Merry Christmas From The Beach Boys, my grandpa’s guilty pleasure during the holiday season, played through the house like a wave of seasonal cheer washing over my family. In contrast to our overwhelming chatter and unwrapping of presents, the sweet harmonies of “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Clause” mingled with the holiday bustle, providing background for our conversations. It is magical. Although this album hails in comparison to the Beach Boys’ other works, the quintet’s festive jingles became my gateway into the group’s eclectic discography, sparking a fascination with their iconic melodies, rhythmic ingenuity, and surf-infused instrumentation. As I explored their sun-drenched ballads, the Beach Boys’ music began to take on a new shape – one built on the dreamlike portrait of endless summers and carefree living; this fantasized “California myth” defines the group’s identity.