Vol. 2-Greatest Hits

Only one title on the second volume of the three-volume Good Vibrations best-of series cracked the U.S. top 10, 1964's "When I Grow Up to Be a Man." (Five of the selections here made the U.K. charts-"Do It Again," "I Can Hear Music," "Break Away," "Darlin'," and "Cottonfields.") In contrast to its loaded-with-hits predecessor, Greatest Hits Volume 1: 20 Good Vibrations, Volume 2 serves up songs that stand as second-tier Beach Boys-but only in commercial terms. The likes of "In My Room," "Don't Worry, Baby," "Caroline, No," and "Heroes and Villains" stand well above Volume One's "409," "Little Deuce Coupe," and "Sloop John B" in their contribution to the group's incredible legacy. Those hungry for hits will want to stick with the earlier volume, but burgeoning Beach Boys boosters will find this 20-song set every bit the match-and arguably the subjugator-of its all-hits forerunner. --Steven Stolder

Label: Unknown
Studio: Emd/Capitol
Released: 1999-09-21
Format: Audio CD

Extras/Features:
Original recording remastered, Import