FIRST LISTEN TO PET SOUNDS by The Beach Boys!! i will never be the same | SIDE I

So, surprise! This was so much fun! Can't wait for Side II, whenever that will be ready! In the meantime let's enjoy this remarkable side. Please feel free to chastise me over never having listened to this album. How dare I?! Well, I will argue it made this first listen all the more special and exciting! Up next we got.... jk. I don't know yet. I love this new era.

[@robriceridge]

The Beatles did praise this album as innovative and ground breaking.

[@CrystalShannon4]

They got it right!!!

[@senseichess8688]

@@CrystalShannon4 crystal you should listen to the rolling stones 1967 LP called their satanic majesties request...its got some really cool wild songs on there featuring a lot of rare instruments...i think you would love this one

[@printthelegends]

More than that. Paul McCartney has never been shy about how this album scared him in Sgt. Pepper.

[@myopia2020]

@Bobby Baschet When The Beatles first heard Pet Sounds, John Lennon said, "Oh, s*it. They've got us. We'll never top this." He was right😊

[@steelers6titles]

McCartney hands the album out to friends, et. al.

[@joshorjoshuaorjoshy]

Brian has stated that Rubber Soul was a huge influence in that every album track was top notch, no throwaways

[@mig9793]

You Still Believe In Me - Not just delicate, "psychedelicate". Brian was 23 when creating this gem. Best vocals of Mike Love's career. I love this album.

[@dbo514]

There's so much depth to Brian Wilson's music and story. No wonder this is Paul McCartney's favourite album. I really recommend watching the movie Love and Mercy at the same time, as well as listening to the instrumental and acapella versions of the Pet Sounds Sessions. Today! (1965) and the Smile Sessions (2011) albums are also musts from that creative peak (65-67) before Brian's mental decline started.

[@CrystalShannon4]

Thank you for these recommendations!! I definitely have to :)

[@detritus8095]

Seconding the Smile Sessions! Some of the greatest examples of orchestral psychedelia ever recorded. If Smile had been released when it was originally intended in late '66, the course of music history would have been forever altered.

[@xyzcomp08]

@@CrystalShannon4 Love and Mercy was filmed in the actual studio Pet Sounds was recorded in, it's a pretty brilliant film. I had a chance to go into the studio a few years ago, GOOSEBUMPS! Also the same studio as the Mamas and the Papas and others recorded.

[@brendongriffin4164]

Love and Mercy is soooo good. In an interview Brian said Paul Giamatti did such a good job he was physically afraid of him.

[@briank4972]

Hearing those strange and beautiful sounds on the SMiLE album for the first time pretty much shook me to my core. It was the first time I "got" that good music isn't just entertainment... it's art.

[@tonyr1950]

The young Brian Wilson had such great vocal range, starting with his sweet falsetto. Brian directed the backing Wrecking Crew band on every instrument. Their famous bassist Carol Kayr said that the members of the Wrecking Crew would say that that kid (Brian Wilson) is special and knows what he’s doing!

[@histubeness]

Carol Kaye.

[@erikdolnack2737]

"Pet Sounds" is a sheer masterpiece! Definitely one of the greatest albums ever recorded in popular music history. "You Still Believe in Me" is wonderful, a magical song. It means so much to me on a personal level. I was once walking around the streets of Rome, Italy, all alone in the middle of the cold dark night, everything closed, no one in sight, feeling dejected and rejected, and I sang this song to myself to fight back the tears. I needed to be back home, in the warm summer sun, at the pool, being a happy safe child again. That song saved me in that moment.

[@tedcole9936]

Amazing.. how many of us have been saved by some special piece of music? I see you there in Rome. Well told.

[@buddysteele7624]

Beach boys were better than The Beatles!!!!!! and I grew up loving The Beatles but Sean Lennon said it best, “There is no musical discovery and listen more rewarding than The Beach Boys

[@TTM9691]

Brian Wilson said that he wanted the audience to feel loved when they listened to this album. I hope you felt that way! "Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder)" is one of the most beautiful, spiritual love songs I've ever heard. I learned what falling in love felt like before I actually experienced it from listening to that song. Nothing like cuddling up with your significant other while that song plays.

[@johnpjones182]

Linda Ronstadt said that when she was rehearsing & got stuck trying to hit certain notes, her go-to vocalists to study & emulate were Maria Callas & Brian Wilson.

[@jacksonmorganfroghin4815]

She did a great cover of Put Your Head on my Shoulder.

