Song 164 - Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys

Friday's album of the week is one of the birthday presents I received this week and I am very happy to eventually owned this album. Pet Sounds is the 11th Studio album of the Beach Boys, released in May 1966 and is one of the most influential albums of the 1960s. Written and produced by Brian Wilson, who had taken a break from touring to fulfill his dream of producing the greatest rock album even written. Wilson's drive for creating this album came from listening to Rubber Soul by the Beatles, as he felt the Beatles had achieved in creating a collection of songs that flowed together as a collection of songs in a way previous albums of the decade hadn't. Funnily enough, Pet Sounds would be one of the influences on The Beatles writing St. Peppers' Lonely Hearts Club Band so it is all swings and roundabouts in the world of pop.

Moving away from their early songs of American teen life through their normal rock-pop sound, many cite Pet Sounds as a concept album, which is something that is debated even now to whether this is a far label for it. There is a great debate on whether it is a psychedelic rock or an acid rock or even progressive rock. Regardless of what labels you wish to give it, Wilson achieved what he hoped as the album has now been around for 50 years and is still a very important of album of our times. Originally, Wilson wanted to keep its relevant for 10 years! Through the production of the songs into one album, there is an innovative soundscape of pop, jazz, classical, exotica, and avant garde music.

In fact it is the production of this record which takes it to another level as Wilson combine conventional rock set-ups with various exotic instruments, producing new sounds with a rich texture reminiscent of symphonic works layered underneath meticulous vocal harmonics. Instruments that had never been associated with the rock music, like cellos, trombones and bongos, were used to help the style of the album.

The initial release and reception of the album was mixed. It reached number 10 in the US album chart and number 2 in the UK album chart in 1966,  which was really disheartening for Wilson who poured himself into the album. 2 months later, the album would be further overshadowed by Revolver and it achievement in music and recognition took longer than Wilson would have liked, but hopefully he knows that the Beach Boys produced one of the most important albums of the 1960s.

Listen to Pets Sounds


Written by: The Beach Boys
Released: 1966