Sound Advice: CD Reviews - The Beach Boys (Pet Sounds)

CD Review:
After releasing earlier in the year "Caroline No" and "Sloop John B" as singles, The Beach Boys, on May 16, 1966, released Pet Sounds and changed their image as a pop surfer "good times" band to a force in 60s music compared with The Beatles in creativity. Musical critics and the intelligentsia realized how unique an album in the history of pop/rock Pet Sounds was but the fans didn't share their enthusiasm.

Being familiar with songs that accompany albums such as Surfin' Safari, Surfin' USA and Surfer Girl, the fans didn't buy this album with as much enthusiasm. Considered the first concept album in rock history, and its unique use of various instruments and sound recordings, it influenced musical releases there after. It raised the bar for all bands that followed.

The album remained true to The Beach Boys sound and harmonics, but it moved it up a notch with its additions and its more contemplative and melancholic lyrical writings. Pet Sounds has no relation to your favourite dog or cat, but is titled for the sounds Brian Wilson used in the creation of the album, sort of Brian's favourite ("pet") sounds.

The "concept" of this album is that of a man and his history with a girlfriend and his thoughts and feelings on the relationship and those other things going on in his life at the time

In addition to the "concept" of the album, it contains music and sounds that have not been heard previously in this arrangement. Things like barking dogs and trains, but also, harpsichord, sax, chimes, cello, flute, viola, English horn, clarinet, violin, organ, piano, bongo, mandolin, accordion, and vocal harmonics that tantalize the eardrum.

Pet Sounds is considered by most as one of the greatest albums ever produced and in this writer's opinion out shines anything released by the Beatles; who they are always compared to when critics choose which album was the best of 60s..

FS Staff