilson was really left out, but apparently this isn't even one of the albums he was super involved in. Whoever was, clearly took some direction from him though.
Even when it’s not their best stuff it’s still pretty damn good. Really one of the only acts of this time and style that could stand alongside the Beatles.
Apt it came up yesterday. RIP. (Not my fave album of theirs tho.)
4. its not all essential, but two of my favourite ever beach boys songs on here, Surfs Up and Feel Flows.
Crazy timing of this with Brian Wilson’s death. Great album though
Interesting. Strange. Fun. RIP Brian Wilson 😔 4
Had to keep reminding myself this was from the early 70s because there is a newness feel of this album that was surely inspiration for many artists
Not what I thought of The Beach Boys. Some really catchy stuff.
I really liked this. Upbeat and old school.
What the chances of the generator coming up with a Beach Boys album the day after Brian Wilson dies? I think the algorithm might not be completely random. The album though, it's not their best, but there's good in there.
A very nice album. Soothing melodies and very relaxed vibes. I know it’s supposed to be more about reflection than melodies but I have no knowledge about what they were reflecting on..chords are nice, and overall it’s really nice for a 70’s album.
So different than the poppy surf sounds you’d expect from The Beach Boys, but was still a great listen. It was strange to hear social commentary coming from the band that’s known for singing about girls and cars, but eventually I was digging it. It’s definitely no Pet Sounds, but still pretty good.
Not a lot subtlety in these lyrics, huh? I did enjoy this album. It's like seeing a friend from highschool for the first time in 15 years. They've changed and matured, but they're still the same person deep down. Never would have expected this album art from The Beach Boys either. I'm glad this is on the list, and I can now reference more than "Surfin' USA" from The Beach Boys.
What a crazy time to get this album. Brian Wilson died yesterday. I really liked this album. It was a little darker than The Beach Boys usual stuff, but I really enjoyed it, especially Student Demonstration Time.
Didn’t love this but you’re out of your mind if you think I’m giving it any less than a 4* the day after Brian Wilson died. I don’t want that bad juju in my life! 3.25/5
This album was totally unfamiliar to me and sounded much different from The Beach Boys music I know. I liked it a lot, especially Take a Load off Your Feet and Student Demonstration Time.
This has always been kind of a weird album to me. Some of the best tracks on side 1 have almost no input from Brian Wilson, and the last three tracks where he’s heavily involved are just so-so. Van Dyke Parks was always a weird influence on him, IMO. Student Demonstration Time is on my 500+ song playlist of faves. A 3.5 rounded up in honor of Brian’s passing.
Really interesting and different. Beach protest music of sorts.
han das album ener komisch in erinnerig hahaha ABER ich lieb til' I die jaa don't go near the watwr nöd min favourite long promised road I like!!! es isch so e lustigi mischig us chli "erwachseneri" musig vode beach boys aber immerno die schöne/nostalgische gsäng etc. aber s ganze findi schochli "schwerer" als anders s gfalltmer aber scho, au wenn nöd alles glich griifbar isch für mich feel flows isch au iwie recht cool aber weird till i die findi echt sooo coool!! ja surf's up isch whatever zwar chli weird mengisch aber hans grundsättkich scho gnosse, chli andersch als wie ich mier suscht amigs beach boys vorstelle
Take a Load Off Your Fee and listen to this. Fitting album the day after Brian Wilson’s passing.
Mjög góð plata. Ekkert stórkostleg en mjög góð engu að síður. Skemmtilegt sound og rúllar vel. Eitt leiðinlegt lag. RIP Brian.
Mjög áhugaverð plata. Allt öðru vísi en eldra stöffið þeirra en fín lög, nema Student demostration. Harmoníurnar þeirra eru alltaf ótrúlegar. Ekki Pet sounds en grillir alveg í snilldina. RIP Brian Wilson.
To be clear, this is my Heady Music Dweeb part giving it a four. Pop Guy is with the other Americans who didn’t much care for it. But fucking hell did Brian Wilson have it.
Cool weird album
I had vaguely heard about this side of the Beach Boys, but this is my first time hearing it myself. Kind of weird because I don’t think I would have ever guessed jt was the same band without knowing it, but also sort of felt like running into a buddy from high school who’s all grown up now.
A better album than Pet Sounds. I don’t especially like The Beach Boys, but this album showcases everything about them they qualifies them as genius. A winner.
At first listen my reaction was "this sounds like the Beach Boys are trying hard to break out of their stereotype and sound like later-Beatles" and the only song I really liked was Surf's Up, which is also in Smile. Then after additional listens I started to like more of the songs, primarily the ones that still had more of the traditional Beach Boys sound. And after some more listens I ended up spotify-liking about half the album.
This is the darkest Beach Boys album I've ever heard. It's not the same stuff I grew up listening to. You can definitely tell that Brian Wilson took a backseat to the production of this record, but that doesn't mean it suffers because of that. The sound is the same, and the harmonies are there, but it's not the same as their earlier material. More melancholy and definitely more mellow compared to their earlier work, but not in a bad way. This was still really good, just SO different, which is why I understand why it's on this list. Best tracks on this album "Student Demonstration Time," and "Feel Flows."
Brian Wilson kuoli eilen/tänään -- sattumaako? Kantaaottavampaa Beach Boysia, ja genrellisesti monipuolisempi kuin aiemmat levyt. 4/5
Surf's Up is my fave Beach Boys song.
Beautiful
An excellent more mature side of the band with just some amazing songs across the brief tracklist
Honestly surprised by this record. I generally like the radio hits from The Beach Boys, but have never been a big fan. Remember listening to Pet Sounds and not really caring for it. But this is an extremely strong record. Some really interesting, unique ideas all over this record, particularly the song Long Promised Road. Take A Load Off Your Feet and Lookin' At Tomorrow (A Welfare Song) are also highlights. Student Demonstration Time is probably the weakest song, but that's mostly due to the sound effects and not the song itself. The album is a tad top heavy, but generally the whole album is strong. Probably one of the better psychedelic rock records (outside of Pink Floyd) I've heard.
I really do like this album. It’s another path forward for The Beach Boys, a more “adult” album that’s not influenced by Pet Sounds. Of course, they pretty quickly just decide to become a silly nostalgia act and ignore both this and Pet Sounds and any evolution as a band. Some of the political songs are a bit goofy and naive but at least they were trying something!
Sonically dense and creative, a thoughtful departure and rebirth from what people tend to associate with The Beach Boys. The album is political and a bit progressive, with a tendency to explore things in a lyrical, as well as instrumental fashion. The songs are delightful and enjoyable, with some of that lovely falsetto we enjoy.
Madly experimental, politically conscious. A Beach Boys that I didn’t know existed. Even the big risks work - I really like this. It’s all over the place, but it just has so so much heart - it’s incredible Strong 4 (one to buy)
I don't think I had ever heard any of these songs, but there are some real gems on here. Interesting reading the context of this album (at least as explained by Wikipedia). This direction definitely seemed to be a marketing direction, and it's impressive how well they pulled it off.
Liked this way more than I thought I would. It's not the poppy Beach Boys you have in mind when you think of the Beach Boys.
End of an era statement from the boys who's identity was bound to sunshine, optimism and the American dream.
Who knew that the words “surfs up” could be read negatively? It sounds like The Beach Boys stretching themselves creatively, looking at what is developing in music of the era and thinking about the state of the world. Some of the experiments work better than others, but the lasting impact is a far broader definition of what this band sounds like. It’s dark, energetic and actually pretty deep. ‘Til I Die stands tall amongst the tracklist. It has me on the edge emotionally as it seamlessly transitions, dips and dives from section to section. The Beach Boys using their well known skill of harmony for a new and different purpose. One that is sad but no less impactful. 8/10
One of my favourite Beach Boys records and a VERY strong 4.
This has always been an interesting piece of the Beach Boys discography. It’s always felt like the “last” Beach Boys album despite not being so. Starting with the cover image “End of the Trail” coupled with the opening song. It very much feels like they’re saying goodbye to the carefree days of “Fun Fun Fun” and heading towards the environmental devastation we currently face. There’s still room for goofy shit like “Take a load off your feet” though! “Feel Flows” and “Till I Die” are the standouts but surprisingly I even enjoyed “Student Demonstration Time” and the blues usually sucks ass!
