'5 Classic Albums' release

[Jim V.]

So on Amazon, there is a release scheduled for November 19 by The Beach Boys entitled 5 Classic Albums. Now usually something like this wouldn't be that interesting. But to me, it kinda is, especially if it's a domestic US release, because the group's catalog is kinda in flux. Will this choose five albums from those that were reissued last year? Will it be five twofers? Or....most enticingly, maybe five new remasters? We shall see, maybe it's nothing.

http://www.amazon.com/5-Classic-Albums-Beach-Boys/dp/B00FA1DEWA/ref=sr_1_7?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1379978796&sr=1-7&keywords=beach+boys

[Jason]

Well, since Capitol is now owned by Universal, it's going to be like their series for various other artists. This is most likely not any kind of archival release or remaster.

[Jim V.]

Well, since Capitol is now owned by Universal, it's going to be like their series for various other artists. This is most likely not any kind of archival release or remaster.

Obviously it's not an archival release. The only interesting thing is what form the albums that will be included will take. That's the point I'm trying to make. Will it be 5 of the 12 reissued titles from last year? That seems likely. But if it isn't any of them, then it seems likely that one or more of the "classic albums" included might be getting reissued as a single disc, rather than as part of a twofer.

[Phoenix]

Most casual fans couldn't name two albums by the Beach Boys.  Their catalog was never treated right, starting with the almost three back to back to back Best Of's Capitol released in the 60's.  But since we're all fans here...

Assuming they did a "5 Classic (Actual Beach Boys) Albums" promotion, which albums do you think they should pick?  Which ones would YOU pick?  Which ones do you think they WOULD pick?  ...Or any variations thereof?

My choice for what they SHOULD pick:
Pet Sounds
Smile (a truncated disc one from The Smile Sessions)
Today
Sunflower
Surfer Girl

My guess for what they WOULD pick:
Pet Sounds
Endless Summer
Today
Surfer Girl
Concert

[Rocky Raccoon]

I think it would be
Pet Sounds
Today!
Summer Days
Sunflower
Surf's Up

[bluesno1fann]

If I were them, I'd pick:
Pet Sounds
Smile (Disc 1)
Wild Honey
Sunflower
Carl And The Passions

[The Shift]

This is the Beach Boys…

MIU
Beach Boys 85
Stars & Stripes
Summer in Paradise
Salute Nascar

[Phoenix]

I think it would be
Pet Sounds
Today!
Summer Days
Sunflower
Surf's Up

Ugh!  I can't believe I forgot Surf's Up!   

[alf wiedersehen]

I think you guys are putting too much faith in this.

They did one for Marvin Gaye that was pretty spotty:

What's Going On (Without a doubt; a wonderful album and great inclusion.)

I Want You (Yeah, sure.)

Live! (Uh... okay.)

20th Century Masters, Vol. 1 (60's) (Erm...)

20th Century Masters, Vol. 2 (70's) ()

[Rocky Raccoon]

The Elton John one is pretty good.
http://www.amazon.com/Classic-Albums-1970-1973-Elton-John/dp/B00857S822/

But yeah, that's pretty weird with the Marvin Gaye box.

[bluesno1fann]

This is the Beach Boys…

MIU
Beach Boys 85
Stars & Stripes
Summer in Paradise
Salute Nascar

Other than Beach Boys 85, they all suck...

[Jim V.]

Ugh. I didn't know they threw best-ofs on this thing. In that case its probably

Pet Sounds
Sounds Of Summer
The Warmth Of The Sun
Christmas Album
and something else.

I really wish it would be something like this though

Wild Honey
Friends
20/20
Holland
L.A. (Light Album)

Obviously that's a pretty idiosyncratic list. But yeah, it'd be cool if they showcased some different stuff rather than the usuals.

[alf wiedersehen]

I really wish it would be something like this though

Wild Honey
Friends
20/20
Holland
L.A. (Light Album)

Obviously that's a pretty idiosyncratic list. But yeah, it'd be cool if they showcased some different stuff rather than the usuals.

Despite already owning all those, I would definitely buy that. Especially if we can finally get those albums on their own CD.

The Elton John one is pretty good.
http://www.amazon.com/Classic-Albums-1970-1973-Elton-John/dp/B00857S822/

But yeah, that's pretty weird with the Marvin Gaye box.

To be fair, they did a fairly decent one for Tom Petty as well.

It seems they have ones coming out for The Temptations, Glenn Campbell, Merle Haggard, AND The Beach Boys. So, those all could be pretty cool.

[Phoenix]

To be fair, they did a fairly decent one for Tom Petty as well.

It seems they have ones coming out for The Temptations, Glenn Campbell, Merle Haggard, AND The Beach Boys. So, those all could be pretty cool.

I like all those artists but I doubt any of them will be on the same level as Elton's or Tom's. 

[The Heartical Don]

As Bubbly Waves noted: don't expect anything sensational. Most likely it'll be one or two bona fide classic(s), accompanied by one mediocre thing and two duds. Given that these sets sell cheap, there surely won't be a disk with 12 sensational SMiLE outtakes or acetates unheard by anyone, that Durrie P. suddenly came up with.

File under: uninteresting (only for truly anal retentives with too much money to burn).

[Phoenix]

As Bubbly Waves noted: don't expect anything sensational.

Oh I agree completely.  I just figured we'd have some fun here and see what WE would come up with, versus the turd we're gonna get.

[Freddie French-Pounce]

If one of the duds became SIP, I think people would secretly be overjoyed

[Phoenix]

If one of the duds became SIP, I think people would secretly be overjoyed

I agree, if just the completists.  And honestly, what better way to re-release it than in a package deal?  That way it's not sold on its own merits and left with a possibly embarrassing return.

[MBE]

I can't see it not including (if they will do real albums)
Pet Sounds
Today
Summer Days
All Summer Long
Surfin' USA (an important album in several ways-none the least it was a smash)

I play the 1967-72 LP's the most too but for the masses in the US 1963-66 is where to mine.

[Phoenix]

I play the 1967-72 LP's the most too but for the masses in the US 1963-66 is where to mine.

That's why I included Surfer Girl.  Given more thought, I think it, Today!, Summer Nights would be shoo ins if they used actual albums.

[MBE]

Surfer Girl is valid too. Any 1963-66 LP would work in a project like this one, but (obviously for me) the top four I picked are hard to delete. It's that fifth best of the period that is up for some debate.

[The Heartical Don]

If one of the duds became SIP, I think people would secretly be overjoyed

 

Then I could look my retailer straight into the eyes and tell him that I wanted it for the sake of completeness...

...and he, knowing me, would retaliate with: oh, it's a bit like sneaking out with a porn mag rolled into The New Yorker, isn't it?

[Fire Wind]

Given that Pet Sounds is the only proper Beach Boys album that people actually buy, it would be a bit daft to include it here and damage sales of the CD, although it's still likely to be included.

Summer Days and Summer Nights.
Today
Surfin' USA
Surfer Girl
Shut Down Vol II

Although really you could substitute any of the early albums.  I think some of this series simply have the first five albums.

[Disney Boy (1985)]

Surely EVERYONE owns Pet Sounds...

My guess is it'll be:

Surfer Girl
Today!
Summer Days...
Smiley Smile
Surf's Up

[Myk Luhv]

I hope it's something ridiculous like...

Surfin' Safari
Pet Sounds
20/20
15 Big Ones
L.A. (Light Album)