20/20 was the Beach Boys last album released on the Capitol label. It was also an album they owed their long time label in order to fulfill their contract. So the Beach Boys gathered together a few single releases, mixed in a couple of unused tracks from the abandoned Smile project, and finally created a few new songs, stirred them all together and created 20/20. While this may have been a disjointed way to create an album, it actually worked, as 20/20 is an above average release and still listenable almost forty years later.
The musical foundation for 20/20 centers around four Beach Boys songs that were released as singles. “Do It Again” was a top twenty hit for the Beach Boys and would be a concert staple for years. It is a mid-tempo rocker with an odd stop and start beat and varying emphasis on the vocals. “I Can Hear Music” was another top thirty hit that featured Carl Wilson’s clear voice floating above the harmonies. I consider this one of Carl Wilson’s best lead vocals.
“Bluebirds Over The Mountain” was a failed single. Every once in awhile a song resists the Beach Boys style and this is one of those. I will always associate this old rockabilly standard with Ersel Hickey and not the Beach Boys. “Cotton Fields” was a top five hit in just about every country it was released except for the United States. There are a number of versions of this Al Jardine sung song. The best version is the European as it contains more layered harmonies than the one contained on 20/20.
“Be With Me,” “Never Learn Not To Love,” and “All I Want To Do” were all written by Dennis Wilson. They clearly show his continuing development as an artist and vocalist. “Be With Me” is very creative with a complicated song structure as Dennis Wilson weaved his vocals counterpoint to the harmonies.
Article comments
1 - Julie
Hi, I've been enjoying reading your comments on this and other Beach Boys albums. I really enjoyed reading this one because "20/20" is one of my favorites. No matter where I go, I always have "Be With Me" and "Cabinessence" on my mp3 player. Reading your review makes me want to listen to the entire album again.