The BEACH BOYS Blog.

Hello everyone! Finally got a day off here so I'm now writing my blog about my experience going through (most of) the discography of The Beach Boys! This will be structured similarly to my Ween Blog, I'll go through all the albums, give them a review, rating, and ranking, and at the end show my entire ranking of The Beach Boys.

Now I've known about The Beach Boys for a while now, obviously who hasn't heard Wouldn't It Be Nice or Kokomo before, but when I got into music, I eventually got to listening to Pet Sounds and SMiLE, as well as Surf's Up simply as essential listens to understand pop music, and while I did like them (and in Smile's case, loved it) they never really stuck with me. It wasn't until I got my new record player, that I finally wanted to revisit SMiLE because I had been gifted the recent repress on vinyl for my birthday this year, and when I did, holy shit it was like a revelation I realized just how much I liked that album, I went through a week where it was like most of what I listened to, and afterwards I wanted to know more about this band, so I digged into the lore, listened to their other highest rated albums, and so started a bit of a fixation on this band that turned to a full on discography marathon, which has turned these guys into one of my favorite bands oat.

Now before I actually start my review I should warn that this is not a full overview of the Boys' entire discography, because there is like 30 albums to listen to, and the fact that anything before The Beach Boys Today! and anything after Love You is very shaky in quality (no I am NOT listening to Summer in Paradise my ass is not ready for that). I will include a few supplemental albums at the end though, hopefully that makes up for it!


Album 1: The Beach Boys Today! (1965)

A lot of people say Today! is a real bridge in The Beach Boys discography, and I would agree with them. It's, in my opinion, a perfect blend of that early surf sound and the sound Brian would develop on Pet Sounds. This album is both very fun and very contemplative at once, with the upbeat and melancholic songs being separated by which side of the record is playing, which I think is very cool! While it's not all hits, the weak stuff is fun, and stuff like Please Let Me Wonder, She Knows Me Too Well, and Help Me, Ronda are instant classics for me.
Rating: 8/10
Ranking: 7th/16


Album 2: Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!) (1965)

This one is an odd one for me; while I'd say the second half is up there with Today! in terms of quality, I really can't get into the first 4 songs or so. A few of those are Mike Love written songs which makes sense, they are VERY simple and just not my thing. That said though I really dig the rest of the album (besides the one song where Brian is really cheerful about how abusive his dad is lmao) and it's the first appearance of a Brian Wilson instrumental which are always just lovely, I've always wondered if he couldn't have been a really good film composer.
Rating: 7/10
Ranking: 11th/16


Album 3: Beach Boys' Party! (1965)

This album is really just Brian rushing out something to satisfy capitol for the holiday seasons while he worked on Pet Sounds, but it's still got a charm to it, despite the lackluster effort put into it. I do like the more stripped down, folk covers, and for the most part it's a fun time, but largely forgettable. At the very least, it's a novel concept for an album for 1965.
Rating: 6/10
Ranking: 15th/16


Album 4: Pet Sounds (1966)

It's Pet Sounds man. What else can I say that hasn't already said about this album? It's a true masterpiece, a magnum opus of pop that rightfully deserves to be held as one of the greatest albums of all time. But speaking personally, what makes me love Pet Sounds so much is that warm, yearning feel that Brian Wilson's orchestrations create in my head, I've grown to adore Let's Go Away For Awhile as one of my favorite songs on the album, and one of my favorite Beach Boys songs period. Tony Asher does great work on the lyrics as well, and those famous Beach Boys harmonies are on full display here. If you are going to listen to any album from this review, make it this one.
Rating: 10/10
Ranking: 2nd/16


Album 5: Smiley Smile (1967)

For those in the know about The Beach Boys and worried that I just skipped over SMiLE don't WORRY I will get to it at the end. Smiley Smile is such an odd album, not only for the story behind it as the smoldering remains of the SMiLE project, cobbled together by the other Boys as Brian Wilson's mental health deteriorated, but also for just how different this album is from the rest of the band's discography. This is for the best though, because I really, really love this album. I realized after my 3rd or so listen that Smiley Smile really reminds me of The Pod by Ween, which I talked about in that aforementioned blog. It's got a manic but calm, psychedelic sound that just gives me a warm feeling inside. It feels like the expectations were gone, they didn't care, and what came out of that is something delightful, even if it isn't SMiLE.
Rating: 9/10
Ranking: 4th/16


Album 6: Wild Honey (1967)

This one puzzles me. Everyone says it's an underrated gem in their run of good but underselling albums, but I've just never been able to get this one. I think it's the production of the album, everything just feels sort of drowned out, like there's good stuff under there but I just can't vibe with it. I will say though that Darlin' is an awesome song, and I can respect The Beach Boys for daring to go against the mold of the time.
Rating: 6/10
Ranking: 14th/16


