Smile

A confused and very inconsistent record. Perhaps this is explained given the context of the original production of the album, but I can't help but think that the many interesting ideas on this are even half realised. This is an album for big fans of The Beach Boys, but not so much the average listener. Best Tracks: - In Blue Hawaii Worst Tracks: - Vega-Tables - Barnyard Rating: 2/10

Horrible album cover. How is this from the early 00s? It's Beach Boys Brian Wilson with absurd man-made animal sounds. How is the album on here?

I know it’s sacriligious to say but: I am massively annoyed.

The productions just sounds uncomfortable. The timing seems off. Sounds a little like when a movie distorts the audio when a character is on depressants. The layers feel like they don't mesh. Probably should have just stayed existing in hearts and minds Someone should make a horror movie based on this album with it as the soundtrack.

Listened to this while playing the ship maintenance phase of ISS Vanguard. I liked this album when it came out, but we were all young and stupid once. Seriously...whoever was responsible for putting this on the list deserves to listen to "Vega-tables" on a loop for eternity. I honestly would die more happy if I never have to listen to this again.

My apologies fellow travellers, the nostalgia is so lost on me, even after reading of the emotional journey needed to do this work. Suitable listening alongside a Brian Wilson biography perhaps?

Yes, these are all incredible. Everything he writes is incredible. My beef, which I don't necessarily think he can really help, is that they're all very.....ADHD, sound impression-y? There's not really much in the way of structure or, I wanna say, forethought. It's just a lot of frantic sound energy. But again, that energy is amazing and I do actually love all of it. This is all very nit-picky, and it's honestly just that little bit off from perfect.

This is the album Walk Hard made fun of isn’t it? Yep, there’s the goat. Although it is absurd and absolutely wacky at times, I kind of love it. Good Vibrations is the best Beach Boys song. 9/10

It should be no surprise Smile is good when Brian Wilson is by far the best Beach Boy, but I’m still impressed that he made music of this quality for so long much like Fiona Apple.

I get choked up thinking about the realization of this project almost 40 years after it was started. It contains the most adventurous and forward thinking compositions in Brian Wilson’s career. One of pop music’s greatest comebacks & triumphs ❤️.

The dream is realised! I am so happy this exists.

I've only had experience with the SMiLE Sessions, so it's a big revelation to hear how an older Brian went along and finished that puzzle. Solid 5 Stars.

I’m at a 10. I can’t even explain why, honestly. It just really fucking clicked for me. The Abbey Road medley taught me that I love when tracks flow into each other, even with seemingly no rhyme or reason. Todd Rundgren’s 26-minute medley to start “A Wizard, A True Star” taught me that manic shifts within that flow can be incredibly appealing if the musicality meets the moment. This album is comprised of 3 of those medleys / suites, each focusing on their own subjects: the industrialization / colonization of modern America, a very loose look at puberty & its effect on how one slowly loses their childhood after going through their first truly emotional experience, and an entire suite on the human condition as it relates to the 4 elements of earth, air, fire, & water. Brian Wilson did not invent Avatar: The Last Airbender, but don’t be surprised if anyone thought to use Good Vibrations in an Avatar AMV years later as a result of listening to this album. While I understand exactly why this album conceptually crashed & burned in 1966/67 (it is unbelievably ambitious for that time, assuming the same general structure is intact here), I feel like I need to listen to the Smile Sessions just to see how much of it was able to be realized back then, as well as Smiley Smile just for the hell of it. Obviously, this 2004 version is not what Brian Wilson & friends would’ve made back then, but it’s something that was good enough to release in Brian’s eyes, which makes me think it’s worth calling a somewhat definitive version. There’s just a lovely flow to all of these suites, and the transitions in each one feel flawless. Thematically, while I don’t quite see the connections between all 3 suites, the musicality of it all overrides any minor nitpicks I could have about it. This is a 1960s album made with 2004 tech, giving a much greater range to the production & the clarity within. The horn work, the pulse to the percussion, the sense of drama on certain tracks (“Mrs. O’Leary’s Cow” as a shining example), and the multitude of instruments & vocal harmonies that layer this album all come together brilliantly. It is a miracle that it’s as cohesive as it is, but I guess that’s a testament to all that “genius” talk they were praising onto Brian back in the day. I’m also glad it’s a quick album. Well, “quick” comparatively – 47 minutes is nothing to scoff at, but it flies by given the pace / entertainment factor of each track. There’s always something with appeal, whether it’s in the wordless vocals or the quirky slide whistles or a sense of hypnosis brought upon by… well, anything here, really. It never feels like there’s a missed beat or a wasted second, and having an album that knows its purpose while achieving it so efficiently is just extremely welcomed, given the amount of directionless ones we’ve had recently. There are shorter tracks here, and there might be a track or two in the middle suite that sort of stalls vocally, but none of that ever felt like a bad thing to me. “Good Vibrations” as the peppy closing finale it was intended to be just feels right. Ultimately, I really liked it. I think it’s futile to try and cover all the tracks here, as this is an album you’re just meant to feel out & follow its flow. If you can ride Brian Wilson’s wavelength, you’ll really, really enjoy this. If you can’t, you’ll still probably like a few tracks here. If you hate everything & you give this a 1, I’m going to assume you were born without any sense of joy or whimsy. For me, it’s a 10. It’s just a great album, and I was delighted by the entire thing. Thank goodness this was on the list. Rest in peace, Brian.

I'm so glad this ended with Good Vibrations! The true album felt like a tribute to the song. Up until good vibrations it felt like The Beach Boys grew up and met Morissey and Brian Eno asking the way. I grew up loving The Beach Boys and I lived this album.

What a genius!

A parte mais divertida de ouvir Smile de Brian Wilson foi poder me debruçar sobre a história de criação do álbum e sobre a vida do cantor, o que tornou o processo de audição do disco muito mais divertido por me fazer perceber a sua genialidade. Simplesmente incrivel

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No good. Was gonna say this sounds like a cheap beach boys. My bad. The story behind it is really cool and very sad. However, a cool story does not instantly make something good. Mid. Maybe better than mid this is rad especially when paired with smiley smile

the album is good but it didnt make me smile. because everytime theres some sick harmonies coming up i want to kms as im just never able to create such sick shit in a trillion years. 5/5

Had this been completed in the 60s, this would rival Revolver, Sgt Pepper and Pet Sounds as a contender for the greatest album of all time. It's that good. Thank you, Brian, for finishing it, no matter how many years, trials and tribulations it took. 5/5

This is one of those albums which is never going to fully reveal itself to you on a singular listen, requiring time and patience, however the one listen will have to suffice for now as I'm craving some metal in my ears. That said, this is absolutely bonkers and ceremoniously diverse, with plenty of overlap with other psychedelia artists which feature highly in my estimations, whilst feeling unique to itself in how it apportions progressive pop sensibilities, orchestral arrangements, rock opera-scale ambitions and contemporary means of production, whilst still heavily invoking the 60s in terms of its "no holds barred" approach and broadly optimistic tones. However, it even channels late-career experimental Scott Walker towards its back end on a track such as "Mrs O'Leary's Cow", completely flipping the vibe of the album on its head when you'd least expect it. I'm fairly certain I have heard Smile before as it's saved in my Spotify library from several years back, when I was working through a list of the "most challenging albums to listen to" list on AOTY/Sputnik/similar, but it was more or less a fresh listen this go around. It will be joining my physical shelves, incredible stuff.

Just so unimaginably creative. A very inspired record. Brian Wilson really has a childlike wonder in his music. There’s an openness to every song, where you feel like there’s no limit in the way he expresses himself. Even the songs where the subject matter or writing may seem immature, the sincerity of the approach comes through clearly. You will always have something valuable to grasp on to. Revisiting his unfinished Beach Boys album and deciding for a redo makes this album so interesting from a structural point of view. So many changes here are just different, where I can go back to some of The Beach Boys’ recordings and get the same amount of enjoyment, if not more. However, the songs on this record work together perfectly. Sonically, there’s great progression with repeated elements that help to emphasize a certain sound, and thematically you get a great sense of the power of childhood and the changes throughout a life. Brian Wilson through all his struggles with his self and with finishing this album was able to create a record that was thrillingly cohesive. I will always thank him for sharing his art with the rest of the world. Faves: Heroes and Villains, Song For Children, Child Is Father of the Man, Good Vibrations, Cabin Essence, Wind Chimes, Vega-Tables, Barnyard

Is it my favorite form of Smile? Not quite. Is it the closest we'll ever get to a finished version of it? Yes. The story of Smile is one of my favorite triumphs in popular music history, where Brian Wilson's most ambitious project eventually consumed him and caused (exacerbated?) a paranoid, anxious retreat into obscurity and which probably began to spell the end of the Beach Boys as a collective studio unit (Sunflower and Surf's Up notwithstanding). For Brian to go back to the record nearly 40 years after its original conception and finally present a completed version of it, one that is brimming with life and love and passion and a sense of complete catharsis...it's a big event. You can feel the collective enthusiasm and joy to bring this project to life from everyone involved, especially if you watch the brilliant concert film that came out with this album. I wish I wasn't a toddler when this came out and was actually an adult because just reading about the reception, the magnitude and weight of the concerts that Brian put on to play the album in its entirety live brings more than a tear to my eye. A feat of human creation. A feat of the ability to make music that itself feels genuine emotion. We love you, Brian. Thank you.

I just love Brian Wilson's music. It's always so unique sounding, nothing else like it, but is also instantly recognizable and familiar. This whole album flows song to song and the songs often blend together if you're not paying a ton of attention. Heroes and Villains is great, I love the different sections the song goes through and it has that signature a capella do-do-ing. This album also has a version of my favorite Beach Boy's song Surf's Up, so it can have bonus points for that. I really enjoyed this one start to finish (except for Vega-Tables, that's a weird one).

what a fun album. loved it

Weird but musically stellar.

has my favourite ‘ surfs up ‘ , so it’s a 5

so many classics in this! i didnt know

A beautiful cathartic album. The culmination of almost 40 years of Brian's journey. And a fascinating exploration into childhood trauma and wonder, with added layers of legacy sprinkled on top. The well crafted harmonies, broad range of instruments, and musical themes throughout make it feel almost like a play or a composition at times.

dude's cramming like 3 songs in every song.

rip brian wilson. thank you for everything you've done for music.

