The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds

The Beach Boys’ music prior to their 1966 album Pet Sounds was a celebration of California culture of sun, sand, surf and automobiles. The Beach Boys were the sound of the 60’s from 1966 to 1967. Their music was a colorful amalgamation of pop and rock sounds which painted a picture of beach and surf imagary. The Beach Boys’ music was also very rich in layers of vocal harmonies. The “surfing” theme is what gave them their unique sound as well as brought them success with The Beach Boys' mastermind Brian Wilson, the principle writer, arranger and producer for The Beach Boys.

The Beatles’ 1965 release of Rubber Soul in America is challenged and inspired Brian Wilson to write and record the 1966 classic, Pet Sounds. The Beatles’ Rubber Soul was a solid, consistent record of great songs that weren’t just singles with a bunch of fillers. Inspired by Rubber Soul, Brian Wilson put forth his efforts to write a record that would top Rubber Soul. An album with no fillers, and every song had to be a part of a larger piece.

Wilson realized he would also need a new songwriting partner to help him achieve that. Wilson met a young advertising writer named Tony Asher. He thought Tony was a pretty sophisticated and articulate guy, and figured he might be able to write good lyrics. What sets Pet Sounds apart from the other popular recordings of the mid-60’s is the overall “sound” of the album. Brian Wilson pushed himself to expand beyond the beach and surf themes of their past hits, and created tunes that turned out to be tale of young love in songs such as “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” and “Caroline, No.” The accompanying music was equally daring with avant-garde string and horn arrangement enhanced by unorthodox instruments such as a theramin, bicycle bells, and makeshift percussion.

As a native of California and as a listener, I have never been fond of The Beach Boys, and their beach and surf vibe. Although, Pet Sounds veered away from the sound of their past hits, I still cannot get into The Beach Boys. I can’t quite explain into detail why. Their music just annoys me. As an industry professional, I have respect for their innovation of mashing rock and pop with surf themes. There’s definitely no one else like The Beach Boys. Their music was groundbreaking for the time. I'm just not a fan.