Carl and the Passions – "So Tough"
| Carl and the Passions – "So Tough" | ||||
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| Studio album by The Beach Boys | ||||
| Released | May 15, 1972 | |||
| Recorded | December 4, 1971 – April 13, 1972 | |||
| Studio | Brian Wilson's home studio, Los Angeles | |||
| Genre | Rock, soul, blues rock | |||
| Length | 34:26 | |||
| Label | Brother/Reprise | |||
| Producer | ||||
| The Beach Boys chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Carl and the Passions – "So Tough" | ||||
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| Professional ratings | |
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| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    |
| Blender | |
| Robert Christgau | C+ |
| Encyclopedia of Popular Music | |
| MusicHound | 3/5 |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide | |
| The San Diego Door | (favorable) |
Carl and the Passions – "So Tough" is the 18th studio album by American rock band the Beach Boys, released on May 15, 1972. The album is frequently considered a transitional album for the band, with the addition of Blondie Chaplin and Ricky Fataar on guitar and drums, respectively, and long-time member Bruce Johnston departing during its initial sessions.
The initial American pressings of the album included the band's 1966 studio album, Pet Sounds, as a bonus record. It's been speculated that Carl and the Passions – "So Tough" was either scheduled to be released, or re-released, as a single album. A Warner/Reprise catalogue number, MS 2090, had been assigned to this single disc release, but nothing came of it. The album was released as a standalone album in Europe on Reprise Records.
The title of the album was a reference to the name Brian Wilson gave to his high school band with Mike Love in order to entice Carl Wilson to join (the dual title with replacement band name before quoted title perhaps reflecting Brian's reduced influence on this record). This was also the first album released under a new deal with Warner Bros. that allowed the company to distribute all future Beach Boys product in foreign as well as domestic markets.
In 1971, Carl Wilson, who served as the group's de facto musical director at this time, decided to spice up the structure of The Beach Boys by hiring third guitarist Blondie Chaplin, whose soulful singing brought a strong R&B element into the band's sound. Drummer and singer-songwriter Ricky Fataar also joined at this time, as Dennis Wilson had suffered a debilitating hand accident. Both South Africans, Blondie and Ricky were discovered by Carl while playing in seminal South African band the Flames in London, c. 1969. The album sees the Beach Boys entering a period of roots-based rock.
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