 |
| The Beach Boys - Holland Recorded at BBC Studio 2 Baambrugge, Netherlands Produced by the Beach Boys Brother/Reprise January 1973 |
Holland was recorded in the rural countryside of Baambrugge, Netherlands in 1973. Holland was their first record to be recorded off American soil, a suggestion made by their manager Jack Rieley, who believed that the change of scenery would hopefully help the band's creativity and Brian Wilson's battle with mental illness. The band relocated their families to the Netherlands and installed all the components of their California recording studio into a barn in the peaceful Baambrugge countryside. The resulting album Holland is a brilliantly strange record, which incorporates many styles and sounds and I believe is one of the many peaks for a band whose career is comparable to the Rockies!
The albums begins with the exceptional 'Sail on, Sailor' which was apparently only included as their label felt they needed a single. With flawless harmonies (I'm forever amazed by their voices!) and lyrics, 'Sail On, Sailor' is the perfect introduction to this record. Sung by new member Blondie Chaplin, his soulful, slightly country-ish tone, fits really well within the Beach Boy's classic harmonies. Track two is the lazy 'Steamboat', A Dennis Wilson number, with surreal lyrics written by producer Jack Rieley, 'Steamboat' is so floaty and dream-like it actually sounds like they were coasting along a canal whilst recording the song! 'Steamboat' has a cool, slightly kooky, vocal arrangement with Mike Love doing his signature baritone harmony which contrasts with Carl and Dennis' high harmony, adding further depth and textures to their already colorful sound. The atmosphere is further enhanced by an uneasy guitar solo, which adds an eeriness and suspense to the song.
The albums centerpiece is the three-part suite, the so called "California Saga". Part one is the evocative 'California Saga/Big Sur' which and is one of my all time favourite Beach Boy tunes. With a beautiful descending chord progression and some sweet harmonica, 'California Saga/Big Sur' is very much a country pop song - something the Beach Boys pull of exceptionally well. Sung by Mike Love, 'California Saga/Big Sur' is a dreamy ode to the Golden State, with its descriptive lyrics and imagery. One can't help but be transformed to Big Sur by this song - a truly remarkable piece of pop workmanship. Part two, 'California Saga/The Break of the Eagles' is a solemn and strange piece of music, which incorporates a spoken word recital of the Robson Jeffers poem of the same name. A dark and mystical poem which creates images of the wild west and the American frontier which is accompanied by sparse piano and flute. After a stanza, the song is uplifted, albeit briefly, by a bright chorus section, which disappears back into the recital section as quickly as it came. The final part of the saga is 'California Saga/California', which is reminiscent of their earlier hit 'California Girls' albeit with a loping country-shuffle beat instead.
Side B, is admittedly less memorable, however there are a couple of exceptional high points such as the Ricky Fataar and Blondie Chaplin contribution, 'Leaving this Town'. Although slightly too long, it does contain a pretty cool moog solo! The highlight for me is the Dennis Wilson contribution, the beautiful ballad 'Only With You'. Sung by Carl, 'Only With You' is so sweet and lyrically simple and, in my opinions, is a frighteningly perfect! The song begins with a simple chord progression which slowly builds with the addition of harmonies and strings. The songs rises with a rousing, repeated vocal line, "...All I wanna do is spend my life with you..." - a piece of pop brilliance which stills makes the hairs on the back of my neck stick up. The chorus is only eclipsed by the epic first notes of a stunning piano solo. One of the strongest moments on Holland, 'Only With You' is a reminder that arguably America's greatest band never ever really lost it!
Although, Holland was recorded abroad in the Netherlands, the album has an American feel and soul to it and a sadness which I can't quite put my finger on. The whole record is somehow underpinned with a longing for their homeland; a love letter, to the idealistic American dream that has been somehow lost. There is a depth and complexity to this record, something The Beach Boys are often not known for, and a meaning that I haven't fully realized or understood as of yet. Its and album that baffles me, I'm not sure how I feel after I listen to it, but I am always left feeling melancholic, yet still wanting more and more. Holland is strange and uneasy pop release- yet an album of intense beauty and musical achievement and one I highly recommend.
Key Tracks;
Sail on, Sailor
California Saga/Big Sur
Only With You
If you enjoyed this album, check out:
The Beach Boys - Surfs Up! 1971
America - Hat Trick 1972
Elton John - Caribou 1973
Chris Robinson Brotherhood - Anyway You Love, We Know How You Feel 2016
The albums centerpiece is the three-part suite, the so called "California Saga". Part one is the evocative 'California Saga/Big Sur' which and is one of my all time favourite Beach Boy tunes. With a beautiful descending chord progression and some sweet harmonica, 'California Saga/Big Sur' is very much a country pop song - something the Beach Boys pull of exceptionally well. Sung by Mike Love, 'California Saga/Big Sur' is a dreamy ode to the Golden State, with its descriptive lyrics and imagery. One can't help but be transformed to Big Sur by this song - a truly remarkable piece of pop workmanship. Part two, 'California Saga/The Break of the Eagles' is a solemn and strange piece of music, which incorporates a spoken word recital of the Robson Jeffers poem of the same name. A dark and mystical poem which creates images of the wild west and the American frontier which is accompanied by sparse piano and flute. After a stanza, the song is uplifted, albeit briefly, by a bright chorus section, which disappears back into the recital section as quickly as it came. The final part of the saga is 'California Saga/California', which is reminiscent of their earlier hit 'California Girls' albeit with a loping country-shuffle beat instead.
Side B, is admittedly less memorable, however there are a couple of exceptional high points such as the Ricky Fataar and Blondie Chaplin contribution, 'Leaving this Town'. Although slightly too long, it does contain a pretty cool moog solo! The highlight for me is the Dennis Wilson contribution, the beautiful ballad 'Only With You'. Sung by Carl, 'Only With You' is so sweet and lyrically simple and, in my opinions, is a frighteningly perfect! The song begins with a simple chord progression which slowly builds with the addition of harmonies and strings. The songs rises with a rousing, repeated vocal line, "...All I wanna do is spend my life with you..." - a piece of pop brilliance which stills makes the hairs on the back of my neck stick up. The chorus is only eclipsed by the epic first notes of a stunning piano solo. One of the strongest moments on Holland, 'Only With You' is a reminder that arguably America's greatest band never ever really lost it!
Although, Holland was recorded abroad in the Netherlands, the album has an American feel and soul to it and a sadness which I can't quite put my finger on. The whole record is somehow underpinned with a longing for their homeland; a love letter, to the idealistic American dream that has been somehow lost. There is a depth and complexity to this record, something The Beach Boys are often not known for, and a meaning that I haven't fully realized or understood as of yet. Its and album that baffles me, I'm not sure how I feel after I listen to it, but I am always left feeling melancholic, yet still wanting more and more. Holland is strange and uneasy pop release- yet an album of intense beauty and musical achievement and one I highly recommend.
Key Tracks;
Sail on, Sailor
California Saga/Big Sur
Only With You
If you enjoyed this album, check out:
The Beach Boys - Surfs Up! 1971
America - Hat Trick 1972
Elton John - Caribou 1973
Chris Robinson Brotherhood - Anyway You Love, We Know How You Feel 2016
No comments:
Post a Comment