Beach Boys Released 6 Bad Songs On Our Book

The Beach Boys are known for being pop music legends, and Brian Wilson stands out as a leading songwriter. But, even the best can miss the mark.

In the early 1960s, when singles were more important than albums, bands often included filler tracks—subpar songs—to complete an album. The Beatles were an exception, focusing more on creating substantial albums. The Beach Boys, caught in the industry’s business-first approach, produced five albums in just eighteen months, and not all songs were hits.

“Cassius’ Love Vs. ‘Sonny’ Wilson”

This track is a twist on the usual Beach Boys sound with Mike Love and Brian Wilson pretending to be in a verbal boxing match. It’s a bit like being allowed into the band’s rehearsal space, but some might find it hard to enjoy. It’s creative, sure, but it doesn’t deliver the catchy tunes we expect from these icons of pop.

Instead, listeners are treated to an inside joke that might have been amusing at the moment, but doesn’t hold up over time. It’s a peculiar piece in their catalog, one that might make you curious but doesn’t quite hit the right notes for repeated listens.

 

“Denny’s Drums”

Imagine sitting through a two-minute drum solo that doesn’t quite capture the energy it strives for. “Denny’s Drums” is Dennis Wilson’s solo time, but it ends up showcasing a lack of polish when compared to professional drummers. It’s not Dennis at his best and might leave you wondering why it made the album.

There’s a raw, garage-band feel to it, which could have been a cool behind-the-scenes peek, but it falls flat. It’s more like a practice session than a finished, polished record. Unfortunately, it’s not the kind of thing Beach Boys fans would race to play over and over again.

 

“Our Favorite Recording Sessions”

When you listen to “Our Favorite Recording Sessions”, it feels like you’re eavesdropping on the band. It’s full of unguarded band chatter, giving you a sneak peek into their studio work. The Beatles may have left their recording magic to the imagination, but the Beach Boys pulled back the curtain—with questionable results.

It might have its place as a quirky collectible for die-hard fans, but for the average listener, it’s an awkward addition to an album. Studio banter isn’t what most expect when they put on a Beach Boys record.

 

“Louie, Louie”

The Beach Boys tried their hand at the rock’n’roll classic “Louie, Louie” but they couldn’t quite match the raw energy of The Kingsmen’s earlier version. This song had been done by countless bands before, and each had put their own spin on it. When the Beach Boys took their turn, they didn’t manage to add anything special to it.

Their cover doesn’t stand out and instead gets lost among more memorable renditions from others. It was a swing and a miss for a group that usually hits home runs.

 

“Bull Session with Big Daddy”

At the end of an album filled with beautiful melodies, “Bull Session with Big Daddy” shifts gears sharply. It’s a conversation with magazine editor Earl Leaf that might seem out of place after such musical brilliance. You go from humming along to lovely tunes to a spoken word track that seems to interrupt the flow.

This track is like an abrupt end to a serene dream. One moment you’re in the clouds with harmonic ballads, and the next, you’re dropped into a meandering talk that might have you scratching your head wondering, “Why is this here?”

 

“County Fair”

“County Fair” tries to capture the essence of a day at the fair but misses the joy and instead delivers a kind of chaos. With distracting background sounds and lines that might make you cringe, it ends up being the opposite of what a Beach Boys classic usually offers. It contrasts sharply especially when compared to energizing tracks like “Fun, Fun, Fun.”

This song might take you back to the fair, but not in a good way. It doesn’t bring out the happy memories one might hope for. Rather than feeling nostalgic, you may end up just feeling a bit disappointed.