I would love it if you did a video on every Beach Boys album from 1967 to 1971, from Wild Honey to Surf's Up, or, at the very least, a single video about this string of great album releases. Every album from this period is criminally overlooked. Personally, I love albums like Wild Honey, Friends, 20/20, and Sunflower, more than I do Pet Sounds.
I prefer "Sunflower" too, better than "Pet sounds". Beach Boys albums after 66 are disappointments for me. They always exploit more or less bits of "Smile" material, unfair for Brian's work and an easy way to fill albums...my favorite might be "Holland". A real group effort.
An emphatic YES to more videos about the Beach Boys. I recently did a deep dive into their late '60s/early '70s work and was highly impressed. Their albums always had a few clunkers but the high points are exquisite.
Greetings from Liverpool home of the Beatles! When Pet Sounds came out in 1966 our music teacher played it for us - we all thought it was great! I think it’s amazing the number of great songs Brian Wilson has written considering the various issues he has encountered - I am very lucky to have met him and he signed my Endless Harmony CD! It would be great if you reviewed more Beach Boys as you clearly have a good understanding of their work!
Glad you did this. Rubber Soul is still my jam, though. Pet Sounds is undoubtedly musically gorgeous and ambitious, but it always fails to achieve any kind of sequential momentum for me from song to song. I like an album to surprise me from track to track, and Pet Sounds just kind of becomes a lugubrious mire for me. I've tried for decades to succumb to its vaunted greatness but never seem to quite get there. And I'm someone who loves complex music, especially classical, jazz, and international music.
Remove Sloop John B - or play it as track one (it was added to the album at the last minute) and re-listen - there's a very obvious (and sequential) emotional journey from WIBN to CN. It's only SJB that breaks the flow. I'm a Pet Sounds devotee - and over the years have met many others and almost all of them were underwhelmed the first time they heard it - perhaps a clash between its reputation and listener expectations is the reason....but it gets better and better as the sheer beauty and complexity of what's going on works its wonders on the listener.
Good opinion. But man, it’s really strange that Pet Sounds didn’t achieve not even one single moment of music glory in your ears. Really strange. In fact, i really love the sequence of the tracklist and never felt the “sequential momentum fail” as you mentioned. I recommend that if you still want to experience this album in his full potential, buy the 45rpm analogue productions stereo version. That is not only a great pressing, but for me the best way to experience the album. I’m more a krautrock experimental /jazz/avant garde fan as you , but Pet sounds is a masterpiece. Greetings From Peru.
As much as I love SLB, it doesn’t fit the Album. If Brian finished good vibrations and it went on the album as he intended there’d be no Debate about best album.
Since the late 1980s, after people telling me; "you gotta listen to PET SOUNDS!" for almost ten years, I finally did. It was a complete game changer! Later on, I read somewhere that Brian Wilson's only direction to co-composer Tony Asher was to help drop the "cars and girls" atmosphere of their lyrics. That was hard, as it had been a proven and well-worked theme pattern for Beach Boys hits, but it needed a rest. And truthfully, none of the Beach Boys or the Beatles were 15 anymore. All any of them could do, if they were honest and brave enough, was to write about life, as it was for an American or British male, as they got their adult life situated, and headed towards 25. That's what happened with Al, Brian, Bruce, Carl, Dennis, George, John, Mike, Paul and Ringo - unknowingly, they all accepted each others challenges. And aren't we lucky!!?
Agreed. The 2017 45RPM analogue productions and the Carl and the passions Mono 2fer or 1974 Mono in the brown cover (same one as the 2fer) are the best.
I've been fascinated by The Beach Boy's archival releases the last several years. They provide some upgrades of bootleg material and previously unbooted material. I hope the series keeps going, the next one should hopefully cover their abandoned material from '74 - '77 which covers two scrapped studio albums.
I don’t own all of them, but the history of Beach Boys archive releases has led me to the conclusion that the biggest difference between them and the Beatles is that the Beatles pretty much always picked the right material to release from any set of sessions, and there’s hardly anything on Anthology or the reissue box sets that’s actually better than what came out at the time. Whereas the Beach Boys reissues, right back to the twofer CDs of the 90s, have plenty of gems that are better than a lot what’s on the original albums.
@@Extreme_Rice oh my God yes, I don't know how but the beach boys almost always held back their best material, as well as making all of their songs insanely short when they had longer versions! and don't get me started on the mixing of them, the original mix of wild honey is a goddamn travesty
@@Extreme_Rice this is true, plus the Beatles never recorded more than what was needed while the beach boy, particularly after pet sounds, worked on tons of material which they could bank in case the record company rejected their submissions, which was sadly a common occurrence. They didn't have the bargaining power of the Beatles
@@meatwoodflacmedia Absolutely true: There was about half an album of recorded but unreleased material for "Wild Honey", same with "Friends", a full album's worth of extra material for "20/20", and one album a a half of extra material for both "Sunflower" and "Surf's Up". Talk about productive recording sessions!
12:19 You nailed this review of PetSounds. It is an album that transcends time. Also the best way to hear it is only on mono. The stereo is just not the same, and I own it on flac. This was a great episode Andrew.
@@Parlogram Great video. Brian Wilson is (as is widely known), largely deaf in once ear so stereo mixes by him were unlikely to be a high priority. I remember first hearing the album. I went to a gig in the 90s and they played the whole album through the stacks at the side of the stage. I was blown away. i immediately went out and bought the CD - in mono, as it was at the time and ...well I don't remember anything else about the gig.
Sloop John B is one of those songs I would love to hear on a massive sound system. Same with Wouldn't It Be Nice. Just as long as it feels like the floor drops out on that first drum hit.
My dad had a copy of the Pet Sounds vinyl and all through my childhood/adolescence/adulthood being a Beatles fan and knowing how pet sounds inspired Paul (and the Beatles) so much that I believe he said there would be no Pepper without Pet Sounds. I would play it every now and again and always felt like it’s best songs were wouldn’t it be nice and sloop John b and the rest just slow, mellow, and seemingly depressing songs leaving me waiting for the next upbeat track and found it hard to see how this album was regarded as “the best pop album”. It really wasn’t until this year when I decided to give it another listen on the anniversary of its release in May that i finally got it. And played it on repeat throughout the day, respecting and appreciating it more with each listen. Great video as always.
I think Revolver was influenced by Pet Sounds. At least the McCartney tracks. Harrison and Lennon were into the LSD by then. I think SGT Pepper was mostly influenced by LSD.
It took quite a few listens to get on PET SOUNDS’ wavelength, but once I heard the backing tracks in stereo and could hear all of intricate arrangements that went into them, I started to really fall for it. The fact that all of that work got submerged into a slightly muddy backing, layered with those amazing harmonies AND THEN a layer of studio chatter (whoops!) made it something of an impenetrable listen, but I’m fine with it now. I want to get the Warners release (either as a tandem with “So Tough”, or the more scarce single LP version) as I hear that it’s a much nicer rendering of the original mix.
@@michaelharrington75 I have done LSD numerous times. MMT is pure LSD, both album and movie. Not sure about Pepper. Maybe. Revolver has nothing to do with Pet Sounds. It was recorded before PS was released. And its sound is totally different. PS is very into Phil Spector, all the sound and even melodies are inspired by Christmas Album. Revolver is harsh, sharp and funky.
As someone who is a huge fan of the Beatles and the videos that you have made about them I would LOVE to see you talk more about the Beach Boys, Rolling Stones or really any other band you want to!
My first vinyl copy I got of this album a few years ago was a 1969 Australian MFP pressing that I picked up for $20 AUD. It wasn't even labeled as 'Pet Sounds' but instead titled as 'The Fabulous Beach Boys'. It is not until you look at the tracks that you realise it's 'Pet Sounds' and not just a budget compilation release.
Pet Sounds is on my favorite albums of all-time, a true classic. And please create more video's on the Beach Boys, especially the lost period from Pet Sounds through Holland. Great video, and thanks for sharing.