[@jacksonmorganfroghin4815]

Yeah it's called Don't Talk etc.

[@daveburns3886]

Linda is the goat

[@JackKirbyFan]

Crystal, I remember the first time I heard the album and thought - whatever. Second time - wait this is good. Third time - this is brilliant. I must have heard it over 100 times over the summer of 2021. May be one of the finest albums I ever heard. Brilliant.

[@thomaspappalardo7589]

Every time I listen to this, I’m blown away. Brian Wilson was only 24 when Pet Sounds was made and I’m about to turn 30…

[@torinshaw1084]

Don’t Talk( Put Your Head on my Shoulder) is the most beautiful song I’ve ever heard.

[@Sweetish_Jeff_]

I think you will love Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), Crystal. John Lennon called them “Son of Beatles” and said had The Beatles not broken up they probably would sounded a lot like ELO. Jeff Lynne, the band’s leader, produced “Free As A Bird” and “Real Love”, and would work with George Harrison a lot later in his career.

[@biraoliverio]

Mr. Blue Sky is the happiest song ever made.

[@Sweetish_Jeff_]

@@biraoliverio LOVE that song.

[@PabloDiaz5DMusic]

Every CD collection without Pet Sounds is really incomplete.

[@jaygatz4335]

Especially the boxed set.

[@pablovandyck]

A brilliant album. The Beach Boys were wonderful vocalists, and B Wilson a super composer. The musicality comes from the extraordinary LA session musicians known as the "Wrecking Crew".

[@davidschecter5247]

Oh, and I've been telling you to listen to PET SOUNDS for a long time. LOL!

[@CrystalShannon4]

David, David , David… what can I say? I should’ve listened to you sooner!! you had all the proper reasoning in the world! better late than never though, no? Thank you for telling me, truly! I appreciate you! :)

[@davidschecter5247]

@@CrystalShannon4 You're such a sweetheart. I can't tell you how much joy I got from watching your reaction. In fact, I've watched your video three times already and will do it again and again I'm sure. Wait'll you hear Side 2! Brian has brought so much joy to millions of people around the world -- without Beach Boys music, the world would be a much less happy place. Brian is our Mozart, Gershwin, or whomever you consider to be at the pinnacle of music.

[@Sweetish_Jeff_]

Crystal, this album truly is life-changing. “Let’s Go Away For Awhile” to me is musical instruments playing what it feels like to fall in love with someone from the first meeting to that kiss. That middle part where it stops and then the chord changes, that’s the moment the couple kiss and fall in love. And I agree 💯 with you about “You Still Believe In Me” sounding like a holiday song. Such an underrated track. I can’t wait to see you listen to Side 2.

[@michaeldaniels8462]

"God Only Knows" is one of the great songs of all time. These masterpieces deserve all the accolades they receive almost 60 years after they were recorded.

[@wsshores3302]

I knew you would love this record! Great reaction, Crystal :-)

[@yourthaiguy]

Brian's angelic falsetto is just PRICELESS... Carl may have been the golden throat of the band but Brian's voice to me is still unrivaled...

[@Goodall10]

Never listened to this whole album before, but I can see why Paul McCartney loves it. It's right in his wheelhouse.

[@niggato23]

Wow you’re in for a great trip

[@ShawnKavanagh]

The Beach Boys poured their hearts out with Pet Sounds

[@CrystalShannon4]

& it shows by how amazing the results are !

[@steelers6titles]

"The Pet Sound Sessions" box set has outtakes in which you can hear Brian Wilson constructing his masterpiece. He knows exactly what he wants at all times, and is in total command in the studio.

[@daveburns3886]

And he’s bossing around the most accomplished session musicians of the time- they all had nothing but the upmost appreciation for him at the end of the

[@monovision566]

The refrain harmonies in You Still Believe in Me are unreal. Such an underrated song. Paul McCartney said: "I love that melody. That kills me, that melody. [hums the first verse, bursts into song at 'I wanna cry.' ] That's my favorite, I think. The way that's arranged, where it goes away very quietly. I was in the car the other night, and I was telling the kids, saying, 'wait, wait, here it comes.' And then it comes back, and it's so beautiful right at the end, comes surging back in these multi-colored harmonies. Sends shivers up my spine. That's one of my favorite tracks."

[@johnyarusso4953]

I was a big Beach Boys fan years before this album came out. As an 8 year old I didn't seem a major change for them. When I heard Revolver a few months later I couldn't believe the sounds the Beatles were coming up with.

