Pet Sounds

Pet Sounds is phenomenal. It blows my mind a little to think that the same guys who did "Surfin' USA" and "I Get Around" made this record - not that there's anything wrong with those songs (they're great in their own way), and not that there aren't enough similarities in the sound as to be unbelievable - purely because this is such a fascinating, innovative creation with so much depth and so many layers. This isn't shallow California surf-rock and hot-rods, it's art that borrows from so many influences from baroque, folk, pop, psychedelic rock and blues... Well worth a listen, and well worth a second listen. There is so much density of good stuff. Brian Wilson is a genius, and credit where credit is due to the rest of the band too. As renowned compositional analyst and contemporary music scholar Alfred Yankovic once said: "My pancreas attracts every other pancreas in the universe with a force proportional to the product of their masses, and inversely proportional to the distance between them. WOOOoooOOOoooOOOoooOOO"

It did take a few listens to start to appreciate this when I bought it as a CD in my 20s, but it hasn't lost anything in the many years since. This is a truly great album.

One of the few perfect pop albums.

Absolutely one album everyone needs to hear, love at first listen!

Great all the way through. There were a lot songs I’ve heard before that I didn’t realize were on the album which was cool.

Not gonna lie haven’t head this album Before

Me viene muy bien 💝

A classic. THE HARMONIES

Glorious album, complete with viola solo.

Perfect.

Perfect

Well I knew this was coming

I mean this is a classic, I've already listened to all of it but I love the whole album. Sloop John B is a sleeper though

Clearly a work of technical genius

Incredible album.

holy swag

Incredible how they made this using only the sounds of pets

Such nostalgia, incredible harmonies, perfect song craftsmanship.

clear masterpiece. so much wonder and genius packed into 37 min.

My first 5 stars. I was aware of the critical acclaim this album has garnered over the past half century plus and it certainly lived up to the hype. Sloop John B is one that stood out that I don't recall having listened to before. Fingers crossed that Sgt. Peppers is next in the rotation.

“But the salient feature of the absurd age I was at – an age which for all its alleged awkwardness, is prodigiously rich – is that reason is not its guide, and the most insignificant attributes of other people always appear to be consubstantial with their personality. One lives among monsters and gods, a stranger to peace of mind. There is scarcely a single one of our acts from that time which we would not prefer to abolish later on. But all we should lament is the loss of the spontaneity that urged them upon us. In later life, we see things with a more practical eye, one we share with the rest of society; but adolescence was the only time when we ever learned anything.“ -Marcel Proust I got this album when I was a freshman in high school, and every few months I return to it. The lyrics and arrangements perfectly express young, dumb, naive, adolescent love and yearning. One of the biggest knocks this album has to its name is that Brian Wilson didn’t know how to end a song, so they’re all fade-outs. Man, these songs are eternal. Are you telling me there’s a satisfying way to end “God Only Knows” or “Wouldn’t It Be Nice”? “Sloop John B” is a fucking banger and one of the most illustrative examples of the fact that The Beach Boys like, aren’t world-class singers? Sure they’ve got range, but it’s the way B. Wilson arranges those voices into this wall of sound that is stunning. That bass harmonica coming in like a moose in “I Know There’s an Answer” is one of my favorite moments in all music. The few down-tempo tracks are suited for the content: Of course you have to slow down for a song called “Don’t Talk (Put Your Head on My Shoulder).” An all-timer, up there in the GOAT conversation, one of the easiest 5s I’ll have.

It reminds me of an American Beatles, album. I like how the band uses progressive orchestral techniques. Definitely grew on me overall, Solid 9.5 outta 10

Perfection. Every instrument played on here basically sounds the best it ever sounded on an album ever. The production is to die for. The songwriting emphasizes everything in such a pristine and thoughtful way. The structure perfects the album structure, flowing naturally over its 38 minute runtime with attention given to tempo, arrangement, and keeping your attention peaked. The vocals are excellent, with beautiful harmonies and trading parts layered on top of crisp strings, lovely harp and organ, and cavernous back end percussion. Listened to this two separate times in 48 hours and was amazed both times. The best album I have heard thus far without a single doubt.

Amo questo album da quando ero teenager e ancora lo ascolto di frequente. Ah...dimenticavo... sono un baby-boomers e me ne vanto !

Beach boy's best album

One of those rare albums that not only grabbed me straight off the first listen, but still continues to surprise and impress me decades on. The songs aren't massively catchy apart from the hits... but the orchestration and harmonies are so incredible, they create a completely unique world to live in for 37 minutes. Plenty of bands have been influenced by this and tried to replicate it, but I can't think of one that succeeded.

Perfection.

An absolute classic. It is easy to see how this album became so influential.

Hot Take: this is the best album of the 1960s (and one of the top albums all-time). Fire Joe Morgan/Newman track by track analysis: "Wouldn't Be Nice:" Stone cold classic to lead off and be deceptively cheery. "You Still Believe in Me:" A weird palate-cleanser that continues the beautiful melodies with streaks of confusion." "That's Not Me:" What lame people say when they can't admit a mistake in beautiful song form. "Don't Talk (Put Your Head on My Shoulder):" A sorrowful short comfort. "I'm Waiting for the Day:" Bombastic track that gets the mood back up with percussiveness. "Let's Go Away for Awhile:" Elevator music dreamscape never sounded so good. "Sloop John B:" Some of the greatest harmonies of all time. "God Only Knows:" Phenomenal yet simple love song. "I Know There's an Answer:" The track I listen to the most now (after two giant tracks). Fantastic chorus that plays in my head on a loop. "Here Today:" Great organ work. "I Just Wasn't Made for These Times:" No one was. Fuck ICE, Fat Orange, and Elon. "Pet Sounds:" Note to "Revolution 9," this is how to make a good avant garde track. "Caroline No:" A melancholy fitting coda.

Fantastic pop songwriting with lush, beautiful arrangements. The music is bright and colorful and packed with fun details and surprises. I first connected with this album when I was a teenager, which I think is fitting. That's the age when love and romance and attraction are all still fairly new feelings. There's something about this music that is perfect for a young person throwing themselves into these new, huge emotions. The feelings are big on this album. “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” and “God Only Knows” are classics. And the album is packed with great album tracks. I always liked “Here Today” too.

One of the greatest albums of all time, and on the right day can sometimes be the universal #1. There are endless good qualities about it; the performances are incredible, the arrangements are all fun, fresh, unique, and cohesive, the production is perfect across the board, and the compositions are a masterwork in songwriting. There's a few songs that I would consider perfect: "Wouldn't It Be Nice" sounds like the exact description of young people in love and picturing the world and their future in front of them. To me this reminds me of when my wife and I were teenagers, still figuring out our relationship and seeing that there might be something special there. I probably even repeated these lyrics to her just in normal conversation: "Wouldn't it be nice if we could wake up in the morning when the day is new? And after having spent the day together, hold each other close the whole night through?" Four years of semi-long distance will make you dream aloud those kinds of thoughts! The counter melody at the end is one of my favorite things of all time to sing. "Good nnnnnnight buh buh baby, Sleep mmmmm-tight buh buh baby"! "God Only Knows" sounds like all of the great stages of love all wrapped into one 3 minute piece; it sounds like the start of a relationship with flirting and testing the waters, it sounds like the honeymoon phase, it sounds like a peaceful rendezvous after an argument where both parties realize that their love is stronger than whatever the dumb spat was about. It's a bit direct but hearing this song makes me think about how much I love my wife and how lucky I am. Corny as it may be I feel like sometimes I look at her and genuinely think "God only knows what I'd be without you". She is the catalyst for most positive changes in my life. The harpsichord and french horn intro is perfect. The first line being "I may not always love you" and then immediately flipping into lyrics that contrast it and beautifully talk about how much the singer loves their person.. is perfect. The vocal harmonies on "You Still Believe In Me" are wonderfully haunting. The play between the strings and vocals on "Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder) is breathtakingly beautiful. The cover of "Sloop John B" comes out of nowhere but always excites the heck out of me. There's a lot of emotion in this record that grabs me for different reasons. I think about my mom and dad being young and listening to the band and it makes me sad for my mom because he passed at a young age. In a year I'll be not only the same age he was when he passed, but I'll also be a dad for the first time. It's a bit heavy for a Monday morning, but sometimes you have to think about these things, and honestly The Beach Boys are such a joyful sound that they don't really let you linger on any sad notes. I never stray too far away from The Beach Boys and I like to keep them within reach but it's been a minute since I've heard Pet Sounds all the way through. I grew up listening to this one a lot, as this is my mom's favorite band. To me, these songs will always be associated with my first memories of music and being a child in a mostly problem-less world. There's an innocence tied to this record for me because of that. It's also fun to hear the Beach Boys in February where I'm still waiting for the foot of snow outside to melt. Like Brian Wilson picturing the future with some special partner, I myself might hum "Wouldn't it be nice to be beachin', rubbing sunscreen upon my baaack" while I'm shoveling out my back porch later.

