America had many answers to the Beatles, but few really understood the question. Barry & The Remains did, but to no avail. Despite cutting some absolutely brilliant singles and - according to legend - putting on some of the most incendiary garage band rave-ups in the history of the universe, the Remains were destined for obscurity (outside their native Boston, at least). Remastered and repackaged to perfection by Sony Legacy, this self-titled compilation (1991) stands as a testament to the joys of record collecting - finding something that you've never heard before (and that few people ever will) that really, really slays you. If you're a fan of British Invasion or garage bands, the Remains will do exactly that. (Sundazed later issued a disc of audition demos and rehearsal sessions, listing the band simply as the Remains.)

After the Remains broke up, Barry Tashian went on to make a greater mark in the burgeoning country/folk/rock field, playing a role in the founding of the Flying Burrito Brothers and serving for many years in Emmy Lou Harris' Hot Band. Later stil, he released a series of records with his wife, billed as Barry & Holly Tashian.