[@moonlitegram]

Oh man, this is the first time I'm coming across your channel, and I'm only 5 minutes into this video, but I'm so stoked to find someone with a background in music reacting to this. I mean its nice seeing people in general enjoy the music I've always greatly appreciated, but its extra satisfying getting to share the experience with people that know more about what they're hearing. And I'm glad I'm not the only one that does little hand movements to what they're hearing when they listen to music :D

[@daveburns3886]

Wonderful comments young lady, I’m 63 and didn’t really know of this masterpiece until 10-20 years ago - Brian was one of the very few r and roll geniuses ( Lennon / McCartney, Paul Simon, MJ) he composed it while band was out touring - he decided he couldn’t do it anymore.. and he had the best ‘sesssion’ LA musicians record the basic album.. the rest of the band wasn’t originally thrilled upon first hearing it but when they started adding their vocals they reluctantly realized what they had!!

[@MrMjp58]

For me, this album was the pinnacle of pop music achievement. Never equalled, never mind bettered.

[@Sweetish_Jeff_]

Crystal, if you ever get a chance, I highly recommend checking out the “Pet Sounds Sessions” boxed set. There are instrumental versions of these songs as well as a capella/vocals only versions. You can also hear Brian giving directions to the other musicians as they run through the songs. It’s amazing.

[@Amadeusthegreat100]

I've got it. It's so worth it.

[@Sweetish_Jeff_]

@@Amadeusthegreat100 Indeed.

[@PeckiePeck]

Fascinating to hear Brian direct the musicians. He had his intentions so clear in his head; there was little if any fooling around to discover his aim. He was so decisive and articulate with his instructions.

[@penfold7455]

I think I speak for a lot of your viewers in the channel who suggested this album when I ask you: What did I tell ya, huh? This is the album that is the best example of being really creative with timbre in one's music. And in particular timbres you wouldn't expect to hear on a rock & roll album from 1966; let alone one from the Beach Boys. Between a harp, an accordion, a bass harmonica (which you'll hear again in other songs on side 2), a clavichord, a bass clarinet, tympanis, and even both a bicycle bell and bicycle horn; there wasn't any limit to Brian Wilson's imagination. And it'll be even more prominent in the side 2 songs (let's just say one of those side 2 timbres you'll come across might be found next to your laundry machines).

[@dennishawley3090]

Although I'm an old geezer now, I was a kid when The Beatles, Rolling Stones and all of the exciting British Invasion groups were changing music, and still both listen to them as well as play those songs (on guitar). While there were many American bands that were big, most of them didn't resonate with me like the blues-based British rock music did, with a few exceptions such as Buffalo Springfield, who played a kind of country/folk/rock amalgam. I always recognized the genius of Brian Wilson, but at the time, I couldn't really get into the group. As someone living on the East Coast, surf rock wasn't a big thing, and many of their songs always seemed kind of sappy to me. I have to qualify this by saying that I saw The Beach Boys perform outside in Washington, DC long ago and they were a very powerful group and highly enjoyable, although by that time, Brian Wilson had kind of lost it and spent an entire year in his bed ballooning up to about 300 lbs. Fortunately, he recovered. As another poster noted, Wilson wrote the music but it was performed by The Wrecking Crew, session musicians that played on countless pop and rock albums. Their superb bass player was Carole Kaye.

[@BigToeify]

Such a joy watching you listen to this for the first time. Smiles are wide😃

[@CrystalShannon4]

My smiles are wide over here seeing your comment!! Thank you for being such a kind friend to me!

[@grover868]

Just watching Crystal while listening to "Pet Sounds" was incredible. To be able to witness her hearing a true genius (Brian Wilson) is nothing like we've seen her react to any album she's analyzed. You can bet that I will watch this vid many, many, many times over just to watch Crystal. Thank you Crystal for analyzing the best album of all time. (Just my opinion).

[@PeterBourne-g3g]

And in my opinion and the opinion of millions of other Beach Boys fans and so many music experts and reviewers.

[@TheDarkCow11]

i think this album (as a huge beatles/pink floyd fan) is the greatest of all time

[@sealskin2001]

All of the Beatles loved this album. George loved it so much that he "wore out the grooves". (I've never known quite how this works, but by this time George had enough cask to replace the needle!) This record was a major source of inspiration for the Beatles as they became a studio band with "Sergeant Peppers..." and "Magical Mystery Tour".

