Pet Sounds

It seems futile to try to write anything new about one of the most talked about albums of all time. I remember trying to listen to this probably 15 years ago and not really getting the big deal. I thought it still sounded a lot like The Beach Boys for one, probably because Wilson has such a distinct voice, and it still has some of the trappings of their surf stuff, if you ignore the pure melancholy lyrics. And I also thought it sounded like a not as developed version of the indie pop stuff that was coming out at the time, lots of similarities to some Fleet Foxes. At that time it was hard to hear the step change Wilson made in production, lyrical depth, and cohesiveness as a complete album. This is kind of the perfect album for this project - one I know I should make more time for but just hadn’t. Happy it came on a Friday and I had time to listen to it a few times, while reading a bit about the context. One thing that stood out, as Wilson was spiraling in mental decline, he had a giant sandbox installed in his living room, and put his grand piano in the middle of it. I also read some commentary that Wilson was heavily influenced by Rubber Soul, and Sgt Peppers was in turn influenced by Pet Sounds. There’s also a rumor that Wilson broke down when he heard Revolver because he thought the Beatles had made the perfect album he was looking for.

AAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAhA

Perfect album. This is a great start your day album

can’t stand them

Instant 5. Absolutely love this album. Captures so well what it’s like to be young with some of the most innovative production techniques possible at the time. For a long time I didn’t “get” it but once it clicked I understood all the hype

I was slow to come around to this one just like critics and fans when it was originally released. It was a revelation at the time it was released. Good record

No, thus was not something I enjoyed mire that a couple of songs perhaps

So innovative but still classic even for its time. Timeless. Masterpiece

This has one of the prettiest love songs ever recorded. Wilson pushed the boundaries of pop music at the time. It's an absolute masterpiece, and yet, I won't be listening to it regularly.

didn't realize this album was so Doo-Wop-y, but then again, its from 1966. Also sounds very good for something from 1966 (maybe that's what all the fuss is about?)

It's mid.

..

Is this the perfect pop album? The blueprint of harmonies? Does it have one of the most beautiful lovesongs of all-time (McCartney confirmed)? well, yes

Ik schreef bij het album van gisteren dat ik Abbey Road verdiende omdat de albums van gisteren en eergisteren zo fucking slecht waren. En de 1001-album Goden hebben mijn wensen aangehoord. Want dit is een zuivere 5 sterren waard. 5.0

i like pet sounds - robert Pet sounds didn't just carve out a new sound for the beach boys it cemeted a new sound in pop music. With Brian Wilson's dense barbershop inspired baroque pop arrangements combined with the wrecking crew's unique playing this record pretty much invented chamber pop. Highlight-Don't talk just put your head on my shoulder this is finlay i havent listened yet feel like i should not too bothered bird lives addendum - thats not how you spell adendum - robert we are in the oxford bar. we love the oxford bar. dont talk put your head on my shoulder is perfect. more people should know this. it reminds me of that one girl. sigh. xxxxx

Heart warming stuff! So iconic. Amazing musicians, and to write orchestral stuff too. Really wonderful

It's a good album but I can't say I love listening to it. Gets a bit grating after a while. The classics are great but some of the filler is boring. God Only Knows is a certified banger though.

Delightful sound with lyrics full of love!

Pretty cool stuff. Love the harmonies and classical affectations. Never got the contingent that puts these boys on par with or even ahead of the beatles, cause they ain't tho.

I've listened to this one so many times. 10/10. One of the most influential and incredible albums I've had the pleasure of experiencing.

so simpatici dai

5 years ago I would have given this a tepid rating which bugged me because I love vocal harmonies and love a lot of their work. Then I did a deep dive and really listened. I've been converted. It's stunning.

good, but it's not my thing. 3/5

Rating: 5.5/10 Besides the first two songs, I found this to be surprisingly boring. Everything sounds great, from the production to the instrumentation, but musically most of this did nothing for me.

What can i say that hasn't been said in the mountains of commentary on this legendary album. Its one of the best albums of all time from a wide range of metrics, from the pop hooks to the nerdy production, from the breathtaking lyrics to the harmonies. All i can say is i heard it as a kid and it melted my mind. I still listen to it now and its not aged or declined over time

Wouldn't it be nice and Sloop John B are two of my all time favs going back to early childhood. It was years later that I discovered the rest of the album. Was lucky enough to see Brian's 2017 Pet Sounds tour. Both get five stars.

Wonderful album. Every track is fully formed and beautifully composed. God Only Knows is a perfection, as is Pet Sounds. I could do without Caroline, No - but that’s preference and doesn’t reduce the value of this masterpiece.

Fucking masterpiece.

Not quite what I expected. Alot more mellow then you think of, when you think of the Beach Boys. A good listen, but it's not for me. Still worth a listen.

I once owned a compilation album by The Beach Boys. It had 20 of their love songs on it. I think it was called 20 Love Songs By The Beach Boys, but I digress. Anyway, it was very good. Pet Sounds on the other hand, I just can't get hyped about. Other than Wouldn't It Be Nice and God Only Knows, it's so drippy and schmaltzy and it irks me. 2 stars for those 2 songs.

This one has held up well.

líklega besta plata allra tíma. auðveld fimma.

Innegabilmente influente eh, ma non lo andrò mai a risentire. Se non mi fosse stato detto quanto è artisticamente importante non me ne sarei mai reso conto. Proprio perché ha ispirato così tanti è identico a troppi album nella lista. Comunque non spiacevole

wouldn't it be nice to tirarla un po' meno per le lunghe? così eh, just a thought

A classic

It has complex harmony that wasn't common at the time, but his voice grades on me after a while. 7/10

I'm torn on this one, Pet Sounds is a staple of 'all-time' Top 100/250/500, etc. lists (though I'm not sure why). If I review this purely based on what I hear then I'm probably somewhere around a 6/10. If I review this based upon the hefty praise heaped onto the album and how it severely fell short of my expectations due to it being so lauded, I'm probably closer to a 3/10. I'm going to pretend I'd have never heard of this one before. For as many golden hits (God Only Knows, Wouldn't It Be Nice) appear on this album, there are twice as many 'woe-is-me' snooze-inducers. Pet Sounds has plenty of polish but equal amounts of pomposity and I cannot for the life of me understand why it's so revered by the masses. Overall Score: 6.2/10

It's made very well, but too laid back for me. I can definitely understand why many people love this record. Favorite song: God only knows.

magical and whimsical, this album is the magnum opus of the classic rock legends. “wouldn’t it be nice” is the perfect opener to this album as it encapsulates their next era sound magnificently. there aren’t enough words to express how amazing this album is, topped off by what may very well be one of the most beautiful songs ever written, “god only knows”. this one is special. highlights: “wouldn’t it be nice” “sloop john b” “god only knows” “i just wasn’t made for these times”

One of the best.

Its a really good album that ive had listened to for the first time in full length. Was familiar with a few and mostly with Sloop John B, which I like a lot! My father was five when this dropped so i have nothing left to really appreciate this work of art. It has many Sounds and layers, that for its time is surely more than innovative. pure subjective music wise i would go with 4.0/5.0 but since its one of the big albums for its time that shaped modern sound there we go with the 5 Star!

Wouldn't it be nice is catchy. Rest is indifferent to me.

Not really my vibe; has a couple of good songs but as a whole I think some of the songs sound the same. Definitely understand the cultural impact and how it affected music as a whole

I liked this album better on this revisit. It sounds less annoying than I remember. I better understand why everyone always praises the production on this albulm. There are some moments where the song writing and vocal style really work for me, some where it just doesn’t. Favorite song: God Only Knows Least Favorite: That’s Not Me

La primera canción no sé si estoy aburrida de ella o por fin la entiendo, no importa. De todas formas es un gran disco hace mucho tiempo me costaba escucharlo pero me parece que ahora si lo entiendo.