I remember listening to this when the remaster came out. It was my first listen of Brian Wilson.

At first, I was thinking that this was from the late 60s. With its skilled sing-song melodies, wall of sound, slide-whistles, and subjects such as vegetables (and hell), I feel like I'm on an acid trip in a Little Golden Book world.... everything is bright and colorful and sinisterly beautiful, and I feel like the cartoons are closing in.

among the first musicians i ever listened to (early development era, you know - when i could cognitively grasp that musicians were in fact discrete groups of people who made distinct songs) the beach boys were one of my favorites. granted, this was because my parents had deigned to give me a CD (or was it a cassette? my bright blue orb of a music player could play both cassettes and CDs) of one of their greatest hits albums and i would listen to that - rotating between kidz bop, debussy, and enya. only much much later would i learn the ominous lore surrounding brian wilson and the beach boys - in fact, i learned MORE disturbing facts when starting 1001 because my friends got a beach boys album and that was the point THEY learned what all happened there ("what do you mean there's a section about charles manson on the beach boys wikipedia page?" etc.). in retrospect i really feel like the beach boys is the older generation's best kept secret from us young folk, because as a child listening to them i would never fathom - not in a million years - how fucked up the beach boys were and the tragedy of brian wilson's life (RIP). but then i guess that's part of the formula when it comes to great artistry: not that you have to endure great hardship for art, but that the effort of reinvention and craftsmanship isn't something you get in the trappings of a comfortable or conventional life. all to say: what an absolutely bonkers, banana, crazy-pants album this is. the culmination of brian wilson and the beach boys' legacy coming to fruition fifty some-odd-years after the fact (arguably the zenith of their entire discography, eclipsing pet sounds, but i'd only argue this if i was interested in starting a 500+ comment reply chain debate on the subject, but i'm not, so don't @ me). i've never been so enchanted by an album that repeatedly features a slide whistle. i had this album on repeat during a day i was packing up my office for a move (read: distracted), and the way that the songs blended into one another into one cohesive listening experience was so disorienting - when did a song start? when did it end? how has this album been playing for three hours already? i'll emphasize again that this album has enchanted me: an alice in wonderland style journey into a soundscape that i could get lost for hours in. great stuff!! highlights - heroes and villians, roll plymouth rock, cabin essence, surf's up, on a holiday, wind chimes, mrs. o'leary's cow, in blue hawaii, good vibrations

I just cannot get along with anything beach boys 😫 good music if you like it i don't

Excellent

A lot of people are not going to get this and I understand that. They didn't appreciate Picasso until after he died. Great artists are often like that. Hands down, Brian Wilson is in the top three songwriters of the last two centuries. This is the album that would have gave Sergeant Pepper a run for the money. He has perfected everything he ever wanted the Beach Boys to be into this one album. Granted, The Beach Boys are not on this album but he originally crafted the music for them. In the top 10 albums of the last 100 years.

Classic

The holy grail of Pop

"Smile" by The Beach Boys is probably the most famous lost album of all time. A little background. Following the success of Brian Wilson's artistic masterpiece, "Pet Sounds", he set to work on the Beach Boys' follow up album. He worked in a friendly but fierce competition with The Beatles. Fueled by high praise, obsessive followers and heavy drug use, the descriptions of "Smile" were a bit overblown and pretentious. The so-called "teenage symphony to God" set up some high expectations. As Wilson's mental state deteriorated, the plans collapsed and "Smile" was shelved, replaced by the generally lackluster "Smiley Smile", which at least gave the world "Good Vibrations", as well as the lasting legend around the lost recordings. For a lot of lost albums, the legend tends to overshadow the reality. For decades, "Smile" only existed as fan assembled collections of leaked demos, and as a grand idea in Brian Wilson's mind. Like other lost albums, the recordings were chopped up and recycled across other releases. The more time passes, and the more the songs appear elsewhere, the more impossible it becomes to resurrect an old concept. Brian Wilson seldomly ever spoke about his biggest failure. Nearly four decades later, to the surprise of everyone, "Smile" became reality. Recorded without the Beach Boys, Brian Wilson finally brought the album to light. Maybe even more surprisingly, it turned out really good. If this album came out in 1967, people would have hailed it as the perfect follow up to "Pet Sounds". But truth be told, this isn't quite the album that he originally planned. It's a brighter album, made by someone in a better state of mind. The very thing that made it possible to complete the album also turned it into something else. So The Beach Boys' "Smile" remains lost forever, with "Brian Wilson Presents Smile" being another chapter in the story, along with "Smiley Smile" and "The Smile Sessions" officially released a few years later. The three releases can be used to triangulate what the original album might have sounded like. It's a lot of effort to not actually hear an idea but its undoubtedly an important part of recorded music history.

Interesting

simultaneously gut wrenching but also pleasantly amusing

This album definitely made me smile!!

Fun

a vibe!

I like it. Kind of like clown music

another awesome album

Sunshine genius

Loved this

Classic

Radiating with a big Smile.

Cannot imagine the pressure of finishing an album you abandoned 40 years ago. The production on this is immaculate, an almost magical quality. Some real experimental stuff on here especially Mrs O'Leary's Cow. I didn't know much Beach Boys / Brian Wilson before he died. I'm glad I got this and could appreciate this in the sun.

I liked it

Five stars, no notes. Unreal, surreal experience. RIP

Fitting tribute!

The great. Showed up just a few days after his death. So poppy, risk taking dreamscape sounds. Pure genius.

This is some really great stuff here. Pure pop, but with great and inventive musicianship - and humour, to boot. "Heroes and Villains" is the first hook, and it keeps on going. "Cabin Essence" is so unusual, with its echoes of renaissance choral music! Superb album.

This is a work of genius. Does that mean it is great all the way through? Hardly. Does it have moments of brilliance and beauty? Absolutely. Does it have some head-scratching stuff too? Yes.

One of the all-time greatest albums!

## In-Depth Review of Brian Wilson's *Smile* Brian Wilson’s *Smile*, released in 2004 as *Brian Wilson Presents Smile* (BWPS), is one of the most storied and ambitious projects in pop music history. Conceived in the mid-1960s as a follow-up to The Beach Boys’ *Pet Sounds*, the album was famously abandoned in 1967 due to creative tensions, technical limitations, and Wilson’s deteriorating mental health. Nearly four decades later, Wilson revisited and completed the project with his band and lyricist Van Dyke Parks, offering the world a realized vision of his “teenage symphony to God.” This review explores *Smile* through its lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, and concludes with a balanced assessment of its strengths and weaknesses. --- ## Lyrics **Surrealism, Americana, and Fragmentation** The lyrics on *Smile*, primarily crafted by Van Dyke Parks, are a radical departure from The Beach Boys’ earlier straightforward narratives. Instead of clear stories about surfing, cars, and romance, *Smile*’s words are abstract, allusive, and often surreal. Parks draws on American history, mythology, and landscape, using fragmented imagery and wordplay to evoke a sense of both nostalgia and irony[1]. - **“Heroes and Villains”**: Uses Wild West motifs as a metaphor for Wilson’s disillusionment with the music industry and American society. The narrative is intentionally elusive, capturing moments rather than telling a linear story[1]. - **“Cabin Essence”**: Continues the American journey, referencing railroads and westward expansion, but with a dreamlike, elliptical quality[1]. - **“Surf’s Up”**: Perhaps the album’s lyrical apex, blending poetic imagery of innocence lost and existential yearning with lines like “Columnated ruins domino.” The meaning is open to interpretation, contributing to the album’s mystique[1]. - **“Vege-Tables”**: Embraces absurdity, using playful puns and nonsensical lines to create a whimsical, almost dadaist effect[1]. The lyrics oscillate between humor, sarcasm, and introspection, often using irony to undercut the apparent optimism suggested by the album’s title[1]. --- ## Music **A Sonic Kaleidoscope** Musically, *Smile* is a tour de force of pop experimentation. Wilson’s arrangements fuse baroque pop, doo-wop, Americana, jazz, and avant-garde techniques into a seamless, multi-movement suite[3][5]. - **Modular Construction**: The album is built from “modules”—short musical fragments that are stitched together, sometimes abruptly, to create a collage-like effect. This approach was groundbreaking in the 1960s and remains unique[3]. - **Orchestration**: Wilson employs a wide palette—harpsichord, tack piano, strings, brass, woodwinds, and unconventional percussion (including bicycle bells and water jugs). The arrangements are lush but never cluttered, balancing complexity with clarity[3][5]. - **Vocal Harmonies**: While the 2004 version lacks the full Beach Boys’ blend, Wilson’s band delivers intricate harmonies that evoke the spirit of the original group. The choral arrangements on tracks like “Our Prayer” and “Surf’s Up” are especially striking[6]. - **Melodic Invention**: Despite the album’s experimental edge, Wilson’s gift for melody shines throughout. Songs like “Wonderful” and “Child Is Father of the Man” are both haunting and beautiful, their tunes lingering long after listening[5]. The album’s flow is deliberate, with recurring motifs and musical callbacks that reward attentive listening. The three-movement structure—Americana, the Cycle of Life, and the Elements—gives the album a symphonic scope[3]. --- ## Production **Retro-Futurism and Emotional Resonance** The production of *Smile* (2004) is both a tribute to 1960s studio wizardry and a product of modern technology. - **Recording Techniques**: Wilson and producer Mark Linett used a Pro Tools HD rig but adhered to many 1960s practices, such as recording in discrete sections and using vintage equipment (notably, a Universal Audio tube mixing console similar to the one used by The Beach Boys)[3]. - **Instrumentation**: The band replicated the original sound palette with digital keyboards, real upright piano, and timpani, augmented by a ten-piece string section. The result is a sound that feels both timeless and contemporary[3]. - **Vocals**: Wilson takes most of the lead vocals, which, while emotionally resonant, lack the textural variety of the original Beach Boys lineup. This is one of the few production drawbacks noted by critics and fans[6]. - **Mix and Sequencing**: The album is meticulously sequenced, with smooth segues and careful layering. Some flourishes from live performances were omitted to focus the studio version, resulting in a cohesive listening experience[3][6]. The production is polished but never sterile, capturing both the ambition and vulnerability of Wilson’s vision. --- ## Themes **America, Innocence, Irony, and Redemption** *Smile* is as much a meditation on America as it is on Wilson’s own psyche. - **Deconstructing America**: The album explores what it means to be American, moving beyond the consumerist optimism of The Beach Boys’ early hits to grapple with history, myth, and national identity. The journey is both literal (across the country) and metaphorical (into the heart of American experience)[1]. - **Loss of Innocence**: Many songs reflect a sense of lost innocence and maturity. The youthful exuberance of earlier Beach Boys records is replaced by a bittersweet, sometimes ironic smile[1]. - **Absurdity and Humor**: The album juxtaposes moments of joy and whimsy (“Vege-Tables,” “Look”) with introspection and melancholy (“Surf’s Up,” “Child Is Father of the Man”), creating a tension that is both unsettling and compelling[1]. - **Personal Struggle and Redemption**: The story of *Smile* is inseparable from Wilson’s personal journey. The album is imbued with the emotional weight of his struggles with mental health, creative ambition, and eventual triumph in completing the project decades later[5]. --- ## Influence **A Legacy of Innovation** *Smile*’s influence is immense, even though its original form was not released until decades after its conception. - **Pop Experimentation**: The modular approach, genre-blending, and use of the studio as an instrument paved the way for later artists in pop, rock, and beyond. Albums like The Beatles’ *Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band* and later works by Radiohead and Animal Collective owe a debt to *Smile*[2]. - **Myth and Mystery**: The legend of the “lost album” inspired generations of musicians and fans, contributing to the mystique of unfinished masterpieces and the allure of artistic ambition[2][5]. - **Critical Acclaim**: Upon its release, *BWPS* was universally praised, earning Wilson his first Grammy and securing a place in Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time[3]. --- ## Pros and Cons | Pros | Cons | |----------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Unparalleled ambition and originality in pop music | Lacks the full vocal richness of the original Beach Boys lineup[6] | | Lyrically sophisticated, blending Americana with surrealism[1] | Some may find the lyrics too abstract or elusive[1] | | Masterful arrangements and inventive orchestration[3][5] | The 2004 vocals lack the youthful timbre of Wilson’s 1960s voice[5][6] | | Cohesive, symphonic structure that rewards attentive listening[5] | Some fans prefer the rawness of the original Beach Boys sessions[4][6] | | Emotional resonance, reflecting Wilson’s personal journey[5] | Requires context to fully appreciate; less immediate than earlier hits[5] | | Groundbreaking influence on later artists and genres[2][3] | Not as “fun” or accessible as classic Beach Boys albums[1] | | High production values, blending vintage and modern techniques[3] | Some arrangements feel “samey” due to Wilson singing most leads[6] | --- ## Conclusion *Smile* stands as a singular achievement in the history of popular music—a work of visionary ambition, emotional depth, and musical innovation. Its lyrics are poetic and enigmatic, its music a kaleidoscope of American sounds, and its production a loving reconstruction of a lost masterpiece. The album’s themes of innocence, irony, and redemption resonate both as a commentary on America and as a reflection of Wilson’s own life. While the 2004 version cannot fully replicate the magic that might have been captured by the original Beach Boys in 1967, it is nonetheless a triumph of artistic perseverance. Its influence continues to reverberate, inspiring musicians to push the boundaries of what pop music can achieve. For all its quirks and imperfections, *Smile* is a testament to the power of creative vision and the enduring human spirit.