[@PaulMcCaffreyfmac]

No point in a new needle if you've worn out the grooves 😂

[@alwylie4252]

What a brilliant album it is...I am not surprised you loved it with your keen appreciation of vocal harmony. It's great to see somebody so enthusiastic and so emotionally tuned in to the life-altering power of beautiful music! Peace x

[@johndersham1]

Wow, you are great at this. Brian Wilson is not just a Pop/Rock star, he is a composer equal to the all time classical composers. I really want o hear this album done as a symphony, orchestra only.

[@andybetts1484]

Brian Wilson is a genius.... Nothing else to say, except that the beach boys were on tour at the time. Brian had stopped touring by this time and was staying at home writing. This whole album came out of Brian Wilsons head, he wrote it and recorded it with the Wrecking Crew while the rest of the band were on tour.

[@strathman7501]

Listening again to 'Sloop John B' (a traditional song, BTW) for the thousandth time, I suddenly realised that part of the magic of that little descending flute/celest intro is that it takes me into the sound world of Benjamin Britten's 'Sea Interludes' from 'Peter Grimes'. So evocative!

[@erikdolnack2737]

"Sloop John B." is actually a cover. But it is one of my all-time favorite Beach Boys recordings. It is an absolutely perfect song. Again, it meant so much to me on my voyage to Rome. The line "I wanna' go home" resonated so deeply and personally with me, and always will. "I feel so broke up. I wanna' go home. Why won't they let me go home?" My god, what a masterpiece!

[@TTM9691]

What a shock!!!! Very happy that you are hitting this album! I think this is the way to go for a lot of bands: hit their classic albums, as opposed to doing their entire discography!

[@KariKauree]

Welcome to the Pet Sounds fanclub! "Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder)" kills me every time.

[@joannerichards1750]

I'm going to spend days watching your reaction to this album. There's SO MUCH to appreciate!

[@amassing]

Not sure if you're planning to keep on exploring albums from this period but some suggestions would be The Village Green Preservation Society (The Kinks), Odessey & Oracle (The Zombies), Forever Changes (Love) or The Velvet Underground & Nico. Just so many incredible albums released between 66 and 69.

[@CrystalShannon4]

Ahh yes !!! Yes to everything!! All of the above! Thank you thank you Penfold

[@stevea6307]

Excellent recommendations.

[@robbielux8353]

Man…great suggestions..I would also add Who Sings My Generation (The Who), Mr. Tambourine Man (the Byrds), Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake (Small Faces) and Flowers (Rolling Stones)

[@ronaldtdump2156]

@@robbielux8353 NOT 'Flowers'. That's just a stop-gap compilation album with only three exclusive tracks on it - those being two decent original unreleased tracks from the 'Aftermath' album recording sessions and one unreleased (and truly terrible) Motown cover. Speaking of The Who I'd suggest 'The Who Sell Out' if we're talking great mid-late 60s albums. Also in keeping with mid-late 60s albums, for the Byrds I'd go with 'Younger Than Yesterday' (2 or 3 mediocre tracks, but the rest of the album is unbelievably amazing) or 'The Notorious Byrd Brothers' (less brilliant than the best of the YTY album, but also nothing as mediocre as the worst of the YTY album - its consistently very very good, rather that YTY which alternates between "meh" and masterpiece depending on which song is playing). Of course Mr. Tambourine Man is pretty great too, though it sounds nothing like any of the mid-late 60s albums mentioned above (nothing at all experimental about it, nor with 'The Who Sings My Generation'.)

[@senseichess8688]

@@CrystalShannon4 yes indeed the velvet underground and Nico is a stunning one indeed

[@jamesduggan7200]

really happy you liked it, it's one of my favorites

[@mgonzales56]

If Brian Wilson watches this video, I am sure he would be very happy with your first time reaction to his masterpiece. I myself got great pleasure listening to you describe you emotions. This has always been one of my favorite albums. Thank you Crystal for doing this. This reaction makes many of us old timers who were around at that time feel all warm inside.

