On Pet Sounds

Until the Beach Boys went in a different direction with Pet Sounds, they had a happy mythical fun-in-the-sun sound. The music was solid, and their harmonies defined the sound of the era. This was largely due to Brian Wilson, who directed their musical path. He co-wrote or wrote many of their songs, hired session musicians, and produced the music with a heavy hand. Pet Sounds was a direct response to the Beatles` Rubber Soul. The Beach Boys utilized the Wrecking Crew session musicians, which propelled the album music forward. They also focused heavily on Brian's song writing and studio precision to set themselves apart. As an industry professional, listening to Pet Sounds, I often wish I had been able to participate in the era of recording. While recording quality is obviously not up to todays standards, I feel the production value is greater. I often find myself not caring that it is not as sharp or distinct as modern recordings.