Farty!

Overall Album Score: 7.5 out of 10

So the legend of Beach Boys' Party! goes a little something like this: The record company wanted the Beach Boys to come up with an album for Christmas, but Brian Wilson wanted more time to formulate his next studio album, the legendary Pet Sounds. Since the Beach Boys already had a live album release recently, Brian Wilson decided to record a "Beach Boys party" album. In other words, they were going to record an album full of tossed-off covers and invite a bunch of people to talk in the studio.

Well, as far as I'm concerned, this album is worth just about as much as that. Tossed-off covers amidst the murmurs of drunk people. Granted, much of this is fun to hear --- and certainly the idea of the album was a unique way to keep the record company happy without compromising the real music he wanted to write. Some of this is too sloppy for its own good. The moments when the crowd is rowdy enough to shout out during the vocal performances proved distracting. It also seemed like they weren't big Beach Boys fans. (You know, classic rock lovers probably cringe at hearing this audience --- they're not respecting the legends!)

Another valuable aspect of Party! is we get to hear the real Beach Boys playing. Brian Wilson was fond of hiring skilled studio musicians to play the tricky arrangements he was coming up with lately. You get to hear the real Beach Boys in live albums as well, but ... I guess you hear them play more clearly here.

Definitely get this to complete your Beach Boys discography. But don't get it until you've completed that discography! ... Yeah.......

Overall Album Score: 7.5 out of 10 (This is an odd and inessential side-step for the Beach Boys who were about to make history.)

Average Song Score: 7.9 (Blown-off cover versions to keep the record company happy! This might be more enjoyable than you'd expect.)

Album Tilt: 7.5 (It's flimsy, but it's an interesting sort of proto-concept album, isn't it.)

Artist Rating: 7.0 (I must take off points. No matter how much I symphathise with the Beach Boys' situation.)

Track Reviews

Hully Gully 8/10

We hear audience noise and the guys soon start singing this fun old song called "Hully Gully." Naturally, the whole effort comes off as a toss-off (because that's what this whole album was, as a matter of fact). They're at least having fun with it. The sloppy vocal performances and --- the real Beach Boys playing their instruments! Yeah...

I Should Have Known Better 8/10

Even the Beach Boys were Beatles fans! It is always fun to hear no matter who's playing it. The vocals are mixed too quietly in my opinion (and who knows why people were talking through this). It's played too sloppily, although I like that bongo drum at least.

Tell Me Why 8.5/10

Another Beatles cover! This one comes off a little better. The vocal performances seem a little more confident. They're still being very goofy (and I never thought these guys were very funny). I think this cover version comes off pretty good.

Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow 7/10

They take a little while to start singing. This is a fun old early rock tune that they sing very silly. The vocals are so sloppy (and on purpose) and it's almost difficult to listen to! Well they're having fun at least.

Mountain of Love 8/10

And now it's another nice cover. They provide a little bit of harmonica, which is definitely a nice touch. This is a rather enjoyable cover version, I do say! (Sorry I'm skimping out on these track reviews --- what do you expect from me, anyway??)

You've Got to Love Your Hide Away 8/10

This suffers from the rowdy crowd. You hear them shouting out "HEY!" when the music in the chorus comes to it. Actually I like this vocal performance otherwise. It sounds rough and world-worn. (Hey, that's Dennis Wilson singing!)

Devoted to You 8.5/10

This is a nice little track! The instrumentation consists of a modest acoustic guitar, and the vocal performances are delicate. All that chatter in the background is a bit distracting, but --- you can't argue with the concept! It's the concept!!!

Alley Oop 8.5/10

It begins with some Rolling Stones' posturing! And then those lead vocals sound like they're trying to emulate Mick Jagger! (I think that's Mike Love singing but I'm not too sure.) I find this song very enjoyable! The audience participates in some of the singing, and they're almost constructive here ... for once ...

There's No Other Way (Like My Baby) 8/10

A nice ballad although I'm probably not a big fan of the original song. The sloppiness of the vocals are kind of charming here, especially.

I Get Around / Little Deuce Coupe 7/10

And now the Beach Boys assault themselves. This is so goofy that it sounds like this band was just tired of singing the song after so many concerts they probably gave. Well, this one's difficult to listen to, but it's funny in a way.

The Times They Are A-Changin' 6.5/10

Bob Dylan is assaulted now! Help! The lead vocal performer sounds like he was having a little bit too much to drink. And so does the audience who interrupts the song with these yelps. Yeesh...

Barbara Ann 9/10

And now, the reason you all came here today. It was for their cover version of "Barbara Ann." The Beach Boys are so famous for this song that I thought they actually wrote that song until I discovered otherwise --- yesterday. I heard the original version, and this one's vastly superior. It fits their vocal harmonic style wonderfully! Their fun, party time atmosphere is fun to hear for once. Well--- something worthwhile came out of this effort at least!

Bomb my review here.