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.

This CD contains the most beautiful harmonies by the Beach Boys. Their rendition of the song Hushabye is breathtaking. It begins with "The Warmth of the Sun," includes of course Surfer Girl, Don't Worry Baby, and God Only Knows -- and even offers several vocals only versions, including "Wouldn't It Be Nice." If you like the Beach Boys, you'll love this CD.

We can outgrow the surfing and car songs but these songs are timeless. The vocals are wonderful, especially Brian Wilson's falsetto. A grand collection which showcases the group's singing and harmonizing.

An incredible CD! While I have always liked the Beach Boys, sometimes as much because they represented so much that is California, as because of their music, I don't think I appreciated their musical perfection as much as I should have. This CD brought me to that point of appreciation. By removing the instrumental tracks completely on "Wouldn't It Be Nice?" their incredible ability to harmonize comes blazing through (and I am not particularly fond of acapella renditions). Because the instrumental tracks are missing, the song gets awkward in spots, but the beauty of the harmony overwhelms any awkwardness. The vocals up versions of "Hushabye" and "When I Grow Up (To Be A Man), while not nearly as persuasive, do reinforce the listeners appreciation for the skills da boys have by accentuating the vocal elements of the songs. In addition, if you, like me, can take or leave "Surfin' USA," Surfin' Safari," or "Shutdown," but LOVE "Surfer Girl," "The Warmth of the Sun,' etc, then you will believe this CD was put together just for you. I have recently been "trying to wear out 'Endless Summer'," but it has suddenly been relegated to the shelf. This CD is THAT GOOD! Hope you enjoy it. I DO!!!!!!! (I guess that shows, doesn't it?)

I bought this as a gift for a friend that has a favorite song on this cd. It is an excellent CD, great sound.