It’s a seminal album for sure. The highs are very high. But there are a couple of duds on this. 4.5/5

Classic

As I am listening to this, I love imagining what it was like for 24 year old Brian Wilson to have all of these resources at his disposal to explore these sounds and ideas.

Given how many references to this album are peppered through the other Wikipedia entries for other Beach Boys albums in this collection, I knew it was just a matter of time before we landed the apparently legendary "Pet Sounds". I was hoping it would be a revelation, or at least the album that would help me understand the widespread obsession with the band, but alas I remain ignorant and unworthy (and utterly floored by how voluminous the Wikipedia entry is--I suspect this may actually be the longest entry we'll get from all the albums in the collection). I hadn't heard most of the songs from this album, and I'd be hard-pressed to distinguish them from each other, although I do recognize that there's quite a bit less beach and cars on the album, but plenty of girls/women. I also found the sole more-familiar tune a bit...unsettling, I guess. Listening to "Wouldn't it be nice" this time around had me wondering exactly how old the band members were, as it sounded like they were kind of fantasizing about being early teenagers, or worse yet fantasizing about being *with* very under-aged teenager-ish girls. I'm very confident they didn't mean to insinuate that, but it feels like a *lot* of Beach Boys songs are trapped in a horrible mid-teens amber, never moving forward or branching out (and I know that generalization may not exactly apply as much to this album). I'd guess at least some of the Boys also felt similarly trapped, especially as the band disintegrated over the years and Brian Wilson floated in and out. I'll give them credit (or maybe mainly Brian Wilson, since he seems to have felt that this was a solo album) that this album had a lot of Beatles-inspired music arrangement, so there's a bit more variety in the songs than just harmonies and organ/keyboard surf sounds. Regardless, despite Brian Wilson's hope that this would be "the greatest rock album ever made", I just couldn't get into much of it at all. I'm sure it's blasphemy to give it only three stars, but I was close to just doling out two stars, but "Sloop John B" singlehandedly saved it from that fate. And now, only one more Beach Boys album to go ("Surf's Up")--yay!

I don't like this album as much as I think I'm supposed to; I've often heard it compared to Sgt Peppers or other Beatles concept albums but it falls short for me because Brian Wilson doesn't have the chops--maybe he does musically--but lyrically he's got an incredibly limited range. "Wouldn't it be nice" is great in a classic Beach Boys way but when he steps away from his surfing wheelhouse you get vapid platitudes e.g. "I wasn't made for these times" and "I know there's an answer," which, tbh, are nearly Shagg-like in their inanity.

To me, this album seems kind of soulless and just, meh! I'll give it three stars in recognition of the fact that the beachboys were a big deal back in the day, but I won't seek this album out again.

The Beach Boys >>>> The Beatles

Nice

# 360 : They've done a pretty decent job, it's ok, if overrated. I like the hits of course, but Because It's up there on everyone's "Greatest Albums" lists, we are supposed to like it, but I'm not sure it's all that!. The songs tend to drag and are not particularly rocking or particularly chill. Second side is not as much fun for sure, but this still is a fun album and it really gets you in a good mood. Wouldn't It Be Nice & Sloop John B get an honourable mention.

Great album, know it well

Boring.

It really is a classic album with a lot of great songs on it.

Love this album, one where the legacy speaks for itself but it's such a great listen too.

Really awesome. Solid songwriting and exceedingly easy to listen to. The Beach Boys are a project that never fully disappoint. They are also responsible for making the only christmas song that doesn't annoy the fuck outta me so extra points there.

One of the greatest rock albums ever recorded!

Hressandi hljómsveit sem ég kemst í góðan fíling við að hlusta á. Mér finnst þeir ná að radda lögin sín svo skemmtilega en lögin eru samt keimlík. Býst við að ég setji þessa plötu aftur á ef ég man þá eftir henni frekar en lögunum þeirra. 3.5 stjarna en ég toga niður í þrjár því ég er líklegur til að gleyma henni

Well it’s a massively regarded album for good reason. I’ve heard Pet Sounds several times and it always felt more like something I’m supposed to love than something I actually love. This time I definitely appreciated its scope and its craft, especially for 1966 and especially coming from a teen-pop band of surfer dudes. There are a couple all-time classics, especially the heartbreakingly gorgeous God Only Knows. But I feel like, I dunno, some of the songs are just not really cutting it? The album’s production is super overpowering and it does all the work in the weaker tracks, and I don’t love the effect of that. But whatever minor criticisms I can toss at Pet Sounds, its place in pop music history is assured. Best song: God Only Knows

Love the Beach Boys...this album has some of my all time favs. However, I think it is somewhat uneven which holds it back from true 5 rating. 4.5/5

4.5 but with God Only Knows it gets bumped

bark bark meow meow

Gear: Hifiman Arya Artwork: 🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐 Production (Original Mono & Stereo Mix): 🔊🔇🆗/🔊🔊👍 Music: 🏖️🌊👦👦👦👦👦🌞🎤🎶 Rating: 🐐🐐🐐(🐐)/5

Not for me but I can recognize high craftsmanship

Jolly. Inoffensive. Something my parents used to listen to.

Top 10 album. Always knew & loved the hits but when I first really listened in the 90s I was blown away by the entire album. Revolver, Pet Sounds, Sgt. Pepper & Smile. Nothing like some healthy competition between legends.

The first time I took a deep dive into The Beach Boys’ discography I couldn’t wait to get to this album given its grand reputation; and boy, when I finally did get to it I was actually underwhelmed. I thought a lot of their California beach rock stuff was better; and I thought the direction they were naturally heading in from there was exciting. 'Pet Sounds' is an almost out-of-left-field release for The Beach Boys. However, it was just last year when I decided to give it another try - I listened to the band's discography once again and 'Pet Sounds' finally clicked, seemingly out of nowhere. And as a result, a lot of their later stuff has become some of my favourite works of theirs - 'Wild Honey', 'Friends', 'Sunflower' etc. But all of that kicked off from 'Pet Sounds', an album that didn't have quite the impact it should have upon release, which has deservedly gone on to become one of the most influential works in music. Let's not beat around the bush here - this is a Brian Wilson solo album. In general, the man was the mastermind behind much of The Beach Boys' success. However, he truly expanded his musical palette and experimental nature through production techniques with 'Pet Sounds'; as he came out with complex arrangements, layering them with orchestral backdrops and instruments that were unconventional in pop music at the time. It combines to create this super rich and memorable textured sound that is unbelievably engaging. Even the vocal harmonies, which the band were famous for, sees them elevate that element to a whole new level due to the unusual chord progressions throughout the tracklist. They're as efficient as ever and absolutely gorgeous on the ears - but there's now an unmatched, almost haunting, gravitas to them. Every song is just filled with layers upon layers of sound that you can almost pinpoint new discoveries every time you listen. It's also somewhat of a concept album - as it follows a narrative arc about growing up and struggling with the onslaught of the emotional changes a person goes through as they enter adulthood; something that is incredibly relatable to just about everyone. And given what we know about Brian Wilson, his life, and the people around him - it almost makes it a sombre, almost sobering, experience while listening to it. Personal highlights: The legendary hits 'Wouldn't It Be Nice' and 'God Only Knows'. The ethereal 'You Still Believe In Me'. The epic and progressive 'I'm Waiting For The Day'. The beautiful, engaging, and almost relaxing instrumental 'Let's Go Away For Awhile'. The catchy and bouncy 'Sloop John B'. The brilliant and chime filled 'I Know There's An Answer'. And the wonderful mid-tempo piece 'I Just Wasn't Made For These Times'. There are no shortage of hits, amazing deep cuts, and plenty of experimentation to sink your teeth into. I could almost forgive someone's first impressions of 'Pet Sounds' to be something along the lines of 'is this it?'. That was my reaction, too, upon first listening to it. But its reputation almost does it a disservice; as it expects a first time listener to be hit with something so unique it doesn't quite sound like anything else out there in the world of music. But it eventually grows on you as you give it deeper listens; and you hear just how unusual these songs really were at the time - while still being very accessible, and how much influence it had on artists in the years and decades that followed. It’s a phenomenally daring work of art, and simply one of the greatest albums of all time. 5/5

I love The Beach Boys, BUT it was a little tough listening to this entire album because some of the songs sounded too similar to each other. I generally enjoy their musicality, but I like to mix it up. Overall, their album is great for including in a PCH road trip which I hope to do one day. Just shuffled in with other albums.

