Smile

Eerie. Brian Wilson died yesterday, and today's album of the day is by him. The closeness and connection to the Beach Boys, with whom I can't do much, is audible. Nevertheless, something else also resonates. In the end, it sounded too much like the Beach Boys to me. And that still sticks with me. 2/5

What a coincidence that I got this album a day after Wilson passed away. This album left me a bit confused. All the things that made the Beach Boys sound so unique are here. However, there is also this peculiar choice of sounds, instruments, and lyrics. Somehow, I'm reminded of a children's music album.

Unfassbar schlechtes Album mit Musik wie von einer Beatles-Cover-Band im falschen Jahrzehnt. Es passen weder Stil, Zeit noch Konzept und es bleibt ein qualvolles Gejaule.

While it was nearly impossible for Brian Wilson to recreate the pure vision and inspiration behind the Beach Boys' lost 1967 masterpiece, he has created something here that gives us the closest peek yet behind that curtain. The songs are both playful and technically brilliant, with all of the humour and depth that was originally intended. Unfortunately, it 𝙞𝙨 impossible to recreate the state of the music industry and the world in 1967 so we'll never be able to appreciate this work in context to understand the cultural and historical place it might have held. It may have had an even more significant impact than Sgt Pepper once Lennon and McCartney got their hands on a copy. But we'll never know. Fortunately, the music alone is good enough to stand on its own and deserve all of the plaudits and mystique that it earned even after nearly 40 years sat on a shelf and buried in Brian Wilson's mind. I've been a fan of this album and its story for a long time and I'm no stranger to this iteration or the original 1967 release, 𝘚𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘚𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘦. If people ever ask me for my favourite song of all time, I choose Good Vibrations. It's a genuinely perfect song that I could hear every day and never get bored of. I knew I loved it from a very early age, having had it on tapes recorded from Dad's records as far back as I can remember. The strange, beautiful sounds, the ghostly theremin, the chugging cello, the harmonies and of course the ‘na-na-na-na-naaa’ chorus outro. And while it sits at the end of this album, it feels like the centrepiece of the project. Everything else on the album seems to me like it was crafted as the supporting cast for its perfectness. The zany rhapsody of Heroes and Villains, the gentle humour and thumping bassline of Vege-tables, the breathless warmth of Wonderful all setting the scene for 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘯𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘶𝘱𝘰𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘢𝘪𝘳. I was always going to spend time today sitting with some of Brian's greatest work in memory and tribute, but it was fitting to have an added bit of purpose and direction with it. Many of his peers were lost before their time and we may never know the peak of their potential but luckily for us, we got to walk the earth with this genius until he had more or less finished sharing his creative spark with us all. His legacy will live on in the many great musicians and artists who continue to make music inspired by his wonderful life's work. Thank you, Brian.

A few re-recordings in particular stood out as not comparing to the originals, but in general, I had a pretty damn good time with this. Post-Pet Sounds is my favorite BB era, but I've taken precious little time to fully immerse myself into the full lore of Smile; between Brian's passing and enjoying this quite a bit, that may change soon. I'm grateful they rigged the generator in his honor. Rest in peace, Brian. 4/5

Really good stuff. RIP

2.5/5

On the day of his passing. Brian Wilson was a genius in the truest sense of the word and made a significant cultural impact that will be remembered for generations. Smile seems to me like a collection of partially developed sketches that given time and attention could have been amazing. But life didnt go that way so its not.

lovely touch recommending this "randomly" the day after Brian Wilsons passing. an extra star for the sentiment

I’ll give this to Brian Wilson, despite all the boozing, drugs and mental illness his sound and style remained constant.

RIP Brian Wilson

It was definitely a weird feeling to listen to an album by an artist who died a day before and find out it traumatised him.

RIP Brian Wilson

Brian Wilson died today, I wonder if everybody's getting this album tonight. RIP, but I despise the Beach Boys, and this sounds exactly like them.

There are some decent parts here, but overall you can tell these are mostly just Beach Boys throwaways.

June 12, 2025 Album #648: Smile by Brian Wilson Genre: Orchestral Pop, Art Pop, Psychedelic Pop, Americana, Indie Rock I can’t help but believe that my album choice for today was curated, due to the recent passing of the legend that is Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys. With that in mind, there’s some context to this album that’s needed. After releasing *Pet Sounds*, Brian Wilson felt very pressured while making its follow-up album, called Smile, which was very ambitious. However, because of mental health issues and other things, it eventually led to the project being abandoned. However, Brian Wilson completed a new version and reconstruction of the album around forty years later. That reconstruction is what this album is. With that, this album really does sound and like feel like *Pet Sounds* and a Beach Boys album, and I mean that in a good way. This album is very creative with its concepts, execution, and experimentation. The heavenly harmonies and clever lyrics are all there, and it still works in the modern age. Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, Strong 8 Favorite Tracks: Heroes and Villians, Roll Plymouth Rock, Cabin Essence, Surf’s Up, On a Holiday, Wind Chimes, In Blue Hawaii, Good Vibrations

Sounds like heroes and villains almost through the first half of the album

I just don't get the hype with this one. It's not like the back story is even that interesting, people are just so over invested in dull 60s lore and desperate to rehabilitate a lost genius. The album itself has lots of sophisticated harmonies, thoughtful arrangements, and tons of dense layers to the production, but what does it amount to? A wishy washy hour of schmaltz that goes nowhere - incredibly boring. Good vibrations' inclusion only underscores how lacking the rest of it is. Favorites: wind chimes, child is father, good vibrations

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.

Favorite Track: Heroes and Villains

The back half of this album is out of this world good. Exactly the kind of madness that makes me feel like warm milk and honey.

Rip 😔🙏

This was an interesting album. Brian Wilson is clearly incredibly gifted as far as composition is concerned. This kind of reminded me of some outsider music like Daniel Johnston lyrically but with very interesting production. Rest in Peace Brian Wilson.

As a Beach Boys-adjacent album, this album caught me off guard—I even wondered for a minute if it was made for kids (Vega-Tables). It’s different… psychedelic, a bit manic—like I’ve been dosed and can’t tell if it’s about to be a great trip or a total spiral. Thankfully, Good Vibrations is there to anchor the high. My favorite moment, though? “Eggs and grits and lickety split”… absolutely stealing that line for daily use.

This album is a wacky freakin' ride. Super experimental and strange for a pop record. If i had little crumb-snatching kids I'd probably play this for them all the time and let them get weird with it. This feels like a work you have to treat like watching a movie in the theatre - it demands a fully dedicated listen. Put on some decent cans and just sit there in a chair with your eyes closed, immersed in the production value and compositions. Listening to it while doing practically anything else, however, it's hard to imagine a setting or moment that I would want to soundtrack this with. Perhaps a room with oil lamp projections and wigs and pillows and hallucinogenic substances... (Though, by the time you get to Mrs. O'Leary's Cow the walls and your face would start melting for sure). I think of Pet Sounds as the first emo record and a remarkable time capsule that captured a cultural moment and holds up to just putting on whenever. All of the lore and controversy surrounding SMiLE resulted in a sort of hype that is pretty impossible to ignore; or live up to. That said, this doesn't really do it for me. It feels like a lot of unfinished, half-baked ideas sandwiched and smashed and shoehorned in between two recognizable bookend songs that provide some sort of grounding to anchor the whole exercise. That said, I can nevertheless appreciate that this might be an important piece of work. The experimental, fragmentary deconstruction and reconstruction of Wilson's creative legacy evident here is kinda fascinating. Sure, it's art. But like some some important painting I would never wanna hang on the wall, it's also kinda just a widely-celebrated cultural artifact to me: I really have no idea where it would fit into my listening habits or personal aesthetics.

