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The Beach Boys Pet Sounds Release Date: 1966 05 16 Label: DCC The best Beach Boys album, and one of the best of the 1960s. The group here reached a whole new level in terms of both composition and production, layering tracks upon tracks of vocals and instruments to create a richly symphonic sound. Conventional keyboards and guitars were combined with exotic touches of orchestrated strings, bicycle bells, buzzing organs, harpsichords, flutes, theremin, Hawaiian-sounding string instruments, Coca-Cola cans, barking dogs, and more. It wouldn't have been a classic without great songs, and this has some of the group's most stunning melodies, as well as lyrical themes which evoke both the intensity of newly born love affairs and the disappointment of failed romance (add in some general statements about loss of innocence and modern-day confusion as well). The spiritual quality of the material is enhanced by some of the most gorgeous upper-register male vocals (especially by Brian and Carl Wilson) ever heard on a rock record. "Wouldn't It Be Nice," "God Only Knows," "Caroline No," and "Sloop John B" (the last of which wasn't originally intended to go on the album) are the well-known hits, but equally worthy are such cuts as "You Still Believe in Me," "Don't Talk," "I Know There's an Answer," and "I Just Wasn't Made for These Times." It's often said that this is more of a Brian Wilson album than a Beach Boys recording (session musicians played most of the parts), but it should be noted that the harmonies are pure Beach Boys (and some of their best). Massively influential upon its release (although it was a relatively low seller compared to their previous LPs), it immediately vaunted the band into the top level of rock innovators among the intelligentsia, especially in Britain, where it was a much bigger hit. Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide Tracks: Title Composer Time 1 Wouldn't It Be Nice Wilson, Asher 2 You Still Believe in Me Wilson, Asher 3 That's Not Me Wilson, Asher 4 Don't Talk (Put Your Head on My Shoulder) Wilson, Asher 5 I'm Waiting for the Day Wilson, Love 6 Let's Go Away for Awhile Wilson 7 Sloop John B Wilson, Traditional 8 God Only Knows Wilson, Asher 9 I Know There's an Answer Wilson, Love, Sachen 10 Here Today Wilson, Asher 11 I Just Wasn't Made for These Times Wilson, Asher 12 Pet Sounds Wilson 13 Caroline No Wilson, Asher 14 Hang on to Your Ego [*] Wilson, Asher Releases: Year Type Label 1966A DCC 2009 CD Audio Fidelity 1990 CD Capitol CD DCC 1993 CD DCC 1993 CD DCC 2000 CD EMI 1998 CD Import 2007 CD Toshiba EMI 1972 LP Brother 1966 LP Capitol 1995 LP DCC 2004 LP Divine Recordings 2006 LP Toshiba EMI

Group Members: Ricky Fataar David Marks Blondie Chaplin Bruce Johnston Dennis Wilson More >> Similar Artists: The Turtles The Beatles The Four Seasons The Mamas & the Papas The Hollies More >>

Influenced By: Phil Spector Chuck Berry The Four Freshmen The Everly Brothers The Hi-Lo's More >> Followers: Huey Lewis The Heavy Blinkers Veronica Lake The High Llamas Henry Gross More >>

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