Souldriver said:I remember reading all wikipedia articles related to the Pet Sounds album and being amazed by the creative process of making this album. One of the singles (Good vibrations?) being the most expensive song to make (at the time) because of the gigantic amount of takes and people involved. The innovation in terms of producing songs. This album being one of the first to fully take advantage of studio work and editing. ...
On a single listen of each song, all I hear is a somewhat catchy song from the '60s that reminds me of a Californian summer on the beach with surfers, the highpoint of American culture, high school, ... but musically I just heard a "catchy" song, nothing more or less. However, reading up on the making of these songs, you have to admit that it's fascinating and must've been a very important moment in pop music.
Ford Prefect said:People who really dig this oughta be sure to check out the rest of the Beach Boys career from the start through the late-70's. Pet Sounds was not a one-off, the rest is very high quality stuff. The obvious places to go next would be the second half of Beach Boys Today (heavenly pet soundsy ballads) and bootlegs of the original Smile sessions (Gershwin/Ellington level American sophistication), but most of the pre-Pet Sounds stuff (including all those hits) features comparable levels craft perfectionism to those in the youtube videos.
What's more is, contrary to popular belief, the period following the abandonment of Smile holds much of Brian's best work. The album Friends in particular has some of the most gorgeous harmonies and compositions he ever wrote, and I think in many respects it is more successful than Pet Sounds and Smile.
B!TCH said:It's crazy that an album like Pet Sounds recorded years and years ago can still resonate so deeply with me today. I feel that way about a lot of the music produced between the 50's and 70's. Weird.
B-B-Bomba! said:I forgot: also, thanks to all of you recommending more Beach Boys stuff. Having started with Pet Sounds (and clearly in need of education) I haven't been sure where to go next. What research I did seemed to suggest it was a one-off and that their other albums where all on the way up to that peak or the way down from it. I appreciate getting solid tips from the heads at GAF.
B-B-Bomba! said:I forgot: also, thanks to all of you recommending more Beach Boys stuff. Having started with Pet Sounds (and clearly in need of education) I haven't been sure where to go next. What research I did seemed to suggest it was a one-off and that their other albums where all on the way up to that peak or the way down from it. I appreciate getting solid tips from the heads at GAF.
I've been addicted to Surf's Up.Lionheart1827 said:Indeed. There is a TON of Beach Boys music post Pet Sounds that a lot of people never have heard due to it never ever getting radio play. You only ever hear the hits from Pet sounds and before. Surf's Up is probably my favorite Beach Boys song of all time. It was so progressive back then and was ahead of its time during the Smile sessions.
In Blue Hawaii is also amazing. The whole 2004 Smile album was just an awesome album, especially after multiple listens. Also tons of other songs from their post pet sounds catalogue were good. Sail on Sailor, Til I Die, Wild Honey, Cool Cool Water, Feel Flows, etc.
If anybody is interested in the backstory to Pet Sounds, you should read the Wikipedia on the Smile sessions. Amazing, yet, very sad stuff. But Brian Wilson redeemed himself in 2004 almost 40 years later.
From the 2004 Smile Live DVD: http://youtu.be/sJWuQV2u9ns