CD: The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds: 40th Anniversary
Pet Sounds (40th Anniversary Limited Edition CD+DVD)
Originally Released on May 16, 1966
CD Edition Released 1990
Gold CD Released March 23, 1993
Non-HDCD Remastered Stereo+Mono Edition Released July 13, 1999
HDCD Remastered Stereo+Mono Edition Released February 5, 2001
DVD-Audio Edition Released July 22, 2003
40th Anniversary CD+DVD Edition Released August 29, 2006
*****
MD5:
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The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds (40th Anniversary).wav = 61901A90131ED313B90E146F221E24AA
*****
AMG EXPERT REVIEW: 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, the 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. The 1990 CD reissue added a few interesting but
inessential outtakes, and a 1999 reissue added a new stereo version of
the entire album to the original mono program. [The 40th Anniversary
Limited Edition of Pet Sounds was a two-disc edition of the program
that contained one CD and one DVD. The CD portion included both mono
and stereo versions of the original program (plus the bonus track
"Hang on to Your Ego"), just as an earlier CD issue had. The DVD
featured both video and audio material. The video portion included a
new edit of the 1997 film The Making of Pet Sounds with some new
footage; interview material from Brian Wilson's 2003 DVD Pet Sounds
Live in London; a segment from BBC-TV with George Martin and Wilson in
the studio; original promo films for three songs (including some
previously unreleased "firehouse" footage for "Good Vibrations"; and a
photo gallery. The audio portion of the DVD featured the original
program in both PCM Stereo and 5.1 Surround Sound, as well as "Hang on
to Your Ego" in PCM Mono.] -- Richie Unterberger
Amazon.com essential recording
If you need some pointy-headed pundit to sell you on the merits of Pet
Sounds, your money might be better spent on an ear specialist. Brian
Wilson's gift to 20th-century music elevated this pop album into a
beguiling musical and emotional cogency that still operates outside
pop culture's fickle space-time continuum--and limited critical
lexicon. There's never been another record to compare (Rubber Soul,
its inspiration, is close; Sgt. Pepper's, its response, misses the
point), and certainly no album has been as dissected, overanalyzed,
and predigested for public consumption. In 1997 Capitol Records
devoted an entire four-disc box set, The Pet Sounds Sessions, to its
thorough deconstruction. The techno-marvel centerpiece of that project-
-the album's first true stereo mix, painstakingly conjured out of
multitape session sources by producer-engineer Mark Linett (under
Wilson's supervision)--was at once heresy and revelation. Now the
label has gratifyingly seen fit to offer both mixes on a single disc
(along with alternate versions of "Hang On to Your Ego," the original
title of "I Know There's An Answer"), an idea that should please the
orthodox and heretics alike. And while the album has always clearly
been The Brian Wilson Show featuring the Beach Boys, biographer Brad
Elliott's concise new notes attempt to be more inclusive of a wider
band perspective. The result (three of the five band members claim
credit for the album title) sometimes resembles Rashomon. If Pet
Sounds forever crystallized the band's various creative
(in)differences, it also became Wilson's grand karmic joke on his band
mates; its burgeoning reputation (Mojo magazine's panel of pop experts
once elected it greatest album of all time) guaranteed they would sing
its songs--and praises--until the end. And if putting two different
versions of the same album on one disc seems like overkill, look at
the bright side: it's a perfect excuse to listen to the glorious Pet
Sounds twice.- Jerry McCulley
Amazon.com Customer Review
approaching an true work of genius, June 21, 2001
Reviewer: Rob Damm from Brick, NJ USA
Pet Sounds is an album that is totally beyond comparison. To call it
the best pop album ever is an understatement, and also a little
misleading. This music is beyond categorization as "pop"-- it's simply
brilliant, idiosyncratic MUSIC. That being said, there is nothing in
the history of recorded music that even touches the sheer genius of
this record. Every microsecond of sound is so carefully considered and
perfectly arranged that the result is the most emotionally touching
collection of songs you'll ever hear. It is impossible to overrate Pet
Sounds. It is unlike anything that came before or after. Nothing in
the Beatles' over-hyped catalog even comes close-- and anything that
might be in the same general proximity is rightly credited more to
George Martin's production than the "Fab Four". Remember, Pet Sounds
is the work of one singular musical imagination-- Brian uses the Boys
as "instruments"-- composed, arranged, produced/assembled, dreamed as
a coherent whole.
