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Post by Awesoman on Feb 18, 2023 12:38:42 GMT -5
In some aspects this one's a slight step backwards from πππππ¦! yet in terms of production it is progressing forward towards πππ‘ πππ’πππ . Of course there are a few of the band's most iconic hits found on here mixed in with a bunch of rather forgotten tracks that are mostly good. Of course you have the ultimate summer song with the unstoppable "California Girls" which easily contains the finest intro of any Beach Boys song. And their second version of "Help Me, Rhonda" is superior to the "Ronda" version from the prior album.
But then you have stuff on here that usually doesn't get too much attention. There are several songs on here that I like to describe as "response songs". The fun opener "The Girl From New York City" is essentially a rewrite of the Ad-Libs' "The Boy From New York City", even though it is a completely different song. Same thing but to an even better effect with "Then I Kissed Her", which is a rewrite of the Crystals' "Then He Kissed Me" told from the boy's perspective.
You've also got a nice preview of πππ‘ πππ’πππ with the excellent "Let Him Run Wild". The band channels the Beatles' "Ticket To Ride" with "Girl Don't Tell Me" while "And Your Dream Comes True" is a lovely acapella closer. Then there's the baffling mixed-reception of "I'm Bugged At My Ol' Man" which if anything demonstrated Brian's flair for writing the occasional bizarre song that he would do a lot more of in later years.
It's hard to place this one overall compared to the other albums they had put out previously but it is a nice snapshot of where Brian Wilson was at the time creatively and where he was headed. And it's still a must-have for any diehard fan of the band.
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Post by boogieboarder on Feb 18, 2023 15:09:52 GMT -5
Favorite track: Salt Lake City Least favorite: Amusement Parks USA ... To me "Salt Lake City" and "Amusement Parks USA" are virtually the same song, or at least two sides of the same coin. Classic Beach Boys, and both are great.
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Post by radiokingdom on Mar 12, 2023 13:40:11 GMT -5
Love Summer Days. My roommate and I in college listened to it like crazy, but it's been so many years, I just looked at the track listing (I don't have my old CDs anymore -- forget vinyl)...wow! What a punchy album! One killer track after another! I had pretty much forgotten how much was packed onto this album...
I have to say that I've always liked "I'm Bugged at My Old Man." Frankly, I think putting this on an album at the height of fame is pretty bold, as personally bold as anything on Pet Sounds ("he cut off my hair last night in my sleep").
Wish I could listen to this whole album in a car. What a collection...
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