There are influential albums, and then there is Pet Sounds. A project that was set forth when Brian Wilson heard Rubber Soul fell in love, it in turn inspired Sgt. Pepper. Paul McCartney and George Martin have publicly admitted its enormous influence on their seminal album, and in the Beatles' musical development in general - going so far as to state that without Pet Sounds, Sgt. Pepper would not exist. If there is an inkling of truth to that statement, I am forever grateful to Brian Wilson.
Enough of the history bullshit. On with the music itself.
Orchestral arrangements in rock have been done before (e.g. A Day in the Life), but this is different. When you listen to the orchestra, you don't notice individual instruments so much as collective colors in a constantly changing palette. Technically speaking, Brian achieves this by combining instruments and doubling the same instrument. Have the harpsichord and the accordian play the same part, and you get a whole new instrument. Record two basses playing the same line, and it no longer sounds like a traditional bass. But let's not focus so much on the cause as the effect. The result of this instrumental mashing-up is a musical texture that is richer than rock had ever seen before, or have since.
The vocals are less technically tricky. Simply put, the Beach Boys just know how to harmonize. Brian, Carl, and Dennis Wilson grew up harmonizing before going to bed every night, and along with their childhood friend Mike Love, they make some truly beautiful sounds. Notice the vocal swells at the end of "You Still Believe in Me" or the backing vocals on "I'm Still Waiting for the Day."
As complete as the album is, it is ultimately a collection of songs, and any one of them can stand on its own. I hate how pop culture treats "Wouldn't It Be Nice." It is more than a simple pop song, and it's a crime that only the first 20 seconds is known by most of the world. In it Brian accomplishes what is insanely difficult - changing tempo and key constantly, all the while keeping the flow going and not confusing the listener.
And this can be applied to most songs on the album. One does not immediately notice their complexity because of the fluidity of the melodies and soundscapes, but delve a little deeper and the songwriting becomes almost impossible to fully decipher (I defy you to figure out the chords in "God Only Knows," one of the easiest songs to sing but hardest ones to play).
"Don't Talk" is an incredibly beautiful love song, unique on the album for its slow pace but no less complex or moving. "Let's Go Away for a While" might be the most satisfying non-vocal piece not written by Beethoven. And I can't listen to "I Just Wasn't Made For These Times" at work because I'm afraid I'll burst into tears. (Especially on the line "Where can I turn/ When my fair-weather friends cop out." Oh God. Excuse me...)
I can go on for pages and pages, but just listen for yourself. When you're feeling a little blue, or find yourself with a free half hour, lie down in bed, put the album on, and crank the volume to 10. Don't put it on in the background while you email; this album demands your full attention, in the same way as OK Computer or Abbey Road (at least for the first couple times).
Download here:
http://drop.io/apollopetsounds/media
Your a bitch San. I said a few sentences and not a review. What do you think your better than me?
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