Pet Sounds

Definitely get why this is on the list - it's 2025 and the production still sounds modern even today. That being said I'm not really moved by it.

A beautiful album. I finally get it. There is no doubt that this album was influential, taking the production techniques started by Specter to a new level. The layering of sounds, from the vocal harmonies to the instrumentation was way ahead of its time. One of the reasons I joined this project was to listen to and appreciate how albums influenced music that follows and this album certainly delivers on this criterion. I say all of this because contextualization often helps me appreciate older music at a deeper level. Part of the reason is that when albums are highly influential, as this one was, it is easy to forget that the reason the sounds can seem like so much else you have heard was precisely because of its influence on the music that followed. Without contextualization it is impossible understand just how innovative Pet Sounds was at the time. Again, this is beautiful music, no doubt. I especially enjoyed the interplay of the vocalizations with instrumentation that superficially seems simply, but is actually complex. My listen for this review might be the first time the Beach Boys was unlocked for me. Perhaps this was a better understanding the context of the time. However, I think it has more to do with a deeper listen to the complexity and beauty of the arrangements, which allowed me to see the album as something more than a pop album. Nevertheless, I intend to listen to later Beach Boys music again with these new ears.

Bella la prima canzone

Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys is like sitting on the porch at sunset, thinking about life, love, and all the weird in-between feelings. Odd little sound effects, and harmonies so good they almost don’t sound real. It’s warm, emotional, and surprisingly experimental, but still easy to just sink into. Final Ranking: Lyrics: 7/10 Instrumentals: 6/10 Originality: 8/10 Album Cohesion and Flow: 8/10 Vocals: 9/10 – Borderline 10, might change after Overall: A classic that’s easy to respect, perfect for old vibes that aren't boring and again with godly harmonies. The like of which are rarely seen, this album realistically shaped the entire genre and for the time was very progressive and strangely experimental for a group established for that long.

🚨Classic alert🚨

Easily top 10 album of all time

Enjoyed Sloop John B

I always thought The Beach Boys were just some shallow surfer band. But talk about blown away by this album. From start to finish, it felt like a rock symphony of sorts. Best track: “I Just Wasn’t Made for These Times”

8/10

It's alright. Nothing sparked anything in me.

Eh

yepi

More melancholic than the last record. Life is not all party

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.

Potential GOAT. Definite goat on the cover too.

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.

Every time I listen to this album I don’t get the hype. It’s very good. It’s also kind of annoying at times and really doesn’t FEEL earth shattering.

Its beautiful mellow and ahead of its time , layered and oft emotional about as much as you can expect from an album from the 60s

Classic

I love wouldnt it be nice!! Always reminds me of 50 first dates!! So beachy and chill and great harmonies!! It was a little different then what I was expecting but I really only knew 2 of the songs right off the bat! It was enjoyable and they definitely are poppy harmonizing icons

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.

An important and influential album. They certainly experimented with a lot of new sounds and styles, and it’s impressive that they could still reinvent themselves and make such great music by their 11th album (!), at a point in their career where most bands usually start to decline. As revolutionary as it was back then, I’m not sure it aged that well though. Some songs are still pretty awesome, but many others sound a bit tame now. I think I prefered The Beach Boys when they were doing brainless, happy surf music ; maybe it wasn’t as sophisticated as Pet Sounds, but they had a raw energy that this album could sometimes use. I enjoyed listening to it, I acknowledge its objective importance, but it didn’t excite me as much as I would have liked. Maybe I’ll come back to it in the future to try to get a new perspective.

Some god level songs, some dogshit. Such is pet sounds

The greatest album of all time.

Songs are good, but the album gets repetitive quick

Wouldn't it be nice

Standouts Wouldn't it be Nice Let's Go Away for Awhile Sloop John B God Only Knows

Undeniable a production triumph. Robust sound. As much as I want to shit on it, its hard to....I just don't loooove it like the critics say I am supposed to.

It's a great album, for sure. I just don't really understand how it's in the top 5 of most lists.

I have the vinyl. I love this album.

It's hard to define a 5 star album. It needs to make a good first impression, needs to have replay-ability, and should have strong songs that are balanced throughout. This is probably more than I can judge on a first listen. I don't know if this album will be 5 stars on the third listen or the tenth listen, but it's not there yet. Maybe in the future.

Really liked it. The california vibes shone through. I've never listened to them before but really liked this. I have always been aware of the album. Stand out tracks for me were 'Pet Sounds' and 'Here Today'. Obviously I knew 'God Only Knows' and 'Wouldn't It Be Nice', which are obviously very good songs, but I've heard then so many times now they just washed over me.

Yeah… It WOULD be nice…

Personally can't see how this is so highly rated.

A couple of really good tracks but the rest is meh.

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

Did not match my vibes but good!

Wouldnt it be Nice l'avevo già sentitaaa. Bella bella, non il genere che sto cercando ora ma è bella. You still believe in me, troppo natalizia. Boh 2 stelle, non il mio genere

Several classics and interesting deep cuts 👏

Big for its time. Couple of hits. Good harmonies.

So, 'Pet Sounds' IS on this list, after all. Fine. It deserves to be. But then I stand even more strongly by my earlier assertion that 'The Beach Boys Today!' does NOT warrant taking up a second spot on this list which at least 1,001 other albums could and should have had. Anyway, about THIS album. It sucks. Since it's (thankfully) short, I even gave it a second playthrough just to be sure. Yep. It sucks. The three tracks everyone knows are passable, but the rest of this is a singsongy snoozefest. "(Brian Wilson's) goal was to create "the greatest rock album ever made"—a cohesive work with no filler tracks." Uh... really? Guess "filler track" had a different definition back in 1966. I understand this album's historical context and significance, and so, for pushing production boundaries and for using a theremin (if for only but a moment) it gets a bump in its rating - but I'm unwilling to bend any further for what is essentially an overrated, outdated slice of beta male Americana.

I really find it odd how much beach boys are on this list. It just seems so lame. There are far worse things on this list, but I can at least see why someone would have opted for it. But The Beach Boys? I guess if there was one beach boys album that should make the cut it would be this one. And hopefully this is the last. I’m not willing to grade on a curve for this one though. This was painfully boring, and just not that good.

Great harmonies. Brian Wilson was brilliant. Never caught me back in the day.

I will never understand the appeal of the Beach Boys. I tried. JFC, "Sloop John B" has got to be the worst song ever recorded.

Well I did not hear anything revolutionary or progressive about this album. It sounds like just another Beach Boys album to me!

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!

I only really like one Beach Boys song (Good Vibrations) and it isn't on this album. I can appreciate how influential this is, and that it's the pinnacle of pop music and all of that. It just subjectively leaves me cold. It sounds *aggressively* 60s in a way that my favourite Beatles songs don't, and I really don't like the intense use of reverb on the vocals. Just, not for me.

God, I hate the Beach Boys!

Really enjoyed this album. A few legendary songs I've heard before, but the rest was also really good. I like this happier Beatles-ish sound. It sounds like no worries or problems. Not because it's all happy go lucky, but because it sounds like it's all figured out, it sounds like it's obvious that this is what the album should sound like.

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.

I don't get the hype... it's fine

An album I own. Its highly rated because it is good. Full of variation and a great mix of cracking pop songs. Listening to it objectively, it loses a bit in the middle. That said, here are a lot of notable songs and ive listened to it an number of times over the years. 4 Solid stars

not my type of music but let’s see… already know ‘wouldn’t it be nice’ ofc cute! really enjoyed the interlude/instrumental track actually, sloop john b too lowkey god only knows is a classic for a reason tbf

Pretty good

Generic Beach Boys sound. Whatever you hear in your head when someone mentions the Beach Boys, that's what this entire album sounds like. It's fine, nothing special. An important part of American music styling but not really a "stand out" album for me personally.