I love the late Beach Boys sound but what are these lyrics? You open with a track that sounds like it was the winner in a middle school earth day contest? Just give me Smile.
Good one, but not their absolute best
Wonderful album
Solid album.
The Beach Boys are really the American Beatles - this album sounds like the late Fab Four (think post-Revolver period) even after they had dissolved. Which is not neccessarily a bad thing; the album sounds quite mature and has some 70s sprinkles in it. This, for one, really belongs on this list. 3.5/5
take a load off your feet pete
beach boys with the doom metal album cover. I think this is the second beach boys record ive listened through, outside of Pet Sounds. I'm excited to hear them get weird and its funny to jump right into their...17th album. Feels out of order and disorienting. Surprises so far. Wiki tells me of the thin vocal arrangements, and I noticed that immediately. This isn't what you think about when you think about the beach boys, and I dig that. LONG PROMISED ROAD with the fuzzed out boops TAKE A LOAD OFF YOUR FEET feels like familiar ground (hah), but more irreverent. Vampire Weekend bois had this shit on repeat. Im not listening to the lyrics of DISNEY GIRLS but i chooses to believe that they are making fun of them. like the tune, chill, but has lil wah wah guitars underneath which is a little spicy STUDENT DEMONSTRATION TIME with the bigger fuzzed out riff. rad. trippy. i like. song is a little corny with the bluesy breakdown but im probably just damaged goods. FEEL FLOWS is a standout for me. free wheelin and meandering, sweet solo over a piano bed with some noodly flute. dumb burpy synths. sign me up. LOOKIN AT TOMORROW is a vibe. ba ba boop boop boop A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A TREE sounds like what a tree would listen to. I'm preferring side B on this bad boy. My affection is growing. Really pleasant listen. Solid 4 for me. Not a 5, just because I'm not sure ill be revisiting frequently.
Really enjoyable and will be listening again
Good unique album
Probably my favorite Beach Boys album out of the three that we've gotten. The songs are easier to listen to when they are not all singing together. Album cover is so dramatic, it reminds me of the Famous Trick Donkeys illusion.
I find this album cover hilarious and I love it. This album was really good; liked it a lot more than other beach boys stuff we've had. It was still nice sounding, but a little weirder, which made it more interesting
Listened! Enjoyed
Had no idea what to expect of this album. Now I've listened to it repeatedly I still don't know what to make of it. An ironic title I discovered; this is far away from their surf-pop days. This really feels like songs thrown together rather than an album - but it has a bit of charm of something like the Beatles Anthology as a result. A fascinating insight into the different sounds and motivations of each Beach Boy, and their meddling manager. It's good moments outweigh the bad (Feel Flows' and Long Promised Road are excellent) - and the bad isn't so bad to drag it down. I think it clambers to a four, and feels like one that may grow over time.
I had never heard this album before, and I didn’t recognize any individual songs, either. It wasn’t what I expected (in a good way). The album cover image is amazing, and I was immediately struck by the contrast between the somber painting and the cheery “Surf’s Up” title. That contrast is reflected in the music, too, if not quite as dramatically. It’s much less chipper than “Pet Sounds.” Pretty interesting, and I’m glad to have heard it. It’s a little cheesy and weird in places, but I have to give it credit for creativity and defying expectations. Favorites: Lookin’ At Tomorrow, Surf’s Up
great listen, definitely a different side of the beach boys I know
I think this album gets off to a rough, boring start, but really picks up in the middle of the album. If the first four tracks were dropped, this could be a flawless EP. As an LP, it's good, but not super incredible.
The whole album is worth it for the titular song.
Surf's Up is an interestingly experimental Beach Boys album. I can't believe I've never heard of it. Of course, it's not Pet Sounds, but there are still interesting and innovative production choices. On top of that, there is a surprising political/counterculture tilt that I was not expecting. It sounds like that was a deliberate choice, but it still makes this album interesting. Best Songs: Long Promised Road, Surf's Up Worst Songs: Take A Load Off Your Fee
I was really blown away by this album. For some reason I've had some weird prejudice against the Beach Boys but that's probably just because of my strange 5th grade teacher.
Do people really prefer Pet Sounds over this? Genuinely great songs with some crisp production.
This is among the weirder Beach Boys' records, which is saying something. Is this when Brian started slipping away? But all weirdness should be so warm. First few cuts get off to a great start. The student protest song is unconvincing and a clear argument for staying in one's musical lane. Other quality cuts include "Disney Girls" and "Long Promised Road" and "Feels Flows" and "Take a Load Off" is classic BW – super odd, but well judged. Is there a better song about taking care of one's feet (or any other limb)?
Just a tick off the best Beach Boys, but still worthy of a listen or two. Carl is legit, the other guys not so much.
The contrast between the album title and its cover is hilarious. Never properly listened to beach boys but had heard a few of their hits before. This is very different to those and I think I prefer this slightly darker sound.
Pet Sounds is one of the greatest albums ever recorded. And Smile (and even Smiley Smile) are up ther for me too. But admittedly, I haven't gone too deep on them beyond those and their earlier radio hits. Reading the background of this one, I'm curious how much Brian Wilson was involved (since accounts vary). For this record, I had to do a double take on the cover and title. Surfs Up? With that artwork? What is this?! The songs have a different feel to them. Psychedelic, darker in tone. Orchestrated but missing the BW high notes in places. Gives other members voices a chance to shine. After listening to the whole thing, my assessment is (not that I'm an expert) but BW has much less input than was publicized. Til I Die and Surfs Up sound like a classic BW songs. But the rest are missing his presence. Which isn't to say they aren't good. If anything, it shows the rest of the band can do weirdness pretty well. This isn't on the same tier as the best BW led Beach Boys projects, but it's still really good. I will be definitely returning to it.
Thoughts before listening: Post Pet Sounds album from the Beach Boys. I've always thought of this as being hit or miss, but I've never actually heard it. Review: Yeah this is definitely a little all over the place. The Beach Boys are in their late 20s/early 30s when this album was released so the lyrics and musical arrangements are more mature. That being said, you can still hear the harmonies and pop songcraft that made them stars in their heyday. There are some psychedelic aspects thrown in here that I am really enjoying, but again filtered through a decidedly Beach Boys vibe. 4-stars
This is the Beach Boys? THIS? If you'd played me this, I never would've guessed. I mean, it still retains a lot of their original sound, and even some of the Spector wall of sound production elements. And of course, the harmonies are there. But beyond that, I wouldn't have necessarily thought this was them. This is more experimental, more loose, more adventurous than I would've expected from them. This is kind of what I thought "Pet Sounds" would be, and I was really disappointed by that album. This is much better than any other Beach Boys album I've had so far, honestly. And the name, honestly, really sells it for me. Not a surf song to be found here, really. The change in genre is welcomed. I can imagine that they eventually got bored of the surf rock pigeonhole they were stuck in and finally got a chance to branch out further than before. Like, way further. There are some clunkers ("A Day in the Life of a Tree" for one), but you're always going to get those, especially on an experimental album. With the departure from their earlier sound came another departure - lyrical themes. They wrote about social issues ("Don't Go Near the Water" and "Student Demonstration Time") nostalgia ("Disney Girls (1957)"), and overcoming personal struggle ("Long Promised Road"). It's such a departure from their previous work, even further than "Pet Sounds" ventured, and I really appreciate it. This is the best Beach Boys album I've heard so far. Four stars. Standout Tracks: Don't Go Near the Water, Take a Load Off You Feet, Long Promised Road, Student Demonstration Time
Oh this is a little gem of a record. Beach Boys doing life! doing politics! ,doing social justice! Doing pedicures. Moments of transcendence on feel flows and surf's up. Just sublime
Not at all what I expected, but really enjoyed this.
