CD-Charts Position 1
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The Very Best of the Beach Boys

by: Beach Boys

Release Date July 09, 2001
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, and 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 and 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 and all summer long, I cant help but feel that some of the best songs are missing. The likes of 'Wendy', 'All summer Long', and later masterpeices like 'forever' are nowhere to be seen. But as an introduction, this is really ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 2
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Pet Sounds: the Complete Album - Stereo/Mono

by: Beach Boys

Release Date August 13, 2001
"A total classic record, that is unbeatable in many ways".

This particular tribute came from one Paul McCartney, who over the last forty years has declared his never ending love for 'Pet Sounds'. And we sure as hell don't know more than he does, so it goes without saying that 'Pet Sounds' is one of the greatest albums ever made.

But what astonishes the most, is that Brian Wilson wrote this virtually single handedly. The Beatles had just released the amazing 'Revolver', for Wilson to come out with something even better.

The saying that genius and madness are two sides of the same coin, it's no surprise to know that Wilson really was going mad at the time (He's since recovered somewhat). His eclectic use of organs, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 3
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The Very Best of the Beach Boys: Sounds of Summer/+DVD

by: Beach Boys

Release Date July 17, 2006
Truly a fantastic compilation album from one of the greatest and most treasured bands of all time.

The Beach Boys covered so much ground in their music, from girls, cars, heartbreak, romance man it is all here, and of course it ends with 'good vibrations' arguably the greatest song of all time.

'Sounds of summer' truly is a treat to listen to, put it on in the car, at home or best of all during a day out with friends or family and it puts you in a good mood.

I recommend along with this album that you should buy 'the warmth of the sun' kind of it's brother album for the perfect summer package.

CD-Charts Position 4
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Sunflower/Surf's Up

by: Beach Boys

Release Date August 14, 2000
Sunflower was the product of 18 months recording activity by the Beach Boys and features song writing contributions from every group member. Although the Beach Boys are chiefly remembered as a sixties artist their first release of the new decade is perhaps their finest album (save for Pet Sounds, of course!). Although the album was recorded in very turbulent times for the group, you would never know it. The album captures a warmth and crispness that makes a dense production seem much lighter than it is. Much of the credit for this must go to engineer Stephen Desper. Sunflower obviously features the usual (excellent) Beach Boys harmonies couples with inventive backing tracks. Much musical ground is covered from folksy gospel (Add Some Music) to Broadway-esque ballads (Tears ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 5
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The Platinum Collection: Sounds of Summer Edition

by: Beach Boys

Release Date May 30, 2005
I eagerly purchased this CD because AT LAST it looked to supercede all others. It contained the late 60's- early 70's singles (Long Promised Road, Student Demonstration Time etc.) which had been omitted from other compilations.
What I wasn't prepared for and no other reviewers seem so far to have mentioned, was the SOUND! I dug out a previous "best of" and played "Do it Again", then the ORIGINAL vinyl 45 of the same, then (one more time again!) played THIS recording and the piercing, ear splittingly THIN sound was unlistenable beyond a moderately low volume. WHAT a dsappointment!
So yes, at last- all the good stuff on one reasonably priced 3-cd set,but seemingly at the expense of the overall sound. I would be interested to know what others who have several different copies of particular ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 6
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Stars and Stripes, Vol. 1

by: The Beach Boys

Release Date May 13, 2008
I eagerly purchased this CD because AT LAST it looked to supercede all others. It contained the late 60's- early 70's singles (Long Promised Road, Student Demonstration Time etc.) which had been omitted from other compilations.
What I wasn't prepared for and no other reviewers seem so far to have mentioned, was the SOUND! I dug out a previous "best of" and played "Do it Again", then the ORIGINAL vinyl 45 of the same, then (one more time again!) played THIS recording and the piercing, ear splittingly THIN sound was unlistenable beyond a moderately low volume. WHAT a dsappointment!
So yes, at last- all the good stuff on one reasonably priced 3-cd set,but seemingly at the expense of the overall sound. I would be interested to know what others who have several different copies of particular ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 7
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Smiley Smile/Wild Honey

by: Beach Boys

Release Date April 09, 2001
If only we could get rid of the 'it's not Smile' syndrome in dealing with the first album on this '2fer'. No, it isn't, I agree! What it is, is an incredible album called 'Smiley Smile', which deserves to be considered on its own merits. It has long been one of my favourites. I bought it when it first came out on vinyl and played it over and over. I recently bought this release, and it still knocks me out. As for 'Wild Honey', it's an excellent, if not quite as outstanding, Beach Boys album, which also seems not to get the regognition it deserves. Incidentally, I have had access to what purport to be the complete Beach Boys 'Smile' output, and I can honestly say that, too much of what you hear
is a mess. Presumably, as evinced, by 'Brian Wilson's ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 8
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Christmas With the Beach Boys

by: Beach Boys

Release Date November 08, 2004
The Beach Boys were great. Christmas-themed albums aren't.
The previous reviewer put:

"If you enjoy the early music of the Beach boys, when they had fun fun fun riding their little deuce coupe and surfing USA with California girls, you'll love this album."

...but he forgot to add that you need to be a big fan of cheese too.

CD-Charts Position 9
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Greatest Hits

by: The Beach Boys

Release Date June 29, 1998
Great album. All the hits from the uk are on from 1963 to 1970 some us singles which did not chart in the uk are on it as well. Shame bluebirds over the mountain isn't on it all tho it was a uk top 40 hit for the boys in 1968. All the songs have been digitally remastered buy the album it sounds original.

CD-Charts Position 10
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Carl and the Passions - So Tough/Holland

by: Beach Boys

Release Date September 04, 2000
Carl and the Passions is criminally underated. I'm so tired of reading reviews of these two albums where everybody tows the line and says "So Tough" has an unfinished feel and that "Holland" is the better of the two albums. Although not the most prolific of writers, both albums are mostly produced by Carl Wilson and contain some real gems. "So Tough kicks off with a great track from Brian, "A Mess of Love" although this is his only contribution to the album. "Marcella" is actually written by Carl, despite the other reviews on this page telling you it's a Brian track, and it is a cracking tune. The two tracks written by Ricky Fataar and Blondie Chaplin are good but might confuse some by not sounding a lot like the Beach Boys, but don't let that sway you from giving them a fair listening.. The last three tracks on "So Tough" are exemplary ... Read More: