For my first blog post, I knew I had to start big. The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds is what I, and many others, consider to be their magnum opus. The sheer genius of Brian Wilson shines through so clearly on this album, and it is for this and a million other reasons that I have to rank it as one of my top five albums of all time. Pet Sounds is an utter masterpiece as a whole, but I want to take a more intricate dive into the album, discussing each song in it's full glory as I listen through in the order the album provides.
Wouldn't It Be Nice
The album opens with the delicate, heavenly plunking of a twelve string mando-guitar, immediately sending the listener into a sense of calm just before the brash bang of a drum kicks the song into gear. Brian Wilson's vocals are as clean and lovely as ever on top of the layers and layers of sound. The background harmonies, a need for any Beach Boys hit, blend seamlessly. The song itself goes from an intense bouncing rhythm to a soft, flowing midsection before slowing down even more in a section full of stunning harmonies and rich bass playing. The drums kick us back into bouncing along all the way until the end. The lyrics describing young love and the desire of a couple to be older to finally be together pair with the wishful, almost childlike feel of the song absolutely perfectly.
You Still Believe In Me
The next song on the album brings us back down to earth from the head-in-the-clouds feel of the previous one. Opening with the gentle humming of Brian and the gentle plucking of the strings of a piano with a bobby pin - just another moment that highlights the sheer genius of the man. The song has a much more introspective feel, something that will remain in the rest of the album. It's a much gentler song than it's predecessor, but holds the same amount of layers. You can hear everything from piano to bicycle horn, timpani to finger cymbals. And then, just when you thought it couldn't be a more beautiful song, Wilson's vocals on the line "I want to cry"grab you by the heart strings and truly make you feel. The harmonic 'Ah's at the end are heavenly and striking, contrasted by the honking of a bicycle horn that can only make you smile.
That's Not Me
'That's Not Me' is another rather introspective song, written by Brian (and Tony Asher), and is sung lead by Mike Love, sharing the chorus with Brian. The song opens immediately with vocals and the hum of an organ, prevalent throughout most of the song. The gentle plunking of the bass in the background and the clicking of an unnamed wooden instrument (blocks?) add to the characteristic Beach Boys layers, as well as the background harmonies and use of tambourine. Love sings about looking at himself and thinking "That's not me," something I've found myself thinking more often than not. In my opinion, 'That's Not Me' is definitely one of the simpler songs on the album, highlighting the lyrics more than the hundreds of layers of sound underneath them. This works to the song's advantage, however, and is truly one of my favorites off of the album.
Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder)
'Don't Talk' is one of three tracks on Pet Sounds in which Brian is the only Beach Boy performing, singing a ballad in which he discusses those moments when words fail. It opens with the tapping of cymbals and the almost haunting sound of an organ under Brian's falsetto. The bass slowly plunking along adds a darker depth to the number and is contrasted by the light, classical sounds of a string quartet as he cries "Listen, listen, listen," imploring the listener to truly hear the strings as the sound of Wilson's heart.
I'm Waiting For The Day
It's time for a happy tune again as this song kicks off with a big introduction with the pounding of drums and the bright pulsing of an organ. When the vocals kick in, the song settles down a bit, but still holds a bright airy feel as Brian offers his support to the broken hearted. Then, it gets big again - background harmonies and a newfound strength in Brian's voice enter the scene. Following the theme, it slows down again, entering a gentle stage with bass, organ, and woodwinds taking the stage. The song continues to flow between big, bold sections, and gentle, comforting sections, giving it a beautiful balance. Bouncing between passion and gentility, the song encapsulates the emotion perfectly.
Let's Go Away For A While
'Let's Go Away For A While' is the first of two instrumental tracks on the album, composed and produced by Brian Wilson and performed by the "Wrecking Crew," a group of session musicians. It tosses between a jazzy, lounge-y, tinkling, elevator music feel, and rich sections filled with horns and percussion. It's a pretty piece, but probably not one I would necessarily listen to of my own accord.
