Saturday
Nov042006
Pet Sounds
Saturday, November 4, 2006 at 03:31PM
She was so excited that she had figured out how to hide in the closet, but when the sliding door nicked the other foot right after the band-aid had gone on the first one, she couldn't handle it anymore. As I sat there and held her, in the realization that she (a) can stick her lower lip out beyond what I think is natural, and (b) her breath smelled like Cheerios, I knew what she needed.
She needed to hear Pet Sounds.
Pet Sounds is, of course, one of rock and roll's most legendary albums. It was the last Beach Boys record Brian Wilson made before he went crazy. It's the record that The Beatles made Sgt. Pepper's to try and top (and in their own words, failed). It's amazing.
I first heard it in New Orleans in 2000. The Normals were working with Malcolm Burn on what was to become Coming to Life. In the middle of a working day Malcolm made a reference to the album and I replied blankly: "I've never heard it."
After many profanities and utter disbelief, Malcolm told the band to take a break and said "Andy, come with me."
He took me over to the stereo in the other room. "Pull up a chair and sit down." I did. He disappeared for a minute and came back with a cd and a pair of headphones. "Here's what you're going to do. You're going to listen to this record. Then listen to it again. Then you can come back to work."
I listened to the record.
I listened again.
I went back to work.
And I have been forever grateful for that day. Pet Sounds is amazing. Fact. But what's just as amazing is that one guy created it. He forever changed the way recording studios work, the way people look at pop music. He took drums, guitars, pianos, orchestras and created something that had never been heard before. It's stunning that all of this could exist in one man's head, AND that he could actually create a whole new process to capture it on tape.
Listening now it really doesn't seem that amazing. We've heard a ton of music just like it. Well, not really. We've heard a ton of music that's tried to do it again. You have to listen in context. Realize that it was done on four tracks. FOUR TRACKS. It's more lush and full than just about anything that's been made before or since. At that point The Beatles were still pretty much just the four guys with their respective instruments. This inspired them to start working more with orchestra in a new and abstract way.
Brian used what's known as the "wall of sound" approach. They'd get four acoustic guitars, three electric bass players, two upright bass players, two or three pianos, six saxophones, four trumpets, etc... and they would all play at the same time to one track. There was no way to change it afterwards, so they would play it again and again and Brian would tell the Sax player #2 to move in eight inches and ask Bass Player #1 to use a different pick. Unreal. I've got a box set version that has some of this stuff recorded and it's a total mindtrip to hear him work.
The vocals were the same way. And they would layer and layer them. One track for the music, three for the vocals. Take that, ProTools. In the box set is a version of this record with the instrument track muted, so it's just the vocals. The arrangements would make a glee club cry and The Eagles want to jump out a window.
In time, though, like all things, I've gotten used to Pet Sounds. I've become familiar with the beautiful songs and the honest naivete of Brian's heart that is laid open through them.
But when I saw those crocodile tears of a sad little girl, I knew it was time. I carried her out to the living room, plugged up the iPod, and started at the very beginning (allegedly, a very good place to start...)
Wouldn't it be nice if we were older,
then we wouldn't have to wait so long...
Within seconds the tears were gone, Ella was clapping and waving her hands. I took the hand of a stuffed dog and Ella grabbed her constant CareBear companion and we danced.
I mean, it's the Beach Boys. Just because it's a classic doesn't mean it's not fun.
She needed to hear Pet Sounds.
Pet Sounds is, of course, one of rock and roll's most legendary albums. It was the last Beach Boys record Brian Wilson made before he went crazy. It's the record that The Beatles made Sgt. Pepper's to try and top (and in their own words, failed). It's amazing.
I first heard it in New Orleans in 2000. The Normals were working with Malcolm Burn on what was to become Coming to Life. In the middle of a working day Malcolm made a reference to the album and I replied blankly: "I've never heard it."
After many profanities and utter disbelief, Malcolm told the band to take a break and said "Andy, come with me."
He took me over to the stereo in the other room. "Pull up a chair and sit down." I did. He disappeared for a minute and came back with a cd and a pair of headphones. "Here's what you're going to do. You're going to listen to this record. Then listen to it again. Then you can come back to work."
I listened to the record.
I listened again.
I went back to work.
