The Beach Boys are often dismissed harmless as surf pop, typical bubblegum music but anybody who has listened to their 11th studio album will surely disagree with that opinion.
Whenever a critic decides that some work of art is worthy of recognition there are always doubters, and in the case of Brian Wilson’s masterpiece Pet Sounds, it was the rest of his band that couldn't figure out what the big deal was. They were all happy to sing their parts on the record but didn't really comprehend the difference between this masterful album and the rest of The Beach Boys albums about picking up girls and surfing.
Despite the doubt he was facing, Brian pushed forward with the album and came out of the other side with a finished product that would continue to amaze people to this day. Everybody has heard the song "God Only Knows" but if you really listen to it, like really listen to it, you will realise it is one of the most beautiful songs ever to grace the airwaves. The vocals put down by Brian's brother Carl Wilson and the harmonies from the rest of the band are completely enthralling. The album is full of faultless tracks in terms of vocal performance, "Wouldn't It Be Nice" and "Sloop John B" to name but a few and the music on the album was like nothing ever played in the mainstream.
Despite some resistance from the rest of the band and the majority of the American public being somewhat confused by what the record contained, it took off in the UK no problem at all. With the ever changing sound of The Beatles, young British teens were more open than ever to new and different music. The Beatles "Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart’s Club Band" famously stole aspects of the album and after it took off Brian was left feeling overwhelmed and unappreciated. But the point stands, without Pet Sounds, one of the most famous and influential psychedelic albums of all time would never have been made. And if it is any consolation to Brian, the album has aged beautifully and probably sounds even better today than it did in 1966.
Despite this it is widely regarded as perhaps the greatest pop album ever made. Everyone needs to listen to the album at least once, even if only to understand the huge cultural impact. And still, somewhere on Earth, someone is experiencing the sheer joy these tracks provide upon first listen and to that lucky individual, I say welcome to a new and much more pleasant world.
Words: Liam Navey.
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