Mirroring the cover art depiction of
America
's dual life in England and the U.S.,
History: Greatest Hits
perfectly spotlights both the polished and layered production of British studio legend
George Martin
and the West Coast tones of the band's
folk-pop
style. Featuring the group's many chart toppers from the first half of the '70s, this definitive roundup includes
Neil Young
-style
acoustic
sides like
"Lonely People,"
the hippie MOR of
"Muskrat Love,"
and breezy
acid rock
like
"Sandman."
And even though
Martin
didn't produce the entire lot of songs here, his sophisticated and mostly subtle way with strings, keyboards, and multi-track guitars is in evidence throughout. Adding to the fun are additional highlights like the updated surf cut
"Sister Golden Hair"
and ingenious
McCartney
-esque
pop
"Only in Your Heart"
and
"Daisy Jane."
An essential collection for fans who like their '70s
folk
with a
sheen, loads of hooks, and top-drawer arrangements. ~ Stephen Cook