★★★★★
The Beach Boys' self-image has always been out of step with popular critical opinion. The Wilson clan (along with cousin Mike Love and friend Al Jardine) bought into their mythology as "America's Band" -- a family-friendly nostalgia trip -- ever since "Kokomo" resuscitated their career in the mid-'80s...
- exclaim.ca
2013-11-05
★★★★★
Hits, rarities and more - the two sides of The Beach Boys laid bare in extensive box set... It has been the Beach Boys' habit to confound those ready to predict their demise. Despite functioning (or, at times, dysfunctioning) largely as a de-luxe oldies act since before the Reagan presidency, there have been occasional glimmers of creativity throughout the latter stages of their career, with perhaps the biggest surprise coming last year, when they marked their 50th anniversary not just with a...
- www.uncut.co.uk
2013-10-12
★★★★★
If there's one band whose name and sound instantly evoke pleasant nostalgia, represent the sentiments of an entire generation, and showcase the changing landscape of a whole genre, it's the Beach Boys. Founded in 1961 by brothers Dennis, Carl, and Brian Wilson, as well as their cousin, Mike Love, and friend, Al Jardine, it's fair to say that no group (well, besides the Beatles) has influenced the backdrop of American pop music as much as they did...
- www.popmatters.com
2013-09-27
★★★★★
The Beach Boys have been compiled and repackaged more than any other major rock act, but their sprawling body of work doesn't lend itself to easy anthologizing. The band's catalog follows a fairly linear trajectory up until Brian Wilson's post-
- www.austinchronicle.com
2013-09-19
★★★★★
www.universalmusicenterprises.com
BY LEE ZIMMERMAN
In the beginning, there were the Beach Boys. Arguably the most influential American band of all time, they elevated pop music from the doldrums inflicted by the greased back, sanitised teen idols who preceded them, and then successfully held their own against the British invaders that sought to overrun the domestic front in the heady days of the early to mid '60s...
- blurtonline.com
2013-09-21
★★★★★
The Beach Boys 50th anniversary year wasnever likely to be an event-free lap ofhonour. Upon reforming, they managed toproduce an intermittently great album ofnew material and thrilled audiencesworldwide with marathon performances.Unsurprisingly, the good vibrations didn'tlast and were followed by a public fallingoutthat once again appears to leave theband divided. Nonetheless, the careerspanningMade In California rounds off thecelebrations in fine style.
- recordcollectormag.com
2013-09-12
★★★★★
Someone once wrote that Brian Wilson's legend was largely based on music almost no one had heard. You could see their point for a long time, but since the release of 'The Smile Sessions' box this no longer holds true. In spite of the multitude of abandoned projects and, even now, entire unreleased albums, in 2013 his music is almost universally loved...
- www.clashmusic.com
2013-09-10
★★★★★
A six-CD box set spanning The Beach Boys' 50-year career is a treat no matter your angle, your fear of corporate milking or even a dislike of the band. There's something here for you and although only completists need this, as an investment this will have value for even casual fans. As a document, elaborately wrapped in squidgy yearbook book and with pages and pages of band commentary, pictures and articles, this is an achievement and looks beautiful...
- drownedinsound.com
2013-09-06
★★★★★
The first thing to consider when delving into Made in California is who this extensive box set is aimed at, and what is it for? Lavishly designed like a high school photo scrap book with unseen photos aplenty, there is too much music here (seven hours!) for someone taking tentative steps into a back catalogue crammed with so many aural delights. However, at the same time, there's too much material included that connoisseurs don't necessarily need...
- thelineofbestfit.com
2013-09-07
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