Pop Kulcher

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Member Since: 7/1/2002
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Teenage Symphonies To God: The Ultimate Beach Boys, Volume Two (1966-1969)

Artist Song
Beach Boys  Wouldn't It Be Nice 
Beach Boys  You Still Believe In Me 
Beach Boys  That's Not Me 
Beach Boys  I'm Waiting For The Day 
Beach Boys  Sloop John B 
Beach Boys  God Only Knows 
Beach Boys  I Know There's An Answer 
Beach Boys  Here Today 
Beach Boys  I Just Wasn't Made For These Times 
Beach Boys  Caroline No 
Beach Boys  Our Prayer 
Beach Boys  Good Vibrations 
Beach Boys  Heroes & Villains (plus In The Cantina) 
Beach Boys  Cabinessence 
Beach Boys  Wonderful 
Beach Boys  She's Goin' Bald 
Beach Boys  With Me Tonight 
Beach Boys  Wild Honey 
Beach Boys  Country Air 
Beach Boys  Darlin' 
Beach Boys  I'd Love Just Once To See You 
Beach Boys  Let The Wind Blow 
Beach Boys  Meant For You/Friends 
Beach Boys  Wake The World 
Beach Boys  Be Here In The Morning 
Beach Boys  Do It Again 
Beach Boys  I Can Hear Music 
Beach Boys  Time To Get Alone 
Beach Boys  Never Learn Not To Love 
Beach Boys  We're Together Again 

Comment:

While Volume One of this 3-disc collection may be a non-stop barrage of early 60's hits, this one captures what I believe to be the band's finest hour, some of the most remarkable music of the decade (if not the rock era). Yes, it's a bit Pet Sounds-heavy, with the first 10 tracks all coming from that masterpiece, and I suppose I could have made for a more varied mix by dropping a couple of those in favor of some of the later contributions by Brian's underappreciated brothers Carl & Dennis. But, really, I can listen to these songs nonstop. (And, for those who don't quite share my enthusiasm, I should come clean and note that I thought of PS as a rather overrated album for many years, but once it finally sunk in I couldn't shake it. Do I literally choke up every time I hear the harmonies of "Sloop John B" and "God Only Knows"? You know the answer to that.
Then we dig into Brian's failed Smile project, which I happen to find to be nearly as great an album (once you piece it together from various official and unofficial releases). Didn't lean on it as heavily as I could have, as some of the more experimental tracks don't quite hold up out of the context of the whole piece. And then you get the rest of the decade, when Brian Wilson slipped away, leaving the band to lean increasingly on its other members, plus the stray contribution from Brian. Personally, even after he lost his grip on reality he made some fine music, so he's still well-represented here (leaving the other band members undoubtedly underrepresented -- and, while I think Dennis and the others had some fine contributions, I'm still first & foremost a Brian Wilson man, so pardon my bias).
This is about as close to perfection as you can get in 80 minutes; and while I think there were bands who did far more to break down musical barriers during the late 60s (the Beatles, Who, Stones, Byrds), none could touch the Beach Boys when it came to awe-inspiring vocals.
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Feedback:

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mahdishain
Date: 7/18/2007
beautiful
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Rob Conroy
Date: 7/19/2007
Gorgeous. Yes, I could argue over a few tracks here and there, but why bother? All of these are amazing in their own way and aren't just some of the greatest music of the '60s, but are some of the greatest music ever.
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Sean Lally
Date: 7/19/2007
all undeniable. as beautiful as pop music gets.
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sphere
Date: 7/19/2007
Another awesome collection.
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Mark Petruccelli
Date: 7/19/2007
stunning
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Skipper Bartlett
Date: 7/20/2007
This is my favorite period in the Beach Boys career. Perfect Pop. Great collection.
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SteveRaglin
Date: 7/20/2007
They merit every accolade -- stunning music and harmonies!