[@davidschecter5247]

Brian changed songwriting with his "modular" approach of perfectly linking together disparate elements. Brian is the greatest producer music has ever seen (or heard), and I feel he's the one true American musical GENIUS we have had in the past 60 or 70 years. You will hear more of the Beach Boys and realize that the one thing the Beatles were second at was vocal arranging. Brian is The King when it comes to producing and arranging. His backing tracks are as complex as his vocal arrangements. Listen to BRIAN WILSON PRESENTS SMILE (a re-recording done in 2004 of his 1967 SMILE project that never happened) and you will see why Brian was John, Paul, George, and George Martin all rolled into one. Although his voice was a little ragged, this song cycle is possibly the greatest concept album ever created in the pop/rock era. And he's still making brilliant music up until recently. Listen to "From There to Back Again" by The Beach Boys. Absolutely extraordinary composition. You will go down the Rabbit Hole regarding Brian and his Boys. Even "The Little Girl I Once Knew" from before PET SOUNDS is brilliant, as it goes into what I call "Brian Wilson Land," where you have no idea where the song is going, but after it gets there, you can never picture it going anywhere else. Oh, and SLOOP JOHN B doesn't belong on this album. It was thrown on to be commercial. It was done before PET SOUNDS before Brian leaped to his next creative level.

[@Sweetish_Jeff_]

Crystal mentioned how there were jazzy chords in some of these songs on “Per Sounds”. She’s absolutely right. Brian was putting chords and key changes into songs that nobody else was doing including Lennon and McCartney. They both were big fans, but Paul especially. Probably because he was a bass guitar player as was Brian and Paul got what Brian was on musically.

[@CrystalShannon4]

🌱✨👋

[@davidschecter5247]

@@Sweetish_Jeff_ People are recommending she watch LOVE AND MERCY. One of the best musical biopics ever. How lucky are we to be living at the same time as this absolutely singular musician. His music is different from everyone else's.

[@penfold7455]

@@CrystalShannon4 It's amazing how the Beach Boys sound developed from 1961 to ~1968. Right up until the song "California Girls" (which I, and probably everyone else here, highly recommend listening to on your own; as it's a precursor to Pet Sounds), the band's sound was essentially a combination of Chuck Berry rock & roll and vocal harmonies of the jazz group The Four Freshmen with lyrics that usually talked about surfing (for those fans on the East or West coast) or cars (for those landlocked fans). You can't also forget that Brian is a huge fan of the records that Phil Spector produced. It's clear that Brian successfully emulated that "wall of sound" technique on a few songs here like "Wouldn't It Be Nice" and "Waiting For The Day". Gotta agree with David; Brian's arranging is incredible; even with stuff that doesn't wind up on the final album. Case in point: Here's an outtake of "Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder)" with the Beach Boys doing backing harmonies that never made the final cut: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZSsn5agm5WsZqc

[@steelers6titles]

Was fortunate enough to see him perform with the rest of the group (even David Marks) on the 50th anniversary tour, although he looked frail and basically kept to himself at the piano onstage. Most likely he will never appear with Mike Love or the rest of the band ever again, as his separate solo career remains active.

[@moviemaestro800]

Not only an escalation of the "Numero Quatro" running gag, but a superb showing off of a gorgeous singing voice.

[@danielabbott3975]

There is a great dovumentary about the understanding that there was a competition between McCartney and Wilson… this album inspired alot if Sgt Peppers … the thing about the Beach Boys is just how unique a sound they had

[@robriceridge]

A great movie on HBO right now called 'Love and Mercy' chronicling Brian Wilson's gradual mental decline but also showing how he created Pet Sounds and other great classics. Very interesting. Catch it if you can.Thanks.

[@MrLukejosephchung]

I first heard this album in its entirety 50 years ago and it was a life changing experience for me

[@JsscRchlDrsy]

It’s nice to find someone who appreciates music like I do. Thank you.

[@TheDarkCow11]

lol i was about to comment this on your post last night thank yooouuuuu

[@glennandadriansrocktalk]

1. Can't wait till you get to side 2, which has one of our favorite songs of all time leading it off! 2. You've inspired our channel to do our next video on this aibum. Loving these reaction videos, Crystal!

[@siloshroom2132]

Don’t talk (put your head on my shoulder) makes me feel like I’m floating when I listen to it. My favorite song from them by far

[@joebloggs396]

That's always been my favourite off the album, I don't think it got the acclaim it deserved. My least favourites are I Know There's An Answer, the title track and Caroline No.

[@Sweetish_Jeff_]

That bass really does mimic a heartbeat so well. ❤️

[@steelers6titles]

Laura Nyro--More Than A New Discovery (reissued as The First Songs). She was still a teenager.

[@paulopinheirosc]

There is a VERY interesting trick on "(Don't Talk) Put Your Head on My Shoulder". When he invites to listen to his heartbeat the strings come stronger like his heart is the music itself. Very smart.