Easy listening, but didn't captivate me. Not quite a 3.

After the death of Brian Wilson, I decided to make the summer of 2025, my summer of Beach Boys and listen through the discography. I’ve always revered their style, and their songs have had an enormous impact on my appreciation of music in general. The earliest memory I have of intentionally listening to music of any kind was of sitting in front of my dad’s enormous sound system and popping in the Endless Summer compilation CD. Still, I’ve listened through the discographies of The Beatles and Dylan, but why not The Beach Boys? I thought this could be a project that could take me All Summer Long (see what I did there?). I’d just listened through their Christmas album (in July, no less) when the album generator gave me Pet Sounds for homework. Being somewhat ocd, I decided to power through The Beach Boys Today, Summer Days, and Beach Boys Party before turning on Pet Sounds, even though I’ve already heard Pet Sounds a million times. What I got was a tremendous dose of chronological Beach Boys all at once. For the first time, I really saw what a treasure and a breakthrough Pet Sounds was (is). This is The Beach Boys at their most mature to this point, and was the apex of their career. I mean, God Only Knows, Sloop John B, I Know There’s An Answer… I couldn’t stop there, and moved on to Smiley Smile, the Smile Sessions, and Brian Wilson presents Smile. They’re all great, but each leave you with a heavy feeling of defeat, or of what might have been if only. Mostly, you get a sense of what the enormous pressure, coupled with the drugs and fame and expectations, had on Wilson. You see a genius crack like an egg under the system, under social demand. It’s a tragedy really. Not that Wild Honey or Surfs Up or the later albums are bad, they just, you know, aren’t the same. They lack that special feeling that was captured best in Pet Sounds. Man, what a thing.

I think this is a solid album. The Beach Boys were great, and I will die on that hill!! But for real, you can throw this on for a pleasant listen.

I do know how legendary this album is. Sgt Pepper's legendary. Famous quote as everyone knows it, this was "their Sgt Peppers". Don't recall sitting down to listen to this album. That was a great album!

Great album!

If you take away the only 2 good songs on here, then in my opinion it is pretty boring with a lot of repeating stuff to the point where it becomes boring. Also, it is pretty dreamy, if that makes sense.

Loses some points for familiarity - there are like 3 all-time songs on here that I’ve loved since childhood, and the more experimental stuff just cannot live up to them

Ground breaking album

Vibes; Het album. Ik weet niet, misschien komt het door Love Actually, maar dit hele album voelt voor mij echt heel erg als een kerstalbum? Misschien zijn het de vele belletjes en dingetjes die je op de achtergrond hoort. Misschien is het de zang die bij wijlen bijna als een soort koor klinkt? Misschien zijn het de teksten die gaan over liefde en gezelligheid en hoe schattig en mooi alles eigenlijk is? Ik weet het niet, maar het voelt nog altijd als een kerstalbum. Er staan de hits op(wouldnt is be nice en God only knows) maar het is ook eigenlijk meteen duidelijk waarom dit nou de hits zijn. De rest is gewoon een flink stuk saaier en de melodie is minder catchy. FAVO: Wouldn't it be nice, God only knows

5+ Stars (15/15)

This was good but I think with all the hype around it I was maybe expecting something better! Personally I would take “Revolver” instead.

meh... alguna chula, pero sin más

Me parece que si no eres estadounidense te dan completamente igual los Beach Boys.

Way better than I expected it to be.

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.

Stone cold classic. The harmonies and some of the songs are brilliant. In a possible controversial statement though, I didn't love the entire album. Sloop John B remains a personal favourite and God Only Knows is a masterpiece of loveliness but there are others that don't shine as much.

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 .

Overhyped

A beautifully touching,personal and poetic album. The melodies and orchestration blend beautifully to deliver Brian Wilson's genuis vision. You know you've done good when the Beatles reheated your nachos to create one of their greatest albums to later influence artists to this very day. God Only Knows where we'd be without this album.

I think I set my expectations too high

I hate that super happy pop crap. Was planning on a 2 but I guess I gotta give credit where credit is due. I go up to a 3 and that’s it

"The Rolling Stone" magazine has this ranked as the second greatest album of all time. Wouldn't it be nice if that was true. It was fun while it lasted, but a bit too short. Favorite Track: "Wouldn't It Be Nice".

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 ❤️

Super cool experimental and music changing album

There's some bangers, but there's some absolute shite too, let's be fair. I always find Pet sounds a bit dark in places.

Nice. Fav: God only knows

3,5

This is where the Beach Boys begin for me. Most BB albums before "Pet Sounds" aren't worth talking about. There's 60s perfection throughout the album. It's up there with the Beatles' albums post-"Revolver". What an amazing experience. 5 stars for "Pet Sounds".

Great album. Have listened to the whole album before and would listen to the whole album again. I love Wouldn’t It Be Nice and God Only Knows.

another classic, that never really clicked with me. They do have a unique sound, but I much prefer the Beatles.

Lush. Definitely worth a listen and a focus in the lyrics.

Classic easy listen

Amazing album, wonderful rich production and loaded with soothing fun music. Immediately grabs you and keeps it going. Wouldn’t it be nice and god only knows are amazing pop songs.

Not a BB fan but I like the weird psychedelic style of the album.

This is absolutely and deservedly one of the greatest albums ever recorded and produced. The complexity of the vocal harmonies and songwriting itself is incredible. The fact that all of this is completely seamless is dumbfounding. Brian Wilson was a genius. 5/5

Omg so boring

This is the kind of rock I can get around. I like the production a lot, and the lead singer sounds nice enough. It’s still not fully up my alley, but I definitely have a lot of appreciation.

Generic album #46473.

I can feel why it could be good, but I wasn't in it strongly on the first listen.

Obviously a bit bubblegum pop- but the harmonies are incredible and not giving this a 5 would be stupid. God only knows

good listen for 7pm on a week night

Reminds me of cruising with Devon and Bryan in high school, minor league baseball on warm summer nights. Makes me miss them. I liked the sax, mono isn’t the best.

A classic, not sure if I've listened through the whole album before but some of the best and most popular Beach Boys songs are on it

A certified hood classic.

Some bangers but some ehs

This is probably a top ten album of all time. I've listened to it countless times and I'll never get bored of it. This is the album that made Paul McCartney think "Oh shit. We need to step up our game." and, without it, we may never have gotten Sgt. Pepper.

Enjoyable.

Great album. The harmonies, the orchestration perfectly arranged. A more mature beach boys. Love “wouldn’t it be nice”, “sloop John b” and “god only knows”. rip Brian Wilson!

Not a fan. I think Pet Sounds - sounds bad

Perfect from start to finish. the first one I got that I knew really well already

I own this one. Great album, some classic tracks, wonderful production and those harmonies. Seems quite ahead of it's time for 1966. A couple of filler tracks but it really it really captures a sound for that generation. Top stuff. 4.5/5

i wanted to hate on this so bad but its so whimsical and joyous i cant do it.

Already listened ❤️ Great album Rip

I know. It's supposed to be an all time great. Hate it.

I really like the energy but the music wasnt great

This album has a crazy reputation, and now, after finally listening to it for the first time, I think it’s mostly deserved. I will admit to expecting to be blown away a little more. But I think the effect of this album comes down to the feeling. I kind of understand why people obsess over the recording and studio setup of it because something about the way it sounds is just magical in a special way. Brian Wilson’s songwriting, the yearning vocals, plus that magic sound, just has a sort of chemical effect. But some songs were just, eh, inessential. I’m talking about “I Know There’s an Answer” and honestly “Pet Sounds.” Probably a few more. The big hits though are unimpeachable. Must-listen #166.

While there are certainly several great songs on here, this isn't the kind of thing I would choose to listen to, normally. But it's also clearly a different kind of album; it's like you can feel it's significance even today.