This album should be heard by EVERYONE, whatever you believe your
musical to be. It is one of the great works of Western Civilization
for us to study, consider and enjoy. Beyond essential.
This version offers the original Mono mix as well as a new Stereo mix.
Obviously,it should be heard in the original Mono to be fully
appreciated, but I'll be the first to admit the Stereo is REALLY good,
offering a sense of spaciousness and natural sound that is hard to
criticize. It's not a substitute for the original, but a great
addendum. Honestly, the best version is the DCC "gold" disc which is
mastered with such attention to detail that it has an almost
intangible like-like quality not even present on the original LP. But,
I own about 7 different copies and versions of this album on various
format, and this "two-fer" offeres excellent sound and value.
Amazon.com Customer Review
Brian Wilson's Crowning Achievement (The Beach Boys, Too!), April 22,
2001
Reviewer: John Peterson from Marinette, WI United States
This CD is, without a doubt, one of the greatest pieces of music to
come out of the 20th century. Brian Wilson's knowledge of the studio
has never been more beneficial, his musical vision never more
stronger, his communication with the session musicians (his "Wrecking
Crew"), and with his lyricist Tony Asher never more open, his state of
mind never more optimistic, and his confidence was unshakable, even
winning over Mike Love, who not unreasonably had his doubts on some of
the lyrics' pessimism.
This could be one of the first "concept" albums, dealing with the
various stages of love relationships. And the instrumentation used to
reflect the depth of human feelings (including empty water bottles and
bicycle horns!) are very effective.
The most important instrument used was, of course, the group's vocals,
never on better display as it is here. Brian's amazing knowledge of
harmony structure, of which member's vocal should be used, when to use
it (and just as important when NOT to use it) reenforces the fact of
Brian's genius is not just an illusion. This of course applies to a
number of Beach Boy songs and albums.
The one song that feels lyrically out of place is "Sloop John B" but
it's such an incredible performance that this is nit-picking.
What's great about getting both the mono and stereo versions here is
that you can compare the subtle differences of the vocals (and
vocalists) used. This is explained in the 32 page booklet.
Of the bonus tracks included in the 1990 reissue, the only one to make
it to this reissue is the "guide" vocal version of "Hang On To Your
Ego" later changed to "I Know There's An Answer" to placate Mike Love.
A friend of mine bought me this album 25 years ago (yikes!) on my 12th
birthday. It's been a part of my life ever since, and on this version
you get the best of both worlds (mono and stereo) with the best sound
quality you're likely to hear. There's no excuse now not to buy this
beautiful CD.
Brian was inspired by The Beatles to make Pet Sounds. The Beatles were
inspired by Pet Sounds to make Sgt. Pepper. What goes around comes
around.
And Brian, if you're reading this (highly unlikely) I just want to
thank you for opening up my 12 year old heart by baring your soul (and
making me feel like a child every time I hear it)! You're the best.
CD Now Review (March 7, 2001)
To have Paul McCartney call one of your records "the greatest album of
all time" is indeed lofty praise. To have said album -- viewed as a
commercial disappointment by the bean counters upon its release in
1966 -- being discovered and worshipped by new fans each day some 35
years on is truly amazing. Such is the enduring musical phenomenon
that is the Beach Boys' masterwork, Pet Sounds.
It's mind-boggling that all of the strangely beautiful elements of Pet
Sounds -- the ornate production and instrumentation, the tenderly
crafted vocal harmonies, the innocence-found and lost odes to love and
loneliness -- might not have come to fruition had Brian Wilson not
suffered a nervous breakdown triggered by the rigors of being in a hit
pop-music group. Upon taking himself out of the Beach Boys' touring
lineup, the eldest Wilson brother left the song-and-dance routine to
the rest of the group, and retreated to the recording studio in search
of a muse -- and a deeper meaning to pop music.
