By Billy Florio

1967 was rough for the Beach Boys. They just went through the struggles of trying to complete an acceptable album out of the botched SMiLE project, Brian Wilson had been distancing himself from producing more and more, and their album Wild Honey was released to disappointing reviews, making it their commercially worst selling album since 1963. However, the critics failed to look at how good the album actually was. The Beach Boys had produced a funky R&B album that has some of their best Second Era songs on it.

The main highlight of Wild Honey is its hit single, “Darlin’.” Originally written by Wilson for Sharon Marie in 1963, it was rewritten in 1967 for a group that would become Three Dog Night, but the Beach Boys’ version is the best. The opener, “Wild Honey” is just as enjoyable, providing a good sample of blue-eyed soul made famous by the Box Tops and Rare Earth. “How She Boogalooed It” is a throwback to 50s rock, and is also the first original non-instrumental Beach Boys song not written by Wilson. “Here Comes The Night” is an amazing R&B song that could be passable for something from the early Temptations, and “Country Air” is the most beautiful song on the album, having spectacular group vocals and a smooth melody that reminds the listener of the pre-Pet Sounds era.

The album does have its weak parts as well. The cover of “I Was Made To Love Her” doesn’t hold a candle to the original Stevie Wonder version, and the album’s final track, “Mama Says” seems completely out of place.

Those looking for exquisitely produced masterpieces will not find pleasure here, but for those who want to hear one of the most enjoyable Beach Boy albums ever, this is your Pet Sounds. Their attempts at R&B rock work, and keep the album moving from beginning to end. It’s a shame the Beach Boys didn’t produce an album that was even remotely as strong as this again until Sunflower in the 70s.