Search - Beach Boys :: Perfect Harmony

For the already initiated, not the new Beach Boys fan

Greg Brady | Capital City | 03/17/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Tracks that separate out the vocals and non-singled album tracks like "Our Prayer", beautiful though they may be, are pieces best appreciated by those already in the Beach Boy fanatic fold: those listeners hoping to assess the components that make up the sound of "America's band".



If you're looking for a compilation of best known hits, this is not the place. ("Sounds of Summer" is the best moderately priced overview for starting fans.) If however you've already been hooked by the Boys harmony and Brian's fantastic melodies and production, here's a chance to "peek inside" the vocals that helped his best work to tick.



The tracks chosen here do a good job of presenting the Beach Boys vocal blend to best advantage, though being assembled from various albums there's not necessarily as cohesive a sound as you'd get with one of their classic original albums."

Perfect Harmony, indeed!

Greg Brady | 09/17/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This excellent collection of songs highlights what was the 2 biggest Beach Boys strengths, 1. Obviously, the unbelievably beautiful way this group could harmonize, and 2. Brian Wilson's gifted songwriting(and producing)skills. The vocals-only cut of 'Wouldn't It Be Nice' strips the song down so the listener can hear just the, yup, perfect harmony, and also the great lyrics. Also included is what I consider one of the finest songs ever written and recorded, 'Don't Worry Baby', a simple tune about a car race(but, MAN, what a great song!). The CD ends with the somewhat obscure, but hauntingly beautiful 'Our Prayer'(another vocal masterpiece), followed by 'Good Vibrations'. Don't know why, but those 2 songs go great together. This is a really great CD, in every way. BUY IT, ENJOY IT!!!!"

Perfect in every endless way

Greg Brady | 02/06/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After 36 years the joy of life jumps out still.Simple musical masterpieces that span into 2000.The expression of youth .Brian Wilson makes it sound so smooth the mark of a pro."