Wowow amazing voice sound
Fine
B+ Don't Go Near The Water 3 Long Promised Road 4 Take A Load Off Your Feet 3 Disney Girls (1957) 3 Student Demonstration Time 3 Feel Flows 3 Lookin' At Tomorrow (A Welfare Song) 5 A Day In The Life Of A Tree 5 Til I Die 5 Surf's Up 5 After I saw woofmeow's scathing review of Surf's Up, I was motivated to act. How could she? Better yet, how dare she? I immediately started reviewing. I even own the vinyl for this. Honestly, I thought I'd give it a respectable 3, but it's even better than I remembered. A Day In the Life of a Tree is my favorite Beach Boys song of all time, and Lookin At Tomorrow was in the first screenplay I ever wrote, so it holds a special place in my heart. Then, obviously Surf's Up is an all time classic. All in all, it's a great album and woofmeow can go kick rocks.
urf’s Up was a surprise for me—I didn’t recognize most of the songs going in, but I ended up really enjoying it. You can definitely hear the Pet Sounds influence in the arrangements and harmonies. It’s moody, reflective, and has that emotional depth that the Beach Boys started leaning into during their later years. It’s not their best work overall, but tracks like “’Til I Die” and the title track really stood out. The album has a more mature, melancholic vibe than their early stuff, and I appreciated the shift. Definitely worth a listen if you're a fan of their more introspective era.. Favorite song: Student Demonstration Time
Some unexpectedly heavy-hitting lyrics from a band with such light-hearted branding. The boys continue their trajectory into a more sombre, thoughtful mood that began in 1966 with Pet Sounds. In fact, I find it difficult to assign a genre to this sound. The light orchestral touches, the unpredictable melodies, Brian Wilson's haunting soprano... It's a stark contrast to most of the other big records from the same year (including the monumental Led Zeppelin IV, Hunky Dory, Who's Next, Tapestry, and Imagine), which all take approaches that are more obviously rooted in a specific genre. I'm torn between a few ratings here. The music is hard to "get into", but clearly a ton of thought was put into it (lyrically and musically) and it's such an oddity for the Beach Boys that I have to give it some credit. I'm going with a 4/5. All of my chosen key track fall into this genre-indeterminate category, but there are a few others that are easier to put my finger on. Long Promised Road is a relatively upbeat tune for this era of the Beach Boys, incorporating some group harmonies reminiscent of their early-to-mid-60s sound. It's exciting, and an interesting choice to have it come second on the album (after the sobering Don't Go Near The Water). Disney Girls (1957) is a surprisingly complex track that I definitely see myself returning to. Student Demonstration Time is certainly jolting and I agree with most of the reviewers that it doesn't really belong on the album. Swap it with some introspective track off Wild Honey or Sunflower and you'll have yourself a deal. The title track, Surf's Up... man, it's just excellent in every way. The lyrics are equal parts nonsense and revolutionary poetry, with odd rhymes and melodies that swivel everywhere you don't expect. The backing vocals are intense, harrowing, and yet create an almost lullabye-like atmosphere. Plus, multi-part songs are pretty much always a win. Proto-prog rock at its finest. 4/5 Key tracks: Feel Flows, 'Til I Die, Surf's Up
An odd little album from a band far removed from their prime. Filled with some great songs and probably their best since Pet Sounds.
Riktigt bra
Excellent really good easy listening to album
8/10. Very good songs. Would listen to this at anytime.
I'm kind of surprised that it took over 15 months after Pet Sounds to get my second Beach Boys album (unless you count Brian Wilson Presents Smile). I haven't thought a ton about the Beach Boys since that one, at least in comparison to other bands like the Beatles. Still, I was quite excited to listen to their 1971 album, Surf's Up. Is it good? Yeah! It's great! Of course, it's not even close to being better than Pet Sounds, but the number of albums that are better than Pet Sounds is really small, so I wouldn't put that against this album. But Surf's Up isn't just another Beach Boys album. This album has more than enough of its own style to prevent it from standing in the shadow of an album like Pet Sounds. The thing that really makes Surf's Up stick out to me is the writing. This is not only because of how good it is, but also the fact that it actually gets very socially aware and even political at times. The opener "Don't Go Near the Water" is a pro-environment piece, and "Student Demonstration Time" makes explicit references to then-topical events like the Kent State shootings and the Berkeley Free Speech Movement. That's cool! The album's other songs take a more emotional slant, with some of the highlights being "Feel Flows" and the title track at the end. It's ironic because the album's name makes you think that this is just going to be haha fun surfing time, but then it hits you in the feels. The sounds is also pretty varied. The album's 34 minutes are very well-spent. Surf's Up is an excellent album that stands out as being one of the best in the Beach Boys' catalog, even if it doesn't top Pet Sounds. High 4/5.
My favorite thing about this is that none of it sounds like any other Beach Boys song I’ve ever heard. It’s refreshing to know they weren’t all about surfing, cars, and everything being a-ok! I’m not surprised that there are no radio-singles here that I’m familiar with. But this is easily my favorite work by them.
Such an activist themed album from a surf rock band. I like the one about taking care of your feet.
This was a lot more than I expected. I knew the Beach Boys still did some stuff without Brian after Smile fell apart but I never heard it. This isn't the level of Pet Sounds but it's still got a lot going on. The album cover is also a really cool choice. The last three songs take this to a pretty interesting place. I'd listen again and am glad I heard it.
The album cover is way cooler than it deserves to be. These guys seem so confused as a band. It's unfortunate, because despite the identity crisis they manage to put out interesting music and albums. Unless it is basic on purpose this blues song about Student Demonstration is unfortunately kind of cringey. I know they have the potential to do better. The last bit of Til I Die is cool, I could picture Nirvana covering it. I listened to the album at least 3 times today. I found it moved fast enough that the odd duck songs were easily passed by each time. I almost want to give this album a 5. It is so interesting, especially with it being The Beach Boys. I'm thinking 4.8, but I'm going to round down. I hope to get back to study it more sometime.
Fantastic album that was way ahead of its time.
I have so much to say! Guys it happened! I finally liked an album mainly for its lyrics! For LYRICS! This never happens! Also, have The Beach Boys GONE WOKE?!?!??? WOKE BEACH BOYS??? In all seriousness, I loved this albums messaging. It’s so strange to hear self-awareness in such an old album. I’m reminded of one of my favorite albums, “Plastic Beach” by the Gorillaz - much like Surf’s Up, it’s vibrant, colorful, and ear-wormy, with lyrics about a failing environment and other ethical issues. “Long Promised Road” has such a nice sentiment about positive determinism in the face of a great challenge - more music needs to be like that (like Nurture by Porter Robinson). “Take a Load Off Your Feet” spoke to me specifically as I am feeling more and more physical ailments after each work day/workout. Lastly, “Student Demonstration Time” is awesome for how blunt it is, just listen and learn. Loved everything I heard and learned, loved the messaging a lot here! Thats 4 BOOMS from me
Far more enjoyable than I expected! I'm a long time fan of Pet Sounds and that album is a legit all timer and just the title of this album gave me pause thinking it was going to be some return to the campy, tiresome surfin in the California sunshine swill again. Instead it's a raw, more serious (at times), and rocking album. A little more stripped back than Pet Sounds, but in a good way. Headier and moody subject matter for the most part, but with some of that Beach Boys cheese still scattered around
For something called surfs up the cover is very doom and gloom. Honestly though the cover beats pet sounds so I cannot complain. Like disney girls and the day in the life of a tree for example perfectly suit the gloom of the cover. 4/5
4.0
So like I said before in Beach Boys Today! that album is obviously rooted in the pop rock of its time but still had subtle moments of complex arrangements or just little weird things here and there that made me think "maybe these guys are onto something". It's cool to see though that the album with maybe their coolest cover art is also one that sound just as downbeat and hazy but not in an obviously dark and melancholic way, I guess more using the haze of psychedelia and distortion to make an album that sounds and feels more introspective and small but still having some of that pop magic that makes The Beach Boys well, The Beach Boys like how some of the ways in which they introduce those choir vocals with the music is so nice and manages to fit the atmosphere of the music so well, it's lovely. I usually don't expect to like this sort of stuff but once again, I've been impressed by seeing that these guys are better than I ever expected
Bizarre, but I enjoyed the trip.