Pet Sounds…the original Emo album! Between the years of Rubber Soul, Pet Sounds, Revolver and Sgt Peppers I do wish that Smile had come to fruition. But it didn’t. But music grew in leaps and bounds because of a year or so of dynamic recordings from both bands. Changed the world on so many levels. Well done good sir! Worth the wait. I loved the stereo of Pet Sounds. The 50th anniversary “book” was great. I must have 5 versions of the original mono CDs since the release of it on cd. Thanks again Andrew! Til next week
Here in México Rubber Soul was released with the same tracklist of the UK original, that's why when I went to the US and wanted to get a US pressing believing it was going to be of better quaity, I got frustrated because it was very different.
YES! YES! YES! to more Beach Boys content! The Beatles will ALWAYS be my favorite group, but The Beach Boys are a strong number 2. And for as great as "Pet Sounds" is, I think I'd have to put "The SMiLE Sessions" just a hair above "Pet Sounds". Both albums are indispensable to any lover of music. They are both true masterpieces!
I owned the Pet Sounds album in mono, and thought it sounded pretty good. But a few years ago I found a stereo version of the whole album (sans Sloop for some reason) here on RUclips. It was just magical. I felt I was rediscovering the album for the first time AND the stereo mix really highlighted the beauty of the Wrecking Crew's playing!
The Beach Boys were a Singles band to me in the 60’s. My first Beach Boys single was “California Girls” followed by “Good Vibrations” and “Do It Again”. My first Beach Boys album was “Endless Summer” in 1974. I discovered “Pet Sounds” shortly after reading that Paul McCartney said it was the Best Album of all time. According to Brian Wilson, it was the US version of “Rubber Soul” that inspired “Pet Sounds”.
The Beatles are my favorite,,,, but I love the Stones and The Beach Boys too. I’m so glad that you are branching of to these other bands as well! Maybe you could cover SMiLE next??? Keep up the excellent work!
That reissue of PET SOUNDS was cleaned up and tweeked by Carl WIlson in 1972, before being released. It was also later used for the 50th Anniversary PET SOUNDS package, because it sounded much better than the original Mono mix used in 1966. I think it's mentioned in the liner notes.
It was such an exciting and inventive period for music. From the point The Beatles came to America in 1964, Brian Wilson's goal was for The Beach Boys to always be better artistically than The Beatles. It was definitely a game of musical one-upsmanship. That was a tough challenge because Lennon and McCartney had each other to aid in collaboration and they also had George Martin to provide ample aid in making their ideas come to fruition. Brian Wilson did have some assistance of co-writers when it came to lyrics. But, once in the studio, he was doing it all in terms of arranging and producing the backing tracks, to creating the vocal arrangements, to the mixing of the master recordings. That's a lot of responsibility on one 24 year old young man. After he heard "Strawberry Fields" and "Penny Lane", Brian put even more pressure on himself because he sensed that The Beatles were breaking new ground sonically and he wanted the Beach Boys to get there first with "Smile". Unfortunately, Brian eventually succumbed to various pressures and "Smile" was not finished. With the release of "Sgt. Pepper", Brian lost the creative battle and so began his artistic withdrawal from being the driving force behind the Beach Boys' various endeavors.
Thank you so much Andrew for another great video! I have two copies of Pet Sounds: a 180-gram Simply Vinyl SVLP 149 mono pressing (UK, 1999) and a Capitol Records HDCD (US, 2001). The CD has both mono and stereo mixes, so I consider myself covered. What a great and inspiring album! We're definitely in for more Beach Boys content if you ask me! Hope to hear from you soon and all the best from Finland!
I would argue that sunflower by The Beach Boys is their own abbey road. Such an amazing album that rarely ever gets appreciated except from a few deep fans.
The Beatles and Beach Boys - my 2 favorite groups! As much as I love Rubber Soul (US and UK equally), For me, Pet Sounds is indeed on another level altogether! I have literally close to 30 unique versions of this album in all formats. Finding a mono copy on vinyl that sounds good has always been a challenge. While the stereo remix has become my "go to" version of this album, the DCC mono is as good as it gets on vinyl. The Dolby Atmos version is quite an experience. One quick thought on the documentary: As I watched it, I didn't feel I was the target audience, but appreciated it as an effort to reintroduce the band to a new audience. Over the last 10 years here in the US, they have not been getting the same attention. Looking forward to the next Rolling Stones video. The last one sent me on a major deep dive into their entire catalog.
I remember listening to the Beach Boys more during quarrantine in 2021, and my brother got me Pet Sounds for my 16th birthday, and i listened to it nonstop. It's my favorite Beach Boys album
Please make more beach Boys videos! Such a relief having somebody of your caliber documenting and presenting this in such and engaging and entertaining way. Pure class! Thank you 🙏
John had Paul. Paul had John - and they both had George Martin. Brian Wilson did it (mostly) by himself. I love both bands and each member had their unique talents. I'm happy to be a fan of both! So many great songs & landmark albums. Beatles & Beach Boys Forever.
This was a fun one! Thank you! Wouldn't It Be Nice and God Only Knows have long been favorite songs for me. And a shout out to the Wrecking Crew who so expertly translated the songs Brian Wilson had in his head.
Another great video, Andrew! Although the reciprocal inspiration between The Beatles and Beach Boys is well documented, I have found that the true companion to Pet Sounds is The Kinks' album Village Green Preservation Society. Both albums are loaded with wistfulness and longing. VGPS could be the lo-fi UK equivalent. Also, the DCC LP of Pet Sounds is the gold standard. A close second would be the Brother/Reprise reissue which was bundled with Carl and The Passions. The original US Capitol was a victim of their crappy vinyl compound. It wasn't till the 1970s that their pressings sounded decent.
Since you solicited opinions on this, the best sounding mix I've heard is the 1996 Pet Sound Sox stereo mix. What draws me to the first stereo mix is that it's very basic and clean. It attempts not to change the sound as later remixes would, but to present a legitimate 2-channel version of the mono Pet Sounds. Why I prefer it over the mono is that I always like stereo versions over their mono counterparts. With the stereo Pet Sounds, it's just more "open." With the separation, there's less "clutter." The background vocals really become revealed in all their glory. As an aside, in the late 70s, I bought a duophonic Pet Sounds (used). I really liked it! Go figure. That's probably my runner-up best version.
I can appreciate a mono recording played on either 1 or 2 speakers, but on headphones, mono can be pretty grim. Decent fake-stereo is a definite improvement over that, at least for me. People don't appreciate just how much the room acoustics contribute to the listening experience and a mono signal on headphones has less spacial sensation than anything else one is likely to hear. It sounds as if all the musicians are midpoint between the ears.
Remember that Keith Moon was a Beach Boys fanatic, and loved surf music in general. He was in a surf band called The Beachcombers when he met The Who, and he is seen/heard singing "Barbara Ann" in the film The Kids Are Alright.
Another great video Andrew. My favorite pressing of Pet Sounds is the Analogue Productions 45 RPM mono version. It is so rich sounding with deep bass and clear highs. Very detailed indeed. Please, please make more Beach Boys videos!
Excellent video, Andrew! I watched the new documentary last weekend and thought it was a great high-level overview of the band's history. As for the "Pet Sounds" album, I bought the 1990 CD reissue when it came out, and thought it sounded great. The "Pet Sounds Sessions" set is amazing, with its alternate versions and deconstructed tracks-- you really get to hear everything that went into those recordings.
thanks Andrew. my first love is the beach boys. when i first heard 'heroes and villains' it blew my head off and away from the glam rock at the time. brian was in his early 20's during pet sounds yes? amazing. glorious harmonies influenced by the jazzy arrangements of his fave group the four freshmen. the first album i bought was the 'today' album although it was not titled as such on the mfp label i got in 1974. i listened to it and sang along. i'm very good at harmony singing now thanks to this. when i earned money [during the '70's, still at school] from my grocery delivery job [think of granville on that carrier bike] i bought bb albums. i saw brian perform 'smile' in liverpool. wonderful stuff.
