The Beach Boys: We Gotta Groove: The Brother Studio Years (Super Deluxe Edition)
Pitchfork
by Ben CardewFebruary 14, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The Beach Boys’ *We Gotta Groove: The Brother Studio Years (Super Deluxe Edition)* delves into the band’s lesser-known 1977 recording sessions, offering a mix of unreleased and alternate tracks that highlight both their creative peaks and valleys. While some songs, like Brian Wilson’s masterful “It’s Over Now” and “Still I Dream of It,” showcase the timeless genius that defined his career, others, such as the peppier “Life Is for the Living” and syrupy “Deep Purple,” feel out of place—more suited to a different artist like Frank Sinatra. The album also features gems like “Sherry She Needs Me,” a haunting Love You outtake that captures Wilson’s raw vulnerability, and “Holy Man (2025 Mix Carl Wilson Vocal),” a previously unknown Dennis Wilson track that resonates with the depth of *Pacific Ocean Blue*.
The collection is a treasure trove for Beach Boys obsessives, blending familiar outtakes from earlier albums like *Good Vibrations* and *Surf’s Up* with newly unearthed material. Tracks like “We Gotta Groove” and “Shortenin’ Bread” demonstrate the band’s funkier side, while instrumental cuts like “Carl’s Song 2 (Angel Come Home)” and “String Bass Song (Rainbows)” evoke a mix of nostalgia and melancholy. However, the inclusion of rock’n’roll covers and backing track mixes feels underwhelming, adding little to the legacy of classic songs they reimagine.
Despite its unevenness, *We Gotta Groove* serves as an academic exploration of a pivotal era in the Beach Boys’ history—one marked by creative experimentation and personal turmoil. While hardcore fans will appreciate the depth of
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Originally published on Pitchfork on 2/14/2026