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 and 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' 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, 'Sloop John B.' is based on the Beach Boys' rendition and is a straightforward note-for-note cover. 'Hot-Rod' tries its best to be a car-themed track with the absence of any automobile jargon and a forgettable melody that swerves around common surf tropes, attempting to be its own thing. The result is a well-overdubbed yet meandering track. 'People Tell Me' is better skipped. The brief 'I'm Not Goin' to the Camp this Year' fairs stronger songwise, 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 tropes, the results of their homage are notably unremarkable. In their search for nostalgia, the Watergastes birthed a group of compositions that try so hard not to be derivative that they become instantly forgettable. With strange chords and zig-zagging melodies, there's not much reason to check out this obscure German release unless you're a completist.