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Holland

by The Beach Boys

Released: January 08, 1973

Soft rock, pop

musicOnOff editorial

Why This Album Matters

This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Chart Success.

The Album

The album marked a big change in the band's sound, featuring more personal and autobiographical lyrics, influenced by their relocation from California to the Netherlands, where the record was produced. "Holland" is the 19th studio album by American rock band The Beach Boys, released on January 8, 1973. The album is renowned for its ambitious nature, especially the suite entitled "California Saga," which functions as a mini-concept album within the overall record, detailing the history and climate of their home state.

Inside the Recording

Self-produced by the band, the album peaked at number 36 in the US and number 20 in the UK.

Stories and details

Interesting Facts

"Holland" also includes the standout track "Sail On…

"Holland" also includes the standout track "Sail On, Sailor," which turned out to be one of the band's enduring classics.

The album showcases the varying interests and diverging…

The album showcases the varying interests and diverging styles of the band members at the time and is often lauded for its individualistic and creative approach.

Watch and listen

Explore the Album

The Beach Boys - Holland

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Then

Reception

It charted at number 79 in the United States and 29 in the United Kingdom on its first release, but when reissued in 1975, it performed better, reaching number 49 in the US and number 35 in the UK. Self-produced by the band, the album peaked at number 36 in the US and number 20 in the UK. The most famous track from the suite is "California Saga: California," which reached number 84 on the singles chart.

Full background

The Complete Album Story

"Holland" is the 19th studio album by American rock band The Beach Boys, released on January 8, 1973. Self-produced by the band, the album peaked at number 36 in the US and number 20 in the UK. The album marked a big change in the band's sound, featuring more personal and autobiographical lyrics, influenced by their relocation from California to the Netherlands, where the record was produced.

The album is renowned for its ambitious nature, especially the suite entitled "California Saga," which functions as a mini-concept album within the overall record, detailing the history and climate of their home state. The most famous track from the suite is "California Saga: California," which reached number 84 on the singles chart.

"Holland" also includes the standout track "Sail On, Sailor," which turned out to be one of the band's enduring classics. It charted at number 79 in the United States and 29 in the United Kingdom on its first release, but when reissued in 1975, it performed better, reaching number 49 in the US and number 35 in the UK.

The album showcases the varying interests and diverging styles of the band members at the time and is often lauded for its individualistic and creative approach. Despite the mixed reviews at the time of release, "Holland" has been regarded in retrospect as one of the finest works in the Beach Boys catalogue.