To this day, Pet Sounds is still, for me, the quintessential album where I’m waiting to hear what everyone else is hearing. When I listen to the classic albums by The Beatles, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Bob Dylan, and so many others, I *hear* these albums that are so highly praised. Even albums that I don’t particularly enjoy from a stylistic standpoint like Thriller, I totally get them. It’s not that I don’t hear some majorly impressive things on Pet Sounds; I decidedly like about half the songs on it. But even after reading all the dissertations on it, I’m just not there with it. I’m not enamored with so many of the precious baroque influences that are scattered across it; I’m not saying that the style itself is bad or even that they do it badly, it has just never been something that resonates with me. Fuck, as much as I love “Penny Lane”, it’s never been anywhere near a top 50 Beatles song for me, whereas everyone else seems to have it as a top 10 song, and I think part of it is that aspect. And I apologize if anyone loves any of these songs, but I just get absolutely nothing out of “You Still Believe in Me”, “That’s Not Me”, “Don’t Talk”, or honestly, as much as I know I’m *supposed* to love it, “I Just Wasn’t Made for These Times”. I’ve heard all of these songs god knows how many times and I’ve paid close attention to the melodies and arrangements and lyrics and at best, my response is, “Okay, sure.” These songs, and this band as a whole, do not move me in the same way that so many of their contemporaries do, no matter how many times I’m subjected to the argument that this is Brian’s grand masterstroke of describing his loneliness and isolation through the voice of his inner child. I know I’m the “wrong” one, but I’m also not trying to pull any edgy contrarianism bullshit. I not only respect this album’s influence, I respect everyone who holds it in such high regard. It’s just not “my” album, if that makes sense. 3.5/5

I see what they were going for, and it truly is an amazing execution of Brian Wilson's ideas. Groundbreaking sonically and I like Apple Music's quip about it: "Of all "Pet Sounds'" legacies, the most profound is the idea that pop music -- something accessible and extroverted -- could be used to express deep, internal worlds. Definitely a must hear, especially this cluster of songs from the end of side one to side 2 - Sloop John B., God Only Knows, I Know There's an Answer. Very highbrow.

1.Glättigt, naiv glädje 2. Julig cykeltrudelutt med fina harmonier 3-6. Tappar lätt fokus på musiken, den skvalar på i bakgrunden. Inte oangenämt, inte så intressant. 7. Beatels-igt, jag hade en gång en båt? ...10. Here today - Lite driv äntligen Känns som tiden har sprungit ifrån Beach Boys, eller bara jag? Vet inte om jag orkar med 27 låtar.

Familiar with the Beach Boys sound but am lukewarm about it.

This album is a lot. I get that it's deep and has meaning and was the pinochle of Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys. But man, there's so much going on. This one demands you listen to it 3 or 4 times to really catch everything. Even then you still will miss a lot. I'd initially give it a 2/3, but I'm sure it will grow to a 3/4.

Bumerada histórica por mi parte pero esta mierda va muy dura. Un álbum de pop pegadizo, muy placentero y divertido que ha influenciado a un grandísimo número de artistas desde que salió. Las letras de las canciones son increíbles y el instrumental es precioso. Y pensar que esto lo hizo casi todo Brian Wilson... Merecidas 5 estrellas.

it deserves its place in the pantheon of great albums. we wouldnt have a ton of delightful modern voices like, say, the shins. atmospheric and lovely. elegant and moving. a solid album.

Nearly perfect album. Didn’t have to listen to this to vote. But I did cause it’s awesome.

I love their use of vocals and layered background vocals. Their musical flow throughout songs and their innovative and unique sound for the era. I quite enjoy the old feel these songs have, the way they were and not remastered. Sadly I cannot enjoy it in the fullest sense, blasting these tunes from an old car radio.

It's the beach boys, they r good

this was nice. I accidentally listened to the whole album twice in a row, one in stereo one in mono. that was maybe a bit too much

Never tonight I’d like this whole collection. Great stuff. Took me a long time to appreciate this stuff. The melodies and harmonies are great. I’m a sucker for the song god only knows.

This is a great album

An album I was very familiar with beforehand, so can't compare to my other ratings really. I took this as an opportunity to listen to the mono mix for the first time and I liked the punch it has. Of course a fantastic and classic album but for me misses out on the fifth star just due to the amount I replay it compared to the albums I love most.

splash

Not enough bands with good vocal harmonies in 2024, but the Phil Spektor reverb obsession is maybe a little overboard.

Have had some false starts with this prior but never been able to get into it... this time (or rather times) I was quite taken. I like many of the songs but I like the album even more as a one giant orchestral piece with many movements. It's just so luscious and multilayered, like a harmonic trip for the ears. And all this for what? For aw-shucks Americana, simple boy-meets-girl (or boy-pines-after-girl) mawkishness. Quite funny. (Pretty incredible that I almost got this, Sgt. Pepper's, and Rumours in a row, interrupted only by Eno's Music For Airports. Would it be blasphemous to say that I like Eno's ambiance album as much as the others? Well, that's the case anyhow.)

Wouldn't It Be Nice You Still Believe in Me Don't Talk (Put Your Head on My Shoulder) Sloop John B God Only Knows I Know There's an Answer I Just Wasn't Made for These Times Pet Sounds Caroline, No

I don't know that I would go back and listen to the while thing again. But the hits off this are really, really good - Sloop John B, Wouldn't it Be Nice, God Only Knows. God Only Knows has a special place in my heart because it's the bedtime song I sing to my kiddo. 4/5

I enjoyed the fun beach rock vibe. Good time

The BeachBoys moving on and reinventing themselves but without losing their early legacy. Brian Wilson's production, the songs and their performance make this an innovative album for its time and it ages well. 'Sloop John B' and 'God Only Knows' are the stand out tracks to me, particularly the latter.

*animal noises*

A landmark, revolutionizing album so incredibly ahead of its' time - and I still don't quite get the hype. There is A LOT going on vocally, instrumentally, and production wise, and I just think it's quite clear that it works better on some tracks than others. The highest highs are stellar though - 'Wouldn't It Be Nice', 'Let's Go Away For A While', 'God Only Knows', 'I Know There's An Answer' and 'I Just Wasn't Made for These Times'.

You probably wouldn’t expect that a masterpiece of this caliber would hide behind such a silly cover art. The sound is massive and every indie band to this day still looks to Pet Sounds when producing their over the top vocal productions. Short and simple; a landmark record.

it's a good album but i don't love it

I liked this album. It is safe

less cheery than their usual sound

Just a good feeling album, I already knew I’d like this one.

I imagine it was pretty great for it's time, but it lost me a bit in there. Still would give it a 3.5/5

Not much to say about this amazing album except that more songs need bicycle horns. Favorite song(s): I Know There's An Answer, God Only Knows, Sloop John B Least favorite: none Knew before? Yes

I find something new in this album every time I listen to it in glorious mono.

Iconic. What a great pick-me-up. It's like a warm sunny hug. It's a very easy listen.

