Support NeoGAF

[Chuck]

So I'm not sure where else to post this, but I listened to Pet Sounds for the first time today just out of the blue while eating lunch at Pick up Stix. Since the album has been universally praised and considered as one of the greatest even by the single greatest band in history and my personal favorite, The Beatles, I expect it to be great. I was not expecting it to be as absolutely amazing as it was.

From Wouldn't it Be Nice to Caroline No, it completely blew me away. As the inspiration for Sgt. Pepper, I can see why Pet Sounds is as highly praised as Pepper.

So in my amazement I decided to read up on the band I knew so little about and discovered that Brian Wilson's failed follow-up to Pet Sounds is actually coming out tomorrow.

Really an amazing coincidence, isn't it? I will definitely get SMiLE tomorrow when it shows up on iTunes.

 

[dream]

You've just taken your first step into a larger world.

 

[RobotNinjaHornets]

So it's streaming on AOL

 

[StuBurns]

Bizarre timing indeed.

I've listened to the new version twice more today, I still prefer the Purple Chick version, but it's growing on me, and it sounds so much nicer.

 

[andylsun]

In work, so have internet and power (my part of New Hampshire is pretty much wiped out power-wise). Listening to the streaming version. Lot more reverb on the vocals (and indeed everywhere) compared to Purple Chick, but really liking it.

Going to try to pick up the CD pack later in the week.

Not got there yet, but Surf's Up 67 is supposed to be a standout.

 

[StuBurns]

Not got there yet, but Surf's Up 67 is supposed to be a standout.

It's incredible, but it already was, there's been basically perfect versions of it since the Good Viberations box set. Listening to the demo takes is pretty interesting though.

 

[hipgnosis]

Been listening this one a lot today. The only version I've heard of this album was Brian Wilsons release.

Holy shit this album is good. Seriously mindblowing stuff. So fascination and full of stuff to discover. Loving the production also.

 

[Altazor]

So I'm not sure where else to post this, but I listened to Pet Sounds for the first time today just out of the blue while eating lunch at Pick up Stix. Since the album has been universally praised and considered as one of the greatest even by the single greatest band in history and my personal favorite, The Beatles, I expect it to be great. I was not expecting it to be as absolutely amazing as it was.

From Wouldn't it Be Nice to Caroline No, it completely blew me away. As the inspiration for Sgt. Pepper, I can see why Pet Sounds is as highly praised as Pepper.

So in my amazement I decided to read up on the band I knew so little about and discovered that Brian Wilson's failed follow-up to Pet Sounds is actually coming out tomorrow.

Really an amazing coincidence, isn't it? I will definitely get SMiLE tomorrow when it shows up on iTunes.

that was pretty much my reaction when I first heard "Pet Sounds", heh.

I can just imagine (in vein) the impact "SMiLE" could've had on the music world...

 

[polyh3dron]

so yeah that brian wilson solo version is fucking irrelevant now.

this is awesome, listening to Cabin Essence right now.

Fuck you Mike Love. Columnated ruins fucking domino.

 

[J. M. Romeo]

Fire is fucking scary.

 

[linko9]

Wait I'm confused... is this the same track list as the Brian Wilson "remake" of Smile?

edit: ok, slightly different. I'll be sure to check this out.

 

[StuBurns]

Wait I'm confused... is this the same track list as the Brian Wilson "remake" of Smile?

edit: ok, slightly different. I'll be sure to check this out.

All the same songs are there, they just have their original titles, Love to Say Dada is In Blue Hawaii on Wilson's album for example. The running order is slightly different though, for the worst I believe.

 

[Douglas Quaid]

Listening to the stream, I gotta say I'm really digging what they've done here. (I've heard the Purple Chick mix, this one is on par for me.)

Still amazing and innovative over 40 years later. Wow!

 

[Oemenia]

Have any update on how you are feeling about the new release? Ive loved Pet Sounds for a long time and knew of the failed Smile project, but i never knew there was a Brian Wilson release of it. Whats more puzzling is that it was probably the most acclaimed album of last decade but didnt appear on any lists.

Anyway, what do you think of that, and how does the new release compare, does it finally bring us close to what it shouldve been. Also, how complete is the PC version?

 

[StuBurns]

I'm not sure if you're addressing me, but I'll take a stab at answering anyway. The more I listen to it the more I like it so far, I'm not throwing away the Purple Chick version or anything but I was too harsh on it initially, but that's partially because the leak I got was not perfect, it had some random skips in it, I ripped my disc version now, so I have it lossless too. I think the solo album version still has a better running order, but ultimately it's still one of the most beautiful albums I've ever heard. I have no idea what you mean by the 'pc version' though, sorry.

 

[DangerStepp]

Personally, I'm a Beatles guy. Didn't this get canned after Wilson heard cuts from Sgt. Peppers...?