Masterpiece 💯

álbum bem consistente e muito bem construído! Produção linda e som geral muito agradável 8/10

Love it, mostly.

Classic

Already listened to it a couple of times and own the vinyl. Exquisite beauty

This classic improves every time I listen to it. 5/5.

Loved this one so much

10/10 – Masterpiece

what do you even say about an album as singular and iconic as this one? even 50 years later, nothing else sounds like it.

Espectacular. 1966. No tiene sentido. Y, encima, lo rupturista que fue. Tremendo album. 9/10

I mean, come on.

I am not capable of being objective about this album. I’m a bit in love with Brian and think he is a pop genius who was capable of baring his soul through the music like few others can. Songs here make me feel joy, heartbreak and seem to put words to a feeling I had like yesterday but couldn’t describe. Hard relate. ❤️

Sweet, amusing, relaxing, fun, musically interesting. Listened multiple times.

This album is my favorite album of all time. There’s so much to say about the innovative production, the beautiful harmonies, and Brian Wilson’s deeply personal lyrics, but there’s not much else I can add to what has already been said about this perfect album. I would like to say that I first listened to this album in full in college, and it grew to become such a closely resonating piece of work for me as a man in his early twenties. At the time, I was experiencing so much over those years, like my first relationship, growing more independent as a person, and having feelings of loneliness and isolation. So it was a miracle I discovered this album when I did because I could hear and feel so much of myself in throughout all of the songs. It grew to define all of the changes I was facing and the realizations I was learning at the time. The album is about a person growing older, coming to terms with the realities of life and love and feeling as if the world is moving past them and they’re struggling to catch up. To me, there is no album that overcomes this one in terms of production, creativity, and or depth. It was ahead of its time back then, and it’s still both a marvel and a timeless piece of work today. Pet Sounds is a masterpiece, and Brian Wilson is a genius. Love and mercy.

who doesn't recognize this album at this rate? it seems like even today, there's some new younger generations listening to it for the first time and being amazed. there's just something about the quirky instrumentation, the reverb... these damn boys harmonize so well you'll be hypnotized. i just can't figure out how they managed to do it all. wikipedia says "oh they did drugs, they did marijuana" meanwhile i have weed every single day, and even when i'm stoned as hell i just think "how did they cook this? are they gods?" it's that ambitious of an album.

Good stuff

I think I've been being too harsh on some of the selections so far. It's hard when you get to an album like this with a MASSIVE REPUTATION, but yeah, five stars for the sounds and the melodies and the production. Thanks for finally making me listen to this.

what more can i say - i adore this album, it sounds so sincere, pure gold. its kind of music never gets old 'cause whatever genre you're into, you'll listen to this album and you'll love it 'cause its undoubtedly good. i prefer listen to this album in late august when it gets a little colder and summer saying goodbye, that's the atmosphere i get from this masterpiece

such a lovely lovely album, will be revisiting. kind of want the vinyl.

One of the greatest recordings of all time. Nothing to add

Gorgeous album. Masterful on all fronts. 10/10 Favorite tracks- “Don’t Talk….” “Sloop John B” “God Only Knows”

Perfect.

Wasn't sure whether to give this a 4 or a 5, but then they hit me with a delightful instrumental at the end

Make sure to listen to this album in stereo, it sounds much more full and immersive. This is a fun album. Wouldn't it be nice is probably one of the happiest songs I have heard. The random honk sounds in You Still Believe in Me had me chuckling.

best of the best of the best

This is a perfect album imo. Kinda wish there were more pet sounds though. Not even one meow!

Oh man, there’s some good ones in here Obviously Wouldn’t It Be Nice is timeless, pretty hard for it to not just make your day better Back when I was a toddler I LOVED Sloop John B. I have vivid memories of going into my dads office and getting him to play the song over and over for me while sitting on his lap. Definitely got emotional hearing that one for the first time in a long time Those harmonies are so much fun, they had such a distinctive sound that never wears out its welcome. Not quite a perfect album but I’d be hard pressed to not give it a 5 with everything it has going for it

I dont know how you can listen to this without a huge smile on your face

Things I KNEW about Pet Sounds... -Recorded and released in 1966. -(One of) Paul McCartney's favorite albums. -"Without Pet Sounds, there wouldn't be a Sergeant Pepper's." -Supposedly an early concept album, though I never caught it. -Heavily introspective, very different from previous Beach Boys releases. -Considered Brian Wilson's masterpiece. Things I LEARNED about Pet Sounds... -Charted higher in Britain than the US -Wilson used Rubber Soul as competitive fuel. -Good Vibrations was recorded during these sessions, but Sloop John B made the album instead. -Cover photo taken at San Diego Zoo -Reached #2 in UK behind Sound of Music soundtrack. -Members of The Who did not think it was musical genius. Mostly WOW. Knew this to be a good album, well-regarded by musicians, critics, and fans. But a critical listen really had me understand some of the WHY... I consider Wouldn't It Be Nice one of the perfect songs in the world. Exceptional opening track, but probably the best on the album. Strange to get that as track one... Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder) good but not great. I'm Waiting For the Day solid, and God Only Knows is genius. I Just Want Made For These Times entirely different from anything they'd done before. Or anyone for that matter. And Sloop John B is a classic. It comes to mind on the way home from every family trip, me jokingly singing, "This is the worst trip - I've ever been on." I haven't given this a full listen in years, and it's better than I remember. Better than good, not perfect though.

For the Beach Boys to 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 is actually nutty. Also what is up with the album cover??? In all seriousness, here's one of the big hallmark classics I've been waiting on. This had a lot of influence across the music scene, including on the Beach Boys' British rivals, the Beatles. I may be American, but I'd personally take the Beatles over the Beach Boys for their variety, but the Beatles could never touch the California beach tracks that these guys do so well. In all honesty, Pet Sounds is an album I've tried to love over the years, but it's never fully clicked for me. While I respect its legendary reputation and understand its impact, I don't feel the same connection to it that so many others do. I mean, there’s no denying the album's technical brilliance. The harmonies are gorgeous, and the production is a testament to Brian Wilson's genius. And for an album nearly six decades old, the mix holds up surprisingly well, even if the percussion can occasionally sound a little thin. Anyways, my point is, this album is goated with that sauce 5/5

Old rock and roll that just feels good. It’s an album I feel like I should really listen to again.

5/5 no skips

Amazing work

One of the all-time great album openers of all time. I’m not entirely sure if I’ve deciphered the genius of Brian Wilson in this yet, but it’s a helluva record — even the mid-tempo filler tracks too.

I have always loved this record.

This album is simply Impossible and Pure. it goes so deep emotionally. Pet Sounds commits to the feeling and it never breaks. it’s timeless. you can always return to it and you can count on being changed forever each time. it grows with you in life. the arrangements swell and recede like one’s nervous system. even the silences create space and are treated as active frequencies.

