"Assembled by Jon Savage as a soundtrack to his book 1966: The Year The Decade Exploded, Ace's double-disc set of the same name does indeed bring his words to life, but it's not necessary to read his book to find this 48-track collection thrilling. The genius behind 1966: The Year the Decade Exploded is in its compilation. Savage assembled 1966 by relying equally on research and memory, intending to replicate the impact of the pop-art eruptions and the groovy swing of R&B, not to mention the nascent psychedelia floating in from the west coast of the U.S., the trash rock emanating from the American suburbs, and more than a hint of Britain's overheated music hall vaudeville and blistering style of Mod".