I have always considered Surf’s Up to be the best Beach Boys studio album of the 1970s. Surf’s Up may not have the consistent production wizardry of Sunflower nor its pleasant flowing feel but it is a better fit for the societal background against which it was released. It also has an edgier feel and tends to rock a bit more in places. Whatever you’re feelings about Sunflower vs. Surf’s Up, it would be the last consistently excellent Beach Boys studio album.
The Vietnam War and the resulting protest movement, plus the fact that Led Zeppelin and like groups were taking music far away from the Beach Boys sound and image, would cause Surf’s Up to be another commercial failure. This was a Beach Boys release that definitely deserved better from the buying public.
There are only two songs that are out of place on Surf’s Up. “Don’t Go Near The Water” and “Take Good Care Of Your Feet” both have good production but lightweight lyrics. “Don’t Go Near The Water” is a song about conservation and “Take Good Care Of Your Feet” is about health. It’s nice that some of the Beach Boys were developing a social consciousness but there were a lot more important issues around in 1971. These songs were naive and simplistic in 1971 and today are just odd relics.
Carl Wilson contributes two excellent, if somewhat depressing, songs to Surf’s Up. “Long Promised Road” features a fine lead vocal by Carl that runs counterpoint to the harmonies. It contains sophisticated lyrics about life’s struggles and perseverance and are some of the best Carl Wilson would write. “Feel Flows” has a soulful, spiritual feel to it. The vocals ride along on a combination of instruments that almost defy description.
Bruce Johnston contributed three pretty but inconsequential songs on Sunflower. Here Bruce Johnston creates the song of his career. “Disney Girls” is one of the best pop songs of all time. This is a song that transports the listener to times that have passed. It evokes an emotional response to those times. When this song was released in 1971 I would think of my childhood and adoring such Disney icons as Hayley Mills and Annette. The song has held up through the years as now two more generations can think back upon their “Disney Girls.” A laid back lead vocal by Johnston set against gentle harmonies explore a long gone world that is now only fantasy.
Article comments
1 - Curth
Hi, wrong cover again. Thanks for the reviews.
2 - zingzing
and i'm pretty sure that "til i die" and "a day in the life of a tree" were NOT written for smile.
wilson claims to have written "til i die" in the spring of 71, but i've seen claims that it had been around for a few years at that point, maybe in a different recording or mix.
"a day in the life of a tree" was also recorded in 1971, and i think the lyrics and musical style are very representative of brian's post-smile style.
that said, a good review. would have liked to have seen a little more on the title track, as it is one of the true classics of the rock era. as you say, surf's up is really the last totally listenable beach boys album, and really, only the second side is great front-to-back.
3 - Stuart
The lead for 'Tree' was sung by their manager at the time, Jack Rieley.
4 - JC Mosquito
Hey zing - I tracked down a copy of Smile.... either it's brilliant, or you are, or maybe both. I don't know what I missed the first time - maybe just not ready for it. Thanx for the push.
5 - Just Me
Point of correction: Jack Reiley wrote the lyrics to "Long Promised Road" (and "Feel Flows"), not Carl Wilson.
Lovin' the reviews!