This is the first of a feature which will talk about an album that one of us thinks is, for whatever reason, underrated. Whether they have been unjustly ignored, misunderstood, or are simply hard to find, these are albums that deserve more recognition. With that I give you a fresh look at...
The Beach Boys – Carl And The Passions - “So Tough!” (1972)
Please, ignore the terrible cover art. Ignore, if you can, the utterly awful title. Even ignore the fact that The Beach Boys 70's output is regarded as at best mediocre and at worst shockingly poor. This is a very good album indeed, though of course it is no masterpiece. But it stands up well against the much better regarded Surf's Up, which preceded it, and Holland, which would follow.
The album came out in 1972, long after The Beach Boys had ceased to be considered musically relevant. Pet Sounds had come out way back in '66. Six years in music was a long time back then, and seven albums had come and gone since Pet Sounds and the doomed Smile project, none of them even close to matching that record (though Wild Honey and Surf's Up both have their moments).
This album was the first to feature new members recruited by Carl Wilson (the de-facto band leader at this point), guitarist and singer Brodie Chaplin and drummer Ricky Fataar. It's Chaplin who contributes the albums high watermark, the gorgeous Hold On Dear Brother (perhaps a thinly-veiled plea to the ailing Brian Wilson, whose contributions to the album are minimal).
In the absence of Brian, whose contribution consisted of co-writing and singing back-up vocals on three tracks, it is the other Wilson brothers who really shine on this album. Carl sang lead on three tracks and co-wrote the wonderful mantra-like All This Is That, while erstwhile drummer and co-lead vocalist Dennis, who had no songs on 1971's Surf's Up, contributes what is arguably another album highlight in the closing 'Cuddle Up'. Admittedly, the song does veer into schmalzy territory at times, but ends the album on a high note, I think.
One of the main criticisms of this record is that it's uneven and inconsistent, and that's true to an extent. Certainly the album careens between gentle rock and roll (You Need A Mess Of Help To Stand Alone and the single Marcella) to gospel (He Come Down – one of many many songs Mike Love would write about Transcendental Meditation...and one of the better ones) to what could almost be described as country (Hold On Dear Brother). That doesn't even take into account Dennis Wilson's two contributions which are so different from anything else they sound like they were intended for a different record...and indeed, they were, initially written for a potential solo album (Incidentally, Dennis would release that album, Pacific Ocean Blue, in 1977, and it is likely to be the subject of a future Underrated Albums feature)
Don't be put off by the criticisms levelled at this album. Sure, it's not a masterpiece. It's more a collection of disperate songs and styles than a coherent album, but – and this is the point – it does have some truly great songs. This album will not change your life, but if you only know The Beach Boys from Pet Sounds or one of the numerous Best Of compilations, give this a listen. It may pleasantly surprise you, just like it did me.
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