Music often is nostalgic to begin with and then becomes nostalgia to its listeners. So I will have trouble putting this and many Beatles records into a personal rating system. Because I don’t feel nostalgic for this. That being said I like the Wrecking Crew and the lead vocals are great. I also always like the Hang on to your ego version of I know an answer.

It’s hard to hate a very good album by a band I really hate. But here we are.

On one hand, this is a blessed album, overflowing with ideas and ambition and beauty. The production style influenced almost every rock band I love today. On the other hand, the ceiling on how much I could like the style of music Brian Wilson made is like a 3/5. Let's split the difference. Also, "A Mouthful of Sores" has permanently tarnished my ability to not giggle when I listen to the Beach Boys. IYKYK.

An iconic record for a reason. Lovely.

Never understood the critical popularity of this album. Perhaps you had to be there? I was a BB fan during the 60s based on their radio hits but never owned any of their studio albums.

When an album is praised as much as this I am usually disappointed when listening to finding it over-hyped lots of times. Not this time, this actually sounds as good as it is reputed to be. I had heard of it but never listened to it in it's entirity and I really loved it. 3 tracks have been on my list of best tracks ever for a long time and the rest doesn't disappoint. So a rare but deserved 5 stars.

It's Pet Sounds. 5/5

I never understood why people love this album…

Good vibes and nice background synths

Well. This was lovely.

Booo. I hate this record and always have and will. It gets 2 stars bc of the musical legacy.

Sound of a very specific time. Musically excellent. Always a treat to listen to this album.

A great album, and one I’ve owned for years. There’s no denying its influence - and there are several outstanding tracks that immediately made their way into (and remain in) popular music history. That said, I’ve never felt it fully cohered - and the title track, while undoubtedly groundbreaking at the time, feels little more than clever filler. Classic-ish.

6.8/10 - some slappers

Beautiful and masterful album. Arrangements and melodies are insane. Top in history. Album is a great love story with a link between all songs just a really great masterpiece

An all-time classic.

Another Beach Boys album, just a few weeks after BW's passing? And less than two weeks after my first? I'll take it, but seems a little odd (if not intentional). I've often heard (especially lately, given recent events) that this is one of the greatest albums of all time, but I can't say I really see why after listening. It does some interesting stuff musically, and felt like it flowed well both in composition and lyrically. Even so, there was really nothing that I can say blew me away. I'd guess it's another example of something that had more impact in context than I get from hearing it on here. Looking into it more, it often gets cited as altering the course of music production, which is harder for me to recognize now, almost 60 years later. A lot of the songs are fine to good. Similar to what I've written about some of the other records on here, it notably has no particularly bad songs. A couple are very good- God Only Knows is probably the best track on the album and holds its own off of it. Other than that, nothing really stands out as great on its own. It's also solid as a whole album, but again, nothing that strikes me as great. I'll concede that it isn't my particularly favorite genre/style, which could skew things a bit. Even so, I enjoyed it, and thought certain parts were pretty good. There just wasn't that much else that stood out to me as better than that. As a result, it sits in the high range of good in my ranking, but not up to great. Overall: 3.5/5

Easily one of the saddest happy albums I've ever heard. Like I can easily imagine someone skipping to these songs, and another person just sobbing to them.

could i write poetry to this? y

Obviously, this is an album that must be listened to before you may call yourself a fully-formed, adult human being.

Some good, some bad

Fun! Would listen again!

Wouldn't it be nice and surfin usa are bangers rest are alright

Tried to get into The Beach Boys, but can’t do it. I know this is considered one of the best of all time but “shrug”.

Dit is stiekem best wel heel goed.

Classic album. The overall tone was a lot more sad than most of their big songs. I think I just paid more attention

every repeated listen brings a new detail to the forefront - an interesting texture i missed the previous time, or something subtle hidden beneath the layers of harmony.

As good as I remember, a masterpiece of beach love and longing

No i to jest dużo lepsza, mniej oczywista płyta The Beach Boys. Jasne te wszystkie dźwięki, nucenie, harmonie czy cokolwiek to jest mogą w pewnym momencie męczyć, ale ogólnie jest to piękna, słoneczna, lekka płyta przez którą się płynie. Nie męczy, nie stresuje i się nie dłuży. Wokale? No mogą irytować, ale dla mnie są jak kryształ. 7.5/10

Nice

Lots of familiar hits and songs that sounds exactly like the hits. It's the falsetto harmony that's grating.

Loving it- bringing a lot of joy to this rainy wednesday in the office.

Classic.

Didn't like it then, and I don't now.

excellent album, so many good ones. RIP Brian Wilson

classic

Needs more theremin

Absolutely incredible from start to finish. It's no surprise this album gets the praise it does.

Seems to be perfect timing to review this gem from the Beach Boys, because it was less than a week ago (as of this writing) that Brian Wilson passed away. For the past few days I've been re-listening to the Beach Boys as a tribute to Wilson, staying clear of the material he wasn't involved in and focusing on the essential albums he had a heavy part in. Pet Sounds is their/his masterpiece and I realized it was the only record from the band I can listen to (intensely) in one sitting. I admit, I've never been fan of most of Beach Boys discography, the beach, girls, surfing and fun fun fun songs, that had little substance, but were effective musical earwigs. The music on Pet Sounds was lush sounding, with layer upon layer of musical sounds unheard of in pop-rock music at the time and with dogged determination, Wilson eventually completed his ambitious "masterpiece" project. "Wouldn't It Be Nice" and "God Only Knows" are essential in any genre, with a cohesive collection of supporting songs. It's not perfect, it drags a bit at times. but if you had to listen to just one Beach Boys record, strap on your headphones and enjoy Pet Sounds.

The best…..Beach Boys Album

An unmitigated masterpiece. Like tiki jazz, psych and classic pop had a cosmic baby. The melodies, the tone, the harmonies, the production - everything somehow bypasses logic, hitting you squarely in the heart. If you are not a quivering mess by the time that damn train pulls out something is wrong with you.

Didn't love it

Classic.

I can see why this is in the GOAT debate.. my kings

Gister eigenlijk geen fuck van meegekregen haha. Maar dit album is zo'n staple good, dat je geen recente, aandachtige luisterbeurt nodig hebt om te concluderen dat het een pop masterpiece is. Ongekend belangrijk voor zoveel genres waarin muziek in al zijn complexiteit zegeviert, van shoegaze tot dream en art pop. Productie is zelfs vandaag de dag nog van wonderlijk niveau, bijna een enigma. 9/10 Highlights: God Only Knows Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder) I'm Waiting For The Day Caroline, No

Wat fijn dat the Beatles Brian Wilson tot het uiterste hebben gedreven. Daardoor produceerde hij toch maar dit hoogstandje. De ontleding van God Only Knows leverde wat mooie inzichten op. De nummers klinken namelijk soms kinderlijk eenvoudig maar bevatten muzikaal complexe elementen. Die merk je niet bewust op, maar onbewust sturen ze je beoordeling. Waardoor je Pet Sounds intrigerend en mooi gaat vinden. Waanzinnig vind ik dat. Niet alle tracks hebben de kwaliteit van God Only Knows. Maar de harmonieën, de afwisseling van zangers, de poppiness. Prachtig. 8,5/10 Highlights God Only Knows Caroline, No

Fantastic album, but not without its flaws. Every song just fades away rather than ending.

woo

❤️

Meh

As someone who usually loves the Breach Boys for their surfy sound and beach vibes, this album caught me a little off guard. This album feels more emotional and less about surfboards. That's not to say it is a bad album- far from it. It just did have that classic Beach Boy itch.

Wouldn’t it be nice is a great song. Other than that, it was not my cup of tea.