[@Arjeebee]

In case no one else mentioned it. It was the Beatles 'Rubber Soul" that inspired Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys to step up and make "Pet Sounds", and it was hearing 'Pet Sounds" that inspired the Beatles to step up and make "Sgt Pepper".

[@garlooroztox]

Holy macheral! So glad you are hearing this.

[@keymack2477]

Thank you for your reaction Crystal - it is always a pleasure and an education to get to enjoy your videos! All of my favourite Beach Boys tracks are from this masterpiece an LP!

[@CrystalShannon4]

Wow thank you Key Mack! I appreciate you very very much! 💛💛💛

[@beatles122223333]

You NEED to listen to side B of The Beach Boys Today album. It’s PEAK Brian Wilson’s songwriting and foreshadows what he would do on Pet Sounds. Along with his Seminole album “Smile” it’s the best work he’s done along with Pet Sounds

[@whichgodofthousandsmeansno5306]

Fantastic analysis as usual. Most of these songs are my first listen too and you nailed it. Off topic I like the way your hair looks. You did something.

[@CrystalShannon4]

Thank you thank you! And what an honor to be going through this journey along side you both for the first time! And thanks, what I did with my hair is let it grow out a bit too long and not have it touched up at all and now my roots are showing big time!! haha 😂

[@joannevincent2035]

Near the end of the first song, "Wouldn't It Be Nice?", there's an instrument that sounds like a Marxophone - a sort of percussive zither - where the verse reads "...you know it seems the more we talk about it...". The Doors' Ray Manzarek played a Marxophone in "Alabama Song (Whisky Bar)".

[@teri7398]

Wow, what a surprise Crystal and a treat. The songs I love the most on this album are God Only Knows, Wouldn't It Be Nice, & Sloop John B.

[@CrystalShannon4]

Ahh such a great and beautiful top 3, it’s good to hear we are in for some more treats with this one on side II! ♥️

[@Complinplan]

This is the best album Of Beach Boys for me!!❤️❤️

[@cjm3122]

Great video here! I think we watched you fall in love with this genius. In my view this is another nice, giant feather in Wilson's cap. The Beatles cannot compare to Brian Wilson's abilities with vocal arrangements.

[@ggr.]

Great to see a reaction to this album from a musician. Its one of my favorite albums ever but most reactions to it here on KZbin don't have much in the way of musical analysis/commentary.

[@martinseitune3787]

por dios! que bonita sorpresa!!! 😳 es increible como este album me hace sentir tanta tristeza.. 15:01 .. i love it 🇦🇷

[@jwb932]

"They bring out the Beach in Beach boys." The funny thing is they didn't even choose the name. They were originally The Pendletones before their record company changed their name without their knowledge or permission. It all worked out. Great video as always!

[@rafaelsantosx]

I've never been the same after listen to this album for the first time. This was game changing.

[@CrystalShannon4]

WE WENT THRU THE SAME EXPERIENCE!!!

[@ricknbacker5626]

The album for which all albums that followed, are judged. Not perfect, but about as close as any artist ever came. Terrific dissertation Crystal. Your grasp of the maelstrom of voices and instruments on first listen is most impressive. The density of Mr. Wilsons harmonies and the combinations of instruments he uses makes Pet Sounds his Crown Jewel. Brian Wilson changed how the studio operated. He used different studios for their acoustic qualities. The studio itself became part of the soundscape. He is an American Treasure. Best wishes, RNB

[@TheStacanova]

If you love this album, it’s worth it to listen to the Vocal only & instrumental versions on the songs. What’s also brilliant is the “studio session” outtakes for each song, where you get an edited best of the 20 takes and studio discussion between Brian Wilson and the musicians, you get to hear musicians suggest things and Brian make changes to his original idea. It also gives a snapshot into how recording was at that time or at least how Brian did it, where you have 20+ musicians Brian had to book to play what he had in his head and they were all being recorded at once, so if someone messed up, or moved where they were standing and therefore wasn’t as loud, they would need to start over from the top.

[@steelers6titles]

Brian Wilson now performs this material himself, but note how he knows exactly how to use the others' voices (Mike and Carl, in particular) to get exactly what he wants on the original recording. Love claimed not to "get" what Brian was doing on the album, but Brian knew what he was doing, with Mike's vocals.

[@steveosborne3714]

Great review, as always. Now listen to the stereo mix on headphones and be blown away even more.

