# The Beach Boys are great/ awful **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 5, 2017, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-beach-boys-are-great-awful/783835 "2017-04-05T18:58:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2017, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-beach-boys-are-great-awful/783835/41 "2017-04-07T12:22:42Z")
It took quite awhile before rock bands stopped putting out albums with one or two good songs and the rest forgettable filler. The Who (one of my all-time favorite groups) were hit and miss all the way up until _Tommy_. They even let John Entwhistle write a couple of songs (shudder). I don’t go out of my way to listen to the Beach Boys anymore, but they did enough great songs that I can forgive any interspersed or subsequent dreck, including much of what Brian Wilson recorded as a solo act. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2017, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-beach-boys-are-great-awful/783835/42 "2017-04-08T02:42:03Z")
My sense is, MOST great songwriters eventually Peter out and stop producing good new material. Some of them become full-time nostalgia acts. Some try to keep writing new music and making new recordings. The artists in the latter category end up making a LOT of bad music. There are many bad Beach Boys albums. Also lots of terrible Paul McCartney albums, terrible Van Morrison albums, terrible Elton John albums, and so on. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2017, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-beach-boys-are-great-awful/783835/43 "2017-04-08T03:02:01Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > The Who (one of my all-time favorite groups) were hit and miss all the way up until _Tommy_. They even let John Entwhistle write a couple of songs (shudder). _Boris the Spider_ just barely edges out _Love, Reign o’er Me_ as the greatest Who song of all time :D. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2017, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-beach-boys-are-great-awful/783835/44 "2017-04-08T03:30:25Z")
That’s like comparing a Lada with a Lexus. Sent from my adequate mobile device using Tapatalk. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2017, 10:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-beach-boys-are-great-awful/783835/45 "2017-04-08T10:43:15Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > My sense is, MOST great songwriters eventually Peter out and stop producing good new material. > > Some of them become full-time nostalgia acts. Some try to keep writing new music and making new recordings. The artists in the latter category end up making a LOT of bad music. But occasionally they win the Nobel Prize. ---
**Author:** ![K364](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k364/32/5_2.png) [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2017, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-beach-boys-are-great-awful/783835/46 "2017-04-08T18:54:47Z")
Beach Boys are more than “Barbara Ann” and “Fun, Fun, Fun”. Also, they more than “Pet Sounds” and “Smile”. I’m speaking about the “Middle Period” than ran between Brian’s breakdown and the era of “Kokomo” and the self-tribute touring bands. Here is the discography with notable tracks: Smiley Smile - 1967 (Heroes and Villains, Good Vibrations) Wild Honey - 1967 (Darlin) Friends - 1968 (Friends) 20/20 - 1969 (Do It Again, I Can Hear Music) Sunflower - 1970 (This Whole World, Add Some Music To Your Day, All I Wanna Do) Surf’s Up - 1971 (Disney Girls, Til I Die, Surf’s Up) Carl and the Passions – “So Tough” - 1972 (Marcella) Holland - 1973 (Sail On Sailor) Love You - 1977 (Honkin’ Down The Highway) M.I.U. - 1978 (Come Go with Me) A period where Brian floated in and out of the studio depending upon his mental state. A period where Carl and Dennis asserted themselves in production and song writing roles. Not all is great, some dreary and embarrassing attempts. But generally heartfelt and some real masterpieces sprinkled in. Critics didn’t know what to make of most of it. But there were critically acclaimed albums that made top 100 lists later. History has a kind view of this era. Here are some samples: [Darlin](https://youtu.be/sJ-CHtccbGE) [All I Wanna Do](https://youtu.be/RO_LX-m74uw) [Til I Die](https://youtu.be/46IQu0yuJzU) [Surf’s Up](https://youtu.be/tyOYQ8qfFng) [Sail On Sailor](https://youtu.be/RQOaLP-qPmk) ---
**Author:** ![2Bits](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/e95f7d/32.png) [@2Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2Bits)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2017, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-beach-boys-are-great-awful/783835/47 "2017-04-08T19:53:54Z")
> [@K364](#): > > Beach Boys are more than “Barbara Ann” and “Fun, Fun, Fun”. Also, they more than “Pet Sounds” and “Smile”. I’m speaking about the “Middle Period” than ran between Brian’s breakdown and the era of “Kokomo” and the self-tribute touring bands. > > Here is the discography with notable tracks: > > Smiley Smile - 1967 (Heroes and Villains, Good Vibrations) > Wild Honey - 1967 (Darlin) > Friends - 1968 (Friends) > 20/20 - 1969 (Do It Again, I Can Hear Music) > Sunflower - 1970 (This Whole World, Add Some Music To Your Day, All I Wanna Do) > Surf’s Up - 1971 (Disney Girls, Til I Die, Surf’s Up) > Carl and the Passions – “So Tough” - 1972 (Marcella) > Holland - 1973 (Sail On Sailor) > Love You - 1977 (Honkin’ Down The Highway) > M.I.U. - 1978 (Come Go with Me) > > A period where Brian floated in and out of the studio depending upon his mental state. A period where Carl and Dennis asserted themselves in production and song writing roles. > > Not all is great, some dreary and embarrassing attempts. But generally heartfelt and some real masterpieces sprinkled in. > > Critics didn’t know what to make of most of it. But there were critically acclaimed albums that made top 100 lists later. History has a kind view of this era. OP here. My original point was that in my _extremely_ subjective opinion the Beach Boys made a lot of amazing music interspersed with a good deal of real awful music (and much bleh music), particularly in the 70s, as you state. Other than The Kinks (mentioned earlier in the thread) I don’t see many examples listed where the band has made, and is acclaimed for, terrific music but also recorded considerable crap. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2017, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-beach-boys-are-great-awful/783835/48 "2017-04-08T20:03:53Z")
