Surfin' U.S.A.
Artist: The Beach Boys
Community Score: 6.50

The real breakthrough, as Brian Wilson asserts himself in the studio as both songwriter and arranger on a set of material that was much stronger than Surfin' Safari. Besides the hit title track and its popular drag-racing flip side ("Shut Down"), this has a lovely, heartbreaking ballad ("Lonely Sea") and a couple of strong Brian Wilson originals... Read More

An American Band
Artist: The Beach Boys

A thoroughly detailed and enjoyable documentary, with dozens of rare vintage clips. ~ Bruce Eder, All Music Guide Read More

Oh Pretty Woman - LONDON
Artist: Roy Orbison
Dion Sings His Greatest Hits
Artist: Dion
Community Score: 6.00
Roy Orbison Sings
Artist: Roy Orbison
The Absolute Best, Vol. 2
Artist: The Beach Boys

Absolute Best, Vol. 2 picks up where the first volume left off, beginning with "California Girls" and running through the early '70s. On the whole, the music on Absolute Best, Vol. 2 is more adventurous than its predecessor, containing more studio experiments and layered arrangements. If you have the first volume, the second volume is equally... Read More

The Absolute Best, Vol. 1
Artist: The Beach Boys

The early hits and their best-known songs ("Surfin' USA," "Fun, Fun, Fun," etc.), and a good anthology from that standpoint -- but none of all the really interesting stuff from the albums and B-sides. It's also a little too predictable, making it okay for the unadventurous. ~ Bruce Eder, All Music Guide Read More

Today!/Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!)
Artist: The Beach Boys

These two albums represent the point in their history where the Beach Boys essentially divide into two distinct yet interlinked musical entities: Carl Wilson, Dennis Wilson, Mike Love, and Al Jardine (with Glen Campbell, soon succeeded by Bruce Johnston) on-stage and Brian Wilson in the studio, putting together the Beach Boys' music with a host... Read More

Little Deuce Coupe/All Summer Long
Artist: The Beach Boys

This two-on-one CD reissue offers a pair of "firsts" -- the group's first concept album (in the Sinatra sense of the term, referring to an LP built on a specific theme or subject) and their first long-player to overlap with the British Invasion. The interesting thing about the group's albums up to All Summer Long, including Little Deuce Coupe,... Read More

Surfin' U.S.A./Surfer Girl
Artist: The Beach Boys

The Surfin' U.S.A./Surfer Girl two-fer from Capitol Records features a pair of early Beach Boys LPs. Originally issued in 1962 and 1963, respectively, these 16 pop tracks include the hit title tracks. This is an enjoyable reissue from the Beach Boys' catalog on Capitol, but most listeners would be better served with one of the many compilations... Read More

The Best of the Beach Boys - CEMA
Artist: The Beach Boys