Interesting that Pet Sounds was considered a commercial disappointment in the US, but was the band's most successful album in the UK. Great video as usual.
Pet Sounds was reissued in the early 1970s on Brother/Reprise Records as a 2 record set, the other LP being Carl and the Passions. It was remixed by Carl Wilson, and, as he said at the time, came the closest to the way Brian originally intended. It is a very good sounding version.
Most copies of the original release (in the US) were 'duophonic' (fake stereo) - terrible sound. The mono and Linnett stereo mixes are definitely the ways to go (Linett's 5.1 isn't half bad either...)
Wow Andrew!! Thanks SO MUCH for this. I've always liked and appreciated the Beach Boys, although I am STILL a Beatles fan FIRST. Always knew the influence they had on each other. It's wonderful what we got from BOTH groups. Although I must say, It felt slightly STRANGE to watch a video in which you ONLY mentioned "The Beatles" a dozen times or so!! Thanks again for all you do, you NEVER cease to amaze! Cheers! from George B. in Boston.
Definitely more videos on the Beach Boys, Andrew! This one was so enjoyable -like all of your videos!- so a deep dive into, say, their late 60s albums would be most welcome!
Glad you brought up the Hoffman master of the mono album, it has by far the best bass response and a warm sound that is unmatched even by the stereo version
One of your best videos Andrew. As a huge Beach Boys and Beatles fan, I thoroughly enjoyed this (as always!). It would be great if you included more Beach Boys (and Jan & Dean would be awesome). Thank you for all your wonderful videos 👌
Hi Andrew, I love Pet Sounds and was aware of the fact that John & Paul had heard the pressing before it was released and that Paul wrote here there and everywhere after hearing God Only Knows but lots here was new to me and fascinating. I think you hit the nail on the head when you describe Pet Sounds as emotional, every time I listen to it it gets me in a way most other albums do not there is just something magical about the songs and their ability to grab your heart. I have to confess though as much as i love it I still listen to Rubber Soul more but acknowledge on paper its probably not as good as Pet Sounds but I can love both right. I think where the Beach Boys suffered was that Brian was the main songwriter and although he had help he did most of it on his own and John and Paul and George too by then were knocking out amazing songs by the truckload so hard for them to compete but yes Pet Sounds was a peak and a mighty one. A truly great album and rightly revered as one of the best ever made and certainly one of the best in the 1960's. I have the remastered CD version and its pretty good I think. Cheers Tim
Another video well done Andrew!! I've had Pet Sounds on vinyl for many years & i can say that although it is very ambitious musically, i don't put it in the category of "one of the best albums of all time". It lacks consistency IMO. The 3 truly outstanding songs are the radio songs "Wouldn't It Be Nice", "Sloop John B" & "God Only Knows".
Paul and Brian were born a mere two days apart from each other. If that coincidence is not extraordinary in every sense of the word, I don't know what it is!! Definitely, let more Beach Boys stories roll into the channel.
Very glad to hear you mention the DCC/Steve Hoffman version of "Pet Sounds". It is the best version. I bought it new when it came out, no doubt before a lot of your viewers were born. It was like $25-$30 new. I bought a lot of new vinyl in the 90s. Audiophile pressings, indie and major label rock. The latter as both US, and UK/European pressings, not issued here in the US. No, they never equaled "Pet Sounds", but there was some great material on those albums in the next six years after that. Although "The Beach Boys Love You" is a lot of fun. Brian's mental health was a big reason The Beach Boys never gave us an "Abbey Road". Brian never really got back to anywhere near where he was until 1988, and his brilliant self titled album. The band's history in the 1970s was quite a ride, and makes for some fascinating study.
Pet Sounds is truly marvelous , can`t rave about it enough but in the absence of Smile, it is by far the only album that stands alongside the Beatles best six Albums....... A Hard day`s night, Rubber Soul , Revolver, Sgt Pepper, White album and Abbey Rd, love the Beach boys but they`re a distant number two below the Fabs.
Yess! You should do a video on the Friends album or maybe that include discussion of the post-Pet Sounds albums from 67-70 the last period where Brian was really engaged with the productions
Loved the review of pet sounds been a fan of the beach boys ever since I was little I have heard pet sounds in all the different formats that you can get it on but the mono pressing is the best in my opinion pet sounds was the first music I heard when I was growing up and I was never a Beatles fan but understand their history and the musical competition between the two groups made me want to explore the Beatles more in-depth and now rubber Soul is of my favourite albums of theirs but definitely continue with making more videos about the Beach Boys
I know it’s not on Pet Sounds but to me ‘Don’t worry baby ‘ is a masterpiece of songwriting. The guitar solo is ultra simple but it can break your heart. ❤
Hi again Andrew & thanks for another good video. Re Pet Sounds, I was intrigued when years after first hearing it (in mono), I read how Brian misheard the original lyrics of "Carol I Know", as... "Caroline No". This song now takes on a new meaning for me. Re the new Disney+ docu - have you read that Wrecking Crew bassist Carol Kaye has rubbished how they've edited certain studio scenes to falsify how it actually was?
Hi Andrew, another great video. I saw the Beach Boys perform at Wembley in 1975 on the same bill as Elton John. They easily stole the show and I’ve been a fan ever since. If you like audiofile pressings it’s worth checking out the Analogue Productions deluxe reissues of their most important albums. Superb Kevin Gray mastering on the highest quality vinyl. Also worth hearing is the Dennis Wilson solo album Pacific Ocean Blue, absolutely sublime!
Great review and I never knew that the Surfer Girl lp was first released in the UK in 1964 before being abandoned. Two great bands with totally different backgrounds and structures but equally legendary. I was wondering if you liked the lp "Holland" as you said that the Beach Boys period from 67-71 also produced some great music. IMO Holland is also outstanding and the first Beach Boys lp that I bought that wasn't a compilation. It's more of a group effort but that's not a bad thing.
Please make a video dedicated to the Wild Honey album! Thank you very much for this great content. I'm a die-hard fan of The Beach Boys and The Beatles. They are the mother and father bands for me.
When Brian was unable to finish Smile, we didn't just miss out on a great Beach Boys album, but also the next great Beatles album, as I'm sure they would have heard it and felt a creative need to respond to it with something other than the White Album, as good as that is.
Smile would have blown away the competition had it been completed and released in 1967/68. Having heard the songs from it in various permutations, it would have been most effective as two unbroken suites of music.
Disagree, The Beatles' individually were growing apart in writing and musical cohesion terms during '68 with all going back to a mostly more organic, rootsy, less produced sound (George Martin mostly took a back seat) hence The White Album/Get Back Sessions. Any Brian Wilson/Beach Boys creation wouldn't have really influenced that IMO. The rivalry/influence between them was all Brian's side after Pepper. Sadly his drug/mental issues took over, not helped by no other Beach Boy having anywhere near his creativity.
Great vid! My first vid of yours! I am fan of the Beach Boys, and I haven't listened to Pet Sounds yet, but I plan to now! It's amazing that during The primetime of the Beach Boys they weren't this really big thing but later on they became some of the voice of America that we know and love! That would be an interesting video to do as well!
The documentary overstated the relationship between the Beatles and The Beach Boys in my opinion. The Beatles 8 years of activity survives and even thrives today. The Beach Boys have been around for 6 decades, and it’s only 4 years of their music (with a few exceptions) which survives today. Again just my opinion.
Because Capitol hardly promoted albums such as "Friends" and "20/20" in the US at the time. In the UK and in Europe, the band was huge in the late 60s and songs like "I Can Hear Music", "Cottonfields" and "Break Away" were major hits this side of the Atlantic, and the Beach Boys often toured here too.
Only Americans would say they inspired each other. True, John and Paul liked Brian Wilson’s writing, and the harmonies. And there was a minor competition around the time of Pet Sounds, but that’s it. As for artists and musicians, not even on the same scale. Beatles are timeless and legendary, Beach Boys were temporary and entirely of their time and place.
