25 All-Time Greatest Summer Songs: The Ultimate Collection

• Artist: Various Artists
• Release Date: July 25, 2000
• Type: Collection (various artists)
• Genre: Rock

Review

Since these tracks date back to the '60s and early '70s, this upbeat collection of happy sunshiny tunes should have an "oldies" tag attached to its boasting, clumsy title. Otherwise there's little about this collection that doesn't live up to its rather grandiose moniker. OK, so the unfortunate exclusion of the Beach Boys as well as fellow California surfers Jan & Dean leaves this lacking, but there are plenty of other compilations that include them, and fascinating rarities such as the Wombles' "Wombling Summer Party" as well as the Legendary Masked Surfers (featuring Dean Torrence) doing Brian Wilson and Jan Berry's obscure "Gonna Hustle You" carry the torch for the more popular MIA Wilson summer tunes. Other than that, the track list says it all, and unique, along with seldom anthologized nuggets from Nancy Sinatra with Lee Hazelwood, the 5th Dimension, and Bruce and Terry, make this a winning and wonderfully consistent 70 minutes of fun in the sun tunes. The booklet features snappy liner notes and original trade ads for the songs, which enhance the disc's kitschy appeal and prove this is not just another tacky, quickly thrown-together package meant to make a quick buck. So hop in your woody, throw the top down, and slap in this disc. It's guaranteed to plaster a warm smile on your face, even during those freezing, bleak winter days. ~ Hal Horowitz, Rovi

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