“Take A Load Off Your Feet” continues the band’s long held fascination with humor songs and is here combined with their willingness to share what was going on in their lives. A great track that on some releases can sound a bit “hot” or distorted – check out the study guide for a crisp and clear version. The chorus, however, makes it clear the song’s message is stay positive, believe in yourself and keep moving along your path to fulfilment – like the message of 1969’s “Breakaway.” The mediative tunes of the verse and middle eight beautifully complement the energetic insistence of the chorus and the funky tones of the guitar licks and fuzz synth sounds. Do you know what Jack Rieley’s lyrics mean? Please write, if you do – I have no idea, although I do appreciate the flowery bloom of language Jack employed. Compared to Carl’s Sunflower and great Sixties vocals that display a mellow and softer delivery, there’s a minor deepening to his voice matched with a controlled edge now adding a tough and formidable bedrock to his singing. “Long Promised Road” introduces us not only to Carl the accomplished songwriter, but also Carl the soulful singer, his voice taking on a style hinted at on earlier Beach Boys albums but not fully realized until now. “So, let’s avoid an ecological aftermath” is possibly the band’s best tongue twister. The Daryl Dragon arranged coda is an entire iced cake on top of an already morish number, his laid back “Swanee River” styled musings optimistically restoring a romantic vision of a clean cool river rolling into a setting summer sun, a comfort to the dire warning provided by Mike and Al. The urgent backing track chirps and meanders like a burbling stream while Mike and Al lay down the heavy news on us (you can hear the backing track in its urgent workman-like glory on 2013’s Made In California compilation or hang tight until you get your hands on Feel Flows box (track and backing vocals are included as track 01 of CD 4). It’s been sometimes criticized for its simplistic, lowest-common-denominator lyrics – but perhaps the message wasn’t simple enough, as the concerns voiced fifty years ago still boil as humanity continues to stretch its resources well into the 21st century. Responding in contrast to Sunflower’s epic and reverent “Cool, Cool Water,” the band wear their hearts on their sleeves and showcase the intent of Surf’s Up via “Don’t Go Near The Water,” a cautionary but still current tale of the fatal pressures humankind has put on the world’s waterways. Given David Beard and team ESQ are etching away at the history and actions of the era and fans are currently blessed with access to album engineer Stephen Desper’s unique and priceless study guides taking us into the music and spirit committed to tape – – I thought it would be a good appetite wetter to look at Surf’s Up, as per what we’ve had in our hands since August 30, 1971. It’s exciting, isn’t it? Feel Flows (The Sunflower & Surf’s Up Sessions 1969-1971) sets are imminent and our perceptions and knowledge of Sunflower, Surf’s Up and The Beach Boys standing within the world of popular music is possibly about to change radically and be enhanced further for those who’ve taken the long road.
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