Little outdated for me

These guys just won't go away. I'll admit that I enjoyed this album more than the last one. "Wouldn't it be nice" is definitely my favorite Beach Boys song so it was great to kick things off with. Pet Sounds was able to make it further into the album before getting tiresome of the same exact sound/song. It feels more mature than prior albums. Overall not too shabby, and I can see how the mixing approaches and experimenting led to some new developments for the Beatles.

The best!

god only knows

5 - mastapiece

Liked it a lot

Easy listening, good happy background music

Masterpiece

The only debate for me is which one I prefer, the mono or stereo version. Prefer the stereo version for the separation of all the vocals and instruments, with the expanded soundscape. Not weird like the Beatles stereo albums that were originally in mono. However, I feel the mono has a little more snap or punch, bass. I suppose it’s good to like both.

Harmonies for miles.

Yay!!

So human

Another day of tribute to Brian Wilson. RIP. Some iconic classic s on this one: Wouldn’t it be nice, Sloop John B and Fox only knows. Still not their best work, but a fun listen.

Another beach boys album. A few big hits again. Just not something I’d choose to listen to today.

Simply stunning. A masterclass in songwriting.

30/1001. Was it random coincidence or does someone plan these? 2 days after Brian Wilson's death I get this on the plate. What to say? Well let's start with that I've seen the Beach Boys live! That was way back in 1991, at the Dodgers stadium in LA, and I can't say I enjoyed it, it was 4th of July celebration with Patriot missile style fireworks, you know after the Gulf war, which I hated. Didn't stand up for the national anthem (it wasn't my nation anyway). Ever since that year I spent there as an exchange student I've looked America with a crooked eye, what a waste to so much beauty and potential greatness it has become. Can't figure out why my sister wants to live there and stay there… But to the music, yes. I do own this cd, but for some reason the Beach boys always sound too beach for me. The unofficial bootlegs of Smile and the final release of Brian Wilson's Smile are great, (I don't think I have actually heard Smiley Smile?) but this one for me is more surf than turf. I'm sure more BB albums are coming up, perhaps some interesting ones. perhaps.

belters and a wonderful summer listen

Eh, again, not much of a beach boys fan. Cant fault the music, just my taste

Alright, let's talk about The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds. This album is absolutely a 5-star masterpiece. I get it now, I really do. I'd heard so many of the songs over the years – they're everywhere, right? But I never actually sat down and listened to the whole record from start to finish until I picked it up on vinyl a couple of months back. What a revelation. Brian Wilson was simply a genius, plain and simple. The way this album is put together, the sounds, the emotions – it's just awesome. Hearing it on vinyl really brings out all the layers. It's truly a legendary album, and it totally lives up to the hype.

This album is just ‘ok’ - sounds very homogenous; I *really* don’t understand why this is considered one of the greatest albums ever made…

Nice, mild album. Wouldn't it be nice if you don't talk and make pet sound that God only knows?

Serendipitous that legend Brian Wilson passed away today. Always has been a 5* album for me

I just don't really care for The Beach Boys.

One of the greatest albums of all time

How not to be cliche... perfection, masterpiece, timeless. I guess I was supposed to get it right after Brian Wilson's death...

Альбом самобытный и с каждым разом мне нравится всё больше и больше. 8,5 из 10.

RIP Brian Wilson

I have never understood Pet Sounds being in the same conversation with The White Album or Exile on Main Street. IT truly feels like America looking at the music of the world at that time and going 'we got nothing'. Not to say that the US doesn't have great artists. But so many are 'Artists' not bands. The bands all felt derivative of something that already happened in England. I'd say the greatest American band of all time is the Grateful Dead. Unique, uncompromising, a touring extravaganza. Yet they never seem to be mentioned in the same way The Beatles or Stones are, just The Beach Boys.

"This is the worst trip I've ever been on" Concept album (ugh). Groundbreaking masterpiece at the time, but maybe you had to be there? Reminds me of circus/carousel music but make it trippy. Enjoyed a few tracks - Sloop John B and God Only Knows, and the stereo versions are much more pleasant than the mono.

True classic. God only knows may be the most beautiful pop song ever written.

3.0 - Ok

As a teenager in the 1990s, I did my own mini version of this project by borrowing classic albums from the CD section in my local library. That's how I first heard Pet Sounds - and I've loved it ever since. So, I would have given it five stars whenever it came up on the generator, but the fact that Brian Wilson died yesterday made this listen even more poignant.

This is the 138th album I’m rating. Getting this after Brian Wilson's death can't be a coincidence, and I know that because I checked. Adding to my Playlist - Wouldn't it be Nice, You Still Believe in me, That's Not me, Don't Talk (Put Your Head on my Shoulders), I'm Waiting for the Day, Let's Go Away for a While, Sloop John B, God Only Knows, I Know there's an Answer, Here Today, I Just Wasn't Made for these Times, Pet Sounds, and Caroline, No. Not Adding to my Playlist - Nothing. Wouldn't it be Nice - I didn't know this was from this album. This is just a classic not much else to say. All in all I liked 13/13 songs, One of the few classic albums that wasn't over hyped. Brian Wilson was a great musician.

Interestingly I got this the day after Brian Wilson passed. RIP. I've reviewed a couple of their albums from this list already, one got a 2 star and the other a 3. I just can't stand the vocals mostly. The "ooooh oooohs, "aaaah aaaahhhAAAAAAs", "ooooh eeeees" and high pitched shrieking are too much. It's almost comical. Like I said in a previous review, I can appreciate they were the most revered boy band and the girls went limp listening to them, but their music needs to stay where it was, it has no place in the modern world.

Hmm synes det er godt og helt sikkert anerkendt for at være en af de bedste produceret albums nogensinde. Det er en af de første gange, hvor man har lavet et album hvor det ikke bare er singles osv men der er en gennemgående rød tråd. Det meste er lavet af en person og der er lagt mange timer og energi i det. Inspirerede bla the beatles til at lave sergeant pepper.

I've listened to this album before, and honestly it didn't do much for me at the time. I will say my opinion has improved upon it for this listen, but feel like it's still not an album that I'm super into. When the album hits, it absolutely hits. Tracks like Wouldn't It Be Nice? (Best track on the album), Sloop John B, I Know There's An Answer, and Pet Sounds are great. But when the album doesn't hit for me, its sitting in a slow or mid tempo spot that I'm not a huge fan of (You Still Believe in Me, Don't Talk, I Wasn't Made For These Times). Top it off with it being one of those psychedelic records with that really sharp, high pitched keyboard/piano sound. Think I referred to it as the sound of Ren Faire or something on previous records I've gotten. Don't think its quite that sound, but not far. I will say, this is probably the best album of its genre, easy, just not my thing. I do prefer Surf's Up from The Beach Boys.

Seminal, ground-breaking, innovative, classic. So they say. I hear middling pop with an annoying vocal. Some was ok. Sorry, legions of Pet Sounds fans. I don’t get it.

When I think of 'pop music' this is probably the album that first comes to mind, or certainly is up there. Quintessential pop music.

Excepto ese tema, goodbye. Nota: 2.7

Fucking hell, I got this the day after the death of the genius that is Brian Wilson which is a bit weird. I definitely wouldn't put this on my personal top 20 but this one is so ahead of its time it's crazy. All the crazy instruments makes it unique, the harmonies and lyrics are amazing.

