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Pet Sounds Album Cover

Every time I open my iTunes, I try to select something I haven’t listened to in awhile. My iTunes currently consists of 4237 songs, which doesn’t even scrape the surface of my CD collection. Now, that doesn’t even begin to compare to the music library of some of my friends (Scooter, Weigel, etc.) I tend to get something different each time. Today, I will be examining the critically acclaimed album “Pet Sounds” by the Beach Boys.

Let me start off my saying I own 5-6 full length studio Beach Boys albums, and numerous compilations and live albums. Nowhere near their complete discography, but you get my point, I like the Beach Boys. The thing about Beach Boys music is it is short, catchy, and to the point. They are a pop group extraordinaire and they do music well. One day I get a recommendation from Weigel to listen to his CD of Pet Sounds in my car, and instantly loved it. There were a few songs I recognized from the Greatest Hits collections I own such as “Wouldn’t it be Nice”, “Sloop John B”, and “God Only Knows”. Many others that were pretty catchy, I remember liking at the time. I never purchased this album instantly, but a few years later I would have the opportunity to purchase the special edition reissue via a music club as a “free” selection. One of the best selections I may have ever made.

The bulk of this album was recorded in late 1965 and early 1966 during which Brian Wilson had listened to the Beatles “Rubber Soul” Album, and taking several trips to places in the far east to tour, and examining their music and culture while there. Although many of the other members of the Beach Boys were dissatisfied with the direction Brian Wilson wanted the album to take, (less surf & sun, more introspective) ultimately it created their best album, and one of the best albums of all time.

Let’s start out with those singles shall we? Obviously “Wouldn’t it Be Nice” is a catchy teenage love song, that tugs on the heart strings when heard. “God Only Knows” has been cited as Paul McCartney’s favorite song of all time on more than one occasion. “Sloop John B” recorded in a Caribbean style, works well, and I especially like the bells in the beginning. That’s another thing about this album, the different sounds that Brian Wilson has put together amazes me. I hear different instruments on this album every time I listen to it. Trains, bicycle horns, whistles, and other unordinary musical instruments are prevalent throughout this unique masterpiece unlike anything else in their catalog.

For some other songs that I absolutely like, we have “I Know There is an Answer” / “Hang Onto Your Ego” (Read about the title / lyrics change due to LSD references) and “I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times” both songs that have lyrics which I can relate to at some point or another.

“Now how can I come on
And tell them the way that they live could be better

I know theres an answer
I know now but I have to find it by myself”

However, “Here Today” may be my favorite song on the entire album. I love the way it is organized, and how it starts and finishes strongly.  It’s catchy, and the lyrics are just awesome:

“A brand new love affair is such a beautiful thing
But if you’re not careful think about the pain it can bring.”

Finally let’s talk about the title track “Pet Sounds” for a moment. This instrumental master piece summarizes the whole album as music being artwork. Just listen to all of the different sounds that this song brings to the table, and it makes you wonder how Brian Wilson had held back this musical genius in some of the other previous albums…

Overall, Pet Sounds is my “go to” Beach Boys album. I have never gotten tired of it, and my ears hear something new with each listen. This is one of those albums that is a true “classic” and if you have never heard Pet Sounds to its entirity, you definitely should give it a listen as it has influenced countless artists, and helped shape pop music. This is a perfect album, and a great way to show my blog visitors what I consider a “perfect” album. 10/10

Random Fact: Originally the hit song “Good Vibrations” was intended for the Pet Sounds album. Even though it was completed and ready to go by the release of Pet Sounds, Brian Wilson had decided to hold off on it for the next album, Smiley Smile. -C