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This is already by part 1 alone shaping up to be THE definitive story of Pet Sounds! I never took into account Brian’s 1965 struggles with getting the album written/started in the first place. I can’t wait for part 2.
Great work Adam as always. It's actually somewhat frightening to me when creatives are held to such a hectic schedule and to keep expecting great commercial results. I could not imagine the pressure and the toll it takes on ones psyche. If Brian were an architect/builder it's analogous to him creating decent-to-nice tract housing in 1962 to becoming Frank Gehry in four years time. It's truly astounding.
Thanks for (finally!) going for it, Adam! I think you nailed the reality of the second half of sixty-five, when Brian was casting about for the next step but was caught up in a hip new world (and the drugs that came with it) while the rest of the band was away touring. Somewhere in the midst of this he knew he was still stymied: thus the "Party" project...and TLGIOK was his last big attempt to out-Spector his idol, where there's literally too much sound to be contained in a single song. I think the leap forward came with the "Sloop John B." arrangement, but it needed time to cohere (which explains why it sat around for awhile), and once he sorted out the themes he wanted to address (with Asher's help), he was able to create tracks that were as dense as anything that anyone else had done but that weren't so overpowering/overwrought as Spector. And I think it's that special territory of arrangement/production that he then zoned in on to create the astonishing unity we heard throughout the record. Looking forward to you following through with a deep dive, which I'm sure will be just as entertaining and enlightened as Part 1. Kudos!
I totally agree with Brian's assessment of the Capitol version of Rubber Soul. It was the first Beatles album I owned, and I played that 8-track tape over and over and over again. Which is probably why I also played Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits on 8-track (which I obtained at the same time) over and over and over again as well. Both great folk albums with no filler.
I appreciate you bringing up Brian potentially being on the spectrum when talking about the perspective this music comes from. I'm autistic, and Brian Wilson is my favorite musician because I feel like I relate to his experiences so much. Pet Sounds really is an encapsulation of so many of the same struggles I've experienced.
Thanks for that comment so much. I haven't referenced it often because I know from personal experience that a lot of people in the autism community are *really* sensitive about labeling people who have not been diagnosed. But he certainly has many of the earmarks, it would explain a lot, and he speaks to many of us who are (or probably are) on the spectrum. I value this perspective a lot. I'll talk about it a bit more in upcoming episodes.
I totally agree. As an autistic person I've found that I've connected to Brian and his music more than any other public figure in that I can relate to some of his struggles.
You start getting to some great points with the collaborators: "focusing him up" and Mike not helping get to the new direction and thus Tony Asher comes on board. The reaching for the rope/lifeline and just missing is also an interesting perspective and of course rock from an introvert's perspective to where the "normies" are going to "get it". The word that I had heard or read was that there was a lot of talk on the record (not just Here Today) when the Capitol execs first heard the album and that may be what you mention about Brian going into fix mode to have the album ready for release. So quite possibly he is out of time getting the last piece of talking/direction on Here Today off.
Murry's letter to Brian dated May 8, 1965, suggests a legal meeting occurred in June (when the Summer Days LP was released) where they dissolved both their business partnership as well as their familial relationship. Murry wrote, "I now ask that after our legal meeting, which should take place in about thirty days, that we disassociate ourselves in any form of business together, such as artist and publisher, etc., because we can no longer work together in a truly honest father and son relationship..." That would have been extremely depressing. As Murry predicted, Brian found refuge in drugs and "fair weather friends," as he soon laments over in Pet Sounds. 1965 ended with the "bummer" of TLGIOK single being quickly erased from the public's memory.
Since Pet Sounds itself isn’t near the top of my favourite list of BB albums (and comments why are probably best saved for later episodes), when I heard you were going for multiple episodes - I kind of thought - OK this might be a long haul. But, within 10 minutes or so you’d completely changed my mind. This is a superb intro to the album, successfully dredging up new and thoughtful viewpoints from…well God Only Knows where! Now I’m picturing Brian sitting at his ‘Spanish Table’ looking out over the hills and thinking…Thank you and looking forward to the next ones. 👍
There was a tune called "Trombone Dixie," the original versions of "In My Childhood" and "Hang On To Your Ego," and I'm not aware of anything above and beyond that.
I wouldn’t mind if you skipped this album it is not my favorite album by them (that would be The Beach Boys today) I pretty much hate this album because it added to my depression that I was dealing with in 2020 and I also don’t think of this as a rock album or a beach boys album it’s a Brian Wilson pop symphony, record, featuring Beach boy, vocals
Yes, Pet Sounds has been talked about to death, but no one has/will ever talk about it as Adam will. This video will prove invaluable for anyone who loves PS/The Beach Boys. Few people know this music inside/out as he does, save The Beach Boys and Brian themselves.
Indeed. A lot of Murry's input strikes me as having some basis, while often not really important or relevant to what was going on at the time. Given his need to constantly show his value, that would be in character.
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This is already by part 1 alone shaping up to be THE definitive story of Pet Sounds! I never took into account Brian’s 1965 struggles with getting the album written/started in the first place. I can’t wait for part 2.
Great work Adam as always. It's actually somewhat frightening to me when creatives are held to such a hectic schedule and to keep expecting great commercial results. I could not imagine the pressure and the toll it takes on ones psyche. If Brian were an architect/builder it's analogous to him creating decent-to-nice tract housing in 1962 to becoming Frank Gehry in four years time. It's truly astounding.
