So... I think it's pretty safe to say that I haven't met someone who, at some stage in their life, hasn't loved a Beach Boys song. I've been a fan forever and can't remember the first time I heard one of their songs - they've always just been there. What I don't get is how, in spite of the guys (Dennis excepted) being the biggest bunch of fuckin' squares of all time, they've managed to put out such good tunes and be that revered. It's a mystery. But fuck... what tunes. OK, so they haven't had a good song since around the time Reagan was sworn in, but that doesn't matter. They haven't really had to prove anything since way before then have they?
So - who have we got?
1) Mike Love - world's biggest knob. He may be an idiot but he sure could sing those low notes. The songs he sang lead on were also pretty good. Some were even fuckin' great. Forget that he's turned the band into a parody of what they once were. Well, try to at least.
Highpoints: 'All I Wanna Do' (from Sunflower) and 'Little Deuce Coupe'.
Lowpoints: The Hall of Fame speech. Too many more to go into detailed specifics. Needless to say, everything bad about the band has probably had something to do with him.
2) Al Jardine - weird lookin' short dude. But he gets a pass because he sang lead (and kicked ass) on 'Help Me Rhonda'. He also did a pretty good job of singing 'Heroes & Villains' live, which isn't an easy thing to do. He gets the quirky points because he though 'Lady Lynda' was a good idea.
Highpoints: As if it were anything else. 'Help Me Rhonda' - one of the best songs the band ever did, and he got to sing it.
Lowpoints: Producer of the MIU Album. His ponytail.
3) Dennis Wilson - the one who actually surfed. What could've been... The only one who stuck up for Brian. The only one who seemingly got what he was trying to do. The one who dominated Sunflower. The one who married Mike Love's daughter.
Highpoints: 'Forever', 'Slip on Through'. Plus, Two Lane Blacktop is such an awesome film it made James Taylor seem cool.
Lowpoints: Dying. Also, that whole Charles Manson thing was a bit off.
4) Bruce Johnston - the ring-in. I dunno about this guy. Sometimes I feel he gets a bad rap, but sometimes I think he never actually belonged in the group. But he gets a pass because he was pretty damn good around the Sunflower/Surf's Up period and because how could we ever judge anyone fairly that had to follow in Brian Wilson's footprints?
Highpoints: 'Dierdre', 'Disney Girls'.
Lowpoints: Still touring with Mike Love and calling themselves the Beach Boys.
5) Carl Wilson - the doughy hero. Pretty much saved the group following Brian's withdrawal. Great fuckin' voice that really came to the fore in the same period. The one who left the group and then came back. The one who saves 'Kokomo' from being the world's worst song of all time.
Highpoints: 'God Only Knows', 'Time to Get Alone', 'The Trader'
Lowpoints: His solo career.
6) Brian Wilson - the mack daddy. Sure, he's a bit insane. Sure, you wish he put out the original Smile. But hand it to the guy, at least he's giving the impression that he's trying. But back then, he was unstoppable.
Highpoints: 'Don't Worry Baby', 'Warmth of the Sun', 'Kiss Me Baby. A little album called Pet Sounds. Even attempting Smile.
Lowpoints: The SNL appearance. 'Smart Girls' from his aborted Sweet Insanity album.
So yeah. Great band...