Well… this is a strange one, and didn’t know what to expect. But crikey, what an album. Dark yet somehow airy, the harmonies the Beach Boys are famous for are there but the lyrical detail fights with the style, to great effect. It’s not Pet Sounds, but it’s a damn great album.
Early BB was sweet pop. This was sweet but dark. Harmonies remain. Sublime.
Maybe my favorite Beach Boys album because not as many annoying vocal harmonies.
Such a strange and beautiful record. Surf's up is one of the greatest songs of all time.
Album most unlike any other Beach Boys effort both of previous conscious pop direction and the following Mike Love the Grand Douchebag era, and standing at the precipice between the two. It's almost as if the band knew they were ending one chapter of their careers (I haven't looked into the background of this album, for the record). "Til I Die" might be one of their best songs ever.
Excellent. Not what you’d attribute to the Beach Boy sound.
This isn't what I was expecting from the beach boys. But it's fantastic.very different to their usual surfer pop.
student protest time var goofy, resten var virkelig godt
1/7/25. I'm starting to think the Beach Boys are severely underrated, especially looking beyond their most famous music (Surfin' USA for example). The production and structures used in this album are amazing! Not up there with Pet Sounds, but a great follow up later on.
i really liked this! not all the songs stood out to me but there were a few good ones in there. i enjoyed long promised road, disney girls, student demonstration time, and feel flows in particular
This is one of my top two favorites from The Boys, Pet Sounds being the other. I feel like this was their final great album. Surf's Up hits different than their other albums. Seems more experimental for them. Disney Girls and Lookin' At Tomorrow are favorites. 4.
With a name like Surf's Up, you'd expect more of the innocent "Surfin' USA" beach songs. But no! Refreshingly no! Although some of the topics are bit odd ("Take A Load Off Your Feet"), there is some great production, vocal performances, and songwriting ("Long Promised Road," "Disney Girls (1957)"), proving that The Beach Boys are more than just Brian Wilson, which was a relevation to me. I really just picked up Pet Sounds and thought, "This is as good as it's gonna get." And though it was great, I didn't know this other side of The Beach Boys. And even now finding out that they have 29 studio albums, I realize I really don't know much of anything about them. Now I see some of what my peers see in them. I feel I've just scratched the surface.
This was a pretty interesting album with lots of ear candy. Each song was layered and tried to paint a scene. I enjoyed it more than listening to Pet Sounds. I'm sure that this is the type of album that you listen to multiple times and continue to find interesting things about it.
I am usually not a fan of the Beach Boy vibe, but this was kind of weird and eclectic and I was digging it.
Having given this album a couple of listens, I can say that I quite like it. Must admit that I know very little about their music, more about their sound. With respect to that this was something of a surprise, with quite a few different styles on the recording. I particularly liked the title track, which gave me pause for thought about some of XTC’s later out put. Gets the thumbs up from me
Student demonstration???? These mf rock
Highlights: 1. Dont go near the water 2. Disney Girls (Bruce sings) 3. A Day in the life of a tree
I had to forget everything I thought I knew about the Beach Boys.
Pleasant listen. Long Promised Road the standout track.
Net aan voordeel van de twijfel en een 4tje gegeven. Eerder een 7.1 of zo.
Heel anders dan wat ik tot nu toe van ze ken, klinkt een stuk 'volwassener'.
Ja was lekker
enjoyed it was great to listen to and chill to
The Beach Boys in 1971: "Let's all help the water Right away Do what we can and ought to Let's start today" Shit.
Depressing to think that the lyrical themes of this record are from 1971 when it’s still as important today - if not more.
## In-Depth Review of *Surf's Up* by The Beach Boys The Beach Boys' album *Surf's Up*, released on August 30, 1971, represents a significant turning point for the band, both musically and thematically. This album emerged during a period when the group's popularity was waning, and it marks a shift from their traditional surf rock roots to more complex and socially conscious themes. This review will delve into the lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence of *Surf's Up*, while also evaluating its strengths and weaknesses. ### Lyrics The lyrical content of *Surf's Up* is notable for its departure from the carefree, sun-soaked imagery typical of earlier Beach Boys songs. Instead, it addresses serious topics such as environmental concerns, social issues, and personal introspection. - **Environmental Awareness**: The opening track "Don’t Go Near the Water" serves as a stark warning about pollution and ecological degradation. The lyrics reflect a growing awareness of environmental issues that were becoming increasingly relevant in the early 1970s. Lines like “Don’t you think it’s sad / What’s happened to the water” illustrate this shift toward socially conscious songwriting[1][4]. - **Personal Reflection**: Brian Wilson's contributions, particularly in "’Til I Die" and "Surf's Up," showcase a more introspective and existential approach. "’Til I Die" expresses feelings of helplessness and resignation, capturing a haunting sense of vulnerability that resonates deeply with listeners[3][4]. - **Nostalgia and Idealism**: Bruce Johnston's "Disney Girls (1957)" evokes nostalgia for a simpler time, contrasting sharply with the album's more serious themes. The lyrics reflect a yearning for innocence and health in a world that has become increasingly complicated[2][3]. Overall, while some lyrics may come off as simplistic or overly earnest—particularly in songs like "Student Demonstration Time"—the album is characterized by a blend of poignant social commentary and personal reflection. ### Music Musically, *Surf's Up* showcases the Beach Boys' signature harmonies while incorporating diverse influences that reflect the band's evolution. - **Vocal Harmonies**: The album retains the lush vocal arrangements that are synonymous with the Beach Boys. Even in tracks with heavier themes, such as "A Day in the Life of a Tree," the harmonies remain a highlight. The use of echo chambers enhances the ethereal quality of these vocals[1][3]. - **Instrumentation**: The production features an eclectic mix of instruments that contribute to its unique sound. From dissonant pianos to orchestral arrangements, the music often contrasts with the straightforward lyrical content. For instance, "Feel Flows" combines folk-rock elements with intricate instrumentation that elevates its emotional impact[2][4]. - **Production Techniques**: Produced by the band themselves under their Brother label, *Surf's Up* reflects an experimental approach to sound. The incorporation of various musical styles—from rock to folk to classical—demonstrates their willingness to push boundaries. This is particularly evident in the title track "Surf's Up," which is structured as a mini-suite with distinct sections that flow seamlessly into one another[3][4]. ### Production The production of *Surf's Up* is significant for its time, as it marked a departure from traditional pop production techniques. - **Collaborative Efforts**: With Jack Rieley as their manager during this period, there was an emphasis on collaboration among band members. Each member contributed songs that showcased their individual styles while still maintaining a cohesive sound throughout the album[2][4]. - **Brian Wilson's Influence**: Although Brian Wilson had stepped back from live performances due to personal struggles, his influence remained central to the album’s identity. His compositions—particularly “’Til I Die” and “Surf’s Up”—are considered some of his finest work[3][4]. - **Innovative Arrangements**: The arrangements on *Surf's Up* are notably ambitious. The title track features multiple sections with varying tempos and moods, showcasing Wilson's innovative approach to songwriting and arrangement[2][3]. ### Themes Thematically, *Surf's Up* encapsulates a range of ideas that reflect both personal and societal concerns. - **Ecological Consciousness**: The album’s opening track sets an ecological tone that resonates throughout. The Beach Boys were not just singing about surfing anymore; they were addressing real-world issues facing society[1][2]. - **Nostalgia vs. Reality**: Many songs grapple with themes of nostalgia while confronting harsh realities. Johnston’s “Disney Girls” serves as a wistful reminder of childhood innocence amidst societal decay[2][4]. - **Existential Reflection**: Tracks like “’Til I Die” delve into existential themes, exploring feelings of insignificance and longing for connection in an increasingly complex world[3][4]. ### Influence *Surf's Up* has had a lasting impact on music and culture since its release. - **Cultural Relevance**: The album’s focus on social issues was ahead of its time and resonated with the counterculture movement of the early 1970s. It paved the way for other artists to tackle similar themes in their work[2][4]. - **Legacy**: Over time, *Surf's Up* has been recognized as one of the Beach Boys' most important albums. It has influenced various artists across genres, reflecting its eclectic sound and thematic depth[1][2]. ### Pros and Cons #### Pros - **Innovative Sound**: The album features diverse musical styles that showcase the band’s evolution beyond surf rock. - **Lyrical Depth**: Addresses significant social issues while maintaining personal introspection. - **Harmonious Vocals**: Retains the signature Beach Boys harmonies that fans love. - **Cohesive Production**: Collaborative efforts lead to a well-produced album with strong contributions from all members. #### Cons - **Inconsistent Quality**: Some tracks feel like filler or lack depth compared to standout songs like “Surf’s Up” or “’Til I Die”[3]. - **Overly Didactic Lyrics**: Certain songs come off as preachy or simplistic in their social commentary. - **Limited Commercial Success**: Despite critical acclaim, it did not achieve significant commercial success at release compared to earlier albums[2][4]. ### Conclusion In conclusion, *Surf's Up* stands as a landmark album in The Beach Boys' discography. It marks a transition from carefree surf culture to thoughtful reflections on society and self. While it has its flaws—such as inconsistent quality across tracks—the strengths in lyrical depth, innovative production, and harmonious vocals make it an essential listen for fans of classic rock and those interested in music history. Its influence continues to be felt today, making it not only a critical success but also an enduring piece of art reflective of its time.