No private session needed for Spotify, I love this album. When I was younger I thought of The Beach Boys as a feel good happy rock, but then I got into Pet Sounds, dark melodious material here "Good Only Knows", "I Just Wasn't Made For These Times". I don't know if it's the greatest rock album ever made, but it's up there.

Very 60's

Individually most of the songs on this album are shit. If you played me any of these songs on their own I would probably turn it off and go listen to something else. But when played as an album, there's something magical that happens. I really do think this is one of those albums you have to listen to in it's entirety to be able to enjoy, and boy do I enjoy it. Admittedly this album is 10x better to listen to on vinyl than digitally. Do I think this album is perfection? Not really. It's close, and I definitely will keep coming back to it. However, it's really hard to find any flaws in this. Yes, there is a difference between flawless and perfection to me. tldr; perfect? no. flawless? yes. I want to give this a 4 but my brain will not allow it, simply because this is a 9/10 to me and not deserving of less.

Probably the most I have felt something was necessary to be on this list while simultaneously not being the biggest fan. I feel like the actual album itself is a bit overhyped for whats there. I don't know if I just wasn't in the right headspace either during this listen but dreamy atmosphere and melody mixed with the melancholic lyrics felt off-putting in a weird way. I want to rate this higher on its significance to the industry as a whole. But I couldn't even confidently say any of the songs on here are a favorite of mine. You could compare its technical accomplishments in its field to Birth of a Nation. Minus the blatant racism and depiction of the Ku Klux Klan as superheroes of their time.

Influential, but utterly overrated and outdated. They play this for sundowning hospice patients to make them think they’re driving a car that runs on leaded gasoline to pick up their 14 year old “sweetheart”. The royalties the Beach Boys have received for the use of Wouldn’t it be nice in advertising has long since eclipsed the GDP of many African countries.

Listened to this album a million times always thought it was good but not great no matter how many times I tried for it to click. This time it kinda did, felt more than just some good pop of its era, a lot more emotionally resonant, a really sad album tbh despite what it appears at a cursory glance. 8/10 Fav tracks - Wouldn't it be nice, you still believe in me, don't talk (put your head on my shoulder), I'm waiting for the day, God only knows, I know the answer, here today, I just wasn't made for these times, Least Fav - None really

Perfect album

I can't understand how a masterpiece so wonderfully composed, arranged, and produced has only songs with lazy fade outs. Brian Wilson apparently never never learned to end a song. Despite the Beach Boys harmonies being at their peak, I just don't care much for Brian's voice, yet it all works so well. Those minor quit quibbles out of the way, this is as good as anyone says it is. It's an absolute game-changer from a production standpoint, and deserves more praise than it gets.

It's a masterpiece for a reason.

It was okay, I mean its the beach boys like they are kind of like The Beatles? They are obviously super famous but I feel like everyone just kind of hears their music their whole life. That's about how I felt listening to this album. The music was good, boppy. But it was also what I expected? Which feels a little unfair I guess but it is true I didn't hate any of the music but I was a little bored. I fully understand their influence though and I have to give them points for that.

I enjoyed this album overall. It does sound very "beach boys" to me though, which is hard for me to describe except you know the beach boys when you hear the beach boys. I knew "Wouldn't it be nice" from the album before listening to it but nothing else from this album. I was pleasantly surprised by how many songs I did like even though they did tend to bleed together. Overall I'd listen to this album again, but probably not anytime soon.

One of the most influential albums of all time. Great sound that still stands up to todays standards.

Overall, a pleasant album to listen to while I was studying. 3 real winners with Sloop John B, Wouldn’t It Be Nice, and God Only Knows. Their harmonies are always so beautiful. This album proves how little I know about music. Had no idea it was so influential.

Den musiske oplevelse svarede lidt til når man åbner en god pose bland-selv-slik. Den første bid lover skide godt, i takt med du kommer i gennem den bliver det tiltagende kvalm og ligegyldigt. Vil jeg købe bland-selv-slik igen en anden dag, kommer jeg til at lytte til den igen? Ja og ja. Men vejret skal være bedre end en gennemsnitlig sommerdag før det sker.

Det var en kort omgang, som fik et smil frem. Jeg skal høre den igen, men nåede det desværre kun 1 gang idag.

Er det et vigtigt album? Ja Hører det hjemme på listen? Ja Kan jeg li’ det? Nej Beach Boys kan en enkel sang i ny og næ være fint. Glad California pop til når man lige er i det humør. Men kæft hvor er det også poleret, pænt og kedeligt.

Huh ja, wat moet je hier nou weer mee. Het is een beetje het 'Citizen Kane'-effect: kennelijk was deze plaat destijds heel innovatief, maar doordat alle slimmigheidjes zo vaak door andere artiesten zijn gekopieerd, horen onze moderne oren hier niets bijzonders meer aan. Dan blijf je zitten met een paar wereldhits, en een paar andere nummers die veel minder indruk maken. Ik vind het altijd knap als je een heel eigen geluid weet te creëren, net als bijvoorbeeld Queen en REM. Niemand klinkt zoals de Beach Boys. Maar de plaat is ondanks de hits toch wat sloom, het geluid wat gezapig, en dan is er nog die debiele hoes met de foto van de kinderboerderij. Het zal wel mijn onkunde zijn, maar ik hoor geen 5 in dit album.

Jeuk. Jeuk. Jeuk. Het begint gelijk met Wouldn't it be nice...Sta je al op -5 sterren. Wat is dit album verder een lege huls zeg. De andere hit is het enige nummer met body.

Ik heb al veel over dit album gehoord, gelezen en gezien. Podcasts, docu's, een classic albums aflevering. Altijd gaat het over dat de Beatles dit zo ontzettend goed vonden. En samen met Sgt Peppers zou dit een episch, allesomvattend album zijn. Er is een periode voor en een periode na Pet Sounds. En ik heb dit album dus elke keer na het zien, horen of lezen van zo'n loftuiting opnieuw geluisterd om te proberen te ontdekken wat er nu zo briljant aan is. En ik heb nog steeds geen flauw idee. Ik word er niet per se boos van, ik val niet gelijk in een rant. Maar ik begrijp het gewoon niet zo goed. Het album begint heerlijk met Wouldnt it be nice, maar daarna vallen de luiken al rap dicht bij een aantal slaapliedjes. Zolang het tempo maar enigszins aanwezig is, dan valt het minder op dat het verschrikkelijk gedateerd is. De harmonien van de Beach Boys zijn verder prima hoor, daar hou ik altijd wel van. De tierelantijntjes qua instrumenten en geluidjes is ook niks mis mee, het gedateerde geheel wordt in ieder geval rijkelijk versierd. Eigenlijk blijven alleen de bekende hitjes redelijk overeind wat mij betreft. Die kun je prima in een top2000 stoppen en dan is het mooi om die nummers te horen. Maar ik ga het denk ik nooit begrijpen waarom dit een van de meest iconische albums aller tijden zou moeten zijn. Meer dan een magere 3 kan ik hier echt niet voor geven.

Brian Wilson 4eva

Equal to the hype around it. Deceptively clever album

I've avoided this album for the longest time, because I thought the Beach Boys were just a little too cheesy. This album isn't as cheesy as I thought it would be, but it also wasn't as good as I thought it would be. It is a fine album and I did enjoy it, but a lot of the songs really do sound the same, and too many of them end with fade outs. I am definitely cutting this album some slack because it is historically significant and a beloved album. Also, I hate this album cover. It is iconic or whatever, but the green bar and the text are really ugly. Low 4.

