IT is now half a century ago that Brian Wilson wrote and produced I Get Around, the first of a succession of timeless classics that suggested that Wilson had a musical hotline to heaven.

God Only Knows, Heroes And Villains, Good Vibrations, Do it Again, Wouldn’t it Be Nice and Help Me Rhonda possess an innocent majesty which has rarely been surpassed. Wilson’s decline, ironically caused by the massive chemical intake which originally unleashed his genius, has been well documented, but he has rallied in recent years and plays a crucial role in this nostalgic and surprisingly fresh golden anniversary album.

The irritating Mike Love is a clunking master of ceremonies, but all the classics mentioned above are dusted off and sung with an affecting wisdom. The highlight is a soaring version of the glorious (and criminally under-rated) California Saga, which celebrates the band’s roots and recalls their glory days. Brian Wilson may not be able to write those extraordinary songs any more but, my goodness, his band can still sing them.