Search - Beach Boys :: Holland

Beach Boys Best

Timothy P. Scanlon | Hyattsville, MDUSA | 05/10/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There was a short period in the early 1970s when I thought the Beach Boys weren't hip enough. Then I listened to them again and the harmony hooked me again like little other music does.Then when I was in UK I heard this. It transcends the Boys' other music. I almost get teary eyed when I hear "Leavin' This Town." "Funky Pretty" is a phenomenon. "Steamboat" offers the traditional harmony with a contemplative undertone. Then there's the poetry of "California Saga." One can't describe much of this in words. You need to listen to it to appreciate the experience.The original version I bought, back in early 1974, was, of course, an LP. There was a smaller record included which had the fairly tale "Magic Transistor Radio" (called on the CD "Mount Vernon and Fairway.") It's part of the whole package when you get the CD. But I give this fine album 5 stars despite that tale; sorry, Boys. It just never grew on me. But you can turn that off when you get to it. Before then, thrive on the musical and lyrical experience. Sure, the Boys'll be remembered for "Surfer Girl," for "California Girls," and other good tunes. But, compared to the numbers on this fine album, those others are trite."

HOLLAND: The Overlooked Gem

Vic Peppler | Virginia | 09/18/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Along with PET SOUNDS and SMILE, I'd love to

hear some of the outtakes and other tracks

done during the HOLLAND and also the SURF'S UP

recording sessions.



The songs recorded for HOLLAND are STRONG. Leaving

This Town, Only With You, Funky Pretty, Sail on

Sailor, and Steamboat are all great tunes. With

how much Brian was involved (very little), it's

still one of the best BEACH BOYS cds.



California Saga has a good message and is well done

but might not be for everyone (I used to live in Big

Sur in Bixby Canyon - so I dig it).



Mt. Vernon and Fairway Theme, I'm the Pied Piper,

Better Get Back in Bed, Magic Transistor Radio,

I'm the Pied Piper, Radio King Dom tale is a bit

of a waste. A fairly tale for kids or the stoned out?



If you like SURF'S UP, PET SOUNDS, and SMILE, I'm

sure you'll like this too."

A peak in many ways

W. March | 09/21/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Though I do believe that the "Carl and the Passions"/"Holland" 2cd set is a good deal and well worth owning,I think both albums stand on their own so I am glad even with the price of this that "Holland" is available by itself.This was to be the last album where Dennis and Carl were pretty much running the show.Not that the other band members didn't contribute.But after this album with the exception of Dennis and Carl the rest of the band members at that time were happy to become a greatest hits jukebox with the massive success of "Endless Summer".This album is a work of art and pretty much as "out there" as The Beach Boys ever got without Brian.All the songs are great of course though I like Carl's "The Trader" and Dennis's "Steamboat" the most.Brian's "Funky Pretty" is just plain cool especially with the Blondie Chaplin vocal and even Mike Love and Al jardine's contributions("California Saga")rank among the best work they ever did.Not to mention the best album opener you possibly could have had with "Sail on Sailor".The instrumentation is perfect with plenty of great pedal steel and slide guitar work,a great organ solo(Leaving this town")and the most psychedelic backround vocals they ever did maybe with the exception of "Smile".It all works as a whole and I find it musically to be related to Dennis's "Pacific Ocean Blue" album that would be released 4 years later.I only have two complaints:the first is Brians "Fairy tale music"(Mt. Vernon and Fairway)just does not fit with this album.Many reviewers have mentioned this.I have heard the version of this without the narration and must say that it works a lot better,but that's not the point.Whether you like Mt. Vernon or not you kind of have to admit that it doesn't really fit in with Holland.I'm not saying it's bad,but to listen all the way thru the album to the fade of "Funky Pretty" and then be introduced to "Mt Vernon" with the narration of Jack Rieley? It just doesn't work together in my opinion.The second complaint is where is Dennis Wilson's "CARRY ME HOME"?????I know it wasn't originally included with the album but this song needs to see an official release somewhere.(Maybe as a bonus track)It was intended for this album but like so many of Dennis's gems("You've got a friend","Lady","4th of July",etc.)it just was ignored.What a shame.Most of the time instead of listening to "Mt. Vernon" after the end of "Funky Pretty",I put in the bootleg cd I have to follow the end of Holland with "Carry me Home".It get's the job done."