RIP

Great album. Such an interesting story to how it was made.

elska þetta. yfirdrifnar útsetningar, brjálaður samsöngur. í raun allt sem ég dýrka.

Dig it.

Rip

Miles

Brian was nice

RIP

What a beautiful record! I like the Beach Boys a lot and I can see why BWPS can be as divisive as it is, regarding its authenticity. However, as a body of work, it's a cohesive, engaging and even magical record. One can't help but imagine how it might have shaken the music scene if it were released in 1968, which kind of relegates BWPS as an interesting relic of one of the most legendary recording sessions in popular music history. A must listen!

Outstanding music from the master of sound! Five stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Love this album.

Great albums. The vocal harmonies are incredible.

5/5, has to be. Beautiful album written by such a beautiful soul! RIP Brian Wilson

Smile is a legendary album with a few versions out, so just to be clear, I listened to the smile sessions version. I sobbed uncontrollably. This is one of the most beautiful albums I've ever heard. Despite technically being unfinished, It moved me in a way almost no other album has. Brian Wilson was a genius and insanely influential producer, and he perfectly created a lush, breathtaking experience from front to back. I read through his history while listening, and it was so much to take in. Creating something like this masterpiece in the face of so much tragedy is so unbelievable. Rest In Peace, Mr Wilson, I'm so sorry I couldn't appreciate your work to the fullest until now. 10/10

Our Prayer/Gee

Rest in peace, Brian Wilson.

Amazing complex harmonies

Brilliant album. Rest in peace, Brian.

Great example of how to use vocals as an instrument.

Thank you so much 1001albunsgenerator for send this one day after Brian Wilson's death. His legacy will be eternal!

I just wish he'd gotten to live long enough to see Mike Love die first.

First time listen but it felt so familiar. Perfectly Brian Williams. Could have done without Barnyard but loved the rest.

RIP Brian Wilson

A Classic album, R.I.P To my goat, Brian wilson, he Gone but not forgotten, we're always remember you, Brian wilson, thank you for all this masterpieces, pet sound, today!, all summer long, summer days, lofi albums, the beach boys love you, smile and many more albums. Thank you, we're really gonna miss you.

Groundbreaking.

Delightful album - Brian Wilson's creative vision finally, after a fashion, realized, 37 years later. While it has some key differences from the 2011 Beach Boys version of Smile with which I was already familiar, I find that the differences help set this one apart as its own thing. Perhaps I should get into all the fan reconstructions of Smile as well. RIP Brian Wilson.

No other way to describe him, the man was a genius. I’m pretty new to The Beach Boys, I knew the odd song but the first time I properly listened to them was when I generated Pet Sounds a couple of months ago. It completely blew me away. I had that same feeling today with Smile. It is a stunning album. Top Track - Cabin Essence R.I.P

Rest in peace Brian. Great record with Beach Boys'esque production and songwriting. Love the feeling of the whole record.

Fantastico!

This blew me away. I've always known that Brian Wilson was a musical genius, and Pet Sounds is one of my favorite albums, but I'd never heard BWPS until today. Coincidentally, Brian Wilson died yesterday, so this was an interesting surprise that I rolled this album today. Everything here was delightfully quirky and unexpected, with lots of cool rhythms, harmonies and melodies and great performances, recording and mixing. I listened to the whole thing twice and may go for a third time. Five stars.

RIP.

Beautiful album. 10/10. Masterpiece.

Wow. Stunning vocal harmonies, incredible production, really interesting instrumentation - this record is superb in every way. Favourite tracks: Our Prayer / Gee, Heroes and Villians, Roll Plymouth Rock (English indie band Doves used the piano refrain to great effect in their track Valley), Barnyard, Old Master Painter / You Are My Sunshine, Child Is Father of the Man, Good Vibrations.

Presented in three movements not too dissimilar to the medley on the second side of Abby Road, BWPS really does capture the essence of mid 1960s Beach Boys and eclipses any concept of the legendary "long lost" album of Smile. If Pet Sounds is an ode to the coming of age and growing older, BWPS is the culmination of that ode where, Brian Wilson as an aged, damaged old man, can still find the joys of youth & music. The interweaving of voices, the heavy Gershwin cues, the segways in to familiar rearrangements of Beach Boys classics, its quite an enjoyable record, if a tad slow. While I do enjoy the Smile Sessions better with the Beach Boys' voices, Brian Wilson has said that record doesn't exist without the framework he creates here.

I heard the Dennis Wilson one a few days earlier, and wasn't impressed, but this one was great. I've heard of it (of course) but had never given it a listen before

Not in my edition of the book! 2004. 5 stars. One of the great songwriters and arrangers on absolutely top form. We can only imagine what it would have sounded like in 1967 with the Beach Boys in their prime. As it is, it's still pretty damn fine. This was generated for me to listen to the day after Brian Wilson died. Randomly generated? I think not :)

MAKE SURE YOU CAN LISTEN TO THE ALBUM WITH GAPLESS PLAYBACK. I love well-done concept albums, and this is definitely that. Maybe a little too repetitive with some of the repeated bits, and it's a bit weird at first to be hearing these versions of classic Beach Boys songs, but those are both really minor issues on a great album.

I actually listened to this one today, just before getting the prompt (after Brian Wilson’s passing). It was nice to hear what could have been. The album is utterly ridiculous, all over the place and full of beautiful harmonies. I remember the first time I heard smile sessions (before this) and thinking “oh boy, this is nuts but I have to think it’s genius” and finding it hard to do so. After a few listens, though, I started to appreciate Heroes & Villains, then became able to appreciate the rest of the songs. I think it’s one that will continue to grow on me and, while it’s not my favorite collection of individual songs, that’s not what it’s meant to be and there’s just too much Mythos around this one for me not to fall in love with it’s eclecticism. Favorite song: Heroes & Villains (specifically the acapella / string outro). RIP Brian!

Took this morning to spend a little more time in this album. The instrumental track at the end helped me appreciate the composition a lot more. Love The Beach Boys and was happy to get this one. RIP Brian Wilson.

Ironically listening anyway bc RIP Brian Wilson. An absolute masterpiece.

I love love love this album! It's one of my favorites. Depending on the day, I may even rate it higher than the Smile sessions. Brian sounds so confident on this album. It rocks from start to finish.

Most of us are the same. And then a very small number of us are two standard deviations away from the most of us.

