DM's Beatles forums
Other music forums => Various Artists, Lyrics, Discographies => Topic started by: sange on December 09, 2004, 11:50:25 AM
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What do you think of Pet Sounds, by the Beach Boys? In terms of the Beatles it has great significance as it was inspired by Rubber Soul, but in turn helped inspire Sgt peppers.
Although the Beatles are undoubtedly my favourite group, Pet Sounds is my favourite album of all time. All those polls on the Beatles discussion board asking which is the best album...I can never decide becasue every album has at least two or three songs I would prefer not to listen to.
yet I never hit the skip button oncewith Pet Sounds. Apart from "sloop John B" (Which should never have been on the album in the first place) the album is very cohesive from start to finish, the songs just all belong together. Plus they are unbelievably beautiful, lush instruments, the vocals are at times exquisite.
(God only knows is perfect from start to finish)
I am very interested in what others think, particuarly those who can be objective. ;)
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the Orginal is Great
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I have to admit I haven't heard the masterpiece of epic proportions that is Pet Sounds but I know it's great as a dedicated Beach Boys fan. If Brian Wilson doesn't win a Grammy for the album Smile it's a travesty since the BB's have never won after all these years & it's better than 99& of the crap today.
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One of my fave albums
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aha child which you search for then here
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[quote by=Child_Robbery link=Blah.pl?b=othermusic,m=1102593025,s=4 date=1102602791]aha child which you search for then here[/quote]
o_O lol
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I recently added Pet Sounds to my collection, off the single note of it being influenced by Rubber Soul (My Favourite Album)
I can recognise it is a great album, and has all the trappings of a 'classic', but after the ear-catching 'Wouldn't It Be Nice' with amazing Harmonies and pleasant purity such a song holds, along with 'You Still Believe In Me' .. with some really distinctive 'Elizabethan' Organ (or Whatever) ... I feel, there is no real change in the heavenly epic feel (and sound) that the Album creates. This in itself, cannot be judged as criticism, but when comparing it to Rubber Soul (which it often gets) .. we see a change in style of voice, and mood, from Sexual-Interest, through to Philosophical orientation and into Anger and misunderstanding.
'God Only Knows' is quoted by Ian Macdonald as quite literally the Perfect Pop Song* .. Maybe true in many aspects, you simply cant take away from its brilliance, although I think it often over-shadows many of the others.
Again, it boils down to taste, as I find The Beach Boys over sickly at times, with the raging positives and angelic harmonies. Even when Wilson sings about saddening subjects, I cannot help but feel warm from his voice. Again, this cannot be used to take away from the Album, but I feel there is more 'range' with Rubber Soul.
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I have it. My dad gave it to me. It's a really great album. God Only Knows is my favorite song on it, but I like Sloop John B. I wouldn't say it's my favorite album of all time or even in my top 5, but I still really enjoy it.
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It's okay. I don't get what the big deal is. But then I'm not a Beach Boys fan. I do have the CD though. Mainly because I love God Only Knows. Didn't Paul say it was the best song ever written or something? Wouldn't It Be Nice and I'm Waiting For the Day are my other two favorites off that album. The others I just skip over.
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I have the album too, God Only Knows is my favorite song, and Caroline No, Wouldnt it be nice, sloop john b, im waiting for the day etc.
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i love the beach boys, but i dont have that album
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pet Sounds is bad
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[quote by=John_Lennon link=Blah.pl?b=othermusic,m=1102593025,s=11 date=1103912159]pet Sounds is bad [/quote]
(http://www.nirvana2.com/smilies/funone.gif)
A while ago you said it's your favorite album.
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[quote by=John_Lennon link=Blah.pl?b=othermusic,m=1102593025,s=11 date=1103912159]pet Sounds is bad [/quote]
He probably means its Bad in a good way...
Ex: guy- "Do you like Immortal Technique?"
Other guy- "Yeah. thier Bad"
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o_O
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Pet Sounds is certainly NOT better than ANY Beatle album. It's overdone.
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exactly
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[quote by=John_Lennon link=Blah.pl?b=othermusic,m=1102593025,s=16 date=1103968370]exactly[/quote]
I thought you said pet sounds were great?
