U.S. Singles Collection — The Capitol Years (1962-1965)
The Beach Boys
Capitol/EMI (released June 10)
Summer’s here and the time is right for another Beach Boys best-of. Granted, there are already quite a few to choose from but this one’s, well, special. Like its title suggests, U.S. Singles Collection — The Capitol Years (1962-1965) remains focused on the band’s early, innocent years. The period when sonic architect/vocalist Brian Wilson still toured with his brothers and cousin and had yet to delve into the drug haze that would help produce the masterpiece Pet Sounds and “Good Vibrations” — and then nearly destroy him.
On the positive, this latest box set covers the years ’62-’65 with the kind of fanboy zeal typically reserved for bootlegs. The collection features 16 CDs. Each one includes an original single 45’s A and B-sides, plus outtakes, alternate and live versions in replicas of the vinyl’s original packaging. To sweeten the deal, the 16 individual digipacks come in a surfboard-style box replete with wood inlay that includes a 48-page hardbound booklet. All 66 tracks actually fit onto two CDs, so the list price of $132.98 might irk some and definitely makes this an item for serious collectors only — or people seeking a killer Father’s Day present. 4.5 stars
This article appears in Jun 11-17, 2008.