1972 MINT LP + EP The BEACH BOYS = HOLLAND = CALIF BREEZY GEM BRIAN CARL WILSON

$

46

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 "BEAUTIFUL MINT"                                

      1972 ORIGINAL... STILL IN FACTORY SHRINK WRAPPER

                           INCLUDES THE 6 TRACK E.P.

                                                                

                          

                      The BEACH BOYS

              HOLLAND                 

                                              

                        USA - Brother Records - 2118  

 

TOP MINT = ALL CLEAN = archive copy!

A PERFECT flat and square...1972 FIRST PRESSING ~ STILL in factory shrink wrapper = pristine perfect condition with 4 sharp corners and bright original colors...*BEST* Around, no doubt...

Includes not only the original lyrics insert, - but - also the scarce picture sleeve BONUS EP with 6 extra tracks as issued with the album in 1972 

Not long after the completion of Carl Wilson's solo Lp "So Tough", the Beach Boys set their sights on another album. They opted to travel to Holland to do it (hence, the album's title), a unique decision that would prove rather expensive but undoubtedly fruitful. With its predecessor giving rise to a new sound for the band, complete with new South African members Blondie and Ricky, it was difficult to know what to expect with their followup.

Holland was once again an album constructed by committee and ended up being a highly cohesive work from song to song. All members contribute and, for many of them, they are among their best. A tasteful, robust production and the return of their fantastic harmonies blend seamlessly over a progressive sound and quality songs. It is probably their most focused, confident work since the mid-60's, and arguably their fourth masterwork. Brian is once again limited in his presence, but his two tracks are very effective as usual and he provided the strange fairy tale bonus EP "Mount Vernon and Fairway" too. Given their commercial standing over the past half-decade, Holland offered modestly successful, though the expense of moving to Holland to do the work may have been its undoing. Critically, it garnered some pretty lofty praise from such sources as Rolling Stone. With Holland and their live show, the band even managed to earn the title band of the year in 1973. It seemed if the group continued in this direction, their fortunes would only rise. Those fortunes would soon rise, but not for the same reason.

As much as there had been some marked transitions for the band previously, but of their entire career, the transition for the band after Holland may be the biggest. It is the final album with manager Jack Rieley, Blondie Chaplin, and Ricky Fataar. It is the last album before a three year hiatus between studio albums, a notable feat given that there had been at least one new album from the band every year since 1962. Though they are scarce vocally, it is also the last album before drugs & alcohol shredded the voices of Dennis and Brian. Most significantly, however, it effectively marks the end of the band as a relevant and consistent creative force. Certainly there are moments of greatness after, but it seems to be the last time where the direction of the band is surefooted and in some ways ahead of the game. Barring one outlier soon to come, Holland is the last great Beach Boys album.

Sail On, Sailor - This song of Brian's which was completed with a myriad of help was made after the rest of the album in hopes of being the hit single the label was looking for. It managed to chart, even making the top 50 on its 1975 reissue. It remains one of the most well-known of their early 70's democratic years. It has nostalgic musical sounds with its verses, but the ambitious production and heavier sound make it a highly effective 70's classic rock song above all else.

Steamboat - The first of Dennis's two songs, Steamboat is a song that initially seems very sleepy but it gets better and better as the song and with repeated listens. It has a unique, slowly chugging backing track and gorgeous harmonies. The highlight is when it slows down to a near halt before an unexpected, slow yet powerful guitar solo bursts in. A fantastic song that can be added to Dennis's growing list of top-class contributions for the band.

California Saga: Big Sur - This begins the California Saga, a trilogy of songs by Mike and Al that look fondly back at their home state. It is easily one of the best songs Mike ever wrote, especially considering he is the solo writer on this track. It is disappointing that the original version of Big Sur from a few years prior never saw release too, but either version is great in their own way. This one is a gentler, folkier turn.

California Saga: The Beaks of Eagles - What could have been a problematic idea, the melding of the reading of a Robinson Jeffries with Al singing new material in between, ends up actually working alright. There is a backing track underneath the poem that gives the song a real dark edge before bursting into the very enjoyable, more upbeat musical section with a folk tinge.