On Saturday, I was walking around a shop in Bury St Edmunds and a 20-something man was wearing a green 'I just wasn't made for these times' T shirt! It put a huge smile on my face and I spent 10 minutes dragging my wife around the shop so she could see it too! I'd love to hear your take on Beach Boys albums.
The Canadian MONO Capitol version of Pet Sounds is probably my favorite version - It's super rare to find in playable condition - there are some USA MONO versions that sound horrible unfortunately. Research reveals this is typical.. but there are certain pressing plants that did it justice in 1966
I think that the interplay between The Beatles and The Beach Boys is a rich furrow to plough. How Brian’s creativity develops alongside Paul’s especially is fascinating. When you hear them speak about each other’s work the respect and love is brilliant to see. Thanks for doing this video I loved it. I just wish there was a great sounding mono version of Pet Sounds that was affordable. I can’t justify spending 200 or even 100 quid on an album
Fab! I first heard the BB’s when a friend bought “I get around” which is a great song but I prefer the B side “ Don’t worry baby”. Superb song. Ok, so please consider doing a video on the Beatles concert at Washington Coliseum in 11th Feb ‘64. Not just the concert, which really captures the audience excitement as the lads deliver a brilliant adrenaline fuelled set, but the rest of the day. Train ride and the after show reception where someone chopped a lump of Ringo’s hair off!! Keep up the jolly good work!
Thanks Andrew! This morning I watched your video on the 2023 Red and Blue albums. So I’m wondering how best to hear them when you mentioned Apple Music! Then the light bulb lit up! I have Apple Music and in my old SUV I have a four speaker Bose system. I’ve been out this morning blasting the Blue Album out. It’s astonishing! The bass and drums sound great and the overall mixes are fab! As a drummer myself who was inspired to play back in 1963 by listening to Ringo I’m always interested in and impressed by his drumming with the Beatles. He really was the perfect drummer for the band. Great video as usual!!
Just want to chime in on the best pressing of pet sounds as I really think you missed the boat with this one. I am thinking you may have been limited with what you had for comparison/shootouts. Here goes. After hearing over 50+ different pressings and reading 100s of other posts on the subject it’s safe to say the following: For vintage pressings the best you can get is the Mono artisan cut that is packaged with the Carl and the passions lp (2fer). Also, that same cut was made available in 1974 housed in that brown Alternative cover as a single buy pet sounds so either one, you can’t go wrong with. 💯 AAA cut from a fairly fresh master tape back in the early 70s. For modern lp buyers the best I heard and read about (even better than the hoffman cut) is the analogue productions 2x12 cut at 45 RPM 200 gram TRUE stereo if you want to hear the stereo. It’s the best! Want to say that was cut a few years ago in 2017 so seek it out as you will be blown away.
Thanks for the reviews and story of this wonderful album. I have the 2001 DVD AUDIO version and it sounds fantastic...especially 'Sloop John B' the separation is second to none. Have you heard this disc, and what do you think of it, if you have? Bob
The only Beach Boys album I ever bought was the 20 Golden Greats comp which was released late 70's or early 80's. It is a magnificent collection jammed full of amazing songs and is a perfect snapshot of their evolution from rock n roll surfer boys to superb harmonic and musical masters. However, I have always been aware of Pet Sounds being called their greatest work and to my shame have never quite not round to it. But I shall do now Andrew!! Thanks 🙂
that was fantastic ! you really shed some new light on the Beach Boys vs. Beatles subject. I'd heard for years that ' Today ' had influenced ' Rubber Soul '. not so if it hadn't been released in the UK yet. also interesting was the reception The Boys were getting in England, early. the old Disney Channel showed Ready Steady Go from around 1989 to 90 or '91 and an episode with The Beach Boys featured the group almost getting drowned out by the all of the screaming. a future video on their later albums would be great , and I'll also recommend the 1990 Capital CD release of Pet Sounds.
@@Parlogram the sound on the cd is, I think, an improvement over some of the dull sounding reissues and Paul McCartney's notes in the booklet were nice to read. Andrew, you also mentioned Jan & Dean in the video. was there much popularity in England for this duo, who were known as the Laural and Hardy of the surf set ? I know that Keith Moon was a fan of them as well as The Beach Boys.
I have a stand-alone Capital CD containing both the mono and stereo mixes of "Pet Sounds" that was released in 1999. Mastering by Ron McMaster. The stereo sounds so good to me that I never listen to the mono mix.
When I was a kid, for years, I had refused to listen to anything other than the Beatles. I had lived and breathed those guys . But then, suddenly, the Beach Boys became the exception to the rule. My neighbor friend had a copy of Best of The Beach Boys on 8-track and and once I heard it I was hooked! I eventually went out and bought everything I could by the Beach Boys. Pet Sounds was a masterpiece! But there are tons of great stuff in the catalog!
I would love it if you did a video on every Beach Boys album from 1967 to 1971, from Wild Honey to Surf's Up, or, at the very least, a single video about this string of great album releases. Every album from this period is criminally overlooked. Personally, I love albums like Wild Honey, Friends, 20/20, and Sunflower, more than I do Pet Sounds.
Agreed!! YES!! Please Andrew talk about those albums.
I prefer "Sunflower" too, better than "Pet sounds". Beach Boys albums after 66 are disappointments for me. They always exploit more or less bits of "Smile" material, unfair for Brian's work and an easy way to fill albums...my favorite might be "Holland". A real group effort.
Let's see how this one does first.
I think of 'Friends' as 'Pet Sounds' Part II. 😉👍🏻
@@FriedAudio Absolutely!
An emphatic YES to more videos about the Beach Boys. I recently did a deep dive into their late '60s/early '70s work and was highly impressed. Their albums always had a few clunkers but the high points are exquisite.
Greetings from Liverpool home of the Beatles! When Pet Sounds came out in 1966 our music teacher played it for us - we all thought it was great! I think it’s amazing the number of great songs Brian Wilson has written considering the various issues he has encountered - I am very lucky to have met him and he signed my Endless Harmony CD! It would be great if you reviewed more Beach Boys as you clearly have a good understanding of their work!
Glad you did this. Rubber Soul is still my jam, though. Pet Sounds is undoubtedly musically gorgeous and ambitious, but it always fails to achieve any kind of sequential momentum for me from song to song. I like an album to surprise me from track to track, and Pet Sounds just kind of becomes a lugubrious mire for me. I've tried for decades to succumb to its vaunted greatness but never seem to quite get there. And I'm someone who loves complex music, especially classical, jazz, and international music.
Remove Sloop John B - or play it as track one (it was added to the album at the last minute) and re-listen - there's a very obvious (and sequential) emotional journey from WIBN to CN. It's only SJB that breaks the flow.
I'm a Pet Sounds devotee - and over the years have met many others and almost all of them were underwhelmed the first time they heard it - perhaps a clash between its reputation and listener expectations is the reason....but it gets better and better as the sheer beauty and complexity of what's going on works its wonders on the listener.
Good opinion. But man, it’s really strange that Pet Sounds didn’t achieve not even one single moment of music glory in your ears. Really strange.
In fact, i really love the sequence of the tracklist and never felt the “sequential momentum fail” as you mentioned.
I recommend that if you still want to experience this album in his full potential, buy the 45rpm analogue productions stereo version. That is not only a great pressing, but for me the best way to experience the album. I’m more a krautrock experimental /jazz/avant garde fan as you , but Pet sounds is a masterpiece. Greetings From Peru.
As much as I love SLB, it doesn’t fit the Album. If Brian finished good vibrations and it went on the album as he intended there’d be no Debate about best album.
