Released in 1973 at the height of the Nixon Watergate scandal, The Watergates Play and Sing the Best of the Beach Boys features no Beach Boys tracks but is one of the first 70s surf releases spurred by nostalgia for the previous decade. Everything here sounds solidly First Class ('Beach Baby') and Sha Na Na-like.

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'Surfing Music' is a fine example of one of the earliest surf revival releases. 'I'm Looking Over My Shoulder' falls more into late-60s sunshine pop ala' Archies, Cowsills, Peppermint Rainbow, and Salt Water Taffy. 'High School Leaver' pulls from Gary Lewis and the Playboys' 'She's Just My Style' from Just My Style and the Beach Boys' 'Help Me Rhonda' from Today!. The slow 'Let's Talk' is obviously based on Brian Wilson's 'Don't Talk (Put Your Head on My Shoulder)' and one of the less interesting tracks. Again venturing into psychedelic territory, 'In A Whirl' could've easily fit into AM radio playlists, though it's frustratingly long - complete with a fake fadeout. The album's lone cover tune, 'Sloop John B.' is surely based on the Beach Boys' rendition but is a straightforward note-for-note cover. I suppose this is the "best of the Beach Boys" the cover's touting? 'Hot-Rod' tries its best to be a car-themed anthem, but with the absence of any automobile jargon and a forgettable melody that appears to deliberately swerve around common surf tropes, the result is an overly overdubbed yet meandering track. 'People Tell Me' is better skipped. The brief 'I'm Not Goin' to the Camp this Year' fairs stronger song-wise, although its odd premise holds it back. 'Surfing '73' is a cool and sweet summery track. The less said of 'Lazy Day', the better. The pick of the bunch, 'Show Me the Way to California,' closes the album on a strong note.

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Although the composers O'Brien/Docker attempted to call back upon memorable Beach Boys' staples, the results of their homage are notably unremarkable. In their search for nostalgia, the Watergates came up with a group of compositions that try so hard not to be derivative that they become instantly forgettable. With strange chord choices and zig-zag melodies, there's not much reason to check out this obscure German release unless you're a completist.