Pet Sounds is the best pop album of all time. You’ve probably heard that take before. You may have also heard different versions of it: Pet Sounds is the most beautiful pop album of all time, Pet Sounds is the best produced pop album of all time, and I’d disagree with that, that’s a stretch, at least for me. But I do think the original take is correct, that Pet Sounds is indeed the best pop album of all time, at least from the ones I’ve heard. There’s just something to this album that can never be replicated. Maybe it’s the jumbly sound of the mix, maybe it’s Brian’s vocals, maybe it’s his lyricism, maybe it’s the vocal layering, maybe it’s the instrument layering. I really couldn’t tell you. I can’t think of any way to transition this into a track-by-track but Wouldn’t it be nice to be the most adorable song I’ve ever heard? One of the few (mostly) happy songs on the album, Wouldn’t It Be Nice, is genuinely just fun. I absolutely adore songs written about stuff like this, young love. As somebody who pulls all the bitches, I can really relate to it. With that, the lyrics are so fucking good. They’re not coated in metaphor, they’re not stuck together with filler, it’s just fantastic straight-to-the-point line after fantastic straight-to-the-point line. I went to look at the lyrics to try to pick out a specific example but each line is just so damn good. A guy in a relationship that’s “too young” for true love, too young to get married, and wishing (or waiting) for the day you and your lover can be married. A day you don’t have to fear about breaking up (well, divorce exists). The pure innocence coming from the track is adorable, and it’s amplified by basic childish ways to say things like “maybe if we think and wish and hope and pray.” Also things like “we could be married, and then we’d be happy,” it’s such a normal phrase but it’s not just something you’d say to a girl if you didn’t want her to think you were an immature loser, but that’s the point, it IS immature. I love how the final chorus is kind of tension-building and then it just says fuck that, we should talk about it. The “but wouldn’t it be nice?” (“But” sometimes being replaced with “oh”) ending the choruses and bridge are just so cute, and I’m sure I don’t need to talk about it too much, but yeah the actual music is sick. Perfectly catchy melodies, things starting and stopping and perfect moments, the lush harmonies, the call-and-responses, the vocal styles, it’s basically perfect. Pet Sounds is really a grower, and songs like You Don’t Believe in Me are good examples of why. Compared to other albums coming out from this time, it’s actually pretty weird so if you’re expecting something like Revolver or Abbey Road, you’re gonna be pretty disappointed. Going into this track from Wouldn’t It Be Nice? while still expecting it to be cheery is gonna make it honestly sound kind of terrifying. But then you start humming the cryyyy to yourself, and then the verses, and then you know the whole song, and it’s gorgeous. The track builds but it still sounds perfectly full before building. And it’s not like when it does build, it’s too much, it actually feels better, like an orgasm. Brian’s vocal performance and his lyrics are perfectly looking at immature things that the narrator has done in a mature way. The lyrics are devastatingly beautiful: “I can’t help how I act when you’re not here with me, I try hard to be strong, but sometimes, I fail myself.” It feels like he’s genuinely begging you to explain why you still believe in him. There’s so many wind instruments playing things that feel a little off, which works perfectly in the song’s favor, and there’s of course the “me” note in the chorus. The last part where the harmonies are just repeating “cry” is obviously beautiful and if you haven’t heard it before, I would recommend doing it immediately. That’s Not Me, in my opinion, is the most devastating track on the album, but without the lyrics, I would think this song is about horses and trees and life and shit. Heck, you could probably think it was about that until you hear the line “I went through all kinds of changes, took a look at myself, and said that’s not me.” I used to not be extremely into this track, but I love it now. The melody is fantastic, the instrumental is fantastic, the backing vocals are fantastic, everything about it is just amazing. And obviously, there’s the repeated mantra at the end of the song, that is just literally everything: “I once had a dream so I packed up and split for the city, I soon found out that my lonely life wasn’t so pretty.” How the lyrics feel so personal to Brian but still relatable to the listener is just beyond me. I can totally see why somebody would find Pet Sounds annoying and Don’t Talk is the perfect example. Like half of the song is just falsetto. Anyway, this song is fucking amazing and gorgeous and perfect. I love the stereo mix of Pet Sounds so fucking much because it makes some of the songs feel more full, yes, but I feel like if the vocals weren’t panned like how they are on this track, it’d sound sort of off? The melody is gorgeous, the bass is loud as fuck but what it’s playing is great, and the hi-hat(?) just repeating really makes it feel more dense. The lyrics are a little basic (“We could live forever tonight”), sure, but that doesn’t stop them from being pretty. I really like “don’t talk, close your eyes and be still,” it’s so calming and almost reassuring. The last “listen” during the bridge is the perfect segue for those aweing strings to come in, I love it. It varies from time-to-time, but currently if I had to choose a favorite song on the album, it’d be I’m Waiting for the Day. The way it blends this lush, but still kind of hollow instrumentation and that gorgeous melody with an upbeat, fun, cute, catchy banger is absolutely beyond me. Straight off the bat, things snap into this chaotic, bouncy beat and a flute melody, which after TEN SECONDS, drops into this beautiful verse with these genuinely amazing lyrics. The chorus perfectly attaches to the verse like a puzzle piece that you can barely even notice the switch, the only thing that really changes is some of the instruments get louder and the, I think, oboe stops playing the same thing as the lead melody. Then, Brian says “I’m waiting for the day when you can love again” and we go BACK to the sound from the beginning. This one part would hit so much differently if even ONE aspect of it was changed, even one of the notes were changed, if one of the instruments were removed, if the vocal style was slightly different. It is done so intelligently well that it is almost incomprehensible. Immediately, after the switch-up, we’re thrown into the second verse, WITH the upbeat instrumental. It just flows so goddamn well. I think the lyrics on the first verse are a little better than the ones on the second verse but the lyrics on the second verse are so much more memorable and meaningful to me (and they’re beautiful ofc) so you need to read them: “I kissed your lips and when your face looked sad It made me think about him and that you still loved him so Baby, don't you know that pretty soon, I made you feel glad That you belonged to me and love began to show?” And then things drop AGAIN into the chorus, this so calming but feels so human, using phrases like “I guess” to get it to work that way. And then things are amped up AGAIN for an instrumental break with some backing vocals and then they drop AGAIN for ANOTHER chorus. Brian adds more falsetto to his voice to acknowledge the change from the previous chorus while balancing it with the in-the-moment aspect. The chorus ends and this layer of strings is placed beneath it, ending the track. But no. No, the track doesn’t end. Because things get bouncy AGAIN. And this point, it’s a fucking trampoline with how fun it is. It’s not these beautifully crafted lines, but these genuine statements and that honesty makes it beautiful even if it wasn’t trying to be. I’m immediately stressing out over what to say for the instrumental tracks, like this one, Let’s Go Away for a While, considering how much I’ve been dickriding the lyrics. I think it’s a gorgeous track, don’t get me wrong, but I really don’t know what to say about it. Okay wait. I really like the balance of the instruments being used. I was going to mention which ones are being used most, basically like leads, but I really couldn’t pinpoint a specific one. The glockenspiel gets its moment, the saxophone does too, the strings, the bass, the drums, it’s just so much. And it’s gorgeous, can’t forget that. I really love the little string flair at 0:34 seconds in, it makes the track really memorable. That’s it. Adding not only a cover, but a cover about being on a boat, to an album like this is a risky move, but Sloop John B does not disappoint because it’s honestly one of my favorite tracks on it. Sure, the lyrics are really fucking stupid, but it’s so damn fun, and there’s still a genuine attempt to make a great track. Throughout the track, the band switches through singers, specifically Brian and Mike Love, which works because I mean duh they’re on a boat with a bunch of people, but Mike’s voice just perfectly blends with the rest of the song. While Brian’s voice is childish, I would say Mike’s is even MORE childish, at least on this track, and for a song like this, it works perfectly. Heck, the vibe of the whole song is childish. Literally everything the beat is doing feels like baby steps: it’s either very slowly banging the snare or playing a basic beat (it does something a little weirder in the third verse but I lowk don’t care abt it). I think there’s a kalimba in the mix, maybe that high instrument is something else, but either way those are literally elementary music class instruments. There’s high instruments like flutes or piccolos, but also lower instruments which still feel surprisingly childish as well. I think there’s a bari sax panned to the left, but it’s almost stupid, playing staccato. The part where all of the instruments drop and the chorus sings different things, just to be transitioned into literally the same thing with that high-ass “hoist up the John B-” is just so unnecessary but so fun, I love it. As much as I could argue how overrated of a song God Only Knows is, I still can’t deny how GOOD of a song it is because it is fucking gorgeous. Every instrument is brought in so cleanly that you can barely even tell. The french horn, then the bass. And then, it drops where this really weird melody is being sung. The end of that melody finishes up the first verse, and it’s repeated for the second verse, which is coated with a layer of strings which REALLY adds to it for some reason. Maybe it’s because the bass gets a little louder too. The verse EASILY has the best lyricism of the whole track, mixing what could be interpreted as desperate