With true, otherworldly fashion this album was somehow generated for me the day after Brian passed. You could understand how that would have certainly sent chills down my spine, even more so because I was reading about the process this album went through the night before and Brian's tumultuous history. Brian was a gift to music, and this album is an exemplary demonstration as to why. Now, I have been an Animal Collective and Panda Bear fan for a long while and after listening to this album in particular I can see how this would be a catalyst for those intense, visceral psych-pop sounds later on. This album is grand, playful, blissful, rhythmic, and quite intense at times. Brian's vocals are ABSOLUTELY timeless. The way they layer over each other throughout the course of the album is truly mind melting at times. There is a theatrical element of sound effect usage that also lends itself to a woozy, surreal, mental psych-scape. Every song tells a bit of a different story or simply an appreciation of the moment, based in simple joys. Some songs are totally dizzying in the best way. Cabin Essence has thick, revolving arpeggios that speed up and slow down. Child Is Father of the Man motif is both deep and thought provoking for it being so repetitive. Blue Hawaii is pretty fucking sad given the context of this album. Makes me think about Good Vibrations with an entirely different lens as well now. Sticky, sticky refranes. Sound effects and insane mouth sounds make this album a true cornerstone of psych pop. Gorgeous stuff. Thank you Brian.

This one was pretty interesting, very Beach Boys but I can also see how this strayed from "their sound". With Brian Wilson's death I think we all got one of his albums which was a unique experience. I read the entire Wiki article on this album and it was riveting, and then I went and read the one for "Smile" as well. Crazy. This was a masterclass, though. So much artistry and talent in the songwriting and overall composition.

Crazy coincidence to have been assigned this album the day after he died!

Not sure if they gave this one to everyone yesterday but it was great from beginning to end and a wonderful listen as we celebrate his life.

Good.

Beach boys r cool Pattaya jan 2024

The cover tells it all Good vibes, some unexpected familiar songs and often enough quite funny 🫑

what was the quote? something to the effect of "brian wilson can do with four tracks what other produces fail to do with sixteen."

This is probably not a coincidence that this posts the day after he dies. The project he worked on for a large portion of his life and it's really great. Maybe not in need of the tweaking and dedication he put on it, but from beginning to end it's a really good listen and always surprising and interesting.

Listening to this album is bitter sweet. Brian desperately wanted to complete this album back in the 60s as a follow up to the classic Pet Sounds but for various reasons it was never finished. The stress of this probably contributed to his problems with his mental health and the eventual breakup of the Beach Boys. He was finally able to lay this to rest in 2004 with a live performance and accompanying album but you can’t help wondering how things might have panned out if everything had gone to plan back in 1967. Rest in Peace Brian.

Brian Wilson is a musical magician. He's able to conjure up emotions through music. His harmonies are always so intricate and tight. They're really a joy to listen to. This album also feels like a culmination of his musical career. It's an album worth listening to without break from beginning to end multiple times. Rest in peace, Brian Favorite Song(s): Cabin Essence, Good Vibrations

The legendary Smiley Smile, finally completed in 2004 was a big deal back then. After reading many accounts regarding its rather unconventional approaches to recording an album I was not surprised it was abandoned. Not to mention Brian Wilson's legendary trip to the cinema to see what is regarded a cult classic 'Seconds', appeared to be the final nail in its coffin. I'm so glad he revisited it to finish this psychedelic masterpiece. Seriously odd in places, wondrous harmonies and melodies, as well as the use of some peculiar instruments. A 5 star all day long.

idk what to tell you man, this slapped. rip brian, you were one of a kind. i hope you're in heaven doing the same shit you would be doing on earth (listening to shortnin bread on an endless loop) favorites: our prayer/gee, heroes and villains, roll plymouth rock, barnyard, old master painter/you are my sunshine, surf's up, wind chimes, in blue hawaii, good vibrations

Very good and very interesting album. RIP!

Great!

RIP

Brian Wilson smile- truly one of a kind as a composer. I love the vocal harmonies. I don’t really get the lyrical themes but they are definetely the best songs about vegetables and barnyard animals ever written. Oh my god, Mrs O Leary cow is wild ride. also really cool album in headphones

Undeniable genius and such an epic piece of music. Totally brilliant but i am not eager to listen to it again.

It must be terrible to be in his mind lol. I love Heros and Villans and Mrs. O'Leary's Cow.

I get why people don't care for this. It's not cool. It doesn't rock. It's corny and goofy. And this version of Smile is a bit of a Disney-fication of the original. But of course, the original never came out. And frankly, the fact that we got this was a miracle. I'll never forget listening to the compilation album, Good Vibrations: Thirty Years of the Beach Boys and hearing the Smile sessions for the first time. (I'd heard <of> Smile, of course, but the only inkling I had of what it might possibly be was Smiley Smile—a record I've since come to love, but one that in no way represented anything close to the supposed masterpiece that was this lost classic.) On this compilation album, I couldn't stop listening to Our Prayer, Cabinessence, and Wind Chimes, but the two that absolutely floored me were the Zen koan that is Wonderful and the gorgeously apocalyptic Surf's Up. (The latter is still one of my favorite songs of all time.) Hearing these songs did something to me. They were mystifying and puzzling and endlessly fascinating. I finally understood the whole "Brian Wilson is a genius" thing. I, like so many BW acolytes before me, sought out Smile bootlegs, and then I attempted to make my own. I just HAD to see how this bizarre album fit together. What to make of all these weird instrumentals and nonsense vocal arrangements and animal sounds and all the starts and stops and snippets and motifs? I listened to bootleg after bootleg and I felt like I was getting closer and at the same time, I resigned myself to knowing that I'd never reach the finish line, or that they never had been a finishing line in the first place. Like one of the lost plays of Shakespeare, we would never have Smile. And maybe it was for the best. How could it ever live up to the hype? And then suddenly, this came out. Nearly 40 years later. And not only was it good, it was way better than I had ever expected. All those fragments fitted together so perfectly. (Every bootlegger had been wrong about song sequencing. We all had Surf's Up as the last song, but this sequencing was so much better.) All those crazy instrumentals suddenly had lyrics and melodies and were no fully fledged songs. But the thing that struck me most of all was that Brian had been SOOOO close to finishing the damn thing in 1967! Of course, it's not perfect. Brian can't sing like he could back in the day, and although the Wondermints do a stellar job, they aren't the Beach Boys. And the production is a bit muzaky at times. This album is missing a bit of soul and all of the biting bitonality that infused the original sessions. (Although, if I'm being honest, the original sessions sometimes sound like ass.) But fuck me, we got a gift. A gift no Beach Boys fan ever expected to get, and a gift that keeps on giving. God, there's so much to enjoy on this thing. All the recurring motifs—the subtle foreshadowing and triumphant callbacks. The sheer magnitude of Brian's ambition. His musical celebration of America coupled with Van Dyke Park's critique of it. I could go on and on (and have!). It's an interesting thought experiment to consider what would have happened had Brian completed this in '67. I'm sure it would have been a commercial flop, just like Pet Sound was. But I'm also sure it would have blown minds and inspired his contemporaries just like Pet Sounds did. I like to think it would have kept him sane and energized and productive, and I like to imagine it would have inspired him to even greater heights, but who knows? He was a troubled man who had suffered so much and whose psyche was so fragile, it's possible he still would have crashed and burned. At any rate, we got this. Brian's fans celebrated, and he got to revel in our love, appreciation, and gratitude. And I hope it made him smile.

Such an amazing album. YouTube ad breaks kinda suck the life from it though.

Masterpiece. I remember when I bought this CD on release day. I really felt like "we're not worthy" 5 *

This album is pure soft pop/rock songs, but so whimsical and eclectic at the same time. It sounds divine and comfy, warm and uplifting. A lot of my favorite Brian Wilson's cuts are there, even some lesser known ones like Cabinessence, Vegetables or Wind Chimes. A beautiful album from start to finish.

Rest in Peace. God Only Knows is the most beautiful song of all time and I feel like Brian Wilson spent most of the rest of his career trying to top it. Ultimately he did. He got to do what a lot of artistic geniuses don't get to: live long enough to step off the ledge and finish their magnum opus.

Fantastic album, captures the spirit of the original style. Truly Mr.Beach Boy

Beautiful album. Almost forty years after it was first attempted by the Beach Boys, Brian finally finished his masterpiece. Most of these tunes send shivers down my spine.

Frankly, it's amazing this record wasn't salvaged at the time. It's amazing. I understand Brian Wilson was having a lot of mental issues, but anyone involved in the recording should have recognized the brilliance. I can only assume that one of the factors is that the record label probably thought it was far out -- really not at all what anyone would expect from the Beach Boys -- and so the record label wasn't pushing for it to be finished. (I know there's tons of history around this record, and I don't think I've read any of it, so that's just an educated guess. Another great example of this is Daryl Hall "Sacred Songs" which is a fantastic record and it just kind of went into obscurity... his label wouldn't let him release it, they went back and forth, he wrote the sardonic tune "Something in 4/4 Time" which is about as strong of a rebuke as you'll hear from an artist to a record label. That album was totally out there compared to the output from Hall & Oates and understandably the record label was concerned that the solo record would reflect poorly on the duo career. Anyhow, great record, never got any label support, most people have never heard of it...)

Great harmonies, very inventive and weird in the best ways

One of the most beautiful albums ever created. Had this come out back in the 60s it would have completely changed the game. Sadly too many issues stopped this project from ever fully realizing back then, but at least now we have this. Superb vocals as always with a Beach Boy, but my god the arrangements are next level. One of my favorite discoveries on here is this album

I actually liked this album!! It took me to a different place.

Bilo bi bolje da je izašlo tad kad je trebalo ali i dalje je nevjerojatno koliko su dobre ove pjesme

I need to know it by heart

The backstory to this one is insane. We are truly blessed this came to be. The true spiritual sequel to Pet Sounds. And Brian Wilson proves that even so many years later he is a genius.

10/10. I'm not a fan of The Beach Boys, but this album is literally so amazing. I absolutely love it. :)

Standouts: • Our Prayer / Gee • Heroes and Villains • Roll Plymouth Rock • Cabin Essence • Song for Children • Surf's Up • On a Holiday • In Blue Hawaii • Good Vibrations

Everything Brian Wilson touches turns to gold

I'm picking up good vibrations...

