The Beach Boys - Holland 1973

The surprisingly weak result of a concerted effort by both band and label to push the Beach Boys back into the Top 40 (they succeeded, barely), Holland continued the muddy sound of Carl and the Passions - So Tough. The highlights here -- Carl's "The Trader," Brian's "Sail on, Sailor" and "Funky Pretty" -- are marginally better than their immediate predecessors, though "Leavin' This Town" (from recent addition Blondie Chaplin) is rather tiresome. Also, Al Jardine and Mike Love's three-part "California Saga" shows the effects of their environmentalist spirituality left to bake in the sun a few minutes too long (though the conclusion, "California," is a solid return to the harmony-laden sun-and-surf '60s). "Only with You" is yet another tender ballad given an excellent reading by Carl. [Holland was made available in 2000 on the two-fer compilation Carl and the Passions - So Tough/Holland.] AMG.

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