The Album Club met in early April to discuss one of the most important albums of the 1960’s: The Beach Boys’ chef d’oeuvre Pet Sounds (1966).
It’s been many weeks since our meeting, so we regret to inform you that our recap is lacking detail, and perhaps accuracy. Alas, here goes:
Members Present: Can’t remember
Members Absent: Can’t remember
Favorite Song: ”Sloop John B”
Discussed: Album as a narrative of a summer love affair - opening with optimism and declining over time, Brian Wilson’s internal conflicts and wanting to believe life is good, how close listening reveals an album far deeper than it’s surface of woozy good times and seaside frolicking, Wilson’s totalitarian leadership style and ownership of every decision and detail (unlike the Beatles’ team effort on Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band), interestingness of the instrumental tracks, expansiveness and inventiveness of the sounds, instruments, and players Wilson employed and manipulated, Burt Bacharach and “Let’s Go Away for Awhile”, impact and creative statement of mono vs. stereo releases, the Mamas and the Papas, the coolness and mystique of girl bassist Carol Kaye, whether or not the Beach Boys’ musical impact and legacy has been shrouded by their radio-friendly pop songs, how the general public thinks they are confectionary and their songs evoke nostalgia while for musicians they are hugely inspiring and all-important.
That’s all.
