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May have been the best album of 1966 as I wasn't around to compare, but one of the best of all time, well, er, no, doesn't stand up to others made.

JP

Well I have to say I agree with you, although if you suggest it to
a Beach Boys fan you will get your head bitten off.

Although I grew up in the 1960's I only knew the Beach Boys
from their 'surf' singles and never heard any of their albums.

About a year ago I started to download loads of Beach Boys
songs to learn more about them. I have to say their were some
gems on some of their mid 60's albums.

All the gems were written and produced by Brian Wilson, who
dropped out of touring with the Beach Boys to concentrate on
writing and recording.

He was also very shy and introverted (listen to 'In My Room')
and was nothing like the up beat 'Fun Fun Fun' type songs.

He was annoyed about the Beatles success with albums like
Revolver, and he started to write a load of deep introverted
songs that were to become 'Pet Sounds'.

He spent months in the studio with some of the best session
musicians and did overdub on top of overdub. Often the rest
of the Beach Boys only came in to add the vocals to an already
finished song.

When the album was finished the record label was not too
keen on it (nor were some of the other members of the Beach
Boys) and it was nearly released as a 'Brian Wilson' album.

The record label did not give it the push it needed and in fact
released a Beach Boys greatest hits only a few months later
which went to the top of the charts.

Although loved by many (Paul McCartney said 'God Only Knows'
was the best pop song ever written) the album Pet Sounds was
almost forgotten.

Brain had a breakdown, became a recluse and had drug problems
so never really promoted it.

Only fairly recently, when the album was re-released on CD, was
there a surge in interest and now many think it is the best album
ever made.

I think there are some great tracks (God Only Knows, Wouldn't
it be nice) but it is a very short album, has two filler instrumentals,
and lacks a couple of extra songs to make it excellent.

Because it charts the downward failure of a relationship, the love
songs go from upbeat to rather sad and maudlin, and it ends with
a very sad 'Caroline No' which may be why it does not give that
buzz that a great album should.

I think it has got its current fame only because it was lost and then
rediscovered, so people feel they have to make up for the fact that
it was not appreciated at the time.

Guilbert

If you want to read more about the making of Pet Sounds
then read:

"I just wasn't made for these times" by Charles L Granata

It covers the history of the Beach Boys, the writing and making
of Pet Sounds, and the release and promotion of the album.

It then charts Brians 'lost' years (1967-1990), then the release
of the CD, and even the 4 disk 'Pet Sounds sessions' boxed set.

An excelent well written book that I picked up for ?4 from a
local record store.

Guilbert

I agree with Forever Changes too. Lovely stuff. The Beach Boys were good, if a little syrupy, and I think Wilson's production - though fine for the age - hasn't quite stood the test of time in the way Spector's still awesome wall of sound has.

BTW - Hendrix still looks a revelation in the old footage - but would he be allowed to get away with such shameless (albeit brilliant) showboating in today's mannered climate?

Mart

If one was to apply the word "grower" to any album, "Pet Sounds" would be the one. It's too deep and complex to appreciate in one listen, but I grew to love it. Many great albums take a few plays I find... I thought "Exile ON Main Street" was a badly-produced racket first few plays, now I reckon it's my all-time fave

I thought my append was long enough as it was.

I did mention Smile in an earlier discussion on Brian Wilson



Guilbert

My god - I have had a jolly good listen to Pet Sounds now - its quite probably the saddest (as in emotionally sad) album I think thats ever been made!!

I bought in 1991, the day REM released "Out Of Time" (bought them both together) I remember finding it a strange album at first - the instrumentation is like nothing else. I then started to like individual tracks more (like "Here Today"), then after a few plays I loved it.
It is quite an emotionally sad album, but strangely quite uplifting too. And how cool is the instrumental "Let's Go Away For Awhile"??

> And how cool is the instrumental "Let's Go Away For Awhile"??

Brain Wilson said of this track:

I think this is the most satisfying piece of music i've ever made.

I applied a certain set of dynamics through the arrangements
and the mixing and got a full musical extension of what i'd
planned during the earliest stages of the theme.

I think the chord changes are very special. I used a lot of
musicians on the track - 12 violins, piano, 4 saxes, oboe, vibes,
and guitar with coke bottle, two basses and percussion.

The track was supposed to be the backing for a vocal but I
decided to leave it alone.

Guilbert