[@jokerswildio]

I really really enjoyed "Numero Cuatro" bella Crystal!!

[@theycallhimwoods]

there is now a NUMERO QUATRO THEME !!! Bravo --- Pet Sounds is a great choice for you, and yes it is truly a shame that so much of it goes rarely heard

[@CrystalShannon4]

Haha!!! Not sure this theme will stick maybe need to shop a few others around or just t get attach to a certain delivery to keep things fresh and keep us all on ours toes!

[@lloydster9000]

Such a great album. 😇 Thanks for the video, Crystal.

[@JedHead77]

The Beatles were listening to this at the time, and you can see what they did with the Beach Boys’ influence, and in turn, everyone was listening to the Beatles.

[@TTM9691]

The Beatles had lots of influences, not just The Beach Boys, and the Beach Boys were huge, it's not like they were some cult band that was getting filtered through the Beatles. Everyone was listening to the Beach Boys AND the Beatles.

[@Y-two-K]

@Vchus Both Paul and John were obsessed with Pet Sounds when Bruce showed it to them. Although I do believe that only Paul took influence from it in his own songwriting.

[@Talisman09]

Everyone was listening to the Beatles because of the Beach boys? Why would you write such a thing 😀

[@TTM9691]

@Vchus George was also super into The Beach Boys and John in 1965 Melody Maker raved enthusiastically about "The LIttle Girl I Once Knew", saying it was the best thing he'd heard in weeks. (which in the 60s was the highest compliment since so much great stuff was coming out all at the same time). I always got the impression that Paul and George bonded over The Beach Boys and that John hadn't until I read the Melody Maker article (I believe it's from November or December of '65).

[@JedHead77]

@@Talisman09 You obviously don’t get what I wrote. 🙄🤦🏻‍♂️ Artists inspire other artists.

[@thinginground5179]

Quite a refreshing analysis. you don't bombard us with theoretical terms, but you break down the roles of each song section and describe the feeling they give off

[@steelers6titles]

Caroline, No was a single under Brian Wilson's name. The train was the loneliest sound which came to his mind.

[@joebloggs396]

Sloop John B is an arrangement of a folk song.

[@charlesbunch8383]

Thanks, Crystal. I never listened to Pet Sounds, but you have given a good overview.

[@TheCBLingo]

"Numero Quatro (On Pet Sounds)" is a banger

[@roboj]

Aw Pet Sounds

[@deancummings586]

Your insights allowed me to put language to my feelings related to this masterpiece. It was informative and fun to experience your wonderful reaction. Thank you.

[@CrystalShannon4]

Thank you so much Dean!! I appreciate your kind words! 🧡 I hope you enjoy today’s clip: kzbin.infoO1_i7eP7XGo?feature=share

[@walterpanovs]

What a lovely surprise!! Excellent analysis. Thank you. This album inspired the Beatles, as is well-known, and Paul in particular ("She's Leaving Home").

[@Revolver1981]

Yeah this album inspired Sergeant Peppers.

[@elementarypenguin97]

Oh my god my wish came true, so glad you listened to Pet Sounds

[@CrystalShannon4]

Aww I love that!! Well that’s what we do here!! Making dreams come true! Mine definitely are! Especially with everything coming up soon, stay tuned!!

[@Zoologic21]

20:28 - You didn't miss anything. Brian Wilson made the clever choice of having the drum come in, even if it was just briefly for a bar or two sometimes for effect. We do hear the ride cymbal consistently as pretty much the only form of percussion, but the subdued feeling is perfect for the song, reminds me a bit of Ringo dropping out mostly for Here, There and Everywhere as well. The way that the bass is plucked/thumping in the song, people have said it's meant to emulate a heartbeat as talked about in the song! From what I can recall I don't believe there's any documented accounts of this being Brian's intent from the beginning, but it was definitely a creative decision he made and kept and people have come to the conclusion that it was some fancy referencing going on!

[@CrystalShannon4]

Wow thanks for the awesome insight!!! And I didn’t even think about Here There and Everywhere when I heard it but I definitely agree that they both had the same effect!! Quite powerful!

[@Billinois78]

I've tried to imagine just how much more experimentation there would've been on Beach Boys albums had they had the same level of freedom in the studio that the Beatles had. Wilson and the band were kept on a much tighter leash, so-to-speak. They were usually limited to get the accessible, "easy" hits, whereas the Beatles were given free-reign. They still did great work and didn't let the limited freedom limit their creativity.

