My kingdom for a comprehensive Beach Boys release.

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Going really grump old man today.

Every year or two, I get the inkling to listen to The Beach Boys.

For sake of scope – let’s just cut off at *Surf’s Up* – arguably the last great album they made. In that period they have about 16 albums, 30 singles and B-sides.

I say *about* because, like The Beatles – every release had variations between mono and stereo. Almost every single – even ones from albums – are different.

Then you have the 20 some EPs and a half dozen compilations.

In total, we’re talking [250+ songs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_songs_recorded_by_the_Beach_Boys) with at least half being released with 2-4 different versions (mix, instrumentation, re-recording).

Almost all the other giants of 60’s rock (The Beatles, [Pink Floyd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discovery_(Pink_Floyd_box_set)), [Rolling Stones](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singles_Collection:_The_London_Years), [Bob Dylan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bootleg_Series_Volumes_1%E2%80%933_(Rare_%26_Unreleased)_1961%E2%80%931991)…) have at least some version of a complete discography available. With the notable exception of The Beatles, there are some gaps here and there – but trying to curate a version of this with The Beach Boys is singularly difficult.

Which version of “Help Me, Rhonda” is the one you have stuck in your head? There are (not exaggerating) ***37 tracks*** to pick from on streaming services from various Remasters and compilations, and that’s excluding the various Live and Demo versions. Most are duplicates, but they’re horribly labeled and organized.

I have the same frustation every few years, and it never seems to change. At best, there’s a new “Best of” compilation (*Fifty Big Ones!*) that just comes painfully close to what I want – but ends up fracturing the issue even further.

Just needed to get it off my chest.

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