Since the late 1980s, after people telling me; "you gotta listen to PET SOUNDS!" for almost ten years, I finally did. It was a complete game changer! Later on, I read somewhere that Brian Wilson's only direction to co-composer Tony Asher was to help drop the "cars and girls" atmosphere of their lyrics. That was hard, as it had been a proven and well-worked theme pattern for Beach Boys hits, but it needed a rest. And truthfully, none of the Beach Boys or the Beatles were 15 anymore. All any of them could do, if they were honest and brave enough, was to write about life, as it was for an American or British male, as they got their adult life situated, and headed towards 25. That's what happened with Al, Brian, Bruce, Carl, Dennis, George, John, Mike, Paul and Ringo - unknowingly, they all accepted each others challenges. And aren't we lucky!!?
The best way I've heard the album is my stereo pressing by analogue productions. It's seriously one of my best sounding records in my collections.
Agreed. The 2017 45RPM analogue productions and the Carl and the passions Mono 2fer or 1974 Mono in the brown cover (same one as the 2fer) are the best.
Yup, agreed!
I was going to mention this as well. Andrew you should check out the Analogue Productions pressings. They have a 45rpm 2xLP version that is stunning!
I've been fascinated by The Beach Boy's archival releases the last several years. They provide some upgrades of bootleg material and previously unbooted material. I hope the series keeps going, the next one should hopefully cover their abandoned material from '74 - '77 which covers two scrapped studio albums.
I don’t own all of them, but the history of Beach Boys archive releases has led me to the conclusion that the biggest difference between them and the Beatles is that the Beatles pretty much always picked the right material to release from any set of sessions, and there’s hardly anything on Anthology or the reissue box sets that’s actually better than what came out at the time. Whereas the Beach Boys reissues, right back to the twofer CDs of the 90s, have plenty of gems that are better than a lot what’s on the original albums.
@@Extreme_Rice oh my God yes, I don't know how but the beach boys almost always held back their best material, as well as making all of their songs insanely short when they had longer versions! and don't get me started on the mixing of them, the original mix of wild honey is a goddamn travesty
@@Extreme_Rice this is true, plus the Beatles never recorded more than what was needed while the beach boy, particularly after pet sounds, worked on tons of material which they could bank in case the record company rejected their submissions, which was sadly a common occurrence. They didn't have the bargaining power of the Beatles
@@meatwoodflacmedia Absolutely true: There was about half an album of recorded but unreleased material for "Wild Honey", same with "Friends", a full album's worth of extra material for "20/20", and one album a a half of extra material for both "Sunflower" and "Surf's Up". Talk about productive recording sessions!
YESSSSS beach boys!!!! i absolutely adore their work, 1965-1973 is one of the best album runs in music history, more more more!
12:19 You nailed this review of PetSounds. It is an album that transcends time. Also the best way to hear it is only on mono. The stereo is just not the same, and I own it on flac. This was a great episode Andrew.
Thanks Michael!
@@Parlogram
Great video. Brian Wilson is (as is widely known), largely deaf in once ear so stereo mixes by him were unlikely to be a high priority. I remember first hearing the album. I went to a gig in the 90s and they played the whole album through the stacks at the side of the stage. I was blown away. i immediately went out and bought the CD - in mono, as it was at the time and ...well I don't remember anything else about the gig.
Sloop John B is one of those songs I would love to hear on a massive sound system. Same with Wouldn't It Be Nice. Just as long as it feels like the floor drops out on that first drum hit.
My dad had a copy of the Pet Sounds vinyl and all through my childhood/adolescence/adulthood being a Beatles fan and knowing how pet sounds inspired Paul (and the Beatles) so much that I believe he said there would be no Pepper without Pet Sounds. I would play it every now and again and always felt like it’s best songs were wouldn’t it be nice and sloop John b and the rest just slow, mellow, and seemingly depressing songs leaving me waiting for the next upbeat track and found it hard to see how this album was regarded as “the best pop album”. It really wasn’t until this year when I decided to give it another listen on the anniversary of its release in May that i finally got it. And played it on repeat throughout the day, respecting and appreciating it more with each listen. Great video as always.
Great memories, Steve. Glad you enjoyed the video!
Pepper has nothing to do with Pet Sounds. Totally different albums.
I think Revolver was influenced by Pet Sounds. At least the McCartney tracks. Harrison and Lennon were into the LSD by then. I think SGT Pepper was mostly influenced by LSD.
It took quite a few listens to get on PET SOUNDS’ wavelength, but once I heard the backing tracks in stereo and could hear all of intricate arrangements that went into them, I started to really fall for it. The fact that all of that work got submerged into a slightly muddy backing, layered with those amazing harmonies AND THEN a layer of studio chatter (whoops!) made it something of an impenetrable listen, but I’m fine with it now. I want to get the Warners release (either as a tandem with “So Tough”, or the more scarce single LP version) as I hear that it’s a much nicer rendering of the original mix.
@@michaelharrington75 I have done LSD numerous times. MMT is pure LSD, both album and movie. Not sure about Pepper. Maybe.
Revolver has nothing to do with Pet Sounds. It was recorded before PS was released. And its sound is totally different. PS is very into Phil Spector, all the sound and even melodies are inspired by Christmas Album. Revolver is harsh, sharp and funky.
God only knows, how much more we want on The Beach Boys 😊....
As someone who is a huge fan of the Beatles and the videos that you have made about them I would LOVE to see you talk more about the Beach Boys, Rolling Stones or really any other band you want to!
My first vinyl copy I got of this album a few years ago was a 1969 Australian MFP pressing that I picked up for $20 AUD.
It wasn't even labeled as 'Pet Sounds' but instead titled as 'The Fabulous Beach Boys'.
It is not until you look at the tracks that you realise it's 'Pet Sounds' and not just a budget compilation release.
Pet Sounds is on my favorite albums of all-time, a true classic. And please create more video's on the Beach Boys, especially the lost period from Pet Sounds through Holland. Great video, and thanks for sharing.
Pet Sounds…the original Emo album! Between the years of Rubber Soul, Pet Sounds, Revolver and Sgt Peppers I do wish that Smile had come to fruition. But it didn’t.
But music grew in leaps and bounds because of a year or so of dynamic recordings from both bands. Changed the world on so many levels.
Well done good sir!
Worth the wait.
I loved the stereo of Pet Sounds. The 50th anniversary “book” was great. I must have 5 versions of the original mono CDs since the release of it on cd.
Thanks again Andrew! Til next week
Thanks Brian, glad you enjoyed it. See you next week!
Don't be a prat.. @@jadebel7006
the mark linett stereo mix of Pet Sounds is the best way to listen to it
Here in México Rubber Soul was released with the same tracklist of the UK original, that's why when I went to the US and wanted to get a US pressing believing it was going to be of better quaity, I got frustrated because it was very different.
YES! YES! YES! to more Beach Boys content! The Beatles will ALWAYS be my favorite group, but The Beach Boys are a strong number 2. And for as great as "Pet Sounds" is, I think I'd have to put "The SMiLE Sessions" just a hair above "Pet Sounds". Both albums are indispensable to any lover of music. They are both true masterpieces!
By a coincidence, an advert popped up in the middle of your video. The commercial was for Sky Mobile, soundtracked by Wouldn't It Be Nice.
I owned the Pet Sounds album in mono, and thought it sounded pretty good. But a few years ago I found a stereo version of the whole album (sans Sloop for some reason) here on RUclips. It was just magical. I felt I was rediscovering the album for the first time AND the stereo mix really highlighted the beauty of the Wrecking Crew's playing!
Uh well sort of right. That's Not Me has the band playing with Hal Blaine from the WC.
There might be a pet sounds record duplicate stereo if you look around any thrift store
The Beach Boys were a Singles band to me in the 60’s. My first Beach Boys single was “California Girls” followed by “Good Vibrations” and “Do It Again”. My first Beach Boys album was “Endless Summer” in 1974. I discovered “Pet Sounds” shortly after reading that Paul McCartney said it was the Best Album of all time. According to Brian Wilson, it was the US version of “Rubber Soul” that inspired “Pet Sounds”.
The Beatles are my favorite,,,, but I love the Stones and The Beach Boys too. I’m so glad that you are branching of to these other bands as well! Maybe you could cover SMiLE next??? Keep up the excellent work!