Conecto mucho con los temas del álbum, no hay nada más que decir de esta obra maestra

Immaculately produced, daringly ambitious and conveying a wide range of themes, 'Pet Sounds' is the quintessential Beach Boys record to many fans and casual admirers, and honestly, who am I to deny the generally accepted greatness of this record. Composed and produced largely by chief songwriter Brian Wilson, 'Pet Sounds' was The Beach Boys attempt to one-up The Beatles' 'Rubber Soul' record from the previous year by further deepening the role of the recording studio in influencing the craft and composition of the songs, and not only does 'Pet Sounds' meet the quality of 'Rubber Soul', it arguably exceeds it. Glistening with bright orchestral compositions performed by a full orchestra, trippy guitar and string arrangements and some of the finest vocal harmonies you well ever hear, 'Pet Sounds' is an incredible achievement in sound production that potentially eclipses the quality of the songs themselves, but that's not to say the songs aren't incredible in their own right. We all know 'Wouldn't It Be Nice' and 'God Only Knows'. They're timeless for a reason and deservedly so. But there's also other fantastic tunes like the solemn 'You Still Believe In Me' and 'I'm Waiting For the Day', the inventive 'Sloop John B' and loner anthem 'I Just Wasn't Made For These Times'. 'Pet Sounds' warrants multiple re-listens, as I've picked up more about it's impressively layered sound every time I've listened to it. An all-time classic not only for fans of catchy 60s pop, but especially sound engineers looking for what a perfectly mixed record sounds like. Best songs: Wouldn't It Be Nice, You Still Belive In Me, I'm Waiting For the Day, Sloop John B, God Only Knows, I Know There's An Answer, I Just Wasn't Made For These Times, Caroline, No

Beautiful mix of 50's instrumentals with the synth-like voices that lead to prominence in the 70's. Beautiful heart wrenching lyrics hidden in youthful beats. Love it

When I was 18 my girlfriends sister gave me this album for Christmas with a note that said "this will become your favourite album of all time". I'm not sure it's quite reached that level, but it's up there. There's not a ton I can say that hasn't been said thousands of times before. Carol Kaye on bass as well!

7 out of 5

It was so cool to here this album that is a reference. The sound is really old school. I want to rate it 5 stars.

5/5. A 5/5 album on my first week, how lucky! Thousands upon thousands of pages have been written on this album about why it’s so great and a landmark achievement of 60’s pop, but to me the first thing that comes to mind is beauty. This is such a beautiful sounding album. Some of the finest production of its time mixed with heavenly harmonies, it is just so nice on the ears. plus the songs are also so damn good. A lot of fun small things too like the bicycle horns on “you still believe in me.” An all time great and it’s a shame we lost Brian Wilson last year, one of the most interesting minds in pop history.

The Beach Boys – Pet Sounds Pet Sounds is a staggering achievement in vocal architecture and studio musicianship. Moving far beyond the simple "surf-pop" tropes of the era, Brian Wilson utilizes the studio as a primary instrument to create a "symphonic" pop experience. The vocal arrangements are nothing short of immaculate—layering harmonies with a level of complexity and precision that rivals the operatic heights of bands like Queen. Tracks like "God Only Knows" and "Wouldn't It Be Nice" stand out as masterclasses in production, blending unconventional instruments and vulnerable, conscious lyricism into something that feels both intimate and grand. It is a deeply "thought-provoking" record that rewards multiple listens, proving itself to be one of the most sophisticated milestones in musical history.

meu deus, esperava sol, praia e felicidade e no fim ganhei dor, sofrimento e depressão, adorei!!!! fav: here, today

I liked this album. Wouldn’t It Be Nice is such a classic

i don’t listen to enough music like this but all of these are bangers i will def be exploring this genre more😇

A classic!

I had no idea. I thought this would be another overhyped album but this is incredible.

Tal vez letras no tan profundas pero si puedes identificarte con ciertas líneas y te hacen conectar con el álbum, un disco muy ameno y agradable de escuchar, a pesar de que ciertas letras son un poco melancólicas tiene un ritmo alegre que no lo hace depresivo sino algo lindo. Muy bueno, es un disco que definitivamente tienes que oír sin expectativas y te llevarás una grata sorpresa.

I love the beach boys great album rec

Superb album

Classic album that makes it feel like a Sad summer

RIP Brian Wilson

Amazing, can tell why this was so influential. Was already in rotation - will stay in rotation

A head of their time.

J'ai bcp d'album à rattraper, et on sait que c'est un 5.

Du génie même si ça donne envie de s'arracher la tête par bouttes.

In the golden light of St Keverne Parish church, the organist takes her seat and strikes up the opening chords of “God Only Knows…”. It’s a slightly more languorous commencement than the original’s plucky opening, but it’s as sharp an attack as the Viscount Envoy Digital Organ can realistically pump into the space. Any crisper and the windows made delicate by time would likely fracture. Anyway, it sounds incredible. “God Only Knows…” is one of those songs that it’s impossible to say everything about; it has the ability to hang a nimbus around a moment in a way that’s pretty much always remarkable. I’m sure there’s plenty been committed to record about the singular strength of the vocal melody, its gradual swelling into what we can call without hyperbole an estuary of harmony, etc etc. But it’ll forever be a memory of that light that the song conjures for me. Pet Sounds is a perfect album. The strength in depth becomes only more evident with every close listen: you could lose any “hit” and still be holding a 10/10 record. Just how exquisitely well balanced the compositions actually are is best summed up for me by “Let’s Go Away…”: Brian Wilson, he possessed of the most beautiful head voice in all pop music, opted to make the track instrumental-only because it was already everything it needed to be. Faultless instinct. Sometime probably quite soon, I’ll have been listening to this album for most of my life. And while it was “I Just Wasn’t Made for These Times” that first captivated me in my late teens (still does; little of what worked for me then fails to still do so now, something I think’s true for most people if they’re honest) I’m still finding things about Pet Sounds to fall in love with (deep dives on the length of verses, melodies; playbacks focusing on just the percussion, the bass, the trombones …). It’s unlikely I’ll ever develop a vocabulary exhaustive enough to do the record justice, so in a word: sublime.

This is one of those albums I have heard about in passing, particularly with a lot of critical praise towards it. After listening it I do understand that to some extent. It does sound dated to me, but the instrumentals are very lush and well-balanced - clearly a lot more depth than a lot of other pop-music coming out around that time. I think my biggest gripe with this album is the singing - their voices just don't fall well on to my ears. This fact was made clear with the songs on this album in which they weren't singing; those sounded the best to me. If possible, I would give this a 4.5 rating instead, but I'm reluctantly giving it a 5 rather than a 4.

"JUST ONE GIRLLLLLL" This is another album that I don't trust people who don't like it. One of the all time greats. Favorite track: God Only Knows

Absolutely wonderful. Innovative, vast, reflective, challenging, joyous. One of the best ever.

RIP geniet

Fick gåshud efter 10 sekunder. Det är så satans vackert.

Det enda dåliga med denna skiva är att den inte är längre! RIP Brian Wilson

Den perfekta låten själv gör albumet till en stum femma. Sen finns det mer också. Tidlösa melodier!

mästerverk 👑

Trodde länge att "Jag hade en gång en båt" bara var en sån (trad.) - melodi, ett allmängods. Nädå. Och det är inte den enda. De här låtarna är så bra att det känns omöjligt att nån snubbe med röster i huvudet skrivit dem. Att de inte är något som bara finns och har funnits för evigt. Tycker texterna är förbisedda. Fint naiva med mycket outsider feels. Och sen den flummiga orkestreringen (?) på det. Vore jag en sådan som slängde sig med uttryck som "pop-perfektion" skulle jag sluta med det. Så länge inte verket i fråga tangerade Pet Sounds förstås.

This is fabulous. Wrote a long review and forgot to save it! I was saying something about not being a musician but being able to hear great composition and imaginative use of a wide range of instruments (including vocals) to create their unique sound. We might miss the genius that lies behind this if we just hear pop. Particularly enjoyed Let's Go Away for a While

One of my absolute favourites. This just fills you with every emotion you’re capable of feeling. Such beautiful music.

I’ve returned to this album so many times and it keeps revealing itself to be one of the most stunning, vulnerable and fulfilling pieces of pop song-craft, arrangement and production. So many holy shit moments.

no skip tracks, great easy listening straight way through

Christmas came early

1966 had Revolver, Blonde On Blonde, and this, which is insane. Just a definitively great album from first to last.

There’s beautiful moments throughout this. It has an original sound and once you’ve fallen under its spell there’s nothing else quite like it. For those who have found the beauty in this album, it will be an album they come back to time and time again because nothing else will scratch that itch. I think it’s possible to pick apart this album and find fault but that’s a mistake. Over analysing everything will only rob you of enjoyment.