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Not all Songs only i find great
Wouldn't It Be Nice
Sloop John B
God Only Knows
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for me i love this album and appreciate that it is in fact as innovative if not more than a couple of beatles albums.
i like it more the half of mccackneys stuff.
the harmonies by the beach boys rivals the beatles......in my opinion.
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yeah, I thought so too, and The Rolling Stones pc :-)
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[quote by=Maccalvr link=Blah.pl?b=othermusic,m=1102593025,s=15 date=1103967614]Pet Sounds is certainly NOT better than ANY Beatle album. It's overdone. [/quote]
I wouldn't say it's overdone, but in no way can it compare to any Beatles albums. You have three great songwriters in the Beatles and only one in the Beach Boys. But it's still a great album, the harmonies are great but it's not as catchy as their earlier stuff. I like good lyrics set to a catchy melody and that's what the Beatles always did.
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[quote by=pc31 link=Blah.pl?b=othermusic,m=1102593025,s=19 date=1103985176]for me i love this album and appreciate that it is in fact as innovative if not more than a couple of beatles albums.
i like it more the half of mccackneys stuff.
the harmonies by the beach boys rivals the beatles......in my opinion.[/quote]
technically the Beach Boys Harmonies are amazing, but for me, I find them over-sickly and a trifle fairytale-esq.
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I think it's pretty good. I like some of the songs on it, and some I don't. I'm not a big fan of the Beach Boys in any way. I think a lot of the stuff,. particularly the early stuff, sounds soooooooo repetitive. I just don't get it. I realize I'm probably offending some people, but those are my thoughts. I like the album Smile by Brian Wilson far more than Pet Sounds, and still it's not like a Oh-my-God-what-a-work-of-genius album to me. It's just pretty and I like the instrumentation and harmonies. His voice held up well. I don't consider it a very deep piece of work, but nothing by the Beach Boys has ever hit that kind of note for me- not even God Only Knows. That's a pretty song, though.
My fave songs are probably Heroes and Villians, Good Vibrations, California Girls, Don't Worry Baby, and a few others. Those are so pretty.
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What you said about their stuff not being that deep, I agree. I mean at least it seems that way to me. Kinda fluffy. Not that I've heard all of their stuff though. I'm just not a fan. But I LOVE God Only Knows. It's very pretty. But again, not deep. Just like the thoughts of a teenager type thing.
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You have three great songwriters in the Beatles and only one in the Beach Boys.
I have to say three great songwriters and a George Martin. The Beach Boys only had a BRIAN WILSON who wrote, arranged, and produced Pet Sounds. He was only 23 and Pet Sounds was already his 10th album.
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I have to admit I didn't understand the brilliance of Pet Sounds right away... I had to hear it a few times before the quarter dropped. But after a while I realized it really is one of the very best albums ever made, I think there isn't even a Beatles album that can top it. And God Only Knows is the best piece of music ever made in human history. Hands down, no doubt about it.
Pet Sounds isn't my favorite Beach Boys album though... I like Sunflower a little bit better.
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im not sure if can agree with you when you say that there isnt a Beatle album that can top pet sounds... but your right, its pretty damn good ..
God only knows.... well, i dont think i can find words to describe how great that song is .....:)
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I have to say three great songwriters and a George Martin. The Beach Boys only had a BRIAN WILSON who wrote, arranged, and produced Pet Sounds. He was only 23 and Pet Sounds was already his 10th album.
That's right. Brian Wilson was John, Paul, George and George Martin combined. He made that album all by himself, the rest of the band was on tour while he was making that album, and they didn't hear the songs until the backing tracks were already finished. And everything (except for the words) that you hear on that album came out of his head. He personally told each musician in the orchestra exactly what to play, he had every single part for every single instrument already in his head. Amazing.
I have the Pet Sounds Sessions boxset which has instrumental and a capella versions of every song, and every song is a listening experience even without the music or without the vocals. So if you combine the music and the vocals, you get an absolutely mind-blowing combination.
I could rant for hours about how f*cking brilliant I think Brian Wilson is. He's definately right up there with Mozart, Bach and Beethoven, no doubt about it.
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God only knows.... well, i dont think i can find words to describe how great that song is .....:)
Yeah...
I think you can devide the music lovers in this world in two groups: those who understand that God Only Knows is the best song ever made (or at least in the top 3 - I'll be reasonable), and those who should listen to it a couple more times.
