Beach Boys:Pet Sounds (DVD Audio) [DVD Audio, NTSC]

What is disturbing to me is this strange glorification of "Pet Sounds" as the BEST album of all time. It all apparently stems from this major competition between the Beatles and the Beach Boys in the mid-60s. Still, I find it absurd and close to infuriating when the Amazon reviewer dares to characterize "Sgt. Pepper" as "missing the mark." Since when do bands make records to please music pundits' dogmatic characterizations? Should we judge every album based on how close it comes to the "perfection" of "Pet Sounds"? Of course not.

The main reason why I think "Pet Sounds" can never be the greatest album of all time is that both Brian Wilson and the staunch defenders of the album continue to reference the Beatles. Always, even six or seven times in the liner notes, it's all about how they are better than or inspired by the Beatles, even a lengthy quote by Paul McCartney extolling the virtues of "Pet Sounds." The reason is simply a deep insecurity about the title of "greatest album of all time." Greatest albums stand on their own, and do not justify their greatness by constantly comparing it to albums of a rival band. It is strange and a bit silly.

And since I know I will get many votes by offended Beach Boys fans and reactionary anti-Beatles, might I take this chance to offer my choice for the best album of all time, the one that escaped the loop of competition between Wilson and McCartney. The story goes like this: "Rubber Soul" inspires Wilson to do "Pet Sounds," which in turn inspires McCartney to suggest "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band." In the meantime, outside of all this madness, the Beatles made THE recording of history, "Revolver," which in terms of musicianship, variety, experimentation, lyrics, and especially production beats any album from any generation and any popular music style.

As I mentioned at the beginning of this review, I love "Pet Sounds," but I simply find the intense determination by its loyal devotees to have it crowned a subjective and irrelevant title to be slightly paranoid and certainly very much overdone.

1966's "Pet Sounds" was the least successful Beach Boys album up to that time, barely hitting the top 10 (it peaked at 10) and not going gold. So it's no small irony that it remains their best and popular album of all time. Under Wilson's guidance, the group became more experimental, moving out of their signature "surf rock" realm and writing songs that dealed with real - life issues such as maturity ("Wouldn't It Be Nice"), love ("Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder)", "You Still Believe In Me"), rejection ("Here Today", "I Just Wasn't Made For These Times", "Caroline No"), even death (the ethereal "God Only Knows", with Carl Wilson's angel - like vocal and Brian's stunning production). The only song that seems even remotely like their earlier work is "Sloop John B". But while this one has to do with the ocean they loved so much, it is more of a distress call than an ode to summer fun. The two instrumentals, "Let's Go Away For Awhile" and the title track are great. The former is carried on by the gentle, slightly mysterious vibraphones and great strings, while the latter is a sidewinding instrumental workout. "I Know There's An Answer" is a crackerjack keyboard workout with a fierce chorus and scorching lyrics. The bonus track, another version of the song entitled "Hang On To Your Ego" is just the same song with just the title line changed.

"Pet Sounds" now comes with a beautiful booklet filled with pictures and track information. Brian Wilson provides a wonderful inroduction, and the essay is beautifully written. verall, this is what I conisder the greatest album of all time. For me, to be a great album, the album has to really speak to you, and "Pet Sounds" speaks to me because, as I mentioned earlier, it talks about the issues in our lives. If you want an album, look no further than "Pet Sounds".