Up until the Beach Boys 2-fers were released in 1990,
I was strictly an "Endless Summer" fan. I had a best
of from the 70's and 80's, plus "Pet Sounds" as a
teen. Frankly, I didn't like PS then, though through
the years I grew to love it.

I started collecting the 2fers as they were released.
Even if you hate the surf-era Boys, you have to admit
their output was astonishing. Their first album,
"Surfin' Safari" was relased on 10/29/1962. Including
SS, they released 4 albums in the next year and 10
albums by November of 1965! Pretty amazing considering
the Brian was essentially John, Paul and George Martin
all rolled into one.

Is there some chaff on those early albums (up until
"Today")? Sure! But there is some great stuff too.
They were still playing most of their own instruments
at that point, so were essentially a garage band with
awesome vocals.

And they were incredibly young. Carl Wilson was only
14 when they recorded their first single....and was
still only 19 when he did his lead vocal for "God Only
Knows" (which was only his second solo lead vocal!).
Incredible.

Anyway...if you don't like the classic BB surf sound,
I agree with the person who suggested "Sunflower". A
great album with some awesome songs written by each of
the boys. Dennis, in particular, contributed four fine
songs. I also suggest "20/20", "Carl and the Passions"
and for some supreme weirdness, "Love You". In my
opinion everything after "Love You" is extremely
spotty ...though the "LA Light Album" has some great
Dennis songs and their last great single (IMHO), "Good
Timin' ".

Rich B

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