Mid-career, weird Beach Boys. Brian Wilson had really started exploring his mind and attempting to make it real with studio tools. Surfs Up, Disney Girls, Take Care of your Feet, and Feel Flows are some of the best they ever made. Not quite a perfect album statement but one worth returning to.
I loved this shift in the Beach Boys’ style. Some very pretty tracks on this one
Never listened to this, and really enjoyed. It's not Pet Sounds, but what is? Couple great tracks, couple slightly cheesy.
very different sound for them. i wasn’t familiar with this album and was trying to guess whether it different bc it was super early in their career or super later
I like this more than Pet Sounds, which I gave three stars. So I'll give this one four.
Im gonna cuuuuuuuuuuuuu
Some great songs on here like the 2nd one and the 6th one. 3.5-4?
not as beachy as I was expecting, in a good way
Enjoyed it more than I thought I would. Some good stuff.
sad whimsy
Not what I expected. Great stuff.
Delightful harmonies and catchy melodies. Doesn't quite have the killer hook present in some of their later albums, but still a great listen.
Really interesting album. Love the cover
An interesting album, definitely grew on me. Darker than your average Beach Boys record, it reminded me that really their band name is such an inaccurate representation of what they were as a band (although the retirement crowd may not believe it). Really loved the couple of Carl Wilson tracks, Long Promised Road and Feel Flows. The only bad song I thought was the Mike Love penned Student Demonstration Time - just can’t take him seriously singing “There’s a riot going on”. Also some bonus points to that album cover.
Bruh
Pop-rock progresivo. Alguna canción recordaba a los Beatles. Un 4.
Gorgeous pop like you'd expect from them, the title track especially right at the end leaves it on an incredibly high note.
Cool and weird and worth a revisit.
I wasn't totally sure what to expect but this is a really good album. All the use of harmonies you expect from them and with some rich songs and just a good listen. Big shout out for 33m long albums too.
Funky
The Beach Boys’ 17th album arrived at a transitional period for the band, like the moments of calm after a long-promised wave finally breaks on the shore. It had the unenviable task of continuing the band’s rocky trajectory into a new decade, following the once-in-a-lifetime masterpiece of “Pet Sounds”, much creative stalling, Brian Wilson’s mental health struggles, and subsequent poorly received follow-ups. “Surf’s Up” finally arrived as the band assumed new management, with much of the songwriting and band-leading being handed over to youngest Wilson brother Carl. It’s the sound of a band reaching for some new directions, while also pausing to tie up some loose ends. Accordingly, it zig-zags erratically between even-numbered wonders and odd-numbered oddities. I’m not sure I’ve ever heard another album commit so much to the alternate-a-weird-song-with-a-great-song formula, but here it is. “Don’t Go Near The Water”: pretty, but a low-key and very odd opening salvo. “Long Promised Road”: shoots straight to the heart, with a home-run of a chorus. “Take a Load Off Your Feet”: rhymes “feet” with “Pete”, employs rhythmic car horn and dinner plates. “Disney Girls (1957)”: beautiful elegy. “Student Demonstration Time”: um, what? “Feel Flows”: stone-cold masterpiece. And so on. It must be said that the two songs solely penned by Carl Wilson (“Long Promised Road” and “Feel Flows”) are two of my favourites, more than proving his worth as successor to his older brother. Ultimately, though, it’s still Brian who takes all the glory at the end. The final three songs here, “A Day In The Life Of A Tree”, “Till I Die” and “Surf’s Up”, are the most affecting. Bringing in the organ and harmonium, and the richest vocal arrangements across the record, they’re all miniature masterpieces. There’s no other way they could have ended the record than the title track, an astounding work of art which soars, twists, turns, and finally breaks in a heavenly chorus of symphonic chattering. The Beach Boys in this form don’t show up in the 1001 Albums club again after “Surf’s Up”, and what a way to bow out.
4.5
So different from the albums that I do know by The Beach Boys…and a similar feel to Smile, from Brian Wilson, which makes perfect sense. Very political. Kind of in your face political that feels a little forced and maybe too literal. But I really enjoy the music and listened to it a second time right way because of how much I thought of it. And I will listen again.
what. THE FUCK??!? Firstly, I should have known this wasn't the Beach Boys I expected with the album cover being so angsty. This is the Dark Beach Boys from an alternate timeline. The mood gets pretty melancholy (though still not sure if it's quite mythical enough to warrant the minotaur (?) on the front)... but the fucking tree song. Oh my god. How many drugs were they taking. That was downright concerning I still enjoyed it. Favourite moment the random Darth Vader horn call in Surf's Up lol. Least favourite moment the 'child child child' moment in Surf's Up...
I had forgotten about this album, not having heard about it in many years. The recording quality was excellent, though the songs were quite different from other works from the Beach Boyd.
Probs 4.5
Brian was not much involved and it's clear, but they're great anyway
Artistically, a great album. Musically, I'm kind of wishing they didn't go away from the fun-loving, surfer-dude kind of music from their earlier albums. Those vibes and songs live rent free in my head. It's still a very good album. I just like other Beach Boys albums more. Favorite Song(s): Disney Girls (1957), A Day in the Life of a Tree
5 for surfs up and til I die, student demonstration time is so bad it gives this a 4
Incredible. Never knew they broke away from the cheesy surf style. These songs were beautiful
Some incredibly composed stuff on here with darker themes for them, very interesting listen
A welcome surprise. 4 because I would not have found it if not for this list.
For an album titled "surfs up" I really expected more of that classic Beach Boys surfer rock and less of a protest album.
3.5
It’s a pretty decent baroque pop album. There’s little of the iconic Beach Boys sound of the early-mid 60s, but that’s not a bad thing.
Un clásico, no es mi estilo. Pero es escuchable.
M'a surprise. Je n'avais entendu que des greatest hits; le style est différent.
Big fan of freaky deeky sad beach boys. The feet song sucks tho 👎
The Beach Boys’ Surf’s Up, for starters, has an amazing album cover. Like this thing is just so depressing, and looks so cool. Musically, its alright. There is some great songs like take a Load Off Your Feet, but most are iffy. Good theming and concept overall though. All in all, Surf’s Up is a good album.
I've only listened to this one at the time of writing but I like it. It's that Beach Boys sound, but as though this is the morning after the surf and beer. Well-developed and good listening, albeit with no stand-outs.
Good but not cohesive. Almost sounds like a collection of leftovers rather than one album. “Student Demonstration Time” pisses me off because of how disgusting of a human being Mike Love turned out to be. Score gets rounded up because of how hauntingly beautiful the title track is.
