Prior to the release of Pet Sounds the Beach Boy music was viewed as surfer pop music because of the content of their songs. The Beach Boys image prior to Pet Sounds was that of California surfers that were having fun under the sun because of songs like Good Vibration and Surfin Usa.
Brian Wilson played an important role within the Beach Boys. He was responsible for a lot of the melodies and lyrics that were used in their hit songs. He had a unique ability to see a song in its totality before actually recording it. He was also a brilliant arranger that had everything mapped out so the Beach Boys could concentrate on just singing their parts. Brian Wilson was basically everything to the Beach Boys.
The Beatles Revolver album influenced Brian Wilson to record Pet Sounds. After Brian heard the Revolver album it also sparked a friendly competition between the Beach Boys and the Beatles.
The characteristics of Pet Sound that sets itself apart from other albums is the ability it had to give a pop yet poetic feel with the lyrical content. Another characteristic that Pet Sounds had that sets itself apart from other albums was the speeding up technique that it implemented. The idea of using the studio as an instrument also helps set Pet Sounds apart from the rest.
As a listener Pet Sounds strikes me as a masterpiece. The unique ways instrumentation was used during the making of Pet Sounds gives it a mythical feel. Pet Sounds gives me an impression that there is a higher power involved with the making of music. As an industry professional Pet Sounds has left a lasting impression on me that will inspire me to stretch the boundaries and to try to do innovative things. Pet Sounds lasting impression on me will encourage me to trust people enough to collaborate with them.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame + Museum. (n.d.). The Beach Boys Biography. Retrieved June 8, 2014, from http://rockhall.com/inductees/the-beach-boys/bio/
Pet Sounds. (n.d.). Pet Sounds. Retrieved June 8, 2014, from http://www.petsounds.com
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