Product Description

This is more than just an album by a great American band; it's THE great American pop album, an ambitious foray into the intricacies of harmony and melody. Masterminded by Brian Wilson, it changed the rules of rock & roll. Wilson's production brought record-making to a new level. He perfected Phil Spector's wall-of-sound into a more complex, stunning approach. He was inspired by the Beatles' RUBBER SOUL, and PET SOUNDS was, in turn, an inspiration for SGT. PEPPER.
The devoutly romantic "God Only Knows" and the hopeful "Wouldn't ItBe Nice" reflect an innocent time of yearning post-adolescence. From the complex upward progressions of "You Still Believe In Me" to the heartbeat bass of "Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder)", Wilson paid attention to every nanosecond of sound. The traditional folk song "Sloop John B", with its thickly interwoven vocals, was a major hit for the band,but PET SOUNDS' astonishing power comes from its less familiar songs. The shifting moods and devious instrumentation of"I'm Waiting For The Day" and the revealing "I Just Wasn't Made For These Times" are further testaments to Wilson's tortured genius. Wilson has said that angels were overseeing the production of PET SOUNDS; there is no doubt about it.

Track Listing

1. Wouldn't It Be Nice
2. You Still Believe
3. That's Not Me
4. Don't Talk (Put Your Head on My Shoulder)
5. I'm Waiting for the Day
6. Let's Go Away for Awhile
7. Sloop John B.
8. God Only Knows
9. I Know There's an Answer
10. Here Today
11. I Just Wan't Made for Times Like These
12. Pet Sounds
13. Caroline, No
14. Hang on to Your Ego [Bonus Track]

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1063 in Music
• Released on: 2001-08-13
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks

Amazon.co.uk Review
This was pretty much the only occasion on which Brian Wilson managed to articulate his extraordinary musical vision over the length of an album. As such, Pet Sounds is not merely one of the greatest records ever made, but also one of the towering masterpieces of 20th-century art. Every song here, from the exuberant introduction of "Wouldn't It Be Nice" to the concluding, wistful lament of "Caroline No", is definitive pop music. Wilson's fantastical orchestrations and harmonies support a collection of lyrics which are childishly innocent almost to the point of appearing sinister--no album has ever started with a less traditionally rock & roll sentiment than "Wouldn't it be nice if we were married?". When delivered in Wilson's anguished whine, the effect is gloriously heartbreaking--as statements of naked vulnerability go, "I Know There's An Answer" and "I Just \ Wasn't Made For These Times" remain difficult to top. Popular legend has it that when the fiercely insecure and competitive Wilson, a year on from Pet Sounds, heard the Beatles' Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, he was devastated. He needn't have worried. Pet Sounds wasn't trumped then, and it won't be anytime in the future.--Andrew Mueller

Customer Reviews

Unbelievable.
"A total classic record, that is unbeatable in many ways".

This particular tribute came from one Paul McCartney, who over the last forty years has declared his never ending love for 'Pet Sounds'. And we sure as hell don't know more than he does, so it goes without saying that 'Pet Sounds' is one of the greatest albums ever made.

But what astonishes the most, is that Brian Wilson wrote this virtually single handedly. The Beatles had just released the amazing 'Revolver', for Wilson to come out with something even better.

The saying that genius and madness are two sides of the same coin, it's no surprise to know that Wilson really was going mad at the time (He's since recovered somewhat). His eclectic use of organs, flutes, dog whistles and harpsichords created a sound that had never been heard before.

Every single song is masterful, 'Wouldn't It Be Nice', 'Sloop John B', and 'You Still Believe In Me' being particularly good. But without a shadow of a doubt the masterpiece is 'God Only Knows'. Endless musicians have name checked this song as a major influence on their work.

Every respectable best-of list has 'Pet Sounds' firmly in the top 5, often at number 1. So if you are a music fan, you have this in your collection already, right? And if you don't, well, you're not a music fan are you?

As Sir George Martin said, "If I had to pick one living genius of pop music, I'd pick Brian Wilson". So for those of you who haven't got round to purchasing 'Pet Sounds', what on Earth are you waiting for?

Extremely good, but there are even better Beach Boys albums out there....

Best tracks: "Don't Talk (Put Your Head on My Shoulder", "Caroline, No", "Let's Go Away for Awhile", "God Only Knows".

The biggest and most beloved Beach Boys album of them all, Pet Sounds marked the point where Brian Wilson`s mastery of the studio reached its zenith; arguably, the rest of the band are relegated to backing singers, but what lovely sounds they create! However, contrary to popular belief, this is not the only Beach Boys album worth hearing; personally, it`s the six year period following this album that remains the reason why I love this band so much. Why on earth albums like Friends, Sunflower, Surf`s Up, Wild Honey and Holland remain underrated when Pet Sounds, which contains some undeniable filler yet is praised to the high heavens as one of the greatest albums of all time remains a mystery. The instrumental title track is the worst offender, and good but not great songs like "I Know There's an Answer" and "I'm Waiting for the Day" don't help matters, while Wilson's sometimes banal lyrics are a nuisance. Yet, for the most part, this is a joy; "Wouldn't it Be Nice" and "God Only Knows" remains exceptionally lovely and impeccably crafted love songs, while "Don't Talk" and "Caroline No" are extremely powerful, haunting ballads. "Let's Go Away for Awhile" is sparkling and gorgeous, and the remaining songs definitely have their moments. It may sound like I'm being unfairly harsh on this album, but don't get me wrong; it is great, but I find myself listening to this one far less than many of their other, lesser appreciated works. Besides, any album loved THIS much could definitely do being taken down a notch! I'm going to listen to Sunflower now.

PS: I find the stereo mix of Pet Sounds much more satisfying than the original mono mix, so you should definitely go for the version on CD which has both stereo and mono editions so that you can effectively decide for yourself; I know vinyl purists will grind their teeth at the notion of a mono version being inferior, but there you go!

An uneven classic
PET SOUNDS is a classic from the sixties. But not because of its catchy songs, but because of its innovative arrangements. This album opened the doors for better albums like REVOLVER and SGT PEPPER by the Beatles and BUTTERFLY by the Hollies.
Not bad at all, you sure have a few good songs here like "Wouldn't it be nice" and "God only knows". But if you want an album with only good songs, you might be disappointed. This is not even Beach Boys' best album, that would be "Summer days".
Also notice that while Brian Wilson was playing around with an orchestra, Beatles had George Martin who actually knew what he was doing.