Groundbreaking.

4/10 - What started out as an optimistic listen sadly turned into acceptance that this just isn't my album. Smile to me, feels like Brian Wilson unleashed, it displays not only his deep understanding of complex harmonies, but also his full creative extravagance. Unfortunately, I believe this extravagance is what tanked the album. Whilst I can see What Brian was trying to achieve, really, all he needed some creative direction, someone to say, 'Brian, this sounds like ass.' Potentially it needs multiple listens to fully grasp. RIP my guy.

Don't understand why anyone would listen to this when Pet Sounds exists much prefer Pet Sounds songs and style

Brian Wilson's Smile is a journey through the history of modern music. It places timeless A cappella sounds from a period of popularity during Wilson's youngest years at the forefront, fusing them with musical motifs of the '60s (namely soft backing guitar, subtle bass tones, and emphasised mid and treble ranges) and with the crisp, clean mixing available to producers from early 2000s technology. Whilst not the biggest fan of vocal heavy music, Brian Wilson's Smile demonstrates experience cultivated over years in the musical industry, with few rivals to match such a prolonged and successful career. At many points, I found the music enjoyable and tantalising, as the flow and the changes in tone and key, even within songs, keep the listener entertained. As the namesake suggests, the album's overall feel was playful, showing the bones of an artist who is past chasing fame and money (very much achieved over his career), and focusing on music that feeds the soul. RIP Brian. Even to someone who barely knew of your existence until after your death, your tenure is apparent. Pass on, my GOAT.

The instrumental for Lady Gaga's Poker Face is better than this whole album. :/

So many beautiful harmony's Brian Wilson is a pioneer and a master of his craft. Cabin essence is an amazing song The Super dreamy atmosphere at times makes parts the album bordering on boring

A very strange experiment of how many instruments you can put together that really just don't go together.

This is a miss match of sounds akin to Ross from friends with his keyboard. I found it manic with no clear direction.

I did not enjoy this, it felt like when you have strange dreams and a really long night on strong antibiotics.

:)

This was almost tough one to review. First of all, R.I.P Brian, I got the album curated the day after his death. I have never listened to the beach boys and I think this was a "you had to be there to get it" kind of thing, this album is special to fans as it was the album that was never made but today I don't think it holds up as well. I felt the album didn't really have a direction, the lyrics were arbitrary and I felt like this was the sound track to a play I didn't watch. 'Heroes and Villans' and 'Good Vibrations' were good songs and if the album was consistent with these then it would be a 4/5 for me

Ugh wanted to like it but it found me on a day when I just felt it was grating.

Right, it’s either a crazy fkn coincidence that todays album is a Brian Wilson solo record, or whoever is generating the list is paying their respects by making everyone listen to his work. Either way, R.I.P Brian Wilson, my thoughts are with your family. Upon first listen, I really didn’t like this album. I felt the group vocals were blown out, I felt the instrumentation was goofy and the lead vocal sounded like that cursed cover of ‘Winter wonderland’ by Ozzy Osbourne. Then I put my headphones on for a second listen and my God, this album is great and such a fun listen I foolishly listened to this album in the car for the first time but this album comes to life with a good set of headphones. The mix is incredible, with different instruments and voices jumping out at you from every angle. Initially the songs sounded too silly for my liking but their character and charm has certainly grown on me upon second listen. I don’t love every song but most are great. In mono, not a good listen In stereo, great album

:)

For as famous as it is, I had never listened to it before!

Not really my kind of music, all the songs kinda sound the same

Hadn’t heard of this one. Animal sounds in the background are a highlight for me.

The dude died yesterday and (despite some of his music being pretty annoying to me) I can't give less than 3 stars. From a technical perspective, this dude has skills. Experienced lasting psychotic symptoms after taking acid while part of the beach boys. Interesting story. Check it out if you weren't aware.

RIP Brian Wilson.

Brian Wilson was undeniably a genius and knowing the history of this album perhsps makes it difficult to judge. It’s a story of what could’ve been had the beach boys clung together and completed Smile. As it is it lacks any spark of magic and the inclusion of Good Vibrations judt highlights this is far from Wilson’s best. A solid album but not a classic

In some moments, this album had flashes of what it could have been. Whilst the inclusion of “Good Vibrations” might have seemed like a good idea at the time, it only highlighted all the ways this album felt like a let down. Listening to this album the day after Brian Wilson passed away was still a lovely thing, though.

Listening to this the day after Brian Wilson died (along with many others, as the generator pushed relevant albums to people who hadn't already listened to them, a move which honestly made me a little misty-eyed). There's something about the Beach Boys that scratches that musical itch in my brain. I can't explain it or objectively justify it, it's just something about the vocals and melody that feels *right* to me. It makes me want to smile. That being said, Smile is certainly not perfect, which given it's history is hardly a shock. Brian's voice is still really engaging for me, but it's no surprise that it had lost a little spark at this stage in his life. Mind you, Brian Wilson at 75% power was still better than many artists as far as I'm concerned. And I imagine some people's patience will be pushed a bit by songs referencing vegetables or farmyard animals (but as a fan of They Might Be Giants and Barenaked Ladies this feels completely reasonable to me). The album suffers from having Good Vibrations on it, because its so iconic and (whisper it) a patently better song than the rest, but I'm so glad I got this album today. Frankly, had I been forced to listen to God Only Knows I would have been bawling my eyes out... Wishing for half stars again (3.5) but in their absence: 4/5

About halfway thru rn and it’s a vibe but don’t think I could listen consistently

Every track except except Surf’s Up violently overstimulated me

feels like im listening to a musical

Not smiling with this one.

Beach Boy sound is not really my thing.

I don't hold the Beach Boys close to my heart, and therefore, I don't know that I idolize Brian Wilson enough for this to blow me away. I understand his place in R&R history and as a songwriter, but it doesn't make me enjoy listening to this stuff.

I don't GET IT

Have basically never come around on these recordings and much prefer the older ones. For BW's sake I'm glad it happened at all, but...

V good

Very Beach Boys, kinda blended together as the album progressed but the sound is solid overall

Barbershop quartet music to slightly dissociate to

I liked it a surprising bit starting out, buuut it sorta just floats around after that. Not bad though! Just maybe too long and not reeeeally for me.

I was very very curious about this one and desperately wanted to like it more than I did. It felt like holding a masterwork of some instrument or tool that I could appreciate the beauty of but would never actually want to pick up and use. The craftsmanship is beautiful but not for me.

