Beach Boys

Carl and the Passions/So Tough - Brother 1972

Tracks: 1. You Need a Mess of Help to Stand Alone / 2. Here She Comes / 3. He Come Down / 4. Marcella / 5. Hold on Dear Brother / 6. Make It Good / 7. All This Is That / 8. Cuddle Up

Comments:

"So Tough" was a big disappointment when it was released in 1972, and it's really quite to understand having re-heard to album a couple of times . Brian Wilson's participation in the release was minimal, and although the two new members Ricky Fataar and Blondie Chaplin were talented musicians and competent songwriters, they were unable to lift the album above a mediocre level.

The classic Beach Boys sound is prevalent on "Marcella," which is one of Brian Wilson's contributions. The song is terrifically sung by Carl Wilson in his best "Darling" style. The ballad "All this is That" written by Carl Wilson, Al Jardine and Mike Love is also quite nice.

Dennis Wilson has been praised for its contributions to the album, and although "Cuddle Up" without discussion is a fine composition, neither the song or the arrangement really suit "Beach Boys".

Only eight songs and a relatively short playing time. Overall one of the group's weakest 1970s albums.

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