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The Beach Boys

I'm a huge fan of classic rock, and music in general, listening to almost all genres from classical to jazz to rock to contemporary pop (very selectively). Don't care much for country and reggae. I've been reading in the latest issue of Stereophile about Acoustic Sounds reissuing The Beach Boys catalog, and the article compelled me to express my opinion on this forum. I'm simply completely, utterly, and overwhelmingly at a loss to understand the acclaim for this band. The fact that "Pet Sounds" is considered one of the greatest albums of all time leaves me speechless. I always considered their music a bit of a joke, good for background when you're in a beach bar in Southern California, in the same vein reggae or mariachi music are tolerable in Jamaica or Mexico, respectively, when one's on vacation. I then heard about them being compared to The Beatles and have been confused ever since. Perhaps a comparison to The Beatles early songs as they were evolving as musicians and songwriters would make sense, but comparing the genius of The Beatles to the "genius" of Brian Wilson is just preposterous, in my opinion.

I would like to hear from those who like or love The Beach Boys what it is about their music that they think warrants the acclaim and their presence in the upper echelon of music. I realize my post may generate quite a bit of controversy and angry responses, but I don't mean to offend or put down anyone's musical tastes. I'm posting as a music lover who is truly perplexed. 

    
actusreus
martykl
3,578 posts
 
Nice post bdp,

I discovered all of that Smile sessions material only with/after the relatively recent Smile album release and I agree with your take.  It feels like a view into a warped mind, sometimes dark, sometimes child-like, always much more interesting than most pop music.  I wouldn't have made it into your club back in the day, but I'm with you now.
maplegrovemusic's avatar
maplegrovemusic
1,113 posts
 
Just read the discussion , Trying to listen to the digital copy i have and am reminded why i skip through the album when a song pops up while i shuffle through my library . The recording of Pet Sounds i have is painful to listen . Flat , screechy sounding . Is it just me ? Is this a sonic masterpiece on a different format or a different digital release ?
maplegrovemusic's avatar
maplegrovemusic
1,113 posts
 
Just googled Smiley Smile . It states - Genre - Psychedelic pop , Lo-fi , Avantgarde 

Does this answer my question above about sonics ? Are there recordings Lo-FI ?
tostadosunidos's avatar
tostadosunidos
1,198 posts
 
Try the (1996?) stereo re-mix.  It's more spacious, smooth, and musical to my ear.  Beyond a certain point the BB stuff was not mixed to stereo.  Brian was deaf in one ear.
213runnin
914 posts
 
What happened to Wilson is quite sad.  He started hearing voices in his head after starting in with LSD.  The voices never went away according to the movie Love and Mercy, until decades later.  

By the time the Pet Sounds project was underway, he was a drug addict, and was on his way to his first mental break down.  Offering drugs to his young children, getting totally paranoid, I aways wonder what he might have achieved without drugs and without the deaf ear as a a result of his dad's repeated ear slaps over the years.

My fave is Sloop John B.



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