The Beach Boys: Pet Sounds
By Chris Homer
- Artist: The Beach Boys
- Title: Pet Sounds (Audio Fidelity Edition)
- Genre: Classic Rock
- Label: Capitol/Audio Fidelity
- Website: www.audiofidelity.net
The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds is truly an album that needs no introduction. It is considered the greatest rock record ever by many critics, and rightfully so. From the opening track, the ever-famous “Wouldn’t It Be Nice”, all the way to the closer “Caroline, No,” Pet Sounds stands as a shining testament to the legendary song writing of Brian Wilson.
Audio Fidelity’s re-issue of the great album on CD is unlike any other version of it that has made the jump from vinyl to the more modern format. For one, the company uses the original 1966 mix of Pet Sounds for the reissue, giving the listener a version that’s very close to the original vinyl cut.
For those who have never heard the beauty of some of the album’s slower orchestral songs like “Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder)” and “You Still Believe In Me” on vinyl, the Audio Fidelity version of Pet Sounds is as close an experience as you can get on CD.
Likewise, the famous tracks “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” and “God Only Knows” can be truly appreciated from the powerful melodies that their many experimental sounds establish. This accomplishment becomes particular impressive when listening to masters of original analog recordings, and gives you a great glimpse of what Brian Wilson must have heard when listening to Pet Sounds for the first time.
“I Know There’s An Answer” and “Sloop John B” also stand as examples of the power the original recordings of Pet Sounds had. The minimal interference that Audio Fidelity used when mastering these songs from analog again shows the genius of Brian Wilson, and allows you to hear the tracks as they should be.
Fans of The Beach Boys will also appreciate the bonus track “Hang On To Your Ego,” an early version of “I Know There’s An Answer” that is right at home with the rest of Pet Sounds.
Whether you’re a longtime Beach Boys fan looking for an honest transfer of Pet Sounds from vinyl to CD, or someone who has never heard the album on its original format, Audio Fidelity’s edition is one you’ll want to own. If the great music isn’t enough for you, the reissue is a limited edition, numbered album on a 24 karat gold CD, so it’s bound to become a collector’s item.
Reviewed - May 4, 2009 by Chris Homer, MuzikReviews.com Assistant Senior Editor
** 5/5 Stars
Tracks:
- Wouldn't It Be Nice
- You Still Believe In Me
- That's Not Me
- Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder)
- I'm Waiting For Awhile
- Sloop John B
- God Only Knows
- I Know There's An Answer
- Here Today
- I Just Wasn't Made For These Times
- Pet Sounds
- Caroline, No
- Bonus Track - Hang On To Your Ego
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