Beach Boys Carl And The Passions - So Tough/Holland CD

 Last Great Album by Beach Boys
Essentially, "Holland" is the last album by The Beach Boys before reinventing themselves as an oldies band. In Brian Wilson's almost complete absence, brothers Carl and Dennis rise to the occasion with "The Trader", "Steamboat" and "Only With You". Mike Love and Al Jardine team up for the epic "California Saga", a three part song worthy of the majestic Big Sur coast. It should rightly be considered Mike Love's shining moment from 1970 onward. Soon to be jettisoned members Ricky Fataar and Blondie Chaplin have their moments as well. Blondie sings lead on the should-have-been-a-big-hit "Sail on Sailor". The lp, recorded mostly in Holland, is a fine example of early to mid 1970's album rock. The harmonies, as always, are gorgeous. Stay away from the "Mount Vernon" fairy tale stuff - otherwise, this is a gem. "Carl and the Passions - So Tough" comes with the package, while good, doesn't hold a candle to "Holland". It features the same basic lineup.
Submitted by Rando (Columbus, OH, USA)
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 the true believer can see and hear
"Carl And The Passions - So Tough" is easily the Beach Boys' most criminally underrated and overlooked album. By the beginning of the 1970's, the Boys had become commercially unviable to the record buying public, an ironic fate considering they were turning out the most interesting and creative music of their career as a group. The addition of Blondie Chaplin and Ricky Fataar in 1972 brought a level of soul, spirituality and sophistication the Boys had long flirted with, but rarely achieved. The vibe is loose; they sound like a live band being reborn and not simply Brian Wilson's studio puppets. (For further evidence of this, check out "The Beach Boys In Concert", the 1973 double-album.) There's rock 'n roll, soul, a gospel rave-up, great songs and harmonies - everything a perfect Beach Boys album needs and more. Much more.
Submitted by screamingseagulls (Cincinnati, OH)
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 Holland, by the Beach Boys - a short review
Quite simply, this is the most long-standing in memory LP (for me) that the Beach boys ever made, excluding the strange little Fairy Tale bit included on the CD and as an extra on the original LP. "Trader" and "Sail on sailor" alone are worth buying it for, the rest are excellent. Buy it and enjoy !
Submitted by a reviewer (Blackpool, Lancashire, England) 
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 Last of the Breed
I like the 'Passions' album alot. There were actually 2 more songs recorded for it but not included : CARRY ME HOME and BARBARA . Too bad to because are good tracks by Dennis. On the 'Holland' album, it's pretty good. There is a song that was recorded for this one as well and left off at the last moment " WE GOT LOVE". A live version of this exists on the 'IN CONCERT ' cd. Both of these are good albums compared to 15 Big Ones or Love You.
Submitted by TooLaneBlacktop (Little Rock, AR..USA)
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 Holland...the Beach Boys' Sgt. Pepper
I know, I know. "Pet Sounds" is supposed be the Beach Boys' high water mark. But that album simply can't touch "Holland"—in maturity of vision, musical texture, or any other benchmark . A rather obscure album (out of print as of this writing [10/02]) "Holland" nonetheless captures a psychedelic edge very rare in rock recordings. Having first heard the album in 1973, it became a staple on the turntable, along with "American Beauty" by the Grateful Dead. And now, some 30 years later, I still find time to sooth my soul in the haunting masterpiece that is "Holland." Side 1 is nearly flawless, Dennis Wilson's "Steamboat" being the surprise highlight, a meandering, heavy crawl through a dark, dream landscape. "Boat roll on...forever..." indeed! "Trader" continues the ride on Side 2, albeit the last really exceptional song on the album. "Funky Pretty" regroups nicely as the final cut. Find this album and treasure it. It ranks as milestone in the genre known as rock 'n roll.
Submitted by a reviewer (Aliso Viejo, CA, USA)
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