Some of the tracks on The Beach Boys Love You are fantastic—and most of the rest are even better. In other words, this is the best we’ve heard from this group since Pet Sounds, Wild Honey, and the high points of Smiley Smile.

Brian Wilson, who makes his real comeback here, produced brilliantly, wrote 11 of the songs, and coauthored the other three. He also sang lead on six tunes, including “Let’s Put Our Hearts Together,” a dreamy duet with his wife, Marilyn. Among the LP’s numerous potential hits: “Honkin’ Down the Highway,” “Mona,” and “Good Time,” an exuberant, unpretentious trio of rockers about the joys of teen romance.