The Beach Boys Album: “15 Big Ones”

"15 Big Ones" was the Beach Boys' sequel to their fine album "Holland", which despite very modest contribution from Brian Wilson, may be considered one of the group's strongest 1970s releases. The album was promoted as a Brian Wilson's comeback, both as regular group-member and as a producer. Since the group had nvery little new original material for an album, the original idea was to make an album of cover versions. During the process original songs were added; some of which in fact were several years old.

Among the cover tracks only "Palisades Park" and partially "Talk to Me" hold level. Both numbers showcase fine lead vocals by Carl Wilson.

Among the original Beach Boys songs, it is fortunately significantly better. The hit single "It's OK" is solid Beach Boys with Mike Love in front, and fine harmonies from the group. Mike Love's own "Everyone's in Love With You" is a number that has been received with very mixed feelings. For me it is one of the highlights: a fine tune tastefully produced. The lyrics . . . well. "Back Home", which is also a very good song, unfortunately reveals how far Brian Wilson's voice was from its previous strength. Brian basically has no power for a lead vocal on this point; number is rescued, however, by a convincing Beach Boys choir, and of course the good melody.

Generally the album is lacking the warmth in the production that usually characterizes the group's releases. Many numbers feels flat and a little harsh in sound. In fact, only "Everyone's in Love With You", which has the warmth of the sound, we know of from the earliest 1970er albums. It should, by the way, be noted that Al Jardine contributes "Susie Cincinatti", which is also is one of the better songs on the album.

The title "15 Big Ones" could easily be called somewhat pretentious, given that there are hardly more than 5 really Big Ones on the album.

I note that this CD is rare per [...] No wonder; the sound just isn't up to Beach Boy standards except perhaps "Rock and Roll Music".

There are only a couple tracks that made the Billboard 100 Top Singles charts as noted below. Peak position and year are indicated where applicable.

1. Rock and Roll Music - #5 (1976)

2. It's OK - #29 (1976)

3. Had to Phone Ya

4. Chapel of Love (a cover)

5. Everyone's in Love with You

6. Talk to Me (a cover)

7. That Same Song

8. T M Song

9. Palisades Park (a cover)

10. Susie Cincinnati

11. A Casual Look

12. Blueberry Hill (a cover)

13. Back Home

14. In the Still of the Night (a cover)

15. Just Once in My Life

Touted by a highly suspicious media blitz ("Brian is Back!"), 1976's 15 Big Ones caught the nostalgic wave generated by the surprise success of

and Spirit of America, the double-album compilations of the Beach Boys' mid-'60s, summer-music prime, and rode it close to the crest of the charts. One doesn't have to get much further than the tepid (albeit top 10) cover of Chuck Berry's's "Rock and Roll Music" to realize that band founder/original creative spark Brian Wilson may indeed have been back, but sounded like he was working under duress--if he was working at all. With a covers-heavy tack best described as a parody of the band's original trademark sound, wed to some of the mid-'70s worst production trends, it's an album that shows just how much the public still yearned for the band's classic sound, even if their faith ended up being "rewarded" by the likes of Mike Love's embarrassing "Everyone's in Love with You" and "T.M. Song." By the way, "15 Big Ones" refers not only to the number of songs on the album, but also to the number of years the Beach Boys had existed as a band.