Album 7: Friends (1968)

God, what a pleasant album. Unlike Wild Honey, this is a return to form in The Boys' psychedelic trio. I can really tell that Brian had a lot more influence on this album, if not for the appearance of another lovely instrumental in Diamond Head, than for the soft, warm lyrics and sound of this album. Friends is one of the easiest albums to relisten to, it's short and sweet and everything you'd want from a very solid 4 star album.
Rating: 8/10
Ranking: 6th/16


Album 8: 20/20 (1969)

This is the first Carl led album in their discography, and I'll say that I do certainly appreciate Carl Wilson's contributions to the band, he's one of my favorite members, if for nothing else but his beautiful voice, probably the best in the band. Anyhow, this is really the first album where The Beach Boys feel like a real team unit (just without Brian) this is the first time you really start to see contributions from the whole team, and the result is mixed. 20/20 is sort of a middle ground between Wild Honey and Friends for me, probably because of his cobbled together nature, but for every song that hits for me here there's another that's just alright. However I refuse to give any album with Cabinessence anything lower than a 7 lol.
Rating: 7/10
Ranking: 12th/16


Album 9: Sunflower (1970)

Underrated is the best word to describe Sunflower. It truly is the band's most cohesive album, the one where they all come together and contribute to create what is a very well-rounded, lovely album. There's so much amazing stuff on here, from the proto-Dream Pop 'All I Wanna Do' to the first amazing Dennis ballad, Forever, to Bruce Johnston's amazing songs in Dierdre and Tears in the Morning, after Pet Sounds this is probably the second Beach Boys album I would recommend, what a shame this one sold so poorly.
Rating: 9/10
Ranking: 3rd/16


Album 10: Surf's Up (1971)

This album was actually a pre-2026 listen! Long story short I heard the opener to this album, 'Don't Go Near the Water' in a mod for a game I played, and I liked it a lot which inspired me to eventually check it out. This is one that has definitely grown on me though (especially the B-side), as a lot of The Beach Boys' output does the more you explore it and learn about them. Random side note, besides Pet Sounds,  this might be my second favorite album cover, it's really sick. While not as rounded as Sunflower may be, this one is almost as good. With the exception of the lackluster Student Demonstration Time which really breaks up the flow of the album, this is a really strong album throughout, one that features 3 of some of my favorite songs from them, Disney Girls (1957), A Day in the Life of a Tree, and Surf's Up, of course.
Rating: 9/10
Ranking: 5th/16


Album 11: Carl and the Passions "So Tough" (1972)

I forget about this one a lot, probably by how much good shit it's surrounded by. It's probably the oddest album out of their 70s output just for how disjointed and out of place it feels. The roots rock sound is NOT The Beach Boys, even if I really like the contributions by the new members Ricky Fataar and Blondie Chaplin. And while Dennis also had some good contributions, this really feels like an album released for the sake of releasing something for the year.
Rating: 6/10
Ranking: 13th/16


Album 12: Holland (1973)

Holland is a beautiful sendoff to the 70s years, a period of the band that ended far too soon. It's certainly a slower, more rock oriented sound that I'm used to from the band, but in their aging years, as they get up to their 30s, I really think it fits, their sound matures as they do here. Sail on Sailor is a great track, and overall this is just a solid album all around. Good evening vibes. Also I think Brian's fairy tale that was included with the album is very cute :v
Rating: 8/10
Ranking: 10th/16


Album 13: 15 Big Ones (1976)

More like 15 mid ones!!!! OK seriously though this album was an inside joke in a server I'm in before I had actually listened to it so my expectations were really low for it but honestly it's just more boring than anything, there's like 4 songs that are good listens but then the rest just end up as filler or worse. It's kind of obvious here that Brian's heart was not in this, but who cares because apparently the public loved it because it was their best selling album in forever!!!
Rating: 5/10
Ranking: 16th/16


Album 14: Love You (1977)

I am glad The Beach Boys love me. I am glad Brian got to make this album, because it's something special. This is a seriously fun album, Brian's greatest expression of creativity since maybe Friends? The synth on here is really creative and ahead of its time, even if it doesn't land on every song. What holds this album down from even greater heights is the couple of songs on here with uh...odd lyrics or premises. That's part of the appeal though, and who can forget the best Beach Boys song is on here, Ding Dang!
Rating: 8/10
Ranking: 8th/16


Album 15: Adult/Child (1978/1985)

