SHAZAM

Plans for the Beach Boys' 50th anniversary tour came together surprisingly quickly, but nothing prepared fans for a full studio album just six months after their official reunion. With Brian Wilson in the producer's booth and providing frequently gorgeous charts, and with 12 original songs benefiting from just a little outside help in fleshing them out, That's Why God Made the Radio is as good as it gets for those who love their Beach Boys. The album features two distinct halves, the first mostly upbeat and the second more reflective. These may not be the songs lighting up their live sets, but together they form what is easily the best Beach Boys record in 35 years -- and a surprisingly cohesive, reflective, listenable one at that. ~ John Bush, Rovi