The Beach Boys - Sunflower (Stateside 1970) 24-bit/96kHz Vinyl Rip

After Reprise rejected what was to be their debut album for the label, the Beach Boys re-entered the studio to begin work on what would become a largely different set of songs. The results signalled a creative rebirth for the band, a return to the beautiful harmonies and orchestral productions of their classic mid-'60s material. Though the song writing didn't quite reach the high quality of "California Girls" or "God Only Knows," Sunflower showed the Beach Boys truly working as a band, and doing so better than they ever had in the past (or would in the future). Many of the songs were co-compositions, and the undeniable song writing and performance talents of Dennis Wilson and Bruce Johnston were finally allowed to flourish: Dennis contributed "Slip On Through," "Forever," and "Got to Know the Woman," while Bruce wrote "Deirdre" and "Tears in the Morning." After a succession of spare, unadorned lead vocals on rock-oriented albums like Wild Honey and 20/20, Sunflower returned the Beach Boys to gorgeous vocal harmonies on the tracks "Add Some Music to Your Day," "Cool, Cool Water," and "This Whole World." And the arrangements, tight and inventive, showed Brian Wilson once again back near the top of his game (though the production is credited to the entire band). Sunflower is also a remarkably cohesive album, something not seen from the Beach Boys since Pet Sounds. As with that album, Sunflower earned critical raves in Britain but was virtually ignored in America. John Bush AMG

Note: ‘Cottonfields’ (in quasi-stereo) was added to the UK release of this LP as it had been a top five hit in May 1970.

Track listing:

A1. Cottonfields
A2. Slip on Through
A3. This Whole World
A4. Add Some Music to Your Day
A5. Deidre
A6. Got to Know the Woman
A7. It’s About Time

B1. Tears in the Morning
B2. All I Wanna Do
B3. Forever
B4. Our Sweet Love
B5. At My Window
B6. Cool, Cool Water

Produced by The Beach Boys
Stephen W. Desper, Chief Engineer and Mixer.