Thanks for (finally!) going for it, Adam! I think you nailed the reality of the second half of sixty-five, when Brian was casting about for the next step but was caught up in a hip new world (and the drugs that came with it) while the rest of the band was away touring. Somewhere in the midst of this he knew he was still stymied: thus the "Party" project...and TLGIOK was his last big attempt to out-Spector his idol, where there's literally too much sound to be contained in a single song. I think the leap forward came with the "Sloop John B." arrangement, but it needed time to cohere (which explains why it sat around for awhile), and once he sorted out the themes he wanted to address (with Asher's help), he was able to create tracks that were as dense as anything that anyone else had done but that weren't so overpowering/overwrought as Spector. And I think it's that special territory of arrangement/production that he then zoned in on to create the astonishing unity we heard throughout the record. Looking forward to you following through with a deep dive, which I'm sure will be just as entertaining and enlightened as Part 1. Kudos!
Look forward to your uploads every time, Adam.
I totally agree with Brian's assessment of the Capitol version of Rubber Soul. It was the first Beatles album I owned, and I played that 8-track tape over and over and over again. Which is probably why I also played Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits on 8-track (which I obtained at the same time) over and over and over again as well. Both great folk albums with no filler.
I appreciate you bringing up Brian potentially being on the spectrum when talking about the perspective this music comes from. I'm autistic, and Brian Wilson is my favorite musician because I feel like I relate to his experiences so much. Pet Sounds really is an encapsulation of so many of the same struggles I've experienced.
Thanks for that comment so much. I haven't referenced it often because I know from personal experience that a lot of people in the autism community are *really* sensitive about labeling people who have not been diagnosed. But he certainly has many of the earmarks, it would explain a lot, and he speaks to many of us who are (or probably are) on the spectrum. I value this perspective a lot. I'll talk about it a bit more in upcoming episodes.
I totally agree. As an autistic person I've found that I've connected to Brian and his music more than any other public figure in that I can relate to some of his struggles.
Extremely interesting, insightful and most importantly enjoyable as ever. Many thanks.
You start getting to some great points with the collaborators: "focusing him up" and Mike not helping get to the new direction and thus Tony Asher comes on board. The reaching for the rope/lifeline and just missing is also an interesting perspective and of course rock from an introvert's perspective to where the "normies" are going to "get it".
The word that I had heard or read was that there was a lot of talk on the record (not just Here Today) when the Capitol execs first heard the album and that may be what you mention about Brian going into fix mode to have the album ready for release. So quite possibly he is out of time getting the last piece of talking/direction on Here Today off.
Murry's letter to Brian dated May 8, 1965, suggests a legal meeting occurred in June (when the Summer Days LP was released) where they dissolved both their business partnership as well as their familial relationship. Murry wrote, "I now ask that after our legal meeting, which should take place in about thirty days, that we disassociate ourselves in any form of business together, such as artist and publisher, etc., because we can no longer work together in a truly honest father and son relationship..." That would have been extremely depressing. As Murry predicted, Brian found refuge in drugs and "fair weather friends," as he soon laments over in Pet Sounds. 1965 ended with the "bummer" of TLGIOK single being quickly erased from the public's memory.
Yeah, the Murry correspondence in '65 is pretty shocking (and some of it delusional). It had to have always been lurking like a black cloud.
Excellent intro to the album. Looking forward to the second installment (no pressure Adam).
Second and third are filmed, and very happy with them, just gotta get 'em in the edit bin.
I love listening to Pet Sounds as a concept album, and then Love You as it's direct sequel ;P
Seven parts? This is going to be epic!
Since Pet Sounds itself isn’t near the top of my favourite list of BB albums (and comments why are probably best saved for later episodes), when I heard you were going for multiple episodes - I kind of thought - OK this might be a long haul. But, within 10 minutes or so you’d completely changed my mind. This is a superb intro to the album, successfully dredging up new and thoughtful viewpoints from…well God Only Knows where! Now I’m picturing Brian sitting at his ‘Spanish Table’ looking out over the hills and thinking…Thank you and looking forward to the next ones. 👍
Bless you, this comment made my day. I totally feel you, and that's the goal. Hopefully we can keep it going! Thanks so much for watching.
Were there any PS session Outtakes of other songs Not used or was it so focused they used everything that was put on the final Album??
There was a tune called "Trombone Dixie," the original versions of "In My Childhood" and "Hang On To Your Ego," and I'm not aware of anything above and beyond that.
@@karmafrog1 hey thanks, Karmafrog👍.
I wouldn’t mind if you skipped this album it is not my favorite album by them (that would be The Beach Boys today) I pretty much hate this album because it added to my depression that I was dealing with in 2020 and I also don’t think of this as a rock album or a beach boys album it’s a Brian Wilson pop symphony, record, featuring Beach boy, vocals
That wouldn't be a popular take but IMHO it's a defensible and well articulated one.
Yes, Pet Sounds has been talked about to death, but no one has/will ever talk about it as Adam will. This video will prove invaluable for anyone who loves PS/The Beach Boys. Few people know this music inside/out as he does, save The Beach Boys and Brian themselves.
So I guess Murry had a good point when he urged Al Jardine to syncopate!
Indeed. A lot of Murry's input strikes me as having some basis, while often not really important or relevant to what was going on at the time. Given his need to constantly show his value, that would be in character.
Finally. Their only good album. jk 😉