Pet Sounds

Perhaps not the greatest album ever made but production and thematically wise one of the most interesting. Its opening line "Wouldn't it be nice if we were older" is pure anti-rock n roll sentiment, and sets the tone for something very different. For some reason it's not one I have played much down the years - I tend to go to go for of the "lo-fi" trilogy that followed this, and more recently Sunflower - but listening again to it's beauty I'm not sure why - maybe my 20 year old self simply overplayed it.

I appreciate this one being bumped up to the front of the queue for everyone the day after Brian Wilson's passing. Easy 5 for me - it's a masterpiece that deserves its place in the canon. Some individual track comments: "Wouldn't It Be Nice" - Excellent writing; I always related to this one when I was young and anxious to get married. "I'm Waiting for the Day" - Love the drum sound on this one, and the big dramatic swing around the 2:35 mark right when it feels like it might be ending. Great energy. "Sloop John B" - They even made a sea shanty sound great. "God Only Knows" - Great representative of the dreamy atmosphere of Pet Sounds. I love the "bah bah bah" part here (I'm mostly a "sing the bah bah bahs" kind of person). "I Know There's An Answer" - Think this one's new to me but I like it. "I Just Wasn't Made for These Times" - Electro-theremin solo! Apparently this is the first instance of theremin-like sounds being used on a rock album. Very cool. "Caroline, No" - Great closer. For all the effort crafting a consistent mood across the album, they couldn't resist slapping on a random train sound effect. The name of the train is The Owl, by the way. All that and more in a tight, cohesive 36 minutes. I've got a Beach Boys "best of" compilation I bought years ago that has many of these songs, but they play even better in the context of the album (I happen to like the "beach party"-type songs like "Help Me, Rhonda" too but they're a different vibe).

This is one of my all-time favorite albums. I've listened to it hundreds of times. It's the only Beach Boys album I ever listen to as an album, rather than in compilations. It's getting a 10. "Wouldn't It Be Nice" is such a beautiful song. It's one of their biggest hits and it doesn't disappoint. "You Still Believe in Me" slows it down a little and focuses in on Brian a little more. He crushes it. I love the percussion on "I'm Waiting For The Day". There's so much going on. I love the big raucous instrumental sections broken up by quieter solo vocals. Is there a flute in there? It's ripping. A calming and centering instrumental break in "Let's Go Away For Awhile" is nice. We're about to go into a banger, so it's nice to have a few minutes of respite. "Sloop John B" is one of my favorite Beach Boys songs. This is not a hot take. I love the a capella section in the middle. I chuckle occaisonally when he says 'this is the worst song I've ever been on'. It's easy for the lyrics to fade away into general positivity when you're not listening actively, and that line always pulls me back in. The song has an interesting history going back a century before the Beach Boys interpretation. It is originally a folk song from The Bahamas. It's worth reading a little about it. "God Only Knows" is ALSO one of my favorite Beach Boys songs. The musical arrangement is beautiful. The Beach Boys are a combination of so many things I love in a band. The songs are short, the harmonies are beautiful, the piano & organ are perfect. Brian Wilson's voice is so iconic and enjoyable to listen to. We are listening to this the day after Brian Wilson died, so this felt like a nice tribute. I see you pulling the strings Mr. 1001albumsgenerator.com. RIP Brian. 10/10

Random thoughts: * Why do they offer this in mono and stereo. Stereo is better period. There's a reason all new recordings are stereo by default. * This is a no doubt classic and is legendary for inspiring the Beatles to new heights with Sgt. Peppers. However, this does feel somewhat more dated than the Beatles. I'm not sure why it doesn't have a more timeless feel. * Brian Wilson clearly had been dealing with mental health issues. How can you listen to this and not hear his mental struggles in songs like "I Just Wasn't Made for These Times" and "God Only Knows". I'm glad we got to have Brian Wilson on this earth for a good long time. * On the latest listen (I listened to this album at least 3 times for this endeavor), the song "Pet Sounds" kind of caught me by surprise and felt like just a good instrumental. I added it to my Summer playlist. * A definite classic but maybe a bit dated today.

Getting this album the day after Brian Wilson died is crazy

Yup. Whether for the layers.. layers to the music.. the lyrics.. the story.. or for just the face value hits, I think I'll always love Pet Sounds. So happy. So sad. One of the trends in my higher rated albums seems to be if an album feels like a world, or an escape. If I'm not paying attention it's something that goes by too quickly. Then I play it again, and it's another ride. If I am paying attention, it's colors and textures, dumb horns and dumb fade outs haha, waterfalls of feelings and ideas, a dude just pushing himself and pouring in and out so much of himself.. like there's nothing to rate, I'm just grateful. Thank you for sharing, Brian ❤️

Masterpiece. Album feels much longer than the 37 min runtime which is a testament to the quality and variety of the songwriting. Standouts are "Wouldn't It Be Nice", "Sloop John B." and "God Only Knows".

Smooth melodies and deep harmonies

Iconic, unprecedented, unique, robust, diverse, melodic, vibrant, warm, uncanny, and timeless. The Wilson bros struck gold on the eve of Sgt. Peppers and came up with this Laurel Canyon sunshine washed harrowing piece of music. On the day after we lost Brian Wilson this album especially hits the hardest, knowing what I know about the internal struggles of the band this gem is a surefire standout that has lasted for generations. There was a comical allure of this album as I was coming up in age but its completely warranted.

I <3 the beach boys and this album slaps

🐐

Nothing to be said here that hasn’t already been said, but fantastic album.

10,000/10 Perfection, a special shout out to the masterful vocal breakdowns in Sloop John B followed by Carol Kaye on Bass Sax.

Brian Wilson just died yesterday... and this is arguably the greatest album ever made. RIP.

This album is a perfect encapsulation of youthful exuberance, naivety, and yearning. In this way, Brian Wilson will be young forever.