In April 1967, Brian Wilson (who was suffering growing mental problems) was deeply affected by hearing a tape of the song "A Day in the Life", which McCartney played to him in Los Angeles. Soon after, Smile was abandoned, and Wilson would not return to complete it until 2003. Van Dyke Parks later said, "Brian had a nervous collapse. What broke his heart was Sgt. Pepper's."[38]

Just a little food for thought for the Beatles haters.

 

[Tim-E]

Have any update on how you are feeling about the new release? Ive loved Pet Sounds for a long time and knew of the failed Smile project, but i never knew there was a Brian Wilson release of it. Whats more puzzling is that it was probably the most acclaimed album of last decade but didnt appear on any lists.

Anyway, what do you think of that, and how does the new release compare, does it finally bring us close to what it shouldve been. Also, how complete is the PC version?

This release ensures that there are no longer any reasons to ever touch Brian's solo version ever again. I loved his, but his voice in 67 is pitch perfect and beautiful and his voice in 2004 can't come close due to him being nearly 40 years older.

So yeah, barring some minor quips about the transitions as people have already mentioned, but these songs themselves are absolutely phenomenal, even after obsessing over them in various forms over the years. It's nice to finally have an "official" release, plus this set has much more to explore. This is the best release of the year.

Personally, I'm a Beatles guy. Didn't this get canned after Wilson heard cuts from Sgt. Peppers...?



Just a little food for thought for the Beatles haters.

There was much more going on at the time than his reaction to Sgt. Pepper.

Spoiler

Sgt. Pepper is the worst of the late-era Beatles albums

 

[StuBurns]

Near the start of the Smile project he was with a friend driving and Strawberry Fields came on and he said they beat him to punch. But the Beatles influence doesn't seem like why Smile was canned. There were lots of issues, on a technical level it would have been incredibly difficult and costly to finish it, it had already taken too long, and he thought he needed another year, which the label wouldn't give him and were already fighting for the album asap. The band were meant to have it out in time to headline the Monterey pop festival too.

Outside of time and technical issues, the band didn't like it.

 

[DangerStepp]

There was much more going on at the time than his reaction to Sgt. Pepper.

Spoiler

Sgt. Pepper is the worst of the late-era Beatles albums

Yeah, he wasn't in good mental health.

Sgt. Pepper is probably my favorite Beatles album.

 

[AlteredBeast]

going to listen to this, but I must relisten to Pet Sounds. I keep thinking that I will eventually like it, but I just don't. We will see what tomorrow brings...

 

[Tim-E]

going to listen to this, but I must relisten to Pet Sounds. I keep thinking that I will eventually like it, but I just don't. We will see what tomorrow brings...

Pet Sounds floored me the first time I listened to it and I appreciate it more every time I go back to it (which is often).

 

[scorcho]

bah. they kept these mixes mono.

 

[Tim-E]

This set also has some really wonderful extras. There's a disc that's almost entirely made up of fragments of Heroes and Villains and one for Good Vibrations, as well. There's also an 8 minute medley made up entirely of backing vocals. Good shit.

This 67 solo version of Surf's Up is fucking BEAUTIFUL.

 

[Tim-E]

FYI; the entire 5 CD set is on Rhapsody for streaming if anyone is subscribed to it or doesn't want to fork over the money for the big box to listen to some of the smaller stuff. I notice Amazon MP3 only has the 2 CD set in MP3 format, I don't know about other stores.

 

[K.Sabot]

Lol misclick thread bump. But Look (Song For Children) is fuckin awesome in this version.

 

[Oemenia]

Ah yes i was referring to you StuBurns but thanks also to Tim-E for the replies. As for PC, i meant Purple Chick.

 

[StuBurns]

Ah yes i was referring to you StuBurns but thanks also to Tim-E for the replies. As for PC, i meant Purple Chick.

Oh of course, brain fart on my part there.

PC does feel more complete to me, there's silly little things that you just have to get used to, like four 'woo woos' instead of three in H&Vs, but I think the new running order is a little less bold, I loved the cut from the frantic ending of I'm In Great Shape to the serenity of I Wanna Be Around, and that's gone. There are a few fades where there were cold cuts which I greatly prefer, and while Vega-Tables sounds massively better than I've ever heard it, I really don't care for the structure of this version.

It doesn't feel as singular as PCs version, but the quality of what's there is a real improvement. I think both are incredible, this hasn't nullified PCs version for me.

 

[Roi]

Never really listened to The Beach Boys, for my taste a little to happy. Didn't really give them a change to be honest. But I must say, this album is amazing. Great music!

 

[Lionheart1827]

"I heard the word, wonderful thing, a children's soooongggggg....."

Sogood.gif