and sad with something loving; he’s saying if he lived without this girl, the world wouldn’t have anymore meaning. Sure, it might sound cliché in theory, but the way Brian bounces around sounding cliché and still being able to make a lyric that sounds fresh is crazy: “The world could show nothing to me, so what good could living do me?” After some sort of short instrumental interlude, the vocals come back but not singing words, which weirdly makes them feel a bit more lush. Until the babababababas which can be seen as kind of funny but they’ve grown on me so it’s fine. The third verse actually opens up with what is usually the last line of the verses (could also just be called the refrain): “God only knows what I’d be without you” and I’m pretty sure it’s actually sung higher than it usually is here? For the last section of the song, it’s really just the phrase repeated over and over again, but it makes the most of it. Everything drops at the beginning, but it adds more and more instruments and layers so at first, you can barely even notice that it’s repeating the same stuff. And then, after the build-up, it simply fades out, which I’m pretty sure was just a normal thing in the 60’s but it still works. I guess it’s kinda like drinking something, the longer you drink it, the more it starts to go down, and then you stop drinking it and the taste slowly stops. That’s the best metaphor I’ve got for that. Besides the instrumental tracks, I Know There’s an Answer is honestly my least favorite on the album. Not saying it’s a bad song, I’m sure the rest of this paragraph is only gonna be praise for it, but it’s just personally the least memorable for me. Actually, even including the instrumental tracks, I’d say Let’s Go Away for a While is more memorable than it (Pet Sounds, not so much). Anyway, the baritone sax breaking the looped instrumental, which then adds a tambourine was a great move. It makes things flow way better, which this song is great at, transitioning into the chorus from the verse. During the chorus, these absolutely gorgeous percussive hits are just going fucking off, same with Brian’s vocals. The lyrics are really great too. Speaking of the lyrics, if you just showed me the lyrics to the chorus alongside the lyrics to the chorus on the demo (“hang on to your ego, hang on but I know that you’re gonna lose the fight”), I would honestly probably pick the demo, but the lyrics in that were chosen honestly perfectly fit the rest of the song. Yet another reason why this album is basically perfect, everything is done to its max. If you listen to the demo, literally titled “Hang On to Your Ego,” you will hear just teeny tiny errors or things that weren’t added yet, like some harmonies, which make it feel just a LITTLE less beautiful. In the original song, there’s NONE of that, which goes to show the amount of effort this had to have taken. And then, the chorus casually transitions to the second verse, so smooth that you can barely even tell there was a transition (which btw I love this tactic of not being able to tell the first chorus from the second verse). Then, there’s a bari sax solo. I’ve said enough about the bari sax solo. Then, it basically just repeats the pre-chorus, the chorus, and then there’s some pretty flutes, and then the instrumental loop from the beginning comes in, with some added stuff, boom: end of song. It’s a cool moment, yeah, but there’s not much to really add to it. Going back to this song a few times for this, though, made me realize how good the lyricism was, and how good the actual song was too, so I will honestly probably come back to this a lot more. I know I totally just said that I’m Waiting for the Day is the best song on the album, but honestly, Here Today might be one of my favorite songs to come out of the 60’s (</3). Even before I let Pet Sounds grow on me, Here Today was one of my favorite songs from the 60’s. It was the first song on the album, and from the Beach Boys’ entire discography, that I fell in love with. Right off the bat, we’re hit with AMAZING lyrical content. I see it as almost a contradiction of Wouldn’t It Be Nice?, maybe a grown person telling a young kid that falling in love is a mistake and to slow down, almost mocking them. It also perfectly encapsulated a time in my life when I needed it, so thanks, Beach Boys. The music of the first verse starts off quiet, but then it adds a layer of harmonies and low brass, which does help add texture to the song, but THEN, it adds more. The percussion is playing quicker and more aggressively, almost like it’s freaking out. When this happens, the lyrics also change from an acknowledgement to a warning, which I just talked about. And that really helps with the instrumental context. With these two extra layers, things fall into this sad moment, where the narrator speaks from experience, talking about how much love hurts. The only instruments in this section are what I believe is an organ and a bass, so it’s pretty fucking stripped back, ESPECIALLY for fucking Pet Sounds. Then, the bass does this weird little thing I can’t really explain, but it’s basically a transition. The vocals pull another I’m Waiting for the Day too, lowering themselves for a smooth switch. And smooth it is, because the layer of low brass and harmonies and the percussion come back in another warning: “Love is here today, and it’s gone tomorrow, it’s here and gone so fast.” The second verse starts with almost dark humor. It’s honestly a really sad line, but it’s still sort of funny: “Right now, you think that she’s perfection, this time is really an exception.” Then, at the end of the verse, we got a PLOT TWIST. In a song, a plot twist. The narrator tries to explain why they’re being so harsh, and in doing so, admits that they were the person that they’re talking to’s girlfriend’s ex. Yeah, the narrator is warning their girlfriend’s next partner. Now, it could seem like they’re trying to scare the new partner. But maybe, the narrator is being genuine, that the girlfriend broke his heart, and she’ll break his too. During the second pre-chorus, the narrator changes the lyrics talking about how “it” will make you feel bad to how “she” will make you feel bad, which makes it even more sad. And then the happy-go-lucky instrumental comes back though, so it’s aight. Then, the instrumental almost flashes, while the bass plays this thing that I can almost describe as a DJ scratch sound effect, you know what I mean? It sounds nothing like that, sure, but it almost feels related. Then, the instrumental goes off with a snare almost call-in-response, to which it stops, and then the back and forth with the organ and the bass start again, repeating the instrumental from the pre-chorus, without the pre-chorus. Which is great, because directly after, it opens up the actual chorus. It works so buttery smooth that it’s hard to explain it, so if you haven’t heard the song already, please do. It’s worth it, it’s amazing. Brian Wilson is the only person who could make the line “sometimes I feel very sad” actually sad, which he does on I Just Wasn’t Made for These Times. The song starts immediately, no intro or anything. And the lyrics are immediately depressing, talking about trying to find a place in life that’s right. In classic Beach Boys fashion, things get a little faster for only about two lines. They also do this tactic that I LOVE here, where you sing a note, move up to a higher note, and quickly move back down (“I wish they could”). It’s gorgeous. Then, things slow down but there’s more instruments added, so it doesn’t feel unnecessary. That moves to the chorus, which is that line I mentioned earlier repeated, and one added line: “I guess I just wasn’t made for these times.” This line is so poignant because of how human it is. Brian could have just said “I wasn’t made for these times,” and it’d be fine, but he added the human instinct of trying to downplay things and it works so damn well. The second verse is my favorite one lyrically, just because of how depressing it is, but it still manages to be relatable. He’s talking about “every” time he gets the inspiration, like this happens a lot. It’s like a loop, and it’s sad to see. After the second chorus, the woodwinds copy the melody to the first line of the verse, and then a theremin is introduced. Yeah, a theremin. It’s surprisingly not cheesy too. I don’t really think it was the best instrument that could have been used, but it still blends in well, and the solo’s short enough that I don’t really care all too much. Surprisingly enough, this is probably my first time actually listening to Pet Sounds (the track) in detail, and I’m finding so many little details I love. I’m pretty sure that main percussion instrument is a ratchet and I may be incorrect, but I THINK that lead instrument is a guitar? They blend in surprisingly well with the orchestral instrumentation that I don’t even process it. At 1:38 in, there’s this brief part with a percussion instrument that I’m barely even recognizing for the first time right now, but I LOVE it. But what instrument is that?? It works so well. The song is a little too short, considering it’s not even the shortest track on the album (that’s Let’s Go Away for a While, which uses its runtime really well), but it works well for the flow of the album, and it’s just fucking good. Caroline, No was my final piece of evidence to little old me’s “Pet Sounds is the first horror album” theory, and it’s honestly a WAY better reason than You Still Believe in Me imo. Mainly because of the chorus, it’s REALLY unfulfilling, but that’s a good thing. It’s supposed to feel empty, unfinished. This is added onto with how the third verse doesn’t switch into anything, but an absolutely gorgeous flute section just playing the verse melody, which fades out (eventually guiding us towards literal pet sounds). Imagine at the beginning of the track, the two percussion instruments are actually a hi-hat and a snare, right? And it’s hi-hat, hi-hat, snare, repeat. WHAT is that snare, dude?? It’s so ominous, I love it. The two things I THINK it is are either claves or a woodblock–I’m leaning towards claves–but either way, it’s pretty fucking perfect. And the delay on it, too, oh my GOD?? I love how Brian just uses any instrument ever. The lyrics are SO sad too, obviously talking about someone that’s changed that said that they’d never changed. It’s kind of funny too, because the first line is “where did your long hair go?” so it technically could be interpreted as him freaking out that his friend cut her hair because it never really adds any other metaphors like that. It’s obviously not about hair though. That’s it. That’s my Pet Sounds review. I Uhh Love you <3 Favs: Here Today, I’m Waiting for the Day, Wouldn’t It Be Nice? Least fav: Pet Sounds RIP Brian Wilson EDIT: There might be better pop albums actually