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.

This is one of those albums where half of everyone’s glowing reviews mention the big long complicated backstory for its production as a major part of the reason why it’s good or important. I tried to go in with an open mind, but I just didn’t “get it,” I guess. Even after learning about its whole history it didn’t click with me. RIP Brian Wilson

Pet Sounds was my very first album on this challenge, and my feelings toward Smile are much the same - I love the production, but the cotton-candy sweetness of their singing wears thin real fast. It feels really silly to dislike something so cheerful and whimsy in sound, especially given the sheer ambition on display. It's all the more a shame to not fully enjoy the project in light of Brian Wilson's passing yesterday. Try as I might, though, I just can't seem to vibe with the music. Standout: Heroes & Villains

I like this album a lot but once again it is way too long. I'm happy Brian Wilson got to do his masterpiece but a lot of the stuff on here would be happier as bonus tracks on a second disc. Nothing is bad, just mildly off putting.

pet sounds 2, malo zzz

Smile isn’t a bad album but I am not sure why it makes the list. Maybe because it was never released in its original form by The Beach Boys. It’s alright but not sure if I’d listen again.

I get that Wilson is considered a musical genius. I've always hated the Beach Boys "constant wall of harmonies" vocals. It seems his approach to music didn't change at all over the years. He may have been a genius, but to my ears this was torture.

So ... it's the Beach Boys without the Beach Boys!

Similar to things like Count Basie, big band music, that we've had before, this is just a style and era of music that doesn't hit with me. I can appreciate the technical accomplishment and the cultural phenomenon of The Beach Boys, but this isn't it for me. Solid 2.

Being a funny person I know a thing or two about laughter, so when I saw the concept behind this album I knew I had to listen closely. And it's a very good album. Its inevitably a maximalist endeavour, but the sheer range of sounds and cadences you get thrown at you is dizzying but exciting. Heroes and Villains & Good Vibrations (which I gather didn't debut here) are such meticulous musical journeys that they almost sound strained, but they're great songs. Parts of this get so quaint and off the wall that it brings the good vibes to a screeching halt. ("I threw away the candy bar and I ate the wrapper/when they told me what I did I burst into laughter"). But even some of those tracks - like Barnyard - retain such musical vision that it's hard to write them off in any real way. I wouldn't say any of this left much of an emotional mark on me, but I'd happily give another shot in future. High 3.

It’s a bit of a challenge to review an album with such a storied history as this - especially on the day its creator died. BWPS is pleasant enough through its runtime, but it’s difficult to untie tracks like Good Vibrations from their historical context. Had 2004 been the first time the world got to hear it, would it have received so much universal love? Probably not. But it’s still a marvellous song, and serves as a perfect showcase for BW’s singular talent for instrument arrangement in the rock genre. I do enjoy that this work doesn’t take itself too seriously. But the whimsy grows a little wearisome, occasionally crossing over to being downright asinine at times. But it’s all inoffensive, and it is endearing. BW took big risks; and the release of this album is best seen as a triumph over one man’s personal demons. ✨

Has a Couple of great moments but also a lot of aged ones. Nooit my favorite Beach boys album and they're not my favourite band either. This album is one whose story is more interesting than the album itself. Also an incredibly fitting album for the day Brian died. Musically i might give this album a 3/5, but for the story and the respect for the artist is a 4

This feels incredibly rigged. Man died today, going to try to rate this objectively. I’m glad I read the Wikipedia article to learn this was an abandoned album that he finished 30 years later, explains a lot. It’s a lot of snippets and unfinished ideas and it sounds like demos for a beach boys album. It’s no pet sounds but I did fluctuate between indifference and thinking about how cool his vocal layering is. Nothing is bad, most of it is good, some of it is monotonous. I’m feeling a strong 3. RIP.

Alright gents I’m back rating albums after a ~3ish month break. Time to catch up. Is it too late for an RIP Brian Wilson? Ironically I just finished with my semiannual Beach Boys music listening bender. Fun fact, none of these songs made the cut. Not that these songs are like really bad. It just feels like what it is, an old guy attempting to copy the musical formula that crushed 40 years earlier. Idk why I feel hateful right now, I do really love Brian Wilson’s songwriting. This album just isn’t what I will ever know him by. There are interesting and cute moments in this album, I just don’t know if this album should make the cut to be on this list. Strong 2/Weak 3.

Pretty disappointing. I wanted this to be amazing but it sounds more like pet sounds leftovers at best. Makes me feel sorry for Brian Wilson, this clearly took a lot of work but just isn’t very good. 2/5. PS I don’t like how this album was “generated” bc Wilson died, rather it be truly a random album no matter what.

A great album! RIP Brian Wilson, thanks for all the great music

Okay senor beach boy I really enjoyed this -- it gave me pretty odd vibes (my fav album) on some songs. I know p odd was inspired by more like beatles and 60s stuff but I SEE SOME SIMILAR VIBES

Good

I am so happy Brian Wilson was album to put this project to rest with a result he felt good about. There are some lovely little nuggets of psych and champer pop in here that I really enjoyed. The doo-wop pop orchestral arrangements don't land with me, but I'm glad this exists

Brilliant of course, and had it been released on time would have been seen as an influence on Sgt Pepper but I prefer some of the original versions, eg wind Chimes and wonderful, I love the ASMR qualities. Still, Our Prayer is sublime and Barnyard is ridiculous, so gets 4 stars from me. RIP Brian.

Tricky. Why do I feel conflicted?! As an album listening experience, not quite a 3 I’m afraid.

Not my jam

I can see how it's be really innovative sound, and Good Vibrations is of course good vibes, but overall I feel like Id need to be tripping to get full enjoyment out of this

RIP Brian Wilson (1942-2025). The story of this album is tied up with the 60's rivalry felt between the Beach Boys and the Beatles. The Beach Boys' "Pet Sounds" pushed in a new direction that inspired the Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper." At which point, Brian Wilson threw in the towel and apparently sunk into a depression. It's too bad Brian Wilson broke down and didn't keep those good vibrations a-happenin' because he apparently had more to offer. As for how this album sounds, re-produced a few decades later, it sounds...OK.

I would call this album anachronistically good. Hats off to Brian and crew to produce music that sounds like The Beach Boys and only really misses the mark because it isn't The Beach Boys. It is a good alternative, but in reality, it Is more alt Beach Boys than an example of unrealized Beach Boy material/vision. To me, it delivered in the same way a Beatles reunion with Julian Lennon filling in for John would have delivered. (this was actually floated for a few minutes when Julian had his 15 minutes in the 80s). In the case of the latter, I am glad it didn't happen. I am glad Smile happened, if only to give Brian Wilson some resolution.

3.5 stars

Nope.

But why?

rest easy, goat

Love the story of the release and the production ended up wonderful. Feels like step down from Pet Sounds in terms of songs and lyrics though. 3.5.

He’s great RIP

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

This is high on my list of unnecessary sequels. I'm not a member of the cult of Brian Wilson; I don't even like Pet Sounds that much, but at least it's better than this.