2nd half was quite interesting
It’s great to sit and listen to a Beach Boys album that’s not either literally or effectively a collection of singles. Of course I know Pet Sounds and Smile very well but otherwise tend to lean into the hits. This is quite a different experience and one I enjoyed. The lyrical themes are different and the production feels a far cry from the Brian Wilson masterpieces. But it’s no less enjoyable for it.
Lyrics superb. A grower. Really good. I would still place it behind pet sounds and Holland, but that's not a bad place to be
Blev väldigt överraskad av soundet, gillade det mycket mer än jag hade trott. Visste inte att BB hade släppt så många album och blivit mer "sofistikerade" på äldre dagar. "Surfs up" var tydligen en ironisk titel . A day in the life of a tree var bäst, låter som en modern låt (inte därför den var bra dock, men intressant). Lite väl hippie-miljö-aktivism, men ändå.
Definitely doesn't get the attention it deserves.
The Beach Boys almost never missed during their peak years of the late 60s-early 70s.
When I saw the cover I didn’t think this was supposed to be an album by The Beach Boys. It was strange and intriguing to hear a more macabre and bleak sound from them. At times it feels desolate and their voices layer like a choir. Made me feel a bit uncomfortable that way. There’s a chunk of politics in this album, which steer it in a direction that was unexpected. Overall, good album, The Beach Boys have a great sound, yet I wanted them to dip their feet more into it. Didn’t feel quite sold on it. Standouts: Don’t Go Near The Water, Long Promised Road, Disney Girls, ‘Til I Die, and Surf’s Up.
Interesting comeback.
Chillest an-cap album I’ve ever heard. Daddy took the T-bird away to LAPD took the right to assemble away I’ve heard almost nothing from The Beach Boys except for their top 5-10 and honestly this was refreshing. Excellent production, but has a distinct 60s sound that’s complete separate from what you think of The Beach Boys.
Crazy that this is their 17th album! Enough of the classic beach boys sound (bah bah haha bahhhh) to feel like a beach boys album, not too much that it feels stale. Likes the more serious songs, overall a great balance of songs. I liked the musical idea behind student demonstration with the bluesy rock but the lyrics were dumb and the title was too long
Really nice discovery. I only know and love beach boys from their hits, and was very pleasantly surprised by this “minor” album. Lots of proto-prog sounds in the second half of the album, with highlights “feel flows” and “surf’s up”
Sometimes mellow, sometimes bluesy, unlike the previous picture I had of the Beach Boys.
I like the cover, the production (drier than the beachies I'm familiar with), the vocal melodies and the very funny "don't go near the water" joke. I don't like that the political and environmental messages sound a little insincere, but the energy and directness are on point. Pretty good record all in all. Not something I'll be searching out regularly but glad I listened to it.
Great album
the beach boys are dead
Always pleasantly surprised by Beach Boys.
Decent but no pet sounds
I really liked this. Funny how it's called Surf's Up but to me it didn't sound like the usually beach boys all going 'hey we love the surf baby let's go surfing all the time', it felt a bit more nuanced. Also, the album cover is wild. Compare that to Surfin' Safari, it's like a bloody ringwraith, definitely not rainbow rhythms
Gotta love the beach boys
I hadn't hear this before. Possible one of my favourite Beach Boys albums now.
Don't Go Near The Water - has a nice laid back vibe. Student Demonstration Time is pretty cool. That firehouse siren gets annoying though. Overall this album seems not very upbeat though, not something I'd expect from them and doesn't suit them. But gotta give them props for their harmonies.
Beach boys have a wider range than I previously thought. Innovative for an album in the early 70s, feels it has components of psych rock but different than the usual 60s/70s style. Deserves a second listen.
Surprisingly good, not what you'd expect for a Beach Boys album. Really enjoyed this. Had to double check a few times I was listening to the right album as it sounds nothing like their earlier stuff.
Darker and more progressive than other Beach Boys material I've heard. Really fucking good.
I liked it! I prefered it to that other more famous album I cant remember the name but it definitely felt a bit darker.
Surprisingly great. Only song I recognised was 'Feel Flows' from the Almost Famous credits but really liked the variety and overall mood on offer, and 'Long Promised Road' is an absolute banger.
those guys probably fucked in the 70s
Well, this is the first proper Beach Boys album I'm listening to. I've heard songs like "Surfin' USA" and "Little Saint Nick" in passing, though never cared enough to seek them out. I did not expect they would forego the whimsical nature of their surf rock '60s material for a more psychedelic prog-rock album. This is a strange album, where it takes twisted turns using Moog synthesizers, Hammond organs, electric guitars, and vocal effects while taking a crack at socially conscious lyrics for the time. It's not a perfect album, as not every experiment goes well. But, I'll be damned if I'm not impressed with the boys trying something different than what I expected. Give it a shot.
A four star album with a couple of five star songs on it. Feel Flows is fantastic, and Surf's Up might be my favorite Beach Boys song from their whole catalog; beautifully melancholic.
Strange album. Never listened to it before and I don’t think I recognized any songs. Not something I would expect from the Beach Boys. Bit some interesting songs. I will definitely listen to this a few more times.
I’d never heard this album but I really enjoyed it :) especially Day in the life of a tree
Not bad at all. Different from other beach boys album. 4 stars
I enjoyed the more melancholy side of beach boys and surfs up is still pretty cool :) thx for the Rex slayyter
Great Beach Boys album, came at a time where I feel their output, while still good, wasn't at the same level of albums released earlier. Also kind of gives you a bit of a glimpse into the Beach Boys when Brian Wilson wasn't heavily involved with the production.
A Beach Boys album I hadn´t heard before and it has a lot of interesting stuff going on. A few tracks don´t work and Student demostartion time must be the worst song they ever recorded. Amazingly out of touch. All in all I think I need to revisit this album a fem times.
I’m giving The Beach Boys’ Surf’s Up a 4-star rating, mainly for its bold departure from their earlier surf music sound. The album’s musical aspects are truly enjoyable. However, I have mixed feelings about its social activism themes. Some lyrics come across as opportunistic and a bit sleazy, almost like reaching for low-hanging fruit. Despite this, I appreciate the album’s overall musical direction, which is why I’ve rounded my rating up from a 3.5 to 4 stars.
Of course the worst song here is written by Mike Love
really cool
Beach Boys are masters of the vocal harmonies, but it is a little sparse here. Surf's Up (the album) is filled with great songs (Student Demonstration Time is one of my favorites so that isn't a reason this isn't a 5) and it ends superbly, with Surf's Up (the song) having the best harmonies of the album. However, I have a problem with the production, not a big fan of how it sounds. And I didn't really care for Take A Load Off Your Feet
Short and psychedelic, sweet. Yes flute! Magic lost towards the end.
It took me a couple listens, but I ended up really enjoying this despite being put off at first by the addition of the synths and vocal effects. It has a melancholy vibe, as an intentional contrast to the band's history. The environmental messaging is honestly pretty effective and still relevant. Long Promised Road, Til I Die and the title song are all awesome.
Excellent
I really enjoy the diversity of songs and sounds on the album, along with the excellent singing of course.
The start of Don't Go Near The Water is so oinky sploinky which drives my hopes for the album up. To be honest the album is just a vibe, it's not like super exceptional but it's pretty good. Favourites: Long Promised Road, Disney Girls,
Some nice sounding bops on this one, I actually really enjoyed it. Some good environmental messages too. Favourites were Take A Load Off Your Feet, Disney Girls (1957), and 'Til I Die. I also rock with Don't Go Near The Water and A Day In The Life Of A Tree because environment. Solid 4 today
# Playlist track - Long Promised Road # Notes - Great listen! - -1 star for the sirens on "Student Demonstration Time" -
Good! 4 stars
enjoyed it much more than expected
Better than I expected
This was pretty interesting. Never heard of this album or any of the songs on it. Didn't really sound like The Beach Boys, but it had me hooked the whole way through. It was very unique and not at all what I was expecting.
Mellow. Lovely.
I liked this more than I thought I would. It’s not as lush as Pet Sounds but it definitely expanded what my concept of The Beach Boys are about. I will further explore their catalog.
