"Holy compilations, Batman, another Beach Boys greatest hits set." "Yes, Robin, cunningly timed to coincide with two members of the band and some session musicians trawling round various historical sites in Europe. You'll also notice that it's 30 years since their first hit."
"Do the general public need another Beach Boys compilation, Batman?" "Well, Boy Wonder, not really as there's been an endless stream over the past decade. Although this does contain all those surfin' classics - 'Surfin' Safari', 'Surfin' USA', 'Surfer Girl' - with their sun-kissed harmonies and handclaps."
"Holy board wax, didn't they sing about anything other than surfing?" "Well, actually, Boy Wonder, they did. There's their emotive anthems to various young ladies - 'Help Me Rhonda', 'California Girls', 'Caroline, No' - all possessed of a vitality and a youthful exuberance, not to mention gorgeous arrangements."
"Did they ever, you know, talk about life and the universe?" "Why yes. In 1966, they recorded a magnificent album called 'Pet Sounds', which redefined the pop music of the day. Some of the tracks from that album, such as the rumbustious 'Sloop John B' and the poignant 'Wouldn't It Be Nice' are on this album."
"Holy margarita, isn't 'Kokomo' from that Tom Cruise movie Cocktail?" "It is, Robin, one of a handful of tracks from their later years when they veered between something approximating the brilliance of their earlier material and absolute mediocrity. 'Kokomo' falls into the latter category."
"So would you recommend this to the folks out there, Batman?" "Well it's a pretty good selection, albeit frustratingly not in chronological order, which doesn't allow us to trace their origins from surfer dudes to innovators and then their decline into self-parody.
"If you don't have these songs in any form, then it's as good an introduction as any. If you want a more thorough introduction, I heartily endorse the 'Good Vibrations' box set. But, please, no more compilations. Now, to the Batmobile, Robin, we have crime to fight."