Respect for it, but can't 5 cuz I don't enjoy it enough personally. Will I listen to again: 95%

Upea kansi. Tämähän on Beach boysien ykkösalbumi: hitit löytyy, kokonaisuus toimii moitteetta (b-puoli on tylsempi mutta se suorakoon) eikä mikään kuulosta harhaiselta. Vois olla toisella kuuntelulla jopa nelonen, mut sen verran jään epäilemään sitä, että ehkä mulle tää jää positiiviseksi yllätykseksi eli 3.

A- ja B-puoli alkavat niin hyvillä kappaleilla, että LP:n yliarvostaminen on ymmärrettävää: hurahdan itsekin usein levyihin, joilla on vain pari oikesti hyvää raitaa. Tällainen kriittisten kykyjen rappioituminen vaatisi kuitenkin purevaa estetiikka, jonkinlaista särmää, johon takertua. Tällä bändillä sitä ei ole tarjota. 2,5

One of the best

This one was alright. I’m not much of a beach boys person, but I’ve heard of this album before. Favorite song: Wouldn’t it be nice

This is a forever album!!!!!!!!!

The Beach Boys have never been on my list of must listen to bands Even though Pet Sounds is lauded as a turning point for the band and their style it still feels lyrically challenged in the main while musically attempting to be more mature than they can pull off.

cool

What a progress compared to Today!, the earlier BB album I listened to here on this list. Arrangements, vocals, instrumentation, lyrics, and production are one of a kind— an outstanding album. I haven't heard many albums that belong on this list, but Pet Sounds belongs here.

This is one of my favorite albums ever. When I'm in a bad mood I listen to it and it helps immensely.

One of my father in law's favorite bands. He listened to then in Vietnam and said it was his only bit of happiness.

I remember my dad having beach boys on LD discs so this gave me some flashbacks. Good catchy songs all through the album and the fact that some of these songs still gets added to playlists the world over is a good testament to its quality.

10/10 This is probably my favourite album ever. Simply perfect. Tune after tune hit, zero skips. There is magic here - the music, the lyrics, the vocals. Timeless themes delivered with timeless beauty. Is the run from Sloop John B to Here Today the best in any album? Probably. Best: Sloop John B

Indiscutiblemente el mejor álbum de The Beach Boys. Sumamente importante para la revolución de la música grabada que se vivió en los 60s de la mano de actos como The Beatles, Brian Wilson toma el control creativo de la banda entregándonos básicamente un nuevo género que dejó una cicatriz tremenda en el pop mainstream. Toques barrocos, toques psicodélicos, toques de surf rock y música clásica transforman a Pet Sounds en una colección de sonidos inigualables. Este trabajo debe ser siempre reconocido como al menos un Top 3 del catálogo popular anglosajón. Si no lo ha escuchado, ¿qué espera?

Timeless classic

Absolute classic and influential album. Because of all that, I wish I liked it more than I actually do. The harmonies and arrangements are all pretty impressive but only a few songs really stuck with me, even after multiple listens. Oh well... Key tracks: Wouldn't It Be Nice God Only Knows

Masters of the vocal melody. It's the melody alone that makes me turn from liking these songs to loving them. And the funniest part of that statement, is I think one of The Beach Boys best songs is instrumental! But yeah, this album is special, but I'm waiting for SMiLE

beautiful and brilliant

Nice, simple

83% Best: Wouldn't It Be Nice; I'm Waiting For The Day; God Only Knows; I Know There's An Answer; Here Today; I Just Wasn't Made For These Times Must-Hear? Sure

No question, one of the greatest albums to ever be recorded. Listened on headphones for the first time. The production is incredible with numerous hidden little sounds peppered here and there.

njae du

Dont like their sound

how can you have wouldn’t it be nice, god only knows, and sloop john b in one album and not expect it to be a classic? it makes me nostalgic for a time and a person that i never even knew. i will be revisiting this so often. 1. god only knows 2. wouldn’t it be nice 3. caroline, no

I'm not as into this as other people are. But I still think its good. 3.5/5

An all time classic, of course. I think that it does suffer slightly from having a few stand out singles and the rest of the album not really being all that memorable. But the singles are so good, and even the rest of the album is solid as hell, so it's really easy to forgive.

There were a few iconic songs. However, i've not been a big fan of the beach boys, and i still am not.

just wonderful.

this album was great. brian wilson is a WILD character (please check out his wikipedia page and especially the part on his favorite song, shortnin' bread, if you haven't already) and the rest of the b*tch boys are in top form here. i love all the weird instrumentation and songwriting choices here, and this album absolutely holds up 60 years later. favorites: wouldn't it be nice, that's not me, let's go away for awhile, sloop john b, god only knows, i know there's an answer, i just wasn't made for these times, caroline no

Wouldn’t It Be Nice for more of this album? God Only Knows.

I know its really innovative, I'm just not that in to it.

3.5/5

Look, it's nice and all, and I don't want to be a contrarian for the sake of it, but Pet Sounds legendary status has always been a bit baffling to me. It's a cohesive and enjoyable album, but across its 13 tracks are two great songs, three good songs, and a whole lot of quaint but barely memorable filler that wouldn't even crack the top 40 best Beach Boys songs. Give me 'Surf's Up' anyday.

ts good 😭🙏🏻

never heard of these guys before. really promising album though, im sure they've got a masterpiece on their hands after this! what, what do you want me to say? "erm, i have something new to say about the Beach Boys' 'Pet Sounds'!" i do not. nobody does. it's like trying to say something new and exciting about Citizen Kane or Moby-Dick. it invented the Great American Pop Album. what more could be said about it that couldn't be said about the Big Bang? thanks, i guess.

A perfect album in every sense. I love this album both from an objective (Brian Wilson's lyricism, the lush harmonies, the backstage participation of instrument aces in the recording) and subjective (this album provides me a child-like wonder and sensitivity) perspective. Also, it is the home to, in my opinion, the greatest and most beautiful pop song ever recorded: God Only Knows.

am I supposed to like The Beach Boys… is it bad that I don’t. Many songs just kinda have cheesy show-tuney singing. Makes me think of tautiniai aidai not in a good way

The songs are good, but the 60s production gets in their way a bit.

Oy. I know I’m supposed to like this and be very impressed by it. But I just can’t seem to get there with this band. Intellectually, I can kinda get it. But I just don’t like their music, or the lead singer’s voice, enough. The best I could do was the instrumental, and even that was a push.

This is definently an album that was innovative at the time with its use of harmonies, sounds and instrumentation. We know Brian Wilson was heavily influenced by The Beatles and the music they were putting out at the time. For me this album is good, but unlike a Beatles album, some of it seems forced. Where Beatles albums seem to flow and meld together with no "bad" songs, this album has some great masterpieces and some songs that , for one of the greatest albums of all time, seemed like Wilson was trying to hard to be innovative and different rather than natural.

Glad I discovered it!

It was enjoyable, with some interesting musical parts and harmonies, but didn't stand out in any particular way

amazing for me

Reminds me of driving with my Dad. Better than I remember, but just ok. Sounds a lot like Phil Spector’s wall of music

Best Beach Boys album!

i mean, it's Pet Sounds. its impact is felt everywhere endlessly, and musicians have only ever benefited from trying to replicate it.

meow meow

me and my gang making a concept album and the concept is that we are full of love and sometimes joyous IT'S ALMOST PERFECT I DON'T CARE THE IMPACT OF THIS ALBUM IS EVIDENT IN MUSIC EVERYWHERE I DON'T CARE DON'T HIT ME UP 4.5/5 TO 5/5

Very unique, enchanting sound. Beautiful harmonies. Very much of its time and iconic. A bit cloying in parts. Totally understand that this was an era-defining sound and there are some fantastic classics on here. But doesn't blow my mind.

