Beach Boys - Shut Down Volume 2

1964

Track Listing                                                                            

1. Fun, fun, fun                                          7. Why do fools fall in love                                          

2. Don't worry baby                                    8. Pom pom play girl

3. In the parkin' lot                                     9. Keep an eye on summer

4. Cassius Love vs. Sonny Wilson            10. Shut down, part II

5. The warmth of the sun                           11. Louie Louie

6. This car of mine                                           12. Denny's drums

Band Members:        

Brian Wilson - Vocals, bass, keyboards         Mike Love - Vocals     Dennis Wilson - Vocals, drums

Carl Wilson - Vocals, lead guitar    Al Jardine - Vocals, bass       Produced By: Brian Wilson

Notes

This was 5th studio release by the band in less than two years.  It is one of their more popular albums and includes the three big hits "Fun, fun, fun", the follow up to Phil Spector's "Be my baby", "Don't worry baby" and the track penned by Brian just a few hours after President Kennedy's assassination, "The warmth of the sun".  Other than those three powerful tracks a lot of the album seems weak with a lot of filler tracks.  "Cassius Love vs. Sonny Wilson" is entertaining, but does it really belong on the album?  There were a couple cover tracks, and a drum solo by Denny that also seem like filler.  This is the first album to feature original member Al Jardine as a member of the band.  The cover includes two hot rods, one being Denny's Chevy Corvette Sting Ray, and Carl's Grand Prix.  The album peaked at number 13 on the Billboard charts.

Recommendations

It's a good album including some of their biggest hits.  You could just go out and purchase a greatest hits album, but I would recommend getting the double CD version along with Surfer Girl.

If you plan on purchasing Shut down volume 2

The Beach Boys have one of the most clever collections out on CD.  Instead of paying full price for an album that is less than thirty minutes, you get two albums for the price of one. Not only do they come with the two for one package, they come with photos of the original album covers and excellent liner notes.  This is truly the only route to go.  I typically only see Greatest Hits albums and Pet Sounds available in stores, but on occasion you will find this one available being teamed up with Surfer Girl.  I use to be really confused for why they skipped Little Deuce Coupe and teamed Surfer Girl with this album.  This is because Little Deuce Coupe is an album of car songs and is featured on Surfer Girl as well, so it was skipped to prevent the same track being on the CD twice.  For people like my dad, this works out great for them because these are two of their most popular albums and can be purchased on the same disc.  You should have no problem finding this available online at Cdnow.com.

If you don't plan on purchasing Shut down volume 2 but want to hear some tracks from it

It may not be as good as the album it is paired up with, but it is still good which makes the CD a classic. The fact that you can purchase the tracks from Surfer Girl along with this make this a must own.  Do not purchase individual tracks at tunes or Napster. Just go out and purchase this album or a greatest hits package.  For more suggestions you can check out my ideal compilation at my Beach Boy Home Page.

My Top 5