Search - Various Artists, Marketts, Fantastic Baggys :: Surf's Up

Forgotten Beach Boys Masterpiece

Michael S. Hoffman | Fort Worth, Texas USA | 10/20/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Everyone tends to criticize the Beach Boys albums following Pet Sounds and going through Holland, but in my opinion, some of their best work is incorporated in this time frame (1967-1973). The best of these albums is Surf's Up, which probably sounds the closest to the original concept for Smile. The diversity of songs on here is unmatched on any of their other works (perhaps, even including Pet Sounds). The title track features deep, rich harmonies with interesting Van Dyke Parks wordplay, and a great Carl Wilson vocal, nearing a falsetto range when he sings "Columnated Ruins Domino". Also included is the terrific Brian Wilson introspective "Til I Die", another song with excelllent group harmony. Other standouts include "Feel Flows" a psychadelic, alliterative tune which is featured over the closing credits to the film "Almost Famous", and "Take A Load Off Your Feet" which should be one day rediscovered by Dr Demento and his listeners."

This is the Beach Boys that I like

Zelig | New Orleans, LA United States | 06/26/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Folks looking for the simpler beach tunes of the early Beach Boys won't find it here. Instead, this is a record of depth and lovely aurul sound, with multilayered harmonies."