The Four Preps

THE FOUR PREPS & THE LETTERMEN - BACK 2 BACK HITS (1998)

01. 26 Miles (Santa Catalina)
02. Big Man
03. Down by the Station (Early in the Morning)
04. Lazy Summer Night
05. Got a Girl
06. Goin' Out of My Head/Can't Take My Eyes off of You
07. Hurt So Bad
08. The Way You Look Tonight
09. When I Fall in Love
10. Come Back, Silly Girl

The Four Preps and the Lettermen are a perfect match for an edition of Back 2 Back Hits. Although they weren't exactly peers -- as the Preps stopped having hits, the Lettermen started scoring them -- they followed a similar modus operandi, turning out light, appealing easy listening pop that had very little to do with rock & roll. Their styles were similar enough to make this collection, which features five hits from each artist, quite enjoyable. The Four Preps half contains many of their biggest hits -- "26 Miles (Santa Catalina)," "Big Man," "Down By the Station," "Lazy Summer Night," " "Got a Girl." Similarly, the Lettermen section features just as many hits -- "Goin' Out of My Head/Can't Take My Eyes Off You," "Hurt So Bad," "The Way You Look Tonight," "When I Fall In Love" -- though some fans might wish that "Come Back Silly Girl" was replaced by "Theme from 'A Summer Place'." But it remains a very entertaining collection that should be of interest to budget-minded fans of both groups. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide