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The best Beach Boys album, and one of the best of the 1960s. The group here reached a whole new level in terms of both composition and production, layering tracks upon tracks of vocals and instruments to create a richly symphonic sound. Conventional keyboards and guitars were combined with exotic touches of orchestrated strings, bicycle bells, buzzing organs, harpsichords, flutes, Theremin, Hawaiian-sounding string instruments, Coca-Cola cans, barking dogs, and more. It wouldn't have been a classic without great songs, and this has some of the group's most stunning melodies, as well as lyrical themes which evoke both the intensity of newly born love affairs and the disappointment of failed romance (add in some general statements about loss of innocence and modern-day confusion as well). The spiritual quality of the material is enhanced by some of the most gorgeous upper-register male vocals (especially by Brian and Carl Wilson) ever heard on a rock record. "Wouldn't It Be Nice," "God Only Knows," "Caroline No," and "Sloop John B" (the last of which wasn't originally intended to go on the album) are the well-known hits, but equally worthy are such cuts as "You Still Believe in Me," "Don't Talk," "I Know There's an Answer," and "I Just Wasn't Made for These Times." It's often said that this is more of a Brian Wilson album than a Beach Boys recording (session musicians played most of the parts), but it should be noted that the harmonies are pure Beach Boys (and some of their best). Massively influential upon its release (although it was a relatively low seller compared to their previous LPs), it immediately vaulted the band into the top level of rock innovators among the intelligentsia, especially in Britain, where it was a much bigger hit.
© Richie Unterberger /TiVo
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Tony Asher, ComposerLyricist - Steve Douglas, Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Joe Gastwirt, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Larry Knechtel, Organ, AssociatedPerformer - Ray Pohlman, Mandolin, AssociatedPerformer - Brian Wilson, Producer, Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Mike Love, Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - The Beach Boys, MainArtist - Plas Johnson, Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Jay Migliori, Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Hal Blaine, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Frank Capp, Bells, Percussion, Timpani, AssociatedPerformer - Lyle Ritz, Double Bass, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - Carol Kaye, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Barney Kessel, Mandolin, AssociatedPerformer - Al De Lory, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Frank Marocco, Accordion, AssociatedPerformer - Bill Pitman, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Carl L. Fortina, Accordion, AssociatedPerformer - Jerry Cole, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Roy Caton, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Carl Fortina, Accordion, AssociatedPerformer - Ralph Balantin, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Larry Levine, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1996 Capitol Records, LLC
Jerry Williams, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Tony Asher, ComposerLyricist - Steve Douglas, Clarinet, AssociatedPerformer - Joe Gastwirt, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - MARK LINETT, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Bill Green, Alto Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Brian Wilson, Producer, Mixer, Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel, ComposerLyricist - The Beach Boys, MainArtist - Plas Johnson, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Jay Migliori, Bass Clarinet, AssociatedPerformer - Hal Blaine, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Lyle Ritz, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Carol Kaye, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Julius Wechter, Cymbals, Engineer, Timpani, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Barney Kessel, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Horn, Alto Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Al De Lory, Harpsichord, AssociatedPerformer - Chuck Britz, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jerry Cole, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Roy Caton, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1996 Capitol Records, LLC
Tony Asher, ComposerLyricist - Joe Gastwirt, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - MARK LINETT, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Brian Wilson, Producer, Mixer, Organ, Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel, ComposerLyricist - Mike Love, Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - The Beach Boys, MainArtist - Carl Wilson, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Lyle Ritz, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Glen Campbell, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Carol Kaye, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Dennis Wilson, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Chuck Britz, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1996 Capitol Records, LLC
Tony Asher, ComposerLyricist - Steve Douglas, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Joe Gastwirt, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - MARK LINETT, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Brian Wilson, Producer, Mixer, Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel, ComposerLyricist - The Beach Boys, MainArtist - Billy Strange, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Hal Blaine, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Frank Capp, Timpani, Vibraphone, AssociatedPerformer - Lyle Ritz, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Glen Campbell, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Carol Kaye, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Al De Lory, Organ, AssociatedPerformer - Joseph Saxon, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Tibor Zelig, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Sidney Sharp, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Chuck Britz, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ralph Schaeffer, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Arnold Belnick, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - H. Bowen David, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Norm Botnick, Viola, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1996 Capitol Records, LLC
