4.0 out of 5 stars
A Fantastic Tribute, November 28, 2004
This review is from: Beach Boys Tribute: Best of (Audio CD)
This is a CD that is well worth tracking down. 11 Beach Boys songs (41 minutes playing time) by various Japanese artists.
First, the track selection is very good. Nothing obscure, but not just "the big hits."
Second, and this is a key to good tribute albums, most of the renditions are interpretations rather than mere copies. Several of the tracks are instrumentals, including Surfin USA (does that make it a Chuck Berry tribute?) California Girls and Sail on Sailor. All are very well done. The final track is an almost 5 minute In My Room instrumental, which is probably the strongest track on the album.
Two tracks - Kokomo and Fun Fun Fun - edge perhaps closer to parody than to tribute, but are a lot of fun just the same. In the case of Kokomo, the parody is sublime.
Surfer Girl is a 4 minute 15 second symphony. Beautiful.
Overall, it's a great tribute album, and sits proudly alongside Caroline Now, Smiling Pets and Making God Smile as an intelligent, enjoyable and respectful nod to the great Brian Wilson, and his one time band.
Oh, and a rare treat for any product associated with the Beach Boys - it has very cool packaging, with a pendletone shirt pattern, and a tin container!
Recommended.
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