[Welsh Rabbit]

Pet Sounds is one of the most important and underrated albums in rock history. The Beatles recognized it's brilliance, too bad so many of their fans didn't.

"Without Pet Sounds, Sgt. Pepper wouldn't have happened... Pepper was an attempt to equal Pet Sounds." Sir George Martin, Producer, The Beatles

"No one is educated musically until they've heard Pet Sounds... It is a total classic record that is unbeatable in many ways." Sir Paul McCartney

[archy]

"Without Pet Sounds, Sgt. Pepper wouldn't have happened... Pepper was an attempt to equal Pet Sounds." Sir George Martin, Producer, The Beatles

"No one is educated musically until they've heard Pet Sounds... It is a total classic record that is unbeatable in many ways." Sir Paul McCartney

I was in the Army in 1966 when Pet Sounds came out. Though I'd played in bands on and off for almost a decade before then, I'd firmly resolved to lay off until I was discharged- I just didn't have the time to stay in practice and I wasn't about to give it a halfhearted go.

Then I heard Pet Sounds, and was completely blown away. Within a few months I was back at it again, wound up stationed in Germany near Munich, and was playing with a band made of half US GIs including an occasional Hollies session player and arranger, and half Germans with serious concert/philharmonic music dues paid. Shortly thereafter, Cream's Disraeli Gears album came out, and I figured I'd made the right move. About a third of our sets were surf/summer music, about a third beatles and Brit Invasion tunes, and the rest all sorts, including several Elvis and Del Shannon covers.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Pet Sounds was Magical Mystery Tour before the Beatles did it.
It was from a kinder, gentler time.

[Poser]

Pet Sounds wasn't well received for a variety of reasons. In general, Beach Boys fans weren't into drugs and psychedelic music. The main reason was the competition. The Beach Boys just weren't hip anymore. The new wave of music was on the way and the Beach Boys weren't part of it. 1966-1968 saw the rise of acid rock, heavy metal and hippies. A few albums form the same period as Pet Sounds include:

Jefferson Airplane Takes Off
John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers
Fresh Cream
Jimi Hendrix - Are You Experienced (67)
Blond on Blond - Dylan

The Beach Boys were over. The Beatles hung on for a couple of years, but music was taking on a much harder edge.

Personally, I really didn't like Pet Sounds. Most of the songs were morose and depressing. At the time, I thought the Beach Boys should stick to beach music. I guess I wasn't alone. They continued their successful performance career for many years.

I still have I Get Around, Surfer Girl, Little Deuce Coupe and Barbara Ann on my Ipod.