The Beach Boys were known until 1965 for song about surfing, girls, and cars. The Beach Boys Today! took them in a new direction. At least that is what I have read everywhere. Is it enough to get me to like The Beach Boys?
First off the group’s name is unfortunate. They did not think far enough into the future to know that boys become men. I think their name gives the idea of beach songs forever. And that is all I know about them.
Supposedly the change in their subject matter led to a more mature album. I have heard their hits sings on the radio, but I hated them. Once again, it is the harmonies. There is something in the sound of men singing together in imperfect harmony that I hate. It sounds like they lost their balls. In the 80s, we had Men Without Hats, maybe The Beach Boys could have been Men Without Balls.
Side One was more uptempo and Side Two was the romantic side. I actually like their romantic side musically. It has more layers, but not like an onion rather a small cake. A bit bigger than a cupcake. Side One reminds me of their beach music. I cannot get past their falsetto vocals.
Side One: “Help Me, Rhonda” is one song that has decent music. Unfortunately I do not know who is Rhonda. Why does he need her help to get someone out of his heart? Who is the someone? Where is “Barbara Ann”? Will she not help him? Or what about one of the “Surfer Girls”? I think all of the boys in band from the 50s and 60s were a bunch of gigolos.
Side Two: I decided to investigate who has covered their songs to see if I like them better with other singers. “I’m So Young” is a great song, but I listened to it by a few other artists and The Beach Boys’ version loses the desperation felt in the other versions. It is a cover and you know what they say about covers. “Kiss Me, Baby” is one of their best songs on the album.
Trivia: One of the Beach Boys was actually a surfer. Only one. If you look at their photos you can tell which one. I know stereotyping is so bad, but I do not care.
Overall, I like them a bit better than before I listened to the album. I would say it is an okay album, except for Side One is lacking. Side Two has the potential to be heard again. 6/10.
hey it's osh 
Was it Brian Wilson? I watched a documentary once about them in a hotel room on TV. It was fascinating. More interesting that I would have expected. Basically, they should have been bigger than the Beatles but a lot of errors on Brian Wilson’s part led to their demise and failure to reach their potential.
In The Beach Boys? Yes, he decided to stop touring and just create the music. That is how we got Pet Sounds. Some of these guys become egomaniacs. I think they had the potential once they stopped the silly beach music.
No, I’m asking if Brian Wilson was the one surfer in the band.
lololol. No, it was the guy who had blonde hair and looked like a surfer.
That’s his brother Dennis. I found the documentary on YouTube.
I did not remember his name. I wrote that a long time ago. I just remember reading that only one of the them was a real surfer and I looked at the photo and I figured it our immediately and cross referenced it to be sure. 🙂 I think he was friends with Charles Manson.