Brian Wilson co-wrote four songs contained on The Beach Boys. Three of the songs list Eugene Landy with a writing credit. He was the controversial psychiatrist who attended Brian Wilson for years and gradually took over control of his life. Seeing his name in the writing credits still sends a chill up my spine. On the other hand, the four Brian Wilson songs are some of his best constructed songs in a long while.
“Crack At Your Love” features the best Brian Wilson vocal of the decade. At least for a short time, the gruff nature of his vocals is gone and is replaced by his former sweet high sound. “I’m So Lonely” featured a unique opening saxophone instrumental.
“California Calling” was the only song Brian Wilson did not write with Landy. Here he uses Al Jardine as his co-author and the results are spectacular. “California Calling” features excellent lead vocals by Jardine and Love, stellar traditional Beach Boys harmonies, and an up-beat tempo that all coalesce into a 1960s style classic. Interestingly this was the only track on the album on which Brian Wilson arranged the vocals.
“Passing Friend” contains a Carl Wilson vocal that was wasted. Steve Levine’s use of programmed percussion has become an annoyance by this point in the album. This is made all the more disappointing as great drummer Graham Bond played on a couple of tracks, so he must have been available.
“She Believes In Love” is the prerequisite Bruce Johnston pop song. It is a far cry from the brilliance of his “Disney Girls” and is average at best. The Stevie Wonder song, “I Do Love You,” is an odd choice and not handled well. The group tries to be Stevie Wonder rather than the Beach Boys.
The Beach Boys is the group’s best album in ten plus years and their last viable studio album. It features some very good tracks and hints at just how good the Beach Boys were at their best.
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