Customer Reviews

The Pet Sounds Sessions: A 30th Anniversary Collection

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This is a beautiful box set. The length and depth it goes towards examining and presenting the Beach Boys' PET SOUNDS album (arguably the most influential album of the 20th century, if not directly then at least artistically) is just beautiful. The all-stereo mix isn't quite as lucrative as it was when this box set first came out in 1996 (a single-CD stereo edition has been released since), but still-- this set is worth the price. You get the impression you're a fly on the wall in the studio, just sitting back and listening as the album takes shape. The backing tracks show just how intricate the songs were-- these are complete pieces of music even without vocals or lyrics. The a capella tracks are evidence to Brian Wilson's incredible knack for harmony, and just how teriffic singers these guys were. And the alternate versions / bonus tracks are just fun, you get a great sense of time and mood. Again, beautiful.

A couple slight problems-- this set is probably not for the casual Beach Boy fan, or even those who dig the group as "America's Band." It plays out as an eloquent tribute to Brian Wilson (though, of course, Mike Love does end up taking credit for much of the album's creation in his pompous preface), and at times can be a bit syrupy. Plus, those unfamiliar with the album might accuse it of overkill. But then again, what fascinating music!! The "Making of Pet Sounds" booklet is wonderful too, with dozens of interviews with the people involved in making the album (including all surviving Beach Boys and Tony Asher, who wrote most of the lyrics), and a plethora of photos and other tasty tidbits. Brian Wilson/Beach Boy conniseurs can not be without this release. If you're not quite as diehard a fan (or don't really care to hear anything beyond the released album), you should probably go for the single-disc stereo edition released in 1999.

When I was 21 or 22, one of my coworkers dropped a copy of Pet Sounds on my desk and said, "listen to it, it'll change your life". Well, like anyone that age, I assumed he'd be wrong, but one late night years later, I did listen to it.

So anyway, he was right, it changed the way I thought about music, at a minimum. Since then, you might say my obsession with the Beach Boys is complete.

What this set is, and admittedly, its probably extraneous for most listeners, is a study in Pet Sounds. It contains two mixes of the album, one in stereo, one in mono (I go back in forth as to which I prefer), a set of sessions, and a pile of alternates.

The album you guys probably know about, if you don't, I'll touch on it here. 13 tracks of just incredible, lush, essential music. Much of it is Brian singing lead, and he does so magnificantly, in either a tenor range or falsetto, depending on the piece. Where there's harmonies, they're sometimes drier than the previous stuff, sometimes as lush and well arranged, and sometimes there's none.

As far as the songs go, there's not a bad one-- highlights change for me over time, right now "You Still Believe in Me", "Don't Talk", and "God Only Knows" are my favorites, but this changes over time. They're all quite brilliant though.

The session material is intriguing but only for big BB fans. It can get tedious at times I suspect, although I wish they'd released the full sessions. Having each with a complete instrumental track is nice too. There's also an isolated vocal track for each song, though I wish we'd gotten vocal sessions as well (then again, if I had my way, it'd be a 20-CD box...).

The alternate versions are interesting, some of them I really enjoy. "God Only Knows" with the vocal tag and sax solo and "Hang On To Your Ego" (with a better vocal delivery than its rewrite) are the big highlights.

Amazing material, highly recommended.

As a brash 19 year old about a year ago, I bought the regular Pet Sounds Mono/Stereo CD that had been recently issued, after all I liked the songs I'd heard on the radio all those years and it came highly reccomended by my favorite mag, the NME (their #1 album of all time). To get to the point, it blew me away, quickly becomming my favorite album ever as well. I'd seen the box set at the store I worked at, but never really payed too much attention to it, and when I discovered that it had vocal tracks, alternative takes, and most importantly instrumental and "in the studio" tracks, I nearly fainted! It is worth the price of admission to hear Brian sing/belch the opening melody of Wouldn't It Be Nice, or to hear them "tighten up" the E-F#-G progression in God Only Knows to what it is now. It is also a blast to sing along to the instrumentals, and hear just how incredibly complex the vocal harmonies are on their own. Wow, the only stinker is the jazzy saxophone version of God Only Knows, probably thrown in to show you that, on the final mix of Pet Sounds, they didn't make ANY mistakes. Oh yeah, my original version of Pet Sounds? I sold it to my friend for cost at my store (about 10 bucks). And its current status? For sale. My friend has decided to move on to the box as well.

I won't say a WHOLE lot here, WILL keep it short. Just going to hit personal high points on one of THE GREATEST box sets EVER.

1. I can't stop listening to the stereo mix of "Pet Sounds". And the sound is so crisp and clear - all the more heartbreakingly beautiful! Listening to albums from this same period - "Revolver", etc. - makes you realize either the master tapes for "PS" must be in FANTASTIC condition, or "Revolver" needs to be cleaned up...but that's a completely different album review (grin).