Rather spookily, this came up for review the day after Brian Wilson passed away. With The Beach Boys being one of my favourite bands, I felt a more heartfelt, conversational review was needed as a tribute. Obviously, this is one of those albums that has loads of accolades and is considered to be a timeless 'classic'. But there's a fair amount of people who don’t like the more mawkish elements etc. So here are a some of my thoughts. 1. I can see why some may not like it, or get it. It’s not directly linked to any lifestyle, culture or political movement, the lyrics aren’t particularly clever or enlightening, it’s crap to dance to, it‘s too feminine (or un-masculine) to be considered a rock album and it’s a bit too personal, weird even, to be a true pop album. At times the arrangements can be as sickly sweet as syrup, combined with melancholy it can come across as being gauche, naive and almost childlike (years later Brian recorded an unreleased album called adult/child). 2. BUT, oh well, oh my, oh gosh, oh gee, this is a gorgeous album to escape to, via its reverb drenched and dreamy, exotic landscapes. A place where sleepy woodwinds integrate with pounding kettle drums. Where insistent arpeggios of multiple guitars chime sweetly in the background. Dense layers of music that somehow sound 'green' like the cover, which make me picture inland Hawaii. 3. The lyrics (written Tony Asher, apparently an advertising agent) aren’t particularly poetic but their simplicity really does convey meaning in each song. The lack of pretense perfectly complements each individual track; like the sense of loneliness in ‘That’s Not Me’, the heartfelt romanticism of ‘Don’t Talk’, the sense of eternal mystery in ‘I Know There’s An Answer’ or the loss of innocence in the closing ‘Caroline No’. 4. The musical arrangements are outstanding; the counterpoint harmony, the combination of instruments that blend into a “wall of sound”; the prominent, jazzy, melodic bass lines (acoustic and electric); the dynamic changes in sound and tempo, from a full blown orchestra to a simple clarinet line, or the Theremin wailing at the end of ‘I Just wasn’t Made For These Times’, the French Horn introduction on ‘God Only Knows’, the incredible use of various percussion. I could go on. 5. The melodies and vocals are so passionately sung, soulful, uplifting, melancholic and at times, the harmony and backing vocals breathtakingly complex (and more sparsely utilised than previous albums). 6. It is an evocative, emotional record that you have to actively listen to. You have to allow yourself to be drawn into fantasy and the exotic landscapes of it's creator. Anyway, it’s status as a top tier album in the history of pop music is well deserved, and ultimately (apart from Smile) probably the only bona fide Beach Boys album to be considered a classic i.e. find mass appeal, commercial success and near universal praise. NB - For me (and many fans of their middle period), Pet Sounds was the start of a fantastic run of albums going from 1966 up to 1973: Pet Sounds, Smile / Smiley Smile, Wild Honey, Friends, 20/20, Sunflower, Surfs Up, So Tough and Holland (oh and not forgetting the formidable AM rock of their 1973 live double album). Increasingly, there albums were more of a group effort, but each of these incredibly diverse records are equally superb in their own homespun, unassuming way. On there own terms, these delightful records add up to the most underrated cannon of works in pop music (says me). R.I.P. Mr Wilson, you will be missed. Ps it transpired the BBC selection today wasn't random (!) but all the above still stands.

Iconic and changed the face of music. 4 1/2 stars because listening to the whole thing at once it's too much, like eating a whole black forest gateau. But it's hit after hit and has just genius scoring.

No way is this 1001 generator is random: getting The Beach Boys the day after Brian Wilson's death! (Narrator: it wasn't random.) Feeling quite sentimental about it, such a great album! (I'm blissfully ignoring the lazy fade outs.)

lindas vibras

A classic pop album, with lots of baroque and psychedelic elements. I love the vocals and production here. 9/10 Favourite: Don't Talk (Put Your Head on My Shoulder) Least Favourite: None

I already liked the idea of this album even before I knew it had goats on it! What a delight. Also, "Pet Sounds" is a great name because both of those words can be a noun or verb. A lot of these tracks were the first songs I downloaded when I got my own computer, and they still hold up. I guess they're a little samey, and certainly old-fashioned, but also very poppy and harmony-y and, dare I say, emo, with some funny little instruments thrown in. In a way, it reminds me of a slightly more normie Magnetic Fields. I was not expecting 2 instrumental tracks -- the first one didn't really hit for me, but they're pleasant enough, and written-for-a-Bond-movie 'Pet Sounds' does seem like it was written for that. I don't particularly like some other Beach Boys hits I know ('I Get Around', 'Good Vibrations'), but this album was cohesively flawless. I was going to give it a 4, but looking at my highlights list, maybe it deserves a 5(!!) Highlights: 'Wouldn't It Be Nice' (featuring a "12-string mando-guitar"), 'You Still Believe in Me', 'I'm Waiting for the Day', 'Sloop John B' (one of the most mysterious song titles of my lifetime; where's Sloop John A?), 'God Only Knows', 'Here Today', 'Caroline, No' (a mishearing of "Carol, I Know"! that's Mike Eindetitle), 'Hang On to Your Ego' (this isn't on the original version, but still)

They mixed this on tapes. Incredible work. It took a long time for this album to sink in for me, but now that it has, I adore it.

I hadn't listened to this before and now understand why it tops the greatest of all time charts. Fantastic album.

This influenced so many artists

Cracking

I have a backlog of albums, which I’m waiting for the best time to listen to. Today is the day I chose to listen to Pet Sounds. Not to critically listen to what is considered one of the best of albums of all time, but to just bask in the genius of Brian Wilson. Rest in Peace 1942-2025

RIP Brian Wilson, this is a production masterpiece with a couple of the best songs ever recorded. 5 Stars.

