Pet Sounds (1966) - The Beach Boys

              When having discussions of the most influential album in music history, it would be ignorant to pass over the legendary group that was the Beach Boys. While it may have been a simpler time, the boys had fun, fun, fun, all through the 60’s, paving a groovy way for future generations of talent. The Beach Boys defined the dawning era of Americana that was later warped into a distorted, kaleidoscopic dream of what America should be? Needless to say; people had some far-out ideas, many of which never saw the light of day. However, the Beach Boys persisted in time and space, with their physically pleasing harmonics. To call the Beach Boys a boy band would compare to taking the lord’s name in vain. The group is closer to angels walking amongst us, as we use their oxygen obnoxiously when they could be spreading peace all through Aruba, Jamaica, to the Florida Keyssss… I digress; the 60’s had a lasting effect on music, movies, and American culture altogether. Watching the clean-cut, uniform wearing schoolboys turn into long-haired hippies was a distinct reaction by people to their world around them. Global unrest and political distress were constantly on people’s minds, forcing them to look elsewhere for peace.

              One of the first concept albums, Pet Sounds, took the music production industry to another stage in history. As they pushed not only the audience’s boundaries, but their own creative limits by defining the album in history with its own unique sound. With countless session musicians adding to the garden of sound, the wide array of talent brought this work of music to life before our eyes. The chorus of harmonizing voices is enough to send you on a flashback down Penny Lane, with the echoing reverb added on top of it just for the cherry on top! Regardless of what format you listen to, the album has a comforting feel while still questioning, and generally uncertain about the future. The record does show a more intimate side of Brian Wilson, and of the American youth during the 60’s. Feeling out of place and yearning for change within the culture of society at that moment in time. Listening to the album, you can feel the doo-wop, R&B, jazz, and pop influence from past generations. Now, as he conjures a work of magic that will be admired by countless generations to come, this is Brian Wilson, lead man of the Beach Boys and his masterpiece that is: Pet Sounds.