Album Reviews7/10
Beach Boys’ Smiley Smile Still Fascinates 59 Years After Smile Fell Apart
Review of the Beach Boys' 1967 album Smiley Smile, a stripped-down, intimate record born from the collapse of the legendary Smile sessions.
CLAY TRIBUNE / THE ARCHIVE
Tag: Beach Boys
Album Reviews7/10
Steve Levine’s Synths Meet Brian Wilson’s Return on a 1985 Comeback That Aims for Pleasant and Hits It
The Beach Boys' 1985 self-titled album is a polished, safe comeback that leans on harmonies and familiarity. A pleasant, risk-free record that re-enters the pop scene without daring.
Album Reviews9/10
How the Beach Boys Bottled a California Summer and Found Their Voice on All Summer Long
The Beach Boys' 1964 album All Summer Long is a sun-drenched California classic, reviewed track by track with a 9/10 score.
Album Reviews4/10
Still Cruisin’: One Perfect Single Buried in a Grab Bag of Leftovers
The Beach Boys' 1989 album Still Cruisin' is a nostalgia cash-in with one classic, 'Kokomo,' and a lot of forgettable filler. A mixed bag worth skipping.
Album Reviews7/10
63 Years On, the Beach Boys’ Third LP Shows Brian Wilson’s Production Outpacing His Lyrics
The Beach Boys' 1963 album Surfer Girl marks Brian Wilson's first solo production, blending surf pop with studio craft. A transitional record worth hearing.
Album Reviews7/10
The Beach Boys’ Christmas Album: Sunshine Harmonies Meet the Sleigh Bells
A track-by-track review of The Beach Boys' 1964 Christmas Album, weighing its sun-drenched originals against its serious covers and novelty filler.
Album Reviews4/10
46 Years Later, the Album That Tried to Freeze an Endless Vacation Still Sounds Like It Missed the Wave
A review of the Beach Boys' 1980 album 'Keepin' the Summer Alive' — a polished but hollow nostalgia trip that fails to capture their former vitality.
Album Reviews7/10
Carl Wilson Steers the Band Toward Gospel and Grit on ‘So Tough’ — a Ragged but Rewarding 7/10
The Beach Boys' 1972 transitional album 'Carl and the Passions: So Tough' captures the band in flux, with soulful highs and uneven lows. A 7/10 review.
Album Reviews5/10
Fifty Years On, 15 Big Ones Still Sounds Like a Band Stalling for Time
The Beach Boys' 1976 album 15 Big Ones is a nostalgic patchwork of covers and originals, marking Brian Wilson's return but lacking inspiration. A muddled 5/10.
Album Reviews4/10
The Beach Boys Chase a Fading Trend on ‘L.A. (Light Album)’
The Beach Boys' 1979 album L.A. (Light Album) is an uneven soft-rock record with disco touches, a few strong tracks, but too much filler and a failed long experiment.