I mean .. it's pet sounds! Well known that it's a masterpiece, and I don't disagree

Beach boys feeding themselves on the cover. Fantastic album. This is what I was looking forward to getting. Banger after banger. Also happy that they included sounds of pets at the very end for accuracy. Specific rating - 4.7 Fav song- god only knows Least fav- you still believe in me

Kind of hate that Brian Wilson was 23 when he made this album. But I love everything else about it. Some true classics I've heard many times and some amazing songs I've never heard before but will definitely hear again. Favourite: God Only Knows Least: Let's Go Away For Awhile

Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys is honestly one of the most influential albums in the entire history of music. This record is pure genius. every listen just makes you fall deeper in love with it. It’s the kind of album that reveals more and more each time, whether it’s the little production details, the harmonies, or just the emotion behind it all. It kicks off with what might be the greatest intro of all time. Wouldn’t It Be Nice immediately pulls you in with one of the greatest songs ever written, a track that’s as joyful as it is bittersweet. From there, the whole album flows beautifully, carrying you through this warm, grand, and cozy soundscape that only Brian Wilson could create. The production is otherworldly. The layers, the arrangements, the harmonies... they’re all just breathtaking. Brian Wilson was a true musical genius, and this album is proof of that. Rest in peace to an absolute legend who reshaped what pop music could be. Every track contributes to the journey, and there’s never a dull moment. Songs like God Only Knows show just how emotional and timeless this record really is, still hitting just as hard today as it did in 1966. Pet Sounds flows so perfectly, and you never get tired of revisiting this masterpiece. It’s one of those rare albums that feels both intimate and massive at the same time, a record that changed music forever and continues to inspire generations.

Una joya!

Some good tunes, but not something I want to listen to often

This is the algorithm’s way of making me feel bad for giving that Kid Rock album 3 stars. Giving me one of the best albums of all time the next day, with like, 6 of the greatest songs of all time on it.

J’aime ! Quelques bangers et surtout un son super cohérent mais qui reste surprenant morceau après morceau. Un album qui me fait ressentir des choses.

YOOOOOOOOO I LOVE THIS ALBUM SO MUCH!!!! YOOOOOOOO BANGER AFTER BANGER AFTER BANGER EASY 5/5!!! AAAAAAAA

know it. love it.

"Pet Sounds" is the 11th studio album by American rock band the Beach Boys. The Wiki-listed genres are progressive pop, chamber pop, pyschedelic pop and art rock and it continued their progressive sound from their previous album "The Beach Boys Today!" The album was primarily produced, arranged and composed by bandmember Brian Wilson. The album is recognized for "its ambitious production, sophisticated harmonic structures and coming of age themes" and is cited as one of the best albums of all time. Brian was motivated by the Beatles' release of "Rubber Soul" and aimed to make the "greatest rock album ever made." The other Beach Boys (Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston, Carl Wilson and Dennis Wilson) mainly contributed vocals as Brian used a lot (I counted 56) of other studio musicians including members of L.A.'s famous Wrecking Crew (as they became). Commercially, the album hit #2 in the UK and #10 in the US. In 2000, it was inducted into the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress for its artistic significance. A 12-string mando-guitar opens the album in "Wouldn't It Be Nice." Brian on lead vocals including using his falsetto which he does quite frequently on this album. Gorgeous backing vocal harmonies which took a long time to reached Brian's expectations. 16 different instruments used. A young couple longing for adult independence. Side two begins with "God Only Knows." Carl Wilson on lead vocals. 20 different instruments used in this song. More terrific harmonies particularly at the end. A harpsichord and a French horn at the break. The protagonist contemplates the end of a relationship, asserting that only God could fathom that. Critics cite this as the only baroque pop song and album, and, oh yeah, one of the best songs ever. I would agree. Mike Love takes over lead vocals on "I Know There's an Answer." Tack piano, horns, tambourine and a wall of sound production. It was a critique on the escapist LSD culture. The first single released is the last song on the album, "Caroline, No." Cymbals, a water jug used as percussion, vibraphone and a flute. A melancholic song on lost innocence and irretrievably love. I always take notes when listening to these albums in this challenge. I pretty much gave up on this one. Brian uses so many different instruments, lead instruments, instruments to open songs, random noises, multiple instruments playing to same melody and so on. A lot of times, an album this "busy" would annoy me. Besides being one of the best albums of all time, it is by far the best "busiest" album of all time. Everything works, just brilliant production. The harmonies are fantastic and complex. There is so much background on this album, I would need a month to give it justice. Bottom line: great album and rightfully given its place in history.

Tons of memorable tracks. Very unique sound, love these guys.

A must.brilllant

Wow. Incredibly beautiful. And I thought the Beach Boys were just beach songs…

Beautiful vocals and arrangements, classic harmonies mixed with interesting range of instruments. Can remember 20 years ago hearing this for the first time with headphones on at the mall, most songs and the style totally new to me, utterly transfixed. Not something I'm always in the mood for but always captivating once I start to listen. Standouts: God Only Knows, Wouldn't It Be Nice, I Know There's an Answer

Love this album.

This album takes me somewhere beautiful. It makes me feel five years old. It’s so wonderful. Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder) is one of my favorite songs ever. The sound is all enveloping, surrounding you on every side. You can float away on it. Oh to be a child again. We need another Pet Sounds these days, a record without a hint of cynicism in it. Carefree, innocent. This is music for a simpler, better time. This is music for a perfect world. This is music for the kingdom of heaven.

Absolutely unfuckwithable.

Pet Sounds is one of the greatest records in the history of pop music. Every part sits where it belongs and this makes it still relevant More than 50 years later.

Untouchable pop music, Wilson was an absolute genius on this one. Contender for best album of all time l.

No way to write an objective review here. This album is the soundtrack to a few important periods of my life. Sometimes I think that the insane song construction, genius level harmonies, and true emotional depth make it my favorite album. Other times the lyrics are just a little too twee and cringey. Hard to say I guess. But props to Brian for making the transition from fun songs about cars to whatever the fuck this beautiful mess is.

A masterpiece

Decades ahead of its time.

Perfection.

a favorite of mine. It's like the sunniest, happiest album ever made, with a dash of jingly-ness to it. Favorites for Only God knows and I wasn't made for these times!

