When you think of 1964 you immediately think of the arrival of Beatlemania to the US. On the dawn of the mop toppers arrival, the Beach Boys neither veered from their lyrical content, nor their determination to have success as a band. In ’64 the Boys recorded four albums which wasn’t a very uncommon thing in the 60′s, but it further proves their strength as song-smiths and performers.
As the album begins you realize that the Beach Boys have begun to be pulled in two extreme directions, a surf & turf if you please. There is the “surf” portions that you’ve come to love. Songs like “Fun, Fun, Fun” with its jangly guitar riff, and the piano heavy “This Car of Mine” are good, but are what you come to expect from a S. California band. Then there is the “turf”, those down-to-earth songs about longing, love, and sadness. It’s no surprise that these tunes are written and performed mostly by Brian Wilson who has begun to separate himself as a distinct and honest lyricist. “Don’t Worry Baby”, “The Warmth of the Sun”, and “Keep An Eye on Summer” are great examples of a writer struggling to hold on to that sunny sound, yet striving for more maturity. Also note that “Warmth of the Sun” was written hours after JFK was assassinated, which the Beach Boys of three albums ago would probably not have ventured to tackle given the heavy subject matter.
As a whole, this album has some filler with two covers (“Louie, Louie”, “Why Do Fools Fall In Love”) and some strange, staged sound bites (“”Cassius” Love Vs. “Sonny” Wilson”, “Denny’s Drums”). This record had such high hopes after the response from Little Deuce Coupe, but it never quite met the heights of anticipation. As we enter the mid-60′s the Boys are clearly searching to find their niche outside of “that surf band”.
My Grade: B-
My Favorite Tracks: Don’t Worry Baby, Warmth of the Sun, Keep An Eye on Summer