Gary Coleman, Timpani, Bongos, AssociatedPerformer - JIM GORDON, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Joe Gastwirt, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - MARK LINETT, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Larry Knechtel, Organ, AssociatedPerformer - Bill Green, Flute, AssociatedPerformer - Ray Pohlman, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Brian Wilson, Producer, Mixer, Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel, ComposerLyricist - Mike Love, ComposerLyricist - The Beach Boys, MainArtist - Jay Migliori, Flute, AssociatedPerformer - Lyle Ritz, Double Bass, Ukulele, AssociatedPerformer - Carol Kaye, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Justin Ditullio, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Horn, Flute, AssociatedPerformer - Al De Lory, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Sidney Sharp, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - William Kurasch, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Lenny Hartman, English Horn, AssociatedPerformer - Ralph Schaeffer, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Harry Hyams, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Ralph Balantin, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Lenny Malarsky, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - H. Bowen David, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1996 Capitol Records, LLC
Steve Douglas, Flute, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Brian Wilson, Composer, Producer - The Beach Boys, MainArtist - Al Casey, Slide Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Hal Blaine, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Justin Ditullio, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Joseph DiFiore, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Chuck Britz, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Roy Caton, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - James Getzoff, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Arnold Belnick, Violin, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1966 Capitol Records LLC
Steve Douglas, Flute, AssociatedPerformer - Traditional, ComposerLyricist - Brian Wilson, Producer, Arranger, Vocalist, Work Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Love, Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - The Beach Boys, MainArtist - Carl Wilson, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Al Casey, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Billy Strange, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Jay Migliori, Clarinet, AssociatedPerformer - Hal Blaine, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Frank Capp, Glockenspiel, AssociatedPerformer - Lyle Ritz, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Carol Kaye, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Horn, Flute, AssociatedPerformer - Al De Lory, Organ, AssociatedPerformer - Dennis Wilson, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Al Jardine, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Chuck Britz, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jack Nimitz, Baritone Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Jerry Cole, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Ron Swallow, Tambourine, AssociatedPerformer - Bruce Johnson, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2012 Capitol Records, LLC
Bruce Johnston, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Tony Asher, ComposerLyricist - JIM GORDON, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Joe Gastwirt, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - MARK LINETT, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Larry Knechtel, Organ, AssociatedPerformer - Bill Green, Flute, AssociatedPerformer - Ray Pohlman, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Brian Wilson, Producer, Mixer, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel, ComposerLyricist - The Beach Boys, MainArtist - Carl Wilson, Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Jay Migliori, Baritone Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Hal Blaine, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Don Randi, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Lyle Ritz, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Carol Kaye, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Horn, Flute, AssociatedPerformer - Sidney Sharp, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Jesse Ehrlich, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Chuck Britz, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Frank Marocco, Accordion, AssociatedPerformer - Alan Robinson, French Horn, AssociatedPerformer - Lenny Hartman, Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Carl L. Fortina, Accordion, AssociatedPerformer - Ralph Balantin, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Lenny Malarsky, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Darrel Terwilliger, Viola, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1997 Capitol Records, LLC
Tommy Morgan, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Douglas, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Joe Gastwirt, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - MARK LINETT, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Larry Knechtel, Organ, AssociatedPerformer - Ray Pohlman, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Brian Wilson, Producer, Mixer, Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel, ComposerLyricist - Mike Love, Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - The Beach Boys, MainArtist - Jay Migliori, Baritone Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Hal Blaine, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Lyle Ritz, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Glen Campbell, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Julius Wechter, Percussion, Tambourine, AssociatedPerformer - Barney Kessel, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Horn, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Horn, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Al De Lory, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Al Jardine, Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Chuck Britz, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Terry Sachen, ComposerLyricist - Bobby Klein, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1996 Capitol Records, LLC
