61. The Beach Boys | Pet Sounds (1966)

Wikipedia Entry

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Tracks

1. Wouldn't It Be Nice
2. You Still Believe in Me
3. That's Not Me
4. Don't Talk (Put Your Head on My Shoulder)
5. I'm Waiting for the Day
6. Let's Go Away for Awhile
7. Sloop John B
8. God Only Knows
9. I Know There's an Answer
10. Here Today
11. I Just Wasn't Made for These Times
12. Pet Sounds
13. Caroline, No

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Pet Sounds is a beautifully-crafted album. The songs change from one to another so smoothly, musically as well as thematically. It's as if the album consists of one song. That's one aspect of the genius of this album.

There are so many things happening on each song. It's hard to keep track of all the sounds. The harmonizing vocals also add another layer of depth and complexity. That's another aspect of the genius of this album.

It's also pretty impressive that the Beach Boys were able to start pushing the rock and roll boundary so quickly. That's a third aspect of the genius of this album.

It's bad the Beach Boys couldn't stay at the cutting edge like Beatles were able to for a few more albums. It would have been great to have had a longer competition between to the two bands.

When I was first heard this album, I was confused by all the praise lavished on it. I think I was expecting an album that was sonically like the Beatles since I had heard that Rubber Soul had inspired Brian Wilson to write the perfect rock and roll album. And that demonstrates my naïvety. That this album doesn't sound anything like a Beatles album contributes to its brilliance. That's another aspect of the genius of this album.

This is certainly an album worth owning. All of the songs are great, but the ones I really like are: Wouldn't It Be Nice, Don't Talk (Put Your Head on My Shoulder), I'm Waiting for the Day, Sloop John B, God Only Knows, I Know There's an Answer, Here Today and I Just Wasn't Made for These Times.  
★★★★★★★★★★