Keepin' the Summer Alive (1980)- The Beach Boys Album Review {A very eclectic one}

*editing note*- By the Beach Boys albums with lower sales, I meant the ones from the late 60s on. Their early albums were very successful. I hope my edit cleared that up, but I'm adding this in case it did not.
Now that it's late September and we're back in school, let's remember the cure to the wintertime blues. And what better cure than the eclectic mixture of music that is 1980's "Keepin' the Summer Alive."
Why is this album often dismissed so quickly by many listeners? Well, a random tracklist, the lack of a strong single, a befuddled (but seemingly cordial) production history, and a craving for nostalgia by audiences might have had something to do with it.
What are your thoughts on this unusual album?

[@stephenkilby7851]

a good and fair review, i again like you really like this album and have listened to it again in the last few weeks, in the uk both L A light and keeping the summer alive both charted better, light got to 32 with 3 hit singles one being top ten, summer alive got to 54 no singles, but santa anna winds has become a staple of hk radio over the years love that song and the title song i never tire of it, love that knebworth live album they are really rockin on that, cheers man

[@betamaxblocker]

The Knebworth album is great! I have to review that someday. L.A. Light Album is one of my favorite 70s albums of theirs and I'll need to review that too because there is quite a bit to unpack. Glad you gave this one another listen. Despite its obvious flaws, it does have its moments. Have a good one! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@NateRuvin414]

This was a nice review. I am a big fan of this album. I like the Wilson/Love songs like Goin On and Some Of Your Love. I also enjoy Bruce, Carl, and Al’s respective contributions. I don’t think Bruce’s production is as bad as the reputation would have you think. I think the production is pretty solid, but it’s let down by the mixing and mastering. Highlights for me are the title track, Some Of Your Love, School Days, and Endless Harmony. The coda section of EH is one of the most gorgeous moments in the BBs’ catalog. Enjoyable video as always man!!

[@betamaxblocker]

I can see why Endless Harmony was repurposed for the documentary/album back in the 90s. Definitely a good anthem for the group. It just seems like no one was really in charge for the sessions and no one was sure what the finished product was supposed to look like. It has some great moments though. We need a big boxset with some session tapes, backing tracks, and outtakes!

[@tonys9102]

I agree that "Goin' On" sounds like it should have been a hit. Some of its vocal give-and-take between Mike and Carl turned up eight years later in "Kokomo." "Goin' On" is a much better song. Sometimes getting hits can be a matter of luck or timing. Or maybe even song title. "Goin' On" is a lame title -- they needed some pizazz at this point. Maybe Gary Usher or Tony Asher could have helped...

[@betamaxblocker]

Good thinking! I'm surprised that audiences didn't react more to "Goin' On." Maybe because I'm not sure it would have been a strong live song. Or maybe indeed the timing was off. At least it has endured a second tier hit. Thanks for the great comment!

[@jdd3786]

It was the extremely lifeless and sterile production that killed it. It's a great song, it would've definitely caught on with a more raw sounding recording.

[@jfeast5469]

Great video! The album cover - although clever and well-executed always smacked of desperation to me. Like they're the only band in the world who still cares about this antiquated idea. Made me think they should maybe let the summer go and write an album about what happens to the beach in the fall.

[@tonys9102]

Check out Mark Eric's 1969 album "A Midsummer's Day Dream," specifically the song "Where Do The Girls Of The Summer Go?"

[@jfeast5469]

Good tune - the whole album is cool - thanks for pointing it out.@@tonys9102

[@betamaxblocker]

There was a review online that said: "Their only spectators are a girl in a swimsuit, a penguin, and two polar bears. Sounds about right for their concert attendance at the time." I agree it's pretty cheesy. I think if they had stuck with summer songs/ oldies the whole way through it could maybe have worked but the album lacks focus and that hurts it as much as the oddball cover. A fall beach album sounds very cool!

[@betamaxblocker]

I'll have to give that a listen!

[@jdd3786]

Don't like the sterile production, but I love all the songs on the 2nd side of this album. I often play it twice as if I'm flipping the record over. Also, they play 2 songs from this album at Washington DC 4th of July, 1980.

[@betamaxblocker]

It stuns me how short many of these songs stayed in the live set and how seldom they are dusted off and performed again. I agree there is a certain sterility to the album as well. It just didn't seem to resonate with much of anyone.

[@trevordixon1427]

Keepin.ignored but last great lp

[@betamaxblocker]

Interesting- I think Beach Boys '85 is closer to a great LP than this one is but that is a neat take!

[@johndoyle2429]

Keeping the summer alive does nothing for me,nearly worse than Summer in Paradise.

[@betamaxblocker]

A very fair assessment. I think it has its moments but it is so fractured and cobbled together that it can be hard to get much out of it, especially if you aren't in the mood for a jumbled LP.

[@johndoyle2429]

L.A.light album is their last great beachboys album in terms of Beachboys albums.

[@betamaxblocker]

That's a very good one!