Incredible. I had previously seen the Beach Boys simply as the band that made Surfin' USA. What an album. Brian Wilson's masterpiece. An album I could listen to and appreciate at any moment. Perfect 5*

Love the melodies and the instrumentals. My top three tracks from this album is Caroline no, wouldn't it be nice, and let's go away for a while

This is an easy one. Five stars for me. To be fair to the process i did listen to the album again. Its an incredible mux if a record. How can something be so orchestral yet so tween pop without feeling forced in either? The Metallica album on this list with the orchestra, that is forced. This is a pop and orchestra and something new altogether. And how can something be so twee pop but ao pwrsonally expressive at the same time. I wasnt made for these times has to be Brian’s personal lament. Sloop John B is a great cover of a traditional song, catchy and plays on their great singing. The melodies across this album are not twee pop, they go unexpected placed, but the songs remain teenage romancy angst pop as much as any 50’s Paul Anka hit or doo woop type band. Its complex. Its simole. It is unique frankly. But moat of all it is beautiful ear wormy songs. Live it.

One of the all-timers.

This is killing yourself music for when you've been into killing yourself music for years. Such an excellent album. I could listen to it again and again and again and again and again and....

timeless

One of the best ever.

I mean yeah. Divine.

Truly a one-of-a-kind listening experience. Many have tried to imitate, but I don’t think any in pop music can quite come close to the level of intricacy in melodies, chord progressions, and instrumental arrangements that Brian Wilson achieved here. RIP

One of the greatest albums of all time. I live and breathe it.

DEFINITIVE. LEGENDARY.

my fucking goat right here

So so good. One of the best albums I’ve ever listened to. Added pretty much every song to my playlist, loved it. 5/5.

Always fun

Busy and full arrangements that feel super intentional. You can hear Brian's artistic endeavours throughout the record, specifically the slow, baroque-heavy tracks that make it sound like a modern-day orchestra. "Let's Go Away For Awhile" scratched an itch. A lot of the themes in the song seem to continue from "Beach Boys Today!" in that they often touch on topics not common in pop music at the time (e.g. I Just Wasn't Made For These Times, I Know There's An Answer)

The older I get, the better this album gets. Pet Sounds and The White Album in the same week has me a little worried about what's coming though. This lucky streak can't be sustainable...

5 stars for God Only Knows. Truly one of the greatest songs of all time.

I mean this is one of the greatest albums ever

really needed this

I’ve listened to pet sounds many many times already

Easily the best work Brian Wilson ever produced.

One of the greatest works of art from the 20th century and beyond. I don't believe it possible to be able to say you led a full life if you have never listened to Pet Sounds, read James Joyce's Ulysses or fallen in love with something at least once. Damn near as essential as air.

Timeless pop perfection.

Great album!! Very old school… but, it was some of the music that I was brought up with. Enjoyed the whole album. Favourite… obviously “wouldn’t it be nice”.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BW92t264eBM

of course i listen to this album before and remember enjoying it. It hasn't been a personal favourite of mine for whatever reason, probably cause it was never associated to an important point of my life that even objectively worse albums would have been. Listening to it again, i am struck by like the raw grand emotions the lyrics and music actually convey, almost emo like lol and edging to "nice guy" terriority in the tracks pleading for the love interest to like him back or being better than the guy she is currently dating. Tis was the 60's so I can give the singer some credit, plus don't think it could go to gross territory. I think this album "would have been nice" (lol, not even the complete title) when I have felt those sort of depth of emotions back when I was a teenager around romance or not. Who knows, maybe my most extreme pining years are ahead of me lol. I think even with the happier sounding songs, there always seem to be a tinge or overt melancholy about i guess just life not matching expectations. For example, i appreciate "Wouldn't it be nice" have that one line where he says wheb he talks about it it gets him sad. Also "i just wasn't made for these times" has pretty poignant lyrics of not being able to handle life as it is, which are very relatable to me now. There are also a bunch of musical moments that stick with me, with the harmonies throughout a lot of the songs and the interplay between major and minor keys (i think, don't know much about music theory). I'm not sure how personally important this album will be for me but i understood how it stood the test of time and continues to be loved by a lot of people. And in a weird way i feel more connected to those people and feeling comforted by how similar emotions/experiences seem to transcend time and be relatable for our current time now. For that, and also being genuinely personally enjoyable to me when i listen to it (which is important because a lot of classic albums just aren't for me), this album deserves 5 out of 5 stars.

That production is heavenly! It's a classic for a reason.

Songwriting, vocals, production, all in a package that seems to tell a relatable and beautiful story. Creative use of harmonies and instrumentation keeps it interesting. I was enthralled through the entire album front to back. A deeper look into the recording and production of this album only makes it more special. "You Still Believe in Me" stood out immediately as one of my favorites on the album. The instrumentation is just brilliant and there are some crazy harmonic ideas happening. Sloop John B and God Only Knows were also standouts. This holds up as innovative, interesting, and inspirational 60 years later. Can't wait to listen to more Beach Boys. 4.8/5.

I have a hard time quantifying this release. It doesn't seem like an immediate, slam-dunk 5-star, and in fact the first few times I heard it, I didn't think of it as much special. However, it's the kind of album that, without you even realizing it, on repeat listens, just sinks its way into your heart, bit by bit. Eventually, it'll feel like it was always meant to be there. How can I give an album like that any less than a 5?

Great storytelling, landmark album, and amazing production. Such a great album. I love that it's inspired so much indie music that I love.

I don't know even know what to say about this album. Its a masterpiece. I probably revisit this a few times a year. I've listened to it dozens of times. I love how "wet" it sounds. It just kind of has this weird wet sound to the entire record. Maybe its the percussion or the keys? Its so hard for me to narrow in on what it is. Probably the only other artist that can pull it off is The Shins. They kind of that sound in a lot of songs. Actually.. maybe it's not wet, maybe it's dreamy? IDK, now everything I'm writing sounds gross. Either way, it has this iconic sound throughout. Its immediately recognizable. I know exactly where I'm at whenever I hear one of these songs. I love the pop songs, the love songs, I love how a lot of the song writing comes out of desperation. Sloop John B is a masterpiece. One of the greatest songs of the 20th Century. This album is a treasure.

This album is masterpiece. Love it. I already knew Wouldn't It Be Nice and God Only Knows before. The album is great, but not every song goes to my playlist. 5/5, yep, I don't mind to have a vinyl of this. —————————————— Liked: — Wouldn't It Be Nice — Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder) — God Only Knows — Here Today

I mean it's Pet Sounds. What do you want me to say

Surprisingly complex instrumentation, mixing, and usage of space for such an old album, and IIRC the first album to bring orchestral recording/mixing techniques to pop music. Even by today's standards, it's still a technical masterpiece, though I think it's one of those albums that really wants good headphones to hear all of the details. Bonus points for being an album that's actually cohesive, as opposed to the 'a few bangers and a lot of filler' album formula that's still prevalent today.

Man, what a beautiful album this is. It feels like it demands the listener's full attention at every moment, with so many subtle details packed into almost every song. Each track is so short, too, so they never give you the chance to get tired of them. Quite the opposite, even, with tracks like You Still Believe In Me that feel like they have so much to give as they come to a close. As a big fan of layered harmonies, you can imagine how much I love the vocals on this album. Don't Talk in particular I find to be almost spellbinding in how beautifully the harmonies shift with the chord changes throughout the song. I'm getting chills just thinking about it again while writing this, if I'm honest. Obviously there's a lot of historical significance to the album as well, though I'll not get into that as it's not a subject I'm all that knowledgable about. All I'll say is that it's incredible that such a sonically rich album was able to be created at such a relatively early point in the development of the music industry. Favourite tracks: You Still Believe In Me, Don't Talk, Sloop John B

One of the best. Nothing more to say.

Pet sounds is one of my absolute favorites a master class in pure pop production. Also a little deeper than its sound.

Classic

149/1001 The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds Heard before? ✅ Revisit? ✅ One of my favourite albums of all time. I love the fact that it taps into the most poppy aspects of things, whilst at the same time being quite experimental. The string arrangements on this are lush and there's always something new I take away from the album on each listen. Love it.