Not surprised to get this album today of all days, and obviously RIP Brian, but what on earth were you on about here It's not horrific, it's just bizarre and deeply all over the place - yes you know how to write songs and harmonies, but you also need to make them ACTUAL songs

Brian just died so now isn’t a great time to say that I don’t like his solo work or the Beach Boys is it? 1.65

po não sei se foi proposital mas meter um brian wilson 1 dia depois da morte do mano é meio assustador............ álbum ok, não é o tipo de som que me agrada mas entendo pq tanta gente gosta tbm....

aparentemente todo mundo recebeu algum do brian wilson/beach boys. eu aprecio mto o criador do site por essas coisas. mas eh, nao eh dos melhores não. mas eh inegável o impacto desse mano na música que deus o tenha

3.5

3.5

I think it is the lore behind this album that makes it essential more so than the album itself. I kind like *Smiley Smile* it it's cutesy artsy fartsy way, but I've always felt they (or he) were trying to be too silly for the good of the album. I think I'd much rather some carved together version of the original *Smile* recordings over this remake, which tbh, are not as good as *Smile* material that the Beach Boys subsequently released. I'm gonna go with a light 3, I guess out of respect for Wilson as an artist, and the material itself, which is better than its execution. (6.2) ★★★

Some insanely beautiful tracks, combined with parts I don't care too much for. Low 4.5 stars

This sounds great and has really intricate arrangements, but unfortunately most of the songs just don't do it for me. "Heroes & Villains", "Good Vibrations", and "Vege-tables" are probably the standouts for me, though I'm not sure if I prefer them to the Beach Boys versions. 3.5 stars.

A really really good album for the fact that Brian Wilson is finally able to nail a version of Smile after 37 years with a little help from some friends. Compositionally it is propers glorious at times and coursing with so much frothy fevered genuisness - Heroes & Villains, Cabinessence, Wonderful, Surf’s Up and Good Vibrations. The first third of the album carries the most momentum. The stretch from Wonderful to Surf’s Up is just has the pretttiest chords ever and is absolutely splendorific. The last third of the record definitely gets a bit lost at sea though. The main plus point of the record is that it sets the template for 2011’s Smile Sessions which uses all archived material and sounds much, much better. Brian’s voice is super fuddy-duddled at this point and sunshine pop scourge The Wondermints who help with the backing arrangements and harmonies sound very icky, lame, plastic and children’s novelty like some Veggie Tales house band. On top of Vege-Tables being an actual poisonous track, this album overall frankly is a 3 star one at best.

It's weird that this album still exists on this list since they released actual Smile. This sounds good but he clearly sounds so much older than on the original sessions. I think people love Brian Wilson a little too much personally.

the transition from in blue hawaii into good vibrations is almost - almost - as smooth as the insane transition from justice into kevin morby the DJ pulled off at our friends wedding

RIP big hero!

Geen toeval waarschijnlijk, want als ik even piep in de public reviews, zijn er wel significant meer reviews op 13 juni dan op eender welke dag. Nu, met alle respect voor Brian Wilson, dit is geen geweldig album. Je hoort wel de vibe van de Beach Boys, maar dan een afgekalfde versie. 1.4

The Good: Smile, you’re on candid camera! The Bad: Oh wait, that was a lie… The Ugly: My teeth… which is why I don’t smile so much… Mr Wilson, RIP. Don’t know if it is coincidence that the album presented himself the day after he passed away, but needless to say it was a little different listening to an album knowing that the person had just passed… Having said that, I could have past on the album. Not that it was bad, but there is a point where I just can’t stand falsetto harmonies any longer. I would rather have a root-canal performed… All over the intrawebs “God Only Knows” was being heralded as the most perfect song, and I will agree that it is as close to perfect as songs are going to get. However, this album does not include that song, so I am going to shoot down the middle… 3*

I have never understood what prople like about Brian Wilson or Beach Boys music. It either bores or annoys me depending on the song. 1 star or F.

Sounds like the Beach Boys, which is expected. Kind of whimsical and fun, could've been shorter. High 3. Seems like the 1001 generator can give an album based on real world events, since we got this the day after Brian Wilson passed. Please don't go lead singer Gibby Haynes of the Butthole Surfers!

fine, I kinda tuned it out

3/10 - I really don’t like his voice it seems. Idk the songs were alright but he just sounded goofy

It was alright. About what I’d expect from a beach boys solo album; sounds like The Beach Boys but a little less interesting. I know he died which sucks and I feel bad complaining but this probably doesn’t need to be on the list

3.8 - Just some fun beach boys vibes

I found this mostly very annoying. Its so disgustingly clean cut and major. Of course some moments are nice - melodically it's all "nice" - but its just so sickly sweet, give me some grit Brian. Why is Good Vibrations here at the end? Obviously its a good song, but it kinda makes the rest of the album sound like poor imitations in comparison. Its a reminder at the end that this twee pop can be magic - but that the majority of Smile isn't it. Fave Tracks: Cabin Essence, Wind Chimes 2.6/5

Getting this album the day Brian Wilson passed away, and judging by others online, this may have not been a coincidence. If it was forced, there are very few people still alive on this list, maybe Mccartney/Dylan, that would deserve a forced generation, but Brian Wilson is one of them. His impact and pure understanding of the theory of music shines, even 40 years later from the original making of this album. Maybe it's due to him passing, that I took a closer listen and enjoyed it with a heavy heart, despite not being a Beach Boys enthuiast, but you couldn't describe modern music today, without him.

This album has the energy of a dj set! It’s just nonstop one song after another. It’s stated that Brian Wilson had a hard time going back to this stuff because of the conditions surrounding it as well as his deteriorating mental state at the time. I hope he overcame that in some capacity through the realization that he still had it upon recording this album. It was more of a marionette circus up in that head of his than I realized, at least based on the music I heard here. I heard that a lot on “Roll Plymouth Rock”, one of my favorites on the project. But “In Blue Hawaii” into “Good Vibrations takes the cake. Must’ve been nice for Brian to reach back and still find the fastball. While this album isn’t perfect, it’s a wonderful, joyous example of how music can alter one’s sense of time - this came straight out of the late 60’s and stuck the landing, with Brian Wilson as the pilot. RIP

I’m not a Beach Boys guy at all, this is maybe the one kind of exception. I think it’s real cool and neat to come back to a project after that much time and see it through. It’s probably not all that close to the original vision, but it’s something. Probably felt good for Wilson.

Very fun!

What is this album? Very odd. But Good Vibrations 4eva!

A really good album, I enjoyed the upbeat style of music. I liked Heroes and Villains, Song For Children and Surf's Up the most.

Wall of sound = lots of noise. Seriously, he was a tortured soul. So many demons. But he made pretty music.

Though I'm very aware of Brian Wilson (my dad used to tell me we were related to the Beach Boys and I got really into learning everything I could about them) I've actually never heard any of his solo work. He passed away today so this is a fitting listen for the day. This does sound a lot like the early Beach Boys sound. Which I've always had a soft spot for the Beach Boys. I love the lightness of the sound mixed with the complexity of the composition. Still, this album feels nostalgic to a time I never experienced. I love how whimsical it is while still feeling very serious. It's so interesting to listen to! But not heavy or stodgy. The perfect blend. All the songs flow really well together too.

