A few years ago, The Beach Boys released Sounds Of Summer, their version of The Beatles 1 greatest hits collection. That compilation was one of the few that could match 1 for sheer enjoyment and spectacle. Now, this month, The Beach Boys are releasing a companion disc to Sounds Of Summer entitled The Warmth Of The Sun.

The magnitude of the hits collected on …Summer was astounding, as one listened to a record packed with classic song after classic song. The Warmth Of The Sun cannot boast that same stellar lineup, although a few of the tracks belong in the pantheon of Beach Boy greats.

In many ways, The Warmth Of The Sun serves as a primer for those willing to delve deeper into back catalogue of the Wilson family. The presences of some assorted album tracks demonstrates that The Beach Boys did not wither up and die after 1966, contrary to public belief. “Forever,” “Sail On Sailor” and “Breakaway” are crafted with the same attention to detail and harmony as most of the band's earlier work, and all make appearances here.

That earlier work was the result of pop genius Brian Wilson and his amazing ear. Sounds Of Summer basically played out as the evidence of the man’s talent. Warmth Of The Sun, on the other hand, allows the spotlight to shine on some of the other members of the band. Carl’s “Feel Flows” for example, used to such great effect in Almost Famous, is a 70s version of Wilson’s “pocket symphonies.”

“Sail On Sailor,” is hands down one of the most underrated gems in the entire Beach Boys archive. Featuring lead vocals from Blondie Chaplin, “Sail On Sailor” sounds entirely different from any other Beach Boy hit, yet retains the essence of what made the band so very special.

For stalwarts of the early, surf-obsessed days, have no fear. Plenty of tracks extolling the virtues of Hawaii and Little Hondas make an appearance here, constituting the bulk of the early numbers on the disc. Personally, while these songs have their own certain charm, I can grow weary of the repetition. The one glaring exception is the brilliant song from which the album derives its name. Written in honor of JFK, “The Warmth Of The Sun” sports some of The Beach Boy’s absolute best harmonies, hands down.

This collection, coupled with Sounds Of Summer, should provide novice Beach Boy fans with all the material they would want. While the Good Vibrations box set is still the best bet for a sampling, The Warmth Of The Sun can fit perfectly in the right circumstances, as it is a hits compilation unafraid to go off the beaten path of the usual Beach Boys collection.

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