The magnitude to which this album changed modern music is immeasurable. A few of these songs have been iconic for decades, while those that haven't have quietly burned at the back of the minds of some of the other most influential artists since. The introduction of actual production: the use of the studio to be a part of the album instead of simply what captures it, was groundbreaking. It gave way to Bowie, Timbaland, and many others to sit behind the desk and guide others to their eventual success Also its just a near perfect album

10

Good :)

Very narrowly a five. Lacks some depth

5 stars might not do it

All timer

just for god only knows it's a 5, but overall it comes pretty close anyway

Seminal, amazing work that honestly only gets better with age. As someone who grew up on the more Beatles side of things, it's interesting to hear the different, more passive perspective coming from the Beach Boys during this time of experimentation. It's sincere, sweet even. God Only Knows remains one of the great songs ever written.

There's a reason why this is considered one of the greatest albums ever.

Pure sunshine alchemy. Every harmony feels like it’s been filtered through a warm late spring breeze. It’s gorgeous and strange and full of color. The Beach Boys ditched the striped shirts but kept the innocence, just layered it with something way more ambitious. It’s all sweet and sad and a little cosmic. Spins: All Day Playlist Additions: - Wouldn't It Be Nice - Let's Go Away For Awhile - Sloop John B - God Only Knows - Caroline, No

Exceptional. I listened this while doing the dishes and making iced tea. I'm trying to think of what they could have done to make the album better, and failing. It just seems like the apex of a musical trajectory, where a group is making the best music that they can make while still retaining their own style, being distinctly themselves. Haven't listened to this album in a good 15 years and forgot what a singular experience it was. There is such an ache at certain parts it's really touching. You'd never expect this kind of sound from a group called The Beach Boys, and that's just one of the things that makes this such a special album.

Perfect. Genius. Magic. Masterpiece. 5

This is the soundtrack to so many important moments from my childhood and I was an 80s kid so I think the impact can not be understated for this one

Pet Sounds is the epitome of the type of album you *should* find on this list. It's largely considered a masterpiece. It has critical acclaim and commercial success. And, it's innovative, either within the genre or in a technical aspect. In the case of Pet Sounds, it's both. I remember when I first heard this album. I was 22 years old, studying abroad in England, caught between a failing relationship back home and falling for a different girl who was in my dorm. We were having a conversation about the best albums of all time, and she mentions this one. Fast-forward a couple of weeks, and long story short, she had moved back to the States. I was shopping in a used record store, and I saw this CD on sale for cheap. I immediately fell in love. I listened to it before bed, on the bus, walking to class, and so on. Of course, there was the strange sentimental attachment to it, and surely that has just as much to do with me remembering my first time hearing it as the greatness of the album itself. Classic and memorable in every sense.

Not all of the words quite deserve the status accorded to them but the music does. You can hear its influence everywhere.

This album had the Beatles sweating, Brian Wilson is a genius but this also meant the beginning of the end for our tortured artist.

4/18/25. Yes, I've been a member of the Pet Sounds bandwagon and it's one of my all time favorites! Perfect album to my ears. Love the unique arrangements and themes covered that still hold up very well today. Everyone should listen to this.

It’s challenging to rate an album with two of my favorite songs on it any lower than 5 stars. Even more challenging to go any less for the genius of The Beach Boys at their best. Nothing else quite like it.

Cmon, it's pet sounds, people. one of the best pop records of all time. simultaneously melancholic and unbearably sunshine-y and radiant

8/10 REALLY Good, First listen over a year ago I didnt like it but love it now

One of the best albums of all time.

Subjectively, not everyone's cup of tea. Objectively, one of the first-ever 'concept' albums - one that walked so that Sgt Pepper's could run. But don't tell Brian Wilson that, the poor guy has suffered enough! Wilson and the band generated a genuinely fresh sound on this thing, one that captivates the listener's attention with really interesting songwriting choices. Sure, there are parts that get pretty weird, but as a whole it's a big beautiful sound that helped transform the sound of pop & rock music for decades to come.

Maybe I've just gotten older, but this feels like the first time I've "gotten" Pet Sounds. In the past, I thought it was fine, but didn't understand the cultural significance it has. In 1966, this had to be revolutionary and honestly, many of the sounds on this have yet to be reproduced. The Beach Boys nailed a uniquely 60s ethereal sound here, especially on songs like God Only Knows. The only song that feels out of place, to me, is Sloop John B. I have never liked this song and probably never will. It feels like the label wanted a "safe" single and the Beach Boys came up with this song. Even with Sloop John B, the album is timeless and I'm glad I spent my afternoon listening to it. Best Songs: Wouldn't It Be Nice, God Only Knows, I Just Wasn't Made For These Times Worst Songs: Sloop John B

I am not a huge Beach boys fan, but this album is solid throuought. Sloop John B, I just wasn’t made for these times, Caroline no…. All stone cold classics and a remarkable turnaround from their early days. Too bad that they never reached this height again

Iconic

Album 740 of 1001 The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds (1966) Rating : 5 / 5 No secret that this is a great album. Helps with the disappointment I felt from The Beach Boys Today. Sumptuous arrangements, inventive production , and impactful lyrics. Nice step up from the surf tunes.

duh, what else?

Een van de beste albums ooit, geen notities aan vuil maken. De makkelijkste vijf sterren die ik ga geven. Mooier wordt muziek niet. Ik probeer er wat zinnigs over te zeggen, maar bijna 60 jaar later is er nog steeds niet zoiets als dit gemaakt. Onvoorstelbaar.

Beautiful

Perfect

I mean, it’s pet sounds. It can get a five just for historical significance, or a five just for pushing the boundaries of pop music, but I give it five stars for being full to the brim with perfect beautiful songs.

