Keepin' the Summer Alive

Bruce Beatlefan (October 26, 2009)

The album cover says it all: the Beach Boys are performing in a bubble, isolated from any current musical trend, isolated from any artistic direction. They are in complete retreat mode into the world they have created of sand, palm trees, bathing beauties, and happy music. Come to think of it, that's not altogether a bad place to be...

Keepin' the Summer Alive is the last Beach Boys album to feature the decades-long writing collaboration of Brian Wilson and Mike Love, and the last album made while Dennis Wilson is still alive (although his participation in this album is virtually nil). Fans who have given up on the idea of the sonic masterpieces of the mid-1960's, and the musically ambitious projects of the early 1970's can settle back and enjoy new songs competently written and professionally performed.

There is much to enjoy in this album. There is a variety of sounds, the upbeat ("Keepin' the Summer Alive" -- co-written by Carl Wilson and Randy Bachman) and downbeat ("Oh Darling"), the old ("When Girls Get Together") and the older ("School Days"), a stab at country ("Livin' With a Heartache"), and a stab at reggae ("Sunshine"). A classic example of rotating harmonies, "Goin' On", reminds hardcore fans of the unreleased oldie "All Dressed Up For School" and became a minor hit. "Santa Ana Winds" is a laid-back warm breeze of a melody, and "Endless Harmony" provides for the surreal opportunity of hearing the Beach Boys sing about themselves.

Hopefully by this time Beach Boys fans have reconciled themselves to the fact that albums like Pet Sounds or Sunflower just aren't on the horizon. Nevertheless, Keepin' the Summer Alive is a game and professional effort.