The Beach Boys: Greatest Hits, Vol. 1

Admittedly, I'd be lying if I said I hated these songs. Every song here is classic, and are actually all top 40 hits, the exception being the long - forgotten "409". However, many of the songs here are, as I stated before, are on tons of other compillations. I'm talking about numbers like "Good Vibrations", "Surfin' USA", and "Fun Fun Fun". And incidentally, doesn't seem like the three songs I just mentioned are always on every '60s Beach Boy scompillation. And show the lengths Capitol will go to get the real money off these hits, he saboatges the whole "early years" concept of the album by including "Kokomo", which is a great song but doesn't seem right for this album and should have been included on the far more superior "Greatest Hits, Volume 3 : The best Of The Brother Years".

I enjoyed every song here, but I think that next time out, the folks at Capitol should strive for something a little more new, like the long hoped for "Smile" boxed set or even my dream, a Beach Boys live boxed set featuring live performances from the '70s to the '90s. Until then, we're stuck with these recycled hits that are still nonetheless some of the greatest hits of all time, but are on the border of being overplayed.

There are plenty of positives in this collection: 1) It's a great place to start if you are not sure about buying any of their albums. 2) If you want to buy an actual studio album during this time period, then buy "Pet Sounds" (you'll enjoy it!). 3) It contains enjoyable liner notes, songs credits with chart postions, and colorful pictures that you may have not seen before. 4) Although there is still space in minutes to add more songs, twenty is perfect (not too short or too long) if you are just a casual fan and only want one Beach Boys' CD.

As my title indicates, if you like this CD, then you need the other two volumes to have a more complete portrait of this group. Highly recommended.