[@clydekimsey7503]

Great observation 😇

[@Neilsmu]

Fantastic album. Part of my life.

[@radiocity80]

YES!!! I'm so excited for you Crystal! I got turned on to this album back during my junior year of high school back in 97. I was a Brian Wilson obsessive from that point forward. The Smile Sessions album is just as good as Pet Sounds btw. For me though? Pet Sounds over Pepper 😁

[@Plus_Minus_Null]

great job !!! now I like this masterpiece even more....you showed me soo much new aspects I didn´t realize since I heard your oppinions....great--- I wish you could play a little more music...and then speak your text....but you are brilliant 😊.... "dankeschön" from germany

[@CrystalShannon4]

thank you for your kind and thoughtful feedback 🩶 sending much love to you and wishes for that you have the most wonderful weekend. we have a new video and i’d love to hear your thoughts on this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ppeUgIahhNujsLcsi=KJvPO50vzE-g5yZl

[@steelers6titles]

The cover photo session was at the San Diego Zoo.

[@jamestulk5111]

On the drums, the Late Great Hal Blain.

[@WowThereBuddy1]

I remember recommending this. I’m glad you took it up.

[@CrocodilePile]

Good Vibrations wasn't on this album, instead it was released as a separate single - a pocket symphony, as Brian called it. Worth a dissection as well. I'll be back for side 2 because "Caroline, no".

[@elkeitzopro6056]

remember that Sgt. Peppers was created by 4 people and George Martin, the pet sounds was made by one person "Brian Wilson"

[@CrystalShannon4]

It is quite impressive to think of that!! So much brilliance and genius here!! 💜 I hope you enjoy today’s musical moment: kzbin.infoqSde7OP4IWQ?feature=share

[@leonardblush2557]

So far, in my search, You Still Believe in Me holds an interesting record: Most notes used for one word-15 notes for the word cry. McCartney's Eat at Home on Ram uses 12 notes for the word Love. There's another challenger out there, too, but that one has slipped my mind.

[@docsavage8640]

Great LP all the way through. Gotta add "Good Vibrations" to the list

[@Zoologic21]

I see others have suggested to you the Pet Sounds sessions as well at other albums. You will not regret it. This music in particular provided a window into the mind of someone who was beautiful and poetic, but also extremely fearful and often unsure. Today! marks probably the first real leap in the group's progression because it was the first album Brian Wilson made after quitting touring, after he sustained a nervous breakdown on a plane ride between shows. The stress of performing, writing, singing, playing bass, producing and arranging all got to him and he hung his hat up after that episode with the intent to focus on what he could write and create and produce, not unlike the freedom the Beatles had to experiment in the studio once they had retired from touring and had no other commitments as well. I'm talking too much about this here, but if I can make a suggestion, if you have the time for some watching some time, the "Beautiful Dreamer Brian Wilson" documentary does a great job of talking about his history and the impact that was Today! onwards. The bulk of it is dedicated to explaining the task and eventual shelving of what was supposed to be the follow-up to Pet Sounds, SMiLE, but ultimately became something that Brian never finished for various reasons and Brian rarely contributed that much or made such executive decisions again. The biopic Lover & Mercy is also good, as is the documentary Pet Stories which has Brian and the session musicians who performed all the lovely, fancy music on Pet Sounds, describing what the experience was like. All three can be found on KZbin I believe. The Pet Sounds sessions are intriguing because you'll get to hear not only the takes and Brian directing, but also, there are tracks isolated of just instrumentals, and just vocals. Listening to them will have you further appreciating the craft that went into getting everything to sound just right. It's almost as if the vocals and instrumentals could exist as separate tracks and they'd sound complete, and I believe, Let's Go Away for Awhile was intended to have vocals at one point, but Brian decided against it, finding that the instrumental worked just fine on its own. There were also vocal snippets of a harmony I think that the group, or even just Brian, made that existed as a guide track for some of the instruments. Ultimately he had the ability to decide what was enough and that's a big element the album being so special too.

[@andylawson87]

Something else to keep in mind when listening to this brilliant album- Producer Brian Wilson is deaf in one ear! Brian Wilson IS a true musical genius.. The music was all performed by the cream-of-the-crop of L.A.session musicians sometimes known as "The Wrecking Crew" with The Beach Boys providing the vocals.

[@PeckiePeck]

And he can hear in his left the ear, which connects to the right hemisphere--the "creative" one.