Sloop John B
When I first heard 'Sloop John B,' I was, in fact, in the middle of a vacation in the Outer Banks in which everything seemed to be going wrong. Hearing this song felt like looking in the mirror as the words "This is the worst trip I've ever been on" poured out of the car radio. The track itself is a Beach Boys folk-rock adaptation of a pre-existing song and opens with the tinny sound of a glockenspiel and the clicking of a metronome. The rich sound of a bass fills out the shape of the song and the rhythmic pounding of a drum drives the lyrics, sung mostly in harmony or by Brian Wilson and Mike Love. The song itself has such a full sound with an upbeat, happy feel, contrasted entirely by the miserable lyrics as they sing about how much they want to go home. The bass saxophone in the background is one of my favorite parts of the song, but the entire track is one absolutely love, and a perfect way to close out the first side of the disk.
God Only Knows
The second side opens up with 'God Only Knows,' often hailed as one of the greatest songs ever written, and I can't say I disagree. The song itself feels like a full orchestration, as it opens with accordion, harpsichord, french horn, bass, tambourine, and even sleigh bells. Lead vocals are beautifully sung by Carl Wilson and the gentle, flowing backing harmonies fit seamlessly with the thick backing track. This song is truly so beautiful and one of my favorites ever, it is able to evoke such feeling and holds such power and be completely unique in it's sound, even compared to other Beach Boys hits. Words truly cannot describe the beauty of this track.
I Know There's An Answer
I'm beginning to realize how many of my all time favorite songs are on this album. Once again delving into the introspective theme of this album, 'I Know There's An Answer' discusses the idea of seeking the answers from within. It opens with a bright piano and organ sound, soon accompanied by a striking bass harmonica sound. It is once again one of those songs that flows between big sound to a smaller sound, from rich to light. The powerful drums used in the background add such a depth and almost theatricality to the song. Something extremely unique about the track is its use of a bass harmonica solo, which could almost sound like some sort of brass horn. This track is extremely rich in both sound and meaning.
Here Today
'Here Today' is a warning song about potential heartbreak, a rather pessimistic song in comparison to the rest of the album, which deals mainly with ideals of love, self discovery, and inner enlightenment. It sounds like the Beach Boys, but it also doesn't. It has a unique sound and stands out on the album, I think, but it still has those characteristic harmonies and organ playing. It has a lot of deep percussion sounds and is driven by a sound that punches. It has a much darker, masculine sound that contrasts others like 'Wouldn't It Be Nice' and 'I Know There's An Answer.'
I Just Wasn't Made For These Times
THIS is my favorite song on the album - but not necessarily for instrumental or sound reasons, rather lyrical ones as the song discusses someone searching for a place in society. It opens with an uneasy, lost sort of dazed sound. The drums kick in as Wilson sings "Sometimes I feel very sad' repeatedly, until it slows down as he seems to sigh in realization that he just doesn't fit in, while the clopping sound of temple blocks pop in the background. It's a hauntingly sad song as Brian cries out for a place to belong and it is for this reason that I hold it so close to my heart. It has so many audible layers and unique, distinct sounds, including the use of an electro-theremin.
Pet Sounds
The title track, this is the second instrumental track on the album. I think it's more interesting than the first, having a more exotic, interesting sound when compared to the jazzy, hotel lobby sound of 'Let's Go Away For A While.' It was composed and produced by Brian Wilson, who also plays the grand piano on the track. It has a much more rich, powerful, punching sound than the previous instrumental and for that reason I prefer this one. The track includes the use of the bass, saxophones, trumpet, bongos, guitar, and even Coca Cola cans.
Caroline, No
The album closes with this number, wherein Brian sings of the loss of innocence in his former lover. I love this song. It opens with tambourine and drum sounds before descending into the slow, sad melody driven by the sound of a harpsichord and bass sounds, as well as the banging of a jug. Brian's voice ascends into a beautiful falsetto as he sings of his sadness in 'watching a sweet thing die.' It's a heart wrenchingly beautiful song that ends with the sounds of a train and Wilson's dogs, Banana and Louie, barking.
Pet Sounds is a musical masterpiece, powered by the genius of Brian Wilson, whom I believe to be an extremely underrated musician and even comparable to figures like Bach or Mozart. The complete creativity and unconventional style he brought to the world of music is an absolute wonder and does not get enough appreciation. I truly consider this to be one of my favorite albums, and one of the best albums of all time, if not just for it's stunning sound, for it's sheer ingenuity - and this is coming from a diehard Beatles fan. I truly think everyone should listen to this album at least once in their lives, it is genuinely a work of art that left a prominent legacy in the world of music.
Comments