My two favorite Albums! Great video, as usual, Andrew! You're the greatest, as said John.
Wow, thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!
Great video, Andrew. Also a good mono pressing to check out is the 1972 US pressing that was included with the Carl & The Passions album.
Good call!
That's my pressing of choice as well
The C&TP pressing is great, it also has my favorite bit of beach boys lore, that it was originally supposed to be a copy of Smile instead!
That reissue of PET SOUNDS was cleaned up and tweeked by Carl WIlson in 1972, before being released. It was also later used for the 50th Anniversary PET SOUNDS package, because it sounded much better than the original Mono mix used in 1966. I think it's mentioned in the liner notes.
It was such an exciting and inventive period for music. From the point The Beatles came to America in 1964, Brian Wilson's goal was for The Beach Boys to always be better artistically than The Beatles. It was definitely a game of musical one-upsmanship. That was a tough challenge because Lennon and McCartney had each other to aid in collaboration and they also had George Martin to provide ample aid in making their ideas come to fruition. Brian Wilson did have some assistance of co-writers when it came to lyrics. But, once in the studio, he was doing it all in terms of arranging and producing the backing tracks, to creating the vocal arrangements, to the mixing of the master recordings. That's a lot of responsibility on one 24 year old young man. After he heard "Strawberry Fields" and "Penny Lane", Brian put even more pressure on himself because he sensed that The Beatles were breaking new ground sonically and he wanted the Beach Boys to get there first with "Smile". Unfortunately, Brian eventually succumbed to various pressures and "Smile" was not finished. With the release of "Sgt. Pepper", Brian lost the creative battle and so began his artistic withdrawal from being the driving force behind the Beach Boys' various endeavors.
Thank you so much Andrew for another great video! I have two copies of Pet Sounds: a 180-gram Simply Vinyl SVLP 149 mono pressing (UK, 1999) and a Capitol Records HDCD (US, 2001). The CD has both mono and stereo mixes, so I consider myself covered. What a great and inspiring album! We're definitely in for more Beach Boys content if you ask me!
Hope to hear from you soon and all the best from Finland!
Glad you enjoyed it! I'll be in touch soon!
Andrew, Awesome episode!!! I would love to see more on The Beach Boys. I absolutely love Pet Sounds!!! - Roger
Please do more Beach Boys videos! I’d love to see stuff about the early Beach Boys stuff (Surfin Safari-Summer Days)
I would argue that sunflower by The Beach Boys is their own abbey road. Such an amazing album that rarely ever gets appreciated except from a few deep fans.
The Beatles and Beach Boys - my 2 favorite groups! As much as I love Rubber Soul (US and UK equally), For me, Pet Sounds is indeed on another level altogether! I have literally close to 30 unique versions of this album in all formats. Finding a mono copy on vinyl that sounds good has always been a challenge. While the stereo remix has become my "go to" version of this album, the DCC mono is as good as it gets on vinyl. The Dolby Atmos version is quite an experience. One quick thought on the documentary: As I watched it, I didn't feel I was the target audience, but appreciated it as an effort to reintroduce the band to a new audience. Over the last 10 years here in the US, they have not been getting the same attention. Looking forward to the next Rolling Stones video. The last one sent me on a major deep dive into their entire catalog.
Whats about Beastie Boys?
Another belter of a video. 👏🏼👏🏼
Thanks Andrew!
Glad you enjoyed it, Ady!
Thank you for talking about the beach boys :)
Our pleasure!
I remember listening to the Beach Boys more during quarrantine in 2021, and my brother got me Pet Sounds for my 16th birthday, and i listened to it nonstop. It's my favorite Beach Boys album
Please make more beach Boys videos! Such a relief having somebody of your caliber documenting and presenting this in such and engaging and entertaining way. Pure class! Thank you 🙏
Thank you, will do!
John had Paul. Paul had John - and they both had George Martin. Brian Wilson did it (mostly) by himself. I love both bands and each member had their unique talents. I'm happy to be a fan of both! So many great songs & landmark albums. Beatles & Beach Boys Forever.
Yeah Brian had Mike Love And Murry. Two narcissists…well I guess Paul is one too lol
This was a fun one! Thank you! Wouldn't It Be Nice and God Only Knows have long been favorite songs for me. And a shout out to the Wrecking Crew who so expertly translated the songs Brian Wilson had in his head.
Another great video, Andrew! Although the reciprocal inspiration between The Beatles and Beach Boys is well documented, I have found that the true companion to Pet Sounds is The Kinks' album Village Green Preservation Society. Both albums are loaded with wistfulness and longing. VGPS could be the lo-fi UK equivalent.
Also, the DCC LP of Pet Sounds is the gold standard. A close second would be the Brother/Reprise reissue which was bundled with Carl and The Passions. The original US Capitol was a victim of their crappy vinyl compound. It wasn't till the 1970s that their pressings sounded decent.
Since you solicited opinions on this, the best sounding mix I've heard is the 1996 Pet Sound Sox stereo mix. What draws me to the first stereo mix is that it's very basic and clean. It attempts not to change the sound as later remixes would, but to present a legitimate 2-channel version of the mono Pet Sounds. Why I prefer it over the mono is that I always like stereo versions over their mono counterparts. With the stereo Pet Sounds, it's just more "open." With the separation, there's less "clutter." The background vocals really become revealed in all their glory. As an aside, in the late 70s, I bought a duophonic Pet Sounds (used). I really liked it! Go figure. That's probably my runner-up best version.
I can appreciate a mono recording played on either 1 or 2 speakers, but on headphones, mono can be pretty grim. Decent fake-stereo is a definite improvement over that, at least for me. People don't appreciate just how much the room acoustics contribute to the listening experience and a mono signal on headphones has less spacial sensation than anything else one is likely to hear. It sounds as if all the musicians are midpoint between the ears.
Remember that Keith Moon was a Beach Boys fanatic, and loved surf music in general. He was in a surf band called The Beachcombers when he met The Who, and he is seen/heard singing "Barbara Ann" in the film The Kids Are Alright.
And The Beach Boys topped off 66 with the stunning Good Vibrations. 1966…what a year!
It only that was in pet sounds as intended
Great video as usual! I'd love to see more beach boys videos.
Thanks Benji. Let's see how this one does first!
Another great video Andrew. My favorite pressing of Pet Sounds is the Analogue Productions 45 RPM mono version. It is so rich sounding with deep bass and clear highs. Very detailed indeed. Please, please make more Beach Boys videos!
Excellent video, Andrew! I watched the new documentary last weekend and thought it was a great high-level overview of the band's history. As for the "Pet Sounds" album, I bought the 1990 CD reissue when it came out, and thought it sounded great. The "Pet Sounds Sessions" set is amazing, with its alternate versions and deconstructed tracks-- you really get to hear everything that went into those recordings.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Obrigado por mais um ótimo vídeo, Andrew. Espero que tenhamos mais vídeos sobre essa magnífica banda neste excelente canal!
thanks Andrew. my first love is the beach boys. when i first heard 'heroes and villains' it blew my head off and away from the glam rock at the time. brian was in his early 20's during pet sounds yes? amazing. glorious harmonies influenced by the jazzy arrangements of his fave group the four freshmen. the first album i bought was the 'today' album although it was not titled as such on the mfp label i got in 1974. i listened to it and sang along. i'm very good at harmony singing now thanks to this. when i earned money [during the '70's, still at school] from my grocery delivery job [think of granville on that carrier bike] i bought bb albums. i saw brian perform 'smile' in liverpool. wonderful stuff.
I've been hoping you would tackle the Beach Boys at some point! Excellent as always. Keep 'em coming, please!
Interesting that Pet Sounds was considered a commercial disappointment in the US, but was the band's most successful album in the UK. Great video as usual.
It's great that you've branched out to include other bands on your channel. I appreciate it & long may it continue.
Thanks. I appreciate your comment!