When I was younger and first heard The Beach Boys there was something about the harmony that I found too sweet. Even as a kid I really didn’t like it. I felt like there was no edge. The overall sound was something my dad liked and I never really wanted to listen to any more of that. However, as I got older, I accepted that The Beach Boys were important, regardless of the sugary sweetness. I still didn’t exactly like them though. And then, a number of years ago, after I had met and really fallen for the man I ended up marrying, I remember hearing the song “God Only Knows”, and, all of a sudden, The Beach Boys made complete sense. He lived in the UK. I lived in Canada. And one night I was lonely, missing him terribly. I listened to that song on repeat while I drank an entire bottle of wine to myself and, at a certain point, I was laying on the floor, hands on my chest, listening to the words, listening to the beautiful layers of sound, and all of a sudden the sweetness of The Beach Boys made total sense. It completely and totally captured everything that I thought about what it meant to know that you found the love of your life and that they would be with you forever and always. "God only knows what I’d be without you” is the most perfect declaration of love. This album is perfect and five stars even if it was just that one song over and over and over.

Wait, you guys weren’t joking when you said this was one of the greatest albums of all time?

This album sounds very nice. A lot of the major innovations from it sound fairly standard to my 21st century ears, but it's good to remember that the Beach Boys were the first to do many of these things. Solid 4 stars. Edit: I was listening to this after Brian Wilson’s death and I must say I totally underrated the lush production and arrangement. Reminded me more of Bach than most pop music out there. +1 star in honor of Brian Wilson, and I’m sorry for not fully recognizing your genius in life. Favorite Track: Sloop John B

Sognai di avere un'aureola intorno alla testa, ma la gente non poteva vederla. Ora che ripenso a questo è proprio un'aureola che avevo intorno alla testa. Dio era con noi per tutto il tempo che facemmo l'album. Dio era accanto a me, potevo vederlo, potevo sentire questo feeling nella mia testa, nel mio cervello.

Class

This is pretty much a perfect album for me. Animal Collective and more specifically Panda Bear owe a lot of their sound to this album. I hear it in many other bands too like The Lemon Twigs but Animal Collective always stands out as a somewhat recent successor to this sound. Brian Wilson was a genius and a madman and this album was the direct result of letting him run wild. If you haven’t watched the 2014 Brian Wilson biopic, Love & Mercy you should check it out. Anyway as for this album it blows me away at every listen even after all these years and for that I’d give it a 5.

An absolute masterpiece.

1966 is an insane year musically--Sounds of Silence, Frank Zappa, Revolver, Paint It Black--the needle is really moving from good time R&R to introspection. This album is lush and incredibly painstaking in its arrangements, unlike anything BB had done before and it's great! I think personally it's a 4.5 because the SMILE SESSIONS exist and I think that is the complete fulfillment of Brian Wilson's bonkers brain. The harmonies are so good here, the instrumentation is always surprising and interesting, and even though the songs are fairly simple in theme, they are musically complex. I've listened to it 3 times so far and find new things each time.

Easy

I was happy when these fellas released 3 albums a year exclusively about surfing, cars and girls, yet I'd still like to thank Brian Wilson's dealer for contributing to this work of genius

Another of the not a lot to say albums, of course heard many times, important, redefining etc. 5 Star

Perfect. I played it over and over, all day. Such a comforting sound. The Beach Boys captured something magic with Pet Sounds.

I listened to this album and it's still shocking to me that this is 60s music. It's so freakin dandy. I guess it just goes to show you how sanitized and polished the 50s and 60s were. I can't imagine the atom bomb that would have been Zepelin and Black Sabbath that would come just a few years after this. Anyways its good. Wouldn't it be nice, God only knows, and the closing track are all standouts but the whole thing is creative and well put together. These beach boys were really trying to capture that same lightning that the beatles were on and they did it in their own way. I was thinking a 4 but I did quite enjoy it.

This is one I wanted to set time aside for and really take in. Just a masterpiece of an album that deserves your undivided attention. Influential doesn't even begin to describe this, as this album was created with the production in mind first. Taking some clear inspiration from Phil Spector's "Wall of Sound" and motivated by the Beatles' previous album "Rubber Soul", Brian Wilson essentially set out to create "the greatest rock album ever made" as he dubbed it. I would say this extends past rock and sort of exists in some sort of art pop-adjacent plane. Many know the Beach Boys for their surf-rock persona and sound, so "Pet Sounds" represented a heavy shift in that regard. The vocal harmonies are more complex, the song structures were progressive for the time, and the lyrical content of the music is more introspective and even somber at times. Even the instrumental tracks can evoke those aforementioned feelings. There's a lot packed in here despite the 36 minute runtime. A revolutionary in the way of music production, "Pet Sounds" dared to be great primarily via the efforts of Brian Wilson. And by golly, it continues to be great nearly 60 years later. "Wouldn't It Be Nice" is a masterfully recorded song especially, and sets the tone nicely for the rest of the album.

I remember the first time I properly sat down and listened to Pet Sounds. My mum introduced me to this album many moons ago, and I’ll always be grateful she did. At the time, I didn’t fully grasp what I was hearing, but the more I returned to it, the more I understood why it’s hailed as one of the most influential records ever made. The production on this album is, quite honestly, immaculate. Every layer is meticulously crafted — you can tell Brian Wilson poured his entire soul into every second. The mixing is nothing short of top tier; each instrument, from the warm bass lines to the shimmering percussion, sits perfectly in the mix without ever feeling crowded. The vocal harmonies are breathtaking, and they seem to float effortlessly above the complex arrangements. Songs like God Only Knows and Wouldn’t It Be Nice still sound fresh, delicate, and powerful all at once, and it’s incredible to think this was recorded in the mid-'60s. It pushed boundaries in ways most people wouldn’t dare to, blending orchestral elements, odd time signatures, and sound experimentation with pop sensibilities — and that influence is still felt today across countless genres. However, if I had to nitpick, there are moments where the pacing dips slightly — a couple of tracks don’t hit quite as hard as the heavy-hitters, and they can feel like filler when compared to the brilliance surrounding them. But even those moments are interesting from a musical standpoint. At its core, Pet Sounds is an album that taught me that music can be art — not just entertainment. I’ve got my mum for showing me how joyful music really can be. This record remains timeless and continues to inspire not only artists but listeners who simply want to feel something genuine. 4.6/5 stars

Yes!