An excellent LP. Some claim the best album ever made. It's very good especially in It's time.

As a child, it was always this or Sgt. Peppers topping the greatest albums of all time list. Therefore, those placements put a whole lot of pressure for me to like them. I think I felt that I would be seen as uncultured as a music lover if I didn't get them. It took about a year for me to say I got the appeal of Pet Sounds, but it would take longer for me to fall in love with it. I do recall in the Fall of 2021 buying these green, yellow and blue Vans for my trip to Southern California. I called them my "Beach Boys" shoes and Pet Sounds along with Sgt Peppers was the soundtrack to my magical week at the park. I think that was the first time Pet Sounds had much significance to me. Over the years, other songs became more meaningful to me. I used "I'm Waiting For The Day" for my 16th birthday video montage. I walked around the halls of my high school feeling misunderstood to the sound of "That's Not Me". I even face heartbreak today with "I Just Wasn't Made For These Times" and "Caroline No". To sum it all up, this record has become a part of me. It's like what I feel with All Things Must Pass: the songs become bigger and more important as my life progresses. When Brian Wilson died, I wasn't terribly shattered, but I was sad. For that week, I played a lot of my favorite Beach Boys music and I realized that the man who made it all happen was no longer with us. It was a shame, but I felt thankful to at least get to call the man the inspiration to me wanting to write music, lyrics and grow my hair out a bit. This is another album full of life and I'm happy to hear it the way I do today (10/10, 5/5 on this scale)

Classic beach boys. This was on my best albums list too.

Se cuenta que Brian Wilson decidió componer una obra maestra tras escuchar “Rubber Soul” de The Beatles. Tal era su ansia de experimentar que proyectó un disco lleno de efectos de sonidos, instrumentos exóticos y complejas armonías vocales casi imposible de interpretar en directo. La crítica lo llamó rock barroco por ponerle un nombre, lo cierto es que con razón, lo que los Beach Boys nos legaron fue un álbum irrepetible, moderno, ultra-influyente y disfrutón. Un ejemplo de que el riesgo da siempre sus frutos.

Finally listened through, pretty great

Absolutely incredible, this is already one of my favorite albums of all time. No notes, possibly perfect

Brian Wilson was a mad genius. This record really didn’t catch me the first time I heard it many years ago. But with each listen I catch a new melodic hook, or instrument section, or lyric that resonates. Significantly more complex than it appears. Beautiful piece of art. Another easy 5/5.

I’ll take any excuse to listen to pet sounds.

Perfection. No comments

Pop masterpiece

One of the quintessential albums of the era. As a lifelong Beatles fan, you can hear how they inspired each other's musicality .

I thought this would be an easy 5*, and it does contain a couple perfect songs (God Only Knows and Wouldn't it Be Nice) and some great songs (Sloop John B) and incredible arrangements. But some of the songs are just a bit too pop for this to really be a perfect album.

Brian Wilson truly was a genius, RIP

I mean it's Pet Sounds. Not my personal favourite B Bois but I like it more than Sgt Peppy.

a classic.

Great album, no notes

Amazing & world class.

Have always loved this album.

Best

classic

The Beach Boys best albums, and one of the greatest and most ambitious musical statements of all time. Brian Wilson is in peak form as a songwriter, producer, and orchestrator, and the top flight musicians deliver a perfectly executed and restrained performance, highlighted by The Beach Boys at their harmonic best. These songs and melodies are more sophisticated than anything The Beach Boys had done before, or would do since. It is a clear illustration of the vast possibilities inherent in pop music.

It was the sight of Brasky's naked body that drove Brian Wilson insane If you drop a phonograph needle on Brasky's nipple, it plays the Beach Boys' 'Pet Sounds’ Easy classic, a perfect 5 out of 7 stars

Not a single bad song anywhere on this album. I can listen to this album everyday. Legendary.

love

I don't even need to listen to this album again to give it a 5. I love the beach boys and this is one of their best. Starting with Wouldn't it be nice, aka one of the best songs of all time, is just unfair to every other album on this list. Easy 5.

I finally listened to the full album a few years ago, it truly is a masterpiece. "wouldn't it be nice" has been a long time favorite, "god only knows" in my opinion is the best song the group ever did, and "sloop john b" is fantastic

This was already one or my favorites. Whether you listen in mono or stereo, the instrumental layers consume you with their beauty, and Brian’s voice sucks you in. I love how the songs can seem bright and bubbly, but often hide a melancholy tale. It deserves its reputation as one of the greatest albums ever.

I know it's cliche, but this is genuinely a masterpiece. Definitely deserves to be on this list, but you knew that already

Is it just me or Caroline, No sounds like Aerosmith's Dream On?

I love this album!!

not a beach boys fan but you cannot argue with the production value of this album. Especially considering when it was made, it is just so far ahead of its time that it has to be properly rated.

Straight bangers, front to back. That's a . . .

When I first bought this album in the 90s, it had this little extra on it which helped me understand the melodic universe that lived in Brian Wilson’s head for a little while. This is a background song on this album and it touches God. https://youtu.be/scIncjf0y0E

5/5 - Would easily be on a top 100 albums to hear before you die for me. The arrangements are harmonies here are so lush and beautiful, I don’t know what superlative to use. Asher’s lyrics are up to the task of Brian Wilson’s vision and the musicianship of The Wrecking Crew delivers the goods as always. I’m not the first to say that God Only Knows is a perfect pop song, but it’s true. Hard to believe this was released in 1966 and is still a pillar of orchestral pop/rock. I don’t always love the derivatives of this genre, but Pet Sounds is a masterpiece.

In my opinion what this album does so well is its use of space. There is so much distinction between each layer of each track, the drums, vocals, keys and strings / horns all have their own space with complete destination but come together so well. It almost reminds me of orchestra music with each section of the orchestra playing alongside each other. I also think this album is special in its ability to disguise some pretty heavy, introspective and personal themes in pop music that at first listen sounds completely light and airy. The more you listen to the lyrics and learn about the band it almost comes off as eerie at times, a bit like a dark inside joke of presentation vrs reality. All in all I’m fascinated by this album and genuinely enjoy it from start to finish.

Ok, what is up with the horn at the end of You Still Believe In Me? I understand that Brian Wilson was obsessive about every single sound in this album, so I am picturing him sitting at the mixing console with a nearly finished track just looking for that one last thing to make a perfect track and somehow he settled on a little 'honk-honk, honk-honk'? Anyways, on to my actual review. I stated that I don't really get the Beach Boys in my review of the Beach Boys Today. It's not really the band or their music that I don't understand, it's the lofty praise thrown around in any discussions of the Beach Boys, Brian Wilson, and Pet Sounds in particular. "Genius", "masterpiece", "redefining pop music", etc. After three listens of Today, it was growing on me, but I still wasn't really understanding the hype. After listening to Pet Sounds, though, I'm starting to get it. Today was fine, but Pet Sounds is a great album. The tracks are finely crafted and catchy, the production is immaculate, you can feel how meticulous Brian Wilson was in putting this all together. I'm on my second listen now and I feel like more and more of the album is revealing itself. I'm finding something new in each listen and the more I listen, the higher the rating is getting.

Such an amazing album. Truly masterful songwriting and performance.

A clear 5. It’s even in mono. I skipped the 1997 tracks.

Brian Wilson making Lennon and McCartney look like absolute chumps. Glorious composition and magical harmonies

I mean I know this is a masterpiece, but I will still happily listen to this again.

it's the fuckin goat of all time baby

Amazing to listen and think about Brian crafting it all- Listening for what he was trying to tell us.

I remember listening to the Beach Boys on AM radio with Mom while headed to the beach on summer weekends. It wasn't ever anything from this album as far as I remember. I was in my late teens by the time I got turned on to this and probably my twenties until I understood and appreciated it. Every listen brings some new undiscovered texture.

God only knows what I'd be without you.

Good album.