A pleasant enough lesson but I'll be sacrilegious and admit that aside from a handful of (excellent) Beach Boys songs, I find them and Brian Wilson good to listen to but not mind-blowing. Solid 3 stars, no more. ...Possibly 2 and a half as it does go on a bit.

Very cool album. I don't see myself going back to it too much, but the joyful soundscape created made for a really pleasant listening experience all the way through. Heroes and Villains is probably my top track.

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

I think this album did this genre well, but it's not my jam

OKish album. It makes me feel cozy, while still holding the original style present in some of Beach Boys songs.

nostalgic sounds in a modern record

The music is good but the story elevates it.

Beautiful harmonies, interesting arrangements and a true master at work

Good album, but can't help but wonder what it would have looked like in its' intended form. RIP Brian.

First few songs start the album off strong, even if I'm not a fan of Heroes and Villains many false ends. Definitely some really strong stuff here - especially the transition into In Blue Hawaii - but it can be a little uneven in places.

Turns the baroque pop of Pet Sounds up to twelve. Wilson’s vocals suit the vibe and the lyrics. Love the interpolation of You Are My Sunshine, but comes a bit out of nowhere. Cabin Essence is a great song that shows Brian Wilson in microcosm. Vega-Tables is a very strange, but on-brand song with a catchy melody and some off-putting vocal tracks.

If I were older I'd better appreciate the history of the album. But as a young whippersnapper, I thought it was just alright.

Beach boys + Gary Come home + Slow Christmas Music. Nauseating.

Unbelievably bland, I hated this. 1/5 stars.

There are so many sounds layered over each song that at times it becomes cacophonous. I'm sure there are good songs in there somewhere but it's hard to hear through all the noise. Would I listen to it again: No

Not great. An obvious attempt to capture the feel of the Beach Boys without the same energy or talent.

Fantastico!

Listening to this the day after Brian Wilson has died. I can only be honest. I don't like it. It seems that every 30 seconds a new song has started or a new melody or a return to Heroes and Villains. It's too much.

boring.

I'll give Brian Wilson credit for being able to put together a great sonic landscape. The instrumental of Heroes and Villains is gorgeous. The lyrics to Vega-Tables - not so much.

RIP to him, such a fun and whimsical sound

Joo ei, ei vaan toimi itselle tämä. Ei omaan makuun.

The opening track left me awestruck! Sometimes in the right hands, less is more, less production, less tracks on a record. In the case of Brian Wilson ... he does a lot more with less. His music captivates with meticulously placed arrangements and harmonious vocals. Buckle up because single track can have many unexpected twists and turns that keep the listener engaged such as with Heroes and Villains. This is not a mainstream album. It is an album that implements minimalism and showcases good vocals and arrangement placing. If I were to find this album in a vinyl crate at a good price I would scoop it up.

I did not use a private spotify session for this one as I have listened to it before. This was my album for the day after Wilson's death was announced , coincidence or not, it was still nice. This album has it's moments, I like how it reminds of Pet Sounds, but it's uneven, even the different parts of the songs are uneven.

Maybe because it came straight of the back of a Beach Boys album, but just didn't get on with this.

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.

Bit of an odd album.

3/5

8.5/10 Not a random album today, I bet a lot of people are revisiting the music of Brian. This is one I am veeery familiar with. Before it came out I had listened to a lot of the bootleg material. A huge “what if” album. Is it good? yes Was it cool to hear this stuff produced in a modern way? Yes is it a bit overproduced and noisy in places? Yes Is it in the same league as the Beach Boys versions where they exist? No to barely Is the rougher BB version later released as the Smile Sessions better? Yes So it’s good, but really comes across as a nice facsimile created as the basis for some live shows. Good for Brian that he got to be somewhat involved in getting the monkey off his back. Listen to Smile Sessions instead. Best: Cabin Essence

It's a bit of a trip seeing as it was written mostly in the 60s and abandoned for decades before being reshaped into the album before us. It sounds like if the 1960s got dropped into the early 2000s in the best way, but still isn't what I want to listen to on the daily.

4 stars. Ironically, this album came up after his passing. RIP Mr. Wilson. Thank you for the great music.

Brian Wilson said he prefers this version to the Smile Sessions version, but I prefer the latter. There’s something about those original recordings that the 2004 version is missing. It’s an energy, and the vocals by the original beach boys help. Either way, this is still terrific.

It's good. Perhaps even genius! But it's not entirely up my alley as far as what I find interesting to listen to or am likely to come back to time & time again. RIP Brian Wilson. Here's to a real one.

RIP.

Nah, this wasn't for me. RIP Brian Wilson :(

I mean... Boy. The Beach Boys are iconic. Brian Wilson by himself... much less iconic. This is fine. But its really just a less good Beach Boys album.

Beautiful album. 10/10. Masterpiece.

Not for me. 1/5

i didn’t want to finish this album. seems reoccurring lately. sorry brian wilson but u are just not for me !

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.

# 501 : SMILE : 12/06/2025 : Probably not a coincidence, but I got this on the day that he died, anyway, it was a bit nostalgic and ordinary. I don't love it, I don't hate it. A couple of things stood out but nothing that made me go Wow!. It’s ok, but not great.

this album was released in 2004... except it sounds exactly like every other Beach Boys album from 1968. poppy melodies, blended vocal harmonies. I guess if that's how you write songs then this album is what you might expect. Not my cup of tea

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

Whimsical, with a big W. I just.. It's funny to me. How this album, a soundtrack full of penny whistle swoops and power tools and all kinds of goofy silly imagery was someone's White Whale. That's a golden skit - Paggliachi the Clown, unable to put pen to paper due to anxiety, but when he finally does it's the silliest shit you've ever heard. He honks his nose and the world looks on in amazement, a slow clap erupts, flowers thrown onstage, curtain drop. I get the importance and it really is beautiful, but it's definitely very funny in a way.

With Brian Wilson’s recent passing, listening to Smile felt especially poignant — a long-lost masterpiece finally brought to life by the man who once nearly vanished beneath it. No particular standout tracks for me, but the overall vibe was beautiful, strange, and moving. I'm grateful I experienced it. His legacy truly resonates.

Not really a fan of yacht rock

I got this one the day after he died. How cruel. I liked this album, it wasn't really good, but really fun. Vegetable song, sex song, whatever.

I have zero knowledge of Brian Wilson's mental issues until fairly recently and even now just a superficial awareness of it. I also know now that Smile is sort of a justice album, a chance to right a wrong. As such, it could never be what was originally intended. However, as a product of its time and context is a fairly good album.

listened to again truly brilliant, a real harmonic journey

Didn't not hit like I thought it would.

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 :)

incredible timing for this. it's good and uplifting, but a little repetitive.

I was going to give this 3 stars - it's a pleasant enough listen - but then there were just a few too many lurches to something more avantgarde which didn't really land for me.