Pet sound? Good Vibration.

I've moaned about Dimery's Beach Boys picks before, but I suppose I can't quibble too much at "Pet Sounds" getting included. (Though I have a slight preference for "Smiley Smile" over "Pet Sounds" - more weirdness, plus "Good Vibrations"...) Still, "God Only Knows" is worth the price of admission here alone! The whole album is cracking summer sound track material... Fave tracks - all the predictable ones, "Wouldn't It Be Nice", "Sloop John B", and "God Only Knows"

😍

I listened to this album while walking through the Phillips Collection. Ethereal experience

Mastapiece

One of the best of all time

5 stars

Hjerteskjærende melodier, spektakulære harmonier og banebrytende produksjon gjør dette til et tidløst kunstverk. Sublime sanger som Let's Go Away For A While, God Only Knows (!!!), I Know There's An Answer og Caroline No snakker for seg selv. Platen er ikke perfekt, og spesielt noen stilistiske valg kan virke gammeldagse nå seksti år senere. Der er uansett null tvil om at Pet Sounds fortjener plassen sin blant de vakreste og mest banebrytende albumene noen gang.

It really is that good. Though it kinda creeps me out. Both because the lyrics and general vibe are kinda stalkerish and because the production is spooky as if it’s somehow haunted.

I have to sing all of these songs in my most ridiculous strained falsetto. It's not possible to do otherwise. Obviously a masterpiece, I could sit here and eulogise but I don't currently have the time. I don't really understand why some people don't like this record, but I guess all the things, melodies, sounds, harmonies that charm me, irritate others. Definitely one of my favourite ever albums, and probably my favourite of all those 'classic' albums that are widely acknowledged as a great. I probably like it even more than The Bends.

Maybe the best album ever

loveeee such a fun listen!!! I also feel this is Rachel's next obsession lol

Such a brilliant album.

Simply and without question one of the best albums ever made.

One of my favorite albums of all time. I just can't find any real fault with it and there is so much to enjoy. It's so textural and fun.

what can I say? love teenagers god beauty and pain

I love this album with my whole heart. Easily one of my favorites of all time. Thank you, Brian Wilson, for orchestrating this masterpiece.

Just sublime.

It's a great album, one of the most influential rock albums of all time. Defined a generation of music.

Masterpiece

Wouldn’t it be nice if every album was as great as this one

Easiest 5 stars on this list.

No words needed, almost a perfect album

Pet Sounds is definitely an album I’ve taken for granted. It was always part of my childhood but somehow didn’t leave the impression on me that the likes of Rumours or Sgt Pepper did. Besides having the best song about being homesick on a boat ever made, it seemed like a catalogue of fairly simple love songs and a couple of instrumentals. It’s over before you really feel you’re into it. But I’ve given it a few listens this week, proper, nothing-else-but-headphones listens and boy is that the beauty of it. It makes you think you’ve heard a simple love song when you’ve actually heard the masterpiece that is God Only Knows. The genius is in making something really immaculately crafted feel like something so simple and pure. It actually had me feeling quite emotional just focusing on the lyrics and getting lost in them. I mean, they’re lyrics I’ve known for years but *heard* without really *listening* to them. My first reaction was ‘oh ok, Pet Sounds, that’s an easy 5.’ Then I thought ‘ah but is it, shouldn’t I actually give this a bit more thought and be more critically minded?’. So I was, and yeah, it’s Pet Sounds. It’s an easy 5.

One of my favourites. A classic.

Timeless

An album where I knew 3 or 4 songs well but listening thoroughly and reading the background added an extra dimension to the music. Interesting story and unique album.

It’s really great.

Inspired Sgt Pepper, and for good reason.

Love it. A true masterpiece.

Damned good, though I like Smile more

Sometimes I find the slower songs a bit of a drag if I'm not in the mood, but otherwise this album is pretty fantastic. Sloop John B is still my favorite off this album.

the moment in the wizard of oz when dorothy steps outside and everything is colour

one of the greatest albums ever made I have so much respect for Brian Wilson cuz god damn what a life

I think it’s clear that the best albums stick out and the best songs. I was prepared to be a bit churlish but this is as good as it gets.

I had an absolutely long written review for this but I just deleted it. This album can’t be expressed in words it’s so beautiful. It captures an intense feeling of childhood innocence while delving into adult topics. Amazing instrumentation. Initial listen: 10/10??? or 5/5.

Beach Boys harmonies are probably the closest thing we'll ever come to hearing actual angels sing.

It's a masterpiece

Absolute masterpiece of an album.

what can you even say. angelic

Absolute perfection of an album - not a single skippable track with pristine production.

A classic, probably one of the actual best albums ever

Pets sound good

cheesy lyrics? you bet! nevertheless, this album holds a very dear place in my heart.

I can never fully get into albums with the huge production and Orchestra vibe because I base it off this album. I love the harmonies- the vocals and lyrics in general. The mixing of the vocals is amazing. There's so much going on musically in all these songs and it's not distracting, it adds to the feel. There's not a not great song on this album.

An excellent album all the way around. It really sounds like they captured something different and I like it.

The Beach Boys soundtrack the best parts of life.

Great album. What sort of joyless twat doesn’t like The Beach Boys?

Great album! Amazing Harmonies!

So this is what makes this exercise hard. Even though it's not exactly my thing, there's no denying that there is greatness here. This record doesn't sound like anything else, and if I gave another record 5 stars, this probably deserves 6.

One of my all time favorites. Beautiful haunting melodies and harmonies, exotic yet comforting.

