The Beach Boys, Surf’s Up (1971)
The Surf’s Up album is one of my favourites by The Beach Boys – one of a half-dozen (or a dozen) favourites. I had everything the band released on an iPod. A lot of the albums I never wanted to hear again and some – like this – I loved but hadn’t heard for ages. That iPod was stolen earlier this year and so now I’m chipping away, picking up the key Beach Boys LPs I didn’t already have. Almost surprised at myself for never owning this one on vinyl previously – for it’s always been on of my favourites. For the title track alone. But also for the blossoming of Carl Wilson as composer, for the band shrugging off – completely – the Surf clichés associated with its earliest work, for the music. Such fine music here. One of their very best for me. Always.

Sample Track: Feel Flows
The Vinyl Countdown is a document of every LP I listen to, brand new discoveries and old-old favourites; extremely pre-loved, previously abandoned or with the shrink-wrap having just been removed it’s all here at The Vinyl Countdown