"Surf's Up" was the last Beach Boys album recorded with Bruce Johnston until 1979's "L.A. (Light Album)". He later criticized the record: "To me, "Surf's Up" is, and always has been, one hyped up lie! It was a false reflection of The Beach Boys and one which Jack engineered right from the start. ... It made it look like Brian Wilson was more than just a visitor at those sessions. Jack made it appear as though Brian was really there all the time." In another interview, Johnston said: "All I can say is that at the beginning, I thought that what he was trying to do was absolutely right on the money. He helped the band become aware of what our niche was in pop music."