Just brilliant

No skips. Legendary

I mean, it was the greatest album in the world for a year and 10 days until The Beatles released Sgt. Pepper. This isn't just peak Brian Wilson, or peak Beach Boys, it was peak pop rock and has only gotten better with age.

Gotta be the most wholesome album

Love it shocked that it was this good

Iconic and important 1960's album. Really nice and cheerful tunes.

Perfect.

One of my favorite projects in college- this album! Love getting to listen to such significant music culturally and personally.

I know Pet Sounds often compared to "Sgt Pepper's" but I think it fails in this comparison. But the album stands on it's own as a big step forward for the Beach Boys and Brian Wilson in particular. There is a lot going on here, and he's done some pretty amazing production work here. The songs are solid although there's only a couple I'd consider "classics". But all-in-all this is a great album and it did push the envelope and deserves it's credit as one of the all-time great albums.

This is a 5 from me for sure. There was some discussion in my listening group -> I can see why this isn't everyone's favourite and we decided some folks in my group sort of "don't get the hype" about this record, and indeed the Beach Boys in general, much the same way I don't personally understand the love of Radiohead. I went through this a few times and I've listened many times in the past - I was looking for shortcomings and I'm aware of a few (ex: 'I just wasn't made for these times' does sort of fit the mood and theme of the record but is kind of a standout low point IMHO) but overall I love the sound and construction and performances here.

Good but not the best new order lp

Own it, love it

Great album

Great album with lots of classic songs. Reminds me of being at the water park as a kid. Very chill music with excellent lyrics. I wouldn't buy this one just because I've heard it so many times but it's definitely one of those classic albums that is just about perfect.

Most of these songs were heard frequently on the radio and in movies as a kid, 20-30 years after they came out, which says a lot about the band and the album.

IMHO, one of the 2 most important albums of the rock era. A masterpiece of baroque rock, the tippity top of songwriting, orchestration/production, and vocal performance sprung from the godhead of Brian Wilson. "God Only Knows" and "Caroline, No" are sublime confections and I could listen to them non-stop for the rest of my days without remorse. A shame I can only give it 5 stars. If I could, I give it 99.

Great

One of the best albums ever created.

love

What can I say that hasn’t already been said? Certainly one of the top 10 best rock/pop albums ever and in my top three for sure. Hopefully the Album can be a gateway to new listeners to discover other great gems in the Beach Boys catalog.

tender, wistful, optimistic, wondering, wonderful symphonic pop

This is an easy album to listen to -- great from start to finish. It's not on my personal favorite albums which seems strange for someone who usually aligns with the boomer sentiment around music, but it's a true classic.

Great album with some real bangers!

It’s a nice one and there isn’t much more to be said

One of the easiest decisions so far. Simpsons: Yes

Big fan

Pet Sounds is the eleventh studio album from the Beach Boys. It is regarded as their best work, and sits at the very top of most lists of the greatest albums of modern music. At the time of its release, it was not successful, critically or commercially. The complicated orchestrations and significant production were too much of a departure from the band's catalog of innocent, harmonic surf-pop. Over time, the album's repute has changed to universal acclaim. These songs maintain the band's youthful, innocent perspective and vocal harmonies, like in "Wouldn't it be Nice," but added an array of instruments and production effects that changed the world's understanding of what could make a pop song.

• 5/5 - Maybe #1 all time; definitely top-10 • set aside that it represents a critical turning point in modern music, every song holds its own and makes the whole better • So much complexity - headphones are best

Qué cosa tan brutal y depresivamente inesperada. Conocía las canciones alegres de los Beach boys, las buena onda, pero Pet Sounds resultó un trancazo con su letras de desamor y sus tonadas melancólicas. Un disco que voy a seguir escuchando por largo rato.

My main note on this album is the use of multi-instrumentation, it felt like it had all the usual suspects but then featured doubly the number of unexpected instruments (hello, theremin solo?!). I was taken aback by this and felt it was rich in musical depth. This album feels underrated, despite there being two hit songs. It had more emotional depth that I didn't know they had previously, having only heard the top hits. Sloop John B, I know there's an answer, and I just wasn't made for these times were a combination of dark pop, which may have defined this genre before it was a genre, meaning it was made as upbeat music with dark undertones in the lyrics. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by my enjoyment of this well developed album. I had no idea the Beach Boys offered more complex themes and rich composition for being California surfer dudes.

If you graphed talent on the Y axis and debilitating mental illness on the X axis, Brian Wilson would be as far to the top right as possible. I think it was *probably* worth it.

Look, there's nothing I can say about this album that hasn't already been overly exalted by every music writer on earth. And yet: it's all true!

Finally something that doesn't suck. This list seems to be full of shit I NEVER needed to hear. It's disappointing to say the least.

I consider this the greatest album of all time.

OK I promise I'll stop with the stereo stuff (I truly don't know enough to keep mentioning it) BUT worth noting that Spotify only carries stereo for a bunch of 60s stuff and old heads are pissed because the mono versions were what was intended (unsurprisingly r/bobdylan had LOTS of rage about this) . For some of the classic albums/re-releases (like this one) Spotify has mono AND stereo versions...if nothing else, especially with headphones, it's kinda fun to listen to the differences in feel and make up your own mind. Brian Wilson liked the original mono, wall-of-sound mix. This is clearly an inspired album. Harmonies are crazy and you can feel Brian Wilson spending so much time on these songs. It makes sense that Phil Spector and Brian Wilson knew each other because that "wall of sound" fingerprint is all over it. It's a 5 for me--my only hesitation is that I don't really like the "California sound"/specific voices of the Beach Boys. I listened to the instrumental versions and obviously the vocal melodies are missing so there's not the same magic but I didn't miss their actual voices and was nice to just sink into Brian Wilson the orchestrator. Might be why "let's go away for awhile" was my favorite discovery on relisten. Not on the album but a pitch to listen to "Feel Flows" (released later)...can't explain why I like it so much but it's my favorite BB song, more psychedelic for sure.

