All Summer Long review

The 6th album by The Beach Boys and apparently, I'm delighted to hear, the last one which is focused on California beach culture.

Tracks:

1. I Get Around: 8/10 a lovely, cheerful and catchy little song. I already know this one since I've heard it playing many times at Thorpe Park.

2. All Summer Long: 6/10 this one plays it safe (Understatement) although it's hard not to smile at least a little bit.

3. Hushabye: 8/10 a lovely if repetitive song that'd actually serve as a great lullaby.

4. Little Honda: 7/10 cars and motorbikes are not good subject matter for a song, but this particular song is fine.

5. We'll Run Away: 8/10 this lovely and pleasingly simple song makes the theme of love far more touching than many far more complicated songs do.

6. Carl's Big Chance: 6/10 a nice though somewhat indifferent and forgettable instrumental.

7. Wendy: 8/10 another delightful love song.

8. Do You Remember: 8/10 a highly enjoyable tribute to 50s Rock and Roll.

9. Girls on the Beach: 8/10 low on substance, high on terrific harmonies and enjoyment.

10. Drive-In: 8/10 ditto.

11. Our Favorite Recording Sessions: 6/10 unnecessary but amusing.

12. Don't Back Down: 8/10 yes it's more surfing stuff, but by this point one just has to go with it. It's a fun surfing song anyway.

Best song: We'll Run Away
Worst song: Carl's Big Chance

Summary: The best Beach Boys album for a while, this record, full of warmth and joy and pleasingly not as car-crazy and surfing-obsessed as usual, is just loads and loads of joy. It's very, very happy and lacks cynicism, but as someone who loves and listens to far too much depressing music, that's no bad thing. This one is definitely one of the best of the early years of The Beach Boys, and it's back up into 4 star territory for the band.  



Final rating: 8/10