I feel like The Beach Boys are known for upbeat fun in the sun sound but that really ignores how sentimental and introspective a lot of their music is. They’re kinda emo sad bois at times lol. Amazing sound production. God only know is a gem of course

This is clearly a classic, and hugely influential. I didn't really enjoy it though, and honestly I think it's a bit long. Did this album really need a version of a traditional song? It's obviously still a great album, but it could have been leaner and sharper.

Some absolute classics in here

I hear this was a very important album in the history of music and good for them but, regardless, it's not for me. Fave Track: Wouldn't It Be Nice Rating: 2

I don't get it and I don't think I'll ever get it. I hear all the time this was a turning point in popular music. I can see there's something to it. For me it ranges from just ok to annoying. Can't imagine hearing this after Rubber Soul and thinking 'wow Brian Wilson made a pop/rock album to match the Beatles!'. music: hated. (⌐■_■)

Easy to appreciate the weirdo innovation of this thing, but I can’t say I ever really Enjoy listening to Beach Boys. This is a big round up, just so no one gets mad at me.

3.5

As a kid who was raised on the Surfin’ USA Beach Boys, I had always heard the significance of this album but until a few years ago had never given it a solid listen. Knew a few of the major hits but that was about it. While I understand the importance this album plays in musical history, it just doesn’t stand out to me as one of the greatest albums of all time. Seems a bit overproduced, which maybe was a huge deal in 1966. I enjoy it. But just can’t fall all over myself about it. 3.95

It’s a classic. Love some of the songs, don’t care for others.

Someone explain the hype. This is what people put forward as The Beach Boys masterpiece? Look, it’s great. Probably their best work. But a masterpiece? Someone explain please. Don’t get me wrong - it’s an extremely well put together record. Their harmonies are, as always, unmatched. They know how to build them and they certainly know their style and niche. They perfected it. But a masterpiece? I’m sorry I don’t see it. People compare this to “Sgt. Pepper’s,” or at least mention it in the same sentence. The story goes that they released “Pet Sounds” thinking they’d bested the Beatles, only to then hear “Sgt. Pepper’s” and realize they’d been foiled again. No idea if that’s true but it’s a good story. If this is their best, why did it feel like a lot of other Beach Boys stuff I’ve heard? The best song “God Only Knows” feels pretty unassuming and shorter than expected. I think it also suffers from needing to sound like The Beach Boys. Another band could probably do this in a way that was more interesting. The arrangements are great but I guess I just can’t get the “Pepper” comparison out of my head and to me, it pales. Bummer. I really wanted to be blown away and I just wasn’t. Three stars. Standout Tracks: Wouldn’t It Be Nice, I’m Waiting for the Day, God Only Knows, Here Today, Caroline, No

I like The Beach Boys, but this album is something different that I wasn’t expecting. Wouldn’t it be nice, God only knows, and sloop John b remind me of six flags, so it was good to hear them again. The rest of the album wasn’t super memorable, but it was a fine time listening. This feels like one of those times when the art is revolutionary for the time, but almost 60 years later only the big hits feel worth revisiting. 3/5

Brian Wilson wanted to make an epic album with no fillers, and for the most part, he succeeded. Its significance for the pop genre can't be questioned, but I've always felt it was a bit too overproduced in some places to become one of my all time favourites. I still love it, though. 4 stars

If you asked me before I started this project which albums on here am I definitely going to give 5 stars, this would have been one of them. Yet listening to it critically, I just don’t know. It’s very well done and I 100% get the acclaim. But it’s kinda… meh? when I listen to it closely. God Only Knows is still possibly my favorite song of all time. But the album as a whole doesn’t do it for me as much as I would think. One of those albums that I like the idea of it more than I like the actual album. Still, I have to give it the benefit of the doubt, it’s brilliant music. I just don’t personally love it as much as I thought.

It was very interesting and I would recommend it to. my friends

loved it the first time i listened, love it now. hands down one of the most creative and ground breaking albums of all time.

One of the most beloved albums but sadly it’s never hit me that deeply. My highlights are classics for a reason but there’s plenty of material that exists to be well-executed with their usual killer harmonies but doesn’t excite me to the same (high) level. Maybe someday! There are Beach Boys albums I love, don’t worry. Highlights: “Wouldn’t It Be Nice”, “Sloop John B” & “God Only Knows”. 4 stars.

September 15, 2024 HL: "Wouldn't It Be Nice", "You Still Believe In Me", "Sloop John B", "God Only Knows", "I Know There's An Answer" NOT first listen— it’s a stunna For context, in 2007, my Xmas gift of an iPod Nano came with this album (among others). It took several years for me to really appreciate this album, but whoa is it a treat to revisit it. Forgot how good “I’m Waiting For the Day” and “Here Today” were

What else is there to say other than it is absolutely unparalleled in its dreamy, other worldly quality, and that it's a travesty we didn't get more music like this? It's influence is obvious, but it's instrumental style didn't really seem to catch on in popular music. It feels like walking in Wonderland.

There is a reason this is on every one of these type lists.

I have no words, except to say it’s an utter classic. People have worded it more expertly me than I could, but this album is a top tier essential. Get it, spend time with it, cherish it.

"a cohesive work with no filler tracks"?? Why's there so many duff fillers, then. This is below average tosh, and apart from a couple of tracks, not worth the time.

A milestone in production with a genius of the 3-minute composition. While the rest of the Beach Boys were touring, Brian Wilson took some ideas to the Wrecking Crew and began a process like nothing undertaken before, building layer upon layer of sound. When the rest of the Boys returned, they laid down their inimitable harmonies and Pet Sounds was created--a landmark in pop music. Favorite tracks: Wouldn't It Be Nice, Caroline No, Sloop John B, God Only Knows.

It was good, I've never been a big fan of the Beach Boys overall (for absolutely no reason), but I found myself really enjoying listening to this album. They have a really distinct sound that I like a lot, and I'm happy I've finally listened to some of their stuff.

Thank gawd for The Wrecking Crew

This one is perfect. NO DOUBT one of the goat for sure.

Classic songs. Timeless hits.

Wouldn't It Be Nice 4 You Still Believe in Me 3.3 That's Not Me 3 Don't Talk (Put Your Head on My Shoulder) 2.8 I'm Waiting for the Day 3 Let's Go Away for Awhile 3.1 Sloop John B 3.3 God Only Knows 3.4 I Know There's an Answer 3.2 Here Today 3 I Just Wasn't Made for These Times 3 Pet Sounds 3.3 Caroline No 3.3 Score: 3.207692308

Amazing

I love this album so much :')

3.5

It’s hyped for good reason.

Deserves to be considered a classic. Ground-breaking but not quite perfect. 4.5/5, but I’ll round it up.

Though I do like this album quite a bit, I've never been sold on the GOAT reputation it has. That being said Sloop John B. is a magnificent song! (7.75) ★★★½

An all-time classic! Pure pop bliss!

Good, but not deserving of the GOAT-level praise regularly heaped upon it. The big singles are great, but you also get a pair of instrumentals and and some lesser songs that are just okay. It gets some props for being pretty revolutionary in terms of production and arrangements, but the songs leave a lot to be desired for me. 3.5 stars

3.5

A most resplendent album spooling with genius, out-of-this-world vocal harmonies and orchestrations. On balance a very tight collection of songs about innocent teenage inner conflict and romance co-crafted with guest lyricist Tony Asher. Absolutely groundbreaking for its time and still sounds so fantastic today. Wouldn’t It Be Nice, Sloop John B, God Only Knows and I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times feel most supreme and just explode with greatness but still there is so much to love here.

Timeless

Not my cup of tea. "Wouldn't be nice" just because "50 First Dates" it's one of my favorite movies. Didn't like the music so much, to much horns, and pedal notes. I likea different kind of "surf songs" lol

Wouldn’t it be nice is a gay anthem. Also this album defined music for like the next 70 years. Gay.