> [@2Bits](#): > > Other than The Kinks (mentioned earlier in the thread) I don’t see many examples listed where the band has made, and is acclaimed for, terrific music but also recorded considerable crap. Metallica would also be a good contender on this front. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2017, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-beach-boys-are-great-awful/783835/49 "2017-04-08T21:17:28Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > My sense is, MOST great songwriters eventually Peter out and stop producing good new material. > > Some of them become full-time nostalgia acts. Some try to keep writing new music and making new recordings. The artists in the latter category end up making a LOT of bad music. > > There are many bad Beach Boys albums. Also lots of terrible Paul McCartney albums, terrible Van Morrison albums, terrible Elton John albums, and so on. > [@2Bits](#): > > OP here. My original point was that in my _extremely_ subjective opinion the Beach Boys made a lot of amazing music interspersed with a good deal of real awful music (and much bleh music), particularly in the 70s, as you state. > > Other than The Kinks (mentioned earlier in the thread) I don’t see many examples listed where the band has made, and is acclaimed for, terrific music but also recorded considerable crap. Astorian has it. Every, and I mean every, artist who is around for decades falls into this category. Some manage to do so in less than a decade. There are literally no exceptions. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2017, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-beach-boys-are-great-awful/783835/50 "2017-04-08T21:37:23Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > Astorian has it. Every, and I mean every, artist who is around for decades falls into this category. Some manage to do so in less than a decade. There are literally no exceptions. See post #2. Sent from my adequate mobile device using Tapatalk. ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2017, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-beach-boys-are-great-awful/783835/51 "2017-04-08T22:50:58Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > Astorian has it. Every, and I mean every, artist who is around for decades falls into this category. Some manage to do so in less than a decade. There are literally no exceptions. It needs a thread of it’s own too. I see Neil Young as having about 15 years, a virtual methuselah, but nothing I care too much about in the last 35 years. I’m not trying to be a wet blanket. He’s one of my top 5 artists. Brian Wilson I give credit for 25 years, between his first records (Warmth of the Sun) and his first solo record with Love and Mercy. Todd Rundgren (1966 to sometime in the 80s, or maybe the present) and Robyn Hitchcock (Mid 70s through virtually present day) I think are the champs for having the greatest time spread between their great work. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2017, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-beach-boys-are-great-awful/783835/52 "2017-04-08T23:22:02Z")
Oh, I don’t know. Springsteen notched up his 11th #1 album in 2014, 39 years after “Born To Run” peaked at #3 and catapulted him to stardom. The only artists with more #1 albums are Jay-Z and the Beatles. That’s a pretty good run of good tunes. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2017, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-beach-boys-are-great-awful/783835/53 "2017-04-08T23:23:25Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > See post #2. Sorry, his post was closer. The question is whether 2Bits gets the point yet. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2017, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-beach-boys-are-great-awful/783835/54 "2017-04-09T00:04:23Z")
I don’t like “in my room”, and there are a couple of songs that can be … meh. But some do inspire. In life, there may be bigger blocks on the road, some are prettier, some may have better suspensions, and lets face it: the price of some chassis may be double yours. Still… there’s something close to the heart and very American about putting what you have on the line, putting your best foot forward, and on occasion, [Kicking Some Serious Ass](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZunHzeXmXY)… ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2017, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-beach-boys-are-great-awful/783835/55 "2017-04-09T00:35:32Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Oh, I don’t know. Springsteen notched up his 11th #1 album in 2014, 39 years after “Born To Run” peaked at #3 and catapulted him to stardom. The only artists with more #1 albums are Jay-Z and the Beatles. That’s a pretty good run of good tunes. Well now I know it was 42 years ago that I stopped listening to bruce. The thing I’m looking for in music just isn’t provided by old bruce, and his 214th through 226th songs. My ears are always open but I don’t have forever. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2017, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-beach-boys-are-great-awful/783835/56 "2017-04-09T00:35:53Z")