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The guys a genius no doubt. But for every Good Vibrations there's a Barbara Ann.
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Yeah but that's one amazing album..Beatles provided lots more to sing to.
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The guys a genius no doubt. But for every Good Vibrations there's a Barbara Ann.
Barbara Ann was a cover. :)
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Barbara Ann was a cover. :)
And besides that, yeah, he did write a few not-so-good songs, but in 1963, 1964 and 1965 he had to deliver THREE albums of new material PER YEAR. And in those days, and remember he was then 20-22 years old, he was the only songwriter in the group. And on top of that, he also wrote several hits for others as well (most of Jan & Dean's hits, for instance).
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The guys a genius no doubt. .
he sure is kev.. i cant think off the top of my head a crap BB's song ..
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Barbara Ann was a cover. :)
oops-I did not know that. Think I'll stick to what i know.
"don't worry baby" is one of my favourite "come home at 4am and play some tunes" songs
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Can't argue with that Lenny. ;)
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he sure is kev.. i cant think off the top of my head a crap BB's song ..
Oh, there are plenty, to be honest. There are quite some forgetable fillers on the first couple of albums, and 90% of the material on all their albums from the late 70's on is terrible.
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im sure there are BP, but like i said i cant think off the top of my head.. it seems that you know alot more about the BB's that i do .. so ill take your word for it :)
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im sure there are BP, but like i said i cant think off the top of my head.. it seems that you know alot more about the BB's that i do .. so ill take your word for it :)
Well, strange thing is, if you would have asked me about the Beach Boys a year ago I would've said they were an OK band but not that special, but the last few months I've had an almost unhealthy BB obsession. I almost literally haven't listened to anything else for the last couple of months.
I think I like them even a little bit more than The Beatles... Maybe... Not really sure...
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ive always been into the BB's since an early age.. but its only been the last 5-10 years that i have gotten more into them.. i dont listen to them as much as the Beatles obvioulsy lol .. but even still there a great band .. :)
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Pet Sounds isn't my favorite Beach Boys album though... I like Sunflower a little bit better.
Man, that Sunflower album deserves its own web site! "This Whole World" is another reason why Brian goes from just a "genius" to the greatest composer of the 20th Century...
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is sunflower pre or post pet sounds ?
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Post Pet Sounds. I think it's The Beach Boys' answer to "Abbey Road".
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ok thanks for the heads up on that Alex .. ill look out for that :)
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ok thanks for the heads up on that Alex .. ill look out for that :)
You're welcome. It's actually 2 albums on 1 CD, Sunflower and Surf's Up.
Just a random Beach Boys thought: there's this one song called "Surf's Up" (which I think is the greatest BB song ever) where Brian Wilson sings the line "...are you sleeping, brother John?" I think it's a wink to John. ;)
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hehe you could be right there alex lol :)
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And besides that, yeah, he did write a few not-so-good songs, but in 1963, 1964 and 1965 he had to deliver THREE albums of new material PER YEAR. And in those days, and remember he was then 20-22 years old, he was the only songwriter in the group. And on top of that, he also wrote several hits for others as well (most of Jan & Dean's hits, for instance).
Yeah. He also produced records by other artists aside from arranging, singing, planning, and teaching.
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its a damn shame that BW got heavy with all the drugs he took .. all those waisted years... :(
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I see it this way: Pet Sounds was Brian's masterpiece, but Sunflower was the masterpiece of The Beach Boys as a real band. Dennis and Bruce were at their creative heights and Brian was still doing some amazing stuff as well.
And if anyone wants to check out more by The Beach Boys, like MagicAlex already said: almost all of their albums are available on the so called "2fers": very cheap cd's with 2 albums each and in most cases several rare bonus tracks as well. Especially Today!+Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!), Friends+20/20 and Sunflower+Surf's Up are highly recommended.
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its a damn shame that BW got heavy with all the drugs he took .. all those waisted years... :(
Yeah, it really is... Especially because even though he got over it as a person (thank God), he never fully recovered as a musician. He can't sing too well anymore and I'm not too impressed by any of his solo albums.
But still, I think it's great that at least he's touring and for the first time in his life actually enjoying it. His band is incredible, and just seeing him there on stage, participating and enjoying it is I think heart warming for every Beach Boys fan, even though his falsetto is gone, his singing is weak and his keyboard isn't plugged in.
