Beach Boys - Surfin' Safari/Surfin Usa

The group's first two LPs were compiled together and upgraded in March of 2001. They hold up remarkably well 40 years later. ‘Surfin' Safari’ was recorded in such a rush after the title track became a hit but there's some very good music here beyond ‘Surfin' Safari,’ ‘409,’ and ‘Surfin': the lost surf hit ‘Chug-a-Lug’; the doo wop-style ‘Little Miss America ‘. ‘Surfin' U.S.A.’ was done with a little more time and more control. From the opening title cut, the album never lets up – ‘Farmer's Daughter’ is a gorgeous surf tune with a killer lead falsetto by Brian; ‘Miserlou,’ ‘Stoked,’ ‘Honky Tonk,’ ‘Surf Jam,’ and ‘Let's Go Trippin'’ were brilliant instrumentals showing off the group's virtuosity.