For someone who isn’t really a fan of ‘best of’ albums it always seems somewhat of a chore to find anything constructive to say especially when it’s not the first of the bands ‘greatest hits’.
The thinking generally follows that if you are a die hard fan you would probably own all of the tracks anyway and if you’re not a die hard fan then why would you start following the band now. However bitterness and cynicism have been cast aside to be replaced by positivity and optimism because truth be told this album has the capacity to dispel all preconceptions.
All but 5 of the tracks on the album come from the boys heyday of 1962 – 1969 and every one was a top 40 hit. The 40 track total mean that everyone’s favourite should be there. From the opening California Girls and I Get Around to the finishing I Can Hear Music and the guaranteed dance floor classic Good Vibrations this album shows why the band have a firm place in the rock and roll hall of fame.
On the DVD there are 4 tracks from the infamous Teen-age music international show in 1964 which have never been commercially released in the UK so even those Beach Boys collectors will have a reason to buy this release.
Everyone has heard of the Beach Boys and this album will sit comfortably along will all of their others, not groundbreaking but simply a nostalgic pleasure which is difficult to hate or comment sufficiently on but a worthwhile addition to the CD collection.
The very best of the beach boys sounds of summer.
Rating: 3/5
Release Date: 17th July 2006
Record Label: Capitol Records
Words By: Michelle Lowery
