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If the author's question is "what is it that makes Pet Sounds such a great album", and they are aware that critics say this: > Pet Sounds revolutionized the fi

If the author's question is "what is it that makes Pet Sounds such a great album", and they are aware that critics say this: > Pet Sounds revolutionized the field of music production and the role of producers within the music industry, introduced novel approaches to orchestration, chord voicings, and structural harmonies, and furthered the cultural legitimization of popular music, a greater public appreciation for albums, the use of recording studios as an instrument, and the development of psychedelic music and progressive/art rock ... Then why not study those aspects of the album? It seems like those are historical and technical innovations, not esthetic or preferential. They are saying "look at all the ways this album changed the world." The author's strategy instead was to listen to other Beach Boys albums, then listen to Pet Sounds again, and expect to have an epiphany. I think that's a hopeless strategy, and probably misses the point anyway.

bjterry 5y ago
I think if critics said things like “Pet Sounds was a huge technical and cultural innovation in the production of music but was only an incremental improvement in the aesthetics and complexity of music” we wouldn’t have this article. The point of the investigation is to understand why critics are literally calling it God-like. At least, that’s my reading.
enos_feedler 5y ago
I was excited to dive into the investigation with the author but was completely underwhelmed by where things went. The author barely pays respect to the idea that you can’t just listen to something today and understand it’s acclaim and influence at the time. There was not nearly enough depth here explored. Like what did other bands sound like? What was at the top of the charts at the time? Paint a picture of before and after. Disappointed this is floating so high here on HN
bwanab 5y ago
You don’t need to listen to all The Beach Boys albums that went before. All you need to do is listen to the top 40 at the time Pet Sounds came out. Other than the Beatles, it was pretty shlocky.

bjterry 5y ago

I think if critics said things like “Pet Sounds was a huge technical and cultural innovation in the production of music but was only an incremental improvement in the aesthetics and complexity of music” we wouldn’t have this article. The point of the investigation is to understand why critics are literally calling it God-like. At least, that’s my reading.

enos_feedler 5y ago

I was excited to dive into the investigation with the author but was completely underwhelmed by where things went. The author barely pays respect to the idea that you can’t just listen to something today and understand it’s acclaim and influence at the time. There was not nearly enough depth here explored. Like what did other bands sound like? What was at the top of the charts at the time? Paint a picture of before and after. Disappointed this is floating so high here on HN

bwanab 5y ago

You don’t need to listen to all The Beach Boys albums that went before. All you need to do is listen to the top 40 at the time Pet Sounds came out. Other than the Beatles, it was pretty shlocky.