Sunflower

I'm not the biggest Beach Boys fan. Not sure why. I respect their work, but to me they're just a pleasant singalong band and that's all. Despite what I know about their innovation. I do really love how they compose for the human voice and use it in such an impressive way. Everything sounds so...rich and full.

Another Beach Boys album that impresses but doesn't connect - lush harmonies, clever arrangements, sophisticated production, pure pop brightness with a lingering melancholy subtending it. Big Beatles influence and lots that has kernels of stuff that would be realized in other genres, a pleasant listen but nothing that stands out to demand attention or make me care at all.

This is not the best Beach Boys album and I don’t think anyone can make that claim. This might be my favorite Beach Boys album. It’s so relistenable. It has the great style of Surfs Up without the clunkers that drag that album down. All I Wanna Do is the invention of dream pop.

This album, ironically enough, doesn't sound like that abysmal surfer rock that I'm used to with The Beach Boys. Apparently at the time of this record, Brian Wilson was actively going bananas as well as doing copious amounts of drugs, so he took a step back from the recording studio. The bulk of this album showcases Dennis Wilson as well as Bruce Johnston's abilities moreso than other albums. Because of that, I get it's inclusion on the post list, but it still retains the "do do dooos" and "La La laaas" in the background that I hate so much.

So to sum up... This is not my cup of tea, but it's better than traditional Beach Boys fare.

Favourite songs: It's About Time, Got to Know the Woman, Forever, The Whole World

Least favourite songs: Deirdre, Tears in the Morning, "Cool, Cool Water"

2/5

This Whole World was full of cool textures. Deidre is another good one. This feels like my uncle Pete would have this spinning at most times of the day. Cool, Cool Water is such a bizarre song. super dense choral work, Beach bois

The Beach Boys return with a sunnier and more upbeat album than Pet Sounds and Surf's Up. I never explored The Beach Boys discography outside of Pet Sounds, primarily because that album is such a masterpiece that everything else surely pales in comparison. Sunflower proves that line of thinking false, with a fresh 70s sound for the band (not so fresh if you've listened to Surf's Up, which we all should have already), and many brilliant songs. Also thank you submitter for sharing your thoughts on the album, I'm always appreciative of it, especially when it's as detailed and as passionate as yours.

This album sounds a bit more varied than what I'm used to from the Beach Boys. It has a more accessible pop rock sound for the most part, but retains some of the baroque pop stylings from Pet Sounds (see Tears in the Morning), as well as pushing the envelope for some more daring and forward thinking tracks, such as All I Wanna Do which sounds like a prototype for mid 00s hypnagogic pop. That said, it's the more commercial sounds which ties the album all together for me, it allows the band to be more adventurous without sounding too unfamiliar, like with Surf's Up.

Should it be in the main list: Honestly I'd be fine swapping Surf's Up for this.

Top 3 Songs: Slip on Through, Deirdre, All I Wanna Do

I enjoyed this, but it’s not a patch on their ’60s work. It’s a nice album to listen to and there’s plenty to like, but I can’t see myself picking this up again when I could put on Pet Sounds instead. It’s good, just not essential for me.

A long way short of their best work. Sounds pretty cheesy a lot of the time, with only a few moments of genius. What a band though, and probably an interesting suggestion - if only to show more of their work outside of the well-known classics.