Pet Sounds was the eleventh studio album by the Beach Boys. The album revolutionized music production, helped establish the album as the dominant form of music, and made the recording studio an instrument. The Beach Boys at this time are Brian Wilson, Carl Wilson, Dennis Wilson, Bruce Johnston, Al Jardine, and Mike Love.
Some consider Pet Sounds to be a Brian Wilson solo project. He stopped touring with the Beach Boys a year prior to producing this album, and most of the Beach Boys had not heard the songs until they came into the recording session after the tour. Additionally, the album contained a lot of departures from standard Beach Boys fare. Wilson had moved them away from the surfing focus over the course of several albums, but this was deeper, more art rock, and inorporated jazz and other genres which just couldn't be duplicated in concert with a standard small rock set used on Beach Boys tours.
Brian Wilson wanted this to be the greatest rock album ever made, and wanted it to be a cohesive work with no filler songs. Some consider it a concept album, but it is more like a curated art work - the songs hang together but don't focus on a single theme. While the album has become recognized as one of the greatest rock albums ever written, it was not initially received that way either commercially or critically. This really hurt Wilson, as he considered it a public rejection of his artistry. Even later when folks would tell him how great the album was, he didn't want to hear it. He was already starting to breakdown mentally and psychologically.
Bruce brings us this iconic album.
Wouldn't It Be Nice
The opening track to the album was released as a single in July 1966. It describes a young couple fantasizing about being older, married, and free. It peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100. Brian Wilson and Tony Asher wrote it (with Mike Love getting writing credits after a 1994 court case), and Brian Wilson is on lead vocals.
Don't Talk (Put Your Head on My Shoulder)
The instrumentation here features a string sextet, and is really complex. The lyrics are about non-verbal communication, and Brian Wilson is the only Beach Boy on the song. There's a 12 string electric guitar in this song which is played by a session musician named Glen Campbell.
Caroline, No
This really was a Brian Wilson solo song, released as his debut solo record in March 1966. The lyrics are about an old flame who grows older, or maybe the relationship grows older, and loses a lot of its allure. There are a lot of jazz chords in this piece..
God Only Knows
This track leads off side two of the album, and was pretty controversial. At the time it was taboo to have the word “God” in a non-religious song. The key is somewhat ambiguous, varying between E major and A major in different sections. Paul McCartney considered it "the greatest song ever written," and it has received numerous accolades from lots of singers and songwriters.
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
Main theme from the television series "Perry Mason"
The now famous detective series completed its 9-season run in May of 1966.
STAFF PICKS:
Time Won't Let Me by the Outsiders
Wayne starts the staff picks with Cleveland's own Outsiders, and the Cleveland Indians used this song when bringing in relief pictures. It hit number 5 on the charts. The jingle is used in many commercials, as the message about not waiting carries over well from relationships to commercial applications.
Eight Miles High by the Byrds
Brian brings us an acid rock song - often considered the first acid rock song - inspired by an airplane flight. At least that was the story the band used to avoid concerns about drug references getting the track banned from radio stations. The drug concerns were not overcome, causing the song to quickly drop off the charts.
Twinkle Toes by Roy Orbison
Rob's staff pick is from Orbison's 9th album. This was Orbison's last top 40 hit, appearing at number 39 on the charts. Roy Orbison had 22 top 40 hits between 1960 and 1966, and would enjoy more success in the 1980's when several of his songs were covered. He died at 52 years old in 1988, and his final top 10 single, "You Got It" would appear on the charts posthumously.
Strangers In the Night by Frank Sinatra
Bruce concludes the staff picks with Sinatra's first number 1 hit in 11 years. While this song would win multiple Grammys and remain on the charts for 15 weeks, Frank Sinatra hated it. Glen Campbell played rhythm guitar on the studio recording of this song.
INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:
Let's Go Away for Awhile by the Beach Boys
We get in a little double-dipping with this instrumental from Pet Sounds, performed by an uncredited group of session musicians later known as the Wrecking Crew.
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