Did..................... did everyone get this today? If not, that is hella coinkydink. RIP Brian you mad bastard. Everything you'd expect from Brian is here though and the music press went into an absolute FRENZY over it (as did some listeners looking at the reviews). It's a beautiful thing for sure and *probably* deserves it's place on the list. Just.

One of the greatest recordings in the history of music. Stunning on every level.

Sounds like walking without a map around a busy regional religious theme park in the best possible way. An album that is anti boredom - whenever I thought I knew what was happening it changed direction again. I appreciate this utter mania.

No idea what this album was about but fun and sunny

Dear god this is awful. He can't keep an idea in his head for more than 20 seconds.

Pues meh, un album pop indie, no estuvo malo como el de The hives, pero no es muy destacable pero tiene sonidos como Elton Jhon, pero aún así no me termina de gustar al 100% No veo un mood como para volver a escuchar este album

Best listened to from start to finish as it almost plays like a stream of musical consciousness. Tracks change up frequently so you're tempted to check whether you've moved onto to the next one and youre only a third of the way through the same song. Boombastic yet chill, and those harmonies........perfection. RIP to a singular composer, songwriter, and a one of a kind artist.

0. Listened to the first 2 tracks and wasn’t into it

Cantant dels beach boys aquest album es un recopilarori de cançons que no havien arribat a treure (segons wiki) i es nota totalment com mantenen el so tan peculiar dels beach boys dels 60 a un album fet als 2000. Escoltar aquest album just el dia despres que es fes noticia la mort del cantant doncs toca a dins. Es pot notar a la veu com ja és més vell hahaha Pero cançons molt mones i cuques. Sí el tornaria a escoltar pero crec que cançons puntuals.

I really wanted to love this, and have tried many, many times in the past. I admire the musicianship, but it just leaves me cold. It's an example of a very good thing that's not for me.

calm, good

Ouch. If this thing is truly random, that’s spooky as fuck. (RIP Brian Wilson.) Our Prayer/Gee - Heaven made of harmonies. / The encapsulated BBs. Stripped to the kernel. Heroes & Villains - A personal favorite. Trombone slip n slide. Mini opera of naïveté. Just beautiful. Mercutio’s lament. Roll Plymouth Rock - “Just see what you’ve done to the church of the American Indian”. When Brian writes about a boat, it’s always sad. Barnyard - CA boy romanticizing farm life. I’ll let it slide, bc I love him. Great cello bit. Old Master Painter - A Waits-Ian character digression. Contributes to the toss-it-in-the-wagon vibe of the album. Strings remain a highlight. Sexy sax crawls in the window in the end. Cabin Essence - One of the weirder ones. Symphony (“first movement”) of twinkling bucolic wishes interrupted by martial chorus-ing. Iron horse? Ominously militaristic. Wonderful - Family love and vague religious/existential musing. Harpsichord (shudder). Turns spooky as it transitions into… Song For Children - Medieval or mythological devil’s advocate to the previous “movement”. “Maybe not one…“. Brave Sir Robin with Ben Folds stomp-march. Zeus whispers in here. Child is Father of the Man - A favorite. Refrain in the round. Bohemian Rhapsody vibes give way to Walker Bros lush solemnity, then to silky Isaac Hayes strings & brass making sweet sweet love. Surf’s Up - Back to mostly piano and chorus. Lyrics less vague, more visual. I don’t think anyone does oozin ahhs like BW & the BBs. S/T to a restful nights dreams. I’m in Great Shape/ - Drunken little circus waltz. Transitions to… I Wanna Be Around/ - Sinatra tribute cribbed from a lost TMBG demo. Transitions to… Workshop - We’re back in the circus waltz, but now somebody’s building a deck. Literal workshop sounds. Bless ‘im. Bottom third of an adorable pop Frankenstein(‘s Monster.) Transitions to… Vega-Tables - An ode to leafy greens. Musically, an old dusty saloon. On a Holiday - Another mini-opera. Pirate story played on children’s instruments. Including… Wind Chimes - Meditation (confession?) of wind chimes with a dark undertone. Swells into the choral refrain and then chaos as… Mrs O’Leary’s Cow - Escalating clatter of ambient noise that is enveloped in a roar of guitars and straight Zorn-ian sonic superstorm. Wonder if B knew Goblin. The sound of his nightmares. Into… In Blue Hawaii - Echoey BW over just solemn oohs recalls ‘King of Pain’ and Morphine. Then trotting wood block light Leone gives way to more Hawaiian scat. Much of this record feels like a Wild West theme park in the middle of the Big Island. Pretty little minuet outro into Good Vibrations - Concession or not, this song is a magic spell. Brian’s innocence and hope perfectly distilled. Overall, a messily packed suitcase full of toys, fears, and imagination on a conveyer belt, entering paradise. We’ll miss you, Brian. RIP.

just not a fan

Hymnal....like walking past a monestry.

An odyssey through Brian Wilson’s genius. A beautiful and pleasant classic.

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.

Hmm

This is a fitting album to have the day after Brian Wilson passed away, a nice way to remember him. The song run so seamlessly into each other! Heroes and Villains - bouncy!

I enjoy The Beach Boys, but I'm not a huge fan. This album is great for a great fan od the Beach Boys, but since I'm not, it sounds like a bad album from a band I kinda like. It is easy to see the effort, sound quality, production and composition effort, but it's not for me. Our Prayer/Gee was a great song, my favorite so far. joyful, the album name is on point (SMILE!)

No-one can tell me there was anything interesting on this album besides Good Vibrations.

Not quite my cup of tea

RIP, I thought this was a random generator, clearly not! Pretty amazing album, love the layered vocals and instrumentation. Mostly cheery but some sad/ominous moments as well, Mrs. O'Leary's Cow in particular.

Not for me, strange happy but uncanny

He has just passed away. I didn’t know he was a beach boy.

I’m not a fan of the Beach Boys so I wasn’t too excited about listening to this. I think this was going to be a Beach Boys album before it got canned so I feel this is a BB album. It was okay and not unpleasant to listen to but I’m not sure I’d listen again. Brian contributed a lot to music though and I respect that RIP

Beach boys adjacent - did not care for this style of rock, as described by Apple Music

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.

Better than I thought it was going to be!

RIP legend. Found myself cracking quite the smile with some tracks here

That was a trip.

Never listened to this album before, but it was really cool reading abt the history of it! Seeing how hard it was for him to complete this album and then hearing the song ‘Vega-tables’ was kinda funny to me lol. Will eventually have to listen to The Beach Boys smile album. Not really what I was expecting but pleasantly surprised Favorites: Vega-Tables, Mrs. O’Learys Cow, Blue Hawaii Rating: 6/10

Justo salió cuando acababa de morir Brian Wilson. Buen homenaje y buen disco chill.

SO FUN SO GOOD I LOVE BEACH BOYS 💜

I didn't mind this one. I think I'm going to give it a 4 because I did enjoy it a little more than mid. Not my style but I get it for sure and I may like it more than the Beach Boys, but I have never listened to their deep tracks.

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

????