This album is often overlooked in the post-Per Sounds Beach Boys output. It is a very imperfect album. It champions ecological awareness before jumping to idealized 50s pastiche, and a more straightforward rock piece where Mike Love ends with the assertion that students shouldn’t protest. The final three songs are phenomenal. The title track, dating back to the Smile era, has been my favorite Beach Boys song for a few years now and may have been Brian Wilson’s last great piece of production.
This is more like it! Rounding off a frankly dismal week with an absolute classic this is probably the Beach Boys’ most eclectic record both musically and lyrically, shedding their surf rock foundations entirely and delving into topics such as environmentalism, mortality, and… feet? There are a couple of tracks around the middle that don’t quite hold up to the rest of the album, but there is some absolutely beautiful stuff on here, and the title track may be my favourite song they’ve ever released (I slightly prefer the arrangement on the Smile Sessions but it still sounds magnificent here, and closes things out perfectly)
2 comments: 1. "Take a load off your feet sounds like a PSA from sesame street 2. "Student Demonstration Time" is leagues above the other songs, it's not even a fair 4 stars
Lookin at Tomorrow was great overall great album just too short :D
Album 331 of 1001 The Beach Boys - Surf's Up Rating : 4 / 5 Not the Beach Boys we all think of when we think of The Beach Boys. Interesting album. Certainly deserves another listen and I suspect I'll like it more the 2nd time. Some socially conscious stuff and ending with the Brian Wilson type tunes I've come to love.
I have always had mixed feelings about The Beach Boys, liked some of their songs others not so much. This album is alright but not exactly great.
I was surprised how this album sounded. I expected the beachy rock vibes of surfing usa… but this was a more cool vibe, and it was great!
4/5. A clean collection of pop tracks from these fellas. Definitely got some misses, the cutesy children-type songs really do not age well, if they were ever good to begin with. Most of the other songs are well written and achieve that pop success they achieved earlier. Not my first recommendation of Beach Boys album but definitely my second.
Not my jam, but pretty good
A strange album this, a transition between their orchestral pop of the late 60s and the meandering nostalgic rock of their later career. Til I Die and Surf's Up are two of their most beautiful songs. It's almost a 5 but the inconsistent tone and underlying sadness bring it down.
Much more subdued than some of their 60s work. The last three tracks are quite magical with Til I Die being the standout. Gets it to **** but I might just listen to side two next time.
Good insight on the later works of the Beach Boys...I hadn't heard this album.
Well, this was an unexpected trip, part environmental psychedelic rock/part bubblegum pop? Brian Wilson was in his decline at this point, Dennis Wilson was half insane also so Carl Wilson and Mike Love stepped up to take some of the load and it shows, the final product is just so disjointed. Aurally pleasing because, hey, it's the Beach Boys in 3 part harmony, but it just doesn't hit like they used to.
This album was surprisingly good! I was expecting the typical Beach Boys you hear on the oldies stations and in 50's diners, but this has a lot more character and depth than that.
Has some of the best, prettiest beach boys arrangements next to some of if not the worst beach boys songs. Great when it's leaning into psychedelia. Actually terrible the rest of the time. 7/10
Excellent
I’m ashamed to say I’ve never listened to The Beach Boys beyond their hits. I was expecting all surf music. This was great.
Not being familiar with the history of the Beach Boys I was quite surprised to hear the first track was an environmentally- conscious admonition to Don't Go Near the Water. They sing about student protests, and depression (in Feel Flows), but also feet so their themes are all over the place. I liked most of their songs, favorite was Long Promised Road
It's pretty decent but it just doesn't have the sauce of the earlier stuff.
people only ever talk about pet sounds but this is pretty great too
this was a very pleasant album through and through. some of the songs were kind of forgetful, but a beautiful kind of forgetful. 7.8/10
Very good. Amuses me the disparity between the album art and the title
Not as tedious as I was expecting.
An itchy blanket. My parents weren't hippie enough to put something like Student Demonstration Time to tape, but neither were the Boys as far out on Surf's Up as they could get. The old vocal harmony's all here, with plenty of breadth besides, in a slim LP package. Dark stuff hovering, certainly, with the right amount of seriousness. It's right sometimes to hear a record like this, not through radio singles but with some more intention.
Listened Before? No What a jump, from The Cure to The Beach Boys. My only real exposure so far has been Surfin' Safari (my kids love it) and Animal Sounds. This is a touch later career than either, where (by album art and title alone) it appears they are trying to distance themselves from their early 60s "surf-rock" image. Begins on a tripped out note with a warbly effect overlaid on the guitar. Was not expecting that synth line - dope. This is surprisingly funky. Long Promised Road is a jam; got me bobbing along. Backing harmony is pretty with a very confident front vocal. Take A Load Off Your Feet is trippy as well, but well held together. Love the plucked strings that pop in. Such a pretty and wonky little song. Disney Girls pulls out the wah pedal for the guitar to great effect. Gives it a wistful tone, especially in combination with the harmonization and echoing snare snap. Honestly feels like this could be a Dead song, if the harmonization wasn't so damned good. Student Demonstration Time, comes out of nowhere and punches you in the face with a fuzzed out guitar and Beatles-esq rock song. Great line: "the pen is mightier than the sword, but no match for a gun." Feels like they are riffing a bit here on other successful band's styles, but they parrot effectively. Feel Flows is a loose and largely instrumental jam, featuring a strong yazz flute entry. Vocals have a sort of reversed fade in effect that lends to an overall ghostly / spacey vibe. Lookin' At Tomorrow sounds more like a folk/prog-rock song. Production here is full of interesting nuggets with the way they play with stereo fading, etc. I recognize Surf's Up. This one feels the most like a callback to Animal Sounds. Delicate instrumentals in multiple parts with pretty vocal harmonization. Both bleak and beautiful in tone. So I'd be lying if I said I didn't go into this album with high expectations. The Beach Boys are a ridiculously talented group of musicians that have the rare ability to create music that is at once artistically and popularly appreciated. While this album doesn't have any of the heavy hitting singles of their earlier releases, it does demonstrate an incredible breadth of their capability. The production (as with their other works) is fantastic. Sequencing could be better as this feels a bit disjointed at times, but I honestly enjoyed every song here. I'm straddling the 4-5 line here, but call this a strong 4. Added to Library? Yes Songs Added to Playlists: - Long Promised Road (Driving) - Take A Load Off Your Feet (Sunny-vibes) - Disney Girls (Sunny-vibes)
Pretty good. Beach Boys are good. I don’t know why I’m drawing a blank but whatever.
A different album to the Beach Boys I thought I knew. I really liked it. Disney Girls is a particular favourite - made me nostalgic for a childhood I never had.
The Beach Boys will always get a gold star from me. Very different from a lot of their other albums.
No tenía idea de la existencia de este disco y me sorprendió.
It start OK. Then it gets better and it stays good until the end. Favorite song: 'Til I Die
My first thought when I saw the album cover was "what is this, some kind of death metal?", and then it turned out to be The Beach Boys. What a surprise! I think I may have liked this more than 'Pet Sounds' as a whole. It felt more coherent, and this was another side of The Beach Boys I've not encountered before. Some songs were quite mellow, like 'Disney Girls' and 'Surf's Up', and then there were a bit more experimental ones like 'Lookin' At Tomorrow' which had an interesting eerie chord progression and almost reminded me a bit of some of Metallica's "softer" songs. I think it might be a bit too generous, and maybe just a honeymoon thing, but I'm going to give this a weak 4 actually. Not very often I get positively surprised, so have to take opportunity to reward those moments!
You can tell this album is a few years after "Pet Sounds", there are a lot more rock influences and even a Blues song in "Student Demonstration Time". Also the Album art looks like something Led Zeppelin would use (or any later Metal bands). Anyway while no single songs reach quite the peaks of the single tracks of "Pet Sounds" I think this is a whole is a better album. The harmonies are not as complex but instead you get a pretty decent rock album mixed with some "Pet Sounds harmonies". "Looking at Tomorrow" with its melancholic arpeggios was probably my favourite track. Nothing groundbreaking but think it just squeezes in to getting a four star.