If the show had been called “My Girlfriend, The Car” it would have run for _decades_! **drad** - That’s OK. Less people trying to get tickets to shows. I’ve lost count as to how many times I’ve seen Springsteen over the decades. Not anywhere near the number of times my sister-in-law has, but it’s been a lot. Always something new and relevant in his music, at least to me (and enough people to make his albums top the charts!) ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2017, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-beach-boys-are-great-awful/783835/57 "2017-04-09T00:43:18Z")
> [@K364](#): > > Beach Boys are more than “Barbara Ann” and “Fun, Fun, Fun”. Also, they more than “Pet Sounds” and “Smile”. I’m speaking about the “Middle Period” than ran between Brian’s breakdown and the era of “Kokomo” and the self-tribute touring bands. > > Here is the discography with notable tracks: > > Smiley Smile - 1967 (Heroes and Villains, Good Vibrations) > Wild Honey - 1967 (Darlin) > Friends - 1968 (Friends) > 20/20 - 1969 (Do It Again, I Can Hear Music) > Sunflower - 1970 (This Whole World, Add Some Music To Your Day, All I Wanna Do) > Surf’s Up - 1971 (Disney Girls, Til I Die, Surf’s Up) > Carl and the Passions – “So Tough” - 1972 (Marcella) > Holland - 1973 (Sail On Sailor) > Love You - 1977 (Honkin’ Down The Highway) > M.I.U. - 1978 (Come Go with Me) > > A period where Brian floated in and out of the studio depending upon his mental state. A period where Carl and Dennis asserted themselves in production and song writing roles. > > Not all is great, some dreary and embarrassing attempts. But generally heartfelt and some real masterpieces sprinkled in. > > Critics didn’t know what to make of most of it. But there were critically acclaimed albums that made top 100 lists later. History has a kind view of this era. > > Here are some samples: > > [Darlin](https://youtu.be/sJ-CHtccbGE) > [All I Wanna Do](https://youtu.be/RO_LX-m74uw) > [Til I Die](https://youtu.be/46IQu0yuJzU) > [Surf’s Up](https://youtu.be/tyOYQ8qfFng) > [Sail On Sailor](https://youtu.be/RQOaLP-qPmk) People listen up! This is the truth. Great songs by brian, carl, dennis, and even mike, bruce and al too, not mentioning ricky and blondie. The mid period beach boys is full of lost classics and deep cuts. Anyone can complain about anyone’s output over 50 years, but try listening to the work. Ever listen to cabinessence? Be still? busy doin nothing; Let him run wild; time to get alone; little bird, be with me; Leaving this town, California Saga; FEEL FLOWS??? And Oh Yeah. It starts before pet sounds and smile: The back of my mind; Please let me wonder etc etc. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2017, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-beach-boys-are-great-awful/783835/58 "2017-04-09T00:53:56Z")
> [@Alan\_Smithee](#): > > On the topic of Pet Sounds, I hadn’t really heard it until several years ago either, and found it hard to hear it with fresh ears and really appreciate it… Maaaaan, how many other great albums and bands have I dismissed because I never really sat down and listened to them? Listening to some vintage Beach Boys with fresh ears right now. Next, I’ll pick a Beatles album. Then maybe some vintage Pink Floyd and some live Dead. Sorry I missed the _[Classic Album Sunday](http://classicalbumsundays.com/category/events/)_ that they held in Chicago when they spun Astral Weeks (and later some Velvet Underground, then Coltrane) on audiophile equipment. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2017, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-beach-boys-are-great-awful/783835/59 "2017-04-09T02:07:45Z")
> [@digs](#): > > Maaaaan, how many other great albums and bands have I dismissed because I never really sat down and listened to them? > > Listening to some vintage Beach Boys with fresh ears right now. > > Next, I’ll pick a Beatles album. Then maybe some vintage Pink Floyd and some live Dead. Sorry I missed the _[Classic Album Sunday](http://classicalbumsundays.com/category/events/)_ that they held in Chicago when they spun Astral Weeks (and later some Velvet Underground, then Coltrane) on audiophile equipment. You’re just foolin’ with us, aren’t you? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2017, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-beach-boys-are-great-awful/783835/60 "2017-04-09T02:10:01Z")
> [@digs](#): > > Maaaaan, how many other great albums and bands have I dismissed because I never really sat down and listened to them? > > Listening to some vintage Beach Boys with fresh ears right now. > > Next, I’ll pick a Beatles album. Then maybe some vintage Pink Floyd and some live Dead. Sorry I missed the _[Classic Album Sunday](http://classicalbumsundays.com/category/events/)_ that they held in Chicago when they spun Astral Weeks (and later some Velvet Underground, then Coltrane) on audiophile equipment. I might suggest listening to [this Sound Opinions show](http://www.soundopinions.org/show/414/) about _Astral Weeks_. It really helped me appreciate the album a lot more. The album dissection starts at around 12 minutes into the program. While I tend to be all about my visceral reaction to a work of art, occasionally listening to others talk about a work or reading about it does change or strengthen an opinion of mine, and causes me to listen (or look) more closely into a work. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-beach-boys-are-great-awful/783835.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-beach-boys-are-great-awful/783835.md?page=4)