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even though his falsetto is gone
You're absoutely right! I really miss Brian's chilling falsetto.
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And besides that, yeah, he did write a few not-so-good songs, but in 1963, 1964 and 1965 he had to deliver THREE albums of new material PER YEAR. And in those days, and remember he was then 20-22 years old, he was the only songwriter in the group. And on top of that, he also wrote several hits for others as well (most of Jan & Dean's hits, for instance).
most of jan and deans????this is a false statement.he helped on side walk surfin which was catch a wave.thats about it.jan and dean were not as close to the beach boys as you think.show more things he did for them.dean sang on barbara ann.they collaberated on practically nothing.your misconception is not yours alone tho.
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http://www.surfinagain.com/vip1.html
you gotta remember there were many surf groups.the surfaris,dick dale and the deltones,the hondells,jan and dean,the trashmen,the dovells,the ventures,ronnie and the daytonas,the rip chords,the challangers,the tornadoes,the fantastic baggies and more.brian made it popular but did not create it.
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I think Pet Sounds is overrated now
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lol
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most of jan and deans????this is a false statement.he helped on side walk surfin which was catch a wave.thats about it.jan and dean were not as close to the beach boys as you think.show more things he did for them.dean sang on barbara ann.they collaberated on practically nothing.your misconception is not yours alone tho.
He also (co-)wrote and sang on Surf City, which was their biggest hit. His dad/manager got very upset at him for giving away that song, especially because it became a #1 and the Beach Boys didn't have any #1 hits yet.
But anyway, I stand corrected.
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You're absoutely right! I really miss Brian's chilling falsetto.
Yeah, I got that Brian Wilson On Tour dvd last week, and I found it so weird to see that on some songs, someone from his backing band did his vocal parts while he took Mike Love's or Al Jardine's lower parts himself.
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I saw that tour on TV and I gotta say I was kinda sad to see how much the band around him had to cover his ass.....I feel real dis-respectful saying that. I know he is a great legend but I don't think I actually saw him play those keyboards in front of him from memory. I know his health may have played a great part in that...The band did a great job I thought.
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I saw that tour on TV and I gotta say I was kinda sad to see how much the band around him had to cover his ass.....I feel real dis-respectful saying that. I know he is a great legend but I don't think I actually saw him play those keyboards in front of him from memory. I know his health may have played a great part in that...The band did a great job I thought.
Well, it might look a bit tragic, but in fact I think that in a way it's really beautiful how he's performing nowadays.
He's had a miserable life filled with mental and physical abuse, drug abuse, depressions, panic attacks, extreme paranoia etc., and now he says in interviews that for the first time in his life he enjoys performing live and that he's finally reasonably happy. Mike Love & co. have been treating Brian like sh*t for a long time and taking advantage of him because he was their ticket to success, and Brian finally came up for himself, got Mike out of his life and stepped into the spotlights to finally claim the love and respect he deserved for such a long time.
And besides that, it's not as bad as it looks. Brian Wilson might look lad a sad old man, but he stills knows damn well what he's doing and he has full control of his band. I saw some rehearsal footage of him and his band, and he still directs the band like in the old days. If something's not perfect, he'll fix it. His musical hearing is still intact and he still has every single part of every single song stored in his memory.
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That pretty much sums it up for me. I can't wait for Brian to work with Macca. I thought they're going to record an LP early this year.
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Well, it might look a bit tragic, but in fact I think that in a way it's really beautiful how he's performing nowadays.
He's had a miserable life filled with mental and physical abuse, drug abuse, depressions, panic attacks, extreme paranoia etc., and now he says in interviews that for the first time in his life he enjoys performing live and that he's finally reasonably happy. Mike Love & co. have been treating Brian like sh*t for a long time and taking advantage of him because he was their ticket to success, and Brian finally came up for himself, got Mike out of his life and stepped into the spotlights to finally claim the love and respect he deserved for such a long time.
And besides that, it's not as bad as it looks. Brian Wilson might look lad a sad old man, but he stills knows damn well what he's doing and he has full control of his band. I saw some rehearsal footage of him and his band, and he still directs the band like in the old days. If something's not perfect, he'll fix it. His musical hearing is still intact and he still has every single part of every single song stored in his memory.