NO this is not technically an actual Beach Boys album but I'm including it because it's basically a completed one and also because i LIKE IT. This is definitely Brian at his most, well, deranged. The synth is largely abandoned here for a 50s, Brill Building sound. Some of my favorite Brian stuff is on here, It's Over Now is a really great, tragic song, and I unironically really love Shortnin' Bread. But also this has Hey Little Tomboy, among other songs that just leave you scratching your head. Still, I can't bring myself to dislike this one, Brian seems to have a magic touch he puts on his music that makes it infectious (can you tell he's my favorite Beach Boy).
Rating: 8/10
Ranking: 9th/16


Album 16: SMiLE (1967/2011)

And so we arrive here at last, to my favorite Beach Boys album, SMiLE. Yes, I am aware this album never released. Yes, I realize that even the 2011 Smile Sessions release is an unfinished, archival album. Still, this is not just my favorite Beach Boys album, but one of my favorite albums, period. It is expansive, a one-of-a-kind trip through Americana, California, and Brian Wilson's head. Van Dyke Parks just knocks it out of the park with the lyrics, Heroes and Villains and Surf's Up are bar none my favorite Beach Boys songs. I need more music like this, more music that feels like a modern take on classical music, music of a world that could have been, music that makes me SMiLE.
Rating: 10/10
Ranking: 1st/16

My Beach Boys Rankings:
1. SMiLE
2. Pet Sounds
3. Sunflower
4. Smiley Smile
5. Surf's Up
6. Friends
7. Today!
8. Love You
9. Adult/Child
10. Holland
11. Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!)
12. 20/20
13. Carl and the Passions "So Tough"
14. Wild Honey
15. Party!
16. 15 Big Ones

SUPPLEMENTAL ALBUMS:

We're not done yet! Before I go, I wanted to cover a few Beach Boys related albums here while I have the chance, because even beyond the band's main discography, there's a wealth of good stuff in their solo careers, their associates, etc.


Supplemental 1: Pacific Ocean Blue (1977)

This is, more than any other solo Beach Boys project, a cult classic album. What do I think of it? Honestly, I think it's good but I can't really give it anything more than that. Dennis Wilson has always been a complicated person for me. His highs are so, so high, but his general sound, his harder-edge that he brought to the band, has never been my favorite part of the band. I think the production is what holds it back a little for me, it's too full, too schmaltzy. Still, it's authentic Dennis, and if you like him, you'll love this album. Also he looks like Steve on the album cover lolol.
Rating: 7/10


Supplemental 2: Brian Wilson (1988)

This is a VERY recent listen for me, as in, today recent. Even with Brian's treatment under Eugene Landy, it is beautiful that he was able to make something so great under those conditions. Love & Mercy is awesome, and the album is just quality all-around, even if you have to bear the VERY 80s production, which creates a wall of sound that either hits or does not. Rio Grande really sounds like something out of SMiLE, so obviously I love it. A great time, and an album I would recommend
Rating: 8/10

Supplemental 3: Brian Wilson Presents Smile (2004)

It's Smile, again! Seriously I think there has to be, like, hundreds of versions of this album (which is a good thing). More than anything, I'm glad this album exists. I'm glad Brian was able to defeat his demons and finally finish Smile, even after everything that had happened since the project fell apart. As for the music itself, it's really good. Brian's voice is not what it used to be, but for me it doesn't bother me too much. The album definitely has a very glossy feel, which is perhaps makes it worse than the Smile Sessions release in my opinion, which has a much more raw and imaginative sound. I will say at least that the parts that aren't present in the Smile Sessions are probably my favorite, On a Holiday and In Blue Hawaii are worth a listen for their differences.
Rating: 9/10


Supplemental 4: Song Cycle (1967)

OK yes this has barely anything to do with The Beach Boys beyond SMiLE but when else am I going to be able to talk about Song Cycle? Van Dyke Parks is a neat guy, I listened to him on a podcast once, he sounds really smart and just an interesting guy to listen to. Anyways, he made this album after quitting as the lyricist for Smile, and somehow he made something even weirder than it. Avant-Pop with classical and Americana elements is the best way I can describe it, but I really think no explanation of this album would give it justice. If you ever want to hear something unlike any other kind of music, listen to this, I really like it, it's the brains of SMiLE, whereas Brian was the heart.
Rating: 9/10

Alright, that's the end! I hope you enjoyed reading through my Beach Boys ramblings if you read the whole thing. I really do think The Beach Boys are one of the greatest American bands of all time, and I think their story is such a shame, as is their legacy as nothing but a corny surfer band, and I hope you walk away from this with the knowledge that that isn't the case, and hey, if you're interested, maybe you can check out an album or two of theirs :] ok bye now!