It took years for me to listen to this album. I heard great things about it, but never listened to it except for the two monster songs-- God only Knows and Sloop John B. This album was really different. Melancholy, introspective. It hit me right where it hurt. The only song I skip is the title song, the "Revolution #9" of the Beach Boys. 4.5/5

The Beach Boy's ultimate statement and Brian Wilson's exploration into sound. These surf rock and chamber pop songs are brilliantly performed, recorded, and mixed. The album sounds phenomenal. When you're done surfing, sit on the beach and listen to this. RIP Brian Wilson June 11, 2025

Average, sounds very 60s

This sounds like it would be playing nonstop in one of Dante's Cricles of Hell for some reason. 2/5

Timely suggestion, but still shit

This may be controversial, but I would call this a really good album, not one of the best ones ever made. Maybe I’m just not into that s ‘60’s sound

thankfully the way this project project has shaken out has given me a little bit to recover from brian's death. even tho i still feel like part of me has been violently shoved out of place, the inevitability of it and my thankfulness for the length of his life dominates my heart a lot more. i have ofc been spinning some beach boys material regardless but it is never ever a bad time to listen to pet sounds. i have spilled words in public and esp in private the past couple days that make sitting down to write ab this feel kind of redundant, but just know it is always an intensely vibrant experience, constructed equally out of technicolor escapism and the most destabilizing moments u can have in ur personal life. i have always liked this record but i did not truly understand it until i had to take myself apart and rebuild multiple times. among other things it gives me hope that, for whatever may happen to me, however i may change, that there is some central unbreakable beauty and joy and hope that has always been in me and Will always be here in me, and will always in some way define me, even in times when it hasn't felt like it. brian wilson contributed to my sense of self with a depth im only just beginning to understand, and far before i began to comprehend it he and his bandmates were soothing the softest most fragile parts of my life, that i want to keep safe but that i also must prove are able to withstand the storm. the fact that he made it so long despite everything is more important to me than almost anything else in the world. i will always want to be like him when i grow up.

This is melodic pop perfection, really well made and with plenty of stunners. A harsh 4 because it's not really my thing and it is a bit same'ish. This is music I used to find totally uncool, but I am now appreciating for the intrinsic quality (I bought the CD not long ago).

Oh my god, how about some space! There are always 5 things to listen to. There was a fricking honking horn? Why!?! Beach Boys are annoying. There, I said it. They're just a band. TwooooOOOOooo stars.

Good!

Solid album, authentic, youthful

A little too doo wop for me, and I'm confused why there were two songs without any singing, but there were a couple nice songs. I think we all know the ones I'm talking about.

Apart from the big hits, the individual songs aren't necessarily the most memorable or distinguishable to me, but it's still a breakthrough album with a sound that stands out in its time, and I respect that enough R.I.P. Brian Wilson

Really nice tunes. Rest in peace Brian Wilson.

A classic, joyful, who couldn't love it?

Never been a big fan of these guys but this album is pretty good.

A classic!

since i got this the week brian wilson died there is no other choice but a 5

One of the greatest albums ever made, with songs you could spend years analyzing, featuring some of the greatest pop songs of all time back-to-back giving you chills down your spine, where a psychedelic surf rock instrumental interlude could be argued to be the greatest song on the entire record. An album that has been a favorite since I can remember, because these songs have just become ingrained in every music fans psyche as pop perfection and essential listening. And yet, all I can think about is Brian Wilson seeing a bicycle horn in the studio and knowing that a casual couple honks were *really* going to tie that song together. And he was right! That’s the mark of a true genius.

I don't love it

Had some classics but I was feeling something more upbeat and felt most of the songs were slower. Good songs just didn’t fit my vibe at the moment.

4.5

Definitely a masterpiece. I wish I could give it 4.5 stars. It can get a little repetitive after a while, which is the only reason for not going a full 5 stars.

Is the Album Generator really random? Brian Wilson dies yesterday and I get this album today.

A beautiful masterpiece. R.I.P. Brian Wilson

Великий музыкант. RIP. Лучшая песня - Wouldn't It Be Nice?

rip Brian

Masterpiece

RIP Brian Wilson I guess. The Beach Boys have never really done it for me. They are okay I suppose, just never resonated with me.

It is a little mellow for my taste

The

I just want to acknowledge that it’s really cool that the developer pushed Beach Boys / Brian Wilson albums to people using this app the day after Brian’s death. Very nice tribute, and I’m happy to receive Pet Sounds to honor Brian in a small way. I’m not arguing with anyone calling this the greatest album of all time. Objectively, it very well could be. It’s one of my favorite albums regardless of how good everyone else says it is. The Beach Boys always made music for teenagers before this, but no album has ever captured the weirdness/sadness/thrill/confusion of growing up quite like Pet Sounds. It’s sonically beautiful and timeless. This album was made with 4-track recordings, which is pretty unbelievable when you listen to it. God Only Knows is well documented as a perfect song. I can’t add much here other than I of course agree. My personal favorite track is I Guess I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times… it’s my favorite song to listen to whenever I’m feeling a little disconnected from our crazy world. Mike Love gets a lot of heat from music fans, and some of it is probably for good reason (politics e.g.), but I do think it’s worth crediting him for the change of “Hold On To Your Ego” to “I Know There’s An Answer”. In my opinion the latter is a much better song with the lyric change, he was right to push for it. Anyway this is the 5-starriest 5-star album of them all. Thanks Brian!

Oh man. I got this one the day after Brian Wilson died. Coincidence? Sent deliberately to projects that haven't received it yet? Anyway, this isn't my favorite Beach Boys album but it has Sloop John B, which is my favorite Beach Boys song. Plus a lot of other good ones such as Wouldn't it be Nice and Good Only Knows.

nonononono

Not my thing sorry

Super!