As always, genious recognizes genious
Pet Sounds was reissued in the early 1970s on Brother/Reprise Records as a 2 record set, the other LP being Carl and the Passions. It was remixed by Carl Wilson, and, as he said at the time, came the closest to the way Brian originally intended. It is a very good sounding version.
Most copies of the original release (in the US) were 'duophonic' (fake stereo) - terrible sound. The mono and Linnett stereo mixes are definitely the ways to go (Linett's 5.1 isn't half bad either...)
@@andrewholliday251Yep, I definitely agree. I think the Carl Wilson/Reprise LP is mono, but it still doesn’t come near the newer releases.
I love that mono cut. It sounds wonderful
Sure, Andrew, need more about the stones and the beach boys!
Wow Andrew!! Thanks SO MUCH for this. I've always liked and appreciated the Beach Boys, although I am STILL a Beatles fan FIRST. Always knew the influence they had on each other. It's wonderful what we got from BOTH groups. Although I must say, It felt slightly STRANGE to watch a video in which you ONLY mentioned "The Beatles" a dozen times or so!! Thanks again for all you do, you NEVER cease to amaze! Cheers! from George B. in Boston.
Cheers George! Glad you enjoyed it!
The incredible bass playing on Pet Sounds, most of which was done by Carol Kaye, greatly influenced Paul's playing from Pepper to the present time.
Thanks Andrew, I love your videos, and although not a Beach Boys aficionado, it’s great to hear about them alongside the fabs etc.. 😎👍
Thank you so much! Glad you enjoy them! 😊
Definitely more videos on the Beach Boys, Andrew! This one was so enjoyable -like all of your videos!- so a deep dive into, say, their late 60s albums would be most welcome!
Glad you brought up the Hoffman master of the mono album, it has by far the best bass response and a warm sound that is unmatched even by the stereo version
One of your best videos Andrew. As a huge Beach Boys and Beatles fan, I thoroughly enjoyed this (as always!). It would be great if you included more Beach Boys (and Jan & Dean would be awesome). Thank you for all your wonderful videos 👌
Great job again, Andrew! Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it!
The BB’s are my favorite band. I wish there was more of the 70’s era but there is a lot of good unseen super 8 footage.
Hi Andrew, I love Pet Sounds and was aware of the fact that John & Paul had heard the pressing before it was released and that Paul wrote here there and everywhere after hearing God Only Knows but lots here was new to me and fascinating. I think you hit the nail on the head when you describe Pet Sounds as emotional, every time I listen to it it gets me in a way most other albums do not there is just something magical about the songs and their ability to grab your heart. I have to confess though as much as i love it I still listen to Rubber Soul more but acknowledge on paper its probably not as good as Pet Sounds but I can love both right. I think where the Beach Boys suffered was that Brian was the main songwriter and although he had help he did most of it on his own and John and Paul and George too by then were knocking out amazing songs by the truckload so hard for them to compete but yes Pet Sounds was a peak and a mighty one. A truly great album and rightly revered as one of the best ever made and certainly one of the best in the 1960's. I have the remastered CD version and its pretty good I think. Cheers Tim
Andrew. Fantastic information as always. Thank you.
You're welcome, Chris!
Another video well done Andrew!! I've had Pet Sounds on vinyl for many years & i can say that although it is very ambitious musically, i don't put it in the category of "one of the best albums of all time". It lacks consistency IMO. The 3 truly outstanding songs are the radio songs "Wouldn't It Be Nice", "Sloop John B" & "God Only Knows".
Glad you enjoyed it, Tiger!
I cannot put into words how much I love Pet Sounds, the word ‘masterpiece’ is thrown around too easily but this truly is one, an astonishing album 👌
Paul and Brian were born a mere two days apart from each other. If that coincidence is not extraordinary in every sense of the word, I don't know what it is!! Definitely, let more Beach Boys stories roll into the channel.
Remove the time zone and it’s closer to one day
@@mumbles215 True! Hadn't thought about that.
Very glad to hear you mention the DCC/Steve Hoffman version of "Pet Sounds". It is the best version. I bought it new when it came out, no doubt before a lot of your viewers were born. It was like $25-$30 new. I bought a lot of new vinyl in the 90s. Audiophile pressings, indie and major label rock. The latter as both US, and UK/European pressings, not issued here in the US.
No, they never equaled "Pet Sounds", but there was some great material on those albums in the next six years after that. Although "The Beach Boys Love You" is a lot of fun. Brian's mental health was a big reason The Beach Boys never gave us an "Abbey Road". Brian never really got back to anywhere near where he was until 1988, and his brilliant self titled album.
The band's history in the 1970s was quite a ride, and makes for some fascinating study.
Well said.
"Sunflower" is their "Abbey Road".
To my ears, at least.
I need to put some in the air and listen to sunflower
Thank you for a wonderfully video. Please tell us more about The Beach Boys music.
Glad you enjoyed it! More soon!
You'd be the ideal bloke to make a video explaining the Smile saga.
Pet Sounds is truly marvelous , can`t rave about it enough but in the absence of Smile, it is by far the only album that stands alongside the Beatles best six Albums....... A Hard day`s night, Rubber Soul , Revolver, Sgt Pepper, White album and Abbey Rd, love the Beach boys but they`re a distant number two below the Fabs.
Amazingly, I've never heard "Pet Sounds"! I'm going to give it a listen now. I bet I'll be floored.
Hope you enjoy it, Tom!
Yess! You should do a video on the Friends album or maybe that include discussion of the post-Pet Sounds albums from 67-70 the last period where Brian was really engaged with the productions
Loved the review of pet sounds been a fan of the beach boys ever since I was little I have heard pet sounds in all the different formats that you can get it on but the mono pressing is the best in my opinion pet sounds was the first music I heard when I was growing up and I was never a Beatles fan but understand their history and the musical competition between the two groups made me want to explore the Beatles more in-depth and now rubber Soul is of my favourite albums of theirs but definitely continue with making more videos about the Beach Boys
Very well done, very informative, as always, Andrew.
Thanks.
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it
Great informative video Andrew. As some others noted the absolute best Beach Boys vinyl pressing are by Analogue Productions..
I know it’s not on Pet Sounds but to me ‘Don’t worry baby ‘ is a masterpiece of songwriting. The guitar solo is ultra simple but it can break your heart. ❤
Hi again Andrew & thanks for another good video.
Re Pet Sounds, I was intrigued when years after first hearing it (in mono), I read how Brian misheard the original lyrics of "Carol I Know", as... "Caroline No". This song now takes on a new meaning for me.
Re the new Disney+ docu - have you read that Wrecking Crew bassist Carol Kaye has rubbished how they've edited certain studio scenes to falsify how it actually was?
I hadn’t heard that but it doesn’t surprise me that she said that.
Glad you enjoyed it
Thank you, Andrew, for this video! Have been listening to BB box set! You have convinced to get Pet Sounds on vinyl!!! great work!
Thank you, Antonio. I hope you enjoy it!
Hi Andrew, another great video. I saw the Beach Boys perform at Wembley in 1975 on the same bill as Elton John. They easily stole the show and I’ve been a fan ever since. If you like audiofile pressings it’s worth checking out the Analogue Productions deluxe reissues of their most important albums. Superb Kevin Gray mastering on the highest quality vinyl. Also worth hearing is the Dennis Wilson solo album Pacific Ocean Blue, absolutely sublime!
Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the recommendations!
Great review and I never knew that the Surfer Girl lp was first released in the UK in 1964 before being abandoned. Two great bands with totally different backgrounds and structures but equally legendary. I was wondering if you liked the lp "Holland" as you said that the Beach Boys period from 67-71 also produced some great music. IMO Holland is also outstanding and the first Beach Boys lp that I bought that wasn't a compilation. It's more of a group effort but that's not a bad thing.
Please make a video dedicated to the Wild Honey album! Thank you very much for this great content. I'm a die-hard fan of The Beach Boys and The Beatles. They are the mother and father bands for me.
