The Beach Boys – “1-2-3” – 01. Surf’s Up (1971) – 02. Sunflower (1970) – 03. Holland (1972) (3-CD Box - Digitally Remastered)

I have always considered Surf’s Up to be the best Beach Boys studio album of the 1970s. Surf’s Up may not have the consistent production wizardry of Sunflower nor its pleasant flowing feel but it is a better fit for the societal background against which it was released. It also has an edgier feel and tends to rock a bit more in places. Whatever you’re feelings about Sunflower vs. Surf’s Up, it would be the last consistently excellent Beach Boys studio album.
The Vietnam War and the resulting protest movement, plus the fact that Led Zeppelin and like groups were taking music far away from the Beach Boys sound and image, would cause Surf’s Up to be another commercial failure. This was a Beach Boys release that definitely deserved better from the buying public.
There are only two songs that are out of place on Surf’s Up. “Don’t Go Near The Water” and “Take Good Care Of Your Feet” both have good production but lightweight lyrics. “Don’t Go Near The Water” is a song about conservation and “Take Good Care Of Your Feet” is about health. It’s nice that some of the Beach Boys were developing a social consciousness but there were a lot more important issues around in 1971. These songs were naive and simplistic in 1971 and today are just odd relics.
Carl Wilson contributes two excellent, if somewhat depressing, songs to Surf’s Up. “Long Promised Road” features a fine lead vocal by Carl that runs counterpoint to the harmonies. It contains sophisticated lyrics about life’s struggles and perseverance and are some of the best Carl Wilson would write. “Feel Flows” has a soulful, spiritual feel to it. The vocals ride along on a combination of instruments that almost defy description.
Bruce Johnston contributed three pretty but inconsequential songs on Sunflower. Here Bruce Johnston creates the song of his career. “Disney Girls” is one of the best pop songs of all time. This is a song that transports the listener to times that have passed. It evokes an emotional response to those times. When this song was released in 1971 I would think of my childhood and adoring such Disney icons as Hayley Mills and Annette. The song has held up through the years as now two more generations can think back upon their “Disney Girls.” A laid back lead vocal by Johnston set against gentle harmonies explore a long gone world that is now only fantasy.

Tracklist:

01. Don't Go Near The Water
02. Long Promised Road
03. Take A Load Off Your Feet
04. Disney Girls (1957)
05. Student Demonstration Time
06. Feel Flows
07. Lookin' At Tomorrow (A Welfare Song)
08. A Day In The Life Of A Tree
09. 'Til I Die
10. Surf's Up

Sound Quality: 8/9





The first Beach Boys album release of the 1970’s was Sunflower. Just by looking at the cover you could tell that change was in the air. The Beach Boys were dressed differently and surrounded by their children. The Beach Boys, for better or worse, had left the surf and cars behind. The exception to all this was Bruce Johnston who was wearing a sweater that looked like it had been recycled from the Beach Boys Today cover shoot.
As Brian Wilson reduced his commitment and participation in the creation of the Beach Boys sound, the other members of the group began to step forward. While the commercial sales from the early '70’s albums were minimal, the creative level was excellent. The Beach Boys would produce two excellent albums (Sunflower and Surf’s Up), one very good album (Holland) and one album that almost defies description (Carl and The Passions).
The first four songs from Sunflower were wonderfully written and produced and when taken as a collective unit are one of the best creations the Beach Boys ever produced.
“Slip On Through” features a good Dennis Wilson vocal but it is the production that shines. Dennis’s voice rides over some complex harmonies and numerous chord changes. This may have been one of Dennis Wilson’s finest hours in the studio. He proves here that he could not only write but also produce quality songs in the Beach Boys style and tradition.
“This Whole World” features the voices of Carl and Brian Wilson. Just the brief harmonies at the end of the song are worth the price of admission.
I have always considered “Add Some Music To Your Day’ as one of the elite songs by the Beach Boys. This group effort is a celebration of music. The harmonies build, ebb and flow with surprises at every turn. It has a symphonic feel without all the instruments. I have always wondered what this song would sound like live.

Tracklist:

01. Slip On Through
02. This Whole World
03. Add Some Music To Your Day
04. Got To Know The Woman
05. Deirdre
06. It's About Time
07. Tears In The Morning
08. All I Wanna Do
09. Forever
10. Our Sweet Love
11. At My Window
12. Cool, Cool Water

Sound Quality: 8





Holland was the Beach Boys fourth 1970’s album release in four years. Sunflower and Surf’s Up were technically complex and musically superior releases while Carl and The Passions – So Tough was essentially a clunker. Holland would be a lot smoother and joyful than any of them. Holland may not have had the consistent musical brilliance of the first two releases of the 1970’s but when it was good it was very good.
Jack Rieley, the Beach Boys manager at the time, decided that a change of recording atmosphere was in order for the group. So he packed up everyone and carted them all off to Holland to record this album.
Rieley is an interesting person in Beach Boys history. He would discharge Bruce Johnston from the group, sing on some songs, write a number of lyrics, and oversee the production of several brilliant albums before being unceremoniously dumped by the group.
Having traveled thousands of miles to record the album, the best known song on Holland would be recorded in the USA and added as a late addition. “Sail On Sailor” featured a Blondie Chaplin lead vocal in what may have been his finest hour as a Beach Boy. The harmonies and rhythms plus the uncomplicated instrumental backing harped back to a simpler Beach Boy time even if the song’s topic was more serious.
I have found the three part “California Saga” to range from excellent to pretentious. This was a Mike Love and Al Jardine salute to their native state of California. Seeing these two Beach Boys combining on any project is a remarkable thing given what the future would hold.
“California Saga/Big Sur” was written and sung by Mike Love. The song features excellent lyrics set against an understated song structure. It is Mike Love’s vocals that cause a problem for this song, as he is more nasal than usual. Mike Love was always on safer ground vocally when surrounded by harmonies and a lot of instrumental sound.

Tracklist:

01. Sail On, Sailor
02. Steamboat
03. California Saga (Big Sur)
04. California Saga (The Beaks Of Eagles)
05. California Saga (California)
06. The Trader
07. Leaving This Town
08. Only With You
09. Funky Pretty
10. Mt. Vernon And Fairway (Theme)
11. I'm The Pied Piper (Instrumental)
12. Better Get Back In Bed
13. Magic Transistor Radio
14. I'm The Pied Piper
15. Radio King Dom

Sound Quality: 8