The Lost - Lost Tapes (1965-66) (1999)

Comprised of all the tracks from the band's three Capitol singles and a dozen previously unreleased tracks (most also cut at Capitol) from the mid-'60s, this is a better representation of the Lost than the material on their previous compilation, Early Recordings: Demos, Acoustic and Live. It's still not enough to convince those who weren't there that they were among the best unknown American bands of the time, or as good as their chief Boston competitors, the Remains. The Lost were somewhat eclectic, which is not always a strength; it sometimes sounds as if they couldn't decide whether to be folk-rockers, hard pop/rockers, or tough bluesy ones. Their debut single, "Maybe More Than You," along with its bluesier B-side, "Back Door Blues," is their peak, as it's something of a mix of Dylan's early electric sound, the Rolling Stones' snarl, and British Invasion harmonies. The Lost were also adept at exploring quite a few styles, something that marks them well off the usual garage-band path. "Here She Comes" is almost doo wop in construction; "Always I Know" is Beau Brummels-ish folk-rock; and "No Reason Why" is engaging garage rock with pop hooks and harmonies. It's fair-to-decent period rock, although the impression is one of a band yet to maximize its potential or coalesce its vision..