'' is the infamous "Brian is Back" comeback album by
The Beach Boys , released in
1976 . It was their first studio album in three years and the first
Brian Wilson -produced album released by the band since ''
Pet Sounds '', ten years earlier.
By
1975 , while The Beach Boys were touring non-stop and reaping the benefits of the ''
Endless Summer '' package which made them the biggest live draw in the US, former leader Brian Wilson was spending most of his time in bed chain-smoking and binge eating, lost to
Mental Illness and regularly using cocaine and heroin. The controversial Dr.
Eugene Landy was contacted that fall to rehabilitate Brian and, after other psychologists had failed, Landy proved successful.
By the end of January 1976, The Beach Boys were back in the studio, with a nervous Brian Wilson behind the dials once again. Whether or not Wilson ''wanted'' to produce or not is still open to debate, for when he emerged publicly that spring, he was visibly nervous, apprehensive and awkward, leading some to believe that he was forced into the project. Nonetheless, Brian appeared happy to be back on track and decided the band should do an "oldies" album. Brothers
Carl and
Dennis balked, feeling that an album of originals was far more ideal.
Mike Love and
Al Jardine reportedly just wanted the album out - whatever it was going to be - ASAP, lest they miss their chance to take advantage of their resurgence of popularity. In the end, a compromise of both new originals and covers was decided upon, though Brian's younger brothers were displeased. Whatever the case, it was a radical shift from previous albums such as ''
Sunflower '' and ''
Holland ''.
With media coverage in high gear, The Beach Boys were given an NBC TV special heralding their return, where a visibly uncomfortble Brian took part in a
John Belushi /
Dan Aykroyd skit where he was forced to surf. The group also embarked on a massive US tour, several of the performances including Brian, clearly suffering from stage fright. Although Dennis Wilson suggested calling the album ''Group Therapy'', and rejecting ''Pick Ya Up At 8'' (after the song "I Wanna Pick You Up") ''15 Big Ones'', was named for their fifteen years in the business and for the fact that it had the same number of tracks. It was released in late June and benefitted from all the hoopla. Reaching #8 in the US and going gold, this was the most successful Beach Boys studio album in over ten years, though the critical reaction of the album was not strong (and has worsened since).
The main point of contention with the critics has been the general slightness of some of the material (i.e "TM Song") and the fact that half of the album was comprised of oldies when original material could have been provided. Brian's moog experiments, while an expression of his creativity, also sound dated. Al's "Susie Cincinnati", previously a B-side in
1970 and
1974 , was remixed and included (with most people never realizing it had been recorded in
1969 ). In addition, the years of abuse were now apparent vocally on Brian and Dennis, both of whom, especially the former, are indeed very hoarse on ''15 Big Ones'', (as well as its superior follow-up, ''
Love You '').
Nonetheless there are still highlights to be found, least of all the moog-heavy cover of
Chuck Berry 's "Rock And Roll Music", a #5 US hit that summer, as well as the Wilson/Love-composed "It's OK", a throwback to the sunny hits of the previous decade. "Back Home", even then, was an old song, having been composed by Brian back in
1963 but never used by The Beach Boys until now. And the closing "Just Once In My Life", a
Righteous Brothers cover, is one of the clear highlights, with a stellar dual lead by Brian and Carl.
''15 Big Ones'' may not be The Beach Boys' best-loved album, but it is certainly one of their most carefree and, regardless of whether it was intentional or not, Brian Wilson was back in the fold.
#"
Rock And Roll Music " (
Chuck Berry ) - 2:29
- ''Features Mike Love and Dennis Wilson on lead vocals''
#" Had To Phone Ya " (Brian Wilson/Mike Love/Diane Rovell) - 1:43
- ''Features Mike Love on lead vocals''
#" Talk To Me " (J. Seneca) - 2:14
- ''Features Carl Wilson on lead vocals''
#" That Same Song " (Brian Wilson/Mike Love) - 2:16
- ''Features Brian Wilson on lead vocals''
#" TM Song " (Brian Wilson) - 1:34
- ''Features Al Jardine on lead vocals, All group members featured on spoken intro''
#" Palisades Park " (C. Barris) - 2:27
- ''Features Al Jardine on lead vocals''
#" A Casual Look " (E. Wells) - 2:45
- ''Features Mike Love and Al Jardine on lead vocals''
#" Blueberry Hill " (A. Lewis/L. Stock/V. Rose) - 3:01
- ''Features Mike Love on lead vocals''
#" Back Home " (Brian Wilson/Bob Norberg) - 2:49
- ''Features Carl Wilson and Brian Wilson on lead vocals''
- "Rock And Roll Music" b/w "TM Song" (Brother 1354), 24 May 1976 ; '''UK #36'''
- "It's O.K." b/w "Had To Phone Ya" (Brother 1368), 9 August 1976
- "Everyone's In Love With You" b/w "Susie Cincinnati" (Brother 1375), 1 November 1976
''15 Big Ones'' is now paired on CD with ''
Love You ''.
''15 Big Ones'' (Brother/Reprise MS 2251) hit in the US during a chart stay of 27 weeks. It reached '''#31''' in the UK.
- ''Surf's Up: The Beach Boys On Record'' Brad Elliott
- ''15 Big Ones''/''Love You'' CD booklet notes, Dennis Diken and Peter Buck , c.2000.
- "The Nearest Faraway Place: Brian Wilson, The Beach Boys and the Southern California Experience", Timothy White , c. 1994.
- "Wouldn't It Be Nice - My Own Story", Brian Wilson and Todd Gold, c. 1991.
- "Top Pop Singles 1955-2001", Joel Whitburn, c. 2002.
- "Top Pop Albums 1955-2001", Joel Whitburn, c. 2002.
- All Music Guide.com
