"Check my custom machine..."

Hello, and welcome to my Beach Boys album review series! This time, I'm covering Little Deuce Coupe.

HISTORY:

Now, you may be saying "But Callie! Little Deuce Coupe was on Surfer Girl! Why is there another album with it?" Well, Brian Wilson and the Boys slapped this album together in about a month, to satisfy Capitol, their record label. As such, the album has four tracks that were on previous albums: 409, Shut Down, Little Deuce Coupe, and Our Car Club. All new songs were written by Brian Wilson and radio DJ Roger Christian.

GENERAL OVERVIEW:

For an album hastily cobbled together in about a month, it's pretty good. It's not great overall, but it's good.

TRACK-BY-TRACK BREAKDOWN:

Little Deuce Coupe - Already covered in the Surfer Girl review. 2/5

Ballad Of Ole Betsy - This song, which is incredibly remiscent of Surfer Girl to the point of almost being a rewrite, is very nice. Musically, at least. You can't go wrong the Surfer Girl melody, the vocals and production are great, and it's a good song. But, let's face it: this is a love ballad to a car. I've never really cared about lyrics, and I say you can make a good song about song about anything, but...still. 4/5

Be True To Your School - The only non-car song, on the album, and is rather different from the more famous single version. This one sounds practically unfinished. It's still a good song, just not quite as good as the single version. 3/5

Car Crazy Cutie - A very doo-wop inspired song, and one of the best on the album. It's got an interesting melody, with nice harmonies. Though, it should've been sung by Dennis; it's perfect for him. 4/5

Cherry Cherry Coupe - A rewrite of an (at the time) unrealeased called Land Ahoy, which was recorded during the Surfin Safari sessions, is one of the better songs. The production is some of the best Brian's done yet, the vocals are good, and it's just a good song. 4.5/5

409 - Already covered in the Surfin Safari review. 3/5

Shut Down - Already covered in the Surfin USA review. 4/5

Spirit Of America - Another take on the Surfer Girl melody, this one works a bit better than Betsy. The production and vocals are better, and it's about something (a real life event, involving someone setting a new speed record or something) that doesn't bother me as much. A great song. 4.5/5

Our Car Club - Already covered in the Surfer Girl review. 4/5

No-Go Showboat - A fun song about a car that looks good but is incredibly slow. That's all there is to it. 3.5/5

A Young Man Is Gone - The Boys show off their harmony skills, with a rewrite of Their Hearts Were Full Of Spring, about the death of James Dean. This one's sung entirely acapella, and is really pretty, though personally I think there's too much harmony, if that makes sense. 4/5

Custom Machine - The album closes with a rocker about a custom car, and it's pretty good. The harmonies are nice, and it's a good. 3.5/5

OTHER COMMENTS AND THOUGHTS:

Why would anyone write this many songs about cars?

WHY ARE THERE SO MANY CARS?!

Seriously. CARS.

FINAL RATING:

4/5