And I have been forever grateful for that day. Pet Sounds is amazing. Fact. But what's just as amazing is that one guy created it. He forever changed the way recording studios work, the way people look at pop music. He took drums, guitars, pianos, orchestras and created something that had never been heard before. It's stunning that all of this could exist in one man's head, AND that he could actually create a whole new process to capture it on tape.
Listening now it really doesn't seem that amazing. We've heard a ton of music just like it. Well, not really. We've heard a ton of music that's tried to do it again. You have to listen in context. Realize that it was done on four tracks. FOUR TRACKS. It's more lush and full than just about anything that's been made before or since. At that point The Beatles were still pretty much just the four guys with their respective instruments. This inspired them to start working more with orchestra in a new and abstract way.
Brian used what's known as the "wall of sound" approach. They'd get four acoustic guitars, three electric bass players, two upright bass players, two or three pianos, six saxophones, four trumpets, etc... and they would all play at the same time to one track. There was no way to change it afterwards, so they would play it again and again and Brian would tell the Sax player #2 to move in eight inches and ask Bass Player #1 to use a different pick. Unreal. I've got a box set version that has some of this stuff recorded and it's a total mindtrip to hear him work.
The vocals were the same way. And they would layer and layer them. One track for the music, three for the vocals. Take that, ProTools. In the box set is a version of this record with the instrument track muted, so it's just the vocals. The arrangements would make a glee club cry and The Eagles want to jump out a window.
In time, though, like all things, I've gotten used to Pet Sounds. I've become familiar with the beautiful songs and the honest naivete of Brian's heart that is laid open through them.
But when I saw those crocodile tears of a sad little girl, I knew it was time. I carried her out to the living room, plugged up the iPod, and started at the very beginning (allegedly, a very good place to start...)
Wouldn't it be nice if we were older,
then we wouldn't have to wait so long...
Within seconds the tears were gone, Ella was clapping and waving her hands. I took the hand of a stuffed dog and Ella grabbed her constant CareBear companion and we danced.
I mean, it's the Beach Boys. Just because it's a classic doesn't mean it's not fun.
Reader Comments (12)
Dude. I've been diggin the Ella centric posts. And the three songs that I have from Pet Sounds (the ones you gave me) are awesome. I never thought of The Beach Boys to be anything more than a band who played fun, beach-like music. But, I was wrong. They are much more than that.
But like you said, they are still tons of fun to listen to.
thanks again :)
Ok. Don't make fun of me.
I love music. All music.
And I have NEVER heard that album.
i worked at a used cd store for three years. pet sounds was always around the house player if not in it.
Pet Sounds will always be in my top 5 and I think the last time I did a list on my journal, it was #1. Brian Wilson's a genius and that album is exhibit's A through Z. Like you said, all of that on four tracks.... AMAZING!
Have you heard Brian Wilson's SMiLE?
(By the way, Ella did not cry crocodile tears. Google it.)
hey jarred,where is that used cd store u working at?
ah..indeed Matthew is correct. From wiki:
Crocodile tears
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Crocodile tears is false or insincere weeping, a hypocritical display of emotions. The expression comes from an ancient anecdote that crocodiles weep in order to lure their prey, or that they cry for the victims they are eating.
An alternate explanation for the expression's origin is that crocodile tears cannot be authentic because crocodiles cannot cry; they lack tear ducts. Yet this is a myth: Crocodiles possess lachrymal glands which secrete a proteinaceous fluid, just like in humans, though tears will only be visible after a crocodile is out of the water for a prolonged period of time, and dries out. However, while crocodiles can and do generate tears, they do not weep or cry for remorse.[1]
I heard Nickelback did the same thing while recording "Photograph." Geniuses...
Andy, since Matthew mentioned it... if you haven't heard Smile yet, buy it now! It's soooooo good and the dvd concert/documentary is well worth an extra purchase . Great stuff. Even though it's not The Beach Boys, the Wondermints do a great job as his backing band and the cd is a worthy follow up to Pet Sounds. Ella will love it!
And remember it was the Beatles "Rubber Soul" album that inspired Brian to create "Pet Sounds". It's also worth mentioning that Paul McCartney has often called 'God Only Knows" his favorite song of all time (it's interesting to note that Brian Wilson is only two days younger than Paul McCartney [born on June 20, 1942]). To me it's most amazing that this album was the masterpiece of a 23/24 year old.
I love that Album.
I could not agree more about Pet Sounds. Genius stuff!