Amazing Great band who makes hits after hits

A lot of better spoken people than me have already said smarter things than I could articulate about Pet Sounds. I'll just say it's phenomenal. Ground breaking work with some of the greatest songwriting in pop music history. Wouldn't It Be Nice and Sloop John B are both great tracks. God Only Knows is one of my favorite songs ever (and might be my #1 if I'm pressed to pick). There are flaws. It's odd how much this album is both sophisticated and quaint. The fade outs are awful: especially on Here Today and Wasn't Made for These Times where just stopping the progression would have been a natural ending. For the period though, I can't really count that against Wilson and Co. Easy five stars. RIP to Brian Wilson.

Gods hift

It was interesting listening through a couple of times and realising that, even in its ‘sunniest’ moments, there’s a real sense of melancholy at the heart of this album which, In the context of what came before it, makes it all the more remarkable. That it essentially came fully-formed from the mind of one man barely into his twenties is pretty astonishing.

The harmony, arrangements and songwriting are fantastic and I love the sense of melancholy that runs through a lot of the songs.

This is one of those rare gems that, despite having listened to this multiple times, I still find novel touches on each play through amongst the layers of sound. It’s probably hard to picture a time before this as well as it’s likely been so hugely influential on so much that came after. I also really like how it doesn’t disband their previous lyrical focus, much of which were accounts of the carefree nature of youth, but this shows a nuance to that youthful exuberance and an understanding that it isn’t going to last which to me, makes it that much more engaging compared to their releases prior.

I love Pet Sounds. Beautiful harmonies. It's an emo coming-of-age album. Five stars

Maybe I’m biased. My parents loved this record, and we’d listen to it all the time. At some point they nicknamed me JB after the Sloop John B. For some reason. Because of that, and because it's completely amazing, I’m compelled to give this one- FIVE STARS

Yeah this is a beautiful album. "I Just Wasn't Made For These Times" is the highlight by far.

Legendary. Lives up to the hype. Holds up. What more can be said?

Best Song: Sloop John B Fantastic album from beginning to end. Not a bad track on here!

Great album

One of my favorite albums. It’s perfect. 5/5

Amazing! I think The Beach Boys often get lumped into the classification of easy listening type “yacht rock”. This album should dispel any of those thoughts immediately upon hearing it. A great album that can be listened to on repeat even after all these years.

Geggjuð plata, Brian Wilson er frábær... kemur mér alltaf í gott skap

This is such a great album. The musicianship of these guys in this era and the writing of Brian Wilson is unmatched.

Top 10 album of all time, quite possibly.

Yep

What can I say that hasn't already been said about Pet Sounds? It's a true masterpiece, as important for the history of music as it is pleasurable to listen to. It's still fresh today. Et cetera. Also, it may have the biggest discrepancy between the musical quality and the cover art. Goats, green, and yellow. Don't judge a record by its cover.

Love the harmonies. Deep, rich, at times moving.

One of the best ever. Generational bangers and talents.

Easily one of my top-5 rock albums of all time. I'd say "fight me" but I doubt that is controversial.

I love the vocal harmonies going on. It also feels like they used an infinite number of instruments, almost every song had at least one weird couple bar inclusion that made even the simplest progression more interesting.

juste vraiment bon, très beatles-core son préféré: here today

What an epic album! We all knew this one was going to appear. It is always number two on greatest album lists. I was a diehard Weezer fan in my late teens, and this album was always mentioned as being the inspiration for most of their early work (and I don't really care about anything past 1998 from that band! Take that! crappy teal album!). So, I happily purchased a copy of this with my first proper paycheck (or the second or third... who's counting?). Having the 'Beach Boys 20 Golden Greats' album blasted by my mother in the car growing up, I was a bit surprised how slow the album became after track one. There was a lot of gentleness. But, it was enjoyable. 'Let's Go For a While' really captured me from the get-go (all the way back in 2009!), I still remember the moment it came on in my car. 'God Only Knows' is a great piece of songwriting. I've read the Brian Wilson book, which gave a bit of insight into the album, and there is that movie about him too. I was a bit gutted when I found out there was a lyricist involved. Big fan of 'I know there's an answer' or as it should be titled 'Hang on to your Ego', until I found out Mike Love sang co-lead on it. I don't think there is a weak song on it. But, it is an album that you do have be in the right mood to listen to. 'Still Believe in Me' doesn't always inspire when you're annoyed at the world. Still, I really like this album. 5 Stars.

The beach boys album är ikoniskt

Asså det är inget o snacka om.

I was not very positive about other albums by them or brian wilson. This one benefits from the great hits on them, the other songs are mixed. 4.5 stars with benefit of the doubt

What an album, nice for album generator to give me a treat on a Monday morning.

Also included in my upcoming book ‘1 album to hear before you die’

Solid easy listening, every song is good, few all time great tracks 4.8

Timeless

It's funny, I don't like The Beach Boys, but I really like this. I like that Brian Wilson sings more leads and not Mike Love. Also the songwriting, production and use of the Wrecking Crew helps. I also like the lack of surfing references here! Liked Songs Added: Wouldn't It Be Nice Sloop John B G-d Only Knows Hang On To Your Ego I Just Wasn't Made For These Times

bah, meow, ruff ruff

Arguably one of the most influential albums of the last 100 years.

Perfect

I feel like some of the stuff on here is still need to grown on me, but everything that I love here is so good... I'll regret later if I don't rate it 5 now. Songs I already knew before are fantastic.

A landmark in pop music history, Pet Sounds is a masterclass in songwriting, harmony, and emotional depth. Brian Wilson’s visionary production blends lush orchestration with heartfelt lyrics, creating timeless tracks like “God Only Knows” and “Wouldn’t It Be Nice.” Over half a century later, its beauty and innovation still resonate. A flawless, transformative album.

Classic Beach Boys. There's a lot to like about this album. It's not just a pop album. They used a lot of different instruments, which makes the the entire thing feel so much richer and more vibrant. My Rating: 5/5

5.0 / 5.0

THE blueprint for a pop album, delivered by the Wilson brothers in 1966. The big hits are, of course, universally beloved; however, the entire album is a crash course in what makes a great pop song. 5/5

What to say? Some say the greatest album ever. One of a handful on this list with a genuine claim.

Perfect album! Brian Wilson is a genius!

Possibly the best album of all time. I’ve listened dozens of times, read the history and reviews, watched the movie (if you like the Beach Boys, or if you’re a fan of love more generally, and haven’t seen “Love and Mercy”, you have to see it - a wonderful love story masquerading as a music biopic) and drank the Kool-Aid. This is where the music I love started.

Controversially, I think Pet Sounds is pretty good

A lesbian in love with a girl in brooklyn

Ay, es que, ay. Lo pusimos en el auto porque por la primera canción me parecía un buen disco de viaje, y lo amé. Hay una canción que sonaba muy gringa (Sloop John B) que no me gustó nada de nada. Definitivamente lo escucharé muchas veces más.

Beautiful arrangements!

Whoever wonders what the concept of this album is: The topic: love. Project title was "Petting sounds". The cover didn't make it though. Also: F*ckin incredible album, full of tear jerkers. Only 1ish weak song.

top notch

godblessed

Ja

no sé ni por dónde empezar.

Classic

Hard to listen objectively as this is on my rotation monthly at minimum; this is your favorite album's favorite album; arrangements are superb, the reprises make it feel like a single piece of music instead of a collection of attempted singles.

I wish I could give it 6 stars

A great album which contained some amazing classic songs.

A really uniquely innocent sound.

Is it the greatest album ever made? I'm my opinion, no. But it's in the discussion. Remarkable achievement.

No notes, perfect album

One of the actual greatest albums of all time that you really do need to hear before you die. Brilliant from start to finish. Just a flawless record and easily 5 stars. I wish I had more stars to give

Masterpiece.

I have to admit that although I am familiar with most of the songs on this album, I have never listened to it in one sitting. I’m a bit surprised by not only how much I enjoyed it, but also the ways in which it can hear its influence on contemporary artists and the foundation the structure of the album creates for artists who later became indie darlings. This album gave me a new appreciation for The Beach Boys and I’m so glad I listened to it in its entirety.

It's a classic for a reason. Brian Wilson's genius really shows here.