Cool, thats good to know...I'm also glad he's come through all of that...It shows great courage and strength to come out of it all like that. Great to hear his ear is in intact and yes I'm looking forward to the forthcoming output from 2 great musicians...Cheers for the insight Biccy! ;)
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He also (co-)wrote and sang on Surf City, which was their biggest hit. His dad/manager got very upset at him for giving away that song, especially because it became a #1 and the Beach Boys didn't have any #1 hits yet.
But anyway, I stand corrected.
i was correcting wasn't i???i apauligize.........i just wanted to garner some credit for jan berry actually.jan and dean were sort of a novelty group....they hadn't planned it that way but it happened.
yeah like brians dad,murray wilson,neede a reason to be mad.he once hit brian in the head with a two by four.denny told about it in heros and villians.i think carl also mentioned it......
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I read Brian Wilson's autobiography and yeah, that Murry Wilson must've been an unbelievable a**hole. The things he did to his kids... Damn... Well, the fact that all three of them eventually got a serious drug problem probably says enough.
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I love Pet Sounds and it is definetly in my top 5.
god only knows is great, but myfavorite beach boys song is i get around. too bad it wasn't on pet sounds
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I love Pet Sounds and it is definetly in my top 5.
god only knows is great, but myfavorite beach boys song is i get around. too bad it wasn't on pet sounds
I Get Around is certainly in my top 5 as well.
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I Get Around is certainly in my top 5 as well.
Wouldn't It Be Nice for me
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but myfavorite beach boys song is i get around. too bad it wasn't on pet sounds
It would've been completely out of place on Pet Sounds.
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It would've been completely out of place on Pet Sounds.
yeah, but it certainly is a great song. :)
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Good Vibrations should've been on Pet Sounds.
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Good Vibrations should've been on Pet Sounds.
yeah, but an album can't have every great song.:)
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Good Vibrations should've been on Pet Sounds.
It would've been great on Pet Sounds, but remember that Brian was already planning Smile, and it fits so much better on Smile than on Pet Sounds. Plus the backing track of final version is so much better than the backing track Brian recorded for Pet Sounds.
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It would've been great on Pet Sounds, but remember that Brian was already planning Smile, and it fits so much better on Smile than on Pet Sounds. Plus the backing track of final version is so much better than the backing track Brian recorded for Pet Sounds.
I agree. Good Vibrations has always been part of SMiLE, in my book...
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I think somebody needs to do a Concept Album about Murray Wilson. The weird neurotic abusive "father" of rock-n-roll.
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I think somebody needs to do a Concept Album about Murray Wilson.
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Well, Brian wrote one song about Murry ("I'm bugged at my old man"), and I don't think anyone would need an album full of songs like that...
I cracked up when I heard that song :) It's hilarious.
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Yeah, it's funny, but not really good... Or tasteful, if you know the background...
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The funniest song the Beach Boys ever made is without a doubt "Ding Dang". Every time I hear it I can't help laughing out loud. It's probably the most hilarious piece of music ever recorded.
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The funniest song the Beach Boys ever made is without a doubt "Ding Dang". Every time I hear it I can't help laughing out loud. It's probably the most hilarious piece of music ever recorded.
I always play air-piano to 'Ding Dang'.
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I cracked up when I first listened to Friends in its entirety and heard "When a Man Needs a Woman"
"A man needs a woman like a woman needs a man
When the two get together UHHH UH HUH HUH HUH HUUUUUH!"
I think I also cracked up almost equally when I first heard "I Just Got My Pay".
"If it weren't for me the place would fall apart
I think I'll hit him up for a raise"
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"When a man needs a woman
They make things like you, my son"
Haha. Brian Wilson's lyrics are hilarious sometimes (although usually unintentionally, I guess).
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This weekend I listened to Friends again a couple of times, and it's such a superb album... Almost as good as my favorite BB album, Sunflower... I just don't understand why they put Transcendental Meditation on it... That's hands down the very worst BB song ever.
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^I agree. I always skip that song. "Busy Doin Nothing" would be my fave track from Friends.
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Absent or Dead father: John Lennon, Syd Barrett, Roger Waters . . . .
Abusive father: Brian Wilson, Jackson 5, . . . .
Rock is a primal scream of the child at the father . . . .