Brilliant

Some good stuff here, well-known stuff. Not my 'type', but good for what it is and deserves a 3.

Solid easy listening, definitely recognized a few songs from radio play. Inoffensive and decent, pretty standard 60s pop rock. Definitely has some stronger songs, but I would say at least a third of the album is forgettable. Top tracks: Wouldn't It Be Nice; God Only Knows; Caroline, No

One of my favorite Beach Boys albums. A ton of favorites. The album that inspired The Beatles to try song arrangements and sounds even further afield. It inspired most of the rest of Western Popular music. A very influential album. Indie Rock's sound basically began in earnest with this album. Favorites: "Wouldn't it be Nice?", "You Still Believe In Me", "Sloop John B", "God Only Knows", "Caroline, No", and of course the tour de force instrumental and title track "Pet Sounds".

Hármast akartam rá adni, de rájöttem, hogy az nem elég, hogy nem kapok tőle agyfaszt. Szorri, szétuntam az agyam, még háttérzeneként is.

Eh

Odd record with a couple of hits.

Really twee, but catchy! 3.5

This is probably the quintessential Beach Boys album, huh? I never really cared much for them, but whatever - unique sound and deserving of the list.

The Beach Boys are fine in isolation but a whole album, especially one that repeats tracks is too much.

This is probably the most difficult album to review in just one paragraph. There is so much, so much details that can be said about these songs, that it would be enough to write a book. Pet Sound is huge! Absolutely everything about this album is simply huge! It captures the entire essence of the deepest human feelings, from genuine joy (Wouldn't It Be Nice) to deep sadness (Caroline, No), passing through and addressing themes such as loneliness and emptiness (That's Not Me, I Just Wasn't Made For This Times) and even the greatest of feelings of love, represented by one of the most perfect songs that human beings have ever made: God Only Knows! Like I said, a book would easily be written if I were to say everything I think about this album. Long Live to the Genius Brian Wilson!

yez no skips

My first year of grad school was pretty miserable: I would be up till 4 a.m. reading Kierkegaard and listening to Bach, and never really socializing. That, and a lack of money, led me just after Easter to take on some ESL teaching to adult learners - folks from 18 and up who'd come to Cambridge for a few weeks or months to brush up their English. We teachers would take them out to the pub or to other social events; as spring turned to summer, we'd end up hanging out with them quite a lot informally as well. With my wages coming in, I was finally shedding my old habits of dressing exclusively in black rollbacks, and wearing more casual clothes: I was at last beginning to unwind myself. June sees the end of exams, Suicide Sunday, May Week, and all the balls - then the undergrads largely go home, and the place starts to fill with tour groups and language students. Then there are the fairs - Strawberry Fair, with the haze of weed, and Midsummer Fair, both on Midsummer Common, by the river. My flat on King Street wasn't far from there, so I'd wander over frequently. That became the story of most of my grad school summers: long summer afternoons, perhaps an evening at the Fort St George overlooking the water, hanging out with these visiting language students, many of them, like me, on the cusp of adulthood, and away from home, seeking adventure, exploration, and more. It was in these years that I first listened to "Pet Sounds." That, along with "Astral Weeks" and "Forever Changes," will always take me back to those times: summer as the moment of eternity, not as kairos, but as the locus of nostalgia, languid afternoons and the golden light of the early evening. All that to say - there's no way I could review this in any way objectively. But perhaps that in itself illustrates the impact of "Pet Sounds": it was always the right soundtrack for those times. All of those happy-sad songs, a sense of lack and loss of the very moment you're living in and the experiences you're having. God, I love it.

This album is incredible. It's well-deserving of its stellar reputation that precedes it. It's earnest, ambitious, has lush and inventive instrumentals, and is really just a masterpiece. Favourite track is of course "God Only Knows" because of how many times I've seen "Love Actually" (too many to count).

A staggering work of bountiful melodies, classic songs and a transcendence of what made the Beach Boys so popular in the first place. Literally drove Brian Wilson insane. A groundbreaking work.

I wasn’t sure I would like this album, but it managed to surpass my expectations. Pet Sound is a cohesive and melodic album from the 1960s, and while I don’t agree that it is one of the best from that decade, I get why many people think it is. Most of the appeal (at least, for me) comes from the melodies in each song, which are masterfully composed and performed by Brian Wilson. This is the first album I have been given in this 1001 albums thing that I am sure I will be returning to.

4/10

Amazing

On a sunny afternoon there is nothing better than this classic album - not a 5 because it was pouring with rain while I was listening to it

I've "known" this album for a long time, but it's been a while since I've truly listened. The innovation was lost on me as a kid, but I hear it now. Theremin hell yes.

Hell yeah

Classic. Did not expect this to be as epic as it is

A classic that never lets me down

I loved this album

I have always found the Beach Boys campy and corny. Maybe it's their high-pitched vocals that sound and feel their age, but they never seem to stand up to modern music, unlike some of their peers such as the Beatles. I appreciate them rather as a time capsule of influential history that has been passed by. Brian Wilson described this album as "Commercialized choir music," which explains why I have never really vibed with the songs as much. The Wall of Sound is almost too much sound and the lyrics are very childlike and innocent for 20-somethings. That said, I've spent the past two weeks procrastinating this review so I can read the entire Wikipedia page, watch "Love and Mercy", and both the BBC and Disney + documentaries. I have a newfound appreciation for the Beach Boys, particularly Brian and Pet Sounds. I now understand its complexity, uniqueness, and influence on future music (such as Sgt Pepper). 3/5 for actual enjoyment and 5/5 for appreciation

solid.

Tender and introspective

STANDOUTS: Wouldn't It Be Nice Sloop John B **God Only Knows**, one of the best songs of all time I Just Wasn't Made For These Times OVERALL: 4/5; God Only Knows elevated this rating an entire digit

Just one of the best albums ever made. That’s it.

I honestly have tried to listen to this album for years and have only been marginally impressed. Wouldn't It be Nice is an incredible opener and some other songs hit pretty well, but as an album experience it sounds more like a collection of singles of varying quality. Majority of tracks are strong. 3/5

A great album. Some of my favorite songs ever on this one!

Me ha gustado para una mañana tranqui

4 - A bit too long, but apart from that I actually really liked this album. I thought the songs in between the big ones were gonna be filler but so really cool tracks

I know that ostensibly Sloop John B is about a rowdy crew of seamen, but it sounds to me like the sound of white privilege. It makes me feel something between guilt and cringe listening to it. God Only Knows is really an all-timer. I was suprised at how Wall of Sound-y this album actually is. Clearly this was a groundbreaking record, but hearing the Spectoryness of it made it feel less unique to me. Fave Tracks: Wouldn't It Be Nice, That's Not Me, God Only Knows, I Just Wasn't Made For These Times, Caroline No 4.2/5