Decent album, when it's good, it's really really good. Some weak tracks though and some that don't quite work.

Very breezy

Thanks for making me review this on the day of his death. Smile is unlistenable, like a book that took too long to finish.

Not for me. It was ok

No matter how hard I try, I can’t get into The Beach Boys.

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.

4.5 A celebration of the hard work Wilson originally did (85 sessions before it was abandoned!) on a true passion project. The myth around it is the closest any of the biggest 60s pillars came to a total flop. Wilson and the Wondermints reclaim the songs and give "SMiLE" its rightful place in ambitious studio creations of the Golden Age.

Not really my thing. RIP

Really nice listening.

Good vibrations I’m in great shape Vega-tables

Good album. I like Brian with The Beach Boys better.

Hmmm, I don't know what to make of this album. Very lush and grand. I guess I liked it and definitely worth a listen. 3/5

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.

Pet Sounds is one of the greatest albums of all time. Beautiful and deep. Brian Wilson has been trying to replicate that magic even since….unsuccessfully.

When I saw this was a solo project, I was expecting a different sound. But as I listened to it and read about it, I learned it was a self-published release of a shelved Beach Boys album and definitely hit that vibe. Some of the songs were good, some were a little weird (did not expect to hear goats until I noticed the track title was "Barnyard")

It was all the same and seeemed way too peopy. Nice harmony though

Can feel the Beatles inspiration. A few odd songs. Overall enjoyed, but no tracks jumped out

Dette var nok ikkje rett plate til rett tid

i don't think it's a coincidence i get this album today. Brian Wilson's work with the Beach Boys is some of my favorite music ever. he had such an ear for melody and a truly whimsical and wonderful sense of creativity. i miss him dearly already. i hope he's up there reuniting with Carl and Dennis. rest in peace </3. this is in a strange spot since the 1967 unreleased Smile Sessions officially came out in 2011. generally speaking, the 2011 Sessions are pretty similar (a few finished recordings were used here), but the flow between tracks is much more modern and smooth and Brian Wilson gives new vocal performances. i generally prefer the 2011 release but this rerecording of Child is Father of the Man fucks pretty hard. 4 stars but the Smile Sessions is a 5 deserves to be one of the 1001? in some capacity absolutely, with my preference leaning towards the archival release

I was so ready to be like "ENOUGH WITH THE DAMN BEACH BOYS!!!" but as I kept listening, it got more and more schizo-sounding, not necessarily in a bad way but not a good way either. Still unfortunately too Beach Boyish for me. Imagine my surprise when I googled Brian Wilson and found out he was ACTUALLY schizophrenic. I'm not laughing, you are. Anyways, I am all for mental health issues in music, being BPD myself - I do draw the line when it sounds like it came out of the Wonka factory, though. Maybe it's the fucking harpsichord, idk. Not for me, but a LITTLE bit more tolerable than the god damn Beach Boys.

A fascinating musical history, and I definitely appreciate the effort by Brian Wilson. However, would I ever listen to this again? I don't think so.

Brian Wilson, what a legend

Sonically very interesting but there was so much going on that it was tricky to follow and just felt all over the place.

RIP Brian Wilson and I’m glad 1001 albums listeners got his albums yesterday. Rating this is an impossible task. On the one hand I’m glad he got to finish Smile and be at peace about it. On the other, it feels like an unfinished product or a collection of outtakes. Good Vibrations still a classic though.

good vibrations. it let you listen to it with a smile in your face. 2.5/5

I don't know, man. It sounds like the Beach Boys, but instead written and performed by a bunch of young guys on drugs, it's written and performed by a bunch of old guys on drugs, which I suppose it is. Sure?

definitely not my style of music

That was a weird ride, but a good ride.

It's like the Beatles white album slams into the beach boys. It's interesting, but I won't listen to again

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

I feel as I've done more of these I'm becoming harsher. A weird remake of a Beach Boy album by one of the members, but almost 30 years later. Now I like Beach Boys but didn't vibe with this experimental tone, it felt like a Christmas album, hard to listen to.

So epic. The beach boys but sad is such a great genre.

Fitting I got this the day after Wilson's death :( RIP Mr. Wilson. This album has such crazy lore behind it. I'd been vaguely aware of Wilson's issues with the Beach Boys but was never really into them or his solo work, so this was an interesting album to read about and dive into. BWPS is a wild ride. It's full of crazy rich sounds; it's truly a Beach Boys fever dream. There'll be a banjo strumming one second then a slide whistle layered with some crazy harmonies the next. It's really interesting and chaotic. The best example is how Nelson Bragg is credited with playing the celery in the band, then the song "Vega-Tables" rolled around and... yeah, there's some chomping. Standouts for me were "Our Prayer/Gee," "Heros and Villains," "Roll Plymouth Rock" and "Good Vibrations" (duh) This was a fun, weird album but I probably wouldn't listen to too much of it again. There were some really good highlights and some songs I'd skip, so this one is a 3. I'm glad it exists.

This album is absolutely bursting with musical ideas. Honestly though, I almost feel like it needs a little bit dialed back. It's super fun to listen to though.

2/5, not good and not for me

RIP to one of the greats

I admire Brian Wilson but this album is not the greatest. Despite of really terrific moments it feels unfinished.

Old music, did not enjoy. Vocals were okay, but just totally not my style. 1

Brian Wilson died yesterday (6/11/25) and then this album pops up. This album is not that bad but it’s not music for me. It’s music for boomers that grew up with The Beach Boys and are nostalgic for that. Some of the songs are catchy but some sound unfinished and silly.

There's no denying that Brian Wilson was a huge influence on popular songwriting (even though some of these songs are a bit bonkers).

Nope

I liked it a lot. Wouldn't mind having this on CD, Brian sounds refreshed and reenergized. Him adding all the string sections got my attention for sure.

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.

Rip

I thought it was perfect timing to get a Brian Wilson album a couple days after his death. I know that he pioneered a lot of recording techniques that bands use today. The man changed entire musical landscape all while dealing with lifelong mental illness. I respect him for that. Now I got that mini eulogy out of way, I just need to write that album was a schizophrenic mess. It was really hard to listen to. The lyrics did not make any sense to me at all. I do not think I will be revisiting this album again.

Good.

It’s The Beach Boys without the rest of The Beach Boys. Do I appreciate the history? Sure. Is this my kind of music? No

Very good.

