This is my favorite Beach Boys albums. It is a long way from Surfin' Safari. The sound has matured and grown. Brian Wilson has taken a backseat and the rest of the band have contributed songs. The group has moved into the area of becoming a progressive band and a pretty good one at that.
The album opens with Sail On Sailor. Blondie Chaplin's vocals drive the song. The intricate harmonies brings back memories of Beach Boys classics. This could easily one of the best Beach Boy songs ever.
Steamboat is an interesting production and composition. the music chugs along just like, well, a steamboat. Again the harmonies soar and make the song memorable. Dennis Wilson shows he can compose.
The rest of the songs are strong and offer a unique collection of styles, genres and sounds. The thing that really ties them together is the sheer quality of the project. Which is a shame because the Beach Boys were to soon abandon this direction and become an Oldies But goodies act. But for this brief moment the Beach boys were a creative and progressive band that could hold their own with anybody.
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