Inspired by the depth and artistic vision of the Beatles' Rubber Soul,
Wilson teamed up with collaborator Tony Asher to craft a record that
pushed the boundaries of pop music with its sophistication and
creativity. Where the Beach Boys' main source of inspiration was once
sun, surf, and sand, Wilson looked to his heart, mind, and the
possibilities of the studio to spark his imagination.
The album resonated with the sun-kissed innocence of previous Beach
Boys sides, but Wilson's grand vision (executed by a large cast of
studio musicians -- the Beach Boys would add vocals later) dressed his
pop songs in sonic textures heretofore unfamiliar to the format: grown-
up textures such as strings, horns, sleigh bells, train whistles, and
Wilson's full-blown fascination with Phil Spector's monstrous Wall of
Sound production technique.
"Wouldn't It Be Nice" and "God Only Knows," with their meticulous
arrangements and themes of marriage and everlasting love, were in
sharp contrast to everything for which the pop world had come to know
and love the Beach Boys. Though initial sales didn't reflect it, these
pop suites are the reason Pet Sounds is held in such high regard 35
years after its release. -- Pat Berkery, CDNOW Editorial Staff
CMJ New Music Report Exclusive Review
So much has and will be written about Capitol's long-awaited Beach
Boys CD reissues (Pet Sounds especially) that it's difficult, if not
impossible, to put these releases in some sort of objective
perspective. So, why even bother? Pet Sounds is the greatest pop
recording ever (there, I feel better). Released in 1966 after the
Beatles' Rubber Soul, Pet Sounds is Brian Wilson's supreme triumph, a
recording of awe-inspiring beauty and masterful and ingenious studio
creativity, so far ahead of its time and so daringly experimental that
Capitol, after previewing it, amazingly refused to even release a
single (eventually, "God Only Knows" became a Top 5 hit in England,
and "Wouldn't It Be Nice"/"God Only Knows" was finally issued here).
While Pet Sounds influenced innumerable other bands, it practically
destroyed the Beach Boys, creating such pressure that their proposed
followup, Smile, never officially was released, and what eventually
surfaced, Smiley Smile, was a commercial and artistic (at that time)
nightmare. What makes the Beach Boys' music so fascinating are the
many levels that their career and personalities work on: their
obsessive and often self-destructive diligence to their craft (Brian
especially); their tremendous commercial success followed by extreme
failure followed by success again; their exhaustively chronicled yet
still endlessly engrossing personal and group tribulations; a
schizophrenically brilliant recording discography-a large percentage
of which has been brusquely disregarded by so many; and a place in
American popular music and social history matched only by Elvis
Presley. Capitol, especially in lieu of their mediocre Beatles
reissues, has done a near-flawless job with these first discs, from
the extensive liner notes and track-by-track descriptions to the
glorious monophonic sound just as Brian Wilson originally mixed it,
hilarious band photos (Mike Love looked like an asshole even back in
1966) and original swirly orange and yellow label backdrop. Best of
all, we're treated to three previously unreleased tracks (all of the
Beach Boys reissues will sport similarly unreleased material):
"Unreleased Backgrounds," some unused vocal harmonies for "Don't Talk..
. "Hang On To Your Ego" ("I Know There's An Answer" with earlier
lyrics that were rejected by the band); and "Trombone Dixie," a
previously undiscovered instrumental which conceptually foreshadows
"Good Vibrations." Nearly 25 years after its release, Pet Sounds still
astonishes. Next time: Surfin' Safari/Surf in' USA and Surfer Girl/
Shut Down Volume Two.
© 1978-1999 College Media, Inc. Used by permission. All rights
reserved.
CMJ New Music Report Exclusive Review
Saying that the BEACH BOYS' Pet Sounds is an important pop album is
sort of like describing the Grand Canyon as a big, pretty ditch. The
Beatles said on more than one occasion that Pet Sounds was the single
biggest inspiration for their Sgt. Pepper's album, and modern rockers
from Oasis to Sonic Youth have proclaimed its influence on their music.
