Pet Sounds - Stereo [VINYL]

Product Information

On ‘God Only Knows’ it is just Carl, Brian and Bruce that are singing and on the acapella version, when they finish their vocal, a voice asks, “How was that? Was that cool?” It’s Bruce Johnston asking the question and it is the perfect coda for not just the song, but also the album, because Pet Sounds is arguably the coolest record of all time. This is the kind of record that makes life worth living, reaffirming the notion that pop music is the most admired art form in the world.

The Beach Boys – Pet Sounds (2016, 50th Anniversary, Vinyl

This record has so often been written about and reviewed that all I want to do here is get to the sound of this recent reissue mastered by Kevin Gray from the original analog tape, and compare it to previous issues. On my pauper’s system ~ Technics SL Q3, Audio Technica (model??), DCM CX-17 bookshelf pair, and Denon crap AVR ~ my NM minus minus DCC copy has got body. I think KG & SH brought out the lows. Yes, I once declared the DCC Compact Classics edition best but I think that was before I heard the Carl and the Passions twofer! Now it's no contest. This record was the lynch pin around which the recent Brian Wilson bio-pic "Love and Mercy" spun. I highly recommend that movie to anyone who is a Wilson or Beach Boy fan. Seriously, it’s just Pet Sounds, what are you talking about. Yes, that’s the statement I’ve wanted to make for nearly fifty years now, though I don’t, as I fear the pitchforked mob that would storm my castle late into the night, smash my rather expensive stereo and distribute my precious record collection among themselves.

Reviews

Ironically, given the love and respect that exists around the world for this album, the 1966 US release failed to achieve the kind of success that had been anticipated or the level of sales achieved by the band’s earlier albums. Pet Sounds made No.10 in the US. In the UK it fared far better, making No.2 on the album charts, the most successful of the band’s albums to that point. Took awhile up here in Canada, but I finally got my copy. As you said, Michael, one need not be afraid of the stereo version. My copy is dead quiet, beautiful vinyl. The sound is easily the best for Per Sounds that I own: the mono reissue from 1977 green label Capitol and the recent Capitol Vault series release. And not just the bottom end, either; mids and highs are so much better...no harshness, smooth yet crisp. The influence that Pet Sounds has had, began even before it’s release outside the USA. On Monday, 16 May, 1966, Bruce Johnston, who was then the newest Beach Boy, arrived at London’s Heathrow Airport carrying a copy Pet Sounds that had come out in the USA that very day – well in advance of its UK release. Capitol/UMe will issue a 50th anniversary edition of The Beach Boys‘ 1966 album Pet Sounds this June that will feature the much-delayed blu-ray audio and four CDs of content including previously unreleased live recordings. Flawless strings and brass and percussion and absolutely gut-churning bottom end with a tight and symphonic feel.

Again: Pet Sounds 50th anniversary box set on the way Do It Again: Pet Sounds 50th anniversary box set on the way

Analogue Productions – APP 067-45, Capitol Records – ST 2458, Universal Music Special Markets – B0019909-1 Capitol Records – T 2458, Capitol Records – T-2458, Capitol Records – B0024728-01, UMe – B0024728-01 I went into this listening session believing that the Carl and the Passions "twofer" offered the best sound. I came away thinking that this new one from "Analogue Productions was overall the very best, though in a few small ways the Carl and the Passions "twofer" was at least as good in some ways, better in some and not as good in others. As for the stereo vinyl debuts of "The Beach Boys Today", "Summer Days...and Summer Nights", "Beach Boys Party" & "Smiley Smile", there is no reason why Capitol Records themselves couldn't offer those stereo mixes on vinyl. Capitol owns the recordings, after all. Acoustic Sounds' L.P.'s may feature heavier album covers than regular Capitol L.P.'s, but it's not the album cover that you play. As for the idea that Analog Productions' pressings area necessarily better than regular Capitol vinyl, that may not always be true. Some people on the Steve Hoffman forums who bought Analog Productions' mono vinyl reissue of "Pet Sounds" have reported off-center grooves on "Side One", and have stated that it is audible.i agonized over which pressing to get for years...until the AP came out. thanks in part to this review!

The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds | Releases | Discogs The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds | Releases | Discogs

Unbelievable pressing—simply the best sounding record in my collection and one of the best I've ever heard. The stereo 45RPM of Pet Sounds is perfect in every way for all the reasons already stated previously by others. The best album with one of the worst covers ever (well, at least of that era), has only grown in stature since it was first released in the Spring of 1966. The blu-ray features the hi-res 5.1 surround sound mix, which has been out before of course, but additionally contains a new hi-res instrumental version of the albumI originally owned the AP 33 rpm Stereo (200g) and that sounded fantastic except for the IGD near the end of Sloop John B. Decided to pony-up for the 45 rpm and does take care of that issue. Although don't love 45's and the breaking-up of an album's flow, it does win out over the 33 purely on sonics. It has a crazy dated and needless LH (Large Hole) 1 1/2" die-cut finish, what's wrong with a 4 prong OC (optional Centre) Dinked Centre ( Didn't EMI-Bovema finally realise the needless USA Large Hole die-cuts and go with Dinked OC centres!) I've heard several songs from that album, but like yourself I haven't heard the whole album in its entirety. Over at Hoffman's forums there are serious rumblings of discontent towards Acoustic Sounds/Analog Productions owner Chad Kassem, and even one consumer who professed to be a fan of Kassem's products suggesting that he needs to administered some "tough love" by his customers, and referred to Mr.Kassem as "A Greedy Bugger".