Beach Boys: Pet Sounds

While Pet Sounds was The Beach Boys 11th studio album, it is regarded by many as their seminal release. Because of its ambitious production style, sophisticated music, and emotional lyrics, the album changed the way many super groups of the time approached writing and recording music. Pet Sounds was initially met with lukewarm criticism. It peaked at number ten on the US Billboard Top Albums chart. Ironically, it is now considered to be among the greatest and most influential albums in music history.

Pet Sounds was originally mixed to full-track in monophonic form. Subsequent releases have been issued in stereophonic form. However, most audiophiles prefer the original mono release and some diehards will argue that it is the only way to enjoy Pet Sounds. Although it had been widely revered within the industry for quite some time, it wasn't until the album was reissued in the 90s that it garnered the recognition it deserved, topping several critics' and musicians' polls for the "best album of all time" (e.g., Rolling Stone Magazine's "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time" list).

The 1995 DCC Compact Classics release mastered by Steve Hoffman using an All Vacuum-tube Cutting System helped spur widespread interest in Pet Sounds. Hoffman's skillful mastering and Kevin Gray's meticulous lacquer cutting brought Pet Sounds to a level of audio-fidelity that had yet to be experienced. Pressed on virgin vinyl, the record is extremely quiet, detailed, and well balanced. The vocal harmonies are clear and front and center. Little if any distortion and sibilance is evident. Overall, Hoffman's version of Pet Sounds stands as one of the best, if not the best, available.

TRACK LIST
A1 Wouldn't It Be Nice
A2 You Still Believe In Me
A3 That's Not Me
A4 Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder)
A5 I'm Waiting For The Day
A6 Let's Go Away For A While
A7 Sloop John B
B1 God Only Knows
B2 I Know There's An Answer
B3 Here Today
B4 I Just Wasn't Made For These Times
B5 Pet Sounds
B6 Caroline, No

If you are looking for a great mono version of Pet Sounds, the 1995 DCC Compact Classic is the go to release. The Analogue Productions version is great as well. However, the DCC version is our preference. That said, AP offers the option of stereo or mono and 45 rpm or 33 rpm. But if you want Pet Sounds as it was intended the only way to go is mono and the DCC version is our preference. 💰
💰 Invest
💵 Consider
💸 Pass