Let me start with the notion that no matter what I say, this album has already cemented its place on this list. Pet Sounds is considered the definitive Beach Boys album, which is ironic given how little it has to do with their previous work's "beach" aesthetic. It is also considered one of the best rock records of the 1960s and has gone on to appear in multiple publications' best-album lists alongside the album it inspired - the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Every other music critic has and continues to praise it, including on this site. That all cannot be denied. Yet, there is a part of me that can't switch my enjoyment of Pet Sounds from a good album to an amazing album like other people have. Perhaps it's how I've just gotten into the Beach Boys this year, and do not carry the nostalgic sentiment others have. Maybe it's my gripe with this group's harmonized vocals, which sound dated and cheesy, even if I can accept they were a part of their identity early on. It could even be that I've only spent one day with this record, and it hasn't grown on me with time yet. Whatever the case, even if I can't go over the moon for Pet Sounds, I can still recognize it as a great record. I respect the hell out of Brian Wilson for taking over most of the lyric writing and song arrangements. His work made for a unique-for-the-time progressive pop-rock sound bolstered by Phil Spector's "Wall of Sound" production, where the lyrics capture the essence of coming-of-age and the ins and outs of teenage romance, at times with a dark turn. "Wouldn't It Be Nice" is an infectious opener that I still have playing in my head as I write this review. "God Only Knows" is an amazing song for its baroque style. Their cover of the traditional "Sloop John B" fits nicely into the loose narrative. They break up the flow nicely with two instrumentals. I could keep going on, but you get the point. Pet Sounds is a great record, and I'm sure in time it will grow on me. God only knows. Update 6/12/2025: Originally, I was going to revisit Pet Sounds next year for the album's 60th anniversary. But given Brian Wilson's passing yesterday at the age of 82, I felt a need to revisit early. I will say I have grown fond of the Beach Boys' work, especially Brian Wilson, from both a songwriting and production perspective. In fact, I would like to make a correction from my previous review above, as Brian Wilson produced the album himself, taking inspiration from the "Wall of Sound" technique Phil Spector had been known for, creating such rich sonic textures. This album sounds timeless in part because of that approach. Along with that correction, I also want to highlight how much I've grown to appreciate the vocal harmonies of the group, elevating these introspective lyrics to another level. This is especially true for the songs where Brian takes the lead, including "Wouldn't It Be Nice", "I'm Waiting for the Day", "I Just Wasn't Made for These Times", and the closing solo track "Caroline, No". Of course, the rest of the band did a phenomenal job with their respective tracks, particularly Carl Wilson on "God Only Knows". Not to mention, the instrumental breaks in the title track and "Let's Go Away for a While" offer some nice orchestral arrangements to add variety to the overall package. In my original review, I opened with the sentiment that Pet Sounds has and continues to be praised by music critics around the globe. Now, I can finally add myself to those ranks.

Gran logro para su epoca. Todavía es un gran disco

This contains some really beautiful music.

Masterpiece.

Favourite song - Caroline, no

Liian ”pehmoisia” ja ei-mieleenpainuvaa, että omille soittolistoille mitään lisäisi.

also one of my favorites that I own. I love the sound of this album and Brian Wilson's lyrics of course. Definitely a 5 star

It's one of the greatest records ever.

Not many bands can make album after album exclusively about surfboards, bikinis, and travelling to different places to go surfing with women in bikinis, and then just casually pump out this masterpiece. That’d be like if Bridge Over Troubled Water was made by Chas and Dave.

Music by and for limp wristed latent homosexual frat boys. The overtones of bestiality on the album cover are also a bit much.

Beautiful melancholy.

Quel poulet cet album > beatles

A classic album through and through, from the unique sound of The Beach Boys, to theor lyrics. God Only Knows is my favourite song from the album. It might be quite a generic choice, but it is popular for a reason.

Amazing vocals that are always amazing to hear, but musically I uninteresting to me. I'm a casual fan of the Beach Boys and appreciate their contributions to pop, but won't listen again. 3/5

So I get that this was incredibly technically innovative for it's time, pushing the limits of the multitrack recording technology of the day. But nothing really stands out on it. At least not for me. Of course, this album was released 27 years before I was born and, even at that, the Beach *Boys* were Beach Men at this point and the music reflected that. Pedantry regarding the naming aside, this isn't my jam and that wouldn't change if it had been released under a different name or by a different band. I'm glad it exists because I understand it's place in modern pop music history and I'm glad it demonstrated that a modern studio held far more potential for unique art than had been previously illustrated. But I'm also glad I'm finished listening to it.

caroline.... no

Brian Wilson, The Beach Boys, the Wrecking Crew, and a little bit of magic. Sloop John B is the best homesickness song ever.

Short and sweet!

Great

Outdated! The Beach Boys always sounded too “sweet to me”.

Seen one way, the songs here fit the Beach Boys stereotype - friendly, harmonious, likable. Seen another, the songs here are amazingly well-crafted, with profound and sometimes clever lyrics, changes in tempo, and beautifully layered vocals. There were only two songs I recognized on this album, but what great songs!

Meh, decent enough

2/5 - The lyrics are boring, the vibe is boring. I do really like god only knows, however - 3.5/5

Some great songs, the harmonies are in matched.

Good

Genius at work.

I realise this is meant to be a masterpiece of an album, but I'm not getting it. I grew up with my parents playing a few of these songs and that's probably where this album should stay, in the past

I’ve never enjoyed The Beach Boys. Too pop for me, but I appreciate Brian Wilson’s genius. 2

i fw this heavy, until i noticed all the songs lowkey started to sound the same :(

Notable tracks: Wouldn’t It Be Nice, Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder), I’m Waiting For The Day, God Only Knows, Caroline No

good fun, had a pretty good time, lots of good sounds going on here, some memorable tracks some not, but hey, it’s the freaking beach boys, this was pretty awesome i respect the insane work that went into this, pretty awesome stuff, maybe not my complete cup of tea/ type of music i’d bump often but i freak with it

Magnificent Masterpiece don't know what else can be said about how good this album is, superb music and gorgeous harmony vocals and God Only Knows is one of the the most beautiful and perfect songs of all time.

It’s The Beach Boys

Wouldn’t It Be Nice // Don’t Talk // God Only Knows // I Know There’s An Answer // Hang On To Your Ego //

Hit songs are great, didn't get much from the others.

A stoned Brian Wilson was a wonderful thing in the 60s. Pet Sounds is an easy 5. Just one of the most impactful and formative albums of all time. Fully deserving of its place on the list! Fantastic!

Andra skivan på listan. Måste säga att jag är förvånad. Inte direkt vad jag förväntat mig. Det här är en ganska mörk skiva. Mycket smärta i texterna. Bäst är God Only Knows och den är riktigt bra. Blir en 3a.

Jag är överraskad av beach boys, visste först och främst inte att de varit så aktiva. Släppt 29 album. Verkar också haft stort inflytande. På denna skiva är finns några riktigt bra låtar, men det är för få. Tycker "Surfs up" var bättre. Men det är definitivt inte dåligt. Men hade alla låtar varit som "god only knows" hade vi nåt högt på betygsskalan.

Tyckte Surf’s up var mer spännande, även om den också var mer ojämn. Den här skivan är, i alla fall i min värld, det mer klassiska BB och det är helt okej.

Sonically a great album just couldn’t connect with it

9.5/10

I can see why people would enjoy this but it really did nothing for me. 2.5/5

Definitely a classic. I’m just not sure I am a huge fan of The Beach Boys. The harmonizing is impressive though.

145/1001 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕 (y eso que no incluyeron finalmente el Good Vibrations)

Lots of harmonies… so many harmonies. I always think of the Beach Boys as my dad’s music, but I actually only recognized 2 songs off this album.

Yep, it’s still overrated. Would have been better to release a single of Wouldn’t it be nice with SloopJohn B as the B side.

Beyond some of the classics, the beach boys have never really been my thing but this was a good listen.

Lol 5 stars

Classic

Pet Sounds is an undisputed all-timer. However, listening also to The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s — the record that upon hearing it, supposedly finally broke Brian Wilson’s fragile psyche — I can hear why it so astounded him. It’s full of life and color, from its patchwork cover to the genres they skipped over with ease, navigating huge orchestral accompaniments, chamber pop, heavy rock, and their famous sunny pop, with apparent ease. Wilson’s masterpiece shows more labor and harmonic genius, but the Beatles made it look easy and fun. Still, Pet Sounds is beatific and packed with stunning harmonies and a brilliant childlike sense of wonder and discovery. I was happy to listen and enjoy it all over again.

Great, iconic singles from this, but the album tracks have a stifling quality to them which wasn't much fun.

Strong Beatles influence which was fun to listen to but didn’t have as much of their more iconic vibe.