ALBUMS: Pet Sounds (1966) Shut Down Volume 2 (1964)
MVC Rating: Pet Sounds, 5.0/$$$$$; Shut Down 4.0/$$$$
So, we’ve had the Beat Farmers, Beat Rodeo and the Beat. Before we get to another band with a ‘Beat’ in it, let’s go to the Beach.
This copy of ‘Pet Sounds’ is a little worn. My rock roots were decidedly Beatles, Rolling Stones, the Who, Al Green, Hendrix, Janis, Otis Redding, Allmans and so on.
The Beach Boys didn’t sound like those. To my rock n roll ears, the Beach Boys tilted slightly toward Pat Boone’s version of ‘Tutti Frutti’ not Little Richard’s definitive take.
The Beach Boys on the west coast, specifically Southern California, seemed so white-surfer- boy with a decidedly middle class orientation — and there’s nothing wrong with that.
But for all their initial radio beach and car songs, there was genius at work from Brian Wilson. Listening to arguably their best work, ‘Pet Sounds,’ one is struck by the arrangements and interlocking melodies, a jazz sensibility. ‘God only Knows’ is a near perfect song. Sloop John is perennial.
Shut Down has Fun, Fun, Fun, which is definitely worth the three Funs. Shut Down also had some talking interludes which reminded me of a Zappa interlude if Zappa wasn’t so cynical. Come to think of it Zappa was actually making fun of the Beach Boys. Interestingly on Pet Sounds, there is some secret freak out at the end of the album after ‘Caroline No.’
Counting down my 678 vinyl records before I die of brain disease.