black and tan eyes

Wednesday, February 01, 2006

Beach Boys Pet Sounds

What is there to say about Pet Sounds that hasn’t already been said? That it was the original orchestral pop album – the one which showed musicians and music-lovers alike what popular music could achieve? That it is Sir Paul McCartney’s favourite piece of vinyl? Or that it was the record which marked the Beach Boys’ transition from Californian surf-popsters to artists capable of a more sophisticated sound? There’s nothing much that rock snobs don’t already know about Pet Sounds, but for the uninitiated, here’s a taste of things to expect.

From the start the album was the brainchild of vocalist/bassist/songwriter Brian Wilson. While his bandmates were on the road, Wilson elected to stay at home and focus his energies on a new project. With lyricist Tony Asher and a huge cast of session musicians involved, all that was really required of the four remaining Beach Boys was to lay down the vocals, which Wilson arranged as scrupulously as the actual music. The band’s trademark multi-part vocals add to the texture of Pet Sounds as much as the instruments themselves, which include, aside from the standard guitars, bass and drums, cellos, baroque harpsichords, saxophones, accordions, sleigh-bells and glockenspiels.

Mad genius Wilson conceived of Pet Sounds as a single artistic statement, his aim to express emotion as intimately as possible through unique aural soundscapes, to create “sounds that would make the listener feel loved”. This is not the place to go for catchy ditties about cars and surfer girls. Instead, expect music that is evocative, luxuriant and almost spiritual; at times joyful and upbeat, at others dreamy and introspective. Expect lyrics about the youthful lust for independence and the bittersweetness of love. The radio songs – Wouldn’t It Be Nice, Sloop John B and G-d Only Knows – gain fresh appreciation from being listened to in the context of the album, and the lesser know tracks – the hymnal You Still Believe in Me, the gentle Don’t Talk and the full orchestral blast of I Know There’s An Answer – are sure to enchant the new listener.

As Pet Sounds was quite a departure from the standard Beach Boys formula, it was not embraced as eagerly by the public as by the critics on its release in 1966. However, its sales have since exceeded the million-unit mark, and it has remained an all-time favourite of rock snobs, James Hetfield and Cameron Crowe - to name a few. Indeed one could argue that the classic symphonic rock albums – The Flaming Lips’ Soft Bulletin, Queen’s A Night at the Opera, Meatloaf’s Bat Out of Hell and especially The Beatles’ Sgt Pepper – trace their origins to this lovely piece of work.

The Capitol Records CD reissue includes both the mono and studio mixes of Pet Sounds, albeit somewhat clumsily on a single disc. But that’s as good an excuse as any to listen to it twice in a row; as well as one of the great albums, it is also a great summer album – it sounds great in the car on a quiet drive to the beach or, indeed, on headphones during that bus trip to uni on a warm weekday morning. [5/5]

This review was published, with minor alterations, in the Summer School 2006 issue of Craccum.

64 Comments:

  • This is disgusting!!!
    This hasn't been updated since Feb 2006!!!!
    Where are you!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11:27 am  

  • By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11:11 am  

  • http://markonzo.edu Very funny pictures ashley furniture price [url=http://jguru.com/guru/viewbio.jsp?EID=1536072]ashley furniture price[/url], blaclfr, allegiant air verdict [url=http://jguru.com/guru/viewbio.jsp?EID=1536075]allegiant air verdict[/url], uvljk, pressure washers info [url=http://jguru.com/guru/viewbio.jsp?EID=1536078]pressure washers info[/url], qgsjjx, dishnetwork blog [url=http://jguru.com/guru/viewbio.jsp?EID=1536080]dishnetwork blog[/url], tbhejri, adt security preview [url=http://jguru.com/guru/viewbio.jsp?EID=1536076]adt security preview[/url], sxbjj,

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8:19 pm  

  • Hi,

    When ever I surf on web I come to this website[url=http://www.weightrapidloss.com/lose-10-pounds-in-2-weeks-quick-weight-loss-tips].[/url]blackandtaneyes.blogspot.com is filled with quality info. Do you pay attention towards your health?. Let me show you one truth. Recent Research points that almost 70% of all U.S. grownups are either fat or overweight[url=http://www.weightrapidloss.com/lose-10-pounds-in-2-weeks-quick-weight-loss-tips].[/url] Hence if you're one of these individuals, you're not alone. In fact, most of us need to lose a few pounds once in a while to get sexy and perfect six pack abs. Now the question is how you are planning to have quick weight loss? [url=http://www.weightrapidloss.com/lose-10-pounds-in-2-weeks-quick-weight-loss-tips]Quick weight loss[/url] is not like piece of cake. Some improvement in of daily activity can help us in losing weight quickly.