California Saga: California - If any song of this time period is a return to the early-mid 60's formula (with a suspiciously bassline as California Girls), it is this one. That's not necessarily a bad thing, as the song superbly balances the past sound with the new sound, highlighted by the magnificent group vocals on the chorus. Although it would seem to be a Brian and/or Mike song (especially since both have leads), Al actually wrote this as his second song and the wrapup to the California Saga.

The Trader - After his fantastic contributions on Surf's Up, Carl's songwriting was limited on his 'So Tough' LP. He returns here with another song of his own, and it very much holds up to the expectations he set. The Trader is a fantastic song comprised of two sections. The first half is more uptempo, while the second half is more slow and intimate. Carl's voice is gorgeous as always, but this is a special track that displays all the best qualities on Holland.

Leaving This Town - This lone Blondie/Ricky track (their other was removed in place of Sail On Sailor) is one of the longer songs in the Beach Boys catalogue, clocking in at almost six minutes. Collaborations with other members, key performances on other tracks, and trademark Beach Boys harmonies on this track make the new pair feel more integrated with the group than on the previous album. With a hypnotic piano, a soulful lead from Blondie, and a trippy mellotron solo, Leaving This Town is probably the model Blondie/Ricky Beach Boys song. It's to the strength of Holland that this sits as one of the less interesting tracks on here, as it is quite dynamic.

Only With You - The second Dennis song, once again with brother Carl on vocals. This is a beautiful love song that manages to be sweet without sounding too sentimental. As far as great wedding songs go, this one has to be up there in the Beach Boys catalogue. An excellent ballad and yet another hidden gem.

Funky Pretty - The final song is of course Brian's big new contribution to the album. Of all the songs it diverges most from the established style of the album. It is completely manic with a flurry of synthesizers and constantly changing lead vocalists (five of the seven members have leads). The final section of the song is a ridiculously complex arrangement of instruments and vocals made in a way that only Brian could. Up to this point, Brian showed that even though he was facing a myriad of troubles and was often missing-in-action, he could still provide the band with exemplary material and Funky Pretty is no exception.

Bonus EP: Mount Vernon and Fairway - What seemed to direct most of Brian's attention, however, was this fairy tale he wrote with musical pieces interspersed throughout. This was Mount Vernon and Fairway, a bizarre and almost crazy (yet endearing the way Brian often could be) story of a Pied Piper who emerges out of a magic transistor radio. Perhaps to appease Brian, it was decided that Mount Vernon and Fairway would be released as a bonus EP with Holland. This being said, the musical bits are actually quite brilliant, particularly from the final track Radio King Dom.

 A:  

Sail On Sailor

 

3:15

 

Steamboat

 

4:29

 

California Saga: Big Sur

 

3:55

 

California Saga: The Beaks of Eagles

 

2:48

 

California Saga: California

 

3:59

B: 

The Trader

 

5:01

 

Leaving This Town

 

5:36

 

Only With You

 

2:56

 

Funky Pretty

 

4:07

 

With Special Bonus EP

 

 

 

Mt. Vernon and Fairway - Theme

 

1:30

 

I'm the Pied Piper

 

2:24

 

Better Get Back in Bed

 

1:42

 

Magic Transistor Radio

 

1:23

 

I'm the Pied Piper

 

3:00

 

Radio King Dom

 

2:37

 

CONDITION: The cover: is a PERFECT MINT in factory shrink wrapper with 4 sharp corners, no bends, no writing, no split seams and bright original colors...as nice as you could ever hope for!!!

The VINYL : Stone MINT ... one of the nicest copies you could hope for ... visually free and clear and plays beautiful ....both rainbow Capitol labels are clean

keeper!

A GREAT ADDITION TO ANYONE'S COLLECTION !

SEE: SELLERS OTher items for similar cool sounds for "head" people...

EFFICIENT/CAREFUL GRADING

All imperfections are noted both cover & record

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