Tony Asher, ComposerLyricist - Terry Melcher, Tambourine, AssociatedPerformer - Bruce Botnick, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Joe Gastwirt, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - MARK LINETT, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Larry Knechtel, Organ, AssociatedPerformer - Brian Wilson, Producer, Mixer, StudioPersonnel, ComposerLyricist - Mike Love, Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - The Beach Boys, MainArtist - Al Casey, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Jay Migliori, Baritone Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Don Randi, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Frank Capp, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Lyle Ritz, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Deasy, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Carol Kaye, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Jack Nimitz, Baritone Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Gail Martin, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - Nick Martinis, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Ralph Balantin, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ernie Tack, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1996 Capitol Records, LLC
Tony Asher, ComposerLyricist - Tommy Morgan, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Douglas, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Joe Gastwirt, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - MARK LINETT, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Pohlman, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Tanner, Theremin, AssociatedPerformer - Brian Wilson, Producer, Mixer, Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel, ComposerLyricist - The Beach Boys, MainArtist - Plas Johnson, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Jay Migliori, Baritone Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Hal Blaine, Drums, Unknown, Other, AssociatedPerformer - Don Randi, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Frank Capp, Percussion, Timpani, AssociatedPerformer - Glen Campbell, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Barney Kessel, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Melvoin, Harpsichord, AssociatedPerformer - Chuck Berghofer, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Ralph Balantin, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Larry Levine, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bobby Klein, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1996 Capitol Records, LLC
Joe Gastwirt, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - MARK LINETT, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Bill Green, Percussion, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Brian Wilson, Producer, Mixer, Piano, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel, ComposerLyricist - The Beach Boys, MainArtist - Billy Strange, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Plas Johnson, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Jay Migliori, Percussion, Baritone Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Lyle Ritz, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Carol Kaye, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Horn, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Chuck Britz, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jerry Cole, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Roy Caton, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Tommy Tedesco, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Richie Frost, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1996 Capitol Records, LLC
Tony Asher, ComposerLyricist - Steve Douglas, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Joe Gastwirt, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - MARK LINETT, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Bill Green, Flute, AssociatedPerformer - Brian Wilson, Producer, Mixer, Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel, ComposerLyricist - The Beach Boys, MainArtist - Plas Johnson, Flute, AssociatedPerformer - Jay Migliori, Flute, AssociatedPerformer - Hal Blaine, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Frank Capp, Vibraphone, AssociatedPerformer - Lyle Ritz, Ukulele, AssociatedPerformer - Glen Campbell, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Carol Kaye, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Barney Kessel, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Horn, Flute, AssociatedPerformer - Al De Lory, Harpsichord, AssociatedPerformer - Chuck Britz, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1996 Capitol Records, LLC
Album review
The best Beach Boys album, and one of the best of the 1960s. The group here reached a whole new level in terms of both composition and production, layering tracks upon tracks of vocals and instruments to create a richly symphonic sound. Conventional keyboards and guitars were combined with exotic touches of orchestrated strings, bicycle bells, buzzing organs, harpsichords, flutes, Theremin, Hawaiian-sounding string instruments, Coca-Cola cans, barking dogs, and more. It wouldn't have been a classic without great songs, and this has some of the group's most stunning melodies, as well as lyrical themes which evoke both the intensity of newly born love affairs and the disappointment of failed romance (add in some general statements about loss of innocence and modern-day confusion as well). The spiritual quality of the material is enhanced by some of the most gorgeous upper-register male vocals (especially by Brian and Carl Wilson) ever heard on a rock record. "Wouldn't It Be Nice," "God Only Knows," "Caroline No," and "Sloop John B" (the last of which wasn't originally intended to go on the album) are the well-known hits, but equally worthy are such cuts as "You Still Believe in Me," "Don't Talk," "I Know There's an Answer," and "I Just Wasn't Made for These Times." It's often said that this is more of a Brian Wilson album than a Beach Boys recording (session musicians played most of the parts), but it should be noted that the harmonies are pure Beach Boys (and some of their best). Massively influential upon its release (although it was a relatively low seller compared to their previous LPs), it immediately vaulted the band into the top level of rock innovators among the intelligentsia, especially in Britain, where it was a much bigger hit.
© Richie Unterberger /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 13 track(s)
- Total length: 00:36:14
- Main artists: The Beach Boys
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Capitol Records
- Genre: Pop/Rock Rock
© 1966 Capitol Records, LLC ℗ 2015 Capitol Records, LLC
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