Very good.

An astonishing record. Was great to listen again. Had to stop still and pay full attention to Surfs up - beautiful

Amazing achievement by Brian Wilson. Went to see this performed live in Manchester 2004. Hearing surfs up made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck, still does. Was already familiar with outakes/smiley smile but heard in this format as a cohesive piece of music was a moving experience.

Pre-listening thoughts: was literally just reading up on this albums history one week ago today 😭. I went down a crazy Beach Boys rabbit hole for some reason and it was super entertaining but one of their biggest pieces of lore is this album/Smile sessions/Smiley Smile. I’m not gonna take the time to explain it ALL here but the main gist is The Beach Boys worked on Smile for a while and it never met Brian’s expectations (among other issues) and it never got released. So then a bunch of the songs were reworked into the album Smiley Smile but it wasn’t the original vision they were going for. Smile was one of the most famous pieces of unreleased material (fans would try to piece together what they thought the album would sound like based on leaks) until Brian released this, and then the record label released more footage from the recording sessions. I think reading the full lore will change your perspective on this album. And lowkey… listen to all 3 mentioned above if you get the chance/have the time. Smiley Smile was the first Beach Boys album I chose to listen to a while back and I knew NONE of the context. I have no clue why I chose that album. Maybe something inside of me knew it had really interesting lore. Post/during listening thoughts: man if you don’t know the lore this just sounds like Beach Boys stuff but a little more bizarre 😭. Also without the rest of the boys. But like I see the vision. Or at least part of it. But the album itself never really reached a finished state. This may be my most undecided rating ever. On one hand I really want to give this a 5 just because it was so beyond ahead of its time in 1967 and it is really musically inventive and complex. On the other hand, how often would I revisit something as weird (and really unfinished) as this? The lyrics are questionable at times (looking at you, Van Dyke Parks). The newly done production also doesn’t have the same charm as the old sessions. But the top review for this album sums up my feelings pretty well - it’s not really about the music itself and more about the confrontation of a 40 yr old vision with this album. Im so sorry but I have to give this a 5 because the whole story is just so cool to me. But just know, my 5 encompasses not only this album, but also the Smile Sessions, as well as Smiley Smile. I feel like you really need to hear all 3 at some point to have a sense of why this one in particular is important. 9/10 DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: lowkey… Fav tracks: Heroes and Villains, Roll Plymouth Rock, Wonderful, Surfs Up, Vega-Tables, Good Vibrations Least fav tracks: Barnyard 😭 don’t know why I could handle the veggie song and not this one

Astonishing

This was an interesting one. I liked the overall composition! Fun, whimsical instrumentals with at times fairly ethereal vocals. It was a fun listen. 'Good Vibrations' was my fave.

Simply wonderful

Brian Wilson is arguably the most important U.S. pop musical artist of the rock and roll era other than perhaps Elvis Presley and I had the great fortune of seeing him perform Smile live in 2004. Just great!

Genius, brilliant, my only criticism is that Brian didn’t get to record it this way when his voice was younger.

5/5. It feels pretentious to give this a 5 but with every listen, I notice a different song and it's crazy these were thought of in 1967 and how progressive they are. It feels like the evolution from Beastie Boys debut to Paul's Boutique. Keeps the same genre but really evolves it to almost a new genre in and of itself. I always think about something I read that said pop music would be very different if this actually came out in 1967. We would have artists try a lot more things if this came out. A lot of people say Beatles albums were progressive but only in one direction. This goes everywhere and it's 100% an album that needs to be listened to front to back. It's a 5 for audacity and innovation alone, plus it's a fun listen. The original recordings version is better that came out later but still great here. Best Song: Heroes and Villains, Surf's Up, Wonderful

has clawed its way in the last couple years to become my absolute favorite version of smile...almost makes me glad that the initial sessions fell apart purely so this version could exist in this form, with this old man brian wilson voice and this full breath technicolor production. smile is an album people get lost in even when theyre not listening to it, hearing the stories and putting together the pieces in various configurations...but it shouldnt be discounted that the record itself is , for me, one of the definitive Get Lost In listening experiences, utterly engrossing with the beach boy harmonic style and the brian wilson melodic style taken to absolute extremes in a series of dreamlike suites so real that u can reach out and touch them. and unlike what i thought for years (though it sounds so obvious in hindsight), this doesnt lose the hauntological appeal of the sessions one tiny bit, in fact it probably has it even more strongly...so much has changed, but smile refuses to die in whatever form it takes. a good contender for the single most vibrant and colorful record ever made. and the best ever in general, tbh.

Some of this is excellent, and some of this is maybe the most beautiful music I have ever heard, stopping me in my tracks and bringing me to the verge of tears. I have been superficially aware of Smile and Brian Wilson's struggles with the album from the 1960s (shamefully, I was only made aware by one of my favorite movies; Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story), but I didn't know it was actually completed in 2004. This has been the best "never heard it before" album from this list for me. I'm definitely adding this to my personal collection and will be listening again. Probably today, actually...

columnated ruins domino

One of the best. I count myself lucky to have seen this album performed live in Denver in the early to mid ‘00’s. Made me a fan of Brian Wilson’s genius.

Brilliant

What a nice record! I really enjoyed the good vibes it brought. I will definitely listen to this more often.

Really really liked this. Makes you ponder where it would stand had it been released when it was supposed to be, given how iconic Pet Sounds is now. Simpsons: Yes

Holy shit, I think I finally get Brian Wilson / The Beach Boys! The vocal harmonies, the creativity for the hell of it, and the positive vibes - terrific!

:)

Oh my word this was great! Almost sad or uncomfortable at points, yet always felt brilliant and deliberate :)

It may not fire on every cylinder, but I think it's a true gift to the world that Brian managed to get this together 37 years later. The opening track is sublime.

My preference when it comes to *Smile* will always go to the original unfinished album by the Beach Boys that Brian Wilson abandoned in 1967. Indeed, in 2011, *Brian Wilson Presents Smile*'s sequencing served as a blueprint for *The Smile Sessions*, a compilation dedicated to the original Beach Boys recordings, reconstructed through all the tapes recorded in 1967. You just need to listen to the two versions of hit single "Good Vibrations", between the 1966 original one (released to tease the album that never came to fruition) and the 2004 version, to understand where the difference lies. The original is simply iconic, whereas the 21st century version, admittedly endearing and perfectly faithful to the original, is obviously the work of an older man that doesn't possess the voice of his youth anymore, through no fault of his own... https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Smile_Sessions So there's absolutely nothing wrong with this project, which was executed with a profound respect for Wilson's original intents, even with the minor changes here and there. It's just that *Smile* is a product of the sixties, and that even if its 1967 release only occured in an alternate universe, that's where and how its emotional impact is the most potent for me. Pretty sure the off-kilter, experimental nature of the project would have been controversial, had Wilson managed to overcome his insecurities (fuelled by drug use and a schizoaffective disorder) so as to not abandon it at the time. But you can bet your boots that the album would have been considered a milestone decades later. Its complicated history in our world sure added to the myth. But the elegiac, Wordsworth-inspired vocal mantras of "Surf's Up / Child Is Father To The Man", the hypnotic, surreal groove of "Cabinessence" and whimsical adventures of "Vega-Tables" (pointing to far later Animal Collective gems in quite an outstanding manner), or the sly, playful twists and turns of "Heroes And Villains", are as stunning today as they were during the late sixties. Evidence enough of Wilson's mad genius. Number of albums left to review: 74 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 398 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 231 Albums from the list I won't include in mine: 298 (including this one, but I'll add *The Smile Sessions* instead).

I’m only giving this 4 stars because I prefer the version with The Beach Boys. This, though is also essential, with more lyrics than the original. What a treasure it was when this came out and we finally had an official document of Brian’s magnum opus. You know what? This gets 5 stars, it’s just too good.

Smile indeed I did. All the way through this glorious LP.

This was 35 years in the making you better give it a 5

Beautiful album. Brian Wilson is a genius.

This was an incredible listen, made all the more impressive given the fact that Wilson was in his 60s at the time of recording. You'd never know from the quality of his vocals -- both in lead and in harmonization. This album is full of beautiful songwriting and display of craft as songs shift back and forth with beautiful layering and plenty of minute details to pick up in the mix. The sequencing here is fantastic as the whole thing maintains a sense of cohesive urgency start to finish. Definitely some kooky, psychedelic workings in the mix here. All the "animal sounds" on Barnyard; the trippy back and forth of concepts on Roll Plymouth Rock; the deeply unsettling flip into You Are My Sunshine; and especially Mrs. O'Leary's Cow, which is far more metal than anything I would have expected here. Some really beautiful songs tucked in here. Surf's Up, I've heard before, but I never tire of it. Same can be said for Good Vibrations. Also love Heroes and Villains. Just a fantastic album. Not quite prefect, but worthy of a low 5.

Sweet.

It’s kind of a miracle that this album was finished and it’s a pretty remarkable call back to Wilson’s younger years. Amazing.

Wonderful!

What a delightfully bizarre and beautiful album. This was cool to listen to having watched The Beach Boys docu just a few weeks back. Loved having the context of the album and knowing the circumstances around its recording. Innovative and troubled and enjoyable and lots more!

Gobsmacking to find this was removed from the book, with the amount of pure dross that's been kept in. The incorrect Rufus Wainwright record was preferred to this. Whereas this literally a piece of musical history from one of the greatest songwriters of all time. Whether you personally like it, that's an actual fact. There's such a story behind it. Probably the greatest crime the editor has committed so far, and I am over 750 albums in. I still remember going down to visit my best friend and we went to London, and he was so obsessed with this album (or rather the unfinished record that turned into this, it was pre-2004) that he talked about almost nothing else all day. I found it slightly annoying at the time as I wasn't well versed, but then I heard this, and the original cuts, and I understood. Ferreting around on internet message boards to find fan-compiled mixes made from the original recordings (PurpleChick was a good one, until it was finally released in 2011) Magical.

