Customer Reviews
Magnificant band, and a great introduction - By: Mr. P. J. Owen, 27 Jan 2008 
I had of course always been aware of the Beach boys, but being a 17 year old brit, they were never top of my 'to listen list'. However I saw a rhcp cover of I get around,liked it, & decided to buy a complation of beach boy songs to take on my summer holiday. Needless to say they are now one of my favourite bands up there with the Ramones & the Beatles.
This compliation, as an introduction, is really good. It has all of the biggest hits. However going back to it now after hearing the likes of Pet sounds, sunflower & all summer long, I cant help but feel that some of the best songs are missing. The likes of 'Wendy', 'All summer Long', & later masterpeices like 'forever' are nowhere to be seen. But as an introduction, this is really good.
Summer music - By: Spider Monkey, 24 Feb 2007 You cannot beat the Beach Boys for that fun time summer feeling. I defy you to put on 'Barbara Ann' & not smile like a loon. There are so many good tracks on this album that it keeps the party going & for that nostalgic summer rush, with the great melodies & harmonies that they are famous for, you can't go wrong. A superb best of.
Pretty awesome - By: S. Naylor, 05 Jan 2007 I only just bought this disk, more for a joke than anything, but I havent been able to put it down. I found out that it is impossible to be unhappy whilst listening to the beach boys. They are nothing like my usual tastein music, classic rock - Queen, Led Zepp, Black Sabbath, etc, but this CD is just awesome. You definately should put thisin your collection, even if just for variety.
Summer in a CD - By: D. M. York, 08 Aug 2006 I was aware of the more popular Beach Boys songs, such as the fantastic "I get around" or the sombre "God only knows", though this CD is a real testament to the abilities of the band & the vast range of music that they could produce. It is easy to picture people cruising around on hot summers days with this music playing, whilst it is just as easy to picture people slow-dancing to some of the other songs.
The CD has a distinctly "summery" feel to it. I cannot help but smile to myself when I am listening to this music during the morning commute. What a real, real shame that bands today don't manage to produce music that is as softly brilliant as this. Somehow the music manages to make me feel so much younger & happier just listening to it. Now thats something pretty amazing to say isn't it?
On a technical aspect, since these songs have all been recorded some time ago, they have been superbly remastered & compare excellently to more recent songs that have found their way onto my MP3 player.
All over, a complete winner for me.
The Genius of Brian Wilson - By: Dennis Angeloni, 24 Jun 2006 This contains a solid collection of some of their best songs - & there was so many of them. No doubt of the genius of Brian Wilson, possibly one of the most creative artistsin the studio. The Beach Boys are known for their well crafted songs with layered harmonies, longing melodies & clever lyrics. Brian & company had to change with the competitive landscape of the mid 60's & adapt to the complex times & his compositions reflect that, though most of this collection is from their earlier works. Their songs have a way of bringing you to a special place & seem almost ethereal. If I had to choose an all-star band, I would definitely have Brian Wilsonin the studio for the production. He could bring it all together so well, despite his quirky ways. Don't Worry Baby & Caroline No are among their best songs, if not 2 of the finer songs that I've ever heard that really hold up aven after 40 years, with their beautiful arrangements & melancholy, yet somehow, hopeful yearnings. I Can Hear Music, Heroes & Villains, Wouldn't It Be Nice, Wild Honey, California Girls & Darlin' are all classic Beach Boys' songs. One note; 2 songs that I would have liked to see added to this which I sorely miss - The Warmth of the Sun & Surf's Up. These are 2 songs that are just too good to NOT be on the CD.