Masterpiece. WALL OF SOUND. One of my all time favorites and thinking about it this weekend, it occurred to me there is a lot of contradiction in Pet Sounds. Epic/docile, approachable/complex, happy/sad, avant- garde/pop. Approachable enough that my toddlers listened to it constantly (not that they were requesting it), but too complex for me to really understand. I think that’s the key and why I always come back to it. It sounds insanely good, which is probably its lasting legacy, but every time I play it some new instrument or harmony or whatever stands out like it’s the first time I’m hearing it. The record opens with a key shift in the first 6 seconds! Another contradiction is the fact that it’s so meticulously crafted but is also very emotional. Aja is comparable from a production standpoint but still feels distant or cold at times. The fact that I’m a concept album guy is really hitting home now, and I think these albums benefit from a full listen through. I greatly prefer consistent themes to an eclectic mix of songs. I love to sink into an album and this one specifically takes you somewhere. Dreamlike. Pet Sounds is also incredibly unique. It profoundly influenced popular music 60 years ago but as far as I can tell no one has made anything similar to it since. This time through my favorites were Let's Go Away for Awhile, Here Today, I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times, Caroline, No. The horns in the pre chorus in Here Today fucking rule. P.s. Phil Spector seems to be the primary influence for this, and this led to The Beatles response in Sgt Peppers. Crazy how much that creep Spector changed the landscape of popular music.

Ive been through PS so many times and it continues to impress me every listen. PS listens like a play or a movie. The lyrics paint an angst ridden story of changes related to maturing and love. The track sequencing keeps your attention by switching between upbeat, pure instrumentals (lets go away for a while and pet sounds) and sad songs. Less generally, the hits themselves hold up so well. Wouldnt it be nice is not cheesy IMO and is filled with so much depth. God only knows is maybe the most impressive progression ive tried to analyze. Maybe one of the only songs I know that can pull this off without losing general appeal I know Brian Wilson was rumored to have inspired Sargent Pepper with this project - Its mentioned in several Beatles interviews. I personally think Pet Sounds is a more cohesive and better sounding album than SP.

If you don’t love this album I don’t like you. I grew up listening to the Beach Boys’ greatest hits that my parents had, and thought of them as an unserious band for surfers and wannabe surfers. I think that was maybe true for the beginning of their careers even at the time, but when they came out with Pet Sounds, they viewed it as a gauntlet thrown down at more respected bands like the Beatles. Pretty sure the Beatles credited this album with firing them up to do some of their best work in the late 60s. This album rules - so much more musically interesting than their early poppy stuff. I don’t know the full story of why they did two versions of the same song on this album Hang Onto Your Ego and I Know There’s An Answer (some sort of fugue-like exercise?).

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

líklega besta plata allra tíma. auðveld fimma.

A classic

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!

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.

The Beach Boys >>>> The Beatles

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

One of the greatest rock albums ever recorded!

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Brian Wilson 4eva

Equal to the hype around it. Deceptively clever album

One of the best

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

Glad I discovered it!

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

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

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

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.

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 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.

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

Amazing

I love this album so much :')

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.

An all-time classic! Pure pop bliss!

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

Brilliant

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".

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!

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.

Amazing

Hell yeah

I loved this album

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

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.

This contains some really beautiful music.

Favourite song - Caroline, no

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.

Genius at work.

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.

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!

9.5/10

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

Lol 5 stars

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.

i get why people call this the beach boys' masterpiece. it's an excellent example of melancholy/wistful lyrics set to cheerful instrumentation and i loved it way more than i was expecting

Rating: 4.6

Of the the big bands of the 60s, this is probably the band I listen to the least. I enjoy a few of their hits, and I appreciate them for who they are. I think just... hearing "Kokomo" so much as a teenager got me very tired of them. But you can't deny "Pet Sounds" is one of the great albums of the 60s. Listening to "God Only Knows" and hearing some of the effects Wilson used on that and so many of the other songs... it's just so fascinating. I had just written about "Sloop John B", it's such a fun song. You kind of get a smile to your face when you hear every time. It can't be denied. One of the things I think about for a five-star album is will I want to listen to the album again? And I think that the album has that quality only because you're trying to pick out all of the things Wilson put INTO the songs. A classic album, even if they are not my favorite band.

Wouldn't it be nice if I listened to this album more? It's a really nice one

5 stars but I will say that I think Pet Sounds is a little overrated. Which isn't to say I dislike it - this is a beautiful set of songs with lush vocal harmonies, and much more complex arrangements than we might expect from the Beach Boys. The lyrics too are wistful, romantic and thoughtful throughout. There's much more here than a bunch of songs about surfing. I don't think it's the greatest album ever and a true game-changer, but there's no denying how gorgeous this is to listen to.

This album is a masterpiece

No comment

So THAT’S why everyone talks about this album.

A masterpiece from beginning to end. Not a down moment. Obviously some songs are greater than others, but just one of the greatest albums of all-time. Don't ask me what this means, but I feel like this appropriate music to play at a petting zoo. Favorite Songs: I'm Waiting for the Day, God Only Knows, Hang on to Your Ego

I was wondering when this album in particular would turn up. On the surface, one of the greatest albums of all time by the "Beach Boys"? The same group that gave the world "Kokomo"? Well, the answer is two words...Brian and Wilson. What he envisioned and heard and was able to commit to vinyl was groundbreaking. This album is a rich tapestry of sound. Layer upon layer of parts that if not in the hands of Wilson could be just an incoherent jumble. Sure, a couple of the songs are not among his best but "God Only Knows" and "Caroline No" are wonderful. Easily a 5 rating from me!

I first picked this up because it's always in the top 10 of greatest albums lists. I was just alright with it and didn't understand all the accolades. It's really good, but it's no Sgt. Pepper or Nevermind imo. I think a lot of the songs have a 'show tunes' aspect to them that I'm kinda blah with. But I know this album is great even if I'm lukewarm on it. I think the mono version is a better listening experience on spotify.