Rating: 9.5/10

Top Track: ‘God Only Knows’

Well, June is here and summer is just around the corner. Time for some Beach Boys. I wanted to start with the crème de la crème in terms of Beach Boys albums because with everything going on right now, I feel like only the best from some of the best is what we need right now. Whenever I listen to this album it only lifts my spirits and has me singing along to every single lyric of every single song. Brian Wilson’s absolute genius and songwriting capabilities really shine throughout the entirety of this album. This album saw The Beach Boys move on from their Surf Rock days and evolve into a group that could put out some truly inspired music.

Is there any surprise in my choosing of ‘God Only Knows’ as my top track? Almost tirelessly overplayed at weddings and in romantic movies like Love Actually, this song has to rank as one of the best love of all-time. The song is instantly recognizable with the keyboard and french horn harmonizing into a cheerful symphony; then comes the sleigh bells ringing away with that memorable bass line following close behind along with the percussive sound of a horse galloping (a sound also used in ‘I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times’). A total of 23 musicians were used in the 20 takes of ‘God Only Knows’, but only 16 made the final cut. I was very close to choosing ‘Wouldn’t It Be Nice’, but ‘God Only Knows’ has always been a little closer to my heart. It’s no wonder why the group decided to have both songs start each side of the album respectively.

This album was one of the first I ever heard. My dad played The Beach Boys on a nearly endless loop while I was growing up along with The Beatles. ‘Sloop John B’ was one of my first favorite songs and one of the first songs I learned all the lyrics to; the first being ‘Little Surfer Girl’. Maybe it’s because the sounds of The Beach Boys gives me that nostalgic feeling is the reason I hold them in such high regard. It wasn’t until I was a little older when I realized that Brian Wilson was the mind that drove the group forward forever earning my respect and making him one of my personal heroes. Wilson is also one of the best rock songwriters of all-time in my opinion; up there with the likes of John Lennon, Bob Dylan, and Neil Young.

This album is definitely in my personal top 25 and I consider it an essential listen to anyone who considers themselves a fan music. The way this album changed music and the amount of artists it inspired is absolutely astounding. The Beach Boys will forever be one of my favorite music groups and I think one of the best to ever do it.