Shut Down Volume 2 also includes two classic Brain Wilson ballads. “Don’t Worry Baby” and “The Warmth Of The Sun,” featuring lead vocals by Brain, would both become best known as flip sides of future Beach Boys singles. Both songs deserved better as they are two of the best ballads that the Beach Boys would produce. “Don’t Worry Baby” would be a song of hope. Full overdubbing of the vocal harmonies make this a musical feast for the ears. The “Warmth Of The Sun” is about loss and acceptance. Brian Wilson continued to tinker with the groups vocals and here he is gets it right.

The Beach Boys would cover a number of songs by other artists during their career but Frankie Lyman’s “Why Do Fools Fall In Love” is one of the best. The infectious fun lyrics and beat are perfect for the Beach Boys. Brian Wilson builds a Phil Spector type wall of sound until it overshadows the original.

Shut Down Volume 2 does have its misses. Thousands of groups have covered “Louie Louie” and The Beach Boys version is just terrible. “Cassius Love Vs. Sonny Wilson” is a track of studio recording hi-jinks that would appear on several Beach Boys albums. Here Mike Love and Brain Wilson trade barbs. In retrospect, this would not be funny in light of their relationship as the years passed. “Denny’s Drums” does not do Dennis Wilson any favors. “This Car Of Mine” is a simple song but is partially saved by an excellent Dennis Wilson vocal. Shut Down Volume 2 is an average Beach Boys album at best. I can’t help but think that had Brian Wilson taken some time and combined the best of this album and the Little Deuce Coupe album he would have produced a true classic. The Beach Boys would make a quick recovery, however, as one of the best albums of their career was on the horizon.