I have the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds on my computer.. and there is a stereo remeastered version and an original recording version. which should i delete, and which should i keep? i have heard that sometimes the remastered version is worse than the original, like dark side of the moon.

and while we are on the topic, let's discuss pet sounds.

i havent listened to it enough really, but so far it hasnt really blown me away.

quote:

Originally posted by Gopher:
i havent listened to it enough really, but so far it hasnt really blown me away.

Give it time. It's a grower.

i will

i find it exremely important to listen to an album many times before i know if i like it or not. sometimes it takes literally months. i dont think it's ever taken years though, hehe.

Pet Sounds is one of those albums that I appreciate on a technical level, but I don't really get that much enjoyment out of listening to. I probably wouldn't argue with anyone who called Wilson's arrangements and production ahead of it's time, but from a songwriting perspective, especially the lyrics, it just doesn't do it for me.

Keep the Mono version. The stereo remaster had to drop some of the harmonies and whatnot.
Also- Pet Sounds is very much a product of its time. I still think it's a great album, but its influence has been so fully absorbed that much of what made it revolutionary gets a bit lost on our ears.

Pet Sounds confirmed that Brian Wilson was the one person at the time, to compete with the Beatles as far as making a tremendous, exciting records. And there were four Beatles, and they had George Martin. It took me a long, long time to appreciate Brian Wilson. Start with Pet Sounds, and then try SMILE.

I don't really know how someone could not respond to "God Only Knows", "You Still Believe in Me" or "I'm Waiting for the Day". To this day, there is no other record in the world that sounds like it. The lyrics are irrelevant.

It makes me cringe a little to hear you say that you have Pet Sounds on your computer. Yes, I'm old school, but that sucker should never be heard for the first time (or ever really) on your computer. Get the full album on a CD, go take a drive, or, preferably a sail, turn up the speakers, and chill... One of the all-time greats.

The innocence and sweetness of the lyrics are a reflection of Brian Wilson's unique way of processing his world...that they have always retained a childlike innocence is not a devaluation...it's much easier, artistically, to go to "the pits" than to express happiness or innocence...see any 15 year old's diary....what looks naive at first glance is harder than one would guess

Since this is one of my all time favorite albums, I felt the need to chime in.

To clear up a few things, most of the lyrics were written by Tony Asher, not Wilson. Second, while this is certainly Brian's show, don't forget the rest of the Beach Boys, especially Carl Wilson, who along with his brother gives some of the best upper-register harmonies in pop history.

The lyrics are written from the perspective of, and originally intended for an audience made up of, teenagers. On this level they work wonderfully.

The melodies and instrumental arrangments have an incredible amount of depth. This is one of the highwater marks of American popular music and has its descendents right up to this day. Listen to the Red Hot Chili Peppers' "By the Way," Stars' "Set Yourself On Fire" or Stereolab's "Margerine Eclipse" if you want to see the kind of influence this has had.

Personal faves include the obviouse classics "God Only Knows" and "Wouldn't It Be Nice," as well "Caroline, No" and "I Just Wasn't Made For These Times." Like they say, it really grows on you. Sometimes it just takes the right context for an album to really click with you.

quote:

Originally posted by Peewee:
I don't really know how someone could not respond to "God Only Knows", "You Still Believe in Me" or "I'm Waiting for the Day". To this day, there is no other record in the world that sounds like it. The lyrics are irrelevant.

I agree... and wanted to share my opinion of Pet Sounds:

I was gonna type a quote for my sig, but it went long and I wound up with this:

It's the precious space between the notes - this is where and when the precious magic of this music exists and happens - so alike to our own minds' thoughts existing between the harmonized when-and-where in the precious spaces in between the neurons of our brains.

One of the greatest experiences of my life has been enjoying listening to Pet Sounds. It exercizes and builds one's ability to conceive total harmony in all of life. The sonic textures grab hold of every last corner of my sense of hearing and the music's coordination steers the direction of my thoughts and emotions... all the while I am appreciating the genius level of musicianship (writing/arranging/instrument voice knowledge), incredible sound production techniques, and the incredible sound of those voices; Complimentary in range and tonal quality, the voices of the 3 brothers. Brian's in particular, in my opinion, is the most understated part of the entirety of their success.

I find it impossible to not get melodramatic about this music because there is so much there to comprehend.

If the world of music were water, this album's comparitive achievement of soul-connectivity is the great flood... but without all the dying.

It - as an album - is probably not for everyone.


My answer to the original question is - both the remastered and original versions are unique in very small and arguably subtle ways.

I like listening to both for the different nuances.

While I'm on the subject - does anyone know what the 3rd line in the chorus of "I just wasn't made for these times":

1st) Sometimes I feel...
2nd) Ain't found the right thing...
3rd) People I (love/know)don't want/love me...?? And from there I can't tell if the line is over or if it's remains are lost within the same register of the previous two chorus lines' respective ending words and note movements.

I can't find anything on it anywhere. Thought maybe someone here might know.

Thx

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