    About me: I am author of [url=http://www.weightrapidloss.com/lose-10-pounds-in-2-weeks-quick-weight-loss-tips]Quick weight loss tips[/url]. I am also health expert who can help you lose weight quickly. If you do not want to go under difficult training program than you may also try [url=http://www.weightrapidloss.com/acai-berry-for-quick-weight-loss]Acai Berry[/url] or [url=http://www.weightrapidloss.com/colon-cleanse-for-weight-loss]Colon Cleansing[/url] for effective weight loss.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 10:47 am  

  • reviews acomplia [url=http://www1.chaffey.edu/news2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=146&Itemid=63]acomplia free consultation [/url] acomplia rimonaban
    http://www1.chaffey.edu/news2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=146&Itemid=63

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8:08 am  

  • apzh thybv [URL=http://www.katesxxx.com]gay porn[/URL] lbgbvs y mm p kbm

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8:13 am  

  • diazepam 10mg drug test for diazepam - diazepam 10 mg anxiety

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11:30 am  

  • xanax for sale xanax overdose 2 mg - drug test results for xanax

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6:45 am  

  • online diazepam buy genuine diazepam online - diazepam ratiopharm 5 mg para que serve

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6:49 pm  

  • xanax for anxiety buy xanax mexico - xanax 6469

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9:34 pm  

  • cheap diazepam diazepam 10mg bula - buy diazepam online+mastercard

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 1:18 pm  

  • alprazolam without prescription buy alprazolam online thailand - xanax side effects zoloft

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8:49 am  

  • cheap diazepam online diazepam 5 mg side effects - diazepam 10 mg usa

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11:17 pm  

  • buy ativan ativan withdrawal constipation - ativan generic cost

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 1:46 pm  

  • ambien sale ambien side effects paranoia - ambien cost no insurance

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 10:33 am  

  • generic soma buy soma with codeine - buy soma saturday delivery

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 7:16 am  

  • soma pain soma drug addiction - somanabolic muscle maximizer is fake

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8:13 pm  

  • carisoprodol 350 mg carisoprodol orange juice - does soma drug test

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2:16 pm  

  • valium online pharmacy prescription medication valium - price for valium

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 1:42 am  

  • valium for sale where to get valium online - valium dosage

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2:54 pm  

  • ambien sleep new age ambien music online - ambien side effects panic

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2:24 am  

  • soma online deadly soma online movie - soma medication facts

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8:42 am  

  • [url=http://ivlkrwnnz.com]eDppdLWWhwa[/url] , eIcVPFZpARmBWXmJ - http://hhmgziigpu.com

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9:50 am  

  • cheap generic viagra buy herbal viagra online - cheap viagra online with prescription

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2:29 pm  

  • viagra online without prescription purchase viagra online pharmacy - viagra 300mg

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11:05 pm  

  • viagra online without prescription purchase female viagra online - viagra online us with prescription

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 7:51 pm  

  • Percentage Drug Testing Errors prednisone online - prednisone online pharmacy http://www.prednisone4sale.com/#prednisone-online-pharmacy

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 3:08 am  

  • dalsCleax order strattera online - buy atomoxetine http://www.stratterabestprice.com/#buy-atomoxetine

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6:57 am  

  • order soma online buy soma seeds - soma drug carisoprodol

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9:43 pm  

  • Pdr Drug List zithromax for sale - buy azithromycin online no prescription http://www.boggietownmovie.com/, [url=http://www.boggietownmovie.com/]azithromycin for sale no prescription [/url]

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11:30 am  

  • Methylenedioxymethamphetamine Ecstacy Rave Drug Info diflucan yeast infection - order diflucan without prescription http://www.diflucansaleonline.net/#order-diflucan-without-prescription , [url=http://www.diflucansaleonline.net/#diflucan-for-sale-no-prescription ]diflucan for sale no prescription [/url]

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 1:15 pm  

  • cialis drug cialis bph - cialis online from usa

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9:26 pm  

  • buy tramadol online tramadol 100mg retardtabletten - buy tramadol no prescription cod

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4:52 am  

  • Heroin Withdrawel Medicine buy cipro without prescription - purchase ciprofloxacin online http://www.cheapcipromed.net/#purchase-ciprofloxacin-online , [url=http://www.cheapcipromed.net/#cipro-pills ]cipro pills [/url]

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2:53 pm  

  • Home Penis Pills Remedy finasteride sale - purchase finasteride online http://www.propeciahowtosave.net/#purchase-finasteride-online , [url=http://www.propeciahowtosave.net/#propecia-sale ]propecia sale [/url]

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 3:33 pm  

  • order tramadol overnight tramadol ultram controlled substance - tramadol for dogs dosage chart

