"I wish they all could be California girls..."

Boy, I really ought to do these more quickly. These have been coming out on a monthly basis! Sorry.

Hello, and welcome back! Today, I'm covering The Beach Boys' second album of 1965, Summer Days!

HISTORY

After the shift in style seen on Today!, Capital asked Brian Wilson to make more "Beach Boys style music" for the next studio album.

Despite the album's carefree, summer-y themes, reminscent of All Summer Long, Brian produced complex, Spector-esque backing tracks for the simple tunes. It marked a big leap in Brian's growth as a producer.

This album also marks the first appearance of Bruce Johnston, who took Brian's place on tour after the latter had requested to stop preforming, on a studio album. Al Jardine doesn't appear on the album cover due to being sick and missing the photoshoot.

TRACK BY TRACK BREAKDOWN

The Girl From New York City: A bombastic, upbeat pop tune that makes the two major shifts from Today! very clear, those shifts being an increase in production quality, and a return to the more summer-y topics. Speaking of production, it really is noticeable. It sounds clearer, and generally more polished. But those statements apply to the whole album; let's look at the song itself. As I said, it's very bombastic, with an ever present saxaphone and swaggering vocals. It's a little banal, sure, but it's fun. A roaring start to the album. 4/5

Amusement Parks U.S.A: This is a very silly song. It's about amusement parks. They namedrop Disney Land, Palisades Park, and others. What's worth mentioning, though, is the backing track. It's insane. There's a carnival organ that I think imitates what a psychopath's mind would sound like, and there's a whole crap ton of other stuff going on that generally reminds me of a nut house. I just have to give it a 3.5/5.

Then I Kissed Her: A gender reversed cover of The Crystals' hit Then He Kissed Me, and it's kind of...dull? That's not the right word. It's good, but it doesn't deviate at all from the original and, as such, is pretty plain. 3.5/5

Salt Lake City: A shout out to the folks in Utah! Why? I don't know. The lyrics are pretty dumb; hey, guys! The kids in Salt Lake City are "the grooviest"! They "talk so cool"! I feel like the Utah Tourism Department paid them to make this. Still, though, I quite like everything else. The vocals are really nice, and I love the backing track, especially those chiming guitars. 4/5

Girl Don't Tell Me: Also known as "NOPE THIS ISN'T A RIP OFF OF TICKET TO RIDE AT ALL". It's quite a mouthful, so I see why it wasn't used. This song is a lot like The Beatles' Ticket To Ride; just not nearly as good. Really, almost every detail is the same. But, it's underproduced, with not a background vocal in sight. 3/5

Help Me, Rhonda: THIS is where it's at. This is the version that became a #1 smash hit, and for very good reasons. The production has improved; it's less muddy and sounds great. The fade in-fade out effect is gone, thank God, and the vocals have been brought much more to the forefront. New vocals were added as well. Overall, very worthy of the #1 spot it had. 5/5

California Girls: A song that reached #3, and if you ask me, it should have been #1. From the symphonic string intro to the fade, this song is pure bliss. The bombastic backing track is just made of joy, the vocals swirl around and create a stunning sound, and combine it all and you you get bliss. Musical bliss. I can't say enough good. I really can't. 5/5

Let Him Run Wild: The album's only real ballad, and another amazing song. I really can't express this words. The chorus is just...WOW. The complex harmonies, the huge production...they combine to make gorgeous sounds that just can't be replicated. 5/5

You're So Good To Me: Well, that was a fast downgrade. Another loud and kind of banal song, but it really isn't bad. Brian turns in a good lead, and the backing vocals are dang good, too. But after the last three songs, yeah, it's kind of a dissapointment. 3.5/5

Summer Means New Love: Or, as I call it: "Elevator Music". OK, technically it's impressive, especially for someone as young as Brian was. It's lush, with pretty strings, but it's ever so dull. 2/5

I'm Bugged At My Ol' Man: And now for something completely different. A barely produced comedy song about, well, some guy being mad at his dad. Despite being quite stupid, and hitting a little close to home, what with the Wilsons having an abusive father, it manages to get a few chuckles out of me. Especially the background vocals. "Gosh it's daaaaark..." 2/5

And Your Dreams Come True: A minute long acapella song. It's pretty, but not something I listen to often. 3/5

FINAL THOUGHTS:

An incosistent, but overall good album. Not as good as Today!, but it's good just enough great songs to save it.

RATING

4/5