The Beach Boys’ Unreleased Albums: The Lost Sounds of Adult/Child and Merry Christmas From The Beach Boys – Part 10 of The 12 Records of Yule
In the kaleidoscopic history of American rock music, few bands have captured the essence of California cool quite like The Beach Boys. Emerging from the surf and sun of the 1960s, their harmonies and innovative soundscapes became synonymous with the era. However, the tumultuous years that followed brought both personal and professional challenges for the band, leading to a series of unreleased projects that remain shrouded in mystery to this day. Among these lost treasures are Adult/Child and Merry Christmas From The Beach Boys, two albums that encapsulate the complex legacy of the group in the 1970s, following the highly publicized shelving of their groundbreaking 1960s album, SMiLE.
In The Aftermath Of SMiLE
By the mid-1970s, the shadow of SMiLE loomed large over The Beach Boys. Once touted as Brian Wilson’s magnum opus, the album was ultimately abandoned due to a combination of creative differences and personal struggles. While SMiLE would eventually be recognized as a landmark in rock history, its shelved status left a palpable void in the band’s discography. In the wake of this setback, Brian Wilson sought to reclaim his artistic vision with Adult/Child, an album that would serve as a semi-autobiographical exploration of his psyche, reflecting the dichotomy of his “adult” and “child” selves.
Adult/Child: Journey Into The Mind Of Brian Wilson
Produced in early 1977, Adult/Child embodies the ethos of outsider music, with its eclectic mix of orchestral arrangements and idiosyncratic subject matter. The album includes seven new songs and five older tracks that were outtakes from earlier sessions. Lyrically, it spans a wide range of themes—from the absurdity of waiting in a movie theater queue to the whims of healthy living and even the delicate topic of shaving a tomboy’s legs. Tracks like “It’s Over Now” and “Still I Dream of It” were initially envisioned for a more traditional context, possibly intended for a vocalist like Frank Sinatra, but they found new life within Wilson’s personal narrative.
The title Adult/Child refers to a psychological theory suggesting that individuals can embody both adult and childlike perspectives simultaneously. This unique lens allowed Wilson to express his internal struggles and joys, resulting in an album that poignantly reflects his troubled personal life. Despite its rich creativity, the record was ultimately shelved in September 1977, vetoed by bandmates Mike Love and Al Jardine, who deemed it “too strange to sell.” Instead, the band delivered M.I.U. Album, which featured a re-recorded version of one track from Adult/Child, “Hey Little Tomboy.”
Although Adult/Child remains unreleased, it has gained a cult following over the years, circulating widely among fans through bootlegs and unauthorized uploads on platforms like YouTube. Its humorous and idiosyncratic quality, combined with the emotional depth of Wilson’s songwriting, has led critics to celebrate it as a lost classic, a testament to the genius of a man who was both a troubled artist and a cultural icon.
Merry Christmas From The Beach Boys: A Holiday Album Lost To Time
Hot on the heels of the Adult/Child saga came Merry Christmas From The Beach Boys, another ambitious project that ultimately fell victim to the band’s internal dynamics. Initially planned for release in November or December 1978, the album represented a blend of original songs and traditional holiday standards, echoing the success of their 1964 release, The Beach Boys’ Christmas Album. Produced by Brian Wilson during the same sessions as the M.I.U. Album, Merry Christmas From The Beach Boys was recorded predominantly at Maharishi International University in Iowa.
The album features a mix of tracks, including some compositions that date back to 1970, along with more contemporary offerings. Notable tracks such as “Seasons in the Sun,” “Child of Winter (Christmas Song),” and “Christmas Time Is Here Again” were crafted during this period, showcasing Wilson’s continued evolution as a songwriter. However, despite the album’s potential, Warner Bros. Records expressed skepticism about its viability, reportedly questioning whether Wilson was even involved in the project. Ultimately, the album was rejected, leaving a treasure trove of holiday music unheard by the public.
While the full album remains unreleased, select tracks from these sessions found their way onto the 1998 compilation Ultimate Christmas, allowing fans a glimpse into what could have been. The spirit of the Beach Boys’ Christmas music is unmistakable, blending the nostalgia of their earlier work with the more experimental sounds of the 1970s.
The Beach Boys Legacy Of Unreleased Albums
As we explore the history of Adult/Child and Merry Christmas From The Beach Boys in this tenth entry of our series, “The 12 Records of Yule,” it becomes clear that these unreleased projects are more than just forgotten recordings; they are windows into the complex psyche of Brian Wilson and the evolving landscape of The Beach Boys during a tumultuous time. They reflect a band struggling to reconcile its past glories with the challenges of the present, all while attempting to carve out new artistic paths.
The unreleased albums stand as testaments to the band’s creative spirit and Wilson’s genius, offering a tantalizing glimpse of what could have been. In a world of polished pop and commercial pressures, Adult/Child and Merry Christmas From The Beach Boys embody the raw, unfiltered essence of music as a form of personal expression. As we gather around our holiday celebrations, let us remember not only the hits but also the lost sounds of The Beach Boys, whose harmonies continue to resonate through the years, reminding us of the enduring power of music to capture the complexities of life and love.