Wouldn’t It Be Nice - 10/10 You Still Believe in me - 8.5/10 That’s not me - 8.5/10 Don’t talk - 8/10 I’m waiting for the day - 7.5/10 Let’s go away for a while - 7/10 Sloop John B -9/10 God only knows - 8/10 I know there’s an answer - 7 Here today - 7.5/10 I just wasn’t made for these times - 7/10 Pet sounds - 8/10 Caroline no - 9/10 80/100

Excellent album. John Lennon thought this was masterclass, and he wasn’t wrong

Fucking Pet Sounds. A true work of pop art if there ever was one. I hesitate to call it rock, but it’s the quintessential baroque pop album ever made. Brian Wilson was a true genius who unfortunately had a band with Mike Love.

Rating: 5/5 Vibe: Symphonic surf melancholy with emotional tan lines.

My exact reaction when I saw Pet Sounds as the album of the day: DAOZJDPJCPAVNPOOZFJJF!!!!!!! More seriously, this is my favourite album of all times. It has such a special place in my heart (and so are The Beach Boys). Gosh, I love this album so much - I don't even know what to say. I just want everyone to understand it and love it. Brian Wilson is [was - still can't believe he is no longer with us anymore] so talented, I'm absolutely speechless. A single man composed this absolute masterpiece that changed music forever. A. single. man. (Mike Love probably disagree on this part, but whatever). At first, you could think: what the heck is this cover. But to me now this cover is as iconic as the songs. You know what, it makes this album even more legendary. Now, about the songs... Emotional part. The songs & arrangements are so good, I must say I cried multiple times just because of that. Again, Brian Wilson's talent doesn't miss. How the songs were made, how NEW it was for its time... I stopped to count how many times I've listened to Pet Sounds, it's way too enormous. Thank you Pet Sounds, thank you The Beach boys and most of all: thank you Brian Wilson.

Everyone says this is America's answer to Sgt. Pepper's from The Beatles, and many say it's better than Sgt. Pepper's. I can't seem to compare them. I like both in different ways. This album has an insane run in the middle of album of bangers: Let's Go Away For Awhile Sloop John B God Only Knows Just outstanding. This album should be heard by everyone before they die. It actually fits the whole project. 5/5

Cool vibes

Incredible, so hype that I got this album today. Dreamy, melodic, gorgeous.

So many classics.

ADAM SANDLER

Best album

Millions have said it already, but I'll say it now also: this is the greatest pop album of all time. The genius of one man, Brian Wilson, on full display - taking the very best of his contemporaries from the perky song topics and structures of The Beatles' 'Rubber Soul' to the emerging "Wall of Sound" aesthetic of producer (and piece of shit) Phil Spector, most famously with The Ronettes 'Be My Baby'. But enough of the redundant history lesson; everyone's already familiar with it. I just really wanted to convey that this album is very much of its time. For as much as people praise this thing as being "Ahead of its time", which I still agree with 100%, I'd say a lot of its charm lies in its age. There's a very fine layer of dust sitting on this thing - it's what makes the album what it is. Pet Sounds is an album that jumps between emotions at an almost dizzying pace - playful, dreary, confused, alive, and, quite often, longing. It's a very sporadic album emotionally, which is something not many people talk about - you go from the upbeat harmonies of the love song that is the iconic 'Wouldn't It Be Nice' and then, right after, you enter the depths of 'You Still Believe In Me' which has one of the most hauntingly melancholic outros in any pop song with the echoes of the wails of "I want to Cry" fading out with the rest of song. 'Don't Talk' is equally as dreary, but its lyrics paint something more comfortable, with the overthinking of 'You Still Believe in Me' being thrown completely out the window as the narrator sways with this comfortable ballad alongside their lover in a moment of serenity where literally nothing else matters. I initially didn't even love this song, because it's missing those Beach Boys harmonies, which I'm a huge fan of, but in recent years it's become one of my favorites. The following tracks are more upbeat, picking up the pace after those past few lulling tracks. Nothing puts a smile on my face like those pummeling, crushing drums and those cheesy, but oh so delicious harmonies on 'I'm Waiting For the Day'. And 'Sloop John B', while not only being the funniest track on here, also has my favorite harmony arrangement on the whole album, especially when that second go of the chorus hits. And then we get the marvel that is 'God Only Knows', maybe the most perfect song ever. I love the majestic horns that introduce the whole thing and the way the bass crunches alongside the snappy percussion in the verses. Carl Wilson's on vocals here, and the conviction in his voice as he lays down these simple and almost haunting love rhymes immediately ropes you in as the sound swells and grows around him. And the interludes, they're otherworldly - just in the way the voices of the other band members come in, one at a time, building alongside the music for one last grand finale. This is the type of song where you smile throughout the whole thing, shed a single tear in its final moments, and then feel utterly void when it's all over as you're shot back into the real world. And honestly, after the unreachable high of 'God Only Knows', the band still comes through with non-stop back-to-back bangers. 'I Know There's An Answer' may have those sort of dorky '60s horns, but the key arrangement here is honestly much more complex than it may initially let on. Plus bonus points for having one of the best choruses here. 'Here Today' is a cautionary tale with another incredible chorus. It brings back those waves of harmonies that just hit the listener seemingly at random. And then there's 'I Just Wasn't Made For These Times', a lyrical marvel here, one that I see myself in a bit too much. I mean, I'm probably not even one millionth of the genius that Brian Wilson was when he wrote this, but his lines about feeling like his mind just can't operate on the level or speed of the evolving world paint a picture that I find myself living inside of. He was clearly evolving in a much different direction than most people around him - a direction no one really understood. Honestly, I called this the greatest pop album of all time, but there is a minor flaw with it - I never really cared for the instrumentals here. There are two of them, and while they don't ruin the album by any means, they're honestly pretty spacey, cool, and psychedelic (especially the title track), they were just never that memorable either. No one remembers Pet Sounds for the instrumentals. But everything else here is the closest thing to perfection that the human ear can fathom, and maybe animal ears too. I love love love Pet Sounds!

Sunny sweet lullabies for the broken-hearted. The Classic. "I Just Wasn't Made For These Times" is one of the most relatable songs ever written.

I mean... 5 stars obviously Amazing, good enough to excuse when the bike horn comes along in You Still Believe in Me. Not listened to it in full for years till now. Gives me goosebumps. It's impossibly beautiful.

❤️🌸❤️🌸❤️🌸

Surprisingly enough, I had never listened to this album, although I had wanted to get around to it. This album has very nice harmonies, instrumentation, and catchiness to the songs. A soothing album to listen to. Before listening, I had The Beach Boys pegged as solely a surf-rock band, but listening to Pet Sounds has certainly changed my mind about the different genres they can cover. Unfortunately, the songs are so short, being only around two minutes long! (With that typical fadeout of classic songs) But that didn't stop me from loving the tracks. I enjoyed the wonderful instrumental of Let's Go Away For A While. This was a great album and I understand why it is such a classic. My favourite songs - I'm Waiting For The Day (Those drums and bass! And the ending is great) - Wouldn't It Be Nice (A classic I was already familiar with) - Sloop John B (Wonderful harmonies and instrumentation) - I Know There's An Answer (The sax!) - Pet Sounds (Ooh, another instrumental...with a guiro!)

Classic piece of classic pop/rock culture

We all know this is a five star album, right?

What a great album; the compositions are what make me want to listen to tracks again and again. My sentimental favorite will probably always be Sloop John B, but God Only Knows, You Still Believe in Me, and Wouldn't It Be Nice are all fantastic tracks.

🚨Classic alert🚨

Easily top 10 album of all time

Yeah, I think this is a great album. I think its a bit less upbeat than the other one we listened to which I like. Can't listen to Beach Boys without thinking about Charles Manson which is unfair really.

Class

Stone cold classic. So ahead of its time. Production sounds lush and the songs are so catchy and lovely.

A masterful chamber pop album, Brian Wilson was a genius and this is proof of his songwriting ability and vocal quality. The album is very consistent, a very distinctive sound with no bad songs, and it just breezes by. The vocals are excellent, as always with the beach boys, the instrumentals are just right and the songwriting is very well done, the right mix of emotional and funny. There are no bad songs, but my favourites were "You Still Believe In Me" and "Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder)" and "I Just Wasn't Made For These Times". The composition is so well done, I particularly love their bridges, they take the songs to such beautiful places. The classic songs are also excellent: "Wouldn't It Be Nice" and "God Only Knows" are super catchy. Overall, it's a fundamental pop album, I didn't find one bad song, and I loved listening to it.

