The Beach Boys - Very Best of the Beach Boys (CD)

All Music Guide

Along with The Who, it's nearly impossible to keep track of all the Beach Boys compilations that have littered the market place since the 1960's. But undoubtedly one of the better (and extensive) single disc collections is the 30 track, 2001 Euro import, ‘The Very Best Of.' There have been few pop groups as exceptional, consistent, and influential as The Beach Boys were in their heyday, and all the hits that you'd expect are here and in digitally remastered sound, to boot. Since this is not a strict ‘greatest hits' set, you get such expected alltime classics as “California Girls," “Wouldn't It Be Nice," “Surfer Girl," and “Good Vibrations," but also included are such oftoverlooked tracks as “Darlin'," “Caroline No," and “Heroes and Villains," among others. And while it's a fair argument that the mysteriously absent “In My Room" could have/should have easily replaced “Kokomo" (would anyone have noticed if it was absent?), overall, ‘Very Best Of' is a solid Beach Boys overview. - Greg P...rato, All Music Guide Read more Less