Pet Sounds

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I recognize that this is a landmark recording: Vocals had never been recorded like this (in so many layers) previously. There are some “classical” influences that rarely been employed before, such as the nearly Baroque vocal parts (multiple voices competing at once) on a few songs (one in particular I’m forgetting) and a few changes of tempo. Then there’s the pioneering use of samples on one track, and the usage of non-traditional instruments and weird noises in a few songs. But I can’t get over the hype. Try as I might, I have no idea how this could be considered The Greatest Album of All Time. It’s really The Most Overrated Album of All Time, despite its innovation and quality. Celebrators of this record go to great lengths to claim its psychedelic (it’s not remotely), that it’s rock music not just pop music (show me some electric guitars folks). And I’m not convinced that the music of Phil Spector (whose band Wilson uses here) and Burt Bacharach was particularly less innovative than what Wilson is doing here. And I can’t help but feel strongly that, not only is it not The Greatest Album of All Time, it’s not The Greatest Album of 1966.

Track listing

Song Writer Length
Wouldn't It Be Nice Brian Wilson, Tony Asher, Mike Love 2:25
You Still Believe in Me Wilson, Asher 2:31
That's Not Me Wilson, Asher 2:28
Don't Talk (Put Your Head on My Shoulder) Wilson, Asher 2:53
I'm Waiting for the Day Wilson, Love 3:05
Let's Go Away for Awhile Wilson 2:18
Sloop John B traditional, arranged by Wilson 2:58
God Only Knows Wilson, Asher 2:51
I Know There's an Answer Wilson, Terry Sachen, Love 3:09
Here Today Wilson, Asher 2:54
I Just Wasn't Made for These Times Wilson, Asher 3:12
Pet Sounds Wilson 2:22
Caroline, No Wilson, Asher 2:51

Personnel

Per band archivist Craig Slowinski.[1]

The Beach Boys

Guests

  • Tony Asher – plucked piano strings on "You Still Believe in Me"
  • Steve Korthof – tambourine on "That's Not Me"
  • Terry Melcher – tambourine on "That's Not Me" and "God Only Knows"
  • Marilyn Wilson – additional vocals on "You Still Believe in Me" introduction (uncertain)
  • Tony (surname unknown) – tambourine on "Sloop John B"

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The Sid Sharp Strings Template:Div col

  • Arnold Belnick – violin
  • Norman Botnick – viola
  • Joseph DiFiore – viola
  • Justin DiTullio – cello
  • Jesse Erlich – cello
  • James Getzoff – violin
  • Harry Hyams – viola
  • William Kurasch – violin
  • Leonard Malarsky – violin
  • Jerome Reisler – violin
  • Joseph Saxon – cello
  • Ralph Schaeffer – violin
  • Sid Sharp – violin
  • Darrel Terwilliger – viola
  • Tibor Zelig – violin

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Engineers

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