Rest in peace Dad, who loved and introduced me to this album; and Brian, who had a hand or two in making it. Incidentally, the instrumental version opened this album up for me, so it's worth your time - I wish more albums had this little extra.

The greatest album of all time.

I have the vinyl. I love this album.

Yeah… It WOULD be nice…

this album is a masterpiece, extremely important 60s record. the intro is so positive and starts the album in such a strong way. favourite tracks: Wouldn’t It Be Nice, God Only Knows, Here Today, I Wasn’t Made For These Times

Top 5 album of all time.

I could listen to Sloop John B over and over for hours on end - what a truly wonderfully emotional song and what a wonderful album.

Still sparkly!

Wouldn't It Be Nice - 5/5 You Still Believe in Me - 5/5 That's Not Me - 4/5 Don't Talk (Put Your Head on My Shoulder) - 5/5 I'm Waiting for the Day - 5/5 Let's Go Away for Awhile - 3/5 Sloop John B - 4/5 God Only Knows - 5/5 I Know There's an Answer - 5/5 Here Today - 5/5 I Just Wasn't Made for These Times - 5/5 Pet Sounds - 4/5 Caroline No - 5/5 Average score: 4.6/5 (rounding up)

great epic album

I have listened to the entire album. This is a really neat record. My favorite songs- God Only Knows and Wouldn't it Be Nice. I have listened to those before and love it as much as I love it today.

5+ Stars (15/15)

Absolutely legendary. This album is The Beach Boys' Sgt. Peppers and was incredibly influential in the rock and roll world. I have listened to this album so many times and it will continue to be on my rotation forever.

Another all timer.

The greatest of all time, bar none

Classic

This will forever be one of my favourite albums. I could sing you the whole thing. Something warm and nostalgic about it.

## 🌊 The Beach Boys' *Pet Sounds*: An In-Depth Review (1966) ### 🎤 **Lyrics: Vulnerability Behind the Harmony** **Pros:** - **Introspection over escapism:** Departing from surfing/car themes, lyrics explore insecurity ("You Still Believe in Me"), existential dread ("I Just Wasn’t Made for These Times"), and fragile love ("God Only Knows"). Collaborator Tony Asher helped channel Brian Wilson’s anxieties into universal yearning . - **Subversive sincerity:** "God Only Knows" opens with "I may not always love you"—a startling admission of imperfection in a love song. This vulnerability became a blueprint for indie folk decades later . - **Narrative cohesion:** Tracks trace a journey from youthful optimism ("Wouldn’t It Be Nice") to resigned heartbreak ("Caroline, No"), forming one of rock’s first true concept albums . **Cons:** - **Naiveté critiques:** Detractors argue lyrics like "I’m bugged at my old man" (from earlier work) underscore the band’s struggle to shed adolescent simplicity. Some 1966 peers (Dylan, Lennon) tackled more complex social themes . - **Mike Love’s resistance:** Lyrics were deemed "non-commercial" by band members, foreshadowing creative rifts . --- ### 🎼 **Music: Orchestral Ambition and Harmonic Innovation** **Groundbreaking Elements:** - **Beyond surf rock:** Swapped electric guitars for **harpsichords, theremins, bicycle bells, French horns**, and Coca-Cola cans . "Let’s Go Away for Awhile" remains a lush, wordless jazz waltz . - **Vocal layering:** The Beach Boys’ harmonies evolved into complex counterpoints (e.g., the soaring "ooooh" climax in "You Still Believe in Me") . - **Rhythmic daring:** Unconventional time signatures ("Let’s Go Away for Awhile" shifts between 4/4 and 3/4) and abrupt dynamic shifts (snare hit in "Wouldn’t It Be Nice") mirror lyrical tension . *Table: Key Instrumentation Innovations* | **Track** | **Unconstrumental Elements** | **Effect** | |-------------------|-------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------| | "You Still Believe in Me" | Piano strings plucked with bobby pins | Fragile, music-box intimacy | | "God Only Knows" | Two bass guitars, sleigh bells, accordions | Baroque-pop grandeur | | "Pet Sounds" | Dog barks, train whistles (closing effects) | Abstract, psychedelic sound collage | --- ### 🎧 **Production: Brian Wilson’s "Wall of Sound on Acid"** **Pros:** - **Studio-as-instrument:** Wilson’s obsessive layering (e.g., 40+ takes for "God Only Knows") birthed **dense, cinematic textures**. The mono mix (Wilson was partially deaf) intensified this immersion . - **Wrecking Crew prowess:** Session musicians (not the band) executed intricate arrangements, enabling complex compositions impossible to perform live . - **Soundbox experimentation:** Instruments were panned to create "3D" audio spaces—e.g., detuned guitars shimmer beneath vocals in "Wouldn’t It Be Nice" . **Cons:** - **Muddied mixes:** Critics note overcrowded arrangements ("Phil Spector on acid") where instruments blur, lacking the clarity of *Revolver* . - **Stereo controversy:** Original mono mixes split opinion; modern stereo remasters are debated for altering Wilson’s intent . --- ### 💭 **Themes: Loneliness in Sunshine** - **Lost innocence:** "Caroline, No" mourns irreversible change ("Where did your long hair go?"), reflecting Wilson’s anxiety over aging and fading idealism . - **Alienation:** "I Just Wasn’t Made for These Times" channels Wilson’s feeling of artistic isolation—a stark contrast to the band’s carefree image . - **Love as sanctuary:** Tracks like "Don’t Talk" frame intimacy as refuge from chaos, delivered with hymnal solemnity . --- ### 🌍 **Influence: The Ripple Effect** - **Direct inspiration for The Beatles:** Paul McCartney called *Pet Sounds* "the album of all time," citing its impact on *Sgt. Pepper*. "Here, There and Everywhere" was a direct response to "God Only Knows" . - **Genre birth:** Pioneered **baroque pop** (harpsichords/strings in rock), psychedelia, and art-rock. Artists from Radiohead to Animal Collective cite its production techniques . - **Album-oriented art:** Proved LPs could be cohesive statements, not just singles vehicles—changing how labels approached rock . --- ### ⚖️ **Final Verdict: Pros vs. Cons** | **Pros** | **Cons** | |-----------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------| | **Production innovation** (e.g., found sounds, orchestral rock) | **Lyrical simplicity** occasionally veers into naiveté | | **Emotional depth** in vocal delivery | **Overcrowded mixes** lack instrumental clarity | | **Cohesive thematic arc** (youth → disillusion) | Some filler tracks ("Pet Sounds" instrumental) | | **Unmatched influence** on modern music | **Dated elements** (e.g., reverb-heavy vocals) | --- ### 💎 **Conclusion: The Unlikely Masterpiece** *Pet Sounds* remains a paradox: a surf band’s avant-garde turn that bombed commercially but rewrote music history. Its genius lies in marrying **childlike melody** with **adult vulnerability**—flaws and all. As Brian Wilson lamented his place in the world, he built a timeless sanctuary for the rest of us. > *Key Fact:* Recorded for $70,000 (≈$580k today), it was then the most expensive pop album ever—and worth every cent .

MUITO, MUITO bom esse valeu cada segundo escutado!!!!!!

esse album eh basicamente só do brian wilson né. enfim, PEDRADA MÁXIMA!!!!!!! acho doideira o quanto ele consegue te transportar pra metade dos anos 60 ali, bonitim. é bem a sonoridade da época! agora a produção desse album meu deus do céu. que coisa linda como pode isso pode falar o que for aí, mas esse eh DE FATO um dos albuns pra ouvir antes de morrer (e entender o quão influenciável ele foi/é). parabéns aí pro mano. que deus o tenha p.s: god only knows eh top 5 músicas mais lindas da história. como pode o cara escrever "se ce me larga, a vida vai continua, mas o mundo nao vai mostra nada de novo entao pra que que eu vo vive?" vai tomar no cu lindo demais

RIP Brian ❤️