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THE BEACH BOYS
Pet Sounds (Capitol)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale
I don't know how much there can be left to say about the greatest American pop album of all time. The story of Brian Wilson, challenged by Rubber Soul, setting out to do something great, and then going ahead and doing just that, has been told and retold many times.
What he didn't do, of course, was make a great *stereo* album. First of all, stereo wasn't nearly as important a consideration in 1966. Secondly, limited by then current technology to 4 and 8 track recording, it was far more important to Wilson to save as many tracks as possible for the Beach Boys trademark vocal arrangements. As a result, his standard studio techniques didn't provide source for true stereo mixes. Finally, by this time, Brian Wilson was essentially deaf in one ear. Stereo is simply not a big deal to the one eared population.
So the years passed, the album gained greater and greater acclaim, and the stereo mix was essentially impossible. Enter the magic of digital remixing. In 1996, engineer Mark Linett was finally able to sit down with the original tapes and digitally generate the first genuine stereo mix of a classic album. The process required a couple of changes from the original arrangements, but the results were exceptional just the same. The stereo mix was included in a box set devoted to the album that featured every demo, outtake and alternate mix associated with Pet Sounds. That's the level of devotion the album has garnered over the years. One 13 track record that gets its very own box set.
And until now, that box set has been the only way you could get the stereo mix. This release contains the complete mono original, the bonus track, "Hang On To Your Ego," that was included in the original CD release, and the full 13 track stereo mix. There's a comprehensive essay and extensive track by track annotation. While some will settle for nothing less than the five course meal represented by the box set, this single CD release is all meat. Prime cut. Blood rare. Perfect.
Track List:
Monoraul Mix - 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 The Day * Let's Go Away 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 * Hang On To Your Ego (bonus track) * Stereo Mix - Original 13 tracks repeat in stereo
© 1999 - Shaun Dale