2. The first time I heard the session rehearsals and the backing tracks (all stereo! all goosebumps!), I was blown away! Even on repeat listens, it's still very entertaining to hear Brian leading the band through "Wouldn't It Be Nice" (my niece loves the part where he burps while singing the intro..."dah da dah *burp* da da daa dah da *BOOM!* 2, 3, 4...very funny!), to the string overdub for "Don't Talk", and "God Only Knows", so open and clear! It shines with or without the harmonies. Also, "Trombone Dixie" is a new favorite of mine to listen to, and the version of "Good Vibrations" is ESSENTIAL! And a lot of other little things to find when you listen to all the way through Disc 1 and 2...and if you listen to the very end of Disc 2, you hear a conversation that is audible in the mono version of "Here Today", complete with Brian yelling "Top!", realizing they've been recorded! I didn't realize this was there until recently.

3. Disc 3 contains an essential for a Beach Boys box set - stack-o-vocals! Beautiful, intricate, well-blending, timeless stuff here. Particular favorites are "You Still Believe In Me" (a shame they don't have the second Brian lead vocal track...that would have been great to have, but doesn't take away from the AWESOME Bach-like coda) and "Sloop John B" (Great arrangement, so underrated!). The clarity of these tracks are startling.

4. The additional bonus tracks aren't really going to blow you away, but it's good to have them on here. The slower version of "Caroline No" is great, an a capella section intended for "Don't Talk" is astounding, the two radio promos are too cute, and the Banana and Louie sections are interesting enough, but most of the others are alternate vocal versions of songs that sound SO perfect to me in their released versions...but, you gotta have the bonuses! Even though you may not find yourself hitting the repeat button upon hearing the original lyrics of "I Know There's an Answer" ("Hang on to your ego/hang on now, but I know that you're gonna lose the fight") or the "lounge" version of "God Only Knows" (complete with a jazzy sax solo) or Mike's slacker delivery on "I'm Waiting For the Day" (And Brian thought his vocals were bad!). I would have liked maybe an audio interview with Brian or anybody really, but oh well :)

5. AND after all this, you get a newly remastered mono version of the original 13 tracks (but with the stereo...), the big box set length booklet (very good!) and "The Making Of Pet Sounds" book with interviews of virtually EVERYONE involved (even better! WITH...the exception of Mike Love's introduction. You might as well skip reading how he came up with the title "Pet Sounds"...and his pseudo-intellectual writing style...and everything he says, basically.)

Anyways, it's about the MUSIC! It's great, you must buy this if you are a "PS" fan. Or, if you know someone who is, buy it for their birthday or whatever.

Just listen or have someone listen to the whole thing - and then we'll have world peace!

(IN JOKE - listen to Disc 1, rehearsals for "Let's Go Away For Awhile".)

Also, remember I said I was going keep this short? Sorry about that, but this box set is THAT GOOD. PERIOD.

For those music fans out there who have grown disgusted with the glut of box sets out there, many of them little more than glorified "greatest hits" collections, rejoice: here's a box set that you can plop down fifty bucks on and not feel like you've been rooked. But first, a caveat: this set is most assuredly NOT for casual Beach Boys fans. Until you've sampled the regular Pet Sounds CD, and some of their other titles like Smiley Smile, Wild Honey, Friends, Sunflower, etc. (in other words, their highly creative but commercially negligible post-oldies period), you really don't want to buy this. If, however, you are someone who knows and loves Pet Sounds, then by all means buy this set with confidence. From the long-overdue stereo mix of the entire album ("purists" will feign horror and revulsion, but trust me, it's a vast sonic and aesthetic improvement), to the breathtaking instrumentals-only and vocals-only presentations, to the fascinating outtakes and session chatter, to the lavishly produced booklets, to the remastered copy of the original mono album (satisfied, purists?), to the obvious love, respect, professionalism and painstaking care that went into its assemblage, this is what box sets are intended to be. Let's hope other record labels and compilers take notice.

Why are so many "reviews" of Beach Boys' output on Amazon, pithy commentaries on why the Beatles are so much better than Brian Wilson? More to the point, why are some Beatles fans so threatened by Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys? (Let's face it, I don't see any "Beatles... - Brian rules" reviews of the "White Album" or "Revolver.")

I'll admit it, the Beatles don't do much for me - but I certainly respect their achievements and place in popular music, if not 20th Century history.

And besides, your own man, Paul McCartney: (1) cites "Pet Sounds" as the inspiration for "Sgt. Pepper;" (2) considers "God Only Knows" the greatest song ever made; and (3) has given copies of "Pet Sounds" to all his children. If Paul isn't sweating the Beach Boys, why should you?

Having said that, I think "Pet Sounds" truly deserves its place as one of the greatest all-time achievements in music. Its some of the most incredibly beautiful, awe-inspiring, and wondrous music ever made. Indeed, it was intended to be, and is, a truly spiritual album.