God only knows, how they made this perfect album!

Very nice

I know this is supposed to be a best album of all time, I guess I’m not musically literate enough to understand why. There are some good songs, but it’s not nowhere near one of my favorite albums. This is the third time I’ve heard the album and I always have this same reaction. I know it was groundbreaking but personally I wasn’t wowed by it

3/5

I just cant get into this album, it has some good songs, but i just dont see the appel to it, i know it was a big deal when it came out and i can acknowledge and appreciate that, but it hasnt clicked for me yet. Surfs up is the better album.

RIP, Brian Wilson 🥺.

Pet Sounds was a pretty enjoyable album. It is your fairly typical psych rock outing from the 60s with the vocals and the general melodies without any real things to make it different from those. But while it lacks in originality, it more than makes up for by just being a solid album. The vocals were still solid as were the lyrics and the music was also done pretty well and was able to shift to various different moods quite well. This album is still kinda samey throughout but i still think i found it quite a bit more memorable than the last Beach Boys album i listened to. This album isn't incredible or anything but it's still a pretty solid work. Best Song: Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder) Worst Song: Let's Go Away For Awhile Side Note: Also, obligatory rest in peace to Brian Wilson who as of this review being written, passed away yesterday. R.I.P. Brian Wilson June 20, 1942 - June 11, 2025

As a young listener, it’s hard to say this is the greatest album I’ve ever heard, but this certainly set the standard for popular music. Rest in peace, Brian Wilson.

Mediocre Chamber Pop. Most well known song is the first one.

Some of the most ornate production on a pop record of all time. The album cover is terrible but the music itself is so joyous it hardly matters.

It's a classic. A wonderful album. I never listen to it.

5.0 RIP BRIAN WILSON :( faves: sloop john b, wouldn't it be nice, i'm waiting for the day, you still believe in me

>> the Beatles

⭐️Wouldn’t it be nice

The Beach Boys were surely two different bands. One was the fun-loving surfer pop stars who played big feelgood concerts to excited fans. The other was a brainchild of a man who grew tired of touring and longed to turn pop music into a complex, studio driven artform, with little concern for live recreations. What's weird is that both bands existed at once, with Brian Wilson locked away in the studio while his brothers played live. Even weirder is that the experimental stuff continued to sound like the original band, at least on the surface. "Pet Sounds" represents the peak of the Wilson's artistic success. Inspired by "Rubber Soul", he was one of the first to understand the value of an album as a single cohesive statement. This was particularly unusual in America where record labels were still cutting up tracklistings from British albums to increase sales. The Beach Boys would come to inspire The Beatles in turn when they went to record "Sgt Pepper" (and also stopped touring). Comparisons of the two bands is impossible to avoid. But while The Beatles used experimentation to set new templates for rock music, Brian Wilson is celebrating experimentation for its own sake, but fit it comfortably within the band's sound. The studio is very clearly the main instrument here but you could miss that if you were playing enough attention. "Pet Sounds" is a unique album for its various tricks but also it's ability to produce some great songs at the same time. It's as if you forced John Cage to make radio hits and he delivered. But it's also challenging which led to a number of critics dismissing it at the time. Not only for the studio trickery but for daring to mix upbeat music with depressing and introspective lyrics. Funny to think now that that seemed like such a controversial idea. I can't count how many times I put this album on repeat to try to fully absorb it all. Although I've never heard it in full before, I have to admit now that it's a masterpiece. The fact that I got this one today is no coincidence but a push from the generator to mark the loss of this mad songwriter. R.I.P. Brian Wilson.

Proto-Prog album of the most important kind. This showed Brian Wilson as an amazing composer with a clear vision what he wanted to bring into the world of music he didn't seem to fit in. Paul McCartney is right that "God only knows" is one of the best songs ever written.

I'm not sure about this one. I REALLY LOVE 3 songs on this album. I don't really think the others I'd ever come back to. I guess I'm supposed to marvel at the production. I guess it's cool, but if I need to have a degree in music to get it then it's not working well. I guess it belongs on the list.

RIP Brian Wilson. I'm sad to say I've tried to get this album over many years, but it never clicked. I understand what it is historically significant though, and this time around I have it a fresh listen on good headphones (stereo mix). I really appreciated the production this time around, but still find like half of the songs on here forgettable. Overall an interesting experience though, and great singles.

One of the best pop records of all time, RIP Brian Wilson

Music that put the fear of inadequacy in the hearts of the Beatles. So pure, so innocent, so timeless.

Sometimes I don’t get the hype, then listen again. Perfect pop tunes.

Ironic I guess this one popped up today if all days, the day after Brian Wilson passed away at age 82, leaving behind a legacy of great artistic creativity and extreme mental difficulties, which could be attributed to many things, but I won't get into that side of of things, mostly because I think it was a tragic aspect of his life, the partnership he had with his band mates, his father, his therapist, etc. and doesn't eclipse the brilliant music he made during his time on this earth. While this is not my favorite album ever, the legacy it holds is undeniable. Music wouldn't be the same without albums like this that pushed the boundaries of pop music and studio experimentalism, and the songs themselves are all great, some better than others, but really not a full track in the entire project. I think that if not for one or two slower points this album would be a 10/10 for me, but still, going off of where I was 5+ years ago when I didn't really have any love for the album whatsoever, this has grown on me quite a lot over time, perhaps it will continue to grow on me as I continue living. 4.5/5

Nice nod to Brian Wilson, Sloop John B is a forever song for me and Wouldn't It Be Nice is close too.

Beautiful, excellent and dreamy

RIP Brian Wilson.

Absolutely legendary. I hated The Beach Boys growing up probably because they were absolutely everywhere and so overplayed in my youth. They were oldies, they were classic, they were not cool. But time has a way of changing everything and what's old is new again for me. I have finally found peace with my loathe those many years ago and can actually appreciate the genius of this record now. The craftsmanship of every note is pure musical perfection. Every word and lyric is the thread that ties us. Just perfect.

Great

Still perfect.

Really good album. God only knows and wouldn't it be nice are bops!

Masterpiece. Rest in peace Brian Wilson.

Love it

Certified banger after certified banger.

Amazing album

Not my personal favorite, wouldn’t seek out to listen to but wouldn’t turn off the radio or skip the songs

5/5 Top 3 Songs: God only Knows Wouldn’t it be nice Don’t Talk (Put your head on my shoulder) Absolute classic, to me this album has a bittersweet feeling that nothing else has ever given me. I think that’s the genius in the song writing that the songs can adapt to how you feel, whether you want to laugh or cry. We lost someone truly special today. Rest easy Brian

Its The Beach Boys at their finest.

Could it get better that this? (Yes)

Wiwiwikiwi

Wouldn’t it be Nice is iconic, and Caroline, No is incredible. Quality songs all in between, can’t go wrong with Beach Boys

I got to review this album on the day after Brian Wilson died. His music has been in my life since I was a little boy my mum and dad playing the beach boys the Beatles, but no stones!!! God only knows such a lovely song I could listen to it everyday and wouldn’t get bored. Great great great album probably one of the best ever made. 5 stars are not enough. Funnily enough Spotify has decided to play god only knows right now. Must be a sign.

Although I think it's just a tiny tiny bit overrated, it's still one of the greatest albums of all time.

Some of the best pop ever written

OBRA MAESTRA

Made in response to the Rubber Soul album. Great album from start to finish. No weak tracks.

He died yesterday, I hope he’s better now.

It’s good, of course… it tops so many lists. It’s not my favourite style of music but I can appreciate what it was for when it was made.

I do love this album. It took a couple listens to get it, and it should be listend to on a nice sound system. It's famous for the unconventional recording methods they used at the time. Changing the way people thought about capturing sounds for a studio album.