217. The Beach Boys | Surf's Up (1971)

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Wikipedia Entry

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Tracks

1. Don't Go Near the Water
2. Long Promised Road
3. Take a Load Off Your Feet
4. Disney Girls (1957)
5. Student Demonstration Time
6. Feel Flows
7. Lookin' at Tomorrow (A Welfare Song)
8. A Day in the Life of a Tree
9. 'Til I Die
10. Surf's Up

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Surf's Up is an odd album. The music is rock. It's got the Beach Boys' harmonies that everyone is familiar with. However, the songs upbeat, playful and fun as is usual with the Beach Boys. Rather, they've become socially-, politically- and ecologically-conscious. What has the world become when listening to the Beach Boys bums you out?

I like the most of the songs, but the album is all over the place. It's one thing to have something to say about everything, it's another thing to make a point. That's not what's going on with this album. Also, the Beach Boys are a little late to protests.

That's it's an anachronistic album makes it hard to see why it should be on the 1001 Albums list. It's worth listening to just to hear a glum and gloomy Beach Boys album.

All the songs are pretty good. A Day in the Life of a Tree is the odd man out. The stand outs are: Don't Go Near the Water, Long Promised Road, Take a Load Off Your Feet, Disney Girls (1957), Feel Flows and 'Till I Die.

★★★★★★★★☆☆