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11:49 am  

  • [url=http://vtyupdr.com]IuwwZvFbSxVvs[/url] - CCTvCcHVMBaGe , http://iluubcb.com

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 3:48 am  

  • buy generic tramadol no prescription tramadol for dogs with aspirin - tramadol for dogs dose

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 10:02 pm  

  • solar ebook http://audiobooksworld.co.uk/Taking-Your-Pet-To-the-Vet-Cartoons-Collected-by-David-Seidman/p165134/ ebook cosa rapidshare ebook from morphine to chocolate free ebook for elliptic curve cryptography

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 10:14 am  

  • generic xanax xanax effects abuse - effects of alprazolam 0.5mg

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8:50 pm  

  • where can i buy xanax online generic xanax blue oval - xanax overdose permanent damage

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 1:38 am  

  • xrh strattera for sale online - generic strattera no prescription http://www.stratteraforsale.net/#generic-strattera-no-prescription , [url=http://www.stratteraforsale.net/#discount-strattera ]discount strattera [/url]

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2:04 am  

  • Hello, buy sumatriptan no prescription - cheap imitrex http://www.imitrexonlinebuy.com/#cheap-imitrex , [url=http://www.imitrexonlinebuy.com/#buy-sumatriptan-online-no-prescription ]buy sumatriptan online no prescription [/url]

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4:25 am  

  • buy carisoprodol carisoprodol high like - carisoprodol abuse addiction

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4:39 am  

  • uenvks cheapest viagra - cheapest viagra online http://www.viagraonlineoffers.com/#cheapest-viagra-online , [url=http://www.viagraonlineoffers.com/#cheapest-viagra-price ]cheapest viagra price [/url]

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 5:40 am  

  • buy tramadol tramadol capsules 50mg for dogs - tramadol 50 mg long does stay your system

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 7:54 am  

  • 1 generic cymbalta - duloxetine price http://www.cymbaltabuyonline.net/#order-cymbalta-online, [url=http://www.cymbaltabuyonline.net/#order-cymbalta-online]cymbalta for sale[/url]

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12:32 pm  

  • order cialis from canada buy cheap cialis usa - buy cialis levitra

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4:47 am  

  • generic cialis no prescription buy cialis from us - buy cialis drugstore

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6:46 pm  

  • order tramadol online without prescription tramadol 50mg tablets an 627 - tramadol hcl 50 mg strong

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2:47 pm  

  • buy klonopin online clonidine generic klonopin - klonopin for dogs anxiety

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6:45 am  

  • aaa!!! Cheap Topamax - generic topiramate http://www.cheaptopamaxorder.net/#topamax-online, [url=http://www.cheaptopamaxorder.net/#topamax-online]Cheap Topamax[/url]

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 1:42 am  

  • http://buytramadolonlinecool.com/#73892 tramadol online ireland - how get high tramadol

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 5:40 pm  

  • klonopin anxiety generic name of klonopin - klonopin recreational dose

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2:42 am  

  • buy klonopin online buy klonopin cheapest - buy clonazepam europe

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4:43 pm  

  • buy klonopin online how to get klonopin online - klonopin online pharmacy

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2:37 am  

  • tramadol no rx buy tramadol cod overnight - safe buy tramadol online

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 5:39 am  

  • 2, [url=http://www.doesprozacwork.net/]Cheap Fluoxetine[/url] - Prozac Sale - prozac online http://www.doesprozacwork.net/.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8:15 pm  

  • carisoprodol 350 mg cheap carisoprodol online - carisoprodol cost

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 10:15 pm  

  • 12, Buy Lunesta - lunesta medication http://www.lunestasleepaid.net/, [url=http://www.lunestasleepaid.net/] Lunesta Sale [/url]

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9:51 am  

  • 11, [url=http://www.encuentrocubano.com/] Cheap Prozac [/url] - Cheap Prozac - fluoxetine without prescription http://www.encuentrocubano.com/ .

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 5:39 pm  

  • Vitinimeabber xaikalitag Gypeuncesee [url=http://uillumaror.com]iziananatt[/url] Imidakivionia http://gusannghor.com Toragreence

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 3:31 am  

  • Remarkable issues here. I am very satisfied to look your article.
    Thanks a lot and I'm taking a look forward to touch you. Will you kindly drop me a mail?

    Review my webpage: Ceola zelechowski

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 5:34 pm  

  • Hi mу family membеr! Ӏ ωіsh
    to say that this post is amazing, nice written and come
    with almost all impοrtant іnfos.

    І would like to peer more posts liκe
    this .

    Lоok into my web-site - hcg diet reviews
    My web site > hcg diet

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11:50 am  

Post a Comment

<< Home