Pet Sounds: Most Overrated Album of All Time?

>>01-14-09: Narrod
Jim,
Sales have little to do with quality<<

Ah yes, how true that be. Please see:
Madonna
Britney
Sheryl Crow
Celine
and on and on and on.

There's no accounting for bad taste.

People who don't get the music in the first place will never understand the meaning. Not saying it's bad it's just the way it is. To understand where the music is coming from you must open up to it first and enjoy it.

It never ceases to amaze me how some of my most admired artists are so impressed by the works of far lesser artists.

I stopped being surprised and am just grateful that the artists I adore were so inspired by artists that are perhaps seminal but whose works don't stand the test of time.

Here is a list of artists whose music had an epic impact on other artists, culture, and the music scene but whose albums I find I tried but I cannot get motivated to actually listen to today. Mind you I totally respect the artists for their contribution to the art and to society and paving the road for others but just feel that their music does not stand the test of time remotely as well as other artists that have been around for awhile. I am 42 so some of it might be a generation thing but nonetheless.

the list:

chuck berry (great historical importance but the music is not that great to hear today)

buddy holly

elvis presley (huge influence but would prefer to listen to otis redding, stevie wonder, al green, marvin gaye)

roy orbison

beach boys (a few great songs on pet sounds but only a few)

God help us all! Todays taste is all about not having to think or read into the music. Brian Wilson is a genius and was never recognized as such. Most geniuses are never recognized until way too late! I mean such statements as the above thread, Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, Elvis, Roy Orbison,and Beach boys. How does this generation think that music has evolved to a music that they like today without these giants? God Help up all!

Yeah, both Elvis Presley and the Beach Boys are total enigmas to me. I cannot for the life of me understand what is interesting about them or their work. I find the Beach Boys lyrically insipid to an extreme, despite some nice melodies (but certainly not great). Elvis, well, I truly do not get that. I guess his Sun recordings were decent rockabilly, but the bulk of his career was one sell-out farce after another. Safe to say, I hate Elvis. Still, its better than 'rap'. I guess pop music tends to get worse. By the way, I am 46.