When Brian was unable to finish Smile, we didn't just miss out on a great Beach Boys album, but also the next great Beatles album, as I'm sure they would have heard it and felt a creative need to respond to it with something other than the White Album, as good as that is.
Smile would have blown away the competition had it been completed and released in 1967/68. Having heard the songs from it in various permutations, it would have been most effective as two unbroken suites of music.
The Beatles 1968 is just a brilliant, timeless and highly futuristic album, unlike Smile, which is more like arty farty choir practice more.
Disagree, The Beatles' individually were growing apart in writing and musical cohesion terms during '68 with all going back to a mostly more organic, rootsy, less produced sound (George Martin mostly took a back seat) hence The White Album/Get Back Sessions. Any Brian Wilson/Beach Boys creation wouldn't have really influenced that IMO. The rivalry/influence between them was all Brian's side after Pepper. Sadly his drug/mental issues took over, not helped by no other Beach Boy having anywhere near his creativity.
Great vid! My first vid of yours! I am fan of the Beach Boys, and I haven't listened to Pet Sounds yet, but I plan to now! It's amazing that during The primetime of the Beach Boys they weren't this really big thing but later on they became some of the voice of America that we know and love! That would be an interesting video to do as well!
Thanks for watching and welcome aboard!
Pet sounds es una obra de arte.
Cheers from Argentina 🇦🇷
Cheers Greedo!
Yes more beach boys please!
The documentary overstated the relationship between the Beatles and The Beach Boys in my opinion. The Beatles 8 years of activity survives and even thrives today. The Beach Boys have been around for 6 decades, and it’s only 4 years of their music (with a few exceptions) which survives today. Again just my opinion.
Because Capitol hardly promoted albums such as "Friends" and "20/20" in the US at the time. In the UK and in Europe, the band was huge in the late 60s and songs like "I Can Hear Music", "Cottonfields" and "Break Away" were major hits this side of the Atlantic, and the Beach Boys often toured here too.
Nothing is ever better .
Actually just Pet Sounds.
Only Americans would say they inspired each other. True, John and Paul liked Brian Wilson’s writing, and the harmonies. And there was a minor competition around the time of Pet Sounds, but that’s it. As for artists and musicians, not even on the same scale. Beatles are timeless and legendary, Beach Boys were temporary and entirely of their time and place.
Sunflower/Surfs Up
'Only Americans would say they inspired each other...' - and Paul McCartney - who has said so, repeatedly, for decades.
On Saturday, I was walking around a shop in Bury St Edmunds and a 20-something man was wearing a green 'I just wasn't made for these times' T shirt! It put a huge smile on my face and I spent 10 minutes dragging my wife around the shop so she could see it too! I'd love to hear your take on Beach Boys albums.
Could someone make an animated GIF of that transition from the original "Rubber Soul" photo to album cover? I love it!
I saw endless harmony in 2001 on VH1 Labor Day , I got hooked on that old man sunshine! I became a beach boy fan
And to think that such a wonderful song had remained in the archive for 30 years is hard to believe.
The Canadian MONO Capitol version of Pet Sounds is probably my favorite version - It's super rare to find in playable condition - there are some USA MONO versions that sound horrible unfortunately. Research reveals this is typical.. but there are certain pressing plants that did it justice in 1966
I think that the interplay between The Beatles and The Beach Boys is a rich furrow to plough. How Brian’s creativity develops alongside Paul’s especially is fascinating. When you hear them speak about each other’s work the respect and love is brilliant to see. Thanks for doing this video I loved it. I just wish there was a great sounding mono version of Pet Sounds that was affordable. I can’t justify spending 200 or even 100 quid on an album
Glad you enjoyed it! Apparently there is a 1972 reissue where it's bundled with Carl & The Passions which many say is good.
Fab! I first heard the BB’s when a friend bought “I get around” which is a great song but I prefer the B side “ Don’t worry baby”. Superb song. Ok, so please consider doing a video on the Beatles concert at Washington Coliseum in 11th Feb ‘64. Not just the concert, which really captures the audience excitement as the lads deliver a brilliant adrenaline fuelled set, but the rest of the day. Train ride and the after show reception where someone chopped a lump of Ringo’s hair off!! Keep up the jolly good work!
Thanks Andrew! This morning I watched your video on the 2023 Red and Blue albums. So I’m wondering how best to hear them when you mentioned Apple Music! Then the light bulb lit up! I have Apple Music and in my old SUV I have a four speaker Bose system. I’ve been out this morning blasting the Blue Album out. It’s astonishing! The bass and drums sound great and the overall mixes are fab! As a drummer myself who was inspired to play back in 1963 by listening to Ringo I’m always interested in and impressed by his drumming with the Beatles. He really was the perfect drummer for the band. Great video as usual!!
great video, thanks for putting it together...just finished watching "Love and Mercy"...
Thanks for watching. Glad you enjoyed it!
The Artisan mastered version paired with Carl And The Passions is my favorite soumding pressing. Simply outstanding!
Just want to chime in on the best pressing of pet sounds as I really think you missed the boat with this one. I am thinking you may have been limited with what you had for comparison/shootouts. Here goes. After hearing over 50+ different pressings and reading 100s of other posts on the subject it’s safe to say the following:
For vintage pressings the best you can get is the Mono artisan cut that is packaged with the Carl and the passions lp (2fer). Also, that same cut was made available in 1974 housed in that brown Alternative cover as a single buy pet sounds so either one, you can’t go wrong with. 💯 AAA cut from a fairly fresh master tape back in the early 70s.
For modern lp buyers the best I heard and read about (even better than the hoffman cut) is the analogue productions 2x12 cut at 45 RPM 200 gram TRUE stereo if you want to hear the stereo. It’s the best! Want to say that was cut a few years ago in 2017 so seek it out as you will be blown away.
I will have to check that one out.
Thanks for the reviews and story of this wonderful album.
I have the 2001 DVD AUDIO version and it sounds fantastic...especially 'Sloop John B' the separation is second to none. Have you heard this disc, and what do you think of it, if you have?
Bob
The only Beach Boys album I ever bought was the 20 Golden Greats comp which was released late 70's or early 80's. It is a magnificent collection jammed full of amazing songs and is a perfect snapshot of their evolution from rock n roll surfer boys to superb harmonic and musical masters. However, I have always been aware of Pet Sounds being called their greatest work and to my shame have never quite not round to it. But I shall do now Andrew!! Thanks 🙂
that was fantastic ! you really shed some new light on the Beach Boys vs. Beatles subject. I'd heard for years that ' Today ' had influenced ' Rubber Soul '. not so if it hadn't been released in the UK yet. also interesting was the reception The Boys were getting in England, early. the old Disney Channel showed Ready Steady Go from around 1989 to 90 or '91 and an episode with The Beach Boys featured the group almost getting drowned out by the all of the screaming. a future video on their later albums would be great , and I'll also recommend the 1990 Capital CD release of Pet Sounds.
Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the recommendation!
@@Parlogram the sound on the cd is, I think, an improvement over some of the dull sounding reissues and Paul McCartney's notes in the booklet were nice to read. Andrew, you also mentioned Jan & Dean in the video. was there much popularity in England for this duo, who were known as the Laural and Hardy of the surf set ? I know that Keith Moon was a fan of them as well as The Beach Boys.
My two favourite bands of all time ❤. I would love more beach boys content!
I have a stand-alone Capital CD containing both the mono and stereo mixes of "Pet Sounds" that was released in 1999. Mastering by Ron McMaster. The stereo sounds so good to me that I never listen to the mono mix.
Yes, that's a good one.
When I was a kid, for years, I had refused to listen to anything other than the Beatles. I had lived and breathed those guys . But then, suddenly, the Beach Boys became the exception to the rule. My neighbor friend had a copy of Best of The Beach Boys on 8-track and and once I heard it I was hooked! I eventually went out and bought everything I could by the Beach Boys. Pet Sounds was a masterpiece! But there are tons of great stuff in the catalog!