Still, the key point to keep in mind about this Beach Boys'
masterpiece is that it was one of the first conceptual albums ever
released. Today we take this for granted, but before 1966, LPs were
configured as a collection of singles and not a viable, cohesive whole
in their own right. After the release of Pet Sounds, all that changed
and bands had to re-think how they approached recording. But
ultimately, what really matters about Pet Sounds is that it showcases
some of Brian Wilson's best songwriting and the Beach Boys' incredible
musical abilities. With The Pet Sounds Sessions (Capitol, address
above), a four-CD set with previously unreleased alternate mixes,
vocal- and instrumental-only tracks and a remastered version of the
original mono recording, listeners can experience a whole new take on
this classic. The Boys' stunning harmonies stand out on a vocal-only
rendition of "Wouldn't It Be Nice," and a lounge mix of "God Only
Knows" not only highlights some impressive singing, but includes an
edgy sax solo omitted from the final version.
© 1978-1999 College Media, Inc. Used by permission. All rights
reserved.
Half.com Review
Album Notes
This edition of PET SOUNDS contains both the original mono version of
the album as well as a stereo version and bonus track. It is also
available as part of THE PET SOUNDS SESSIONS box set.
The Beach Boys: Brian Wilson, Carl Wilson, Dennis Wilson, Mike Love,
Bruce Johnston, Al Jardine.
Additional personnel: Glen Campbell, Tommy Tedesco, Jerry Cole, Billy
Strange, Barney Kessel (guitar); The Sid Sharpe Strings (strings);
Tommy Morgan (harmonica); Carl Fortina, Frank Marocco (accordion);
Steve Douglas, Jay Migliori, Roy Caton, Lou Backburn (horns); Leon
Russell, Al De Lory, Don Randi (piano); Ray Pohlman, Carole Kaye, Lyle
Ritz, Julius Wechter, Bill Pitman (bass); Hal Blaine (drums); Gene
Estes, Frank Capp, Jim Gordon (percussion).
Producer: Brian Wilson.
Reissue producer: Cheryl Pawelski.
Engineers include: Larry Levine, Chuck Britz, Bruce Botnick.
Recorded at Gold Star Recording Studios, Western Recorders, Sunset
Sound, Hollywood, California in 1965 & 1966. Includes liner notes by
Brad Elliot and Brian Wilson.
Digitally remastered by Ron McMaster (1999, Capitol Mastering,
Hollywood, California).
This is more than just an album by a great American band; this is THE
great American pop album. PET SOUNDS is the Beach Boys' 1966
masterpiece, an ambitious foray into the intricacies of harmony and
melody that poses poignant themes of post-surfer-boy anxiety.
Elaborate rock harmonies set the Beach Boys apart from their peers,
and in moving to a new level of refinement and production polish to
create this sophisticated, subtle record, the band, led by Brian
Wilson, changed the rules in rock 'n' roll. These were not
prolifically spun-out ditties; the songs on PET SOUNDS took composer/
producer Wilson an excruciatingly long time to create and perfect.
Torturously conceived but longingly gentle, songs like the devoutly
romantic "God Only Knows" and the hopeful "Wouldn't It Be Nice"
reflect an innocent time of yearning post-adolescence.
Rolling Stone Magazine (06/22/1972)
...Brian Wilson's evolutionary compositional masterpiece....This
trenchant cycle of love songs has the emotional impact of a
shatteringly evocative novel...
Down Beat (09/01/1990)
5 Stars - Excellent - ...the music on PET SOUNDS flows as one...
clearly demonstrates [that] the Beach Boys were capable of giving
music lovers something they could feel very, very good about...
Q Magazine (02/01/1991)
Voted the #1 Recorded Music Award for 1990.
New Musical Express (10/02/1993)
Ranked #1 in NME's list of the 'Greatest Albums Of All Time.'