Very enjoyable, upbeat, Beach Boys sound

This album was an experience. Relevance to this list: 5/5 Personal enjoyment: 5/5

Purple Chick Smile > Smile Sessions > Brian Wilson's Smile

He’s a genius

I would recommend everyone to take a deeper look into this project, if you're not already familiar with it. Beautiful piece of art.

Beach Boys down half an octive? Sure, I'm in!

Album 328 of 1001 Brian Wilson - Smile Rating : 5 / 5 Favorite Track : Heroes and Villains / Good Vibrations I did smile when I saw this pop up as my album of the day. This is another cd I bought right after it was released back in 2004. I listened to a song or two and then put it back in the case and there it sat for almost 20 years. I pulled it out a year or so ago and it has become one of my favorites. There is a video of the live performance on youtube that should be checked out. Many panned this hard, but I love it. One of those special releases that come along once in a blue moon...even if it takes 20 years to figure it out.

Brilliant. Love the beach boys, love Brian Wilson.

Sometimes an album is waiting for you and you aren't ready for it. I feel like SMiLE has been waiting for me for 20 years and I've never been ready for it. My guitar teacher told me about it when I was 15. I think I've given it a few goes in the time since. Today is the closest I've been to being ready for it. When I put it on this morning, it sounded better than it ever had, any hangups I felt before seemed to have disappeared. I'd always preferred this version of Good Vibrations, the version on this record is probably one of my favourite songs of all time. But everything on this record hits. Its all of a similar standard. The ideas and musicianship are incredible. It feels like a wonderful childlike dream. I wish I had got deep into it when I was first told about it. I have such a soft spot for the Beach Boys album Holland and Pet Soinds is Pet Sounds. This album goes right up there today. I think its a 5, and if it isn't a 5, it's a future 5 because its fantastic

What a joyously perfect record - intertwining harmonies and beautiful songs. This was already a favourite and I remember it took a couple of listens before I really saw its genius - but now I kind of see it as a slightly better brother of Sgt Pepper.

Godlike, beautiful songwriting. Wonderfully pleasing My only problem is that you can tell it was recorded in the 2000s and not the 1960s, it sometimes sounds too modernly polished in a bad way. Guess I need to check out that Smile Sessions album.

Brian Wilson's (and the Beach Boys for that matter) most adventurous project is a fascinating complex patchwork. A song cycle comprising of voices, instruments, tin pan alley, art-rock and theater. Whereas Pet Sounds was all about emotions and feelings of the heart, these are songs for the head with cryptic lyrics, displaying strong influences from early-mid 20th century Americana, along the lines of Gershwin etc. The Beach Boys finally released Smile in 2011, and that version just about gets the edge, but this is still excellent and at times, the music is breath-taking.

Suprised I went to high on this. Blew me away and listened to it 3 times. It’s not new to me, I remember going to the record store and buying the cd the day it came out and I’ve always liked it but not as much as my favorite Beach Boys records nor as much as the now 12-year old Smile Sessions. But this listen, my first in many years - and through lossless on Qobuz was truly eye opening. Yes, it’s an aged Brian, but it almost works better? It adds verses, it tightens the sketches, it sounds more like a fever dream (in a good way) with the extra strain on his voice. The sequencing is so smooth. Idk man, sometimes a record you are intimately familiar with just suddenly HITS DIFFERENT. Now I can’t imagine this not being one of my favorite records ever for the rest of my days.

Loved this album! Brian Wilson is amazing!

5 of 5… could listen any day- happy and light hearted and fun. Love me some Beach Boys music, especially when I’m in a bad mood.

This felt like revisiting the best of Brian Wilson & The Beach Boys. Throughly enjoyed this. 4.5 stars

I have always admired the Beach Boy's complex harmonies. Having seen the movie Love and Mercy, and knowing the story behind this album, I am very glad that Brian Wilson got this opportunity to finally complete this album. But of course this album only leaves us to wonder what the original could've been like.

It’s difficult to separate this album from the original tapes of the Smile from 1967, which I think is one of the greatest artworks of all time. For that reason, I will give this a 5, even if I think the original version is much better. Either way, the compostions remain almost intact so this thing still omits surges of intense beauty even in Brian’s elderly voice.

Good weird stuff

I hate acapella. My friends know this, and I'll even give unsolicited advice to undergrads to never do acapella. That being said, the compositions in this album are incredible, and innovative. The killer motif developed in "Heroes and Villains" introduces so much tension, and only resolves with a simple key (mode? chord?) change. Brian brings that motif right back in Plymouth Rock, but follows the resolution with blaring Bah's, which is such a cool way to interrupt the sense of calm from the resolution. Here are some other unorganized notes, I also like the pairing of Song For Children and Child is the Father of the Man. Our Prayer is absolutely beautiful, and a really nice call back to standard Beach Boys (or my idea of standard Beach Boys at least). Brian keeps pulling back that motif from Heros and Villains throughout the album, which would feel tired if it wasn't so goddamn compelling. My last applause from Brian comes from the fact that Smile has currently dethroned both Bat Out of Hell and Rage Against the Machine as the album I'm listening to this week, no mean feat given both my dislike of acapella, and my longstanding love of Meatloaf. 6/5 stars if I could.

Absolument ludique et joyeux. Instrumentation surprenante et bien utilisée. Harmonies font penser aux Beach Boys, mais beaucoup de variations de rythmes et d'univers

This album should have been as great as Sgt pepers and a step further after the already masterpiece pets sounds, unfortunatly, Brian Wilson who was struggling with serious mental ilness and drugs addiction couln't complete the projet, but he finaly did decades later. I say that altough not all of the songs are wonderfull and exceptional, but as a whole, this album is pretty much a masterpiece, i'll say technicaly better than pet sounds, put pets sounds is more coherent, beautiful and as better songs. The vocal harmony are the best of all beachs boys album, the songs are complexe and ambicious. The best one is of course Good Vibrations wich is on of the best song of all times in terms of complexity and sounds. Wonderfull is very good, heros and vilains, vege-tables and Cabin Essence are my favorites.

This is a very impressive release that really looks like a personal effort of a very dedicated (maybe obsessive) person. It sounds like a continuation of the Beach Boys' work at the same time that includes many new pieces of music highly interesting for any music fan. A mixture of styles and lyrics, and instruments that compounds a masterpiece. Unfortunately, it sounds a bit old for 2004, but having in mind it was planned to be a BB album after Pet Sounds is enough to get all the geniality behind it.

Had it been released in December 1966 as it was originally planned, it would have changed the course of popular music forever. It was ahead of its time by decades. I can be grateful this was released four decades later because it is a brilliant and genius work. The emotions throughout the record, the arrangements, the vocal harmonies, everything is top notch.

Phenomenal. So complex and ahead of it’s time. Easy to understand why Brian Wilson drove himself to the edge with this in his head but never able to get it out to the world. Rating: 4.9

Where do I begin with this most mythic album? I learned of the great lost masterpiece when I was in college in the early 2000s. We would download stem tracks of unknown origins, and people would compile their own hypothetical approximations. The narrative and mystique surrounding SMiLE is the stuff of legend - almost sacred in certain circles, including my own. It was a thing of perfect beauty when it existed only in these little glimmers, and the rest was left to your imagination. Which is why, when Brian Wilson decided to record this version in 2004, I was hesitant to listen to it at first. I was worried it would be too little, too late - afraid it would shatter that perfect vision I had. Boy was I wrong. In fact I'd have to say it far exceeded my expectations. This is one of the most singularly original pieces of music ever recorded, and I am jealous of all those who got to see it performed live around the time of its release. It is not only an incredibly rich musical experience, but the story behind it represents the triumph of the human spirit and creativity itself. The fact that Brian Wilson was able to finally confront, overcome, and ultimately embrace what he considered to be his life's greatest failure is nothing short of miraculous. This has to be the grandest, most beautiful catharsis ever recorded. Its complex structure is anchored by 4 absolute pillars of songwriting; "Heroes and Villains," "Cabin Essence," "Surf's Up," and "Good Vibrations," each of which is like a mini-epic of its own. Those crown jewels are situated in the surrounding material in such a way that they become almost inseparable from their context once you hear it as it was intended. When taken altogether, it truly sounds like a teenage symphony to God. All that being said, I do have a strong preference for the 2011 Smile Sessions version, which uses the original Beach Boys recordings. Although BWPS does contain some notable and interesting differences, I wish it was Smile Sessions which was in its place on this list. If you like what you hear on BWPS, I beg you to give Smile Sessions a listen on a good pair of headphones to experience these songs in their full glory. These 5 stars are for the idea of SMiLE in all its forms. May it live forever alongside the works of the greatest composers.

I grew up hearing a lot of the Beach Boys' "surf music," which I enjoyed. At some point in my late twenties, I asked for 'Pet Sounds' for Christmas, and I was blown away that the same guys who sang "Surfin' Safari" and "409" could make an album like that. I've never listened to any of Brian Wilson's solo work, but I consider him to be the one that led The Beach Boys into their post "surf music" era, so I had high expectations for this album. I was not let down. This album is incredible. Wilson's ability to create beautiful harmonies is showcased throughout this album. The experimental and varied instrumentation is showcased here too; there's plenty of strings, keyboards, guitars, whistles, and Christ-knows-what-else to go around on this album. But even with all of the different instrumental sounds, the album never feels bloated or busy; everything is in its rightful place to create an incredible experience. I don't know much about the history of how this project evolved from its foundations in the sixties to what Wilson put together over 35 years later, but this album reminded me of what I loved about my first time listening to 'Pet Sounds.' I wish that I would have had time to listen to this album a second time today, so that I could put together some thoughts on individual songs, but it just wasn't meant to be. However, I'll definitely be revisiting this album soon.

This album grows on you, just like Pet Sounds. Keep listening and you will become entranced.

Great timing, as I recently finished reading Brian Wilson's autobiography (the one from 2016, not the earlier one). Brian Wilson's story overall in fascinating - the abusive father, the rise of a musical genius, mental health and drug issues, a controlling therapist, and then finally finding love and his recovery and resurgence as an artist. The legend of this album was always the anchor weighing him down, and the fact that he was able to finally complete it almost 40 years after its inception is incredible. Is it as great as the Beach Boys in their prime, i.e. Pet Sounds? I don't think so, but there is still a lot of the brilliance and magic of those earlier times. That, combined with the backstory of this album, is enough to make this a 5 star album for me.