I've seen the cover but didnt realize it was for a Beach Boys album. I know loads of Beach Boys songs, but these are all new to me. First listen at midnight after a long Saturday. Surf's Up just ended and my only thought is "Holy Shit" I can't wait to give this a proper listen tomorrow. "Long Promised Road" "Feel Flows" "Til I Die" and "Surf's Out" are fantastic songs. The rest are a combination of goofy, dated, or simply strange. They had come through the failed Smile sessions, Brian Wilson was in his bathrobe Era, new management told them to follow the counter culture and write some real shit. It's proggy and psychedelic, twisting the angelic harmonies of the Boys into dirges for the environment, laments for the working man, and existential dread (and one rocker about student protests). There's also a song about feet. It was interesting to read about Van Dyke Park's involvement - I knew his name from his work with Joanna Newsom. What a wild dude! The final track, Brian Wilson's Smile outtake the titular "Surf's Up" might as well be the thesis for the Beach Boys, though: beautiful music (a child's song) can get you through life. The peppering of oceanic themes throughout, starting with Don't Go Near the Water and ending in Surf's Up really drive home the idea of "The Beach Boys are Dead. Long Live the Beach Boys." They went through the grinder pumping out hit after hit and on the 17th album they were done fucking surfing.
Une petite perle trouvée sur la plage des boys, meilleur si je puis me le permettre que Pet Sound
Ok. Some sounds were cool. Fun arrangements. Must have been ahead of its time
When I first started this album, I was ready to give it 5 stars. It slowly got worse the further down the track listing I went, so I’ve got to give it a 4 star. I’m still rocking the first two tracks though!
I mean what can I say it’s beach boys, good stuff.
Interesting album cause I thought I knew a lot of Beach Boys songs, but didn’t know any of these. I did enjoy it for the most part and appreciated the diversity I realized they had.
Wow, beach boys made more songs other than Surfin USA and Little Saint Nick? I was surprised by how much this album differed in their style too.
Enjoyed this. Great tunes - typical Beach Boys!
I've only ever really known The Beach Boys for their happy, surfing, summer of love vibe. So I saw the title of this album "Surf's Up" but was also met with the cover. "Is that a painting of the drowned bodies of a horse and its rider?" I think to myself. "Not very uplifting." It quickly became clear that this wasn't the fun and cheerful surf-rock I was expecting, and actually turned out to be a quite bleak, political and ecological record. The opening track for example is the surf song format they were so well known for, totally turned on its head. They're no longer singing about how fun it is to surf, they're singing about how it's not safe to surf because of the pollution in the water. It's all a bit more somber than I had expected from The Beach Boys, and I think that's why they're held in such high regard. Their most popular songs may have been the happy, cheerful, carefree, but they were certainly not one-trick ponies. For me, not everything here really hits, some of it is a bit boring and forgettable, but this was a good album that's opened my eyes to the fact that there is more to The Beach Boys than "Good Vibrations", "Wouldn't It Be Nice" and the other upbeat and popular tracks. That alone has me interesting in listening to more of their work. Favourite: Feel Flows
Weird, not at all what I expected. I liked it!
- Listened to other Beach Boys albums before but not this - Knew going into that it was different to their other stuff, but still very, very good - Came very close to giving it 5* but a couple of the tracks weren't the best - Probably the closest to a 5 without being a 5 so far - Fav songs: Surf's Up, Long Promised Road, Disney Girls
Not too shabby
What a fascinating album to revisit. Wilson here showing his stripes as insane/genius, especially on songs like Take Care of Your Feet or whatever. The title track is pretty incredible. It's hard to say things about the harmonies and melodies which really have not ever been rivaled. It feels like peak Beach Boys if you've spent much time listening to them at all. That is particularly true if you've ever listened to the many disks that make up the studio sessions and listened to the many "studio chatter" recordings to hear Wilson's process. He was meticulous sometimes taking dozens of takes to lay down a track. He must have been impossible to work with, but when you hear the final polished tracks, you realize the sheer amount of work and skill that went into it.
Pretty good! Nothing stood out too much though
This album was not what I was expecting at all. I guess given it's title, I had always assumed it was an earlier Beach Boys record. It's sparse and thin but man it has some great songs with beautiful melodies. It feels more like a collection of songs rather than a conceptual album, and I'm sure that's because of Brian Wilson kind of taking a back seat in the production process, but this is a great album. It's so weird to hear the song Surf's Up not within the context of Smile and hear it just end an album.
Could have been as big as The Beatles. Only complaint is the album is too short.
The Beach Boys rock a little harder than expected. Every song is enjoyable enough, which can be common for a pop group. However, the instrumentation was creative, the guitar had a few interesting moments, and a few chord changes were unexpected. I 3x'd my respect for the Beach Bros.
Some bangers, some unbearably corny
A different sound from The Beach Boys.
It's far from the best Beach Boys albums, but it's still great.
fun fun fun
It's not the best album but its still pretty good They've got some funny little love songs on there. It's not really a Brian's production So its probably not as good as something like Pet Sounds
Not listened to a Beach Boys album before, only know the classics. It was interesting and not unpleasant. Not sure if I'd buy it.
Experimental and hefty
Not what I'd expect from a Beach Boys album, but enjoyed the departure.
Not familiar with this album, but really enjoyed it, different from pet sounds, but second best beach boys album Iv heard
Interesting! I had no idea The Beach Boys ventured into dour, protest-type music. I liked the album! Short and sweet, too.
No clue why but 'Student Demonstration Time' stood out for me, the rest of the album is a good listen
A very cool album and nice departure from their previous sound as a band.
This is vastly different from every other album I’ve heard from The Beach Boys in a very refreshing way. It definitely felt more seventies and electronic and you could tell that the band was overtly trying to get away from the surfer sound between the title and the production. It was a good album overall but long promises road was excellent and played on repeat for the whole day.
All my life I spent the night With dreams of you And the warmth I missed And for the things I wished They're all coming true I've got my love to give And a place to live Guess I'm gonna stay It'd be a peaceful life With a forever wife And a kid someday Well, it's early nights And pillow fights And your soft laugh Fantasy world and Disney girls I'm coming back This is a good album, but its weird. Its weird like the fact that Brian Wilson was friends with Charles Manson and let the whole family stay at his place for a long time - Its some heavy incongruous shit thats hard to wrap your head around. But its also a really good album. 4/5
This will be my third Beach Boys record review (the first one being Brian Wilson's solo album, Smile). This will also be the highest rated of them to date. This album continues the path taken by the band in Pet Sounds, towards a more psychadelic sound, and also sees Brian more and more removed from the band due to his mental health issues. Brian only sings on 4 songs on this record, and wrote the last 3. The band was taking a new socially conscious directions, as heard in songs such as Student Demonstration Time (a song about the Vietnam War), as well as environmental numbers Don't Go Near The Water, and A Day in the Life of a Tree (songs about pollution, and the damages it is causing the Earth). They also randomly have a song about feet (Take a Load Off Your Feet). There was a documentary that was put out after their album Pet Sounds came out. In the documentary, they are interviewing Brian, and he plays an excerpt from a song he was working on. That song was Surf's Up. Fans heard it, and waited 5 years, and 6 albums before finally hearing the completed song. The only reason it was completed was because Beach Boys co-manager Jack Rieley made Brian finish the song. The album cover is a beautiful painting based on an early 20th century sculpture called End of the Trail. It depicts a warrior on horseback who appears to be mortally wounded. Overall, an odd helping of the Beach Boys today. Nothing like their traditional surfer rock at all, and very experimental. They played everything from psychadelica to folk to blues. I think that this departure from the surfer rock persona, along with Brian's wailing vocals taking kind of a backseat is why this album resonated more with me. Favourite songs: Student Demonstration Time, Disney Girls, Don't Go Near the Water, Take a Load Off Your Feet, A Day in the Life of a Tree Least favourite songs: Feel Flows, Surf's Up 4/5
Don’t Go Near The Water, Long Promised Road, Take a Load of your Feet, Disney Girls, Student Demonstration Time, A Day In The Life of a Tree 4.5/5