Customer Reviews

Sunflower [Vinyl]

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Here we go. This is the Beach Boys as I know and love them. Sunflower is a wonderfully inspired effort from the Beach Boys, and includes some of the most stunning harmonies they ever recorded. If all you've ever heard of the Beach Boys is Pet Sounds, I pity you. Their post-Pet Sounds material may not be written about with the same fervor, but they unquestionably had a lot left to offer in the relm of sugary melodies. By this time, Brian Wilson's creative control of the band was no longer such a sure thing, and there were many tracks that were either co-written or entirely composed without Brian's influence. His brother Dennis in particular was coming into his own as an incredible songwriting talent with such tracks as "Slip on Through", the rocker "Got to Know the Woman", and the beautifully tender "Forever". In the 1990s, the musical world saw the Beach Boys in a different light than they had since the 1960s. Their music was revered both commercially and critically for the first time in many years and finally people started to take notice of their early Brother albums, Sunflower and Surf's Up in particular. The arrangements on this album were imaginative and unyielding and it was clear that the Boys were still the creative force the world knew them to be. I understand if you worry that this album couldn't possibly be anything but a disappointment after Pet Sounds. I mean, after all, when do you ever hear the words `Beach Boys' and `70s' in the same sentance? Well, if it is critical reassurance that you need, understand that this record was very well received in Britain, even if America remained oblivious to its genius. Trust me; it is an excellent album and a purchase you will not regret.

This was the first album by The Beach Boys after they split from Capitol Records. It's a solid effort. The Beach Boys by this time had become more of a group effort, due to Brian Wilson's declining participation in the group, so the other members of the group had to step up. Although Brian still helped to write the majority of the songs here, there are five songs with no participation from Brian at all. In fact, the best song here is probably Dennis Wilson's gorgeous ballad "Forever", although there are many other fine songs here, too. This album displays a deepening maturity by the members of the group. Recommended to Beach Boys fans.

Sunflower was the first Beach Boys album I ever bought, because I loved "Cottonfields", which was the first track on the vinyl version of the album and "Tears In The Morning".

There are two sides of the group on the album - the harmonies that we know and love ("Add Some Music To Your Day" and "Dierdre", amongst others) and the harder-edged, more rockier side which are demonstrated on "It's About Time" and "All I Wanna Do".

It adds up to an excellent album and shows there was more depth to the band than just their surfer sound.

Good value now that it's paired with "Surf's Up", possibly my favourite of all their albums (yes, even better than "Pet Sounds"). So, go and buy the 2-4-1 CD.

I own nearly every BB album (and many compilations as well). This is my absolute favorite! To me, this is as breathtakingly innovative as 'Pet Sounds'...their own label, recorded in true ambient stereo (their first such album), and dynamic new recording equipment gives this a fresh, clean, warm, lively sound...and the songs cover a wide range of styles. One photo shows Brian Wilson in a white Good Humor outfit...and this is exactly the clean, wholesome feel this album has. Rich production, lush harmonies, the emergence of Dennis Wilson, Al Jardine, and Bruce Johnston showing the talent that was packed in this one group....this is the one BB album I would keep if I could only keep one! For those who want their BB's past cars and surf, THIS is the album that shows 'The Boys' as mature, seasoned professionals on top of their game and comfortable in their own skin.

Released in 1970, this was the Beach Boys' first album after leaving the Capitol label (their contract had run out), and it is in my opinion one of the group's best albums, in terms of both vocals and instrumentation. The album should rightfully have been a hit, but the group's image at the time (they were regarded by too many "hip" record buyers as major "squares") prevented it from attaining the commercial success that it deserved (it actually was praised by critics). It is one of the most melodically beautiful albums, if not THE most melodically beautiful album, that the Beach Boys ever released. It features a lot of really good songs; my personal favorite is "Add Some Music To Your Day," but I also really enjoy "Forever" (which I'd say is the best Beach Boys song composed by Dennis), "Our Sweet Love," "Deirdre" (which features what I consider to be Bruce's best lead vocal on a Beach Boys song), and "All I Wanna Do" (what I like most about that song is its weird, ghostly, echoing sound --- I find it strangely affecting!). I think Dennis could have come up with something better than the corny "Got To Know The Woman," and "Cool, Cool Water," while it indeed sounds beautiful, is kind of tedious, at least to me. Those are the only real gripes that I have about this album, which I believe should have been one of the group's biggest albums ever, if not THE biggest. (Those "hipper-than-thou" idiots...)

You know for years I was under the assumption that the Beach Boys were perhaps the cheesiest pop/rock act of the 60's. Well, in comes the late 60's/early 70's period of the band, and...

my opinion has changed *completely*.

While the early hit singles still sound pretty cheesy to me, the band really established themselves (and won me over personally) as soon as Pet Sounds was released.

My opinion on Sunflower is that the quality of the songwriting is perhaps on the same level -maybe even a notch higher- than the majority of Pet Sounds.

First of all, when it comes to vocal melodies, the Beach Boys are probably one of the most talented of the era, even surpassing quite a few Beatles, Stones and Kinks songs. I'm not so sure they surpass the Hollies though (a personal favorite of mine).

Sunflower is just exceptionally gorgeous from start to finish. I like how they wrote "Cool Cool Water". It's basically a multi-part display of numerous vocal mannerisms, and each one seems to work perfectly.

A couple moments on side two remind me of the popular pop/rock act Bread, but that's definitely not a bad thing- Bread were very good songwriters themselves.

"Our Sweet Love" might be my favorite track here because it sounds like a continuation of "Wouldn't It Be Nice". What a beautiful song.

Truthfully, the entire album is quite melodic and beautiful. I highly recommend it.

Even if you're not a huge Beach Boys fan because of their popular 60's songs that oldies stations have permanently beaten into the ground, none of that should matter when it concerns their overlooked Sunflower album. As far as I know, none of these songs are played on the radio.

when this album was released in 1970 the Beach Boys were like the plauge, nobody wanted them , thier time had come and gone. after 20 albums with Capital they found themselves looking for a new label and identity. surf, cars, and girl 3:00 pop songs were gone. the signed with Warners and put out this beautiful album that found itself in the cut-out bins in about 6 months. MAJOR MISTAKE. this release is pure gold. it's even on the Rolling Stone top 500 album list. with songs by all the band members. it's one terrific song after another. it was the start of many fine releases and new found fame in the 70's for America's Band. please get this one. i own all the Beach Boy material and this one is by far my favorite, give it a try.

I saw Brian Wilson in concert here in Atlanta 2 - 3 years ago. A very intimate show outdoors at Chastain Park. In the dialogue between songs, Brian referred to the Sunflower song 'Add Some Music To Your Day' as his favorite Beach Boys song ever. I agree with Brian - Probably in my top 3 B.B. songs. Get the album. Learn the song!