Entertainment Weekly (12/12/1997)
...A commercial washout at the time of its release, the album has
since grown in reputation to the point where pop aesthetes speak of it
in hushed tones as the zenith of Brian Wilson's genius, a seamless
masterwork that rewards deep, repeated listening....a wonderful
collection of songs... - Rating: A+
Mojo (09/01/1999)
You may have heard of this promising combo. Here's one of their
earlier albums, and word is it's quite good. The neat wrinkle is that
you get the album twice, once in original mono and once in that new-
fangled stereo everyone's talking about...
Vibe (12/01/1999)
Included in Vibe's 100 Essential Albums of the 20th Century
AMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW (40th Anniversary CD+DVD Edition)
One subtle difference between this CD and 1999 version, September 29,
2006
Reviewer: D. Shawn McCann (Massachusetts)
In 1999 Capitol released the first stereo/mono single disc version of
this album. In 2000 they re-released it, and what I read at the time
was they had goofed and not used the HDCD master for the 1999 release.
I didn't bother buying it again because I don't have a player with
HDCD capability.
Last week I found out that there's another reason they re-released it
in 2000: when the stereo version was released, radio stations started
playing the stereo versions of the songs that were singles from this
album. The stereo version of "Wouldn't It Be Nice" has Carl Wilson
singing the bridge (...maybe if we think and wish and hope and pray it
might come true...), while it's Mike Love's voice on the mono version
that we've heard since 1966. When he found out about this, Mike Love
had Capitol alter the stereo version of the song to insert the bridge
from the mono version with him singing. When you listen to the stereo
version of the song on this CD, you can hear how the stereo folds down
to mono briefly during the bridge. Capitol did a good job of splicing
it together; I hadn't noticed it until someone pointed it out to me.
The altered version of this song has also appeared on compilations
released since 2000.
The surround sound and hi-resolution stereo versions of the album on
DVD-A and on the DVD that accompanies this release use the unaltered
track with Carl Wilson singing the bridge. I believe the 2 LP vinyl
set also uses the unaltered stereo version.
AMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW (40th Anniversary CD+DVD Edition)
The CD has been remastered, September 9, 2006
Reviewer: Mark H. Linett (Los Angeles)
Just wanted to post a correction to the last review. The CD in the new
set is not the same as the 2001 edition. The mono album has been
remastered from a much better original source tape resulting in a
great improvement in the sound if the original album. In addition the
bonus track has been changed to the more finished version of "Hang On
To Your Ego" which fans have been asking for. Sadly the credits for
the disc omitted this info by mistake. While a hi-res 5.1 mix would
sound better than the dolby digital , the vocals are not just in the
rear speakers. In fact they truly surround the listener. Mark Linett-
engineer/ producer
01. Wouldn't It Be Nice [0:02:25.08]
02. You Still Believe In Me [0:02:31.43]
03. That's Not Me (Mono) [0:02:28.52]
04. Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder) [0:02:53.30]
05. I'm Waiting For The Day [0:03:05.11]
06. Let's Go Away For Awhile [0:02:20.35]
07. Sloop John B [0:02:58.51]
08. God Only Knows [0:02:51.47]
09. I Know There's An Answer [0:03:10.24]
10. Here Today [0:02:55.24]
11. I Just Wasn't Made For These Times [0:03:14.16]
12. Pet Sounds [0:02:22.44]
13. Caroline No [0:02:53.67]
14. Hang On To Your Ego [0:03:14.41]
15. Wouldn't It Be Nice (Stereo) [0:02:33.13]
16. You Still Believe In Me (Stereo) [0:02:36.24]
17. That's Not Me (Stereo) [0:02:31.31]
18. Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder) (Stereo) [0:02:58.32]
19. I'm Waiting For The Day (Stereo) [0:03:06.58]
20. Let's Go Away For Awhile (Stereo) [0:02:24.53]
21. Sloop John B (Stereo) [0:02:59.35]
22. God Only Knows (Stereo) [0:02:54.68]
23. I Know There's An Answer (Stereo) [0:03:18.26]
24. Here Today (Stereo) [0:03:07.31]
25. I Just Wasn't Made For These Times (Stereo) [0:03:21.13]
26. Pet Sounds (Stereo) [0:02:37.50]
27. Caroline No (Stereo) [0:03:34.32]