C'est un 5 mais "The Smile Sessions" est meilleur

Lovely

This was fantastic. 5 stars.

It's not better than Pet Sounds, but it's just as special

Exaltação da qualidade do pop e rock em simbiose.

Beach Boy floored by Sgt Pepper. Is it better than Pet Sounds? No. Is it great? Yes. It's hard to separate the album from the narrative - a lovely redemption story of a sad old man who lost his way and then found it again three decades later. And why would you? It's a heart warming slice of nostalgia that happily diverts from the shitty world right now.

I love this! I love Brian Wilson. It's like Pet Sounds lost prodigal sibling.

I’m so glad he finally finished this album.

The fact that this album exists in a form that Wilson was happy to release it is just amazing Now that the Smile Sessions are out, it's hard not to compare the two and I don't think this recording holds up as well as the sessions from back in the day, but it's still just a delight to listen to

9/10 Goofy ass album cover 💀 Really fun. Brian Wilson is a genius. I always have “Caroline, No” from petsounds in rotation bc it sounds like he’s talking to me and I like to talk back. I love the way that he keeps fluctuating with volume. I especially love the moments when it’s really big and loud. So childish but in such a good way. SO MUCH FUN. I love the recurring elements of this album and how things seem to tie together very often. So silly. Reminds me of an episode of Mickey Mouse clubhouse Reminds me of the circus. Glamorizes rural America in a way that could make anyone want to run away to Idaho or smthn. ++ Super beachy I just love how cinematic it is. I can feel the strings and harmonies from the depths of my SOUL. Standout tracks: Heroes and Villains, Child is Father of the Man

Необычная судьба у альбома. Но то, что он был доделан, меня радует. И по звучанию он здоровский. Необычный :)

the best!

Always got time for a bit of Brian.

Like

This is is, an album to make you smile. This is really fun.

This album was so good! It was about time I gave this a listen. The only song I didn't really like was Mrs O'Leary's Cow, but that's not enough to give this album less than a 5.

Assez incroyable

J'imagine pas la force d'esprit qu'il faut avoir pour terminer le plus gros échec de sa vie 40 ans plus tard. Prefs: Heroes and Villains, Roll Plymouth Rock, Cabin Essence, Surf's Up, Vega-Tables, In Blue Hawaii, Good Vibrations. Moins pref: Barnyard

This is pretty amazing, a resurrected labor of love from decades previous. Rather than a collection of songs, it is a musical work in movements, full of interesting vignettes complete with sound effects. Although that sounds very high and mighty, it is still a lot of fun. Each listening reveals another gemstone. It is impossible to separate this work from its long, complicated history, but beyond that amazing achievement, it's a joy to listen to. "Heroes and Villains," "Surf's Up," and "Good Vibrations" were each amazing as Beach Boys recordings, but they sound absolutely incredible here. Each of them is composed of their own internal movements. This is an absolutely amazing experience!

Amazing album! Brian Wilson is my hero

I love Brian Wilson!

As a curiosity it's pretty great. As a record on regular rotation...not likely. It certainly sounds great, albeit just shy of the Beach Boys' golden days. I'm happy Wilson was able to make his dream a reality.

This feels historically important, and I'd even argue has a few good songs on it. Heroes and Villains, Roll Plymouth Rock, Vega-tables, and In Blue Hawaii are all bops, plus there's a very good version of Good Vibrations, which is still up there as one of the best songs to ever do it. But most of this album is half finished songs that seem to just stop. It feels like the notes for the 1960s album finally played out but never moved to full songs. Also, Mrs. O'Leary's Cow is just straight up terrible, why is that here? Worth a listen to still.

Appreciated the instrumental depth, mellow beautiful and well executed Def a keeper

My second time listening. I've grown more of an appreciation for Wilson in recent years and I enjoyed it much more this time around. A very well-crafted record with impeccable instrumentation & harmonies. I've got the live bootleg bookmarked on YouTube to listen to one day.

I see why this album is called Smile, I am getting nothing but good vibes from this so far. I loved the mix of vocal ideas, guitar, and piano. It was like it was made to be happy. Roll Plymouth Rock was interesting, I really liked the big bass drum pounding throughout. Ughhh, I always love hearing You are my Sunshine. It has such nostalgia for me in any form it takes. Cabin essence has a sorrow to it, but I love it. Wonderful was wonderful. I thought some of the lyrics were great! I also love how all these tracks feed into one another. Song for children blended in seamlessly with the and of wonderful. Same with child is the father of the man. Surfs up again had those really cool vibes. On a holiday sounded exactly like being on a holiday. Obviously Good Vibrations to end it off is the best way an album could be ended off. 4/5 ⭐️ 150/1089

I personally like the beach boys versions of these songs more as Brians voice at this age doesn't sound as whimsical and sounds more annoying to be honest. But without context this is still a great album. The production and melodies are great. 8/10 Favourite: Heroes & Villains Least Favourite: In Blue Hawaii

Enjoyable, but some of the songs were very weird (Vega-Tables!). Overall, very easy listening and fun to sing to.

Four stars out of respect for Brian Wilson and how he reclaimed his songwriting crown with this album.

🏄 😢 ☀️

Brian Wilson is pure genius. This record is an amazing feat, but tinged with sadness and a little bit unhinged. A very good album.

Never knew about this, the backstory neither. What an amazing thing to be able to do at the end of one’s creative journey.

I'm not too familiar with the Beach Boys, I feel like this would have affected me way more if I was. That being said, this album starts out really stongs with Our Prayers -> Hearoes & Villians, and is then a generally good vibe after that.

The more I listened to this, the more it started growing on me. I appreciate the smaller instrumental details and just the genuine quirkiness of it all. Likes: Our Prayer/Gee; Heroes And Villains; Cabin Essence; Surf’s Up; In Blue Hawaii; Good Vibration

I may have heard this album before, not sure, but I've certainly heard and read a lot about it. This is a very interesting listen. It is cut from the same cloth as Pet Sounds. It is a shame it couldn't be finished at the time it was started, but it is still a good work once completed. I would listen again.

Love how there’s a silly song about vegetables shortly followed by an evil instrumental that seems to exist just to induce dread

It cost him his sanity- or was a symbol of its fragility- but still great

I’m a fan of XTC and now I know where a lot of Andy Partridge’s influences come from

Imagine if Brian Wilson didn't have a mental breakdown and Beach Boys could have finished this album in time?

Просто рад, что мужик довел этот проект до конца спустя столько лет. Проект, который чуть не отправил его в дурку. Но хорошо, когда дедлайн не давит, начальник не пилит, и можно взять паузу на несколько десятков лет и допилить когда настроение будет. Тем не менее, могу лишь представить, какой огромный гештальт для себя он закрыл. Альбом классный, как раз в духе классических бич бойз периода pet sounds, очень психоделично, изобретательно в плане аранжировок, но все еще мелодично и вайбово. Еще позже вышли The Smile Sessions, где были более сырые и менее отшлифованные версии этих песен, и это звучит даже интереснее. В целом, еще бы пару композиций уровня Good Vibrations, и была бы железная 5

Не поняла, почему в 1001 именно эта версия, ноу и ладно.

It’s good, however it gives me an uneasy feeling throughout, similar to a Daniel Johnston album

Oh yeah

Mid 4 After listening to this and the version with original recordings you get a good sense of what the album would of been. Thats what im going to judge here. The legend is "pet sounds but taking it even further". Pet sounds has incredible songs and probably the best production ever. Which of these are taken further here? There are nearly no songs and the production and arrangements are quite basic. The trouble is simply a lack of good musical material. Most of the songs are the barest scratch of an idea. "Heros and villans", "wonderful", "vege-tables" and even "wind chimes" have a great initial idea and are almost good songs. They fail to develop these near their potential. They all kind of putter out with later sections that dont add anything. "Surfs up" and "good vibrations" are both incredible. They show that if you have a songs worth of good ideas this "stick different bits together" method can really work. "Surfs up" has such an atmosphere, every section is haunting and beautiful i love it. Both these songs are waaaay better on the 60s version. The rest of the album is a kind of smiley soup with not much to write about. Judged against pet sounds this album is a complete and utter failure and it was a good choice not to release it in the 60s. HOWEVER im judging it against the other albums in this challenge. Id much rather listen to Brian's weird barnyard song then lots of other stuff. I like Brian. Also this has "good vibrations" and other highlights mentioned above. This gives it a mid 4. Pretty good.

Removed

Très intéressante l'histoire de l'album et du coup d'avoir un mélange d'époques. Le son est bien typiquement Beach Boys, j'en écouterais pas tous les jours mais sur un album c'est ok. Et Good Vibrations les frissons wow, ça donne le... Smile !

Interesting project, it is very particular, and its history is tightly linked to it, and honestly having the balls to deliver anything after the anticipation is worth at least a star in itself. It's bold, the harmonies are great, but what I found most interesting is the blend of music from different time periods in the sound. Its quite unique, and though at time the song writing is a bit child oriented for my taste, it did pick my interest.

Me senti como en una obra de teatro, en un castillo como en la realeza, ambientado en Francia, vestidos estorbozos, peinados extravagantes, tiene un piano con un campaneo. Sientes que te están contando una historia, con un toque de ritmos infantiles, como si fuera la ambientación de Candy Candy o Remi.

I love Beach Boys so this was a fun surprise. Definitely has a similar sound.

This is objectively a brilliant album musically but I find it challenging to listen to

Listening to Brian Wilson is something else. I don't know if Pet Sounds, Surfs Up and Smile all need to be on this list but they really stand on their own like some kind of alien artifact. I love Heroes and Villains and Vege-Tables. I couldn't stop singing Vege-tables and my 2 year old starting singing what she heard from me in the bath. It was a delight and so now I associate that with this album.

Heroes and Villains was always a favorite of mine, so this gets off to a good start. This version of it, sounds good to me. Overall this is a good effort with lots of things that put a *SMILE* on my face, but not a completely great album. It was retreading old ground that I had been hearing since I was a child. There was new nuance, but in the end a retread is a retread.

