At least three essential, MUST have Beach Boy's songs: "The Warmth Of The Sun", "In My Room", and "Don't Worry Baby", are missing from Vol.1. They are found on Vol.2, as well as the great classic "Endless Summer" CD. "Vol. 1" is not even close to a complete Beach Boy's collection...get "Vol. 2" with it or "Endless Summer".

For a contemporary comparison try Nick Worrall's debut album, it has been compared to the classic 'Friends' album and is FREE to download.

Yes yes... I am back. There is no rest for weary Seers when it comes to public devotion (or self promotion). Anyway, summer is here once again, and the hovering egg yolk in the sky sends it's warm waves to everyone. Fortunately for me, my devoted fans sent me enough money to go to Malibu. So, a few days ago I caught a Seer jet (play on words there people - Lear Jet, get it?) from London. So, I arrived in California expecting the red carpet treatment. You know what I mean, a limo with a t.v. and wet bar, some beautiful woman to laugh at all my jokes, and a luxury suite at a 5 star hotel. You can imagine my surprise when they threw me into a taxi with a driver that looked like Columbo and had a woman that looked like Granny from the Beverly Hillbillies be my tour guide. We won't get into the accomodations. However, I must ask, how many of you have lived in a tent city with no running water? Please raise hands!

Anyway, despite all that, my first day at the beach was most interesting. I went with a generous supply of zinc oxide on my nose to protect me from harmful rays, looked ever so sauve with classic sunglasses (you know the ones, from the 60's), and had the coolest swim trunks on that had prints of palm trees and barracudas on them. I was ready folks!

So I sat out on my beach chair, and before you know it, the Norwegian Woman's Volleyball League set up shop right next door. Yes. I met them all and marvelled on how good they were when they started to play. Especially Ingrid and Helga. Their form, their defensive technique, their jumping up and landing! I didn't know volleyball could be so enjoyable. ;)

But, let me get to this review before you all start throwing beach balls at me. As I'm there, I hear music coming out of my old transistor radio. On a day like today, what would be more appropriate than Beach Boys music?

What we have here is part one of their greatest hits. And, if I must say so, it is quite the collection. Do remember, the Beach Boys virtually invented the surf craze in America. They were bearers of the American dream via the California dream. It was definitely youth oriented, and through the sixties they were the premiere American band.

Why were they so successful you might ask? Well, they hit upon themes that were part of the youth experience for that time. The theme of sand and surf certainly with the offerings of "Surfin'Safai", "Surfin' U.S.A.", "Surfer Girl" and "Catch a Wave", just to name a few. Livin' life was an exhuberent joy to these guys. Within their songs you also get the main motifs of fast cars (i.e; Shut Down", "Little Deuce Coupe", "Fun, Fun, Fun", "I Get Around")young love heartache (i.e; "Help Me Rhonda") and girls, girls, girls (i.e, "Surfer Girl", "Barbara Ann", "California Girls" and the inimitable "Good Vibrations"). In fact, as we speak, Helga is giving me an eye flirt. Talk about good vibrations!

Brian Wilson was genius in how he wrote these songs, how he arranged them, and peppered them with their trademark harmony. Crystal clear rock music, thoughtful ballads, done with the aura of the beautiful California coastline. Did I forget to mention the most perfect pop tune in rock history "God Only Knows?" That's included here as well.

In conclusion, The Beach Boys are as essential as the sun in the summer when it comes to that season. These tunes are ingrained into our consciousness with an indelible stamp. Nowhere will you find better music to covey the joys and trials of youth and the search to find that perfect wave. Now, I must go. Seems a terrible fight has erupted between Helga and Ingrid and it's getting ugly. Seems they both want me. Of course, this is the effect I have on women. Let me go see if I can convince them to share me. ;)

I get around. cheerio -- Metamorpho

If you love listening to the Beach Boys or know of someone that does and need to get them a present, than this is for you. I bought this for my mom for Christmas along with some Elvis and she listens to it every week. It is kept in her car so she can listen to it on the road. A very excellent purchase.

This album I bought in middle school at BJ's in exchange for a mistakenly received duplicate gift for my birthday. This CD is the first of a three volume set of Beach Boys songs. These are digitally remastered so they sound great. This has most of the popular songs by the Beach Boys, but there are others spread out on the other two CDs. If you are a die-hard Beach Boys fan you'd want all three, if not you could probably just get this one for the basics.