Sunday, May 19, 2013

The Beach Boys - Good Vibrations: Thirty Years of The Beach Boys

This box set basically does for The Beach Boys what the anthology sets did for The Beatles. The only difference between them, and you'll please forgive me for the inherent blasphemy in this statement, is that there is way more interesting stuff in The Beach Boys outtakes and unreleased tracks than The Beatles have in their own outtakes and unreleased tracks. The thing about The Beach Boys is that they were basically a barbershop group who also knew how to play instruments. When you listen to rehearsal takes of The Beach Boys practicing harmonies on a song you've heard a kazillion times, you get to hear vocal parts you've never paid attention to before.

Good Vibrations: Thirty Years of The Beach Boys does include many of The Beach Boys' hits in their original album versions, but it also includes rarities like old radio promos (which are a surprising delight), live tracks, alternate takes, rehearsal takes, etc. While these things may bore the casual fan, this box set is essential listening for hardcore fans. My favorite track from this set, "Their Hearts Were Full of Spring," a song I never would've heard otherwise.

Baleeted? No. This is a treasure chest filled with interesting things. I need to pick through it again.


No comments:

Post a Comment