I’m going to end up dating this review, but this must be said. I got this album the day after Brian Wilson died, which means either this site has a nice tribute feature where it will auto-generate an album after a death, or I have the weirdest luck. Regardless, this is going to be complicated for a few reasons. Let me start by saying that I don’t particularly care for The Beach Boys. They always felt like a gimmick band to me; the surf doo-wasp group. Outside of God Only Knows and Kokomo, I always felt that were one trick ponies. So I had no idea whatever Smile is or was. The whole ordeal is one big fucking rabbit hole that I don’t have the time to research right now. I was eight when this came out so I have no idea how much the hype was for something like this. Honestly, the story of this album is more interesting than the actual album… or whatever this is. Smile is perhaps the most confusing album I had ever heard. I might go as far as to call it a mess. Every song felt like five songs crammed into one. I swear to God I had to keep looking at Spotify to make sure I was on the same song. And some of these songs just…suck. I’m sorry, but what the fuck are some of these? Here’s a fun experiment: if you are ever given control of the aux cable, play Mrs. O’Leary’s Cow for the whole car to hear. Anyone that still wants to associate with you are your real friends. But for real, I felt like I was listening to a kid’s album, with the overused of slide whistles and whatnot. I got secondhand embarrassment from this at moments. Despite this, there are a few beautiful moments. I’ll just say that for Brian Wilson to finally see his project come to life, sort of, after all the shit he went through is an achievement in itself. There’a also some songs like In Blue Hawaii and Surf’s Up that were actually pretty good. This is probably the most awkward album to get at the most awkward time. Given it’s status, I can’t say it was really worth it and it was ok at best. But albums like this intrigue me and it’s fun when an album goes beyond the tracks and has a weird history of its own. If Smile ever did get released, I don’t know if I would react the same. But it a bit for an album to stick with me, for better or worse. So Smile’s got that. Rest in peace, Brian Wilson. You didn’t have an easy life, but it left an impact on many people. Favorite track: Surf’s Up Other hits: This one’s hard because of the weird nature of the album. I’m just going to list Good Vibrations and Wonderful here.

3 out of 5. Modern yet still sounds straight out of the 60's.

I really find it hard to believe that people are sitting in silence listening to these zany children's songs and slide whistles and marveling at the genius behind them. Maybe the fact we are much more in a "Four dead in Ohio" moment than a "Good Vibrations" one is clouding my perception of this music, but it fell completely flat for me. I was getting angry listening to it, and that signifies a one star rating for me. R.I.P. Brian Wilson...you were a musical genius, but it had a time and place.

This was kind of embarrassingly bad in my opinion. Like Pet Sounds is great, but the Beach Boys were done by this point and this album feels to me like a nostalgic attempt to recapture the magic of something that's better left in the past, uncorrupted by necromancy. Something about it feels soulless and repetitive. The random slide whistle noises are also very jarring

375/1001 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑

getting a brian wilson album the day after he passed is a crazy coincidence. not necessarily his best work but man did he have talent. It's groovy, feel good, and dare I say makes you want to smile. Everyone should listen to brian wilson's music

Interesting for sure, but did I actually enjoy it? Not really.

It’s a good piece of pop orchestral music. But then good vibrations hits at the end and I can’t help but compare it (unfavorably) to Pet Sounds.

This was fine. You can tell it was supposed to be a Beach Boys album and honestly would have been better if it was. Brian Wilson’s voice isn’t what it used to be, and sadly sort of detracts from the songs since so much of the appeal of The Beach Boys is their harmonies and melodic voices. “Heroes and Villains” is definitely the standout song, but there’s no real clunkers here. Wish I could give this 3.5 stars, but it’s just not quite a 4 for me, so I have to round down.

This album has big swansong energy, but the fella went on record 6 more albums after this. I'm curious about the history behind it, you can't mention Smile anywhere without people talking about the backstory, so I'll be sure to go and watch the doc. But just off of this alone it's an easy 4. Godspeed you, Brian Wilson!

Beach boys r cool Pattaya jan 2024

I like the idea of returning to an unfinished project, and the music by no means is bad and I didn’t mind listening at times, I think the bigger question is was this needed? To me it’s trying so hard to be another pet sounds and because of that it can sound dated especially with all the musical moments that are call backs to it. If I wanted pet sounds I’ll listen to it. I can tell this is especially for the really big beach boys/Brian Wilson fans but probably not for me

rip

A really nice and light feel, nostalgic sounds.

Excellent production and feel-good songs.

A few high points but not really for me 2

Listened while I mowed. Not bad

Not for me....

A collection of fairly tales, nursery rhymes, children's stories with a dash of music hall. Had heard Smiley Smile before but this is different, feels more like a theatre performance than an album. I can see some of the appeal but it just didn't click for me. Brian Wilson died yesterday and he gave us some brilliant music over his lifetime, which was very troubled. If anyone deserved a chance to rerecord their dream album it was him, even if I'm not a fan!

RIP to Brian Wilson And fuck Mike Love Beach Boys are legendary and this was a cool acapella voice album thing. Enjoyed this one especially Roll Plymouth Rock

Happy but redundant

was having fun at the beginning but then I got bored

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

Well done but not my vibe

Brian Wilson had a wonderful mind for crafting melody and interesting textures (his ear for vocal harmonies is a given being a member of The Beach Boys). Not everything here fully works but god damn I never was bored. I think the first half of this album is definitely the strongest (I find myself humming and singing sections from these tracks more than the rest) and I’d go farther and say the original beach boys era recordings of some of these are superior. Brian Wilson’s vocal performance is just a tad better back then but it all works just fine here. Some latter tracks border close to full cheese and camp, maybe that’s intentional. Standouts: Heroes and villains Roll Plymouth Rock Cabin Essence Wonderful

1. Don't tell me to smile, Brian. 2. Don't try to make me do it with the most corporate, saccharine bullshit. This album doesn't feel like it has an ounce of truth in it.

Way for Brian Wilson to ruin "You are my sunshine," a tune so simple and classic I didn't think it could be done badly. This album was actively unenjoyable.

I don’t really have anything novel to say about this. I listened to it and didn’t hate it, but it just felt majorly drab and I can’t say I would actively listen to any of it if I happened to hear it again. Most likely I would switch the radio/skip.

He literally died day before this came up. Couple of great songs and that was it for me. This can't match beach boys surely. It's just 60/70s pop that hasn't lasted? It's not bad but quite samey. I will avoid the long waffle I just don't think this breaks through.

Weird, unexpected, quite good(?). Definitely challenged me with this one and left me feeling weirdly conflicted. This is musically top notch and recorded impeccably. It has an awesome warmth and depth of sound. But also wtf is this?? It has the feeling of an artists pet project where they have given up on any commercial considerations and have just thought, "Fuck it, I'm recording what I want". I'm here for it, but equally I'll never listen to this again off my own bat.

Étrange, inachevé, farfelu et inventif. Un voyage dans une contrée rarement visitée.

Brian Wilson c'est un mélange de génie et de one-trick pony. Album inclassable, ambitieux, original, mais semi-écoutable. Qu'on reçoive cette suggestion le lendemain de sa mort soulève beaucoup de questions et j'exige des réponses de la part du créateur de ce générateur aléatoire.

A legend

the album is overall pleasant, reminds me of church at times. it's alright.

This was OK, kind of obnoxious. It had some highlights though, Good Vibrations, slidewhistles and what not. 3/5

Impressive how much this feels like vintage Beach Boys. But like a lesser album than pet sounds. Does it recapture the old glory? At times. Heroes and Villains is pretty solid. But the beach boys schtick wears quickly. And this album is quite long, with sharply diminishing quality over its runtime. But how wild is it that this was assigned the day after his death? That's so odd it makes me suspicious of the randomness...