To the casual listener, the "Pet Sounds Box Set" is probably overkill. To the Brian Wilson/Beach Boys fan, it is ESSENTIAL. Period.

Brian was only 23 years old by the time he completed "Pet Sounds." Wow! And he didn't have a brilliant, creative, and nurturing George Martin around to help him either; but rather, the abusive, tyrannical, and loud-mouth dimwit, Murray Wilson served as his "father figure."

Within three years of completing "Pet Sounds," Brian would be a shell of a man; sapped of creative energy and the ability to work by emotional and mental problems and drug use, worn down from the internal strife within the band and his family, fed up with Capitol Records which betrayed him, hurt by the fans that he felt rejected his music, and disillusioned with the world in general.

The bulb that shines the brightest, burns out the fastest. Brian Wilson, for a brief moment, was that brilliant bulb. Listening to this box set allows you to experience the Mozart at work on his masterpiece.

Whether you are a die-hard Beach Boys fan, or just a fan of good music, this box-set belongs in your collection. The impact, although delayed somewhat in 1966, of "Pet Sounds" has been well documented over the years. And the recent reissue of the album makes clear that this music is coming from a special place. What the box-set does, is allows you to hear the process of the album's creation. Through alternate takes, and the "pieces" that Brian Wilson assembled into complete songs, you can hear how songs that are now classics were born. The box contains four discs...the first being a Brian Wilson supervised and approved stereo mix...the first ever, and "Sessions Part I. Disc two contains the pieces, backing tracks, Brian's instructions to the studio musician's (who are some of the best players on the planet..then and now) titled "Sessions Part 2. Disc three is perhaps the most moving for it contains just the vocal tracks of the album's songs, along with alternate versions of songs like "God Only Knows", and "Wouldn't It Be Nice". The box set also contains, in a separate slip cover replicating the original album sleeve, the original album...in mono of course.

Yes, it does help to have a strong curiosity about music and how songs are developed to get the most from this set...(disc two), but from the stereo mix, to the vocal tracks, to the alt. versions..this must be what Heaven might sound like.

When this first came out, it was so good that it raised expectations so high for "Smile". After hearing the "Smile" outtakes on the previous BB box set, it still cannot match up to this. Pet Sounds is a more honest reflection of Brian Wilson's soul. If "Smile" would have been released back in the 60s, it would have been critically acclaimed, but it would not have been as commercially susccesful as people think. Under the influence of substances, things sound better and more creative than they actually are. "Pet Sounds" is Brian Wilson's masterpiece and the music that will be his enduring legacy, not the music that he did not release (Smile). This collection dissects some of the most beautiful songs of all time (alternate takes, vocals only, instrumentals only, stereo, lavish booklet) and is well-researched and well presented. This is one of, if not THE greatest album of all time and this box set would be a wonderful purchase for any Beach Boys or Brian Wilson fan or anyone who enjoyed the Pet Sounds album. Few single albums are deserving of the box set treatment but this one definitely is and this box set is one of the best sets out on the market today, especially in terms of research and packaging.

Quite simply the best box set I own. "Pet Sounds" is one of the most poigniantly beautiful albums of all-time. Touted and praised throughout the years, many (myself included) consider "Pet Sounds" to be pop music's crowning achievment. "Sessions", a 4 disc set, is a detailed journey into the musical mind of Brian Wilson. By way of studio outtakes we are privy to the creation of his classic songs. It is amazing to hear Brian-- the hardworking perfectionist-- confidently barking orders to some of L.A.'s finest studio musicians. But, best of all, is the opportunity to follow the evolution of each song from rough idea to polished gem. "Sessions" includes not only studio outtakes, but also alternate versions, vocals only mixes (unbelievable harmonies!)and instrumental tracks. A newly remastered mono mix, complete with mini album cover is also included. However, the highlight of the set is the first true stereo mix of Brian's masterpiece. The difference between stereo and mono is like the difference between 3-Dimensional Color and Black & White.(Yes, I know there are many purists who are horrifed!) Listen with headphones and you'll discover layer upon layer of instruments cutting through the mix like never before. The clarity, depth and space of the recording are simply stunning. In fact, in this modern era of 48 track recorders, it is almost imcomprehensible that an album as musically complex as "Pet Sounds" was recorded on an 8 track. But, that's the beauty of "Pet Sounds"-- it's truly timeless. Very few albums are worthy of box set treatment. "Pet Sounds" is more than worthy and "Sessions" is a remarkable document that is worth every penny of it's hefty price.

We all knew that Brian Wilson was a musical genius and innovator for our times.This Box Set shows how Brian crafted and shaped.One can see the album "Pet Sounds" come to life.No slight to the Mono release,the Stereo version is pure joy to hear.Snap this one up,while STILL waiting for Capitol to do the same treatment to "Good Vibrations".