Why The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds Is Important.

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.

Why Boogie Nights Has One Of The Best Soundtracks Of All Time (Spoilers).

Paul Thomas Anderson's 1997 cult classic "Boogie Nights" soundtrack perfectly captures the culture he presents in the film along with the roller-coaster of emotions felt by the characters.

The film stars Mark Wahlberg, Burt Reynolds and Julianne Moore and follows the story of a well endowed innocent young man looking to make his fortune in the vibrant '70s porn industry. The soundtrack follows the journey undertaken by the characters perfectly, though sometimes with contrast. Throughout the whole film, Anderson uses pop music of the era as a counterpart to what is taking place on screen, filling the film to the brim with many classic songs. The soundtrack starts will feel good songs such as The Emotions' "Best Of My Love" and tends to continue this feel good vibe throughout the film despite what is happening on screen. 

               

The first half of the film focuses on innocence, happiness and youth. The song "Mama Told Me Not To Come" by Three Dog Night is used alongside a scene in which Mark Wahlberg and John C. Reilly's characters first meet and begin to bond. During one of the film's most famous sequences characters are seen shopping and disco dancing in traditional '70s style. While this is taking place, KC And The Sunshine Band's "Boogie Shoes" is playing in the background, a perfect accompaniment to what is happening on screen and the general feel of the film up until this point.

Anyone who has seen the film will know of the dark turn the film takes as it enters the '80s at around the half way point. Despite this drastic and violent change of pace and feel the soundtrack continues to be mostly feel good, making some of the more shocking sequences hit even harder. 

In one of the hardest hitting scenes William H. Macy's character finds his wife in bed with another man and then goes on to murder her and commit suicide in front of his friends and work colleagues. This is a very graphic scene which some people find difficult to watch. However, it is accompanied by the song "Do Your Thing" by Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd street rhythm band. The song itself is quite upbeat and has a positive vibe but when coupled with the on screen events it gives the scene another, much darker dimension.  Another scene stars Julianne Moore and Heather Graham, in the scene the soundtrack compliments the acting, lighting and cinematography perfectly. It captures the serious breaking down, self-destruction and mental falling apart of the two characters and is a huge contrast from the beginning of the film, when everybody is happy. Despite the dark nature of this scene the song featured is Roberta Flack's "Compared To What", a slow, feel good and relaxed soul song.

The film's final sequence reverts back to the long forgot positiveness of the start of the film, supported by The Beach Boys' classic "God Only Knows" it ends the film on a surprisingly positive note.

Words: Liam Navey.