Number 2: Pet Sounds

Album: Pet Sounds

Artist: The Beach Boys

Year: 1966

Information: Predating the Summer of Love, but predicting its sounds, this album was a radical departure from the surf and sun themes of previous albums. This is essentially a Brian Wilson solo album, with added vocal parts from his band mates. It was not as well received in America as Brian had hoped. His standards were set very high for this project, as evidenced in Brian's claims to his wife Marilyn at the time, "Marilyn, I'm gonna make the greatest album. The greatest rock album ever made!" There are many people who would agree that Brian met his goal, but this album's failure in the charts crushed him and set him on his path for his impending insanity and the beauty that is SMiLE.

High Points: Well, for me, basically the entire album. I love the beginning "Wouldn't It Be Nice" and of course I will have to mention "God Only Knows" or I will be hanged at the Beach Boys fan gallows.

Low Points: I may be biased, but I'm hard pressed to find one. There is nothing I dislike on the album, and neither should you.

Is it Great? Perhaps the greatest.

This album was made in response to Rubber Soul, which Brian thought was a cohesive unit. From start to end, there was no filler and they all fit together, whether in themes or sound. This was a major inspiration for Brian and this album. 

Coincidentally, this album then influenced and inspired The Beatles. This album led to the creation of Sgt. Pepper's. George Martin once said that Sgt. Pepper's was an attempt to equal Pet Sounds. This album is also one of Paul McCartney's favorites; his favorite song being "God Only Knows," saying that the song usually brings him to tears when he listens.

When you listen to the background to these songs, you begin to realize how complex these songs are. The startling fact is that Brian had all these ideas in his head. He heard all these things in his head and he put them on wax. He knew what the available sounds were from the instruments he was using and he knew the vocal ranges from his band mates. Brian had this whole album mapped out in his head. It's really fascinating.

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I learn about albums. I look up their history, their reception, their songs, everything. I soak up the information and somehow retain it all. In fact, I wrote this entire entry from memory of things I had read.


To be honest, when I first bought this album, I didn't enjoy it. I heard "Wouldn't it Be Nice," and I loved that song. But that was it really, although I did also enjoy "Sloop John B.," but those songs weren't enough to make want to keep coming back to it. But something did. For some reason, I kept listening to this album, even though I didn't enjoy it at first.

I think understanding an album and where it came from is crucial to appreciation of it, or at least it is to me. It's intriguing to learn about Brian, his escapades (like replacing all his furniture with gym mats,) and his spiral into insanity. It's really a heart breaking story.

I learned all I could about this album. I soaked it all up. I know a lot more about this album than I'll ever need to. So, I listened to it more and more. My love for this album raised incrementally with every listen. And I kept listening.

I love this album now. It's something I listen to almost everyday and I would probably be a different person had I never heard it.

I could write about Brian all day, but I'll wrap it up here.

If you're hesitant on this album, I encourage you to read about it. It really changed my opinion.

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Looking back on this review, it really seems like what I'm saying is that the record itself isn't great, but the history is. That would incredibly inaccurate.

This album is gorgeous. When you listen to the vocals, it really is quite amazing how they all blend together to create this one larger effect, and all the singing is absolutely superb on this album. Not only do you hear the words, but you can feel them. Carl Wilson was used quite well on "God Only Knows," as his great voice caresses every word, giving you a key to a locked door of emotions.

Not only is the vocal side of this album great, but so is its musical side. Even from the beginning of the album, you get a brief foray into how all the music will play off of each other. The album starts with a "guitar duet" (might be an accordion) of sorts, were two guitars play simultaneously and seem to bounce off one another. From then on, this record steeps you in musical mastery. Think Phil Spector, but with improvised instruments, such as sleigh bells and soda cans.

It make take you a listen or two, but you'll start to get more familiar with the album. When that happens, you'll understand why this album receives so much praise.