:)

4.5

Beautiful genius

Wow! I’ve never heard anything like this to be honest and I loved it. What a beautiful concept and amazingly executed. I think this album just acted as a gateway to my future deepdive on acapella albums.

Ok yes. This version of heroes and villains is great and I’m inclined to like Brian Wilson even though the building noises in the background felt sinister to me

Heroes and Villains Wonderful Song for Children Mrs O’Leary’s Cow In Blue Hawaii Good Vibrations

Our Prayer/ Gee Heroes and Villains Cabin Essence Child is Father of the Man Vega-Tables In Blue Hawaii Good Vibrations

Superb re recording of this classic album. Beautiful

Siempre lo merece el viejo Brian

surprising! i knew 2 songs – i was pleasantly surprised i really liked it worth coming back complex yet playful

Really good, probably better than the smile sessions. It is just so rounded out and feels like a full album. It is a shame it never got released in 1967, with Brian and the boys being at their peak of performers.

Brilliant, but so clearly incomplete. Glad I took the time but not something I'd ever listen to again. And as many other comments suggest, listen to The Smile Sessions instead.

Oh yeah, I remember the fuss when this was finally released. Listening now away from the hype I think it's a great album, if not at the heights of Pet Sounds.

The story of Smile is in a lot of ways more interesting than the album itself, although this isn't a slight against the album by any means. Brian himself has said that the album he originally would have made would have been very different to the 2004 release and that's partly where the fascination holds. Are the sessions better? Some might think so. Personally I'm not so sure these are probably the definitive versions of these songs for me. Hearing tracks like Heroes & Villains or Good Vibrations on this album can be a little uncanny valley. They might not be the versions you're used to but maybe they are the best versions? While there are beautiful moments on here there is also a lot of absurdist humour and when listening to it you can't help but Smile. Playlist track: Heroes and Villains

This album feels like completely unfiltered Brian Wilson. And that’s a good thing

People say there’s a fine line between genius and insanity. It isn’t true. This album proves there is no line.

#257/1001. I just wrote the best review ever and accidentally deleted it so I'll just say this: slightly (40 years) late and slightly (no dugs) out of place. And: there is no reason to have a cancel button here to accidentally press and erase your review? I still prefer the Bootleg version over this one.

I didn’t realize this was released in 2004. It would have blown people away in 1967. Way ahead of its time.

Beach Boys are a favorite so this album from Brian Wilson was pretty dang good.

I was expecting this to be happyslop, and while it's happy it's anything but slop. I've only known The Beach Boys as cringe old rock that someone who hates modern music would point to as the pinnacle of song. While some of the songwriting didn't age well in my opinion, there is some masterful vibe cultivation musically. I also love anything with harpsichord in it so there's that.

Similar to the beatles Love the harmonies Barnyard is quite weird and I don't like Other than that 8/10

8.5/10

If this album was a Vega-table it would be an onion. Such interesting and complex flavors, so many different layers to uncover. Yum yum!!

Long but good, production is great

This is pretty good but not as good or revolutionary as it would have been in 1967.

Wouldn’t seek it out, but did enjoy listening

Very pleasant. Let the yotube suggested playlist repeat two or three times afterwards.

Not Wilson at his best, but still pretty fucking genius stuff really isn't it.

Brian Wilson returning to this long lost album was a revelation but it wasn't until the 2011 Smile Sessions compilation that we knew what we were really missing. This album ultimately formed the blueprint for the 2011 Smile Sessions which, in my opinion, relegate this release into more of a curio since the newer release can help us imagine what the album would have sounded like if it was actually released in 1967,

I love Brian Wilson. Brian's childlike wonder being on display here, is smile worthy. It sucks we weren't able to see the full realization of Smile way back when. Either way it's always a pleasure listening to one of the goats of modern music. If Brian's vision was fully realized I think this could've been better than Pet Sounds but I guess we'll never know. Top 5: Heroes and Villians, Roll Plymouth Rock, Child Is Father Of The Man, Surf's Up, and On A Holiday 3.75-4.00/5

A cornucopia of winsome sounds and harmonies. The elongated songs that were on Beach Boys albums are better than the originals, except for “Good Vibrations.”

Great old school harmonies, and instrumentals. While listening I heard how music transitioned from 50's be bop, to 60's surfer music. I never made that connection before.

I've always heard about this album and how it was this mythical long-lost Beach Boys album that was shelved for years, unable to be released. Psychedelic doesn't feel like the right word to describe it, nor trippy. However, there's something about it where it made me feel like it was made for 10-year-olds that are high on laughing gas in the dentist chair. I think the right word here is quirky, and even though Brian Wilson is one of the most influential composers of modern times (up there with Beethoven, Bach, and Macca), he definitely was a quirky guy. Smile was recorded near the peak of 60's drug culture and right at the edge of Wilson's eventual tipping point. While his rapid mental decline is a damn shame, this album feels like a peek behind the curtain at all the chaos going on in and around him in the mid-60's. For that alone, I liked it. Also, his version of Good Vibrations is way cooler now that I've heard it.

A solid album of beach fun and fantastic harmonies

There is a special class of album—albums that are legendary for not existing. The Who’s “Lifehouse” and Green Day’s “Cigarettes and Valentines” come to mind. Perhaps the most legendary is “SMiLE” by The Beach Boys. “Good Vibrations” was a great indication of what SMiLE was supposed to be, but SMiLE never came to fruition, due in part to Brian Wilson’s deteriorating mental state. It’s widely believed that “SMiLE” would have been the greatest thing to come from The Beach Boys. It would have changed pop music forever. “Pet Sounds” would always be second-fiddle to this masterpiece of avant-garde pop. But how can we be so sure? In 2004, nearly 40 years after the SMiLE sessions began, Brian Wilson created the album he’d always intended to release—“Brian Wilson Presents Smile.” It was immediately universally praised, proclaimed one of the greatest albums of all time! Indeed, the music is beautiful—the vocals are lush, the harmonies surprising, the album flows effortlessly from one state to another. But something doesn’t click the way “Pet Sounds” does. “Pet Sounds” feels remarkable because it’s unlike anything that came before it. “BWPSmile” doesn’t have this quality, despite being technically excellent. This isn’t the album Brian Wilson would have released in the 1960s—just listening to its version of “Good Vibrations” proves that. We aren’t getting that album. We’re getting something else. And it raises the question: when does an artist go from innovation to self-imitation? It’s a good album, maybe even a great one. But critics have mistaken Brian Wilson’s personal triumph for a triumph of music itself.

Jolly ahh album

an album by the legendary brian wilson, featuring music that was originally intended for a sequel of sorts to pet sounds that got cancelled while it was developing. he struggled a bit when trying to get it all recorded, thinking the initial album idea was a failure on his part. i wish i could give him a big hug, because while he has his own thoughts on it, like other beach boys related works, this one is musically in depth and compelling to listen to... not only is it a fair reflection of brian's inner turmoils, but with the immersive and nostalgic energy of american culture... he almost channels his inner dvorak when he sets scenes. a gigantic collage of american rock, while a bit surreal and experimental, it isn't that terrible compared to how brian thinks it sounds.

Great CD relevant till the end. A life long continuation project. Beautiful melodies and sinply awesome

The Beach Boys have never done anything for me, despite my repeated attempts to get into Pet Sounds (and their more straightforward "Surfin' USA"/"Little Deuce Coupe"/"Little Surfer Girl" claptrap actively repels me). I don't remember anything being different when this came out, despite its mythical status. So imagine my surprise when I actually enjoyed it this time around? Specifically the orchestral pop songs, not the stuff that sounds like novelty circus music or Yo Gabba Gabba. What a plot twist!

When I started this project I saved 4 stars and higher for albums that I would voluntarily put on again because I dug them so much. But now I've got a lot of albums to listen to with new ones coming every day. I've changed my mind. This was really something special and I'm probably never going to listen to it again and that's just fine.

The musical equivalent of a manic episode

Quirky winds of sound carried the lwhimsical, childlike lyrics into musical fantasies that revisited nursery rhymes of yesteryear. I couldn't help questioning with Brian was thinking as he was creating this album. It seemed like he was going back to an easy time in his life, what time is it simple backdrops and easy fantasies. This is certainly not your typical pop music.

Brian Wilson really was one of the great writing and composing wizards of the 20th century. You can tell every note and harmony on Smile was meticulously crafted, but it still manages to feel warm and organic. It’s ambitious without being pretentious, which is rare for something this layered and complex. The Beach Boys’ vocal work shines here, as always, but it’s Wilson’s arrangements that steal the show. He somehow made pop music sound like a symphony without losing its charm. Even with all the experimentation, it’s catchy and weirdly comforting at the same time. Smile might not be an easy listen for everyone, but it’s a creative triumph. It’s proof that Brian Wilson was playing in a completely different league, both musically and emotionally. Favorite song: Heroes and Villains

It’s like Beach Boys, but it feels more sinister and offbeat. I really enjoyed it, although I felt it lacked the catchiness of the best material from the Beach Boys. Heroes and Villains was a highlight.

This was intended to be the ultimate version of Smile, but for me it will always be the Smile Sessions version that we finally got in 2011. A lot to love here, this was close to the end of BW as a functional artist. I saw him on this tour and it was great, but sadly each time I saw him after, it was a little worse until the last time when he was fully checked out and the killer band he had here was replaced by BB hangers on and children. Anyway, this record has some of his best work. Heroes and Villains is just stunning, that descending vocal line is brilliant. Surfs Up, Good Vibrations, Child is the Father of the Man, Wind Chimes, Cabin Essence. A wealth of great songs. Then there’s nonsense like Barnyard, Vega-Tables, In Blue Hawaii. It’s flawed but great.

3.7 2x excellent but not one i will probably come back to anytime soon

The legend exceeds the reality. But still a very off-kilter weirdo of an album, perfect for Halloween. It reminded me of Abbey Road: a bunch of great ideas poured into a blender and presented with some charm.

Didn’t realise this was so wackity. Took me three listens to even being to form an opinion on it. Ummm… pretty good?